Is nighttime driving starting to become challenging because it's hard to see the road ahead? Headlights sometimes dim over time, and it can be difficult to recognize when they're due for replacement. Fortunately, if you need headlights, your Ford dealer can easily perform this service. Here are the signs your vehicle is due for new headlights. more Is It Time for Your Ford To Get New Headlights? Your Lights Are Dimming If the light being emitted by your headlights seems weaker than before, it may be time to replace them. It's not uncommon for headlights to lose up to 20 percent of their power before finally burning out. A weaker stream of light may also be a sign that dust and dirt have built up on the coverings of your lights. The service department at your local dealer can help you determine if you need fresh headlights, or if your existing headlights just need a good cleaning. Your Lights Have a Yellowish Glow Much like lights that have begun to dim, headlights that appear yellowish or cloudy may also need to be cleaned or replaced. Your Lights Are Blinking Headlights that flicker on and off are something to pay attention to. Flickering can be a sign of a faulty connection, but it can also signal that your headlights are about to burn out completely. One of Your Lights Has Gone Dark When one headlight burns out, that is often a sign that the other headlight on the vehicle is about to go. Headlights are usually installed together, and they tend to have roughly the same lifespan. If you're taking your vehicle to the dealer to have one headlight replaced, it can be a good idea to have the other replaced at the same time. How Can My Local Ford Dealer Help? Expert Repairs Replacing lights is just one of many repairs your local dealer can help with. The service department at your dealer can also realign and adjust lights that have been knocked askew by rough driving. Dimmer switch repairs can also be performed. The dimmer switch governs the interior and running lights as well as the headlights. And service work isn't the only thing you'll get at your local dealer. if you're wondering about upgrading your lights to a more efficient model, the service department can guide you through that decision. Long-Lasting Lights Once your local dealer has replaced your lights, you can rest assured that your new lights will last a while. Halogen lights have a lifespan of up to 1,000 hours, and energy-efficient LED headlights may last up to 30,000 hours. Xenon lights, which give off a white-bluish glow, usually last 10,000 hours. Once you've invested in a new set of headlights, you won't have to worry about them again for years. Are you worried about the strength of your headlights? Are you wondering if they need to be replaced? Let the experts at your local dealership help. Call Matthews Ford today to schedule headlight service!
8 Reasons to Keep Up With Your Ford Maintenance Visits
Routine Ford maintenance is crucial for optimal vehicle performance. At your Ford dealership in Broken Arrow, OK, we will ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly, is fuel-efficient, durable, safe, and on the road for years to come. more 1. Ensures Optimal Vehicle Performance Routine maintenance will boost your vehicle's performance. Our highly skilled technicians will thoroughly inspect every inch of your car and ensure that it is in excellent running condition and performing optimally. 2. Increases Reliability You will reduce the risk of unforeseen breakdowns if you stick to your vehicle's maintenance schedule and service your car regularly at an authorized dealership. Certified technicians will inspect your vehicle's fluid levels, systems, and components and ensure they are in good working order. The technician will identify any problems early and fix issues before they cause a breakdown and you stuck next to the road. 3. Improves Fuel Economy When your car is running optimally, it uses less fuel. Regular oil changes, clean air filters, spark plug replacements, and the correct tire pressure will improve your vehicle's fuel economy. A well-tuned engine will make a huge difference in how much fuel your vehicle consumes. It will also decrease emissions which are harmful to the environment. 4. Extends the Life of Your Vehicle A well-maintained vehicle in perfect working condition will reduce wear and tear caused and last longer. The better you care for your car, the longer it will be on the road and a pleasure to drive. 5. Improves Safety on the Road Routine maintenance will ensure that your car is safe on the road. During a maintenance service, all the safety systems will be checked to determine if they are working as they should. Your vehicle's brake system and tires will be inspected for damage and wear and inflated to the correct tire pressure. This will ensure that you and your passengers are safe on the road. 6. Saves Money on Repair Costs When a qualified technician regularly inspects your vehicle, minor problems will be dealt with before they change into expensive and costly repairs. Regular oil and fluid changes will ensure that your vehicle's parts are well lubricated to reduce friction that causes wear and tear. 7. Protects the Warranty If your vehicle is still under warranty, you must adhere to the factory prescribed service intervals to not void the warranty. You need to service your car at an authorized dealership where qualified Ford technicians will perform quality maintenance and repairs. 8. Increased the Resale Value As your car gets older, the resale value decreases. That is why it's crucial to maintain your vehicle inside and out. When you take your vehicle to a Ford Dealership for regular maintenance and repairs and keep the service record up to date, it will increase the resale value. You will get more money for your car when you want to sell it or trade it in for a new vehicle. Prevention is better than cure, and maintenance costs are lower than unexpected repairs. Contact Matthews Ford today and schedule an appointment. Our certified Ford technicians will ensure that your vehicle performs optimally, is reliable, and fuel-efficient.
How Often Should You Get Your Routine Ford Oil Change?
When you buy a car, you know you're going to have to keep it properly maintained to make sure it continues to drive like it's new. However, you might not know how often you should get your routine Ford oil change to stay within the manufacturer's recommendations. more Manufacturer Recommendation If your Ford is a 2008 or newer, the manufacturer recommends that you get your oil changed every 7,500 miles. For vehicles that were manufactured in 2007 or earlier, you should bring your car into a service center for a routine oil change every 5,000 miles. Typically, you should never go longer than six or seven months between oil changes, even if you don't reach the 7,500- or 5,000-mile limits depending on the age of your car. The Driving Habit Factor Of course, the manufacturer's recommendations for when you should get your oil changed are based on ideal driving conditions. If you regularly drive in stop-and-go traffic (rush hour), only drive short distances, drive in excessive heat or cold, tow or haul heavy loads, or often drive off-road, you will need to get your oil changed more often. Check with your service center technician to determine an appropriate interval for your habits. You may need to come in once a quarter. Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor All Ford vehicles manufactured in 2011 or later are equipped with an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, which alerts you when your oil needs to be changed. You'll see a notice on your instrument cluster that either tells you to change your oil soon or that your oil change is required. Do not ignore this alert, even if you think you haven't driven the minimum number of miles since your last service. The system knows when the oil needs to be changed. Synthetic Oil Many vehicles are switching to synthetic oil rather than using the conventional oil of the past. While synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, it lasts a lot longer before breaking down. You can often go 15,000 miles between oil changes if you use synthetic oil. Many brand new vehicles should only use synthetic oil, but if you drive an older model, you can stick with conventional oil without any problems, especially if it has a lot of miles. Signs You Need an Oil Change If you don't have a vehicle that's equipped with the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, you may need to know when your car is telling you it needs an oil change. The most obvious sign is that your oil warning light is illuminated. In fact, this might be a sign of something even more sinister, which is that your car has run out of oil. A service check is absolutely immediately necessary if you see your oil light come on. You can also tell if you need an oil change by looking at the color. When you check your oil using your car's dipstick, it will be a clear amber color when it's clean. When it's dirty and in need of a change, it will be an opaque brown or black. Getting your Ford's oil changed regularly is one of the best things you can do to keep it running at its best. Contact Matthews Ford to schedule your oil change appointment today.