Dorsch Ford Lincoln Kia Blog

Maximize Your Tire Life? Be Aware of Your Alignment – Here’s How!

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Tire Alignment, Tire Safety, Tires on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 at 11:02 AM

We’re all interested in keeping our ongoing maintenance on our vehicles as low as possible. Today we’re focusing on premature tire wear and some tips for you. The two biggest causes of unneeded wear on your tires are improper tire inflation and misalignment. Today we’ll focus on some tips to make sure your alignment is all that it should be.

There are some signs you should be aware of that may be an indicator of improper tire alignment. This includes:

– Vibration

– Shimmy or a tendency for the vehicle to wander, or pull to one side when driving your vehicle at highway speeds

A quick and easy way to notice this is when you’re driving your vehicle at highway speeds at your vehicle starts moving to one side or the other of the road rather than maintaining a straight line. If you notice this, chances are you may have an alignment defect. You can also have the service experts here at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay evaluate this for you. In the long run, this will save you unnecessary tire replacement costs.

There are also a few things that drivers themselves do that can cause misalignment, including aggressive cornering, hard braking and even bumping a curb.

Why Do You Need To Get This Taken Care Of?

Simply, if your vehicle is out of alignment your tires will wear unevenly. The uneven pattern will show on your tires with unusual wear just on onside – usually the inner or the outer edge of your tire.

The service experts here at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay can do an evaluation of your vehicle if you suspect a problem and there are a number of things we’ll check for you and certainly adjust if necessary. This includes the Camber, Caster, and Toe.

Camber

The Camber refers to the tilt (inward or outward) of the wheels. A proper setting will have the camber at 0 degrees. If it’s tilted either positively or negatively – this will cause alignment problems. Our goal is to keep your tires flat on the ground during a turn.

Caster

The caster is the angle of the vertical axis as it relates to the steering connection of the vehicle. Sometimes when the vehicle is out of alignment – the caster angle is either too high or too low. We want to make sure the caster is adjusted to the factory settings so we have the best balance. Our goal here is to achieve the best stability and control.

Toe

Toe-in or Toe-out? This refers to the front end of the wheels. What we’re looking for here is to make sure that the front end of two wheels on the same axle aren’t either in too far together or out too far. If the toe-in or toe-out are too far then this will cause uneven and excessive wear on your tires. If the toe settings are not in accordance with the vehicle’s recommendations this can cause understeer and oversteer issues.

If you think you might have an alignment issue, please give our service experts here at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay a call so we can evaluate this for you and give you some recommendations. This can go a long way to making sure your tires don’t have excessive wear and save you money in the long run.

Recent Reviews of the All-New 2013 Ford Escape – Green Bay Dorsch Ford Kia

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Ford Escape on Monday, April 23rd, 2012 at 8:42 AM

There is a lot of buzz building around the all-new redesigned 2013 Ford Escape. Many of us in the Green Bay area prefer a SUV but we also want to get the best gas mileage we can with gas just a little south of $4.00 per gallon. Style, convenience, and technology are also prime considerations on car buyer’s minds right now. We’re very excited about this all new redesigned Ford Escape model and you should be too. Here are a variety of links to some great recent review so you can learn all about the new 2013 Ford Escape.

Motor Trends: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1111_2013_ford_escape/viewall.html

Cars.com: http://www.cars.com/ford/escape/2013/expert-reviews/?revid=58076

Autoweek: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120418/CARREVIEWS/120419830

Car and Driver: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-ford-escape-ecoboost-first-drive-review

Car Connection Review: http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1075533_2013-ford-escape-first-drive

Stop in at Dorsch Ford Kia to learn about the all-new 2013 Ford Escape and learn how you can earn up to $500 bonus cash on your next Ford Escape.

Ford Driving Skills For Life – Teenage Driver Safety – Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Driving Skills for Life on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 at 8:30 AM

Here at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay, we often talk with our customers about all of the safety features our Ford, Kia and Lincoln vehicles have. No matter how many of the latest safety features these vehicles contain, nothing replaces a safe driver.

Unfortunately, vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration latest information shows that nearly 5,000 teenagers die each year in vehicle accidents. Inexperience behind the wheel contributes to many of these deaths because teenagers lack the skills and the knowledge required to be safe drivers. What we do know is that the rate of vehicle crashes rapidly declines as these younger drivers gain experience.

This is where Ford comes in. In 2003, Ford, along with the Governors Highway Safety Administration and a panel of safety experts developed Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL). The Ford Driving Skills for Life is focused on teaching newly licensed drivers skills for safe driving well beyond what they learned in their standard driver education programs.

Ford DSFL helps young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of vehicle crashes including:

1) Hazard Recognition

The point of no return
How to scan for trouble
Minimizing distractions
Safety zones
Minimum vision lead time
Approaching and turning left at intersection

2) Vehicle Handling

Contact road patches
How acceleration, deceleration, braking and turns affect vehicle balance
Adjusting to a vehicle’s size and weight
Conventional braking systems versus anti-lock braking sysyems
Emergency braking techniques

3) Speed Management

How to stay in contact with the road
Driving at a speed that doesn’t endanger or impede others
How to recover from skids in front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles
Using proper signals and covering the brake

4) Space Management

Maintaining space around, ahead of and behind your vehicle
Learning how to adjust speed
Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles
How to avoid being rear-ended and avoiding a head-on crash

FREE Program Elements

Ford DSFL is a FREE comprehensive program that includes learning tools such as:

Web site, www.drivingskillsforlife.com, includes four study modules and a quiz, car care videos, several interactive games, and enhanced curriculum noting the importance of eco-driving to personal safety and the environment.
Electronic Educator packet that can be used by students and parents at home, as well as educators in the classroom and community settings. This FREE packet includes an in-depth video concentrating on each of our four driving skills, a letter for parents, a letter for educators, a leader’s guide and brochures. To download materials, click here.
Ride-and-drives where teens get behind the wheel and go through exercises on the four Ford DSFL skills. These are great opportunities for teens to gain experience, with a professional instructor at their side, in the four primary skills – hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed management, and space management.

If you have a young driver in your home or know of one, we encourage you to pass this information along so we can all do our part to make sure driving on the road is safe for everyone.

Paintless Dent Repair at Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay: Saying Goodbye to Those Dings and Dents

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Dealer Information on Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 at 9:35 AM

As you clean the salt off your car from the last few months, you might find a few unfortunate surprises on your vehicle. Maybe you have a few small dents you didn’t have a few months ago? We all know it happens, you notice a ding in your car door and think to yourself “When did that get there?” These usually surface from run-ins with other car doors or being caught in inclement weather. With Paintless Dent Repair, you can ease your mind about having expensive and time consuming work done on your vehicle.

With Paintless Dent Repair at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay – we have a specific process of removing the small dings & dents from your vehicle – but this is done without any sanding, filling or repainting the original finish of the vehicle. This process can actually fix both small and large dents including hail damage and creases.

With our Paintless Dent Repair process – you can expect to cut your bill in half over the traditional methods of fixing your vehicle.

Dorsch Ford-Kia guarantees that its professional services are performed to the highest standards of skilled workmanship. If you are not satisfied, we are not satisfied.

If you have further questions regarding Paintless Dent Repair please contact us.

10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR CAR IS REPAIRED

Your car is the second largest investment you’re likely to make. Preserve its value and your safety by having it repaired professionally.
Never drive a car that could be unsafe because of damages.
Some insurance companies may want you to visit their drive-in claims center before having your car repaired. You can do this, or you may leave your car at our shop and ask that the insurance company inspect the car here.
You are not required by law to obtain more than one estimate or appraisal.
You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot require you to go to a particular shop.
Differences in repair estimates are common. A lower estimate may not include all necessary work. If you are not sure why one estimate is different from another you’ve received, please ask us.
Choose a repair facility that has unibody repair equipment and has certified (by I-CAR or ASE) technicians.
Ask if the shop will be using genuine manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts.
Ask if the shop offers a repair warranty.
Let us help you negotiate your claim with the insurance company.

Does Your Vehicle Need a Spring Cleaning?

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Automobile Safety on Friday, March 9th, 2012 at 10:58 AM

It’s going to feel like spring this weekend! It should be about 60 degrees and sunny. Now is a good time to think about giving your car a good spring cleaning – both inside & out. Besides giving your vehicle a good hand wash, cleaning all of that built-on Green Bay salt, a good interior cleaning and some nice clean windows – it’s also a good time for a spring cleaning under the hood to make sure you’re vehicle is running at top performance.

Here are a few tips for your vehicle’s spring cleaning:

1. Check the Battery: Although we’ve had a pretty mild winter compared to some of our winters in the frozen tundra of Green Bay, corrosion can still build up pretty fast on your battery. It’s a good idea to check your cables and your posts to make sure it’s all in good working order so you don’t have problems in the future.

2. Radiator Flushing – Depending upon the mileage on your vehicle, a radiator flush might be in order. Your coolant won’t last forever and you don’t want the coolant to get dirty. If your coolant gets dirty your radiator could corrode or break down. Some suggest a good flush once a year on your coolant and this can make sure you’re safe on the road and that everything is working properly.

3. Check Out Your Tires – The next time you’re in at Dorsch Ford Kia of Green Bay for an oil change we can check this out for you or you can take a quick look yourself. It’s a good idea to check the tread depth so that when the heavy rains come along, your tires can handle the water. If your vehicle doesn’t already have a tire pressure monitor on it, make sure you check the inflation levels so that your tires are inflated properly. This will help save on gas as well!

4. Are All of Your Lights Working? – Now is a good time to check your headlights, taillights, blinkers, reverse lights – all of your lights.

5. How About Your Brakes? – Get your brakes checked. You always need to make sure you can stop exactly where you need to and stay safe on the road. Also, get your brake fluid checked to be certain they are doing their jobs too!

6. Windshield Wipers – I think we can all agree we don’t change our windshield wipers often enough. We know how important it is to make sure we can see in one of those spring Wisconsin rain storms. If you need your wipers changed, stop on in and we’ll help you out.

7. Air Filters – Lastly, get your air filter checked. We know it sounds boring and it’s something none of us like to spend money on – but this is an investment in not only keeping your vehicle running well, but this can help save a little bit on gas as well. Gas will only be getting more expensive in the coming weeks!

If you have any questions or need any of these items in your vehicle looked at by an expert – please feel free to call Dorsch Ford Kia at 920-469-3000.

Check Out the 2013 Ford Mustang Customizer

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Ford Mustang on Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 at 8:25 AM

Many of us here at Dorsch Ford in Green Bay are excited about the upcoming launch of the new 2013 Ford Mustang. The new 2013 Ford Mustang will be turning heads with many new features including:

- New, more aggressive, front and tail ends

- New trim, grille and hood with heat extractors (GT and Boss models)

- New standard high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps

- New standard and optional wheels

Besides the new features and the new look of the 2013 Ford Mustang here at Dorsch Ford in Green Bay, there are almost limitless ways you can customize the new Mustang with colors, striping and much more. Ford has a great tool where you can build your own custom Ford Mustang with the Mustang Customizer. Feel free to check it out at: http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/customizer/

If you haven’t checked out the new promo for the 2013 Ford Mustang, take a look…

We encourage you to check out everything the all-new 2013 Ford Mustang has to offer and stop-in to talk with our Ford Mustang experts here at Dorsch Ford in Green Bay.

Happy Presidents Day – a Look at the Ford Motor Company and its Presidential Limousines of the Past

By DorschFordKia | Posted in presidents day on Monday, February 20th, 2012 at 12:36 PM

If you’re one of those lucky enough to get an extra day off today – here’s a little presidential history for you. In November of 1899, the president at that time was William McKinley and he official became the first US president to ride in a limousine. Back then, the limousine was a Locomobile steam carriage. Oh, how times have changed! Here, to celebrate presidents day we wanted to show off some of the more famous vehicles from the Ford Motor Company that have served as official presidential limousines throughout the years.

1939 Lincoln “Sunshine Special”

During the early years of the automotive age, presidents got around in standard production cars. Then, in 1939, the specially built “Sunshine Special” entered the Secret Service’s fleet.

Based on a Lincoln K-Series chassis with power from a V-12 engine, the Sunshine Special (so named because its top was virtually always open) was built with both security and convenience in mind. Security was paramount because Franklin Roosevelt had already survived an assassination attempt in 1933 while giving a speech from the back of an open production Buick convertible. Convenience was important in order to get the wheelchair-bound Roosevelt in and out of the car while maintaining presidential dignity.

Stretched out over a massive 160-in. wheelbase, the Sunshine Special’s armored body, built by coach builder Brunn in Buffalo, New York, had oversize rear-hinged rear doors. In 1942 the car was updated with that year’s new front end. Various armor-plated elements were added at that point, and improved bulletproof glass was installed. After Roosevelt died in 1945, the Sunshine Special remained in presidential service until 1950. It’s now in the collection of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
Top Limos

President Harry S. Truman, legend has it, had a strong dislike for General Motors products because he was denied use of them during his 1948 presidential campaign. So when it came time to replace the Sunshine Special, it was Ford’s Lincoln division that got the job.

A stretched 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan (with a 145-in. wheelbase) was ordered from Ford and provided to the Secret Service for a nominal lease fee. Still a convertible for parades, the Lincoln was modified in 1954 with the addition of a large “bubbletop” canopy after President Dwight Eisenhower realized during a rainstorm that with the top up no one could see him.

The Bubbletop, as it became known, remained in Presidential service through 1965 when it too was retired to the Henry Ford Museum.

1961 Lincoln Continental SS-100-X
Top Limos

Since this was the car in which John F. Kennedy was riding in on November 22, 1963 when he was assassinated, it will forever be entangled with tragedy. Still, it’s a car worth appreciating outside the context of that grim day.

Starting with the truly beautiful, new-for-1961 Lincoln Continental four-door convertible, Hess and Eisenhart of Cincinnati stretched the car a total of 33-inches both between the front and rear doors and behind the rear doors to both add space to the passenger compartment and make the car a true limousine. A metal hoop just behind the driver and over his head gave the President something to hold onto while standing during parades (as Kennedy did while visiting Germany during the summer of 1963). In addition, the rear seat could be raised in order to give crowds a better view of the President. Power came from a standard 430-cubic inch Lincoln V-8.

After the assassination, the SS-100-X was rebuilt, armored, fit with a permanent bulletproof hardtop, and returned to the presidential fleet. Though superseded by another Lincoln in 1967, both presidents Johnson and Nixon used the SS-100-X before it was retired to the Henry Ford Museum in 1977.

1972 Lincoln Continental
Top Limos

Built over three years by the Ford Motor Company (its serial number indicated that it was a 1970 model, but the original styling was from ’72), this is the limousine that protected both Presidents Ford and Reagan from would-be assassins’ bullets.

During a 1975 assassination attempt by Sara Jane Moore in San Francisco, Secret Service agents pushed President Gerald Ford into this massive 13,000-pound Lincoln and to safety. Six years later, and now decorated to look like a 1978 model, the Secret Service used this car again as a safe haven after John Hinckley attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan.

Powered by a 460-cubic inch V8, this was the last presidential limousine equipped with roof openings through which the president could stand.

Here at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay, we can’t really think of the last time anyone has wanted to buy a presidential fleet limo. Ford’s history with the presidential limousine has always been interesting for us and we hope you enjoyed this. A big thanks to Popular Mechanics magazine for their research on these vehicles.

Monday’s Focus – Child Safety Seats – Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Automobile Safety, child seats, infant seats on Monday, February 13th, 2012 at 11:38 AM

Read the rest of this entry »

How to Change a Flat Tire – Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Tire Safety, Vehicle Advice & Tips on Monday, February 6th, 2012 at 8:38 AM

We thought we’d take this quiet winter day and provide some tips on changing a flat tire. Now we hope you never have to do this, but it’s a good skill to know in case something should ever happen.

Most of us have at one time or another changed a flat tire or at least witnessed someone else doing the dirty work. We all know that the Wisconsin weather can be unpredictable and fast changing. Flat tires can happen anywhere and at any time, so it’s absolutely crucial for your own and the safety of others to learn how to change a tire correctly. It might sound like a no-brainer or common sense procedure, but you’d be surprised how the smallest errors can lead to some serious problems. It’s always good to go over the basics, so we have this video (courtesy of Kia) to go over the safest and best techniques to change a flat tire correctly, check it out:

Now that you know the basics, you’re good-to-go, right? Well…not exactly, here are some additional things to keep in mind when using a spare tire:

It’s smaller than the regular tire
It’s for emergency use only
It’s a temporary tire to get you to the nearest service center
The spare tire is small and light weight for better fuel efficiency
Do not drive at a speed over 80km/h (50m/h) with a spare tire

Here are the essentials you should always carry in your vehicle.

1. Spare Tire – The whole point of changing a tire would be pretty useless if we didn’t have a spare one in our trunk. Flat tires happen, so always make sure you have a spare in your trunk, back seat or wherever it’s safe and convenient.

2. Tire Changing Kit – Most vehicles come equipped with a tire kit, but if for some reason you don’t have one – give us a call or stop in at Dorch Ford Kia in Green Bay so we can arrange for you to get a wedge, hub wrench, jack, nut wrench etc…

3. Emergency Signs: You want to make sure that cars behind you are able to see that your vehicle is idle or it could lead to some serious consequences (especially in snow this time of the year in Green Bay). Any sort of warning sign that you could set on the road would be helpful, to warn the cars behind you.

4.Work Gloves: To keep your hands squeaky clean, warm and safe.

We hope you enjoyed this brief lesson on changing a tire. Feel free to stop in at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay or give us a call at 920-469-3000 and we’re happy to answer any questions for you.

Going On A Road Trip? Here Are Some Great Preparation Tips – Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay

By DorschFordKia | Posted in Road Trips, Service on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 10:49 AM

Here we are the last day of January and the weather is actually pretty nice. Even though we haven’t had much of a winter yet, I know some of you are planning on a spring break road trip. Your spring break will be here sooner than you know it, so we thought we would give you a head start on some of the tested and true tips to getting your vehicle ready for that long-distance drive.

Our experts here at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay put together this list of things you should check out before you venture off. Our service experts are certainly more than happy to answer any questions about potential problems your vehicle might have to make sure your vehicle is in top service condition for your excursion.

No matter how young or old your vehicle is – be sure to take a look at your manual. You might have read your manual when you first bought your vehicle, but now would be a good time to review things to make sure you know how to do the basics…. change a tire, know where the fuses are located, how accessible is the battery, etc.
Does your vehicle need any recommended service based on the mileage? Check your manual for that as well. Vehicle manufacturers have recommended services at different mileage intervals to make sure your vehicle is running in top condition. Check the manual so you can make your best judgement on any service your vehicle should have before your big trip.
Your Tires! Make sure you check your tires. Check the inflation & tread depth. The last thing you want is to have to change out a tire on your trip. When was the last time you had your tires rotated? Have your tires rotated at the recommended intervals will help reduce the long-term wear on your tires and help your tires last longer.
What would happen if you lose your keys on your trip? Make sure to bring along a spare set.
Get a complete check done by a professional service expert. You’ll want to make sure you get an oil change before your road trip, so one good idea is to have your service expert do a complete check of your vehicle just to make sure there’s nothing that’s been overlooked.
Pack an emergency roadside kit. Just to be extra prepared we recommend you have a small kit with a few things on hand including a flashlight, jumper cables, blanket, extra food and water in case of an emergency.
Do you have a AAA membership? It might be a good idea to look into this, especially if you have an older vehicle that doesn’t have the manufacturer’s complimentary roadside assistance. AAA has a great roadside assistance program and great travel discounts as well.
GPS? If you don’t have a GPS system, we would highly recommend investing in one. The pricing on GPS systems has become extremely attractive in the past couple of years and this will help make sure you stay on course.
Make sure your gas doesn’t run too low and check the oil often. Sometimes it might be a long way before the next gas station. The last thing you want is to run out of gas. Also, when you fill up, it’s a good time to take a quick look under the hood and make sure your engine isn’t burning oil.

The service experts here at Dorsch Ford Kia in Green Bay have seen just about every situation with vehicles on long road trips. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a service appointment before your next big trip, please give us a call at 920-469-3000.

Maximize Your Tire Life? Be Aware of Your Alignment – Here’s How!

Recent Reviews of the All-New 2013 Ford Escape – Green Bay Dorsch Ford Kia

Ford Driving Skills For Life – Teenage Driver Safety – Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay

FREE Program Elements

Paintless Dent Repair at Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay: Saying Goodbye to Those Dings and Dents

Does Your Vehicle Need a Spring Cleaning?

Check Out the 2013 Ford Mustang Customizer

Happy Presidents Day – a Look at the Ford Motor Company and its Presidential Limousines of the Past

Monday’s Focus – Child Safety Seats – Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay

How to Change a Flat Tire – Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay

Going On A Road Trip? Here Are Some Great Preparation Tips – Dorsch Ford Kia Green Bay

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