Archives for May 2014

100 Days Of Summer | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

May 30, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

After a seemingly long winter, followed by a cold spring full of surprises, summer is almost here. Although the hottest season won’t officially start until June 21, the folks at Lamarque Ford decided to kick-off summer a bit earlier and want to celebrate it big time. Like every year, Lamarque Ford’s 100 Days Of Summer is back and we want to share our summer joy with you.

For the last four years, Lamarque Ford has connected with the New Orleans area neighbors to celebrate summer and to thank them for choosing the best Ford dealership in the area. As a gift to the community, Lamarque Ford organizes a series of weekly giveaways culminating with a grand prize of free fuel for a year.

This year, Lamarque Ford is holding a 12 week promotion with 12 weekly winners receiving a $100 fuel card as part of the 100 Days of Summer Giveaway! Winners will be chosen each Monday morning after verifying that the winner has “Liked” Lamarque Ford’s Facebook page. We will also be introducing 10 other supplementary prizes so don’t let those first 12 weekly winners dishearten you from playing.

Additional prizes and values include:

1. Blue Bayou Family Passes – $135.00

2. Aquarium of America Family Passes – $77.00

3. New Orleans Insectarium Passes – $57.00

4. Kayak from Massey’s Outfitters – $400.00

5. Zephyr’s Family & Friends Pool Party – $1,250 – 1,800

6. Restaurant Gift Certificates (4@$50) – $200

7. Set of Free Tires from Lamarque Ford! – up to $500

Entering Lamarque Ford’s Free Fuel For a Year Sweepstakes is easy. You can visit us at our Facebook, Twitter, or Lamarque 100 Days page to sign up. You can even come on over to Lamarque Ford in Kenner and we’ll sign you up in person. To keep you posted on the campaign, we will be sending out three different text messages – the 1st was sent on Friday, May 23 to alert our registered fans that the 100 Days of Summer has begun. The next messages will be sent on Wednesday, July 23 and Thursday, August 21 to announce the end of the competition on Saturday, August 23.

Make sure to stay updated with our social media accounts for your chance to be one the 22 lucky winners (12 weekly winners and 10 supplementary prize winners) to walk away with a free year of gas as the grand prize for the this year’s 100 Days of Summer Giveaway!

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Revealed: Features, Specs | New Orleans

May 29, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Fans will be excited to see that the automaker has finally moved forward with the Ford Transit by introducing a new modern, sleek body style for the 2014 Ford Transit Connect. Although the previous model did have its perks, the new 2014 Ford Transit introduces an array of new appealing features that make this new Ford vehicle a must-get for Ford fans who want a combination of towing capacity, excellent fuel economy, and cargo-van/passenger-wagon capabilities. See your local Ford dealer for the new 2014 Ford Transit Connect today!

Engines and Sizes Galore!

The most noticeable change to the 2014 Ford Transit Connect is its sleek new appearance, but what’s going on with the under the hood specs? For starters, the old 2.0-liter engine found on the 2013 model has been replaced with two more powerful motors to choose from: the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and the turbocharged Ford Ecoboost 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine.

In addition to new engine power, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect will also introduce a passenger-wagon styled vehicle to move away from only contractors using the vehicle. It makes an excellent vehicle for families that want the towing capacity of a truck, but the comfort of a van or SUV. The 2014 model will introduce a 5-passenger and 7-passenger longer model. You have the option of getting the 5-passenger model with either a 2.5-liter, 169-horsepower I4 or a 1.6-liter, 178-horsepower turbocharged I4 Ford Ecoboost engine, or the 7-passenger model with only the 2.5-liter, 169 horsepower I4.

Not only does the 2014 Ford Transit Connect introduce more power via the 2.5-liter and turbocharged Ecoboost Engine, but it also introduces better fuel economy! The Ecoboost engine will deliver 22 MPG city and 29 MPG HWY, while the 2.5-liter engine will bring a less appealing 20 MPG city and 28 HWY. Keep in mind however, that you can only get away with the Ecoboost engine with the 5-passenger vehicle. So you’ll have to decide whether fuel economy is more important than additional passenger/cargo space that the 7-passenger vehicle offers.

Meet the New Interior

Whether you decide to get the 5-passenger or 7-passenger 2014 Ford Transit Connect, you will be introduced to a brand new, spacious interior with plenty of leg room, capacity, and comfort. If you require extra room for transporting cargo, you can fold the second and third rows to add an additional 104.2 cubic feet. You can also customize how you room the interior with second rows down but third rows up with reclining seats for extra comfort.

The 2014 Transit Connect basic features will include AdvanceTrac with roll stability control along with front, pelvis, and side airbags and side-curtain airbags for every row of seats, and anti-lock brakes.

Different Models Available

There will be five different models available with the 2014 Ford Transit Connect:

Van XL – will include the basics, 16-in steel wheels, remote keyless entry, power windows, A/C, AM/FM stereo with AUX input at $22,995.
Van XLT – includes power heated mirrors, fog lights, 4.2-in info display, CD audio system and upgraded driver seat at $24,520.
Wagon XL – includes the basics for 7-passenger (added seat rows) at $25,995.
Wagon XLT – includes XLT features and available at 5-passenger at $25,520 or 7-passenger at $27,520.
Wagon Titanium – includes 16-in alloy wheels, leather upholstery, power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, SYNC voice-command and rear view camera at $29,995.

Stop by your local Ford dealership to see each of the 2014 Ford Transit Connect trims and walk away with yours today.

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The Google Car: Google Now Building Its Prototype Self-Driving Cars | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

May 28, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

For the last several years, Google has been investing heavily in new technologies outside the realm of internet search. Housed under the Google X moniker, these projects are dedicated to making major technological advancements and include Google Self-Driving Cars, amongst others. Google’s autonomous car efforts started as an interplay of software and hardware by combining Google Maps with sensors attached to existing vehicles like Toyotas, Audis and Lexuses. However, last Tuesday Google announced their own self-driving car prototype, which bears no recognizable name plate and is designed in-house by the search giant. What does this mean for the future of the company and the industry as a whole?

The Google Car

Back in 2004, the U.S. Department of Defense started a competition for the advancement of vehicle automation and autonomous vehicles, The DARPA Grand Challenge. In short, the competition consisted of American research teams that designed and developed self-driving vehicles and in 2005, Stanford Team won the first place. Sebastian Thrun, then head of the Stanford team, founded Goolge’s special projects division, Google X. Thurn now leads the development of their driverless car initiative, which has started producing their own vehicles.

According to their official blog, Google started the project to “prevent traffic accidents, free up people’s time, and reduce carbon emissions,” and they seem to be on the right path. Their newly introduced prototype is a small, cartoonish looking vehicle, which front resembles a human face and lacks a steering wheel, pedals and mirrors. The absence of these now seemingly obsolete artifacts, points out to Google’s own admission that today’s cars are built around a driver, not a rider. Will this be a trend for others to follow? You bet.

By designing and producing their own vehicles, Google is exploring design elements that will help them achieve their goals. The removal of driver-centric parts is considerably decreasing the weight of the car, translating into better fuel efficiency. Google’s own design has also allowed them to customize the controls of the car, which according to the company consist of two buttons (go and emergency) and a GPS screen.

Aesthetically, Google’s self-driving car seems approachable and welcoming. Its curved lines and small size project a friendly face, as if trying to disguise the fear and uncertainty associated with self-operated machines.

Now that the technology is ready, the biggest challenge ahead will be to convince people that these cars are actually safe.

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2015 Ford F-150 Built Stronger, Smarter, with Ecoboost | New Orleans

May 25, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

The all-new 2015 Ford F-150 will prove to be the toughest, smartest, most innovative truck out there. Ford is calling its new truck “the most patented” thanks to its long list of amazing features and improvements. The new F-150 boasts over 100 new patents, as Ford engineers have redesigned many components to bring better performance, fuel efficiency and safety.

Stronger Steel Frame

Ford is introducing a brand new frame, in which it increases the amount of high-strength steel from 23% to 77%. This new alloy along with the Ford-developed heat treatment for the frame, allow for an impressively strong body. Believe it or not, even with its re-strengthened formula, Ford is shaving a few pounds off the 2015 Ford F-150’s frame.

Better Fuel Efficiency With Ecoboost

Ford is introducing the lowest displacement engine in a full size truck with the second generation F-150 Ecoboost. Rated at 2.5 liters, this turbo-charged V6 engine promises to deliver first-class fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. Ford has achieved this through a variety of engineering tricks like using both aluminum and iron as part of the engine block, creating a powerful yet compact enclosure.

New Smart Technology

Ford is also betting on some interesting tech gadgets, like the 360º view camera. Already present in some high-end luxury cars, this is the first time a pick-up truck uses such technology. It consists of different cameras positioned in the back, front and sides, and provide a unified “birds-eye” image from above. Another first to pick-up trucks is Ford’s introduction of LED headlights. As the previous post on LED headlights discussed, LED lights not only last longer than traditional ones, but they also improve visibility and safety.

With the all-new 2015 Ford F-150, Ford is positioning its truck as not only the class leader, but as the future visionary. Ford has enjoyed the top spot for so long it can now think ahead and improve performance in new ways. If you would like to learn more about what Ford has to offer, stop by your local Ford dealership and take a look around.

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Greatest Movie And TV Fords | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

May 20, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Ford has always been known to make a statement, including a heavy presence in pop culture for the last several decades. Many of our favorite movies and shows feature at least one iconic Ford model that saves the day, solves the crime or gets the girl.

We have selected ten of the most memorable films and series starring Ford vehicles, from the oldest to most recent. Movie buff or not, you may recognize a few of these famous Fords.

Batman (1966) (series) – There isn’t much not to love about Batman, and before Michael Keaton, George Clooney and Christian Bale wore the mask, Adam West ran the show in the 1960 series. However, the big star of the television program was none other than the 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura Concept Car, also know as the “Batmobile”.

Starsky and Hutch (1975) (series) – If the Starsky and Hutch series tells us anything it is that you don’t need a fancy suit styled after a flying mammal to fight crime, but you might need a red and white Ford Gran Torino. The “Striped Tomato” became emblematic for the show that was centered around two street-smart cops solving crimes. Although the “Striped Tomato” was switched from a ’74 model to a ’73 model throughout the run of the series the car was made to look identical in each scene.

Grease (1978) – “Auto-matic, Systo-matic, Hydro-matic”, it was the 1948 Ford De Luxe “Greased Lightning” that had audiences loving the famous 70’s musical, set in the 1950s. The car not only appeared in several of the high-energy singing and dancing scenes but was responsible for the final drag race that took place near the end of the movie when Danny and our beloved “T-Birds” triumphantly took the win.

RoboCop (1987) – In the 1980s, Ford was taking some big hits from the competition. That is, until a line of cars only a year old at the time called the Ford Taurus found its way on to the set of RoboCop. The movie, set in a fictionalized Detroit used all Taurus LX’s as police cars and brought the line to life. Still today Taurus is the fourth-oldest nameplate in the Ford family sold in North America.

Thelma and Louise (1991) – If you’re going to go on a cross-country road trip filled with self discovery might as well do it in a stylish 1966 Ford Thunderbird. Although the unlikely duo pack many miles on the getaway ride, the most memorable scene is the dramatic exit when the Ford convertible flies through the air off a cliff from the Grand Canyon.

Jurassic Park (1993) – The jungle, the ripples in the water, the green and yellow Ford Explorer XLT, Jurassic Park gave a whole new meaning to “built Ford tough” when angry t-rex ripped this 1991 SUV to shreds and it still lasted (almost) throughout the rest of the movie.

Dumb and Dumber (1994) – You may have a hard time recognizing this 1984 customized Ford Econoline, but when Harry and Lloyd navigated this K-9 inspired van to Aspen it was hard to forget.

The Big Lebowski (1998) – No vehicle quite represented the carefree white-Russian drinking “Dude” like his worn in 1973 Ford Gran Torino. This 90’s cult favorite showed the 73′ model Torino in a new light and was one of the iconic pieces that made this movie so hilarious to watch.

Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) – The Ford Mustang has always been an incredible classic timepiece for American pop culture, and in the fast-action film the revamped 1973 Mustang made this millennium movie standout from others of its kind.

Scooby Doo (2002) – Last on our list is probably one of the most well-known of the big screen automobile’s that belonged to a group of problem solving teenagers and one very hungry dog. “The Mystery Machine”, a bright blue and green custom Ford Econoline van, has always been an eye-catching set of wheels since its cartoon series in 1969.

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Tires Make A Difference | Lamarque Ford | Metairie, New Orleans, Kenner

May 16, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

When considering car safety, most motorists ignore their tires. Tires are more than just rubber, as they directly interact with the surface and transmit power from your car into the ground. Tires also play a vital role in breaking, stability and fuel economy. It should come as no surprise then, that tire technology as been consistently improving over the years. Here are some tips that will help you and your car drive better.

Monitor Your Tire Pressure

Most new vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, which is a sensor that alerts the driver when tire pressure is low. However, some systems are more sensitive than others, so it is recommended to regularly check the pressure with a pressure gauge. Always consult your owner’s manual to ensure your tires have the optimal amount of air. Remember that improper tire pressure can compromise stability and breaking, so take this seriously!

Rotate Your Tires

Rotating the tires to opposite corners of your car will extend their life. Although this step is not crucial for safety, it can save you a few bucks in the long run. Most cars have traction on only one or two wheels, so there’s always more wear on a certain pair of tires (front ones or rear ones). Hence, rotating them evens out the damage to the tread evenly.

Keep Them Balanced

Tires only need to be balanced when they’re first put on your wheels. Each tire is balanced to its own wheel, so rotating the tires does not necessarily mean you have to get them balanced. However, if you’ve damaged the sidewall or hit a big pot hole, you could be better off with a balancing. Any time a tire and rim are separated, they need to be balanced.

Inspect Tires For Wear

This might not be part of your daily routine, but it could even save your life. Your tire can be visually damaged and still not be detected by the pressure monitoring system. Don’t wait until is too late and your tire blows up at highway speeds! Some people recommend to inspect your tires daily before leaving for work, and is as simple as walking around your car looking for signs of damage like worn sidewalls or foreign objects in the tires.

Watch Your Weight

All tires are built to withstand a certain weight. Do not overload them as it could cause them to blow up or get damaged. Consult your owner’s manual or your tire warranty to learn more about your tires’ weight rating. Overloading your tires usually means you’re overloading your vehicle’s suspension, which is never a good idea. If it feels too heavy, it probably is.

Replace Accordingly

As you perform your scheduled car maintenance, ask your mechanic to look at your tires and see if they need to be replaced. The rule of thumb is the penny test, and consists on sticking a penny into your tire’s tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If the tread covers the top of his head, you should be good to go. If there’s any concern over wet roads or hot weather, don’t hesitate to take your car to your local mechanic.

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Best Road Trip Apps | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie

May 12, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

As Memorial Day approaches we begin preparing to trade our office chairs for beach chairs and boring suits for bikinis. The next few weeks mark the beginning of travel season for most Louisianians, and while the lodging budget of the vacation destination may already be set and paid for, the price of driving still comes as a shock to some travelers. It isn’t just frequent business trips costing drivers, according to US Travel – direct spending on leisure travel by domestic travelers totaled $621.4 billion in the year 2013. This year alone, the national average of gas in March was at $3.53, a month later bumping up to $3.70 and as common theory implies, the warmer the weather gets, the higher the price at the pump and consumer demand.

This thought alone can convince any frugal-minded traveler to turn the van around and head back indoors. However, Time magazine recently posted an article that has analysts blowing holes in the theory, stating the idea that gas prices have plateaued for the year and that it is likely the numbers will only drop.

In the meantime, websites specialized in calculating travel cost for drivers like Gasbuddy have warned that although signs point to prices staying low, the rise in warm temperatures is always a problem for refineries.

With all of these conflicting predictions regarding cost of driving, how is a traveler supposed to know the majority of their travel funds are draining through a nozzle at a filling station? Well, there’s an app for that.

As one can imagine there are dozens of travel applications (we’ve already reviewed some of them) currently playing the role as key money-saving tools, but only a few have met the expectations of reviewers. These apps require some user input to work better, as the gas budget will take destination, car make and model and speed into account. These are the apps:

TripLog- GPS Mileage Log Tracker
One of the best reviewed Mileage Apps, the TripLog uses to GPS to record mileage and record actual driving route and show on Maps. The TripLog also is the only app that “auto starts” after being plugged in and driving more than 5 mph.

RoadTrip Lite
The RoadTrip Lite is another extremely popular application used for calculating gas mileage on a trip. This app came out in 2008 and is still quoted as one of the fastest and easiest iPhone application tracking cars, mileage, fuel economy and maintenance expenses. Unlike many “lite” apps, RoadTrip Lite has stayed reliable mile after mile.

Waze
By far, the most universal and multifunctional of all the GPS mileage applications, Waze seems to be the crown jewel of the travel app community. This unique app not only gives its users the ability of finding and comparing the cheapest gas prices by estimating cost of travel, but is also available to give updated, real-time events happening on your expedition. Anything from speed traps to roadkill, Waze will be your saving grace when it comes to investing time into your summer road trips.

These apps along with smart planning could take your Memorial Day drive from stressful and costly to simple and relaxing, bon voyage!

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How To Extend Your Car’s Life | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie

May 9, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard stories of people driving cars with over 250,000 miles on them. What’s the secret? We’ve put together a list of tips that will help your car run longer. Regular maintenance and common sense play an important role, as well as the way you drive.

Change Your Fluids Regularly

This is the single most important thing you can do to keep your car in great shape. Although this applies to all fluids (transmission, breaks, coolant, etc), pay special attention to the engine oil. If you drive a new car, stick to the manufacturer’s recommended changing intervals (some people recommend doing it sooner). If your car is older or has over 100,000 miles, it might be a good time to think about high mileage or synthetic oil, which better lubricates your engine. Changing fluids regularly will flush out any build up found in hoses and moving parts, keeping your engine in excellent condition.

Keep Your Car Waxed and Clean

Wax protects your car’s clear coat from the elements, making the paint last longer. It also allows you to wash your car’s exterior less often. Remember that paint not only makes your car look nice, but it also prevents the metal from rusting.

Drive At Highway Speeds

Cars are meant to be driven, and your engine operates at its peak performance when it drives at low rpms for long periods of time. That’s one of the reasons why your vehicle gets better gas mileage on the highway. Your engine also works better when it has reached optimal temperature, so driving short trips at city speeds is less than ideal.

Buy Gas From Reputable Sources

Go out of your way and ask the right questions. Some gas stations lack the filtration system required to keep gasoline clean at all times. Ask the associate if the filters are replaced regularly and if they mix the gasoline with anything else. You want to make sure you’re buying clean gas!

Look For Signs of Trouble

Whether your car is old or new, you should always be on the lookout for signs of trouble like leaks, odd smells, weird noises or any driving changes you might notice. It is always cheaper to repair a small problem; remember replacing a transmission or engine can cost thousands of dollars.

Having a trusted mechanic is helpful as well. Your local dealership has certified and trained experts and have the support from a national brand. Always shop around and make sure you and your car are treated with respect.

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The Future Is Transportation | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

May 7, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Two days ago, Nokia announced a $100 million investment in “connected and intelligent vehicles”. Nokia, which was once the world’s largest phone manufacturer, already has a big footprint on in-car technology with HERE, its map service. The phone maker’s plan consists of a fund that will “identify and invest” in companies that relate to intelligent vehicles. The announcement comes as a surprise while the company is still struggling to come out of its own financial troubles. However, Nokia’s move paints a different picture for the future of automobiles.

Self driving cars

Why are tech companies investing in auto technology?

While we don’t have a definite answer, there are several reasons that come to mind. First, let’s remember that car production and innovation have been handled only by a few companies during the last hundred years. These are the incumbents, and they’ve done a great job at setting up the current models of production, which have in turn allowed for more affordable, better quality cars for mostly everyone. The incumbents have model refresh timelines (seven years?) and technology advancements build on existing ones, which serve their current customers. Although this model has its benefits (established production network, low cost labor, highly automatized), it is not perfect and discourages disrupting innovation*.

Tech companies however, small ones in particular, operate differently. They’re used to faster changes and are more agile at implementing new technologies. Today, the ball seems to be moving towards the future of transportation, and there’s an overall sense that a big change is coming. Tech companies don’t want to be left out when manufacturers move towards autonomous cars.

Also, 2007 brought in new entrants to the phone business (Apple, then Samsung with Android), allowing the creation of new value incumbents never imagined. Many tech giants saw their fortunes evaporate because they failed to see beyond their business and customers, which has made them more concerned about the future. Now these very companies are betting their futures on automobile technology.

This is all great news for the future of transportation, as there seems to be a new wave of interest in vehicle autonomy and other new technologies. Don’t be surprised to see more tech companies investing in automobile technology, or car companies partnering or buying tech startups.

*The word innovation is tricky and often misused. Disrupting innovation is one that creates new and additional value by creating new markets while draining resources from incumbents (e.g. The Ford production model disrupted the car industry by shifting to a streamlined one that no one foresaw, yet everyone copied. Ford created new value as it could produce affordable cars faster, and it ended up stealing the incumbents’ customers).

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Engine Fuel Economy Improvements | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

May 5, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Ten years ago, the top selling trucks in the U.S. had an average combined EPA fuel economy of only 14 mpg. Today, that number is closer to 20. What has happened? Have we sacrificed performance for fuel efficiency? Not at all. Although car manufacturers have shrunk the engines significantly, new technologies allow for better performance AND better gas mileage. Let’s take a look at some of the improvements in truck engines.

Fuel efficiency depends on factors other than the engine, like aerodynamics, weight and rolling resistance. However, it is increasingly harder for pick-up trucks to improve in other aspects of fuel efficiency while at the same time adding new technological improvements. Remember, the job a truck is hired to do is not to consume as little fuel as possible, but to tow, carry and drag.

Turbochargers
This technology has been around for a while and has been used in high performance cars for decades. Manufacturers started implementing turbochargers in trucks as it allows for a smaller engine without losing torque. Ford’s Ecoboost engines are use turbocharging to compensate for their small size (3.5 V6 to power a 6000 lb vehicle).

Variable Displacement
Variable displacement is also known as cylinder deactivation. The system works by allowing some of the cylinders to stop moving while the throttle is closed or running at steady speeds, like highway speeds, without affecting its power. Before its modern implementation, variable displacement technology failed to reach mass market because of unsolved engineering challenges dating back to the early 80s. Today, this technology is widely used by Honda, GM and Mercedes-Benz.

Direct Fuel Injection
Direct Fuel injection allows for a better control of the amount of fuel that goes into the cylinders as it is delivered directly, thus reducing waste. Ecoboost engines by Ford rely heavily on this technology coupled with turbocharging.

Lighter Materials
New manufacturing techniques have made materials such as aluminum a viable option for many parts of a vehicle, engines included. This reduces the weight of engines by about half, compared to iron block engines. However, there were some problems with early aluminum engines as they couldn’t handle the high temperatures. That’s all in the past as most of today’s standard small engines are aluminum.

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