Brown Motors will help you maintain your vehicle for best performance!

Having a clean car on the outside is important to us; we spend money and time washing and waxing to prove our point. But have you considered how clean your engine is? Here at Brown Motors we are very concerned about how clean your engine is!

“If you don’t keep your engine clean deposits can build up and rob you of power, performance and fuel economy,” says Rick Kline, service manager at Brown Motors. “As a matter of fact, if you let it go you could end up with costly repairs.”

What are we talking about in terms of sludge or build up in our engines?

Here are some facts–for every 100 gallons of gasoline burned in an engine, the following by-products are produced:

• 90-120 gallons of water
• 3-10 gallons of unburned gasoline
• 1/2-2 pounds of soot and carbon
• 1/4-1 pound of varnish
• 1-4 pounds of sulfuric and nitric acid

And engines aren’t what they used to be, that’s a good thing! Engines are now built cleaner at the factory and have tighter tolerances, which means, they have less tolerance for sludge and deposits. Today’s engines, also, operate at higher internal temperatures to produce less emissions.

How clean your engine stays is determined by the type and quality of the engine, fuel quality, your driving patterns and to a big part, what motor oil you use.

Brown Motors uses the semi-synthetic oil that the new engines need.

Semi-synthetic motor oils are complex mixtures of base oils (75-85%) and additive components (15-25%) designed to perform a variety of tasks:

• separating and lubricating moving parts,
• reducing engine wear,
• helping prevent deposits from forming on internal engine components,
• removing and suspending dirt and contaminants in the oil until these contaminants can be removed at the next oil change,
• cooling engine parts,
• enhancing engine fuel economy,
• providing protection over a wide temperature range and
• even helping to protect the emissions system.

In other words, the semi-synthetic motor oil Brown Motors puts in your vehicle does a lot more than just lubricate!

Your vehicle is one of the biggest investments you have, and taking the best care of that investment through regular maintenance–along with choosing high quality engine oils, fuels and parts–is a smart way to keep your vehicle running for the long haul! You can depend on the experts at Brown Motors to help you maintain your vehicle with the best quality factory recommended products for the best performance.

The 2013 Ford Fusion will incorporate a global design/platform that features premium interior materials and passenger comfort, with a selection of fuel efficient conventional and alternative power choices matched by state-of-the-art driver assist and infotainment systems. Ford states the Fusion is ‘a new model for cars’ and the Brown Motors’ team agrees!

Design

The design emphasis is on “premium-ness” according to Fusion designer, Christopher Hamilton, who points to the car’s jewel-like grille, squinting projector headlights, wrap around LED taillights, profile character lines and sweeping aerodynamic roofline as evidence. The look is firmly a part of Ford’s “Kinetic 2.0” design language Hamilton says. There’s even a new Blue Oval badge above the grille.

The design language continues inside where you’ll find more space thanks to the 2013 Fusion’s larger dimensions. You’ll touch premium quality dash and comfortable luxurious seat materials that contain many recycled ecofriendly components. Available ambient lighting with seven color choices establishes the mood.

Technology

Scan the Fusion’s Smartphone-influenced center console & you’ll notice larger touch-sensitive buttons for easier user access. A simplified Sync/MyFordTouch infotainment system integrates phones, PDAs and digital media players with more intuitive operation via voice commands, touch-screen inputs, or steering wheel controls.

There’s ample driver-assist technology available including Ford’s Active Park Assist which will automatically parallel park the Fusion with the driver controlling the brake and throttle. Adaptive cruise control, collision warning, blind-spot and lane monitoring systems aid in keeping you on course and there’s even optically-enabled driver monitoring. If the system senses driver fatigue, a “coffee” icon lights on the instrument panel. Hill-start assist is available with both manual and automatic transmissions.

The Power of Choice

Fusion offers three gasoline engines and two hybrid powerplants. Joining the carry-over standard 2.5L Duratec® I-4 engine, there are two new available EcoBoost® engines – 1.6L and 2.0L – that offer a no-compromise combination of power and efficiency. Choose the 2.0L and you can have the optional Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive System and a six-speed automatic with paddle-shift capability. The 1.6L will be available with a manual or automatic transmission which features the optional Automatic Start-Stop System.

Better yet in fuel efficiency terms will be the Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. The Fusion Hybrid blends an Atkinson-cycle 2.0 liter with Ford’s third-generation hybrid electric drive. At lower speeds, the Fusion Hybrid can travel in electric mode. When the gas engine does kick in, at higher speeds or when passing or merging, the transition is seamless. The new Fusion Energi plug-In hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) combines a high-voltage battery and electric motor with a gasoline engine. The plugin capability allows you to charge the battery using either a 120-volt or a 240-volt outlet upgraded with electric vehicle supply equipment. By doing so, you extend the distance the Fusion Energi can travel in all-electric mode. Its high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack provides enough power to operate in all-electric mode for short commutes. To lessen any concern you may have about driving range, when the battery is depleted or more power is required, the vehicle functions as a traditional gas-electric hybrid. Another great feature in the Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi is regenerative braking, which recovers more than 90 percent of the kinetic energy produced during braking and sends it back to the battery pack to be stored for later use. The PHEV is available early 2013.

A New Model for Cars

The 2013 Ford Fusion is a new model for cars. With its aerodynamic design, driving aids, fuel saving power options, advanced technology and all around good looks — the Brown Motors team can’t wait for the new Fusion to hit the lot in Petoskey! We already have a list of people who are interested!

Stay tuned to Brown Motors for the latest info! You can stop by our dealership any time to talk cars!!

The word Minestrone means “the big soup” or the soup with many ingredients. There are as many variations of minestrone as there are people who make it! It’s the name for a variety of Italian soups made with vegetables, often with the addition of pasta or rice. Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes.

You can have fun with this one and make it your own!

Minestrone Soup

• 1 lb dried red or white kidney beans
• 1/2 lb Bacon, diced
• 2 lb Onions, finely chopped
• 1 lb Carrots, chopped
• 1 lb Celery, chopped
• 1/2 lb Summer or Winter squash, chopped
• 1 lb Red Potatoes, chopped
• 6 cloves Garlic, crushed
• 8 qts Stock (veggie or chicken)
• 1 qt Tomatoes, canned, crushed
• 1/2 lb Spinach, fresh
• 2 lb Green Beans
• 8 oz Ditalini Pasta, dry
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Pesto to taste
• Parmesan cheese, grated

1. Soak beans overnight; wash; drain. Cover beans with water & a bit of salt; simmer until tender. Drain beans & rinse; set aside.
2. Cook bacon in soup pot until crisp; remove bacon & reserve.
3. Add onion to pot; saute until transparent. Add carrots through garlic & enough stock to cover; simmer until veggies are cooked.
4. Add spinach through pasta & cooked kidney beans; simmer. If not thick enough add more pasta! S eason to taste!
5. Serve with grated parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Our first soup of the year was ordered up by Dan Schmalzried. He thought it would be a good way to use up the left over bone  in the freezer from the spiral ham we received as a Christmas gift!

So here’s Dan’s Potato Ham Chowder to enjoy!

• 3 qts water
• 1 ham bone with meat scraps
• 8 oz butter
• 3 lb onions, diced
• 1 lb celery, diced
• 5 qts chicken stock
• 10 lb russet potatoes, peeled, diced
• 1 qt half and half
• salt & pepper to taste

1) Simmer ham bone in 3 qts water for about 1-2 hours; cool. Save stock for soup; mince ham; return to stock; save.

2) Melt butter; add onions & celery; saute until soft.

3) In soup pot, add stock, water and potatoes; cook until potatoes are soft. Puree  part of this mixture to thicken soup.

4) Add sauteed veggies to pot; simmer until thick.

5) Just before serving, heat cream & add to pot. Season to taste.

Recipe says it serves 70 but at Brown Motors is was just enough for the 35 employees!!!!

Enjoy!

The car guys at Brown Motors say check out the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its well-trimmed and roomier interior, powerful V6 and more refined performance and ride, it’s in fighting shape as a top contender among midsize SUVs.

The current Grand Cherokee shares components with Mercedes-Benz’s ML-Class — DaimlerChrysler owned Jeep during this vehicle’s early development — so its premium look and feel is no surprise. Drive a pre-’11 Grand Cherokee and the new one back to back, and the upgrades in cabin quality, performance and overall refinement are dramatic.

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers premium on-road performance while maintaining the Jeep brand’s legendary four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case and towing capability. It also offers improved fuel economy (up to 23 mpg), superb on-road ride and handling, a world-class interior cabin, more than 45 safety and security features, and a variety of advanced technology features. This year heralds the return of the road-burning Grand Cherokee SRT8 and its monster 470-horsepower V8.

Many Awards for Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most awarded SUV of all time. Brown Motors is proud of all the accolades the Grand Cherokee has accumulated. A consistent thread in each award includes leading 4×4 and winter-driving capability, world-class interior design, and outstanding quality.

•  “SUV of Texas” - Texas Auto Writers Association
• “Luxury SUV of Texas” – Texas Auto Writers Association
• “Best SUV” – Consumers Digest®
• “5-Star Highest Government Side Crash Rating” – U.S. Government
• 2012 ‘Top Safety Pick’ – Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
• Forward Collision Warning System recommended by NHTSA
• “Four Wheeler of the Year award” – Four Wheeler magazine
• “Top 10 Cars of 2011 – Auto Excellence Award for Off-Road Ability” – Popular Mechanics Magazine
• “Best-of-the Best – Truck Award” - AutoWeek magazine
• “Truck of the Year” – Detroit News reviewer Scott Burgess
• “Mid-size Utility of the Year award” -  Auto123.com
• 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine awarded one of the 10 Best Engines for 2012 – Ward’s magazine
• “2011 Urban Truck of the Year” – Decisive Auto magazine
• “2011 Internet Truck of the Year” – New England International Auto Show
• “Official Winter Vehicle of New England“ – New England Motor Press Association
• “Innovation Award“ in the environmental category from the Society of Plastics Engineers

Jeep Brand

Built on nearly 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited.

Brown Motors Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Petoskey, MI

Make Brown Motors your Jeep headquarters! We have everything Jeep at Brown Motors: new and used Jeeps, Jeep accessories, and Jeep fun. Join our Jeep club – check our website to see the fun!

The Explorer ditched its old truck-based architecture last year for a set of car-like credentials, and got better in nearly every way as a result.

NOT YOUR MAMA’S FORD EXPLORER!

This new Explorer is the strongest, lightest one yet, thanks to high tech materials and advanced forming technology. There’s more carlike driving dynamics and safety! In terms of size, the new Explorer is nearly 4 inches longer in overall length and 5 inches wider. Ground clearance, at 8 inches, is about the same as before. To help you handle everything from rugged off-roading to snow-covered roadways, there’s the available Intelligent 4WD System and available class-exclusive Terrain Management System. For your peace of mind, Curve control, an enhancement to AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™, delivers enhanced control in turns.

MORE FUEL EFFICIENT!

Massive changes are also in store for what’s under the hood. The 2012 Explorer offers the available new 2.0L I-4 EcoBoost™ engine, delivering the power of a V6 in a four-cylinder engine. The standard 3.5L V6 engine features best-in-class 25 highway mpg, unsurpassed 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. With all that power and torque, Explorer can tow up to 5,000 lbs. when properly equipped.

OPEN THE DOOR!

The Explorer can carry up to seven passengers. The second row features a 60/40 split fold-flat bench, while the third row has a 50/50 split-folding seat with generous passenger space. Behind the third row, there is up to 21 cubic feet of cargo volume. For cargo space on demand, the second and third rows can fold flat for 80.7 cubic feet of cargo room.

GREAT FEATURES!

On the 2012 Explorer you will find:

• The world’s first automotive production inflatable rear safety belts. These safety belts spread crash forces over more areas of the body compared to conventional safety belts.
•  The available Collision Warning System with brake support scans traffic ahead of you and alerts the driver and pre-charge the brakes if it senses a collision with the vehicle in front of you.
• AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ features Curve Control to help provide even more control.
• There are even available rain-sensing wipers that automatically activate when precipitation is detected on the windshield. There are even available rain-sensing wipers that automatically activate when precipitation is detected on the windshield.
• SYNC® with MyFord Touch™ – the easy-to-use in-car connectivity system. With simple voice commands, you can make phone calls, choose music, control your climate, and more without taking your eyes off the road.
• Another feature, the available voice-activated Navigation System with integrated SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link, provides weather forecasts, traffic updates, fuel prices – even movie times.

IN SUMMARY!

You expect capability in an SUV. Explorer sets a new standard.

The 2012 Ford Explorer is much more in tune with what today’s crossover shoppers are looking for. It drives well, gets good fuel economy for its class and still retains the versatility that made people like SUVs in the first place.

EXPLORE THE NEW EXPLORER AT BROWN MOTORS!

There is so much to learn about the all-new 2012 Ford Explorer and Brown Motors Sales Consultants are the experts to help you! Contact us today!

The 2013 Dodge Dart will be a hit at Brown Motors in Petoskey, MI. The Dodge Dart is a truly customizable car. Dodge will offer the Dart in a vast array of appearances and equipment combinations, including three engines, three transmissions, seven different wheel options, 12 exterior colors, and 14 interior color and trim combinations. Chrysler has said that this new Dart “offers a special blend of style, performance and innovation” that’s similar to the Dart of the late 1960s.

Styling

Style features like standard dual exhaust & the Charger-inspired racetrack full-width LED tail lamps will give a sporty styling to the Dart. The best news to Erik Brown (or Mr. Mopar as we know him around Brown Motors) is the ability to add over 150 Mopar^® accessories! You’ll be able to express yourself with unique grilles, hoods, tailpipes, shifters, steering wheels, and hundreds of other available options that can easily turn your Dodge Dart into your own one-of-a-kind Dodge Dart.

Interior

Dodge designers spent a lot of time creating the interior, which features a driver-centric layout that puts all the controls within easy reach. Customizable displays, comfortable seats and a spacious interior are other highlights of the Dart.

Performance

You’ll have a choice of three four-cylinder engines and three transmissions in the front-wheel drive 2013 Dodge Dart. Choose from a new 16-valve 2.0L (160 hp) Tigershark™; a 16-valve 1.4L (160 hp & 184 lb-ft torque) MultiAir® Intercooled Turbo; and a new 16-valve 2.4L (184 hp) Tigershark™ MultiAir® four-cylinder engine.

Brown Motors hopes to have the 2013 Dodge Dart  on-sale fall of 2012. Stay tuned for more details, as well as live pictures and a video walk around of the Dart from the Detroit auto show floor.

Brown Motors Petoskey is your source for Ford's best in class F-150 pickup trucks

The top selling vehicle at Brown Motors is the Ford F-150. For 30 years the Ford F-Series trucks have been the top selling vehicle of all in the U.S. To top that off, the F-Series has been the top selling pickup truck for 35 years. Do the calculations! As Ford truck communications manager Mike Levine points out, that traces back to 1977, when “Star Wars premiered…Rocky was Picture of the Year…Elvis died…Roots was the top TV show…[and] a first class stamp cost $0.13.”

A total of 584,917 F-Series pickups were sold in 2011–and for what it’s worth, over half of the F-150s sold last year (52.2 percent) were V-6s. Check out the graphic below for even more details.

The Ford F-150 just keeps improving year after year! The big hit with Brown Motors customers currently is the economy minded 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ engine! There’s no lack of power & plenty of saving at the pump!

Another popular  feature of the F-150 is how much it can be customized! The 2012 Ford F-150 is available in 10 different trims, ranging from a bare-bones base model to the luxurious King Ranch. Depending on the trim, you can outfit your F-150 with a regular, extended or crew cab, one of four engines and a short, standard or long bed.  You can have it your way: a pickup truck for hardcore work, luxurious commuting, off-road adventuring and nearly anything in between.

The Ford F-150 is pulling in the accolades!

• The 2012 Ford F-150 was awarded the Motor Trend 2012 Truck of the Year®. It’s won this honor four times – the most awards for any truck since Motor Trend began presenting the Truck of the Year award in 1989! Motor Trend editors applauded F-150 because, they said, “F-150s are built to work and felt better the more they were challenged. Ford offers an enormous variety of configurations and designs, making the truck tailorable to just about any need. It’s the combination of advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value, and the performance of intended function that has earned the Ford F-150 the title of Motor Trend’s 2012 Truck of the Year.”
•  U.S. News ranked the 2012 Ford F-150 #1 out of 9 Full Size Pickup Trucks. This ranking is based on their analysis of 51 published reviews and test drives of the Ford F-150, plus their analysis of reliability and safety data.
• Unanimously named Truck of the Year by Autobytel editors. “F-150 has seen its fair share of changes over the years, but the addition of the EcoBoost™ engine might be one of the biggest,” Autobytel says, as it “allows the F-150 to deliver best-in-class towing capabilities without sacrificing fuel economy.”

The Ford F-150 pickup truck is the best! You’ve done the research. You know you want one. The friendly knowledgeable staff at Brown Motors will help you have it your way! Come visit us today in Petoskey and test drive the best-selling vehicle at Brown Motors – the Ford F-150.

Are you in the market for a minivan? Brown Motors suggests you check out the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country and the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. Both have just been named “Top Safety Picks” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety(IIHS).

To earn the title of “Top Safety Pick”, a vehicle has to earn a rating of “good” in four crash tests: front, rear, side, and rollover. It must also have electronic stability control (ESC), which isn’t remarkable anymore since ESC became standard equipment on all vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. after September 1, 2011.

The test which is hardest to achieve is the rollover, which requires a vehicle’s roof to withstand four times its own weight — or in IIHS terms, it needs a strength-to-weight ratio of at least 4. (The U.S. government requires a minimum strength-to-weight ratio of 1.5.) The 2012 Town & Country and the 2012 Grand Caravan surpassed the IIHS benchmark with strength-to-weight ratios of 4.51.

By contrast let’s look at the competition.  The 2012 Nissan Quest had a strength-to-weight ratio of 3.36 and the 2012 Kia Sedona clocked in even lower, at 2.31.

Why all the focus on roof strength? In 2009, over 8,000 people died in rollover crashes on U.S. roads. That’s roughly 25% of all U.S. traffic fatalities. Even though that figure may drop now that ESC is standard equipment on new vehicles (preventing rollovers from occurring in the first place), the IIHS equates increased roof strength to be a key in protecting vehicle occupants during accidents.

This is very good news for Brown Motors’ line up of vehicles. Chrysler has cranked out quite a few “Top Safety Picks” over the past year, including the 2011 models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Patriot, Chrysler 300, Chrysler 200, Dodge Durango, Dodge Charger, Dodge Journey, and Dodge Avenger. Plus Jeep is currently rated the most reliable domestic auto brand.

Brown Motors is your one stop shopping place for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. Visit us online to do your research. Then come see us at our dealership in Petoskey, MI where we will assist you with all your automotive needs!

Winter in Petoskey, MI!

Harsh winter weather is a reality! Your car needs to be prepared to perform quickly & keep you safe in the snow, sleet and other cold and nasty conditions we experience here in Northern Michigan.

While it’s a no-brainer that regular maintenance prevents seasonal break-downs, a whopping 70 percent of motorists admit to not winterizing their cars, according to the Car Care Council.

Be sure to follow the steps below to ensure smooth running for your ride, even in winter’s blustery breezes.

Visit the experts at Brown Motors for the preventative maintenance that will help your vehicle perform at optimum levels in a variety of conditions.

Brown Motors factory trained technicians will perform:

1. Tire and Brake Check - The ability to gain traction and brake are imperative during the winter driving season.

Summer travel gives brake pads a heavy workout, resulting in the removal of thin layers. Now is the time to check pads, shoes, rotors, drums, calipers, wheel cylinders, brake hardware and the parking brake for wear and tear.

Closely inspect the tread and sidewall areas of tires for uneven or irregular wear. In addition, excessive edge wear, center wear and shoulder wear can act as an indicator for other trouble spots on your vehicle. It’s also important to ensure correct air pressure at all times in order to prevent premature wear. Be sure to check the spare as well. If replacements are needed, Brown Motors offers a complete lineup of tires and winter tires from BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Kumho, Michelin, Uniroyal and Yokohama brands.

2. Battery Check – Summer heat does the most damage to battery life and is why they often fail in the winter. Have your battery tested to make sure it’s fully charged. Also, check for corroded terminals and a bulging or cracked case.

3. Windshield Check – A strong windshield is vital with the added pressure of snow, strong winds, and freezing temperatures. Make sure yours can withstand the elements.

4. Antifreeze Check - Check the amount of antifreeze concentration in your radiator -antifreeze should be flushed and refilled every two years. Also, hoses and belts should be examined for wear and tear.

5.  Winter Washer Fluid Check – Regular washer fluids can freeze in the washer reservoir or on the windshield while driving. Special deicer formulas will stay liquid in the reservoir at temperatures as low as -34°F.

6. Wiper check – When snow, hail and ice are falling from the sky and blurring visibility, it’s essential to have properly functioning wiper blades.  Ford & Mopar both feature winter wiper blades are constructed to eliminate exposed parts and to resist snow- and ice-clogging.

7. Regular Oil Changes -Ensure your engine oil has the correct viscosity in order to endure cold weather. Engine oil should be changed or replenished at recommended intervals. Low or dirty fluids affect how an engine and its components perform and could potentially cause engine damage under extreme conditions.

Brown Motors recommends the few steps listed below to keep you safe on the road & maintain the appearance of your vehicle:

1. Maintain car’s coat – Salt and other materials used on roadways can have ill effects on your car’s coat. It’s important to stay on a regular cycle of washing and waxing to prevent rust and unnecessary erosion of the car’s paint.

2. Remove excess snow and ice from windows and lights - Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal in your vehicle. As a safety precaution, clean off your entire car after it snows, whether you’re leaving your home or returning.

3. Keep essential tools on board - Be sure to leave room in your vehicle for essential winter items, including: a spare tire, ice scraper, hammer, deicer, flashlight, small broom, etc. in case of an unexpected need.

Specific information on service recommendations for your vehicle is available at Brown Motors. Be sure to ask the experts at Brown Motors if you have any questions!

Winter driving in Northern Michigan is a challenge. Be safe! You can count on Brown Motors for all your automotive needs! If you have any more questions regarding your vehicle check Brown Motors Service FAQ or Car Care 101.