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Important Ford Service Milestones
Keeping your Ford up and running at peak performance starts by properly maintaining it. It’s important to stick to service milestones and get routine maintenance so you can prevent major issues down the road. Make sure to check your owner’s manual to see milestones specific to your vehicle and contact us at Two Rivers Ford to schedule an appointment as needed.
Common maintenance items
As a general rule, you should keep up with common maintenance items as often as possible. Ideally, they should be performed weekly. For the most part, common maintenance items take just a few minutes. You should start by checking your tire pressure. Inflating the tires to the manufacturer-suggested pressure has a number of benefits, including improved fuel economy. You can tackle two maintenance items at once by checking for any damage or abnormalities on the tires at the same time.Illuminated dashboard warning lights shouldn’t be ignored. You should address the lights as soon as possible, either through some DIY maintenance or by heading to the dealership. Checking the engine oil and refilling the windshield washer fluid are two more common maintenance items that should be attended to.
Three months/3,000 miles
Three-month/3,000-mile maintenance items typically need to be taken care of four times a year. Begin by checking the engine air filter, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. You should take a few moments to inspect the belts, hoses, and exhaust system. Close out these service milestones by inspecting the battery and tightening all the cables.Six months/6,000 miles
You can perform the three-month service milestones at the same time as the six-month/6,000-mile maintenance items. You should replace your windshield wipers every six months to optimize your view of the road. A dealership service technician should also inspect and lubricate the chassis.12 months/12,000 miles
All maintenance items from the previous sections should be performed along with the 12-month/12,000-mile service milestones. You should have a service technician perform a full inspection of the vehicle. If you want to inspect your car yourself, you should focus on the antifreeze, wheel alignment, braking system, and cabin air filter.15,000-30,000 miles
Your car’s air filter works to sift out contaminants, dust, and debris so the engine can run at its peak level of performance. The constant influx of these dirty particles can clog a filter, making it ineffective over time. In other words, your car’s engine will not only have to work harder to perform, it will not perform nearly as well as it should. To help protect your engine from contaminates, you need to check your air filter around 15,000 miles, especially if your car sits or drives regularly in a dusty environment. If not, you may be able to stretch the air filter replacement to after 15,000 miles, but no later than 30,000 miles.Another component that will impact the quality of your car’s performance is the fuel filter. Your engine may cease to run or run rough if it’s working with a clogged fuel filter. The 30,000-mile marker is a good time to have the component replaced, but since manufacturer’s guidelines vary, it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual or have it checked at the service department at Two Rivers Ford.
50,000-60,000 miles
Despite its power and undeniable necessity to your car, a battery is somewhat fickle. Not only is it weakened by idleness, age, and fluctuating temperatures, it’s also built for a limited lifespan. You should get 50,000 to 60,000 miles out of your battery, or approximately four to five years.If a screeching noise erupts when you hit the brakes, that is a good indication that it’s time to replace the brake pads/shoes. This typically occurs around 50,000 miles, if you’re lucky. At approximately 60,000 miles, warped brake rotors are most likely the cause of braking issues. At this mileage, you should replace them and your coolant as well as flush the entire cooling system. For transmission fluid maintenance, it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual for service recommendations.
For all your maintenance needs, be sure to contact the service department at Two Rivers Ford in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.
