Ford Fathom: What Rochester Drivers Should Know About Ford's New Electric Truck

How Often to Rotate Tires: What Every Ford Driver Should Know We all know about rotating tires. The tires rotate on their axels, and that makes the car move, right? Well, not exactly. When we talk about rotating tires, we mean moving your tires to different positions on your vehicle, so they wear evenly and last longer. It’s a very important piece of maintenance for your Ford, but it’s one that a lot of drivers tend to overlook and push to the back burner. We’re here to tell drivers in Rochester, MN that rotating your tires on a regular basis will save you money because your tires will last longer, and tires in top condition keep your Ford running safely and staying in peak condition for the long haul. Why Tire Rotations are Important for Your Ford Regular tire rotations help ensure that your tires wear down evenly over time. Without being rotated, certain tires can wear out much faster than others, depending on if your vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. Uneven wear shortens tire life, reduces traction, and can affect how your vehicle handles on the road. Knowing how often to rotate tires is the first step toward protecting your vehicle. How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires? Most automotive experts recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. A good rule of thumb is to have it done every time you get an oil change, which makes it easy to stay on schedule. But you should always check your Ford owner's manual for the specific recommendation for your model, as some vehicles and tire types may have different guidelines. Signs You May Be Overdue for a Rotation Even if you haven't hit that mileage mark yet, there are a few signs that your tires may need attention. Vibration in the steering wheel, uneven tread depth across your tires, or pulling to one side while driving can all point to uneven wear. If you notice any of these issues, it's worth scheduling a service visit sooner rather than later. What Happens If You Skip Rotations? Skipping tire rotations might not seem like a big deal at first, but the effects add up quickly. Tires that wear unevenly need to be replaced sooner, which costs more in the long run. Beyond that, worn tires can impact braking performance and overall vehicle safety - especially in winter conditions common to the Rochester, MN area. Regular rotations are a small investment that helps you avoid a much larger expense down the road. Keeping Up with Tire Maintenance at Rochester Ford Knowing how often to rotate your tires is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your vehicle and maintain a smooth, safe ride. The service team at Rochester Ford is here to help you stay on schedule with all of your routine maintenance needs. Book your next service appointment with us in Rochester, MN today and keep your Ford performing at its best.

When Rochester, Minnesota drivers need a capable, well-rounded truck, the 2026 Ford F-150 XLT trim is the answer. The XLT trim sits in a sweet spot, giving you upgraded comfort and tech features without straying too far from the F-150's working-truck roots. For drivers in Rochester who need something that handles daily commutes in any weather Minnesota throws its way, weekend projects, off-roading across our lush landscapes, and still be comfortable enough to bring the kids to school, the XLT meets the challenge. Ford F-150 XLT: Comfort and Interior Features The 2026 Ford F-150 XLT features a well-appointed interior that balances durability and function with higher-end comfort s. U pgraded cloth or available ActiveX® upholstery, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar, and a spacious cab layout welcome you in. Smart interior considerations like the available lockable, fold-flat storage area and a console work surface means you can have lunch or take conference calls in the cab, then lock up important documents if you need to. The SYNC ® 4 system pairs with a clear 12” touchscreen to give you easy access to navigation, playlists, hands-free calling, v ehicle settings, and a Wi-Fi® hotspot, ensuring you stay in touch. Connected Navigation and a B&O® sound system are also available to streamline and amplify your experience even more. Technology and Driver Assistance on the Ford F-150 XLT The XLT trim features t he Ford Co-Pilot360 ® Technology suite which packages a range of driver assistance tools to support you and enhanced your awareness on the road. Features like Pre-Collision Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Post-Collision Braking, and Lane-Keeping System work together to alert you to hazards and step in when you need it most. Beyond this, the XLT offers more options including Pro Trailer Hitch Assist™ and Backup Assist™, Trailer Reverse Guidance, and Reverse Brake Assist. BlueCruise ® hands-free driving is unlocked at this level, letting you relax a little behind the wheel on mapped sections of compatible highways —perfect for l onger hauls. Ford F-150 XLT Capability and Powertrain Options Here’s where you really see the difference between the 2026 Ford F-150 XLT and lower trims. The XLT offers multiple engine choices: 2.7L EcoBoost ® V6: the standard engine, delivers 32 5 hp and 400 lbs.-ft. of torque 3. 5 L EcoBoost® V 6: 400 hp, 5 00 lbs.-ft. of torque 5.0L V8: 400 hp, 410 lbs.-ft. of torque 3.5L PowerBoost ® Full- Hybrid: delivers 430 hp and 5 78 lbs.-ft. of torque, and comes with Pro Power Onboard™ This array of options, from turbocharged efficiency to raw V8 muscle and the powerhouse full hybrid, also means a range of towing capabilities to fit different needs: 2.7L EcoBoost®: 8,400-lb. towing capacity 3. 5 L PowerBoost ® Full-Hybrid: 11, 6 00 lbs. 5.0L V8: 12,800 lbs. 3. 5 L EcoBoost® V 6: 13, 5 00 lbs. Th e available 4x4 drivetrain, monotube rear shocks, electronic-locking rear differential, and selectable drive modes like Mud/Ruts and Deep Snow/Sand, let you take on any terrain in any conditions. A nd with truck-bed utility features such as its standard zone lighting and available tailgate steps and work surface, this truck is tool, r eady for whatever comes next. Why the XLT Trim Makes Sense for Many Buyers For a lot of truck shoppers, the XLT hits the right balance. You get upgraded comfort and tech features, a vast range of powertrain options and packages, and other available features. This gives you more flexibility to get what you want without overreaching into higher trim territory for extra features that maybe aren't a priority for your lifestyle. If you're ready to explore the 2026 Ford F-150 XLT features for yourself, the team at Rochester Ford in Rochester, MN is here to help. Stop by to walk through the available configurations, take a test drive, and find the right build for your needs. You can also browse our new Ford specials online and learn more about available offers.

As the most rugged and off-road-ready trim level offered for the 2025 F-series of trucks, the 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor takes to extreme challenges with confidence. 5 Impressive Aspects of the 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor 1. Stunning Performance and Strength The 2025 F-150 Raptor provides plenty of impressive performance with its two engine options: a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that delivers 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque and a supercharged 720-horsepower V8 that generates 640 pound-feet of torque. This truck also boasts an 8,700-pound maximum towing capacity with the second engine and has plenty of features to simplify towing, like Trailer Sway Control, a trailer brake controller, and a trailer-steering feature called Pro Trailer Backup Assist. 2. Seven Modes for Different Scenarios Four-wheel drive is standard in this rugged off-roader as are many other versatility-enhancing features, like the convenient terrain management system. This feature has seven selectable drive modes: Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Rock Crawl, and Baja. Each mode provides optimized throttling, transmission shifts, traction settings, and suspension damping for optimized performance, and while driving at slower speeds, you can use this system alongside a cruise control-like system for off-roading called Trail Control, which is also standard. 3. Designed for Tough Work and Play The truck's exterior is ready for tough terrains and challenges with its high-strength, military-grade aluminum body, steel frame, 35-inch all-terrain tires, and heavy-duty skid plates. The vehicle's design itself, which has a wide stance and flared fenders, provides enhanced approach, breakover, and departure angles, which is perfect for taking on rocky or other uneven terrains. This ruggedness and versatility can also be noticed when performing work with a drop-in bedliner, retractable bed hooks, and different tonneau cover types all available. 4. Advanced Technology Throughout There's also plenty of impressive technology throughout the cabin as well, like the standard SYNC 4 infotainment system, which provides apps, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, cloud-based navigation assistance with audible instructions, and the ability to multitask with its split-screen function. When you have a data plan, you can use the in-cabin FordPass Connect 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot to connect up to 10 devices to the internet, and an 18-speaker B&O Unleashed Sound System is also included. 5. Stylish and Plush Seating for All This edition's stylish and luxurious seating configurations and options are also sure to excite once you climb inside the truck, like the front bucket seats, which come with power adjustability, power lumbar support, and heating and ventilation settings. The rear seats also come with a heating setting, and all seats come in your choice of Recaro unique leather and Alcantara suede trim with Rhapsody Blue Accents or Recaro unique leather with Code Orange stitching. Contact us today at Rochester Ford in Rochester, MN to experience extreme performance that only the 2025 F-150 Raptor has to offer.