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.

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!

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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.

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.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=A2b0ORpJUCs

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!

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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:

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 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 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!

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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.

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:

1. Wipers do not clear all of the washer fluid in one stroke or leave streaks.
2. Wipers make a lot of noise, even when wet.
3. 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!

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Borgman Ford Thanking The Community For Helping Support The Grandville Band Program

Borgman Ford would like to thank all of the people in the Grandville community, band parents, friends, and family who made time to stop by last Saturday to test drive a new Ford. Thanks to an excellent turnout, we are pleased to share that the Grandville Band Boosters raised over $4,000 for uniforms, equipment, student scholarships, and travel expenses!

? During the Ford Drive 4 UR School Event on Saturday, people came out and visited us at Grandville High School to test drive a New Ford. For every person who went out for a spin, Ford pledged $20 to the band program.

To date, Ford “Drive 4 UR” events have helped schools and community organizations all across the country raise over $35 million dollars for their associated causes. For more information, visit FordDrive4URcom.

Thank you again to everyone who came out and made Saturday a rousing success. We could not have asked for better weather and met so many nice people throughout the day. We enjoyed seeing some familiar faces turn up as well! Together, we really made a difference to further music education in the community.

We hope to see you all again next year!

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Review Features Of The New 2018 Ford Expedition: Coming Soon To West Michigan

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is pleased to announce that the New 2018 Ford Expedition is on it’s way to West Michigan, bringing with it a number of new and exciting updates. Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the new and existing features of Ford’s comfortable, capable, and spacious SUV offering. Some of these include seating for 8, power-folding seats, a WiFi hotspot, LED lights, and more.

Be sure to keep an eye on our New 2018 Ford Inventory, and feel free to visit us when it arrives to take one out for a test drive!

New Exterior Styling & Aluminum Body

For 2018, the New Ford Expedition sports all-new body panels, which give the SUV an air of refinement and visually conveys its capability. This year, the Ford Expedition also joins the ranks of other Ford vehicles built with the virtually rust-proof and tough-as-nails aluminum body. This upgrade comes standard and contributes to better vehicle protection and fuel economy.

When you see the New 2018 Ford Expedition in person, there are other styling changes that will become apparent as you do a walk-around. The most noticeable are the impressive new headlights, luxurious grille design, and the extended body length of the New Expedition MAX, which makes SUV by about one foot longer and adds an additional 16.9 cu./ft. of cargo space.

Experience The Lavish Interior of the New 2018 Ford Expedition

The interior of the New 2018 Ford Expedition is one of the most luxurious Ford has to offer. It features a number of new innovations centered around comfort, convenience, and safety, including fold-flat seating, onboard WiFi Hotspot, Panoramic Vista Moonroof, and more.

Starting in the driver’s seat, you’ll immediately know that this SUV, especially in the Platinum trim, is truly something special. Wrap your fingers around the leather-wrapped heated steering wheel. Feel the smooth wood finishes on the console. Experience the peaceful quiet in the cabin, or crank up the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System and hear your favorite tunes with stunning clarity.

Ford SYNC 3 keeps you connected with all of your favorite apps, and supports full integration with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. With the simple press of a button, you’ll be able to perform a number of actions on your connected smartphone using intuitive voice commands, such as make phone calls, listen to music, ask for directions, and more!

New 2018 Ford Expedition Powertrain

Because Ford understands how important it is to have an engine that can keep up with avid adventurers, they made the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 Engine standard on the New 2018 Ford Expedition. This engine makes use of the latest innovations from Ford to produce up to 375 horsepower and 470 lb./ft. of torque, all while achieving an EPA-estimated 20 combined miles-per-gallon – quite a feat for a vehicle of this size. Part of this boost in efficiency is owed to weight savings of almost 300 pounds, thanks to the New Expedition’s light-weight aluminum body. With all of the enhancements included in the Platinum Trim, the Expedition is able to achieve even more with up to 400 horsepower.

This year, Ford has also paired the new engine with their 10-Speed SelectShift Automatic Transmission, which features a tow/haul mode and distributes power where you need it, whether you’re trekking down gravel roads or navigating through the West Michigan winter weather. Other features that make the 2018 Expedition the most adventure-ready to date include Continuously-Controlled Damping, Electronic Limited-Slip Differential, Independent Rear Suspension, and more.

Towing Made Easy the New 2018 Ford Expedition

With all of the above capabilities in mind, towing has never been easier than in the 2018 Ford Expedition. The exceptional torque-output of the 3.5L EcoBoost paired with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package allows the SUV to tow a best-in-class 9,300 pounds – more than your average camper, boat, set of dirt bikes. Other features such as Trailer Sway Control, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, available Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage, and the Electronic Limited-Slip Differential make long towing trips easier than ever.

Arguably one of the most trying aspects of towing your toys across West Michigan has nothing to do with is backing the trailer up. Now, with the available Pro Trailer Backup Assist, you can “steer” the trailer using a knob on your center console, using the high-definition screen with a heads-up display. Whether you’ve had years of practice backing up a trailer, or this would be your first time, you can do so on the 2018 Ford Expedition with precision and confidence!

Control the New 2018 Ford Expedition With Your Smartphone

Compatible with the New 2018 Ford Expedition is the innovative new FordPass app. With this innovative tool, you’ll be able to interact with your SUV in the following ways via your iPhone or Android device:

• Find parking, reserve and pay ahead of time
• Compare fuel prices at stations along your route
• Receive key vehicle info and schedule service
• Lock, unlock and start your vehicle remotely
• Get FordPass help from a friendly FordGuide

For more information visit FordPass.com.

New Ford Expedition SUVs For Sale in Grand Rapids, MI at Borgman Ford

The New 2018 Ford Expedition will be arriving soon at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, so keep an eye on our lineup of New Ford Vehicles. When the capable and luxurious New SUV arrives, hurry in and take one for a spin! Our friendly and highly-knowledgeable sales staff will be happy to assist you, but will never pressure you into buying. Feel free to ask us any questions about the New Ford Expedition, including details on any of the above features. 

Come see why Borgman is the Best in the West!

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Learn More About How To Care For Your Tires by Understanding How They Work

Tires are an integral part of your vehicle, and Borgman is here to help you make sure they stay in good shape for as long as possible. Tires have quite the job description: they carry the vehicle everywhere throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan, they keep road noise down, the ride smooth, and keep your grip in slick conditions. To achieve all of this, there is a fair bit of physics and chemistry at play, but you don’t really have to worry about any of that. Getting peak performance out of your tires from Borgman is as simple as giving them a look-over every month. Below, we’ve provided a punch list of what to look for and tips to keep your tires in tip-top shape.

Anatomy of a Tire & Fast Tips:

• Tread: The part that comes into contact with the road. This part can vary in composition or pattern depending on intended use. Snow tires will have deeper treads and a different blend of rubber than all-season tires and so on.
• Sidewall: Shows all of the technical information about the tire, protects the tire against minor scrapes with the curb, and provides structure to the tire.
• Bead: A rigid ring along the tire’s openings at the base of the sidewall that wraps around the rim, producing that nearly-airtight seal.
• Air pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi.) Typically, tires should be inflated to 33 psi, but check your vehicle’s specified number.
• Tires naturally lose about 1 psi of pressure every month.
• Because cold air is denser than warm air, tires also lose an additional 1 psi for every 10-degree drop in outside air temperature. That can be why they all appear to be going flat in the fall months.
• Those little ‘hairs’ on a new set of tires are actually called ‘vent spews,’ and are a result of air being forced out of the tire mold during production. Other than proving that a tire is new, they have no bearing on performance whatsoever.
• If you get a flat, installing your vehicle’s spare tire is always preferable. If you absolutely have to use an aerosol sealant, please let us know during your visit. That way we know to clean everything and check your tire pressure monitoring system.

Things to Know When Checking Your Tires

First, read the safety and roadside emergency information in your owner’s manual. Frankly, it’s much better to be familiar with the contents before it’s a necessity. Step by step directions for changing the spare tire is in here.

There is also an important distinction that we need to point out, and that’s the difference between the maximum and operating tire pressure. Maximum pressure is molded onto the tire’s sidewall, and pressure in the tire should never exceed this number. Operating tire pressure is what you aim for when filling your tires.

Before we take an air pressure reading, ask yourself, “Are the tires warm?” To get the most accurate reading, your tire pressure needs to be checked “cold,” meaning the vehicle has been parked for at least an hour and in the shade. Even if it’s a cool day and you only drove a mile, friction between the road and the rubber builds up heat and expands the air in the tire which throws off your reading. If you have to check them warm, subtract about 4 to 6 psi from your reading to compensate.

Remove the tire valve cap, and place the tire pressure gauge on it firmly. Make sure you don’t hear any air leaking. A digital or dial gauge should give you a reading on the screen or dial; stick-type gauges have a stick that pops out the bottom—the highest pressure shown is your current tire pressure. Remove the tire gauge and measure again.

If the pressure is low, add air by placing the end of an air pump hose over the tire valve. If you’re using a high-pressure air hose at a gas station, only fill the tire for five seconds, then stop. Lower-pressure personal air pumps can stay on for longer, especially if the tire is very low. Never leave the pump alone as it could overinflate the tire and damage it.

Recheck the pressure. If the tire is overinflated, you can release air by pressing the valve inside the tire valve stem. An ink pen works great for this. Once you have confirmed your tire is inflated to the proper level, replace the valve cap.

Repeat these steps for each tire, and don’t forget to check your spare too! Everything you need to know will be printed on a sticker on the spare tire’s rim or in your owner’s manual.

How Do I Know When I Need New Tires?

While you’re kneeling down checking the tire pressure, it’s a good idea to take a close look for visible signs of wear and tear. In general, tires last about 6 years, but may need to be replaced if you notice any of the following:

• The tread has worn down to less than 3/32″.  This is about the distance from the top of a penny to the top of Honest Abe’s head. If any part of his head is covered, you should be ok for a while longer.
• Any bulges, blisters, or bubbles
• Cracking in the tread grooves
• Punctures, cuts, peeling, snags, or separation in tire tread or sidewall
• Sudden loss of tire pressure
• Poor handling or traction on slippery surfaces
• Pulling to one side while driving
• Sudden vibration while driving
• Tires that have been driven while flat

Get Complete Tire Care at Borgman Ford Service Center in Grand Rapids, MI

Keeping your tires inflated is essential for good fuel economy, responsive handling, safety, and getting the most miles out of them. However, there are other things that need to be done as well, such as rotations, balancing, and alignments. Making sure these are done as needed ensures not only tire health, but the longevity of other parts such as your brakes, suspension, and steering.

If you need new tires, or just want to have them checked out by a certified and trusted technician, give us a call at 616-534-7651, or schedule an appointment online. Be sure to visit our Service Specials page for the latest coupons and offers. Drive safe, West Michigan!

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The New Ford F-150 Stole The Show at the TAWA Truck Rodeo

Borgman Ford is delighted to let its West Michigan truck fans know that the New 2018 Ford F-150 was just named “Truck of Texas” at this year’s Truck Rodeo! This is the second consecutive win for the F-150, and the 14th time it’s been given the top honor of the event.

The Texas Auto Writers Association or TAWA, holds their Truck Rodeo every year. At the event, member journalists in the auto industry have the opportunity to drive many different trucks from several manufacturers, putting them through a series of on and off-road trials. At the end of the event, a consensus is reached based on the opinions of more than 70 participants and a “Truck of Texas” is named – the association’s highest honor. In the article from the Ford Media Center below, you can read more about the event and see how the F-150 did:

New 2018 Ford F-150 Named Truck Of Texas At Annual TAWA Texas Truck Rodeo, Marking The 14Th Win For F-Series

Ford, America’s truck leader, has once again secured top honors at the Texas Auto Writers Association Texas Truck Rodeo. The 2018 F-150 earned Truck of Texas at the 24th annual competition, marking the 14th time F-Series has roped in the most prestigious award. Additionally, F-150 Raptor won the Off-Road Pickup Truck category and earned the highest overall personal appeal score and best overall exterior score across all participating vehicles.

“With the new 2018 F-150, we’re honored to earn back-to-back Truck of Texas awards for F-Series, a recognition that speaks to the truck team’s dedication to our hardworking customers,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president and president, North America. “That’s especially true in Texas – truck capital of the world.”

At the Texas Truck Rodeo at Longhorn River Ranch, journalists evaluated trucks on both on- and off-road courses over a two-day period. The panel previously awarded Truck of Texas honors to Ford F-Series in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2003-09, 2011, 2014 and 2016.

“The competition was incredibly fierce at this year’s Texas Truck Rodeo,” said Nic Phillips, TAWA president. “More than 70 member journalists put in more than 300 hours of driving time evaluating the vehicles presented. The results in several categories are separated by the narrowest of margins, just tenths and hundredths of a point, confirming just how competitive the trucks and utility vehicles are today.

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

New Ford F-150 Trucks For Sale in Grand Rapids, MI

Want to test drive a truck like the one at the 2017 TAWA Truck Rodeo in person? Visit the Borgman Ford showroom in Grand Rapids today and take the 2018 Ford F-150 out for a spin! Our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff will be more than happy to assist you, so please feel free to stop by and ask any questions you may have.

Click Here to see our full lineup of New Ford F-150 Trucks. Come see why Borgman is the Best in the West! Remember, if you find a better deal on a New Ford F-150, let us know and we’ll match it – we will not be undersold!

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Test Drive New 2018 Ford Mustang: Coming Soon to Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids

Borgman Ford is excited to share all of the new features of the New 2018 Ford Mustang with drivers in Grand Rapids. As the new sports car rolls out across West Michigan, we have been keeping an eye open for interesting stories about how the latest Mustang was designed and built, and the latest entry is fascinating.

A pair of Ford engineers were able to alter the way the New Ford Mustang tackles corners with a single application of duct tape. By obstructing one of the openings on the front grille, they were able to change the vehicle’s aerodynamics just enough to improve the steering. Seriously – what can’t it do?

While designing and engineering vehicles using computers has its merits, this particular story shows that the human ingenuity is an important part of the equation, and how the vehicle ‘feels’ can’t always be quantified. Check out an excerpt from this article from the Ford Media Center below:

How One Piece Of Duct Tape Improved Handling And Efficiency In New Ford Mustang

In the data-driven, computer-monitored world of vehicle testing, sometimes there is no replacing the human touch. Ford engineers Jonathan Gesek and Mike Del Zio are proof that both the objective and subjective remain integral parts of car development.

After driving a high-speed lap at the test track in a prototype Mustang, Del Zio, a vehicle dynamics engineer – the objective one – reported that despite wind tunnel numbers that would indicate otherwise, the car wasn’t responding around corners to his satisfaction. Gesek, an aerodynamics engineer – the subjective one – had a quick solution.

Gesek applied a simple strip of duct tape over the lower gap of the grille. The goal was to reduce what is known as front-end lift. Del Zio re-tested the car, paying attention to the vehicle’s response when cornering at high speed. The result: a better-handling car and a modified grille.

“That little strip of tape made all the difference,” Del Zio said.

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

New Ford Mustang For Sale in Grand Rapids & West MI

If you want to experience the thrill of driving a New Ford Mustang around West Michigan, visit Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids today and go for a test drive! Our friendly and knowledgable staff will be happy to answer any questions you have about the car and show you all of the available options, such as MagnaRide Automatic Dampers, the Customizable Dashboard, and the “Good Neighbor Mode.”

To see our selection of New Ford Mustangs, check our inventory online or visit our showroom today! Get your next ride on the West Side, and remember, we will not be undersold!

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Drive One for the Grandville Band: Ford Donates $20 For Every Person Who Test Drives – up to $6,000!

Want to help the Grandville Band Program raise up to $6,000? Join us at Grandville High School on Saturday, October 21st, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and take part in Ford Drive 4 UR School!

For every person who comes by for a test drive, Ford will donate $20 to the Band Booster program. With enough people, they could raise up to $6,000 for new instruments, uniforms, and other band-related expenses. Anyone 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license may participate, but only one valid test drive per household. It only takes a few minutes, but your participation makes a big difference!

In 2007, Ford launched the Drive 4 UR School program to help raise funds for education. This allowed schools and their various programs to continue or expand their operations through participation with the community. Following the success of the program, Ford also launched Drive 4 UR Community to help other charitable and community organizations. Together, the two programs have raised over 35 million dollars nationally. To learn more about the program, visit forddrive4ur.com.

We invite you to stop by, support the Grandville Band, and have some fun cruising around in a Brand New Ford Vehicle. We hope to see you there, and Go Dawgs!

Grandville High School
4700 Canal Ave. SW
Grandville, MI 49418
Get Directions Here

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