How to Tell When Your Ford Needs Brake Repair

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.

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.

Tire problems will inevitably develop over time as your tires are subject to constant wear and tear as you drive, and they're also affected by heat, cold, mud, and water. As your Ford dealer, we'd like you to know a few of the signs that you need to visit us for new tires. Sidewall Cracks The sidewall is the part of a tire that's perpendicular to the road surface. This section of a tire doesn't have steel or polymer reinforcement like the tread, and it's made from softer rubber to provide more flexibility. Rubber will degrade over time, especially since it is subject to water, mud, and sunlight. The ice and snow of a Maryland winter can also cause damage to the rubber. Older tires lose much of their flexibility, and the sidewalls can develop cracks. As you drive, your tires heat up and this can cause the cracks to widen and deepen. Deeper cracks can lead to a puncture or a blowout. If you spot cracks in your sidewalls, visit us and our expert technicians will advise you on their potential future life. We can also replace one or more of your tires if necessary. Overinflated Tires Many drivers worry about underinflated tires, but overinflated tires also create problems. When you're driving, tire contact with the surface generates friction. This friction heats the air in the air in the tires, increasing the pressure inside them and causing them to expand slightly. If your tires have too much air, the tire rubber is stretched thinner than it should be. The additional air in the tires makes them more prone to a blowout, and this is exceptionally dangerous if you're driving at speed on the highway. The stretched rubber also means they suffer additional friction damage when you are driving. Our technicians will examine your tires and correct the inflation. Visible Wear Indicators Tread wear indicator bars are built into your tires. They appear as thin lines that run perpendicular to the tread. When your tires are new, they're barely visible. As the tires wear down, these bars become more noticeable. They're designed as a warning that your tires are wearing down. The more visible the indicator bars, the more worn your tires are. You can test the depth of your tread at home using a Lincoln penny. Put the penny upside down into the deepest part of the tire tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tread is less than 2/32" thick. A tread this low makes driving dangerous. We'll examine your tires and replace them if necessary. If your tires look worn, visit our service department today at Banister Ford of Marlow, and we'll check them for you.