8 Reasons to Keep Up With Your Ford Maintenance Visits

When you're behind the wheel of your trusty Ford, you want the journey to be as safe and enjoyable as possible. A key component to ensuring this, especially during night drives or in less-than-ideal weather conditions, is having a set of properly functioning headlights. If you're wondering whether it's time for new headlights, let's go through some common signs that mean a visit to your Ford dealer might be in order. Dimming Lights One clear sign that it's time for a fresh set of headlights is when they start to lose their brightness. Dim headlights can compromise your ability to see the road ahead clearly at night or during inclement weather. If you find yourself squinting or struggling to make out the road, your headlights are not doing their job, and you should have them checked out. Burned-Out Bulbs If one or both of your bulbs have burned out, they clearly need to be replaced. Driving without two working headlights is a safety hazard and it is also illegal, meaning that you run the risk of getting a ticket if you try it. Frequent Bulb Replacements If you're finding yourself replacing the headlights in your Ford over and over, there's probably an underlying issue. Regularly needing new bulbs may indicate a problem with your headlight assembly or with the electrical system of your vehicle. Cracks or Damage to the Headlight Assembly Check the physical condition of your headlights. Cracks, chips, or significant damage can affect the quality of the light they provide. Breakage may also allow water to seep inside, leading to further issues. Any visible damage to your headlights is a sure sign that they need a checkup. Change in the Color of the Light Sometimes, aging headlights can start to give light that seems more yellow than white. This yellowing effect can reduce your visibility and may be a sign that your headlights need replacing. Sometimes this issue is caused by discoloration of the plastic lenses that cover your headlight assembly and can potentially be reduced by cleaning them. Dashboard Indicator Lights Many modern Ford models come with dashboard indicator lights that alert you when something is wrong with your vehicle, and that includes headlights. If your dashboard is signaling a problem with your headlights, it's time to get them checked out. Visit Your Ford Dealer for New Headlights When it comes to replacing or servicing your headlights, your dealership is the go-to place. We use high-quality, brand-name parts that are designed to work perfectly with your Ford model. Good headlights are essential for your safety and the safety of others on the road. If you're noticing any of these signs, don't hesitate to get those headlights checked out. Keep your journey safe, no matter the time of day. Call Matthew Ford to schedule a headlight inspection.

At Matthew Ford, we believe regular oil changes are one of the best things you can do for your car. A Ford oil change can extend the life of your vehicle, keep it running smoothly, and help it run more efficiently. Here are a few benefits of getting an oil change at your Ford dealer. more How Long Has It Been Since You Had a Ford Oil Change at Your Ford Dealer? Better Fuel Economy One of the significant benefits of regular oil changes is better fuel economy. The engine needs lubrication to run properly, and the oil used in a car's engine is one of the most important parts of that process. Without it, your car's engine wouldn't be able to function as well as it does. When you have your oil changed regularly, you remove any impurities that may be in your oil. If you don't change your oil and filter regularly, these impurities can build up on your engine's parts and reduce its ability to function at peak efficiency. This means that every time you drive your car, it has to work harder than it should, and this will cause your gas mileage to suffer. Longer Engine Life An oil change is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your car's engine lasts longer. Every time you drive, dust and dirt enter the engine. These particles build up over time and cause friction leading to wear on engine parts. If you don't change the oil regularly, this process will happen faster than if you changed your oil at regular intervals. Over time, this can lead to major breakdowns or even irreparable engine failure! Changing your car's oil helps keep dust and dirt from entering the engine and causing damage throughout its lifetime. It also ensures that all your parts are working together as smoothly as possible so they last longer, saving you money in repairs down the line! Damage to Engine Parts Oil helps keep moving parts in your car from grinding against each other. That's why changing the oil is so important. You want to ensure enough lubrication for all those moving parts to work properly, so they don't wear out faster than they should. The more miles you log on your car, the more stress is put on those moving parts, which means they need more lubrication to keep them from wearing prematurely. So even if you don't notice any issues with your car, you could be doing damage if you don't change the oil regularly! Getting a regular oil change can be a big benefit. Not only does it help your car run better and last longer, but it also saves you money! If you've been putting off your next service appointment, don't hesitate any longer: schedule an appointment at Matthews Ford today!

Brake repair is one of the most common and recurring issues that car owners face. While the average brakes can last for at least 20,000 miles, there are times when you might have to get your brakes repaired sooner. If you are unsure if your car needs to be taken to your local Ford dealer for some new brakes, here are four signs that can help you decide. more 4 Signs You Need a Brake Repair at Your Ford Dealer 1. Taking Longer to Stop Your car should stop as soon as you hit the brakes. If it is taking longer than normal for your car to slow down or stop, it might be one of the early warning signs that the brakes need to be changed. Delayed stopping happens when the brakes become worn and lose the ability to grip the rotors. It is important to not ignore this early warning sign. A car failing to stop on command is dangerous for you, your family, and other motorists and can potentially lead to a vehicle accident. 2. Squeaking and Squealing A car making strange or unusual sounds always means that something is wrong. If squealing or squeaking is heard anytime you press down on the brakes, it can mean that it is time for a repair. A squeak or squeal is a sign that the brake pads are so worn that the break indicators are rubbing against the rotors. This noise is not only annoying, but it can cause serious damage to the brake system. It is important to get the brakes fixed the first time you notice these sounds to avoid further damage and costly repairs. 3. Grinding Brakes Grinding brakes is a sign that there is a severe problem with the brake system. If you hear a grinding noise coming from your brakes, it means that the brake pads are extremely worn, and there is metal-on-metal contact. If the brake pads have reached this point, they need to be changed at once. Not replacing them can cause further damage to other parts of the brake system and can lead to brake failure. 4. Shaking When Stopping If your steering wheel begins to shake when you press down on the brake, it might be a sign that there is trouble with the brake pads, the rotors, or both. Worn brake pads or warped rotors can cause the steering wheel or the entire vehicle to shake. Taking your vehicle to a certified mechanic can help pinpoint the source of the problem and promptly fix it. Issues with your brake system should not be ignored. If your car is showing any of these signs, call Matthews Ford today.