Childproof Your Vehicle

PEKIN, Ill.,–– No one wants to drive around in a dirty vehicle. Crumb-filled, sticky vehicles are the nightmare of every parent's existence. What may start off as a small mess at first can quickly become a trash-filled disaster. Childproof your vehicle today to reduce the messiness of your vehicle and keep your children occupied through any drive. Whether you're planning on heading out on a vacation or going for a drive to the grocery store, these helpful tips can be the difference between a pristine vehicle and an unappealing one.

Fill Your Vehicle With Entertainment

Electronics, road games, coloring books, and more can keep your passengers occupied while you continue on your drive. This will reduce the buildup of messes and can entertain everyone in the vehicle. From the License Plate Game to 20 Questions, get everyone in the vehicle involved with fun road trip games! Before you leave for a vacation, commute, or errand with your passengers, make sure you have several forms of entertainment to reduce your distractions and prevent any messes.

Keep Your Vehicle's Entertainment Organized

Now that your vehicle is full of entertainment, you'll want to avoid creating more messes by keeping everything all in one place. IKEA hackers is a blog dedicated to repurposing old IKEA products into new uses. In their most recent endeavor, they repurposed a Flort, a remote organizer, into an entertainment organizer for their children. Keep everything in one place with a repurposed Flort to teach your kids the importance of organization!

Manage Backseat Messes With a Bath Rug

Yes, you read that correctly - a bath rug can make all the difference between a messy and clean vehicle! You can easily take it out of your vehicle and shake off any crumbs or residue that builds up on its surface and can place it back in with ease. It can protect the floor mats on your vehicle and can increase its resale value or prevent fines if you own a lease! View the quick and easy installation directions to create an efficient backseat cleaner!

Turn an Art Caddy into a Food Container

Another great way to minimize messes in your vehicle is by repurposing art caddies into food containers! They're relatively inexpensive and can help make a huge difference with the buildup of messes, as passengers can contain most of their debris within these caddies. While it may not prevent the spread of crumbs that end up everywhere, it will at least teach your children the value of organization, especially with food!

Use Shopping Bags to Clean Up Trash

Put your plastic shopping bags to good use by keeping one or two in your vehicle to clean up trash easily! Keep yourself and your passengers accountable by hanging them from the backs of your front seat's headrests. That way, everyone in the back can throw their trash in the grocery bags instead of scattering it throughout your vehicle. You can also use your shopping bags to carry emergency supplies, food, or other necessities, giving your passengers easy access should they need it.

Whether you're heading on a cross-country road trip or are visiting friends, make sure you childproof your vehicle to protect it from a potential backseat disaster. Traveling soon? Keep your kids occupied on road trips to reduce distractions, messes, and "are we there yet?"s. Before you know it, school will be starting up again. Grab everything your elementary schooler may need with our back to school shopping list to prepare them for the new year! 

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Ideas to Keep Your Kids Busy On Any Road Trip

PEKIN, Ill.,–– What makes a road trip last longer than it should? Young, bored passengers. Hearing "I'm bored", "Are we there yet?" and other repetitive questions can make a trip seem that much longer and can make driving a less-than-stellar experience. However, if you know a few tricks, you can keep your passengers from distracting you. In fact, distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents and can be severely reduced with just a little pre-trip prep. Use the ideas below to keep your kids busy on any road trip!

1. Create a Busy Box or Bag

Turn a shoebox or pencil case into a busy box for the younger kids! You can fill them with educational activities like the one above, Lego sets, classic games like tic-tac-toe, or other fun activities. All you need is a small box with a securable lid and something that fits the fancy of your little ones inside! 

2. Turn Your Windows into Canvases

If you're willing to have your windows a little messy, use window markers to turn your windows into canvases for your kids! You can give everyone in the vehicle one window and have them draw something a piece of art with the window as their "canvas". Before you know it, you'll be piloting the best collaborative art project on the road! Just make sure to avoid blocking blind spots and the windshields.

3. Pack Plenty of Movies

Whether you own a vehicle with a built-in DVD player or have movies downloaded on a tablet, having digital entertainment on hand will keep everyone occupied for hours at a time. We recommend bringing family-friendly classics such as The Wizard of Oz, Toy Story, and Finding Nemo for movies that everyone will love!

4. Invest in a Polaroid

For younger passengers and teens, a simple Polaroid camera is a great way to keep everyone entertained. It'll give them a chance to express themselves with photography and the instantly developed photos look great in a scrapbook. You can alternatively purchase a disposable camera and wait until the end of the trip to develop the memories! 

5. Play the License Plate Game

If you're driving across state borders, it's a guarantee that you'll see non-Illinois license plates! You can have fun and do a little competition with your kids by playing the license plate game. This will help little ones learn a little more about our country and can be done sans-technology. Whoever finds the most unique license plates during the whole drive wins. You can incentivize winners with money, candy, front seat time on the way back, or whatever else you decide!

6. Make a Road Trip Playlist

Listening to music is one of the best, and most classic, ways to pass the time in the car. Get everyone to add their top 10 favorite songs to a playlist before leaving and play it on the drive through the speakers. You can keep the playlist and burn it on a CD when you get home, that way you'll have audible memories of your road trip!

7. Download Fun and Entertaining Apps

Get everyone in the vehicle involved in the family fun with some entertaining group apps! Play the famous guessing game Heads Up, play a unique version of Roadside Bingo, and sing your heart out with Karaoke Anywhere! There are plenty of apps to choose from, but these are our road trip favorites.

With this handy guide of ideas to keep your kids busy on any road trip, you'll be ready to take the best road trip yet! Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have all of your road trip essentials packed. You won't want to leave without them! If you happen to run into trouble on the road, knowing what to do in the event of an accident will help you prepare and get help as soon as possible. Don't forget to schedule an appointment with us before you leave to have your vehicle looked at to ensure that it's ready to go on your vacation!

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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What to Do If You Get in an Accident

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Getting into a car accident can be a very stressful situation. The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates that at least 1,055 deaths occurred on Illinois roads due to car accidents, the highest it's been since 2008. Keeping alert and aware on the road can reduce or altogether prevent accidents from occurring in most situations, although it's impossible to predict the behaviors of other drivers. If you find yourself in a collision, no matter how big or small the damage is, knowing what to do if you get in an accident will keep you prepared for any situation.

Step 1: Get to Safety

The moment you get into an accident can put you into shock, but getting to safety is one of the most important steps in ensuring you and your passengers are not further hurt. If you're able to move your vehicle, pull over on the shoulder or a safe area to get away from oncoming traffic. However, if the damages to your vehicle are too severe to move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights to inform other drivers of your inability to move. This will prevent further damage from occurring and can potentially prevent the accident from getting any worse. 

Step 2: Make Sure Everyone is Okay

Your next step is making sure that everyone involved in the accident is okay. Ask your passengers, if you have any, if they feel fine or if they have any pain. If any of your passengers or other parties involved in the accident require medical attention, call 911 immediately. Sometimes, even minor symptoms like dizziness can lead to worse symptoms if left untreated, so it's better to be safe than sorry in accident-related situations. 

Step 3: Call the Police

After ensuring that everyone involved in the accident is okay, it's time to call the police to the scene. No matter how minor the accident may be, a police report is needed to provide proof to your insurance company when filing a claim. After the police provides their report, call the station the officer responded from to receive a copy for yourself to give to your insurance company, if the officer didn't already provide you with one. You can also file an accident report with your DMV if the police are unable to arrive on scene.

Step 4: Exchange Insurance Information

While you're waiting for the police to arrive, it's best to gather as much information as you can on the scene. In order to help file a claim with your insurance company, we recommend gathering these items:

• Insurance information from any other parties involved
• License plate numbers
• Vehicle registration of other parties involved
• Pictures of the accident
• Eyewitness testimonials and contact information
• The name of the police officer responding

Having this information on hand will improve your chances of receiving a beneficial insurance claim. Making sure you obtain as much proof as possible can make a huge difference when you finally file for your claim, so keep a record of your accident on hand for quick reference!

Step 5: File an Insurance Claim

Once you've obtained all of the proof in order to file the claim, it's time to call your insurance company. Before you make the call, make sure you have these three items on hand to reference:

1. A copy of the police report
2. The insurance information, license plate number, and a copy of the vehicle registration of any other parties involved
3. Any additional evidence to benefit your case (eyewitness testimonials, pictures of the accident, etc.)

If you aren't sure what to do when you file an insurance claim, we can help too! After you schedule your appointment to get your vehicle repaired, we can help you through the entire process of filing your claim, from start to finish! Our knowledgable Finance Team can work with you directly to file the claim, or they can save you the stress and file the claim for you! Whether you file your insurance claim on your own or with us, make sure you write down your claim number - you'll need it!

Step 6: Schedule an Appointment

Now that you have your insurance claim number, police report, and all of the information regarding your accident, it's time to schedule your appointment for service. While every accident is different and there is no definitive timetable for any collision repair, we are happy to make arrangements for you if needed. If you're in need of a temporary vehicle while we repair yours, we can provide you with a rental to help you get back on the road right away!

Whether it's a mild accident or something more severe, we at Velde Ford Pekin are here to help you through every step of the way. Staying apprehensive and focused on the road is key to avoiding car accidents. However, making sure you know what to do if you get in an accident will prepare you in the event that one actually occurs. You can further prepare yourself by learning about the different types of accidents and how to avoid them. Learning the ins and outs of insurance claims will also give you an advantage when you go to file one, and it can better help you communicate with your insurance company as you navigate through this stressful process. We hope that our guide on what to do in the event of an accident prepares you for anything, should it occur in the future.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Great Gardening Tips for Beginners this Summer

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Gardening is one of the most satisfying hobbies you can undertake this summer, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Providing the right amount of sunlight, fertilizer, and water to all of your plants can be difficult to keep track of. However, watching your flowers bloom and your vegetables sprout and grow is worth the wait and the effort! Earn your green thumb this season with these great gardening tips for beginners this summer!

Get Your Soil Tested

Your garden's soil provides nutrients to your plants, keeping them healthy and growing. Keeping track of your soil's pH levels and texture will determine whether or not plants can grow in your garden. Since certain plants thrive in specific pH levels, it's best to get your soil tested so you know what plants can and can't grow. For example, the ground near or underneath pine trees will likely have very acidic soil due to the falling needles, and be much tougher for plants to grow in. You can either send your soil in to a nearby nursery, or get your own testing kit from Home Depot or Lowe's. If you'd like to try a homemade testing kit, put soil in two cups of water. Then, put baking soda in one cup, and vinegar in another. If the vinegar cup fizzes, you have alkali soil, and if the baking soda cup fizzes, you have acidic soil.

Repurpose Coffee Grounds & Eggshells

These homemade remedies are perfect if you need to keep pesky insects away from your plants! Sprinkling used coffee grounds in your soil will keep ants, snails, and slugs away from your budding plants. If you coarsely crush your egg shells and sprinkle them around your plants, you can create a barricade to protect them from slugs, snails, and other soft-bodied pests. The smell of eggshells and coffee grounds are deterrents for deer and other hungry mammals, too! Coffee grounds and eggshells also make excellent compost, providing more nutrients to your growing plants.

Keep Your Plant Tags

If you aren't sure about how much or how little to water your plant or what environment is most healthy for it, keeping the plant tags will help! Your plant tags detail how much water it needs, the sunlight it requires, and the environment it grows best in. You can even create a scrapbook to keep track of the plants you're growing, their requirements, and, if you're feeling creative, a few sketches of what the plant looks like. It's a great way to keep track of your plants' needs!

Keep an Easy-to-Read Rain Gauge

Rain gauges are extremely useful on both hot and rainy summer days. You can monitor the amount of water that gets to your plants to determine whether they're getting not enough or too much. Rain gauges, while very helpful, can be occasionally difficult to read, especially on rainy and humid days. Put a few droplets of food coloring in the gauge to make the water level extremely legible, helping you keep track of the output of your sprinkler or rainwater. Just make sure you install it away from the trees to prevent water runoff!

Start with Easy Plants

The best way to hone your skills as a gardener is to get started with some easy-to-maintain plants! These little guys require little to no maintenance and provide the perfect starting point as you dive headfirst into gardening. Plants like lavender, snapdragons, and pansies are very low maintenance and can live a very long time if properly cared for. Once you've built up your confidence with these plants, you can expand your garden with some easy-to-grow vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and basil. Before you know it, you'll have a fully furnished garden with the best homegrown veggies of the Midwest!

Gardening can be tedious, but remaining diligent and attentive to your plants will give you a beautiful landscape and fresh fruits and vegetables for your home. Give your home's exterior a personal touch with these great gardening tips for beginners this summer. For some additional inspiration, hobbies, and crafting ideas this summer, follow our DIY + Crafts page on Pinterest! Also, keep an eye out for our regularly updated coupons and follow our summer car care tips to keep your vehicle in good working order this season. But if you're in the market for a new vehicle, take a look at our Ford crossover comparison to find the perfect crossover for your lifestyle!

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Summer Car Care & Organizational Tips

PEKIN, Ill., – Check the temperature: sunny days and warm weather are here to stay! Road trip season has officially begun, which means you'll be spending a lot of time in your vehicle. With that in mind, we've put together a list of summer car care and organizational tips to get your vehicle ready to go for any road trip, no matter how big or small! From cooling systems to U/V protection, we've got you covered with tips and tricks to make sure you enjoy every drive this season. We've also included a few DIY tips to help you keep your vehicle organized for those long drives. Gear up and get your vehicle up to speed this summer!

1. Regularly Check Your Cooling System

Keeping your engine cool is just as important as keeping yourself cool! Your engine's coolant helps to reduce the temperature of the engine on hot days, and without coolant, it can heat up your engine and potentially cause a lot of damage to the interior. If you see any colorful fluids leaking from your vehicle or smell something sweet, bring your vehicle into our Service Center to get it checked out immediately!

2. Make Sure Your A/C is Working

This is a no-brainer, but it's better to be safe than sorry! You won't want to be stuck in rush hour traffic or on a road trip without a fresh breeze cooling you down. If you notice a lack of airflow or your vehicle doesn't produce A/C, get it checked out as soon as you can! Sometimes, all you may need is just a simple filter or fan replaced. These simple fixes can make all the difference in the world on scorching hot Illinois days!

3. Clean Your Car's Exterior and Interior

You'd be surprised at how much of a difference this can make! Having a cleaner interior will help on hot days and decrease internal temperatures when you enter your vehicle. If your windshield is dirty, it can get extremely hazy on hot summer nights and make it difficult to drive. Making sure you have a clean interior and exterior is not only safe, but it'll make your car look a lot better for those fun nights out with your family and friends!

4. Check Your Vehicle's Suspension

The long winter seasons take a toll on a vehicle's suspension, especially during pothole season. Repeated damage to the suspension can misalign your wheels and steering. A good rule of thumb is that if it takes a lot of effort to turn, there is a chance you could have damage to your suspension. If you've hit a large pothole and your steering seems a bit off, schedule an appointment as soon as you can. Our Service Staff is extremely experienced with suspension care and will get your car back into your hands in no time!

5. Keep An Eye on Your Fluid Levels

Keeping a lookout for wiper fluid, power steering fluid, brake pad fluids, and oil levels will allow your vehicle to run smoothly and efficiently through the warm months. Your power steering fluid will help you control your car through turns and reduce resistance, while your brake pad fluids will help to reduce resistance with braking, especially in quick scenarios. Your oil helps to lubricate your vehicle's engine, which will keep it running without heating or warping any other parts of the vehicle. While it may be a hot summer, the chance of it raining is extremely likely! Make sure you've got wiper fluid to wash off any dirt on your windshield so that you can drive clearly!

Keep your car clean this summer with these organizational ideas:

• If you have a dog, consider investing in a dog seat cover. This will keep the fur off your seats!
• Add hooks or hangers to your seats to carry groceries or backpacks easily.
• Get a cooler for your car to keep some drinks nice and chilly for the kids!
• Store plastic bags in a Kleenex box. They could come in handy later!
• Keep loose change in an empty gum container so you can have it nearby without making a mess.

If you like these ideas, check out our Pinterest page for more DIY car fun! Organizing your vehicle can be fun and easy this summer with these summer car care and organizational tips! You can keep your vehicle clean and your passengers happy with some quick and easy maintenance. In no time, you'll have a fresh and efficient vehicle and you'll be ready to tackle road trip season! By following all of our tips, you'll have more room, increased safety, and extended life for your vehicle in only a matter of minutes! If you're in need of additional vehicle maintenance, feel free to schedule an appointment and our Service Staff will get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible!

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Tasty 4th of July Cookout Recipes

PEKIN, Ill.,–– With the 4th of July only a few weeks away, everyone is getting ready for cookout season to begin! Make sure your family and friends are well fed this year with some tasty 4th of July Cookout recipes that will be sure to have the kids asking for seconds. We've included some cookout classics and some new takes on recipes that you'll want to give a try as soon as you can! Show off your best red, white, and blue as you peruse these mouth-watering American recipes.

1. No-Bake Cheesecake Flag Cake

Whip up the best tasting stars and stripes this year in no time! The best part is, it doesn't need an oven, it's very low in calories, and it only takes a few hours to make! Impress your friends and family this season by showing them how delicious patriotism can truly be.

2. Campfire Baked Beans

Bring out your inner cowboy this season with some campfire baked beans. This fresh tasting side dish is sure to be a cookout favorite. The recipe serves a lot of people and is very easy to cook, so you can teach your kids to give them some cooking pointers, too!

3. American Potato Salad

A barbecue classic, cooking potato salad will bring back memories of fireworks, picnics, and family gatherings. The best part about potato salad is that you can be creative with it and experiment with spices and different ingredients to make it your own! For an extra dash of flavor, add some red onion or yellow mustard to give it that kick it needs.

4. Black Bean Burgers

Looking for a healthier (and more affordable) burger? Black bean burgers, a fresh take on a cookout staple, will leave your waist and wallet feeling much better than normal burgers. They also take much less time to cook, too! Give this surprisingly tasty entree a shot this summer - you won't regret it!

5. Pasta Salad

If you're on the hunt for an easy, light side dish, pasta salad is your answer! The combination of salami, cheese, vegetables, and pasta will go perfectly with the dressing that ties it all together. Take a bite of this cookout favorite today! Pasta salad is also very customizable, so you can change different ingredients based on your children's preferences of flavor!

No matter how you celebrate this 4th of July, make sure your dishes are the best of the best! Our list of tasty 4th of July cookout recipes should give you a large helping of creative dishes to be the talk of any event! Save yourself some money this season with some of our auto service coupons, and be sure to extend the life of your vehicle with some tips and tricks to keep it running strong this summer!

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Explore Ford's Most Advanced Safety Features at Velde in Pekin, IL

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Family and friends are a priority for us at Velde Ford. We strive to offer the most dependable safety features to ensure our customers can get to their destinations safely. Our newest vehicles have state-of-the-art safety features that build on standard safety features like ABS brakes and traction controls, making our vehicles very reliable for the road ahead. Feel free to stop by Velde Ford to explore Ford's most advanced safety features! 

Some of Ford's cutting edge features sound almost too good to be true. The Adaptive Cruise Control practically allows your car to drive on its own, combining cruise control and radar technology to adjust your speed and employ braking whenever you need. It works hand in hand with Lane Keeping technology to help with lane drifting and can alert a driver if they accidentally swerve into another lane. This technology improves safety on the road and helps to keep drivers away from danger!

Using the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) and Cross-Traffic Alert system can also help with merging into different lanes. These driver assist features help to cover your blind spots, shining a small light on your side mirror to let you know if there are vehicles in your blind spot. The Cross-Traffic Alert helps to alert you of incoming vehicles when you're in reverse, keeping you aware of vehicles over 45 feet away. However, make sure you look over your shoulder to remain safe!

The Rear View Camera and Enhanced Active Park Assist can make parking a much easier task. When you shift your car into reverse, your console screen will display a video feed of what's directly behind your vehicle and project guidelines to help you help you fit into sparking spaces. The Enhanced Active Park Assist scans the sides of your vehicles to find appropriate areas to park, showing them on your center display screen to help you find the best spot you can find while you park.

While these are only a few examples of Ford's most advanced safety features, there several other features that offer exclusive features to ensure maximum safety both on and off the road. If you have any safety questions or would like additional explanation about the features, feel free to contact us and our Service Team staff will be happy to assist you! At Velde Ford, we care about you and want to treat you like family. Learn more about us so we can help you with any automotive issues you may have!

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Super Bowl Recipes to Kick Up Your Party

PEKIN, Ill., – This weekend the New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI! If you're like the majority of Americans, you're probably hosting or attending a viewing of this annual sporting event! Even if you're not, everyone loves a good snack! Check out these Super Bowl recipes to kick up your party! 

1. Loaded Tater Tot Skewers

Potatoes, cheese, and bacon, all on a handy skewer. What could be better? Convenient and delicious, a snack your friends will love!

2. French Onion Beef Sliders

Give your guests a hearty sandwich to satisfy their hunger during the game. These sliders are easy to prepare in large quantities, making them the perfect party food.

3. Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups

Jalapeno poppers in perfect finger-food fashion. These spicy appetizers will definitely disappear quickly! 

4. Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Football Cups

You can't have a football party without a treat that looks like a football, right? These bite-sized desserts are great for game day!

5. Soft Pretzel Bites

Pretzels are a staple at any gathering with snacks. Step it up a notch by making your own soft pretzel bites with a delicious cheese dip.

6. Cowboy Corn Dip

This stuff is addicting! The best part is how easy it is to make. Just throw all the ingredients in a bowl, stir, and watch it vanish before your eyes!

7. Mozzarella Bites

Warm cheese, do we need to say anything else? The spicy mayo dip to accompany these morsels is to die for!

Whether you're planning a spread or looking for a dish to pass, these Super Bowl recipes to kick up your party will definitely have your friends feeling full! While you're getting geared up to watch the football game, don't forget to check out our new webpages! If you're looking for a new Ford Sedan, you'll want to take a look at our Ford Car Comparison page to help you decide on a model!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Summer Car Care at Velde Ford Pekin

PEKIN, Ill., – Summer has arrived in Illinois and we know what that means! Time to hit the road for those summer travel plans. With that in mind, we’ve put together our new Summer Car Care at Velde Ford Pekin pages. We know you might get lost in the excitement of summer vacation, but don’t forget to keep your vehicle up to date on its maintenance. In our new pages we’ve outlined some of the basic maintenance you should keep up with on your car during the summer season, including your cooling and A/C systems, cosmetic damage fixes, exterior lights, fuel system, and sun protection. If you’re planning any trips this summer, it’s crucial to keep your car ready to travel! We want to make sure you and your passengers reach your destination safely and comfortably. Check out the pages below:

Cooling and A/C Systems: Here we go over the importance of your cooling and A/C systems in your car. We outline some warning signs to look for that could mean your cooling or A/C systems aren’t working properly. The cooling system keeps your engine from overheating and the A/C system keeps you cool on the road. Don’t get stuck in the hot weather due to unchecked cooling or A/C systems.

Cosmetic Damage: On this page we talk about why it’s easiest to fix cosmetic damages during the summer. We run through some common cosmetic fixes that need to be made and why it’s important to the life of your vehicle to have them fixed. Many cosmetic damages can cause rust, which greatly decreases the value of your car. Save yourself precious time and money by fixing cosmetic damages as soon as you can.

Exterior Lights: Here we go over the different types of exterior lights that are found on your vehicle and why you need to keep them in good working condition. Light maintenance often gets overlooked when it comes to routine car care, but exterior lights play a huge role in keeping you safe on the road. We discuss different types of headlights and how you can change them yourself at home, as well as an easy way to make sure your exterior lights are working properly.

Fuel System: On this page we go over what your fuel system does for your car and the different components that make it up. We discuss some warning signs that may mean your fuel system is working inefficiently and why it’s important to maintain your fuel system in your vehicle. Gasoline is the main source of power in your vehicle. If the fuel system isn’t working properly you could be causing expensive damage to your vehicle. If you notice the warning signs we mention, don’t wait to have your fuel system serviced.

Sun Protection: On the Sun Protection page, we talk about some tips and tricks for protecting your car from the harmful UV rays of the sun. We go over the different types of damage that can be cause by the sun and how you can prevent them from occurring.

After you’ve read all the pages on Summer Car Care at Velde Ford Pekin, we hope you have a better understanding of the importance of maintaining your car in the summer. We’d love to help you with your cooling or A/C system, cosmetic damages, exterior lights, fuel system, or sun protection to get your vehicle ready for those summer adventures. Make sure to give us a call at (888) 221-2804 or make an appointment with our service center online. If you have any other service or maintenance questions, you can always check the FAQ section of our website.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Ford Fusion Energi Will Take You Further Than Any Other Plug-In Hybrid

PEKIN, Ill., – Have you ever found yourself worried how far your tank of gas will get you? Worry no more! The newest 2017 Ford Fusion Energi will take you further than any other plug-in hybrid model. Its combined range of 610 miles on a full tank of gas and a full battery charge is the highest on the hybrid market in the United States.

Ford is currently the number one seller of plug-in hybrids, and has been since 2015. This statistic appears to be on an upward trend, as Fusion Energi sales are up 58% through April. With more and more people deciding to buy hybrid, it’s important that these vehicles are competitive when it comes to range.

“Plug-in hybrids are electric vehicles until you run down the battery,” Wade Jackson, marketing manager for Ford Fusion said, “then they work exactly like a conventional hybrid. Fusion Energi – with a full battery and a full tank of gas – can go from San Diego, through Los Angeles and all the way up to San Francisco, and still have up to 110 miles of range remaining.”

The 2017 Ford Fusion Energi has an EPA-estimated rating of 43 city/41 hwy, a 14 gallon tank and 21 miles all-electric range.

That sounds great, but what does that mean for consumers? Well the way we see it, this means the Ford Fusion Energi will take you further than any other plug in hybrid. It means extending the life of your road trips and vacations, and saving you money in the long run. Hybrids bring together the efficiency of electric vehicles, while allowing you to maintain the convenience and familiarity of gas run cars. Come down to the dealership to find out about all the excitement surrounding hybrid cars. You can even test-drive a 2016 Ford Fusion Energi for yourself!

If you’re looking for a new ride this summer, we want to help you decide between buying and leasing. Our new Buying vs. Leasing page breaks down the pros and cons of each option. Be sure to check out our How to buy and How to Lease pages for more information on how each process works.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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National Tire Safety Week

PEKIN, Ill.––This week is National Tire Safety Week! With the unofficial kick-off of summer that Memorial Day represents, vacation time and road trips might be on the mind. Take some time this week to make sure your vehicle’s tires are up for anything this summer. Don’t get stranded or left in a less than desirable situation due to unchecked tires! While some tire tragedies are simply caused by an accident, many can be prevented by following these simple maintenance tips, most of which can be done at home.

Check your tire pressure

You should know the correct tire pressure for your vehicle and check it at least once a month. The correct pounds/square inch (psi) can be found on a sticker somewhere along inside of your driver side door. Generally, most vehicles should be kept around 30 psi. You can purchase an inexpensive tire pressure gauge at a local hardware or car care store and keep it in your car. Under inflated tires can cause uneven wear and become a safety hazard if left unchecked.

Check your tire tread

Many people rely on the “penny check” to tell them if their tires are beginning to wear out. If you stick a penny in between the tire tread with Lincoln’s head facing down, and you can see all of Lincoln’s head above the tread then it’s definitely time for new tires. Driving on tires that are too worn can be extremely dangerous, putting you at higher risk of sliding on the road in wet conditions. Worn tires are also more likely to become flat in the case of potholes or sharp objects.

Have your tires balanced, rotated and aligned

You can’t balance, rotate, or align your tires without the proper equipment, so it’s important to bring your vehicle in for these routine maintenance checks. Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 7,000 miles to avoid uneven wear. You may notice that your steering wheel pulls to one side or vibrates while you’re driving. If this is the case, your tires probably need to be aligned or balanced. If tires are not aligned and balanced correctly, uneven wear can also occur. If you are allowing your tires to wear unevenly, you will find that you need to replace them more often, causing you to spend more money more often.

Always keep a spare tire and tools in your car

Accidents happen even when you do everything you can to avoid them. It’s important to be prepared in case of an emergency. Keep a properly inflated spare tire in your vehicle at all times, as well as the equipment needed to change a tire. You should also always have your insurance card and phone number to a roadside assistance service in the case that you cannot fix the problem yourself.

We hope that you take some time out of this National Tire Safety Week to make sure your tires are in good condition! If you’re having any trouble or think you need an alignment check, come down to the Velde Ford Pekin today or schedule an appointment online. Our ASE Certified technicians would be happy to make sure your vehicle is running smoothly this summer.

If you’re looking for a new ride this summer, we want to help you decide between buying and leasing. Our new Buying vs. Leasing page breaks down the pros and cons of each option. Be sure to check out our How to buy and How to Lease pages for more information on how each process works.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Ford Motor Company Brings Innovative Job Training to South Africa

 PEKIN, Ill. – The Ford Motor Company fund has announced that they will be growing their philanthropic branch. With the creation of a new entrepreneurial development center, Ford Motor Company brings innovative job training to South Africa. This development will help around 200 people annually. 

 

Modeled after the original Ford Resource and Engagement Center in Southwest Detroit, the Pretoria, South Africa location aims to create a blend of training packages to prepare students to find jobs after graduating from the Ford Resource and Engagement Center. Career guidance and presentation skill tips will be offered. Courses will be available in financial literacy, business and entrepreneurial skills, vocational, and technical training. This development center marks the first global expansion of Ford’s philanthropic branch.

“Our Ford Better World philosophy is more than just a series of projects – it permeates everything we do as a company,” said Jeff Nemeth, Ford president and CEO, Sub Saharan Africa region. “Social, environmental and economic sustainability are all interlinked and cannot be taken in isolation from one another. We are proud of this investment in our community and, ultimately, our people. Education plays a significant role in our lives and these projects will allow the community to benefit from our contributions to the economy.”

As well as the Ford Resource and Engagement Center in Pretoria, Ford has also made a number of investments and been involved in philanthropic activities across Africa. These include:

·      The Blue Village initiative in Port Elizabeth. Every year employees from the Silverton Ford Assembly Plant help to create new homes in the village of Vastrap. The Blue Village initiative supports education and development.

·      Ford College Community Challenge Program. Student-led community projects in Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa benefitted from a $100,000 investment to support the Ford College Community Challenge program. Each project addresses local needs and supports sustainable living and working conditions.

·      Riders for Health delivers medical professionals and supplies across rural areas of Africa. A $75,000 grant allowed extended vehicle management and training to mechanics in order to maintain the vehicles used to deliver medical necessities.

·      Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy in Morocco. A $200,000 investment will allow the academy to extend to Saudi Arabia.

·      Ford Volunteer Corps is made up of Ford South Africa employees who have spent over 6,700 hours on community service projects in South Africa.

·      Driving Skills for Life is a program that provides hands-on experience for more than 400 newly licensed students in Saudi Arabia.

Ford is dedicated to its philanthropic efforts both national and globally. Ford Motor Company brings innovative job training to South Africa with the announcement of the new Resource and Engagement center. This news continues the reach of the Ford philanthropic branch, and we’re proud to report such globally relevant topics to our customers on behalf of Ford Motor Company.

If you're also looking to make a difference this summer then stop in to Velde Ford in Pekin, IL! We can get you behind the wheel of a new Ford Fiesta. When it comes to financing we want to help you decide between buying and leasing. Our new Buying vs. Leasing page breaks down the pros and cons of each option. Be sure to check out or How to Buy and How to Lease pages for more information on how each process works. If you're looking to keep your current car or truck running smoothly, be sure to make an appointment online or call (888) 221-2804.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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