5 Preventive Maintenance Tips for Your Ford’s Long Life

There’s no better feeling than getting around town in a Ford. It’s the perfect way to flex your style. However, while it may be a reliable vehicle, your Ford also needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly and prolong its lifespan. 

As Hickory, North Carolina’s reliable Ford dealership company, we put together five preventive maintenance tips to help ensure your Ford runs smoothly and lasts longer. 

1. Check the Tire Pressure

An essential part of preventative maintenance for your Ford vehicle is checking your tire pressure. Your car’s tires are the only connection to the road, so adequately inflating them can ensure a safe, comfortable, and efficient ride. 

A tire pressure gauge can help you check your tire pressure. Ford dealership companies recommend dedicating at least three hours after your last drive to check the tire pressure. 

Neglecting this step can lead to excessive tire wear, problems handling, and reduced fuel efficiency. 

2. Get a Wheel Alignment

Driving over rough terrains at high speeds can cause wheel misalignment. Misalignment can cause poor handling on the road and reduced gas efficiency. 

If your Ford vehicle pulls to the side when steering, you should get a wheel alignment immediately. 

Besides misalignment, you should also let auto mechanics align your wheels when you hear squealing tires, noisy steering, or when you notice a crooked steering wheel or uneven and rapid tire wear. 

Several mechanics recommend getting a wheel alignment every two or three years to prevent more severe damage to your tires. 

3. Rotate the Tires

Tire rotation is another critical component to ensure your Ford runs smoothly. It helps maintain traction and preserve balanced handling, especially when roads are slick from rain or snow. 

Tire rotation also helps even out tire wear. While mechanics usually recommend turning your Ford’s tires every 6000 to 8000 miles, you must rotate them earlier if the front tires are wearing faster than the back ones. You must also spin your wheels immediately if one of the tires is losing air more quickly than the others. 

Likewise, you should rotate your tires if your vehicle vibrates while traveling at 45 mph or higher. Even if rotating the tires won’t prolong your vehicle’s life, it can ensure a smoother ride. 

4. Never Miss Your Oil Changes

Whether you own a Ford or any other vehicle, keeping up with oil changes is one of the essential things you can do to ensure your auto runs smoothly. 

Regular oil changes help reduce and eliminate excess dirt buildup in your Ford’s engine to ensure your car runs efficiently. It also lubricates your car parts and prevents your engine from overheating caused by friction.

Regular oil changes can improve your Ford vehicle’s lifespan. Ensure your engine has enough clean oil to enhance its gas mileage. Otherwise, it can lead to increased fuel consumption. Ford dealerships usually recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 7,500 miles.

5. Check the Fluid Levels

Besides the car oil, you should monitor other fluids in your Ford vehicle, such as the engine coolant, brake, and transmission fluid. 

Engine coolants protect your vehicle from overheating in hot weather and freezing during cold weather. Driving with low engine coolant can damage your Ford’s certain parts, resulting in costly repairs. We recommend changing your engine coolant every 30,000 miles. 

On the other hand, brake fluid or hydraulic acid fluid helps move various parts of your vehicle’s brake system. While you only need to change your brake fluid every three years, we still recommend paying attention to your vehicle’s fluid levels. 

Likewise, you should check your Ford’s transmission fluid levels because it cools the transmission, lubricates moving parts, and facilitates gear shifts. While you should change it every 30,000 miles, your owner’s manual will present the exact number.

Driving Safely

Your Ford is a valuable investment. These five preventive maintenance tips can help ensure a smooth ride and prolong your vehicle’s lifespan. 

Cloninger Ford of Hickory has the best Ford dealerships in Hickory, North Carolina. We also have a dedicated service department and offer Ford parts so you can safely drive in style. Call us today!

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