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Whether you follow motorsports or not, Borgman always finds it interesting how breakthroughs in the performance garage eventually find their way into the vehicles on our lot in Grand Rapids. Several Ford innovations like the ever-popular EcoBoost engine started life this way, and now Ford is showing off some other cool tech they're working on for race cars that will eventually improve their entire lineup. Ford Performance Racing Technology Speeds Development of New Vehicles, Cuts Engineering Costs In this article, we'll take a quick tour of a Ford Performance facility, explain some of the technology they're using there, and show how it benefits performance and 'civilian' vehicles alike. Inventions like their new simulator are helping them save time and money on these engineering budgets. This makes Ford a force to be reckoned with on the track, and deliver better vehicles to you at affordable prices. Read all about it in the excerpt below: All-new research and development technology that helps make Ford Performance racecars faster also is helping Ford speed up development of its consumer vehicle lineup and improving the company's operational fitness. Breakthroughs including a daily driving vehicle simulator, 3D race environment and other advancements are helping Ford improve product development fitness by reducing the number of physical prototypes. In its latest move, Ford is working to speed up vehicle development and reduce costs through a new production vehicle dynamic simulator in a 33,000-square-foot facility in the heart of NASCAR country in North Carolina. The initial purpose of the facility - up and running since 2014 - was to develop and test racecars virtually through an immersive simulator. But the tools have become so good so fast that Ford is now using the technology for its production vehicles. "The mission of Ford Performance is to transfer innovations from racetracks to the driveways of new Ford vehicle owners," said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance. "The tech center and this new driving simulator are two of the most important steps we have taken to help our mainstream engineering partners make sure the next Edge or F-150 is great to drive - even if you don't check the performance model box." Shop New Ford Performance Vehicles at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com. Searching around West Michigan for a high-performance Ford Vehicle such as the Ford Mustang or something bearing the ST Badge? Visit the Borgman Ford Showroom in Grand Rapids today and see our full lineup of New Ford Cars, Trucks, and SUVs. We have one of the largest selections of New Ford Vehicles in the area, and there's surely something for every lifestyle or budget you can come test drive. If you'd like to be sure you're going to love a New Ford, ask our staff about our Day Trader Program and take one out for a full day! If you're looking for something specific, our staff will be more than happy to help you find it or order it. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI is very eager to see what Ford's plans are for the historic Michigan Station in Corktown, Detroit. After the last train left the station in 1988, the station was ultimately abandoned and became something of a canvas for local graffiti artists to hone their craft. After Ford acquired the building, much of this artwork has cracked and fallen to the floors of the lobby and hallways, or otherwise become degraded. Ford enlisted the help of local women's' organization Rebel Nell to collect some of this fallen artwork and transform the fragments into beautiful, unique, and meaningful pieces of jewelry. Rebel Nell hires women who face barriers to employment in Detroit, and educates them on financial management, life wellness and entrepreneurship. You can read more about the project in Corktown and Rebel Nell in these excerpts from the Official Ford Media Center, or by visiting the links below. From Graffiti Art To Jewelry: Corktown Firm Rebel Nell Turns Pieces Of Michigan Central Station Into Unique Wearables For years, the walls, columns and archways inside Detroit’s abandoned Michigan Central Station served as a canvas for inspired graffiti artists and muralists. That fascinating chapter of the iconic building’s history isn’t about to be lost as Ford transforms the structure into an innovation hub to help it realize its vision for the future of transportation. Ford commissioned Rebel Nell, a Corktown social enterprise, to repurpose layers of graffiti paint from inside the massive building into one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. The result is the limited edition Michigan Central Station Collection, an assortment of pendants and earrings, each individually created from fallen graffiti. “There is a story in every piece,” says Shawn H. Wilson, manager, community engagement at Ford Fund. “Over the years Michigan Central Station became an artist’s playground. Artists went there to perfect their craft and build their brands. Part of the reason we’re doing this is to pay homage to the artists.” Ford worked with Rebel Nell to gather fallen graffiti from the lobby and other floors of the 500,000-square-foot building, which closed in 1988 and has remained vacant since. Wilson and Rebel Nell co-founder and CEO Amy Peterson said they were respectful of the artists’ works and only gathered graffiti that had fallen from surfaces. “Graffiti is truly art,” Wilson says. “Rebel Nell was able to help us identify artistic components inside the train station and which graffiti to use.” You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com, or stop by RebelNell.com to see their products and learn more about their mission. About Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Borgman Ford first opened back in 1960 and has always been a family owned and operated company. Our founder Fred Borgman built the business around the golden rule, and through this has achieved long-term success in the Grandville community and beyond. His grandson Matt now oversees the dealership as general manager, ensuring that everyone who comes through our door is treated like family - just as we have done for nearly sixty years. If you’re searching for a New Ford or Pre-Owned Vehicle in West Michigan, visit us any time to see our selection. Times have certainly changed since the 60s, but our dedication to Fred’s vision has not. Our staff will work to make sure all of your questions are answered, but will never pressure you into a sale. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

Ford Drive 4 UR School: Grandville Band Boosters Saturday, October. 20th 2018 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Grandville Band Booster Program needs our help, and the good news is all you have to do is test drive a New Ford Vehicle! We'd like to invite everyone to join us at Grandville High School on Saturday, October 20th, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and take part in the Ford Drive 4 UR School event! For every person who stops by the high school and test drives that day, Ford will donate $20 to the band boosters for uniforms, instruments, educational materials, or anything else the band program needs. Together, we can help them raise $6,000 in one day! Anyone 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license and auto insurance can go for a spin, but only one test drive per household will be valid. This only takes a few minutes of your time, but it makes a big difference! Ford launched the Drive 4 UR School program in 2007 to help raise funding for education. It allows schools and their various programs to continue or expand through participation with the community. Following the program's success, Ford launched the Drive 4 UR Community program to help other charitable and community organizations in the same way. These two programs have now raised over 35 million dollars for organizations across the nation. To learn more about the program, visit FordDrive4UR.com. If you're interested in going, be sure to check out our Event Page on Facebook. We hope to see you there, and Go Dawgs! Grandville High School 4700 Canal Ave. SW Grandville, MI 49418 Get Directions Here

We've all experienced it: you're driving along a West Michigan highway on a beautiful sunny day, and out of nowhere it starts pouring rain. Maybe you're in Grand Rapids traffic around late fall or early spring and the temperature suddenly dips below freezing. Either way, it makes the advanced new AI-controlled All-Wheel Drive system in the 2019 Ford Edge that much more appealing to Michiganders. Imagine being in one of the two scenarios above and not needing to do anything but stay focused on the road. The computer keeps an eye on input from all over the vehicle and is able to figure out what kind of driving condition you're in. It then adjusts the vehicle's systems accordingly - switching from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive automatically. This article from the Official Ford Media Center explains more about how the system works. Take a look below for some excerpts: New Ford Edge, Edge ST Use Artificial Intelligence To Help Improve Traction, Reduce Fuel Usage The new 2019 Ford Edge with available all-wheel drive is smart enough to detect various driving conditions and automatically shift between two-wheel and all-wheel drive. The feature provides all-wheel-drive traction when it is needed, and helps reduce fuel consumption when it’s not. The system is called all-wheel-drive disconnect, a first-for-Ford technology that uses a form of artificial intelligence that can calculate quicker than the human brain. Based on information received from dozens of high-tech sensors, the new Edge can determine in a fraction of a second whether all-wheel drive is needed. “The concept is pretty simple, it was the execution that was the challenge,” said Scott Beiring, Ford driveline applications supervisor. “Shifting between two- and all-wheel drive needs to be fast and seamless enough that the customer doesn’t know it is happening.”The system uses an all-new dedicated electronic brain that receives inputs from dozens of sensors throughout the vehicle. It interacts with the traction control system to detect wheel slip, receiving inputs from the anti-lock brakes to learn if that system is active. It even detects if the windshield wipers are on, whether the Edge is towing a trailer, and the outside temperature. You can read more about how this system works on Media.Ford.com. Find Your New Ford Edge at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI The New 2019 Ford Edge and Ford Edge ST will arrive at Borgman Ford this fall. Take a look at our Online Inventory to find the one that suits you and stop by any time for a test drive. Our friendly and courteous staff will be happy to show you all of the exciting new features of the 2019 Ford Edge, but will never pressure you into a sale. If you want to be sure you'll love the 2019 Ford Edge or Edge ST before you make a decision, ask us about our Day Trader Program - you'll be able to swap rides with us for a day and truly experience what the vehicle has to offer. If you see a better deal on a New Ford Edge somewhere else, be sure to let us know and we'll match it. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids MI, is proud to represent a company with as much philanthropic reach as Ford. September is Ford Global Caring Month and all across the globe, Ford’s Volunteer Corp is hard at work to brighten the lives of people and improve their community infrastructure. These projects include enabling access to clean water and building homes all over the world, to other community-based projects as close to home as Detroit. The Ford Motor Company Fund has also chipped in $700,000 to support these projects – providing the global volunteer corp with tools, materials, and other necessary support. A recent article from the Official Ford Media Center tells more about their ongoing efforts, and we’ve provided some excerpts about the good work they’re doing. Take a look below, or visit Media.Ford.com to read the entire article. Ford Volunteer Corps Deploys Thousands Of Employees Into Communities Worldwide During Ford Global Caring Month Ford Global Caring Month is underway with more than 10,000 Ford Motor Company employees signed up so far to make people’s lives better in 40 countries during September – and registrations are still coming in to the Ford Volunteer Corps. Ford Global Caring Month is the signature annual event of the Ford Volunteer Corps, an opportunity for teams of Ford employees to band together and help meet the urgent needs of people in powerful, impactful ways that strengthen the entire community. During September, Ford volunteers in the U.S. will concentrate their efforts on neighborhoods. Specifically in Detroit, Ford volunteers will join hundreds of others in planting more than 600,000 daffodils on Belle Isle — one for every resident of the city. They will also be taking part in a project that will create safe pathways for students to school in the Regent Park neighborhood, which is not far from the Ford Resource and Engagement Center on Detroit’s east side. “Healthy neighborhoods offer comfort, security and shared experiences that can make life richer and more enjoyable,” said Todd Nissen, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. “Neighborhoods are the building blocks of stronger communities, where people can find the assistance and the opportunities they need to raise their standard of living.” Continue reading on Media.Ford.com. About Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Borgman Ford has been family owned and operated since 1960. Our founder Fred Borgman founded the dealership on the principle that being honest and transparent customers should serve as the cornerstone of the business. Fred outfitted his sales team with red sports jackets to make them more visible – and therefore accountable – around town. Soon, Borgman became known as “The Home of the Redcoats,” which was synonymous with friendly, professional, and transparent conduct. If you're in the market for a New Ford or Pre-Owned Vehicle in West Michigan, visit our dealership any time and see our selection. Times have certainly changed since the 60s, but our dedication to Fred's vision has not. Our staff will make sure all of your questions are answered and will never pressure you into a sale. Our customer service is what has set us apart for almost 60 years. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford Congratulates Ford on the 50th Anniversary of Their Victory at Le Mans Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is cheering alongside Ford this week as they celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their victory at Le Mans. To pay homage to their iconic Ford GT entered in the race, Ford has announced a special "Heritage Edition" of their modern GT. The most notable throwback to the legendary car is the blue and orange paint scheme - a color combo that has become one of the most recognizable in motor sports since Ford's 1968 victory. The Heritage Edition Ford GT also boasts carbon fiber accents and exclusive interior colors and materials. The special edition package will be produced in 2019 and 2020, with each edition bearing subtle graphics and embossings of #9 and #6, respectively. These are a nod to the two Ford GTs that ran in Le Mans in 1968 and 1969. There's much, much more to appreciate about Ford's super car though - read more below in these excerpts from the Official Ford Media Center: New 2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition Honors Most Famous Paint Scheme In Motorsports The new 2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition honors the legendary American Gulf Oil-sponsored Ford GT40 by featuring the most famous paint scheme in motorsports – plus a set of additional exclusive touches. “Many view the Gulf Oil paint scheme as the most famous in motorsports,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, global operations. “The 1968 GT40 quickly became a global sensation after beating its European competitors on the track four times in a row, and in honor of the 50th anniversary of its win, we’re paying fresh tribute to the original with a new heritage limited edition.” Known among racing enthusiasts as chassis No. 1075, the 1968 GT was one of just a few individual cars to achieve repeat victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For the first time, an optional package provides exposed carbon fiber accents for both the interior and exterior of the Ford GT Heritage Edition. For 2019, the package features the No. 9 graphics on the hood and doors, as well as a ghosted image on the interior door panels. For 2020, No. 6 honors the same car that went on to win Le Mans in 1969 with a different number. You can read more about the Ford GT Heritage Edition by visiting Media.Ford.com. Check Out Cool Fords at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Looking for a high-performance Ford Vehicle in West Michigan? Visit Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids and check out our selection of Ford Mustangs, Ford F-150 Raptors, Ford Focus ST hot-hatches, and more! If there's a particular vehicle or trim you really want, our staff will be more than happy to work with you to build the Ford of your dreams and order it for you. They'll also leverage their knowledge and expertise to help you make informed decisions about your vehicle and ensure all of your questions are answered, but will never pressure you into a sale. Read more about Borgman's Fair Trade Deals and our Day Trader Program, then come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI is always excited to see the custom Mustangs that are created for charity benefits. This year's model in particular did not disappoint. The 700 horsepower monster pictured above was named the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT, and was sold for $420,000 at auction to benefit youth aviation education programs. Better yet, the car was delivered to its new owner at the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit last weekend by none other than famed drift racer Vaighn Gittin Jr. In the excerpts from the Official Ford Media Center below, you can read more about the Experimental Aircraft Association, their mission and youth programs, and of course, the ultra-cool Mustang. Take a look: At Woodward Dream Cruise, Vaughn Gittin Jr. Presents Keys To Eagle Squadron Mustang GT That Raised Funds For Young Pilots Drift superstar Vaughn Gittin Jr. stopped by the Ford booth at the Woodward Dream Cruise today to officially hand over keys to the 700-horsepower Eagle Squadron Mustang GT to its new owner Brayton Williams. Visually stunning and unmistakably aggressive, the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT – painted in a camouflaged design to match the original Eagle Squadron Spitfire aircraft – features Gittin’s Mustang RTR carbon fiber wide-body kit and complete design package, including front chin spoiler, rear diffuser, upper grille with integrated lighting and a Gurney lip added to the Performance Pack rear spoiler. Front turning vanes, dive planes, rear flow conditioners and rocker splitters are also fitted. Under the hood, a Ford Performance supercharger kit first introduced at the 2017 SEMA show helps the Ford 5.0-liter V8 churn out its 700 horsepower and 610 lb.-ft. of torque at 12 psi of boost. 2018 marks the 20th year Ford has supported the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture fly-in and the 10th one-off Mustang the company has provided for auction. All proceeds are donated to the association’s youth education programs, which encourage and support the next generation of pilots. To date, Ford has worked with the association to raise more than $3.7 million. “Our thanks to Brayton for his support of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the next generation of pilots,” said Darrell Behmer, Ford Mustang design chief. “It’s been a great honor to work with Vaughn and his team to support this great organization, and to honor the pilots of the famed Eagle Squadron.” Keep reading on Media.Ford.com. Join Borgman Ford at the 28th Street Metro Cruise in Grand Rapids, MI If you love the Ford Mustang, come see us at the 14th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise starting Friday, August 24th! We'll be serving as the West Anchor for the cruise and our friends at the West Michigan Mustang Club will be holding a car show here on Saturday from 10 to 4. Stop by our showroom this weekend to see the cruise, or anytime to take one of our many New or Used Vehicles out for a spin. We hope to see you soon!

Join Borgman Ford & The West Michigan Mustang Club At The Metro Cruise! Calling all car fans:  Mark your calendars for Friday, August 24th - Saturday, August 25th and stop by Borgman Ford for the 14th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise! We'll be acting as the West Anchor for the cruise, just as we have in years past. The West Michigan Mustang Club will also be joining us this year and hosting a Mustang Show on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Stop by to check out some cool cars from yesteryear through present day, and see over 50 Years of Mustang history right on our lot! We hope to see you there! About the 28th Street Metro Cruise The 28th Street Metro Cruise began in 2005. The Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce began the event to help drive business to the 28th Street corridor when M-6 opened on the south end of Grand Rapids. Since then, the event has grown from 85,000 attendees the first year to over 250,000 in recent years. The number of participating vehicles attending each year is estimated at well over 15,000. People have come from all over the United States to attend and participate in this annual car-fest. To learn more about the event, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com. Borgman: Grand Rapids' Home of the Fair Trade Deal While you’re here, feel free to peruse our selection of Ford Mustangs too! We’ll give you a Fair Trade Deal on any New or Used vehicle you see. Take a look at our current selection of Ford Mustangs here and visit the West Michigan Mustang Club’s website here. Photo Credit: West Michigan Mustang Club

Borgman Ford happened on a story this week that's sure to interest West Michigan Ford Performance fans and casual buyers alike. It tells the story of an elite team of engineers who push Ford's high-performance vehicles to their absolute limit. This is all done to collect data - pertaining to braking, steering, acceleration, and more. It sounds like maybe the coolest job ever, but it's their work that refines technologies such as EcoBoost Engines - now commonplace in Ford vehicles around Grand Rapids. This article and video from the Official Ford Media Center will explain more about how these drivers are chosen, trained, and work toward making every Ford Vehicle the best it can be. Take a look at some excerpts below: Elite Squad Of Ford Performance Test Drivers Helps Make All Ford Cars Better Donning a fire suit and helmet, strapping into a 500-plus-horsepower race car and taking it onto a test track to top out at more than 190 mph is part of an average workday for an elite squad of Ford’s high-performance driving engineers. These engineer drivers – known as tier-four test drivers – deploy their finely honed skills to take Ford Performance vehicles to their limits of traction, power and speed in order to ultimately apply their learnings to developing the company’s mainstream vehicles. “Not only are these elite Ford Performance drivers the best of the best, many of their peers believe they have the company’s coolest jobs in that they get to bring their enthusiasm, technical know-how and racing expertise to work every day,” said Ben Maher, technical specialist, global driver safety and leader of Ford’s internal driver qualification program. Of the more than 10,000 specially rated test drive engineers at Ford, only about 20 at any moment have completed the rigorous training and certification to qualify for tier-four status. To keep the team competitive, Maher leads a peer committee that identifies and nominates candidates from among the stable of tier-three drivers who have demonstrated readiness for the next level of training. You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com. Looking for a New Ford? Visit Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI If you're searching West Michigan for the perfect vehicle for your needs and budget, stop by Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids today! With nearly 400 New Ford Vehicles to choose from, there's sure to be something here for everyone. Take a look at our New Ford Inventory Online and stop by anytime for a test drive! If you want to be sure you'll love a New Ford, ask about our Day Trader Program and swap rides with us for a day. If you have any questions, our friendly and courteous sales staff is here to help. Learn more about Borgman's Fair Trade Deals and come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman is joining Ford in celebration this week, as the ten millionth Ford Mustang has just rolled off the Flat Rock assembly line here in Michigan! This particular vehicle is a 2019 Ford Mustang GT V8 convertible in Wimbledon White, boasting a whopping 460 horsepower. What makes this one special though, is that it pays tribute to VIN 001 – the first ever serialized 1964.5 Ford Mustang. The Ford Mustang has long been a favorite here in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, just as it has around the world for decades. The car has become something of a cultural icon, appearing in countless movies and bringing people together. This includes our friends at the West Michigan Mustang Club or the 50+ fans that visited Flat Rock to pay tribute and make the above photo possible. This recent article from the Official Ford Media Center tells more - see some excerpts below! Ford Celebrates Production of 10 Millionth Mustang Ford is celebrating the production of its 10 millionth Mustang – America’s best-selling sports car of the last 50 years and the world’s best-selling sports car three years straight. The 10 millionth Ford Mustang is a high-tech, 460 horsepower 2019 Wimbledon White GT V8 six-speed manual convertible equipped with the latest driver assist technology and built at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan. The first serialized Mustang (VIN 001) produced in 1964 was the same color and model with a three-speed automatic transmission and 164 horsepower V8. “Mustang is the heart and soul of this company and a favorite around the world,” said Jim Farley, president of global markets, Ford Motor Company. “I get the same thrill seeing a Mustang roll down a street in Detroit, London or Beijing that I felt when I bought my first car – a 1966 Mustang coupe that I drove across the country as a teenager. Mustang is a smile-maker in any language.” Ford is celebrating the milestone with employee celebrations at its Dearborn headquarters and its Flat Rock Assembly Plant, including flyovers from three WWII-era P-51 Mustang fighter planes and Mustangs produced for more than five decades parading from Dearborn to Flat Rock, where the Mustang currently is manufactured. During its 54-year production history, Mustang also was built in San Jose, Calif., Metuchen, N.J., and the original Mustang production facility in Dearborn, Mich. You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com. Shop New Ford Mustang at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Searching around West Michigan for a New Ford Mustang? Look no further than Borgman Ford! Take a look at our Online Inventory and stop in for a test drive, or Contact Us today to start designing your own. The 2018 Ford Mustang is the most customizable iteration yet, and our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help. We'll sit down with you to review colors, engines, accessories, and other options, but will never pressure you into adding anything that doesn't fit your vision or your budget. Come build the New Ford Mustang of your dreams and see why Borgman is the Best in the West!

Last year Borgman Ford shared an article with West Michigan readers about Ford's implementation of wearable exoskeletons in the Flat Rock, MI plant. These "suits" help support workers while working in the plant, especially employees that perform repetitive, overhead tasks. We are pleased to announce that Ford is sending exoskeletons to fifteen different Ford assembly plants across the globe. This recent article, published in the Official Ford Media Center tells more about how the vests help reduce worker fatigue, discomfort, and injury. Take a look below: Ford Rolls Out Exoskeleton Wearable Technology Globally To Help Lessen Worker Fatigue, Injury Imagine lifting a bag of flour or a watermelon over your head up to 4,600 times a day as part of your job – that is similar to what some Ford employees do every day as they work to build vehicles around the world. Repetitive motions like those can lead to fatigue and injury for workers, but now Ford is rolling out a new wearable technology globally called EksoVest that helps reduce injury risk in some plant workers after a successful trial in two U.S. plants. Ford employees in 15 plants and seven countries around the world are able to use an EksoVest to help lessen the physical toll that their job takes on their body. Ford partnered with Ekso Bionics to enhance this wearable technology that elevates and supports a worker’s arms while performing overhead tasks such as reaching up with a power tool to screw bolts to secure the car’s brace – all while standing underneath the vehicle. "Building vehicles is physically a tough job," said Bruce Hettle, Ford group vice president, Manufacturing and Labor Affairs. "We care about our employees and are trying to help them do their jobs with the least amount of wear and tear on their bodies possible." All of Ford’s North American assembly plants have EksoVests and they are being used in plants in Asia Pacific, Europe and South America as well. To read the full article, visit Media.Ford.com. Drive a New Ford from Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI Borgman Ford proudly represents a company this focused on employee safety and wellbeing, as this reflects the values we've upheld since we opened our doors in 1960. If you're looking for a high-quality Ford Vehicle in West Michigan, we invite you to stop by and visit our expansive Ford showroom. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help you find the perfect vehicle for your needs and budget, but will never pressure you into a sale. If you want to be sure a New Ford is right for you, ask us about our Day Trader Program and go on an extended test drive. Come see why we're the Best in the West!

Borgman Recommends Checking Your Transmission Fluid Often to Extend The Life Of Your Vehicle The Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids is dedicated to keeping you out on the road to adventure in West Michigan. For this reason, we recommend having your transmission fluid checked or changed every 30,000 miles, despite what you may see in your owner's manual. We hope everyone who drives a vehicle in West Michigan understands why having your engine oil changed regularly is important. It's the lifeblood of your engine, but we don't often see the transmission getting the same love. The engine and transmission work as a team to keep you moving, and keeping an eye on your transmission fluid level is just as critical. In this Borgman How To, we're going to briefly touch on how automatic transmissions work and why having the fluid changed regularly is paramount for maintaining a healthy vehicle. What On Earth Is Going On Inside An Automatic Transmission? There's a running joke that automatic transmissions are powered by magic. They're ridiculously complicated pieces of machinery, which only underscores why it's important to take good care of them. Engines spin fast, and abruptly, so the automatic transmission takes all of that spinning and translates it into smooth, consistent power to the wheels. In a standard transmission, the driver would do this by slowly releasing the clutch pedal. To effectively mimic this, the first step is a device between the engine and the transmission called the torque converter. Here's basically what a torque converter does: Imagine a hollow drum with two sets of fan blades (like on a desk fan) stacked neatly inside. They're on the same axis but can spin at different speeds. The drum is filled with oil, so as the first fan starts spinning, it starts churning the oil. That oil pushes against the second fan's blades and slowly starts to turn them. This is the basic principle of a fluid coupling. Torque converters employ this to smooth the power output between the engine and the wheels, though there are more parts in there than what we described. This is because it plays a few different roles, and the big one is powering the transmission fluid pump - which acts as the heart of the transmission. Ok, We Have Smooth Power. How Does It Automatically Shift? Here are the broad strokes. Unlike in a manual transmission, all of your different gear sets are spinning at the same time when the vehicle is moving. However, only specific sets are allowed to transmit power to the wheels. Transmission fluid is pumped around through different valves and channels based on how much pressure is built up. When certain ones are filled, it clamps and releases different gears, which "shifts" the transmission to another gear ratio. The result: the faster you go, the more fluid pressure builds up. Then, different gears are "activated," and the car shifts from 1st to 2nd to 3rd, and so on. Why is Transmission Fluid So Important? Transmission fluid has a few different jobs, and to do them properly it needs to have very specific chemical properties. Apart from flowing throughout the valve body and controlling the shifting, it also keeps all of these parts cool and lubricated. Your vehicle's transmission will have been engineered to accept a specific type of fluid, and using the wrong fluid can and often will result in damage. As the fluid is used, the chemical makeup can start to degrade, and the inevitable wear of internal parts can start to contaminate it. Both of these things will shorten the life of your transmission, so it's worth talking to your service advisor every 30,000 miles or so to have your fluid checked. Another thing we should note is that transmission fluid is made to endure extreme temperatures and will not burn up like engine oil does. This means that if you're losing fluid, you almost certainly have a leak somewhere. With some owner's manuals recommending that you have your transmission fluid changed every 80,000 to 100,000 miles, irreparable damage may already have been done by the time anyone notices a slow leak. Having the transmission inspected regularly can alert you to issues before it's too late. Transmission Fluid Checkups at the Borgman Service Center If you're noticing some spots in your driveway, or your vehicle is shifting "weird," it's a good idea to visit the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids for an inspection. Our highly-trained and certified technicians will make sure that your transmission fluid is in good shape, check the seals, and replace it with the correct high-quality fluid if needed. Thinking it's time for a tune-up? Browse the latest Service Specials, Schedule an Appointment online, or Contact Us with any questions you may have about your transmission or any other part of your vehicle. Come see why we're the Best in the West!