At Athens Ford, we believe that educating our customers about vehicle maintenance is the best way to help them avoid costly repairs down the road. Cars and trucks built in the past decade or so require less maintenance than vehicles of the past – but that doesn’t mean you can ignore basic maintenance and upkeep of your new car or truck.
Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or you prefer to bring your vehicle in to our award-winning Ford service department, performing regular maintenance will extend the life of your vehicle. As a reminder to all of our friends and neighbors in Athens, Winder, Lawrenceville, Jefferson, Gainesville and all of Northeast Georgia, here are our top 5 ways to maintain your car, truck or SUV.
- Oil changes. Changing the oil in your car’s engine is probably the most common maintenance action that you will do. That said, there are different opinions on just how often you should change your oil. If you ask dad, he’ll tell you every 3,000 miles – and he was probably right 20 years ago. But with modern engines and newer oil formulations, Ford recommends between 5,000 and 7,500 miles or every 6 months, whichever is sooner. Check your vehicle’s service manual for the proper recommendation in your case.
- Tire maintenance. Tires are one of the most important pieces of equipment on your vehicle. If they are not properly maintained, your tires can be a safety hazard. Maintain the proper tire pressure by checking them frequently and adding air when needed. Your tires should also be rotated, usually around every 5,000 miles. Depending on the type of vehicle you have and the kind of driving you do, you may even require more frequent rotations.
- Brakes. Another of the critical pieces of equipment on your vehicle are the brakes. If yours are making any noise, pulling to one side, or just don’t seem to be stopping like they used to, bring them in to us for an inspection. Don’t take chances with your car’s ability to stop quickly when needed.
- Belts and hoses. The belts and hoses under your car’s hood will eventually wear out and fail. It is important that you have them checked regularly and replaced at major service intervals. You can check them by examining for cracking, wear and leaks. But remember, if you don’t see wear, it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
- Air filter. Your car’s air filter may seem perfectly clean to you, but the fact is that it can be clogged and not show it. Changing it frequently can improve your fuel economy and will also keep your engine cleaner and healthier.
At Athens Ford, we care about our customers and friends. We want you to be as safe as possible in your vehicle, and for it to keep running strong. You can trust the Athens Ford Service Center and our factory certified technicians to care for your car, truck or SUV as if it was their own. If you’re ever in doubt about a maintenance item on your car, bring it on in for us to check out. We’re just a short drive from Athens, Winder, Gainesville, Lawrenceville or Jefferson. You can trust us to make sure your vehicle is in the best shape possible – guaranteed!
Written By: Mark Ficken
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