From damage due to road salt to low tire pressure and everything in-between, the winter in BC can be extremely harsh on vehicles. Luckily, there are a few maintenance tips that can keep your Ford running smoothly until springtime.

First, you should switch your all-season tires for a winter set. While the regular tires are pretty good throughout the year, this quick change out could mean the difference between getting home during an ice storm and ending up in the ditch.

Next, you should also check the air pressure for your tires every week. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, you lose an entire pound of pressure. Under-inflated tires can cause premature wear and a loss of traction - which no one wants.

Then, get a new set of windshield wipers, and don’t forget to never turn them on when the glass is covered in ice or snow. To guard against rust caused by salted streets, you can add a protective layer of polymer wax. This creates a barrier and can be removed with a high-pressure washer.

Finally, you should keep your fuel tank half full. This is mainly for an emergency situation.

Contact Ford Parts BC to find winter-ready pieces for your car.

When it comes to keeping your Ford vehicle in good working order, there is more to regular maintenance than mechanical or electrical tasks. Keeping up the interior is just as important for the longevity of your car.

First, you should clean your seats at least once a month. The more you allow dirt to build up the harder it is to remove. Vinyl upholstery can be wiped down, cloth can be vacuumed and scrubbed, and leather can be polished.

Next, the dashboard panels can be treated with protective creams. Whether they are made of plastic, wood, or some other material, exposure to the sun over time can cause them to become brittle. You can easily safeguard against aging by applying the right products.

To quickly tidy up the floors and hard-to-reach spaces, you can use a vacuum. Handheld models can suck up any mess in a matter of seconds. No one will ever know that you took the car to the beach!

If you happen to spill coffee or anything that will leave a stain, you need to address it as soon as possible. Dilute the spot with cold water, and then follow that with a soaking of glass cleaner. It will come up!

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While air conditioning isn’t something that BC drivers have to worry about in the winter, it is crucial for the summer. Maintaining your Ford’s A/C system will ensure that you and your passengers are comfortable during the hotter months.

The first thing you should do to keep your A/C running smoothly is to turn it on regularly. It needs to be operating for at least 10 minutes each week. When you do this, adjust the dial to the coldest temperature setting with the fan on high. You can also activate the defroster to see it in good shape.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to refresh your A/C unit every two years. A professional mechanic can help with this. They will make sure that all of the hoses and components are functioning correctly and that the fluid levels are just right as well.

Finally, you need to clear away any debris that can muck up the system. The grills  that connect to the air conditioning system are situated under the windshield. They can collect leaves during certain times of the year which can clog the condenser.

Need replacements for your A/C unit? Contact Ford Parts BC to start your order.

One of the easiest maintenance tasks that you can do on your own is to change out the various fluids in your Ford vehicle. You do not need a professional mechanic to do this. It can be done by one person at home at your leisure.

There are six major liquids that you should pay attention to. They are as follows:

• Radiator
• Transmission
• Power Steering
• Brake
• Air Conditioning Coolant
• Windshield Washer

For the radiator fluid, you can unscrew the cap located in the front or beside the engine to check the level. Always make sure the engine is cold before doing this. Next, the transmission solution can be checked using the provided dipstick. The container for the power steering liquid is transparent. You can see how much fluid is inside without opening it.

As for brake fluid, you should use a screwdriver to open the reservoir. Make sure the area is spotless before you do this as any contamination can destroy your brake system. The solution should be no lower than the half-inch mark.

Next, the air conditioning coolant (refrigerant) can be observed by turning on the A/C, setting it to the lowest temperature, opening the hood, and connecting the A/C gauge to a low-pressure line. If it shows a reading below 25 pounds, you need more Freon. Finally, when your windshield washer stops sending out the solution, you need to put more in.

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While it’s not something that you have to worry about as frequently as oil changes and dead batteries, the exterior lighting system occasionally needs some TLC as well.

Dirt and dust can easily pile onto the casing units, causing dimmed beams and decreased visibility. The number one tip to maintaining your car’s lighting is to keep them clean regularly. A good rule of thumb to follow is to wipe them down with a microfibre cloth every week.

Next, if you notice any yellowing or cloudiness, you need to address it as soon as possible. It makes your automobile look ancient, and it can also hurt your visibility. Headlight restoration kits are available for this very reason. If that doesn’t work, you can replace the housing entirely for a brand new look.

Another thing you can do is to check the illumination by looking at the lights head-on. If you don’t want to get out, you can also flood a blank wall with your beams to see if one is duller than the other. This step will also work for seeing if one is out of alignment.

Finally, you can replace bulbs as needed, but you should never swap out only one. You should change them in pairs to ensure that they are equal.

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Have you ever gotten into your car, put the key in the ignition, turned it, and nothing happened? Everyone has dealt with a dead battery at some point, and it always happens to be when you are in a hurry. Luckily, there are a few maintenance tips that you can follow to make this occur less often.

First, make sure that you drive your vehicle regularly. Do not leave it sitting for weeks. This will cause the battery to go stagnant and fail. If you are traveling for an extended period and don’t have anyone to help, you can disconnect the battery while you are gone.

Another thing to remember is to never run the electrical systems without turning on the engine. That includes the lights, radio, air conditioning, and other mechanisms.

Next, you should clean off any dirt or moisture that gets on the battery. This can cause corrosion or acid leaks. Just use water to wash it off. Also, make sure that the battery is properly secure inside the engine compartment. Any excess vibration can damage the terminals.

Finally, you should swap out the battery every three to four years. This is the average life expectancy. However, it may be shorter if you live in a colder area.

Contact Ford Parts BC to learn more!

Maintaining the braking system of your Ford vehicle is critical. Over time, wear and tear can cause this intricate mechanism to malfunction. This can be potentially deadly. So, here are a few tips to keep your working in tip-top shape.

First, check the brake pads and rotors. These parts are the contact points that stop the tires. Due to frequent friction, they can become worn down quite quickly. If you smell a burning odour or notice a slow response when you step on the brake pedal, these could be indicators that they need to be replaced.

Next, you should routinely flush the brake fluid. Used to transfer pressure from the pedal to the pads/rotors, this liquid is vital to proper function. However, it can cause corrosion. If it becomes milky or cloudy, it needs to be replaced.

Another thing you can do is bleed the brake line. When excess air is stuck, the entire system can begin to deteriorate. You can clear it out after flushing the fluid. Finally, upgrading to slotted disc brakes is a great way to make the system last longer. This version is more resistant to heat. You could also switch to ceramic pads to reduce noise.

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There are many components that go into an engine. This means that motor maintenance comes with a lot of tasks to go through on the checklist. However, this handy article should make it easier to understand to properly care for your powertrain.

First, you must check the oil regularly. If the engine is the heart of the vehicle, then the oil is the blood. Lubricating every element to ensure proper function is its main objective. Old, dirty oil can wreak havoc on an engine system.

Next, you should always make sure that your coolant is working well. This will prevent the motor from overheating. Regular tune-ups and routine maintenance should take care of these things.

Aside from the aforementioned duties, there are several other jobs you can do to extend the life expectancy of your engine. They are as follows:

• Check the timing belt
• Change the air filter
• Replace old drive belts
• Swap out the spark plugs and wires
• Get a new fuel filter

Staying on top of these things will prevent major problems such as engine seizures, misfirings, and even premature wear and tear.

Need to replace a few pieces on your Ford’s engine? Get in contact with the team at Ford Parts BC to start an order now!

If you have recently purchased a new Ford vehicle, then you may be wondering how to treat it in the beginning. With so many parts working together to reach optimum performance, being gentle with your ride can help lengthen the lifespan of the automobile.

Known as the “break-in period”, you need to adopt certain driving techniques, precautions, and maintenance tasks. Your owner’s manual will have the specifics, but most models will need the first oil change after 80 to 804 km (50 to 500 miles). After that, you can adjust this to 8,046 km (5,000 miles).

Another tip is to keep the revs under 3,000 rpm. This is mainly due to the piston rings. They need to interlock with the cylinder bores to prevent oil leaks. By revving the motor too much, you can mess up the syncing process.

Finally, the last maintenance tip for your new Ford is to keep your average speed between 48 and 80 km/h *30 to 50 mph). While this step may be easy to forget, especially if you just purchased a racetrack legend like the Ford Mustang, it allows the mechanisms to pair with each other without difficulty.

Need replacement parts? Contact the team at Ford Parts BC right now!

No matter how old your vehicle is, regulating checking your wheels and tires can save you a lot of money down the road. An imbalance can cause your car to overturn at high speeds, so making it a priority is a must.

First, you need to check the air pressure. Under-inflated tires can lead to poor fuel efficiency, rough handling, and even a blow-out. The owner’s manual will tell you what the safe range should be.

Next, you should take a peek at the tread depth. This is the imprinted pattern on the tires that leaves marks in the mud. Worn down tread can reduce the overall traction, which can cause issues when stopping or traveling over various types of terrain. You also need to look for any tears, cracks, bulges, or wedged objects.

As for other maintenance, rotations and alignments should be performed every 8,046 to 12,847 km (5,000 to 8,000 miles). Never overload the vehicle with too much weight, and replace any worn-down tires immediately. Your set should always be matching, and the spare should also be inspected regularly.

Need some replacements? Get in touch with the team of agents at Ford Parts BC to find the correct pieces.