Blog

Learn How To Recover From Different Skids, Retrain Your Pedal Foot, and More! The winter weather has arrived in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, and it looks like it's staying for the season. While it's undeniably beautiful to look at, snow and ice can make driving hazardous, especially with the influx of cars on the road during the holiday shopping and travel season. In the interest of making sure everyone arrives at their destinations safely, Borgman has put together a few advanced tips for winter driving, which include a quick hit on some vehicle physics plus 4 types of skids and how to recover from them. We've written an article that covers the basics of safe winter driving, which you can find here. To further sharpen your winter driving skills, keep on reading! more Read More One thing we have to say is that this article is merely a guide, and will not apply to every situation. If you perform these maneuvers, you do so on your own volition. A Quick Note About Vehicle Physics: Just like anything else, you and your vehicle are bound by the natural laws of physics. You utilize and compensate for them every time you drive, perhaps without realizing it. The trouble with winter driving is that most of your ability to control your vehicle all hinges on friction, which there is much less of to work with! Here are some of the physical forces acting on your vehicle, and how they relate to driving: Inertia & Momentum: Think of a shopping cart that's full of groceries. It's much heavier than an empty cart, so it's harder to start and stop. Momentum, put simply, is a resistance to changes in speed. Inertia (a property of objects) and your velocity both add up to your momentum, so the weight of your vehicle and the speed you're going will both influence your ability to stop. Increase either, and you'll need more distance and more braking (force) to slow down. Centripetal/Centrifugal Force: This is what you experience when taking a turn too fast. Everything in the car flies opposite way you're turning. This is due to Newtonian Physics: everything wants to stay in motion, and their inertia and momentum keep them moving in the direction they were going - regardless of what your car is doing. What these forces basically mean is that Objects moving on a curved path will be forced away from the center of the Friction: This is where the rubber hits the road, so to speak. Friction can be described as a resistance to motion between two surfaces. Your tires maintain friction with the road to help you start, stop, and turn. With snow and ice comes less friction, therefore you'll need more surface (distance) to overcome your vehicle's forward motion. Learn What Your Vehicle Does When It Loses Traction - Safely Every vehicle is different, and those differences will affect how it handles in low traction. Your wheelbase, driveline, curb weight, power, and center of mass will all play a part, and the best thing you can do according to NHTSA.gov is to experiment in an empty, snowy parking lot. This gives you a chance to see how your vehicle behaves when it loses grip, and familiarize yourself with any onboard countermeasures, such as Ford's Intelligent 4-Wheel Drive or Mazda's iACTIV All-Wheel Drive. This will also give you a good idea of how much space your vehicle needs to stop - relative to its speed - in a controlled, safe environment. "Stomp and steer!" Remember that Anti-Lock Brakes do not help you stop faster, they let you keep steering while braking. If you feel the brake pedal vibrating, or hear a weird noise, that's just the ABS pump doing its thing. Stay focused on your destination, not your obstacle and don't make any sudden movements. Three of the most common causes of accidents when driving on ice are the Forward Skid, the Oversteer Skid, and the Understeer Skid. These situations can almost always be prevented by taking it slow in ice and snow, but here's how you could mitigate them if you find yourself in them: The Forward Skid Uh oh. The car in front of you that kept gingerly tapping their brakes? Well, they're actually stopping now, and you've got to do something quick. Don't Panic: You hit the brake pedal hard and as soon as you see this happen. Your wheels, ABS or no, don't have enough friction to overcome your forward momentum and you slide into their rear bumper. Do This: First, learn to spot nervous drivers like the one above and give them a bit more space than usual. If you need to stop suddenly, during your parking lot tour you may find that you can actually brake pretty hard in slippery conditions as long as you do so smoothly! If you have Anti-Lock Brakes, give them a smooth, firm press and hold. If you don't have ABS, pump the brakes. Check your blind spots to find a safe way around them if you won't be able to stop in time. The Understeer Skid There's your turn, and you're coming in a little too fast. What Happens: Too little too late. You hit the brake pedal as normal and start turning the wheel - except you're not turning. Your front tires are turned but have lost traction and you're plowing diagonally across the road. Centripetal force is pushing you out away from your turn because you have too much forward momentum. How To Save It: If you turned the wheel and you're not turning, the problem is in the pedals. Release the gas and gently apply the brake. This will transfer weight from the back of the car to the front - where you need the grip. Palm, don't clench the wheel. Now, focus on where you want the car to go, and not what you're trying to avoid. Once your nose is lined up, gently press the gas to pull your car forward towards where you want to go, being mindful that this will shift weight back to the rear wheels. The Oversteer Skid There's your turn, and you're coming in a little too fast. You hit the brakes... What Happens: Too much too late. You hit the brake pedal hard and start turning the wheel. Now, your vehicle's weight has shifted to the nose and your rear wheels have completely lost traction. You start doing a "donut." How To Save It: Again, the problem is in the pedals. Release the brake and focus on where you want the car to go. Once your nose is lined up, gently press the gas to shift the weight back to the rear wheels and pull your vehicle toward where you're looking. You're not out of the woods yet though, because oversteer often leads to... Fishtailing A Counterskid or "Fishtailing" usually happens when drivers correct late, overcorrect, and then repeat until they're in a ditch - or worse. Your rear end swings back and forth, picking up speed with each pass. Needless to say, they're dangerous and the best possible thing you can do is keep your cool and focus on where you want the vehicle to go. What Happens: The back of the car is sliding all over the place because the rear wheels have no traction! How To Save It: Lock your eyes on the middle of your lane. Keep both hands on the wheel at 9 and 3 and gently press the gas. If you focus on a spot while driving, your hands will work the wheel to get you there if you let them. Gently pressing the gas will shift weight towards the back of the vehicle and help the rear tires maintain grip while pulling the car forward. The Key To Safe Driving in West Michigan Weather Borgman Ford Mazda put this article together because we want everyone to be safe while driving - especially during one of Grand Rapids' infamous snowstorms. The wisest of Winter Warriors out there, whether they're driving a powerful Ford F-150, and agile Ford Focus, or a capable Mazda CX-9, know that the best way to avoid the situations we described above is to slow down and give themselves enough space. Understanding the physical forces acting on your vehicle and how to recover from common skids is important, but avoiding them altogether is best. For more winter driving tips, visit NHTSA.gov. If your tires aren't gripping as well as they used to, take a look at our current Service Specials and contact the Borgman Ford Mazda Service Center for a great deal on a new set. If the winter has gotten you into a spill, we can repair your vehicle to pre-accident condition! Visit the Borgman Collision Center and we will prepare the estimate, negotiate with the insurance company so you can relax. Stay safe out there, and enjoy the West Michigan Winter!

Borgman Ford Proud To Offer Eco-Friendly Options for West Michigan Public Safety Organizations Borgman Ford is proud to offer quality Ford Vehicles to drivers in West Michigan, and we pride ourselves on our selection of eco-friendly cars, SUVs, and Trucks. Saving money on fuel isn't the only benefit of choosing from the Ford EcoBoost, Hybrid, or Energi lineup; drivers also help keep West Michigan beautiful by reducing or eliminating emissions. more Read More Because public safety officials such as fire chiefs and detectives spend a considerable amount of their day driving around, Ford has added a New Plug-In Hybrid sedan to their municipal offerings. This gives organizations a way to cut down on fuel costs, and preserve the air quality of the communities they serve. This is a first-ever for Ford's public service lineup, and will be available for pre-order very soon! You can get more details via an article from the Official Ford Media Center below: Ford Launches Its First Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle For Police And Government Customers Earlier this year, Ford revealed the world’s first-ever pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicle. Today, the company is giving law enforcement an even more efficient option with the reveal of a plug-in hybrid vehicle capable of driving up to 21 miles without a drop of gas. The Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan, the first plug-in hybrid police vehicle from Ford, is designed for police and fire chiefs, detectives, and other government personnel whose jobs don’t require a pursuit-rated vehicle. “This is the first Ford police vehicle that can potentially get through an entire shift using no gasoline whatsoever,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. “Anyone can plug this in to any wall outlet to run gas- and emissions-free on battery-only operation.” The vehicle’s 3.3-kilowatt onboard charger allows agencies to fully charge the 7.6-kilowatt-hour battery in just 2.5 hours on a 240-volt, level-two charger. But Ford is confident most agencies won’t need anything more than a regular 120-volt wall outlet to recharge. The lithium-ion battery can move the vehicle up to 21 miles on a single charge and up to 85 mph on battery power alone. Once the battery runs down, the vehicle is powered by its gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant – with a range surpassing 500 miles – eliminating any concerns of range anxiety typically associated with battery-only electrics. Customers will be able to order the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan in December with sales starting next summer. You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.Com. Fuel-Efficient Ford Vehicles For Sale at Borgman Ford Borgman Ford is your home for high-quality and fuel-efficient Ford vehicles in Grand Rapids and West Michigan. If you're looking to cut down on your fuel usage and emissions, visit our showroom today and check out our full lineup of Ford EcoBoost Cars, Trucks, and SUVs, or go a step further and browse our Hybrid and Electric options. If you are a purchaser for a West Michigan Public Safety Organization and would like to learn more about the Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan, please feel free to Contact Our Ford Commercial Vehicle Center. Our highly knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Check Out The Latest Upgrades to the 2018 Mazda6: Coming Soon to Borgman Mazda in Grand Rapids With the recent reveal of the New 2018 Mazda6 at the Los Angeles Auto show, Borgman Mazda is excited to share some key improvements that were announced during Mazda's presentation! Although the 2018 model-year carries a big update to the Mazda6 with a long list of new features and tweaks, there are five key areas that shine the brightest. These include significant changes to the interior with redesigned seats, the addition of a beefy 2.5L Turbocharged engine, a 360° View Monitor feature, and more. more Read More Mazda just published an article that dives into these five key improvements more in-depth, which we've included below. This gives West Michigan drivers and Mazda fans a tantalizing first-look at the 2018 Mazda6, and what they can expect when it arrives in Grand Rapids next spring. Here is the list as it appears on InsideMazda.com: 1. Elegant Interior In Japan, Sen Wood has been a favorite material for centuries. Often used for fine furniture and musical instruments such as taiko drums, Sen Wood is prized for its texture and durability. By using Sen Wood along with other top-grade materials in a newly designed cabin, Mazda brings another level of traditional Japanese Takumi craftsmanship to the 2018 Mazda6. The redesigned cabin gives the Mazda6 a feeling of “Mature Elegance.” 2. Ergonomic Seating Mazda believes in enhancing the connection between driver and vehicle wherever possible, creating the distinctive Jinba Ittai–“horse and rider are one”–driving philosophy. Using human-centric design principles, the 2018 Mazda6 features completely redesigned front seats. The new seats are wider, and constructed with a high-density urethane body to absorb vibration and increase physical support for driver and passenger alike. The seats are designed to encourage a natural S-shape in the human spine to help improve comfort and reduce fatigue. The 2018 Mazda6 is available with new front seat ventilation as well as heated front and rear seats. 3. Turbocharged Engine Mazda added the award-winning SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine as a new option. This direct-injected four-cylinder engine makes horsepower and torque comparable to a 4.0-liter V8, offering an effortless performance feel that is equal parts composure and excitement. The turbocharged SKYACTIV engine is rated to deliver up to 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. With this powertrain, the 2018 Mazda6 will now challenge the top European brands on performance as well as with its handling dynamics that have long helped Mazda6 stand out from its competition. In addition, the powertrain lineup adopts a new cylinder deactivation system for the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine, when equipped with its SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission, offering greater fuel efficiency. 4. Technology To Meet Human Needs The 2018 Mazda6 offers new technology features such as a 360° View Monitor, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go function and a new windshield projected Active Driving Display head-up unit that displays critical driver information that helps reduce distractions by keeping eyes on the road. On the dash, a new 8-inch MAZDA CONNECT™ infotainment system offers more definition and improved graphics. 5. Performance-Oriented Ride Most drivers might never notice the changes made to the SKYACTIV-CHASSIS in the 2018 Mazda6, but they’ll likely feel the improvements. Building on Mazda’s industry-exclusive G-Vectoring Control, the new Mazda6 features a redesigned suspension to help provide a smoother ride and improved dynamic performance. Other improvements include a stiffer platform, a new steering rack designed to help deliver sharper steering response and thicker sheet metal for a refined experience befitting of a far more expensive car. All this reduces interior noise while making the new Mazda6 even more connected and responsive to the driver’s inputs. This article was originally published on InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com You can follow the preceding link to read the full article. Explore The 2018 Mazda6 - Coming Soon to Grand Rapids, MI If you're as excited as we are about the upcoming 2018 Mazda6, stay tuned here for the latest news and updates. If you're shopping for a New Mazda6 today, Borgman Mazda has a great selection of New Mazda Vehicles at affordable prices. You can browse our New Mazda Inventory, pick out a favorite, and visit us to take it out for a spin! Our highly knowledgeable and friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and don't forget to ask about our Exclusive Free 20-Year 200,000 Mile Warranty with every New Mazda we sell! Come see why Borgman is the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford is pleased to announce to our truck fans in West Michigan that Motor Trend has named the New Ford F-150 as 2018 Truck of the Year! This is the 5th time the F-150 has earned the honor, and it compliments the Ford Super Duty's win from last year. Every year, Motor Trend editors review several trucks from many different manufacturers. After spending quality time with the 2018 F-150 XL, Lariat, Platinum, and Raptor, the decision was unanimous. The F-150 would take home the crown this year, thanks to superior design, engineering, safety features, value, efficiency, and performance. Check out some excerpts from Ford's victory announcement below! New F-150 Named 2018 Motor Trend Truck Of The Year; Ford First With Full Truck Line Back-To-Back Wins Ford, America’s truck leader for 40 straight years, has bested all competitors to earn 2018 Motor Trend Truck of the Year honors for the new Ford F-150. This is the fifth win for F-150, and this award follows the all-new Ford Super Duty capturing the award in 2017. “Back-to-back wins for F-150 and Super Duty reflect what we’re also seeing and hearing from customers as we celebrate 40 straight years as America’s favorite and best-selling trucks,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president and president, North America. “The Ford Truck team stretched further than ever to deliver our toughest, most capable and smartest trucks.” “This year’s competition was fierce, but the vote was unanimous,” said Ed Loh, Motor Trend editor in chief. ”The newly redesigned 2018 F-150 exceeded our expectations in every category – powertrain, performance, technology and overall execution.” The Ford F-150 line went up against the latest competitive truck offerings in a program that combined empirical and real-world testing to find the truck that best met the award’s key criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, safety, value, efficiency and performance of intended function. Motor Trend editors put to the test four vehicles from the Ford pickup lineup: the 2018 F-150 XL with the all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine, F-150 Lariat with the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost®, F-150 Platinum with an enhanced 5.0-liter V8, and the high-performance off-road F-150 Raptor. Judges cited overall towing capability, advanced technology functionality and powertrain performance among their favorite F-150 attributes. They also noted exemplary on- and off-road driving performance, best-in-class fuel economy and innovative cab design as F-150 strengths. You can read the full press release by visiting Media.Ford.com. Borgman Ford is West Michigan's Proud Home of Ford's Award-Winning F-Series Trucks If you're looking for a truck that tows more, hauls more, burns less, and works smarter than all the rest, visit Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids and browse our selection of New Ford F-150 Trucks! Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you have about the New Ford F-150's engines, features, sizes, or anything else you'd like to know - so ask away! Take a look at our New Ford F-150 Inventory and stop by to test drive your favorite. We will never pressure you into a sale, and pride ourselves on our customer service. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford Mazda wishes you and yours a safe and happy holiday. Whether you'll be spending your time with loved ones in the greater Grand Rapids area, or taking your family on a road trip, please take care on the roads. AAA projects 50.9 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving, a 3.3 percent increase over last year. The 2017 holiday weekend will see the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005 with 1.6 million more people taking to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways compared with last year. Nobody wants to hear this, but holiday travel, combined with holiday drinking, will result in hundreds of deaths and injuries this holiday season. Over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend alone, the National Safety Council estimates 433 deaths and 52,300 injuries requiring medical attention may occur because of car crashes. But the annual projection isn’t meant to scare you off, the nonprofit group says. It's meant to remind you to take good care on the road and remember, we're all in this together. Red Cross Holiday Safety Tips: 1. Make sure your car is in good condition for a road trip. 2. Pack an emergency preparedness kit and supplies in the trunk. 3. Share travel plans with a family member or friend. 4. Check the weather along your route and plan for travel around any storms that may be coming. 5. Be well rested and alert. 6. Buckle up, slow down, and don’t drive impaired. 7. Follow the rules of the road and use caution in work zones. 8. Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones. 9. Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest. 10. If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

Borgman Ford is playing Santa's sleigh-helper for the 2017 Toys for Tots Drive. Area Marine Corps Reserve volunteers will be touring the town to collect toys to brighten the life of a child this Christmas in two Ford Transit Vans loaned to the cause. Each year, the US Marine Corps teams up with various businesses and organizations to provide toy drop-off locations for those wishing to make a donation. The Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Corps League and civilian volunteers collect all toy donations and distribute them to needy families in the area. "The Transit Cargo Van is a very capable Dasher or Comet " said Tod Tobin, Commercial Account manager in Borgman's Fleet department. "Pick any reindeer who's a reliable performer with some zip and you have the soul-twin of the Transit Van." Ford's best selling delivery workhorse will be making the rounds at Grand Rapids area businesses this year throughout the balance of November until the final pickup December 20th. "We challenge every business to do what they can to collect toys for this great cause. Sign up and brighten the life of a child," said Matt Borgman, General Manager of the dealership. Borgman Ford Mazda will be calling on its own customers to fill a few van loads of toys this season. Drop-offs begin today, with a $10 Off Oil Change coupon for the first 250 donors. MAKE A DONATION: Stop by the dealership at 3150 28th Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI any time before Dec. 10th with your unwrapped toy(s). The average age for children receiving toys is 14 years and younger. Please note that Toys For Tots will not accept realistic looking weapon toys and gifts with food. REGISTER TO RECEIVE TOYS: To register as a Toys For Tots recipient, contact a Marine Corps representative. FOR COMPANIES - BECOME A TOY DROP OFF LOCATION The deadline to register to become a drop off location is Nov. 26. Follow this link to sign up: https://grand-rapids-mi.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/local-toy-drop-form.aspx

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids Applauds Ford For Investing In Their Employees' Well-Being Borgman Ford is continually impressed with the advances Ford is making in their current and future generations of vehicles. However, this latest trial-run of new technology isn't going into the vehicles themselves but helping to support the workers who make them. With the help of Ekso Bionics in California, Ford is outfitting some of their assembly line workers with an advanced, non-powered exoskeleton to better support their upper body while performing tasks above their head. more Read More In this latest article from the Official Ford Media Center, Ford tells more about the new technology, how it helps its workers both on and off the clock, as well as plans to expand their use to other parts of the globe. Here are some excerpts from the article: Ford Pilots New Exoskeleton Technology To Help Lessen Chance Of Worker Fatigue, Injury Putting dishes on a high shelf or changing an overhead lightbulb occasionally might not be difficult, but could you imagine performing either of these tasks 4,600 times per day? How about 1 million times a year? These are the approximate number of times some Ford assembly line workers lift their arms during overhead work tasks. At this rate, the possibility of fatigue or injury on the body increases significantly. But a new upper body exoskeletal tool – the result of a partnership between Ford and California-based Ekso Bionics – helps lessen the chance of injury. “My job entails working over my head, so when I get home my back, neck and shoulders usually hurt,” said Paul Collins, an assembly line worker at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. “Since I started using the vest, I’m not as sore, and I have more energy to play with my grandsons when I get home.” Called EksoVest, the wearable technology elevates and supports a worker’s arms while performing overhead tasks. It can be fitted to support workers ranging from 5 feet tall to 6 feet 4 inches tall, and provides adjustable lift assistance of five pounds to 15 pounds per arm. It’s comfortable to wear because it’s lightweight, it isn’t bulky, and it allows workers to move their arms freely. Designed and built for dynamic, real-world environments like factories, construction sites and distribution centers, the non-powered vest offers protection and support against fatigue and injury by reducing the stress and strain of high-frequency, long-duration activities that can take a toll on the body over time. With support from the United Automobile Workers and Ford, EksoVest is being piloted in two U.S. plants, with plans to test in other regions, including Europe and South America. Continue reading at Media.Ford.com. Borgman Ford: Your Home For Quality Ford Vehicles in Grand Rapids & West Michigan We at Borgman Ford are proud to offer Ford vehicles to drivers in West Michigan, not just because of their quality, but also because of Ford's dedication to their employees. We hold the same values at Borgman Ford, both to our employees and to every customer who walks through our doors. We invite you to browse our full lineup of New Ford Vehicles online, stop by to test drive your favorites and experience the Borgman difference. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or ask one of our friendly sales associates. We hope to see you soon!

Borgman Mazda Excited For The Future of Cars in West Michigan Borgman Mazda has been tuned-in to the coverage of the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, and now that it's wrapped up, we're excited to share three exciting exhibits from Mazda with our fans in West Michigan. On display this year was a re-imagining of the Vision Coupe from the 2015 show, an all-new concept called the Mazda Kai, and more information on the upcoming SKYACTIV-X Engine. These will serve as the basis for Mazda's next generation of vehicles, with elements of their designs making appearances throughout the lineup. more Read More While auto shows in the United States and Europe focus more on "halo" cars and actual production vehicles, the Tokyo Motor Show is a bit different. It's held once every two years and serves more as a platform for Japanese automakers to show off their concepts and visions for the future of transportation. For 2017, Mazda certainly brought their 'A' Game, but not in the same way as their competitors. Mazda remembered that people enjoy driving and respond to a well-executed design. The gentle rumble of the engine. The craftsmanship in the interiors. The feel of the seat and the view from the cockpit. This is where Mazda shone this year, and others somewhat missed the mark. Below, we've gathered up some highlights of these three concepts from articles on InsideMazda. Take a look! The Mazda Vision Coupe Returns The VISION COUPE represents Mazda’s design vision for next-generation models; a more mature expression of KODO applies a Japanese aesthetic to achieve more elegant and premium styling. The exterior features a “one motion” form that exudes a sense of speed and the interior combines three-dimensional depth with a strong longitudinal axis to create a relaxed space that maintains a sense of speed. Looking back through Mazda's design history, the starting point for “Mazda elegance” is perhaps represented by the 1960 Mazda R360 and the 1969 Mazda Luce rotary coupe. In an age preoccupied with the notion of efficiency, the focus of these models was on creating beautiful proportions. Though the playful allure of these cars ran counter to the general trends of this period, this style was ultimately to become the origins of the “Mazda elegance” of today. The Mazda VISION COUPE is a next-generation design vision model which showcases the “new elegance” that Mazda has developed, drawing upon their long history of design. The name of the car—“COUPE”—gives a hint of where this special “Mazda elegance” originally came from. Introducing the Mazda Kai Concept The Mazda KAI CONCEPT compact hatchback heralds a new generation of Mazda cars. Featuring the next-generation SKYACTIV-X gasoline engine, SKYACTIV-Vehicle Architecture and a more mature expression of the KODO design language, the model embodies the technology, engineering and design concepts that will define the next generation of Mazda cars. Refinements in all areas of dynamic performance have produced a dramatically quieter, more comfortable ride and an enhanced performance feel. The KAI CONCEPT features muscular, solid proportions and its form is brought to life by a delicate flow of reflections over the body sides. More Details on the SKYACTIV-X Engine We already covered the new SKYACTIV-X Engine and how it works in an article here, but Mazda took some time to discuss this project during their presentation. Here's an excerpt from a related article: The SKYACTIV-X is a groundbreaking new engine exclusive to Mazda in which the benefits of a spark-ignition gasoline engine—expansiveness at high rpms and cleaner exhaust emissions—have been combined with those of a compression-ignition diesel engine—superior initial response and fuel economy—to produce a crossover engine that delivers the best of both worlds. Coming after Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine and SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, this third SKYACTIV engine has been given the new name of “X” in recognition of this dual role. "At Mazda, we believe that there is still ample room for further evolution of the internal combustion engine and that this technology has the potential to contribute in a major way to conservation of our global environment. Based on Mazda’s corporate vision of protecting our beautiful planet while enriching people’s lives through the 'joy of driving,' we plan to continue on our ceaseless quest to develop the ideal combustion engine." You can read the full, in-depth article about the presentation here. For complete coverage on Mazda and their exhibits at the 2017 Tokyo Auto Show, head over to InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com. Visit Borgman Mazda in Grand Rapids, MI Are you as excited about the future of Mazda vehicles as we are? Between the bold new design language of the VISION COUPE and the Mazda Kai, the next generation of Mazda vehicles is sure to impress and keep the thrill of driving alive with the spirited and efficient SKYACTIV-X Engine. Whether you've driven a Mazda for years, or are new to the brand and want to know what makes them special, we invite you to visit our showroom in Grand Rapids to take one out for a test drive. Our friendly and courteous staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have and make sure you're paired with a vehicle that suits your needs and your budget. Remember that every New Mazda we sell includes our Free 20-Year 200,000-Mile Warranty!

West Michigan Drivers Reap Benefits of Renewable Research & Testing At Borgman Ford, we're always interested in the latest news regarding new technology in the auto industry, especially when its focus is to improve the experience of West Michigan drivers. Over the years, Ford has been making a big push to minimize their impact on the environment, all the while making a better product for their customers. Some of this is done directly, through reducing their water usage and manufacturing waste, while other efforts are a bit more unconventional. more Read More For example, take the driver's seat in a Ford Vehicle. Years and years ago, using petroleum-based foam padding was the industry standard, and because oil was so cheap, there wasn't much of an incentive to research and develop an eco-friendly alternative. Also, when the seat was worn out or the vehicle was retired, all of those non-renewable materials end up where you'd expect - a junkyard or a landfill. Over the past 10 years, Ford has been developing and advocating for the use of renewable materials throughout their vehicles, with recycled soybean foam at the forefront. Since the first appearance of soybean-based foam in the seats of the 2008 Mustang, it’s been a key material used in the seat cushions, seat backs and headrests of every Ford vehicle built in North America. Renewable Materials Can & Do Replace Petroleum-Based Ones Making sure these new and renewable materials outperform their petroleum-based counterparts is another key part of the issue. People in West Michigan and the world over choose Ford because of the quality and reliability of their product, and if renewable but otherwise sub-par seating is a part of that product, they've been done a disservice. Just bringing the idea to market in the first place was a challenge. During the initial testing, none of the foams met the rigorous requirements of automotive seating. Early trials failed to meet durability standards for seat cushions, which need to rebound for the equivalent of 15 years. Apart from that, the early foams smelled absolutely terrible. Needless to say, a lot of work went into resolving these issues before bringing soybean-based foam to market. After the foam was reformulated to meet or exceed automotive standards, and that awful smell was removed, it was rolled out all over North America. Since that time, over 18.5 million vehicles have been produced with renewable soybean-based foam, preventing more than 228 million pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. You can read the full story about Ford's research into soybeans on Medium.com. Experience Ford's Renewable Foam Seating at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids If you're curious about what the soybean-based foam feels like, we invite you to stop by the Borgman Ford showroom and take any of our New Ford Vehicles out for a test drive! Our friendly staff will be happy to help you and answer any questions you may have about the 2018 Ford Lineup. Please feel free to browse our New Ford Inventory, and if you see a new Ford car, truck, or SUV you'd like to try, click the red 'Schedule Test Drive" button to get started! We hope to see you soon!

Your Chance To Own Iconic Pieces of Ford History at Miedema Auctions Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is pleased to share with auto enthusiasts in West Michigan that two of Ford's most recognizable vehicles from yesteryear will be up for auction this weekend on Saturday, November 4th. Held at Miedema Auctioneering in Lakeview, Michigan, the auction will feature a number of items and vehicles, including partially-restored 1966 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and a 1926 Ford Model T Sedan. The auction begins at 10 a.m, and you can view the entire catalog here. We first heard about this opportunity on Mlive.com, and we've included an excerpt from the article by Brandon Champion below: more Read More Model T, 1966 Ford Mustang Among Vehicles Available At Live Auction Car enthusiasts will have a chance to claim a piece of Michigan's auto legacy at an upcoming auction in Lakeview. The live auction will feature an extensive collection of vehicles owned by the late Walter Behrenwald, who unexpectedly passed away last month. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 and will be held at 805 N. Lincoln Ave., in Lakeview. "Cars now-a-days are not made like they once were, and when we see cars made many years ago we tend to stare in awe of the beauty," a news release issued by Miedema Auctioneering, Inc. reads. "Many people will collect cars to preserve their beauty and show them off from time to time, and this is what the late Walter Behrenwald did." You can see the full article here. About Borgman Ford Mazda in Grand Rapids, MI Borgman Ford has been family owned and operated since 1960. When Fred Borgman started the business, he believed there was a better way to sell cars: with utmost honesty and integrity. Three generations later, Fred's vision for making the car-buying process friendly and transparent continues under Matt Borgman, his grandson. Today, Borgman features a wide range of New Ford and Mazda vehicles, as well as one of the largest selections of quality Used Vehicles in the Grand Rapids area. We invite you to stop by and take your favorite vehicle out for a test drive!

How To Inspect Your Wiper Blades Before The West Michigan Winter Hits During the warmer months, we only really use our wipers during a rainstorm or cleaning gunk off of the windshield. However, once the snow flies, making sure wipers can do their job becomes more of a safety issue. At the very least, worn wiper blades will make a lot of horrible noise and leave streaks on the windshield. When they get really bad, and especially during a snowstorm, they leave you with little to no visibility in an already precarious driving situation. more Read More When wipers are in good shape, they will smoothly and quietly remove all water from their path. Checking your wipers for wear is pretty easy. Just pick it up and take a look for any ripples or cracks in the rubber. If you don’t see any glaring issues, sit behind the wheel and spray the windshield with washer fluid. When the wipers engage, keep an eye open for the following issues: Wipers do not clear all of the washer fluid in one stroke or leave streaks. Wipers make a lot of noise, even when wet. Wipers bounce up and down or stutter as they travel – indicating that some part of the assembly is bent. Windshield wipers should ideally be replaced every six months. However, if you’re looking for an easier way to tell if your wipers need replacing, visit the Borgman Ford Service Center and ask about Motorcraft Wiper Blades with wear indicator. These wiper blades have a spot that will change from black to yellow when they need to be replaced. Good Windshield Wiper Habits For West Michigan Weather Wiper blades are a relatively low-maintenance feature of your vehicle, but there are a couple of things that will wear them down faster: Operating while the wipers are dry Operating while under excessive load Both of these things usually happen completely by accident, and once or twice is probably ok. If they happen repeatedly though, it can damage the wiper, bend the arm, or even fry the motor. In most cases, “excessive load” means that the wiper motor is pulling against wipers that are frozen stuck or pushing big piles of snow off the windshield. Both can be prevented by making sure your wipers are off and at rest before getting out of your vehicle. What’s the verdict on standing wipers up before a snow storm? Whether you’ve seen this trend out in the wild or not, we want to address the idea of sticking wiper blades up before a snow storm. On one side, the claim is that by leaving them up, you prevent them from freezing directly to the windshield, and prevents damage from getting them unstuck. On the other end of it, people say that snow and ice can completely encase the blade, which can cause damage or bend wiper parts – especially in high winds. Here’s our advice: Before you turn your vehicle off, always make sure that the wipers are switched off and have returned to their resting position. That way when the vehicle is turned back on, the wipers won’t automatically turn on either. Turn on the de-icer and start brushing off the snow and scraping away the ice as normal. It’s a good idea to check your tailpipe to make sure it’s clear too. By the time you get to the windshield, it should be warm enough to not even be an issue, and you’ll be able to simply pick them up and scrape under them. Some vehicles, such as the 2018 Ford Escape, even come with windshield wiper warmers as an available feature. Don't pour hot water on your windshield! There’s one more thing we want to discourage, however tempting it may be on a sub-zero morning. Never pour hot or even warm water on your windshield to clear away ice. Hot water will shock the glass, which can cause chips or even huge cracks. Warm water lessens this danger, but more often than not will just refreeze and make a bad situation worse. Washer fluid, which contains methanol and other de-icing agents, will work to break up frost on the windshield by lowering the water’s freezing point. Before you spray with washer fluid, make sure you’ve scraped the windshield as smooth as possible to avoid damaging the wiper blades! Visit the Borgman Service Center For Quality Windshield Wiper Replacement in West Michigan If you’re looking for quality windshield wipers that are a perfect fit for your vehicle, stop by the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids and talk to one of our parts specialists. We proudly stock genuine Motorcraft wiper blades, which come in four different varieties. Depending on your vehicle, preferences, and season we’ll be able to make a recommendation as to which one is the best fit for your needs. Many of these wiper blades also boast the yellow wear indicator feature. Replacing wiper blades yourself is fairly easy, but if you’re short on time we’d be happy to do it for you. Contact our Service Center for hours and info!

See The Beautiful New Soul Red Crystal Paint at Borgman Mazda in Grand Rapids If you haven't had the chance to visit Borgman Mazda and see a New 2017 Mazda CX-5 adorned with Soul Red Crystal paint, we assure you - it's stunning. The way light dances on the body lines as well as the mesmerizing depth of the paint creates the illusion of motion - even when the vehicle is at rest. What makes the Soul Red Crystal paint even more incredible is the story of how it came to be, as well as what Mazda had to do to replicate the effect on their production vehicles. Below is an excerpt from an article on InsideMazda which tells the story in greater detail. more Read More Here are some excerpts: More Than Just A Color: Mazda’s New Soul Red Crystal From the 1960 R360 Coupe, a microcar Mazda sold in Japan as well as Mazda’s first passenger car, to the 2017 Mazda CX-5, Mazda has had a long history with the color red. Red has deep roots in the Japanese culture, as it denotes strength, passion and is even used to depict the sun in the Japanese national flag. Believing paint color is one of the key elements of form, Mazda was determined to create the world’s most beautiful red when developing the new Soul Red Crystal. Let's Do This A Different Way Creating Soul Red Crystal was a challenging process, and it required Mazda to reinvent the way cars are painted. Like any beautiful object, the way light dances across its surface is part of the beauty. The interplay of light and form inspired Mazda to create a paint with exceptional depth and reflective quality. To achieve such a deep, lustrous finish, the cars needed to be painted by hand. While this was possible for Mazda’s concept cars, a new technique was developed in order to achieve the same quality Soul Red Crystal in production models. In a process called, Takuminuri, which translates to English as “artisan coloring,” painting robots were effectively taught to duplicate the techniques of Mazda’s best craftsmen. Takuminuri is a Mazda-exclusive approach to advanced paint technology, starting with the original Soul Red Metallic paint color in 2012, perfected with Machine Gray in 2016 and further refined into a color that uses the learnings from both. You can read the full article on InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com. Want to See The Beautiful New Color in Person? Visit Borgman Mazda Today! Soul Red Crystal is something that needs to be seen in person to be truly appreciated. If you'd like to come have a look, we invite you to visit the Borgman Mazda showroom in Grand Rapids and test drive a New 2017 Mazda CX-5 adorned with the new paint. If you have any questions about the Mazda vehicles we offer, our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you, so ask away! Remember that every New Mazda we sell includes Borgman's Free & Exclusive 20-Year 200,000 Mile Warranty. Come see why we're the best in the west!