Firehouse Friday with W4 Country

There’s an extra list of things to worry about when it comes to driving in the winter time. Most of us have seen (or been in) cars that get stuck in a snow bank or can’t get traction on an icy patch. And one of the worst feelings is leaving work at the end of the day, it’s already dark outside, and realizing that there are a couple of inches of snow and a layer of frost covering your windshield. So, with the winter weather moving in, now is the time to triple check that you have everything you need in case of an emergency! Here are a few things we find extra helpful! Windshield Scraper- This one seems pretty obvious, but it’s one of the worst things to be caught without! Small Shovel- If you have the space in your car, keeping a small shovel can be an absolute life-saver for digging out the space you need to get moving. Sand or Cat Litter- Sometimes, a little extra traction is all your tires need to get you moving again. Putting a little bit of sand or litter in front of your tires can often give you the boost you need! Jumper Cables- The last thing you want to be doing is sitting in a car with a dead battery, shivering while you wait for someone who has cables to get to you. Cell Phone Charger- In tandem with the jumper cables, it can be pretty hard to get help when your phone is out of battery! Boots- If you are someone who wears less protective foot wear, it might be helpful to keep a pair of boots in your vehicle. A pair of stilettos are fine in the office, but not very conducive to scraping your windshield or digging out your tires! Emergency Kit- If you are stuck beyond getting yourself out, it’s always smart to keep some emergency supplies to hold you over until help can make it out to you. Drinking Water and Snacks- We always hope that we won’t be stuck for long, but it’s even worse to be stuck for a while and to be hungry or thirsty. Blankets- In a situation where you can’t run the vehicle, it’s good to have at least a blanket or two to bundle up in! Extra Layers- Like with the blankets, it’s good to have extra socks, gloves, hats, scarves, jackets, or any other layers to keep warm, or layer up if you have to get out of your vehicle! First Aid Kit- This is a good one to keep in your vehicle at all times, just in case! Flashlight and Batteries- With the sun setting early in the evening, having a flashlight, and making sure it has the batteries to work can be super important. The best way to avoid an actual emergency is to be prepared, so take a few minutes to go over what you may need to keep safe and warm on the road this winter!

In this final week of the year, we are honored to close things out on a cheerful and humbling note by celebrating our long-standing partnership with our friends at LACASA Center, which serves survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual violence in Livingston County. This year, our team not only stepped up as presenting sponsor of the LACASA gala and volunteered on the gala committee and at the event, but also helped make possible the donation of a new transit van to support LACASA’s critical work in the community. Through our Home for Good campaign, we were able to support the creation of LACASA’s new “forever home” facility, which brings comprehensive shelter, advocacy, and counseling services together under one roof for survivors and their families.​ We are deeply proud of our team and leaders whose generosity, time, and commitment have helped make giving back to LACASA possible, and we remain grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside an organization that provides safety, dignity, and hope to more than 5,000 victims and their families each year.

When it comes to electric vehicles, a common question that gets asked is “How long does it take to charge?”, and the answer is it depends! Here we’ll break down the important things you’ll need to know to get charged up and ready to drive. Charger Level - A major factor in how long it’s going to take to charge your vehicle is the level of charger that you are using. Level 1 - These use a standard 3 prong socket, and standard 120V household power, and they are plugged directly into a wall socket. The power is dictated by the home’s wiring, and can add around 3 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging. Level 2 - These chargers have a 240V connection, and should be installed by a professional electrician. Adding about 25 miles of range per hour of charging, this is commonly used as a home charger because it is capable of completely charging a vehicle overnight. There are also tens of thousands of these available around the U.S. at public charging stations. Level 3 - In these chargers, the DC (direct current) conversion happens in the charging station rather than in your vehicle, which for you means quicker charging! Depending on the charger, a level 3 could add up to 100 miles of range in anywhere from an hour to just a few minutes. t’s also important to note that there are a lot of factors that can influence how quickly your vehicle charges, and how long it holds its charge. Take into consideration the size of your battery pack, the efficiency of your vehicle, and the weather (especially temperature)! Check out our Electric Vehicle page to learn more about how you can use the FordPass app to find and use for chargers all around the country! By: Skylar Deming, Marketing Associate