Ford Cars: Driving At It's Finest 

Ford Edge to debut in January

Another Ford vehicle is set to make waves on its release next year.

Ford is set to debut its Ford Edge CUV at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. According to the giant automaker, the Edge’s bold, American design will turn heads in the CUV market – the fastest-growing vehicle segment – in a year that CUV sales are expected to surpass traditional SUVs.



And even if crossovers are less-able off-roaders and can’t tow or haul as much as truck-based SUVs, many buyers seem willing to give that up, especially for the advantage of fuel economy.

Through November, sales of truck-based SUVs, such as Ford Explorer and Toyota Sequoia, are down 13.5%, while sales of car-based crossovers, such as Honda Pilot and Saturn Vue, are up 14.4%, as revealed from Ford data. A Ford Motor Co.’s top sales analyst also projected that by 2006, crossover utility vehicles like the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V will surpass sales of traditional SUVs in a trend that has been accelerated by high gas prices.

The Ford Escape was the top-selling crossover in the first 11 months of this year, with 153,000 vehicles sold. Rounding out the top five were the Honda CR-V, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Equinox.

And with the debut of the Ford Edge just a month away, the competition is bound to heat up even more. Powered by Ford's new 3.5-liter V-6 engine and new 6-speed automatic transmission, the Edge offers a dynamic driving character and impressive fuel economy. It goes on sale in fourth quarter 2006.

For those who are already proud owners of Ford Escape CUVs, you can find the best Ford Escape auto parts such as Ford Escape cowl top panel, Ford Escape radiator, Ford Escape starter and Ford Escape carpets – as well as other excellent Ford auto parts, at Ford Parts Online.

Prevent your Ford from overheating

To protect your Ford’s engine from overheating, your car's water pump circulates antifreeze/coolant throughout the radiator and the cooling system – think of the heart circulating oxygen and other vital nutrients to various parts of the body. That's why a consumer's ability to recognize the warning signs of cooling system trouble is so important. The five most obvious warning signs include:

* Antifreeze/coolant on the pavement
* Temperature warning light goes on or temperature gauge reads higher than usual
* Engine overheating
* Poor air conditioner or heater performance
* Antifreeze/coolant on the floor of the passenger compartment

Any of the above signs could indicate a leaking, clogged or corroded radiator or heater and/or deteriorating or leaking radiator or heating hoses. Leaking or corroded radiators, heaters and hoses can restrict coolant flow, causing poor air conditioning performance, poor heater performance and engine overheating. Anytime you see these signs, bring your Ford immediately to a specialist. Radiators and other cooling system components can be repaired rather than replaced if the problem is corrected quickly. Should you need to replace your Ford's radiator, A/C condenser or some of the engine parts – find the best deal at trusted and reliable online auto parts stores like Ford Parts Online. Don’t dally - if your Ford’s cooling problems are not repaired quickly they can cause costly damage to other parts of the vehicle, such as the engine.

The All-New 2006 Ford Fusion

The 2006 Ford Fusion is said to be a new face of Ford vehicles, taking over the [link=http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/taurus/ ]Ford Taurus[/link] position in the auto market. With its combined style, attitude, performance and economy, the 2006 Ford Fusion bridges the gap between the smaller sedans such as the Ford Focus and the larger sedans like the Ford Hundred sedan. Priced just around $18,000, Ford Fusion finds an immediate market among modern and sophisticated middle class buyers.



Here are some facts about this new model from Ford:

 It’s a four-door mid-size sedan

 On sale in Fall 2005

 2006 Ford Fusion’s front end design was adopted from the Ford 427 concept car shown three years ago. It features three wide horizontal bards and multi-element Ford headlights.

 It is based on the CD3 platform or what is commonly known as the “Mazda 6 architecture.”

 Ford Fusion will be offered in base, SE and SEL versions.

 Ford Fusion is larger and roomier than other mid-size sedans and comes equipped with more amenities including leather upholstery.

 Base model is powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 160 horsepower and a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

 Optional 3.0-liter V6 rated at 210 horsepower mated with a six-speed automatic would be available.

 All engines are provided with variable-valve-timing equipment that produces more torque with fewer emissions.

 The four-cylinder will be rated a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle, or PZEV, in California.

 The Fusion will be exclusively built in the Hermosillo, Mexico ford plant.

 An optional all-wheel drive will be offered in fall 2006 and shortly after a hybrid version will also be offered.

As you wait for your new Ford Fusion, you can update your old Ford model with Ford Parts Online’s top quality Ford parts. Go check their site for superior quality replacement Ford Explorer parts, Ford Taurus parts, Ford F150 pickup parts and so much more.

New Fuel Choices Bill to Solve US Fuel Problems

Recently, the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act of 2005 was introduced by Senators Evan Bayh, Sam Brownback, Joseph Lieberman and others in an effort to significantly reduce oil consumption of United States.

The said bill could help reduce the total oil consumption of Americans to as much as 25 percent and thus could help the US government reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

However, according to Kateri Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, “without full funding by Congress and strict enforcement of the oil-saving provisions by the Bush Administration, it would be like getting a prescription but not taking the medication."

Truly, the benefits of this bill could not be materialized if this shall remain a bill and won’t be enforced strictly. Everyone’s strong will and determination is needed.

The same thing is needed among car users who want to make the best of their vehicle and want to make it last for a long time. Albeit there are a lot of auto parts dealers that can provide for virtually everything that we need, we have to follow certain dos and don’ts in driving, which I bet most of you know.

Simple things like accelerating smoothly and avoiding idling can help reduce our personal fuel consumption.

Furthermore, we can replace or upgrade parts of the vehicle so it can make the car function more efficiently.

Should you need replacement Ford parts, you can drop at Ford Parts Online for a wide variety of high quality replacement and aftermarket auto parts and auto accessories for Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and other vehicles.

Premium quality parts such as the Ford AC condenser, Ford catalytic converters, Ford fuel tank, Ford engine parts and thousands of other OEM quality Ford parts to help you save fuel are available in the said store.

Does Your Ford Have These?Does Your Ford Have These?

Safety should be in your priority list in buying a car or in getting replacement and aftermarket auto parts for your old car. Accidents are inevitable and they can happen to anyone, at any driving circumstances and whether you are driving an old or new model. Ford vehicles, which are known for their toughness and excellent safety features are not exempted, so you as a driver should be cautious enough while driving.

Having enough Ford lights and Ford mirrors in your car, SUV or truck could help a lot in ensuring your safety. These auto parts can help you drive safely through the night and in extreme weather conditions. If you have a Ford F150 pickup truck or a Ford Explorer SUV that you drive off-road, you have to be extra particular about your vehicle’s safety. Make sure all its parts are in proper working condition, especially the engine and electrical parts such as the Ford alternator and the battery. For sure you neither want your engine to conk out in the middle of nowhere nor you want to get stuck in the middle of the night without lights.

You can check out Ford Parts Online for your replacement and aftermarket Ford part needs. They have wide array of Ford parts including tough and high quality Ford bumper, Ford grille, Ford fuel tank and Ford carpet. Meanwhile, check out this list of safety parts from Consumer Reports. Be sure your Ford is equipped with these before you head for any destination:

1. air bags
2. Antilock brakes (ABS)
3. Brake assist
4. Traction control
5. Safety-belt features
6. Electronic stability control (ESC - Ford AdvanceTrac)
7. Tire-pressure monitor
8. Telematics

My Old Ford Taurus

I have been yearning to get the new 2006 Ford Fusion, which is far more stylish and “modern” than my Ford Taurus which I had owned for almost ten years now. It’s actually a 1992 model.

Anyway, I’ve read about the new Ford Fusion, which is said to be the model to redeem Taurus’ fame. Well, it’s got lots of potentials. Even the base model’s 2.3L double-overhead-cam four cylinder engine offers a respectable—make that impressive!—160 horsepower. The available 3.0L Duratec double-overhead-cam V-6 offers a whopping 221 horsepower and 205 ft-lbs torque! Wow.



When it comes to styling, the Fusion is really all set to win back the hearts of Ford sedan lovers or shall I say, Taurus-lovers. It features highly urban-looking projector-beam Ford headlights, clear-corner Ford taillights, chrome three-bar grille and 17-inch Ford wheels. It exudes a sporty character (it’s actually almost like a Mustang to me).

Going back to my old driving buddy, the Taurus. I don’t really hate owning this car. It didn’t have very unfortunate experiences with this model, but how I wish I can drive that seductive new Fusion too. Well, I think I still have to wait for another year to be able to save enough for a new car.

For now, I’d just upgrade my old Taurus. There’s this store, Ford Parts Online, which offers excellent choices of Ford parts from Ford Bronco wheels to Ford Explorer engine parts, Ford Focus mirrors, Ford Ranger lights and Ford Mustang A/C condensers. Investing on premium quality Ford replacement auto parts is not a waste of money. By enhancing my old car’s exterior and interior features and performance, I can also increase its resale value. Besides, it can make my car more fun to drive. I love my old Taurus after all.

Oh, by the way. I forgot to mention, my 1992 Ford Taurus was once a best-selling car!

Modifying your old Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang is truly one of the best vehicles produced by Ford and surely it is one of the best in the industry as well. If you are going to look back into the history of automobiles, it’s impossible not to come across Ford Mustang, the first pony car and the only existing pony car to date. For the 2005 model year, Ford introduces a new Ford Mustang that is no doubt another history in the making. This vehicle blends the best features of the of earlier Ford Mustang models, making it the best Ford Mustang ever.

The 2005 Ford Mustang GT is a quintessential Ford Mustang, speaking of performance, looks and Ford Mustang mechanical parts and components but it is modern in a lot of ways. The price, however is modern too. If you are looking for a simple yet convenient, comfortable and safe car priced at $15,000 or less, this car may not be your choice. This new Ford model is priced at around $25,000. You may consider the 2005 Ford Focus though, it’s a well equipped Ford car priced just right for your budget. You can get it for less than $14,000 .

If you have an earlier model of Ford Mustang, however, you can try modifying it to give it a fresh new look and make it just as attractive as the latest Ford Mustang models. Check out Ford Parts Online for their wide variety of Ford Mustang parts and other replacement Ford parts. At Ford Parts Online, you can find high quality Ford lights, Ford Mustang wheels, Ford Mustang hubcaps, Ford Mustang interior parts like Ford carpets and Ford floor mats.

You can also do some performance upgrades on your Ford Mustang. Also offered in this replacement Ford parts store are durable Ford suspension parts, Ford catalytic converters, Ford alternator and whole lot more.

If you are planning to work on more challenging mechanical upgrades, say you want to make your Mustang lower, better seek for a professinal’s assistance. It would be better to do some research on old Ford Mustang’s suspension components and other parts of your auto. There are a lot of informative sites about the Ford Mustang. Classic car enthusiats’ sites are among your best choices.

Helpful Fuel-Saving Tips

I know driving is lot of fun, especially if you’re an extreme car buff like me but driving to the gas station every now and then is a different story. Even if you have lots of money to spend for your car’s fuel needs, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to spend them on gas. You don’t need to drive less however, just to cut down fuel expenses. You can actually improve gas mileage and your car’s performance at the same time by following these simple tips:

1. Keep your car properly maintained.

If you need to go to a professional auto service provider or an auto parts dealer for a car part replacement, don’t think twice. Spending extra cash for these now is better than spending too much on fuel in the future. Think about the big amount of money you would have to spend for that.

Make sure your air filter is clean and the engine and ignition parts are in excellent working condition. Other performance parts of your car like the auto wheels must also be checked for any damage to ensure your car’s maximum performance. You must also have highly efficient exhaust system parts like a catalytic converter as this affects your engine’s performance.

If you have a Ford that needs replacement parts, you can check Ford Parts Online. This store has great variety of premium quality replacement and aftermarket parts for your vehicle. Remember that quality parts help keep your car perform at maximum efficiency.

2. Be a Smart Driver.

Many drivers think driving at high speeds is a way to optimize fuel economy. This isn’t true. What is true is that accelerating gradually and driving your car smoothly and carefully can improve your gas mileage. Avoid jackrabbit starts and sudden braking, so be attentive while driving. Know in advance that you have to stop or brake. Change your aggressive driving style now and gain as much as 20 % in fuel economy.

3. Don’t Idle too long. Idling consumes a lot of fuel so just stop the engine and park somewhere rather than wait in the middle of the road. If you’re caught in a slow moving traffic, try putting you’re a/c system off first. Open the windows to keep the driver and passenger cabin comfortable. If you’re using the air conditioning system, make sure the a/c condenser is properly working to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption.

Shelby GT500 convertible available in 2006

Yup, you heard it right.

The most powerful factory-built Ford Mustang in history will take to the streets next year (mid 2006), following a unique collaboration between performance car legend Carroll Shelby and the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT).

Early this year, Ford took the wraps off the 450-plus-horsepower Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 show car at the New York International Auto Show. Designed in the unmistakable image of Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s, the Shelby Cobra GT500 and the SVT's modern engineering boasting of the big-block performance that made the original GT500 the king of the road is bound to make any car enthusiast drool. Just take a look at these specs:

A supercharged DOHC 5.4-liter V-8 with at least 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, similar to the 550-hp engine that powers the Ford GT, will likely rumble menacingly under the hood of the Shelby. Coupled with that engine will be a six-speed manual transmission. Unlike the previous-generation Mustang Cobra, the new Shelby will not get an independent rear suspension. Instead, the solid rear axle from regular-duty Mustangs gets tweaked and tuned by SVT. Changes to the suspension include new springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars designed to make the most of the larger, wider 19-inch wheels and tires. Slowing the Shelby GT500 will be 14-inch front brakes and 13-inch rear brakes by Brembo.



Still breathing there?

Meanwhile, I have to go and order Ford bumpers for my Focus at Ford Parts Online for now while I wait for this Legend to come alive again.

Titan Tops Awards

Nissan's Titan figured in MSN Autos' headlines as the first pickup ever to have the highest overall score in the annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards from AutoPacific. Nissan models dominated all others in this annual vehicle satisfaction study.

Although Lexus won the Award's overall best brand (narrowly surpassing Cadillac which has ranked highest in three of the last five years), Nissan was the big winner fielding seven category winners, including the Titan full-size pickup truck, the vehicle with the highest overall ranking and the Maxima, which was the highest rated car. Titan's win marked the first time a pickup truck outscored all other vehicles.

Meanwhile, Korean automakers continued to excel, winning the Standard Midsize Sport Utility class four years in the running for Hyundai Sante Fe (tied with the Chevrolet Equinox), and with Hyundai Tucson tying with Honda's Element for the top ranking of compact SUVs.

Unfortunately the domestic brands weren't quite as lucky. Scoring only five among the seventeen categories, winners included the Pontiac GTO as top Sporty Car; the Dodge Ram HD as category winner for Large Heavy-Duty Pickup; and the Lincoln Town Car taking the top spot for the Luxury/Large Car category. The Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Equinox tied with their competitors in their respective categories.

This year also marked two more firsts: Toyota's boxy and youth-oriented brand, the [link=www.scion.com/]Scion[/link] ranked at the top of the Compact Car category for the first time, and was also the first time AutoPacific had a three-way tie -- the Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest and Toyota Sienna all finished with equal scores to take top honors in the Minivan category.

So whatever happened to America's bestselling vehicle, Ford F-150, you ask. I doubt very much if F-150 fans would care about this piece of news. After all, Ford's crown jewel is still the country's bestselling pickup for the past 22 years and running. I myself own both pickup models, my F-150 is turning four this year while my Nissan Titan I just recently bought. Both are great rides. Although I'm very much curious of Toyota's Scion -- my teenage son keeps on pressing me about the boxy beauty (as he calls it), for now I'm settling with a new F150 bumper for my ride from Ford Parts Online.