Caring for Your Car Battery

Keeping your Ford running like new is as easy as ensuring it gets serviced as often as recommended by the manufacturer; however, you don't want to trust your Ford with just any mechanic. At your Ford dealer, you'll find all the essential services you need from factory-trained technicians who will treat your vehicle like it was their own. more Oil Changes This is the service that is most associated with a dealership service center, and for good reason. It's the single best service you can get for your Ford on a regular basis to ensure your engine is properly lubricated. When you have your car's oil changed at an authorized service center, you'll know you're getting genuine Ford parts that are installed by factory-trained technicians who know Ford vehicles better than mechanics that don't specialize in any one manufacturer. Tire Services No matter what kind of tire service you need for your Ford, you'll find it at your dealership. Tire rotations are usually scheduled along with oil changes, as most tire manufacturers recommend you have your tires rotated at least twice a year. Tire pressure checks are also performed at every oil change appointment to make sure your tires are properly inflated for the area's driving conditions. Of course, if you need new tires, they can handle that as well. Wheel Alignment If your car is pulling to one side or the other when you're holding the steering wheel straight, you probably need a wheel alignment. Not only can misaligned wheels make it difficult to steer, but they can also put additional pressure and wear on your tires. Ford technicians take great care to properly align wheels so that the car is safer on the road. They'll check the camber, toe, and caster on all four wheels to straighten out your drive. Battery Services Today's car batteries are taxed more than ever, what will all the technology that they have to power. You never want to find yourself with a dead car battery, not only because it would leave you stranded, but also because you may not be able to charge your devices. Having your battery tested at a dealership will make sure your battery always has enough juice. If you need a new battery, they'll choose the exact one designed for your car. Wiper Blades Your windshield wiper blades may not be the first component of your car that you think of when you're considering its maintenance needs. However, if you get stuck in a rain or snowstorm with bad blades, you'll wish you paid them more attention. Your blades will be checked during your oil change appointment, and if they need to be replaced, you'll be given the blades that are recommended by Ford for your specific make and model. Brakes Obviously, your braking system is critical for your safety, so you need to have it inspected on a regular basis. Getting your brake pads replaced and your rotors resurfaced when needed will go a long way in making sure you can stop your vehicle when you need to. Regardless of the service you need for your Ford, you'll find it at your dealership, and your car will be in the best mechanical hands possible. Call our experts at Palm Coast Ford today to schedule your service appointment.

Repair costs are an aspect of car ownership that can easily catch any driver unawares. Proper, consistent maintenance is the most effective method to prevent these costs from building up. Here are 6 useful Ford maintenance tips that will save your car: more 1. Regularly Change Engine Oil Wear and tear is an unavoidable consequence of long-term driving, but regular oil changes are a simple way to ensure this degradation is kept to a minimum. With Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life monitor, all you have to do is input your driving habits for an automated reminder when your next oil change is due. 2. Change Transmission Fluid Similar to engine oil, your car's transmission fluid should be changed periodically to avoid future issues, especially if you often drive under high-stress conditions and put your gears to hard use. You can assess if your car is in need of a transmission fluid change by checking your transmission fluid dipstick, or by heading to a mechanic for more specialized service if your car does not come with a dipstick. 3. Rotate Tires A tip that is often neglected by drivers, despite being on Ford's own basic maintenance checklist, is to rotate your tires approximately every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. This provides both greater fuel economy and smoother handling for your vehicle, while also extending the lifespan of your tires. 4. Washing and Waxing Every car owner wants their vehicle to not only perform well but to look good at the same time. An easy way to keep your car looking brand new is with frequent car washes to remove accumulated dirt and grime, which can often cause minor scratches and damages that add up over time. An annual or biannual wax job will also provide your car with additional protection from the elements 5. Using Genuine Ford Parts Another essential guideline when engaging in vehicle maintenance is to always use genuine OEM Ford parts. This means that the quality and performance of these parts are guaranteed by Ford, often contractually through warranties, and that they will fit perfectly with your vehicle. Settling for cheaper aftermarket parts will only sacrifice your peace of mind and possibly lead to more expensive repair jobs in the future. 6. Consistent Maintenance A common thread in the above tips is regularity in carrying out car maintenance, which is the most essential advice we can give. While it can be tempting to hold off on maintenance jobs when you are preoccupied with work or family, the costs of doing so can often be astronomical. Putting aside some time to frequently maintain the condition of your vehicle is undoubtedly the most effective way to save your car for years or even decades to come. Feeling overwhelmed by the number of car maintenance steps we've discussed? Not to worry! Schedule an appointment at Palm Coast Ford today, and our highly qualified mechanics will handle any maintenance or repair jobs your vehicle requires, using only genuine Ford parts and accessories for every step of the process.

Your car's alternator is a key part of your vehicle's electrical system, as it turns the energy from the crankshaft into electricity to power the electric components and charges your battery. Without a functional alternator, your car will be dead on the side of the road, so make sure you understand these signs that your car needs an alternator repair. more Warning Light Comes On The first main indicator of a failing alternator in a car is the warning light that illuminates on your dashboard. It might say "alt" or "gen," but they both mean the same thing: your alternator needs attention. Even if you don't notice any other signs that your alternator is going bad, pay attention to this warning light and have your car serviced right away. Ignoring this light could leave you stranded when your battery can't charge. Flickering or Dimming Headlights Your headlights are connected to your vehicle's electrical system, which means if the alternator starts acting up, it will affect your headlights, either making them dimmer than usual or causing them to flicker. You might also notice problems with the lights in your cabin, radio, or other electrical components as well. You'll want to get your car into a service center as soon as you can because eventually, they'll stop working altogether when your alternator fails. Unusual Sounds While this is a vague sign, bearings that are rattling around in your engine could indicate an alternator failure. You may not know what a specific sound means, but any time you hear something out of the ordinary, it could mean there's a problem with one of your car's components. If it is your alternator making these sounds, you probably don't have very long before it fails entirely, so have your car inspected to find the source of the sound. Car Stalls or Doesn't Want to Start Your car runs on more than just fuel; it also needs the electricity that is generated by the alternator to power your spark plugs, which then ignites the fuel. If your alternator is not capable of generating enough electricity needed to run the car, it's possible you'll have trouble starting it or it may even stall while you're driving it. This could cause an unsafe situation, especially if you're in the middle of traffic when your car stalls. Battery Dies The alternator is responsible for using the electricity it generates to charge your battery, and while batteries can certainly fail on their own, you'll want to make sure the alternator isn't the cause before investing in a new battery. Otherwise, the new one will drain as well and you'll have to get your alternator fixed anyway. Have both your battery and alternator checked at your service center at the same time to pinpoint the actual problem. If you ignore the signs of a failing alternator long enough, you're bound to be stuck on the side of the road when your car won't start. Come by Palm Coast Ford to have your alternator and battery inspected to ensure your car keeps running the way it should.