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Borgman Ford is excited to share the recently-unveiled 2020 Ford Escape with SUV fans in West Michigan! Redesigned top to bottom, the 2020 Escape's bold new look compliments some significant changes to the powertrain, and by all accounts, it's a blast to drive. more Read More The article posted in the Official Ford Media Center announcing the New 2020 Ford Escape was extensive. It covers a variety of topics including the exterior and interior design, powertrain overhaul including plug-in hybrid variants, driving dynamics, infotainment features, and much more. With Ford expanding their SUV lineup for 2020 and beyond, we feel the sportier look for the New Ford Escape puts necessary emphasis on what has made it a favorite for the last 18 years. It's stylish, affordable, light on its feet, and most of all, it's fun to drive. Read some excerpts from the announcement by Ford below, and be on the lookout at Borgman this fall when the 2020 Escape arrives. All-New Ford Escape Brings Style and Substance to Small SUVs with Class-Leading Hybrids, Flexibility and Exclusive Technology With the reveal of the stylish new Escape, featuring the small SUV’s best-ever performance, flexibility, and smart new technology, Ford is reinventing the model that helped drive the popularity of the segment. Escape, which debuted the world’s first hybrid SUV in 2005, brings back two hybrid choices for 2020, a standard hybrid and a plug-in variant, and introduces technologies ranging from drive modes and driver-assist features to electric vehicle ingenuity and onboard connectivity. “This all-new Escape brings a sleeker, sportier design with the capability to take you on just about any of your life’s adventures,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president, North America. To create a sportier look for the all-new Escape, designers turned to some of the most high-profile sports cars in the Ford showroom. The shield-shaped trapezoidal grille is inspired by the sixth-generation Mustang, while the lower front end borrows from Ford GT. Compared to the current model, the all-new Escape stands lower, wider and longer. “This new vehicle performs like no other Escape before,” said Jim Hughes, Escape chief program engineer. “It’s quick, it’s responsive and, in staying true to the standard set by three generations of Escapes before it, it’s a heck of a lot of fun to drive.” With a selectable drive mode system standard across the lineup, Escape makes it easy for Escape owners to create the driving experience they desire – or the one that conditions demand. Modes are tailored for normal, eco, sport and slippery, plus snow and sand conditions. Keep reading on Media.Ford.com, or visit the New 2020 Ford Escape Microsite. Pre-Order Your 2020 Ford Escape at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI If you want to be among the first in West Michigan to drive the All-New 2020 Ford Escape, visit the Borgman Ford showroom in Grand Rapids and talk to us about placing a pre-order. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you navigate the process, as well as go over which features would best compliment your lifestyle and budget. If you're shopping for a New Ford SUV today, check out Borgman Ford's huge selection of New Ford Escapes and click the red "Schedule Test Drive" button on your favorite. If you want to be sure you'll love cruising West Michigan this summer in a New Ford Escape, swap rides with us for a day through our Day Trader Program. If you see a better deal on a New Ford Escape elsewhere, let us know and we'll match it - we will not be undersold. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

People and businesses in West Michigan that depend on hard-working and trucks to get things done with an emphasis on keeping the occupants safe. That's why Borgman Ford was so excited to hear about the New 2019 Ford F-150's stellar performance during recent testing at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS. more Read More Results showed that the Built Ford Tough truck outperformed all 11 other trucks in its class on the passenger-side small overlap front crash test, and was the only truck to earn the top-tier good rating in every category. This is all coming off the heels of being awarded a five-star overall vehicle score by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, plus a five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes. This article from the Official Ford Media Center tells more about the testing, and how Ford Engineers were able to achieve these impressive results. Take a look below: Ford F-150 Is Best Performing Pickup Truck In IIHS Passenger-Side Safety Testing; Earns All Good Ratings The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released test results showing that among all light-duty crew cab pickups measured in small overlap front crash testing for both driver and passenger, the 2019 Ford F-150 is the only truck to earn its top-tier good rating in all categories. Among 11 pickups, F-150 is also on top as the best performer in passenger-side small overlap front crash testing. “F-150’s smart engineering, plus the innovative combination of its high-strength steel frame and high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body continues to demonstrate enduring customer benefits – from repeated class-leading crash test performance to best-in-class towing and payload,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford executive vice president, Product Development and Purchasing. A cross-functional group of Ford truck veterans worked thousands of hours to help improve durability, capability, fuel economy and safety for F-150. Read the full post on Media.Ford.com. Shop New 2019 Ford F-150 at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI If you're looking for a dependable and safe pickup truck for tough jobs in West Michigan, visit Borgman Ford today and check out our huge lineup of New Ford F-150 pickups. Whether you're shopping for yourself or a business, our staff will be more than happy to show you the new and exciting features of the 2019 Ford F-150. Take a look at our Online Inventory, or head over to our Commercial Division to get in touch with our fleet specialists. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Spring has sprung in West Michigan and soon many intrepid adventurers will be hooking up their trailers and towing boats, campers, dirt bikes, and other gear all across our fair state. Bringing the right vehicle for the job and equipping it correctly is an important step, but as we discussed in our last Tao of Towing article, there's a little more to it than making sure you, your gear, and other motorists stay safe during the journey. more Read More Today, we're going to dig a little deeper into braking, and some techniques you can master that will not only save you in maintenance costs but help you tow safer out there as well. A Quick Refresher on How Brakes Work We did a deeper dive on this in our post about your vehicle's braking system, but here are the short strokes. When you press the brake pedal, a hydraulic system squeezes the brake rotor, a metal disc attached directly to the wheel. The calipers use brake pads to do the gripping/squeezing, slowing the wheel and bringing the vehicle to a stop. This is a disc brake setup, and drum brakes work on a similar principle. We're going to focus on disc brakes for today, as they're more common and actually more heat-efficient. When Towing, Brake Heat Management is Key Remember in elementary school when the teacher told  everyone to rub their hands together for a minute to generate heat to demonstrate the concept of friction? With your brake pads (which are stationary) being pressed against the rotor (which is spinning,)  you're going to generate a lot of heat through friction when slowing the vehicle down. Disc brakes have an open design so under normal conditions they keep relatively cool. Here's the kicker: how fast your vehicle is moving and how much it weighs both determine how much time it will take to bring it to a stop, and how much heat is generated in the process. So if you're towing and braking downhill, heat is something you need to try and minimize to prevent premature wear of parts or create an unsafe situation. Ford Trucks and SUVs can handle it, but to get the most out of them you do need to take this into account while towing. What Happens When Brakes Are Overheated Excess heat can disrupt your brake performance and damage components. When the brake pads reach a certain temperature, they start to smooth over and lose their grip - known colloquially as "brake fade." This is usually temporary but nonetheless can be dangerous if your brakes are taking longer than you expect to slow you down. Repeatedly putting them in this condition can start to form a glaze on the pads and the rotor, and that can be permanent. Other issues that can arise from repeated overheating are cracks in the brake pad, warped rotors, or even fluid leaks. Damaged axle seals are somewhat unrelated here, but they can throw grease onto the rotor, making it slippery and reducing performance. There are other variables as well, such as damage from going through a cold puddle with superheated rotors. Driving Habits While Towing to Keep Your Brakes Cool Mostly, just being aware of the fact that your brakes generate heat while towing is enough to lend context to what you can do to keep it from snowballing. One trick truckers use to save their brakes while going down a big hill is to bypass them altogether, using a technique called engine braking. If you're driving a manual transmission or have a SelectShift automatic, you'd select the gear below the one you're in and use the engine to slow the vehicle instead of the brakes. You can then use the brakes as needed. Be aware that this is noisy, so please don't do it in residential areas. If you need to brake hard with a trailer, some newer Fords have features that will help control the trailer brake automatically. Just keep your eyes on where you want to end up and undershoot by about 50-100 feet. Then, when you're close to that mark, let off the brake to let the vehicle creep forward the rest of the way. This spinning allows the brakes to let off all that heat before being reapplied to keep the vehicle at a stop. Braking hard and then stopping in place, especially with a trailer, can then trap heat in one spot on the rotor, leading to warping or cracking. Towing Something On Your Next Adventure in West MI? Trust the Experts at the Borgman Service Center The key to making your brakes last longer while towing is to think of your stopping distance as a finite resource. After you get comfortable towing, you build up a sense of what your safe stopping distance is. If you find yourself running out of runway a bit while towing, or it's been a while since you've last had your brakes checked, it's definitely time to stop by the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Our highly-trained technicians will thoroughly inspect your braking system for signs of wear, heat damage, and leaks. We'll be looking over all of your other vital systems as well, to make sure your next adventure is fun, worry-free, and safe. Please feel free to ask your Borgman Service Advisor any questions you may have about your vehicle - we're more than happy to help. Be sure to check our specials page for the latest Service Center Coupons, use our easy Online Appointment Scheduler, and Contact Us if you have any questions. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford is beyond impressed with the recently-unveiled 2020 Ford Shelby GT500, which is due to start rolling out this summer. This is going to be the fastest, most powerful street-legal production Mustang ever, and a lot of science went into earning that achievement. more Read More While it's true that there's no replacement for displacement (and the GT500 has plenty of it,) keeping it as nimble as it is in the corners requires some very careful study and tuning. The minds over at Ford Performance employed a mix of software and 3D printing to dial-in the aerodynamics, which is hugely important for speed and handling. An article written for the Official Ford Media Center goes into more detail about their process. Here are some excerpts: Supercomputers and 3D Printing Are Secrets To All-New Mustang Shelby GT500 High Performance When the 2020 Shelby GT500 goes on sale later this year, it will be the quickest-accelerating, most aerodynamically advanced street-legal Mustang ever, thanks to virtual testing in supercomputers and 3D printing. Borrowing best practices from more than a century of racing, Ford Performance designers, powertrain and aerodynamics engineers functioned as a virtual racing team to test hundreds of designs both digitally and physically. They used state-of-the-art digital and additive manufacturing prototyping tools (3D printers) as part of a mission to make the ultimate, most advanced performance street-legal Mustang of all time. “We created and studied designs among the engineering teams and proved out different strategies long before we built our first prototype cars,” said Matt Titus, Ford Performance vehicle engineer. “Not only did this improve the effectiveness of the designs, it dramatically reduced the time it took to develop the GT500 – and the costs associated with that.” Keep reading over at Media.Ford.com. Looking for Performance? Shop New Ford Mustang at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Whether you're looking for a fun summer car to cruise around West Michigan with this summer, or want to turn some heads at the track, Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids can help you get behind the wheel of your dream car. Take a look at our selection of New Ford Mustang Fastbacks & Convertibles and click the "Schedule Test Drive" button to set up a time to come in and check it out. If it's the Shelby GT500 you're interested in, or any other vehicle from the Ford Performance lineup, Contact Us and we'll do the legwork for you. If you have any questions, stop by our showroom at 28th St. & Ivanrest anytime and ask our friendly and knowledgeable staff for assistance. Also, if you see a better price elsewhere, let us know and we'll match it - we won't be undersold! Read more about our Redcoat Traditions and visit to see why we're the Best in the West!

This spring we've been celebrating the triumphant return of the Ford Ranger at Borgman Ford, and demand for the mighty mid-sized truck has been high. Adventure-seekers in West Michigan have been ordering customized versions of the 2019 Ford Ranger that are tailored to their needs, and we're pleased to share that a new option will be available this summer! more Read More The recently-announced Black Appearance Package on the 2019 Ranger adds a number of different accents to create a much sportier, aggressive stance. Blacked-out grille, mirrors, wheels, and many more components with the body-color bumper really sell the effect and ensure you'll stand out no matter where your adventures take you this year. Check out some excerpts from a post on Media.Ford.com below, or stop by our showroom to order yours today! Paint It Black: Ford Introduces Black Appearance Package On All-New Ranger With the all-new Ford Ranger off to a strong start since the first trucks went on sale in January, Ford is already introducing a new Black Appearance Package, helping buyers further customize their Ranger to match their unique personal style. More than two-thirds of all-new Ranger pickups are leaving showrooms optioned with either the Sport Appearance Package that adds unique wheels and Magnetic Gray-painted accents, or the Chrome Appearance Package with bright chrome wheels and chrome body accents. “Like the rest of their gear, Ranger customers are choosing the option that best fits their adventures,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Having the right gear matters and so does the right look. The Black Appearance Package adds aggressive style to the adventures our customers embark on.” Available with any Ranger body color, the Black Appearance Package’s aggressive look will help the truck stand out on the beach or in the backcountry. Its standard features include: Black-painted grille Body-color bumpers High-gloss black-painted 18-inch aluminum wheels with black center caps Black running boards Black spray-in bed liner Black fender vent surround Black mirrors Black sill plate Black bash plate on FX4 Off-Road Package Black lower valance Keep reading on Media.Ford.com. Build Your Perfect 2019 Ford Ranger at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI If you need a capable, nimble pickup for your next adventure in West Michigan, look no further than Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI. Our team knows the 2019 Ford Ranger inside and out, and will happily answer any questions you may have about the truck. If you'd like to build your own, we'll also help you through every step of the ordering process. Take a look at our current stock of 2019 Ford Ranger Pickups and stop by anytime for a test drive. If you see a better deal on one somewhere else in town, let us know and we'll match it - we will not be undersold! Read about our famous Fair Trade Deals, our Redcoat Traditions, and see why we're the Best in the West!

One of the most popular vehicles at Borgman Ford for larger families is the Ford Expedition. West Michiganders love the spacious interior with seating for 8, high-tech infotainment options, safety features, and the luxurious fit and finish. What also makes this popular with West Michigan Adventurers is the capability, with a towing rating that's best in its class and the ground clearance you need to navigate rougher roads. more Read More With demand for the New Ford Expedition climbing higher and higher, Ford has ordered a 20% rise in production to match. Ford has also announced a new ad campaign, which you might see on network tv in the coming weeks called "Better Big," and we've included a 30-second spot below. Following this are a few excerpts from an article on the Official Ford Media Center talking about this surge in popularity last year and how it has allowed them to add hundreds of jobs in their truck plant. Ford Boosts Production For Expedition, Adds 550 Jobs To Meet Demand, New Advertising Touts SUV’s Capability Ford Motor Company will again boost production of its hot-selling Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator this summer as both vehicles continue to gain share over their competitors in the large SUV segment. Surging demand for Expedition and Navigator is driving an increase in production of 20 percent at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville. Retail sales of the Expedition eight-passenger SUV surged 35 percent and it gained 5.6 percentage points in market segment share last year. Expedition’s average transaction price increased $11,700 and is now $62,700. Navigator sales grew 70 percent in 2018 from 2017, to 17,839 sold, giving Navigator its best sales year since 2007. “Kentucky Truck Plant is home to two of Ford and Lincoln’s most successful vehicles,” said John Savona, Ford vice president, North American manufacturing. “After seeing a continued increase in customer demand for Expedition and Navigator, we are boosting production for a second time to meet it.” While Expedition sales continue to grow, Ford is launching a new marketing campaign to build further awareness of Expedition’s class-leading features and capabilities, including more driver-assist technology than any vehicle in its class, best-in-class second and third row legroom, best-in-class towing and more. New “Better Big” TV commercials debut this week, highlighting Expedition’s key features and capabilities. “We ‘out-big’ the competition where it counts – towing, interior space and technology,” said Matt VanDyke, Ford director, U.S. marketing. “Our team completely rethought every inch of Expedition, and its growing sales reaffirm we hit the sweet spot with today’s full-size SUV customers. Now, our new ‘Better Big’ marketing campaign will bring this to life for new buyers.” Keep reading the full post on Media.Ford.com. Hit The Road to Adventure in a New Ford Expedition SUVs from Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Looking around West Michigan for a New Ford Expedition SUV? Stop by Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids today and browse our selection! Take a look through our Ford Expedition Inventory, click the red "Schedule Test Drive" button on your favorite, and see why this luxurious and capable SUV has become so popular during your visit. If you love the Ford Expedition but want to customize it to best suit your needs, we can help you order one tailored to you. Our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff will be happy to help you navigate all of the features and specs on the New Ford Expedition, but will never pressure you into a sale. If you want to swap rides with us for a day to make sure the Ford Expedition is going to be a good fit with you and your family, ask us about our Day Trader Program. Remember, if you see a better deal elsewhere let us know - we won't be undersold. Come see why we're the Best in the West.

Nothing brings a West Michigan road trip or a morning commute to a screeching halt like a flat tire. Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids sees our fair share of tire punctures in our Service Center, ranging from things we're able to patch to utter catastrophes. Running over something like a nail happens to the best of us, and that's why we're pleased to share that some trim levels of the 2020 Ford Explorer will come standard with Michelin Safeseal® tires! more Read More These tires have a special membrane inside of them that work to surround objects and fill holes in the tire tread. As the membrane is forced into the void by the higher pressure inside, the tire stays sealed long enough for you to notice and get to Borgman to have it patched. This recent article from Ford explains more about the tires and why they chose them for the 2020 Ford Explorer - due out later this year. Here are some excerpts from the article: Spare The Flat Tire Fiascos: All-New Ford Explorer Introduces Michelin Selfseal Tires Designed To Keep Road Trips Rolling In the time it takes you to read this sentence, another vehicle tire was punctured. Across the United States, flat tires will leave millions of motorists every year on the side of the road, jack in hand and gravel on knees. Now, the all-new Ford Explorer offers a way to keep road-trippers on track as they #ExploreOurAmerica in the form of new Michelin Selfseal® tires. Designed to withstand common nail and screw punctures, these environmentally friendly tires are lined with a natural rubber sealant to fill most tread punctures and dramatically slow the rate at which air leaks – helping ensure your road trip continues without interruption. “Nothing derails a family vacation like a flat tire,” said Joseph Billman, Ford wheel and tire engineer. “Explorer is the ultimate road trip family hauler – and it’s the perfect fit for these new Michelin Selfseal tires.” Explorer is the first SUV in the world to offer Michelin Selfseal tires, which are standard on Explorer Platinum and Explorer Limited Hybrid four-wheel-drive models, and optional on Explorer Limited two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models. “The all-new Explorer is designed to help our customers feel unstoppable and worry-free,” said Craig Patterson, Explorer marketing manager. “The availability of these new Michelin Selfseal tires is another great example of that.” You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com. Get Adventure-Ready at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids If you're planning your next big adventure in West Michigan and need a vehicle that's up for the challenge, visit Borgman Ford today! We have a huge selection of New Ford SUVs of all sizes and configurations, so there's sure to be one that matches your towing needs, off-road capability, passenger or cargo capacity, and budget. If you're chomping at the bit to get behind the wheel of the New 2020 Ford Explorer, Contact Us soon and we'll let you know when they arrive later this year, or help you build your own! If you found this post because you need new tires, the Borgman Service Center has a huge selection of new tires from name-brand manufacturers including Michelin - check our latest Service Specials and Schedule Your Appointment Online. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford and Borgman Commerical are pleased to share the unveiling of the 2020 Ford Transit! Arriving sometime this fall, the newly-redesigned cargo van or passenger wagon will feature improvements with both businesses and families in mind. Most notable among the additions, aside from the stylish redesigned exterior, are the inclusion of All-Wheel Drive in the gasoline models and a standard built-in 4G LTE WiFi Hotspot. The 2020 Transit also ushers in two all-new engines and new 10-speed automatic transmission. more Read More A recent article published in the Official Ford Media Center tells more about the design considerations that went into creating the 2020 Ford Transit. Check out some excerpts from the article below: A Mom, A Hiker And A Deliveryman Walk Into A Showroom; Each Drives Out In A New 2020 Ford Transit Proving once again that the best never rest, Ford – America’s van leader for 40 years – improves its best-selling Transit family with smart new technology, advanced driver-assist features and enhanced capability for a wide range of customers whether they use their vans to carry kids, seek out adventures or deliver cargo. “When we introduced Transit five years ago, it immediately became America’s go-to full-size van for fleets, small businesses and large families,” said Mark Buzzell, Ford director, fleet, lease and remarketing operations. “We listened to our commercial and family customers and updated Transit with useful amenities like standard Wi-Fi so kids or crew can stay connected, and helpful driver-assist features like available adaptive cruise control to take the stress out of traffic.” Upgrades include an available all-wheel-drive system, all-new 2.0-liter EcoBlue® bi-turbo I4 diesel, all-new 3.5-liter PFDi V6 gasoline engine with port fuel and direct injection and new 10-speed automatic transmission, plus new interiors and seating options. The 2020 Ford Transit offers the most vehicle configurations in its class to help customers specify just the right van for any job. In addition to cargo van, passenger van, chassis cab and cutaway, a new crew van joins the lineup. It can carry five people in two rows of seating with side curtain airbags. Tailored for owners who need to move larger crews plus gear to a job site, the crew van is an enhancement to the 2020 Ford Transit family based on customer feedback. The upgraded 2020 Ford Transit will ship this fall. Read the full announcement at Media.Ford.com. Learn More About the 2020 Ford Transit at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids Whether you're a fleet manager looking for a reliable, all-wheel drive cargo van for a West Michigan business, or need a vehicle with the latest tech for a large family, visit Borgman Ford today and ask about ordering the 2020 Ford Transit Cargo Van or Passenger Wagon. Due to arrive in the Fall of 2019, this is the most customizable Ford Transit yet and our staff will be more than happy to help you build the perfect van for your family or your business. Contact our Ford Commercial Department, our Ford Sales Department, visit our showroom to learn more about ordering a New Ford Transit, or check out our Online Inventory if you need one today. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Every year when the snow starts to melt, West Michigan drivers welcome the more agreeable weather but know it comes with a cost: potholes will soon be everywhere. We might subconsciously memorize and avoid ones on our daily commutes, but there's a chance that sooner or later you're going to drive through one. There are steps you can take to minimize the damage they cause to your vehicle, but it's important to understand what could be affected. more Read More Knowing, identifying, and repairing pothole damage to your vehicle early keeps your repair bills down, so in this "Borgman How To," we're going to cover which parts are vulnerable and what function they serve - so you can sense when they need attention. How Potholes Can Damage Your Tires The reason your vehicles have air-inflated rubber tires is (generally speaking) because they deform to the road surface. This gives you better traction and absorbs a good portion of the road noise and bumps by acting as a cushion. Making sure your tires are properly inflated to the correct pressure goes a long way toward lessening the impact of hitting a pothole. However, if your tires aren't filled correctly, you run over a larger pothole, run over one at high speeds, or if you hit one on an angle, it is possible to damage your tire. If the tire is struck hard enough head on, both the compression and shock could create tears in the inner lining. This is known as a sidewall breach, and you can often feel the bulge of air with your hands. If the tire is struck like that again, it could very well blow out. If you run over a pothole on an angle, these are impacts the tire was not designed for and it could do more immediate and severe damage. This includes taking chunks out at the tread, splitting, cracking, or in severe cases blowing them entirely. If you hit a pothole hard enough that it spills your coffee, the best thing to do is safely pull over and check your wheels for damage. Your rims could be damaged by a nasty pothole too, we'll cover that next: How Potholes Can Damage Your Rims Unlike tires, rims are not supposed to be flexible and if they take a big enough hit, they will bend, crack, or in some cases shatter. The most extreme cases come from vehicles with low-profile tires or tires that are under-inflated. If a rim takes damage from a pothole, there's a good chance it has been compromised and will not be able to hold air. How Potholes Can Damage Your Suspension Your suspension's job is to distribute the weight of your vehicle and absorb shocks or vibration from the wheels. When the impact from a pothole is more than they can handle, parts can become bent or fail altogether. In most setups, the front suspension consists of a MacPherson Strut which is connected to the body/frame at the top and bottom, the wheel, and to the steering control arms. The strut has a shock-absorbing cylinder within it that uses compressed oil or air to control the speed of the wheel moving up and down. A large spring coiled around this shock holds the body of the vehicle up off the ground. Pothole impacts can damage that shock absorber, damage steering components like control arms, knock your wheels out of alignment, or bend/break other front-end parts. You can usually "sense" this has happened because the vehicle will make new noises when going over bumps, pull to one side, the steering wheel could be crooked, or it could be bumpier or louder than usual in the cabin. Severe pothole damage to your suspension is less common, but when it does happen it can be expensive. Depending on your auto insurance policy though, you may be able to claim the repair as a collision. We can certainly help you navigate this, but it's important to check your policy beforehand to clear up any assumptions. Potholes Can Damage Other Parts Too While the wheels and suspension often get the worst of it, low-stance vehicles like sporty sedans can "bottom out" if the pothole is deep enough. This can result in dragging exhaust parts like the muffler, catalytic converter, or exhaust pipe on the pavement. Parts of the body can be damaged too, but usually, it's just the plastic plate protecting the bottom of the engine. These are easily replaced, and we often have them in stock. Where Do Potholes Come From? During the warmer days, the ice on the road melts and seeps down into the cracks in the asphalt. After nightfall, when the temperature drops back below freezing, the water turns back into ice and expands with more than enough force to shatter the pavement, which then allows more water into the cracks. This cycle repeats until enough water can get in to wash away the earth below, and then the pavement collapses into a crater. From there, a pothole only gets wider and deeper until it's repaired. How Do You Prevent Pothole Damage? Since there has been a lot of freezing and thawing going on all winter, you’re likely to see more than a few potholes while out and about. While running over a pothole isn't ideal, sometimes it's unavoidable. The best thing you can do to prevent severe damage is to make sure your tires are properly inflated - especially since the changing temperatures will affect the pressure in your tires. The rule of thumb is for every 10ºF change in temperature, the pressure in your tires changes by 1 psi, but your mileage may vary so check them often. If you absolutely cannot avoid a pothole, slow down as much as possible and release the brake just before impact. Make sure you drive straight through because as we mentioned above, hitting them on an angle can wreak havoc on your tires. Wait for the rear wheels to clear before getting back up to speed. If the impact made you cringe, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and inspect your wheels for damage. Hit A Big Pothole? Have Your Vehicle Inspected at the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids, MI Pothole season has been an unfortunate fact of life in West Michigan for decades. If you've run over one recently and it's causing some concern, Schedule an Inspection today at the Borgman Service Center and put your mind at ease. Our highly-trained and friendly staff will inspect your vehicle for signs of damage and will make honest recommendations based on what they find. If you have any questions about your vehicle, our advisors will be happy to sit down during your appointment and answer them for you. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford is pleased to share that Ford and DTE Energy have teamed up in an effort to make Ford's operations even more sustainable. Through DTE's MIGreenPower program, Ford is on-track to switch the Flat Rock Assembly Plant and other Ford facilities to 100% Michigan-sourced renewable energy by January 2021. Ford has been making investments in renewables for some time, with solar panels already in use at a number of their facilities and significantly reducing their water usage company-wide. more Read More This latest energy decision will add wind turbines to the list, with Ford being the first automaker to announce they're taking advantage of DTE's new program. Borgman Ford applauds Ford's commitment to sustainability, as these efforts drastically reduce pollutants and help preserve West Michigan's and our Great Lakes' natural beauty for generations to come. A recent article from the Official Ford Media Center tells more about the new collaboration between Ford and DTE Energy, and we've included some excerpts below: Ford Motor Company To Procure Locally Sourced Michigan Wind Energy Through Collaboration With DTE Energy Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Truck Plant, home of the Ford F-150 and Ford Raptor, Michigan Assembly Plant, home of the new 2019 Ford Ranger, and several new buildings on the Ford Research and Engineering Campus and Corktown campus, including Michigan Central Station, will soon be powered by 100 percent locally sourced renewable energy. This is in addition to the 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system already in place at Michigan Assembly. This collaboration is part of a commitment by Ford to a substantial renewable energy procurement through DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program, supporting the company’s Southeast Michigan portfolio and providing 500,000 megawatt hours of locally sourced Michigan wind energy. “Ford supports the implementation of renewable energy where the project can be tied to the customer’s facility, either directly or through the local distribution utility, and we believe that supports local jobs, improves the local environment and adds resiliency to the local grid,” said George Andraos, Ford Global Director of Energy and Technology. “This project is a great investment for the State of Michigan and will have direct impact on our state.” You can keep reading the article here, or visit sustainability.ford.com to learn more about Ford’s sustainability performance, data and reporting. Test Drive an Eco-Consciuous New Ford at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Ford has been doubling-down on fuel-efficiency in recent years, which is something Borgman celebrates as it has lasting impacts on Grand Rapids, West Michigan, and the planet. Across the entire Ford Lineup, technologies both within the vehicle and used in their construction help to reduce emissions, conserve water, and cut down on waste in landfills. If you're considering a Ford Vehicle to promote a sustainable future, visit Borgman's showroom in Grand Rapids and test drive a New Car, Truck or SUV today. Our sales staff will be more than happy to help you find the perfect vehicle to suit your needs and your budget, and will answer any questions you may have. Read more about our Fair Trade Deals, our Day Trader Program, and our Red Coat Traditions then stop by to see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford is excited to share some info about the upcoming 2020 Ford Super Duty with truck fans in West Michigan! Arriving at out Grand Rapids showroom sometime during fall this year, this newly-designed and heavily-upgraded F-Series workhorse is packed with new features, options, and technologies to better serve civilian and commercial uses alike. more Read More For West Michigan adventurers, this means more power for towing, eye-catching new front grille and headlight design, and a host of connectivity, safety, and entertainment features. Many of these innovations do double-duty for commercial fleet customers offering a way to stay in touch with crews while they're out on the road. However, the new 10-Speed TorqShift transmission retains the ability to borrow power for equipment like plows - without the need to bring the truck to a stop. A recent article published on the 2020 Ford Super Duty info site tells all about the new truck and the features you can expect to find within it. Here are some excerpts from that article: Upgraded 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty Pickup Raises the Bar Again with Next-Level Capability, Power and Technology Ford, America’s truck leader, introduces the next level of Built Ford Tough heavy-duty pickup truck capability, power and technology with the new 2020 F-Series Super Duty pickup. “Super Duty customers have demanding and diverse needs – from towing heavy trailers to repairing critical infrastructure,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford president, North America. “Productivity is their lifeblood and their truck is their biggest tool. Our new Super Duty has more power, more payload and towing capability and better technology than ever to help these customers build a better world.” New F-Series Super Duty improvements include new gas and diesel engines, an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, chassis upgrades, exterior and interior design updates, and smart advanced technology that raises the bar again in towing, payload and connectivity. “With the addition of the 7.3-liter V8, upgrades to our 6.7-liter and the debut of an all-new 10-speed transmission, we are delivering the strongest, most capable Super Duty powertrain offerings yet,” said Mike Pruitt, Ford Super Duty chief engineer. Ford is making its all-new 10-speed TorqShift automatic transmission available across all three Super Duty engine offerings for the new 2020 model. This TorqShift features a wider gear ratio span than the 6-speed and is designed for the harshest towing conditions. The heavy-duty transmission continues to offer class-exclusive live-drive power takeoff, which allows the operator to engage industrial equipment and accessories, such as snowplows, with the truck in motion. This electronically controlled transmission has selectable drive modes that include normal, tow/haul, eco, slippery, and deep sand and snow. The entire unit is so cleverly engineered that – even with four extra gears – it fits in the same space as the 6-speed and weighs only 3.5 pounds more. For 2020, class-exclusive new Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes negotiating even the largest trailers into the tightest of spaces easier than ever before. With hands off the steering wheel, drivers use the Pro Trailer Backup Assist knob to easily steer the trailer via the reverse camera. The truck’s Trailer Reverse Guidance system shows trailer angle and direction, and provides steering suggestions to most efficiently direct a trailer backward. Both systems are built to accommodate all trailer styles, including fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers. Because today’s work is a 24/7 proposition, staying connected is essential. Every new 2020 Super Duty includes FordPass ConnectTM embedded 4G LTE modem with Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices, keeping crews in communication no matter where the job might take them. Super Duty’s LED headlamps have a new look with improved performance, while high series trucks feature continuous signature lighting. An improved front bumper and air dam optimize cooling and make using utility hooks easier. A freshened tailgate design, revised taillamps and new rear bumper convey bolder Built Ford Tough style. Read the full article by visiting 2020SuperDuty.Ford.com. The 2020 Ford Super Duty: Arriving at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids This Fall West Michigan truck fans - if the 2020 Ford Super Duty is the F-Series you've been dreaming of, stop by Borgman Ford today and chat with our friendly and courteous sales staff. While the release date for the new truck is still several months out, we'd be happy to go over some of the upcoming features and give you a call when pre-orders open up. Contact Us today to get started, or shop 2019 Ford Super Duty trucks here! Borgman Ford has been providing Grand Rapids and West Michigan shoppers with high-quality Ford Vehicles since 1960. Our dealership has an established reputation in the community for providing excellent customer service and affordable prices, with none of the usual Smoke & Mirrors around your trade-in. Read more about our commitment to fair and honest dealings on our Red Coat Traditions page, or visit us for a test drive and experience it for yourself. We hope to see you soon!

If you’re thinking it’s time to upgrade your wheels before your next road trip, stop in and see the versatile New 2019 Ford Escape at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids! No matter if you’re going for a big grocery run or adventuring through the rolling terrain of West Michigan, this flexible and dependable Ford SUV is up for the task. Every inch of the 2019 Ford Escape has been designed around the busy adventurer. more Read More In this post, we’ve highlighted some key features to show just how versatile this Ford Utility is, and what options are before you to make it truly yours. Take a quick look in the sections below and visit Borgman Ford today to experience what it has to offer. 2019 Ford Escape Engine & Powertrain Trekking around is made easier with a multitude of safety and convenience running both front-and-center and behind the scenes. These include features like available Intelligent 4WD, which will keep an eye on wheel-slip from road conditions and automatically re-distribute power between the front and rear wheels to compensate. Available Curve Vectoring & Torque Control will monitor the forces on your vehicle while making turns – manipulating the throttle, brakes, and torque distribution to make sure your 2019 Ford Escape hugs the inside of turns and stays firmly planted to the road. The 2019 Ford Escape’s impressive three-engine lineup offers customizability for the types of adventures you expect to embark upon: 2.5L I-4 Engine with Intake Variable Cam Timing. Sometimes, there’s just no replacement for displacement, and this is a great all-around no-frills engine that gets the job done. 1.5L EcoBoost Turbocharged Engine. This versatile engine balances performance with efficiency to save you fuel while cruising and giving you bursts of power when you need it. 2.0L EcoBoost Engine with Twin-Scroll technology. This is the top-tier engine in the 2019 Ford Escape lineup, boasting 245 horsepower (plenty for its size) and incredibly fast torque delivery. Twin-Scroll technology offers a unique advantage over a standard twin turbo setup, as they alternate their pulse energy to give you the same power much smoother and quicker. This engine option also accepts the Class II Tow Package and can haul up to 3,500 pounds with this equipment. 2019 Ford Escape Interior Features & Cargo Space Every good captain on an adventure needs a co-pilot, and Ford SYNC 3 available on the 2019 Ford Escape fits the bill perfectly. Now integrated with Amazon Alexa, using your voice to access features is easier than ever. Ask for directions, play music, and more. Also available is the built-in 4G LTE WiFi Hotspot, keeping you and your passengers better-connected while out exploring West Michigan. This also enables FordPass, opening up a host of connectivity features. Any passengers looking up from their screens will be treated to the amazing scenery surrounding us through the available Panoramic Vista Moonroof – unless of course all of your adventure gear is mounted to the sturdy roof rails! Speaking of gear, the 2019 Ford Escape has 34 cubic feet of cargo area in the back, expanding to 68 cubic feet with the 60/40 rear-folding seats flipped down. If you frequently find yourself loading up your SUV with your hands full, with the Intelligent Access Key in your pocket a simple wave of your foot is all that’s needed to open the rear liftgate. 2019 Ford Escape Convenience & Safety In the 2019 Ford Escape, as with the rest of the New Ford Lineup, they’ve struck a delicate balance between including a suite of driver-assist features that are helpful, intuitive, and will not distract you from driving. These convenience features (some standard and others with optional packages) include but are not limited to: Standard Backup Camera & Optional Reverse Sensing System: While in reverse, the screen of your Ford SYNC system switches to show a real-time view of what’s behind your vehicle, with handy curve guides to help visualize your turning radius based on input from your steering wheel. The Reverse Sensing System helps further dial-in your parking by making a series of sounds that get faster and faster while approaching an obstruction. BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert: Using RADAR to detect moving vehicles around you, the Blind-Spot Information System will alert you to vehicles in your blind spot by illuminating an icon on your side mirrors, and will even flash if you’re about to back out into unseen cross traffic. Adaptive Cruise Control: This feature behaves like normal cruise control, except that you set a speed and following distance to the vehicle in front of you, and the system will automatically maintain both variables. Forward Collision Warning with Brake Support: Whether you’re using this feature with the Adaptive Cruise Control or not, the Forward Collision Warning will alert you to an obstruction in front of you and if necessary, attempt to stop the vehicle automatically. It’s no substitute for paying attention to the road, but it’s an incredibly helpful extra set of eyes. Lane-Keeping System: Should you accidentally drift into the other lane, the lane-keeping system (when activated) will either vibrate the steering wheel, steer the vehicle back, or both. There’s More to Explore on the New 2019 Ford Escape at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI If you’re gearing up for your next round of adventures in West Michigan, visit the Borgman Ford showroom in Grand Rapids today and check out the New 2019 Ford Escape. While we covered many of the more popular ones here, there’s still a wealth of exterior and interior features and options to explore, and our staff will be happy to give you the grand tour. If you want to be sure that the 2019 Ford Escape is the right SUV for your needs, ask us about our Day Trader Program and extend your test drive to a full day. Upon your return to the showroom, our staff will gladly answer any questions you may have about the vehicle, but will never pressure you into a sale. Check out our current lineup of New Ford Escape SUVs here and come see why we’re the Best in the West!