Tips and Tricks - Sanderson Ford Blog

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Resolve to Be a Better Driver in the New Year

January 29, 2019 Dave Tedder Tips and Tricks No comments

Noticing the faults of other drivers seems easy enough to do, whether it’s a slowpoke in the fast-lane or someone tailgating you during rush hour. But have you assessed your driving skills and habits lately? You may actually have some bad habits of your own, including things that you see other drivers doing frequently. If you want to be a better driver in the New Year, consider these easy steps.

Stop speeding

Speeding is a temptation if you’re in a hurry, but it’s a risky and potentially costly habit. Depending on where you drive and how fast you’re going, you could receive a ticket worth hundreds of dollars if you’re caught not obeying the speed limit. Instead of going faster, why not try heading out earlier? Giving yourself an extra 10 minutes or so to get where you need to be should help reduce your sense of urgency at the wheel.

Put down your phone

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous habits of modern driving. Put your phone in the center compartment, your bag, or another place where it is out of sight while you’re operating your vehicle. A smarter car can also help you to be a better driver; consider updating your ride to a new Ford with seamless device integration from Sanderson Ford so you can stay safe and connected while on the road.

There’s plenty you can do to be a better driver in 2019 even if you’ve been at it for a long time. If you are committed to becoming a better driver, why not reward yourself with a stylish new ride from Sanderson Ford?

Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

December 27, 2017 Dave Tedder Tips and Tricks No comments

Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions

Many people find themselves making steadfast promises to themselves in January only to falter on them come February. Arm yourself with these tips to help you stick to your ambitions all year long.

Start Small

While it’s good to set high standards for yourself, if you make goals that are too far-fetched you’ll be hard-pressed to reach them. Instead, start with small goals and add more each month.

Talk About It

An effective way of staying on track with your goals is to talk about your progress regularly with friends and/or family members. You can also keep a journal or online blog that records your experience, while holding you accountable to your resolutions.

Don’t Give Up

Sometimes people go into New Year’s resolutions with an all-or-nothing attitude. But you have to give yourself some wiggle room and plenty of forgiveness to succeed in the long-run. Remind yourself that a perfect record is not what a resolution is about. If you slip up, start again the next day. There’s no need to give up and wait until the next New Year to start making positive life changes.

Happy New Year from all of us here at Sanderson Ford! And good luck on your goals for 2018.

Auto Loan Terms: Words to Know Before Purchasing Your Next Vehicle

December 13, 2017 Dave Tedder Tips and Tricks No comments

Financing a vehicle can be a confusing, and sometimes stressful, experience. At Sanderson Ford, we want you to feel confident every step of the way. Feel free to call us with any of your financing questions. Here are some common auto loan terms that will help familiarize you with the financing process.

Base Price

This is the cost of a vehicle at its most basic level, before you add on any extra options.

Dealer Incentives

These are programs designed by the manufacturer to encourage dealers to promote slow-selling vehicles.

Extended Warranty

Once the manufacturer’s warranty expires, an extended warranty will kick in to cover the cost of any maintenance or repairs on a vehicle. Extended warranties can be purchased throughout the first year of ownership.

Rebate

Like the dealer incentive, a rebate is put forth by the manufacturer to encourage the sales of a specific vehicle. It often involves a price reduction in the form of a money back program.

Trade-In Value

When buying a new car, you have the option to trade in your old car as part of the payment for a new one. The amount of money that the dealer will take off of the new vehicle’s price in exchange for your old car is called the trade-in value.

Still have questions about these terms or other financing situations? Call us here at Sanderson Ford; we’ll be glad to assist.

Making a New Year’s Resolution for Your Car

November 21, 2017 Dave Tedder Ford News, Tips and Tricks No comments

It’s never too early to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions. In fact, if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, why not make goals for your car?

Schedule regular service appointments

The key to having a long-lasting car is keeping up with preventative maintenance. Scheduling regular check-ups for your vehicle to nip potential problems in the bud before they pose a hazard to your car’s functionality and your safety.

Keep your car clean

Did you know that if you have too much junk in your car, it can impact your vehicle’s performance and fuel economy? Make an effort to clean your car out regularly in the new year.

Check tires and wheels regularly

Any slight wobble or vibration usually indicates an issue with your tires and/or wheels. Keep your tires properly inflated, check to see if your tread is worn down, and make sure your wheels are properly aligned.

Replace fluids

Fluids are critical to the life of a car—brake fluid, oil, coolant, and even windshield wiper fluid each play a crucial role in your auto’s performance. Make sure to replace or change your vehicle’s fluids regularly.

Set New Year’s resolutions for your vehicle by picking one of the above goals that will keep your car running smoothly while also protecting you on new excursions. If you need any help, stop in to Sanderson Ford and we’ll lend a helping hand!

Phoenix Trips, Local Style

August 17, 2017 Dave Tedder Phoenix News, Tips and Tricks No comments

Arizona Canal: By Cygnusloop99 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Are you heading towards Sanderson Ford for a visit to Phoenix, Arizona? Don’t get caught in the tourist traps. Check out these Phoenix trips that are popular to locals. Be sure to travel in the area’s favorite truck, the Ford F-150, to blend in even better.

Roosevelt Row Arts District

A day in the Arts District is sure to get your creative blood flowing. Take your time walking down the street and through alleyways where you’ll find all sorts of colorful, photogenic murals. There are plenty of art galleries and boutiques where you can stop in and buy a piece of Phoenix art to take home with you, too.

South Mountain Park and Preserve

As one of the country’s largest municipal parks, South Mountain Park offers some gorgeous desert hiking. Bring plenty of snacks and water so that you can make it to the highest point, Dobbins Lookout, where you’ll see an unbelievable view of the city and beyond.

Arizona Canal

The Arizona Canal is located in the Arcadia neighborhood. It’s the perfect place for a walk and some people watching, but you’ll also find some natural wonders like a waterfall and a cave. The walk will surely work up an appetite, so end your evening with dinner at the O.H.S.O. Eatery & Nanobrewery.

Just ask us at Sanderson Ford if you want to hear about more amazing local trips!

Fall Maintenance Tips

July 13, 2017 Dave Tedder Tips and Tricks No comments

Properly maintaining your Ford Edge will significantly extend its lifespan and allow you to get the most for your money. Preventative maintenance is key to keeping more money in your wallet from season to season. While fall is still a few months off, it never hurts to be prepared! Here are some fall maintenance tips for your Ford Edge from us here at Sanderson Ford.

Tire Pressure

Make sure your tires are properly inflated as the weather cools. A car tire inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) can lose one psi every month or for every 10 degrees. The fall tends to make things a little cooler and it never hurts to check your tire pressure as the weather begins to turn!

Tune Up

Getting a tune up for your Ford Edge will only benefit you in the long run. In addition to extending the life of your vehicle, you’ll also enjoy an increase of around 4% when it comes to fuel economy. That’s a good chunk of change saved at the pump over the course of the season!

Brakes

Many Americans choose to travel during summer and that can do a number on your brakes. Make sure to have your braking system inspected as fall rolls around. Replace worn pads and damaged rotors if necessary. Your Ford Edge will thank you later!

Best Places to Off-Road Near Glendale, Arizona

June 20, 2017 Dave Tedder Ford F-150, Tips and Tricks No comments

Arizona is full of unpaved roads just waiting to be explored in a capable, off-road vehicle. And what vehicle is better equipped than the new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor? This beast of a truck is built specifically to handle any terrain that comes its way. Give your F-150 Raptor a true performance test by visiting one of these off-road sites.

Desoto Mine

Why not start with a difficult trail? The 2017 F-150 Raptor can handle it. At Desoto Mine, you’ll traverse some of the most remote backcountry in Arizona, with plenty of steep grades, twisting paths, and creek beds to challenge you. You’ll find this 12-mile trail about two hours north of Sanderson Ford, near Prescott National Forest.

New River Canyon

You will love taking on this moderate, rocky, washed-out terrain in your 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor. The New River Canyon trail passes through parts of Sonoran Desert and Tonto National Forest, and is located just 45 minutes north of Glendale.

Belmont Mountain

If you’re planning to off-road near Glendale for the first time, this easy trail is perfect for you. The setting isn’t too remote, so help is nearby if needed, but you’ll still get to experience some steep, sandy, and rocky terrains at Belmont Mountain. While you’re there, you can even take a break at Vulture Mine, a ghost town with a preserved gold mine for a glimpse into the Arizona days that existed long before off-roading.

Need to Check Your Tire Pressure? You Have Three Options.

February 10, 2017 Dave Tedder Car Safety, Tips and Tricks No comments

While some drivers are quite hands-on when it comes to vehicle maintenance, others prefer to leave those tasks to professionals. Both options are more than okay! And sometimes, advanced technology even makes traditional service obsolete.

For example, there are essentially three different ways to check your tire pressure:

Your car may be able to tell you on its own. Many modern vehicles come with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, which will tell you the tire pressure of each of your tires with great accuracy. If your car comes with this feature, then the job is already done.
You can check the tire pressure on your own. It’s easy to buy a simple tire gauge and check tire pressure from home. You can also visit tire pressure machines at many gas stations, which allow you to both check your pressure and increase it, for a low price.
You can hire a professional. Lastly, if you simply don’t want to do it on your own, you don’t have to! Our technicians at Sanderson Ford can check your tire pressure, inflate your tires, and much, much more.

To learn more about tire pressure, or to meet with someone in our service department, give us a call at (800) 729-3501 or simply stop by any time, here at Sanderson Ford.

Spring Car Care Tips

May 20, 2016 Dave Tedder Tips and Tricks No comments

Winter is finally gone and that means spring is ready to rumble with warmer weather and plenty of travel opportunities. Now that the harshest season of the year is over, it’s time to give your car the attention it deserves. Here are a few spring car care tips from us here at Sanderson Ford.

Wash – Winter has a tendency to lather your car in road salt if you traveled somewhere with snowy roads for the holidays. That will do a number on your paint, among other things, if left untreated. Fortunately, the solution is to take a few minutes and scrub your car until it’s squeaky clean. Adding a layer of wax certainly doesn’t hurt either!
Wiper Blades – With spring comes warmer weather and, after a season of colder temperatures, that could cause your wiper blades to show their age. Wear and cracking are the most common problems with wiper blades after winter. Inspect yours thoroughly. You won’t want to get caught in the spring rain with insufficient wipers!

Tires – After winter, inspecting your tires is a must-do safety precaution. The tread is obviously the most important part to check on but your tire pressure is a close second. The colder weather causes tire pressure to decrease and you likely added more air to make up the difference. Warmer weather causes your tire pressure to increase, which means you might need to let some air out. Doing so will improve fuel economy, overall safety, and the lifespan of your tires.

Why You Need Good Car Insurance

March 17, 2016 Dave Tedder General News, Tips and Tricks No comments

Car insurance is a necessity if you plan on driving in the modern day. Unfortunately, as many as one in eight drivers forego reliable coverage. It’s only once they’re in an accident that they realize they made a mistake. Don’t be portrayed as a fool! From us here at Sanderson Ford to you, here are a few reasons you need good car insurance!

Accidents can and do happen. More than six millions accidents occur each and every year according to the National highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even if you’ve never been in one, that’s no reason to forego coverage. If you do end up in an accident, your insurance is there to help you along the way both financially and mentally.
The sheer cost is incredible. The cost of an accident is likely more than you think. On average, property damage alone amounts to nearly $10,000. That’s a good chunk of change but it only gets worse. Accidents with disabling injuries amount to nearly $81,000. Insurance can cover some or all of those costs.
Most states require insurance. The need for insurance is obvious. Many states require drivers to maintain a minimum amount of coverage. Failing to do so can result in an impounded vehicle, fines, or a suspended license.

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