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What are the Different Types of Gasoline | New Orleans, LA

February 19, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever filled your car up at a gas station, you probably at some point have wondered what’s with the different types of gas available. Some are more expensive than others, due to variations in refining and state taxes; some are rated with different numbers; but they all seemingly work with your car. You’ve probably assumed that the more expensive ones are better in some regard, but you may have no idea as to how or why they are better. So what’s the deal?

The most basic difference between gas types is their octane ratings. This is indicated by the number you see next to the different levels of gas, and it is also the primary factor in the different prices of gasoline. The octane level is a measure of performance in gasoline that indicates how much compression the fuel can withstand before igniting. The higher the number, the more compression it can withstand. Diesel engines, which compress air rather than fuel, usually are fine with lower octane ratings. However, petrol engines, which are far more common in consumer vehicles, often times require fuel with a higher octane rating. Regular gasoline usually has an octane rating of 87, mid-grade at 89, and premium usually somewhere from 91-93.

It may be tempting to think that premium gas is simply “better,” and while this is true to an extent, it’s not quite as simple as it seems. The best way to know what gas to use in your car is to check your owner’s manual. Most engines will recommend regular gasoline, but some high performance engines will utilize higher compression and therefore require gasoline with higher octane levels. Whether you’re driving a brand new Ford for a used car that’s seen better days, it’s always a good idea to adhere strictly to the engine’s octane recommendation.

It’s important to note that you typically won’t get much added benefit by using a higher octane rating than recommended, but you can run into problems if you use a lower rating than recommended. If you lose the incorrect grade of gasoline, you may experience engine knocking, during which the air/fuel combination doesn’t combust at the optimum point in the cycle. This is a sure indication that you need to get a higher octane fuel.

Although understanding octane ratings is important, making sure you get the best car service is crucial to keep your engine running great.

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.

Introducing the 2015 Ford F Series | New Orleans, LA

February 14, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

In production since 1948, the Ford F-series is one of the longest running truck series in the world. From the ever popular F-150 to more obscure models, it’s a line of trucks that is able to cover basically every need a truck enthusiast could imagine. With the thirteenth generation of Ford F-series trucks having debuted at the 2014 North American International Auto Show last month, the legacy is set to continue in 2015. While the F-series hasn’t seen any type of major overhaul, there are a few key upgrades that move the trucks into more powerful, economic, and environmentally-friendly territory.

The 2015 line, which takes much of its exterior design from the 2013 Ford Atlas concept vehicle, offers a cutting-edge yet rugged design with hard, elegant angles. The trucks will continue to use the trusted body-on-frame construction, but will now use frames built from 77% high strength steel, up from the 23% used in previous iterations. This will result in a sturdier, more durable frame.

The new F-series was also built with fuel economy in mind, most notably in its increased use of aluminum for the body. Due to the lighter weight of aluminum, the body itself weighs 700lbs less and will therefore boast increased MPG over its predecessors. Fear not though- the aluminum-intensive design went through numerous tests and is still more than sturdy enough to handle even the most demanding of tasks.

Under the hood, the new F-series will be available with a variety of engines, including the Ford EcoBoost V-6 in either a 2.7 Liter or 3.5 Liter. It will also feature a 6 speed automatic engine. Different trims available include XL, XLT, King Ranch, and Platinum.

With the 2015 F-series line, Ford is taking an already spectacular truck design and pushing it to the next level. Although there is still much yet unknown about the new F-150, it is sure to be right up there with the best vehicles that Ford has produced.

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Ford Ecoboost Performance | New Orleans, LA

February 13, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

You may, like millions of Americans right now, be concerned about the fuel efficiency of your car or truck. Like many Americans, you may also be worried about the environmental impact your new car or truck could potentially be causing. With so many buzz words floating around, it can be very hard to discern between what will actually be beneficial and what won’t.

Ford Ecoboost

It’s likely that you’ve at least heard about Ford Ecoboost, whether from a Ford commercial, from a salesman at a car dealership, or even from a friend. While it may sound ambiguous or abstract at first, Ecoboost is simply a family of direct injection, turbocharged petrol engines co-developed by Ford and FEV engineering to be used in Ford cars. These engines use a hybrid technology to emphasize fuel economy as well as increased power and performance. Ecoboost engines can achieve up to 20% better MPG and can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15% as compared to traditional engines. Comparable to hybrid engines in terms of environmental friendliness, Ford cars equipped with Ecoboost engines can still protect the environment without sacrificing engine performance and torque. Ford Ecoboost engines are both versatile and affordable alternatives, and have been met with universal acclaim since their introduction in 2009.

The number of Ford cars and trucks which utilize the Ecoboost performance system is steadily growing, with the 2014 Ford Fiesta St, 2013 Ford F-150, 2015 Ford Mustang, and 2015 Lincoln MKC being among the newer cars with this option available. But with continued rise in popularity of affordable, economically friendly engines, expect to see similar technology implemented in even more Ford cars and trucks in the future.

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The Future of the Automobile

January 22, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

The automobile has come a long way since Henry Ford debuted his brand new car, the Model T, in 1908. That car, which introduced the country to a whole new world of technological innovations, was just the first step in a continuing process of refinement to create safer, more comfortable, and better performing cars. While the automotive industry has been introducing technological advances gradually over the last century, 2014 looks to be a huge leap for technology in cars in the form of digital user interfaces.

A quick glance at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, is very telling for where consumers and industry experts alike see the future of cars heading. A new partnership between technology companies NVIDIA and Google, along with a handful of car makers, is looking to forgo proprietary software in favor of Google Android-powered open source software in order to move towards what people are calling a “connected” car. This Google powered technology looks to serve two main functions in cars. The first is vehicle-to-vehicle safety systems that can interact with other cars or even potentially traffic lights or cameras, whereby the car can either alert the driver or even assist in braking or handling. Secondly, they can work in providing the driver with information or safe-for-driving entertainment. Access to music, navigation, and email can be used and also synced with data at home or in the office.

Always a step ahead, Ford released Ford SYNC in 2007 which allows drivers to make telephone calls, control music, and even order pizza without having to take a hand off the wheel. The Ford SYNC system, which uses a Microsoft Windows-based software, can sync with other devices via Bluetooth or USB and can get 911 assistance, check traffic reports, get access to car health reports, and even remotely access an office computer. Since 2007, Ford has continued to improve and update SYNC and has included it in a significant number of new Ford cars and Ford trucks.

These technologies are helping to pave the way for a safer, more enjoyable automobile for the future and Ford is leading the way. There is no limit to what having connected cars can provide for consumers, and it will be exciting to see where the technology takes the automotive industry.