6 Best Features of the 2021 Ford Escape

January 24, 2022 · 3 min read

If you've been searching for a vehicle that combines the practicality of an SUV with the smooth handling and reasonable price point of a car, we have good news for you! The 2021 Ford Escape is the sporty crossover SUV that you've been wanting. Check out why we think the Ford Escape is a vehicle worth test driving.

1. Towing Options

This SUV packs a powerful punch for its size. With the 2.5-liter four-inline engine, you can pull a respectable 1,500 pounds. Stick with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine and take your hauling power to 2,000 pounds. However, if you want to haul a boat or some cumbersome gear? Go for the 2-liter Ecoboost engine, add the optional Class II Trailer Tow Package and watch your towing capabilities soar up to a whopping 3,500 pounds.

2. Wireless Charging Station

While some vehicle manufacturers opt to fill their cars with numerous unsightly USB slots, the Escape goes for a classier and more functional approach. The wireless charger allows you to charge your phone effortlessly. We love having no cords to tangle or lose.

3. Folding Seating

One of the perks of owning an SUV is being able to adapt to whatever the day brings. The Ford Escape has a second row of seating perfect for carpooling. And days where you're hauling more cargo than people? The second row folds down to give you plenty of room in the back. If you're worried about those times you have people and items, Ford was thinking about that possibility as well! The second row in the Escape splits, allowing you to fold down only part of it. You absolutely can have the best of both worlds.

4. Hybrid Choices

Ford knows that the hybrid vehicle market is thriving, so they made the Ford Escape with not one but two hybrid engine options. If going a bit greener suits your lifestyle, you'll love the choice of a hybrid

engine or a plug-in hybrid featuring a 2.5-liter iVCT Atkinson-cycle hybrid engine.

5. Rotary Gear Shift Dial

Every inch of space in your vehicle is precious, especially in the front row, which can often feel crowded in cars with bulky gear shift levers. The Ford Escape provides a rotary gear shift dial that takes up virtually no space. This feature leaves room for a more significant compartment bin and more intelligently arranged cupholders. Plus, now changing gears is as simple as the turn of a dial.

6. Hand-Free Liftgate

We've all been there, that awkward moment when your arms are full, but you need to open up the back of your car or SUV, forcing you to set down your items and manually open the liftgate. With the Escapes hands-free foot-activated liftgate, you'll never have to drop your groceries again. When you have the Intelligent Access key fob in your bag or pocket, swing your foot under the bumper, and your liftgate will open. The Ford Escape is the crossover SUV we can't stop raving over. Don't miss out on your chance to drive this versatile and sporty vehicle! Come on over and take one for a whirl at Morris Smith Ford of Larned today.

Jun 27, 2022

Driving Through or Staying a While? 3 Great Hotels for Visiting Larned, KS

Kansas offers great outdoor activities for family vacations, road trips, and backcountry adventures. You'll love the spacious cabin and smooth ride of your Ford F-150, which is the perfect pickup truck for your next camping trip. There are great places to stay, including RV parks, vacation rentals, and hotels in and around the Larned, KS area. 1. Townsman Inn This laid-back hotel is just a short drive from the Fort Larned National Historic Site and the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum & Research Library. Townsman Inn is a casual place that offers comfortable rooms with minifridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs with cable service, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi service. This inn offers convenient amenities and features, including complimentary continental breakfast at an on-site restaurant. Townsman Inn offers a business center ideal for corporate events and conferences. You'll enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool and lots of parking spaces, including accommodations for RVs, trucks, and other large vehicles. 2. Country Inn Motel Country Inn Motel is a terrific family-friendly motel conveniently located near outdoor trails, hiking, and local attractions. You'll find every suite provides comfortable bedding, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. The area has great places to explore, including the Camp Pawnee cycling path, Fort Larned National Historic Site, and Sante Fe Trail Center Museum& Research Library. It's the perfect inn to visit with the family during your next RV trip or on the way to your campsite or outdoor excursion. You'll find the service friendly, with affordable rooms, so you can plan a weekend getaway to view the local sights or an extended stay in the region. It's the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts, with many outdoor activities available in and around the area. 3. Downtown Larned Vacation Rental If you're looking for an alternative to traditional inns and accommodations, you'll enjoy this apartment rental near downtown Larned, where you'll have access to a large dining room, kitchenette, and a living area to entertain family or friends next group vacation. It's a clean and comfortable apartment that offers one bedroom, a futon, and flat-screen TV, and an overall cozy environment to enjoy a home-like atmosphere during your stay in town. You'll find this excellent vacation rental available near the town's center so you can visit nearby attractions within walking distance or a short drive from town. This vacation spot is close to spectacular natural beauty, views of the Arkansas River, and many great places to explore, including the Central States Scout Museum, cultural events, and the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum. There are plenty of amazing sights to explore in this region's parks, outdoor spaces, and beautiful trails that are ideal for hiking, cycling, and birdwatching. Come see us at Morris Smith Ford of Larned and discover our impressive showroom displays and fantastic deals on new and pre-owned vehicles. We offer great deals on the latest models, including a wide range of financing options and maintenance plans to fit your budget and driving lifestyle.

Jun 30, 2022

Meet the 2022 Ford Edge

The 2022 Ford Edge is a classic in Ford's lineup, integrating safety and sporty elements into a high-quality, reliable vehicle. If you're considering the Ford Edge for your next midsized SUV, here is some information that will be of interest. About This Beautiful SUV The Ford Edge is a vehicle that seats up to five people and gets 21/28 city/highway mpg. It has two available engines: the 2.0L EcoBoost and the 2.7 EcoBoost V6. The 2.0L EcoBoost delivers 250 horsepower and 280 torque, providing ample power for most drivers. For a more athletic ride, you may prefer the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine that's standard on the ST model. It delivers 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Safety Features of the Ford Edge If safety is your priority, the Edge is the right vehicle for you. When it's equipped with certain headlights, the Edge has a spot in the top safety picks by the IIHS, as well as a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard features include a rear-view camera and lane-keeping system that alerts you when you are drifting out of your lane. Other standard features include post-collision braking, which applies after a crash to lessen or prevent a second impact, and the BLIS blind spot information system to alert you when a vehicle is in your blind spot. That's not all. You can also choose to add even more safety features, the most notable of which is Active Park Assist 2.0. When you're struggling to fit into a parking spot, all you have to do is press a button, and your car will park itself for you. This goes for parallel parking, too. Need to get out of a tough spot? Let your Edge do the work for you. Smart & Sporty Design The edge combines both a practical sporty design with intelligent attention to detail. In the 2022 Edge, the rotary dial has been updated to give you more space in your center console. An available wireless charging pad will let you ditch the cords and charge your phone with ease. Add some finesse to the sporty look of your edge with the available sports packages. The SEL sports appearance package has 18-inch carbonized gray-painted wheels made from aluminum, all-terrain tires, and Navy Pier ActiveX seats. ActiveX seats are a material that's more durable than leather and easier to clean. The SE black appearance package has 19-inch high-gloss black aluminum wheels and a matching black grille. Connectivity for the Entire Family The Ford Edge comes with technology that everyone in your family will enjoy. The latest SYNC 4 technology with a touchscreen entertainment system lets you connect via Apple Carplay or Android Auto. The 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot can connect up to 10 devices at once. Your Ford Edge is just a test drive away. Visit our showroom to explore new and used Edges or custom order an Edge to your liking. Contact us at Morris Smith Ford of Larned to get you behind the wheel as soon as possible!

Jun 03, 2022

Signs You're Going To Need an Alternator Repair from your Ford Dealership

Your car's alternator serves two vital functions: supply power for your car's electrical needs to recharge your battery. A good alternator can easily accomplish these tasks. Eventually, like every mechanical component, your alternator will start to fail, and you'll need an alternator repair. What are some signs that you may need auto service soon? As your Ford dealer in Larned, KS, we can replace it for you. Here are some of the signs and symptoms that might suggest you're going to need a new alternator. Burning Smells A hot metal scent can signal a failing alternator. Your alternator is powered by the alternator belt that connects to the crankshaft. As your car moves, the crankshaft turns, and this causes the alternator belt to run across a series of pulleys that start to spin. Each of these pulleys is connected to one of your car's vital systems, and the spinning of the pulley powers the attached component. Your alternator pulley spins 3x faster than other pulleys to power the alternator. As your alternator starts to fail, it struggles to produce enough power to supply your car's electrical demands. In an attempt to produce more power, your alternator will start to spin faster. This extra effort places excessive strain on the alternator and it will start to heat up and you'll smell the hot metal of an overheating alternator. Electrical Problems Any electrical component can show bizarre behavior before it fails. If you notice strange behavior by various electrical components, for example, windows that won't open or close, or lights that won't switch on, these point to a deeper problem. The cause of this odd behavior is a problem in the electrical system, and the most likely culprit is the alternator. As we saw above, the alternator supplies all of your car's electrical power. As it wears down, it produces less power, which means the available power has to be rationed. Your car's computer will allocate this power to components that need it. The more components that are active, the greater the likelihood that power will be shifted from one of them to supply another component. Damaged Wiring The power produced by your alternator is transmitted to the various components via a network of wires and cables. These wires are connected to every component. They're protected against the harsh environment of your engine by plastic and rubber coverings. Wires can fray or break, and a damaged wire will cut off power to its connected component. Your computer will detect that the component isn't working and signal your alternator to supply more power to that component. As more electricity is forced into the damaged wiring, the wire will grow hotter, and this can cause the plastic and rubber coverings to burn. The smell of burning plastic is toxic, and if you smell it, we advise calling us ASAP so our technicians can fix the wiring problem. If you think your vehicle is showing symptoms. Call us at Morris Smith Ford of Larned, and our auto service experts will check your alternator.