The mistaken law brought up issues of basic citizen freedoms, and where the line is between safety and limiting one’s rights. However, the chief explained that three fatalities and numerous accidents had been caused by jaywalking-texters in town. The moral of the story? Don’t text and do anything else that requires concentration. Period.

As I approach my grandparents’ house I hear someone tinkering in the garage. Very close now, I realize it is my grandfather turning a wrench and working on something. I peer into the garage, but he’s nowhere in sight, so, where is he? Starting to panic I round his car and to my relief I watch my 85-year-old grandfather literally hop out from underneath his car, covered in grease and offering open arms for a huge hug. Naturally, I then ask, “Dedo” (grandfather in Macedonian) “what were you doing under the car?”

“I’m changing the oil and checking the fluids, you know the easy stuff,” he says as if those jobs were something he did during a nap. For many, those jobs are nearly impossible, but for this Macedonian with nearly 50 years of experience owning a service and fuel station in Cincinnati, regular car maintenance is no tall order. So after a few more turns of a wrench, some “can you hold this”, and a wipe of his hands a face, he was done. Oil changed, fluids checked, and tires rotated. The most impressive part of all this, it was only 9:15 in the morning.

While we sat there on his front porch drinking tea, he began talking about his craft that he has practiced for a half century, imparting his wisdom and talking as if he was taking a trip back to 1952. As we discuss cars, mechanic lingo, and the good old days, he gives me a few gems to remember as a responsible car owner. First, he reminds me to “use my eyes and my nose.” He explains that whether you are under warranty with your car or crossing the 200,000-mile mark, you have to be your own car’s advocate. At least twice a month you must check your oil, brake-fluid, wiper, and coolant fluids. Oh and using your nose you ask, he says that you can smell your transmission fluid, “if it smells burnt,” he says, then “like toast its time to throw it out and put in new.”

As we say our goodbyes and I get up to go, he reaches out and guides me back to my seat, “oh, I forgot one thing.” Sitting back down, with no other option and not wanting one, he reminds me that at least while you are young, you need to change your own oil at least once. He concedes that changing your own oil may be difficult, but helps car owners learn about their car and feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. Saying our goodbyes one more time, he tells me oh “you should put what I tell you in your blog.” Thank you for the advice Dedo.

To me, going to college and buying a vehicle are pretty similar in a sense.  They’re both an exciting experience and represent a huge accomplishment. They’re also pretty nerve-racking and, not to mention, cost a TON of money.

My Story

I remember the feeling of being fresh out of school in May 2010 with a job lined up that would actually allow me to make some money while utilizing my degree. I felt like I was on top of the world, so how did I celebrate? I went out and decided to buy a new 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, in addition to many other unnecessary items I wanted to blow my graduation money on like a plasma TV, MacBook, and the coolest wardrobe EVER. Seriously. Not only did I go and buy a new car, I went all out and splurged on the Sahara model, adding every option to it.  Go big or go home, right?

Before you even ask, I already know what’s going through your mind: “How can a 20-something-year-old who has more than $15,000 in student loan debt and earns around $30,000 a year afford any new car, let alone one that costs nearly $40,000?” (I know I just threw a lot of numerical figures in here, so hopefully you’re a bit better at math than I was in college and can bear through.)

That is a good question. Sometimes, I’m not sure how I manage to pull this off either. I guess I’m pretty crafty. Except not really. I just played my cards right and did a ton of research before I took another leap into that giant black hole of debt.

Purchasing a vehicle after graduating college really isn’t as hard as you’d think, though. Trust me. I’ve been there, done that, and honestly feel that the semester of Calc 2 I took my sophomore year at St. Louis University was much more difficult.

A ton of college grads, including a majority of my friends who are in a similar position as me, think buying a vehicle — new or used — is completely unrealistic. I’m sure this probably has something to do with the massive amount of student loans we have all managed to rack up in our names over the last four years to attend a four-year university, but no matter the reason, buying a car post-college is feasible. Here’s how I managed to do so:

Do Research

Before going out and buying a car that you’re most likely going to be stuck with for a while, find something you like. Be informed and shop around — not just for the car you like, but also for a financing plan that fits your lifestyle. Don’t settle; you don’t have to. There are plenty of ways available for you to afford the (realistic) vehicle you want to purchase. If you want to go out and buy a Lamborghini or a Bentley after graduating college, I’m not sure if I have any advice for you other than good luck!

Check Your Credit

You get one free credit report a year, so use it. Checking your credit score will allow you to weed through your prospective vehicles by giving you an idea of how much money a bank will loan you. Buying an affordable car and making payments on time is an excellent way to build credit, too. This is an important benchmark that will help make buying a house, a more expensive car, starting a business, or anything else that requires borrowing money easier. If you’d like additional explanation I highly recommend listening to our Finance Director, Zack Funkhouser explain how credit score affects car buying.

Set a Budget

Post-college car buyers should come up with a budget before setting foot in a dealership. This is extremely helpful and the main reason why I can afford my vehicle. Sure, I don’t make as much money as I’d like (I can only think of a handful of people who make hundreds of millions of dollars), but allocating my funds properly allows me to afford a car that I enjoy driving and want to own.  Having a budget also gives me the opportunity to pay for my Jeep and do plenty of other things I like, such as going to St. Louis Cardinal Baseball games, adding to my super-cool wardrobe, and hanging out with friends. I never feel like I’m bogged down with car payments because I made a budget and factored EVERYTHING that’s associated with owning a vehicle into it.

Keep An Eye Out for Incentives

Often times there are special deals aimed at college grads or auto manufacturers and dealerships have great offers happening for you to take advantage of.  These sales and promotions may help change that unrealistic thought of ever buying a vehicle after college.

Taking an approach similar to what I mentioned above will help you, recent college grads, buy a car. Just be sure to surround yourself with the right information. Hopefully my story inspires you and makes you feel a bit at ease about purchasing any vehicle after graduation because like I said, I know this whole process seems far fetched. I was in your shoes and know how you feel when it comes to having to take on even more debt. Just like college, I managed to survive the post-grad-car-buying experience and I am pretty confident that you will, too.

Contact Us

If you’d like to learn more or discuss any of this information above check out our Top 5 Most Practical and Desired Ford Cars for College Graduates or, contact our team toll-free at (855) 367-9095.

If you’re joining us from our previous post on how to program HomeLink and Car2U to a rolling code garage unit we welcome you. If not then let me explain what we have here. We wrote an article (above) on how to program your HomeLink and Car2U units to a garage door with a rolling code. Here we will be explaining how to program those same HomeLink and Car2U units if your garage door has a Fixed Code. If you have a gate entrance we’ll be covering how to program that as well.

Car2U Fixed Code Programming

First off you will need to open up your garage door hand-held transmitter and view the DIP switches. You will have to enter in the code you see from the 8 to 12 switches into your Car2U unit using the three buttons. Follow the key below when entering in your fixed code to Car2U.

(Transmitter) Up, on or + (Car2U) Left Button

(Transmitter) Middle, Neutral or 0 (Car2U) Middle Button

(Transmitter) Down, off or – (Car2U) Right Button

1. Press and hold all three buttons on Car2U for 3 seconds then release. The light will blink slowly letting you know it’s ready to begin entering in your fixed code. You will have two and a half minutes to enter in the code. (Follow the key above when program your fixed code into your Car2U system)
2. Once the code is programmed go ahead and press and release all three buttons simultaneously.
3. Lastly press and hold the button you wish to assign your garage door too. Make sure once you see your garage door move to release the button immediately and wait for the programming to fully complete.

Car2U Gate Programming

Car2U has a unique set of instructions for the different gate models out there. They ask if you’re wish to program your gate to their system to call 1-866-572-2728 and they’ll guide you through their specific instructions for setting up your gate.

HomeLing Fixed Code Programming

The HomeLink Fixed Code programming is similar to the rolling code just without steps 4-5

1. Hold your garage remote 1-3 inches away from the HomeLink buttons on your visor.
2. At the same time press and hold both the garage remote and the HomeLink button you wish to program. When the HomeLink light begins to flash rapidly release both buttons
3. Press and hold the same HomeLink button for five seconds then release. Repeat this twice to program the garage door. If the door doesn’t move, press and hold the programmed button and observe the light. If the light stays constant then the programming is complete.

If the light doesn’t stay constant call their hot line to get further instructions at 1-800-355-3515.

HomeLink Gate Programming

Programming your gate using HomeLink is similar to programming your garage door.

1. Hold your transmitter 3 inches away from the desired HomeLink button and press and hold both buttons at the same time till light begins blinking rapidly.
2. Begin pressing and releasing the HomeLink button every two seconds till the light turns from slow to a rapid flashing.
3. Now press the HomeLink button for 5 seconds and repeat until the gate begins to move.
4. Wait for it to fully close for the programming to be complete

Contact Us

If you have any questions feel free to give us a call at 513-932-1010 ext.127 or write us an email at mytechteam@lebanon-ford.com.

The gas price predictors are being like the weathermen…doing their best, but blatantly wrong about 90 percent of the time. Just a month or so ago, we were all preparing for the worst—gas prices soaring over $4 per gallon, closer to $5 in some regions. Then, what happens? Nothing. Surprise, surprise.

Huffington Post has declared a consecutive five-week gas price drop, and multiple news sources are reneging on their anticipated record-breaking summer gas prices. More money for sunscreen, less money for gas. Fine with me. But, we consumers wonder, why they feel the need to get everyone concerned about their summer finances in a market that is so unstable and quickly changing? Some people have gone so far as to cancel summer trips based on the gas projections. Mom was right—if you don’t have anything nice to say (or you don’t know what you’re talking about) don’t say anything at all. See ya on the beach.

It’s that time of year again! That time where you get to sport a gown, sit in the midst of a smoldering hot sun and listen to way too many speakers talk about how bright your future is. Yes I’m talking about graduation baby! And with only a couple weeks left before the end of the school year, I’m sure many of you are (and probably have been for awhile) suffering from a major case of senioritis. Knowing that some of the best years of your life are coming to a close can be difficult and If you haven’t already, you will have to hit the job market soon after. So with your college degree in hand and the benefits of a steady job, why not take the time to consider the top 5 most practical cars for college grads? Who knows, with a steady paycheck on the way you might want to trade in your college beater for one of these new cars.

1) 2012 Ford Fusion- With a starting price tag of only $20,705 and best in class fuel economy at 23 city and 34 highway, the Fusion is the best of both worlds. With the capacity to seat 5 and the perfect mix of sport and professionalism, the Ford Fusion is definitely the perfect choice for any college grad. And if you are willing to wait till the 2013 Ford Fusion model comes out later this fall, the features and fuel economy only get more attractive. At 26 city and 37 mpg highway the 1.6 liter EcoBoost turbo 2013 model is destined to be at the top of its class. It also comes available with; SYNC with MyFord Touch, SmartGauge with EcoGuide cluster, BLIS with cross traffic alert, rear view camera, lane keeping system, adaptive cruise control and collision warning and active park assist. So if the newly redesigned Fusion’s fresh and sporty look gets you all giddy inside then perhaps the extra 5 months of waiting won’t be so bad.

2) 2013 Ford Mustang- The Ford Mustang has been a symbol of American pride and power for decades. The new 2013 Ford Mustang is no different. With a starting price tag of $22,000, the Mustang is a very affordable car. And for the very first time ever boasts a 305 horsepower V6 engine that gets an astounding 31 mpg. And that’s just the standard model. Bump up to the Mustang GT for 420 horsepower from a 5.0L V8 that still gets 26 mpg. So if you’re looking for a sports car with a track record unlike any other, and whose price is fit for a college grad, the Mustang is definitely your car.

3) 2013 Ford Escape- The newly redesigned 2013 Ford Escape set to hit your local Cincinnati Ford dealer in May 2012 is sure to set the bar even higher for what’s expected from a small SUV. The Escape has been a leader in its class since the debut of the model in 2000. The 2013 model continues that legacy by integrating some of the features you’d expect from Ford like the available SYNC technology, but adding on the capability of the MyFord Touch system. You can also expect additional features like available push button start, class exclusive hands-free liftgate and active park assist, BLIS with cross traffic alert, as well as an advanced safety protection system. With those head turning looks and the technology to satisfy even the most tech savvy person, the Ford Escape is truly the perfect car for any post grad SUV driver.

4) 2012 Ford Focus- Fitting perfectly between the Ford Fiesta and Ford Fusion is the 2012 Ford Focus. The Focus can be equipped with all the technology and features you’d get from the higher end sedans, but at a lower end price. The Focus starts out around $16,500 and is available in both sedan and hatchback models. You can also expect to find a wide array of available features with the Focus as well, including; SYNC with MyFord Touch, parking technology package, intelligent access with push button start, voice activated navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link, rain sensing wipers, and up to 40 mpg with the SFE package. So if you are the type of person that needs a little more room than the Fiesta offers, but not quite the size of the Fusion, then the Focus is the car for you.

5) 2012 Ford Fiesta- If fuel economy, compact size and fun are what you want then look no further than the Ford Fiesta. This little and nimble car is undoubtedly a party on wheels.  Starting at just over $13,000 this little car is perfect for anyone trying to save big on a new car but not willing to sacrifice the fun and excitement that many lower priced cars lack.  The Fiesta’s 1.6 liter Ti-VCT Duratec I-4 engine with twin independent variable cam timing makes driving a Fiesta an exhilarating experience. It is also comes available with intelligent access with push button start, SiriusXM radio, ambient and exterior lighting, heated leather trimmed front seats, power moonroof, capless fuel filler, Sync App Link and oh yea… 29 city and 39 highway fuel economy. The Fiesta is absolutely perfect for the money conscious college grad who wants a stylish and fuel efficient car, or anyone who just wants to keep the party going after graduation!

Contact Us

If you’d like to learn more or discuss any of the new Ford vehicle models, contact our team toll-free at (855) 367-9095.

Teenagers passing their drivers test and hitting the road for the first time is one of the most thrilling times for a young person but also one of the most terrifying times for their parents. To further such parental fears, he National Transportation Safety Board reports that auto accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 16-20. For decades, American parents handed their children the keys to the family car, told them to be careful, and off their children went, until now.

Today, a variety of companies offer devices that can be installed in a family vehicle that will track the car. The equipment can track where the car goes and how fast it goes, online. While this device appears to be a great way to keep your children safe while on the road, the real question is whether or not this technology is an invasion of your child’s privacy?

Many believe that if you truly trust someone than you shouldn’t check up on them behind their back. Placing this device in your child’s car could come off as if you do not trust your child, which could creating a trust gap between your child and yourself. On the other hand, by not using this technology, you loose the piece of mind that your child is being safe and responsible.

I mean your teenager is tested in their academic life, how is this any different, or is it?

What do you think, is a teen driver tracker an invasion of your child’s privacy or solid tool to protect your child?

So you’re trying to connect your phone to Microsoft SYNC but you’re not having any luck. Have no fear ladies and gentlemen you don’t have to go out and buy a $400 $399 iPhone 4s to use your vehicles technology. So lets run through some scenarios you might be encountering.

Scenarios You Might Be Encountering

1. You’ve brought up the six digit pin on your vehicles screen. When you’re trying to pair your phone to SYNC it wont display the entry field required to enter the six digit pin.
2. Your phone pairs great, for a couple seconds, then disconnects. Your phone might even reboot itself soon after it connects to SYNC.
3. If you have a older version of Android you’ll require a 4 digit pin. While we have an article on how to get a 4 digit pin to show you can also perform the reverse pairing process we’re going to walk through here.

The Solution

Ok, so we’ve established that you’re having trouble connecting your phone to Ford’s Microsoft SYNC, whether it’s through one of the examples above or not. So lets now walk through how you to fix this little issue that is driving you to the edges of insanity. No matter what infotainment system you have, when your completing the steps you must have “Discovery Mode” on your phone turned “ON”.  It is usually found under options in your bluetooth menu. If you have an iPhone it will put itself in discovery mode automatically when your in your Bluetooth Menu.

SYNC & MyFord

1. When you come across the text “Find SYNC” while trying to pair your phone use the Tune knob to find and select “Find Bluetooth Devices”.
2. When your vehicle finds and displays your phone go ahead and select it by pressing “Ok”.
3. It will then have you create a pin number to enter in your phone. You can create this with your voice or you can just type it in with the numbers you use for your presets. If you use the numbers, after you type in your desired code just press “Ok” to confirm the entry.
4. Once the code is entered in your phone will bring up an entry field for you to input the pass code you just created.

After the code is entered your phone will connect to SYNC and you’ll have access to all the features you’d normally have.

MyFord Touch & SYNC w/ Navigation

1. When the 6-digit pin shows up on your screen click the button that reads “Find Other”
2. Select your device when it pops up on the screen.
3. Create a pin with your voice or use the preset numbers to enter a pin. If you are using the preset buttons to create the pin press the “Ok” button to confirm the  entry.
4. Once you confirm the desired pin your desired pin your phone will bring up an entry field for you to enter it in.

Once the code is entered your phone will now be connected to SYNC and you will have all of the features as you normally would.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need additional help with reverse pairing give us a call at 513-932-1010 ext. 127 or write us an email at mytechteam@lebanon-ford.com.

My youngest sisters are turning 16 in a few short months and my parents have been hunting for the perfect first car(s). My sisters are twins, so that means my mom and dad will not only purchase one, but two vehicles, and all the extra space in my family’s driveway will soon be occupied by safe, reliable cars. I’m sure someone at Lebanon Ford can help with this search, despite the fact that my family lives about 400 miles away in St. Louis, Mo.

Since my parents have been looking at vehicles for my sisters, I couldn’t help but reminisce on my first car: a brand new 2005 Ford Mustang. It was bright red and a basically every 16-year-old girl’s dream car.  When I was a little girl, I always told my parents I wanted a pink Barbie convertible, so I feel like my red Mustang was the real life equivalent. I loved my first car — a lot. I am extremely fortunate that my parents could not only afford to purchase a vehicle, but were willing to buy one for me. Like most parents, my mom and dad created a list of “road rules” that I had to follow in order to drive that cute Mustang around all the time. I had to have a job, take care of my vehicle, pay for my gas, wear my seatbelt at all times, be home by curfew, obey all traffic laws, etc. If I didn’t follow these guidelines, my car would be taken away at any moment (rightfully), so I made sure to follow suit.

After doing all this thinking about my first set of wheels, I figured out the real reasons why this Mustang was so important to me, especially since I’m a few years older and can see the bigger picture.

For me, and most other teenagers, your first car means freedom. Having my own ride gave me the opportunity to go anywhere. All I had to do was just get behind the wheel and drive to wherever I pleased. Well, almost. I’m sure if you lived at home like myself, this is a bit restricted, but you get the point.

Having your own vehicle represents a huge accomplishment in your life. I remember spending A TON of hours driving around empty parking lots with my dad, learning everything I need to know for when I’m actually behind the wheel. Being able to get my license and operate a vehicle without any supervision proved that all those hours I spent practicing driving and studying transportation manuals had finally paid off.

My little red Mustang taught me a thing or two about responsibility. I had to maintain my vehicle (with a little help from dad of course), and even created a driving budget for myself. My car was my prized possession, so I tried to take care of it to the best of my abilities. These types of responsibilities as a teen made me a stronger person and instilled proper habits into my brain. I continue to care for my car today as I did when I was 16. I may even care for it a bit better now that I’m a few years older and wiser, and I know the true meaning of what goes into owning a vehicle.

Aside from everything I just mentioned, the biggest reason why your first car is so significant is because of all the memories you make in it. I mean how can I forget sneaking down to Columbia, Mo. and going to all the cool college parties at Mizzou or skipping school to eat lunch with my friends. If my parents only knew half of what went on in there, I know they would be less than pleased.

Now that my sisters will be on the road sooner than later, I hope that they’re able to enjoy their first car as much as I did. I want them to be able to look back and enjoy their experience, but I also hope that they take something else away from it: appreciation, as driving and having a vehicle is often sought as a privilege.

OH, and by the way! Be thankful you live in a place far from St. Louis. I’ve taken my sisters on a few driving sessions for practice and all I have to say is “EEEEK!”

While driving down the road the other day I couldn’t help but notice the VW Beatle that was parked on the side of the road.  What made this Bug catch my attention was that it was a VW Bug stretch limousine. After double taking the stretch Bug, I realized that limo companies are pushing the bounds of what defines the word limo. Fifteen years ago when somebody said limo, a mental image of a stretched out Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac Deville came to mind. Today, limousines come in all shapes, sizes, models, and colors. From Hummers to Navigators, Buses to Bugs, most any car can be transformed into a limousine.

With these thoughts in mind and wedding season rapidly approaching, I suggest that if you are in need of a limo, make sure it fits your personality. With all the models, and colors, no longer do people have only one or two options for their next major event. If you are the kind of person who is loud and bold, book the Pink Caddy to make a statement or if you like a more classic look go with the Tuxedo Black Navigator. Regardless of what type of limo you pick, life is too short to buy something that truly doesn’t represent who you are. There are enough generic people out there, be you!