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The 2019 Ford EcoSport is one of the most versatile and reliable subcompact SUVs on the market. If you've already started shopping for one, you may have noticed it comes in four trim levels: the S, SE, SES, and Titanium. Which to choose? Below, you'll get to know each, so you can find the best Ford for you and your lifestyle. more S The EcoSport's base model, the EcoSport S, has everything you need in a reliable vehicle. It and each of its counterparts seat five people. It comes with a useful 4.2-inch dashboard-mounted touch screen, 60/40-split folding rear seats you can lay down for more cargo room, and a rear-view camera. It has Bluetooth connectivity to allow you to make hands-free phone calls. Automatic headlights switch on when you need them. In short, the entry-level S has everything you need, but not too much in terms of all the bells and whistles you'll find at the higher trim levels. SE The EcoSport SE has everything the S trim has but adds to the list of features substantially. It throws fog lights into the mix, as well as the reverse sensing system, privacy glass for the rear doors, automatic temperature control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a power moonroof, heated front seats, a better driver information cluster, and more. The driver's seat is power-adjustable, so you can fit the cockpit to you — not the other way around. All the seats are now cloth-upholstered. Roof rails let you strap gear up top, so you can keep the inside free for passengers. SES The SES is the most athletic of the EcoSports. If you want a ride that's designed for navigating city streets with excitement, this is the trim for you. It includes the SE's list of features, as well as the blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, a heated steering wheel, and more. It comes standard with the other trims' optional intelligent four-wheel-drive system that monitors road conditions to give you the highest levels of traction. Its sport-tuned suspension keeps your ride smooth on rougher roads and tight curves. Titanium As the most luxurious EcoSport on this list, the Titanium is all about giving you the most first-class treatment. It upgrades the standard stereo with the 10-speaker B&O premium sound  system. It comes with an 8-inch color LCD touch screen that makes your drives more entertaining and informed. The perforated leather-trimmed heated front seats are designed to keep you comfortable during long drives. Engines Each EcoSport except the SES comes standard with a 123 horsepower 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that delivers 125 pound-feet of torque. The SES is equipped with the more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that packs 166 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque. The stronger engine is available as an option for all the other trims. When you're ready to meet these trims in person, visit us at Palm Coast Ford. Test drive your favorite to see why the EcoSport is perfect for you. image via Ford.com

When things get busy, it can be easy to skip over recommended vehicle maintenance. However, there are a few vehicle maintenance tasks that you might want to reconsider rescheduling. more 1. Tire Rotations Many drivers falsely believe that you can forget about your tires until you have a flat or it comes time to replace them. The condition of your tires not only affects your fuel efficiency, but also the safety of your vehicle. Older tires, with worn-out threading, are at a greater risk of blowing out. Additionally, if you wear down your tires unevenly, you will have to replace them much sooner. During a tire rotation, the mechanic will move your front tires to the back and vice versa. Tire rotations keep even threading on each of the tires, which can improve overall performance and help to prolong the life of your tires. 2. Oil Change Most experts recommend having your oil changed somewhere between 3,000-5,000 miles. Depending on how often you drive, this could be every couple of months. It might be tempting to skip an oil change in order to save time or money, but regular oil changes might be more important than you think. Oil changes ensure that your vehicle is running properly. During an oil change, the mechanic removes the old oil and replaces it with new oil. This prevents debris and contaminants from building up in your engine. The minimal cost of regular oil changes can improve your fuel efficiency while also protecting your engine. 3. Fluid Levels Your vehicle has many different fluids including the radiator, transmission, power steering, and brake fluids. A necessary step in your vehicle's maintenance is regularly inspecting these fluid levels. If the fluid levels are low, they should be topped off immediately in order to prevent damage to your vehicle. Each of these fluids plays an important role in maintaining the condition and safety of your vehicle. The radiator fluid prevents your engine from overheating. Transmission fluid is responsible for keeping your transmission well lubricated. Power steering fluid helps you turn your steering wheel. Brake fluid keeps your brakes well lubricated and ready to use. During a routine vehicle maintenance inspection, your mechanic will check the level of your vehicles most important fluids. 4. Brake Inspection During a routine maintenance appointment, your mechanic will also check the condition of your brakes. Over time, your brake pads will wear down with normal usage. Brakes are crucial and if you are not able to come to a complete stop when necessary, it can be very dangerous. Routine brake inspections can also save you money. Waiting too long to have your brakes checked might mean that you have to fully replace them which can be more expensive than regular maintenance. Skipping over important vehicle maintenance can lead to expensive repairs, inconvenient break downs, and even a dangerous situation. Before you consider skipping over your next maintenance appointment, evaluate the risk of doing so and what it could mean for your vehicle. Come by Palm Coast Ford today for all your vehicle maintenance needs. Image via Flickr by mrsdkrebs used under CC BY 2.0

When you're looking for a three-row SUV to carry your family in safety and comfort, Ford has the perfect solution with the 2019 Explorer and Expedition models. But which one is right for you? Both cars are luxurious, spacious, and versatile, and feature Ford's bold exterior styling. The Expedition is available in the longer wheelbase Max version for more space. So, your choice may come down to size and capability. more Interior Capacity The Ford Explorer seats up to seven people and, with fold-flat 60/40 split second row and 50/50 split third row, you have multiple ways to configure the seating to maximize passenger and cargo capacity. With all seats upright, you have 21 cubic feet of cargo space and, when the second and third rows are folded, you get 81.7 cubic feet for your gear. Stepping up to the Limited trim gets you perforated leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, power folding third row, and a foot-activated hands-free liftgate for easy access to the cargo area. You also have the option of power folding second-row heated seats. Expedition models seat up to eight people and feature a 40/20/40 split folding and reclining second-row bench and a 60/40 split power folding and reclining third row. You have 104.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row or a cavernous 121.5 cubic feet in the Expedition Max. Limited and Platinum trims offer perforated leather-trimmed ventilated and heated front seats, power folding tip and slide heated second-row seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. Platinum models also offer multi-contour massaging front seats. Power and Capability Powering the Explorer base and XLT models is a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivering 255 pound-feet of torque to the front or all four wheels. Optional on these trims and standard on the Limited is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 280 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Sport and Platinum trims are only available in all-wheel drive and feature a turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, giving you 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. All engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Expedition offers a turbocharged 3.5-liter engine producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque which is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the rear or all wheels. With the heavy-duty trailer tow package, the maximum towing capacity is a best-in-class 9,300 pounds. Driver Assist Technology Standard and available features on the Explorer include a rearview camera with washer, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and active perpendicular parking assistance. Expedition models add an available rearview camera with backup assist, advanced parallel and perpendicular parking assistance, 360-degree camera system, active trailer tow monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, and pro trailer backup assist. Ford's Explorer and Expedition models are equipped to the highest standards of safety, technology, and comfort. To take a closer look at both, head down to Palm Coast Ford. Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Palm Coast, Florida, area offers an endless choice of outdoor entertainment. From deep-sea fishing to outdoor dining, Palm Coast offers it all. Check out a few of the best outdoor activities in the area. more Beachcombing One of the greatest perks of living in the Palm Coast, Florida, area is the easy access to nearby beaches. You can easily spend an entire afternoon combing the local beaches for unique items. Cinnamon Beach, right in Palm Coast, is best known for its sea glass. Some visitors have even reported finding shark teeth on this beach. You will also find hundreds of colorful seashells at Flagler Beach, Crescent Beach, and St. Augustine Beach. Swimming with a Dolphin Chances are, you have seen plenty of dolphins playing in the nearby waterways, but watching dolphins does not compare to the activity of swimming with them. Marine Dolphin Adventure allows you to go swimming with the resident bottlenose dolphins. You can interact with the dolphins from shore, get in the water to play with them, or even craft an art project with a dolphin. In addition to interactive dolphin experiences, you will also learn about the history of Marine Land and their important research on marine life. Hiking The Palm Coast area is full of outdoor beauty with over 125-miles of trails that are perfect for an afternoon of hiking. If you are looking for a low-impact hike, check out the paved trails of St. Joe Walkway. The Graham Swamp Preserve, on the other hand, is a good choice for more adventurous hikers. This 6.8-mile trail is more challenging and has rock gardens, steep hills, and large drops. Many of the local hiking trails also welcome bikes. Grab a Bite to Eat Because Florida is warm year-round, there are many outdoor restaurants to check out. La Piazza Cafe is a family-owned-and-operated Italian restaurant with a beautifully lit outdoor patio. A few of the most popular items on the menu include the carbonara and the bolognese. The Metro Diner is a more casual dining option which also offers outdoor seating and some of the best and most affordable family-friendly dining in the area. Finish off your meal with ice cream from Bruster's Real Ice Cream, which also has patio seating available. Fishing Palm Coast is an excellent choice for fishing. You can fish off of the dock at Waterfront Park or nearby Flagler Beach. You can also sign up for a fishing charter with Palm Coast Fishing. Take a trip on one of their inland fishing charters, and you'll have the opportunity to catch cobia, sea trout, and even tarpon. The charter provides you with everything you need. Just bring a pair of sunglasses and appropriate clothing for a day spent on the water. Laying out on the beach is not the only fun outdoor activity in the Palm Coast, Florida, area. Change things up and spend the weekend beachcombing, swimming with dolphins, hiking, trying out a new restaurant, or charter fishing. Image via Flickr by tristanloper used under CC BY-SA 2.0