Monday, December 29, 2008

ATTENTION RV OWNERS

Do you have a "tow behind" vehicle? Do you have to use some type of dolly or disconnect system? If so, Ford has great news for you. Many of the 2009 models can be towed "4 wheels down" without the use of special apparatus. Here is a list of vehicles from the 2009 RV and Towing guide.




Doubel click on the image to make it larger.

Here is a link to the 2009 RV and Towing guide: http://www.diehlford.com/pdf/2009.pdf

Friday, November 7, 2008

MORE GAS MILEAGE FACTS

LIST OF FUEL ECONOMY FACTS
FOR ALL FORD PRODUCTS
DOUBLE CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW



Friday, August 22, 2008

FLEX FUEL

Ford Flex Saves Fuel During Deceleration While Maintaining Best-In-Class Driveability

DEARBORN – The 2009 Ford Flex saves gas during normal slowdowns thanks to a new technology that temporarily interrupts fuel consumption while maintaining optimal engine operation and Ford’s best-in-class driveability. The Flex is the first Ford vehicle to use this fuel control system, which will be featured on most upcoming Ford Motor Company
vehicles.





Ford Flex
The Flex regulates its gas consumption by using aggressive deceleration fuel shut-off for an efficiency improvement of approximately 1 percent. This technology helps the Flex achieve 24 miles per gallon on the highway and 17 mpg in city driving, which means that there is no other vehicle in the full size crossover segment that gets better highway fuel economy. The fuel shut-off’s operation is automatic and requires no unusual actions from the driver. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal to slow down, the system temporarily turns off the fuel. The flow of fuel seamlessly resumes when the vehicle reaches a low speed or when the driver accelerates again. This provides a significant fuel economy benefit while continuing to deliver Ford’s best-in-class driveability. The deceleration fuel shut-off aggressively uses the transmission to keep the engine running at a low, more efficient operating point whenever possible.
To prevent engine hesitation normally associated with fuel interruption, Ford’s Powertrain calibration team developed proprietary software to integrate the technology with Ford’s best-in-class powertrain. “The Flex’s fuel management system is calibrated to operate imperceptibly to the driver,” said Kevin Layden, Ford Powertrain calibration chief engineer. “It saves fuel with no fluctuation in powertrain performance or compromise in driveability.”
The Flex is powered by Ford’s award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivering 262 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm, mated to an advanced 6-speed automatic transmission that uses a wide 6.04:1 gear ratio to achieve fuel efficiency that is 4 percent better than 4-speed automatic transmissions.
The crossover’s powerpack, which was introduced on the 2007 Ford Edge, achieved best-in-class driveability, outperforming a rival with identical hardware by a margin of four to one in categories including hard-start, rough idle, shift quality and hesitation surge due to calibration based on customer feedback.
“When we get customer feedback, we analyze every detail and link it to our objective metrics,” said Mazen Hammoud, Ford Powertrain calibration manager. “The Flex is built on the strength of Ford’s best-in-class powertrain and its driveability, which have been very well received by our customers.” With its daring and distinctive exterior and well-appointed interior, Flex makes a bold statement. In addition, the seven passenger Flex’s fuel economy of up to 24 mpg on the highway makes it a strong choice in these times of high gas prices. If you add the available SIRIUS Travel Link, Flex will even find you the cheapest gas and direct you straight to
the location – another great way to save a few dollars every fill-up.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

MORE GAS SAVINGS TIPS

Drive to maximize your fuel economy

How changing the way you drive can help increase your fuel economy. Close fuel economy article
Here are some small changes you can make to your driving habits to help conserve gas.

Combine Trips
Making lots of short trips means you’re driving with your engine cold. And that uses more fuel than making one long trip with an engine that’s warmed up. Try combining your short trips around town as much as possible to optimize your fuel economy.
Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than just gas money.
Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon (mpg) by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling gets 0 mpg. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines. If you know you’ll be stopped for a while, it’s actually better to turn off your engine instead of idling.Use Cruise Control Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
Use Overdrive Gears
When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

Get more out of your gas tank

How to improve your gas mileage Close fuel economy article

There are five simple things you can do to make sure you can get the most out of the fuel in your vehicle.
Maintain Proper Tire Inflation
Improve your gas mileage by around 3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.How to adjust tire pressure
Use Recommended Grade of Oil
Improve your gas mileage by 1-2% by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. The Dealership will use the correct grade for your vehicle every time you come in for an oil change.
Keep Engine Properly Tuned
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve mileage by an average of 4%. Making sure your oxygen sensor is working properly can improve mileage by as much as 40%.Change Air Filter Replacing a clogged air filter improves your gas mileage by as much as 10%.Do you need a new air filter?
Perform Regular Maintenance
Improving the fuel economy of your vehicle starts with regular maintenance at your local Dealership. Following the maintenance schedule is an easy way to optimize your vehicle’s fuel economy.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

Friday, August 8, 2008

FORD vs OTHERS - GAS MILEAGE

Ford Motor Co.'s group vice president for global product development, Derrick Kuzak, said Wednesday that Ford would "achieve class-leading fuel economy" for its new cars and trucks in North America "through unprecedented spending on advanced gasoline engines."
That includes EcoBoost, a Ford-branded engine technology that combines gasoline-injection with turbocharging for up to a 20% improvement in fuel economy, as well as other technologies.
"We are committed to being the best or among the best in fuel economy with every new Ford product," Kuzak said during a daylong event for journalists at Ford's test track in Dearborn, where the automaker was showing off its 2009 lineup. That lineup includes the Ford Flex large crossover, the Lincoln MKS large sedan, and an all-new F-150, as well as updates to powertrains, paint colors and other options for many vehicles.
Kuzak boasted, for example, that the next-generation Explorer will offer "jaw-dropping" efficiency.
"We are making this happen," he added, "with one of the most extensive powertrain upgrades ever for Ford. By the end of 2010, nearly all of Ford's North American engines will be upgraded or replaced."
While this focus might seem like a shift from Ford's prior dedication to diesels, hybrid gasoline-electric engines, electric plug-in hybrids and other types of powertrains, Ford said it is not shying away from those technologies.
Rather, Ford sees improvements in traditional gasoline engines as the best near-term solution while the marketplace sorts through the variety of options now on the table for the future. That's because these technologies offer more improvements in fuel efficiency for the buck when compared with hybrids, which usually come with a hefty premium.
A poster at the Ford event says a customer who drives 15,000 miles a year can save $339 annually with EcoBoost.
Jim Hall, managing director of 2953 Analytics, a Birmingham forecasting and consulting firm, said he believes that Ford is embarking on the proper strategy.
"The cost to do advanced gasoline engines is actually more reasonable from an investment standpoint than running willy-nilly into hybrids. Hybrids still have an incredible price premium," he said. "EcoBoost is a significant move."
Ford has not said how much it will charge for EcoBoost, but it has promised that consumers will see a financial return on an EcoBoost engine faster than a hybrid.
The first applications of EcoBoost will come with the 2009 Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex crossover. Four-cylinder EcoBoost engines are to debut in 2010 in both North America and Europe.
By 2012, Ford said it would offer EcoBoost on more than 80% of its North American lineup.
By that year, Ford will also have doubled its production of six-speed transmissions to 98% of the North American lineup, said Dan Kapp, Ford director of advanced research and engineering.
Meanwhile, Ford still plans to double its hybrid volume and offerings next year, when the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid are to begin arriving in showrooms.
"We'll make sure we're well represented in the marketplace," Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, said explaining the new multifaceted approach.
Kuzak did not answer questions about his remarks about advanced gasoline-powered engines, but in the recent past, Ford has also studied turbo boosting that uses ethanol to improve power and efficiency.
"We're researching it," Ford spokesman Said Deep said of the technology.
Ford's focus on improved fuel efficiency has already boosted the efficiency of the 2009 Ford Escape.
When equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed transmission, the new Escape offers a better combined city and highway fuel-economy rating than the Toyota RAV4 or the Honda CR-V.
"It's not been often in the past that we've been able to say that," Kuzak said.

Drop into the dealership for a test drive and see the advantages to owning a FORD, MERCURY or LINCOLN.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Customer Testimonial

It is very nice when a customer takes the time to send us a letter of appreciation after they have purchased a vehicle from Diehl Ford. This letter was send to Sales Consultant Johnny Bloxom.



Way to go Johnny! Keep up the good work.

"The Future"


Ford is bringing its European-engineered and manufactured Ford Transit Connect compact van to the commercial vehicle market in North America. To be introduced at the Chicago Auto Show, Transit Connect is designed to bring American small business owners a new vehicle choice that offers improved fuel economy, bigger load capacity and better cargo accessibility.
Rather than the 1.8-liter Duratorq diesel engines featured in the Transit Connect in Europe, the version headed for North American offers a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine and automatic transmission. The North American version of the Transit Connect delivers fuel economy estimated at 19 mpg US city and 24 mpg US highway. The 66 kW (88 hp) version of the 1.8L Duratorq on the European cycle delivers 30 mpg US (7.9L/100km) city and 40.6 mpg US (5.8L/100km) highway.
Transit Connect is targeted at a new market (a “white-space product”) for North America. Its closest competitors are cargo vans offered by Chevrolet and Dodge. Compared to those, Transit Connect will provide a significant city fuel economy advantage, while offering more cargo space, according to Ford.
More than ever before, consumers are making the bulk of their purchases from the Internet and smaller, specialty businesses, which is increasing the volume of small package deliveries. Transit Connect is ideally suited to meet those delivery needs because of its flexible package, compact size and fuel-efficient powertrain. It will make the delivery process for small business owners easier and more affordable. Transit Connect was named International Van of the Year by an independent panel of leading commercial vehicle journalists representing 19 European countries when first launched in 2003.
Keep watching the Blog for updates on the "Transit".

Thursday, June 19, 2008

100th Anniversary Photos

Our 100th Anniversary Party was a great success. Great food, vintage autos and entertainment. Mr. Mullaly's visit was a wonderful highlight to the day.

Thank you to all who attended from the Diehl Family.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

GAS SAVING TIPS

GAS SAVING TIPS


Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

Fuel Economy Benefit:5-33%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:$0.18-$1.16/gallon

Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
Observing the speed limit is also safer.

Fuel Economy Benefit:7-23%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:$0.25-$0.81/gallon



Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Fuel Economy Benefit:
1-2%/100 lbs

Equivalent Gasoline Savings:$0.04-$0.07/gallon

Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
Use Cruise Control
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
Use Overdrive Gears
When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.

Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.51/gallon.

Friday, May 9, 2008

THE FORD DRIVEONE SHOWROOM

FORDDRIVEONE – Ford Showroom! The http://www.forddriveone.com/ website continues to evolve as we build the Army of Advocates along with our dealer partners. 750,000 company and dealership employees strong! Make sure you spend time on the site – as the information surrounding the Ford Story continues to build. Check out the Ford Showroom matrix, which allows you to quickly see our entire showroom and how our vehicles stack up on price, fuel efficiency, seating and towing capacity. Great sales meeting material! Click here to go directly to this portion of the site … http://www.showroom.fordvehicles.com/Showroom.jsp

Thursday, April 24, 2008

2009 Ford Flex


What's new at Ford for 2009? It's a crossover vehicle call the "Flex". Get all the information on this vehcile at www.fordvehicles.com/flex/.

The Flex will be in our showroom at Diehl Ford late this Summer.

Friday, April 11, 2008

ROUSH F-150 PROPANE

For more information visit our web site by clicking on the above title.


Roush Performance and Diehl Ford is now offering a liquid propane conversion kit for the F150. All of the F150 line except the Lariat can be converted for LP use. The advantage of LP is engine longevity, low fuel prices and better mileage. For more details contact Gary Dinwiddie or Kaler Crane at 360-392-7000.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

SUMMERIZE YOUR VEHICLE

Now that Winter is over its time to "Summerize" your vehicle. Make an appointment with our Service Department to "The Works" for $38.95.

  • Oil & Filter Change
  • Inspect the Air Conditioning System
  • Rotate & Inspect Four Tires
  • Test Battery
  • Check Air & Cabin Filters
  • Check Belts & Hoses
  • Top off all fluids
  • Ask about full synthetic for an additional $21.95

Plus Tax. Up to 5 quarts. Synthetic oil & diesel vehicles additional. Includes hazardous waste disposal fees. May not combine with other coupons or advertised specials. See Service Advisor for details

Monday, March 3, 2008

100th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION


We're about to celebrate our first century of business. Yes, Diehl Ford is going to be 100 years old this June. From that first store in downtown Bellingham to the present store it has been a great journey. Diehl Ford is the third oldest Ford dealership in the World!



On June 7th from 10 to 3 we are throwing a birthday bash. Food, refreshments plus an antique Ford show. 100 Ford models are expected but we could always use more. So RSVP your entry to diehlford@diehlford.com.

Update:3.07.208

Musical entertainment will include: The Atlantics, Mt. Baker Toppers and The Honeybees.

Update: 3.14.2008
We are looking for Diehl Ford memorabilia from any time in our history. We would like to show it at our June 7th party. Please email garycaplin@diehlford.com or call 392-7000. We will make arrangements to get it to the dealership.

Update: 4.02.2008





We are very excited to announce that Mr. Alan Mulally, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, will be coming from Dearborn, Michigan, to participate in our 100th Anniversary celebration.
Mr. Mulally will be speaking at the 12:45p ceremony.




Update: 4.08.2008

Hungry? How about free lunch? The Whatcom County Cattlemen's Association will be serving to all our guests.

Update: 4.30.2008


Our celebration is a family event. There will be games and prizes for the kids. For the adults there will be dealership tours with awards to be given out at the end of the tour.





"WARRIORS IN PINK" MUSTANG



In support for the "Warriors In Pink" breast cancer awareness campaign Diehl Ford has ordered a special equipped 2008 Ford Mustang. To get more information about this vehicle click the link below.

"Warrior In Pink" Mustang

WARRIORS IN PINK


Ford Motor Company and Diehl Ford encourages you to fight breast cancer by raising awareness as a "Warrior In Pink". Warrior Wear, apparel and gear, are symbols of strength, determination and remembrance of a loved one. Link to www.fordcares.com to support this effort.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Places to gather information for you next vehicle purchase.

Did you know that 90% of vehicle shoppers use the Internet to gather information for their purchase. Many of you know sites that help you but many of you don't. So here is a list of web sites that will give you helpful information to aide and guide you through your next purchase.

www.fordvehicles.com/ will show you all the vehicles that Ford offers. You can see equipment, exterior and interior colors and other options available on all Ford products. You can build your dream vehicle and then sent it Diehl Ford for a quote.
www.lincolnvehicles.com/ and www.mercuryvehicles.com/ will do the same as the Ford web site.

http://www.forddirect.com/ where you can see all the Ford products, build and price a vehicle and get an Internet quote from our Internet Manager, Greg Nielson. You can also email Greg at gregnielson@diehlford.com.

Want to compare vehicles?
www.compareford.com/ with do just that. You can compare Ford vehicles and their competitors.

Need to look at brochure?
Go to our web site www.diehlford.com/. There you will find a button on our home page that will take you to a page with all of the current model year brochures for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. The 2008 Towing Guide is also there. The Towing Guide is a wealth of information for towing, 5th Wheel Towing, Motor Homes and Recreational Vehicles. Check out the glossary where all those strange terms are put into easy to understand definitions.

Visit our "Virtual Showroom" on our web site.
You get information and details about all of our new vehicles. You can also click on a button that will show you what vehicles are in our inventory. Go to www.diehlford.com/.

Of course, you can always call Diehl Ford at 360-392-7000. Our certified sales staff will gladly answer your questions.