2011 Ford Explorer Design. Rugged and Refined

The all new 2011 Ford Explorer has been completely redesigned.  Outside it’s unmistakably Ford with modern, masculine lines.  Explorer captures the best elements of the SUV and takes it to new heights.

On the Outside

• It’s wider and longer than the previous design
• Aerodynamic improvements mean gains in fuel efficiency
• All-new clamshell hood design, new front fenders and front and rear fascia
• New tri-bar grille
• New headlamps and LED taillamps
• Black A-piller, which creates the appearance of a wraparound cockpit
• New 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheel designs
• Available HID headlamps
• Eight new colors

On the Inside

• Drivers will feel confident and comfortable with command seating
• An all-new appearance and use of high-quality materials on the instrument panel, finish panels, air registers, door trim, console, floor shifter and center stack
• New seat materials
• Soft-touch materials throughout
• Dual-panel moonroof
• Many materials including seating, carpet and headliner fabric, contain recycled materials.

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Save Fuel: How can my driving style improve my fuel efficiency?

1. Anticipate traffic situations.  Maintain a consistent, safe speed and accelerate and brake smoothly.  Don’t pump the accelerator only to slam the brakes a few seconds later.
2. Keep an eye not only on your speedometer but also on your tachometer.  A lower engine speed means lower fuel consumption.
3. When you’re idling, you’re getting zero mpg.  If you’re waiting for your kids at school or paused at a drive-through window, turn off the engine.
4. If you’re traveling faster than 50 mph, close your windows–even if you need to put the air conditioning on.  Keeping them open will increase aerodynamic drag.

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Breaking Down the Ford Ti-VCT

Ford Ti-VCT makes its debut in the 2011 Mustang this summer and will quickly follow in the 2011 Fiesta, 2011 Edge and 2012 Focus. While improved fuel economy, peak horsepower and reduced emissions are tangible Ti-VCT benefits, it’s important to understand the whys and hows behind this engine evolution.

Camshafts

It all starts with the camshaft. Camshafts play a key role in engine power and efficiency. They regulate the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves, letting the air/fuel mixture into the cylinders and the spent exhaust gases out. The timing of the induction/exhaust events is critical to achieving a good balance of power and efficiency.

Regardless of engine design-overhead valve, single overhead cam or dual overhead cam-for many engines the cam and valve actuation is fixed.

With a fixed camshaft, engineers design and engine to perform well, but ultimately the engine is tuned with a specific purpose in mind. For example, fuel-efficient vehicles with fixed camshafts are tuned to perform fuel-efficiently. Many truck engines with fixed camshafts are tuned for maximum power and torque, and of course, performance vehicles are tuned for high performance.

Variable Cam Timing (VCT)

VCT was the next evolution of camshaft design and brought with it the ability to adjust cam performance. With VCT, the cam, depending on demand, can be shifted between advanced or delayed in milliseconds, resulting in enhanced efficiency under low-load conditions like highway driving and increased power for brisk acceleration.

Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT)

What Ti-VCT brings to the table is the ability to have the best of both fuel efficiency and performance.

With Ti-VCT the camshaft and valve timing are continuously monitored and automatically adjusted as engine demands change, hence the term “variable cam timing.” Ti-VCT technology is flexible, allowing the engine to operate at peak efficiency across an entire range.

The independent adjustment of intake and exhaust valve timing significantly contributes to maximum fuel efficiency when driving under regular conditions and it also allows the delivery of optimized power when full throttle is demanded. In other words-the best of both worlds!

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Diesel Exhaust Fluid Explained Simply

The all-new Ford 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel uses Selective Catalytic Reduction and Diesel Exhaust Fluid to meet stricter government diesel emissions requirements while helping deliver improvements to horsepower, torque, towing, hauling, reliability and fuel efficiency.

What is Diesel Exhaust Fluid(DEF)?  A non-hazardous clear fluid (67% deionized water and 33% chemically pure urea) that is injected into the diesel exhaust system to greatly reduce NOx emissions.

Where is the DEF fill nozzle and tank?  On pickups, they are located together with the fuel tank and fill nozzle on the driver’s side.  This location may vary on Chassis Cabs.

How large is the DEF tank?  Pickups have a 5.1-gallon tank, Chassis Cabs have a 6.1-gallon tank.

Where do I get a DEF?  Available from dealerships, major auto parts chains and gas stations.  Customers can purchase Motocraft DEF in 1-and 2.5-gallon jugs.

How much does DEF cost?  Suggested list price of Motorcraft DEF is $5-$10 a gallon, depending on quantity purchased.  Refilling is typically only required at oil change intervals, depending upon vehicle usage, and the fuel economy savings greatly outweigh this cost.

How do I know when to refill DEF?  Adding DEF is as simple as adding washer fluid, and Super Duty provides numerous warnings that the tank is getting low starting at 800 miles to empty.

What happens if I run out of DEF?  Drivers will have plenty of warning long before entering the required speed-limited modes that occur once the tank is empty.  This eventually progresses to an idle-only mode.

Can I use water or anything other than DEF?  No. The system will sense that the DEF has been contaminated and enter a speed-limited mode until it is remedied.

What if the DEF freezes in the tank?  The tank and supply lines are heated and allow for expansion.  You can start the engine and drive while the DEF thaws.

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Marc & Harriet Feigenblatt: Greg Kien Sales Testimonial

We purchased a 2010 Fusion Hybrid.  We had done a great deal of independent research before ever entering a dealership, so we had complete knowledge of the model and options we wanted.  We’ve never purchased a Ford of any kind before primarily because our research indicated that until recently, Ford products were inferior to those of other manufacturers.  Regarding the ranking of vehicle attributes, we place safety above all else, followed by reliability/durability and then by the balance of features which would include gas mileage, performance and options.  Aesthetics would be last, but a tie breaker among equals.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, we would like to offer the following testimonial regarding the sale with specific kudos to Greg Kien.

In the thirty years that we have been married, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is our ninth new automobile and our first Ford.  It was, by far, the best experience we’ve ever had when purchasing a new vehicle and we give credit to Greg Kien, our contact at Beechmont Ford.  He listened to us intently when we told him of our needs and concerns and always responded in a positive and helpful manner.  He recognized that we were educated consumers and treated us as such.  He took the time to make certain that all of our questions were answered in a clear and concise way.  He went above and beyond, even after the sales was complete.  He made the entire process not only easy, but very pleasant.

When we first stepped into Greg’s office, it was apparent that he was very knowledgeable and we appreciated his no-pressure attitude.  Although the Fusion Hybrid was a high-demand vehicle, he offered us an exceptionally competitive price and did not pressure us into purchasing any additional services or products.

Because we were uncertain about a particular exterior color, he searched for a dealership in the area that had the exact model and color in the lot so that we could view it in person rather than in a booklet.  When he discovered that no area dealerships had one, he worked with us to find one in Louisville, Kentucky, because he knew that we were traveling through that city the following week.  He had already made the sale — it would have been easy for him to just point to the colors in the Ford brochure and let us decide from that.

When we picked up our new Fusion, Greg spent a lot of time in the vehicle with us, demonstrating various features and controls.  Since this model has an extraordinary number of high-tech and complex systems, we were very appreciative that he went over them before we had a chance to read the manuals.  Within minutes of arriving home from the dealership, we even received a phone call from him asking us how our first trip in our new car went!

If we hear of anyone (friend, family, acquaintance) who is interested in purchasing a new vehicle, we will definitely send them to Beechmont Ford and especially Greg Kien.  We are always very careful about whom we recommend to others and we know for certain that anyone we refer will also find it to be their best new car sales experience.

Marc and Harriet Feigenblatt

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