Is Your Car Ready for a Baby?

Having a baby is an exciting, wonderful, and overwhelming experience.  Getting your home ready for a new arrival takes a lot of work.  But before your baby ever gets home, he or she will have to ride home in their brand new car seat.  If you’ve never installed a car seat in your vehicle, here are few tips to help you install it properly, whether you have crossovers, trucks or cars in your family.

  • The first car seat you install for your infant should be rear-facing.  Most rear-facing car seats are good for children up to 20-30 pounds.  The next step up is a front-facing car seat, followed by a booster seat.
  • When installing a car seat in your new or used car, use the “one inch” rule.  If you can move any part of the installed car seat more than an inch, you need to tighten the straps.
  • For car seats that come with a detachable base, installation can be easier, since you’re only installing a smaller piece of plastic.
  • Bases should be at a 45-degree angle once installed.  If your base isn’t adjustable, you can use a section of a foam swimming noodle to angle the base.
  • If your baby is exceptionally tiny, you can place rolled up receiving blankets on either side of him or her for additional support and cushion.  Don’t place them under the harness, however.
  • If you own used cars or used pick-up trucks, you may have to use a locking clip to make sure the seatbelt stays secure if you slam the brakes.

Regardless of how simple it may seem to install your child’s car seat, it’s best to have your car seat inspected by a professional.  The Police Department will inspect the installation of your car seat, or you can stop by one of the local car dealers, like our Houston dealership, and we’ll help you make sure your car seat is properly installed.  And, if you’re thinking that the addition of a baby is a good time to upgrade your used car to one of our new crossover vehicles, stop by one of our dealerships to get the right vehicle for your expanding family.

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Rally Around America: Ford Focus Style

Park Cities Ford is proud to announce that the all-new 2012 Ford Focus is getting ready to launch, but before it does you can see it in action during the world’s first interactive real-time road rally. It lasts for 5 weeks and will feature 6 teams of 2 people competing against one another to complete tasks while being on a cross country adventure to win a new Focus and $100,000, plus 8 new Focuses for fans and supporters of the winning team. You can catch the Focus Rally on Hulu.com 5 times a week as well as here.

Watch this short and fun video clip of the beginning of the Ford Focus movement!

This rally will allow the new focus and Ford’s new technology to really shine.  The new Focuses will have the exclusive MyFord Touch system. An intuitive eight-inch touch screen you can customize puts the controls right at your fingertips. It has voice activated features and the steering wheel-mounted controls let you use the system and keep your hands on the wheel. You can get turn-by-turn directions, Wi-Fi hotspot, browse your music collection, monitor fuel consumption and vehicle diagnostics, receive real time traffic updates and make calls and text.

The Focus also features the Ford MyKey as well as a parking assist feature and push button ignition. It’s the most technologically advanced production vehicle available. Stay tuned for the release date, all of us here at Planet Ford 45 can’t wait to get these on our lots!

Share with us if you’re going to get in on the action!

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Customer Testimonies [VIDEO] at Planet Ford in Spring

Ford service in HoustonIf you live in the Houston area, specifically Spring, Texas, you have a wonderful automotive service center in your back yard. Planet Ford 45 in Spring has one of the of the greatest service departments in South Texas.

This video testimony features real customers who love their dealership!

No matter what you drive, this award winning service team will have you in, out and on the road in no time! With excellent communication, clear pricing and all the latest and greatest technology, rest assured your Ford150, Explorer, Expedition or any car for that matter will be taken care or.

Once you work with Planet Ford 45 in Spring, we are confident you will love our family and our service. Enjoy the hassle free Quick Lane where no appointments are needed and the price is always right.

Visit our online service today for more information.

Do you have any feedback for us? We would love to hear from you on Facebook!

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Ford Electric Future Near Houston

It wasn’t that long ago that electric cars were thought of as clunky and unworkable, with a short range, sluggish performance and poor drivability.  Those days are just about over, though, and the people who once thought of electric cars as a novelty are singing a different tune.

Planet Ford in Spring has your electric car needs handled with a variety of makes and models.

With the Ford Fusion hybrid reaching 41 mpg on the highway (with full amenities and good performance), dismissing electrics and hybrids is less of a tenable position than it was before.  There was also a time when people pointed out the edge that import makes had in electric vehicle technology, but again – that gap is rapidly closing.
And Ford has a whole variety of choices in all-electric or hybrid vehicles, from sedans to vans to trucks and SUVs.  Along with the Focus (check one out at your Houston Ford dealer), the Transit Connect small commercial van is now available in a fully-electric version.    By 2012, five more electric vehicles will be in the Ford lineup for North America.  Ford is making strides in the technology for electrics and hybrids, including key drivetrain components like the battery packs and transaxles.  And even with a fairly limited range, a Houston electric car makes perfect sense for commuters who drive 20-30 miles each way for work.

By partnering with Microsoft, Ford lets consumers take advantage of off-peak hours and reduced utility rates for “value charging,” reducing the cost of ownership for electrics.  One of the latest innovations is a program that will allow you to control things like charging times or starting/stopping the charge through your smart phone.

And sometimes it’s the little things that get overlooked in the race to innovate.  Not so at Ford…they do sweat the small stuff.  For instance, most manufacturers’ charging stations are a hardwired, one-piece box that’s physically mounted on the wall.  The Ford electric charging station is mounted on a bracket and can easily be unplugged for servicing or moving.  With Best Buy’s Geek Squad contracted to do the actual mounting and setup of the charging station, Ford estimates $700 in savings to drivers; the next goal is a “to-go” charging station that can be put in the car and set up for charging when you reach your destination.

In coming years, look to Ford to roll out fully-electric Lincolns and pickups, as well as making all kinds of other advances in electric and hybrid technology.   Not too many people think of electrics as a sort of joke car anymore, and Ford is one big reason why that’s so.  Check out your local South Texas Ford dealer, Planet Ford in Spring and see what’s the latest!

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Billy the Exterminator and Gator 911 Will be in Houston

Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring proudly presents Billy the Exterminator and Gator 911! Bring the whole family out this Friday, January 14th, starting at 4pm to meet the TV stars!

More information is on the way! Jump on our Facebook and Twitter Pages to stay up-to-date on this awesome event!

Are you fans of these bad-to-the-bone TV stars? Let us know!

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Planet Ford in Spring Provides Family Fun

Randal Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring will Host Gator 911 as seen on CMT with Special guest Billy the Exterminator as seen on A&E.
Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring is proud to host Gary Saurage of the hit CMT show, Gator 911, and Billy the Exterminator from the hit A&E show.

Spring, TX – Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring, a local Ford dealership, is excited to announce that Gary Saurage and the cast of Gator 911. In addition to the crew of Gator 911, Billy the Exterminator will be at the dealership signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

The stars of both hit shows will be at Randall Reed’s Ford dealership located in Spring, Texas on Friday, January 14, 2011 starting at 4pm. This is a family event where fans can see the two hit TV show stars up close and in person. Billy the Exterminator, with Vexcon, one of Louisiana’s busiest pest removal companies, is known for his wild looks and creative pest solutions. Gary Saurage, star of Gator 911 is a legend when it comes to alligator rescuing and conservation. He is also a star at the premier alligator wildlife park in Texas.

“We are very excited to have TV stars like Billy the Exterminator and Gator 911 out to our dealership. We are looking forward to families spending time together to see these colorful and fun TV stars,” said Shawn Burns, General Manager of Planet Ford Spring.

Stars from TV’s hit shows Gator 911 and Billy the Exterminator will be at Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring on Friday, January 14, 2011. This event is open to the public and free.

This event is free, open to the public and promises to be fun for the whole family. For more information, visit the blog at https://blog.planetford45.com/, or check us out at www.facebook.com/planetfordspring and www.twitter.com/PlanetFord45.
About Planet Ford Spring
Planet Ford Spring, is located at 20403 Interstate 45, Spring, Texas 77388 and has a diverse selection of new and certified pre-owned Fords. They have the areas most comprehensive fleet service with six diesel technicians on staff. In addition, their Quick Lane service department is open twelve hours a day, six days week and no appointment is necessary. Lastly, their collision center was created with you in mind. Factory-trained professionals coupled with rental cars help to ensure that you get back on the road. For more information visit http://www.planetford45.com.

Client Contact Info:
Name: Shawn Burns
Email: sburns@planetford.com

Phone Number: 888-846-0635

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Top 100 Finalists for RADbrid Giveaway Announced

Randall Reed’s Planet Ford 45 in Spring is happy to announce that we currently have our top 100 finalists for our RADbrid Giveaway. Soon we will be announcing one lucky grand prize winner that will be driving off in Motor Trend’s 2010 Car of the Year.

Planet Ford 45 In Spring Texas

Looking for our lucky winner!

The RADbrid is a custom built 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid that is high-tech and fuel friendly. Reed Auto Design (RAD), a division of REED SPEED has taken one of the top cars for 2010 and improved upon it. The RADbrid includes a custom B&G tuned suspension for optimal handling and performance. The sound system has been replaced with components from Rockfrod Fosgate, giving this Fusion a boost in sound quality and decibels. To take advantage of the upgraded suspension Privat wheels wrapped in Toyo Tires have been added.

So who will be driving off in the 2010 RADbrid? One of the 100 finalists below will find out soon that they are the proud new owner of a custom Ford Fusion.

The 100 finalists are:

Rosanne Kearsley
Huntsville, TexasBecky Bryant
Spring, Texas

Doyle Harrell
Houston, Texas

Jeff Herrington
Riverside, Texas

Leonard Matthews
Richardson, Texas

Marion Gurka
Houston, Texas

Alton Hengst
Spring, Texas

Leah Owen
Huntsville, Texas

Paul Jones
Fort Worth, Texas

Kurt Knowles
Kingwood, Texas

James O. McHenry
Houston, Texas

Laurie Geiger
Houston, Texas

May Helen Bailey
Fort Worth, Texas

Timothy Briscoe
Houston, Texas

Charlene Narcisse
Trinity, Texas

Kristin Scarbrough
Dallas, Texas

Christain Goedde
Cypress, Texas

Edward Murrell
Dallas, Texas

Brenette Whitaker
Houston, Texas

Bob Englemann
Fort Worth, Texas

Jake Baker
Madisonville, Texas

Alvis Smith
Forney, Texas

Jesse Rios
Rockwall, Texas

Jennie East
Trinity, Texas

Michael Martinez
Humble, Texas

Cheryl Perkins
Mesquite, Texas

Randy Saldivar
Rowlett, Texas

Glen Woodard
Porter, Texas

Oscar Glanton
Wylie, Texas

William Lamkin
Spring, Texas

Beauty Phillips
Centerville, Texas

Wayne Kinsworthy
Mesquite, Texas

Larry Fuchs
Huntsville, Texas

Joe Walker
Houston, Texas

Colin Bradley
Allen, TexasBilly Blackerby
Humble, Texas

Josh Arnaud
Spring, Texas

Austin Conder
Crowley, Texas

Jose Juan Arias
Cedar Hill, Texas

James Morris
Woodlands, Texas

Sharon Valles
Huntsville, Texas

William Kamp III
Dallas, Texas

Ray Chesney
Dallas, Texas

Malissa Stec
McKinney, Texas

Greg Zimmerman
Fort Worth, Texas

Moses Rios
Sugarland, Texas

Jerry Hanson
Garland, Texas

Alexis DeJusus
Huntsville, Texas

Josh Sprabary
Pilot Point, Texas

Dominique Preston
Houston, Texas

Mike Gamble
Humble, Texas

Lisa Diep
Killeen, Texas

Michael Greer
Dallas, Texas

Beda Manor
Temple, Texas

Crissy Morgan
Houston, Texas

Kristopher Breazeale
Houston, Texas

Bethany Roy
Bridge City, Texas

Harry Winchell
Allen, Texas

Kim Fregia
Huntsville, Texas

Kathy Pender
Midlothian, Texas

Tammy Alvarado
Sachse, Texas

Keith Rigsby
Mansfield, Texas

Aaron McMorris
Fort Worth, Texas

Demetrius Obryant
Huntsville, Texas

Dan Miller
Mesquite, Texas

Bryan Walter
Bedford, Texas

James Roberts
Spring, Texas

Corina Elkins
Mesquite, TexasTaylor Woodall
Huntsville, Texas

Cruz Ball
Porter, Texas

LaToya O’Bryant
Huntsville, Texas

Javier Vital
Garland, Texas

Leslie McGee
Fort Worth, Texas

Larry Whiener
Huntsville, Texas

Joel Stanley
Colmesneil, Texas

Marcelo Romo
Humble, Texas

Linda Simmons
Dallas, Texas

Judy Spencer
Willis, Texas

Karon Worthy
Little Elm, Texas

Angel Ruiz
Tomball, Texas

Judith Armerdaier
Fort Worth, Texas

Carolyn Driskell
Lovelady, Texas

Ed Blass
Porter, Texas

John Kocurek
Richardson, Texas

Erica Washington
Magnolia, Texas

John Santa Cruz
Spring, Texas

Mary Cantu
Houston, Texas

Jim Shoecraft
Dallas, Texas

Johanna Briones
Dallas, Texas

Jose Gonzalez
Fort Worth Texas

Lucy Van Kirk
Richardson, Texas

Dale Gilliam
San Antonio, Texas

Adam Garland
San Martin, Texas

Sergey Nikulin
Keller, Texas

Linda Keene
Willis, Texas

Ruth Glorioso
Wylie, Texas

Cathy Rodriguez
Edna, Texas

Rosalinda Gonzalez
Houston, Texas

Delores Stallings
Riverside, Texas

Dennis Jones
Spring, Texas

Posted in Planet Ford Information | Tagged | 2 Comments

The 2011 Ford F150 in Spring

Planet ford spring 2011 Ford f150

Yea, that's nice

The Ford F-Series has been the #1 selling truck for 33 years and the 2011 model has a lot to be proud of: four great engines, better fuel efficiency and best-in-class towing. We are very excited to share that Planet Ford in Spring has the legendary Ford F150 of your dreams.

Even Better Engines

A great truck needs to have a great engine, and Ford has four of them: two 6-cylinder engines and two V-8s.  The F-150’s engine lineup starts with the 3.7-liter V-6, which brings 302 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque to the table.  The truly amazing EcoBoost V-6 only displaces 3.5 liters but uses twin turbos to produce 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque.  Road and Track was amazed by this engine:

The 3.5 EcoBoost V-6 has the instant snort to spin the tires at the drop of the throttle, outrun V-8s and tows up to 11,300 lbs of trailer, yet it delivers better than compact pickup truck fuel economy in the mid-20 mpg range.”

We are particularly excited about how Ford added the Mustang’s 5.0 liter V-8 a new option for the new F150.  The engine is tuned differently for the truck and output is rated at 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torqueAutomobile Magazine felt the power of the 5.0:  Ford’s 5.0 “had no difficulty trumping the 4.8-liter base V-8 fitted to Chevy and GMC pickups…

If you want the most horsepower, you should opt for the 6.2-liter V-8.  It breaks through the 400 magic number with 411 horsepower and 434 in torque.  Motor Trend praises the engine: “The V-8 has a terrific, deep rumble, and gets the truck moving in a hurry.”

Fuel Efficiency Matters

Ford believes that good gas mileage is the greatest need for the full-sized pickup truck market. We agree, especially for all of located in the Houston area who depend on excellent fuel efficiency. The two V-6 engines will return over 20 mpg city / highway combined; that’s comparable to many cars. Even the 5.0 liter V-8 will cruise the highway for 20+ miles on a gallon of gas.  Much credit goes to the new six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with driver-controlled manual shifting.  While its competitors offer comparable automatics, the F-150 is the only full-sized pickup with six speed standard.  This new transmission allows the engines to perform at their optimum efficiency.

Best-in-Class Towing

All four engines tow more than their competitors, GM, Dodge, Toyota, and Nissan.  The 3.7 liter V-6 will tow 6100 lbs, the 5.0 V-8 9800 lbs, and the V-6 EcoBoost matches the 6.2 liter V-8 maximum tow at 11,300 lbs.  When a heavy job calls for the strongest truck, the F-150 trucks will pull through.

Improved Handling

Ford improved handling on all models with standard electronically assisted rack-and-pinion power steering.  And the steering feel is tuned to reflect each model’s personality.  The V-6 models have lighter steering than their V-8 brothers.

The 2011 Ford F150’s are the best pickup trucks on the market: strength, style and speed in one incredible package. If you have any questions about the impressive new 2011 Ford F150, come by our incredible showroom or check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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EcoBoost Torture Test

The gauntlet of torture tests that Ford is putting the new F-150 EcoBoost Engine through is insane! In this video series they push the engine to extremes, from a dyno-stress test to an uphill head to head challenge pulling a 9,000 pound trailer. Now, not all of us need a vehicle that can haul two ton trees behind us–uphill–but having a vehicle that outperforms it’s competition with over 100,000 miles already on the engine is remarkable, and that’s something that everyone can appreciate.

There’s something comforting about knowing that your vehicle has the durability and performance to do what you need when you need and that’s what these tests really illustrate. After all, isn’t that the reason you buy a truck? Watch these videos to see why, with more towing capacity and torque as well as better fuel economy than any other half ton, the new F-150 with the EcoBoost Engine is the definition of “Built Ford Tough!”

Blog by: Megan Spencer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=737cF7f5U44

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Ford Resale Values Are Up in Houston

In today’s uncertain economy, Ford is working hard to get you the best value for your dollar. Planet Ford in Spring is also committed to giving you the best value in the Houston area.

Ford in Spring resale value up

Ford's resale value is up

This is a time, economically, when big purchases can be tough decisions. No longer does the average person buy what they want whenever they want – most hold on to their purchases for as long as possible, and then expect to get their money back when it’s time to sell.

Buying a vehicle is no different. Today’s savvy buyer usually forgoes a flashy ride and fun gadgets for something that will stand the test of time.

Thankfully, with Planet Ford in Spring, you don’t have to choose between a great value and a fun driving experience. Ford’s resale has never been higher, and there’s good reason for it.

Kelly Blue Book recently awarded three Ford vehicles with Best Resale Value Awards. The 2011 Taurus, 2011 Ford Super Duty and 2011 Mustang all garnered rave reviews for their durability and future resale value. This is a second consecutive win for both the Taurus and Ford Super Duty.

The Taurus beats its other full-size car challengers and is noted for its comfortable riding experience and incredible safety features like the blind-spot indicator and SYNC®.

The Super Duty delivers over its competitors with two new engines: a 6.2-liter V8 gas and a 6.7-liter scorpion diesel. And with a strong, loyal following, the demand for this superior truck continues to rise, ensuring it will hold its value well over time.

The Mustang, our long-time classic, is getting stellar reviews as an overall best-value car. It’s strong heritage alone as the ultimate pony car guarantees lasting resale value. But when you add ultimate horsepower, outstanding fuel economy and excellent price, the Mustang can’t be beat.

But these aren’t the only Ford vehicles gaining appreciation in the resale market. According to AOL Autos, the Edge and Explorer are two of the top 10 vehicles with rising resale value. And with new additions like the acclaimed Fiesta, you can expect this trend to continue. Plus, new Ford technology like SYNC and impressive safety ratings keeps the appeal of our vehicles on the rise.

When it’s time to buy a new vehicle, don’t just settle for anything. Do your research and be confident that you’re investing your money in a good deal and a great value. Time and time again, you’ll find Ford at the top of the list for the best vehicles at the best price.

Take a moment to share your Ford stories with us on Facebook and connect with us on Twitter.

Posted in Cars, Certified Pre-Owned Ford, Ford, Ford Expedition, Ford Fiesta, ford fusion, Planet Ford Information, Planet Ford Spring Texas | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment