Before you get behind the wheel and head out on the road, you'll want to have some essential skills to ensure your safety and the safety of other drivers. No matter whether it's your first time driving or you've been at it for years, you can always do more to increase safety while you drive. In this guide, you'll learn some of the basics that every driver should know. more 4 Essential Skills All Motorists Need 1. Maintaining the Tires Your car's tires are the only point of contact it has with the road, which is why maintaining them properly is so important for safe driving. Tires that are improperly inflated not only reduce gas mileage, but they also have a tendency to cause flats and blowouts. Some vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system that makes it easy to see the psi level of the tires. You can find out what the proper psi is for your tires by checking the sticker found on the pillar inside the driver's side door. 2. Checking the Oil Oil is what keeps your car's engine and other major components functioning properly. Vehicles need to have their oil changed regularly, as it gets dirty and stops working as it should. To check your oil, open the hood and look for the oil dipstick, which is typically labeled so you can find it easily. Pull it out and wipe it off. Place it back in the hole and pull it out again. You'll want to take note of the oil level as well as the oil's color and consistency. The dipstick is marked where the oil level should be, and if the oil looks black or gritty, it's time for a change. 3. Driving in Bad Weather Regardless of where you live, you're sure to encounter bad weather at some point when you're traveling. Knowing how to handle weather conditions like snow, ice, and heavy rain will help you drive with increased safety through these types of conditions. Wet, slippery roads affect the handling of any vehicle. Make sure you drive slowly in inclement weather and don't hesitate to pull off the road if you don't feel comfortable continuing. 4. Braking Suddenly Sometimes, things appear in the road suddenly, causing you to have to stop quickly. Sudden braking isn't recommended, but if you do have to stop quickly for some reason, you'll want to stay in control of your vehicle. When you apply the brakes hard and fast, you can easily start to fishtail. This is when the back of your car sways. If this happens, ease off the brake and don't overcorrect by steering rapidly in one direction or another. You may have to slowly pull off of the road in order to regain control. Don't drive without knowing these essential skills. Having the right knowledge and experience will make you a better, more courteous driver. If you're in need of a safe, reliable vehicle that will get you around in comfort, stop by Romeo Ford of Kingston and they can help get you into the drivers seat of some of America's most reliable and trusted vehicles. Photo courtesy of Ford.
The 2021 Ford Escape comes with an array of features that are bound to impress. This is a vehicle to consider if you like lots of highly convenient technology, and it's also perfect if you're a fan of hybrid vehicles. more 5 Truly Impressive Features of the 2021 Ford Escape 1. Its Unique Hybrid Availability All trims apart from the base S trim of the Ford Escape come with a hybrid option, and this isn't something you'll see with many vehicles. However, it gets even better than that. You don't just get one hybrid option with the Ford Escape; there are two hybrid powertrains available with each applicable trim. The plug-in and straight hybrid options that the Ford Escape offers are both desirable and worthy of the highest praise. 2. Its Smartphone App The Ford Escape connects to the FordPass Connect smartphone app. App integration isn't common in the Escape's competitors, but Ford has always been ahead of the times when it comes to useful technology. The FordPass Connect app lets you control certain functions of your vehicle remotely, including locking and unlocking your doors. You can also view key information about your vehicle on the app, and this will help you ensure that your vehicle is in the best condition possible. Lastly, you can schedule services right from the FordPass Connect app, so it's easy to stay on top of your maintenance. 3. Its Head-Up Display Taking your eyes off the road feels like a risky venture, but unfortunately, you need to keep an eye on the instrument cluster on your dash. Thankfully, the Ford Escape lets you view this on your windshield, too. The head-up display projects your key information onto the windshield. It doesn't obscure your view of the road in the slightest, so you can keep your eyes on the road and check how your vehicle is doing at the same time. 4. Its Fuel-Saving Abilities Two features of the Ford Escape were designed to save fuel. The first is a button that lets you disconnect the rear driveline while you're not using the all-wheel drive. It's simple to disconnect and reconnect this as needed. The second feature is an auto start/stop function that kicks in when you're stuck in traffic or at a stop sign. It shuts the engine off to stop it from using fuel while your vehicle isn't moving. This is sure to help you save gas. 5. Its Safety Suite The Ford Escape comes with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features that many of its competitors don't have. The competitors often require you to upgrade to higher trims to gain access to bigger and better safety features, but the Ford Escape has them all right there in one standard package. This is one of the safest vehicles on the market right now. If you want to see the Ford Escape in person, then come by Romeo Ford of Kingston. We'll make sure you have a great time test driving this vehicle. Photo courtesy of Ford.
The 2021 Ford Mustang continues the retro-futuristic tradition of echoing its 1960s granddaddy’s classic lines. However, it is decidedly a modern sports car. Reviewers praise it for modern engines, performance-oriented suspension, and track abilities (even in its base trim). It embraces future tech, particularly in the standard Ford Co-Pilot driver-assist package. It combines this with practicality including useable rear seats and surprisingly ample interior space. The result is a delightfully sports-oriented daily driver. more Basics About the 2021 Ford Mustang The 2021 Mustang is available in five trim levels ranging from the base Ecoboost four-cylinder to a “throwback” Mach 1 V8. Each is built around the “fastback’ front engine, four seat hatchback design that debuted in 2015. They also feature the fully independent suspension that reviewers love for its quick response and predictability in hard corning. All but two trims (the standard GT and the Mach 1) are available as a coupe or convertible. Mach 1 New for 2021 Doubling down on its “retro-futuristic” design language for 2021, Ford introduced the limited edition Mustang Mach 1. It boasts a beastly 480 horsepower take on the GT’s 5.0-liter V8. Though modern in function, its “throwback” aero styling takes its cues from Ford’s original 1969 Mach 1. It also incorporates performance parts from the recent Mustang Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500 models to make it one of the most trackable modern Mustangs. Trim Levels and Pricing The track-worthy base ‘Ecoboost” model with a 310 horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine is MSRP $27,205 (MSRP $32,705 as a convertible). Ecoboost Premium adds track oriented components and heated/ ventilated seats for MSRP $32,225 ($37,725 convertible). The coupe-only GT Fastback jumps to a 5.0-liter 460 horsepower V8 engine for MSRP $ $36,285. The GT Premium echoes the Ecoboost Premium additions for MSRP $ $40,285 ($45,785 convertible). The coupe-only Mach 1 is MSRP $52,400. Ford Co-Pilot 360 Safety Package Standard All 2021 Mustang trim levels come standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot safety package. This suite of active driver assistance features augments the Mustang’s already high ratings for passive collision safety. Included are automatic high-beam headlights, blind spot monitoring and alerts, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Lane keeping alert and assist helps drivers maintain their lane position even in congested traffic. Automatic collision alerts and emergency braking prevent forward collisions (including with bicyclists and pedestrians). Modern Means Connected Ford’s refined Sync 3 system is the heart of the Mustang’s touchscreen infotainment offerings. It’s delightfully intuitive and handles everything from audio, to navigation, to track day performance readouts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available for those who prefer to access their smartphones directly. Options include a banging stereo system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and FordSync Connect to monitor and control certain vehicle features via smartphone. With the 2021 Mustang, Ford continues to show that it has mastered the retro-modern vehicle. You get all the styling cues that made yesteryears' Mustangs a perennial favorite. But you also get a completely modern Mustang, capable of holding its own on the track while pleasing anyone who lives their lie via smartphone. All this comes packaged in a sports car legendary for its daily drivability. Contact Romeo Ford of Kingston today to try it for yourself. Photo courtesy of Ford.
