Get ready to get back in gear and start your summer adventures with Borgman’s service guide. We’re here if you need a tune up before the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order lifts with free pickup, delivery, and loaners.

This month, we’re giving you a quick list of some parts of your vehicle you should check before setting out on a Memorial Day road trip, including advice for how to identify potential problems. Let’s get started!

First, Do A Quick Walk-Around

You’d be amazed at how many issues you’ll be able to spot by just doing a quick walk around your vehicle. You can check for chips in the windshield, dings in the body, panels covering the underside of your vehicle coming loose, tire condition, and exhaust parts starting to fall out of place. Be sure to really crouch down and have a good look with a flashlight.

Tire Condition & Care

During your walk around is the perfect time to check the tread depth of your tires. The penny trick is still a good tried-and-true method for getting a general idea of how much tread you have left. Simply insert a penny upside down and facing you into your tire’s tread. If you can see all of Abraham Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires.

While you’re looking closely, check the tread wear to make sure that they’re wearing evenly and inspect the sides of the tire for cracks or splits. If you have a tire gauge, it’s a good idea to make sure they’re properly inflated as well, and you can find that information on a sticker inside your door well or in your owner’s manual. Uneven tread wear can point to issues with your alignment and suspension, and you should schedule an appointment with us right away.

Check Your Coolant Levels & Inspect Your Radiator

Now it’s time to open the hood and check your fluid levels. While we’re focusing on your cooling system below, it’s not a bad idea to consult your owner’s manual and check your engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid levels – taking careful note to measure the hot or cold levels – whichever is appropriate. 

First, never open your radiator cap if your engine is hot or even warm. Your coolant system is under pressure and the escaping fluids and/or steam can cause severe burns. Take a look at the fluid level in your reservoir and ensure it’s within the acceptable range. Trace each coolant line with a flashlight and look for cracks, splits, and white-ish buildup around any of the joins or radiator cap, as these point to a leak. If your coolant level is low and you’ve found a leak, make sure to only use the matching color of coolant for your vehicle – do not mix and match colors! Next, schedule an appointment with the Borgman Service Center right away.

What To Do If Your Vehicle Overheats

If your vehicle begins overheating while you’re driving, shut off the air conditioner, roll the windows down, and turn up the heater to full and try to vent heat from the engine bay, then pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. If the temperature returns to normal in a short amount of time, your radiator may have been overwhelmed. This usually happens while sitting in traffic on a hot day. If your vehicle does not cool down, shut the engine off and carefully open the hood to check your coolant level and check for leaks. Do NOT remove the radiator cap. If you are low on coolant, distilled water can work in a pinch but calling for roadside assistance is the best option. 

Checking Your Air Conditioning System

Once your vehicle is up to operating temperature, your air conditioning at full blast should be giving you goosebumps. On a pre-road trip drive, check and make sure your air conditioner is still going strong and isn’t in need of a recharge. It’s much better to know if it isn’t working properly now rather than when the vehicle is all packed up and you’re hitting the road.

Review Your Service Records

Before you start your adventure, take a look at the service history of your vehicle and make sure you’re not overdue for brakes, tire rotation, oil change, or other regular maintenance. If you’re getting close on any of these, it’s a good idea to visit the Borgman Service Center before you embark – we could also uncover unknown issues with your vehicle before they have a chance to delay your trip.

Borgman Service in Grand Rapids is Here For All of Your Vehicle Needs

Time for new tires? Air conditioning not working? Schedule your appointment with the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids today with Free Pickup & Delivery during the Michigan Stay Home, Stay Safe order. Be sure to check out the latest Service Specials and Make Your Appointment Online today to get the service you need before making your first summer trip in West Michigan. Come see why we’re the Best in the West for over 60 years!

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Borgman Ford is proud to stand beside Ford, who in a time of crisis is again stepping up to the plate to do their part. In a new partnership with General Electric, Ford will be mass-producing ventilators to help patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms recover. Ford also has the support of the United Auto Workers Union and expects to produce 50,000 ventilators in Michigan within 100 days. Production is expected to start at their Rawsonville Plant on April 20th, and once fully ramped up, Ford expects to be producing 30,000 ventilators a month.

An article published in the Official Ford Media Center tells more – read some excerpts below or visit Media.Ford.com for the full story.

Ford To Produce 50,000 Ventilators In Michigan In Next 100 Days; Partnering With Ge Healthcare Will Help Coronavirus Patients

Ford Motor Company, in collaboration with GE Healthcare, announced today it will begin producing in Michigan a third-party ventilator with the goal to produce 50,000 of the vitally needed units within 100 days and up to 30,000 a month thereafter as needed.

Ford will provide its manufacturing capabilities to quickly scale production, and GE Healthcare will provide its clinical expertise and will license the current ventilator design from Airon Corp. – a small, privately held company specializing in high-tech pneumatic life support products. GE Healthcare brought the Airon Corp. design to Ford’s attention as part of the companies’ efforts to scale production of ventilators quickly to help clinicians treat COVID-19 patients.

“The Ford and GE Healthcare teams, working creatively and tirelessly, have found a way to produce this vitally needed ventilator quickly and in meaningful numbers,” said Jim Hackett, Ford’s president and CEO. “By producing this ventilator in Michigan, in strong partnership with the UAW, we can help health care workers save lives, and that’s our No. 1 priority.”

Ford expects to produce 1,500 by the end of April, 12,000 by the end of May and 50,000 by July 4 – helping the U.S. government meet its goal of producing 100,000 ventilators in 100 days.

Ford, along with the companies it is supporting, will provide additional updates as these special projects progress.

Read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

Stay Tuned For More COVID-19 Updates From Borgman and Ford

Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is watching the coronavirus outbreak closely and is taking extra steps to ensure the safety of our service customers and our staff. While our showroom is closed during the Michigan shelter in place order, if you need help or have any questions, please Contact Us. Our staff will be more than happy to help. 

Our Service Center is still open for business and offering Free Pickup & Delivery with an appointment. You can schedule your service online or give us a call anytime. We’ve been driving the difference for 60 years, and it’d be our pleasure to serve you.

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Keep Your Vehicle Working During Social Distancing

While West Michigan drivers are staying home to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, it’s important that steps are taken to ensure their vehicle stays healthy too. When vehicles sit for extended periods of time, tires, hoses, and other components can become damaged and require expensive repairs. The issues we’re describing take longer than a few weeks to develop, but every time you warm up and drive your vehicle, you “reset the clock” so it’s advisable to keep these things in mind when your vehicle gets less than regular use.

In this Borgman How To, we’ll give you a quick routine you can use to make sure your vehicle is ready to go when the shelter in place order is lifted in Michigan. If you need any service for your vehicle, Borgman’s Service Center is still open and offering Free Pickup & Delivery with an appointment.

The Best Thing You Can Do Is Drive It

To prevent the issues with your vehicle we’ve described above, the best thing you can do to keep your vehicle healthy is to drive it. While the Michigan Governor’s shelter in place order restricts what you can do and where you can go, taking the scenic route to the grocery store or to the bank should be enough to get your vehicle up to operating temperature. This allows moisture and acids that build up to burn off – mitigating damage to your internal components. Letting it idle in the driveway is not enough.

Protect Your Tires From Dry Rot & Flat Spots

Regularly driving your vehicle ensures your tires will not be in the same position in your driveway as when you left. To explain, when tires are sitting in one position for too long, they deform and develop a flat spot on the bottom and it’s not something that can be fixed. You’ll need new tires. Tires left sitting can also develop “dry rot,” meaning that through a lack of heating, cooling, and stretching, the rubber becomes brittle and starts to crack. This leads to leaks and can only be solved with new tires.

Keep Your Battery Charged

Even when your vehicle is off, it’s using electricity. On top of that, when car batteries aren’t recharged by a running engine for prolonged periods of time, they naturally lose their charge. Since alternators in vehicles generally won’t charge a battery below 1,000 RPM, you will need to drive the vehicle for about 20 minutes to get back up to a full charge. Alternatively, you can order a “trickle charger” and use that to keep your battery charged up – though this is not recommended unless you have your vehicle stored in a garage.

The battery is the most vulnerable component of a vehicle that sitting for weeks at a time. Usually, draining a battery will damage it permanently and it will not be able to hold as robust of a charge. This gets worse every time it is depleted and eventually, it won’t be able to hold a charge at all.

Need Vehicle Maintenance? Borgman Service Is Open and We’ll Come To You!

At the time of this writing, the Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids MI will remain open during the Michigan shelter in place order. To help stop the spread of COVID-19, we’re taking many extra steps to ensure the safety and health of both customers and employees. One of these is Free Pickup & Delivery of your vehicle for service customers – no need to leave the house. We’ll also sanitize your vehicle when we pick it up and when we return it to you. If you need maintenance, visit our Service Center page and schedule your appointment online – we’d be happy to be of service to you. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to Contact Us. See why we’ve been the Best in the West for 60 years!

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Ford Will Pay The First 3 Months and Allow Deferment of 3 Months Payments for Eligible Customers

Borgman Ford has been tracking the COVID-19 outbreak in Grand Rapids and West Michigan carefully. One of the most devastating aspects of the social-distancing policies in effect is the numerous people out of work due to temporary or permanent layoffs.

That’s why we were so pleased to hear that in an unprecedented move, Ford has offered to cover the first three loan payments and allow the deferment of another three payments for borrowers who qualify. This allows people who need a new vehicle but find themselves in a tight spot to shop worry-free and drive home the vehicle they need for daily life – without making a single payment for six months.

There are a number of other things Ford is doing for dealers and existing customers as well. If you’ve financed through Ford Credit and aren’t sure you can make your loan or lease payments, you can get help by visiting AccountManager.Ford.com. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Us at Borgman Ford – we’re happy to assist you.

Ford just issued a press release detailing their new “Built to Lend a Hand” program, and we encourage our friends in West Michigan to take a look at some excerpts below. You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

Ford Launches New ‘Built To Lend A Hand,’ Providing New Car Buyers Peace Of Mind With Up To Six Months Of Payment Relief

Ford Motor Company is offering eligible new car buyers up to six months of payment relief under a new “Built to Lend a Hand” program developed with its dealers.

This week, Ford met with dealers throughout the country, asking what they and their customers need most. The answer was clear – payment support for existing and new customers affected by coronavirus, plus tools to help serve their customers remotely.

Under the new program, Ford is offering up to six months of payment relief for eligible new car customers who finance through Ford Credit. Ford will pay for three months and customers can defer for up to three months for a total of up to six months. The program is for those purchasing new 2019 and 2020 model year vehicles, excluding 2020 F-Series Super Duty.

“Our dealers are incredibly connected to their communities,” said Kumar Galhotra, president, North America. “They’re willing to lend a hand by doing whatever it takes to help our customers in this time of need.”

Ford’s Built to Lend a Hand initiative comes on the heels of a well-received Ford Credit program announced Monday, which allows existing U.S. customers affected by coronavirus to call Ford Credit and discuss options if they are having payment difficulty.

?The website for the Ford Credit program is http://www.fordcreditsupport.com/ or customers can call a special hotline at 1-800-723-4016.

Read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

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Borgman Ford and Borgman Commercial are the proud home of the mighty Ford F-150 in Grand Rapids MI. The F-150 is America’s favorite pickup truck for 43 years and counting, and every year new features and capabilities keep raising the bar on the competition. Favored among truck fans and West Michigan businesses alike, Borgman has been helping auto shoppers in Grand Rapids drive home the truck of their dreams since 1960. If you need to put one (or several) Ford F-150 pickups to work this spring, read about what makes this truck America’s favorite and stop in to test drive your favorite!

The F-150: 43 Years of Built-Tough Power

The F-150 may be the “little guy” in Ford’s commercial lineup, but that’s relative. With a best-in-class payload of 3270 and the ability to haul 13,200 (with tow package; 7,000 without), the Ford F-150 is a fleet workhorse to help get the job done.

With the only high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body and high-strength steel frame in its class, the Ford F-150 makes tough tasks look easy on the job. Its new six-engine lineup delivers powerful performance whether you choose aspirated V8 gas powerplants with advanced twin independent variable cam timing or a turbocharged and port-fuel/direct-injected (PFDI) gas EcoBoost® V6 engine. Add the 3.0L Power Stroke® Turbo Diesel to the mix and you have a full menu of options to suit your needs on the job in 2020.

Ford keeps you in-touch on the job quickly and easily through in-vehicle touchscreen and voice-activated technology as well as smartphone apps. Connect with people, navigate to a destination, get useful trip information — just about anytime, anywhere. Lariat trucks, one level up from the XLT, now come standard with Ford’s suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies called Co-Pilot360. 

For 2020, there are also three new colors to choose from—Iconic Silver, Rapid Red Tinted Clearcoat, and Star White Metallic Tri-Coat. Stop by the lot and take one for a spin! If you haven’t experienced the performance of the V6 Twin Turbo, you’ll be amazed. Check out our full New Ford F-150 Lineup today, and remember Borgman’s Price Match Guarantee – you won’t find a better deal elsewhere. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is excited to share with West Michigan truck and muscle car fans that the Ford F-150 and the Ford Mustang topped both of their segments in the 2020 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study! Both of these vehicles serve as icons within Ford’s lineup, whether it’s for power, dependability, or style. These vehicles and many more also feature SYNC 3, a robust infotainment system which contributed towards their overall score. An article appearing in the Official Ford Media Center explains more about the J.D. Power award and what launched the iconic duo to the top of their lists this year. Check it out below:

Ford F-150, Mustang, SYNC 3 Propel Ford Motor Company To Top-3 Ranking In J.D. Power 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study

America’s best-selling truck and the world’s best-selling sports coupe have both received new accolades from customers. The Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang are J.D. Power’s 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study award recipients for large light duty pickup and sporty midsize car segments, respectively, helping to launch Ford Motor Company into a tie-for-third among all automakers. The SYNC 3 voice-activated communications system – available on all 2017 model year Ford cars, SUVs, light trucks and electrified vehicles – was a significant driver of the company’s six-spot improvement compared to 2019.

“For us, high quality means more than a great experience in the first few months of ownership; it includes a great experience throughout a customer’s ownership journey, and these results affirm our commitment to building high-quality vehicles,” said Linda Cash, Ford vice president of Quality and New Model Launch Program. “This commitment now includes continuous improvements, like over-the-air-updates via WiFi, which keep SYNC 3 systems fresh.” Keep reading over on Media.Ford.com.

Drive Home a New Ford F-150 or New Ford Mustang from Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

As the Ford F-150 celebrates its 43rd consecutive year as America’s best-selling pickup and the Ford Mustang enjoys its 3rd year as the world’s best-selling sports coupe, Borgman Ford is your home for finding the one that suits your needs, tastes, and budget. Our staff will happily show you all of the exciting features within each for you to explore and enjoy during your test drive, but will never pressure you into a sale. We strive to ensure every customer is treated like family, as we have done since we opened in 1960. Read more about our famous Fair Trade Deals, check out our selection of New Ford F-150 trucks and New Ford Mustang coupes and come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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While West Michigan is still awaiting a “real winter,” the spring season isn’t far on its heels. Our goal at Borgman Ford is to ensure your business is ready to tackle whatever is thrown at you. Whether you need to move earth or a household, check out our Built Ford Tough lineup of chassis that are ready to be custom-built for your business. And — in case you haven’t heard, we’re letting you in on your future favorite fleet leader: the 2020 Super Duty Chassis Cab. 

Featured Commercial Workhorse: The 2020 Super Duty Chassis Cab
More power. More engine options. More buildouts. More versatility. The 2020 Ford Super Duty Chassis Cab is the most capable version of the chassis series Ford offers. Released this year with the all-new available 7.3-liter V8 engine, 10-speed transmission, and brand-new technologies to keep your drivers and your data secure. Borgman Ford Commercial is ready to help find and personalize your future 2020 Super Duty Chassis Cab!

• Engine options: The third-generation 6.7 Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel performs with an incredible 330 hp and 825 lbs-ft of torque, while the all-new 7.3L OHV PFI Gas V8 is the largest v8 in a heavy-duty pickup and rolls in with 350 hp and best-in-class 468 lbs-ft of torque. The OG 6.2L Flex-Fuel Gas V8 is a trusty do-it all that delivers peak torque at low RPM. All engine options are built for all-day hard work and commercial durability and power. 
• Technology: Think exciting, luxury features that improve efficiency and fleet performance. Safety features to reduce risk and improve driver performance such as pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping alerts. For efficiency, we’ve released all-new updates to Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services.

On A Budget?

We’re currently offering incredible deals on 2019 chassis. All with low mileage, exceptional value, and incredible Ford Tough performance:

• 2019 Ford F-450 Cab Chassis | $40,104
• 2019 Ford F-550 Cab Chassis | $52,005 
• 2019 Ford F-550 Cab Chassis Extended | $77,749

Visit the Borgman Commercial Vehicle Center in Grand Rapids today or contact Tod Tobin at 616 710-2209 for all of your fleet and commercial needs! We sell and ship nationwide. Our highly knowledgeable and friendly staff will be delighted to show you all of the features and rugged construction during a demo. Our experts can also help you navigate all of the financing options exclusively for businesses including Ford Commercial Lines of Credit and Ford Commercial Lease programs. Take a look at our Online Inventory today, Contact Us with any questions, and come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is a technology that works while you drive, ensuring that your braking system restores vehicle control when you start to feel out of control (in the case of a skid, for example). Dating back to the 1920s, anti-lock braking didn’t become standard on vehicles across the world until three decades ago, which was a major improvement in safety while driving in adverse or unstable conditions. Understanding why they’re part of your vehicle’s mechanical system and how it works is critical for knowing when it’s working in order to keep your driving as safe as possible, and when they’re not working and it’s time to bring it into the Borgman Service Center.

How Does ABS Work?
ABS ensures your brakes don’t lock in a position that may encourage skidding or loss of vehicle control — meaning, it initiates a slowdown in wheel rotation and automatically adjusts braking application (think a pumping mechanism) to make sure you don’t slide when you slam on the brakes. Essentially, it’s working in the background to help you stop safer whenever you initiate a hard, immediate cessation of speed. The pulsing brake pattern helps you maintain control.

How is ABS Built?
Generally, ABS has up to four wheel sensors that read or measure (by magnetism, for example) when tire rotation has dramatically shifted — so when the wheel stops rotating in a brake or significantly slows. When combined with an anti-lock control module and hydraulic control point, deliver pulsing pressure when your car is sliding or skidding. The best way to ensure you’re not skidding is not to apply the pumping to the brakes yourself, but rather to push the pedal down as hard and consistently as you can and let the ABS do as it’s designed to do.

ABS Repair
ABS functionality is part of the warning control module of a vehicle, meaning it’s designed to notify you when it’s off-kilter. Typically, the error is in one of the sensors, not in the ABS functionality. However, it’s important for you to bring your car in when you’re notified of an ABS malfunction immediately. If it’s a sensor, it’s likely debris has injured one or more of the sensors, and is an easy fix. If it’s your ABS, you shouldn’t be driving without it. The Borgman Service Center will ensure your brakes are working properly, that ABS is responsive, and that your sensors are clear and operating flawlessly. For maximum efficiency, a working ABS should also be paired with good-condition braking pads and rotors, too!

Of course, the best way to ensure you’re ABS is working properly is to come into Borgman Service Center and let us take a look. The Works is a check-up package that includes tire rotation and pressure check, a routine brake inspection, vehicle checkup, fluid top-off, battery test, filter check, and belts and hoses check for $44.95. Stay safe and stay informed, especially during the variable weather in Michigan as the seasons change! Check out our Service Specials and Schedule Your Appointment online today. If you have any questions, our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help so please feel free to contact us. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids is making it easier than ever for West Michigan auto shoppers to buy online! We’re proud to introduce our B-Express Digital Guided Buying process: a series of tools that let you complete most of your vehicle-buying journey from the comfort of your home.

With these new tools, you can explore purchase options, financing, and spend less time on paperwork. It’s easy to do research, ask any questions, and even make the purchase completely online. You can play with payments and incentives, evaluate your vehicle’s trade-in value, save your work, and then schedule a visit for a test drive. 

If you choose, the entire deal can be completed entirely online. No matter which route you choose, you will have immediate access to our team of knowledgeable professionals to make sure your questions are answered and guide you through the entire process. Below, we’ve highlighted the key features of B-Express:

• Chat with a Real Sales Rep Online throughout the process if desired
• Explore Payment Options 
• Value Your Trade
• Apply for financing
• Choose an Extended Service Plan (ESP) 
• Complete Paperwork 
• Buy Online
• Get live HELP any time you want!

For more information, check out our new B-Express Page or take a look at our vast Online Inventory to get started today. B-Xpress is one more reason that Borgman is the Best in West!

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If one of the reasons you own a Ford Ranger is to roam the wild off-road world, this news may be breaking to you: Ford’s Breadcrumbs technology gives you a path to find your way back safely without fret. Off-road adventuring just became navigationally stress-free, so you can focus on being in the moment, not remembering landmarks.  

The Breadcrumbs feature is part of the SYNC 3 Navigation system, and when enabled, uses satellite technology to drop a virtual pin every second while off pavement. When the adventure is over, the driver simply follows the path back to their starting point, making the return to civilization now the easiest part of out-of-bounds excursions. See exactly how it works in the Ford video below:

Breadcrumb technology is included in the new Ford Ranger’s navigation system, and is available on XLT, Lariat, and any Built Ford Tough truck that’s sporting the SYNC 3 and navigation technology.   

Other Off-Road Features 

If you’re serious about your off roading, consider equipping your Ford truck with the Fx4 Off-Road package, which includes Terrain Management System for vehicle adaptation and performance perks, Trail Control to keep you running the show, and electronic locking rear differential. The winch-capable front bumper is also available for extreme hauling, and the Ford leveling kit for flawless ground clearance.   

We’re Your Go-To Ford Ranger Dealer in Grand Rapids

All of us at Borgman Ford know how important lifestyle is in your vehicle purchase. Don’t hesitate to ask us questions about capability, features, and options for your desired vehicle. If you’re considering a Ford Ranger in your future, check out our inventory for the Best in the West deals and specials, and head in for a test drive. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. We’ll see you soon! 

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