Ford Motor Company Announces the Tentative Price of the 2013 Ford Escape

Ford Motor Company has recently released the tentative pricing of the 2013 Ford Escape on the company’s site. This simply means that the figures included on the page will most likely change since these were placed there for survey purposes. This particular move was actually used by Ford as a means of gathering data from potential buyers. Ford Motors will surely use the data obtained from potential buyers as the company’s basis in deciding the final prices of the existing trims of the 2013 Ford Escape.

Aside from the tentative prices that were found on the site, Ford has also provided some of the specs of each trim to further generate pricing suggestions and recommendations from buyers who would surely purchase their own unit of the 2013 Ford Escape as long as they think that the prices are fair enough.

Since the 2013 Ford Escape is made up of 3 trim levels, Ford has come up with tentative prices for each of these. The cheapest trim is the 2013 Ford Escape S. This model has a starting price of $22,470. The price is applicable only to the S trim that is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a front-wheel drive system and equipped with all the standard equipments. The starting price does not include the destination charge and due to this the price is expected to increase as soon as the additional charges are incorporated in this.

The 2013 Ford Escape SE that is offered with two engine options is more expensive compared to the S-trim. Between the two versions of the SE, the model that is powered by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine with the front-wheel drive system is cheaper. It has a starting price of $25,070, while the all-wheel drive version costs around $26,820. However, these prices could possibly increase as soon as the destination charge and the other applicable fees are added.

The 2013 Ford Escape SE that is equipped with a larger 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine and offers greater horsepower has a starting price of $26,165 for the front-wheel drive model while the all-wheel drive version is sold at a price of $27,915. Both of the SE models are equipped with the Ford Sync infotainment system and this makes the prices of each version quite reasonable.

Finally, the 2013 Ford Escape SEL which is available in four variants is considered as the most expensive among the other two trims. The SEL trim that is powered by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine with the front wheel drive system is sold at a starting price of $27,870 while the AWD version’s price begins at $29,620. On the other hand, the 2013 Ford Escape SEL that is powered by a 2.0-liter and uses the front-wheel drive powertrain has a starting price of $28,965. The all-wheel drive version is quite expensive compared to the front-wheel drive model and this is given a tentative price of $30,715.

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It’s Time to Take a “Tech Drive” With Today’s High-Tech Vehicles!

Car-buying today isn’t what it used to be… in the past a customer would take a “test drive” to get a feel for the vehicle’s power and performance. However, today’s shopper may want to take a “tech-drive” to get a feel for the vehicle’s technology.

It’s no secret that smart phone technology has caused sweeping improvements to today’s dashboards. Almost all vehicle manufacturers offer at least hands-free phone connectivity and many brands offer way more technology.

With voice commands and touch screens, some drivers can control their entertainment options, obtain navigation assistance, adjust cabin climate and more. Some vehicle technology provides stability control coupled with the anti-lock braking systems, reverse back-up cameras, blind spot indicators, lane assistance monitors, adaptive cruise control, and other safety and efficiency controls.

Most vehicles are being purchased today not because of mechanical capabilities, but instead the buying decision is based on technological gadgetry.

If technology is going to be a huge part of the driver’s experience today, then drivers need to begin their research online. Visit the manufacturer’s site to determine which model can provide the technology you wish. A potential buyer should cross-check on the internet to see what customers and owners are saying about their experience with the technology at online forums. Then a car shopper should do Google search to find what the experts are saying about the technology.

Once you’ve done your initial on-line search, now it’s time to e-mail or contact the Internet Department of a nearby dealer. Let the salesperson know that your objective is to do a “tech drive.” Let the salesperson know you want to conduct your test in a specific model that’s equipped the way you want it. Make a list of the things you want to “experience” in the vehicle. Let the salesperson know that your objective is to put the vehicle through a real-world test to see how the technology will work for you.

You may want to ask the salesperson for something out of the ordinary… let the salesperson know that you want to “spend some time alone” with the vehicle. As a serious buyer, let them know that you want to be able to “get a feel” for driving and operating the vehicle without the salesperson there. As we know, many salespeople will tell a customer that the vehicle’s technology is better than the competitors, that it can work well with a specific phone, that the technology is easy to learn and easy to use. Of course, a salesperson will want to do a complete vehicle demonstration and they will want to show the customer all of the vehicle features. The customer will want to borrow the vehicle for a few hours or even overnight to really get the “feel” of the technology.

What would help on the “tech drive” would be to have a copy of the owner’s manuals and other literature so you have a reference if there are any questions. If the dealership has a “tech specialist,” then maybe you should spend a little time with the specialist in order to feel a little more comfortable with the technology.

Obviously, the salesperson will want to feel assured that you will work with them on final vehicle selection, price negotiation and, eventually, delivery of the new vehicle. As you can see, as a consumer, you’re in the driver’s seat for procuring the necessary information needed to make a final buying decision. And, as they say, knowledge is power. So gathering and researching information is one thing, but to really know that the technology and the vehicle will work for you is the real objective to making a good buying decision. So next time… ask for a “tech drive.”

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February 2012′s Best-Selling Car Models

The month of February of the current year has emerged as the period wherein some of the mid-size sedans in the market earned a significant increase in sales. This could mean that many car buyers prefer to purchase mid-size sedans over the other types of vehicles.

This observation is currently considered to be accurate since this is based on the major top ten sales charts all over the US. However, the mid-size sedans models were not able to fully dominate the sales charts since a number of SUVs and pickup trucks also obtained significant increase sales. In order to provide a clearer picture of the vehicle sales condition in the US in the previous month, a shortlist of the best-selling car models for the month of February is provided below.

1. Ford F-Series

Although most of the spots of the best-selling car models list for February 2012 are occupied by the mid-size sedans, the Ford F-Series which is composed of full-size pickup trucks from Ford still emerged as the most in demand vehicle. By the end of February, Ford dealerships that are scattered all over the US were able to sell about 47,273 units of pickup trucks. This simply means that majority of the car buyers are still attracted to the benefits and features provided by the Ford F-150 and its siblings.

2. Toyota Camry

The redesigned version of the Toyota Camry occupies the second spot of the February 2012 best-selling car models list with a total of 34,542 units sold. Although the Camry’s total sales as of February is more than 12,000 units lower than what the F-Series has obtained, the recorded sales figure still suggests that the Camry is still considered as one of the most popular mid-size sedan models in the US.

3. Nissan Altima

The third spot of the best-selling list for the month of February 2012 was claimed by Nissan’s lame-duck Altima. Statistics revealed that Nissan dealerships were able to deliver a total of 32,953 units of this mid-size all over the US and this impressive sales accomplishment was probably triggered by the Altima’s cheaper price and straightforward features.

4. Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet’s iconic full-size pickup truck which is the Silverado has achieved an impressive sales output for the past two months of 2012. Statistics revealed that the brand’s dealerships have successfully sold a total of 32,297 units of Silverado before the month of February ends and this figure has placed the model on the fourth spot of the best-selling list. Since the demand for this pickup continues to increase and the supply is quite stable, General Motors is quite confident that the Silverado will be able to claim the top spot before the year ends.

5. Honda Civic

The fifth spot of the best-selling list went to the Honda Civic. Honda has recorded that its dealerships were able to deliver a total of 27,087 units of the Civic. Although the total number of units delivered was lower compared to what the Camry and the Altima has obtained, Honda is still optimistic that the model’s total sales will continue to increase in the coming months and the company is also quite confident that the features of the current version of the Civic will continue to attract more buyers.

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Acura CL Radiator Replacement

The Acura CL is a sedan that was manufactured by Honda. The Acura CL was made from 1997 to 1999, and then again from 2001 to 2003. From the first generation of the CL in the 1990s to the second generation, which includes the 2001-2003 models, several changes were made, including the types of transmission and engine.

In March 2000, the completely redesigned Acura CL was released. The 2nd Generation Acura CL models included a 3.2L 5-speed Automatic, a 3.2L-Type S model 5-speed Automatic, and a 3.2L-Type S 6-speed Manual transmission. Each model type has its own differences in options and specifications. The 3.2 base model has a 225 horsepower, while the other two options have an engine with 260 horsepower. The Type S automatic and the base model both include a five-speed, while the Type S manual has a six-speed manual transmission. The base model tires measure 16 inches, whereas the other models include 17-inch tires. Many similarities include: adjustable headrests, heated front seats, all are two-door vehicles and have a 13.6 cubic feet of trunk space. They also share exterior features, such as mud flaps and spoilers and chrome grille moldings.

If you are a car owner, chances are you need to update and replace your vehicle parts from time to time. The key to automobile maintenance is to acquire quality parts for your vehicle so that they work perfectly together. The Acura radiator is the vital component of the Acura cooling system, as it transfers thermal energy for the basic necessity of cooling the engine. The radiator is an important component as it allows the hot coolant to dissipate heat quickly while the car is moving or not. This allows the engine to safely run for a prolong period of time when the cooling system is maintained properly. The radiator also increases the longevity of your vehicle and makes sure that the engine operates in top working condition. High quality car radiators are, therefore, extremely essential to remove the excess heat that is caused due to friction. If the radiator or any other cooling system component fails, then the car can quickly overheat and it may severely damage the internal engine if not properly taken care of. It becomes essential therefore for your car radiator to be checked and upgraded regularly. Remember that when installing a new Acura CL radiator, it is strongly recommended that you check your radiator hoses, radiator clamps, thermostat and radiator cap to make sure they are in good condition and replace if necessary.

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How to Save Money on Petrol

It seems as if petrol prices just keep on rising (they’ll have to stop sometime, right?) and the AA has warned that the cost of filling up a family car will reach £100 before long.

Prices are hitting new records, for both diesel and petrol, increasing by £18 for a full tank in the last two years alone. These figures are putting pressure on Chancellor George Osborne to cut fuel duty, but Edmund King, president of the AA, says the Treasury shows no sign of giving in:

“This new record for petrol and diesel just confirms what every family and business knows – fuel prices are hurting them badly and there seems no stopping them.

“We have asked the Chancellor to do what he can to protect the UK economy from fuel market volatility and record high prices which are stemming growth.

“There is no more give in family and business budgets despite them cutting back on fuel purchase and other spending so they can get to work and go about their business. Britain cannot get back on its feet if fuel prices hold drivers and business to ransom every time market sentiment takes hold.”

According to the Daily Mail, the UK is “the fuel tax capital of Europe”, paying 60% in duty and VAT for our fuel. Prices are driven up by the wholesale cost of oil, instability in the Middle East and aggressive speculation in the market, and we should expect increases of up to 3p by this summer, making average prices 140.43p per litre.

Right now, it’s diesel owners who are suffering most, with the price-per-tank averaging at over £100, rising by over £20 since 2010.

So how do we save money on our petrol? There are a few different ways, from the time and place you buy your fuel, to adapting your driving style. Here are some tips to help you pinch the pennies at the pump:

Buy your fuel from urban petrol stations rather than rural – the average price of diesel in the countryside is up to 4p more expensive.

Fill up your car in the morning, when it’s colder. Fuel is denser in cold conditions, giving you more for your buck.

Turn off all extraneous appliances in your car, including the radio, air con, heated seats etc. All these things drain your car’s fuel more than you think.

Keep windows shut – open windows create drag, which makes your car work harder and burn more fuel.

Try to maintain an even speed, preferably around 60mph. Going too fast burns up your petrol, and stopping and starting in a low gear (for example driving through a town) does the same.

Don’t coast. It’s actually more fuel-efficient to come to a gentle stop in a low gear.

Don’t cover the clutch – a bad driving habit anyway, but it also drains fuel while you’re driving.

Keep your tyres well-inflated – over or under-inflated tyres cause your fuel-efficiency to decrease.

Check your tyre tread depth – similarly, worn down tyres give you a less smooth ride, making your entire vehicle work harder and guzzle the gas.

Find out which petrol station has the best price and avoid the others. It may take a slightly longer journey to fill up, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.

Make the most of deals, points and discounts – many supermarkets offer some good deals if you buy petrol from their affiliated stations.

Cut out short journeys – walk, cycle or take the bus instead!

Car pool. If you live near a colleague (or several), share each other’s cars to get to and from work. Find enough people willing to participate and you could get away with just one commute per week!

Go electric! If you only use your car for local journeys, why not switch to electric, or make the most of your city’s car-sharing programme, if it has one?

Unfortunately, the price of fuel is not going to fall any time soon, but with careful driving, and selective about where and when you buy your petrol, you can make a real difference to how much you spend each month.

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Know When to Replace a Car Battery

Every component of a car has a purpose and keeps it running safely, however the battery is essentially what makes it run. Without a good battery, the car won’t take you anywhere. That’s why it’s important to know when to replace it.

An obvious time to replace it is if it simply stops working. An indicator light in the dashboard may warn you that there is a problem with the battery, but at that point it may be too late. If you just set out on a long trip and the battery light comes on, it’s a big inconvenience to stop and have it replaced. In other cases, you might not even be warned. One day the car just won’t start and you will be left stranded somewhere.

While there is no way to say for sure when a battery is going bad, there are certain things that can be paid attention to. The shelf life of a good battery is typically four to five years. Keep track of the age of your battery and replace it at the five year mark. If you plan on having a car for a long time, it’s very possible that you use two or more batteries throughout the life of the car. A battery is not meant to last 10+ years or 100,000 miles.

Four to five years is the average life span of the battery, but that can vary depending on factors like your driving style or the weather conditions that you live in. Extreme cold and extreme heat can minimize the number of years that a battery is viable. Extreme weather takes more out of the battery. It has a harder time recharging and uses more energy. In a cold climate, it can take a toll on the battery if the car is always stored outside. Keeping the car inside of a garage can help some.

Additional wear, like leaving the headlights, interior lights, or the alarm system on, can also minimize the life span of a battery. If you find that the electrical components of the car aren’t working properly while the car is running, like the radio, lights, heating, air conditioning, etc. there could be a problem with the battery.

Another reason to replace the battery is if the car has been in a front impact accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, it’s possible that the battery was affected. Check for battery damage, like cracks, which could result in leaks of acid and chemicals.

If you are unsure of the age of your battery and don’t want to get caught with a bad battery, take the car to a trusted mechanic and ask them to use their equipment to measure the charge. In addition, as a precaution it’s recommended to keep jumper cables or a jump start kit in your car at all times.

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How to Find a Reputable Shipping Company for Your Auto

You can determine the caliber of the auto shipper with whom you are dealing just the same as you would any service provider. There are steps to weed out the undesirables, and then you can concentrate on the good, legitimate shippers.

Disreputable shipping companies often provide cheap estimates over the Internet or on the phone. They don’t bother to visit your home or view the items that you need to have shipped. Once your property-in this instance, your car-has been loaded onto its moving truck, the company suddenly demands more money before it will deliver or unload your vehicle. Until you pay more cash, the company won’t release your car. A good tip is not to do business with a mover that doesn’t suggest or agree to inspect your goods on-site, but simply provides an estimate over the Internet or phone.

Another suggestion from one expert is to avoid looking for a mover online. Many trustworthy and reliable moving companies do have websites. It has to be said, however, that most fraud victims found the moving company that defrauded them over the Internet.

Get hold of the newest version of the phone book or yellow pages and look for no less than three companies that are physically located in your local area. Ideally, the companies should have been operating from those premises for a minimum of five years. Another expert suggestion is to not use moving brokers. This is because consumer protection laws do not currently apply to household good brokers, but only to motor carriers.

Those in the know are firm in telling you to set up appointments for your three choices to come to your house and do an in-home estimate, even if it is just for your automobile. If one particular company will not visit you in person, find an alternative mover. Find out up front if the company will be doing the move themselves, or if they will be sub-contracting out the job. If they won’t be moving you, again delete that candidate and add another. You should also visit their office and make sure that the company is who they say they are. Make sure that their trucks are permanently marked with the company’s name.

When you get a new job you usually have to provide at least three proper references. It’s not unreasonable to ask the moving company to provide you with three references. Make sure that you have researched the company. Call the companies up and ask meaningful questions about their experience and anything else that matters to you. For example, there’s no point having a reference that states what good time the company keeps if you are actually concerned about whether or not the company will drop your car off right outside your home.

Finally, you want to check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any local complaints have been filed against this company. There is also a Federal website you can check to see if there have been complaints.

Many car moving companies and transporting companies are reliable. You just need to do your homework to find a company that meets your requirements and your budget.

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5 Tips To Clean Car Interiors

Cleaning and maintaining the car can be a tough task. Interiors of the car are prone to dust and stain; thanks to kids, spill over foods and pets. Sometimes vacuuming the interiors is just not enough. Here, are few easy tips that will help in keeping the interiors clean.

Vacuum: Remove the car mats and seat covers and then vacuum the interiors. Use a soft nozzle or round brush to elicit dust from hard to reach areas. Pay close attention to the pedals while vacuuming as they accumulate maximum dust. Use a soft bristled brush to vacuum the dashboard, gear box and the doors.

Dashboard cleaning: One may use a soft cloth, paint brush or baby wipes to clean the dashboard. Avoid scrubbing the dashboard as it may cause scratches. Do not polish or wax the dashboard as it will reflect light on sunny days and interfere with the driving.

Carpets: Pull the carpets out and dust them thoroughly. One may use a comb or hard brush to open up the fibers. Vacuum the carpet at least twice. Do not sponge the carpet before vacuuming as it will settle the dust deeper into the carpet, making it difficult to clean. Mix a half cup detergent with one cup white vinegar in a gallon of water. Spread the mixture over the carpet and let it dry for an hour. Scrub the carpet thoroughly and rinse it with cold water. This will restore the vibrant colors to the carpet and also eliminate any general stains.

Stain removal: Stains are inevitable on carpets. One can use basic home remedies to take care of these stains. Sprinkling borax on the carpet helps to get rid of foul smell. Frayed carpet edges can also be sealed using fabric paint. There are different stain removal products available in the market. One may choose what fits the needs the best.

Car leather: One may exercise extreme precaution while cleaning the car leather or vinyl. Inappropriate handling may cause the leather to lose its shine and vinyl may become too hard. One may use the mixture of two spoons of baking soda in one cup water to clean the leather/ vinyl seats. Always use soft wool to apply this mixture. Soft fabric prevents scratches. Cuticle remover can help in eliminating stains from leather seats.

Use a dust bag: Always keep a paper/ plastic bag in the car to collect chocolate wrappers, food packets or tit-bits. This will help in keeping the car clean

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Learn More About AGM Batteries

Constant maintenance of your car means that you will need to routinely check up on its condition to make certain that it is still in order and will not likely go through failures. You most likely know by now that these high-powered batteries go a long way in supplying your vehicle with the power that it needs to function efficiently. However, like any other vital component associated with automobiles. Keeping tabs on your battery’s overall condition is a basic task which you need to follow up on a regular basis.Needless to say, you’ll most likely save any excruciating tips to your local mechanic if you intend to install AGM batteries into your car. It has all the basic features that automotive energy suppliers need to havesuch as reliability and functionality despite undergoing risky terrains and intense climate conditions, it also has proper sizes and modifications depending on the type of vehicle that you own, runs at the desired amps while retaining a solid reserve capacity.

In addition to the wide range of capabilities available within AGM batteries, there are other versatile options which you’ll also make use of once you decide to install it to your car. The glass mats associated with the battery help to contain any potentially risky contents inside it such electrolytes as well as battery acids. With its innovative usage of recombinant technology, AGM batteries do not need to be constantly maintained since vital materials such as oxygen and hydrogen are constantly being bonded together repeatedly. Another major factor which contributes to the advantages of AGM batteries would be its long lasting power is being able to function for at least 10 years without giving out with the right maintenance procedures. You also won’t need to worry about the sort of plates to be matched with these types of batteries since they easily accommodate any possible dimensions based on your car’s designs.

AGM batteries have proven to be low maintenance gadgets, you’ll hardly need to water it and can be rapidly discharged up to 50% after which you’ll be able to recharge it once more. It can be kept in storage for a considerable amount of time. Plus, its discharge rate of 3% on a monthly basis while being kept under wraps only adds to its lasting appeal. However, you will need to watch out for its charging time since it is prone to get damaged if left overloaded, and while it provides lasting benefits to your car or any other materials which need AGM batteries to go along with their respective engines. It’s regrettably quite expensive as of right now just like deep cycle batteries but it’s bound to change since the costs associated with the battery’s production are lessening considerably.

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The SainSpeed 7045V Car Thermometer

A car thermometer is great for knowing the inside and outside temperature when you’re driving. Here are what to look for in a car thermometer: They should be constructed with durable material that will be able to stand to wear and tear. A digital LCD is ideal for display that lets you know the temperature, humidity level, date and time simultaneously if possible. You want something that is fairly easy to install this means you don’t want to have to call a professional to do it for you.

Introducing the SainSpeed 7045V, it can provide you with all of these features and more. Equip your car with the thermometer to quickly know the temperature yourself.

The SainSpeed 7045V is one of the latest models of car thermometer that amazon carries. It has a multi-function system that will display temperature inside and outside of the car accurately. It shows dates, time in a dynamic way accompanies by an alarm snooze and the best part is it can monitor your car’s battery voltage.

SainSpeed Features

The SainSpeed comes with a very unique digital temperature meter that has an 8ft. cable plus remote temperature probe sensor. It is great for checking out temperature in cars plus other equipment like: computer towers, cpu temp, test equipment, farms, Jacuzzi, pool, outside air, the water in your automobile, trucks, RV’s, boat, aquariums, and even pet habitats. The SainSpeed car thermometer has a great professional look to it.

It is can be un-mounted which is great when you want to remove it from your vehicle. The mounting holes size is 1″x1.75″. It has a great range to it of -40F to +160F. Plus you need a unit that will keep you up to date on temperature changes if you live in places where the weather is unpredictable, the SainSpeed 7045V car thermometer auto updates temperature reading every 8 seconds, how’s that for being up to date! The Sensor is rust proof; it is made of 100 percent stainless steel, which is very important as you may not want to buy new ones very frequently. It also comes with a backlight that makes it easier to see at night.

It’s Your Decision if you want to go out and buy an expensive car thermometer that has laptop and phone charging capability plus other host of features like solar power thermometers. Now it depends on the kind of technology that was used to create them so the manufactures will have to account for the cost and labor which they will pass on to you. So you might be looking at a pretty big price tag for the hooked up versions. If all you need is to know the inside and outside temperature of your car then the SainSpeed 7045V is perfect for you.

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