2022
Ford Vehicle Service Information In Penticton BC
Power Steering Maintenance for Medium-Duty Trucks in Westbank
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(Posted on May 25, 2022 at 08:43PM )
It's a series of whining noises any time you turn the wheel. Your steering feels slow to respond and stiff in your hands. You may believe that your power steering pump is performing without issue – but the warning signs tell otherwise. If left unmaintained, failure is likely – and the safety of your passengers is compromised.This is why Skaha Ford in BC offers power steering scheduled maintenance to Westbank commercial fleets.
When you book your Ford medium-duty truck for a power steering service, our team of factory-trained technicians with Red Seal certifications will exchange old power steering fluid within the system using specialized equipment. This ensures that the fluid retains its hydraulic and lubricating properties to steer a vehicle. Over time, seals, O-rings and internal power steering components can wear out and contaminant the liquid, causing the pump to work harder and eventually die.
You should change your truck's power steering fluid every 60,000 km; however, following the maintenance interval outlined in your Ford Owner's Guide is best. Commercial vehicles also have extreme operating conditions, which may require service in a shorter timeframe.
Skaha Ford offers a wide range of automotive services for medium-duty trucks and RVs.
To learn more, contact our team today for details.
Poor fuel economy, premature tread wear, and annoying vibrations are symptoms that commercial truck operators in Hedley, BC, never want – or need – to experience. Having your wheels balanced not only saves your fleet money from rising fuel costs and tire replacements, but it ensures you and your crew a more comfortable ride – something your hard-working fleet deserves.This is why Skaha Ford offers wheel balancing services for commercial vehicles.Â
The process of wheel balancing places weights on wheel rims using specialized equipment. The goal is to ensure equalized weight distribution around a revolving wheel and assembly to minimize any aggravating sensations at high speeds, like vibrations in the steering wheel, the floorboard or the seat. Constant vibrations can cause uneven wear and premature replacement of your medium-duty truck’s tires, suspension, alignment and steering components. Ensuring regular wheel balancing, therefore, is essential.
Don’t let an unbalanced ride lead to long periods of downtime and expensive repairs. Instead, schedule a preventative maintenance appointment at our Service Department. Our Red Seal certified technicians will inspect your commercial vehicle, noting any wheels requiring balancing or tires due for replacement.
Contact us at Skaha Ford in BC to learn more about our medium-duty services for commercial fleets.
How Often Should Oliver Drivers Have Their Headlights Checked?
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(Posted on May 16, 2022 at 09:11PM by Lee Byard)
Long nights, dark roads - commercial drivers in Oliver, BC find themselves forever moving forward. Payloads care nothing for the night, and tasks must be completed (no matter how late the hour). The need for perfectly functioning headlamps, therefore, proves essential. This is why Skaha Ford offers headlight maintenance services. Â
The life of a light will vary greatly - with both bulb type and usage determining the span. Critics agree, however, that 1,000 hours should serve as the minimum for replacement consideration (this typically translates to one to two years). At that point drivers must assess how their headlamps are performing, including:
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Illumination - is the light pattern still even and bright?Â
Beam Width - does the light pattern arc appropriately?
Consistency - does the light pattern flicker at random?
Responsiveness - is the light pattern delayed after activating the engine?
Beam Width - does the light pattern arc appropriately?
Consistency - does the light pattern flicker at random?
Responsiveness - is the light pattern delayed after activating the engine?
Recognizing these signs proves crucial - and drivers in Oliver and beyond must immediately respond to them. Scheduling a preventative maintenance appointment at Skaha Ford will ensure that headlamps can be properly assessed (and replaced if needed). Allow out Red Seal certified technicians to examine your commercial vehicle, noting any exterior repairs that are required.Â
To learn more about our medium duty services contact us today.
Commercial operators in BC often place more importance on getting their medium-duty trucks prepared for winter. However, it’s just as essential to give your Ford TLC in the springtime. Big temperature swings and corrosive road chemicals can take a toll on a vehicle – particularly the braking system.At Skaha Ford, we provide spring medium-duty truck maintenance and repairs for commercial fleets. When the temperature begins to climb, your operators must pay extra attention to the performance of their work vehicle. Winter is tough on brakes, especially with freezing temperatures and the heat from the truck’s engine. Freeze-thaw cycles can create trapped moisture and thermal cycling, which can cause metals to expand and contract and plastics to soften and harden, resulting in leaks.
Brake stickiness can also occur in the springtime, which is a sign that valve seals or o-rings have degraded from lack of lubrication or exposure to chemicals. Additionally, the antilock braking system can require maintenance after a harsh winter. Wire harnesses can get chipped by gravel or corrode, causing the wires to get wet and short out.
Don’t let issues brought on by winter slow your fleet this spring. Instead, bring your medium-duty truck to Skaha Ford in BC for a brake inspection today. Contact us to book an appointment.
Steering System Maintenance for Medium-Duty Trucks in Summerland
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(Posted on Apr 29, 2022 at 08:58PM )
Steering systems on medium-duty trucks don’t get much thought until vehicle handling is compromised or drivers complain of steering troubles. But like all main components on a vehicle, this system benefits from preventative maintenance from our service experts at Skaha Ford in BC.When trucks age, parts loosen, hoses crack, and seals wear out. Normal wear and tear on other components in the steering system, such as ball joints, drag links and kingpins, impact how a vehicle handles. Regular visual inspections of these components can identify issues before they affect how a truck performs while also avoiding long periods of downtime.
Regular inspections should include the steering reservoir and fluid levels, including checking the hoses for cracks or seepages. If steering fluid leaks, air can get into the system, leading to cavitation of the pump. Drivers may also notice a whining sound from the pump, and the steering wheel may vibrate or chatter when driving.Â
Don’t let your commercial fleet succumb to steering system troubles. Instead, book an inspection with our service experts at Skaha Ford in BC to keep your medium-duty trucks performing their best.
Alignment tends to be an afterthought for many commercial fleets – often only coming to mind when a truck operator logs a complaint. However, the alignment system plays a critical role in the safe and comfortable operation of a vehicle. Instead of waiting to diagnose a problem and experiencing unnecessary downtime, bring your medium-duty trucks to Skaha Ford in BC for an alignment inspection.There are three common alignment issues that commercial fleets face:
1. Feathering: This wear pattern is a sign of poor toe alignment where one side of the tire tread is worn and smooth, and the other has a well-defined tread.Â
2. Camber wear: This wear pattern occurs when the inside or outside of a tire is noticeably more worn than the centerline of the tread.
3. Heel and toe wear: This wear pattern is a sign of under-inflation and lack of tire rotations and is characterized by one side of a tire’s tread blocks wearing down faster than the other in a circumferential direction.Â
All three alignment issues will be noticeable when driving on flat roads. If your truck operators are complaining about feedback or the vehicle is pulling to one side or wandering around the lane at cruising speeds, it’s time to book your fleet for an alignment inspection.
To learn more about our medium-duty truck services, contact Skaha Ford in Penticton, BC, to speak with an advisor.
Benefits of Fuel Filter Maintenance for Medium-Duty Fleets in Okanagan
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(Posted on Apr 12, 2022 at 07:04PM )
An effective and efficient fuel filtration system is essential for BC commercial fleets to maintain engine performance and longevity.Here are three benefits of regular fuel filter maintenance from our medium-duty truck experts at Skaha Ford:
1. Avoids Engine ClogsÂ
Fuel filters screen out pollutants and contaminants that accumulate in diesel fuel during storage and transportation. Over time, these filters reach capacity, allowing more particles to make their way into the engine throughout the fuel system. When water in diesel fuel mixes with these materials, it forms a sludge that can clog fuel injectors and carburetors, resulting in a lack of engine power and responsiveness. However, regular filter changes will ensure ongoing particle separation and superior performance.
2. Prevents CorrosionÂ
Moisture in diesel fuel can also lead to severe corrosion. Small particulates collected by the fuel filter are abrasive and can create extra wear and tear when combined with water and fuel acids. Without a new filter, this erosion worsens and drives up repair costs.
3. Minimizes MoistureÂ
Water in diesel is unavoidable, but using a fuel filter with a fuel and water separator reduces how much condensation gets into the system. This promotes greater fuel injection, reduced engine overheating and increased uptime.
Give your medium-duty truck the support it needs with regular fuel filter maintenance from our service experts at Skaha Ford in BC. To book your appointment, contact us today.
Fuel Saving Medium-Duty Truck Maintenance Tips in Summerland
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(Posted on Apr 8, 2022 at 02:38PM )
One of the best defences against rising fuel costs is regular maintenance. If your medium-duty truck is returning poor economy or your fleet is crippled with expensive trips to the pumps, schedule your commercial vehicle for service at Skaha Ford in BC.Here are three fuel-saving medium-duty truck maintenance tips to help you achieve optimal efficiency from your F-650 or F-750:
Climate Control: Using the air conditioning compressor accounts for nearly half of your rig's engine cooling fan operating time. If the compressor is not delivering peak performance, more engine power will be required to run the climate control system, which increases fuel consumption.
Tire Inflation: Underinflated tires have a negative impact on your truck's economy. Ensuring your F-650 or F-750 tires are appropriately inflated with the correct PSI will significantly improve efficiency and safety.
Lubricants: Engine, transmission and axle fluids with the proper viscosity support better fuel economy. Using lubricants with disproportionate thickness increase the amount of energy required to pump oil through the lubricating system, resulting in internal viscous friction loss and poor efficiency.
Good fuel economy starts and ends with regular maintenance. Discover relief at the pumps this spring by booking your medium-duty commercial fleet for service with our experts at Skaha Ford in BC.
Exhaust System Maintenance for Medium Duty Trucks in Vernon
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(Posted on Apr 1, 2022 at 01:56AM )
Exhaust system problems can result in poor acceleration and gas mileage. Noticing these troubles could indicate that your commercial vehicle is overdue for a service visit. At Skaha Ford in BC, we specialize in medium-duty truck maintenance and repairs and can fix your exhaust difficulties to ensure lasting performance and reduce costly downtime.Exhaust system failure displays itself in a variety of ways:
Rattling Noises: One of the first indications of an issue is a rattling or rumbling noise originating from the truck's rear. A loose muffler will put extra strain on exhaust parts, which can risk getting broken off when driving over bumps or rough roads.
Vibrations: Leaks in the exhaust system can create pulsations often felt in the gas pedal, steering wheel or driver's seat. These vibrations are not only bothersome, but they are a serious safety concern. When a leak occurs, dangerous gases enter the atmosphere, causing the truck to fail emission inspections.
Check Engine Light: An exhaust leak will also cause engine problems and illuminate the check engine light. If your medium-duty truck is also experiencing poor power delivery and weak acceleration, the exhaust system could be failing.
Poor Fuel Efficiency: When an engine does not receive enough oxygen or backed up fumes damage critical components in the fuel system, inadequate gas mileage is a sign of exhaust system issues.
Don't let a poorly functioning exhaust slow your commercial fleet down. Instead, contact Skaha Ford in BC to schedule your F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks in for service today.
With spring's arrival and warmer weather just weeks away, it's time for medium-duty commercial fleet operators to think about cooling system maintenance. This componentry is essential to dissipate heat from the engine through a radiator to ensure reliable performance. Don't delay – book your work trucks in for service with our experts at Skaha Ford in BC.Improperly maintained cooling systems can cause equipment failure and engine issues, leading to extended periods of downtime. Problems with the coolant system can include:
- Excessive corrosion
- Liner cavitation
- Engine failure
- Head gasket malfunction
- Water pump breakdowns
- Radiator interruptions
Trust Skaha Ford for all your medium-duty truck coolant system repairs and maintenance. Contact us to arrange your next service appointment today.
