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Before you load up the family and head out on a New England road trip, take a closer look at your vehicle. Summer driving puts unique demands on your Ford, from coastal highways to mountain passes, and New England brings some of its own very unique challenges to vehicles. Skipping a pre-trip inspection could mean trouble down the road. Staying current with Ford service in Hamden, Connecticut, is one of the smartest things you can do before the season gets busy. more Check Your Cooling System First Summer heat isn’t just a threat to your patience—it’s one of the biggest threats to your engine. Your cooling system works overtime when temperatures climb, and a weak hose or low coolant level can quickly turn into an overheating situation. Have a technician inspect the coolant level, hoses, and radiator cap before any long drive. It’s simple and it’s one of the most important steps in summer car maintenance Connecticut drivers often overlook. Inspect Your Tires for Long-Distance Driving Tires are your only connection to the road, and they deserve close attention before a road trip. Do a penny test on the tread depth, and look for uneven wear, cracks along the sidewalls, or low pressure. Hot pavement increases tire pressure and can accelerate wear on already-thin tread. Proper inflation also improves handling and fuel efficiency on those long stretches through New Hampshire and Vermont. Test Your Battery and Electrical System Heat is actually harder on car batteries than cold weather. If your battery is more than 3 years old, it is a good idea to have it load-tested before your trip. A weak battery may start fine in your driveway but fail at a rest stop two states away. Your Ford service technician can test the battery, inspect the terminals, and check the alternator output in one visit. Review Your Brakes, Fluids, and Filters Brakes wear gradually, so they can be easy to ignore until something goes wrong. If you notice any pulling, grinding, or a soft pedal, it’s time for an inspection. Beyond brakes, make sure your brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid are all topped off. A clean engine air filter also helps your engine breathe properly during summer car maintenance Connecticut service visits. Don’t Forget Your Air Conditioning Goes without saying for most New Englanders, but it bears repeating. New England summers can turn brutally hot and humid quickly, and a failing air conditioning system can make a road trip genuinely miserable. If your A/C has been slow to cool or is making unusual sounds, have it checked before you leave. A technician can inspect the refrigerant level, compressor belt, and overall system performance to make sure everything is running as expected. Pre-Trip Ford Service Can Be Shockingly Easy in Hamden, CT It’s annoying to add another thing to your to-do list before a getaway, but taking the time to address these items before your trip can make the difference between you actually enjoying it or not. And you’ve got some cool options at your disposal to make service stress-free on you and your schedule. Ford Mobile Service lets a technician come right to your house or work for simple services like an oil change or batter replacement. If it turns out to be more work, Ford Pickup and Delivery lets a technician come and get your vehicle and bring it back when it’s ready. Using genuine Ford parts will make the service process easier and more convenient, too. Whether you’re taking off for the weekend or exploring New England further and longer, starting with a solid vehicle inspection is always the right call. Schedule your Ford service with Bob Thomas Ford in Hamden, CT, and head into summer with confidence.

The 2025 Ford F-150 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting trucks on the market, offering a perfect blend of rugged capability and sophisticated design. Whether you’re navigating the streets of Hamden, CT, or venturing off-road, the F-150’s exterior features are designed to turn heads while delivering practicality and performance. Let’s dive into what makes the 2025 Ford F-150 a standout in its class. more A Bold and Refined Exterior Design The 2025 Ford F-150 boasts an exterior design that is both bold and functional, ensuring it meets the needs of a wide variety of drivers. From its signature grille options to its meticulously crafted body, every detail has been engineered to enhance both style and utility. The model lineup includes eye-catching trims like XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch®, Platinum, Tremor®, and Raptor™, each offering unique aesthetic elements. New for this model year, the F-150 introduces two stunning paint options: Marsh Gray and Space White Metallic. These colors, combined with features like the two-tone paint schemes available on higher trims, provide a customizable look that complements the truck’s aggressive stance and commanding presence. Functional Features Meet Modern Aesthetics Ford has carefully integrated functional elements into the 2025 Ford F-150’s exterior without sacrificing its sleek appearance. The fully boxed steel frame and reinforced body ensure durability, while features like the removable tailgate with lift assist make daily tasks easier. For those who need extra versatility, the available Tailgate Step with Work Surface is a game-changer, allowing you to work comfortably from the back of your truck. The truck also comes equipped with various wheel options, including 18-inch gloss black wheels for the STX trim and 20-inch chrome-like PVD wheels for higher trim levels like King Ranch® and Platinum. These wheels not only enhance performance but also add to the overall aesthetic appeal of the F-150. Advanced Lighting and Visibility Lighting plays a critical role in both safety and style, and the 2025 Ford F-150 excels in this department. It features LED reflector headlamps with black bezels as standard, while higher trims offer advanced lighting solutions like LED fog lamps, LED sideview mirror spotlights, and even a Tailgate LED for improved visibility when loading or unloading in low-light conditions. Additionally, the unique lighting accents on models like the Tremor® and Raptor™ trims—such as orange grille details and integrated marker lights—add a level of exclusivity to these performance-oriented options. These details not only enhance visibility but also make a bold statement on the road. Rugged Capability with Off-Road Enhancements For drivers who crave adventure, the off-road-ready trims of the 2025 Ford F-150, such as the Tremor® and Raptor™, are equipped with features that ensure they can tackle any terrain. The Tremor® trim, for instance, comes with unique off-road style running boards, skid plates, and a trail-ready suspension system for enhanced durability and ground clearance. Meanwhile, the Raptor™ takes things a step further with its high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine, unique flared fenders, and long-travel suspension. With these features, the F-150 is ready to explore the toughest trails around Hamden, CT, and beyond. Customization Options for Every Lifestyle Ford understands that no two drivers are alike, and the 2025 Ford F-150 reflects this with its extensive customization options. From multiple grille designs to a variety of bed liners, tonneau covers, and decal packages, you can tailor your F-150 to suit your personal style and functional needs. The Black Appearance Package, available on trims like the STX, XLT, and Lariat, adds a sleek and modern touch with black exterior badging, black running boards, and dark interior appliqués. This package is perfect for those who want a more aggressive and contemporary aesthetic. Conclusion The 2025 Ford F-150 seamlessly combines rugged functionality with striking design features, making it the ideal truck for drivers throughout Hamden, CT. Its bold exterior styling, innovative lighting, and extensive customization options ensure there’s a model to suit every taste and need. Whether you’re commuting, working, or exploring off-road trails, the F-150 delivers both aesthetics and performance in equal measure. Explore the 2025 Ford F-150 for yourself by visiting Bob Thomas Ford and see why it remains a leader in the pickup truck segment.

So you've saved up enough money to buy a new vehicle, but you can't help but wonder if financing it is the better way to go. Deciding whether to finance or pay cash for a vehicle can be difficult. For some consumers, paying cash upfront makes a lot of sense. However many others find that there are benefits associated with arranging car financing at their local Ford dealer. 4 Benefits of Getting Car Financing at Your Ford Dealer 1. It Might Be the Smarter Financial Move If you've got great credit, there's a good chance you'll qualify for a low-interest rate when you finance through our dealership. If that's the case, investing the cash you've saved up and financing the vehicle may be a smart financial move. If the return on your investments is greater than what you pay to finance the vehicle, you might come out ahead. more 2. It'll Give You Financial Flexibility Financing a vehicle allows you to keep that extra cash on hand, and having a little extra dough in your savings account is never a bad idea. It gives you the flexibility to absorb unexpected costs without needing to shuffle funds around. It's also important to remember that you can repay an auto loan at any time, so you don't have to keep making payments for the whole term. It's possible to finance a vehicle, make payments on it for a while, and then pay the whole thing off all at once if your circumstances change. Financing a vehicle, even if you've got the funds on hand to pay for it upfront, gives you plenty of options and preserves your financial flexibility. 3. It Can Bolster Your Credit Financing a vehicle and then repaying the amount you borrowed in full and on time is a surefire way to improve your credit score. It's also an excellent way for first-time buyers to establish a credit history. Once you've demonstrated that you can responsibly repay the amount you've borrowed, lenders will be more likely to loan to you with favorable rates in the future. 4. It May Help You Drive Home an Even Nicer Car When you finance a vehicle, your purchase isn't limited by the amount of money you have on hand. Because you'll be paying for the vehicle over time in monthly installments, you can more easily upgrade the model you're buying or tack on optional amenities and packages to enhance your ride. Financing a vehicle makes it possible to purchase a slightly nicer car. Financing often makes the most sense, even if you have the cash on hand to pay for the vehicle. When you're ready to finance your next vehicle, come see us at Bob Thomas Ford Inc. in Hamden, CT.

The 2021 Ford Edge, and its performance-orientated variant, the Edge ST, offer a wide variety of features to excite any driver. From improved touchscreens and infotainment systems to refined interior and exterior design, the Edge is the perfect midsize SUV for the tech-savvy driver. In t this article, we'll explore some of the standout features of the Edge and why it could be the perfect car for you. 3 Standout Features of the 2021 Ford Edge 1. Incredible Performance The Edge features a streamlined eight-speed automatic transmission that routes power from a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine that can make 0-60 in just over 7.5 seconds. However, it's the ST performance variant that shines, with its hard-hitting 2.7-liter V6 that can offer as much as 355hp and 380lb-ft of torque, compared to the base models 250hp and 280lb-ft of torque. The base model can be had with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive while the ST enjoys AWD as standard. When it comes to fuel economy, the Edge really shines. The base model, with an I4 engine and FWD, is EPA-rated at 21/29 mpg city/highway. Choosing the AWD option will get you 21/28 mpg, while the ST doesn't suffer for its larger engine and improved performance; it is rated as 19/26mpg. more 2. Five-Star Safety The Edge has received exceptional ratings from both national car safety organizations. The NHTSA gave it its highest possible overall score of five stars, and the IIHS has awarded the 2020 model its coveted Top Safety Pick designation, with a special nod to its driver-assist systems. The available adaptive headlight system received special mention, but it's the front collision prevention technology that really shines. This was rated as Superior, the highest possible designation, due to its ability to avoid collisions in every single one of the tests. This amazing collision avoidance system is available as standard on the Edge, but that's not the only safety feature available. Also included as standard is pedestrian emergency forward braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert are available as standard on all models, while adaptive cruise control is included on the higher-end trims. 3. High Tech, High Spec Interior All variants of the Edge come equipped as standard with a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, ready-loaded with Ford's brand new Sync 4 software. This has been updated with improved processing power, natural language voice recognition, and built-in navigation as standard. It also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto amongst its many available features. Two USB ports are available for the front row of seats, and the standard speaker system has six speakers. However, for true audiophiles, a new Bang & Olufsen premium audio setup is available with 12 high-quality speakers. High-end variants of the Edge and Edge ST also enjoy the option of a 4.2-inch cluster display and a pad for wireless device charging. If you think the new Edge might be for you, then be sure to give us a call! Schedule a test drive today at Bob Thomas Ford!

We've got the perfect vehicle you need for your next big road trip. The 2021 Ford Expedition comes equipped with anything your next adventure can throw at it. Between its commanding style, powerful drive, and versatile features, there's plenty to get excited about when it comes to this year's Expedition. Read on to get all the details in our preview of this exciting option for your next SUV so you can decide if it's right for you. Your Up-Close Look at the 2021 Ford Expedition Design That Commands Attention Leaving a strong first impression is important, and with the style, the Expedition brings to the table, you're sure to do that everywhere you drive. The bold appearance and proportions bridge the gap between strength and style, giving you the best of both worlds. Unique trim levels help customize that appearance to suit your personality, with rugged looks from the King Ranch or more subtle style from the Stealth Edition. First-Class Interior and Amenities The exterior of the Expedition is already impressive enough, but you'll be blown away all over again when you open the doors to see the luxury cabin inside. All three rows of power reclining seats give you plenty of legroom to enjoy, letting your passengers ride in comfort. With up to 121 cubic feet of storage space, you'll also have enough room to pack along with all the gear you need for any situation. more Performance Engineered to Excite The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine uses the latest innovations to deliver both power and efficiency. You'll get the engaging ride you desire from the impressive 400 horsepower it delivers every time you rev up the engines. You'll also enjoy cost-saving fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 20 combined miles per gallon taking you further every time you fill-up the tank. Connected with Your World In our increasingly connected world, we need our vehicles to keep up with the devices we already use in our life. Ford+Alexa lets you harness all the capabilities of your favorite smart home device from your vehicle, giving you a seamless experience. You can also take advantage of the available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot to keep you and all of your passengers connected even when you're out on the open road. Safety Features You Can Rely On Even with all the other great features, the Expedition offers, Ford didn't lose sight of your number one priority: keeping you and your passengers safe. You'll have the peace of mind that comes from all the latest safety technology. That includes proactive features like the pre-collision assist system. This feature warns you if you're coming up on an obstacle, and can even apply emergency braking to help keep you safe. This preview gives you some idea of what to expect, but you need to see the Expedition for yourself to get the full picture. Come get an even closer look at this exciting SUV at our dealership. Schedule your test drive at Bob Thomas Ford today and see the Expedition for yourself!