The 2015 Ford EcoBoost Challenge is Coming to MD
Want to drive a new 2015 Mustang GT but can’t afford one? How about one of the new style, 2015 Ford F-150’s? Well here’s your chance. The Ford EcoBoost Challenge Tour is coming to FedEx Field in Washington, DC. Local Events will take place throughout the week of March 23rd at various locations around DC. The Tour will culminate with the main event at FedEx Field on March 28th from 9am-6pm where you’ll be able to drive what everyone’s been talking about and be entered to win a 2015 Edge (which isn’t even out yet!).
There will be several vehicles to drive and things to do such as learn how to drive a manual transmission, test your skills on an ultra-high performance Fiesta or Focus ST, and much more as detailed below. 
More information and consumer registration can be found at http://ecoboostdrive.com/register.html. Come out to this free event and drive some amazing cars to see why Ford is America’s most popular brand! 
New Quick Estimate App for Autobody Shops
We have three Auto Body locations as part of the Preston Automotive Group, and we are all about making it easier on our valued customers. So, here’s what we did. We came up with a cloud-based, mobile website where we will walk you through the estimate process for those who were in an auto accident. This process is quick, painless, and thorough. We will, in essence, be able to give you an estimate on how much the damage to your vehicle will cost without even seeing the vehicle in person. Here’s how it will work screen by screen.
To start you will go this URL: http://www.bodyshop.systems/quoteoptions.php?BodyShopID=76. The first screen you will see looks like this and will ask you if you are going through an insurance company or is it just a personal inquiry. You will choose the correct option for your specific situation and proceed to the next screen.
From here, you will be asked to input the year, make, and model of the vehicle in need of the estimate. This will allow us to narrow it down to either a car, truck, or SUV.
After you click Next, you will be brought to the VIN screen. We now ask that you take a picture of your actual VIN Number, although you can skip this step if you want. However, if you choose to skip it, we may not be able to give you the most accurate estimate possible.
The next screen will finally allow you to narrow it down to the affected area. Each panel of the vehicle is represented, so you will then choose the correct location of the damage. If your accident caused damage to more than one of these given areas, no worries, just start with one – you will be able to go back and add other areas later. In this example, we chose “Drivers Front Door”. You will be prompted to take two pictures – one straight on and the other from a 45 degree angle. This will allow us to see as much of the damage as possible from different angles. After taking your second picture, you will be brought back to the “Affected Area” screen where you can either click I’m Done – if that is the only area affected – or click other affected areas and take pictures for those as well.
One of the final screens will prompt you to input your Personal Info. That includes your name, phone number, email address, and any notes you’d like to include. From there you will click Request Estimate and it will send directly to whichever body shop you selected and also our Director, Brian Grimm. We will be able to review the pictures and get back to you very quickly! This is going to make getting an estimate extremely easy and fast.
This will not technically be an application that will be available on the App Store or Google Play Store; however, the URL will act just like an app. What we suggest is that you bookmark the URL that we listed above just in case you ever need it. That should be the easiest way to remember it. We can’t wait till our first customer utilizes this new mobile site, but until then we urge you to at least check it out even if you are not in need of an estimate right now!
Best Car Interior for Under $30,000
Mazda is a quality automotive brand that has been around for nearly 100 years, and they keep putting out top vehicles on the market. This has continued with the latest award given to the 2015 Mazda3 and Mazda6: Car and Driver’s 10 Best Award. That is a prestigious award that only ten cars can get each year. And Mazda is the only manufacturer with two vehicles on this list! That is truly an incredible feat and proves what type of high quality vehicles Mazda puts out year after year. More recently the Mazda3 received even more attention from Car and Driver being chosen to have the best car interior for under $30,000!
With any other manufacturer you’d have to spend upwards of $40,000 to get the interior and technology associated with the 2015 Mazda3 at Preston Mazda. But this Mazda3 is a model of simplified excellence; an affordable, everyday car that’s stimulating to operate and pleasing to sit in. This money saving sedan/hatchback will range from just over $15,000 for the base model and stay under $26,000 for the top Grand Touring model at Preston Mazda in Hurlock, MD. The pricing is fantastic if you consider all the bang you get for you buck at that top model level. The Technology Package is headlined by the i-ELOOP regenerative braking, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning systems. These are all very technologically advanced systems that aren’t included in a lot of cars yet today. i-ELOOP stands for Intelligent Energy Loop and what it does is continuously recover kinetic energy as the vehicle decelerates and reuses it as electricity for things such as AC and lighting.
The technology that is present on the dashboard of the 2015 Mazda3 Grand Touring is incredible. The large, 7-inch touchscreen display will probably be the first thing that catches your eye. It is meant to be directly in the line of sight of the driver in order to prevent drivers from having to look down to see the time, change the radio station, or even see how fast they are going – as the screen has the ability to display a digital speedometer reading. If that screen isn’t the first thing to catch your eye, then the knob-type controller on the center console sure will be. It resembles something out of a much more expensive car such as an Audi or BMW. This knob is very intuitive and can be used to control the screen if you don’t feel like touching the screen.
The seats are even comfortable in the front and back. Both have a sporty contour to them to cushion you perfectly. The upholstery and even the interior panels give you a very expensive feel in an affordable car. This car, in either sedan or hatchback, is worth checking out on our website at www.prestonmazda.com or coming into our dealership at the corners of Maryland Routes 318 and 331.
Ford Focus RS to Feature “Drift Mode”?
The Ford Focus RS, which has typically been exclusively sold in Europe, is now coming to the US for 2016! The Focus RS is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, for the Geneva International Motor Show. The RS is the latest unveiling in a new era of Ford performance that will bring more than 12 performance vehicles to global customers by 2020. It won’t be in the US until next year, however, there was more exciting news revealed concerning its performance capabilities that came out in Geneva. Besides having a very powerful 2.3-liter Ecoboost Engine and over 315 horsepower, it is now known that it will feature “Drift Mode”. 
Drift Mode is pretty much what it sounds like – it is a mode that enables you to drift easier by a certain set of processes. To understand those processes you have to know that it has All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control. That is a lot of big words but basically torque vectoring is a new technology employed in automobile differentials. A differential transfers engine torque to the wheels. S0, torque vectoring technology provides the differential with the ability to vary the power to each wheel. The ability of the twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system to channel up to 70 percent of the RS’s torque to the rear wheels, and then up to 100 percent of that output to either side to enable torque vectoring, makes it relatively easy to persuade the Focus RS into power oversteer (aka Drifting).
Ford understands that it can’t just give regular people like you and me this tremendous capability without installing some safety features. So what they did was put in a system to help you, which is explained by Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi. “It knows how fast the car is yawing (tilting through the drift for lack of a better phrase) and what you’re doing to catch it. The more you stay ahead of the car, the more the system will let you rotate the car. But if the computer sees you falling behind, your steering inputs not keeping up with the yaw rate, then it steps in and rescues you.” In case you think you are a world-class drifter, then to answer your most pressing question: yes, you will be able to turn off the stability control system. But Ford does warn that it will always be easier to control in “Drift Mode”. Check out Ken Block testing out the drift mode like a true pro:
And as if you would need anymore convincing, here’s another video demonstrating all that the Ford Focus RS can do.
This will certainly be a special car when it finally comes to the US. The Preston Automotive Group sure is excited especially after all these new features keep getting revealed. Keep up with our blog for more information on the Focus RS release date and other automotive news!
Lincoln Continental Back for 2016? Maybe…
Lincoln has been in the midst of overhauling its lineup, as well as introducing some brand new additions like the Compact Crossover MKC, and the next model we’re likely to see completely renewed is the MKS. The source of this information is somewhat unusual – singer Neil Young. Last December he revealed that he is working in conjunction with Lincoln for his digital music player and download service, Pono, to be put into the new “Continental” for a “2016 release.” This reveal – which was seemingly accidental – gets the gears turning in our heads because we’ve known for quite some time that Lincoln is looking for a replacement for the MKS.
This would make total sense to bring back the iconic Continental name – which went out of production after the 2002 model year – because the MKS is their largest sedan and the Continental was one of the largest/longest cars on the road too. It’s interesting how all of these things add up… We think it’s more than just a coincidence, and we’re not mad about it.
Is this really what the potential 2016 Lincoln “Continental” could look like?
Regardless of what the MKS replacement will be called, it will supposedly be revealed late this year and go on sale a year from now – in Spring of 2016. Watch the interview with Neil Young around the 4:00 mark and see if you think there is any meaning behind it or not? Here at Preston Lincoln we sure hope there is some stock in it!
Preston Automotive Group donates time and money to several charities and organizations throughout the year, and coming up in March, Daria Wilson, Daughter of the Preston Automotive Group President Dave Wilson Sr., will be Dancing for the Dogs. This annual event raises awareness and money for local animal shelters and animal rescues of Talbot and Caroline County of Maryland.
Daria Wilson will be one of the local celebrity’s to compete in the fundraising event and Preston Automotive Group is helping her raise money! This Friday and Saturday, February 27th and 28th, the Preston Autoplex and Denton Ford will donate $100 for each vehicle purchased! We are expecting the weather to warm up slightly, so come out and look for the car you’ve always wanted and support a great cause at the same time. Even if you’re not in the market for a car at the moment, you can still donate to help Daria win! Simply go to http://bit.ly/VoteDaria to vote for Daria! You can also check out Daria’s Dancing for the Dogs Facebook page to see more details.
This is a fun event set for March 14, 2015 and will take place at the historic Tidewater Inn of Easton, MD. She is excited and we are all glad to help promote her endeavor! The Talbot Humane, Caroline County Humane Society, and Tom Cat Solutions are very worthy organizations that do all sorts of good for our local community. Be sure to at least check them out and donate if you can!
Could a New Nissan Concept Car be Coming?
The Geneva International Auto Show is coming up in less than a week in Geneva, Switzerland. This is one of the biggest car shows of the year and it is rumored that Nissan is planning something big and small at the same time…
The last time Nissan made a big splash at a car show was in Detriot, MI, in January of this year, when they unveiled the 2016 Titan XD. Well, rumor has it that they are planning another surprise for the 85th Geneva International Auto Show on March 5-15. This surprise is said to be small in stature compared to the Titan, but yet create all the same buzz that their truck did. This small surprise is reportedly called the Nissan Sway. According to Nissan, Sway is “a glimpse at how a future generation of small Nissan models could look if the company’s striking new design language was applied to a European hatchback.” It would compete with compact cars like the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit and more. That is… IF it comes to the US.
There’s no indication whether the Nissan Concept, Sway, will be introduced to the American market or not. It will definitely start out in Europe, and will be similar to the Nissan Micra – their top seller in Europe. The Sway would have a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, very similar to that of the Ford Fiesta, and would get around 100 horsepower. That doesn’t seem like a lot but it’s plenty of juice for the type and size of this “conceptual” car.
Keep up with our blog as we will be bringing you all the news from the 2015 Geneva International Auto Show! Be sure to check out their webcam by clicking the link too!
Great news out of Maryland and Delaware automotive dealerships: Preston Automotive Group is now the exclusive Dealer of Saleen Racing vehicles! Out of the entire two states of Maryland and Delaware, Preston’s Ford Dealerships are the only ones that will be selling these iconic Saleen package cars.
To understand the significance of Preston Automotive becoming part of an exclusive group of Saleen dealers in the US, it is important to get a brief overview of Saleen cars. With a focus on handling and performance, Saleen cars are shipped directly from automakers to Saleen headquarters and converted to Saleen cars with the company’s trademark Racecraft suspension system. These special cars also receive larger tires, specific body work, and various other performance enhancements before being shipped to authorized Saleen dealers around the country like Preston Automotive Group. Specs on even the most basic Mustang model, White Label, include a 302 cubic inch V8 engine which will produce 450 naturally aspirated horsepower, staggered 20” wheels and Z-rated tires (safe up to 149mph), high volume intake grille, and high downforce rear wing.
Preston Automotive Group, which sells Ford, Lincoln, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, and pre-owned vehicles to the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware and beyond, recently became part of an elite group of Saleen dealerships throughout the country. As the ONLY Saleen Dealerships of Maryland and Delaware, auto enthusiasts will now be able find a converted Mustang on any given one of our Ford lots after the official release date of March 20th, 2015. Although supply is limited, Preston Automotive expects to continue receiving shipments from Saleen throughout the year.
Visit Preston Automotive online at www.prestonmotor.com for more information about the new Saleen cars available soon on the lot or call us at 877-898-2470!
How to Read Your Tires
Getting new tires but don’t know how to figure out the size? Filling your tires up with the air they’ve lost in the cold weather but don’t know how much to put in? Or just want to learn something new? Well, the information on the sidewall of your tires can be hard to decipher, but we’re here to help show you how to read your tires!
P
We’ll start with the numbers that indicate the size of your tire. The letter “P” labeled in this picture with a green color is the Service Description. This lets you know what kind of use the tire is intended for. Obviously it is meant for the road, but there are different letters and combinations they use. P stands for passenger car, LT stands for light truck, ST is for special trailer, and T stands for temporary. So, if you have any type of car or SUV (excluding trucks), then your tires will most likely be marked with a P, and if you look at your spare tire for either your car or SUV it will most likely have a T.
235
The second part is the number “235” labeled with yellow writing in this picture. This number simply represents the tire width in millimeters up and over the tires tread.
55
This number “55” is what’s called the aspect ratio. That ratio is made up of its section height divided by its section width. We already know its section width is 235 millimeters, so this particular tire’s aspect ratio says that its height is 55% of its width. The lower the aspect ratio the lower the sidewall height, which makes for better handling.
R
The next letter “R” refers to its internal construction and stands for radial construction. You will see an R on 99.9% of tires now-a-days because it’s been the industry standard for about 25 years. The only exception being certain large trucks that still use Bias-ply tires, represented with a B instead of an R.
19
This number, 19 in our case, stands for the rim diameter in inches. This means that this tire will only fit on a 19-inch rim.
101V
The next marking is kind of a two-in-one. The number that comes first represents the tires load index. And a tire’s load index is exactly what it sounds like: how much weight can that one tire carry. So, from here you need to do two things. First, you need to look at your number on the Load-Carrying Capacity Per Tire chart. According to the chart, our number 101 can carry 1,819 pounds. Secondly, you need to multiply that number by the number of tires on your vehicle to get a total amount of load capacity you can carry. So, the vehicle that this tire belongs to would have a maximum carrying capacity of 7,276 lbs.
The second part of this marking is a letter; a V in this case but it may be different on your vehicle. This letter indicates the speed rating. And just as you had to refer to a chart with the number, you have to do the same for the letter although this chart is not as extensive and can be seen below.
Here is a complete list of the various tire speed ratings, and their associated letters:
S = 112 mph
T = 118 mph
U = 124 mph
H = 130 mph
V = 149 mph
*Z = Over 149 mph
W = 168 mph
Y = 186 mph
(Y) = Over 186 mph
*Used to be the highest rating
The number that corresponds with V is 149 mph. That means that this tire can handle speeds up to 149 mph for a sustained period of time. If you go above that speed your tires won’t necessarily explode but it is certainly not recommended for safe driving.
M+S
The final marking on this part of the tire simply means it is rated for severe snow conditions.
The next set of markings aren’t really necessary to know how to read your tires – but may be interesting at the same time – are important to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and are referred to as the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The TIN is made up of sets of letters and numbers. The first two letters/numbers are always representative of the manufacturing plant. Each plant gets a two digit code – whether it’s one number and one letter, both numbers, or both letters – and it will always be the first two markings you see to the right of DOT. The next part will be a two digit code indicating the tire size. The middle four letters, JAIR in our case, identify the tire brand. And finally the last four numbers tell you what week and year the tire was made. For our example, it was made during the 37th week of the year 2006.
There are certainly other numbers on the sidewall of your tires including maximum tire pressure (which is not the same as recommended tire pressure), temperature rating, traction rating and others. These are just making you aware that the tire, if used outside of those specifications, may not perform favorably.
The Ford Fusion, redesigned in 2013, looks great for another model year and gives you the performance you’d expect out of a family sedan. The Fusion has been a top choice in the midsize sedan category for several years, and aims to continue that in 2015. However, its eye-catching design is only the beginning of what the 2015 Ford Fusion has to offer.
This four-door, five-passenger midsize sedan comes in three trim levels: S, SE, and Titanium. The most notable feature that has become standard across the board this year is a rearview camera. The rearview camera makes backing up a breeze without having to cram and twist your neck around. While the camera comes standard on all models, the S features include a 2.5L engine with 16-inch wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, cruise control and much more! The middle model, the SE, comes standard with an exterior keypad entry, heated mirrors, rear air ducts and more. It is also eligible for optional equipment such as the Appearance package and Luxury package.
Finally, the Titanium model comes with a larger 18-inch wheels, a sport suspension, keyless ignition and entry, remote start, as well as everything featured in the SE model. The most exciting part about the Titanium model is perhaps the Turbocharged 2.0L engine, which churns out 240 horsepower. That will give you tremendous thrust in a family, midsize sedan.
The 2015 Ford Fusion, as you can see, is a fantastic vehicle and is one you should at least try before making any car purchase. We have a total of Five Ford Dealers as a part of the Preston Automotive Group and between all the dealerships we have over 100 of these new 2015 Fusions! You can check out these great vehicles on our website by clicking these links. The best thing is we’ll deliver them right to your door! If you don’t live close to one of our various locations we will have our runners bring the car to you. That is how we make it easier to buy from us than your local dealer. Call us at one of our Ford locations on the Eastern Shore or visit us on the web at www.prestonmotor.com.
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