The re-designed 2015 Ford F-150 already has people talking, and it will not even be released for over a year! The new and improved F-150 will use lighter materials that may reduce its weight by as much as 20%. A lightweight frame coupled with an EcoBoost engine may help the F-150 meet CAFE standards for the next 10 years, meaning it would not need a substantial redesign until 2025! As always, the F-150 is a work truck, and it is designed to get the job done. The 2015 offering will include innovative work features such as hidden cargo ramps and integrated tie-downs in the cargo box floor, a high-power outlet in the cargo box to recharge tools, and a tailgate step that turns into a cradle for longer pieces of cargo. IF you want to learn more about the 2015 Ford F-150, check out your local NH Ford dealer or just give us a call at 603-524-4922.

Summer maintenance is as critical as winter maintenance

Summer is just around the corner and this leads to longer trips and more time on the road.  Have you remembered to prepare your vehicle for the summer heat and rainy days?

Here at the Irwin Automotive Group, we will complete a thorough inspection of your vehicle and provide the results to you in a colorful brochure, which include all estimates.   If your vehicle needs tires, alignments, coolant flush, routine maintenance or an air conditioning repair, we will meet or beat any competitor’s price on the equivalent service!

Why do I need my coolant changed in the summer?   Coolant, also known as anti-freeze, has a double duty.  The coolant not only protects your vehicle from freezing in the winter but also protects your vehicle from overheating in the summer.

Why do I need to worry about my tires in the summer?   Most people do not realize that a vehicle can hydroplane in heavy rain with as much as 4/32” still left on the tread.  A thorough tire inspection to be sure of the tread depth and the edge wear conditions are as critical in the summer as they are in the winter.

Why do I need an alignment?   If you are noticing edge wear, pulling to one side or the steering does not seem to be reacting correctly, your vehicle’s wheel alignment could be the concern.   An alignment check is also recommended whenever you replace all four tires, in case the alignment is off and can be corrected so you do not get early edge wear on your new tires.

Please set an appointment today for your courtesy vehicle multi-point inspection to ready your vehicle for summer at www.irwinzone.com or call our service department at 603-581-2954.   Happy motoring this summer!

Thank you to our guest blogger, Ron O’Connor, Service Manager of the Irwin Automotive Group

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ has been completely redesigned for this model year and is available for sale at Irwin Lincoln in Laconia, NH. The visually-stunning redesign features a bold rear end with a subtle spoiler and crisp body lines. An optional, retractable panoramic moonroof provides an airy, open feeling even when closed; when open, the MKZ feels almost like a convertible. The model in our showroom is powered by an available 2.0L turbocharged EcoBoost engine and has an AWD drivetrain and 6-speed automatic transmission. One of the most unique flourishes on the 2013 MKZ is that the shift knob has been replaced with buttons. The MKZ now features a push-start and the shifting controls are all buttons on the center console. The space between the driver and front passenger now has a massive, comfortable arm rest where the shift knob would have been. Please call 603-524-4922 to schedule a test drive of the new 2013 MKZ today!

2013 Lincoln MKZ demonstration

The quintessential American muscle car, the Ford Mustang, is about to turn 50! The Mustang’s official birthday won’t be until  2014 but preparations for the big even are already well underway. A new, commemorative logo has been designed and will be found on jackets, watches, and other limited edition memorabilia. There will even be a Ford Mustang video game!

The Ford Mustang was first unveiled on April 17, 1964 and then made its public debut a few days later at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Although the 1964 Mustang was an instant hit, it was not nearly as powerful as some of the later models. The ’64 Mustang had a 2.8L,170 cubic-inch straight 6-cylinder engine which produced 105 horsepower. In an effort to add some muscle to its Mustang’s engines, Ford teamed up with race car driver and automotive designer Carroll Shelby, who helped design increasingly power Mustangs up until his death in 2012, including the current 662-horsepower Shelby GT500.

With a 50-year legacy to live up to, the release of the 2014 Mustang will cause quite a stir in the automotive world.

Ford is counting on plenty of people answering “yes” to that question. In 2015, the Ford Mustang will be available with a turbo-charged, 2.3L 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine! Of course, the Mustang will still have a V6 as its standard engine, and a 400+ horsepower V8 option, but for those looking for a lighter, nimbler Mustang, the 4-cylinder EcoBoost might be the engine for you. Early estimates indicate that the smaller, turbocharged engine will generate slightly more than the 305 horsepower produced by the current 3.7L V6. Some of the die-hard Mustang fans out there may remember that the Mustang (briefly!) had a 2.3L 4-cylinder engine from 1984-86 in its SVO iteration.

The 1980's Ford Mustang SVO with a 2.3L I4 engine

As our economy has been improving many of you are starting to look towards replacing their vehicle with a newer, safer, and better equipped model.   Technology and comfort certainly have changed in the last 4-5 years.  Another thing that may have changed is your credit scores.  Many people took a few credit blows on the chin during the last 5-6 years and are fearful they will not qualify for an auto loan.  I’d like to write a few words on that topic.
Auto loans are available for people with almost any credit score.  There are some things you can do to improve your chances before you even come into the dealership.
Five factors to know when applying for an auto loan
1. Credit score -There is no way around it they are going to see your bureau(s)
2. Money down-The more you have down the more likely you are to get approved and the lower the rate may be if you do.
3. Term-Shorter terms are more preferred by lenders when dealing with lower credit score.
4. Length of employment/residence-Where and how long you have lived and worked in an area will show the bank you aren’t as much of a risk as someone who jumps around frequently
5. Capacity to pay-You cannot ask for a $400 payment if you make $1500 and your rent is $1,000 of that.  You must keep your payment in line with what you can legally prove you earn.
There are many other factors that may affect our ability to secure you a loan but understanding those 5 is a great start.  I will touch upon others in future posts.  As always feel free to contact me with any questions regarding this topic or for any reason I may assist.
Dennis Marhefka, Financial Services Manager

Ford Motor Company has announced that part of its ambitious five-year plan includes reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills by 41% per car built by 2016. This initiative comes on the heels of a separate pledge in June that Ford will reduce its energy consumption by 25% over the same time period. Both efforts are part of Ford’s renewed push for sustainability, which is increasingly both a critical aspect of its brand and a key driver for its financial success. Using raw materials more efficiently will allow Ford to reduce the amount of waste produced per car from 22.7 lbs to 13.4 lbs, saving money both by spending less on materials, and less on disposal of waste produced. Ford successfully reduced the waste produced from 37.9 lbs per car to the current 22.7 lbs per car between 2007 and 2011, in part by sending paint solids to local power companies. Under this program, the paint solids were used as a fuel source to generate electricity rather than ending up in a landfill.

Ford has also found recycling to be a profitable endeavor. In 2012 alone, Ford generated $225 million by recycling 568,000 tons of scrap metal just in the U.S. and Canada. Globally, the company could earn huge sums of money just by recycling scrap metal. Decreasing energy consumption by 25% will save Ford Motor Company literally tens (if not hundreds) of millions of dollar every year. These decreased operating expenses go directly to the bottom line, pleasing shareholders and environmentalists alike. Crucially, this increased operating efficiency makes Ford more competitive, allowing it to reduce prices and sell more Ford vehicles.

Sustainability is a key initiative both for CEO Alan Mulally and Executive Chairman Bill Ford, a self-proclaimed “environmental industrialist.” The decreased costs and increased revenues resulting from these sustainability initiatives show that they are not just good from a public relations perspective, these initiatives make a great deal of financial sense.

Have you ever wondered, “what is the difference between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and those provided by aftermarket vendors? And why is there such a difference in price?” These are two of the oldest questions ever asked of a parts person. First, the difference is the original equipment replacement parts are built and designed to meet the requirements set out by the factories. Although aftermarket parts can be of similar quality they often do not meet the specific standards that were originally required by the manufacturer. Also, aftermarket parts may be designed to fit a larger group of applications thus being less specific to the original equipment. Also the companies providing the parts for the manufacturer are held to these higher standards which increases their cost of production, which is then transferred to the auto franchise and then passed down to the dealer who in turn passes it along to the consumer. This does not mean that the OEM parts are always higher in price; the Parts Department at Irwin Ford can provide several instances where the original equipment is in fact less money. Another issue that can effect pricing is the level of warranty and after-purchase service on the part. The manufacturer stands behind their OEM parts, offering not only a warranty for the part but in most cases the labor to replace and also towing to the dealership. The warranties an aftermarket parts are rarely as comprehensive as those provided by the OEM. This means that even though the sticker price on OEM parts is sometimes higher, the total cost of ownership can actually be lower, due to better warranties.

To keep your engine running newer, longer, you need to keep up with your vehicle’s most frequently needed service — an oil change. Irwin Automotive Group is ready when you need that change with a full line of conventional oil, synthetic blend oil and full synthetic oil services.

Full synthetic and synthetic blends have been engineered to provide superior engine protection over longer durations compared to conventional motor oils. And we’ve made it easy to find the oil change priced to your ride’s specific needs. Changing your ride’s crucial lubricant on a regular basis helps cover your vital engine parts and protects them from excessive friction and heat.

The longer oil flows through your engine parts, the more it begins to thicken and becomes less effective against engine wear, damage and overall performance. If you didn’t change your oil at all? You could see permanent engine damage that could require extensive repairs or replacement. Not good.

Below are a sample of the oil changes Irwin Automotive Group offers….

Standard Oil Change – $29.95 (most vehicles) An outstanding product and service at a competitive price which incorporates advanced anti-wear, lubrication and other additives to make it a superior lubricating product: install new filter refill up to 5 quarts of Motorcraft or Toyota Conventional motor oil lubricate chassis (if necessary) perform complimentary multi-point inspection

Synthetic Blend Oil Change – $39.95 (most vehicles) Advanced protection for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles and can help reduce oil consumption, minimize leaks, and reduce exhaust smoke: install new filter refill up to 5 quarts of Motorcraft Synthetic Blend motor oil lubricate chassis (if necessary) perform complimentary multi-point inspection

Full Synthetic Oil Change – $69.95 (most vehicles) Maximum protection for today’s high performance engines and a great upgrade for all vehicles that provides protection superior to conventional or synthetic blend oils in all driving conditions and in extreme temperatures: install new filter refill up to 5 quarts of Motorcraft or Toyota Full-synthetic Motor oil lubricate chassis (if necessary) perform multi-point inspection

Irwin Ford Lincoln is delighted to announce that our new website is live and ready to serve you! Our new website is powered by DealerOn, a boutique website provider for car dealerships. We believe that the new website will be easier to navigate and less cluttered than the old one, and we hope you think so, too! So look around on our website and let us know what you think.  Be sure to check out the huge discounts we have on our new Lincoln vehicles! If you’re looking for a new Lincoln MKZ, MKX, or MKS for sale, you search should begin and end with Irwin Ford Lincoln… we have some of the best prices in New England!