Blog

The new Ford Explorer has plenty of features the whole family will love. From having more than enough room to taking advantage of all the safety features, here are three highlights you'll want to check out. Plenty of Room The 2019 Ford Explorer has plenty of room for the whole family. With three rows of seating, you can fit the whole family or easily transport your kids, and all their teammates, to soccer practice. The third-row seats fold down so you can store cargo, whether you're hauling it across town or across the country. This will provide you with a total storage space of 43.9 cubic feet. When both the second and third rows are folded, you'll have a total cargo space of 81.7 cubic feet. When you have all the seats in their upright position, up to seven people can fit in the Ford Explorer in addition to having 21 cubic feet of extra cargo space. You'll also have storage space under the floor if you have smaller items you need to store. If you have a mix of passengers and cargo, you can take advantage of the 50/50 split-folding seat that goes flat with just the touch of a button. There are also roof rack side rails that are available if you need even more space, such as going away for the weekend for a family ski vacation. more Multiple Safety Features Ford has a Safe & Smart package that makes it easier than ever to keep your family safe. Some of the features include letting you know if you're unintentionally drifting in your lane with visual and audible alerts and setting a particular cruise control speed that automatically adjusts based on the car's distance in front of you. You'll also be alerted to any potential frontal collisions so you can take the appropriate steps. The high beams will automatically come on when the vehicle detects it's too dark out to make sure you can see the road ahead. The wipers will also detect rain automatically and turn on without you having to do anything so you can focus on keeping your family safe on the road. Advanced Technology You'll be able to stay connected anywhere you go with SYNC 3. This lets you navigate the infotainment system with just your voice so you can keep your hands on the wheel. You'll also be able to get live traffic information so you know what's the best way to take to get your kids to their events on time. The touchscreen is easy to use and is very responsive so you can get the information you need when you need it. You'll also be able to connect your smartphone to make or receive calls and play your favorite music playlist. When you're in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, check out the selection at Pat Milliken Ford. We have a variety of trucks, cars, and SUVs for you to choose from. Image via ford.com

During the fall season, it's always fun to take a scenic drive to see the changing colors and beautiful scenery. If you're looking for a drive to take in the Metro Detroit area, check out these routes that offer plenty of natural beauty and places to stop for photos. O'Hair Park Nature Trail Although it's less than 10 miles from Redford, the O'Hair Park Nature Trail is a fantastic place to view the fall scenery in the area. O'Hair Park is an 80-acre outdoor space, housing an unpaved trail that makes you feel like you're in the great outdoors. You can drive around the park or get out and explore the trail to get an up-close glimpse of the shades of orange, yellow, and red as the leaves change. Jefferson Avenue and Lakeshore Drive As you make your way along Lakeshore Drive and Jefferson Avenue, you'll get a beautiful view of Lake St. Clair. This area of Detroit also has a number of historic mansions and homes dating back many years, helping you to feel like you're in the early days of the city. The speed limit is fairly slow, giving you the opportunity to look around without feeling like you're holding up the cars behind you. If you can get up early enough to drive these roads before sunrise, you'll be treated to the imagery of the sun rising over the lake. more Belle Isle Driving to Belle Isle is a must if you live in the area. It's only about 23 miles from Redford, but the drive offers an impressive view of the river around much of the park. As you travel, you may catch a glimpse of some of the upscale homes located on the Canadian shore and a view of the Detroit skyline. If it's not too cold yet, the members of the Detroit Yacht Club may be out on the water enjoying their boats before the weather turns chilly. River Road Scenic Byway As the name suggests, the River Road Scenic Byway offers beautiful views, as well. Along this scenic drive, you'll come across several viewing areas that sit high above the AuSable Valley. If you want to take some photographs, these viewing areas are the ideal places to stop along the way. On the route, you'll also go through some of the early logging towns that played a major role in Michigan's history in this industry. Learn more about the timber industry at the Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center and take a short walk to the monument that recognizes the hard-working lumberjacks. If you're up for a hike, bring the right shoes as some of the trails lead right to the water's edge. When you get out, you'll be able to see a few trees with changing leaves. However, much of this area includes evergreen trees. Enjoy a relaxing drive in the Redford area as you explore the natural beauty of the state of Michigan. You don't have to travel too far from your hometown to experience the impressive fall colors.

The tires on your vehicle help keep you safe when you're on the road, so it's important to make sure they're in good condition. Certain signs of wear can indicate a problem, so keeping an eye on the tires every time you fuel up can help you stay on top of any potential issues and get them resolved. Shoulder Wear When the tire shows more signs of wear on the inner or outer edge, the alignment of the wheels is likely to blame. This wear pattern on the shoulder of the tire usually means that the tires are leaning inward or outward too far, causing the edges of the tire to remain connected with the road. Excessive wear on the edges can compromise the integrity of the tire, so hitting a large bump or a hot spot in the road could cause the tire to blow. Alignment problems can also impact the suspension and steering of the vehicle, so it's critical to get it checked out and fixed as soon as possible. more Cupping Cupping on a tire refers to random smooth patches or dips in the wear of the tread. This is usually the result of a suspension problem, such as a component of the suspension that is bent or worn out. If you spot this pattern in the tread of your tires, take your vehicle in for a suspension check. Misalignment and damage to the suspension can occur if you drive over a pothole or bump into a curb. Center Wear If the middle section of your tires is smooth, you may be putting too much air in them. Over-inflated tires tend to put more pressure on the center of the tread, causing this area to wear out faster than the rest of the tires. Check your owner's manual to figure out the recommended tire pressure and don't go even a pound over the highest recommendation. Properly inflating your tires can also improve your fuel economy and provide a smooth, comfortable ride. Edge Wear In the center of your tires, the tread pattern edges shouldn't be drastically more worn out than the other sections of the tread. If you see that these areas are smoothing out faster, this may mean that your tires aren't inflated enough. During the winter months, the tire pressure tends to drop slightly, so make sure you're checking often and adding more air as needed to reach the recommended pressure settings in all four tires. Diagonal Patches When the tires show signs of wear in a diagonal pattern, you need to take your vehicle in for a rotation and balance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tires should be rotated and balanced every 5,000 miles. Additionally, the NHTSA reports that keeping up with this maintenance service can extend the life of your tires by 4,700 miles. If you spot any of these concerning wear patterns on your car's tires, it may be time to bring your vehicle in for a tuneup. Continuing to drive on the tires could lead to premature wear and even increase the risk of experiencing a blowout when you're on the road. Image via pixabay.com