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Learn More About How To Care For Your Tires by Understanding How They Work Tires are an integral part of your vehicle, and Borgman is here to help you make sure they stay in good shape for as long as possible. Tires have quite the job description: they carry the vehicle everywhere throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan, they keep road noise down, the ride smooth, and keep your grip in slick conditions. To achieve all of this, there is a fair bit of physics and chemistry at play, but you don't really have to worry about any of that. Getting peak performance out of your tires from Borgman is as simple as giving them a look-over every month. Below, we've provided a punch list of what to look for and tips to keep your tires in tip-top shape. more Read More Anatomy of a Tire & Fast Tips: Tread: The part that comes into contact with the road. This part can vary in composition or pattern depending on intended use. Snow tires will have deeper treads and a different blend of rubber than all-season tires and so on. Sidewall: Shows all of the technical information about the tire, protects the tire against minor scrapes with the curb, and provides structure to the tire. Bead: A rigid ring along the tire's openings at the base of the sidewall that wraps around the rim, producing that nearly-airtight seal. Air pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi.) Typically, tires should be inflated to 33 psi, but check your vehicle's specified number. Tires naturally lose about 1 psi of pressure every month. Because cold air is denser than warm air, tires also lose an additional 1 psi for every 10-degree drop in outside air temperature. That can be why they all appear to be going flat in the fall months. Those little 'hairs' on a new set of tires are actually called 'vent spews,' and are a result of air being forced out of the tire mold during production. Other than proving that a tire is new, they have no bearing on performance whatsoever. If you get a flat, installing your vehicle's spare tire is always preferable. If you absolutely have to use an aerosol sealant, please let us know during your visit. That way we know to clean everything and check your tire pressure monitoring system. Things to Know When Checking Your Tires First, read the safety and roadside emergency information in your owner’s manual. Frankly, it's much better to be familiar with the contents before it's a necessity. Step by step directions for changing the spare tire is in here. There is also an important distinction that we need to point out, and that's the difference between the maximum and operating tire pressure. Maximum pressure is molded onto the tire's sidewall, and pressure in the tire should never exceed this number. Operating tire pressure is what you aim for when filling your tires. Before we take an air pressure reading, ask yourself, "Are the tires warm?" To get the most accurate reading, your tire pressure needs to be checked “cold,” meaning the vehicle has been parked for at least an hour and in the shade. Even if it's a cool day and you only drove a mile, friction between the road and the rubber builds up heat and expands the air in the tire which throws off your reading. If you have to check them warm, subtract about 4 to 6 psi from your reading to compensate. Remove the tire valve cap, and place the tire pressure gauge on it firmly. Make sure you don’t hear any air leaking. A digital or dial gauge should give you a reading on the screen or dial; stick-type gauges have a stick that pops out the bottom—the highest pressure shown is your current tire pressure. Remove the tire gauge and measure again. If the pressure is low, add air by placing the end of an air pump hose over the tire valve. If you’re using a high-pressure air hose at a gas station, only fill the tire for five seconds, then stop. Lower-pressure personal air pumps can stay on for longer, especially if the tire is very low. Never leave the pump alone as it could overinflate the tire and damage it. Recheck the pressure. If the tire is overinflated, you can release air by pressing the valve inside the tire valve stem. An ink pen works great for this. Once you have confirmed your tire is inflated to the proper level, replace the valve cap. Repeat these steps for each tire, and don't forget to check your spare too! Everything you need to know will be printed on a sticker on the spare tire's rim or in your owner's manual. How Do I Know When I Need New Tires? While you're kneeling down checking the tire pressure, it's a good idea to take a close look for visible signs of wear and tear. In general, tires last about 6 years, but may need to be replaced if you notice any of the following: The tread has worn down to less than 3/32".  This is about the distance from the top of a penny to the top of Honest Abe's head. If any part of his head is covered, you should be ok for a while longer. Any bulges, blisters, or bubbles Cracking in the tread grooves Punctures, cuts, peeling, snags, or separation in tire tread or sidewall Sudden loss of tire pressure Poor handling or traction on slippery surfaces Pulling to one side while driving Sudden vibration while driving Tires that have been driven while flat Get Complete Tire Care at Borgman Ford Service Center in Grand Rapids, MI Keeping your tires inflated is essential for good fuel economy, responsive handling, safety, and getting the most miles out of them. However, there are other things that need to be done as well, such as rotations, balancing, and alignments. Making sure these are done as needed ensures not only tire health, but the longevity of other parts such as your brakes, suspension, and steering. If you need new tires, or just want to have them checked out by a certified and trusted technician, give us a call at 616-534-7651, or schedule an appointment online. Be sure to visit our Service Specials page for the latest coupons and offers. Drive safe, West Michigan!

Get Ready To Hit The Road for Labor Day Weekend At Borgman Ford, we want to make sure that everyone taking off for the long Labor Day weekend has a safe trip across West Michigan. Whether your weekend plans are taking you up north or just across Grand Rapids, it's still a good idea to check out the health of your vehicle from time to time. If you are about to embark on a long trip, making sure that your vehicle runs like a top before setting out can ensure that you arrive on-time and safely. more Read More Below, we've included a handy 7-step guide from MyFordMag.com that shows some simple but important tips for checking out your vehicle and making sure you're prepared for anything on a long drive around Michigan. Here are the 7 tips: 1. Change your cabin air filter. It’s easy to forget all about your cabin air filter, especially on short jaunts around town. But when you’re on a road trip, stale air is hard to ignore. The air filter catches dust, pollen, and allergens that enter through the vents from the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, so after blasting the heat all winter, you might need to change it to keep the air cleaner. Check your owner’s manual to find out the recommended maintenance interval; your cabin air filter usually needs to be replaced every 15,000 miles or so, which is about twice as often as your engine filter. But if you suffer from allergies or respiratory problems, or if you frequently drive in dusty conditions, you may want to replace it more often. To change the filter, first check your manual to locate it (it’s often behind the glove compartment), then depress the inner plastic tabs to pop it out. Replace it with the appropriate Motorcraft® cabin air filter. Want to make it even easier? Our service center can change the filter for you. 2. Check your heating and cooling systems. Halfway into a road trip is pretty much the worst time to have your car overheat. Warmer months and long journeys require more coolant, because the engine’s constant power gives off a lot of heat, and using the air conditioner can put an extra load on the engine. So it’s very important to fill up your coolant before you head out. Under the hood, you’ll see the engine coolant reservoir, usually a translucent white container with a hose that connects to the radiator. There’s a fill indicator on the reservoir. If your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the cold fill line. If you need to add fluid, make sure the engine and reservoir cap are cool to the touch. Before you twist off the cap, cover it with a thick cloth, as the cap is under pressure. Add either pre-diluted coolant or a 50-50 mix of the fluid and distilled water up to the cold fill line, and consider using the correct Motorcraft® coolant for the best results. Replace the cap—you should be all set with the coolant. But before you close the hood … 3. Fill up your other fluids. First, check your oil. Then top off your windshield wiper fluid to help clear the inevitable bug splatter buildup that comes with road trips. The reservoir is usually white and transparent and has a windshield/water symbol on the cap. Next check your power steering fluid, your transmission fluid (if you haven’t checked it for a while) and brake fluid. Low levels of brake fluid may mean you have worn-out brake pads and you should get them inspected at your dealer. Your owner’s manual will provide specific information about which fluids need to be replaced and when, based on your vehicle’s year, model and make. While you’re under the hood, look for anything odd: twisted hoses, leaks or corrosion on the battery. If everything looks good, go ahead and shut the hood now. 4. Inspect windshield wiper blades. Wiper blades take a beating during winter months when snow and low temps can degrade the rubber, so you may want to replace them before you start your trip. It’s easy to do yourself; just check your owner’s manual for instructions and blade sizes. Or even simpler: have the blades replaced at our service center. 5. Tend to your tires. Scenic overlooks should be for taking beautiful photos, not changing tires. To try to minimize hassle on your road trip, make sure you take care of your tires ahead of time. Fill them to the correct pressure. Rotate them every 8,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation, to ensure even tread wear. And look for each tire’s wear indicator: When it appears level with the tread, it’s time for a replacement. Use the Ford Service Tire Finder to get the right match. You can also go to the Borgman Service Center to get your wear indicators examined by one of our service technicians—and they can change your tires for you. Remember: While checking your tires, you also need to test the pressure on your spare tire. If your spare is secured underneath the vehicle, make sure you know how to remove it, and that the parts aren’t rusted or stuck—it’s way better to figure this stuff out ahead of time instead of when you actually need your spare. 6. Test the lights and mirrors. Safety is of the utmost importance on a road trip. Besides buckling up (yourself and all your passengers, of course), make sure your mirrors are moveable and in the right position. Set aside a few minutes before you leave to test your headlamps, high beams, turn signals, brake lights and hazard lights; do it with the help of a friend. Adjust headlamps to the proper height and angle to allow you to see the road better—and keep your lights from shining directly into other drivers’ eyes. If any parts are not working properly, you can check out FordParts.com or visit the Borgman Parts Center to find a new one. 7. Pack an emergency kit. Chances are, you already have some sort of an emergency kit stashed away somewhere in your vehicle. But do yourself a favor before you start your road trip: Track down the kit, open it up and take a quick inventory. Depending on how old it is, you may need to replace items or add to it. A comprehensive emergency kit should include jumper cables, work gloves, rags, a tire gauge, emergency blankets, a flashlight, flares, a spare ignition key, and basic tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. You could also add an extra headlamp as well as bottles of engine oil and coolant. For fall months and the wintertime, adding hand-warmer packets, a hat, and an extra pair of gloves and socks would be a good idea too. Tuck it all away in your trunk, and hopefully, you won’t have to dig it out again until just before your next road trip. Looking for a New Road Trip Vehicle in Grand Rapids, MI? If you're looking for a New Ford vehicle for cruising around West Michigan, stop by Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids today and check out our selection of New Ford vehicles. We have spacious, comfortable, and capable New Ford SUVs perfect for family getaways, as well as highly fuel-efficient options for those who travel all the time. If you have any concerns about your current vehicle, especially before going on a road trip, Contact the Borgman Service Center and take it in for a check up!

So the saying goes in West Michigan: if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes. Sometimes it can be pretty funny, but when you're driving along I-96 and some severe weather develops right over your head - not so much. Because the beautiful weather in West Michigan can sometimes turn ugly out of nowhere, Borgman Ford has put together a list of driving tips from MyFordMag.com that can help. The best thing you can do in heavy rain is to pull over and wait it out, but just in case that's not an option, here are 7 driving tips for navigating a bad rainstorm: more Read More 1. Slow Down The first thing you should do is slow down. This will give you more control and more time to react to other vehicles, tree limbs, or other debris in the roadway. You will need both time and control when it’s raining heavily, as the road gets pretty slippery and visibility is limited. 2. The Start of the Storm Can Be Dangerous When the rain first starts, moisture mixes with the oil on the road and makes everything slippery and dangerous. Heavy rains will eventually wash the oil away—but that’s when you have to worry about hydroplaning, which is when your car loses contact with the road and almost feels as though it’s floating. 3. Hydroplaning? Take Your Foot Off The Gas. If you find yourself hydroplaning, keep calm, take your foot off the gas and steer in a safe direction. Avoid hydroplaning by slowing down, turning off cruise control and avoiding sudden braking and turns. You’re more likely to hydroplane on non-grooved asphalt roads than ribbed concrete —particularly if there are tire ruts worn into the asphalt. Also, avoid any areas on the road where deeper water collects. 4. Do Not Attempt to Drive Through Deep Puddles Puddles can hide some pretty big potholes, so try to drive around them if you can while being mindful of vehicles in adjacent lanes. Do not drive in areas that are flooded or have moving water. Deep water can wreak havoc on your electrical system and engine. As little as a foot of water can float some vehicles, and two feet of rushing water can sweep vehicles away, including SUVs and pick-ups. 5. Turn On Your Headlights With heavy rain comes dark skies, so turn on your headlights, but don’t use your high beams. The extra light will refract against the water droplets - making visibility worse. Plus, other drivers will thank you too. 6. Flip On Defrosters & Set A/C or Heat to "Fresh Air" Turn on your defrosters to reduce fog on your windows, and set your air conditioner or heater to the "Fresh-Air" setting instead of "Recirculate." 7. Keep Your Distance Giving yourself enough time to react and stop is going to be key. Maintaining a safe following distance from the traffic ahead is a good practice anyway, but sudden braking can send you into a tailspin in heavy rain. The spray from trucks or large vehicles can also obscure your vision, so keep your distance or try to pass them if it becomes safe to do so. Whatever The Weather - Drive With Confidence Being prepared is another important part of staying safe on the roadway - especially during heavy rains or other severe weather. If it's been a while since your vehicle has been looked over, Schedule An Appointment with our Service Center to make sure your wipers, tires, brakes, and headlights are in good shape and working properly. If you're looking for a dependable, safe, and West-Michigan-friendly vehicle for your adventures, visit Borgman Ford today and check out our lineup of capable Ford Vehicles. Our friendly sales staff will answer any questions you may have, including any about the safety features that come with your favorite model. Come see what makes Borgman Ford the Best in the West!