Does Your Ford Need a New Car Battery?

Your Ford's ignition coil turns the battery's low power into the bang needed to ignite the fuel. If this coil isn't pulling its weight, your car might start guzzling gas, shake, lose power, misfire, or worse, refuse to start. Below are eight faulty ignition coil signs that will tell you it's time to head over to your Ford dealer for a new coil. 1. Your Car Suddenly Guzzles More Gas One of the first signs of a failing ignition coil is when your car suddenly burns more gas than usual. When your spark plugs don't receive the necessary power from the battery, your car's fuel consumption will spike. 2. Your Car Feels Slow and Sluggish A failing coil can make your car slow and sluggish when you put your foot down. If your Ford isn't as responsive as it once was when you accelerate, poor ignition of the air-fuel mixture in the engine could be the problem. 3. Your Car Misfires and Idles Roughly A failing ignition coil can cause your car to misfire, which can damage your engine. When your car misfires or starts to idle roughly, it's definitely time to visit us for a thorough checkup. 4. Your Car Backfires When your engine starts stumbling and misfiring, it's a serious problem. You'll hear loud bangs and see smoke billowing out of your tailpipe. The quicker you get this problem fixed, the less damage it will cause and the more money you will save. 5. You Hear Strange Coughing and Spluttering Noises If your car makes strange noises when you start it, something's up. In addition to hearing the loud bangs from your misfiring engine, you will also hear coughing or spluttering noises. 6. Your Engine Stalls If the coil is failing and not giving enough voltage to the spark plugs, they can't ignite the fuel properly. This will cause your engine to stall when your car is idling. 7. You Struggle To Get Your Car Going The coil supplies the necessary voltage to create the spark that starts your engine. If the coil isn't doing its job, starting your car will become a real struggle. If you happen to get it going, it's best to drive to us as soon as possible before your car won't start at all. 8. Your Check Engine Light Goes On When you see the check engine light on your dashboard light up, it's a warning something's wrong. When you notice the light, especially if your car is stalling, misfiring, or struggling to start, book an appointment with us as soon as possible to sort your car out before things get worse. If your car is giving you problems like the ones mentioned above, you need to get a new coil fitted very soon. Get in touch with Banister Ford of Marlow Heights in Suitland, MD, today. Our certified Ford technicians will expertly replace the coil and make your car troubles vanish in a flash.

If you start noticing anything off about how your brakes are working, it's probably time to get them checked. Here's what to watch for so you know when it's time for brake repair at the Ford dealer. Weird Noises When You Brake Hearing strange noises when you hit the brakes is a classic sign that something's up. If there's a high-pitched squealing, your brake pads might be wearing thin. Brake pads have these little indicators built into them that make noise to let you know they need changing. A grinding sound could mean the pads have worn down completely, and you've got metal rubbing on metal, which isn't good. Brake Pedal Feels Off If your brake pedal feels mushy, or you have to press it way down to get any response, you might have a problem with your brake fluid or a leak in the brake line. Leaks can let air into your braking system, making it less effective. Keep an eye out for any fluid puddle under your car. Brake fluid is usually clear or slightly yellowish. Car Pulls to One Side Does your Ford pull to one side when you're trying to stop? That could be a stuck caliper causing one brake pad to wear out faster than the other, or it might mean there's something wrong with your brake fluid. Uneven pad wear or contaminated fluid both require a visit to the dealership. Vibrations When Braking Feeling a vibration in the brake pedal, especially when you stop from higher speeds? That's often a sign of warped rotors. Rotors can get warped from too much heavy braking, like when you're coming down a mountain road or stopping hard on the freeway. Burning Smell During a Drive If you catch a whiff of something burning while you're driving, especially after some hard braking, it might mean your brakes got too hot. Overheated brakes can fail, so if you smell something burning, pull over safely, check things out, and let your brakes cool down. And make sure your parking brake hasn't been left on by accident. It happens! Your Brake Light's On When your dashboard's brake warning light comes on, don't ignore it. It could be something as simple as needing more brake fluid, or something more serious. It's always best to get it checked out right away to avoid bigger problems. Time for a Brake Check-Up? If any of these signs sound familiar, it's a good idea to take your Ford in for a brake check. Regular maintenance can catch a lot of these issues early, and our professional technicians know exactly what to look for. Staying on top of brake maintenance can save you from more serious problems down the road. If something feels off, don't wait. Get those brakes checked to keep your drives smooth and safe. Call Banister Ford of Marlow Heights in Suitland-Silver Hill, MD, today to schedule your next brake inspection.

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your vehicle is to perform regular oil changes at the Ford dealership. Understanding when and why to change your oil can save you from expensive repairs and keep your Ford cruising smoothly for years to come. When Should You Change Your Oil? Due to advancements in engine technology and oil quality, the recommended interval between oil services has changed. Modern Fords can typically go between 5,000 and 7,500 miles before they need fresh oil. However, the exact frequency with which to change your oil varies based on your vehicle's model, the conditions in which you drive, and how you use your vehicle. For instance, if you frequently tow heavy loads or drive in extreme temperatures, you may need to get fresh oil more often. Always check your Ford's owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations. The Importance of Oil in Your Ford Engine oil is critical for your Ford. It lubricates the engine's moving parts, reduces friction, and helps keep the engine cool. Over time, the oil in your car breaks down. It collects dirt and debris from the engine, losing its effectiveness. If not changed, dirty oil can lead to increased wear and tear, reduced fuel efficiency, and severe engine damage. Signs It's Time for an Oil Change at the Ford Dealership You've Exceeded the Mileage Recommendations Regardless of how long it's been, if you've driven more than the recommended number of miles since your last change, it's time to schedule a service appointment. Dark and Dirty Oil Check your oil regularly using your dipstick. Clean oil should be an amber color, clear enough to let light pass through. As it collects particles from the engine, it darkens. If you check your oil and notice it has become dark and gritty, you need to change it. Too Much Engine Noise A well-lubricated engine should run quietly. Oil provides a protective layer between the parts of your engine, reducing metal-on-metal contact and keeping things from rubbing together. If your oil isn't doing its job, you may hear more noise from your engine or even the dreaded knocking sound. Oil or Check Engine Light Appears Your Ford is equipped with sensors that monitor the quality and level of your engine oil. If the oil light illuminates on your dashboard, it's time for a change. If the check engine light comes on instead, you should still check your oil. It could also be a sign of a more serious issue, so you should have it diagnosed by a professional. Regularly changing the oil in your Ford is a simple but effective way to protect it from damage. Call Banister Ford of Marlow Heights in Suitland-Silver Hills, MD, today to schedule your next oil service.