Does Your Ford Need New Headlights?
Headlights are your first line of defense while driving in the dark or bad weather. Like any other part of your vehicle, headlights can wear out, dim over time, or become damaged. Recognizing the signs that is time to get new headlights from the Ford dealer is important to stay safe on the road.
Dim Headlights
One of the most common indicators that it might be time to replace your headlights is when they have started to dim. If the road ahead seems darker than usual, despite your headlights being on, this could mean the bulbs are nearing the end of their life. Headlights naturally weaken and dim over time, so if your nighttime visibility is not what it used to be, new bulbs could provide a significant improvement.
Flickering or Inconsistent Lighting
Headlights that flicker on and off or produce an inconsistent beam of light are also signaling trouble. Flickering might mean a faulty connection or that you’re nearing the end of your bulb’s lifespan.
One Headlight Is Out
Driving with one headlight can significantly impair your visibility and make your vehicle less visible to others. It’s also illegal, putting you at risk of a traffic violation. If one headlight burns out, it’s often a good idea to replace both bulbs at the same time, as the other is not likely to be far behind.
Cracks or Moisture in the Headlight Cover
Physical damage to the headlight cover, such as cracks or holes, can lead to moisture accumulation inside the headlight assembly. This can cause bulbs to blow out prematurely and reduce the effectiveness of your headlights.
Yellowing or Clouded Headlights
Over time, the clear plastic cover of your headlights can become yellowed or clouded due to exposure to the sun’s UV rays. This oxidation significantly reduces the amount of light that can pass through, diminishing nighttime visibility. While headlight restoration kits can temporarily reduce this problem, replacing the headlights might be the best solution for long-term clarity.
Visit Your Ford Dealership for New Headlights
When it’s time to replace your headlights, the best place to go for the service is your local dealer. Our technicians only use OEM, or Original Equipment Manufacturer, parts, ensuring your replacement headlights are of the same quality as the originals. Ford technicians are also specifically trained to work on Ford vehicles, meaning we know exactly how to handle your headlight replacement and can ensure it’s done right the first time.
Maintaining your Ford’s headlights and keeping them in top condition is about more than appearance or avoiding a ticket. It helps ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. If you’ve noticed signs of trouble with your headlights, visit Legacy Ford of McDonough in McDonough, GA for help.
Neglecting to check on the condition of your tires can result in the frustration of a flat tire while out on the road. Poor tire maintenance might even result in more serious safety hazards such as blowouts or skids. With this in mind, if you detect the following issues with your tires, head straight to your nearest Ford dealership for a set of new tires.
Time for New Tires? Visit Your Ford Dealership Today
Blisters, Cuts, or Cracks
The structural integrity of a tire is threatened by any kind of significant damage. Any kind of deep cut from a road object will usually make a tire unsafe to continue using.
Likewise, bulges or blisters often point to serious internal damage that shouldn’t be ignored. Long, deep, or awkwardly positioned cracks may also spell the end of the road for the tire.
Worn-Out Tread Depths
Tire treads inevitably diminish over time, but the tread depths of tires should never be allowed to fall beneath 2/32 of an inch. This would reduce the tire’s ability to grip road surfaces, especially when driving on a puddle or wet patch; water needs to be displaced by deep enough treads, without which a dangerous skid can easily ensue.
Inexplicable Air Loss
While periodically checking the pressure of your tires, pay attention if one of them seems to be steadily losing air. Even slight inexplicable air loss means there’s something wrong with the tire. A hidden puncture might be releasing the air, threatening to become a full blowout on the road.
Road Noise and Vibrations
When tires become worn out or damaged, you may notice a difference in overall road noise and vibrations. If your car feels and sounds rougher than usual, check your tires or ask a technician to inspect them for you.
Significantly Uneven Tires
Car tires almost always wear down unevenly. This is caused by the unbalanced pressures of the brakes, steering, and vehicle weight across the length of the vehicle. While regular tire rotation can usually mitigate uneven tire wear, sometimes tires become too uneven in size and need to be replaced.
Climates With Extreme Temperatures
The temperature can have a big impact on tire pressure, which might put the driver at risk. Extremely cold weather can cause air pressure to diminish, potentially leading to overheating and blowouts. Conversely, hot climates can expand the air inside tires, which leads to overinflation and further risks of skids and blowouts.
Excessively Old Tires
Most tires won’t last for more than six years before they start to fail. It’s wise to consider replacing your tires after six years, even if they appear to still be in good condition.
The toughest of tires might last for ten years; it’s certainly unwise to use the same tires for more than a decade. Always check the recommended duration of use that comes with your particular brand of tires.
Have your tires checked, rotated, or replaced today at Legacy Ford of McDonough. We’re a locally trusted full-service dealership that puts customer satisfaction first and foremost in all that we do.
Securing the right financing is an essential step in buying a new or used Ford, and at Legacy Ford of McDonough, our goal is to provide a straightforward car financing process. Let’s explore the advantages of choosing your Ford dealer for your Ford financing needs.
6 Benefits of Getting Car Financing at Your Ford Dealer
Swift and Hassle-Free Approval Process
We understand that time is precious, and that’s why it’s so helpful when you can get the whole car-buying experience done in one place. There’s no need to go from bank to dealership to bank again: our financing approval process at Legacy Ford of McDonough is swift and hassle-free. Our streamlined procedures ensure that you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying your new Ford.
Personalized Financing Plans
Every customer’s financial situation is unique, so we offer personalized financing plans. Our finance team takes the time to understand your specific needs and crafts financing solutions that align with your budget and financial goals. This individualized approach ensures that your financing plan is as well-suited to you as your Ford vehicle. Even if you’re struggling with credit, come talk to us. We can help!
Special Ford Financing Deals
Special Ford financing deals can really shave money off your purchase, and these exclusive offers are available only through the dealership. They can include competitive interest rates, attractive lease terms, and cash-back offers, depending on the time of year. These special deals are designed to provide added value to your Ford purchase, making it more affordable and beneficial.
Convenient Online Financing Resources
It’s the digital age: access to online resources is expected, and we deliver. We have a range of convenient online financing tools. These include online credit applications, finance calculators, detailed financing information, and you can even get a Kelly Blue Book cash offer on your current vehicle, allowing you to manage your financing process comfortably and efficiently.
Clear and Competitive Rates
At Legacy Ford of McDonough, you’ll find transparent financing terms. We’ll explain everything to ensure you feel confident in your decision, and our finance experts work with a network of lenders to secure the best possible rates.
Continuous Assistance
Our relationship with you doesn’t end once you drive off the lot. We’ll provide you with continuous financial assistance and vehicle help throughout your ownership period. Whether you have questions about your finance plan or need repairs on your vehicle, our team is here to support you.
Choose financing with us at Legacy Ford of McDonough and simplify your journey to owning a Ford. Our approach is focused on providing clear, flexible, and supportive financing options suited to your individual needs. Come join the Legacy Ford family today!
How Often Does Your Ford Need an Oil Change?
When it comes to maintaining your Ford, one of the most fundamental tasks is changing the oil. But how often should you visit the Ford dealer to have it done? And why is it so important? Let’s break down the essentials of oil changes so you and your Ford can keep on cruising.
When Should You Change the Oil?
For most newer Ford models, the recommended oil service interval can range from 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This is especially true if you’re using synthetic oil, which lasts longer and performs better than conventional oil. Your specific Ford model, the type of oil used, and your driving habits can all impact when you should change your oil, so checking your owner’s manual is the best resource for more specific details.
The Importance of Regular Oil Changes at the Ford Dealer
Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, performing critical functions that keep your vehicle running efficiently. Oil provides vital lubrication to your engine’s moving parts, reducing friction and preventing wear and tear. By lubricating the engine, oil also helps to dissipate heat, preventing your engine from overheating.
As oil circulates, it picks up dirt and debris from the engine and transports them to the oil filter, helping to keep the engine clean. Regularly changing your oil ensures that these functions continue uninterrupted, which in turn prolongs the life of your engine.
Symptoms Meaning You Need New Oil
Oil or Check Engine Light
Modern Fords are equipped with an oil indicator light. If this light comes on, or if you see the check engine light, it’s time for you to check your oil.
Dark and Dirty Oil
Clean oil is amber. Over time, it gets darker from collecting dirt and debris from your engine. If you pull out your dipstick only to see that your oil is dark and gritty, it’s time for a change.
Engine Noise
If you start to hear knocking, rumbling, or rummaging sounds from your engine, it could be a sign that your oil isn’t providing enough lubrication. This can lead to severe engine damage that is expensive to repair.
Exhaust Smoke
While some translucent vapor from your exhaust is normal, especially in the cold, thick or black smoke could indicate an oil leak in your engine.
Oil Smell Inside the Car
If you smell oil inside your vehicle, it is another sign you may have a leak. If the smell is accompanied by exhaust fumes or the smell of gasoline, it’s crucial to have your car checked immediately.
Regularly changing the oil in your Ford is a simple but essential step to keep it running reliably. It’s an investment in your vehicle that can allow it to stay with you for years to come. Call Legacy Ford of McDonough to schedule your next oil service.
At Legacy Ford of McDonough, we offer routine maintenance services to ensure that our customers’ vehicles run smoothly. The service technicians at our Ford dealership service department in McDonough, GA, are skilled and experienced and know how to perform all these services, diagnose potential issues, and make repairs. With our preventative services, we’ll ensure your car operates efficiently year-round.
Four Essential Services You’ll Find at Your McDonough Ford Dealership in McDonough, GA
1. Tire Service
With regular tire service, you can extend the longevity of your tires, keep yourself safe, and make your vehicle run more efficiently. Our service department technicians can perform preventative maintenance on your tires, including rotating them to ensure they wear evenly so you don’t have to purchase new tires well before you should.
Plus, the technicians can examine the tires, check for holes or slow leaks, and make the necessary repairs so you don’t end up on the side of the road with a blowout.
2. Oil Change
We also offer oil change services, which are important because they ensure your engine is clean and operating efficiently. We offer a special service called The Works®, where you’ll get a complete vehicle checkup and synthetic blend oil change.
This service also provides a pressure check, brake inspection, tire rotation, multipoint inspection, battery test, and fluid top-off. We’ll also check your filter, hoses, and belts to ensure they’re all in working order. We typically recommend that drivers bring in their vehicle every 3,000 miles for an oil change to ensure optimal performance year-round.
3. Battery Service
Ford batteries have a long life, but at some point, you’ll need to replace yours so that you don’t have to find someone to jump your vehicle in a parking lot or on the side of the road. Our technicians can check the health of your battery, install a new battery when needed, and ensure you have the right fit. They can also check for corrosion, which can cause intermittent battery issues if left unchecked.
4. Brake Service
Brake issues typically start small but worsen with continued use of the vehicle. Our technicians can inspect your brakes for rough spots, damage, or warping. Regular inspections will make you feel more confident about your brakes and safety, and the technicians can make recommendations if they find an issue and replace them as needed.
The service technicians will also check all the brake lines, examine the hard and rubber areas, check for cracks, corrosion, or leaks, and then make the necessary replacements.
Our technicians know exactly how to service your make and model and can ensure that you feel confident about the condition and safety of your vehicle. Contact us today at Legacy Ford of McDonough to schedule your service appointment.
3 Signs Your Ford Needs an Alternator Repair
The alternator is one of your Ford’s most essential components. This component is responsible for generating electricity for all your car’s systems. In time, the alternator can become worn out or damaged. If this happens, your friendly Ford dealer can perform an alternator repair for you. These are some signs that your alternator could be failing.
3 Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Your Ford Dealer
Dim then Bright Lights
Your headlights should maintain a steady brightness whether you are on high or low beams. Headlight bulbs are very susceptible to changes in their electrical supply. If your beams become dim and then overly bright a short time later, you most likely have an alternator problem. This problem occurs when an older or damaged alternator produces less electricity than it should.
The lack of sufficient power means the available electricity has to be shifted from component to component to allow them to work. Your computer may draw power away from the headlights to supply another system. This causes the lights to dim. When the computer shifts power back to the headlights, they will appear brighter than they should. We’ll test your alternator and either repair or replace it to fix this problem.
Grinding Noises
Unusual sounds from the engine are always disturbing. Harsh grinding noises from the engine bay are always a sign that something is wrong. These noises could be caused by a damaged alternator that’s struggling to work. The alternator spins at high speed to produce electricity. Bearings allow the alternator to move at a high speed. A damaged or cracked bearing will produce grinding noises as the alternator moves.
The damaged bearing reduces the speed of the alternator, and this decreases the level of electricity it can supply. A damaged bearing places additional strain on the surviving bearing, which could also break. Without its bearings, the alternator can’t spin and produce power. We can easily replace the damaged bearing and your alternator will work normally again.
Burning Smells
An older alternator gradually slows down due to worn components. As we’ve seen, a slower alternator produces less power. Your car’s systems have a relatively stable demand for power. When the alternator supplies less power than your car’s systems demand, your computer will order it to work harder to supply the necessary electricity.
The worn alternator will spin faster to try and produce more electricity, and this causes it to heat up. You’ll smell a hot metal smell from the overworked alternator. You might also smell burning plastic if the heat in the alternator causes its wiring’s insulation to burn. If your alternator is overheating, we can easily replace it with a new one.
If your Ford has an alternator problem, call our service department ASAP at Legacy Ford of McDonough.
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