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Image via Bob Maxey Ford. You have plenty of choices when it comes to getting new headlights for your car. Since it is a simple repair, you may be tempted to head to the auto parts store and do it yourself. However, that would mean missing out on the many benefits of having the work performed at your local Detroit Ford dealer. OEM Parts When you have headlights installed at the dealership, you can be confident that you are getting high-quality parts that are compatible with your vehicle. The parts we use at Ford are designed specifically for your car or truck. They fit well and will work with all installed features. The staff at the corner parts store don't know your Ford as well as our technicians, which means you may end up with parts that don't fit correctly, are compatible with your vehicle, or don't best serve your needs. So, instead of saving time by doing the job yourself, you end up making repeat trips to find the correct parts. Knowledgeable Technicians Ford's service techs know your car inside and out. When swapping out the headlights, we can also check for any issues that might cause a light to fail beyond a bad bulb, such as a short in the wiring. Familiarity with your vehicles also means that any repairs are done correctly, so you don't have to worry about poor craftsmanship. Plus, we know our way around your car, so you'll probably save on labor compared to a non-Ford repair shop. Great Service and Parts Specials Ford and your local dealership service center run some great specials that can help you save on things like headlight replacement. Plus, you can have other maintenance done at the same time. Many also offer extras you won't find at an independent shop, such as a free shuttle to take you home or to work and warrantied parts. Reasons To Install New Headlights Perhaps the most obvious reason for getting a new set of headlights is that an old one has gone out. However, there are other reasons that you might want to consider. For example, if one bulb is no longer working, it's a good idea to replace both of them. Matching bulbs typically have similar life spans, so doing them together will save you time and effort in the long run. Other reasons you might want to have a new set of headlights installed include: A cracked lens Poor night visibility Flickering bulbs Getting a new set of headlights is a basic but important maintenance task. When you need new bulbs installed in your car, schedule an appointment with Bob Maxey Ford in Detroit, MI, for professional and courteous service for your Ford vehicle.

Image via Pixabay. One of the biggest dangers of driving with overly worn tires is the increase in braking distances. If the vehicle ahead suddenly stops, you need maximum braking power when you press the pedal, which requires both strong brakes and firm tire traction. Let's take a look at the various warning signs that car tires need to be replaced. If you're not sure whether you need new tires, ask a trusted technician at your local Ford dealership. Your Treads Fail the Penny Test Tire treads steadily wear down over time and shouldn't be allowed to reach under 2/32 of an inch in depth. At anything less than 2/32 of an inch, your tires are likely to lose gripping strength. You can check the tread depth of your tires with a penny. Insert the coin into the tread voids at the central point of the tire with Lincoln's head facing downward. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, the treads are no longer deep enough. Your Tires Are More Than 6 Years Old Exposure to the elements and extreme climate conditions tends to break down the rubber in all tires over time. Because of this, it's considered good practice to replace almost all tires once they reach six years of age. This applies to both frequent drivers and infrequent drivers alike. Your Tires Are Unevenly Worn Tires tend to become unevenly worn over time due to unbalanced pressures applied in different positions of the vehicle. If you don't combat this issue with regular tire rotation, your tires may eventually become too uneven in size and condition to safely use. You Have Frequent Air Pressure Problems If any one tire keeps inexplicably losing air pressure, you'll probably need to have it replaced. An exception to this would be if a skillful technician can locate the hidden puncture or fault and repair it effectively. You Find Bubbles, Cuts, and Other Damage Most serious damage to the rubber will spell the end for a tire. Any external bubbles or blistering in tire rubber usually indicate serious internal damage. Deep cuts or extensive cracks can also make a tire hazardous to continue using. You're Experiencing Excessive Road Noise Most drivers become accustomed to the usual sounds and vibrations made by their vehicles. If you notice road noise and vibrations increasing while you're driving, one or more of your tires might have a fault that needs prompt attention. Have your tires replaced with a brand new set today at Bob Maxey Ford. We're a local full-service dealership offering excellent customer service and an extensive range of top-notch new and pre-owned vehicles.

If you ever find it difficult to shift gears or hear strange sounds coming from your transmission, it's wise to have it repaired without delay. Small gearbox problems can rapidly escalate, and replacing a modern automatic transmission can be almost as expensive as buying a new engine. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms of transmission trouble. If you notice any of them, visit your nearest Ford dealer for transmission repair right away. Burning Fluid Smell The majority of transmission problems stem from the transmission fluid. With so much heat and pressure inside the gearbox, the fluid is essential to keep all the moving parts lubricated and cleaned of debris. When transmission fluid ages, it begins to thicken and dirty with fragments of debris. It also begins to burn in the heat of the gearbox. And the more the fluid thickens and reduces, the greater the friction and heat, accelerating the decline. You'll sometimes catch a whiff of this burning smell in the cabin above. Flush Transmission Fluid at Your Ford Dealer Proper gearbox maintenance requires regularly refreshing your transmission fluid. For automatic shifts, every 60,000 miles is considered a good interval for most drivers. For manual shifts, you'll need to flush your fluid more often: every 30,000 miles or so. Check your owner's manual for the recommended schedule for your particular model. Red Fluid Leaking Under Your Car An even more serious problem is leaking transmission fluid, which could rapidly cause your gearbox to break down. If you ever see a puddle of reddish liquid under your car when you pull away from parking, you probably have a leaking transmission. Leaks most often originate from the transmission pump or connected lines. You'll probably need a technician to repair the leak. Delayed Gear Shifts When the gears and other parts inside your transmission begin to wear down, you'll sometimes notice a delay in the shifting. It might take a few seconds for the new gear to fully engage. Engine Revving While Shifting When gears have trouble changing smoothly, the engine sometimes tries to compensate by revving for more power. Any sudden revving when you're changing gears is a sign that your gearbox is struggling. Strange Sounds From Below An unhealthy transmission tends to become quite noisy in other ways as well. You might notice grinding sounds as poorly lubricated or worn-down gears struggle against each other. And problems in automatic transmissions often cause humming or whining sounds. Have your transmission inspected and repaired today at Bob Maxey Ford of Detroit. We have a top-notch car service and maintenance center with highly trained technicians to help resolve any vehicle problems you might have.

It's never pleasant to start driving on a hot summer day only to find your car AC not working. There are various possible causes for faults in an air conditioning system. You'll usually need a technician at your local Ford dealer to fix it, especially if a part needs replacing. The following are six common causes of malfunctioning car AC. Broken Condenser In modern Ford vehicles, AC systems can be expected to last a good 10 years or more without fault. When they do occasionally run into trouble, it's often due to an issue with the condenser. The condenser rests beside your radiator at the front of your car. It's responsible for turning the refrigerant into liquid form, which has a cooling effect. Algae, rust, or congealed refrigerant can sometimes clog up a compressor, in which case it only needs to be cleaned. But if your compressor's been cracked by a stone or some other impact, you'll probably need a new one. Faulty Sensor If your AC is only working intermittently, warm air's blowing out, or you can hear strange noises, then the sensor in your refrigerant pressure switch might be malfunctioning. This sensor detects drops in pressure that indicate a leak. But if the sensor itself fails, then your AC system might start acting as though it has a leak, even when it doesn't. Sensors are not the most expensive parts to replace, although you'll need a technician to do it for you. Broken Hose or Gasket An actual refrigerant leak will also bring your AC to a halt. On the rare occasion when leaks occur, they will most often stem from a cracked hose or gasket. Look for an oily colorless substance around these areas. Broken Fan There are various different fans throughout an AC system. The fans that draw air in from outside the car sometimes become blocked or cracked by external debris. If a fan within the refrigerant circulation suffers a broken blade, tiny shards of metal can flow through the system, causing further damage and even leaks. Blown Fuse Whenever an electronic accessory in your car stops working, always check the fuse. You can use a test light or multimeter to see if the fuse is blown, or you can pull the fuse out to check if its wire element is burned or melted. A blown fuse might indicate some underlying problem in your vehicle's electrical supply. Electrical Interruption A broken wire might have interrupted the power to your AC system, causing it to shut down. If more than one accessory has stopped working at the same time, then you might have a problem with your battery or alternator, which supply the car with electricity. Have your AC inspected and repaired today at Bob Maxey Ford Detroit. We offer excellent vehicles and service to drivers in Detroit, Highland Park, Grosse Pointe, and Hamtramck. Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay

Good brakes allow you to drive safely, while bad brakes could lead to an accident. You depend on your brakes to enable you to stop whenever your need to. In time, you may need a brake repair. As your Ford dealer, we'd like to tell you some signs that you need to see us ASAP for repair. Worn Parts The braking system is a mechanical one, and it's composed of numerous parts. Your brakes must be checked regularly according to your Ford's service schedule to keep the system working efficiently. Parts can jam, wear out, or break, and they need replacement. If any part of the braking system is worn or damaged, your braking system won't work correctly. A brake caliper, for example, can jam. Hydraulic pressure from the brake fluid forces the pins out of each caliper. This action causes the calipers to close on the wheel rotors and stop them from moving. A jammed caliper pin will prevent the caliper from engaging and closing. This prevents the caliper from stopping its rotor. Our highly-trained technicians will examine your system and replace any worn parts. Leaking Brake Fluid A brake fluid leak compromises your braking system. Your brakes depend on this fluid, as it exerts the hydraulic pressure needed for the system to work effectively. Brake fluid can leak from a variety of places, including brake hoses, brake lines, and the brake fluid reservoir. A braking system is pressurized, and a leak will also reduce the pressure in the system. As your braking system loses fluid and pressure, braking will become more challenging. When you step on the brakes, you'll feel a lack of resistance. This lack of resistance is caused by low pressure and fluid. Your brakes will take longer to engage, which could result in an accident. Our technicians are experts at tracing and repairing leaks, and we'll find and fix the problem. Failed Brake Booster As we've seen, your braking system is pressurized. High pressure is essential, as your brakes have to stop the weight of your car when it's moving at speed. Normal strength isn't enough to overcome the pressure in the barking system. This is where the brake booster comes in. The brake booster provides 10x the pressure you exert on the pedal to force the braking system to engage. The booster uses a vacuum system to generate this level of pressure. If the vacuum in the booster is damaged, it can't exert the required pressure, and your brakes won't work. If your brakes aren't working as well as they should, call us right away at Bob Maxey Ford. Image by S. Hermann / F. Richter from Pixabay

Oil changes are a great way to keep your car running smoothly. Getting your oil changed regularly can make a real difference and is easy to do. Here are a few reasons to bring your car in for a Ford oil change. Engine Life The oil in your engine is critical to its performance and longevity. If you don't change it regularly—or if you use poor-quality oil in your vehicle—you could end up with an expensive repair bill. That's because worn-out oil doesn't lubricate as well as new, clean oil, leading to engine problems over time. The good news is that changing your oil regularly will keep your engine healthy, so you won't have to worry about spending money on repairs down the line. Fuel Economy One of the biggest benefits of an oil change is that it helps your car run more efficiently. If you wait too long between appointments, it can mean that your car's engine isn't running as well as it should be. During a Bob Maxey Ford oil service, we'll clean out any sludge and change out your old oil. Dirty oil means your car won't be getting as many miles out of every gallon of gas. It also means wear and tear on your engine and more money on repairs down the line! Get an oil change regularly if you don't want to spend extra money on gas or have to keep replacing parts because they're wearing out faster than they should be. Cooling the Engine Your engine needs to run at a specific temperature to perform at its best. If the engine runs too hot or too cold, things can start breaking down, leading to more serious issues down the road. Keep an eye on your oil level! Oil helps keep the engine from getting too hot or cold by acting as a heat sink. When your oil level gets low enough that its ability to absorb heat starts being compromised, that's when you enter the danger zone! Reduces Emissions When you get your oil changed, you're not only caring for your car but also helping the environment. Every time you drive your car, it emits harmful gases into the air. These emissions cause air pollution and contribute to climate change. Dirty engine oil is particularly harmful, with noxious gas released into the atmosphere. However, if you get your oil changed regularly, it reduces the emissions released into the atmosphere. Since fresh oil burns cleaner than dirty oil, the more often you change your oil, the better. If you're unsure when you should get an oil change, we recommend checking your owner's manual or calling our service department. If you do need an oil change, schedule an appointment at Bob Maxey Ford! We'll make sure that everything is taken care of and have you on your way right away. And don't forget to check out our website for any service specials! Image by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay