4 Maintenance Issues You Should Never Skip

July 20, 2019 · 3 min read

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.

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

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Dec 18, 2020 in Palm Coast Ford Dealer

5 Reasons to Get Ford Parts at Your Local Ford Dealership

When your Ford vehicle needs a new part, there are two options available to you. You opt for aftermarket parts from your local mechanic shop, or, you can choose to go with a more trusted and reliable source of Ford parts that your authorized Ford dealership provides. The parts supplied by your dealership are known as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and come with many benefits that as a Ford owner, should strongly consider. more Quality Assurance When you buy OEM parts from Ford it ensures you're getting parts that are certified and built to last. They also come with verified warranties because Ford stands by the products they make. Aftermarket parts often don't come with a warranty or quality assurance, and when they break sooner than expected, no one is accountable for it, which costs you more money in the long run. Your Ford dealership has one goal: to keep you out of the service center and enjoying your driving experience. Honesty and No Upselling It's happened to us all at one point or another. You bring your vehicle into a random shop to replace your brakes, and the next thing you know, there are a bunch of other parts that need immediate replacing. When you buy your auto parts at your local Ford dealership, there is no unnecessary upsell. The specialized Ford technicians will give you an honest assessment of your vehicle and only recommend replacing the parts that need to be replaced. Convenience and Comfort Bringing your car in for service used to be a dreaded chore, but those days have long passed. Part of what makes the experience of buying your parts at Ford so great is the level of comfort they provide while your vehicle is being serviced. As a loyal Ford customer, you'll have access to a waiting area that is equipped with comfortable seating, HDTVs, and a great Wi-Fi connection. There's also a pot of complimentary freshly brewed coffee for you to enjoy. Specialized Ford Technicians Your vehicle is a big investment and should be given the best care and attention at all times, including when it's in for service or having parts replaced. The technicians at your local Ford dealership are trained to know every single spec that comes with your vehicle. No matter whether you're getting an oil change or changing a fan belt, trusting your Ford in the hands of the technicians who are trained to fix it is your best option. A Friendly and Professional Team Your local Ford dealership will do more than install the best quality parts in your vehicle, they will make you feel welcome and treat you with courtesy and respect throughout the entire process. At Ford, you are more than just a client; you're a valuable member of a much larger community and your peace of mind regarding the care and condition of your Ford vehicle means everything to them. Are you interested in and owning a brand new or certified pre-owned Ford vehicle? Call Palm Coast Ford today to book your test drive!

Oct 16, 2020 in Palm Coast Ford Dealer

3 Reasons the 2020 Ford F150 Is the Top Pickup on the Market

The 2020 Ford F150 is the ultimate work hard, play hard truck. Whether you drive a Ford for work or you want a truck that can comfortably seat the entire family, there is an F150 out there for everyone. With seven different trims available, each with available customizable options, the hardest choice is choosing which one. The F150 Raptor is specially engineered for those that love off-roading and the Limited and Platinum are great if you love a luxury vehicle. more 1. FordPass With the FordPass app, you can use FordPass Connect to access remote features such as start/stop, lock/unlock, vehicle status check, Find a Vehicle, and more. By downloading the app in the app store of your compatible smartphone device, you will be able to check the amount of fuel in your gas tank and see when you will need another oil change. Vehicle Health Reports will keep you on top of your vehicle's maintenance needs so you never have to worry. With FordPass rewards, you have the power to choose how points are redeemed. Either using them for accessories, maintenance services, parts, or even towards purchasing a new Ford vehicle. What is even better is Ford will start you off with 42,000 points to be redeemed at your local Ford Dealership for any of the aforementioned reasons. You can also schedule services and have access to Roadside Assistance through the app. 2. Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology With Co-Pilot 360, feel confident on the road knowing that a host of standard and available safety features are always with you. BLIS with trailer coverage can detect vehicles in you or your trailer's blind spot and notify you with haptic seat feedback. Auto High Beam Headlights automatically turn off when oncoming traffic is approaching so as not to blind them and then turn themselves back on once they pass to continue giving you illuminated vision in lowlight settings. The Pre-Collision Assist with an emergency braking system will brace you for an accident by alerting you and applying pressure to the brakes if you don't respond in time. Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go allows you to set a speed and will pace you to stay a safe distance behind the car in front of you, even coming to a complete stop if necessary and continuing once the car in front of you accelerates. 3. Smart Pickup Box With the best payload of its class, the Ford F150 has a pickup bed that is designed with efficiency in mind. The integrated tailgate step with lift assist, flexible Boxlink system, deployable box side steps, stowable loading ramps, and LED box lights are just some of the available additions you can include making work more productive. This is why the F150 is one of the best work trucks in its class and the most popular pickup truck on earth. In the Ford F150, difficult tasks are made easy. The F150 has the only military-grade aluminum-alloy body that is high in strength without adding extra weight to keep your Ford tough without weighing it down. If you're on the fence over the F150, get off of it and come visit Palm Coast Ford today to see why the 2020 F150 is the right truck for you.

Aug 14, 2020 in Palm Coast Ford Dealer

4 Features of the 2020 Ford EcoSport

If you're looking for a small and practical car that's also fun to drive, you should take a closer look at the 2020 Ford EcoSport. It's a subcompact SUV with a quirky style that offers sporty handling. You can choose from S, SE, Titanium, and SES models, all with the option of intelligent all-wheel drive. Here are four of the EcoSport's outstanding features. more 1. Street Smart Styling Whether you're commuting, running errands, or heading out on a road trip, the 2020 EcoSport ensures a fun and stylish ride. With its bold front end styling, sculpted profile, and sporty rear, it's sure to get you noticed. S-trimmed models feature daytime running lights, automatic quad-beam headlamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot mirrors, and a swing-open rear gate. The SE trim offers bright grille bars, fog lamps, LED signature lights, body-colored mirrors and door handles, deep-tinted rear glass, and black roof rails. The Titanium model adds a chrome-accented grille and trim, silver roof rails, and 17-inch wheels. For a sportier look, the SES features unique styling cues with bold black body accents. 2. Exciting and Fun Performance Under the hood of the S, SE, and Titanium trims is a lively turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine producing 123 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Standard for the SES and an option on other models is intelligent four-wheel drive and a responsive four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo motor that generates 166 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. For improved city fuel efficiency, you have auto start-stop technology. The three-cylinder engine will get up to 27 mpg around town and 29 mpg on the highway. With the 2.0-liter, you'll get up to 23 and 29 mpg for city and highway driving, respectively. 3. Stylish and Practical Interior Inside the EcoSport, you'll find spacious seating for five and a 60/40 split-folding second row to increase your cargo capacity. The swing-open tailgate provides easy access to your gear. For additional versatility, all but the S trim feature an adjustable cargo floor and shelf. The S trim offers stylish cloth upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, and two 12-volt power points. The multimedia system has a six-speaker sound system, dual USB inputs, and FordPass Connect with a Wi-Fi hot spot. SE models add keyless ignition, automatic climate control, a leather-bound steering wheel and shift knob, and a power moonroof. The Sync 3 infotainment system features smartphone integration, voice recognition, satellite radio, and an 8-inch touch screen display. In the sport-themed SES are ActiveX upholstery, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and a 110-volt power point. The luxurious Titanium gives you leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a B&O 10-speaker audio system, and navigation. 4. Safety Features To keep you in control, the EcoSport features roll stability control, torque vectoring control, traction control, hill start assist, a four-wheel anti-lock braking system, and a backup camera. The SE trim gets rear parking assist, while SES and Titanium models add rain-sensing wipers and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic warning. To see why the 2020 EcoSport is a great choice for you, visit Palm Coast Ford for a closer look. Image via Ford | CC By 0

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