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Driving is a significant milestone for teens and their parents. However, driving is also risky. As a parent, you must thoroughly address the subject of safety with your kids. Here are a few ways to make sure your teen is ready to drive responsibly. more Finding the Right Vehicle for Your Teen Driver Modern vehicles come with an array of important safety features. Airbags, advanced seatbelt technology, and higher quality materials mean your teen is more likely than ever to walk away from a crash. At the same time, choosing the safest vehicle possible for a new driver can make a difference in accident odds and outcomes. Because teen drivers are easily distracted, you may not want your new driver borrowing the family van or SUV to carry friends around. A smaller sedan is economical and efficient but also minimizes passenger distractions. Buying a new vehicle ensures your teenager has the most advanced safety options out there, but a used car may be more affordable. Getting Insurance for a New Driver Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are far more likely to be involved in a crash than other groups. Teenagers also earn more traffic citations on average. Insurance companies recognize that teens involve higher risk, so premiums can be expensive for your new driver. Plus, your child’s gender and your geographical location also influence your car insurance costs. Fortunately, many insurers offer discounts and bundles like safe driver rate reductions, multi-vehicle discounts, and even rebate programs for teens who get good grades. Shop around for the best rates possible and get multiple quotes before committing to an insurance company. Learning to Maintain the Vehicle Although oil changes and tire pressure checks come with most vehicle maintenance plans these days, knowing how to DIY is vital for teen drivers. Teach your teen the basics, such as how to check and fill the tires, top off and replace the oil, and change a tire on the side of the road. Invest in an emergency roadside kit with flares, a flashlight, jumper cables, and other necessary items. Depending on where you live (and where your teen drives), you may also want to include a first aid kit and survival items like bottled water, shelf-stable food, and a blanket. Discuss Common Safety Hazards When your teen is a brand-new driver, anything on the road can be dangerous. However, one of the most hazardous parts of teen driving is distracted driving — using phones behind the wheel. Other on-road obstacles contribute to the danger, too. Smartphone Use While Behind the Wheel According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Teen Driver Source, using a cell phone reduces your brain’s focus on driving by 37 percent. Further, high school students who often texted while driving admitted to other dangerous activities like failing to wear a seatbelt and riding with someone who has been drinking. Although phones can prove unsafe in many scenarios, they can also be handy. Your teenager does need their phone for communication — emergency and otherwise — and for GPS purposes. But how can you ensure their safety while on the road? In addition to great battery life (which is perfect for when your teen forgets to charge their phone before heading out), Apple phones like the iPhone 11 Pro Max have safety settings to prevent usage when you’re behind the wheel. Additionally, Android users can activate Driving Mode to help keep distractions to a bare minimum. Other Road Hazards Many new drivers enroll in driver’s education courses to learn the basics or even tactics like defensive driving. And parents can help prepare their kids further for potential hazards. For example, your neighborhood may have deer or other large animals that pose a crash risk. Most drivers reflexively swerve when they spot an animal in the road, but the Insurance Information Institute cautions you to stay in your lane and brake firmly instead. Driving is both a rite of passage, as well as a big risk. However, with the right tools and preparation, your teenager can learn to navigate the road safely and wisely. Thanks to our friends at Safe Children for contributing this blog.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month which ignites a worldwide wave of rosy pink in an effort to increase awareness of the disease as well as fund research efforts to combat it.  BK Ford is taking time this month to do our part in the fight against breast cancer.  All month long we’ll be: more - Wearing pink around the dealership - Making over our Social Media accounts to feature our pink logo and awareness ribbons - Putting pink Bird-Kultgen license plates on all of our vehicles - Participating in the Waco Race for the Cure now known as the More Than Pink Walk that supports breast cancer research According to healthfinder.gov, Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. Currently there is insufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.  The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.  A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s most receptive to treatment. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of detecting breast cancer early.  Here are some ideas on how you can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer: - Support select foundations that help those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education, and support services. - Encourage your friends, family and coworkers to wear pink and make a donation - Test drive an F-150 or even a 2020 Explorer with pink BK license plate, and tag BK Ford on Facebook explaining what Breast Cancer Awareness month means to you - Organize a workplace or social raffle with special pink prizes wherein all monies earned from raffle tickets are donated to breast cancer research - Spread the word about mammograms, and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved - Sponsor a male coworker to do something daring in pink – the bigger the sponsored donation, the more creative the outfit! Breast Cancer Awareness month reaches beyond wearing pink.  It’s following through with actionable choices that increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment, as well as palliative care, of individuals with this disease.  BK Ford supports those who have been impacted by breast cancer, and we encourage our fellow community members to help us raise awareness about the importance of detecting breast cancer early.

The Ford F-150 is well-known for its capability and toughness, making it America’s most popular full-size pickup truck. The F-150 now stands out from the competition with style with all-new appearance packages available on 2020 models. The XLT/Lariat Black Appearance Package offers 20" dark painted wheels, black running boards, black mesh grille, dark housing headlamps, and a smoked chrome Ford oval. The all-new STX Sport Special Edition Package offers 20" dark painted wheels, box side decal, chrome exhaust Extension, and a sport B/S accent stripe. The STX Sport Special Edition package is available on XL trim levels.

In Texas, football is king.  Have you seen an amazing performance on the field? In support of high school football’s best, we need you to nominate a player for Ford's Built Ford Tough Player of the Week. more Ford takes time to recognize individuals that are Built Ford Tough Elite high school athletes that are all-stars on the field, in the classroom, and in their community.  These young athletes are role models for their peers and exemplify what it means to be a driven and successful team player.  Through nominations submitted to Ford’s Player of the Week program, Ford celebrates not only the player, but the person and the influence they have in making their communities a better place to live and grow. You can follow along with Ford’s Player of the Week here, and even nominate your own suggested Player of the Week.  These nominations acknowledge the individuals’ awards and accolades, outstanding plays and statistics, the school and community organizations they represent, and their hometown pride. Every nomination counts toward recognizing the effort put forth by these athletes, and BK Ford will join you in cheering them on each week. Football also means tailgating. Now that September is here, we know you are headed to your favorite Friday Night Lights high school game, to Baylor Bear country, down the road to watch Texas or the Aggies, or north to cheer for the Cowboys. When you need to haul gear, extra fans, or tailgate supplies, BK Ford’s line up of cars, trucks and SUVs has the space to get it all done for you. True sports fans know that any suitable tailgate party first requires the right car, truck or SUV – something that’s Built Ford Tough.  The perfect tailgate vehicle should offer roomy seating, plenty of storage space for essential equipment such as coolers, grills, tables and chairs, exceptional technology for streaming your favorite music or pre-game station, and even some additional outlets or power converters for those extra Game Day accessories. So, before you paint your face up for our favorite team, raise your Bear Claws in the air and belt out your best rendition of ‘That Good Old Baylor Line,’ hold up those horns or get ready to yell like only Aggies can, stop by Bird Kultgen Ford to check out our extensive line-up of new and used Ford vehicles. Happy tailgating, and cheers to a great football season ahead!

The BIG tent is back at Bird Kultgen Ford which means BIG summer savings! Throughout July and August, visit BK Ford during our special Tent Sale to take advantage of big incentives on our inventory of new and pre-owned Ford trucks. With our comprehensive selection of new and pre-owned Ford trucks like the Ford F-150, SuperDuty, and SuperDuty F-250, you’re sure to find the right vehicle at the price to suit your needs. Our complimentary CarFax reports and bumper-to-bumper inspections by Ford-trained technicians put your mind at ease when shopping hot deals on pre-owned trucks. Visit with our helpful sales team who can demonstrate the extensive safety and technology features on any of our Ford truck models. Integrated tailgate steps, 360-degree cameras, SYNC Connect, Park Assist, Blind Spot Information System, Tow Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and new Voice Navigation are just a few of the innovative features available in many of our Ford truck models. Even if you’re not in the market for a new or used Ford truck, come down and visit your friends at BK Ford. We love to talk cars, trucks and SUVs! Need a break from the Texas heat? Pop inside for a visit to the Bird-Kultgen Ford air-conditioned showroom! Visit our expansive indoor showroom where we’re able to feature one of every new Ford model in stock. Come for the air conditioning, stay for the summer Tent Sale!

The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their inaugural Waco Under 40 event on September 12, 2019 at the Phoenix Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Bird Kultgen Ford is the proud event sponsor! more Waco Under 40 celebrates active leaders under the age of 40 from McLennan County. The luncheon event is an opportunity for the best and brightest from a diverse group of professions to gather and receive much-deserved recognition. “The Waco Chamber will use this event to recognize rising young leaders who have distinguished themselves in their careers and in the community. In addition to honoring the recipients, the event is intended to help motivate young people throughout our area to become community leaders as well as provide an avenue for people over 40 to come and celebrate, encourage and share knowledge with the young leaders of Waco.” Nominees represent young leaders whose talent and outstanding efforts in their professions and community involvement creates a lasting positive impact.  They’ve integrated their personal and professional values, shining as leaders in their industry and using their personal time to give back to the community. They strive to make Waco a better place to live. Nominees for this event we selected via community member nominations, and Bird Kultgen is proud to sponsor an event that highlights these young professional trailblazers. The luncheon will feature a keynote speaker, honoree celebration and lunch. Tickets are available here. For more information contact Brittany Knight at 254-757-5605 of bknight@wacochamber.com. WHEN: Thursday, September 12, 2019 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CST WHERE: The Phoenix Ballroom, LLC 401 S 3rd St Waco, TX 76706

Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring those who have died serving in the United States Armed Forces. Their sacrifice has afforded us our freedoms, and we commemorate their efforts each May with this weekend of dedication. We take time to honor the fallen soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, and men and women who have bravely served and protected our country. We participate in hometown parades and ceremonies, visit and adorn the memorials and headstones of the fallen, and spend the weekend with our loved ones celebrating the memory and servitude of those who have died in the line of duty. Bird Kultgen Ford upholds the values and traditions of our nation, and gives back to those who serve our communities and protect our country through many local charities and our BK Cares Committee. If you have a military related cause you would like us to support, please call us so we can learn more. We’ve also compiled a list of family-friendly activities happening here in Waco for you to partake in during this weekend of remembrance. Before you venture out, stop by our reliable Quick Lane and Service departments for a quick oil change, service, or tune up – we want you to be safe this Memorial Day weekend, and every weekend. Texas Half Marathon 10K/5K Saturday, May 25 at the Heritage Square featuring Packet Pick Up, Registration, Run Project and Badass Texas Gear, and a celebration of all things Waco! You’ll love the new scenic, challenging courses along the Brazos River, Historic Elm Avenue, through downtown Waco, and over the Washington Bridge. After the race beginning and ending at Heritage Park at Austin & 3rd Street and the finish line festival to follow, you can enjoy the rest of your weekend visiting a variety of museums, vineyards, & recreation areas in Waco. Memorial Day Weekend at Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum Saturday May 25 th -27 th the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum is honoring military service personnel and their families this Memorial Day weekend. Active duty personnel, retirees and veterans will receive free admission while their families will receive discounted admission prices. Waco Downtown Farmers Market The mission is to bring locally grown and produced goods to downtown Waco in order to support local farmers and artisans as well as to enrich the culture of our community. You’ll find a variety of vendors featuring the best local agricultural producers and artisan vendors within 150-miles of Waco. Join the fun every Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Be the Astronaut Launch On May 25 th, prepare for lift off and discover what space travel is all about at Baylor’s Mayborn Museum, also celebrating its 15 th birthday.  The exhibit will feature navigation and science interactive stations, flying capsules and space suit/vintage space toy displays!

Bird Kultgen Ford is proud to once again sponsor the Special Olympics – Texas Spring Games this month in Waco!  This unique event is an excellent opportunity to experience excitement and community involvement with our partnership with Special Olympics – Texas.  Special Olympics works to transform lives through the joy of sport, each and every day.  They empower athletes to shatter stereotypes and exceed their personal bests on the playing field and in life.  Those are values Bird Kultgen Ford is honored to support and highlight. more The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and their community. The movement is also about working together with others, gaining self-confidence and learning additional skills that make it possible for our athletes to become significant and productive citizens of our communities. Please join Bird Kultgen Ford at Connally High School Saturday, April 27 th as we support our local Special Olympics athletes and community members as they compete in the 2019 Spring Games event! Donations Special Olympics Texas is a registered 501(c)(3), non-profit organization supported by private donations from individuals, corporations and organizations throughout the state. Visit their website for helpful information on how donations are utilized. Donations can be made online here. Volunteer Needs / How to Volunteer Volunteers with Special Olympics – Texas include students, senior citizens, business groups, professional individuals, civic organizations, families, amateur and professional athletes, and coaches, just to name a few! No experience required; however, you must be at least 15 years of age, unless accompanied by an adult. Volunteers participate in an orientation prior to working with our athletes. To register as a volunteer for the Spring Games event, please contact Tommy Smith tsmith@sotx.org Special Olympics-Texas Spring Games Saturday, April 27 th 9AM-2:30PM Connally High School – Mac Peoples Stadium 200 Cadet Way Waco, TX 76705

Spring has sprung here in Waco, and we couldn’t be more excited!  We’re readying our fleet of vehicles with Ford’s newest makes and models, finishing our spring cleaning and clearing out the old to make room for the new.  We love Waco in the springtime, and have compiled a list of a few of our favorite Central Texas spring activities. more Climb into a new Ford Explorer with friends and family and head to the Heart of Texas Airshow (April 6 – 7) at Texas State Technical College, TSTC Waco. This airshow showcases high-altitude aerobatics starring expert pilots and daring skydivers- a perfect outing for the whole family. This year they are featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and F-35! Take the fuel-efficient Ford Escape on a tour through Central Texas in pursuit of picturesque blooming Bluebonnets, which came early this year and are expected to be a best ever blooming.  Bluebonnets and other colorful wildflowers cover the rolling hills of the Lone Star State, and Waco is the perfect starting point for your tour.  Cruise any farm-to-market road or highway near Waco between February and April and you’re sure to get that spectacularly colorful photo op.  Be sure to check out Miss Nellie’s Pretty Place in Cameron Park and Indian Springs! Waco’s spring weather is a treat so we believe it’s best to get out there and enjoy it! There are endless ways to explore the outdoors no matter what level adventurer you are, and with the convenience of Ford’s SUV’s and Truck lineup, hauling your gear and chauffeuring your loved ones has never been simpler. Rent a kayak or standup paddleboard from Pura Vida Paddle or Waco Paddle Company and float along the Brazos River under Waco’s historic bridges. Or hike and bike on Cameron Park’s 15 miles of winding trails that take you up 100-foot bluffs overlooking Waco’s two rivers. Spring is also one of the top seasons for fishing at Lake Waco and the Brazos River as largemouth bass, white bass, catfish, crappie, and sunfish are at their most abundant, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife. Before you set out on your spring adventures, make sure you’re in the right vehicle to take you there.  Visit Bird Kultgen Ford and value your trade-in vehicle.  We’ll help find you the right mode of transportation.  From the fuel-efficient Ford Escape and EcoSport to the larger capacity Ford Explorer and Expedition, Ford’s lineup of SUV’s and Trucks have something for the adventurer in everyone.

Ford Truck Month is back at Bird-Kultgen Ford and March and Truck Month are a great time to buy your new Ford! F-Series is America’s best-selling truck series. During Truck Month and March we have huge savings and specials and you will want to take advantage of these limited-time offers. more Huge savings are available on all 2018 F-150 XLTs in stock. Why drive an F-150? Best-in-Class towing, payload and torque, for starters! The F-150 is America's best selling truck for 42 straight years. 2018 F-150 XLTs Truck Month Sale of 0% for 72 months, PLUS $6,000 with Ford Credit Financing. Don’t forget to check out our additional exclusive offers on 2018 Expeditions, too! All 2018 Expeditions come with best-in-class towing capacity, greater cargo space and cabin room than the Tahoe or Yukon, and all the tech amenities you could hope for in an SUV that effortlessly combines style with function. 2018 Expeditions Truck Month Sale of 0% for 60 Months, PLUS $5,000 with Ford Credit Financing. And for Truck Month we've got huge savings on Super Duty too! Built for the toughest jobs, the 2019 Super Duty can't be beat for power and capability. JD Power even ranks this truck as the Highest Heavy-Duty Pickup in Initial Quality. 2019 Super Duty models Truck Month Sale of $7,000 Total Savings with Ford Credit Financing. Learn more about our great Truck Month offers on F-150, F-250 Super Duty and the F-350 Super Duty, plus the all new Expedition, by visiting us online or in our store. Or give us a call 254-666-2473 to learn about the huge savings we have going on right now. But hurry, Truck Month only comes once a year! Stop in and visit us at BK Ford to test drive your new Ford today during Truck Month! Disclaimer: 1. 2018 F-150 XLTs: 0% for 72 months PLUS $6,000 with Ford Credit Financing. 0% APR financing for 72 months on approved credit through Ford Motor Credit Company at $13.89 per month per thousand financed. $1,500 Open Bonus Cash, $1,000 Ford Credit Bonus Cash, $3,500 Bk Discount. Not all buyers will qualify. Tax, title, documentation and license fees not included. Offer expires 4/1/19. 2. 2018 Expeditions: 0% for 60 Months PLUS $5,000. 0% APR financing for 60 months on approved credit through Ford Motor Credit Company at $16.67 per month per thousand financed. $1,000 Retail Bonus Cash. $1000 Bonus Customer Cash. $3000 BK Discount. Not all buyers will qualify. Tax, title, documentation and license fees not included. Offer expires 4/1/19. 3. 2019 Super Duty: $7,000 Total Savings with Ford Credit Financing. $1,250 Retail Bonus Cash. $500 Ford Credit Bonus Cash. $500 Select Inventory Customer Cash. $4750 BK Discount. Not all buyers will qualify. Tax, title, documentation and license fees not included. Offer expires 4/1/19.

Our 2018 Employee of the Year was selected by our leadership team based on the following criteria- helpful, compassionate, passionate, driven, positive, and being excellent at their job. more This employee was born right here in Waco and grew up in Robinson where she still lives today. In high school she was passionate about volleyball and still loves going to games! She joined our BK team in 1996 and was an amazing employee until her family moved away in 2002. In 2014 we had a rare opening come up in our accounting department, and Janet and Jennifer were very concerned about finding someone talented enough to fill it. Almost immediately this employee happened to call and ask if we knew of any openings in Waco because her family was moving home. "It’s a Sign from GOD." Jennifer exclaimed as she read the text. And that is how we were able to welcome her back to our family. She works hard at home too as a mom of 3, an in her free time she loves watching Hallmark Christmas moves year round. She was nominated because she is a very hard worker. She volunteers for EVERYTHING and always has a great attitude. She is willing to help everywhere and is always eager to learn. She does so much for our team, including paying our bills, billing car deals, many HR functions and party planning. Congratulations to our 2018 Employee of the Year...Stephanie Mirage!

New year, all new Ford at Bird Kultgen! The all-new 2019 Ranger is here and sure to impress. Durable and capable, the Ranger is certainly Built Ford Tough. Over 100 years of Ford ingenuity culminates in truck excellence with the 2019 Ranger. The 2.3L EcoBoost® engine with fuel performance at up to 26 miles per gallon on the highway elevates power and efficiency using turbocharging and direct gasoline injection. The Ranger is also the most fuel-efficient gas-powered midsize pickup in America! Paired with the innovative, and class-exclusive, 10-speed automatic transmission, the Ford Ranger offers a number of high-quality driver-assist technologies that ensure your adventures are a lot more enjoyable. How can the Ranger fit your lifestyle? You carry a lot of gear when you’re boating on Lake Waco, biking at Cameron Park, taking a road trip to Dallas or Austin or visiting the coast for some fishing. With Best-in-Class maximum 1,860 pound payload, and 7,500 pound tow capacity the all-new Ford Ranger will get you there with ease. Ford engineers set a grueling test regimen to prepare the new Ford Ranger for the demands of multi-terrain travel, towing heavy loads for hours up steep grades at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and traveling under heart-pounding, bone-jarring off-road conditions…just to name a few. Take your Ranger cruising down Valley Mills Drive, or go tailgating in Touch Down Alley at Baylor Bear Country. The new Ford Ranger is sure to fit your lifestyle. Contact Bird-Kultgen Ford today at 262-845-7787. We’ll help get you into the perfect vehicle for your next big adventure.