Although you should always abide by the manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to servicing your Ford, it’s equally important to be vigilant for any signs that your vehicle needs an extra trip to the service center. The following indicators merit an immediate visit to a Ford-certified auto technician.
Engine Warning Light
Dashboard indicators are helpful for drawing attention to an underlying problem, particularly when there’s something wrong with the engine or other components. Unfortunately, modern check engine lights aren’t always straightforward for the driver to decipher. The best way to determine why a warning light comes on is to bring your Ford to the service center for a proper diagnostic.
Don’t ignore your engine light if it only flickers or comes on in certain conditions. Warning lights can illuminate inconsistently depending on the problem. For example, the light may flash when the vehicle accelerates, which could indicate a failure in the car’s emission control system. Other common reasons a check engine light might come on include a loose gas cap, a bad oxygen sensor, faulty spark plugs, and a bad mass airflow sensor.
Noisy or Soft Brakes
Have your brakes been feeling off lately? Are they making more noise than usual? Brakes should bring your Ford to a stop quietly and effectively without you having to force the pedal to the floor. In some cases, faulty brakes can create noticeable vibrations when stopping.
Regardless, you should have soft or noisy brakes inspected as soon as possible. Your Ford technician can replace your brake fluid, rotors, or brake pads in no time, ensuring you’re always safe on the roads.
Rough Shifts
Automatic transmissions are convenient and efficient. They take the guesswork out of shifting gears and provide a smooth, reliable drive — until they don’t. Like any vehicle component, your automatic transmission is susceptible to developing issues. When there’s a problem, you might notice rough or abrupt shifting when you accelerate or decelerate. Your Ford might even have trouble shifting into a higher gear.
Fixing transmission problems can be costly, especially when you’ve let the problem go on for too long. At the first sign of rough shifting, ensure your transmission gets the attention it needs. And don’t forget to bring your Ford in for periodic maintenance on the transmission filters, screens, and fluid, which can help avoid expensive repairs down the road.
Poor Gas Mileage
Have you been making more trips to the gas station despite driving the same distance? When a vehicle develops an underlying issue, the fuel mileage can be one of the first things affected. You may not notice at first, but your Ford might start to get fewer miles out of each gallon of gas, causing you to make more stops at the pump. Poor gas mileage can indicate a sticking brake pad, improper tire pressure, or other common issues that require tuneups.
At the first sign of trouble, ensure your Ford gets the attention it deserves. Schedule a service appointment at Brown Lee Ford today.
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