The Ultimate Guide to Regularly Scheduled Ford 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.

Over 300,000 crashes are caused each year in the US by brake failure. The braking systems in Ford vehicles are extremely reliable, but even the very best brakes require diligent maintenance to keep you safe on the road. Brakes should be serviced at least every six months at your local Ford dealer. Let's take a look at the four major parts of a braking mechanism and how each one can sometimes require brake repair. more Getting Brake Repair at Your Local Ford Dealership Brake Pad Repair Each time you press the brake pedal, your brake pads clamp onto the rotors. The enormous friction generated brings your car to a halt. This friction gradually scrapes away at the friction layer of a brake pad, which is formed of various metallic or organic compounds bonded by heat-resistant resin. Under ordinary urban driving conditions, brake pads last about 30,000 to 40,000 miles. When the friction layer is all but gone, you'll hear a high-pitched squealing sound, signifying it's time for replacement pads. If the friction layer is allowed to disappear altogether, you'll hear metallic grinding when you brake, which means your rotor discs are being damaged. Rotor Repair Each rotor disc is connected firmly to the axle, allowing it to control the wheel's speed. Rotors are usually made from high-carbon iron or ceramic materials and they generally last longer than brake pads: about 50,000 to 70,000 miles. It's possible for over-used pads to score the surface of rotors. This will lead to odd vibrations when you brake. Overheating can also warp rotors out of shape. Also, while overheating, the resin in brake pads occasionally melts, coating the rotor and hardening as a lumpy surface. Any such damage you'll feel as vibrations through the brake pedal. Damaged rotors can sometimes be revived with resurfacing, but most often they need to be replaced. Brake Hose Repair The brake hoses transmit the braking signal from your foot to the calipers, which then clamp the brake pads onto the rotors. Your foot is able to exert such force because of the extremely high hydraulic pressure existing inside the brake hoses. This hydraulic pressure is maintained by special brake fluid. If this brake fluid ever leaks or air gets into the hose, then your brakes will become soft and spongy. If this happens, slow down and pull over immediately before you get into an accident. Caliper Repair The caliper houses the entire braking mechanism. Calipers are extremely sturdy and durable and can be expected to last a good 75,000 to 100,000 miles. On rare occasions, a screw or bolt might become jolted loose inside a caliper. In this case, you might hear the loose part clicking noisily whenever you brake. Have your brakes serviced today by experienced professionals at Village Ford in Dearborn. We have courteous, knowledgeable staff on hand and a broad inventory of excellent Ford vehicles.