One of the biggest advancements in automotive history is the development of keyless entry systems. And no other brand knows more about this technology than Ford.

The very first installation of this type was initially seen in the 1980 Ford Thunderbird, and it was called the Keyless Entry System. Later versions were renamed the SecuriCode. It was an exterior keypad on the driver-side door located just above the handle. It consisted of five buttons, and you would input the code in order to unlock the vehicle.

Nowadays, you can see various types of keyless entry mechanisms including remote and proximity. Both require a key fob that may or may not need to be used. Older versions need you to press the corresponding button to lock or unlock the vehicle. However, newer models will operate those functions if you simply get close to the car with the key fob on your person.

Taking things a step further is the remote start and push-button start features. One enables you to get the vehicle started without going outside. The other allows you to start the ignition by pressing the button located near the steering wheel.

Contact Ford Parts BC to begin an online order now!

Back in the day, spoilers were reserved only for athletic cars such as a sports or muscle model. However, they can now be seen on crossovers. So, what exactly is a spoiler, and why is it being used more nowadays?

A spoiler is a fin or wing-shaped piece that is attached to the back of a vehicle. Deigned to change the airflow pattern, it helps reduce the effects of wind resistance (drag). If they are mounted under a vehicle, then this is to generate downforce to improve grip at higher speeds.

First created in the 1960s to enhance aerodynamics, they began to gain rapid popularity when automakers realized that they can ramp up a vehicle’s fuel economy significantly.

Here is how a spoiler works. As a vehicle picks up speed, more drag is produced to pull the car back. This makes the engine work extra hard to maintain the desired speed. Since it is going faster, more air is pushed underneath the vehicle - which results in more lift. This causes instability and reduces the overall grip (traction). Spoilers are most commonly seen on the backs of vehicles because the airflow tends to be more turbulent.

Need a new spoiler? Contact the team at Ford Parts BC to begin your online order!

With so many moving components inside, Ford vehicles house many different types of machinery pieces to keep everything lined up and moving smoothly. That includes bushings.

Typically crafted out of polyurethane, rubber, or another sturdy yet flexible material, bushings serve as cushions for various elements in the steering and suspension systems. You will find them mounted to the joints of either mechanism.

Their main purposes are to absorb the impact of bumpy roads and control the amount of vibration or noise that is produced.

At some point, bushings can wear down and need to be replaced. As they age, they tend to allow more movement, and you may feel something similar to a shimmy as the driver. You may also start to hear rattling or clunking noises whenever you go over rough roads, hit the brakes, or turn the steering wheel. In other words, loose bushings can cause poor handling and loose steering.

The most common places you will find bushings are in the control arms, ball joints, tie rods, stabilizer (sway) bars, strut mounts, and shock absorbers. Causes of wear can include heat, exposure to lubricants/road salts, stress from heavy loads, and age.

To find a new bushing, contact the team at Ford Parts BC.

While airbags became mandatory in the United States in 1998, it may come as a surprise to learn that they are not required to be installed inside vehicles in Canada. However, most new cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs have them anyway.

There are many different types of airbags that are designed to cushion occupants in the event of a crash. The most common kind is the frontal unit. Mounted inside the steering wheel and dashboard, the frontal airbags prevent the driver and passenger from slamming their heads into the hard object in front of them. They also typically come with a weight sensor (pictured) to detect when an adult is sitting in the front passenger seat. If no person is detected, the airbag will not deploy.

Next is the side airbag. These come in two subtypes: side torso and side curtain. The torso model is embedded into the side of the seat and inflates between the driver and the door. Meanwhile, the curtain version has been hidden in the roof and extends down to protect the riders’ heads.

Then, there are also knee airbags. Installed underneath the steering wheel, they deploy from under the dash to guard the driver’s knees. Finally, the newest type is the inflatable seatbelt. Designed to disperse the impact of a crash, the accident won’t feel as severe.

Contact Ford Parts BC to get a new airbag sensor!

First appearing on luxury vehicles in the later 1990s and early 2000s, keyless ignition has become much more commonplace over the last two decades. Statics from a 2018 survey shows that at least 62% of automobiles now have this advanced technology. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about it.

Keyless ignition is a high-tech system that allows activation via the push of a button. This replaces the convention key that is typically inserted and turned to start the engine. Sensors are also included to detect if the key fob is on your person. If no key fob is present, the vehicle will not start. This is a safety measure that helps prevent theft.

The key fob transmits a low-frequency signal that is picked up by the cat’s computer system. Once it is validated, you can get the vehicle going by pushing the corresponding button located on the right side of the steering wheel. To turn off the engine, you can do the same thing. Just press the button while your vehicle is in Park.

Typically, this system also includes keyless entry - which enables you to unlock the vehicle as you approach without pulling out the key fob.

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To make any type of engine work, movement is needed. In order to generate movement, pulleys are commonly used. This is the device you will find inside a vehicle.

The very first compound pulley system was invented by Archimedes in the third century BCE. A mathematician, astronomer, and physicist, he created many devices that are still used today. However, the earliest evidence of single pulleys dates back to Ancient Egypt in approximately 1991 BCE.

Now, cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs house something known as an idler pulley. This is a guide for a chain or belt to move through. Also referred to as a serpentine idler pulley, this piece is crucial for engines to do their jobs properly.

The design of a pulley is like a wheel that you might see on a shaft or axle. It allows cables, belts, ropes, or chains to move and change direction to either forward/backward or up/down. Some can also transfer power or exert force. They can have grooves between the flanges all the way around the circumference of the pulley. This is to hold the belt in place as it moves.

Need to replace the pulley in your vehicle? Contact the team at Ford Parts BC now to begin an online order!

With many new automotive laws being passed in North America, moving to eco-friendly, hybrid or electric vehicles is the future. The technology is newer, but it has come a long way very quickly. In this article, you will learn about the most common terms relating to hybrid models including the 2018 Ford C-Max.

First, you should understand what a hybrid degree is. This is a term that describes the level of hybrid technology that is used for any particular vehicle. As of now, the options are mild, full, power-assist, and plug-in.

Next, a hybrid engine is the most important part. It is a powertrain that uses a gasoline engine paired with an electric motor. Meanwhile, the hybrid drivetrain layout will be combined, series, or parallel. Keep in mind that the performance output is still measured in horsepower and torque.

Another term you should be familiar with is the hybrid power source. This refers to what moves the vehicle such as gas/electricity, plug-in, pneumatic, or even fuel cell. The last two options are the rarest.

The 2019 Ford C-Max Hybrid is equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder traditional engine and a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor. Partnered with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it delivers 188 hp.

To find replacement parts for this specific hybrid engine, contact Ford Parts BC today!

In modern vehicles, mid- to high-level trims typically come with various heated elements in and outside. This article covers the most common components with warming mechanisms.

First is the heater which is included on the air conditioning unit. A device known as an exchanger is placed inside the ventilation system - where it diffuses the heat from the motor’s cooling system and transforms it into a suitable airstream that is moved by an inline fan. Meanwhile, heater hoses serve as tubing that carries the coolant from the cooling system to the heater’s core.

On the exterior, heated side mirrors are built with internal electronic coils that melt away ice buildup during the winter. Also, a heated windshield is designed with embedded elements that resist fog. Some models may even come with heated windshield wipers.

Inside the cabin, heated seats (typically cloth or leather) are highly sought after. These help keep you cozy in the winter. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel - which is often wrapped in leather - can also be heated for the same purpose.

Do you need to replace any of the heated components on your vehicle? Get in touch with the team of friendly agents at Ford Parts BC to begin an online order today!

One term in the auto world that has been subject to much criticism over the recent decades is fuel economy. With the rising prices of gasoline, many people find themselves looking for vehicles that are more efficient. In this article, you will learn everything about the fuel system and its major components

First is the fuel filler neck. This is the part you see when you stop at the gas station to refill your tank. It is the tube that the pump nozzle goes into, and its job is to transport the fuel to the container. Once you’re finished, it is then sealed off by the filler cap.

Next is the fuel filter. This canister is usually made of metal or plastics, and its main purpose is to stop contaminants and particles from infiltrating the engine. Lines and hoses serve as connectors to move the liquid fuel throughout the vehicle, and the fuel/water separator prevents H2O from ruining the fuel filtration system.

The final piece of the puzzle is the fuel injection system. This device pushes fuel through a tiny nozzle via high pressure into the motor.

Need to replace a component in your vehicle’s fuel system? Contact Ford Parts BC to begin your order.

If you have any experience with off-roading, then you may have already heard the term “four-wheel-drive” before. Sometimes, you may see it abbreviated as “4WD” or “4x4”.

This type of drivetrain is used for vehicles - usually trucks and SUVs - with two axles that are capable of sending torque to all four wheels at the same time. This type of mechanism can be full-time or on-demand (part-time), and it typically comes with several other components. These include extra gears and a transfer case that adds more output.

If the 4WD assembly simply provides torque to both axles, then it can be called all-wheel-drive (AWD). However, once the off-roading elements are brought into play, the terminology changes. A limited-slip differential is included to prevent the vehicle from getting stuck in the mud or hung up on a jagged rock formation. Various operating modes - commonly labelled as “Off-Road” or “Rock” - can also be present. This helps the automobile shift from city/highway driving to roughing it in nature.

Do you need to bolster your model’s off-roading capabilities with a 4WD piece? Get in touch with the friendly team of experts at Ford Parts BC to begin an online order now!