Setting goals is a great thing, but staying on track is what matters. Unfortunately, especially in those beginning stages of starting a new habit, it can be hard to stick to it. If you’ve already fallen off track with your New Year’s resolution, don’t get up. Get back on the wagon with these easy tips.
Find your “why”
A great way to stay on track is to evaluate why you’re doing something. If you lose motivation, it may be because you haven’t found your reason yet. If you’re exercising, are you doing it to lose weight, become stronger, be healthy, or something else? Are you learning a new language because you want to? Asking these questions is important, especially if you realize you want to do a different resolution entirely.
See failure as an opportunity
If you’ve gotten off track a few times, you may need to take a look at your approach. Your system or routine may not be working for you. Finding the right way to approach your goals is half the battle.
Be accountable
Some people aren’t motivated by themselves. They need the influence of someone else to track their progress. If this sounds like you, consider talking to a spouse, friend, or family member about your goals.
Maybe one of your 2020 goals was to take better care of your current vehicle or invest in a new one. That’s definitely a resolution we can help with here at Romeo Ford! Call us to schedule a service appointment or stop by to browse our 2020 model lineup.
Decorating Your Ford with Christmas Lights
So you’ve decorated your lawn, your house, and your tree for the holidays, but what if you could decorate your Ford, too? If you really want to add some pizzazz to your Christmas party, here are our tips for decorating your Ford with Christmas lights.
Only decorate for events
While it would be cool to see a Ford covered in Christmas lights driving down the highway, it’s probably illegal. As a result, you should only decorate your Ford for events where you’ll be taking them off afterwards.
Get a power inverter
A vehicle’s car battery alone typically can’t power a string of Christmas lights. That’s why you need a power inverter. The 12V DC produced by the car battery is converted to 110V AC by the inverter in order to power the Christmas lights.
Use outdoor lights
This may seem obvious, but your best bet is to use string lights rated for outdoor use. These are the kind you’d put on a house rather than on your Christmas tree, for example. This is so the elements won’t cause any problems for you, especially rain.
Secure the lights well
You don’t want your Christmas lights to drag. When you decorate, make sure you keep everything secured. Drivers can use anything from zip ties to magnets to keep Christmas lights securely attached to your Ford.
Romeo Ford wishes you and your family a Merry Christmas. For more ways to decorate your truck or for suggestions on holiday events to attend, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Roadside assistance is a critical part of Ford’s customer service. According to Sterling Black, the manager of Ford and Lincoln Roadside Operations, roadside services provide a meaningful experience for drivers in need. Reliable service can provide a sense of trust between drivers and automakers, so Ford has released some helpful updates to the Ford Roadside Assistance Program.
Now, Ford is including Spanish-language roadside assistance, allowing more drivers to have an easier time receiving battery jump starts, lock-out assistance, flat-tire changes, fuel and fluid delivery, towing, and winching. Further, it’s letting all customers track the locations of service providers that are en route to lend assistance.
Other improvements involve streamlining the process of calling for assistance, reducing wait times, and making the program’s options easier to understand.
Before the update, 88 percent of Ford Roadside Assistance users rated the service as good or excellent. While Black is understandably proud of that rating, he also values continuous improvement for the service and seeks to garner a 100 percent customer satisfaction rating.
Your vehicle qualifies for Ford Roadside Assistance for the first 60,000 miles or five years. You can also call for Ford Roadside Assistance if you’ve been in an accident and require assistance.
Want to learn more about the benefits of driving a Ford? Come to Romeo Ford in Kingston.
Best and Worst Thanksgiving Travel Times
We are now officially in the holiday season. This means many families have travel plans coming up very soon. If you plan to do any driving for Thanksgiving, there are a few times you should avoid and some that you should aim for. Here are the best and worst Thanksgiving travel times.
Worst Times
In general, the worst time to leave for your Thanksgiving weekend is Wednesday evening. However, according to AccuWeather, Tuesday evening can also be pretty bad in the greater New York area. After the Thanksgiving holiday, Sundays are going to be the busiest travel day to return home.
Best Times
If you don’t have far to travel, the best time to drive will be anytime on Thanksgiving Day. For your return trip, Friday, Saturday, or even Monday will give you the lightest traffic. If you have to leave earlier than Thanksgiving Day, try to leave early in the morning to avoid most of the traffic. You should also try to plan your route to avoid the most congested highways.
Keep in mind that Thanksgiving is a bit later this year and falls on Nov. 28. Here in New York, that means the likelihood for snowy or icy weather goes up.
Schedule your Ford vehicle’s seasonal maintenance appointment here at Romeo Ford before winter sets in. We’re here to help ensure that your holidays are as safe as they are fun.
Ford recently filed a new patent for a video projector that would mount to a vehicle’s tailgate. This innovation promises to revolutionize the way people view media while traveling.
How it works
Per the patent’s abstract, the design will feature a video projector that will attach to the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the device will project the video away from the vehicle onto whatever surface the user chooses.
The projector also has a secondary mode which projects light away from the vehicle. This feature uses a bright white light to illuminate the space and a yellow light that attracts insects so humans can avoid getting bug bites while watching their favorite movie.
Implications on the driving experience
Having a place to play video in a car is nothing new, but a mountable projector opens up many possibilities for enjoying a Ford vehicle. For instance, you could drive to a remote location and project your favorite movies on a broad screen rather than from a smaller display screen located inside of the vehicle. It’s a great idea, especially for outdoorsy folks who want to relax in nature while still enjoying some of the conveniences of staying at home.
For more exciting news from Ford, stay tuned to our blog in the days ahead. Or better yet, stop by Romeo Ford in-person to test-drive the brand’s shiny new models for yourself.
Check Engine Light 101 | Kingston, NY
The Check Engine Light – formally known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp – is a signal from your vehicle’s engine computer that something isn’t working quite right within your system. Now, this can be anything from a bad catalytic converter or something minor like a loose gas cap so it’s important to get in and have things checked out. While you can buy an inexpensive code reader and try to diagnose the problem yourself, bringing your vehicle in to see a professional is best. In some cases, these code readers might be able to diagnose the problem and turn off the Check Engine Light. But that could be a short-lived solution and chances are, your light will light up again.
Ignoring your Check Engine Light could mean bad things. So, don’t ignore it, okay? It’s not good for you or your wallet, seriously. When your Check Engine Light shows up the first thing you’ll want to do is pull over and take a look at your engine. Most drivers will try to squeeze every mile out of there engine that they can, which we can understand. But in the end, this is going to cost you when you’re hit with a hefty bill when it is time to repair that engine!
Your Check Engine Light could be sending you mixed signals. Sometimes your Check Engine Light will show up and there could be nothing wrong with your vehicle. Some of the most common occurrences for that are:
- Loose gas cap
- Faulty oxygen sensor
- Spark plug wires
- Mass airflow sensor
The best way to diagnose these issues are to stop in to see our team right here at Romeo Ford of Kingston! Whether it is something minor or major – it’s best to have the pros take a look and make sure your vehicle is running properly, especially now that summer is here and you’re planning on taking a few road trips. So, start by scheduling your service appointment online today and be sure to snag a service offer from our specials pages to help save you a few bucks when you stop in to see us! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Summer days are here and that means you’ll be getting ready to hit the road. And if you’re anything like me, you decide the destination at the very last minute. But we’ve hand-picked a few summer spots for you to hit to make deciding on a destination easy! Whether you’re looking for some blood-pumping adrenaline days or relaxed exploring, there’s something for everyone on our list this week! Take a look, decide your destination and stop in to see our team to service your ride because let’s be honest, we don’t have time for any breakdowns this summer. Stop in and let our team give your ride the green light to drive!
Kaaterskill Falls – Cascade down two terrace-like tiers and take in the beautiful scenery that the falls have to offer. Standing at 200 feet tall, the Kaaterskill Falls is taller than Niagra Falls. The picturesque trail is easily accessible by road and other trails are available if you’re up to the challenge!
Adirondack Park Region – Escape city life for a while and enjoy glacial lakes, waterfalls, mountains, and the beautiful wilderness that the ADKs has to offer. Just a little over two hours from Albany, the Adirondack Park offers hiking, canoeing, and more! The perfect camping place for a summer weekend road trip is waiting for you here!
Hunter Mountain – Adventure through Hunter Mountain and get a rush of adrenaline with activities like soaring 600 feet above the ground on Northern America’s longest and highest canopy tour. Or take a scenic sky ride to the 3,200-foot summit for a calm afternoon. Maybe ATVing, fly-fishing or disc golf is more your style. Either way, it’s all available at Hunter Mountain!
Beacon – Mostly known for its’ beautiful artwork, Beacon is one place you’ll want to get lost in this summer! From an old Nabisco box printing factory transformed into an art gallery to Electric Windows in downtown Beacon, there’s plenty to see here that will make you appreciate art. When your tour is finished, grab a bite to eat in one of the small restaurants!
Hey Ford lover, looking for service specials to help you save a few dollars when it comes time to service your Ford this June? We thought you might be! And we want to help make sure you save BIG BUCKS! In fact, we have over ten service and parts offers this June which means no matter what your vehicle needs, our team can meet and exceed all of your needs! Seriously! From the minor tune-ups to the extensive repairs, our team can take any service need you to have and fix it up with ease! So, check out a few of our service and parts offers below and head over to our page for our full list! And don’t forget to claim your coupon and schedule your service appointment. We’re ready to help you stay on the road this summer, stop in to see us for service!
4-Wheel Alignment – $99.95*
Coolant Exchange – $139.95*
The Works – $39.95*
Includes:
- Tire Rotation
- Oil Change
The Works Plus – $69.95*
Includes:
- Tire Rotation with Valvoline Oil
- Oil Change
- Valvoline Fuel Additive Cleaner
Engine/ Cabin Air Filter – $109.90* Each
- Plus FREE wiper blades w/ purchase of both*
Transmission Flush Special – $20 OFF*
- Excludes diesel
Brake Inspection – FREE*
Includes:
- Removing wheels
- Measuring brake pads
- Inspecting brake components for safety
Batteries Special – Save $10 on ANY Car Battery Replacement*
*All offers expire 6/30/2019. See specials page for full details.
Summer road trips are back and there’s no time to be left stranded on the side of the road. So, what are you going to do about it? You’re going to upgrade your Ford that’s what! And this month, we have a few new Ford offers that will make you jump for joy and get you excited to spend some time behind the wheel this summer! Whether you are looking for a capable pickup truck, sporty crossover or a fuel-efficient sedan, we have just what you’re looking for! So, check out those offers below and be sure to head over to our specials page to get more details on these amazing new offers and don’t forget to claim your offer online! You’ll need this when you stop in to see our team to save big. Swing by to see our team for a test drive when you’re ready and let’s start your summer off with a bang!
June Offers:
2019 Ford F-150 XL 4WD
- Lease for only $289/ month*
2019 Ford Escape SE 4WD
- Lease for only $199/month*
2019 Ford Fiesta SE FWD
- Buy for only $189/ month*
- Buy for just $13,960*
*All offers expire 6/30/2019. See specials page for full details.
Give Your Ford A DIY Car Wash Today | Kingston, NY
One of my favorite things to do on a hot summer day is to head outside and treat my beloved Ford to a DIY car wash. And if you’re not really sure where to start, we have you covered so don’t worry about a single thing! This week’s blog is dedicated to the dos and don’ts when it comes to a DIY car wash. Are you ready? We hope so because we are! Below you will find that list and when you’re ready, he out to the driveway and get started! We wish you the best but we already know you don’t need it.
The Dos & Don’ts Of A DIY Car Wash:
- Do put your car in a shaded area or in a garage. The hot summer sun will make proper car care and cleaning, much more difficult. Wash your car on your lawn, any water runoff will be absorbed by the grass which is better for the environment.
- Do wet down your vehicle, thoroughly. All you need is a little sprinkle of water to rid your vehicle of any loose dirt or debris that have made your vehicle home. If you skip this step, expect scratches on your vehicle.
- Don’t use detergent or dish soap. There are many automotive soaps out there which is usually pH-controlled and has gloss enhancers. Use soaps designed specifically for your vehicle, not household soaps that can cause damage to your vehicle.
- Do wash your vehicle one section at a time and top to bottom. This will prevent dry soapy spots from forming on your vehicle.
- Do wet the car if temperatures are hot.
- Don’t let your vehicle dry in the sun, a shady spot or a garage will prevent water spots from forming on your vehicle.
- Do spend the extra few minutes drying your vehicle completely to avoid water spots.
And there you have it, our complete list of dos and don’ts when it comes to a DIY car wash! We hope you use these tips the next time to grab the bucket and head out to scrub-a-dub your precious Ford! But if you’re ready to upgrade your ride, stop in to see our team and let us take you out for a test drive! We promise you won’t regret it – hurry on in!
Connect with us
