Summer Car Care Tips

WESTLAND, Mich.,–– Vacation season is here, which means you'll be out and about a lot this summer! Making sure to take good care of your vehicle and to keep up on routine maintenance during the hot summer months can help you avoid the headache of car trouble on any trips, whether it's your commute to work or to somewhere out of state for vacation. Take advantage of our summer car care tips to protect your vehicle from sun and heat damage, keep you and your passengers comfortable, and to keep your car running well on the road!

Check Your Air Conditioning System

On scorching summer days, you won't regret keeping your A/C system properly maintained! If your A/C system is letting out little to no air or it's not cooling your cabin as quick as it used to, it may be time to have your system inspected. In some cases, your vehicle's air filter may need replacing. Getting your air filter replaced can be extremely beneficial as it will help your fuel efficiency and remove any pollen in the filter which can affect any allergies you might have, making it difficult to breathe. You'll be thankful once you get it replaced when you're stuck in traffic on a humid day!

In other cases, not receiving cool air could mean a more serious problem with your radiator or cooling system. If you're experiencing this, make sure to have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible for the sake of your engine!

Get a Car Wash

Grime and dirt can build up over time on your vehicle and it can be difficult to pay attention to, especially when you're busy having fun all summer. Although it's an easy task to ignore, it's important to keep up on car washes! This excess grime and dirt on your vehicle can cause micro scratching on the paint, which can lead to unsightly rust on vehicle's exterior. Whether you give your car a wash at home or have it washed at the car wash, make sure to top it off with a wax to even further protect your vehicle's paint. If you choose to wash your car at home, use gentle materials and soap formulated for automotive purposes to avoid any abrasion to your car's exterior. 

Park in the Shade

Whenever you get the opportunity, park in the shade! Your vehicle can heat up fairly quickly. Overtime, your vehicle's interior can become discolored and worn from UV rays, so regularly parking in the shade can help fight the aging process. The hot temperature can also wear down other components like tires, brake fluid, belts and hoses, and make them more susceptible to damage. As simple as it seems, parking in the shade will help to extend the life of your vehicle. Plus, you'll be thankful when you get back in your vehicle and it's not blazing hot. 

Replace Your Coolant

One of the most important parts of your vehicle, engine coolant, is used to regulate the temperature of your engine. Whether it's cooling down a warm engine on a hot day or a cold day, engine coolant plays an important role of regulating temperature in your vehicle's regular running function. Because it gets much warmer in the summer, your engine is simply more susceptible to overheating if the coolant is leaking or needs replacing. Engine coolant is typically replaced every 30,000 miles, or at the specified interval in your owner's manual. If you aren't sure when it was last replaced, we'd be happy to take a look and recommend a service date. 

Check Other Essential Fluids

Besides coolant, your other vehicle fluids should be replaced regularly to ensure your vehicle can withstand the heat and get you through all your summer adventures. Whether it's engine oil, wiper fluids, or brake fluid, each plays a very important role. Engine oil is usually replaced every 3,000-5,000 miles. Wiper fluid should be replaced as it's used to ensure you have enough liquid to clear your windshield. Brake fluid isn't something that needs replacing often, but it should be inspected if your brakes are feeling too soft or if it's taking you longer to complete a stop.

Feel free to give us a call if you have any other questions about caring for your vehicle this summer. Follow our summer car care tips for a great season on the road, and stay tuned to our blog for more car care tips, hacks, and more. If you need help with any vehicle maintenance, like an oil change, coolant flush, or vehicle inspection, let us know or schedule an appointment online. Looking for a new ride this summer? Take a look at our inventory of new Fords and stop in for a test drive. It's our goal to find you a vehicle that fits your needs and budget for all seasons! 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 855-739-2023, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbrothersford.net

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National Car Care Month - Tips for Taking Care of Your Engine

WESTLAND, Mich.,––Owning a car comes with many costs, and unfortunately, some of those costs can be unexpected. BUT, that doesn't mean you can't take actions to prevent some of these unexpected service costs. We're talking routine maintenance! Last week we discussed what you can do to maintain your tires, but this week we're going to provide you some tips for taking care of your engine - the most important part of your vehicle! Because there are many components that make up the engine, like spark plugs, pistons, crankshafts, etc., it can seem complicated. Maintaining the engine, however, is relatively simple.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE TIPS

Let's begin with oil changes. The #1 best thing you can do to keep your engine running smoothly is to get regular oil changes. While they're needed much more frequently that belt replacements, or other routine maintenance services, they're relatively inexpensive and do a world of good for your engine. What exactly does your oil do for your engine?

• It removes heat from the engine
• It absorbs debris to protect the engine
• It lubricates the moving parts

Ignoring oil changes can lead to dark, gritty oil that can not only hurt your car's performance but put your engine at risk for overheating or premature wear. By not changing your oil frequently enough, you'll also build up engine sludge which isn't something that can be cleaned or removed without taking the engine apart (a very costly service). So, just be sure to keep a routine of getting an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles. If you forget when you last had an oil change, you can easily check the dipstick to see how it's doing. Alternatively, you can bring it in to our Service Center in Westland to have it inspected.

Another service you can have completed with your oil changes that will help keep your engine clean is filter replacements! You should have an oil filter replacement at every service and have your air filter inspected. Why the oil filter at EVERY service? It filters the oil and prevents debris from getting into it! It also allows oil to flow freely to your engine, so with a blocked-up filter, you could risk engine failure or decreased fuel economy.

Depending on the condition of the road or air that you're traveling through, your air filter might need to be replaced at every oil change, or it might. It should, however, be inspected at each oil change to make sure it's able to handle the air. Why is this important? Your engine requires air to run! The air intake mixes it with fuel to make your car go, so ensuring your car is able to take in air the way it needs to is essential to a well running vehicle.

Lastly, your coolant. This is a fluid, otherwise known as antifreeze that rotates through your radiator hoses and cools your engine. If your engine were to overheat, it would warp and not function properly, so coolant and your radiator hoses are a powerful thing. All you have to do is keep an eye on the level of your coolant, and have it changed or "flushed"every 40,000 miles. If you happen to see a decrease, or even a spot of bright colors as a puddle underneath your vehicle, it's time to have it checked out right away! The techs at North Brothers will take a look at your radiator for any cracks or damage and make sure it's completely safe to be back on the road before you leave our dealership.

If you're due for an oil and filter change, air filter replacement, or coolant inspection, the team at North Brothers is here to help! We want to assist in maintaining your engine during National Car Care Month and keep your car running well. You can find more tips and tricks for taking care of your vehicle on our website and our blog. Stop by our dealership on Ford Road for any auto service you need and we'd be happy to help. You can also schedule an appointment to save time!


North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

Service Tips and Tricks

WESTLAND, Mich.,–– Owning a vehicle can either be an enjoyable experience or a costly endeavor, depending on how much care and effort you put in. Keeping up on routine maintenance is the most effective way to extend the life of your vehicle and keep it running for years to come. Use these service tips and tricks to save yourself money and time. As much as we'd love to see you, we know that spending too much time getting your car repaired can get exhausting. We created this list to reduce your stress and help you stay on the road for as long as possible!

1. Keep a Consistent Maintenance Schedule

Keep a record of any routine maintenance performed on your vehicle to ensure that your vehicle obtains any necessary repairs or replacements on parts that it may need in a timely manner. Whether you're getting an oil change, tire rotation, or fluid replacement, keeping a maintenance schedule will give you time to schedule appointments based around your schedule and make it easy to get your car in when it needs it most.

2. Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly

At least once a week, you should check your tire pressure. You'll be able to tell if any of your tires are low enough in pressure by simply looking at your vehicle from the outside. If you can see one side riding lower than the others, it may be time to have your tire refilled or looked at. Once every two weeks or so, however, you should utilize a pressure gauge to check your tires' PSI. Check your vehicle owner's manual to determine how much PSI your tires require based on your vehicle's size. Don't hesitate to call us if any tire issues persist.

3. Check Your Tire Tread Frequently

While checking your tire pressure can take just a few seconds, checking tread requires a bit of additional work. Use the "penny method" to ensure your tires have maintained adequate tread and are able to function on the road. With poor tire tread, your vehicle will be unable to effectively grip the road, making it harder to drive on dirt roads or poor conditions. Place a penny in the groove of your tire, with Lincoln's face going directly into the groove. If you can see his face, your tires' tread is worn and your tires may need replacing. 

4. Keep an Eye on Coolant Levels

Your engine coolant, or antifreeze, serves to prevent your engine from overheating, regulating its temperatures and keeping your vehicle running smoothly. Engine coolant is typically replaced every 30,000 miles, or whenever your vehicle owner's manual tells you to do so. Checking your coolant level is simple - after turning off your engine and waiting for it to cool down, pop the hood and look for a large semi-transparent bottle mounted to your engine. The coolant reservoir contains exterior labels that will help you determine when you should get your coolant replaced or refilled.

5. Determining Your Fuel Economy

Determining your vehicle's gas mileage uses a little bit of simple math, but your calculator on your phone can help to make it easier! It's a simple 3-step process, and requires almost no effort on your end:

1. The next time your vehicle's tank is empty, fill it up and write down the amount of gallons it takes to fill your tank. While most sedans have a 12-gallon tank, other vehicles, like the Ford Escape, can have up to a 16-gallon tank.
2. Next, reset your "Trip A" indicator. The next time you need to fill your gas tank (making sure you drive until your vehicle is empty again), write down the number of miles you traveled on your "Trip A" indicator. 
3. Finally, divide your "Trip A" miles by the gallon size of your tank. So, if you drove 335 miles on a 12 gallon tank, your gas mileage would be 27.9 mpg (335 ÷ 12 = 27.9)

Find out your gas mileage, extend the life of your vehicle, and more with these service tips and tricks! You'll be able to enjoy a long and productive life with your vehicle with less stress, saving money all the way. If you're looking to spruce up your vehicle in an affordable and timely manner, refer to our affordable car hacks for a great way to upgrade or renovate your vehicle at little to no cost! You can also further save money with our service coupons, vehicle incentives, and more. 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: http://www.northbrosford.net

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

Summer Car Care Tips

WESTLAND, Mich.– The summer months are finally in sight, and that means it's time to do regular checkups on your vehicle to make sure the heat doesn’t get the best of it. These summer car care tips will help you drive safer this summer! Here are some things you’ll want to keep an eye on:

Coolant (antifreeze)

First and foremost, it’s extremely important to check your vehicle’s coolant level on a regular basis. Hot weather can quickly cause your vehicle to overheat if its coolant level isn’t where it should be. Check if your coolant is below the minimum level on the coolant reservoir. If it is, add enough coolant to get the level where it should be. If you notice your vehicle overheating again, you may have a coolant leak on your hands. This might require a technician to replace damaged or worn components.

Air Conditioning

During the winter, lack of heat in your vehicle can be a major issue. In the summer it’s the exact opposite! You want your car to be cool enough for you to drive comfortably in, and keeping the windows down constantly can drag down your gas mileage. The best thing to do is to make sure cool air blows out of your vents consistently. If your vehicle isn’t cooling as well as it should, you might need an air conditioning recharge to bring back that chill you need for hot summer days!

Brakes

When you’re on a long road trip this summer, you want to make sure you’re safe. If your brakes are too worn, things could get dangerous. Make sure your brake pads are what they should be. Look for warning signs like the brake system warning light, squealing or grinding sounds, and a burning odor, just to name a few.

Tires

Again, summer is vacation season, and many of our customers like to tough it out on road trips. But when your vehicle is traveling long distances it’s vital for your tires to be in good condition. Before hitting the road, make sure you follow our PART rule:

• Pressure: Make sure your tires aren’t underinflated or overinflated
• Alignment: Correct wheel alignment helps proper steering and handling
• Rotate: Frequently rotate your tires so they wear evenly
• Tread: Check your tires for uneven wear or smooth spots

Wiper Blades

Although it usually rains the most in spring, the summer months definitely get their fair share of wet days. Visibility is important when you’re on the road and it suddenly begins to pour. If you’re noticing streaks or smears on your windshield, it’s definitely time to replace your wiper blades!

These are just a few summesr car care tips that can help you make the most of your driving experience this summer. There are definitely more tips and tricks as well as routine maintenance that you can use to keep your vehicle in great condition. All of the New Vehicles and Used Vehicles at our Ford Dealership meet these safety standards, and your vehicle should, too. Schedule a maintenance appointment today to ensure your vehicle is ready for summer!

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at (888)806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+