Another way BILL UTTER FORD supports our community for great causes.  BILL UTTER FORD joined forces with Serve Denton in the first-annual Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry.  Thanks to everyone’s help in the community, they were able to collect more than 1,400 pounds of food for those who need it, with BILL UTTER FORD collecting 600 pounds of that total amount. 

“About 15 percent of the county’s population faces hunger and food insecurity, and one in four Texas children struggle with hunger and poor nutrition,” said Mayor Mark Burroughs. “Unfortunately, very little community awareness focuses on the important topic of hunger so close to home, so I am glad to be working with all these entities on this event in hopes of raising awareness.”

The food and donations collected will be used to support the Salvation Army, United Way Denton County, Vision Ministries, the Denton Community Food Center, and Our Daily Bread. 

Thank you to all who participated and made this first-annual event a success!

This month’s “Utterly Delicious” Recipe is the ultimate recipe for Hummingbird Cake.  It’s the most requested recipe in Southern Living magazine history and frequents covered dish dinners all across the South, always receiving rave reviews.

Recipe courtesy of: Southern Living

Yield: 16 Servings

Ingredients:

•          3 cups all-purpose flour
•          1 teaspoon baking soda
•          1 teaspoon salt
•          2 cups sugar
•          1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•          3 large eggs, beaten
•          1 cup vegetable oil
•          1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
•          1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
•          1 cup chopped pecans
•          2 cups chopped bananas
•          ½ cup chopped pecans
•          Cream Cheese Frosting (See Recipe Below) 

Directions:

1.        Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened.  (Do not beat.) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.
2.        Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans.  Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
3.        Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans on top.  Store in refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

•          1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
•          ½ cup butter or margarine, softened
•          1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
•          1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1.        Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.  Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy.  Stir in vanilla.

Come into BILL UTTER FORD  and take advantage of all the “Utterly Great” specials on all of our vehicles! 

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MUSIC ON THE GREEN

Every Friday night in May from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in Lantana, Texas

Come out and enjoy all the great music every Friday night in May, in the wonderful Lantana community.  BILL UTTER FORD will be giving away great door prizes every Friday night for Billy Bob’s Texas Tickets, Texas Rangers Tickets and Gift Certificates from our Service Department.

Come see us!

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BILL UTTER FORD’S 6th Annual Car & Truck Show

Celebrating BILL UTTER FORD’S 56th Anniversary 

Saturday, May 19th from 11:00 am ~ 3:00 pm

Come on out to the Dealership and see the amazing line-up of vehicles!

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BILL UTTER FORD presents the Coppell Cheerleading Association’s

Annual Powder Puff Flag Football Game

Sunday, May 20th

Benefiting Taylor’s Gift Foundation

Come out and enjoy this fun game of football and activities for the kids.  There will be concessions and celebrity officials.  For more information please visit www.CoppellCheer.com

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FREE Sync / MyFord Touch Clinic!

Saturday, June 16th, 2012 at 10:00 am at BILL UTTER FORD

If you currently own a vehicle equipped with Sync or Sync with MyTouch, then this clinic is for YOU!

• How Do I Use Sync Services?
• How Many Phones Can Be Paired to Sync?
• Sync Does Not Recognize My Contacts
• What is the Purpose of Line in and USB Ports?
• Not All My Contacts Downloaded
• Overview on how to use MyFord Touch

Please RSVP and Register for this clinic to RTrevino@billutterford.com soon, as space is limited and fills up fast!

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***Follow BILL UTTER FORD on Facebook and Twitter!***

Javier Torres went to work for BILL UTTER FORD in the Make Ready Department, on August 17^th, 2006.  Javier’s career at BILL UTTER FORD spans over a 5 year period.  Originally born and raised in Denton, Texas, Javier graduated from Denton High School.  He has three children, Lexi Torres who is 11 years old, Samantha Torres who is 8 years old, and Arianah who is 5 years old, who are the light of his life.  His dedication and commitment to his work at BILL UTTER FORD were the driving factors in his selection as Employee of the Month.  Javier is always eager to assist fellow employees as well as our all important clients! His “easy going” demeanor makes all those around him feel comfortable and welcome.  He is a true professional and asset to BILL UTTER FORD.

The success or failure of our business ultimately lies in the hands of our business ultimately lies in the hands of our employees who, in striving to do their best each day, not only exceed our customer’s expectations but make BILL UTTER FORD a better place for all of us to work together.  Congratulations to Javier as our Employee of the Month!

GETTING YOUR CAR READY FOR SUMMER

 
This month’s BILL UTTER FORD service tip is Getting Your Car Ready For Summer.

Simple service can keep hot-weather stress to a minimum.

 The kids will soon be out of school, which means it’s time to get your vehicle ready for summer.  Before packing the camping gear, coolers or suitcases, take a little bit of time to make sure your car, truck or SUV is ready for whatever you might encounter in your travels.  A few simple checks will tell you if a visit to our dealership service department is called for.

The importance of a fully functioning air conditioning system in the warmer months is hard to overstate, especially if you have kids.  To make sure your A/C will work when you need it, test it out now.  Start the engine and crank the temperature control down to its coldest level.  Gradually increase the fan speed from off to high, and make sure the system is blowing air like it should.  Don’t forget to check the rear vents, if you have them, for air flow, and check all the vents to make sure nothing is broken or stuck.  Bad smells coming from the vents could be caused by either something in the system or just plain old mold and mildew.  Smells can be taken care of by our dealer service technicians, who can usually clean out the ducts as well.

If the fan isn’t working properly, make sure to check the fuses and replace any that might have blown.  It’s also a good idea to keep a small package of spare fuses in the glove box in case you need one on the road.  Your owner’s manual should have a diagram that indicates which fuse handles which function.  Within a couple of minutes of starting your vehicle, you should feel cold air coming from the vents.  If not, various problems could be the cause.  Over time, the air conditioning compressor belt can dry out and crack or stretch, which can impact compressor function.  Newer hybrid electric vehicles usually have electric-drive compressors, so they don’t have a belt.  If the belt is in good shape, the system may need a recharge.  Over the course of several years of use, refrigerant circuit can leak out.  When this happens, the A/C system can’t chill the air passing through the cooling core, and having the air conditioning system recharged will get your climate control back to new condition.  Less commonly, a bad compressor can also be the cause of A/C problems.  Report the results of your testing to your service tech, who will use the info to quickly diagnose and correct any problems that might exist.

With the passenger environment taken care of, it’s time to check the engine cooling system.  Check the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle is due for a cooling system flush.  Even if the cooling system doesn’t need a flush, check all the hoses for leaks or bulges that might indicate an impending failure.  Then, when the engine is running, check the temperature gauge in the instrument panel and make sure the engine isn’t overheating.  If the temperature is getting too high, that could indicate either a blockage somewhere or a stuck thermostat.

When most people think to check their tire pressure, they check the four tires they roll on; unfortunately most drivers neglect the spare tire.  After you check the pressure in your main tires, make sure the spare is properly inflated as well, just in case you get a flat on the road.  If your vehicle is equipped with a mini spare, check the recommended pressure on the tire sidewall, because these small donuts usually require higher pressures.

Next, make sure you carry an up-to-date first aid kit and some flares.  Many people also carry a gallon jug of water in the summer.  It’s a good idea to check all exterior lights and replace burned out bulbs.  Carrying a few extras bulbs can also get you out of a jam when you’re away from home.

If you have roadside assistance through your vehicle’s maker, keep the phone number in your glove box or console and also in your wallet or purse.  If not, make sure you have somewhere to call in an emergency when you travel.  AAA is the traditional standby for roadside service, but many cell phone providers also provide very affordable service options that will bring you gas, jump start a dead battery or give you a tow.

Summer is a great time to visit family or see other parts of the country.  To maximize the fun and keep stress to minimum, take the time to make sure your ride is well-maintained before you leave.  Stop by and we’ll get your car summer-ready in no time.

Come into BILL UTTER FORD  and take advantage of all the “Utterly Great” specials on all of our vehicles! 

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DRIVE ONE 4UR SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

Saturday, April 14th at 10:00 am at Lake Dallas High school

Come out to Lake Dallas High school and take a test drive to help support the Lake Dallas High school Band.   The Lake Dallas High school Band receives $20 for each test drive.  Please help support our students in this great fundraising event!

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FREE Sync / MyFord Touch Clinic!

Saturday, April 21st, 2012 at 10:00 am at BILL UTTER FORD

If you currently own a vehicle equipped with Sync or Sync with MyTouch, then this clinic is for YOU!

• How Do I Use Sync Services?
• How Many Phones Can Be Paired to Sync?
• Sync Does Not Recognize My Contacts
• What is the Purpose of Line in and USB Ports?
• Not All My Contacts Downloaded
• Overview on how to use MyFord Touch

Please RSVP and Register for this clinic to RTrevino@billutterford.com soon, as space is limited and fills up fast!

______________________________________________________________________________

BILL UTTER FORD’S 6th Annual Car & Truck Show

Celebrating BILL UTTER FORD’S 56th Anniversary 

Saturday, May 19th from 11:00 am ~ 3:00 pm

Come on out to the Dealership and see the amazing line-up of vehicles!

***Follow BILL UTTER FORD on Facebook and Twitter!***

Regie went to work for BILL UTTER FORD in the Service Department on August 1, 2005, as a Warranty Administrator.  Regie’s career at BILL UTTER FORD spans over a 7 year period and has a total of 14 years in the car business, with most of them being in the service department.  Originally born and raised in Caddo Mills, Texas, she left Caddo Mills to go into the Navy in 1986.  Regie moved to Denton in 2005 and lived in Denton and Lewisville for 5 years before moving back to Caddo Mills to be closer to her family.  She has a daughter Kristi and one grandson, Jack who is 14 months old, who are the love of her life.  Most of Regie’s time is split between work and working out.  She spends her downtime with her family, especially her daughter and grandson.  Her dedication and commitment to her work at BILL UTTER FORD were the driving factors in her selection as Employee of the Month.  Regie is always eager to assist fellow employees as well as our all important clients! Her “easy going” demeanor makes all those around her feel comfortable and welcome.  She is a true professional and asset to BILL UTTER FORD.

The success or failure of our business ultimately lies in the hands of our business ultimately lies in the hands of our employees who, in striving to do their best each day, not only exceed our customer’s expectations but make BILL UTTER FORD a better place for all of us to work together.  Congratulations to Regie as our Employee of the Month!

The right service for the season.

Spring has sprung and it’s time to give your car a thorough refresh before road trip season starts.  Winter weather can take a severe toll on your ride, but some basic maintenance can have it feeling like new before you know it.

A good place to start a spring checkup is one of the most neglected parts of the car, the battery.  Modern batteries are sealed, so you don’t have to worry about topping off the electrolyte like the old days, but they do eventually wear out and lose their ability to hold a charge.

Cold weather is particularly hard on batteries, so it’s important to make sure that yours is putting out at least 12 volts and that it will hold a charge when left sitting.  Dealer service technicians can perform a load test in just a few minutes to make sure the battery still has life in it.  If the battery is unable to store electricity, you may not be able to start the engine when you need it.

If the battery tests okay, but your engine still struggles to turn over, the technician will check the alternator to make sure it puts out the voltage necessary to charge the battery and provide electricity for the accessories while driving.  If the alternator isn’t putting out full power, it could be because the accessory drive belt has stretched over time and needs to be replaced, another fairly simple and inexpensive repair.

With the electrical system up to snuff, it’s time to take care of all the fluids, starting with your engine oil.  Service intervals for oil changes have lengthened over the years, so verify your oil change interval, which can be impacted by your driving habits, the time of year and how much you tow with your factory-trained service technician.  You’ll find the recommended intervals in your owner’s manual.  Drivers who frequently drive on dirt roads or who do a lot of stop-and-go may also need to change the oil more frequently. 

Of course, the oil filter should be replaced with the oil.  If the oil filter gets clogged, pressure can build up, causing a bypass valve to open.  If this happens, unfiltered oil can circulate through the engine and potentially cause very expensive damage.

Additional vehicle fluids to be checked include engine coolant and brake and power steering fluids.  Many newer vehicles have electric power steering and don’t require any maintenance, but cars and trucks with hydraulic systems may need to be topped off to ensure proper performance.

The coolant needs to be kept full or the engine could overheat and suffer major damage.  While checking the level, the technician will take a look at the color and make sure it remains bright and clean looking.  Any change in coolant color will prompt further investigation to ensure there are no leaks or blockages in the system.

The snow, slush and salt of winter also tear up the rubber of the windshield wiper blades.  By the time spring rains start to fall, the wipers often just leave streaks on the windshield, hampering visibility.

The road salt used to melt all that snow and ice can accumulate on the underside of a car or truck and trigger corrosion that reduces the life of your ride.  While it’s a good idea to get regular car washes throughout the winter, in the spring, your vehicle should get a thorough washing including the undercarriage, especially in all the nooks and crannies where clumps of salt can collect.

Every time you get in and out of the car during the winter, snow and salt on your shoes or boots can get left behind on your vehicle’s carpet and mats.  A professional interior detail will extract the salt and sand out of the carpet.  You can keep a carpet clean with a vacuum, but really getting a deep clean requires a professional-grade carpet extractor.  Your carpets and upholstery will look brand new afterward.

At every change of season, you should check your tires for both general and uneven wear.  Since the front and rear tires do differing amounts of work, they should be rotated according to the recommendations in the owner’s manual to help maximize their life.  If the tires are wearing excessively and/or unevenly, they should be checked for the correct inflation and wheels should be checked for proper alignment.  Misalignment can also cause significant handling problems.

While the wheels are off the car for rotation, it’s a good time to check out the brakes.  Brake pads and rotors wear down over time, but when they get too thin, you can lose stopping power.  If the brake pads are too skinny or the rotors are grooved, they should be replaced.

You invest a lot of money in your vehicles and you want them to last.  To get the most out of your cars and trucks, basic regular maintenance at each change of season can keep them running reliably for years to come.  Schedule your service today at BILL UTTER FORD.

This month’s “Utterly Delicious” Recipe is Garlic Prime Rib

Recipe courtesy of: Chef Mike – Allrecipes.com

Prep Time:   10 min

Cook Time:   1 hour 30 min

Ready In:   1 hour 40 min

Servings:   15

Yield: 1 – 10 pound roast

Ingredients:

•         1 (10 pound) prime rib roast
•          10 cloves garlic, minced
•          2 tablespoons olive oil
•          2 teaspoons salt
•          2 teaspoons ground black pepper
•          2 teaspoons dried thyme

Directions:

1.        Place the roast in a roasting pan with the fatty side up.  In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme.  Spread the mixture over the fatty layer of roast, and let the roast sit out until it is at room temperature, no longer than 1 hour.
2.        Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F
3.        Bake the roast for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F, and continue roasting for an additional 60 to 75 minutes.  The internal temperature of the roast should be at 145 degrees F for medium rare.
4.        Allow the roast to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving so the meat can retain its juices.