Vehicle Maintenance Lights and What They Mean

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Your vehicle's dashboard can tell you a lot about it and what services it may need. While some, like the Check Engine light are very severe, there are also a lot of other lights that can illuminate for smaller issues that can become large if not properly taken care of. We at Velde Ford have created a list of vehicle maintenance lights and what they mean so that you're prepared for every situation on or off the road!

Check Battery Light

If this symbol lights up, make sure you get serviced right away! This light could mean that your battery has low power, which can leave your vehicle unable to start up. If you leave it unchecked, it can result in engine failure, so make sure you get your battery checked as soon as possible. Our expert battery technicians will help you get everything fixed in a timely manner.

Oil Warning Light

This light could be indicating that your vehicle has low oil pressure or a low oil level. If you see this while driving, pull over somewhere safe and check your oil level as quickly as possible! Driving on a low oil level can cause serious damage to your engine from component overheating. Making sure you get any oil issues taken care of as soon as possible is important in maintaining a healthy vehicle.

Low Tire Pressure Light

If one or more of your tires has low pressure, this light will illuminate to inform you of the problem. Check your tires immediately and take them in for a diagnostic as soon as possible. Small punctures or leaks can be affordably repaired, but larger damage may end up costing more. Sometimes, you may just need to fill up your tire with air, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

Hood Ajar Light

Close your hood as soon as you are able to when you see this light! It means your hood wasn't fully closed when you last shut it. Driving without your hood fully closed for an extended period of time can cause the hood to fly up, which can eliminate your visibility on the road and potentially damage your windshield. Make sure you don't see this symbol while you're driving!

Airbag Malfunction Light

This light will come on when one of the airbags in your vehicle isn't working properly. While you're able to drive just fine without an airbag, it's highly encouraged that you get your airbags fixed as soon as possible. Without an airbag, you don't have anything to protect you if you happen to get into an accident. Staying proactive of this warning light is very important! 

Vehicle maintenance can be a very tedious task. However, keeping yourself safe on the road is a priority, especially when any warning lights illuminate on your vehicle's dashboard. We hope this list of vehicle maintenance lights and what they mean helps you to stay prepared if your vehicle has any issues! If you see an issue we didn't mention, you can refer to our vehicle dashboard light guide for a full list of symbols your car may show and their meanings. If anything does end up coming up and you need assistance, be sure to schedule an appointment to make sure your car is in good hands!

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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What to Do This Week in Pekin

PEKIN, Ill.,–– It's finally summertime! The warm weather means that fun in the sun is a must! Pekin and the surrounding area have a lot of fun events going on through the weekend and into next week. There are lots of chances for you to enjoy some outdoor activities this week, with plenty of activities for both family and friends to experience! We have created a guide on what to do this week in Pekin for you to enjoy. We've included plenty of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Take a look below!

Watch a Peoria Chiefs Game this Weekend

Next week, the Peoria Chiefs play the Wisconsin Timber in Dozer Park at 7:30. Make a fun day out of watching some of Minor League Baseball's rising stars and take your family out for an affordable and exciting day in the ballpark! If you can't catch the game on May 30th, you can check out their schedule for other games as well!

Check Out Upcoming Concerts at the Peoria Civic Center

Looking for live entertainment? The Peoria Civic Center is hosting tons of shows these next few months, from REO Speedwagon to Dancing With the Stars: Live! Tickets are going fast, so make sure you purchase them as quickly as possible! Plan a fun day for your friends or family and take in the wide range of events available for patrons.

Run in a 5K or Fun Run!

The Common Ground Community Center is hosting a 5K Fun Run/1M Fun Run in Delavan, IL this Saturday at 8:00 AM. The proceeds raised will go towards renovations at the Common Ground, which will use the funds to create summer youth programs and fixing up the youth recreational center and kitchen cafe. Register for a fun 5K for a good cause! If you can't make it, there are plenty of other 5Ks that are happening throughout next month, as well!

Children's Storytime at Barnes and Noble in Bloomington

This Saturday at 10:00 AM, the Barnes and Noble in Bloomington will be participating in their bi-weekly Children's Storytime event. Their newest book being read this week is written by New York Times bestselling author-team James and Kimberly Dean. In it, Pete the Cat is learning a cool new dance, the Cool Cat Boogie! Activities will also take place, so be sure to make it a fun day full of learning!

With so many activities going on around Pekin, there's sure to be fun for everyone of all ages! Make the most of the sunny days to come and enjoy the beautiful weather outside. We hope this guide on what to do this week in Perkin comes in handy when you begin planning your activities for the weekend. While you're out and active, follow a few tips to make sure your car is in good condition, and make refer to our FAQ if you have any questions or concerns!

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's Sporty Car Offering Remains Desirable Amongst Millennials

PEKIN, Ill., ––Despite the change in market towards SUVs and crossovers, Ford is still attracting young buyers thanks to their strong offering in sporty cars. Ford recently saw a steep decline in car sales in the past month because of the market shift, but remain optimistic for the future with their performance variants. Ford's sporty car offering, which includes the Ford Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Focus RS, and Fusion Sport models, remains desirable amongst millennials.

Stock performance variants of Ford's current car offering has been sought after for a while, and now they're a reality, and one of Ford's best chances at making a connection with the millennial market. The customer's you would expect to buy these cars are "not just young at heart; they're actually younger on average" according to Ford.

The most popular sporty car of the bunch is the Ford Fiesta ST, which holds an average buyer's age of 35 years. In fact, the standard variant of the Fiesta holds an average buyer's age of 45 years. Second in line, the Focus RS, sells to 41 year olds, while the Focus sells to 46 year olds. The younger buyers also hold higher household incomes, which might make them more eligible or interested to step into the sporty car market in the first place. Within the first three months of 2017, millennial buyers have contributed to a 45% increase in sporty car sales for Ford.

“With repeat customers making up around half of industry sales, capturing younger buyers while they still have many vehicle purchases remaining in their lives is good for business,” said Corey Holter, Ford car group marketing manager.

With Ford's sporty car offering remaining desirable amongst millenials, we hope to see the trend continue across even more models. At Velde Ford, we want to help you find your dream vehicle regardless of your age, budget, or wants. If you're interested in the 2017 Fiesta, Focus or Fusion, you can stop by our dealership in Pekin to take a closer look, or shop our new vehicle inventory online! 

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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Fun Activities to Do Outside with the Kids

PEKIN, Ill.,––If you haven't checked the weather yet, it's time you knew we've got some gorgeous weather ahead of us, which makes it a great time to get outside and spend time together as a family! Some great ways to get outdoors and enjoy the weather includes taking walks, playing with your favorite doggo in the backyard, and lounging on the deck with the ones you love, but maybe it's time to mix it up? We've got some great ideas on fun activities to do outside with the kids this week.

1. Color Scavenger Hunt

Color a few blocks on a white paper bag and set out to find objects that match that color! 

2. Sidewalk Chalk Pops

Make and use these sidewalk chalk pops together! The handles make it easy for little ones to hold without as much mess. 

3. Rainbow Bubble Snakes

Honestly, who doesn't love blowing bubbles?! All the supplies you need for this are probably already in your house, too. 

4. Leaf Rubbing Collage 

Take a walk around the park, or head to the woods if you have a spot nearby to collect different types of leaves - just watch out for poison ivy! Then do the coloring outside!

5. Tin Can Bowling

Classic bowling can be done in your backyard easily with some empty tin cans and a small ball. 

6. Marshmallow Shooters

You can create a target-based game in the yard with these fun little shooters!

We hope you get outside this week to enjoy the awesome weather with your family and loved ones. Are there any fun activities you like to do outside with the kids during the Spring and Summer months? Let us know on social media! We're a big family at Velde Ford Pekin and aim to service each and every customer as if they're family, too. Learn more about our team online and let us know how we can help you with finding a new car, finding a used car, or servicing your Ford! 

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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9 Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

PEKIN, Ill.,––Mother's Day is this weekend! Have you gotten your mom a gift yet? If you haven't decided what to do, or are planning on having guests over for a Mother's Day meal, we've got some great ideas! Check out these 9 Mother's Day brunch recipes that you can use to cook your mom something she'll love. We've broken down these ideas into a few categories to help you get it right for your special lady. Just remember to do the dishes, too!

For the Mother that loves eggs...

Eggs Benedict Quiche

Eggs in Clouds

Breakfast Pizza with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese

For the Mother with a sweet tooth...

Blueberry Croissant Puff

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

Maple Bacon Pancake Bites

For the Mother who likes bacon and ham...

Ham and Cheese Spinach Puffs

Crispy Cheese and Bacon Potatoes

Ham and Cheese Brunch Bake

Whether you choose to make these 9 Mother's Day brunch recipes or not, we hope you enjoy spending time with family this weekend! Family is such an important thing to us at Velde Ford Pekin. We want to help you, your Mom, and the rest of your family stay safe on the road with routine maintenance, get a great deal on vehicle detailing services, and drive a reliable and affordable Ford vehicle. See what Velde Ford is all about on our website, and stop by for a refreshing and positive dealership experience! 

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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Turn to the 2017 Raptor F-150 for Off-Road Excellence

PEKIN, Ill.,––Are you someone who craves adventure? Who wants to take themselves off the road and into the sandy dunes, muddy trails, or rocky hills? If so, you can turn to the 2017 Raptor F-150 for off-road excellence. The comeback kid, the Raptor, is here with a cutting-edge terrain management system thanks to the AWD/4WD transfer case. Let's take a look at what makes this pickup truck unique.

When Ford first announced a new Raptor, the new design and powerful engines were the big selling points; however, as many have discovered, the terrain management system and transfer case have become the focus. The goal of Ford's innovative team was to improve the daily driving experience, while cohesively offering the ultimate off-road experience.

The terrain management system is enabled by the dual-mode transfer case that uses both AWD and 4WD systems and electronic lockers that is able to more intelligently distribute power to the front and rear wheels in response to the terrain it's experiencing.

"With the clutch-based feature of the transfer case, drivers can travel on-road using the 4x4 auto setting, which delivers the benefit of four-wheel drive without the repercussions of component damage or driveline binding – something that can occur when drivers try to use mechanically locked systems on high-traction surfaces like pavement."

Ford specifically calibrated the automatic 4WD to specific road surface conditions, so the transfer case can alter the clutch torque to best fit the environment. With the terrain management system, drivers can select weather modes to finely tune their driving experience, or rely on the Raptor's default electronic shift-on-the-fly system.

If you're interested in a better 4x4 experience, you can turn to the 2017 Raptor F-150 for off-road excellence. If you simply need a great driving experience and strong towing capabilities, we recommend taking a look at the 2017 Ford F-150. We'd be happy to show you how an F-150 pickup can provide just what you need on the road and on the worksite at Velde Ford! Learn all about the F-150 on our website, and get in contact with us


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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Sustainable Bamboo Materials for Ford's Vehicle Interiors

PEKIN, Ill.,––Ford is thankfully a company that puts a lot of work into the design of their vehicles. From the shape of the car, to the ergonomic shape of the seats, right down to the wearability of the interior materials, Ford has it all covered. Ford consistently researches user habits, material options, etc. to provide their customers the best and longest lasting solution. The most recent topic of research is sustainable bamboo materials for Ford's vehicle interiors.

Bamboo has been touted as one of the world's strongest naturally occurring materials. Even Thomas Edison was smart enough to use this miracle material in the testing process while making the first ever light bulb! You might have experienced bamboo flooring or bamboo in a dish, but maybe not in a vehicle. Bamboo is a material that has been used and tested for many applications for centuries and now it's making its way into textiles that are vehicle-interior ready.

Ford has actually been working with bamboo for several years now to test and evaluate the tensile strength. This simply means how resistant the material is to being pulled apart. In testing, the bamboo has been combined with some plastics to increase the strength. It's been found to be a stronger and more comprehensive material in comparison to natural and synthetic fiber materials.

Because of the quick growing rate of bamboo, which is typically two to five years to maturity, this is a material that is even more sustainable and ready for mass production. While tests on bamboo materials continue, it may not be long before we see bamboo in the interior of Ford vehicles! It might not surprise you, but Ford is already using other sustainable materials such as post-consumer cotton for interior padding, recycled plastic bottles for floor carpeting, recycled tires for seals and gaskets, etc.

If you're a fan of keeping emissions low and using sustainable materials, Ford is the brand to look out for when you're out to purchase a car. Ford has many vehicles in the current model year lineup that provide great gas mileage, with electric or hybrid options as well. You can explore all the Ford models available at Velde Ford Pekin online! If you're curious as to how they perform on the road, we'd be happy to set you up with a test drive.


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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Downloadable 2017 Ford Transit Connect Brochure from Velde Ford

PEKIN, Ill. –– The 2017 Ford Transit Connect provides a versatile answer for the business owner who needs a vehicle for delivery services, on-call maintenance, etc. The Ford Transit Connect combines flexibility, functionality, and reliability into three available trim levels, XL, XLT, and Titanium with a long or short wheelbase option - all of which you can read about in the downloadable brochure from Velde Ford!

Downloadable 2017 Ford Transit Connect Brochure

Become familiar the 2017 Ford Transit Connect, a standout in the small commercial van segment, in the digital brochure. There you can see plenty of photos, available trim options, and details about the various features like the Quickclear electric windshield defroster, 180 degree swing rear cargo doors, and rugged vinyl flooring. Get your free downloadable 2017 Ford Transit Connect brochure from Velde Ford today and don't hesitate to contact our helpful team with any questions you might have.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram