Maximizing Your Ford's Lifespan with OEM Parts

June 14, 2024 · 2 min read

Rear view of a black 2024 Ford Bronco | Ford dealer in Suitland, MD | Banister Ford of Marlow Heights

It may be tempting to buy aftermarket parts for your Ford, whether to save money or try for a performance boost, but these parts can reduce the vehicle's lifespan. OEM parts are the same parts you'll find factory-fitted when the car or truck is new, and a Ford dealer will use them when servicing your vehicle. To keep your Ford running smoothly for many years, it makes sense to maintain it with original components.

The Importance of Genuine Parts for Longevity

Using genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts helps preserve your Ford's longevity. That's because the vehicle is designed with specific parts in mind, whether they're pre-existing or made specially. The suppliers make these parts to exact specifications and within tight engineering tolerances. They have strict quality-control procedures, so the product meets a reliable standard.

If you buy cheap aftermarket parts, there's a strong chance they won't have been made to the same precise specifications, or they'll be made to loosely fit a range of cars or models. Ford uses many trusted brands to make car parts, including its own Motorcraft subsidiary.

How Aftermarket Parts Can Harm Performance and Reliability

Aftermarket parts can potentially harm your vehicle, adversely affecting performance and reliability. The humble air filter serves as an example. If this fits poorly into its housing, unfiltered air loaded with dust and debris can damage the engine over time, eventually causing serious issues like reduced power output, poor acceleration, rough idling, engine stalling, decreased fuel efficiency, and increased emissions.

Some aftermarket parts that are designed to tune performance, like an ECU, can ultimately cause problems. An aftermarket ECU may be incompatible with existing vehicle systems, for instance, and it often creates hurdles with emissions testing through a lack of OBD2 communication. Other aftermarket "upgrade" items that could hurt performance include suspension parts, brake components, or intake and exhaust systems.

Maintaining Your Warranty

One way to maximize your Ford's lifespan is to comply with the conditions of your Ford warranty from the outset. If an aftermarket part doesn't harm your vehicle, you won't invalidate your warranty, but it's a different story if that part causes problems. You cannot void the warranty with correctly installed OEM components.

Let a Ford Dealer Service Your Ford

When a Ford technician services your vehicle, you know it's being serviced with original parts. This way, you don't compromise on performance, safety, or reliability. You'll maximize your Ford's lifespan and gain invaluable peace of mind.

Contact Banister Ford of Marlow Heights in Suitland, MD to schedule a service for your vehicle using original Ford parts.

Dec 03, 2024

Travel 2025

2025 Expedition ® Platinum ® with extra‑cost color option shown. Room for more? Yes.Travel with confidence, arrive in comfort, live in the moment. The all‑new 2025 Expedition ® SUV accommodates every member of your crew — and makes sure no one is left behind. See the Expedition See the Expedition Enhanced TailgatingThe Ford Split Gate lets you enjoy a tailgate experience anywhere. The available Cargo Tailgate Manager turns your tailgate into a tabletop, a shelf, or a bench with a backrest. Ford BlueCruise helps you drive with less stress, more enjoyment.Be more present with your passengers — and arrive at your destination feeling more energized — as available Ford BlueCruise enables a hands‑free highway driving experience. * Linger LongerLet your nighttime enjoyment last longer with available 360° Zone Lighting, giving you four separate zones of exterior illumination, including liftgate and available roof rail lights. Space for Everyone and EverythingThree rows of spacious seating, with an available center aisle for the third row, helps protect everyone’s personal space. Center aisle storage supplements the roomy rear cargo area. See the Details See the Details 2024 Expedition ® Platinum ® shown. There’s no time like the present.A limited number of 2024 Expedition ® models are still available. Get behind the wheel today and see where it will take you.

Sep 06, 2024

Routine Maintenance: The Key to Your Ford's Durability

As your Ford dealer, we have a wide range of services to keep your vehicle in great condition. We want to tell you more about some of the types of Ford maintenance we provide. Starter Repair The starter cranks your engine, and this craning action starts the combustion process. Once combustion begins, it continues until you switch your engine off. The starter is powered by a strong electrical charge provided by the battery when you hit the start button. A worn or damaged starter can make starting slower or prevent your engine from starting at all. A starter can wear out, but it's more common for a small component called the starter solenoid to fail. The solenoid receives the electrical charge from the battery and passes it to the starter. If the solenoid fails, the starter won't power up. We'll examine your starter and replace the solenoid if it's failed. If the starter is damaged, we'll repair or replace it. Rectifier Replacement The alternator is a very strong component with few internal pieces. It spins at high speed and produces electricity for all your car's systems. The spinning motion produces magnetic energy, which is captured by the stator and converted to AC. The AC is then converted by the rectifier to DC to supply your Ford's electricity needs. The rectifier can fail due to age, and this prevents the conversion of AC to DC. Without this conversion, your car's systems will draw DC power from the battery. This can quickly exhaust the battery's reserves, causing it to fail in less than 40 minutes on average. Replacing the rectifier is a quick process, and your alternator will produce usable electricity again. Brake Fluid Leak Brake fluid is vital for your braking system as it provides the hydraulic power that forces the braking system to engage and stop your Ford. The fluid operates in an airtight environment and is highly pressurized to provide the force needed to engage the brakes. The heat and pressure in the braking system, together with natural wear and tear, can cause a brake fluid leak. A brake fluid leak is difficult to detect, as the fluid is thin and looks like cooking oil. You'll feel the effects of a leak, as the brake pedal provides less resistance than it previously did. The loss of fluid will cause slower reactions from your brakes and increase your braking distance. Our technicians will find and seal the leak, then refill your brake fluid and you'll be able to brake safely again. If you'd like to know more about our services or to book a service, contact us today at Banister Ford of Marlow Heights in Suitland, MD.

Aug 23, 2024

Trim Levels of the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2024 Ford Bronco Sport is everything you want an SUV to be: powerful, agile, and classy. It is ready to take every adventure to new heights with its impressive engines and off-road capabilities. Read on to learn more about its trim levels. 1. Big Bend The entry-level Big Bend trim is loaded with features that make every excursion more comfortable and confident. Under its hood, you find a 1.5-liter engine delivering 181 horsepower while paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The SYNC 3 infotainment system comes with enhanced voice recognition and can seamlessly connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To enhance driver confidence, the Bronco Sport provides a suite of advanced safety features. These include the pre-collision assist, lane keeping system, electronic traction control, and blind spot information system. 2. Heritage Oxford white exterior elements and plain cloth interior upholstery set the Heritage trim apart. LED fog lamps improve visibility when bad weather conditions reduce your ability to see the road ahead. Other features are a full-size spare tire, a Navy Pier Micro Suede armrest, and a center console with race red stitching. 3. Bronco Sport Free Wheeling The Bronco Sport Free Wheeling is more than adventure-ready. It features a mini spare tire, rubberized cargo floor mat, first- and second-row floor liners, and ombre stitching with sunset weave cloth seats. The 17-inch wheels are painted with race red accents that complement its exterior look. 4. Outer Banks Stepping up to the Outer Banks trim gives you a black with white Bronco lettering grille and 18-inch machined-face aluminum ebony black-painted wheels. The remote start system lets you start your engine without entering the car. Shoppers are also rewarded with dual-zone climate control, which allows the front passenger and driver to enjoy their individual temperature settings. There's also a 6.5-inch color instrument panel that informs the driver of essential information about the operation and status of the car. 5. Badlands This is the most sophisticated Bronco Sport trim. It comes with most features offered in the Outer Banks trim, plus metallic bash plates, front tow hooks, and a distinctive carbonized gray grille with white Bronco lettering. The Badlands is ready to be your trusted partner on off-road adventures with an advanced 4×4 drivetrain, a twin-clutch rear drive unit, and a 2-liter EcoBoost powertrain. The number of drive modes upgrades to seven options, adding Mud/Rut and Rock Crawl. Increased ground clearance makes conquering rocky terrain a breeze. No matter where you want to take the 2024 Bronco Sport, rest assured that you'll get reliable performance. Interested in test-driving this versatile SUV? Visit Banister Ford of Marlow Heights in Suitland, MD, today.

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