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Ford’s 100,000th Hybrid SUV Rolls off Kansas Assembly plant

Ford’s 100,000th Hybrid SUV Rolls off Kansas Assembly plant

ford-100000th
Ford doesn’t want to go unnoticed this time. Yes, this automaker wants to tell the world that it has produced its 100,000th hybrid SUV. It was a silver 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, which rolled down the assembly line at the Blue Oval’s Assembly Plant in Kansas City.

The world’s first hybrid SUVs - the Ford Escape Hybrid and twin Mercury Mariner Hybrid - are considered the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market. These SUVs have a fuel economy rating of 34 mpg in the city, 31 mpg in the highway. They will soon be joined by the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, the most fuel efficient midsize sedans in the United States, delivering 41 mpg city driving and 36 mpg highway.

That’s not all. The company also revealed its plan to bring next generation hybrids, pure battery-electric vehicles, plus a plug-in hybrid to the automotive market by 2012.

Image Credit: motorauthority

Posted in Auto News, Auto Trends and Innovations, Ford, Tips, Vehicle ReviewsComments (0)

It’s Time to Winterize your Car

It’s Time to Winterize your Car

While it’s true that most vehicles today are designed to perform well over a wide range of temperatures, you still need to prepare your ride for the winter if you reside where it snows.

About.com shares few important things you can do to do to get your ride ready for cold and snow.

Check the coolant for the proper mix of antifreeze and water. You can have a mechanic do this or you can buy a tester at your local auto parts store.

Check the oil recommendations in your car owner’s manual. Some manufacturers recommend a different grade of oil that flows better in cold temperatures.

Check the battery, specifically the level of electrolyte. If it’s low, top it off with distilled water. (Note: Electrolyte can be nasty stuff; wear eye protection and consider having a mechanic check it for you.)

Consider buying a set of snow tires. They do a much better job than the all-weather tires fitted to most cars. If you’ve upgraded the wheels on your car, mounting the snows on the original wheels will make changing over much easier.

Replace your windshield wiper blades with snow blades.

Make sure you’ve got a snow brush and an ice scraper somewhere in the car.

If your car has air conditioning, run it at least once a month. (Hint: Running the A/C will speed up window defogging.)

Stock up on windshield washer fluid and top the washer tank off regularly. Be careful not to pour windshield washer fluid into the wrong tank!

Remember: winter is tough not just on your car but also on you. So if you’re the I-hate-cold-days type of guy, then winterizing your car must be your priority during this time of the year. A properly-winterized car can be your best friend during the cold and snowy days because it will keep you comfortable and warm when traveling from point A to point B.

Photo Credit: msn

Posted in Featured, Tips, car care and maintenanceComments (2)

2009 Hummer H3T Grabs Four Wheeler’s Pickup Truck of the Year Award

2009 Hummer H3T Grabs Four Wheeler’s Pickup Truck of the Year Award

Now that General Motors finds itself in a very deep hole, the Hummer brand is also in danger of getting axed. But it’s not going to leave without making its momma proud. Four Wheeler magazine names Hummer’s newest model, the H3 Alpha, the Pickup Truck of Year. Hummer’s v8-powered truck defeated other pickup trucks like the Ford F-150, Suzuki Equator, and the Dodge Ram to bring home the bacon.



PRESS RELEASE

[Source: FourWheeler via Source Interlink]

Four Wheeler Names Hummer H3T 2009 Pickup Truck of the Year

Los Angeles, CA (December 4, 2008): Four Wheeler magazine, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious four-wheel drive enthusiast magazine, and a publication of media and marketing services company Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORC), has named the 2009 Hummer H3T the winner of its coveted Pickup Truck of the Year award. The in-depth competition has been held annually since 1989, and this year marks Hummer’s first-ever win.

The 2009 competitors’ list included four new four-wheel-drive pickup trucks: The H3T, the Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150, and the Suzuki Equator. To qualify, each vehicle had to be entirely new, or sport substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year, in addition to using a two-speed transfer case.

“The competition this year was fierce, with any of the four competitors capable of taking home the trophy, but in the end, it was the Hummer H3T that emerged from the dust as our 2009 Pickup Truck of the Year,” said Four Wheeler Technical Editor, Sean P. Holman. “Not only was the Hummer highly competent and the staff favorite on the trail, it also has the added pluses of on-road comfort, distinctive looks, and a usable pickup bed. Hummer has done its research to provide the four-wheeling enthusiast with a vehicle that has been designed around their needs from the beginning, rather than offering an off-road version of an existing product and it shows in the final product. Congratulations to Hummer’s 2009 H3T, our Pickup Truck of the Year.”

“The new H3T Alpha is perfect for the person who has to have a pickup to tow and haul, but can’t live without above average off-highway capability,” added Senior Editor Ken Brubaker. “The H3T is the Alpha male in its segment. Nothing else comes close.”

The Hummer won the competition’s prestigious Off Highway Performance category, and performed strongly in all other scoring categories. The week-long Pickup Truck of the Year test consisted of a 1,000-mile curriculum on streets, highways, rocky trails, desert sand dunes and steep hills. Elevations ranged from sea level to over 6,000 feet, and the H3T excelled in virtually every type of driving environment.

Photo Credit: autoblog

Posted in Auto News, Auto Shows and Industry Events, Auto parts and Accessories, Featured, Hummer, TipsComments (1)

Stress Awareness Day

Stress Awareness Day

Sitting in a bumper-to-bumper traffic slowing like an intolerable crawl or being trapped behind a tractor that surely won’t run faster than 65 mph will just make hell on wheels. There are actually some tips to help drivers stay relaxed when caught in a traffic jam. These can range from having a comfortable sitting position, to driving carefully and safely.

It’s just high time to provide drivers with tips on how to stay collected on the road. Remember: it’s just a day before the National Stress Awareness Day.

Tips to stay calm when caught in a traffic jam:

• Have enough rest before setting off on a long journey
• Do not go faster than the speed limit
• Sit comfortably while driving
• Turn off your mobile phone
• Plan and check out your route so you won’t get lost.
• As advised by the Department of Transport, do take a 15-minute break every two hours of driving especially if you’re on a long journey.
• Turn on your car stereo and sing along to your favorite songs.
• If your car can’t accommodate your family or friends, rent a larger vehicle to have a room for everyone.

These tips are great ways to release your tension and stay calm behind the wheel not just for the National Stress Awareness Day, but for everyday driving. Your daily commute doesn’t have to be a necessary evil; it is rather an opportunity to be with yourself, doing some kind of in-car meditation. You just have to follow these tips and you’ll have a relaxing and enjoyable trip.

Photo Credit: Heather

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