Getting Your Oil Changed

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Owning a vehicle comes with a lot of responsibility. You have to pay for gas, keep an eye on your mileage, and keep up on routine maintenance to ensure your vehicle is able to take on the road ahead. While it may not seem important at first, routine maintenance is the number one way to extend the life of your vehicle, no matter how old or new it may be. That's why getting your oil changed regularly can make a huge difference in the life of your vehicle. Find out why oil is such an important component in your vehicle, how to check your oil, when you should get it changed, the benefits of regular oil changes, and other ways to extend the life of your oil and filter below!

Why Oil Changes Are Important

It takes a lot to keep an engine running. Your engine requires a lot of moving parts, pistons, valves, and other components to run at high speeds in your vehicle. After a while, these components start to heat up and can cause friction, which can wear your engine down and cause severe damage to important parts. Your engine's oil helps to keep your engine lubricated, cooling down your engine's components and preventing it from overheating. Without frequent oil changes, your engine has an increased chance of wearing down vital parts and can lead to expensive repairs or maintenance.

When Do I Need An Oil Change?

Depending on your vehicle's make, model, and year, it is recommended that you get an oil change anywhere between 3,000-5,000 miles, or whenever your vehicle owner's manual tells you to do so. If you aren't sure when you got your last oil change or if you need an oil change, stop by our Service Center and we'll help you out right away! 

How to Check Your Vehicle's Oil

Checking your oil only takes a few minutes and it's super easy! After turning off your vehicle and waiting a few minutes for your engine to cool off, pop the hood and grab a washcloth. Locate your engine's dipstick (it should look similar to the image above) and pull it out of your engine. Wipe it off with your washcloth, then reinsert the dipstick, removing it again. The dipstick should have "full" and "empty" labels on its side. If your vehicle's oil is below the "empty" threshold, make sure you take it in to have your oil changed right away!

The Benefits of Regular Oil Changes

Frequently changing your oil yields a lot of benefits for your vehicle. Not only do frequent oil changes keep your engine lubricated and cool, but the oil also removes dirt particles and sludge that can cause corrosion to your engine's components! Keeping up with routine maintenance can improve your gas mileage by up to 1-2%. While this may not seem like much, it leads to a lot of long term savings! Frequently changing your vehicle's oil can also increase the resale value of your vehicle over time and can show potential buyers that you put extensive time and care into your vehicle ownership.

How to Extend the Life of Your Oil

Like your engine, a lot goes into the life of your vehicle's oil. Getting your fuel filter changed every 20,000-40,000 miles or whenever your owner's manual tells you to do so will allow your fuel to be transferred to your engine without any additional debris. Keeping up on your coolant prevents your oil from decomposing at a fast rate. Lastly, maintaining a relatively even temperature with your engine will reduce its chances of overheating or poor fuel dilution. 

While getting your oil changed may seem like a tedious task after the first few times, keeping up on your oil can make a huge difference in your vehicle's life! If you need routine maintenance performed soon and want to save some money on your service, print out some of our service coupons and schedule your service with us for an affordable oil change! Are you in the market to purchase a vehicle soon? Take a look at our Certified Pre-Owned program and find out how owning a CPO vehicle can provide a lot of benefits with routine maintenance, extended warranties, and much more.

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 Grilling Recipes

PEKIN, Ill.,–– The summer isn't over yet! The next few weeks will still be full of bright and sunny weather, which means there's still time for at least one last end-of-the-summer get-together. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some delicious food by using a few of these great grilling recipes. From cheesy pizza to fruit skewers, we've got you covered for your last backyard barbecue!

Grilled Pizza Bread

Yes, you read that correctly. Pizza can be made on the grill! This simple recipe serves plenty of people, and it only takes a few minutes to cook on the grill. Before you know it, you and your family will be enjoying pizza in a totally different (but just as delicious) way!

Spiral Hot Dogs

Try a new way to grill your hotdogs with one easy step. Take a knife and cut along an angle across the hot dogs, creating a "spiral" effect. You can cook them at a much quicker rate and fit more toppings on the finished product! You'll be surprised at how tasty this twisted dish will be.

Bang Bang Corn

Give your taste buds a kick by adding "bang bang sauce" to your grilled corn! Combining chili sauce, butter, Sriracha sauce, garlic, and lime juice with salt and pepper seasoning, these ingredients will pack a serious punch. Turn up the heat on your corn with Bang Bang sauce this year!

Campfire Potatoes

You don't need a campfire to enjoy campfire potatoes! Whether you like cheese, butter, cilantro, crushed red pepper, or other toppings, these baked potatoes are super easy to make. Give them a try at your next cookout!

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Hungry for wings? Want to avoid the messiness? Satisfy your buffalo wing cravings with grilled buffalo chicken sandwiches! The recipe also comes with a blue cheese-apple slaw that you can enjoy alongside your buffalo chicken sandwich. Cool down with blue cheese-apple slaw, and bring the heat with grilled buffalo chicken sandwiches!

S'mores Roll Ups

Avoid the messiness of cooking s'mores on the fire by cooking them on the grill instead. Fill a tortilla with crushed graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate, then wrap it in aluminum foil and toss it on the grill. After a few minutes, you'll enjoy this classic dessert in a unique way!

Grilled Fruit Skewers

Looking for a healthier dessert option? Grilled fruit skewers are your answer! You can grill peaches, strawberries, pineapples and peaches for an unbelievably delicious dessert dish. Drizzle some honey and a pinch of salt to help the fruits caramelize for a mouth-watering bite!

Bring the heat to the end of the summer with these great grilling recipes! You and your whole family will enjoy appetizers, side dishes, main courses, and desserts with ease. Before the cooler weather starts to hit, bring your vehicle in for routine maintenance. Check up on our service coupons next time you need to schedule an appointment for service so that you don't miss any extra discounts. While you're at it, get your vehicle ready to go for the fall season with our fall car care and routine maintenance tips!

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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5 Kid-Friendly Spring Crafts

PEKIN, Ill. –  Get the kids together, or even the whole family and have some fun making these 5 kid-friendly spring crafts! Welcome the sunshine with your masterpiece when you’re done and put them in the window or around the house. With the weather warming up, the flower pots are a fun way to introduce your kids to plants and gardening, and the other crafts can easily be created using items from around the house! Add a splash of color to home with these cute crafts to create with your children!

5 Kid-Friendly Spring Crafts

Paper Rosette Birds

 

Thumbprint Flower Pot

 

Caterpillar Clothespins

 

Toilet Paper Tube Butterflies

 

Lady Bug Bottle Cap Magnets

 

We hope you have a great time making these crafts while the rain subsides and the sun comes out! Something else you can do on this rainy day is check out our spring car care section on our website! The service experts at Velde Ford want to make sure your vehicle is performing its best every season. Learn about the routine maintenance your vehicle needs this season and schedule a service appointment online.

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

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Ford Truck Comparison from Velde Ford

PEKIN, Ill., – Deciding on a new vehicle is always a tough choice to make. We wanted to help you with your research by creating our Ford truck comparison from Velde Ford! Focus on finding the right truck for your needs and take a look at our helpful Ford truck comparison before you purchase your next vehicle!

Once you've decided on a Ford pickup, you're on your way to finding your new vehicle. On the Velde truck comparison page, you can see helpful vehicle specs, photos, size comparisons, vehicle capacities, and more! Learn all about the 2017 Ford F-150, F-250 and F-350. You may also want to check out our car comparison or crossover comparison pages to help you in your vehicle search!

When deciding on your next Ford truck, make sure to utilize our handy Ford truck comparison page from Velde Ford! Take care of your existing vehicle investment by using our routine maintenance pages to help you keep your car in great shape!

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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6 Kid Friendly Pets

PEKIN, Ill., – Are your kids begging for a pet? If you're like most parents, you might feel apprehensive about getting your child their first pet. We came up with a list of 6 kid friendly, easy to manage pets that won't drive you crazy! Animals are a fun and rewarding addition to your family! Check out these fun critters to pick up from the pet store:

1. Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are probably the most low maintenance pets you can think of. They're a great first pet for kids learning responsibility and they're very inexpensive.

2. Hamsters

Hamsters are also a great low-maintenance pet for kids. They are relatively easy to care for and can be fun to play with and handle outside of their cages.

3. Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs require a bit more space than their hamster friends as they grow to a larger size. They are also much more vocal and can be a great pet for kids.

4. Fish

Once you have their habitat set up, fresh water fish are probably the easiest and most visually appealing pets to care for. The hardest part is keeping the tank clean!

5. Tortoise

Tortoise are an easy to care for and fun pet for children. Be aware though, that they're lifespan is rather long so you could be in for a time commitment! 

6. Rabbits

Rabbits require a bit more attention and space than other small pets, but given the proper attention they can make cuddly companions! They can even be easily trained to use a litter box!

There are tons of other animals that would make great small additions to the family, but these 6 kid friendly pets are our favorite! We would like to encourage you to do a lot of research when choosing to bring an animal into your home! Always purchase pets from reputable stores and never remove an animal from the wild! To ensure your pets are receiving the best care possible, be sure to consult with professionals before bringing your new friend home! 

While you're getting your home ready for a new companion, be sure to take good care of your vehicle investment! Check out our routine maintenance pages and our seasonal maintenance pages to stay up to date on your vehicle service. Check out our spring car care pages for advice on spring cleaning for your vehicle! 

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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Ways to Live Your Best Life in 2017

PEKIN, Ill., – We're a little more than two weeks into the New Year. Enough time has passed to make (and potentially break) resolutions, and sometimes that means feeling down on yourself. But we're here to tell you that you can make 2017 great, without all of the "New Year, new me" type of talk. Here are some ways to live your best life in 2017.

1. Don't take your health for granted

If you're lucky enough to have relatively good health, you're not living with a chronic illness or pain, then don't it for granted! This can mean different things for different people. Whether it's going for a daily walk, traveling to a place you've never been, or exercising more often, use this year to take advantage of your physical health.

2. Eat good food

Life is way too short to be spent eating bad food! This doesn't mean you have to take your diet to the extreme. Allow some space for indulgence, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, prepare your own meals, and try to spend less time in the drive through.

3. Keep your mind active

Pick up that book you've been meaning to read or set aside some time to write down your thoughts each day. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Do a crossword puzzle or read the newspaper. Your brain will thank you.

4. Put the phone down

How much time do you spend staring at a screen? If you work on a computer all day, odds are you're spending at least 8 hours looking at an electronic device. Add in the time spent scrolling social media on your cell phone and most of your waking hours are gone. Set aside some time each day to disconnect from your electronics.

5. Spend time with yourself

It's important to have time to reflect on your inner thoughts. This can be tough with a busy work schedule or family life, but even a few minutes a day spent completely alone is enough to make you feel reenergized and ready to take on the world. Set aside time to do things you love and don't feel bad about it!

6. Spend time with people who are important to you

This can mean different things for different people, but if you can't remember the last time you saw your best friend or your parents, maybe it's time to focus on the people in your life rather than your work or household duties.

If all of these things sound a little overwhelming when combined, that's okay! Take it one step at a time and start by focusing on little things. Baby steps will lead the way to living your best life in 2017. Does your car need a little TLC in 2017 as well? Be sure to take a look at our Winter Car Care pages to help you keep up with your routine vehicle maintenance!

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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Tailgate Recipes for Football Season

PEKIN, Ill., – Football season is upon us! Tailgate parties are about to start popping up left and right! We think snacks are the best part of any party. Scratching your head about what to bring? Don't just grab a boring bag of chips! Check out our favorite tailgate recipes for football season!

1. Broccoli Rabe Grinders

These veggie sandwiches are the perfect snack to keep one hand free for cheering!

2. Popcorn Toffee Bars

Sweet, crunchy, and easy to make! These are the perfect tailgate dessert!

3. Spicy Pigs in a Blanket

The ultimate party food, these pigs in a blanket take it up a notch with their spicy flavor!

4. Chili Verde

Vegetarian-friendly chili will have everyone coming back for seconds! Soup is the perfect way to stay warm on a cool game day!

5. Chicken Wings

Need we say more? You can't have a tailgate without chicken wings! 

6. Mini Meatball Sandwiches

Who wouldn't love a perfect, bite-sized sandwich! Plus they're adorable! 

7. Touchdown Turnovers

Chocolatey, flaky, and simple to make! These turnovers are to die for!

8. Jalapeño Poppers

This classic appetizer is super cheesy and perfectly spicy! 

9. Buffalo Chicken Roll-ups

Finger food that's packed with flavor is the best tailgate snack, in our opinion.

10. Spinach Mushroom Dip

We can't forget about the spinach dip! No party would ever be complete without the dip!

We hope our tailgate recipes for football season give you some creative ideas to take to your next party! While you're busy cheering on your favorite team this fall, don't forget your car needs love too! The weather will be getting cold soon, so make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape to get you to and from the games! Schedule an appointment at Velde Ford on our website, or take a look at our routine maintenance and service FAQ pages for some useful tips and tricks! 

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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August is National Family Fun Month

PEKIN, Ill., – Did you know that August is National Family Fun Month? Spending time with your family is always a great idea, but take advantage of this excuse to force your children/siblings, etc., to hang out with you! We came up with this list of things to do with your family that will keep everyone entertained!

1. Cook a Family Meal

What’s better than time spent in the kitchen with people you love? Kids always like to be involved with cooking and baking, give everyone a job to do! Or you could try something like personal pizzas, so everyone can have exactly what they like!

2. Family Game Night

Let everyone pick a board or interactive game and take turns playing everyone’s choice. If there are too many people in your family, take a vote to decide which games will be played!

 3. Make a Craft Together

Hop on Pinterest and find a craft or project that everyone can create together! This list has some great ideas. We especially like the DIY Mason jar aquarium. It would be perfect for any age group!

4. Go to the Movies

If you want an activity to get everyone out of the house, head to the movie theatre! Going to the movies can be pretty pricey with all those snacks, so depending on the size of your family you may want to opt for number 5 instead.

5. Family Movie Night

Turn your living room into the movie theatre! Picking a movie might be a tough decision, but the popcorn and pajamas will be a crowd-pleaser!

Since August is National Family Fun Month, we hope you find a way to celebrate wit your family! Hopefully our list gives you some good ideas or inspires you to come up with more ways to spend time with your family. At Velde Ford, we want to keep you and your family safe all year round. Be sure to check our routine maintenance page for tips on keeping your car in great shape. Don’t forget to check the latest fluids and filters pages for helpful info about your vehicle’s fluid and filter maintenance.

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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Filters and Fluids ­ – Routine Auto Maintenance at Velde Ford

PEKIN, Ill., – Routine auto service is an important part of maintaining your car for many years to come. Routine maintenance includes services like oil changes and tire alignments, but don’t forget about your vehicle’s filters and other fluids as well! We want to help you keep your car in the best possible shape, so we’ve created our filters and fluids – routine auto maintenance at Velde Ford pages to give you a few reminders.

Vehicle Filters

On this page we discus the types of filters you’ll find inside your car, how they function, and why you need to change them regularly. Filters included are the oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, and transmission filter. Also included on this page are ways to tell if a filter needs changing.

Routine Auto Fluids and Maintenance

On this page we talk about the different fluids that keep your car running and when you need to change them. We give lots of information about your coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, oil, and washer fluid, and why it’s important to maintain accurate levels of each!

We want your car to last you for years to come. Don’t waste money on costly repairs because you didn’t keep up with your routine maintenance. Following our filters and fluids – routine auto maintenance at Velde Ford guides will ensure that your vehicle investment lasts as long as possible. Take a look at all of our routine maintenance pages to stay informed about best practices for your car. Our service professionals at Velde Ford Pekin would be more than happy to perform any services your car may need. You can schedule a service appointment online at your convenience to keep your car in tip-top shape!

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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