Summer Safety Tips with Planet Ford

Posted on June 28, 2019 by admin

Are you ready to hop in your Ford and head out for adventures in the summer sun? Before you do, there are a few quick safety tips to keep in mind for your adventures around town and on the road. Planet Ford in Spring, Texas is here to help ensure that you and your family stay safe this summer with some great tips.

Staying Cool at the Pool

Enjoying your pool or heading out to the river? Before you go, here are some water safety tips courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • Always supervise children when in or around water. A responsible adult should constantly watch young children.
  • Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.
  • Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Your CPR skills could save someone’s life. Click here to find your local American Red Cross CPR course.
  • Install a fence around home pools.

Recreational boating and river trips can be a fun way to spend time outdoors with friends and family. Make boating safety a priority and be sure to wear a properly fitted life jacket each time you and your loved ones are on the water.

High Heat Index

Did you know that infants and children up to 4 years of age are at the greatest risk for heat-related illnesses? However, nobody is immune. The CDC recommends taking these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses:

  • Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
  • Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully, for morning and evening hours.
  • Stay cool with cool showers or baths.
  • Seek medical care immediately if you or your child have symptoms of heat-related illness.

To learn more about summer safety regarding your pets, read more at our blog.

Seek SPF in Summer Sun

Putting the top down is fun, but you need to watch out for the sun! The CDC states that just a few serious sunburns can put you and/or your child at an increased risk for skin cancer later in life. That’s why it’s vital to apply, and reapply, sunscreen to protect you and your child’s skin from the harmful UV rays when enjoying the outdoors. The CDC recommends:

  • Cover up. Clothing that covers your and your child’s skin helps protect against UV rays.
  • Use sunscreen with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) protection, a.k.a. a broad spectrum sunscreen, each time you and your child go outside.

Fireworks Fun

We all love to enjoy fireworks, but some things are better left to the professionals. However, we realize that many of you may enjoy your own fireworks this summer, so we’re here to give you a few tips on fireworks safety with the National Safety Council. (To read the full list of fireworks safety tips, click here.)

  • Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
  • Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
  • Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.
  • Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
  • Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

If you have a furry family member, be sure to read our blog on Summer Pet Safety!

We love our loyal Planet Ford in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Cypress, greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, Tomball) customers which is why we want to provide you with these tips to keep you and your family safe. Interested in staying safe with a new Ford vehicle? Visit us online or in store and our team will be sure to help you with your needs!

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Remembering Pet Safety during the Summer Heat

Posted on June 27, 2019 by admin

Is your furry friend a part of the family? If you love your pets as much as we do at Planet Ford in Spring, Texas, then you probably want to make sure they are always safe – especially during the hot summertime in Texas. So, we wanted to share a few helpful tips to help beat the heat for your furry friends whether you’re on the road or at home.

To keep your pet safe from overheating, take these precautions provided by ASPCA experts:

Plenty of access to Water: Dehydration can happen quickly in our furry friends, so make sure they have plenty of shade to rest and water to drink.

Be Familiar with the Symptoms of Overheating: excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.

Paws on Asphalt: When temperatures are high, your pet’s paw pads can burn and with our friend’s body being so close to the grown they can heat up quickly.

Fast Fact:– Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

Car Heat & Travel Safety

NEVER leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle: Not only is it illegal in some states, but it can lead to a fatal heat stroke.

Buckle Up– Keep your favorite companion safe by securing them in their own seat belt.

Sticking to Barriers– Pets love to be by our side and riding shotgun, but if you have an excited and anxious pet who wants to give you kissing or be in your lap, setting up barriers would be ideal for both. There are many different types of barriers that can be installed in all vehicles.

Entertainment– Just like kids, pets can get bored on long road trips, pack their favorite chew toy and bone for them to enjoy on the ride

Food Facts

What is yummy to you can be toxic to your pets. Click here to see what foods are a no-go for your furry friend.

From all of us at Planet Ford (serving greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, The Woodlands, Cypress), we hope you have a fur’tastic summer. If you’re looking for a pet-friendly ride, our experts here at Planet Ford are here to help. You can shop online anytime at PlanetFord45.com.

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Planet Ford Hosts Drive 4UR School: Grand Oaks High Football Booster Club

Posted on June 27, 2019 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring proudly presents Drive 4 the Grand Oaks High School Football Booster Club. Help us support our local students by coming to test drive a new Ford vehicle at Grand Oaks High School. For every test drive, Ford will donate $20 to the Grand Oaks High School Football Booster Club. Join us and enjoy refreshments and a Ford gift!

When: Monday, July 29th 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

Where: 4800 Riley Fuzzel Rd., Spring, TX 77386

Who: Anyone 18 years or older with a valid Texas Driver’s License

The Mission

Help Planet Ford in Spring, Grand Oaks High School and the Spring community meet our goal of completing 300 test drives* to raise $6,000.00! 

The Ford ‘Drive 4 UR School’ program has raised more than $40 Million to date. Help Planet Ford in Spring (serving greater Houston, Conroe, Aldine, Cypress) and our partners raise $6,000 for our local community students. 

To Join

RSVP with your preferred time to AHorak@PlanetFord.com.

Stay up to date by following the event on Facebook.

*Test Drivers must be age 18 or older and hold a valid Texas Driver’s License. See Drive4URSchool.com for details.

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Ford Ranked in Top Five Brands in J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

Posted on June 25, 2019 by admin


At Planet Ford in Spring, Texas (serving greater Houston), our customers return time and time again for our award-winning service and Ford’s quality. That is backed up by a new  J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study just released.

This is the 33rd year of the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, this study measures vehicle quality by analyzing problems reported by owners in the first 90 days of ownership.

Courtesy of Ford Media

Ford big contenders ranking tops in their segments are Ford Ranger for midsize pickups and Ford Fusion for midsize cars. Ford Ranger has been on sale since January, and this is the first time the midsize pickup has earned an Initial Quality Study award since 2006.

To read the other top contenders from Ford, visit The Reed Factor.

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Planet Ford’s Express Way to Shop, Trade & Buy or lease… With a Click!

Posted on June 24, 2019 by admin

Guess what? You can buy or lease your new Ford or pre-owned truck, SUV or car online at Planet Ford. We make buying a Ford easier and faster than ever! That’s right. Now you can fast forward your buying process with Planet Ford’s express online buying tool.



At PlanetFord45.com, you can:

Select Your New Ford

  • You can shop from our huge selection of vehicles to find your ideal match.           

Evaluate Your Trade

  • Planet Ford offers trade evaluation for your existing vehicle.

Get an Online Credit Decision   

  • Apply only for finance options and tailor to meet your specific needs.

Come In, Sign & You’re Done… Fast!

  • With all the work done, you simply stop by Planet Ford to sign and drive away in your new dream car, truck or SUV. Our Planet Ford team will have it ready to go!

Ready to shop, buy online and then simply sign and pick up your new Ford? Just visit PlanetFord45.com  to fast-forward your auto buying experience.

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Ford Meets Artificial Intelligence

Posted on June 20, 2019 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring has some exciting news! Self-driving cars may be closer to our reality sooner than we think, thanks to the Argo AI and Ford collaboration. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is the third-generation test vehicle for this self-driving vehicles project.

Advanced Tech

This Ford Fusion Hybrid has been redeveloped to be equipped with advanced technology. Argo AI and Ford have altered the third-generation of test vehicles with a significantly upgraded sensor suite that includes new sets of radars and cameras with higher resolution and higher dynamic range. Due to the higher resolution and the upgraded software, the Fusion Hybrid test vehicle is better at detecting and classifying what’s ahead at greater distances than before.

Another recent upgrade on the newest test vehicles is the brand-new computing system. This system offers far more processing power than previous generations. The computing system has improved thermal management systems that produce less heat and noise for riders in the vehicle. Thus, smarter, quieter test vehicles have been developed.

Possibly the most important upgrade, Argo AI has equipped the Ford Fusion Hybrid test vehicles with additional braking and steering systems that aid in maintaining vehicle control in case of emergency. These systems serve as precautionary measures in the event that the units function fail to ensure they may safely brake or pull over as necessary.

Test Cities

Argo AI and Ford have been testing the Fusion Hybrid test vehicles in major cities Argo AI is operating in such as Miami, Palo Alto, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and Detroit. Working in Detroit provides an advantage to Argo AI and Ford as Ford conducts engineering operations in Detroit and the city serves as the home for Ford’s self-driving efforts. Additionally, Detroit roads are not uniform with defining aspects such as the roads in Washington D.C. or Pittsburgh. In Detroit, you may see roads with roundabouts, multi-point intersections, unmarked roads and more. These factors challenge the test vehicles and force them to reason through navigating these obstacles while also predicting the actions of other drivers.

The team at Planet Ford in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Cypress, greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, Tomball) are excited to see where the future of the automotive industry is going. We are happy that Ford can be an integral part in paving the road for autonomous vehicles. Stay up to date on Ford news by connecting with us on social media.

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Dr. Derriere – Redesigning with Your Comfort in Mind

Posted on June 19, 2019 by admin

We at Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring recognize the importance of comfortable seating in the interest of your seat for your commute or long trips. Fortunately, so does Ford supervisor Dr. Mike Kolich, a.k.a. Dr. Derriere. Dr. Kolich designed the new front seats in the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer with your comfort in mind. Now, let’s get to the bottom of this seat redesign.

Comfort Reimagined

The all-new 2020 Ford Explorer will debut new front seats that will not only be more comfortable for front seat passengers, but they will also be less bulky, too. The new seats will offer more space for the second-row passengers to provide everyone with a more comfortable ride.

“Road trips can be largely defined by how comfortable people are – and when you get down to it, how comfortable our seats allow them to be,” said Dr. Kolich, whose Ph.D. in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering with a concentration on seat comfort has earned him the nickname among Ford seating experts.

The new design follows extensive research that suggests more and more families will be packing up in the car this year. According to AAA, more than 50% of family travelers will take a road trip this year. The U.S. Census Bureau also found that the average American commute is a record 26 minutes a day each way.

Dr. Kolich said, “As engineers, we’re thrilled with this new seat, but really it’s what our customers say and think that matters.” Following the Ford engineers’ research, the team discovered that when searching for automotive comfort, customers focus on two aspects: shape and softness. Ford engineers believe this new design will improve the comfort of those Americans that spend a lot of time in their vehicles.

Seats with Support

To add to the new level of comfort, Dr. Kolich and his team of engineers designed V-shaped seats that provide increased torso support as well as additional space to accommodate various body types. The new available 8 and 10-way adjustable front seats will cool passengers using a ventilation feature that draws warm air from the body, evolving from the previous design where the seats would blow cold air through seat perforations. The Explorer ST and Platinum trims will also feature a multi-contour system that includes unique massage patterns. These features will contribute to the overall experience that our Ford customers have come to expect.

EZ Access to the Rear

The all-new 2020 Explorer isn’t just getting more comfortable for the front driver and passenger, rear passengers will also receive reap the benefits from the new design. Great for families, the second-row seats feature the new-to-Explorer EZ-entry functionality. This design allows for easy access to the third row without having to remove a child’s booster seat. The front seat redesign also increases knee room for the second-row passengers, leading to fewer kicked backs for parents. Talk about a win-win!

Whether you have a long daily commute, enjoy road trips, or just want a more comfortable ride, we’ve got your back(side). Come visit Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Spring (serving greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, The Woodlands, Cypress) or visit us online to get behind the new standard of comfort.

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5 Awesome Things About The New 2020 Ford Explorer

Posted on June 19, 2019 by admin

When the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer was debuted in Detroit at Ford Field, we couldn’t contain the amount of excitement we were all feeling. The announcement brought smart new features, beautiful new design queues and two new Explorer models that we can’t wait to get our hands on.

We don’t know any exact landing dates yet, but it should be arriving very soon this summer. In the mean time, lets get to know the all-new Ford Explorer!

Know Your Ford Explorer

1. More Choices For The Way You Drive

Ford has added two new model variants to the list. Customers can now choose between the performance driven Ford Explorer ST and the efficient Explorer Hybrid model. Each comes with their own respective set of great features and powertrains (including all-new rear-wheel drive), giving you the power of choice.

2. Brains and More Brains

Drivers these days need a vehicle that matches the way they drive and one that can tackle any adventure. With the all-new Terrain Management System, drivers can select up to seven different drive modes through a single easy-to-use dial in the center console. It also animates with special 3D graphics on the available 12.3-inch digital cluster. Drive modes include normal, trail, deep snow/sand, slippery, sport, tow/haul and new eco mode.

3. Smarter Technology

Connect, navigate and discover different worlds around you with Ford’s suite of smartphone apps, in-vehicle touchscreen and voice-activated technology.

  • Use onboard Wi-Fi with the FordPass Connect™,
  • Start your vehicle with the FordPass app,
  • Connect your “life” using SNYC® 3 with Apple CarPlay™ or Android Auto™,
  • Bring your surroundings to life with the amazing capabilities of Amazon Alexa using Ford+Alexa,
  • Navigate your adventure using Waze powered by SYNC 3.

4. Features That Matter

Inside the all-new redesigned Explorer, you’ll find features that just make the driving experience, well, better. Get the royal treatment with tri-Diamond perforated leather seating surfaces. Or sport a hexagon carbon-fiber-lined front dash. Plus, the 10.1-inch available LCD portrait touchscreen gives you tablet-like access to connectivity, while the largest ever twin-panel moonroof offers new world views from the first and second rows.

5. Confident Driving

Ford gives peace of mind while making driving easier and safer. For instance, Fords intelligent Co-Pilot360™ suite of driver assist features give you the power to drive with confidence whether its the auto high-beam headlamps, rear view camera, lane-keeping system, automatic emergency braking (AEB) or even BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert.

As we roll closer to the finish line (aka the Planet Ford dealership delivery date), we’ll throw up more info on the Explorer on our social channels. Moreover, follow us on social for all the latest updates and info regarding this and your favorite Ford vehicles.

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Planet Ford Receives J.D. Power 2019 Dealer of Excellence Certification

Posted on June 14, 2019 by admin

Planet Ford in Spring is pleased to announce that our dealership has been recognized for our commitment to exceeding customer expectations for the second year in a row. Planet Ford is one of three Randall Reed dealerships that has been certified in the 2019 J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence Program.SM This certification recognizes a select number of vehicle dealerships throughout the United States that provide exceptional customer service.

“We are very proud to have this honor at all of these locations for two consecutive years,” said Randall Reed, founder and owner of World Class Automotive Group. “This certification sets us apart, especially coming from such an authority as J.D. Power.”

Planet Ford in Spring’s General Manager, Shawn Burns, said, “We have to thank everyone in this dealership for their contribution to making our customers happy. Everyone works very hard and in harmony to assist our wonderful community with all of their automotive needs from sales to service.”

For over 50 years, J.D. Power has conducted extensive research to represent the ‘Voice of the Customer.’ J.D. Power researchers translate survey responses from consumers and businesses in addition to studying reports to identify leading retailers that will go the extra mile.

J.D. Power states that buying a vehicle is a significant financial transaction and can be stressful due to the vast amount of information to digest. The Dealer of Excellence Program helps auto buyers locate an exceptional dealership where they can confidently purchase a vehicle. The J.D. Power brand can also assist certified dealers as they may promote their dealership’s commitment to providing an excellent customer experience.

“The Dealer of Excellence is an exclusive program,” said Mr. Reed. “Only the exception can qualify to be certified.” Those that do must pass a three-step process:

As the first qualification criterion, J.D. Power limits the percentage of eligible dealerships by nameplate based on each brand’s performance in the most recent J.D. Power U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study.SM Thus, proportionally more dealerships from top-performing brands can become a J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence.

Second, dealerships must rank among their brand’s top performers in key customer satisfaction areas consistent with measurements found in the SSI Study.

Finally, qualifying dealers must pass an audit to show they meet or exceed J.D. Power sales best practices. Those best practices include, but are not limited to listing vehicle inventory and pricing on the dealership website, negotiating in an efficient and transparent manner, offering a fair trade-in value, and presenting a clear and easy-to-understand menu of finance and insurance products.

When you’re ready to receive award winning service, come see us at Planet Ford in Spring, located at 20403 I-45N, Spring, TX 77388 (serving greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, The Woodlands, Cypress). Come experience service like it’s meant to be with our excellent Planet Ford staff.

Certification Based on J.D. Power U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index Study and Dealership Best Practices. Learn more at JDPower.com

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Planet Ford Reminds Drivers of First Responder Awareness

Posted on June 7, 2019 by admin

We at Planet Ford in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Cypress, greater Houston, Conroe) greatly appreciate our first responders! Fire fighters with the Spring Fire Department are shooting commercials at our Planet Ford store to educate and remind drivers what to do when first responders are approaching with their emergency lights on. Planet Ford in Spring has teamed up with the Spring Fire Department to share the importance of the Move Over/Slow Down law.

Did you know car accidents occur more frequently in the summer?

Because of this, we want to remind drivers of the laws in place when it comes to first responders. If you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with the emergency lights on, remember the law: Move over, slow down.

The Texas Department of Public Safety states that the Move Over/Slow Down law requires drivers to move over or slow down in the case that emergency vehicles- including police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks- are stopped on the side of the road.

More specifically, the law states a driver must:

  • Vacate the lane that is closest to the applicable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if it is a multilane road), or
  • Slow down to 20 miles below the posted speed limit (or to 5 mph if the speed limit is below 25 mph)

What about when an emergency vehicle is approaching?

David E. Persse, M.D., physician doctor for the City of Houston’s Emergency Medical Services, told the Texas Medical Center, “When you see an ambulance or any emergency vehicle approach you from behind, you should yield over to the right side of the street and come to a complete stop until the vehicle passes.” Dr. Persse added that if there is no room to move to the right, drivers should not proceed through the red light to make room for an ambulance, fire truck or other emergency vehicles.

“You really shouldn’t be pushed through a red light by an emergency vehicle from behind,” Dr. Persse said. “If the light is red and all the lanes are full, you have to wait until the light changes, and then you proceed and get over to the right as safely as you can.”

We want our Planet Ford customers to have a safe and fun summer. The Planet Ford team and the Spring Fire Department hope that you remember these laws the next time you see an emergency vehicle with its lights on. Remember: Move over, slow down. It’s the law.

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