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Getting the most MPG out of your new or used car | New Orleans, LA

February 24, 2014 By Matthew Hritz

Buying gas for your car is likely one of the biggest expenses in your budget. With gas prices that seem to be constantly rising, and the fact that you simply can’t stop driving your car altogether, it can often seem like there’s no real way to save any money on gas. If you are in the market for a new car, you can look into buying a car with hybrid or Ford Ecoboost technology, but for the rest of us, there’s no miracle way to slash our monthly gas expenses. Fortunately, there are a few ways to cut corners and save a little bit of extra money when it comes to buying gas.

Adjusting how you drive can be a big factor in getting the best MPG out of your car. When running errands, try to do so during parts of the day with the smallest amount of traffic. This means try to avoid doing them around 9am or 5pm, when most people are going to and from work. Similarly, try to drive at a steady, consistent pace when you drive as opposed to varying your speed or stopping and accelerating frequently. Maintaining a consistent speed has been proven to optimize gas efficiency in cars. And although you likely have less control over this, try to base when you leave for work and the route you take to accommodate steady driving as well. Cruise control can also help get the best MPG out of your car.

When shopping for gas, there are a few things you can keep in mind in terms of cost and type of gasoline. It usually isn’t worth it to drive across town for the cheapest gas. If you pass a station with unusually cheap gas then by all means, go ahead and stop. If you’re considering a gas station across town that is slightly cheaper, you may end up losing more money for the drive to get there. Using stations that are close to your home, even if slightly more expensive, can usually save you money. Also, try to fill up during the coldest time of the day. Since gas is purchased by volume, you get more for your money when the gas is at its most dense- in other words, during the coldest part of the day. Additionally, make sure your gas cap is tight and secure. Fuel can vaporize and thus be wasted if the cap isn’t securely fastened.

Buying gas from a wholesaler such as Sam’s or Costco can save you small amounts, and although you shouldn’t make the special trip just for gas, you can try to fill up at these locations if you routinely shop there. You might also consider getting a gas credit card. As long as you make your monthly payments, having a gas credit card can potentially save you a little bit of money over the long run. Also make sure you keep your car properly maintained, in order to ensure peak performance and gas efficiency.

Follow these tips in order to save some money here and there, and who knows- maybe you can put it towards getting that brand new car you’ve been dreaming about.

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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.

Mardi Gras New Orleans Guide 2014: Part 1 | New Orleans, LA

February 21, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

If there’s any time of the year that sums up New Orleans culture best, it’s Mardi Gras. Although frequently misunderstood by tourists, Mardi Gras encapsulates the best that New Orleans has to offer with food and drinks, unique culture, rich tradition, and most of all, having fun. Although the observation of Mardi Gras in the United States dates back as early as the 17^th century, it has evolved over the years to reflect changes in culture. But with so much to see and do during the entire Carnival season, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to begin. While it would be nearly impossible to see everything the Mardi Gras season has to offer, you can at least experience some of the more well-known krewes.

Krewe of Rex

One of the oldest krewes in New Orleans, Rex has held more parades than any other organization in New Orleans. While they may not use as much cutting-edge technology as other parade krewes, it is without a doubt one of the most culturally rich krewes in the city. Rex’s floats are typically entirely hand built and use the same techniques that have been handed down over generations. Because of its rich tradition and ornate designs, many people consider Rex’s parade to be the highlight of the Mardi Gras season.

March 4 (Mardi Gras day) at 10:00am; Uptown

Krewe of Bacchus

Bacchus, among the most well-known of the so-called “superkrewes” due to their spectacular size and production, is certainly a spectacle. As opposed to Rex, which favors a more traditional approach, Bacchus relies much more heavily on modern approaches and technology to create bigger, more elaborate floats. Bacchus is also well known for its celebrity appearances. The first krewe to feature celebrities as kings of the parade, Bacchus celebrity kings have included Drew Brees, William Shatner, Elijah Wood, Will Ferrell, and many others.

March 2 at 5:15pm; Uptown

Krewe of Iris

While perhaps not as well-known as some of the bigger krewes in New Orleans, Iris is notable for being both the oldest and the largest all-female krewe in New Orleans. Like Bacchus, Iris also adheres more closely to the traditional Mardi Gras customs, wearing white gloves and full-face carnival masks. Iris parade throws include unique items such as cups, dolls, medallion beads, and doubloons, as well as the Krewe Captains own special doubloon which is a coveted item each year.

March 1 at 11:00am; Uptown

Although most festivities take place in New Orleans, you can also find Mardi Gras parades in Metairie and surrounding areas. If you feel a little adventurous or you’ve got extra time in your hands here’s the full Mardi Gras parade schedule.

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.

How to Maintain Tire Pressure | New Orleans, LA

February 17, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

There are a lot of things you need to know about your car in order to keep it running properly. There are certainly pros and cons for new and used cars. Older, used cars need attention in order to prevent costly repairs, while new cars and trucks benefit from proper maintenance in order to preserve the value of the car. And while some routine procedures can be costly, time consuming, and require a visit to a mechanic’s garage or car dealership, others can be quick, easy, and painless. Perhaps the easiest thing you can do on a regular basis for your car is to make a habit of checking your car’s tire pressure. It’s easy, costs very little, and can save you from having to deal with expensive repairs down the road.

Tire Pressure

Having low tire pressure can lead to decreased performance when cornering and braking, and can even lead to tire failure in some cases. Since tire failure usually results in a serious accident, it’s not something to mess around with. While many people check the tires themselves to see what pressure level to maintain, this is actually the wrong place to look. The numbers listed on tires are usually the maximum capacity of pressure, not the recommended amount. As it varies from car to car, check your car’s owner’s manual to see where the information is printed- usually on the driver’s door pillar, the glove compartment door, or the gas filler door.

When it comes to checking the tire pressure, try to avoid the popular pencil-shaped gauges, which can be frequently inaccurate. Digital gauges or even analog-dial gauges are typically a safer bet. Also remember to only check tire pressure when the tires are cold- in other words, before the tires have been recently driven. This ensures that the air is at the proper temperature for an accurate reading. And finally, be sure to check all four tires. It sounds obvious, but steer away from taking shortcuts here. Just because the first three tires are good doesn’t mean the fourth one is.

Check your tires seasonally, as well as before any long road trip in order to stay precise on your tire pressure levels. You can also ask your car service professional to check for you during your next service, typically at little or no extra cost. This can also provide you a way to double check the accuracy of your own gauge. However you decide to do it, just make sure that checking the air pressure levels on your tires becomes a regular part of your car’s check-up.

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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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