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. 

KCS Teacher Breaks Record as Two-Time Winner of Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award

Congratulations to Fran Patterson, the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for February 2017!

Fran Patterson is an outstanding kindergarten teacher at Fred L. Wilson Elementary School. She received a record-setting THIRTEEN nominations from families and students that could not say enough good things about how wonderful she is. Fran is our first two-time winner of the Hilbish Award. She first received the honor back in 2011. We normally don’t select repeat winners, but we could not ignore so many heart-felt nominations.

Here is just a sampling:

“There are no words to describe how appreciative we are of Mrs. Patterson. I have never come across an individual as genuine and caring as she is. She has helped my children to read and achieve their goals.” 

“Before starting at Fred L. Wilson, my son was diagnosed with Select Mutism, had severe anxiety, and would not speak at school. It took Mrs. Patterson maybe a month and my son was comfortable enough to speak with her and most other teachers.”  

“Mrs. Patterson goes over and beyond her duties as a teacher and genuinely cares for her students. We could not ask for a better teacher!” Even one of her students sent in a nomination, “My teacher is the best. She helps me with my reading.” 

Another mom ended her nomination by summing up the feelings of her entire family when it comes to Mrs. Patterson: “We love her dearly."

Fran was presented with a plaque and a gift of $300 from Hilbish Ford during the February 2017 Kannapolis Board of Education meeting.  We are so proud of Fran and delighted that she is our first two-time winner of the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award.  Congratulations!

Click here if you would like to nominate a Kannapolis City Schools teacher for the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award!

KCS Presents the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award for January 2017

Congratulations to Alexandria Gordon, who was recognized by Kannapolis City Schools and presented with the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award for January 2017!

Alexandria is a passionate fourth grade teacher at Shady Brook Elementary School who strives to make a difference in the life of each student she teaches every day. She goes above and beyond in meeting all of her students’ needs. Alex meets individually with every student and sets goals that work for them at their level, while encouraging them to learn and grow. She provides opportunities for her students to be leaders in the classroom and to learn from each other through interactive and engaging lessons.

She sets parents at ease and has excellent communication with them. Both parents and students alike adore Alex. A parent recently praised Alex for her genuine love of each and every one of her students and said,

“When you walk into her room, you can feel the spirit of family throughout the room. When you see her students they truly focus on Teamwork making the Dream work.” 

Congratulations Alex and thank you for going above and beyond for our students!  Alex was presented with a plaque and a gift of $300 from Hilbish Ford during the Kannapolis Board of Education meeting in February 2017.

Click here to nominate a Kannapolis City Schools teacher for the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award!

5 Reasons to Care About Worn Shocks & Struts

Winter can be rough on your car’s suspension, and spring (hello, potholes!) can make it even worse. Here’s what can happen if you ignore some key warning signs—and tips on when to have your shocks and struts replaced, to help keep you cruising into summer.

1. Reduced Braking Ability

When your shocks or struts become worn down, your vehicle "jounces" more over bumps, which means it bounces up and down. This makes braking more difficult and could significantly increase your stopping distance. So take note: If your vehicle is taking longer than usual to stop, or if it is nose-diving when you do so (another sign of decreased traction), have your vehicle checked by a Ford technician. A suspension check is part of the Multi-Point Inspection included in The Works™ package; during the inspection technicians will ensure that all possible pothole-related damage is assessed, and you’ll have less to worry about.

2. Less Control on Corners

Watch out for an exaggerated “body roll” when you turn corners—this is when you feel yourself and your vehicle tilting a bit more than normal, which can be a sign of damaged shocks or struts. If that’s happening to you, take your vehicle in for a suspension check right away, because excessive body roll can affect your ability to safely steer around obstructions in the road.

3. Rougher Ride

Getting jostled on your journey is not only uncomfortable, it can affect your ability to safely control your vehicle. Try a quick bounce test at home by pushing down firmly on the front and rear of your vehicle. If the car moves up and down more than once or twice, have your shocks and struts checked at your Ford dealer.

4. Tire Wear

When struts or shocks are worn out, your tires wear out faster. A damaged strut or shock can also contribute to quicker wear on the other steering components of the vehicle, like rods and wheel bearings. If you notice a rumbling or increased vibrations at higher speeds, have a technician look for “cupping” on your tires, which is a type of scalloped wear pattern associated with struts and shocks. Cupping happens when your car jounces up and down, leaving indented scuff marks on the tires, and is a big red flag that your suspension needs repairing.

5. More Hydroplaning & Skidding

Worn shocks and struts can affect the way your wheels engage with the road, especially when roads are slick. If your vehicle is sliding or hydroplaning frequently, get your suspension checked by a Ford technician - before April showers arrive.

If you think your shocks and struts are worn, bring your vehicle to the Hilbish Ford Service Center to have a trained technician inspect them.  Visit our website today or call (877) 843-6193.

Source: My Ford Magazine

How does tire pressure work and how does it affect my drive?

Tire pressure is the measure of air in your tires. Learn how it works and why maintaining it is one of the most important vehicle safety measures you can take.

1. How does it work?

Air molecules within the tire moving around 1,000 miles per hour push outward, creating tension and inflating your tire.

2. How does it affect my driving?

Correct tire pressure helps ensure proper stability and braking, allowing for a safe, comfortable and fuel-optimized ride.

3. What happens if my tire is underinflated?

An underinflated tire will put undue wear on the shoulders of the tread, leading to poor driving performance, decreased road grip and an increased chance of hydroplaning.

4. How is it measured?

If your vehicle has it, your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) will monitor your tire pressure and let you know if any of your tires are significantly underinflated. If not, use a tire pressure gauge and air pump to check to see if it matches your vehicle tire label on the B-pillar or driver’s door.

5. How often should I check my tire pressure?

On average, tires lose around 1 psi of pressure a month, and lose an additional 1 psi for every 10-degree drop in outside temperature. You should check your pressure before long trips or after particularly strenuous drives.


Need to bring your vehicle in for service?  Contact the Service Department at Hilbish Ford today at 877-843-6193 or visit our website at www.hilbishford.com.

Mike Huffman is Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for December 2016

Congratulations to Mike Huffman, the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for December 2016!

Kannapolis City Schools recognized Mike earlier this month for his outstanding work as the Wonders Welding Teacher at A.L. Brown High School.

Mike is a hands-on teacher that takes pride in his students and encourages them to do their best. He was recently nominated by three of his welding students who said that Mike has helped them in so many ways. One student said, “[Mr. Huffman] has not only improved me as a student, but as a person. There are not many teachers you can ask very personal questions to, but he is always there willing to help.”

Mike’s students appreciate the way he takes time to work with them one-on-one to help them master welding skills. His students feel that Mike deserves more than one award and describe him as a humble person. One student asked Mike if he would like to win an award one day and he replied, “I don’t need an award. The best thing for me is getting a call in five years saying that you have a welding job making more money than me.”

We are extremely proud of Mike for his outstanding work at A.L. Brown High School.  Mike was recognized at the December 2016 Kannapolis Board of Education meeting.  He received a plaque and a $300 award from Hilbish Ford.

Click here to nominate an outstanding teacher for the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award.

Which Tires Should I Get For Winter?

 Prepare your Ford for your upcoming holiday travels and winter with these simple tire-buying tips:

1. How can I get my car ready for winter weather conditions?
There are all-terrain tires that offer improved traction in various conditions. Winter tires are designed with rubber compounds that deliver optimal safety and control in cold-weather conditions and wet-weather tires have treads that channel water away from under the tire.

2. If I already have all-season tires, do I really need winter tires?
If you live somewhere with a relatively mild climate, then all-season tires should work just fine. But if you live closer to the Snow Belt or if your all-season tires have some wear on them, then you could be put at risk.

3. Should I get the same type of tires my vehicle came with?
Ford original tires are designed to make the most of your vehicle’s performance, so it’s generally a good idea to stick with them. However, there are times when your driving conditions might require options better suited to your specific needs. The service technicians at your local Ford Dealer Service Center can help you troubleshoot.

4. Do different tires last longer?
All-season and touring tires generally have longer tread lives than performance tires. Other factors, such as vehicle type and driving tendencies (driving hard will often cause tires to deteriorate faster), also play a role in their life span.

5. Will I get a better ride out of some tires than others?
That depends on what you’re looking for. Certain types of tires, such as all-season and touring, are designed for comfort and stability, while performance tires provide higher-speed capability.

Don't take any risks this holiday and winter season.  If your car or truck is in need of new tires, get them before your holiday travels.  Click here to see Hilbish Ford's tires.