When Should I Check My Brakes?

By the time you start hearing screeching or grinding, some brake damage has already occurred. 

You want to inspect your brakes regularly so that rotor damage (one cause of those not-so-lovely sounds) doesn’t become an issue. A good rule of thumb is to have your brakes inspected every time you have your oil changed.

Maintaining enough material on your brake pads protects the rotor. As your brake pads wear, of course, they get thinner. The fronts wear faster than the rear brake pads by a ratio of about 2:1 because there is more load placed on the front when stopping.

Weather doesn’t really affect how fast your brakes wear, but it’s important to know that in really cold weather, you might temporarily hear a grinding or squealing sound just the first few times you apply the brakes—on a cold morning as you’re pulling out of the driveway, for instance. The friction from applying the brakes warms them quickly, so you shouldn’t hear that sound once the brakes have been applied a few times. If you do, you’ll want to bring your vehicle to our Service Center for an inspection. 

Car Heater Not Working?

Try these easy steps to pinpoint the problem—and stop the chill.

Is your car heater not working, and you’re worried about freezing solid when winter arrives?  Well, here are some car maintenance tips to guide you on what to troubleshoot—and when to take your vehicle in for service.

Check your blower motor (fan).
Start here when troubleshooting heater issues. The fan controls the speed at which the warm air comes out. If your fan isn’t blowing any air, have your technician check it out. If the fan comes on but the flow isn’t strong enough—or if the air isn’t warm enough—follow the rest of this checklist.

Replace the cabin air filter.
Check your owner's manual to see if your vehicle is equipped with a cabin air filter and, if so, where it’s located. When this filter is clogged with dirt, dust, bugs or other debris, you’ll experience a decrease in airflow through the vents. You may be able to replace this filter yourself—or you can have it checked and replaced (if necessary) as part of The Works™ package.

Clear the air intake.
Do you park your vehicle under trees? Your heater can be affected when leaves—or snow or other debris—block the air intake, which is the vented area between the hood and windshield on the outside of your vehicle. Remove any obstructions. If the air intake is clear and the blower is running but you still aren’t getting enough air volume, the problem probably lies elsewhere—keep reading.

Check your vents for vacuum system leaks.
Your vehicle’s vacuum/electrical system directs air to the feet, vents or defroster. It also mixes hot and cold air to give you the desired cabin air temperature. Check each of the vents to make sure air comes out as intended. If not, you may have a vacuum leak. Older vehicles, especially, can develop vacuum leaks that can cause heater problems. Take your vehicle to a trained technician to inspect and fix this issue.

Check your coolant system.
If your heater isn’t working and the coolant level is abnormally low—i.e., below the minimum line marked on the coolant reservoir tank—it’s time to have the coolant system examined for leaks. Quick automotive lesson here: Your engine produces heat, which is transferred to the engine coolant. The coolant then travels, via hoses, to the heater core. The blower motor sends air across the heater core, and the resulting warm air moves through the vents to your car’s interior. To make this system work, you must have both the proper water/coolant level and a working thermostat. If your coolant isn’t leaking, your technician may need to check your thermostat. When it’s stuck in the “open” position, the coolant won’t get hot and your heater won’t function properly.

Now that you’ve located the problem, you’re well on your way to warmth this winter!


Source: My Ford Magazine

Top 5 Car Care Tips for Spring and Summer Travel

With summer just around the corner, spring is a great time to make sure your vehicle is geared up for those summer road trips you’ve been looking forward to taking. Make sure your car is ready to roll this summer by checking out our top five car care tips.

1. Maintain engine efficiency with an oil change.

When you think of vehicle maintenance, one of the first things that comes to mind is probably changing your oil, right? Well, regularly scheduled oil changes are a big deal when it comes to the well-being of your engine, because keeping a well-oiled motor lubricates the engine’s moving parts and allows it to function efficiently. It also helps filter debris and prevent the motor from overheating.

Ford advises that if you drive a vehicle of model year 2008 or newer, you should change your oil every 7,500 miles or every six months (whichever comes first). If your vehicle was made in 2007 or before, it’s recommended that you get an oil change every 5,000 miles or every six months. 

2. Measure tire pressure to ensure a smooth ride.

Nothing knocks a summer road trip off course like a flat tire. Make sure your wheels are in good shape all year long by checking your tire pressure regularly. A tire gauge is a great tool you can use to do this easily, but keep in mind that recommended tire pressure can vary depending on the weather and vehicle. 

Click here to see Service Manager Tommy Moore’s tips for checking tire tread using a penny!

3. Inspect your brake system for passenger safety.

Making sure your brakes are in good shape is important no matter what season it is, but it’s crucial when traveling longer distances than usual. Keeping up with the maintenance of your vehicle’s brake system is paramount for ensuring the safety of your passengers and yourself, as well as preserving the condition of your vehicle overall. Make sure you’ve had your brake pads, rotors, and fluids inspected before hitting the road for vacation.

4. Replace your air filter for a smooth ride.

If your engine isn’t running smoothly, it’s going to be a bumpy ride, whether you’re trekking cross-country or just making your morning commute to work. Keep your engine free of dirt and other harmful debris by keeping a clean air filter. For many Ford engines, it’s recommended that you change air filters every 30,000 miles.

5. Have your car battery checked before hitting the road.

It’s probably not too much of a stretch to say that most people would not head out on a road trip without charging their cell phone first, right? Your car battery isn’t quite the same thing, but you won’t get very far on a battery in poor condition.

When a car battery gets low on charge, you may start noticing signs like your car taking longer to start, the dimming of interior lights, or the appearance of your check engine light. Skip the hassle this summer by keeping an eye out for these warning signs and having your battery checked before you head out on any road trips.

Before you hit the road for vacation, be sure to get your vehicle the maintenance it needs to keep you from making any unnecessary detours. 

Get The Works!

We are giving you the chance to save big on a premium vehicle maintenance program, The Works, so you can get your car ready for the road this summer in only one visit. For just $39.95, you get a complete vehicle checkup including a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid-top off, battery test, filter check plus belts, hoses check, and more.

All you need to do is ask for The Works! Click here to conveniently request a service appointment online or call our Service Center in Kannapolis, North Carolina at (877) 843-6193 and one of our friendly customer service representatives will get you started!