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cars drive in snow

Ford tests self-driving vehicles in winter weather

How autonomous cars drive in snow

Self-driving cars are the way of the future. It’s a future that has been promised to us by science-fiction and fantasy writers, not to mention brilliant real-world innovators, for decades. But you don’t really hear about how these vehicles would fare in terrible weather. On Knight Rider, KITT never drove himself through a nasty blizzard, did he? If autonomous vehicles are truly meant to leap from our fantasies to reality, horrible road conditions must be taken into account. We Minnesotans know just how brutal winter can be, and Ford knows it, too, given that the company is headquartered in Michigan. That’s why Ford is conducting tests to find out how autonomous cars drive in snow and other winter weather. Continue reading to see the tests in action. Read the rest of this entry >>

Drones launching from Ford F-150

Ford participates in drone-to-vehicle developer challenge

Ford drone-to-vehicle connectivity

The world can be a cruel place. We humans are fragile and at the mercy of a sometimes volatile planet. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters threaten to take down cities in the blink of an eye. When these disasters occur, rescue and rebuilding efforts can be extremely challenging. The forward thinkers at Ford understand this, which is why the automaker is embarking on a new quest to use today’s technology to assist in the event of a catastrophe. Read on for more details about Ford drone-to-vehicle connectivity. Read the rest of this entry >>

Ford F-150 hybrid

Is Ford developing a hybrid pickup?

Ford F-150 hybrid truck

Here in Minnesota, this is Ford Truck country. The landscape can be brutal and unforgiving, which makes the powerful Ford pickup truck lineup essential for handling the brunt of all four seasons. The most popular of the lineup, the Ford F-150, has been making waves in recent weeks. It was just named as one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Picks of 2016, and its forward-thinking engine and fuel system for the 2016 model has earned it praise as well. But that’s not all. There has been chatter about the possibility of a Ford F-150 hybrid truck looming on the horizon. Continue reading for what we have heard so far. Read the rest of this entry >>

a flat tire

What can you do if you get a flat tire?

Changing a flat tire

You’re driving along a city road on a cool winter’s day when you catch a last-second glimpse of a puddle. You wince as your vehicle slams into what is actually a deep, jagged pothole disguised by a pool of the season’s precipitation. You hope against hope that your tire is okay, but alas, you hear the dreaded FLAP, FLAP, FLAP as you roll forward, the steering wheel jerking awkwardly in your grip. You don’t have roadside assistance, so you’re going to have to take care of this problem yourself. If you follow these steps for changing a flat tire, you should be back on the road before you know it.

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2016 Ford F-150

2016 Ford truck named an IIHS Top Safety Pick

2016 Ford F-150 safety specifications

Ford has received notable recognition for its safety protocols. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conducted its yearly tests to determine vehicle crashworthiness and safety. The 2016 Ford F-150 is among the winners, receiving the honor of Top Safety Pick. Read on to see how the 2016 Ford F-150 safety specifications helped it earn such an important distinction.

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car driving through a road full of snow

Prepare your car for winter at Houston Ford

Where to service vehicles for winter in Pine River MN

December doesn’t just mean holly jolly elves and too much eggnog; December also means winter is coming, and along with it, weather that will try its best to brutalize your vehicle. Minnesotans know just how tough winter can be, and even though this winter has been predicted by some outlets to be a bit more on the mild side, it’s important to have your vehicles ready for what lies ahead. Read on for a few tips, including where to service vehicles for winter in Pine River MN. Read the rest of this entry >>

2016 Ford F-150

2016 Ford F-150 Features for Work

Here’s the best 2016 Ford F-150 Features for Work

There’s no debate that Ford’s lineup of trucks are amazing for completing work tasks — there’s proof all across the country! It’s very rare that you won’t see a Ford truck present on a job requiring plenty of power to get stuff done. One thing that makes them so good at what they do is new technology. Checkout these 2016 Ford F-150 Features for Work to see why they’re such good work machines! Read the rest of this entry >>

2015 Christmas Events

2015 Christmas Events in Pine River MN

Pine River MN Christmas Events

Christmas is easily one of our favorite times of the year at Houston Ford, and it’s not very hard to see why! People are always in such a great mood, and we think part of the reason is that there’s so many fun Christmas events in Pine River. If you’re looking for some fun things to do this season, then you should take a look at these 2015 Christmas Events in Pine River MN.

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2015 Ford F-150

Custom Tires for Ford Performance Vehicles

If you’ve been paying attention to Ford recently, then you know that they’ve talked freely about their commitment to developing and manufacturing Ford Performance vehicles. Thankfully, all of that talk has also been backed up so far. News of the Ford GT and Ford Focus RS are testament to just how dedicated Ford is to its performance line. I recent team up to create Custom Tires for Ford Performance Vehicles is just the latest example of this. Read the rest of this entry >>

oil poured in an engine

Save Money with the Ford Oil Monitoring System

There’s many different thoughts on when is the optimal time to get an oil change. Some stick to the old 3,000 miles or three months adage with no deviation, and others try to stretch every last drop — waiting months after it’s recommended to get an oil change. But what if your vehicle had a way to tell you how much life was left in your engine oil? Well, that’s actually a thing in many newer Ford vehicles! Learn about how you can save money with the Ford Oil Monitoring System. Read the rest of this entry >>