7 Ways Your Ford Dealer Can Help With Car Maintenance

Do you know when it's time to get your brakes serviced at your Ford dealer? You have, of course, a check engine light that will tell you if there's a problem, but there are also some more subtle signs to watch out for that can indicate it's time for Ford service. more Your Car Pulls to One Side When Braking This usually means there is something wrong with one of the brakes. There could be a leak in the brake line, for example. If this is the issue, you will only notice the problem when you actually step on the brakes. If you're feeling pulling to one side while you drive, the issue is likely something in the steering or suspension instead. You Hear Squealing or Grinding When Braking Again, this is something you only hear when you're braking: if you hear squealing while you're driving, the problem is likely something else in the engine. But a high pitch squeal when you break means that your brake pads are reaching the end of their useful life. There are special metal bars underneath the pad that become gradually exposed as the pads wear down, and these bars start rubbing and making the squealing sound. There's no emergency, but you do need new brake pads pretty soon. Grinding is much worse: that usually means the brake pads are worn completely down, and now you're at risk of damaging the rotors if you continue to use the brakes. Your Brake Pedal Feels Wrong If you feel like you have to push down harder on the brake pedal than normal, if the brake pedal goes much further than you are accustomed to, or if the pedal feels mushy or vibrates when you press on it, these are all indicators that you've got a problem. You'll want to get these things checked out as quickly as possible because some of the possible problems can be quite dangerous, and it's irresponsible to drive with compromised brakes: you're putting yourself and everyone around you at risk. Whether you are noticing one of these specific issues, your brake light has come on, or you've got a puddle under your car that doesn't seem to be oil or transmission fluid, don't delay too long in getting your brakes checked out. Come see us right away at Village Ford in Dearborn, MI.

Driving your new electric vehicle home from the Ford dealer is exciting, but if it's your first EV, you might have some questions about maintenance. Fortunately, Ford EV maintenance is easier than it might seem. more Take Care of the Basics In general, EVs require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles, but they share some of the same basic needs. Your EV still requires regular multi-point inspections, and components like tires and brakes need to be checked for wear and replaced when necessary. EVs have fewer fluids to worry about; there's no engine oil, for instance. However, Ford EVs use coolant to prevent the electric motor from overheating, so you should check the fluid level and inspect the hoses for wear every six months. Replace Your Tires More Frequently Don't be surprised if your EV needs its tires replaced more often than your old gas-powered car. Thanks to the battery weight, high amounts of torque, and rapid acceleration, EVs tend to be a bit rougher on tires. You can extend the life of your tires by rotating them regularly to make sure they wear evenly. Prolong Your Battery Life Ford EV batteries require little to no maintenance, but you do need to take proper care of your battery to get the most use out of it. Letting your battery drain completely, charging it to full capacity, and overusing rapid chargers can all reduce the lifespan of your battery. Fortunately, with convenient home charging and more than 100,000 public chargers throughout North America, it's easy to recharge your Ford EV anywhere. You can set your maximum charge level through your SYNC 4 touchscreen, and the FordPass app lets you monitor your battery status. Get More Miles Out of Your Brakes Your Ford EV uses mechanical brakes with pads, calipers, and rotors, but it also uses regenerative braking. Regenerative braking reverses the electric motor to slow the vehicle and then directs that energy back into the battery. Not only does this process replenish your battery a little when you brake, but it also reduces wear and tear on your brake components, so you won't need to replace them as often. Schedule Service at Your Ford Dealer Regular maintenance for your EV is easy and affordable with the available Ford Protect Premium Maintenance EV extended service plan. This prepaid plan covers inspections, tire rotations, and more at your dealership. You can purchase coverage for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. To schedule service for your Ford EV or to learn more about electric Ford options, contact Village Ford in Dearborn, MI today.

Having your Ford vehicle regularly serviced for scheduled maintenance is vitally important. While many people only have their vehicle serviced when it is acting up or when something breaks, the people who have their vehicle maintained at the intervals recommended by Ford enjoy peak performance of their vehicle for many years and miles to come. Here's what you should know about Ford maintenance performed at your Ford dealer's service department. more Maintenance Schedule When you purchase a new Ford vehicle, you receive an interval list of when maintenance should be performed on your vehicle. The first scheduled maintenance is at 10,000 miles, and each scheduled maintenance should be performed at 10,000-mile intervals until you reach 40,000 miles. Once you reach 40,000 miles, maintenance should be performed every 20,000 miles until you reach 100,000 miles. Oil An oil change with oil filter replacement will be performed at every scheduled maintenance appointment. Oil is an essential fluid for your vehicle's engine. It reduces friction, carries debris from within the engine, and deposits it in the oil filter. It also helps regulate temperature to keep the engine from overheating or poor performance. Using the manufacturer-recommended grade of oil is so important to help your engine run smoothly and efficiently. Tires Tires receive some of the roughest use compared to other parts of the vehicle. They are always subjected to uneven wear and tire-piercing debris on the roads. Tire inspection and rotation are performed at every scheduled maintenance appointment. In addition, you should check your tires' air pressure once a month. An underinflated tire causes rolling resistance, leading to increased fuel consumption. Brakes and Exhaust Your vehicle's brake pads and rotors will be inspected for corrosion and lack of surfacing at every scheduled maintenance appointment. The exhaust system and heat shields are also inspected for material integrity. At the 60,000-mile maintenance appointment, your brakes will be replaced. Belts, Filters, and Hoses Your vehicle has many belts, filters, and hoses that must be inspected and/or replaced at every scheduled maintenance appointment. These include serpentine belts that drive alternators and water pumps, an engine air filter, a cabin air filter, and coolant hoses. Each is inspected for loose fits and material integrity. Air filters are easily overlooked but can hinder your vehicle's performance if they are clogged. Fluids All fluid levels are checked at every scheduled maintenance appointment. These include coolant, brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. In some cases, these fluids are just topped off, and in other cases, these fluids are flushed and replaced with new fluid. At all scheduled maintenance appointments, your vehicle is also subject to a multi-point inspection. Keep your Ford vehicle running at its best. Contact Village Ford in Dearborn, MI, and schedule your next maintenance appointment today.