Winter is on the horizon..

I have some helpful tips on how to "winterize" your vehicle.  Now this blog may not apply to people living much south of here but for all of you that have been through a Northeast winter or two you know your vehicle needs to be prepared. Hopefully this info can help you out or at least save you from a few headaches as we head full force into the winter months.

First thing I would make sure of is that your tire pressure is correct. As the weather temperature drops so does your pressure and as we all know around here it can drop fast.  You want to keep your tire pressure accurate to what it reads to your specific vehicle (it lists what it should be at in your owners manual). Or if you're more like me and just bring it to the dealership then the mechanics/technicians working on your vehicle will make sure its on point for you. You get the best traction when your tire pressure is correct and with the Northeast's icy, snowy, and wet conditions you're going to need that traction-I can assure you.

Get the right kind of oil change. No i'm not talking about the oil changes from your local jiffy lube.  Go to the dealership and get an oil change before winter hits.  The dealerships are almost gauranteed to use a better quality oil than the quick oil change places.  You want better oil in your vehicle when the winter hits because as it gets colder-the oil thickens.  When the oil thickens it does not lubricate the engine to its fullest ability.  How well does your body work if it does not have enough fluid? Ya, thats what I thought.

If you have a 4WD vehicle make sure it's ready to actually be used. Although people, myself included, just expect our vehicles to work perfectly all the time - well that's not always the case. All spring and summer long the trucks and suvs do not use their 4WD capability so there is no harm in making sure its ready to use when you turn it on. Otherwise you never know your 4WD vehicle might actually handle like kids sled when the bad weather hits.  Can't hurt to get it checked!

Get new windshield wipers and refill the wiper fluid.  I would probably call myself a wiper abuser at this point.  If it's barely raining out my wipers are on.  If there is the smallest ounce of bird poop on my windshield I press on my wiper fluid button until it basically runs out and my windshield is sparkling like a diamond.  I know thats a bit much but I can't deal with the mess.  The windshield is usually covered in some sort of snow, rain/ice mixture, or dirt and sand from the snow clean up pretty much all winter long so its time to change out those wipers from last year with new ones! Also, make sure your wiper fluid is full.  Wiper fluid NOT water (I won't name any person in particular that thought that was a good idea).

Last but not least have an emergency kit. My dad would be wicked proud that this even made my list but I actually do think it's very important. I mean I don't have a blanket or anything but I feel like I always have enough gym clothes and crap in my car that I could always use that. I have a flashlight (2 actually), snowrake, ice scraper, jumper cables, & a first aid kit.  That seems to be realistic things to keep in your car so I could call that an emergency kit. Oh and apparently they always tell you to have a plan if something does happen i.e. breakdown in a storm so have one of those too! I will call my dad and cry until he tells me to relax-thats my plan.

This is a long one...but hopefully a little helpful!

What’s HOT & What’s NOT

The Ford Fusion has made the “What’s Hot” list and not just because I personally drive one but for many reasons I will explain to you. First being that it’s a good looking Ford car. Ford has struggled in past years producing a sexy car besides the mustang. So this car finally can quiet down all the people who say any vehicle with a blue oval on it should belong to someone over the age of 70. Second and equally important reason is the gas mileage the Ford Fusion gets. I don’t know what’s more appealing these days than a vehicle that doesn’t break the bank when you bring it to the pump. The 2011 Ford Fusion (gas engine) can get up to 33mpg and looks damn good doing so which is not an easy task for vehicles as of late. Thirdly (and my personal favorite reason) is the Driver’s Vision Package which is available for the SEL, Sport, & Hybrid models. This package includes a few features that have made me a better driver or at least has led me to believe I am a better driver. The best feature is the rear camera that comes on automatically when the car is put into reverse. I still turn around and check if I’m about to take out another car in the parking lot but really this cameras large view is as close as you’re going to come to having eyes in the back of your head. This package also comes with the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) feature which is also fabulous. There are small lights in the corners of both the side mirrors and will actually light up if someone is in your blind spot on that side of the vehicle. Once again a feature that gives you an extra set of eyes that are welcome to help. Well that wraps up why I have put the Ford Fusion on the “what’s hot” list for this month now onto the what’s not.. High gas prices have made the “What’s Not” list. Why? Because filling up your gas guzzler of a vehicle puts a damper on your day or maybe even your week! I know a lot of you have thought about trading in your SUV or Cross-over vehicle for something smaller but just can’t bear the thought of downsizing. Well luckily for you ford is here to give you some options. The ALL NEW 2013 Ford Escape has an option 1.6L EcoBoost engine that delivers best-in-class automatic highway fuel economy of 33 mpg. The improved fuel economy is just one of the many new and exciting features of the 2013 Ford Escape. The all new sleek look with z shaped body lines and the large lower trapezoidal grille are eye catching designs you have not seen on a Ford vehicle yet. Ok, back to the real topic of keeping the money in your wallet as opposed to in a gas tank. For all of you F series lovers, we might have the solution to keep you in your truck! The 2012 Ford F-150 comes with an optional EcoBoost engine that will definitely help the ever growing gas price issues. The 2012 F-150 with an EcoBoost engine has an estimated mpg of 16/city and 22/highway. I know what you’re thinking to yourself, how can an engine of that size give the truck any towing capability or any of the other things I need to use my truck for. Well this truck has a towing capability of 11,300 pounds which is best in class so that should answer any of your questions or doubts right there. Bottom line is that this truck will give you power of a V8 engine with fuel efficiency of a V6. I know that is music to all truck lovers’ ears.