Coming off the heels of the jaw-dropping 2020 Ford Explorer’s reveal last week, Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is pleased to share more details of the upcoming Ford Explorer ST and Hybrid models! Both of these vehicles offer a more specialized take on the 2020 Ford Explorer, with the ST being more performance-focused and the Hybrid offering improved fuel economy without sacrificing any adventure-readiness.

All-New Ford Explorer Goes Faster And Further With Performance-Tuned ST and No-Compromise Hybrid

A recent article in the Official Ford Media Center describes each exciting variant of the upcoming 2020 Ford Explorer – available in West Michigan later this year. Take a look at some excerpts from the article below: Completing its broadest-ever lineup of Explorer SUVs, Ford revealed two all-new models that will take Explorer drivers faster and further than ever before.

ST thrills continue with all-new Explorer ST

“This new generation of Explorer recognizes that every family – and every driver – is unique,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford executive vice president, product development and purchasing. “With an all-new ST and an all-new hybrid, there truly is an Explorer for every adventure.” Continuing the expansion of the ST brand, the all-new Explorer ST is the most powerful and fun-to-drive Ford SUV ever.

Explorer Hybrid offers no-compromise efficiency

Engineered by the Ford Performance team, Explorer ST uses a specially tuned 3.0-liter EcoBoost® engine projected to achieve 400 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque. A top speed target for track drivers stands at 143 mph. Ford is reinventing the standard for hybrids – introducing an entirely new generation of vehicles this year that bring out the best in hybrid capability with great performance and the freedom to go further.

The all-new Explorer Hybrid, which features a 3.3-liter hybrid powertrain, is projected to produce a combined system 318 horsepower. An EPA-estimated range of more than 500 miles between gas station fill-ups is targeted for the rear-wheel-drive model.Read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

The New 2020 Ford Explorer ST and Hybrid: Arriving at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids Summer 2019

The hotly-anticipated 2020 Ford Explorer ST and Hybrid SUVs will be available at Borgman Ford sometime during the summer. If you’re planning your next exciting adventure in West Michigan this year and need a vehicle to match, Contact Us or visit our showroom and ask about the upcoming New Ford Explorer. When pre-orders open, we’ll help you build and configure yours so it arrives ready to roll.

Our customer service is what has set us apart for nearly 60 years. Check out our selection of New Ford SUVs and visit us anytime to go for a test drive. Our friendly and courteous sales staff is here to help you find the right vehicle for your needs, but will never pressure you into a sale. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is excited to share this sneak peek of the upcoming 2020 Shelby GT500 with auto enthusiasts in West Michigan! Boasting over 700 horsepower and a 0-60 time of around 3.5 seconds, this is the most powerful production Ford ever built – and it’s street legal.

Stealing the spotlight at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, the Shelby GT500’s arrival in the fall will mark the first time it and it’s little sibling (the Shelby GT350) will be available at the same time. However, while previous versions of this monster have been more suited for the drag strip, the 2020 Shelby GT500 promises to do double-duty with enhancements for the track too. Check out the video from Ford Performance below, and read more about it in this latest press release from Ford:

Most Powerful Street-Legal Ford in History: All-New Shelby GT500 Is the Most Advanced Mustang Ever for Street, Track or Drag Strip

The all-new Shelby GT500 – the pinnacle of any pony car ever engineered by Ford Performance – delivers on its heritage with more than 700 horsepower for the quickest street-legal acceleration and most high-performance technology to date ever offered in a Ford Mustang.

“Carroll was always working on the next faster Shelby, I think he would love this Mustang more than any other,” said Jim Farley, Ford president, global markets. “A takedown artist, the new Shelby GT500 will surprise supercar owners with its Ford Performance racing tech, supercharged engine and visceral swagger.”

Arriving this fall to join its Shelby GT350 stablemate, Shelby GT500 is engineered to attack on all fronts. On the drag strip, a projected 700-plus horsepower delivers blistering straightline performance via its first-in-class dual-clutch transmission. At the track, performance improves even more thanks to its race-bred chassis, custom Michelin tires and the largest front brake rotors ever available on an American sports coupe. On the street, its menacing aerodynamic design and Ford Performance driver control technologies make every moment behind the wheel even more exhilarating.

“With its supercar-level powertrain, the all-new Shelby GT500 takes the sixth-generation Mustang to a performance level once reserved only for exotics,” said Hermann Salenbauch, global director, Ford Performance vehicle programs. “As a Mustang, it has to be attainable and punch above its weight. To that end, we’ve set a new standard among American performance cars with our most powerful street-legal V8 engine to date, plus the quickest-shifting transmission ever in a Mustang for all-out precision and speed.”

Carroll Shelby called the original Shelby GT500 “the first real car I’m really proud of.” Today, that legacy continues with the third-generation 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 – the most powerful and most advanced Mustang ever.

Read the full press release by visiting 2020GT500.com.

Contact Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids for All-New 2020 Shelby GT500 Info

When the 2020 Shelby GT500 from Ford Performace hits the road later this year, it’s sure to turn heads wherever it goes – be it the track, the drag strip, or cruising around Grand Rapids. From the aggressive body and stance to those sweet, sweet exhaust notes, it’s perhaps the boldest statement you can make.

If you’ve been dreaming about driving a performance car, especially one with the famous Cobra badge, be sure to Contact Us to start the ordering process. Our staff is here to help, and will happily answer any questions you may have. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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A Guide To Caring For Your Auto Battery in West Michigan

While this year’s winter (so far) has been milder than most, that doesn’t mean some of us won’t have issues with our car batteries in the West Michigan cold. This cold weather can slow down the chemical reaction that makes batteries work, but unless we’re in sub-zero temperatures, having trouble probably mean it’s time to visit Borgman for a new one. However, there are things you can do to prolong the life of your battery, and knowing the different parts might be the difference between getting some extra time out of one or needing a replacement.

Why Does a Vehicle Have a Battery?

In this Borgman How-To, we’ll get you comfortable with the parts and terminology of batteries, as well as a couple of owner tips to get you (or someone else) out of a battery-related jam. Hopefully, we’re all familiar with what an electrical battery is and what it does. Just like the tv remote control or your smartphone, your vehicle needs electricity from a battery to operate, but unlike these two things, it can generate its own once it’s running. Auto batteries serve two main functions within a vehicle:

You might hear auto batteries referred to as SLI Batteries (Start, Light, and Ignite.) This is more of a class of batteries and refers to three main uses for them. They’re designed to deliver short bursts of power.

Other Functions of Batteries

How Do I Take Care of My Vehicle’s Battery?

When you start your car, the battery discharges about 400 amps of stored current to the starter motor, giving it more than enough juice to start turning the engine. As the engine gets moving, it goes through its various stages until combustion starts. While an engine is running, the rotation is used to power accessories via a serpentine belt. One of these is an Alternator and generates electricity while the vehicle is running. This power is used primarily by the spark plugs, but also every other device in the vehicle that needs electricity. The alternator also recharges the battery for next time. Batteries perform other smaller functions too, such as supplying extra power when the alternator is operating at full capacity, protecting the electrical system from voltage spikes, and keeping various systems alive when the engine is off. These “keep alive” functions include the clock, control modules for the engine and transmission, diagnostics, the security system, and more. Maintaining a battery is pretty easy these days, as it’s more about good habits. It used to be that some batteries, often referred to as “wet-cell” would lose their electrolytes after a while and need to be topped up with water. Almost all modern batteries are sealed, so this isn’t necessary. Under normal use, a modern battery should last about 5 years with minimal maintenance.

How To Clean Corroded Battery Terminals in Your Vehicle

How To Use Jumper Cables

While SLI batteries are designed to deliver a lot of power at once, they do not like to be drained all the way. This is referred to as a deep discharge, and each time it happens it shortens the life of the battery. While we can guard against this by ensuring accessories and lights are turned off after use, a dead battery can happen to the best of us and once or twice usually isn’t a big deal. After a few years of use, you might notice what looks like salt growing on the posts of the battery. It is the battery leaking acid and corroding, but it doesn’t always mean the battery needs replacing just yet. If you’re having trouble starting the vehicle and there’s corrosion on the battery, this is something you can clean up in about 20 minutes. All you’ll need a wrench, baking soda, an old toothbrush, a tub with hot water, and safety gear.

Park both vehicles with their engine compartments facing each other and make sure both are turned off. The easiest way to remember how to connect them is to work your way around in a circle, beginning and ending with your vehicle. Also, try not to let the ends of the jumper cables touch each other.

Make sure both vehicles run for about 30 minutes after the jump. This gives the alternator time to recharge the battery. If your vehicle stalls at some point after a jump, it could mean your alternator needs to be replaced, or point toward different ignition issues. Have the experts at Borgman take a look and make the necessary repairs.

Having Battery or Electrical Issues? Trust The Experts at the Borgman Service Center

If your vehicle is having trouble starting, running, or you’re having any other issues, the highly-dedicated and expertly-trained staff at the Borgman Service Center are here to help. Use our easy Online Scheduler to make your appointment online or feel free to Contact Us by email or phone to discuss your vehicle.

Our customer service is what sets us apart. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford is excited to share the newly-unveiled 2020 Ford Explorer with SUV shoppers and enthusiasts in Grand Rapids and West Michigan. The upcoming 2020 model is the result of the latest Ford tech available being implemented around painstaking market research.

A tremendous amount of effort went into making sure SUV shoppers get everything they’ve wanted to see in a modern Ford SUV. With many new and class-exclusive features and a reorganized trim structure, there’s a 2020 Ford Explorer for everyone. Whether it’s keeping kids entertained on family road trips, rugged off-road adventures, or any West Michigan outing in between, the 2020 Ford Explorer is up for the task.

Ford Explorer Redesigned From Ground Up: America’s Favorite SUV Delivers More Power, Capability and Adventure Tech

Ford recently published a lengthy press release all about the stunning New Ford Explorer on their Media Center, as well as the unveiling at Ford Field in Detroit. Borgman has gone through and selected some excerpts to give you a feel for what’s in store when it arrives at our dealership later this year – check it out below! Ford introduced its all-new 2020 Explorer – a complete redesign of America’s all-time best-selling SUV – that now features the broadest model lineup ever, more power and space, and smart new technologies to help tackle life’s adventures.

“Explorer drivers told us what they want – more capability, more power, more space,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s head of product development and purchasing. “They want more technology, not just for the driver, but for the whole family. And they want all of it with a beautifully sporty exterior. This new Explorer gives them all of that, and more, helping make every journey more enjoyable.”

Explorer is now more capable, comfortable, sportier and roomier in all three rows thanks to Ford’s flexible new rear-wheel-drive architecture. Improved off-road capability comes courtesy of intelligent four-wheel drive and an available new Terrain Management SystemTM. Powertrain offerings include a 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 projected to produce 365 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque using 93-octane gas, making this the most powerful Explorer ever. The Explorer lineup now features standard, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST and Platinum models.

“We obsessed about what Explorer customers need and want,” said Bill Gubing, Explorer chief engineer. “We met with customer groups, pored through internet forums, and dissected social media posts to determine what they love about today’s Explorer and understand their pain points. Then we found ways to improve it across the board. Every enhancement on this all-new Explorer was inspired by our customers.”

Building upon Ford’s push to bring more driver-assist technology to market, the all-new Explorer introduces available Active Park Assist 2.0. The class-exclusive feature – standard on Explorer Platinum – allows the driver to park in a parallel or perpendicular spot with a touch of a button without having to work the steering wheel, gear shifter, gas pedal or brake pedal.

Recrafted, quiet cabin offers more space and technology, including available 10.1-inch portrait-mounted touch screen with full-screen maps, traffic-sensing Ford Co-Pilot360TM driver-assist innovations and features that can help reduce stress such as available Reverse Brake Assist and Active Park Assist 2.0, which handles all steering, shifting, brake and accelerator controls during a parking maneuver with a touch of a button.

Ford’s recipe for Explorer has always relied on three main ingredients – capability, comfort and design. The new rear-wheel-drive architecture enables bumper-to-bumper improvements that include an even more athletic appearance, increased capability and the best passenger accommodations in an Explorer ever.

To read the full press release announcing the New 2020 Ford Explorer, visit Media.Ford.com.

The New 2020 Ford Explorer: Arriving at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids Summer 2019

Be on the lookout for the newly-redesigned 2020 Ford Explorer, due to arrive at Borgman Ford sometime during the summer. If you’re planning an adventure throughout West Michigan this year and need a vehicle up to the task, Contact Us or visit Borgman Ford today and ask about the upcoming New Ford Explorer. When the time comes, we’ll help you build and configure yours so it arrives on our lot in Grand Rapids ready to hit the road, trail, beach, or wherever life takes you this summer.

Our customer service is what has set us apart for nearly 60 years. Take a look at our New Ford SUV lineup and visit us anytime for a test drive. Our friendly and helpful staff is here to answer any questions you might have, but will never pressure you into a sale. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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?While we’re busy spreading holiday cheer at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, unfortunately, there are folks out there having trouble getting into the spirit of the season. Recently, a surveillance video caught a real-life Grinch in North Carolina stealing a Christmas tree from the front lawn of a veterinary clinic. He then hastily stuffs it into his Ford Focus, drives off into the night, and at the time of this writing is still at large.

It’s sad that someone would actually do this, but it’s also good to know that if you’re driving a Ford Focus this holiday and still need to get a Christmas tree, it turns out it will fit in the passenger seat of your vehicle. However, we’d recommend putting some plastic down to protect the seats and you know, buying it from a local farmer.

The animal hospital’s staff aren’t letting this modern-day Grinch ruin their holiday though, despite their bewilderment and disgust. Just like in the story, the Grinch’s thieving ultimately couldn’t take away the spirit of the season. We hope this guy’s heart grows a few sizes and returns the tree too. Check out this link to the video below on WCNC:

This news story appeared on WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina and was reported by Xavier Walton. Read the full story here.

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Borgman Ford would like to wish everyone in Grand Rapids and West Michigan a very happy holiday, and that they arrive at their destinations safely this season. With many, many people traveling to see relatives or out doing some last-minute shopping, slick weather conditions and urgency can combine to make people feel a little less than jolly. With tensions higher than normal, some of us might succumb to getting angry with other motorists, or passengers speaking …abruptly with their drivers.

In a recent study, Ford found that these two things are the biggest contributors to added stress while driving. If you’ve ever driven up and down 28th Street, the East Beltline, or Alpine Avenue during the holidays you know all-too-well that more stress from inside the car is the last thing you need. While it’s on us to restrain ourselves when holiday traffic puts us a little over the edge, Ford looked at the data and found much of these troubles stemmed from being distracted – whether it’s a vehicle around you or the person who’s driving you.

A Ford-Conducted Survey Finds That Nagging Backseat Drivers Are A Key Source Of Stress On The Road

This latest post from the Official Ford Media Center tells more about the study they did, and how their suite of driver-assist technologies like Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane-Keeping Assist can help mitigate some causes of holiday travel stress before they happen. Take a look in this excerpt below: Ford asked American drivers and their passengers about the pain points associated with holiday travel to better understand stressful driving triggers. They discovered that holiday road rage is a pervasive issue and key driver of stress. The study also points to a potential solution to backseat driving, as many backseat drivers say they would stop backseat driving if there was something that could help control their drivers’ and other drivers’ actions on the road. While our driver-assist technologies do not control drivers, they can help people stay in their lane or automatically brake for possible risks ahead, can help people drive confidently and potentially quiet backseat driver complaints.

“Drivers already have to play defense against enough stressful driving scenarios during holiday road travel, between the traffic, bad road conditions, pedestrians and higher propensity of road rage,” says Angela Cascaden, Edge consumer marketing manager at Ford Motor Company. “Ford Co-Pilot360TM, and other technology features in the new 2019 Ford Edge, are making cars smarter – helping drivers navigate stressful situations so they can enjoy the experience behind the wheel.”

Key reasons for backseat driving relate to two categories: various reckless actions while driving (92%) or reasons related to the driver’s technique (82%). Specifically, top complaints within these categories include speed (68%), getting too close to another car (61%), distracted driving (51%), jerky stop-and-go driving (34%) and veering out of the lane unintentionally (33%).

While Americans cannot control the road rage that surrounds them on the streets this holiday season, they can control the tensions happening right inside the car.

Ease Travel Stress This Holiday & Year-Round in West Michigan

Read the full article about Ford C-Pilot 360 Driver-Assist Technologies on Media.Ford.com. If traveling during the holidays puts a little on edge because of the snow or stress from traffic, visit our showroom today and ask about our Ford Vehicles with Co-Pilot 360 technologies. Our friendly and courteous sales staff will make sure all of your questions are answered, and will never pressure you into a sale. Please feel free to take one out for a test drive to experience what a New Ford has to offer – you can even trade vehicles with us for a day!

Check our New Inventory, visit our Manager Specials page for the latest deals, or Contact Us with any questions you may have. Remember that at Borgman Ford, if you find a better deal elsewhere, let us know and we’ll match it. We will not be undersold! Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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While we patiently wait for the All-New 2019 Ford Ranger to arrive at the Borgman Ford Showroom in Grand Rapids, MI, we’re pleased to share some exciting news. The EPA fuel estimates are in for next year, and the New Ranger is the most fuel-efficient gas-powered mid-size pickup in America.

Adventure Further: All-New Ford Ranger Rated Most Fuel-Efficient Gas-Powered Midsize Pickup In America

This recent article from the Official Ford Media Center explains more about how the Ford Ranger accomplished these efficiency numbers without compromising on power, capability, or “Built Ford Tough” quality. Take a look in these excerpts below: The adventure-ready 2019 Ford Ranger is the most fuel-efficient gas-powered midsize pickup in America – providing a superior EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating and an unsurpassed EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating versus the competition. The all-new Ranger has earned EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined for 4×2 trucks.

When configured as a 4×4, Ranger returns EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. This is the best-in-class EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating of any gasoline-powered four-wheel-drive midsize pickup and it is an unsurpassed EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating.

“Midsize truck customers have been asking for a pickup that’s Built Ford Tough,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “And Ranger will deliver with durability, capability and fuel efficiency, while also providing in-city maneuverability and the freedom desired by many midsize pickup truck buyers to go off the grid.”

Keep reading on Media.Ford.com.

Pre-Order Your 2019 Ford Ranger at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

If you’re counting down the days until the All-New 2019 Ford Ranger arrives in West Michigan, visit Borgman Ford and place your order today! Ordering now not only ensures you’ll be one of the first to drive the New Ford Ranger, it also means you’ll be able to custom-build your truck to meet your exact needs and tastes – right from the factory!

The first of the New Ford Ranger pickups will arrive in early 2019. To get started with yours, please Contact Us or visit our showroom to talk with one of our friendly sales associates. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is always interested in learning about the latest advancements and innovations coming out of Ford. Whether these emerging technologies will be included in Ford vehicles for West Michiganders to enjoy, or play a part in their manufacturing and design, Ford has always operated from a position of leadership in the industry.

From Fantasy To Reality: Ford’s New $45 Million Advanced Manufacturing Center Bringing The Future To Life – Today

Recently, Ford opened their brand new $45 million dollar Advanced Manufacturing Center in Michigan. Inside, they’re experimenting with 3D printers, augmented and virtual reality, and robotics to find new ways to make the factories that build Ford Vehicles safer and more efficient. This article on the Official Ford Media Center gives us a glimpse behind the curtain – take a look at some excerpts below: Inside Ford’s new Advanced Manufacturing Center, an engineer stands in front of a 3D printing machine churning out brake parts for Ford’s soon-to-be-introduced Shelby Mustang GT500. Across the room, two team members strap on virtual reality headsets to design and simulate production lines, while another is working alongside a collaborative robot, programming a safer way to install a vehicle part.

These technologies are no longer simply a Hollywood vision of the future. For Ford, which has been breaking new ground in auto production for more than a century, they are critical tools and technologies to improve the complex and demanding task of building cars and trucks. And this is all happening every day under one roof at the company’s new $45 million Advanced Manufacturing Center in Redford.

“More than 100 years ago, Ford created the moving assembly line, forever changing how vehicles would be mass-produced,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of Global Operations. “Today, we are reinventing tomorrow’s assembly line – tapping technologies once only dreamed of on the big screen – to increase our manufacturing efficiency and quality.”

Approximately 100 experts work at the development hub for cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, digital manufacturing and more.

Ford’s investment co-locates approximately 100 advanced manufacturing technology experts and their specialized equipment in one open space. For Ford, this combination of advanced manufacturing expertise and a skilled workforce will continue to support their drive to mass produce the highest quality vehicles.

Test Drive a New Ford Today at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

Read the full article on Media.Ford.com. Borgman Ford is your home in West Michigan for expertly-designed New Ford vehicles. What has set Borgman apart since 1960 is our commitment to customer satisfaction, transparency, and our fair-and-square deals. Throughout the whole sales process, our team will never try to deceive you or pressure you into signing anything. We want to make sure you find the right vehicle for your lifestyle, tastes, and budget, and that all of your questions are answered before pen hits paper. If you want to be absolutely sure you’ll love one of the many New Ford Vehicles on our lot, ask about our Day Trader Program and swap vehicles with us for a day.

Read more about Borgman’s Fair Trade Deals and stop by anytime for a visit. We’re the Best in the West and will not be undersold!

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Is All-Wheel Drive Enough For West Michigan Winters?

We’ve already had our first major snowfall in West Michigan this season, and we hope everyone made it to their destinations safely. It’s probably not a stretch to say some of us had some trouble getting traction from a stop, going around corners, or braking downhill. The biggest factor in being able to maneuver in the snow and ice isn’t all-wheel drive, it’s your tires. In this Borgman How To, we’ll teach you everything a smart West Michigan shopper needs to know about winter tires including how they’re formulated, designed, and perform. All-Wheel drive is popular in our part of the country, mostly because of the advantages it provides when the weather turns on us. With a set of all-season tires on, they perform reasonably well in most situations. That being said, it’s only a piece of the puzzle. Powering all four wheels independently can help if one loses traction and the others have grip, but it doesn’t do much good if you’re driving on a sheet of ice or through deep snow.

This might surprise a lot of folks, but an underpowered front-wheel drive car with winter tires can and very often will out-perform an all-wheel drive counterpart with all-season tires. This isn’t all because of physics or driving dynamics, it’s because tires are your only interface with the road, and bringing the right tool for the job (the temperature & conditions) is what makes the biggest difference.

What Makes Winter Tire Rubber Different

What Are The Different Types of Winter Tires?

That being said, equipping an all-wheel drive vehicle with winter tires is that much better. In the sections below, we’ll explain why and how this is. Tires aren’t simply just rubber rings we put on our wheels. A great deal of engineering goes into making them, and the chemical makeup of winter tires is carefully dialed-in for optimal performance in lower temperatures. To contextualize the difference between summer and winter tires, here’s what you need to know: As rubber warms up, it becomes more pliable and flexible, and as it cools, it becomes stiffer. Warm, flexible tires conform more to road surfaces and thus generate more friction, or “grip.” As the air temperature drops, tires get firmer and lose this trait. This leads to skids, poor stopping distance, and trouble getting moving in cold, slippery conditions. The biggest advantage of winter tires is that the rubber is specifically formulated to stay flexible below freezing temperatures, therefore preserving their ability to grip the road and take full advantage of clever tread designs. There are three main types of winter tires you’ll see if you’re doing some research.

What’s Different About Winter Tire Tread Patterns?

If you look at a winter tire’s treads, they will look a little bit different than summer or all-season tires, but they’re not as aggressive as they used to be. Back about 15-20 years ago, winter tires had very large and widely-spaced treads. These did a great job of finding grip in the snow but were loud and uncomfortable to drive on. As we outlined above, the bigger problem was with the rubber, and you’ll find that modern winter tires offer comparable ride quality to summer tires. Now, the industry trend is to design treads that whisk away water between the tire and the road, which is the main cause of wheel slip and nearly eliminates hydroplaning.

You might also see things like tiny, horizontal grooves cut into the tread blocks themselves, and these also serve a purpose. With the rubber being more flexible at lower temperatures, these will actually widen when they come into contact with the pavement. It seems a little odd, but their purpose is to pick up snow and make it cling to the tire. Snow on snow actually grips pretty well – think of it like rolling a snowball to make a snowman. It will naturally fall off if the road conditions change.

Why Do Winter Tires Look Thinner?

Note: Some tire shops may offer a service called “tractionizing,” where tiny holes or grooves are cut into a winter tire to improve performance on ice and snow. Unless you’re entering your vehicle into a winter road rally, this is completely unnecessary and dramatically cuts the life of your tires short. Tire manufacturers ship winter tires with the precise optimization needed for everyday city and highway driving. You might notice that winter tires appear to be a little thinner than all-season or summer tires, and that’s because some of them are. This is intentional, and often winter tires are mounted on their own dedicated, thinner rims. In the summer, you want more of the tire pushing against the ground to spread the total force of the wheel evenly. In the winter, you don’t want all that extra tire trying to overcome a pile of snow (remember that snow is sticky, and once you start to dig it only gets worse.) This is an extreme example, but it’s easier to move through a snow bank with a pizza cutter than it is with a rolling pin.

Are Winter Tires A Good Investment?

The Borgman Service Center can help you select thinner rims and dedicate them to your winter tires. Ensuring the combined dimensions of your rim and tire match the vehicle’s specifications is important for maintaining predictable performance, correct fit (so the tires don’t rub against the wheel well or suspension components,) and to preserve the accuracy of the speedometer, anti-lock braking, stability, and tire pressure monitoring systems. The only person who can decide of winter tires are worth it is you, taking into account your level of comfort driving in winter, which part of West Michigan you live in, what sort of road conditions you often drive in, and whether you have the space to store them properly. The initial expense is a little higher, though ultimately the vast majority of people save money in the long run with the added benefit of safety. There may be an impulse to only buy two winter tires for the drive wheels to save money, but for serious safety reasons you absolutely should not mix-and-match.

The added cost for comes from buying a second set of rims specifically for your winter tires. Note that a good set of rims will often last for longer than you own the vehicle, and add value by making the swap between wheels in the spring and fall much quicker. Also, mounting a tire once or twice isn’t a big deal, but repeatedly changing the tires between one set of rims can cause stretching or cracks – wearing them out faster.

By switching these wheels in response to the seasons, you’re not only driving safer in the West Michigan weather, you’re not going to need to buy new tires as often either. This is both because they’re only being used one set at a time (obviously) and because summer or all-seasons are more likely to wear faster in the cold.

Upgrade to Winter Tires at the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids, MI

If you’re ready to upgrade to a set of winter tires, or just want to see which ones are available for your vehicle, visit the Borgman Service Center today and talk to one of our tire experts. We’ll show you tires that will be the exact fit for your vehicle, the best performing ones for your typical winter commute, and give you the best deal possible with the latest tire deals.

Should you decide to make the switch, we’ll happily swap them for your all-season or summer tires in the spring and fall too. Remember, we’re here for all of your automotive needs.Schedule Your Appointment online today and come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Earlier this year, Borgman Ford announced that Grand Rapids Michigan was selected for the Ford City of Tomorrow Challenge. Today we’re pleased to share the winner of the challenge: Kaizen Health. In the challenge, members of the community were asked to share ideas about how to solve mobility problems within the city. Entrants gave written proposals which were reviewed by other participants and a panel of expert judges, and the winner would be awarded a $100,000 prize to fund a pilot program.

Kaizen Health identified that many people in underserved communities cite transportation as a barrier to their medical care. Doctor visits and trips to the pharmacy can be difficult for the elderly, disabled, and other marginalized patient niches, so Kaizen Health recommended Grand Rapids adopt their patient-focused ridesharing program to remove these barriers and increase attendance.

This not only solves the immediate problem of giving these patients better access to their care but nurtures their long-term health as well. The Kaizen Health’s ride-sharing program has already been implemented by several hospitals in the Chicago area, and we’re excited to see it implemented within our own community.

Grand Rapids Announces Winner of City Of Tomorrow Challenge

This latest article from the Official Ford Media tells more – check out some excerpts below: After working collaboratively with Ford Motor Company, AT&T, Dell Technologies and Microsoft, the City of Grand Rapids today announced the winning project in the Ford City of Tomorrow Challenge.TM The winning proposal will be awarded $100,000 to fund a pilot program that will test its implementation in a real-world setting.

Kaizen Health, a proposal that aims to eliminate transportation as a barrier to good medical care, was chosen as the winning project in the City of Tomorrow Challenge – a crowdsourcing platform created to help prepare cities for the future by bringing groups of people together to design and pilot new solutions that help improve mobility in cities.

Kaizen Health is an early stage health technology company working to modernize and streamline access to transportation in partnership with providers, payers, self-insured employers and municipalities. The team is passionate about pursuing creative ways to deploy its technology and vehicle network to reduce unnecessary costs in health care and help people live healthier, happier lives. In Grand Rapids, the group has proposed a pilot that integrates existing services from Lyft, GO!Bus, The Rapid call center and Innova EV’s first- and last-mile vehicles to allow Grand Rapids residents to make independent decisions about their mobility options.

“This proposal stems directly from the experiences of Grand Rapids residents and the obstacles they face on a daily basis,” said John Kwant, vice president of Ford City Solutions. “Listening to the community, collaborating with residents and bringing them into the design process is a new and novel approach to developing mobility solutions, and it’s exactly the kind of local engagement we wanted to foster with the City of Tomorrow Challenge.”

The Bright Future of Transportation in Grand Rapids, MI

Keep reading on Media.Ford.com. Borgman is grateful for all the people in Grand Rapids and West Michigan that have chosen us for their automotive needs over the years. As this city we’re all a part of continues to grow, Ford gave us a unique opportunity to shape how our transportation systems grow with it. The winning solution addressed an important problem: making sure that transportation does not pose a practical or financial barrier to their medical care. We’re excited to see how the pilot program performs, as we’re certain there are members of our community that could really use it.

To find out more about the Ford City of Tomorrow Challenge in Grand Rapids, MI, visit Challenges.CityOfTomorrow.com. Should your transportation needs include a New Ford Car, Truck, or SUV, check out our Online Inventory, read about our famous Fair Trade Deals, or explore our Day Trader Program. Come and see why Borgman is the Best in the West!

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