Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Ford SVT Raptor at Ford of Ventura

Ford has long established being a leader in the tough truck market.   The Special Vehicle Team (SVT) division of Ford has raised the bar for tough trucks when the F150 SVT Raptor was released.  The SVT Raptor has been purpose built and it shows with high-performance Baja proven capabilities.  This no excuses off-roading truck is versatile enough for everyday pavement while conquers challenging off road terrain.

2014 F150 SVT Raptor at Ford of Ventura
New for the 2014 model year is a special edition Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat that is only available with the also new Raptor Special Edition.

Building a high-performance off-road truck isn't all about horsepower even though the SVT Raptor has plenty of power in the 6.2L V8 engine that has been paired with a six speed automatic transmission with tow & haul modes.  Serious off road trucks starts with the right suspension and the Ford SVT Raptor F150 has the right equipment with a long travel suspension and off road proven FOX Racing shocks that deliver a notable 11.2" of front and 12.1" of rear suspension travel.  The Ford SVT F150 Raptor not only has a chassis designed to soak up rugged off road terrain it has the technology and capability to perform on road as well.  Off-road mode and hill descent control were designed and engineered to elevate the off road capacity of the SVT F150 Raptor to seriously impressive levels.
Ford SVT Raptor F150 In Stock at Ford of Ventura

The 6.2L V8 engine produces 411 horsepower along with 434 lb ft. of torque.  The large bore architecture helps improve engine breathing with larger intake and exhaust valves and allows for a shorter stroke design for faster engine speeds with higher engine rpm and increased horsepower.  Again the SVT Ford F150 Raptor has been purpose built for off-roading.  The single overhead camshaft (SOHC) valvetrain with roller rocker shafts allows for enhanced camshaft design to help provide low-speed torque delivery.
6.2L V8 Engine gives the SVT Raptor F150 411 HP 
The Raptor comes with dual-equal variable camshaft timing enhances the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves
during the combustion cycle for a balance of power, fuel efficiency and emissions.  The engine has a fantastic growling rumble you really must hear for yourself.  Ford has also included two spark plugs per cylinder help efficiently burn the air/fuel mixture in each cylinder to help increase torque delivery, fuel efficiency and maintain a smooth idle quality.  Because this truck has been purpose built it also includes dual knock sensors allow the spark timing of each cylinder to be enhanced in real time throughout the engine speed range.  Every aspect of the engine has been refined to maximize power and efficiency like the engine crankcase that eases breathing and helps to  improve torque capability at higher engine speeds.  The piston-cooling oil jets help improve oil warm-up and maintain cooler piston temperatures for improved fuel efficiency and durability.  This specific aspect was tested repeatedly at the Baja testing.

If you have more questions about the Ford F150 SVT Raptor feel free to stop by Ford of Ventura at 3440 East Main Street in Ventura  or call 805-642-6701 and ask for a Sales Professional.  We also post information about our in stock vehicles on our Google+ Page, so keep in touch.  Right now Ford of Ventura has three SVT Raptors in Stock with no additional dealer mark up like other dealership in So Cal.  Come see why Main Street is not just our address but how we do business.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Drowsiness is now the number one problem among drivers in America

Driving Drowsy is just as dangerous as driving drunk

Driving drowsy is the most frequent problem among people who get behind the wheel when they shouldn't, according to a new CarInsurance.com survey.  Ford of Ventura and the Ventura Collision Center encourage drivers to avoid driving when drowsy or not feeling well.  Vehicle safety is often times overlooked it appears from the study.  Vehicle safety should never take a backseat.  CarInsurance.com asked 2,000 drivers about the times they drove when they shouldn't have and found that many people hit the road whether or not they feel well and regardless of broken car equipment. Ford of Ventura is committed to helping everyone in Ventura County drive safely.  

People who have driven when they shouldn't did so when:

*They were sleepy:  68%
*They had a headache: 53%
*They were sick enough to be in bed but got up to drive: 35%
*They were less drunk than a friend: 23%
*They weren't wearing needed glasses or contact lenses: 16%
*They were taking narcotic pain medicine: 15%
*They had an arm in a cast: 8%
*Loss of good driver discount
 
Sixty percent of respondents in CarInsurance.com's survey think driving while sleepy should be illegal, and in two states it is. In New Jersey, a driver who has been without sleep for 24 hours is considered to be driving recklessly, in the same class as an intoxicated driver. In Arkansas, you can be charged with negligent homicide if you kill someone due to "fatigued driving." Other states have pending laws about drowsy driving or are studying it, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Please head the warning that driving sleepy is just as bad as driving drunk as is never worth the risk.  

One in eight fatal crashes involves a drowsy driver, making driving while exhausted one of the leading contributors to car wrecks, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration echoes these findings -- drowsy driving is implicated in 100,000 car crashes per year, which leave 71,000 people injured and 1,500 dead.

Several states, including Texas and Florida, hold an annual "Drowsy Driving Prevention Week" to raise awareness about the issue and help reduce accidents, but David Harkey, director of The University of North Carolina Highway Research Center, says more can be done.

"Education alone is not the solution. We have seen too many safety issues where such a solution does not work. Campaigns that include both a public education component combined with high-visibility enforcement have been shown to produce results, for example 'Click It or Ticket,'" says Harkey.

If you do hit the road when you aren't in top physical shape, you're likely increasing your chance of causing an accident. A at-fault car crash can increase insurance rates, and would likely prevent you from qualifying for a good driver discount, which is usually 15 percent or more.

In some cases, people hit the road lacking properly working car equipment. Here's how equipment failures rank among those who have driven when they shouldn't:

1. "Check engine" light on: 61%

2. Couldn't see through snow or ice on the windshield: 32%

3. Windshield wipers not working: 26%

4. Speedometer broken: 21%

5. Horn didn't work: 19%

6. Headlights not working: 18%

7. Flat tire: 17%

8. A door had to be held closed: 10%

9. Without a required child seat for your child: 7%

10. Car was filled with exhaust fumes: 6%

11. There was no driver seat or the seat was broken: 5%

Survey results show people don't always resist the temptation of revving up the engine even when others try to change their mind. In the preceding 12 months, 46 percent of drivers drove once or twice when they shouldn't have; 11 percent did so three to 10 times and 3 percent did so in more than 10 instances.

While 79 percent of people did not drive when others persuaded them to hand over the keys, 21 percent ignored the advice of others. Here's why those who drove against others' advice did so:

*I had to go to work: 21%
*I had to go home: 13%
*I had to go to the doctor: 4%
*I had to pick up my kids: 3%
Ford of Ventura would like to remind you to make safety a first priority when driving.  Be safe.  

Friday, August 1, 2014

Ford Explorer has new technology and is available at Ford of Ventura

The Explorer is one of the most popular vehicles purchased at the Ford of Ventura and that may very well be because it compliments the life style in Ventura County so well.  The 2014 Explorer features a four-model lineup: Explorer (Base), XLT, Limited and Sport all of which are available for your review at Ford of Ventura located at 3440 East Main Street in Ventura California.

The Ford Explorer exterior blends a modern, aerodynamic design with the robust capability that the Ford Explorer has been identified with for over a decade.  This SUV has a standard 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 engine provides 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque coupled with two 6-speed automatic transmissions help provide smooth gear shifts and excellent fuel economy ratings.  If you go offroad or enjoy going to the mountains Ford has made available an intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System (TMS)system that does a awesome job of delivering four-wheel-drive capability with an easy and intuitively operated control switch located in the center stack.

You will also enjoy a well-appointed interior appearance and materials provide a comfortable environment for driver and passengers.  Safety was first and foremost in the Ford Engineering mind and it shows with the available Lane-Keeping System with lane-keeping alert and lane-keeping aid help drivers stay in control behind the wheel.  Ford even made standard front-passenger knee airbag helps provide added occupant safety.