Blog

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.

From this compact SUV's attractive design to its fantastic array of technology, the 2024 Ford Escape is the perfect car for anyone seeking a modern and attractive SUV for the family. Whether you choose one of the two gas engines or one of the two hybrid powertrains, you're getting a capable, compact, and comfortable car you'll enjoy taking trips in. more The 2024 Ford Escape: Versatility Meets Innovation Cabin Fit for Cargo When driving the Escape with a full load of passengers, you've got 37.5 cubic feet of space for cargo in gas engine models and 34.4 cubic feet of space for your luggage in the hybrid models. However, if you need to transport a little more cargo, then fold down some or all of the second row to fill the cabin up with everything you're transporting. With that row fully flat, you've got 65.4 or 60.8 cubic feet to fill depending on the model. Easily Tow Your Trailer The Escape is tough enough to handle a little towing. If you've got an AWD model with the 2-liter EcoBoost engine and the Class II Trailer Tow Package, then you can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The next strongest are FWD and AWD models with the 1.5-liter engine, which can handle up to 2,000 pounds. Both hybrid models can tow up to 1,500 pounds, so every configuration is versatile enough to tow objects that won't fit in the cabin. Terrific Safety Tech There are plenty of standard safety features in the Escape, including plenty of airbags, an SOS Post-Crash Alert System, and a Rear View Camera. You can also equip a 360-Degree Camera with Split View. The Ford Co-Pilot360 package is also standard, and that gives your car lots of additional safety features in the form of driver assistance technology. These include A Blind Spot Information System with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking and a Lane-Keeping System with multiple features, including Driver Alert. Excellent Entertainment Features The Escape has an infotainment system that's loaded with useful features such as Wi-Fi hotspot capability and wireless smartphone compatibility. You can easily stay entertained thanks to the standard SiriusXM with 360L, which gives you access to a wide array of channels and on-demand content to listen to. You can also access your smartphone-based music streaming apps through the car's infotainment system for further entertainment. Want to get to know more about the Escape? Come find the trim for you at Bob Thomas Ford Inc. in Hamden, CT.

Conquering rugged off-road terrains without breaking a sweat, the 2024 Ford Bronco is a popular SUV that offers a unique mix of unparalleled versatility, strong engine performance, cutting-edge tech features, and both two and four-door designs. more Introducing the 2024 Ford Bronco: Unleashing the Wild Reliable Engine Strength All three of the Bronco's engine offerings are sure to impress, as even the base option, a turbocharged 2.3-liter I4 engine, delivers an impressive 300-horsepower output. The intermediate option is a 2.7-liter V6, also turbocharged, that churns out 330 horses. Those looking for even more muscle will easily find it in the third engine, a 418-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 that comes exclusively with the rugged Bronco Raptor trim. Off-Roading Capabilities Designed for off-roading, this SUV comes with a tenacious 4x4 system that easily tackles most tough terrains. It's complemented by both a multi-mode terrain management system called G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Modes and H.O.S.S. (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension). Electronic-locking front and rear axles, a severe-duty steering rack, extra ground clearance, and other versatility-enhancing features come standard with select upper trim levels. Comfy Open-Air Drives Inside the Bronco's cabin you'll find plenty of comfort and convenience with standard features like climate control, power windows, and for the seats, moisture-resistant marine-grade vinyl. Select trims also offer available dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and other seating materials ranging from cloth to leather trim. Outside the vehicle, you have your choice between hard and soft tops, and when removing or retracting these and detaching the doors, you can experience open-air drives through nature. Advanced Technology There are also many innovative technology features, including standard offerings like remote keyless access, push-button start, the SYNC 4 infotainment system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot that works anywhere within 50 feet of the vehicle. Auxiliary switches with pre-laid wiring are available for attaching third-party gear and accessories, and select trims also offer a universal garage door opener, a premium 10-speaker B&O audio system, and other options. Sophisticated Safety This edition's safety-monitoring features can make drives less stressful while providing enhanced safety, and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Post-Collision Braking, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Start Assist, and the Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System are all standard. Select trims also come with the Lane-Keeping System, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, and reverse sensors for parking. Come check out everything this thrill-seeking SUV has to offer by contacting us today at Bob Thomas Ford in Hamden, CT.

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.

If you are looking for a midsize pickup truck that is powerful and practical, you will love the new 2021 Ford Ranger. This vehicle is not overshadowed by its larger counterparts like the F-150 or F-250 because it is a truck all of its own, with a size, look, and strength of its own. This truck commands just as much respect and attention as every other truck from the Ford line, and we know you're going to love it. Five Truly Impressive Features of the 2021 Ford Ranger 1. Sportier Than Your Average Truck The new Ford Ranger proves that you can get that sporty feeling in a truck, thanks to its 2.3-liter turbocharged engine. The engine has 310 pound-feet of torque and 270 horsepower that will help you complete the job you need to and then get onto the fun. You'll be surprised at the speed and agility that this vehicle offers; once you get it out on the open road, there will be no stopping you. more 2. Towing Capabilities Meant To Impress The new Ranger proves that it too is a force to be reckoned with, especially when it comes to towing. Don't let its midsized stamp deceive you; the new Ford Ranger can tow up to 7500 pounds. That towing power will come in handy in many different situations, including taking a boat out or pulling your trailer. Not only can it tow, but it can do it well. The Trailer Sway Control is a feature that helps you transport large loads need safely and with ease. Your load won't sway to one side or the other while you're driving. 3. You Can Afford It With a base model that starts at $25,070 that will deliver you 21 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway, this is a vehicle that won't break the bank. It will give you good gas mileage, yet thanks to all its features and upgrade options, you will feel as though you're driving a far more expensive vehicle than you are. 4. It Will Turn You Into an Off-Roader You can't own a truck without taking it off-roading, at least once. This truck is equally as smooth as it is on the highway when you take it off-roading. Once you experience the thrill of getting your truck off the concrete into uncharted terrain, it will become your new hobby. 5. It Helps Protect You The new Ford Ranger is equipped with multiple different safety features that help keep you safe in a world where other drivers aren't. You'll have the option of different safety features based on the trim level you choose, including Blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Driving a truck was never so easy or affordable. The new Ranger is a truck that's going to change the way that you view driving. Visit us today at Bob Thomas Ford to test drive this impressive vehicle in person so that you can get out on or off the road as soon as possible.