Newsletter

May 2012

Meet our team behind the Parts Department and discover the 2012 Ford Fiesta!

Parts Department

York's of Houlton is all about giving back to those in our community that need support to better their lives.  We believe the quality, strength, and stability of our community comes from those who live and work in the area.  Without a solid "people" foundation, a community's sense of pride and desire to prosper diminishes. We feel strongly that by contributing to the health of our community on an ongoing basis, we can help to make it one of the best places to live and work for years to come.

It is important to York's of Houlton that we give back to the community that has supported us for so many hears.  Even during difficult economic times, York's of Houlton continues to donate to various charities in need.

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In-House News: Ten Good Reasons to Have a Dealership Service Your Car

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Employee of the Month

Every month at York’s of Houlton, the Management Team selects an individual for Employee of the Month. The employee is typically selected because they consistently turn in a stellar performance every month and deserve to be recognized for their hard work. Our employees are an important part of our business, for without our people nothing gets done! It is their dedication and diligence to quality and the day-to-day effort to keep everything moving that allows us to enjoy our reputation as a great place to do business.

York’s of Houlton management congratulates Brian Howe on his achievement of winning the Employee of the Month Award for the month of April 2012.  Brian joined the sales team in 2003 and has been a terrific employee from the first day he arrived. In April Brian was able to maintain a high sales volume during the month while balancing some new responsibilities.  Brian is always eager to help out and is a great asset to our sales team!  Congratulations on all your successes, Brian.

Pictured: Brian Howe

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Product Information: 2012 Ford Fiesta

Get in – to something completely different.  Any time of the day or night.  With Fiesta’s smart key, just touch the door handle and you’re in (while the key is still tucked away and without you having to search for it).  Then, press the brake pedal and turn it on by pushing the start button.  You’re off.  It’s that easy in the 2012 Ford Fiesta.

Fiesta delivers unsurpassed highway fuel efficiency of up to 40 mpg along with 120 horsepower.  Much of the credit goes to its 1.6L Ti-VCT Duratec I-4 engine.  Twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) helps improve peak power, optimizes a cold-start operation, delivers gains in low-speed torque, and contributes to fuel efficiency.  For that extra-connected feel, a PowerShift 6-speed automatic transmission can provide torque to the wheels 100% of the time during shifts.  Electric power-assisted steering contributes to efficiency as well.

In Fiesta, every drive is like a day at the races.  Cruising the straightaway.  Tearing into the corners.  And drawing admiring glances along the way.  To help Fiesta stay sure-footed and firmly planted in the corners, its MacPherson-strut front suspension features specially turned dampers, spring rates and bushings – along with a 22-mm stabilizer bar.  Advanced electric power-assisted steering improves steering feel at low speeds and provides precise assist on the highway.  In the rear, a twist-beam suspension with specially tuned shocks and spring rates deftly balances responsive handling with the need for a smooth ride. 

No more searching for your phone.  No device on your ear.  Connect to your world with voice-activated Ford SYNC.  Once paired, SYNC recognizes your phone and automatically transfers your contacts to support voice calling. 

Travel with confidence knowing Fiesta attained the highest possible rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the only car in its class to achieve this honor.  In fact, no other brand offers you more 2011 “Top Safety Pick” vehicles than Ford.  Our engineers are constantly developing and advancing safety technologies to help give you peace of mind out there on the road.

York’s of Houlton would love to assist you with your next vehicle.  If you haven’t driven the 2012 Ford Fiesta, stop by for a test drive.  After all, that’s really the best way to get to know a vehicle.  And you can get to know us better, too.  We’re dedicated to serving you now and in the future.  Whether you’re seeking a new or used vehicle, Ford custom accessories, or convenient maintenance and service, we’re here for you.  Let us prove it.


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Safe Side: 10 Tire Safety Tips

1. Check tire pressures and adjust at least once a month.

According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on tire-related crashes, the leading cause of tire failure is underinflation.

That's why it is imperative to check and adjust tire pressure at least once a month and before every long trip (over 250 miles). Recommended pressures are printed on a label located on the driver's doorframe or in the glove box.

2. Inspect tires regularly for abnormal wear or damage.

To ensure maximum tire life and safety, give your tires a visual inspection at least once a month and before long trips. This is easily done at the same time you check pressures.

Look for excessive or uneven tread wear, which may indicate improper inflation or steering and suspension misalignment; cracks or bulges on the sidewalls or tread; chunking of the tread or any indication of tread separation from the carcass; signs of puncture, or nails, screws, glass, pieces of stone or any foreign object imbedded in the tire.

3. Rotate tires every 6,000 miles or according to owner's manual.

Tire rotation is essential to achieve even tread wear and maximum tread life. On front-wheel-drive cars, for example, most of the braking, steering and driving forces are carried by the front tires, which inevitably wear much faster.

4. Maintain tires in proper balance.

Out-of-balance tires can not only cause uneven tread wear and an uncomfortable ride but also excessive wear on the suspension and other components. An out-of-balance tire can be detected by a severe thumping, usually most pronounced at highway speeds.

5. Maintain steering and suspension in proper alignment.

Misalignment of the steering and suspension, either front or rear, can not only adversely affect the steering feel and stability of a vehicle, but also cause rapid and uneven tire wear. If not corrected, this misalignment can ruin a tire in a short time and distance.

6. Never overload a tire.

Overloading is the second leading cause of tire failure, next to under-inflation.

All tires are designed to operate within a maximum load range designated by a code on the tire sidewall. Exceeding this can result in both excessive wear and reduced tire life due to structural damage, including the potential for sudden failure.

7. Avoid overheating tires.

Heat, like load, is the enemy of tire life. The higher the heat it is subjected to, the shorter the tire's life—in terms of both tread wear and structural resistance.

8. Replace tires when required.

Your vehicle's tires should be replaced if:

Any portion of the tread is worn to the "wear indicator bars"—lateral bars molded into the tire grooves at about 20 percent of their new tread depth—or to a depth, as measured in a groove, of 1/16th inch or less.

Tread wear is severely uneven (in which case have the wheel alignment checked) or the center is worn much more than the edges (be more vigilant about tire pressures).

The tire sidewalls are severely cracked or there are bulges anywhere on the tire.

There is any indication of tread separation from the tire carcass.

The tire has been punctured and cannot be satisfactorily repaired.

There are other reasons you may need new tires, as well. If you have been running on winter tires, then a change is in order in the spring. Using snow tires on dry roads accelerates their wear significantly and diminishes both traction and handling ability.

9. Install tires in matched pairs or complete sets.

Installing different tires on the left and right sides can significantly upset the handling balance of a vehicle—not to mention its ABS operation. For that reason, it is imperative that tires be installed in front or rear pairs, or complete sets.

10. Select the right tires for your vehicle and driving environment.

Recent improvements in "all-season" tires have substantially advanced the concept of one-tire-for-all-needs. On the other hand, more specialized tires than ever are now available for high performance, rain, snow, ice, off-road and touring. Some are even uni-directional, "run-flat" and even "green."

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Tech Tips: 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas

1. Nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement. A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%.

2. Poor alignment not only causes tires to wear out more quickly, but also forces your engine to work harder. Align your tires, and save up to 10%.

3. When was your last tune up? A properly maintained engine can improve mileage by up to 4%.

4. More than one-quarter of vehicles are driving on deflated tires. The average under-inflation of 7.5 pounds causes a loss of 2.8% in fuel efficiency.

5. Believe it or not, it's been estimated that nearly 17% of cars on the road have broken or missing gas caps. What's the big deal? Escaping fumes not only hurt fuel economy but release smog-causing compounds into the air. Avoid air pollution and improving fuel mileage is as easy as replacing a bad gas cap.

6. For every 5 mph you reduce highway speed, you can reduce fuel consumption by 7%.

7. Avoiding jack-rabbit starts and stops, and herky-jerky driving will improve fuel economy. Don't believe it? Lousy driving on the highway can add as much as one-third to your gas bill.

8. Riding with your foot on the brake pedal will not only wear out brake pads (which will cost you at the maintenance shop) but can also increase gas consumption by as much as 35%.

9. For every 100 extra pounds carried around, your vehicle loses 1 to 2% in fuel efficiency. Don't drive around with too much junk in the trunk.

10. Besides causing pollution, idling wastes gas. If stopped for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine, and don't bother to "warm up" your car before driving -- it is not necessary.



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A Message from Jerry York

When customers bring their vehicle to the new York’s Tire and Auto Center (Service Department), they can expect 3 things:

1. A qualified service technician will inspect their vehicle and make sure it’s SAFE TO DRIVE.  We check with the manufacturer to see if there are any outstanding safety recalls on Ford and Toyota products, and all vehicles undergo a thorough 27 point inspection while in our shop.  Recalls will be performed free of charge, and if the 27 point inspection reveals any safety items that need attention we will discuss them in detail with the customer, offer repair options (new parts, re-manufactured or used parts), and let the customer decide.

2. A York’s Service Advisor will review the factory maintenance schedule and inform the customer of recommended service due today to ENSURE THE VEHICLE’S RELIABILITY.  We all expect our vehicles to start when we turn the key, move when the transmission is engaged, and stop when the brakes are applied.  When a customer comes in our shop for routine service we’ll point out maintenance recommendations and options and again, let the customer decide.

3. The customer will be treated with RESPECT.  There are lots of places for customers to have their cars serviced, and our goal is to provide an experience people will tell their friends and neighbors about.  We do get lots of compliments (click here to see a few, bottom right of page), but we’re always looking for ways to improve…

If you are a current customer of York’s, thank you for your business.  We appreciate the fact you’ve chosen to do business with us, and we pledge to continue to provide a level of service that will justify your decision.

If you’ve not recently visited the York’s Tire & Auto Center, we invite you to stop in anytime (walk-ins are welcome 6 days a week) and give us a try.


Pictured: Jerry York