5 Windshield Repair Myths

Small Windshield Chips Are Safe and Won't Crack

Research shows that 7 out of 10 chips in a windshield will eventually crack. This means that the problem went from something that could simply be repaired turned into something that needed to be completely replaced. A windshield that is chipped immediately becomes weaker and is at risk for becoming more damaged. Car owners should be aware of any small windshield chips that exist on their vehicle and repair them before they worsen.

All Chips in Your Windshield Require a Full Replacement

While windshield chips can cause a lot of problems in the future if they are not repaired, they do not require a full replacement. Chips in a windshield are actually very simple to repair and if done right, one would never know the window was ever chipped. A windshield only requires a full replacement by a windshield repair company if it is cracked or when a chip turns into a crack that is larger than a quarter. If a crack is the size of a quarter or smaller, it may be able to be repaired instead of replacing the whole windshield.

Do-It-Yourself Repair Kits Are Good Enough

Taking the cheap way out and using a do-it-yourself kit is going to have cheap did-it-yourself results. Many windshield repair companies will not repair a window that has already been experimented on with a repair kit. Going straight to a professional will save more money in the long run and will ensure that the job is done well. Do not make the mistake of using a kit to substitute a real repair. Companies that make and distribute repair kits will market that their products work just as well as a professional repair job, but remember that they are a business trying to sell a product. Do not fall for it.

Chip Repairs Must Be Paid for Out of Pocket

Usually, vehicle owners will not have to pay for the entire chip repair on their own. Paying for a chip repair is much cheaper than replacing the windshield. Insurance companies are aware of this, so they will often waive the deductible on the chip repair. In the case of the entire windshield being repaired, a car owner will most likely have to pay the deductible themselves. In addition, windshield repair professionals often offer warranties and other benefits to their clients.

All Chips Are the Same 

Most people do not know that all windshield chips are categorized into 6 different types and are treated accordingly. These are combo break, bee's wing, star break, bull's eye, clover leaf, and half-moon. A professional can determine what kind of chip is in a windshield. Each kind of chip will spread differently. Some types will spread faster than others. Knowing what type of chip it is plays a part in the repair process, which is another reason to have a windshield repaired by a professional rather than with an at-home repair kit. 

5 Automotive Mobile Devices Ideal for Teenage Drivers

Many parents worry when their teens start to drive. Distracted driving, inexperience and simple carelessness are all reasons for parents to be concerned. The added distraction of a cellphone and all its available functions bring even more reasons to worry.

While it would be great if parents could keep a watchful eye every time a teenager is behind the wheel, it’s just not possible. In this age of technology, can parents have more peace of mind when their newly licensed teenage driver is on the road?

“Parents can make use of vehicle monitoring devices,” says Chris Kersting, president and CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The trade association represents the $33 billion automotive specialty equipment industry that includes thousands of products that are available to enhance a vehicle’s styling, performance, comfort and convenience. “These devices can help relieve some parents’ anxieties about their teen driver and can even improve teen driving habits.”
Here are some devices to consider for anyone who wants to keep tabs on teenagers behind the wheel.

Bluetooth

While you don’t want your teen texting while driving, it’s equally as important to make sure that he’s not talking with his phone glued to his ear. A vehicle with Bluetooth capabilities will ensure a safer hands-free experience – not to mention you can call him knowing he can answer you without taking his hands off the wheel or his eyes off the road. Choices range from a standalone universal Bluetooth kit, FM transmitters or a new Bluetooth-enabled car stereo system.

GPS tracker

You can easily track a vehicle’s movement using a GPS tracker. These handy devices can be mounted in any car, sometimes using only a magnet, and will report back to your computer or smartphone. Advanced features include alerts letting you know if your teenager is driving out of a pre-designated area. Trackers typically require a monthly subscription service fee.

Plug-in diagnostic port adapters

Plug-in diagnostic port adapters plug into your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic port (OBDII). The OBDII connects to the car’s brain and when accessed, can provide a plethora of information on how the car is being driven. Every car sold after Jan. 1, 1996 was required to have an OBDII port, so most vehicles on the road today include this port. Numerous plug-in adapters are available to monitor driving habits and gather reports, including speed monitoring, harsh braking, location displays and more. Most adapters also require a service subscription in order to provide text or email alerts on activities you wish to monitor.

Hardwired telematics systems

A hardwired vehicle tracking system eliminates the possibility of your teenager finding and removing the diagnostic port adapter. Hardwired systems also provide real-time information and can pinpoint locations more accurately than a plug-in unit. These systems provide the same features such as speed tracking and notifications when your teen exceeds speed thresholds, and have built-in motion sensors to detect rapid acceleration or rapid starts. When real-time information is important, a hardwired system, while more costly and time consuming up-front, has real advantages.

Cellphone blockers

Some aftermarket products available today can actually block cellphone usage when your teenager is driving, going a step beyond vehicle tracking or telematics. These cellphone blockers can be configured to block numerous phone capabilities, including texting while driving, taking photos and using applications. It can even block all incoming and outgoing phone calls, except from numbers you specify (i.e. mom and dad). Like a plug-in or hardwired telematics system, cellphone blockers connect to the vehicle’s telematics system. Along with blocking the most distracting functions of a phone, cellphone blockers also monitor and report speeding, driving habits and provide location identification.

Ford Mustang GT350R adds a lot more than just a new letter [w/video] | Sound Ford Renton WA

Okay Chevrolet, the ball is in your court. Ford served up one hell of a rebuttal to the track-focused Camaro Z/28, introducing the limited-production Mustang GT350R, complete with over 500 horsepower, over 400 pound-feet of torque and freaking carbon-fiber wheels. Carbon-fiber wheels. Seriously.

It's because of those 19-inch hoops, along with some other changes, that Ford was able to slice 130 pounds from the already lightweight GT350 Track Pack. The wheels are responsible for a 13-pound reduction in unsprung weight per corner, while the removal of such superfluous things like the air conditioning, stereo, rear seats, trunk carpet, backup camera and tire inflator accounts for the rest of the weight reduction.

Along with the lower weight, Ford has thoroughly reworked the GT350's aerodynamics, adding a simply monstrous rear wing and diffuser, along with vented wheel wells, a new hood vent that both extracts heat and reduces lift. Beside the aero aids, Ford has shod the carbon-fiber wheels in ultra-grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, just to guarantee the shiny side remains up.

Ford retained the standard GT350's 5.2-liter, flat-pane V8, Torsen limited-slip differential (complete with a 3.73 rear axle ratio), although as power figures haven't been published for the standard car, there's no way to know whether the GT350R received a power bump.

What we do know, though, is that the GT350R will not be limited to the track. While that's certainly its natural habitat, owners will be able to register and drive this monster on public roads.

Death-Dealing Diesel? No! It’s the 2017 Ford GT At Idle! [w/ Video] | Sound Ford Renton WA

The magnetism of the Ford GT is so strong that the gaggle of lenses and gawkers surrounding the car at the North American International Auto Show left the GT350R and new Raptor practically ignored on their turntables. Either one of those machines would normally draw a throng of folks strong enough to generate its own minor gravitational field, yet the GT yanked the spotlight from both, as well as everything else in Cobo Center.

In a year that saw the reveal of the new CTS-V, the Alfa 4C Spider, the refreshed BMW M6, and the long-awaited production-spec appearance of the Acura NSX, that’s no mean feat.

But the niggling question hangs in the minds of many—what does FoMoCo’s new supercar sound like? It’s a longstanding jab at the Viper that the V-10 snake sounds like a United Parcel Service vehicle at idle. Scratch that. The GT is the new king of the demonic delivery trucks. The 3.5-liter V-6 garble-gargles through its high-mounted tailpipes, while the twin turbos send their barbaric whirring hiss echoing through the taillight tubes. If Steven Spielberg’s Duel were remade by Michael Bay, it’s the noise the film’s menacing Peterbilt would make at rest. Watch the clip below to see what we mean.

Can an actual Ford F-150 ride on 4 Power Wheels F-150s? | Sound Ford Renton WA

 By Chris Bruce
A lot of kids are rough on their toys, especially when it comes to those made to be used outside, like a four-wheeled kid-size Power Wheels. Whether it's cruising through the sand box, carrying piles of rocks in the driveway or crashing around trees in the backyard, these motorized vehicles often take punishment from the moment the giftwrap comes off.

The folks at Fisher-Price decided to give their latest F-150 Power Wheels a true torture test worse than any kid could have ever managed by setting a real 2015 Ford F-150 on top of four of them. Would the little toy trucks explode in a shower of plastic shards in a massive collapse, and if not, could they drive away afterwards?

The latest F-150 might be 700 pounds lighter thanks to the switch to aluminum, but it's still a fullsize pickup. According to this clip, the truck weighs in at 4,120 pounds, which puts an average of 1,030 pounds on each of the toys. Check out the video above to see how the stunt goes.

Redesigned 2015 Ford F-150 Will Gain New EcoBoost Engine, Lose 700 lbs. | Sound Ford Renton WA

It’s not easy improving on the best-selling vehicle in the country, but the brand-new 2015 Ford F-150 is going to do just that. Introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and scheduled to go on sale later this year, the truck will showcase new features like: Integrated loading ramps for easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and more A new “BoxLink” system of cleats and brackets for attaching bed accessories Advanced camera technologies, including a 360-degree bird’s-eye-view system and a rearview camera with special guidelines to simplify hitching Remote tail-gate release and lock/unlock functionality 400-watt in-cabin power outlets Side-mirror-mounted LED spotlights and LED bed-box lights Ford’s next-gen tailgate step Driver-assistance aides including adaptive cruise control and curve control, as well as lane-keeping and blindspot-information systems There’s also something new available under the hood of the 2015 Ford F-150: a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that delivers an “extremely high output and lightweight design.” Then, returning for the 2015 model year will be Ford’s 5.0-liter V-8, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 and naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, all providing their own unique combinations of “power, capability and efficiency.” The 2015 Ford F-150 will get a bolder and more modern appearance, too, but the biggest news is actually under the skin. That’s where Ford engineers have deployed a frame that now relies on high-strength, military-grade aluminum. As a result, while the 2015 Ford F-150 will serve up all the capabilities one expects from the Blue Oval’s workhorse, it will do so at a fighting weight that’s up to 700 lbs. lower than last year’s model. The bottom line from Mark Fields, chief operating officer of the Ford Motor Company: “F-150 is well-known for being Built Ford Tough. Now, it is both tough and smart. The all-new F-150 redefines the future of trucks, and it is yet another example of our One Ford plan producing vehicles that serve customers with a commitment to the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.”


Source: https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2014/01/13/all-new-ford-f-150-redefines-full-size-trucks.html Written by Charles Krome.

Five Habits that will Ruin your Vehicle | Sound Ford Renton WA

Avoiding these habits can go a long way in preventing an expensive repair bill.

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule. While neglecting your car may seem harmless in the short term, regular neglect and mistreatment will add up and will reduce your car’s lifespan. To keep your car running longer and stronger, avoid these five harmful habits.

1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car’s longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner’s manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.

2. Ignoring dash warning lights

When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it’s important to address the problem immediately. If you don’t know what the light means, check your owner’s manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line.

3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it’s important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This “jerky” shifting places excess strain on the transmission’s internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

4. Jerky driving

We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won’t destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems.

5. Putting off tire replacement

Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you’re driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.