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We all want to save gas, and in turn save money. Of course, there are more and more highly fuel efficient vehicles these days, such as the Ford Fiesta, Focus, and Fusion. There are also the hybrid and plug-in models, like the C-Max, that will save you even more. However, these smaller, fuel efficient vehicles aren't for everyone. Those who simply need to drive a large truck or can't afford to trade in just yet can still take simple steps to save themselves gas even if they aren't driving the most fuel efficient vehicle out there. Below are just a few was to save fuel, regardless of the vehicle you drive. 1. Keep tires properly inflated. By keeping your tires at the inflation levels set by the manufacturer is a simple way to make sure you're getting the most out of your fuel. If even on tire on the car is deflated by just 2 psi, fuel consumption increases by 1%. That might not seem a like a lot, but if adds up over time. 2. Don't top off. When fueling up, the pump will stop with a click when your tank is full. Topping it off only increases the chance that you'll lose some of your fuel as too muck sloshes around in your gas tank. 3. Keep windows closed. It's nice having your windows open on a sunny day. Many of us think opening the windows will use less gas than running the A/C. However, especially at high speeds, open windows increase drag and can decrease fuel efficiency by up to 10%! 4. Avoid carrying extra weight. This might seem like a given, but if you remove the junk from your trunk or truck bed, you'll avoid decreasing fuel efficiency. Those sandbags in your truck bed from winter? Take them out and get more out of your gas tank. 5. Avoid long idles. Many people think starting your car uses more gas than idling, but this is a myth. If you'll be idling for more than 60 seconds, it's better to turn the car off and restart when you're ready to go. This not only saves gas, but also saves the environment from unnecessary emissions.

Businesses and consumers alike are becoming more and more eco-conscious in every aspect of their day to day lives. Reducing fuel consumption and emissions is the first thing many of us think of when trying to become more environmentally friendly with our automobiles. However, for many people, a small electric or hybrid car is simply not an option. There's a reason the Ford F-150 is the best selling vehicle in America. Some absolutely need a truck for work and other simply can't make it the places they want to go, like many Colorado residents who enjoy spending time in the mountains, in a 2wd hybrid. Thankfully, there are other ways to become more sensitive to our impact on the environment and still get behind the wheel of a full sized truck. Ford recognized the environmental problems they were contributing to, so they committed themselves to reducing the weight of the F-150 by constructing the body with aluminum rather than steel. A lighter truck means significantly boosted fuel economy. An aluminum truck means more recycling. Although aluminum is more expensive than steel, it is 95% recyclable, so more recycled materials are used instead of mining for raw ore to produce more. Additionally, every bit of scrap left over from making the body panels is recycled again and returned to the plant, reducing waste a second time around. So be sure you always recycle your household aluminum. There's a chance it'll end up in your next truck!

Have you met our General Manager, Harry? He knows that not all things are created equal, especially car dealerships. Watch the video below to meet him (digitally) then come on by Loveland Ford Lincoln to meet him and the rest of our team in person. Let us prove to you that we try harder!

Though we've had a relatively warm winter so far, there are still those cold mornings that make you want to warm your vehicle up before hitting the road. Many of us have this skewed impression that not allowing the car to warm up before driving will do some form of mystery damage. Of course, warming the vehicle's cabin briefly for personal comfort in the bitter cold makes sense, but putting a warm coat and scarf on might make more sense while you wait for the heat to start working. When talking about the actual mechanics of your vehicle, idling is a completely unnecessary activity that simply wastes gas and puts additional exhaust into the environment. Make sure you think about this before you turn your car on and let it sit for 10 minutes before heading to work.   According to the “Anti-Idling Primer,” 5 minutes of idling per day for a year burns 10-20 gallons of gas and emits 220-440 lbs of Carbon Dioxide, depending on the size of your engine (see chart below). Modern vehicles, due to their efficient fuel injectors, only need approximately 30 seconds to get the oil circulating before it’s good to go. In fact, driving warms the vehicle much more quickly than idling. So you’ll actually achieve ideal engine temperatures more quickly by getting on your way than you will by sitting in the driveway waiting for the temperature gauge to go up. By recognizing the inefficiency of idling, you can save yourself a significant amount of gas, money, and time. The same concept holds true when talking about idling vs. re-starting your vehicle. Many people idle during quick errands, or waiting outside a friend’s house, assuming it’ll burn more gas to stop and restart their car than to idle for a few minutes. A general rule of thumb, from the Environmental Defense Fund, is that 10 seconds of idling burns about the same amount of gas as starting the engine. So unless that idle outside your friend’s house is 10 seconds or less, it’s much more practical to turn the engine off and restart when you’re ready to go. It’s better for your vehicle, your bank account and the environment!

You love your Ford vehicle and want to get the most out of every mile, don't you? Whether you need routine maintenance, repairs, or just want to add some accessories, bring your vehicle to the Ford factory trained technicians at Loveland Ford Lincoln! Our techs undergo frequent training and are always up to date on every aspect of your vehicle's needs. If you have any service needs, questions about your vehicle's performance, or simply want to add some flair with Genuine Ford Parts and Accessories, come see us today!

December is here and the brunt of Mother Nature's winter wrath is on it's way! We've been fortunate to have a long Fall season and the snow hasn't hit us too hard just yet, but we all know that can and will change in the blink of an eye! There are a few important things you should do before the cold and snow move in to ensure you'll be safe on the road this season: 1. Replace windshield wipers and fill wiper fluid. Wiper blades are made of rubber and with time, it's inevitable that they'll deteriorate. You don't want to get caught in a freezing rain or snow storm without properly functioning windshield wipers. Wiper fluid helps break up snow and ice, so can be just as important as the blades in winter conditions. Decreased visibility results in dangerous driving conditions, so please be sure to check your blades and fluid before the snow starts falling! 2. Check your battery. During cold winter months, your vehicle's engine needs to work harder which puts more pressure on the battery. Don't get stuck in the cold with a car that won't start, have your battery checked before it needs to start working harder. 3. Check tire pressure. When roads are slick, your tires can be your best friend. Make sure you have enough tread and consider getting snow tires. If your tread is adequate and you don't want to replace the tires, simply making sure tire pressure is at the right level can make all the difference. When tires are deflated even slightly, the tread closes up and traction is significantly decreased. 4. Check your brakes. If you need your brakes replaced, now is the time to take care of that repair. Icy and slippery roads always create more driving hazards, so it's one of the most important times to ensure your brakes are functioning properly. 5. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Regardless of how safely you drive and how winterized your vehicle is, there's always the chance that something can happen and leave you waiting in the bitter cold. Having an emergency kit could be a life saver. Make sure you have basic necessities such as warmth, light, water, first aid and tools to signal for help. It's also always a good idea to have some non-perishable food and extra blankets on hand just in case. Please come see our service department if you need anything done to prepare your vehicle for winter. We'll be happy to do an inspection and help you with any work that should be done to keep you safe, warm and prepared!

The wait is over! The 2015 Lincoln Navigator has finally arrived at Loveland Ford, and we're excited to share it with you. Many of the aesthetic changes are obvious to anyone who was familiar with the previous generation Navigator. Both the front and back end received some changes and the 2015 now sports the signature split wing grille that you see on the MKC and MKZ. Wheels are now come standard at 20" with optional 22's (growing from standard 18" with optional 20"). The headlights, running lights and taillights are all now LED, with over 100 LEDs making up the taillamps. It's a subtle, but nice, touch. Power running boards have also been added. Inside, we see a new two-toned scheme featuring high end leather and ziricote wood. The cabin is HUGE, at 159.5 cubic feet and 128.9 cubic feet for storage. The space offers both luxury and utility. The 2015 Navigator boasts the most powerful version of Ford's 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 ever, offering 380 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Believe it or not, there are no upsized turbos or new breathing tricks, just some software tweaks that are giving it all this power. There's no denying that this is a beautiful machine, inside and out. It drives just as beautifully, but that's hard to describe without getting behind the wheel for yourself. Come down to Loveland Ford Lincoln to check out this refreshed Navigator and see what it can do!

This past Saturday, September 13th, the 4th annual Pastels on 5th happened in downtown Loveland.Pastels was founded in 2011 as a benefit event for Alternatives to Violence. It was started by Marcia Moellenberg and Vicky Bryant and has become a "win-win" for Loveland area artists, businesses and community members. Pastels on 5th is a fun and free platform for artists to showcase their work, a way for local businesses to get their name out while supporting a good cause, and an effective fundraiser for Alternatives to Violence and the Southern Larimer County Safehouse Project. The event continues to grow each year and 2014 was the biggest event to date, raising $23,000 in sponsorships and an additional $4,000 in in-kind sponsorships, all of which benefits Alternatives to Violence (ATV). ATV is committed to the internetion in, education about and prevention of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes. Loveland Ford has been a proud supporter of this event for the past 3 years. Thank you to the artists who have worked so hard, the sponsors who have donated, to the Pastels staff for putting the event together and of course to Alternatives to Violence for the work you do in our community every day!

We've all been anticipating the arrival of the 2015 Ford Mustang, and we're getting closer as production started on August 28th at the Flat Rock, MI assembly plant! The all new pony will arrive in our showroom this fall, but even we're still waiting to hear exactly when it'll get here. However, it is on it's way to us and Mustang enthusiasts around the world! For the first time in it's 50 year history, the Ford Mustang will be exported to more than 120 countries around the globe. A right hand drive version will be produced for the U.K., South Africa and Australia. This new mustang will get independent rear suspension and a turbo charged 2.3L 4 cylinder engine with 310 HP and 320 lb-ft of torque will join the 5.0L v8 with 435 HP and the 3.7L v6 with 300 HP. As stated by Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas, “Mustang is and will continue to be an automotive icon. Expanding its availability globally affords our customers around the world the opportunity to have a true firsthand Mustang experience - one unlike any other.” We'll be sure to let you know as soon as we have an arrival date for the 2015 Mustang. We'll also be receiving one of the only 50th Anniversary edition Mustangs in the area, so be sure to come by and take a peek at this piece of Ford history!

Loveland Ford is excited to announce that we've established a partnership with the Northern Colorado Mustang Car Club! We are now their host dealer, and club members will be meeting at our dealership once a month. Additionally, we are planning some exciting new events together. We are working on a launch event for the 2015 Mustang that will be an introduction of the new pony and a reflection on the past 50 years. We'll be inviting NCMCC members and others in the community to come show of their Mustangs and check out the 50th Anniversary special edition Mustang! Loveland Ford will also be partnering with NCMCC on existing car shows, such as their All American Car Show, which benefits Hearts & Horses of Longmont and Operation Gratitude. We're thrilled about this partnership and happy to give Mustang enthusiasts a place to meet! We're looking forward to the 2015 Mustang launch event and many other fun filled events throughout the year with this great organization!

Did you know that teen drivers make up only 7% of Colorado drivers, but account for 15% of fatal accidents? Young drivers are at a higher risk for accidents and it's extremely important that we teach them how to properly handle the responsibility of getting behind the wheel. Ford Driving Skills for Life will be in Denver this week, July 22-23, to help us do just that! They're offering a free teen driver training program at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, with morning and afternoon sessions both days. Any teen with a license or learner's permit is welcome and encouraged to attend. All they need to do is register online and have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian. This is a step up from traditional driving school, as drivers will get behind the wheel with professional drivers to learn more about vehicle handling, hazard recognition and avoiding the dangers of impaired or distracted driving. Please, consider having your teen attend this wonderful program and share this information with anyone you know who has a young driver!

For many of us, the arrival of summer brings a lot more road trips and time spent behind the wheel. We all have different driving habits, but one this is certain, most of us idle much more than needed. Of course it's nice to keep the A/C running in the summer and heat going in the winter. However, if the inside of the car is at a comfortable temperature, a few minutes without it running shouldn't change the temperature much. And as soon as it becomes uncomfortable, you can always turn it back on. Even two short minutes will save you the same amount of gas it takes to drive one mile. According to the “Anti-Idling Primer,” 5 minutes of idling per day for a year burns 10-20 gallons of gas and emits 220-440 lbs of Carbon Dioxide annually, depending on the size of your engine.  By recognizing the inefficiency of idling, you can save yourself a significant amount of gas and money while reducing your negative impact on the environment. But what about the gas it takes to re-start your engine? Many people idle during quick errands, or waiting outside a friend’s house, assuming it’ll burn more gas to stop and restart their car than to idle for a few minutes. A general rule of thumb, from the Environmental Defense Fund, is that 10 seconds of idling burns about the same amount of gas as starting the engine. So unless that idle outside your friend’s house is 10 seconds or less, it’s much more practical to turn the engine off and restart when you’re ready to go!