When it comes to routine maintenance, alternators aren’t usually inspected. This is mainly because it is classified as a limited life span electrical component, which means there isn’t much you can do in terms of preventative measures.
The job of the alternator is to keep the battery alive and fully charged. It also supplies the other electrical elements with energy. As a result, it produces quite a bit of heat. Thanks to the integrated fan, cool air is pushed through the device to reduce the temperatures. There is also a set of vents to let the warmth escape.
One thing you do to maintain the alternator is to ensure that the aforementioned features are kept clean and remain free of any dirt, grime, debris, or grease. If anything is blocking the heat from leaving the area, it can kill the alternator quite quickly.
Another thing you do is check the condition of the connections between the alternator and the battery. Corroded or loose connectors will cause the output to drop, which makes the mechanism work harder and produce too much heat. You can disconnect them, clean them, and reattach them easily.
Want to learn more about OEM Ford parts? Contact the team in BC today!
No matter what model you have, every vehicle comes with a gear shifter. While newer automobiles may have rotary dials, the vast majority of cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs have a knob-style version.
Allowing the vehicle to be put into different gears, the shifter is typically located in the middle of the two front seats. Sometimes, automatics may be on the righthand side of the steering wheel.
There are two types of shifters - manual and automatic. The manual unit works in unison with a clutch. You must step on the clutch pedal to disengage the gearbox from the motor. Next, you move the shifter into the appropriate gear and release the clutch. On the other hand, the automatic uses an onboard computer to complete the same task. The disengagement doesn’t have to be done manually, and no clutch is necessary.
One thing you may not be aware of is that you can swap out the knob on these components. Whether you are going for hand comfort or a style change-up, you can replace your current knob with an OEM part. There are many different designs to choose from as well.
Get in touch with the staff at Ford Parts BC to learn more!
If you are wondering what a serpentine belt is, then you have come to the right spot. This mechanism is a long, winding cincture that ties the air conditioning system, alternator, water pump, and power steering pump together. In other words, it keeps them running in perfect harmony.
Built to last a very long time, you should have to change yours out until somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. Thanks to advancements in rubber technology, the new parts are more durable than ever before. However, if yours is manually tensioned, it may need to be adjusted. Most come with a self-tensioning device, but that also might need servicing at some point due to wear and tear. One thing to keep in mind, the vehicle will not run if the belt breaks.
While the serpentine belt wears many hats, it can fray, crack, peel, or even become glazed at any point. The following are signs of a belt that need replacing.
- Chipping or squealing - These unusual sounds happen when the serpentine belt slips out of place, has low tension, or is contaminated by antifreeze or an oil leak.
- Poor performance - If the battery suddenly drains or your power steering stops working, then your belt is compromised. This may also lead to damage to the alternator, water, air conditioning, and other components.
Contact Ford Parts BC to learn more!
In any Ford vehicle, there are many different types of hoses involved. However, the one we will discuss in this article is the drain hose.
Working in unison with the air conditioning system, this particular tube serves as a conduit to transport condensation that has been accumulating in the catch out through the base of the car, truck, van, or SUV. If the catch pan is not properly drained, water can leak into the floorboard. This can cause serious damage and can lead to costly repair bills.
To prevent this, you should keep this pipe clean. If the A/C is not blowing cold air consistently or you begin to experience a bad smell, this could mean that it is time to clean out the drain hose. You will need an A/C cleaner kit, a drain pan, cabin filter replacements, protective gloves, and safety glasses/goggles.
The vehicle should be raised on a jack to expose the underbelly. Next, locate the drain hose and secure the nozzle of the cleaner car to it. Use half of the can’s contents and let it sit for five to ten minutes. Then, you can remove the nozzle and let the solution drain into the pan. At this point, you can also replace the filters and clean the vents.
Contact Ford Parts BC to learn more!
When it comes to customization, there are plenty of options with the Ford lineup. One of the things you can add to your vehicle is a set of door sills. But what exactly are they, and what do they do?
Door sills serve as a protective modification that is easy to install. Attaching seamlessly to the inner base of your vehicle’s doors, they are small, slender, and act as mats for the entry points. They also provide a stable base for riders to step on as they climb into the cabin.
Constructed out of a heavy-duty film, they can be secured to the door jamb with a commercial-grade adhesive. Protecting the vehicle’s body from impacts, your paint job will last a lot longer. These pieces also shield against dirt smudges, abrasions from shoes, scratches, and even scuffs.
How long the sills will last depends on usage and exposure to the elements. Moisture from rain or car washes can cause these components to wear down faster. You can simply wipe them down once a week to ensure that they are still in good condition and performing their job properly.
Ready to get a set of OEM door sills? Contact Ford Parts BC today!
Maintaining your vehicle's exterior doesn’t have to be hard. However, sticking to a regimen can keep your car, truck, van, or SUV looking new for a very long time.
First, you need to wash your automobile on a regular basis. If you leave dirt and pollutants on the paint, it will get duller over time. Cleaning the outside is a great way to retain the coat’s vibrancy and shine. Don’t use household cleaning products to do the job. They are far too harsh. Instead, always make sure the solutions you pick are made specifically for vehicles. Also, make sure to dry the surface afterward to about mineral spots that can cause staining.
Although automobiles come with a clear coat, the elements will slowly eat through it. By waxing the transport, you are adding an extra protective layer to shield it from the weather. It also helps keep it gleaming.
An annual detail is another way to keep it in good condition. You should follow up with a car cover if it can’t be parked in a garage or carport. This will guard against harmful UV rays that cause fading. It can even prevent damage from hail and bird droppings.
Contact Ford Parts BC to learn more!
Floor mats are designed to shield a vehicle’s ground from stains, moisture, and dirt. They can keep the car looking newer and cleaner as well.
Adding floor mats is easy and quick. They can be removed within seconds, washed, and replaced. Some may also have fixation points and pre-installed anchors that prevent them from shifting positions. These can come in the form of hooks, clips, or twists. Others may have small spikes on the underside to grip the carpet beneath.
Materials used to produce these mats are typically either carpet or rubber. Carpet versions usually come with rubberized backings to keep them from slipping. Meanwhile, the full rubber units are more durable and perfect for people who frequently hit the trails. These are the most popular since they are waterproof and tend to last a lot longer.
There are many different classifications for floor mats including all-season, all-weather, luxury, tactical, and more. For Ford models, you can get just about any of these to protect your footwells. Some sets only come with pieces for the front. However, you can get assemblies that contain components for even the largest SUVs.
Contact the team of experts at Ford Parts BC to learn more!
Keeping the exterior lighting system in pristine shape will keep you safe on the roads of BC. If your lamps have recently burnt out or been broken in an accident, you can replace them without too much trouble.
To inspect the headlights, you need to ensure that the car, truck, van, or SUV is on a level surface facing a plan wall. Turn on the lights and mark where each beam hits with a piece of tape. The strips should be 2-ft long. Place one horizontally and the other vertically. Next, back the vehicle up 25-ft with the lights still on. If the bulbs are centred correctly, the most intense part of the beam will be in the centre of the horizontal piece of tape.
If you notice that the bulbs are dim, you should replace them as well. For clouded lenses, this may be an indication that the UV protective film is going bad. Foggy or yellowish colouring can lead to your lights not emitting a bright enough beam for proper visibility. Restoration kits are available to fix this issue on your own. You can also replace the entire casing if necessary.
Need to order exterior lighting accessories? Contact Ford Parts BC to get started!
Typically seen on sporty cars, a rear spoiler is an added fin that changes the direction of the airflow to reduce wind resistance. Crafted to improve the overall efficiency, speed, and agility of a vehicle, it sits down on drag and can even provide better grip across the pavement.
Although this element is popular on race cars and high-performance models, it can also be seen on some SUVs and sedans. This is mainly because it raises the average fuel economy on the highway.
There are several different types of spoilers. The most common is the wind-shaped component that sits above the back decklid. Next is the front spoiler that is designed to push air to the sides instead of underneath. Side skirts are another form that are paired with rocker panels.
As your speed increases, so does the total drag. In turn, this makes the engine work a lot harder to maintain that high speed. As air travel under the car, lift is generated which reduces the amount of grip (traction) you have on the street. The main purpose of a spoiler is to eliminate that issue.
The Mustang is a legendary muscle car that comes with a spoiler. If you want to replace yours, contact Ford Parts BC to find the right piece!
There are hundreds of various parts that go into manufacturing a Ford vehicle. One of these is the valance panel. Sometimes referred to as the bumper valance, this thin, slim piece is situated under the front bumper.
The sole purpose of the component is aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Depending on its placement, it can function similarly to an air dam by directing the airflow underneath the car. Furthermore, it can also be a larger unit that has been integrated into the airflow lip at the bottom.
Some automobiles may have two valance panels - one in the front and another on the back. In this case, these do not cover the full width of the chassis. They are known as corner pieces. Other versions of the valance panel may simply be there to cover exposed parts such as the radiator. Bridging the gap between the dual exhaust pipes is another job that this element can do.
Older models may have steel valance panels, but newer ones are typically built from plastic. This helps keep the overall weight lighter, which means better gas mileage. They are also much easier to replace.
Need a new valance panel? Get in touch with the team at Ford Parts BC to purchase the appropriate piece!
