Restraining Pets in Cars- Pet Safety Tips

Ensuring your pet arrives at your vacation destination safely is a simple and inexpensive endeavor.

With the dog days of summer here, you are probably gearing up to take your family on the vacation of a lifetime/ plan to take your pets with you when traveling . Whether your vacation destination is a sandy stretch of sun-soaked shoreline on a tropical island or the rocky cliffs and peaks that comprise a nearby mountain range, if you’re planning to take your pet along for the ride, it’s imperative to keep them properly restrained inside your vehicle. At Avis Ford in Southfield, we know your pets are family members too, so we’ve tracked down some tips for keeping your canine companion safe during all your summer travels.

The easiest way to ensure your pet arrives at your destination unharmed is to prevent him from being able to escape from the vehicle and take off running should you be involved in a minor fender-bender or a major collision. In the event of a car accident and are injured in the process, you want to make sure your dog remains contained inside the vehicle until help can arrive. While attaching his leash to the inside the vehicle is an option, it’s better to visit your local pet supply store to purchase a pet crate or carrier to safely contain your dog before you hit the open road. Pet-safe carriers are sturdy structures that will protect your dog from debris and other dangers if your vehicle is involved in an accident.

If your dog is too large to be crated, consider purchasing a dog safety restraint device that attaches on one end to his collar or harness and around a buckled seat belt on the other. This option allows your dog to move around a bit on the seat of the car but keeps him safely inside the vehicle if a collision occurs and you aren’t able to grab a hold of him yourself.

In addition to ensuring your dog is safely restrained inside your car while you’re driving, remember to never leave your pet in a hot car when outside temperatures exceed 65 degrees. The temperatures inside your parked vehicle can skyrocket in a matter of mere minutes, making it difficult for your dog to breathe and potentially resulting in heatstroke or even death. At Avis Ford in Southfield, we encourage you to keep your dog safe when you travel by investing in equipment to restrain him properly and refraining from leaving him unattended in your car on a hot summer day.

Tips on How to Beat the Heat Inside Your Car from Avis Ford

The heat is on in Detroit, so Avis Ford has some important tips on how to beat the heat inside your car.

How to stay cool in your car

Trapped heat is not only uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous to your health, and the combination of heat and sunlight can damage your car’s interior, causing fading and cracking.

• Let hot air out. Open the doors for a few minutes before entering a hot car. Once inside, you will want to crank the air conditioner, but leave the windows cracked open to help circulate the cool air.

• Cover seats, steering wheel and dashboard. Invest in custom fabric or upholstered covers to protect yourself and your car’s interior.

• Have your windows tinted. An investment in professional window tinting prevents heat from entering your car and adds to its resale value.

• Protect side and rear windows. Suction-cup sunshades can be strategically placed to help protect backseat passengers from the sun’s heat and keep the overall temperature inside the car down.

• Schedule a summer maintenance servicing. Contact Avis Ford Service Department or your regular mechanic to schedule a fluid and cooling system check, along with regular maintenance to keep you cool and safe on the road.

Keeping your parked car cool

Take a few moments to prepare your vehicle when park.

• Use sunshades. Prevent heat buildup by lining your car’s windshield with a reflective sunshade. Consider placing one in the rear window of the car, as well.

• Park strategically. A longer walk will be well worth it when you return to a car that is significantly cooler because it is parked in the shade. Take advantage of breaks at work to move your car in the lot during a long workday, or park where there will be shade later to cool your car’s interior down for your drive home.

• Keep blankets and towels handy. Throw a towel over the steering wheel and cover vinyl or leather seats with blankets so they don’t become too hot to touch.

• Crack windows open. Even slightly cracked windows will allow ventilation to cool down your car’s interior.

• Get a small solar-powered fan. Coupled with slightly cracked windows, air circulation lowers the overall temperature inside your car.

It’s easy to beat the summer heat inside your car with these tips from Avis Ford.

2014 Ford Fiesta

With seven different models available, there are many engine options in the new 2014 Ford FIESTA. Regardless of the one you choose, you get a vehicle that is fuel-efficient and handles well. At Avis Ford in Southfield, we carry a range of the Fiesta models.2014 Fiesta modelsYou can choose from among seven Fiesta models. The S model is available in Sedan or Hatch, SE Sedan or Hatch, Titanium Sedan or Hatch, or the ST model. Check out the models in person at our Avis Ford dealership, knowing that all 2014 Fiesta vehicles include several outstanding features.Closer look at the Fiesta family of cars The 2014 versions have the exceptional quality you have come to expect from the Ford brand. All of the 2014 Fiesta models have electric power-assisted steering so that the car responds well to your movements behind the wheel and has superior steering feel. Tire vibrations are minimal, too. Each Fiesta has a 1.6L engine, and the ST model has an added EcoBoost feature. The five models’ 1.6 Ti-VCT I-4 engines provide the power you crave in an efficient way. The engine type has 120 horsepower and 1.6-liter twin independent variable cam timing. The timing allows the camshafts to operate both intake and exhaust valves at different times, giving you an efficient motor any time of the day. In addition, each Ford Fiesta has SYNC with MyFord Touch, which is a streamlined tech bundle you are sure to love. The 6.5-inch color LCD touch screen is voice-activated to help you navigate as you drive, provide music, hook up to your phone and more. In addition, enjoy options such as the Reverse Sensing System in the Titanium models, the 17-inch Alloy Wheels of the ST, and the Easy Fuel Capless Fuel Filler of the S models that limit the amount of emissions releasing into the environment. Check out the distinct, quality features of each Fiesta model for yourself at our Avis Ford dealership in Southfield. Call us or come in person to find out more about the new 2014 Ford Fiestas.

10 Supplies to Keep in Your Vehicle

Your vehicle is ready to roll. After all, you recently changed the oil, vacuumed the interior, and filled the gas tank. While those preparatory efforts may make a driver feel safe and comfortable, we know at Avis Ford you can never be too prepared.

That’s why we recommend reserving trunk space to stock these supplies for when unforeseen vehicle or weather issues leave you temporarily stranded on the side of the road.

Owner’s Manual

Let’s face it, you’re not a mechanic. Always keep your vehicle manual safely tucked away in the glove compartment for guidance.

Jumper Cables

Battery drain can happen anywhere and to anyone. Perhaps you unknowingly left the door ajar or headlights on while you ran errands, or maybe your battery was on its last ounce of juice. Whatever the issue, pack jumper cables so you can ask another vehicle owner for help to properly connect the cables and recharge.

A Tire-Changing Kit

Changing a flat tire is not as difficult as you may think. You just need the proper tools. Equip your vehicle with a basic tire-changing kit comprised of a jack, a lug wrench, and a spare tire, also known as a donut. As you prepare this kit, Avis Ford recommends brushing up on your vehicle manual to learn how to change your make and model’s tires, and to also determine whether any specialty gear is needed, such as alignment studs.

Flashlight and Extra Batteries

A flashlight, such as a Maglite, and extra batteries come in handy when changing tires or jump starting your vehicle in the dark.

Roadside Flares/Reflective Flag or Triangle

It’s wise to alert other drivers you are stranded on the side of the road to safeguard yourself from getting hit when you’re not immediately visible from the roadway as you fix a tire, for example.

Blankets

Depending on space, pack either a compact Space® blanket or bulkier thermal blanket to protect yourself from snow or other harsh outdoor elements, should you get stranded.

Food

You never know how long you’ll be stranded. You may have to hunker down and brave bad weather in some cases. Keep non-perishable foods, such as MREs and bottled water.

First-Aid Kit

Bumps, bruises, and, in some cases, bleeding could occur during an accident, tire blow out, or other situation that jostles vehicle passengers about. Be prepared with a first-aid kit that includes all the fixings, from gauze and Band-Aids, to ice packs and a basic CPR mask with a one-way valve.

Winter Gear

For those vehicle owners living in snowy states, snow can hit anytime and immobilize your travel without proper preparation. Keep the basics on hand, including an ice scraper/brush combo, shovel, rock salt, hat, scarf, and gloves.

Clothes And Ponchos

Keep a change of clothes to stay comfortable, as well as a towel to dry off with if you become soaked or greasy from sliding under the car or changing a tire in the rain. Better yet, keep a couple of rain ponchos to avoid getting wet, altogether. Sorry, grease is just part of vehicle repairs.

2013 Ford Edge

2013 Ford Edge

When it comes to brand-new SUVs offering stylish interior, eye-catching exterior designs and state-of-the-art technology, nothing can compete with the 2013 Ford Edge, available now at Avis Ford of Southfield. Because this vehicle comes in four distinct models — the SE, SEL, Limited and Sport — drivers with a wide array of tastes are sure to find the perfect one to suit both their style and their budget.

Brawn and brilliance

The 2013 Ford Edge is best known for its smooth contours and sleek exterior styling, which combine strength and sophistication. Nine unique body color options — ranging from Ingot Silver, Mineral Gray, Tuxedo Black and White Suede to Ruby Red, Deep Impact Blue, White Platinum, Kodiak Brown and Ginger Ale — give the vehicle an edge over other crossover SUVs in its class and make it easily distinguishable from virtually every other vehicle on the road.

In addition to delivering extraordinary exterior designs that will get you noticed on the streets of Southfield or highways across the country, the 2013 Ford Edge also offers superior interior styling that couples comfort and aesthetic appeal.

Available leather-trimmed seats with contrast stitching lend a sense of sophistication to the vehicle while providing a comfortable ride, no matter how far from home your travels take you. An on-board media hub boasts a Sony audio system with HD radio, multiple USB ports, an SD card reader and RCA audio/video input jacks.

An available ambient lighting feature opens the door to an assortment of programmable lighting options, letting drivers customize the interior of the vehicle day or night with colors that fit their mood of the moment. Take control of the entertainment aspects of your new vehicle using SYNC and MyFord Touch, features that allow you to manage the car’s climate, music, navigation system and your phone on an 8-inch touchscreen mounted in the center stack.

Interior considerations

With a rear 60/40 split bench seat that reclines for passenger comfort and folds completely flat, transporting luggage or large items is a breeze in the 2013 Ford Edge, which is outfitted with 68.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

An available forward-folding front bucket seat also adds to the vehicle’s spacious design, creating room to haul objects up to 8 feet in length inside the SUV.

Thanks to its innovative technological features and out-of-this-world interior and exterior designs, this car will have you on the edge of your seat. Stop by Avis Ford of Southfield today to fall in love with the new-and-improved 2013 Ford Edge.

Southfield Winter Escape– With a Ford Escape!

With average temps hovering around freezing in February, Southfield residents are looking for ways to escape the cold. The new Winter Escape Family Movie Night at Southfield Pavilion fits the bill—and what better way to get there than in a Ford Escape.

The free event will happen Feb. 15 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and it will feature activities such as indoor snowshoeing, an inflatable obstacle course, winter crafts and visits with Roscoe the Clown. The main event will be a screening of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, rated PG and starring Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson and Vanessa Hudgens. Plenty of comfort food—hot dogs, sausages, nachos, pizza and popcorn—will be available for purchase from Metro Beverage.

Before the fun begins, stop by Avis Ford to see why the Ford Escape is the perfect car for family outings like the movie night. The all-new 2013 model comes with class-leading fuel efficiency, thanks to a turbocharged, direct-injection 1.6L or 2.0L EcoBoost engine that delivers 33 or 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 23 or 22 mpg in the city, respectively. Savings like that means more money to feed the family or have fun!

Moms, dads and kids alike will appreciate the additional hip room up front and leg room in the back of the new Ford Escape, as well as the voice-activated Ford SYNC, which plays music from your phone, music device or Internet radio station, and reads text messages for the ultimate in safe driving.

Speaking of safety, the new Ford Escape with Intelligent 4WD1 can assess conditions about 20 times faster than the blink an eye and readjusts to deliver necessary handling and traction. The on-demand system will help keep you on the road during Michigan’s wet winter weather and year-round.

For more information about the Winter Escape Family Movie Night, visit the City of Southfield website. The Southfield Pavilion is at 26000 Evergreen Road; enter through the Parks and Recreation building. Stop by Avis Ford at 29200 Telegraph Road or AvisFord.com.