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When planning family road trips it is very important to have the proper vehicle that fits the whole family as well as all the cargo that comes along with taking a road trip!  All of that luggage has to go somewhere!  Most families need a lot of space not only for kids but also for their cargo. The first car on the list is the Ford Flex!  The Flex has three rows of seating and plenty of room for cargo.  The second row seats can be ordered with a center-console refrigerator-freezer.  It has the best in class second and third row leg room.  With additional amenities like the PowerFold third row seat with tailgate feature and a refrigerated second row console the Flex is an ideal crossover for tailgating.  Not only is the Flex spacious but it is also comfortable.  There are available features such as heated and cooled front seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control, power adjustable pedals, power-tilt steering column and available power, folding heated mirrors. The Lincoln MKT can carry up to seven passengers and features an optional over the top surround sound and video entertainment system with 14 speakers.  There is an option package which includes navigation, panoramic sunroof and a blind spot monitoring system.  The entertainment upgrade includes video screens behind each of the front headrests that can show two different movies or video games at the same time!  While the kids are in the back occupied the adults in the front to listen to something else! This system is also said to greatly improve music played from MP3 players. Another car that made the list is the Ford Fusion.  The Hybrid models gets a remarkable 47 miles to the gallon.  The Fusion receives high marks for its roomy, comfortable seats and useful trunk space that expands cargo space with a folding rear seat.  The interior design is also very attractive and upscale.  The notable features include dual-zone automatic climate control, auxiliary jack, satellite radio, Bluetooth, voice controlled Synce with MyFord infotainment system.  It can also be equipped with features such as lane departure warning with lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, active park assist, navigation and a rearview camera with back up sensors. The Hyundai Santa Fe is also on our list of the best vehicles for family road trips.  It features rear seats that are split into three sections which are able to fold down for clever use of space.  Standard features include a 17 inch alloy wheels, power accessories, Bluetooth technology, six speaker audio systel and the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system.  The Santa Fe is a 2013 IIHS Top Safety pick and has dual front side mounted air bags as well as child seat anchors and emergency braking assist.  Hyundai vehicles also come with the Hyundai powertrain warranty which covers up to 10 years or 100,000 miles.  Hyundai also has a basic warranty to cover items such as brake pads and linings, belts and radio and audio systems for five years of 60,000 miles.

The all-new 2015 Lincoln Navigator will be available in late 2014.  The Navigator is a contemporary classic which is getting a new look for 2015.  The new Navigator will feature refined utility, craftsmanship and comfort.  From the tail lamps on the Navigator to the touch screen in the interior this is a refreshing take on a classic vehicle.  The Lincoln Navigator is getting a newly added twin turbocharged EcoBoost engine with available Lincoln Drive Control.  It is incredibly responsive yet also commanding.  It is equipped for any terrain you might encounter. The engine in the Lincoln Navigator is a 3.5L V6 EcoBoost which allows you to experience a smoother drive and a more advanced sense of control then the previous model of the Navigator.  The engine gives off 370 horsepower and 430 lb feet of torque.  Now standard on the Navigator is the heavy duty trailer tow package.  This package gives you a 9,000 lb towing capacity when it is properly equipped.  All the work that used to be hard will now be a breeze for you! The interior of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator is nothing short of impressive.  It is warm and inviting as well as extremely spacious.  The interior features stitched armrests, tuxedo black striped seating and the newly badged Lincoln steering wheel.  New options include ultra-luxurious leather, Ziricote wood, two tone color schemes and 22-inch wheels.  There is of course the options of heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, Navigaton and many more! Sync with MyLincoln touch lets you personalize your driving experience with simple voice commands, touch screen controls and customizable instrument cluster screens.  You can now answer calls with the push of a button and make calls with the sound of your voice! Making a call in your vehicle has never been easier! Another great feature is the keyless entry and push button start.  This is becoming standard in a lot of vehicles.  With the key in your pocket, purse or backpack simply push any button on the keyless entry pad to unlock the driver’s door.  Once inside the vehicle you can place your foot on the brake pedal and then press the start button.  Now shift into gear and be on your way! Lincoln also pays attention to small details.  The little things that are added to vehicles make a customer feel at home.  Lincoln has definitely done that with the 2015 Lincoln Navigator.  When parked the Navigator awaits your return with the Lincoln Welcome Mat.  When you unlock your vehicle the welcome mat illuminates the ground.  Once inside your Lincoln Navigator, you can take a seat as the warm, ambient, cabin lighting welcomes you.  Also when you open your door you will find deployable running boards that step out to greet you.  Close the door and they gracefully retract.  The Navigator also monitors your blind spots for you!  The blind spot information system with cross traffic alert is an advanced driver assist technology which keeps you aware of your surroundings.  The system will alert you if a vehicle is detected where you can possibly miss it. Preston Lincoln is excited about the new 2015 Lincoln Navigator.  We will be awaiting its arrival!  Stay updated on when you might see 2015 Lincoln Navigator on our lot with our Facebook page!

Many vehicles now have a great feature where you will not have to use that bulky garage door opener anymore!  Many people usually put their garage door opener on their visor of the vehicle, this is usually the one that comes standard when a garage door system is installed in their house.  The steps to programing your garage door opener that came standard with your vehicle is very simple!  In order to program your system you must first note that some of these systems require the ignition be turned on or the vehicle to actually be running. Step One:  First you want to press and hold the two outside buttons on your system until the LED starts to blink.  Once it starts to blink you can release the buttons. Step Two:  Hold your garage remote about two inches from the on-board system and press and hold the open button on your remote and the button you are programming on your car’s system. Step Three:  Release the buttons once the indicator light begins flashing rapidly. Step Four:  Press and hold the training button on the on-board system until the light glows to a solid color.  If it continues to blink then proceed to the following steps. Step Five:  Press the “learn” button on your garage door motor and return to the vehicle and press and hold for two seconds and release the training button again on the on-board system. Step Six:  Repeat the press-hold-and-release process two more times and your car opener will be successfully programmed to your garage motor. This may seem complicated but it really isn’t!  If you find you need extra help you can always consult your owner’s manual.  Your owner’s manual will also have steps to follow in it.  If your owner’s manual does not give you the help you are looking for you can always stop into Preston Ford, Preston Nissan, Preston Hyundai or Preston Mazda and we will be sure to answer any questions you might have.

Remote starts are excellent for cold winter days when a customer wants to get into a warm car. There are many benefits to using or installing remote starts in vehicles. The first benefit is for comfort.  It is comforting to have a car that is warm or cool before the customer gets into the vehicle.  By leaving the heater or the air conditioning on a driver can activate the remote starter then wait several minutes for the car to warm up.  Since the vehicle is running most remote starters include controls for locking the doors to secure the car as well. There is also a safety benefit to having a remote starter.  By allowing an icy car to warm up before driving it is easier to scrape or defrost the windows which results in greater visibility for the driver and passengers.  Warming the vehicle also melts snow and ice that can obstruct the headlights or the brake lights making the vehicle more visible to other drivers especially in snowy or icy conditions. Engine care is also a benefit to having a remote start.  Warming the vehicle before driving is beneficial for the engine.  For the heating system to start producing warm air the engine must first warm up as it runs.  Since the vehicle idles for several minutes before being driven the engine oil provides better lubrication once the driver is ready to go.  This period where the vehicle is warming up is especially beneficial for cars or truck that run off diesel however gas engines also benefit from having a remote start. When the customer buys a vehicle with a remote start or gets one installed it will increase the resale value.  If the customer lives in an area with rough climate conditions then the remote start will have a greater resale value.  It will be an extremely useful selling point when looking for a new vehicle. Remote Starts work by the push of a button.  From outside the vehicle press a button or two depending which kind of remote start and your ignition will start.  The vehicle will remain locked until the driver unlocks the vehicle.  The remote starter can also turn off the ignition as the customer wishes.  The brake pedal can also act as a way to turn the engine off.  Remote Starts can include a complete security system with alarm, two way alarm notification, a different frequency each time the remote is used,  and the ability to transmit up to a mile and through concrete walls. Preston Auto Body installs remote starts in all makes and models.  They can also install leather seats, back up cameras, radios, Bluetooth, and many more items to customize the vehicle the way the customer would like it. By: April Green

When shopping for a new luxury SUV you need to weigh all of your options.  At Preston Lincoln we have done that for you! We are comparing the all new 2013 Lincoln MKX and the 2013 Lexus RX 350.  Lincoln has revamped their lineup of vehicles with complete new looks,  these new looks are stunning and feature the well known split wing grill! 2013 Lincoln MKX vs. 2013 Lexus RX 350 The Lincoln MKX and Lexus RX 350 both have V6 gas engines and six speed automatic transmissions.  When it comes to horsepower the Lincoln beats the Lexus.  The Lincoln MKX gets 305 horsepower at 6,500 rpm whereas the Lexus RX 350 only gets 270 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. Gas mileage is an important selling point in vehicles.  The better the gas mileage the more money you save at the gas pump!  The Lincoln MKX gets 19 MPG city and 26MPG highway, the Lexus RX 350 gets 18 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. The Lincoln MKX also takes the cake when it comes to available features that are standard with purchase.  In the Lincoln MKX rear parking aid, front reading lamps, leather seats, heated front seats, and the conventional spare tire are all standard!  However on the Lexus RX 350 the front reading lamps and conventional spare tire are not even available.  The other features such as rear parking aid, leather seats and heated front seats are available but not standard. Not only does the Lincoln MKX offer features that the Lexus RX 350 does not, the Lincoln also has much more passenger space.  With 108.4” of passenger volume the Lincoln MKX clearly beats the 99.7” that the Lexus RX 350 offers.  If you have little kids or like doing carpools then the Lincoln MKX offers your ample room! Carsort.com gave a few reasons on why to buy the Lincoln MKX, the first being that it is quite powerful with its 305 horsepower.  Another is the spacious back seats with 52.9 cubic feet!  The MKX also offers great ground clearance of 7.9” for those areas when you run into rough terrain. The Lincoln MKX also has great safety features!  Antilock brakes come standard with the MKX, it also has a stability control system and five airbags for the best amount of protection possible!  Child door locks are also standard on the MKX. Edmunds.com says the Lincoln MKX has “substantial improvements in interior quality,” and also has “a plethora of entertainment options.” Interior of The Lincoln MKX The decision is obvious when it comes to choosing between the Lincoln MKX and the Lexus RX 350, the Lincoln MKX is the way to go!  Here at Preston Lincoln we have an abundance of 2013 Lincoln MKX’s!  To view our inventory visit www.prestonlincoln.com

Lincoln recently announced the MKC, its new concept vehicle! The MKC features the signature Lincoln split-wing grille along with dynamic LED headlamps.  Also on this concept vehicle is 20-inch premium painted wheels which are flush mounted to its athletic body.  This vehicle delivers a distinct statement from any angle. The interior of the MKC is beautifully crafted, starting with the carefully sewn French seams and soft leather wrapped surfaces.  The interior also features natural Argento Recon wood and machined aluminum trim.  One of the most spectacular features on the MKC concept is the expansive panoramic glass roof which cuts a window to the world above. This next feature was first introduced in the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, the pushbutton shift is returning in the MKC.  There is no gearshift in this vehicle!  Sync with MyLincoln touch also returns in the MKC which further enhances intimacy with intuitive voice and touchscreen controls. The Lincoln MKC Concept senses when its driver approaches with a welcoming illumination of its exterior LED lighting.  When the driver enters the vehicle the interior ambiance brightens with a glowing embrace as all of the interior digital instrumentation lights up. For more information on the Lincolns available at Preston Lincoln please visit us at www.prestonlincoln.com. We have a large inventory of the MKZ, MKX, MKT, and Navigator! Be sure to check our Facebook page for any updates about the release of the Lincoln MKC, https://www.facebook.com/#!/PrestonLincolnMaryland