5 Features Your Ford Needs for Off-Roading
Off-roading offers plenty of fun and a lot of adventure. If you’ve been thinking about getting into off-roading but you’re not sure where to start, this helpful guide will discuss some of the most important features your Ford will need to help it handle all types of off-road trails.
1. Skid Plates
Skid plates are one of the most crucial features your Ford will need to tackle off-road trails. After all, most of the dangers your off-road vehicle will face won’t come from the front, back, or sides — they’ll come from underneath. If you drive over a rock or log that’s more sharp and pointy than you expected, you could end up damaging your oil pan, transmission, or exhaust. Skid plates attach over these important components and add extra protection where you need it most.
2. All-Terrain Tires
Large tires look impressive and can more easily roll over large obstacles. However, they also make your engine work harder, and you might have to lift your suspension to accommodate them. Instead, go with all-terrain tires that can handle off-road conditions. All-terrain tires have the advantage of offering better traction and puncture-resistance, which are essential for off-roading. Plus, while they’ll still have a small impact on your vehicle’s ride quality and fuel economy, they’re not nearly as bad as large tires.
3. A Tire Deflator
Once you pick out the right type of all-terrain tires, you also want to look for a tire deflator. When you’re driving on regular roads, you’ll want to keep your tires at the pressure listed on the sticker inside your driver’s door. When you’re ready to hit the off-road trail, you should decrease your tire pressure to help maximize traction. A tire deflator can make this task much faster. Plus, don’t forget to bring along an air compressor so you can quickly and easily re-inflate your tires when you’re back on pavement.
4. Hill Descent Control
If you’re shopping for a new Ford for your off-road adventures, check out what type of safety features are offered. Hill descent control is a fantastic safety feature that will come in handy when you’re going down hills. This system can monitor the terrain you’re driving over. When it notices you’re heading down a steep hill, it can decide how much power goes to each wheel. This helps you maintain the speed you need so you can focus on safely maneuvering down the hill.
5. Tow Hooks
Getting stuck is a fact of life when you’re off-roading. That’s why you definitely want to have tow hooks on your vehicle. In addition to tow hooks, make sure you also have snatch straps and shackles in your vehicle. Having these tools handy will make it easier for you to pull another vehicle out of an obstacle or get yourself towed out of a tight jam.
If you’re ready to get into the fun of off-roading, you can make sure your Ford is ready for the adventure when you outfit it with these important features.
3 Best Fords For Your Commute
Driving to and from your job can be a real pain, especially if you’re stuck with a vehicle that just doesn’t cut it. Fortunately, there are quite a few Fords on the market that can offer you the comfort, fuel-efficiency, and/or cargo space that you need. 
Ford Fusion Hybrid
If the gas needed for your daily city commute is guzzling up a good chunk of your paycheck, you could really benefit from the economical and fuel-efficient Ford Fusion Hybrid. This midsize sedan comes with a 2-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, which combine to produce 188 horsepower. But the best part is the vehicle’s impressive fuel economy of 43 mpg in the city 41 mpg on the highway.
When you opt for the top-of-the-line Titanium trim, you can upgrade to the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, allowing you to switch between gas, electric power, or a combination of the two. Running exclusively on electric power is great for those shorter commutes since it has a range of 26 miles. When using the combination of gas and electric to power your Fusion, you’ll extend that to over 600 miles with a full charge and a full tank of gas.
Ford Taurus
When you’re spending a good deal of time on the highway to get to work, comfort is a must-have from your vehicle. The Ford Taurus gives you a smooth yet capable 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed transmission that make highway commutes a breeze. Plus, this full-size sedan comes with a ton of creature comforts, like power-adjustable front seats. When you upgrade to the Limited trim, standard luxury features include ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, ventilated and heated front seats, and leather upholstery. Read the rest of this entry »
4 Reasons We’ll Be Sad to See the Ford Fusion Go
The 2020 Ford Fusion may be the last model within the Ford Fusion line. Here are some features and capabilities that make it a great vehicle with quality performance. 
Interior and Exterior Features
The 2020 Ford Fusion comes in eight trim levels. These include the S (standard), SE, SEL, Titanium, Hybrid SE, Hybrid SEL, Hybrid Titanium, and the Plug-in Hybrid Titanium. On the standard S trim, the exterior includes body-colored front and rear bumpers and door handles. For added style, the S trim also has a five-bar grille with a black finish and chrome surround. A rear spoiler is available on the SE trim for a sport-like exterior.
This mid-sized sedan offers a spacious interior with enough room for five passengers including the driver. In addition, the 2020 Ford Fusion has a unique push-button start, so all you need is to press your key fob to the button for your car to start up or stop. There is also a voice-activated system and an infotainment touchscreen.
Engine Options
The 2020 Ford Fusion has a variety of engine options to accommodate the performance capabilities of its trim levels. The S trim comes with a 2.5L i-VCT engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The SE and SEL trims come with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Titanium comes with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Hybrid SE, SEL, and Titanium along with the Plug-in Hybrid Titanium all have a 2.0L i-VCT Atkinson-cycle Hybrid Engine with an eCVT automatic transmission. Read the rest of this entry »
6 Best Parks in Jacksonville, AR
Jacksonville, Arkansas, has several beautiful parks where you can take your family, go for a run, walk, or bike ride. Here are six of the best parks in the Jacksonville area where you can spend some time outside. 
- Paradise Park
Paradise Park has a multitude of attractions and amenities that make it the perfect place to spend a day with family or friends. Here, there are 17.8 acres of space to enjoy. You can run, walk, or bike along the half-mile-long Wildlife Observation Trail, go fishing by Paradise Lake, or go boating, thanks to the lake’s boat ramp. There are picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy a packed lunch and restroom facilities within the park. Host an afternoon barbecue on one of the park’s designated grill locations, and play horseshoe at one of its horseshoe stations.
- Excell Park
Excell Park has almost 3.5 acres of space where you can spend your day. The park has baseball and lit fields open for use, as well as a playground for families with children to enjoy. When recreational games are taking place, there are concessions available to the public, so you can indulge in a snack as you watch a game or sit on one of the park’s picnic tables.
- Dupree Park
Dupree Park features over 168 acres of green spaces, walking trails, and sports fields. There is a baseball and softball field, soccer field, and football field where you can play, practice, or watch recreational games. Go for a walk, run, or bike ride on the park’s Sertoma Trail, or go fishing at the lake. The park also has designated picnic tables, grills, and restrooms so that you can host a barbecue or birthday with family and friends. What’s more, Dupree has its own dog park, so feel free to bring your pet along. Read the rest of this entry »
6 Activities to Enjoy With the Whole Family
Jacksonville, Arkansas, and the surrounding area has a multitude of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy. Here are six suggestions for your next family outing. 
- Splash Zone Water Park
Splash Zone Water Park is a great place to spend a hot summer day with your family. Admission is only $5 per person, with children under the age of 2 getting in for free. Here you can stay cool in one of the three swimming pools, one of which is only two and a half feet deep, perfect for water play with small children. The park also has water slides, a water tunnel, and a watery play area for the kids.
- Regal McCain Mall Stadium
Less than 15 minutes away from Jacksonville, Regal McCain Mall Stadium is a movie theater complex in North Little Rock where you and your family can spend the afternoon. Here, you can see the latest films and enjoy popcorn and refreshments as you sit comfortably in the theater’s stadium-style seats. After the movie ends, you and your family can walk around and shop at McCain Mall.
- T.R. Pugh Memorial Park
T.R. Pugh Memorial Park is also located in North Little Rock Arkansas. Here, you and your family can go for a walk or bike ride as you venture through the park. You can also check out the Old Mill site, which is a reconstruction of the original water-powered mill from the 1880s. If the Old Mill looks familiar, that’s because it is featured in the opening scene of Gone With The Wind! Read the rest of this entry »
What’s New With the 2020 Ford Explorer
If you’re looking for a new and improved SUV, the 2020 Ford Explorer comes with a variety of updated features and amenities for you to consider. Whether you’re looking under the hood or inside the cabin, this midsize SUV comes with significant upgrades that help it stand out from past lineups. Read on to learn more about the improvements made to this year’s Ford Explorer. 
More Trim Levels
The 2020 Ford Explorer comes in five trim levels: the base Explorer, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum. This is the broadest lineup of trim levels Ford has offered thus far.
New to the lineup is the option of a hybrid model in the form of the Limited Hybrid. This Ford Explorer edition features a 3.3-liter V-6 engine that generates 318 horsepower. It also gets you 24 mpg on the rear-wheel-drive version and 23 mpg on the all-wheel-drive version.
Improved Power, Performance, and Handling
The 2020 Ford Explorer comes with updated powertrains and an improved riding and handling experience, overall. Each comes with a standard 10-speed automatic transmission.
When it comes to the engine, the Base, XLT, and Limited trim levels have a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine generates 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. This engine is available on the Platinum trim level. The Explorer ST has this engine with twin turbos, giving the SUV an added boost. This setup generates 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.
The 2020 Explorer also features a new rear-wheel-drive platform with greater flexibility. This allows the vehicle to have more power and capability compared to older models. If you’re partial to an all-wheel-drive system, you still have that option. Read the rest of this entry »
In 1996, drivers experienced a bit of disappointment when Ford decided to discontinue its popular Bronco SUV. Fans of this greatly missed vehicle will be happy to know that the automaker is bringing it back for the 2021 model year. Not only that, but Ford is also introducing the Bronco Sport. Let’s explore the similarities and differences between the Bronco and Bronco Sport. 
Platform
Ford plans to build the Bronco Sport around a platform separate from the one it will use for the original Bronco. While the truck-based Bronco will sit on a body-on-frame platform, the smaller Bronco Sport will ride on a unibody chassis similar to the one found in Ford’s Focus and Escape models. The Bronco Sport will also share components with both of those vehicles.
Engines
Under the hood of the 2021 Bronco, you’ll find an EcoBoost 2.3-liter inline-four engine or a 2.7-liter V-6, depending on which trim level you choose. The inline-four engine can produce 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. With the V-6, you get 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. In the Bronco Sport, a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine will come standard. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four will be available in upper trim levels. While the three-cylinder engine produces 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque, the four-cylinder can put out 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.
Transmission
As for transmission systems, the Bronco will feature a 10-speed automatic transmission in models with the inline-four engine. The V-6 teams up with a seven-speed manual transmission. An eight-speed automatic transmission will come standard on all Bronco Sport models. Read the rest of this entry »
The 5 Best Summer Camps Near Jacksonville, AR
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start planning activities for the kids. There are several summer camps and day camps in the Jacksonville, Arkansas, area. Whether your child is interested in art, sports, or theater, there’s a camp that’s perfect for them right in Jacksonville. 
Unity Martial Arts Summer Camps
If your kids are movie buffs, they’ll enjoy the Movie Making Camp presented by Unity Martial Arts. This four-day day camp is open to children in grades kindergarten through eighth. Attendees will learn about fight choreography, practical effects, and other movie-making techniques. These techniques will be put to use to write and film a movie that family and friends will view on the last day of camp.
Unity Martial Arts also hosts a camp based on the “Avatar: The Last Airbender” movie. Attendees can put their skills to the test on an obstacle course inspired by the film. If your kids enjoy playing Magic the Gathering, they can attend a four-day camp where they can indulge in the popular card game.
Summer Theatre Academy
Every summer, the Children’s Theatre at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts holds a three-week theater academy for kids ages 10 to 18. Attendees learn performance techniques from skilled theater professionals. At the end of the three-week session, the kids put on a performance for friends and family to display what they’ve learned. The Summer Theatre Academy is an excellent opportunity for children to explore their creative sides and make new friends. They’ll learn how to work together as a team, how to commit to a goal, and other values that will last them a lifetime. Read the rest of this entry »
Get To Know the Ford Fusion Wagon
While some drivers might be disappointed by Ford’s decision to discontinue the Fusion hatchback, they shouldn’t be too upset. The automaker is replacing the hatchback model with the exciting all-new Fusion Wagon. Let’s explore what drivers can expect from this new model. 
Exterior
While the Fusion hatchback features sedan styling, you can expect the Fusion Wagon to take its styling cues from SUVs and crossover vehicles. The Wagon is longer and wider while standing taller than other Fusions. You’ll also notice a bolder, more aggressive design and larger tires. Overall, the Fusion Wagon’s proportions indicate its ability to tackle off-road terrain.
Engines
You’ll have a variety of engines to choose from for your Fusion Wagon. One option you can expect is a V-6 that is larger than the Fusion’s standard four-cylinder. Diesel options will be available on upper trim levels. If you’re interested in a more efficient alternative, Ford also plans to introduce a hybrid Fusion Wagon. The hybrid model will come equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and twin electric motors. With Ford’s hybrid vehicle lineup, you can choose between hybrid and all-electric driving modes. You can expect the Fusion Wagon to be no different.
Performance
Ford’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system will come standard on the Fusion Wagon. The system teams up with a lifted suspension to take you on off-road terrain. With these features and a transmission that will give the wagon agile handling, the Fusion Wagon is the perfect vehicle to take you from the city to the highway. Read the rest of this entry »
What To Expect from the 2021 Bronco
Ford plans to unveil its new Bronco SUV at the 2020 Detroit auto show in June. It’s the blue oval’s most attention-grabbing vehicle expected to debut for the new model year. Here’s little of what you can expect from this off-roading powerhouse, the 2021 Bronco. 
Exterior Overview
A revived-up off-roader based off the mid-sized Ranger pickup, the new Bronco’s body-on-frame offers both two- and four-door configurations. The interesting news? They’re removable, and so is the roof. Like the original Bronco, it features exterior styling elements such as a flared hood edges, an upright grille, the unmistakable flat roof, and a squared-off rear fascia.
In addition to the standard Bronco, Ford will follow-up the standard variant with a smaller version to debut in April of the new model year. Rumors have it that this model is comparable in size with the Ford Escape crossover. However, this steed is better equipped to tackle the road less travel and comes standard with all the benefits of four-wheel drive.
Engine and Powertrain
Ford will likely equip the new Bronco with a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four base engine that’s good for 270-horsepower. A twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 is a possible upgrade, and both powerhouses will pair with a 10-speed automatic. Could there also be a hybrid powertrain in the works, as well as a rugged V-8-powered Bronco Raptor? Only time will tell. Read the rest of this entry »
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