When you get behind the wheel of the 2018 Transit Connect, you have the power you need in front of you, and the cargo capacity to get the job done behind you.

This popular cargo van features a 2.5L iVCT engine that provides up to 169 horsepower and up to 171 lb-ft of torque at your disposal.

What makes this engine different from others is that the cam timing is controlled by the computer so that you have the power and fuel efficiency to match the driving condition.

You have two other fuel options available as well in the form of the 2.5L being powered by either traditional fuel or compressed natural gas.

What will power your Ford Transit Connect when you set out on the road in your cargo van? Come to our showroom at Orchid Isle Auto Center for a test drive and talk with the staff members to answer the questions you have.

Tags: 2018 Ford Transit models, Ford Transit, new inventory, news, Transit Connect
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Today’s cars are made much differently than those earlier models. Back then, Rear-wheel drive was the only way that manufacturers built drivetrains, but it’s completely changed now. RWD is actually used more for power, so vehicles that have a need for turbo speed such as American muscle cars will tend to have RWD.

Front-wheel drive developed out of a need for fuel-efficient commuter vehicles, which is why most sedans and compact cars have FWD. In some cases, they may have AWD, which is better for power and dealing with icy road conditions. Newer models are coming out with transitioning drivetrains under xDrive, which is a way to combine fuel efficiency with power by changing the drivetrain setup on the fly.

No matter what kind of vehicle you’re looking for, you can find a ton of inventory available at Orchid Isle Auto Center. They have the best service department and a variety of vehicles perfect for whatever you’re looking for.

Tags: drivetrain, front-wheel drive, new inventory, news, rear-wheel drive
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The Ford Taurus has a long-standing tradition of excellence that has kept it at the head of the pack for decades. Always on the cutting edge of style, safety, and reliability; the Taurus is also a leader in the technology department as well.

Drivers of the all-new Taurus are going to enjoy such technology features as:

• Navigation with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link®
• FordPassTM
• MyKey®
• Ford’s SYNC® 3 voice recognition system
• Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start
• BLIS® with Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane-Keeping System
• Adaptive Cruise Control

So if these are features that are must-haves for you on your next car and would like to check them out in person then head on down to our showroom here at Orchid Isle Auto Center and take the all-new 2018 Ford Taurus out for a test drive today.

Tags: 2018 taurus, ford taurus, new inventory, news
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The Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid has high-performance features that go beyond the ability to use combined gas and electric power. It has many electricity saving features that will help you get even more from this model. Let’s explore some of them.

On a full charge, the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid gets approximately 610 miles on a single tank of gas. It also has advanced features to help you get the most out of your battery life too. Its regenerative braking and brake coach help save the energy that is lost due to friction on the brake pads. This technology helps recover up to 94 percent of energy that would have been lost and sends it back to the battery for later use.

Come in and test drive a Ford Fusion Hybrid today at Orchid Isle Auto Center and see what a hybrid can do for you.

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Ford has been outfitting drivers who need a highly capable pickup truck for work and play for years with the industry favorite Super Duty. This is a truck that can easily perform just about any task that you need it to with ease.

And for the 2018 model year, drivers of the dependable and highly capable truck will also benefit from all of the productivity related features that Ford has incorporated in it that include:

• 7 available cameras
• Rear seat storage
• Flat load floor
• 6 upfitter switches in the overhead console
• 110V/400W AC inverter outlet
• BLIS® with cross traffic alert and trailer tow
• BOXLINKTM and LED box lighting
• Power tailgate release
• Remote locking tailgate
• Ford’s SYNC 3 voice recognition system

If you would like to see all of these impressive features in person then head on down to Orchid Isle Auto Center and take the all-new 2018 Ford Super Duty out for a test drive today.

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Your tires are one of the most important and most expensive to replace pieces of equipment on your vehicle. So it is only natural to want to get the most out of them when you buy a set. That is what makes your vehicle’s alignment so critical.

If your vehicle is out of alignment, then you will certainly notice faster and more uneven wear on your tire tread. This will be most prevalent on the front tires since that is where the alignment is done. Another sign of your vehicle being out of alignment is if you have to hold the steering wheel off-kilter in order to get it to drive straight. Your suspension is a complex system that requires some periodic maintenance done in order to continue to function properly, and an alignment check is one of the things that you can do to help achieve that.

If your car, truck, or SUV is in need of an alignment, then bring it into the experts in our service center at Orchid Isle Auto Center.

Tags: all terrain tires, different kinds of tires, new tires, news, road tires, seasonal tires, service, service center, tires, winter tires
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If you’re stopping by Orchid Isle Auto Center for a new battery in the fall or early winter, you may want to pay special attention to a new battery’s cold cranking amps rating. This rating illustrates how many amps a new battery can cope with in extremely cold temperatures.

Why is this important? When Jack Frost comes calling in the dead of winter, it means that your car is in for some extra heavy-duty work. As the temperature drops so does a battery’s overall capacity, and at the same time, the amps required for a starter motor to get enough juice to turn over the motor increases. A battery with higher CCAs means that you may be less likely to find yourself with a dead battery in the middle of winter.

Avoid being stranded this winter in Hilo. Our service experts would happy to recommend a high CCA battery or simply ensure that your current battery ready for the cold.

Tags: battery, battery replacement, car battery replacement, new car battery, service, service center
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At your next oil change appointment at Orchid Isle Auto Center, you might want to think carefully about the kind of oil you are using in your vehicle’s motor. With both conventional and synthetic oils available, it helps to understand the difference so you can choose the very best oil to keep your motor in top condition.

Basically, conventional oil is regular, naturally occurring oil. It comes from the earth, and it is suitable for most older motors and for driving in easy conditions. Motor oil that is formulated by scientists from specially chosen chemicals is called synthetic oil. Synthetic oil, because it has been designed specifically with motors in mind, offers the best quality performance and motor lubrication possible. Most newly manufactured motors are made to only be used with synthetic oil, so be sure to read your owner’s manual carefully.

For more information about motor oil and deciding which kind is right for you, give our service department a visit today!

Tags: coolant, fluid service, fluids, news, oil changes, routine oil changes, service, service center, transmission fluid
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Your brakes are something that you rely on every time you get behind the wheel to keep you safe on the road. Unless something goes wrong, it can be difficult to remember the importance of replacing your brake fluid about once a year. If you notice something off about your brakes, then you should have your brake fluid checked immediately.

Brake fluid is what allows all of the moving parts in the brake system of your vehicle to operate in sync. When you press down on a brake pedal, the brake fluid flows to the part that connects to your car’s wheels to get everything to stop moving. The more your brake fluid is exposed to the elements, the quicker it will break down and need to be replaced.

Come by Orchid Isle Auto Center to have your brake fluid checked so that you can get back to driving with confidence.

Tags: brake failure, brake service, brake system, news, replacement brakes, service, service center
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There is a lot of competition in the world of mid-size SUV’s, but with the all-new 2018 Edge, Ford shows the competition what it looks like to be a leader in the industry.

Offered in four trim packages starting at $29,220 with an EPA estimated 21 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway, the Edge is also a very economical and family-friendly SUV.

But while economical, the Edge is also loaded with available options and features. With cutting edge technology like Rain-Sensing Wipers and Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors, Lane-Keeping safety technology, BLIS (blind spot information technology) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Enhanced Active Park Assist, and Ford’s SYNC 3 voice recognition system; there is a lot to love packed into this vehicle.

So if you are ready to take an all-new 2018 Ford Edge for a test drive, come down and see our sales team here at Orchid Isle Auto Center.

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