Ford's Guide to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Image via Bob Maxey Ford of Howell. Summer is the time for fun in the sun, but unfortunately, the hot and humid weather can cause car trouble. Ford summer maintenance helps you prepare for the warmer months and will safeguard your vehicle, preventing issues that can lead to costly repairs. more Have Your Cooling System Serviced Overheating is a common problem in summer. Schedule a cooling system service to prevent your Ford from getting too hot under the hood. Your Ford technician will check the coolant and inspect the radiator, hoses, and belts for wear and leaks. You should also check your coolant every two weeks and keep it topped off to the correct level to prevent overheating. Test Your Air Conditioning System You want to be prepared for the heat when the summer rolls around. Test your AC before the weather gets too hot and have your Ford technician service it to avoid sitting in a hot car in the sweltering heat. Change the Oil and Filter When the sun bakes down on your vehicle, you want to ensure that the components under the hood stay cool. Changing the oil and filter will keep the engine lubricated and reduce friction between the moving parts, which can cause overheating. A new oil filter will keep dirt away from your engine. Service Your Brakes Summer is the time for exciting road trips. To ensure your brakes work when you step on the brake pedal, check the thickness of your brake pads and brake fluid. Have your Ford technician perform a comprehensive brake system inspection for your safety on the road. Replace the Cabin Air Filter In the summer, your cabin air filter is vital for preventing outside pollutants from entering your cabin through the vents. An old and dirty filter can also cause problems with your air conditioning system, which you want to avoid in the heat. Have Your Battery Tested Hot summer weather can affect your battery's health. If your battery is over three years old, it's a good idea to have it tested to ensure it can withstand the heat. Replace Your Wiper Blades To prepare your Ford for the heavy rains and thunderstorms in July, replace your wiper blades. Brittle and worn wiper blades are less effective and can leave streaks on your windshield, reducing your visibility in rainy weather. Monitor Your Tire Pressure The high temperature during the summer can cause tire pressure fluctuations. Ensure your tires and spare are always inflated to the recommended pressure levels. Improperly inflated tires can lead to poor handling performance, higher fuel consumption, and premature tread wear. Proper summer vehicle maintenance will ensure that your Ford remains in great running condition, even during the intense heat that can worsen existing problems and result in sudden breakdowns. Call Bob Maxey Ford of Howell, MI, now to schedule a service. Our certified technicians will help prepare your vehicle to withstand the summer heat.

Image via Bob Maxey Ford of Howell. There are lots of different types of Ford service you should visit your Howell Ford dealership for, including fluid checks. You need to keep on top of your fluid levels, and the technicians at your local dealership need to check whether or not the fluids in your vehicle are contaminated. Driving with contaminated fluids or low fluid levels can cause serious damage to your car. more To Prevent Engine Wear and Tear One of the main fluids in your car is motor oil, and it's typically the fluid that needs to be changed most often. Making sure you have enough high-quality oil in your car is essential for reducing wear and tear on your engine. The oil lubricates the parts of the engine, cooling them down and stopping them from grinding against each other. When there's enough high-quality oil in your engine, you should expect your car to perform optimally. Making sure your motor oil level is topped up also leads to better gas mileage. To Keep the Brakes Responsive Break fluid is one of the most important fluids in your car, so you should definitely make sure you have enough of it at all times. Your dealer will add more brake fluid or replace your brake fluid as necessary so it can do its job: keeping your brakes working. Brake fluid is one of the main components of your braking system, and it's responsible for placing pressure on your pistons, which push your brake pads against your rotors to stop the car. Without enough brake fluid, or with low-quality brake fluid in your car, you'll notice your brakes aren't as responsive as usual, which is very dangerous. To Stop Your Car From Overheating Having enough of each fluid in your car helps prevent various systems in the vehicle from overheating. The coolant is the main fluid that helps the car regulate its temperature, as it's what runs through your radiator. Having your local dealer check that there's enough high-quality coolant in the car to prevent the vehicle from overheating is imperative. Why You Should Visit Your Howell Ford Dealership for Fluid Checks You should check your fluid levels by yourself regularly, but you should also get a professional to take a look a couple of times a year. The technicians at your Ford dealership can easily tell when each fluid is too contaminated and needs to be drained and replaced by fresh fluid. They also don't know which types of each fluid need to be used in your specific car model, so visiting the dealer for fluid checks is best for your car's longevity and performance. Get your fluid levels checked at Bob Maxey Ford of Howell in Howell, MI. We're open to serve you from 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 3 PM every Saturday.

Image via Bob Maxey Ford of Howell. Headlights are one of your car's most important safety features. Knowing when to head to the Ford dealer for new headlights can help you avoid getting stranded in the dark. more Weakening Lights It's very common for headlight bulbs to dim over time. This dimming is often so gradual drivers do not notice something is wrong until the lights become too dim to see clearly. Weak, dim headlights are likely near the end of their lifespan, so they should be replaced as soon as you notice something is off. Flickering, Inconsistent Light Flickering headlights could mean anything from a power supply issue to a bulb that's about to go out. Steady light is important for safe driving in the dark, so if your lights flicker on and off or brighten and dim erratically, you should have them checked immediately. One Burned Out Bulb If one of your headlights has burned out, you should have the bulb replaced right away. Driving with only one working headlight can be dangerous. It is also illegal, meaning you're risking a ticket. Keep in mind that bulbs that were installed at the same time will often burn out around the same time. Foggy, Yellow Lenses The plastic lenses that cover your headlights were originally clear. Over time, they can become foggy or yellow from oxidation. This limits the amount of light your headlights can produce. Cleaning your lenses may improve matters, but if not, they will need to be replaced. Bulbs Keep Burning Out If your headlight bulbs just keep burning out, there may be a larger electrical problem with your car. While it's normal to replace your headlights from time to time, more than one set of burned-out bulbs inside a year is a red flag. Visible Damage If your headlights are cracked, broken, or otherwise visibly damaged, they need to be replaced. Broken headlights may produce less light, and cracks can allow water to get inside. Moisture Inside the Lens If you can see condensation inside the headlight lens, there are probably cracks or poor seals allowing the water in, even if you can't see them. Since water entering your car's electrical system can cause additional problems, moisture inside your headlights means you should get them replaced, fast. Visit Your Ford Dealer for New Headlights If you notice any signs of trouble with your headlights, your next stop should be the dealership. We have the right parts for your specific model, and can also check for any underlying issues before you drive away. Don't compromise your safety with headlights that aren't doing their job. Call Bob Maxey Ford of Howell today and schedule a headlight inspection.