4 Key Tips for Year-Round Ford Maintenance

The transmission is a very complex system and requires regular servicing to keep it working efficiently. As your Ford dealership, we want you to know some signs you need to visit us for a transmission service. Check Engine Light As every driver knows, a lit check engine light is a sign of trouble. What isn't as well-known is that a transmission problem will also cause this light to come on. The engine and transmission work closely together, the engine to generate energy and the transmission to effectively deliver this energy to the wheels so they can move at the required speed. If the transmission isn't working correctly, its sensors will detect the problem and inform your computer. The computer then instructs the engine sensors to push the engine to work harder to try to correct the issue. If this doesn't work, the extra demands on the engine force the computer to trigger the check engine light. We'll investigate, identify the issue, and repair it. more Transmission Leak Transmission fluid is stored in the transmission pan at the bottom of the transmission and is pumped from there throughout the transmission. The fluid provides the hydraulic power that allows the gears to shift. The fluid also lowers the temperature in the transmission by cooling hot components as it passes over them and coating them in a protective, friction-resistant film that reduces damage. The transmission casing is protected against damage from stones or other objects thrown up from the road, but its seals can wear out if it's not regularly serviced. A fluid leak reduces pressure in the transmission, and you may hear grinding metallic noises as gears grind against each other. Our technicians will replace any worn or damaged seals and refill the fluid to fix this issue. Humming, Buzzing, or Whining Ford transmissions are quiet as they shift gears, so you shouldn't hear anything as they work. Strange buzzing or humming noises just on the edge of hearing are signs your transmission is in trouble. They can be caused by a variety of issues, like low transmission fluid, a damaged transmission bearing, or worn planetary gears. The sounds can also be caused by worn seals. If this is the case, you'll usually see red transmission fluid under your vehicle. Whining noises can also develop, and they're often caused by a worn or damaged torque converter, which connects the engine to the transmission. If the issue isn't fixed, the noises will grow louder over time and could cause permanent damage. We'll find the cause of the problem and repair it. Transmission problems only worsen over time. Contact our service department today at Interstate Ford in Dacono, CO.

Traditionally, the engine design playbook requires an engine to increase size to deliver more power. A larger engine weighs more, and the heavier the vehicle, the more fuel is required to move it. The Ford EcoBoost engine changes this game plan by delivering increased power and fuel efficiency in a smaller engine. As your Ford dealer, we want to tell you more about how this works. more How it Works This technology uses three complementary processes: turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and variable cam timing. We're going to look at each of them and see what they deliver. Turbocharging Air and fuel are essential for combustion, and while it may seem strange, the perfect combustion ratio is 14:1 air-to-fuel. This is because fuel requires a large amount of oxygen to burn correctly. Air enters a standard engine through the air filter behind the radiator grille. Since air is so important for combustion, the more air enters the engine, the faster combustion occurs. Turbocharging uses the pressurized exhaust gases forced out through the tailpipe to spin a turbine. The turbine spins at high speed, pushing more oxygen into the engine. This increases engine power, allowing faster starts without increasing engine size or weight. The turbine works most efficiently when you're traveling at high speed, while at lower speeds, the engine doesn't need additional power, and you use less fuel. Direct Fuel Injection In a standard engine, fuel and air mix in the intake manifold. Once sensors determine the mixture is correct, it's drawn into the engine cylinders through the intake valves. The intake valves close, and the piston inside a cylinder rises at speed to compress the mixture. The compressed mixture is forced into the combustion chamber at the top of the cylinder and ignited by the spark plug to produce combustion. Direct injection involves spraying fuel directly into the combustion chambers rather than the intake manifold. This saves fuel and enables a faster and more efficient burn, increasing the power generated by combustion. Variable Camshaft Timing Timing is everything in combustion. The timing belt links the camshaft at the top of your engine to the crankshaft at the bottom of the engine. The belt moves at a set speed to synchronize the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves on the cylinders to ensure efficient combustion. Correct timing is essential, as a vent opening or closing at the wrong time can cause engine damage. Variable Camshaft Timing manages this process more efficiently, so the valves open and close at different speeds depending on engine load. This reduces wasted fuel and improves engine torque, giving you more power when you need it. If you'd like to know more about how these engines improve your driving experience, contact us today at Interstate Ford in Dacono, CO.

Maintenance enables your Ford to perform at its best, as it ensures worn or damaged parts are replaced when needed and all its systems are working correctly. As your Ford dealer, we want to tell you about some of the Ford maintenance we offer to keep your vehicle in great shape. more Rotor Repair The rotors are the flat metal disks located behind your wheels. When you hit the brakes, the calipers clamp against both sides of each rotor. The calipers contain the brake pads. These pads have a friction-producing material covering, which reacts with the smooth rotors to stop your wheels. Over time, the rotor surface can become damaged or uneven, making braking more difficult. The friction generated between the pads and the rotors produces heat, and this can cause some of the pad's adhesive to liquefy and spread across the rotor surface. The adhesive will dry but leave behind an irregular surface. When a caliper grabs an uneven rotor section, you'll feel vibrations through the pedal. We'll examine your rotors and resurface or replace them depending on their condition. Tire Rotations Tire tread wears down naturally over time, as the tread suffers friction with the surface as you drive. This normal wear and tear can't be prevented, but there are ways to reduce tire damage, and one of these is regular tire rotations. Each tire suffers additional damage to specific sections depending on its position on your vehicle. This type of wear and tear is caused by weight distribution and tire alignment. Rotating your tires helps reduce this damage by shifting each tire to a new position on your vehicle. The positions the tires shift to depend on the type of drivetrain on your Ford. Moving your tires to different locations equalizes wear, allowing them to wear down at a more uniform rate and increasing their serviceable life. Water Pump Replacement The water pump is part of your engine cooling system, and it pumps coolant through your engine. The continual flow of coolant is vital for your engine, as coolant absorbs engine heat and transports this heat to the radiator for removal by heat exchange. The pump begins operating when your engine temperature reaches a predetermined point and coolant is released. If the pump fails, the coolant won't move through the cooling system. Without coolant, your engine temperature will rapidly increase, and the engine can suffer severe damage. If you see your engine temperature climb for no apparent reason, your pump may have failed. Our technicians will examine the pump, and we can quickly install a new one if necessary to fix this problem. Book your maintenance today by contacting our service department at Interstate Ford in Dacono, CO.