Finding your dream vehicle can be a daunting task, we get it. Whether you know exactly what you want or you just need help finding it, our team here at Romeo Ford of Kingston is dedicated to helping you find exactly what you’re looking for! And this May is the perfect time to help you get behind the wheel. Why? Well, not only is this month filled with plenty of new vehicle offers, but we know that those summer road trips are creeping up on you. And there’s no better time than now to get behind the wheel of a vehicle that you love and one that won’t disappoint you when you’re out and about on the road.

So, how can you save big when you stop in to see our team? All you have to do is choose the right new vehicle offer for you below. Once you do that, head over to our page and claim that offer that’s right for you by either printing the offer or sending it to your mobile device. And, don’t forget to bring it in with you when you stop in to see our team for a test drive! Now is the time to check out those offers below and be sure to stop in to see our team when you’re ready to upgrade your ride! We hope to see you soon!

2019 Ford Fiesta SE FWD

• Buy for only $13,960*

2019 Ford F-150 XL 4WD

• Lease for only $267/ month*

2019 Ford Escape SE 4WD

• Lease for only $199/ month*

2019 Ford Explorer XLT AWD

• Lease for only $299/ month*

*All offers expire 5/31/2019. See specials page for full details.

May is here and that means you’ll probably be heading out to hit the road for a road trip! And we know that means your kids will be along for the ride too. But there are some things about car seats that you should know and mistakes that you should be avoiding. While we know you’ve probably already read your child’s car seat manual, we want to use this week’s blog as a refresher course to make sure you’re steering clear of these mistakes. Check out our guide below and be sure to start practicing good and safe driving tips today!

Installing the seat improperly.

The first step to properly installing a car seat is making sure that the seat will properly fit in your vehicle. Be sure to use anchors/ LATCH system/ seat belts to properly secure the seat and always choose a rear-facing seat until your doctor has recommended you to switch. Next, check to make sure the seat is securely fastened and go the extra step to have your seat checked at an inspection site.

Incorrect use of harness and straps.

The harness in your child’s seat could be in the correct position which could cause issues. The harness should always be kept at your child’s armpits. And the straps should not be too loose or too tight. Conduct a “pinch test”, if you can pinch the straps between your fingers, the straps are too loose and need to be tightened.

Dressing your child in bulky clothing

While the weather may be warming up, there are still some mornings or nights where the weather can be a bit chilly. And while your first instinct is to put on a bulky coat or sweater, don’t. This will cause you to loosen the straps of the car seat and in the event of a collision, your child’s seat will be too loose to provide effective protection. Keep your child in a warm sweater and place a jacket on top after they have been strapped into their seat.

Swapping to a booster seat too soon.

While some booster seats can be used for children as young as three years old, this is not the exact age bracket they are intended for. If your child is between four and five years of age, at least 40 pounds, and have the ability to keep the seat belt strap properly positioned across the chest for the entire ride – then it is time to switch into a booster seat. But always consult your doctor before making the switch.

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner and that means you and the family are getting ready to hit the road! While this is a very exciting time, there are a few things we want to discuss before you all hop into the vehicle and hit the road. First, you need to have your vehicle serviced! Why? Well, no road trip needs a minor break down and by stopping in to service your vehicle with our team, you’ll avoid any unnecessary roadblocks along the way. Second, you need a list of fun games that will help pass the time and miles with ease. So, check out our list below and be sure to stop in to see our team when you’re ready to get your vehicle in shape for those long, exhausting road trips!  

License Plate Map

• Grab a clipboard, a color-less printed out copy of the U.S. map, and some crayons! When you see a license plate from a certain state, color it in! This will keep kids occupied for hours as they race to be the first one to get all 50 states!

The Alphabet Race

• One adult picks a letter from A-Z and whoever spots that letter out the window first (billboard, cows, tires, for example) gets to go next. This game is truly endless and can help pass the time especially with small children who are learning new items!

I Spy

• Everyone knows this one! Start with saying “I spy with my little eye….” and give a clue as to what you are looking at. Everyone takes a turn guessing at what you could be seeing, the person who guesses correctly gets to start the next round.

20 Questions

• Another popular and easy game! Someone in the car thinks of a specific object and other passengers take turns guessing what the person, place or thing could be and can be answered with a simple yes or no. After every answer, the questioner gets one guess at what is being thought of. Person to guess correctly wins and gets to start the next round.

Spot The Car

• This is a great game for older children who can differentiate the difference between vehicle models. Instead of looking for different states like we did in the Licensee Plate Map game, you’re looking for different models. You can make a printable scavenger hunt list to check off when that model is found. The first one to check off all models wins!

Oh, and one more thing! Don’t forget to visit our specials page to see how you can service your vehicle for less. Or if you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle, check out our monthly offers that are always changing to offer you nothing but the very best savings. When you’re ready, schedule an appointment today or stop by to see our team. We’re here to help make your driving experience unlike any other – stop by to see us today!

Things To Look For:

Fluids:

• Check up on your vehicle’s fluids, if you notice they are dirty, filmy, or have changed color, it’s time to swap it for fresh new fluids. Not sure how to do this or what to look for? Just schedule a service appointment with our team and we will take care of your vehicle.

Windshield Wipers & Lighting:

• When you’re out and about on a road trip, being able to see is vital. That’s where your windshield wipers and lighting come in to play. Make sure that all of your lights are working and are bright enough to light up the road when the sun goes down. Also, if it’s been more than six months since you replaced your wipers – change them NOW!

Got Tires?:

• Another important piece to your vehicle’s puzzle is your tires. Coming out of a winter season means that your tires could have improper PSI levels and excessive wear and tear. So, check your tread and make sure that your tires are filled to proper PSI levels.

HVAC System:

• Summer is coming, we all know this. That means spring is a great time to make sure that your HVAC system is in proper working condition and will get you through the season without any minor or major hiccups. Check for smells, too! You’ll notice these when you turn the A/C on.

Schedule Your Tune-Up:

• Going somewhere and want to have the best possible fuel economy when you’re out and about? Then schedule a tune-up to help your engine deliver the best balance of power and produce the lowest level of emissions.

Romeo Real Deals are here again this April. I mean, would you expect anything else from us? NOPE! This week we are bringing you our service and parts offers that will help you save a few bucks on your spring service when you stop in to see our service technicians. Seriously, it’s time to service your ride if you’ve been neglecting it and coming out of the winter season, your vehicle needs a checkup. Take a look at our new service offers below and give us a call or schedule your service appointment online today!

Not quite sure what your vehicle may need? We can help! Just tell our team a little bit about your vehicle and let us diagnose the problem! We’re here to help you have a successful season behind the wheel of your vehicle! Service with Romeo Ford today and save big! We hope to see you soon!

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 4/30/2019. See specials page for full details.

Value of Your Trade/ Allowance:

The trade-in value is the amount that the dealer is offering to buy your old vehicle, the offer is influenced by a number of factors. Appraisers take into consideration your vehicle’s condition, the year, and how well it runs. Knowing the value of your trade can help you negotiate better when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Once you have agreed to a trade-in value with the dealership, a trade-in allowance should also be established. The allowance is the amount which the dealer is willing to reduce the price of your new vehicle as a result of trading your old one. This can be looked at as a credit from the sale of your old car towards your new one.

Loan Value:

This is the amount that your financing lender is willing to provide toward your new vehicle. Your loan amount depends on numerous factors like your credit score, financial stability, and even unfulfilled loan payments. In some cases, you may have to pay off a current auto loan before a lender offers a new loan.

Retail Value:

This value is dictated by the market, versus trade-in values which are dictated by dealers. The retail value represents the dollar figure that they can (re)sell your used vehicle for. It is key to research the retail value before heading to the dealership. Knowing what your vehicle should retail for can help get you more money towards your trade-in. Some people may find it beneficial to sell the car themselves, this route can sometimes be a long and treacherous uphill battle.

Negative Equity, Upside Down Loans:

It is important to understand the terms of your trade so you avoid being upside down on a loan. Some dealers may offer to pay off the balance of your current vehicle’s loan but be careful to make sure you don’t get into a situation where you owe more on a loan than your car is actually worth. Look at the terms of your loan and make sure a portion of your old loan isn’t “rolling over” onto your new loan.

Thinking about spring service? This week we want to tell you why you should be swapping out your old filters for fresh new ones! Trust us, it will only benefit you in the end. So, take a few minutes to read through our blog and gain some knowledge on why spring is the best time for you to swap your old filters. And when you’re done, head on over to our service and parts offers page because we have a sweet little coupon that will help you save when you stop in for those new filters! We hope to see you soon!

Pollen Is Not Your Friend – Even if you have the slightest of allergies you know that you and pollen, well, don’t get along! Now think, you have a broken down air filter that is allowing dust, pollen, dirt, and other allergens right through your vents and making their way into your cabin and right into your nose. Gross! We recommend that you change your air filter or really any filter at the end of pollen season or at least give it a look over. In addition, your filters should be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

Clean Air Is Your Friend – Living in Kingston, NY, you know that spring weather can be all over the place. One minute you’re A/C is on full blast and the next your heat is on. This action actually puts a lot of strain on your filters which means they’re getting a lot of use and could deteriorate at a quicker pace than normal. A broken down air vent means that allergens are just crusin’ right through your filter, your vents, and right into your precious nostrils. So, swap out your old nasty filter for a fresh new one.

Efficiency Is What Makes You Happy – A clogged filter is known for tanking your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. No pun intended! If you let your filter clog up, it’s making it more difficult for air to get through which will result in lower efficiency and one grumpy driver aka you! Leaving a clogged filter in there can also do a bit of damage to your heating and cooling unit which can lead to hefty repairs down the line.