Rusty Eck Ford Omaha

It’s tough times out there. Everybody is looking for ways to save money. Unfortunately, some of those people are accomplishing their goal dishonestly.

One of the new trends in the criminal community is to steal gas from cars and trucks. And the way they’re doing this is by crawling underneath the vehicle, drilling a hole in the gas tank and draining the fuel into a container.

Repair shops all over the country are reporting a sharp increase in fuel tank repairs and replacements as a result, too. Dale Fortin, the owner of an auto repair shop in Detroit, has been replacing a larger number of gas tanks in recent weeks. It’s almost becoming as common as driving off from the gas station without paying and siphoning gas out of gas tanks.

But this isn’t anything new. Mechanics and police officers who have been in the business for decades remember a similar fad that happened during the first oil crisis in the 1970s.

Unfortunately, Ford trucks and other large vehicles are the target of thieves. The main reason for this is because they sit higher off the ground. As a result, these derelicts of society can easily crawl underneath the vehicle and get what they want in a matter of seconds.

If you ask me, it really stinks that you can’t even have anything decent. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to lessen your risk of being a victim, including:

• Parking in a well-populated and lighted area.
• Parking in an attended garage or parking lot.
• Park in different places so thieves can’t “case your truck.”
• Check the fuel gauge when you return to your vehicle to make sure you still have all your fuel.

If you’re looking for hybrids with some of the latest safety features to help you stay safe on the roads, look to Ford trucks. The Dearborn-based automaker has a trio of hybrid trucks available for drivers to choose from – the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner. Each model uses a similar platform and they each have similar safety features too, including:

Anti-Lock Brakes
These help the vehicle stop quickly when the driver slams on the brakes or tries to stop on a slippery road. They prevent the need to pump the brakes in an emergency because they pump themselves. And since they don’t lock up (hence the name), you don’t have to worry about losing control of the wheels or the brakes when you need them the most.

Side Airbags
In addition to side-impact airbags, these three models have side-curtain airbags, too. Those are great for passengers in the back for more than one reason. They inflate in the event of an accident, helping prevent injuries. But they also help keep flying glass out of the passengers’ eyes if another car hits your car.

Ford is also working on safer seatbelts and other features to ensure your family’s safety. The only thing you have to do is buy one and then, as the new slogan says, “Drive One.”

Earlier this week, we witnessed history in the making when Barack Obama clinched the nomination for the Democrat’s Presidential candidate. He’s going to be running against John McCain for the Republicans. So get prepared for the attack ads and the arguing between these two. I know I can’ wait until they start showing the campaign commercials. Aren’t you excited?

Even though these two men can’t agree on much, there is one thing that many Democrats and Republicans can appreciate – Ford trucks. You probably thought that a big Ford truck was only for the Republicans who typically live in the south and need their trucks to “go huntin’.” But did you know that the F150’s popularity is bipartisan? According to a story on KickingTires.com, several prominent politicians and pundits from “both sides of the aisle” appreciate what the F150 has to offer.

The major selling point for the F150 for Democrats and Republicans is the fact that it’s made in America. Pat Buchanan and Lou Dobbs both believe in keeping your money in the United States whenever possible. The F150 is the perfect way to do that.

But the Ford Escape Hybrid is another popular model for both parties. Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney drives one of these popular vehicles when he goes somewhere. And what Republican wouldn’t appreciate the great tax credits you get when Uncle Sam comes a-callin’? Democrats enjoy the fuel economy, union solidarity and the benefits for the environment associated with the Escape. You might also be interested to know that Barack Obama drives a Ford Escape Hybrid when he’s making his rounds.

I wonder what types of cars the Libertarians are driving these days.

If you’re a fan of Ford automobiles, you’re in for a surprise. Two of the most popular Ford trucks on the market today – the Escape and the Mercury Mariner – have some great new features for the upcoming model year.

For the 2008 models, Ford already redesigned these popular choices with new exterior skins and several improvements on the inside. But the engineers didn’t stop there.
For 2009, you can expect to see several improvements under the hood. The horsepower for these models is increasing from 153 to 170. For the ones with an optional V6 engine, those numbers are even higher. You’ll get an extra 40 horsepower, bringing it up from 200 to 240. According to Ford, these redesigned engines shave nearly two seconds off the popular “0 to 60” time comparison.

If you’re into fuel economy (and who isn’t nowadays?), you’ll also enjoy the extra one mile per gallon you’ll get. Ford used low-friction and rolling-resistance tires on the new Escape and Mariner to give drivers the best possible fuel efficiency. Electric steering and redesigned aerodynamics also help contribute to a more efficient fuel economy.

These are just a few of the changes you’ll find on the Escape and Mariner. You can also choose a hybrid version of either model to better fit the needs of your fuel budget.

I remember the days when diesel fuel was less expensive than regular fuel. I used to be jealous of the people who had a diesel engine because they were paying 10 and even 20 cents less per gallon than I was. But those days are over.

But why did diesel prices surpass regular fuel prices at the pump? This article explains some of it.
One of the main reasons that diesel fuel is more expensive is because there are more diesel-powered vehicles on the road than there were five or ten years ago. Diesel engines get much better gas mileage than their counterparts and, for awhile, it was cheaper to run them.

There’s another reason for the higher prices, too. With skyrocketing gas prices, Americans are changing their driving habits. That means there is a lowering demand for fuel. As a result, refineries have modified their production to meet the decreased demand. But the demand for diesel hasn’t changed. There is just less fuel overall, creating higher prices for diesel.

You don’t need to worry about this though. You can get one of the many Ford trucks without a diesel engine if that’s what you prefer. Or, if you don’t mind paying a little extra for the roar of the engine and the feeling you get when you sit behind the wheel of a diesel-powered truck, stick with a diesel. I enjoy mine and gas is going to have to go much, much higher before I get rid of it!

There’s nothing wrong with driving a truck. In fact, most truck drivers take pride in their ride. The only problem some of them are having lately is the price of filling their tanks. Luckily, though, there are some ways you can save money on your fuel costs even with a truck. Here are five tips for spending less at the pump and enjoying your truck more.

1. Make sure the gas cap is tight. When the gas cap is loose, fuel can evaporate through the small opening. In fact, statistics show that drivers lose about 145 million gallons of gas overall through loose or missing gas caps. That’s a lot of gas!

2. Use fuel with lower octane. Unless your truck’s owner’s manual actually says to use premium, it’s probably not necessary. You might not even need it if the manufacturer recommends it. See how your truck runs on midgrade or regular for a couple tanks. You could be saving about five bucks each time you fill it up.

3. Turn off the air conditioning. Instead of using the A/C, park your car in shady spots and drive with the windows and the vents open. The A/C can often decrease your fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

4. Take care of your truck. Engines run more efficiently when you take care of them. That means you should be making the scheduled oil changes, tune-ups and other preventative maintenance procedures.

5. Keep the tailgate up. The guys on Mythbusters did an experiment to see which was better for gas mileage – leaving the tailgate up or down. They found that leaving the tailgate down caused more drag than leaving it up, causing the truck to be less efficient. If you’ve been arguing with your friends about that concept, now you know who is right.

If you want to enjoy your Ford trucks but you’ve been hesitant about driving lately because of the gas prices, fear no more. With some very simple tips, you can save money on fuel and enjoy your truck as much as you want!

The last ten years have been revolutionary for the Ford F-Series and for the automotive industry in general. The 1997 Ford F-150 — one of the most popular versions of the truck to date — was named Truck of the Year by Motor Trend magazine which led to further sales from a previously untapped market of consumers.

Ford trucks made history in the last few years by calling back millions of trucks because of a problem with the cruise control function — over 5.8 million vehicles were recalled and it was one of the largest recalls of any product in any industry in history. Ford rebounded from the hit and went on to redesign the F-Series again, securing the top spot and single year sales record for trucks. Over 939,000 people bought F-Series trucks in 2005 alone, and they were voted North American Truck of the Year, Motor Trend’s truck of the year, and Car and Driver’s Best Pick-Up Truck.

This decade has seen an insurgence of sales in the fleet category as fleet managers are flocking to the Ford F-Series. This model has gone on to win further awards from prominent fleet magazines and organizations. Many customers and fleet managers are now moving in the direction of the Lincoln Mark LT, which is a higher end version of the Ford F-150, as consumers move to more luxury trucks.

If you’re interested in checking out one of these new Ford trucks or taking one for a test drive, visit Rusty Eck Ford, your local area Ford dealer, or check out the website to see specials, new inventory, and more.

The eighth generation of the Ford F-Series was a time of major technological innovation for Ford. While previous generations focused on increased trim options, design alterations and other cosmetic changes, 1987 to 1991 was when Ford pickup trucks moved into the future. The design was streamlined somewhat — the flareside box was dropped, for example — but the basic look of the eighties Ford stayed the same.

The Ford F-Series was the first truck in the industry to offer rear anti lock brakes as a standard feature in 1987, and the manual transmission was updated to five speeds in 1988. The 4,9 liter came with standard fuel injection technology in 1987, followed by the 5.8 liter and the 7.5 liter. By 1988, no Ford F-Series truck offered a carburetor engine.

Improvements to four wheel drive technology were making waves with the F-Series in the late eighties and early nineties. Additional automatic locking hubs were included in the F-150 in 1989, and they were included on the rest of the series by 1991. The F-Super Duty was released during this period and was a popular choice for wreckers, tow truck operators, moving companies and even ambulances. This version of the truck was released as an “incomplete vehicle” as it had no bed — an aftermarket bed was selected based on what the truck would be used for.

When you’re in the market for your own Ford F-Series truck, stop by Sunset Ford to take a new truck out for a test drive. You can check out the Rusty Eck Ford website for information on new inventory and current specials.

More facelifts and redesigns kept coming for the Ford F-Series. In 1973, another redesign was launched and Ford continued to tweak the F-Series’ exterior throughout the seventies. The widely spaced Ford lettering on the rail above the grille was introduced during this time, a look that remained popular and in use for years. Various new models were introduced throughout the years. These included the luxury Lariat in 1978 and the F-150 in 1975, designed to get around the new emissions requirements soon to be introduced.

In 1973, Ford started offering a new model of F-Series pick-up, the F-350 SRW — the SRW stands for single rear wheel. Designed with camping enthusiasts and contractors in mind, these pickups had a longer wheel base chassis while maintaining the same length as the F250. Ford also introduced the Camper Special Package at this time to incorporate the heavy slide-in campers that were becoming popular in the American market.

By 1976, the F-Series was the best-selling truck in the country, and for good reason. Ford has held that position throughout the years, partly because of the legendary durability and strength. It has never been uncommon to hear about someone driving a twenty year old Ford F-150 with no need to buy a new one. Ford F-Series trucks from the 1970s have become something of an American icon and can be seen in various movies, TV shows, and even featured in books as they became a part of everyday American life.

If you’re looking for a new Ford truck of your own — perhaps a more updated model — stop in to Rusty Eck Ford and check out the specials and new inventory.