Recycling & The Auto Industry

Posted by Bruce Schindler on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Making elements of a car from recycled cotton clothes… who would have ever thought we’d see the day! Check out this remarkable story and let us know your thoughts!

This automaker is now going to start using recycled cotton clothing such as denim in the sound-deadening material and carpet backing in the car as part of its strategy to recycle things to divert waste from landfills.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40432524/ns/business-autos/

Who knows what they will come up with next…

There’s More to Being Green than Meets the Eye

Posted by Bruce Schindler on Friday, November 12th, 2010

When someone tells you they have an Eco-Friendly car, you immediately think it gets great gas mileage, right? Well MPG is not the only place automakers can make a difference for the environment. In a recent article, automakers explain how they are making their vehicles from renewable resources like soy based polyurethane foams, recycled nylon carpets, and post consumer resins.

Some examples of an automaker that is making their cars more eco-friendly:

  • Bio-based (such as soy) polyurethane foams on the seat cushions, seatbacks and headliners on 11 vehicle models. Bio-foam seats equates to a reduction in petroleum oil usage of approximately 1.5 million pounds
  • Post-consumer recycled resins such as detergent bottles, tires and battery casings used to make underbody systems, such as aerodynamic shields, splash shields and radiator air deflector shields. One example is the engine cam cover on the 3.0-liter V-6 2010 Ford Escape. As a result, Ford has diverted between 25 and 30 million pounds of plastic from landfills
  • Post-industrial recycled yarns for seat fabrics. A 100 percent usage of recycled yarns can mean a 64 percent reduction in energy consumption and a 60 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the use of new yarns
  • Repurposed nylon carpeting made into nylon resin and molded into cylinder head covers for an automobile’s engine.
  • Wheat straw-reinforced plastic for the third-row storage bins. The natural fiber replaces energy-inefficient glass fibers commonly used to reinforce plastic parts

It is an exciting time in the automotive industry, as several new eco-friendly products are being introduced into the marketplace.

Next time you hear someone say they have an eco-friendly car, you will hopefully have a bit more knowledge now to wonder just how eco-friendly it is.

OEM Vs Aftermarket Parts: Which will your insurance company pay for?

Posted by Bruce Schindler on Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

It is not something that goes through your mind when you are shopping for the lowest car insurance rates around, but it is something that could end up costing you down the road. The use of aftermarket parts when repairing your car could save your insurance company a lot of money.

In comparison they cost about half of what OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts cost. However this could cost you, according to an article posted by Edmunds.com, “using non-OEM replacement parts to repair a leased car could cost you all or part of your security deposit, because technically you would not be returning the vehicle in the same condition as when it was leased.”

If you were planning on trading or selling your vehicle, this could affect the value as well. In some cases your insurance company will only pay for non-OEM parts and if you want your car fixed with OEM parts, you will have to pay the difference. This could add up pretty quickly, doubling the cost of parts.

Obviously you want to know what you are getting when you sign up with your insurance company and if you have an accident it will be one less thing you will need to worry about. If you do decide to use aftermarket parts, make sure they are approved by Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), which sets the standards that must be met in the manufacturing of non-OEM parts for collision repairs.

If you needed to have your car fixed, would you prefer they use OEM parts on it? Feel free to share any experiences you may have had with OEM or aftermarket parts.

Ford’s Replacement for Displacement

Posted by Bruce Schindler on Thursday, October 21st, 2010

For years it has been drilled into truck owner’s heads that if you need a truck to haul or tow you need to get a truck with the biggest engine possible. Ford is taking on the challenge of changing that perception. Their engine of choice is the 3.5L Ecoboost engine that will be available in 90% of the F-150 line-up. This engine offers Best in Class 3,060lbs Payload, Best in Class 11.300 lbs maximum trailer towing, and Best in Class 402 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm. It is doing this improved fuel economy.

You wouldn’t guess this twin turbo V6 would out perform all other V8’s in its class but it does. This week we had the privilege to see for ourselves at Ripken Stadium. Ford had these trucks and their competition set up for real life demonstrations. Towing a 6,500 lb trailer at 40 MPH and then accelerating to 70 MPH this 6 cylinder Ecoboost truck still puts you in your seat. “You have to check your rearview mirrors to make sure the trailer is still back there.” is what one of the drivers said about the driving experience. Also they offered drag races with the competition, which had no chance of keeping up with this 365 HP engine paired with a 6 speed automatic transmission.

To read more about the Ecoboost engine in the F-150 and all of the new powertrains being offered in the 2011 F-150, click the link below.

http://xrl.us/bh48x3

Hello Baltimore!

Posted by Bruce Schindler on Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Hello Baltimore!

My name is Bruce Schindler, President of Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln Mercury. I will be joining you here regularly to discuss all things automotive. We will discuss topics to help you get the most out of your car, no matter what the make, and we will give you an inside look on what is going on in this fast paced, ever changing auto industry.

Let me tell you a little bit about us. Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln Mercury has been serving the residents of Baltimore and the surrounding area since 1963. During this time we have grown moving from our original location on Greenmount Ave to our current location at 1845 E Joppa Rd. Parkville, MD 21234. I have been president of the company since 1999 when I purchased the company from Bob Davidson. At Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln Mercury we strive to provide the ultimate customer service experience in both sales and service. You can see the results of our efforts hanging in our new car showroom where we have won Ford’s Prestigious President’s Award for 11 consecutive years. This award is earned by Dealers who achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction in both sales and service.

I’ll be here online to help you by answering questions, giving advice, and keeping you informed about all things automotive. I know your car or truck is a major part of your life, whether it is getting to work each day, taking your family on vacation, or like me, a passion you cannot get enough of. Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln Mercury will be your source for all things automotive.

I plan to post about two to three entries per week. I’d love to be engaged with you so please stay in touch and send me your comments.

Preparing for the Cold Weather

Posted by Bruce Schindler on Friday, October 8th, 2010

If this winter is anything like the last, you need to be preparing early for bad weather. Driving in the winter season is drastically different from driving in the summer. You need to be extra careful not to go slipping and sliding across the roads and avoid being stranded without heat or water. Here are some essential tips that could help you through this season.

Get your car winterized!

  • Get a Tune-Up. Have your hoses, belts and anti-freeze checked. A weakened hose or belt can break and leave you stranded, or a weak solution of anti-freeze can ice up and damage your cooling system.
  • Check Your Battery. Make sure your car’s battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If the battery is three years old or more, have it tested and replace it if necessary.
  • Check Your Heater and Defroster. If your heater isn’t working, you’ll probably know. But what about front and rear defrosters? You want to make sure your windows are defrosted before you start driving to maintain proper visibility.
  • Get to Know Your Brakes. If you have the slightest concern that something’s wrong with your brakes, get them inspected immediately.
  • Have Your Exhaust System Checked. Ask your mechanic to double check the exhaust system for leaks, which can emit dangerous carbon monoxide into your car. If you become stuck in the snow and want to run the engine and heater, make sure your tail pipe is clear of the snow and crack open a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.
  • Fill up with Window Washer Fluid. Slush and mud splashed on a windshield can spell danger for a winter driver. Make sure your washer fluid reservoir is sufficiently full, and keep a spare jug in the trunk. Don’t use water it will freeze in your system and do damage.
  • Consider New Wiper Blades. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good condition, you might want to upgrade to a rubber coated snow blade that can handle the extra weight of wet snow. They’re not expensive, and could make your winter driving a lot safer in the long run.
  • Take a Look at Your Tires. Your tires need to have adequate tread with “grip” to propel you through the snow. Have an expert check them out if you have any concerns.
  • Fill Your Fuel Tank. One of the best driving tips for winter is to keep your tank more than half full at all times. It will help you avoid freezing in your fuel lines, and will keep you safer in winter weather situations.

If you have any questions about preparing your car don’t wait until it is too late call us and we can answer any questions you may have.