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Spring is here. and just like your home, your vehicle deserves a fresh start after a long winter. Cold temperatures, road salt, and potholes can all take a toll on your car, truck, or SUV. A quick seasonal tune-up can help you stay safe, improve performance, and avoid costly repairs down the road.

Start with the basics. Check your oil and replace it if needed, fresh oil keeps your engine running smoothly. Next, take a look at your tires. Winter driving can cause wear and tear, so make sure your tread depth is solid and your tire pressure is properly set. It’s also a great time to rotate your tires for even wear.

Don’t forget your brakes. If you’re hearing squeaks or feeling vibrations, have them inspected right away. Spring showers are coming, so make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape and top off your washer fluid for clear visibility.

Your battery and alignment are also worth checking. Cold weather can weaken your battery, and potholes may have knocked your alignment out of place, both can impact your vehicle’s reliability and handling.

Finally, give your vehicle a good wash and wax to remove lingering salt and protect your paint.

At Carriage Ford, our service team is here to help you hit the road with confidence this spring. Schedule your seasonal tune-up today at carriageford.com, because a little maintenance now goes a long way later.

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Giving Back

Giving Back to the Community We Call Home At Earl Book’s Carriage Ford, Southern Indiana isn’t simply where we do business. It’s our home. The people who walk through our doors are our neighbors, friends, longtime customers and members of the communities we see every day. That’s why, as we celebrate our Fall Community Appreciation Event, we wanted the month to be about more than selling cars. We wanted it to be an opportunity to give something back. Carriage Ford is proud to partner with Hope Southern Indiana and collect canned food for local individuals and families who could use a helping hand this holiday season. Helping Our Neighbors This Holiday Season For many of us, the holidays mean family gatherings, big meals and tables filled with food. But for some families in Southern Indiana, putting enough food on that table can be difficult. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy the holidays without having to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Hope Southern Indiana works right here in our community, helping connect people in need with food and other important resources. By partnering with a local organization, the canned goods donated at Carriage Ford can help make a difference for people in the same communities we have served for years. And that matters to us. Bring Your Canned Goods All Month Long While our Fall Community Appreciation Event takes place October 23rd and 24th, you don’t have to wait until the event to help. Carriage Ford will be collecting canned goods throughout the entire month of October. Stop by the dealership anytime during the month and drop off your donation. Bring a few cans. Bring a bag. Bring what you can. Every donation matters. When hundreds of people throughout Southern Indiana each do a little, together we can do a lot. Our goal is to collect as much food as possible and help Hope Southern Indiana make the upcoming holiday season a little brighter for our neighbors who need it most. A Community Appreciation Event With a Purpose Then, on October 23rd and 24th, we’re bringing everyone together for two big days at Carriage Ford. We’ll have big savings across the lot, special opportunities on new Fords and Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, free Bearno’s Pizza while it lasts, and chances to win some great prizes. But at the heart of the weekend is something even more important: our community. We’re asking our customers, friends and neighbors to join us in supporting Hope Southern Indiana. If you haven’t already made your canned-food donation during the month, bring it with you to the event. Thank You, Southern Indiana Carriage Ford has been fortunate to have the support of this community, and this is one way we can say thank you. So stop by anytime throughout October with your canned goods. Then join us October 23rd and 24th for the Fall Community Appreciation Event. Come have some pizza. Check out the vehicles. Take advantage of the savings. Have some fun. And most importantly, help us give back. Because being part of a community means being there for each other. Let’s fill those donation boxes and help make sure more families throughout Southern Indiana can have a great holiday. Earl Book’s Carriage Ford, Best by a Country Mile. CarriageFord.com

Is Fall a good time to buy a car?

Why Fall Is One of the Best Times to Buy a Car There’s a lot to love about fall in Southern Indiana, cooler temperatures, football weekends, changing leaves, and the beginning of the holiday season. But there’s another reason to look forward to this time of year: fall can be one of the best times to shop for a new or pre-owned vehicle. At Carriage Ford, we think there are several reasons why fall deserves a spot on your car-shopping calendar. New Models Are Arriving Fall is traditionally an important time of year for new vehicle arrivals. As newer models begin making their way to dealerships, shoppers can often find an interesting mix of vehicles on the lot. That gives you an opportunity to compare models, features, technology, colors, and trim levels and find the Ford that fits the way you actually drive. Maybe you need an F-150 for work and weekends. Perhaps an Explorer makes more sense for a growing family. Or maybe you’ve had your eye on a Bronco, Escape, or Mustang Mach-E. Whatever you’re looking for, fall is a great time to start exploring your options. Fall Can Bring Attractive Incentives Vehicle incentives change throughout the year, but manufacturers frequently introduce special financing and rebate opportunities on select models. That’s one reason it pays to visit the dealership rather than assuming you already know what a particular vehicle will cost. There may be different options depending on the vehicle you choose, including financing offers, cash incentives, or other programs. The team at Carriage Ford can walk you through the current offers and help you understand which options apply to the vehicle you’re considering. And remember: a great deal isn’t just about the number on the windshield. Financing, trade-in value, vehicle features, warranty coverage, and long-term ownership costs can all be part of the equation. Get Ready Before Winter Arrives Anyone who has lived in Southern Indiana or the Louisville area knows our weather can be unpredictable. A beautiful fall afternoon can eventually give way to freezing temperatures, rain, ice, and snow. If you’ve been thinking about replacing an older vehicle, fall gives you the opportunity to do it. Before winter weather arrives. Depending on the Ford you choose, features such as available all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, heated seats, heated steering wheels, remote start, and advanced driver-assist technology can make winter driving more comfortable and convenient. It’s much better to think about your winter vehicle needs in October than during the first snowstorm of the season. It’s a Great Time to Consider Your Trade If you’re planning to buy, don’t forget about the vehicle already sitting in your driveway. Your trade-in can play an important role in your next purchase. Bring it to Carriage Ford and let our team evaluate it. Understanding what your current vehicle is worth gives you a clearer picture of your options and can help you make a more informed decision. Get Ahead of the Holiday Rush Once November and December arrive, calendars fill up quickly. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping, family gatherings, travel, school activities, and year-end commitments, buying a vehicle can easily get pushed down the list. Shopping in the fall allows you to take your time. Test-drive different vehicles, compare your choices, ask questions, and make a decision without feeling rushed. And Most Importantly—Buy From People You Trust At Carriage Ford, we believe buying a vehicle should be about more than finding a good price. It should be about finding the right vehicle from people you trust. We’re picky about the vehicles we sell, serious about taking care of our customers, and committed to making your buying experience straightforward and comfortable. So if a new or pre-owned vehicle is on your fall wish list, there’s no better time to start looking. Come see us at Carriage Ford in Clarksville, Indiana, or visit CarriageFord.com to explore our inventory. Carriage Ford, Best by a Country Mile.

Is Marty Picky?

What Does Ford Certified Pre-Owned Really Mean? If you’ve heard Tony Vanetti talking about Marty Book lately, you may have learned something about Carriage Ford's President: Marty is picky. Marty might prefer the word “particular,” but when it comes to pre-owned vehicles, picky is a pretty good thing to be. That’s especially true when you’re shopping for a Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. Not Every Pre-Owned Ford Is Ford Certified. There’s an important difference between a used vehicle and a Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. To qualify for Ford’s certification program, a vehicle must meet specific requirements and go through a comprehensive inspection process. Ford Blue Certified vehicles undergo a 139-point inspection, while Ford Gold Certified vehicles go through an even more extensive 172-point inspection. That means major vehicle systems and components are carefully checked before the vehicle earns the Ford Certified name. That’s the kind of attention to detail Marty likes! Because at Carriage Ford, putting a vehicle on the lot isn’t just about having another car to sell. It’s about offering vehicles our team can feel confident putting our name behind. Ford Certified Comes With Added Peace of Mind.Come See the Difference! If you’re considering a pre-owned vehicle, take a look at the Ford Certified selection at Carriage Ford. Our team can walk you through the certification process, explain the warranty coverage and help you find the right vehicle for your needs. Visit Carriage Ford in Clarksville, Indiana, or browse our inventory at carriageford.com.