Getting Your Teen Their First Car: A How To | Wolf Motors

Make sure you're setting them up for safety right from the start.

1. Choose the Right Car

Let's face it, if you left the decision up to your teen, you would probably end up with either a huge SUV or a suped up sports car, neither of which is particularly safe for a young, new driver. However, there are plenty of options out there to make both you and your teen happy. And with the right research, you can find a car that is not only fun to drive, but also safe and reliable, too.

Choosing a midsize car is the best way to go, according to The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and the Insurance Information Institute. Depending on your budget, you can opt for either a new or used model - just make sure the car is in good condition with updated safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Also, you'll want to check out crash test and safety ratings before making your final purchase.

Fuel efficiency is another important factor to consider, especially in today's economy. Unless you're willing to cover the cost of filling your son or daughter's tank each week, buying your teen a gas guzzler is probably not a good idea.

2. Get the Best Auto Insurance Rate

The truth is that no matter what car you choose, insuring your teen driver will increase your auto insurance rates. But there are some things that you can do to make these costs as manageable as possible. In fact, another great reason to opt for safety first at the car dealership is that it can help keep your auto insurance premiums down. Because safer cars tend to have a lower accident risk, they are usually less expensive to insure.

Another way to get the best auto insurance rates possible is to scope out potential discounts. If your teen is a full-time student, for instance, he or she may be eligible for a good student discount. Researching your options beforehand will help you to make an informed decision when trying to find the right car for your teen.

3. Set Boundaries

Choosing a good car and purchasing the right auto insurance are only the first steps in keeping your teen safe on the road. Talking with your teen about safe driving and setting clear rules and guidelines are also important. To ensure that your teen stays safe behind the wheel, you can:

• Limit the number of passengers your teen can have in his or her car at any one time;
• Establish a "no cell phone" policy to ensure that your teen does not text or call while driving;
• Discuss what to do in cases of emergency, including accidents and adverse weather conditions.

Regular Car Checks Recommended During High Summer Temperatures

Staying on top of your car's systems during the height of summer can help ensure a comfortable and safe ride.

Summer can be tough on cars, especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and stress the cooling system and tires. As a precaution, these vehicle components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid breakdowns and car problems, according to the Car Care Council.

Excessive heat and overcharging shorten the life of a battery. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which then damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, which will eventually destroy a battery.

To get the most life out of a battery, the council recommends having the electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate. If your car's battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it often, especially in hot weather and add distilled water if necessary. Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt can become a conductor, which drains battery power. If corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator and inhibits the current flow.

The cooling system also works harder during hot temperatures to prevent overheating of the engine. To keep the cooling system working effectively, the coolant and distilled water mixture for a vehicle's radiator should be 50:50. As a reminder, never open a hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level in the reservoir.

As a rule of thumb, the coolant should be changed annually on most vehicles. This will keep the cooling system fresh and clean inside, which helps prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper boiling point and protection. A pressure test, thermostat test, a cooling fan test and a visual inspection for leaks and corrosion should also be done annually. Hoses and drive belts should be checked for cracks, bulges or frayed edges.

The radiator should be kept clean by periodically using a garden hose and a soft brush to carefully remove bugs, dirt and debris.

Tires also need special care in warmer weather as high temperatures put added stress on them. To maximize tire life and safety, check the tire condition and inflation pressure monthly, and have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Summer heat will cause the pressure within a tire to rise, therefore, it's important to check the pressure when tires are cold. The owner's manual includes the recommended air pressure for your vehicle's tires.

"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The council reminds motorists that the vehicle's exterior also can be damaged by sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt and air pollution. To protect the paint and finish, vehicles should be washed weekly and waxed every six months.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visithttp://www.carcare.org/.

Source: Car Care Council

Plan ahead when bringing your pet on your next adventure | Wolf Motors

ASPCA offers tips and tricks for your pet's Safety

For some pet parents, a trip’s no fun if the four-legged members of the family can’t come. But traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and your animal companions. With thoughtful preparation, you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone.

Planning a road trip? Traveling with a pet involves more than just loading the animal in the back seat and motoring off-especially if you will be driving long distances or plan to be away for a long time. The ASPCA offers the following tips to help you prepare for a safe and smooth car trip:

• Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. There are a variety of wire mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. And P.S., it’s smart to get your pet used to the carrier in the comfort of your home before your trip.
• Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won’t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
• Your pet’s travel-feeding schedule should start with a light meal three to four hours prior to departure. Don’t feed your furry friend in a moving vehicle-even if it is a long drive.
• Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
• What in your pet’s traveling kit? In addition to travel papers, food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and a pet first-aid kit, pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity.
• Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and wears a collar with a tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and any other relevant contact information. Canines should wear flat (never choke!) collars, please.
• Don't allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. He could be injured by flying objects. And please keep him in the back seat in his crate or with a harness attached to a seat buckle.
• Traveling across state lines? Bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record, as some states requires this proof at certain interstate crossings. While this generally isn’t a problem, it’s always smart to be on the safe side.
• When it comes to H2O, we say BYO. Opt for bottled water or tap water stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water from an area he’s not used to could result in tummy upset for your pet.
• If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available at auto product retailers.

Resource: http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/10_tips_for_safe_car_travel_with_your_pet

Safety Tips for those Late Night Drives | Wolf Motors

Take Extra Precautions when traveling in the Dark 

Driving after dark brings extra dangers. When you can’t see far ahead, you have less time to react to an obstacle in the road, whether that’s another car, a person, or an animal. But reduced visibility isn’t the only concern.

Even though there’s much less traffic at night, almost a third of traffic fatalities occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. The worst times to be on the road are weekend nights, when a lot of people are partying.

In 2012, more than half of the drivers who were fatally injured between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. were legally intoxicated at the time. This suggests that you have a good chance of sharing the road with drunk drivers at some point. Even if they are a small percentage of your fellow travelers, it’s another good reason to take sensible precautions, like leaving a wide berth between your car and the other guy.

Fight glare. A lot of people are sensitive to nighttime glare, from wet roadways and other cars’ headlights. Glare sensitivity gets worse with age. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a 55-year-old takes eight times longer to recover from glare than a 16-year-old. Ask your eye doctor for advice if you find nighttime driving getting harder for you.

Don’t be afraid of your high beams. High beams usually throw light much farther down the road than low beams do, giving you more time to react to hazards. But most people don’t use their high beams as much as they should. Thankfully, more and more new cars have automatic high beams that dip themselves to low-beam when they sense oncoming traffic or tail lights ahead. They work well, and spare you the inconvenience of turning the high beams on and off manually. 

Clean glass(es). To minimize glare, wash your windshield inside and out regularly. If you wear glasses, keep them clean as well. When you get new glasses, consider an anti-reflective coating.

Avert your gaze. To keep from being dazzled by oncoming headlights, switch your gaze to the lower right, toward the lane marker or road shoulder.

Adjust mirrors. AAA recommends the following trick for adjusting the outside mirrors to minimize both glare and blind zones: Move your head to the left-side window and adjust the left mirror so you can just see your car’s rear corner. Then move your head to the center of the vehicle and adjust the right-hand mirror so you can just see the right rear corner.

Inside mirror. Many inside mirrors automatically adjust for nighttime conditions. Others have little lever you flick for the night setting. Get used to using it if you don’t already. It really helps keep you from being dazzled by the cars behind you.

Headlight aim. If your headlights are mis-aimed or misaligned, that not only affects how well you can see, but they can also pose a real problem for other drivers.As a quick after-dark check, position your car 25 feet from your garage door or another convenient target at the same level as your car, and turn on your low beams. The two beams should be at about the same level and no higher than they are immediately in front of the car. You can use a yardstick or tape measure to find the distance from the ground to the middle of your headlight reflectors.

If the headlights don’t seem right, ask a local mechanic or franchised dealer if they have the right equipment for correctly adjusting your car’s headlights.

Resource: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/03/5-steps-to-keep-you-safe-on-the-road/index.htm

Ford Brings Repreve to the 2015 F-150 | Wolf Motors Jordan MN

Recycled Materials in 2015 F-150 Seats

What if we could redirect plastics from landfill and use them to create innovative materials, and then put them in the all-new Ford F-150, part of Ford F-Series, America’s best-selling truck?​ We could make a big difference.

Since 2012, Ford Motor Company has worked with Unifi to bring environmentally responsible, high-performance repreve fiber to many Ford vehicles. Now, this innovative fiber is available in the in the all-new F-150. By substituting with this recycled material, Ford will divert more than five million plastic bottles from landfills this year. 

Ford is the only automaker to use repreve, made from 100 percent recycled materials including plastic bottles, in its vehicles. Ford is currently using repreve in five vehicles around the world, making it a truly global material, and it represents Ford's larger commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle as part of the company’s global sustainability strategy to lessen its environmental footprint.

“By using repreve in the all-new Ford F-150, we are reconfirming our commitment to using renewable and recyclable materials in our vehicles,” said Carol Kordich, lead designer, global sustainability materials strategy development. “We are always looking for ways to incorporate more innovative and sustainable materials into our vehicles.”

Ford Shelby Mustangs engineered for street and track | Wolf Motors Jordan MN

Developing the new Ford Mustang was tricky enough, but engineers knew it had to be capable of spawning extreme performance Shelby versions as well.

It wasn't easy, said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance director. It became clear there would still be some additional investment needed down the road to pull off performance versions that can tear up a track.

Ford unveiled the Shelby GT350 Mustang at the 2014 Los Angeles auto show last November. In January, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the automaker showed the Shelby GT350R which is a stripped down, lightweight, street legal, track version. They go on sale this fall.

Ford's performance team is confident the two new cars are deserving of the Shelby name while still engineered so they could roll off the same assembly line in Flat Rock, Mich., as the conventional Mustang. A limited amount of special tooling was needed, even though the Shelby Mustangs have a different look, starting with the face, and changes to the chassis, suspension and brakes to handle the speeds and demands of a track car.

Ford has started building early prototypes in Flat Rock. The Shelby Mustangs "stick out like a sore thumb on the production line," said Adam Wirth, suspension, wheel and tire supervisor. And assembly is interesting, especially the GT350R that can be ordered so stripped down it does not even have air conditioning or a radio.

Everything is on track to start taking dealer orders in about a month for delivery this fall, Pericak said.

Pricing will be announced soon for a car that will compete against everything from a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 to Porsche 911 and Nissan GT-R.

All dealers are eligible to sell the Shelby Mustangs but there are not a lot to go around. Ford will only build 100 Shelby GT350s and 37 GT350Rs for the 2015 model year which is the 50th anniversary of the original Shelby GT350 that jump-started the pony car wars of the 1960s.

For the 2016 model year, volume is expected to be in the 4,000-6,000 range, said Jim Owens, Shelby marketing manager.

So why build such a niche vehicle?

"Ford Performance is a money-making business," said Eric Zinkosky, suspension and vehicle dynamics technical specialist. These exclusive vehicles are scooped up by discriminating buyers.

The 2015 Shelby GT350 has a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft which gives it a different firing order for more high-revving power and powerful exhaust sounds. It puts out more than 500 horsepower and more than 400 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a six-speed manual transmission.

It even has unique tires of a special compound developed by Michelin.

"You don't have to be on a track to enjoy this car," said Wirth.

Some owners might never take their GT350 on the track — but they know they could, said Owens. Others might never take their GT350R on the road or even get a license plate, preferring to trailer the car to the track.

Key to making it a stiff performance car on the track but still comfortable on the street is Ford's first use of MagneRide suspension dampers that adapt to the road under it. It can even handle driving over a curb, said Brent Clark, vehicle dynamics supervisor.

General Motors has used the MagneRide damping system extensively for the Chevrolet Corvette and the Cadillac brand. Ford developed its own continuously variable damping system for its Lincoln brand but for the Mustang, Ford needed a system that reacted even faster to drive conditions.

The Shelby duo have the most powerful brakes on a Mustang to date. "It's the real secret to making this car fast," said Zinkosky, knowing they will control the speed heading into a corner.

Ford has said it will introduce 12 new performance vehicles by 2020. Among them are the Ford GT due in the second half of 2016 — Ford will make 250 a year — as well as the Mustangs, Focus ST, Focus RS, Fiesta ST and F-150 Raptor.

5 Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Car | Wolf Motors Jordan MN

Here are Five Spring Car Maintenance Tips to Keep in Mind

1. Remove leftover salt

Salt, used on roads to melt ice and snow, can cause serious damage to cars, especially their undercarriages where metal can rust. Take your car to a highly rated car wash to eliminate salt, and check that the business has sprayers that clean the undercarriage.

2. Check alignment and suspension
Driving over potholes can damage your car’s alignment and suspension. You might have a problem if you notice that the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel vibrates as you drive. An alignment check typically costs $25 to $40.

3. Change oil and check fluids

“If your last oil change was before winter, then this is a great time to do it, spring is also an ideal time to flush your transmission fluid. It’s one of the most neglected services. Mechanics say spring is a good time to check your car's fluid levels. Waiting too long to change your fluids can lead to a costly repair. Mechanics recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.Don’t forget to check window washing fluid levels, as well as your brake and cooling system fluids.

4. Rotate tires and check air pressure
You should check the tire pressure, including the spare should you ever need it. Your car’s tires affect the ride, handling, traction and safety.Mechanics recommend tire rotation every 5,000 miles to keep tread wear even.One of the biggest issues we see is the front tires wearing out prematurely.

5. Inspect brakes
Nothing, perhaps, is more important than having brakes that function properly. Have a technician check the pads and rotors to ensure there are no safety issues. Neglecting them can lead to a costlier repair down the line.