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One of the best ways to keep the value of your car and to prevent costly repairs is with regular maintenance. Make sure you are keeping up with these important preventative maintenance tasks recommended by Ford. Change Your Fluids Most car owners know their car needs regular oil changes. However, that is not the only important fluid that needs to be regularly checked in your Ford. You should also have your radiator fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluids checked often. Additionally, your air conditioning coolant can affect your car's ability to reach a comfortable interior temperature. Low windshield wiper fluid can reduce visibility and result in a dangerous driving situation. Make sure that your vehicle inspection includes each of these important fluid checks. more Maintain Your Tires Your vehicle's tires may be more important than you realize. Not only are they responsible for getting you where you need to go, but they can also affect your fuel efficiency, wear and tear on the mechanical components of your car, and the overall safety of your car. You should have your tires rotated as often as you have your oil changed. It is also important to regularly check your tires' treads and to replace them when they are low. In many cases, choosing the cheapest tires is not usually the safest choice. Regular Car Washes Car washes serve more purpose than having a clean car: they also protect your car's exterior paint. Large amounts of dust or debris that is not removed can scratch the paint over time. Additionally, if your windshields and windows are covered in dirt, it can present a dangerous situation, reducing your visibility. Regular car washes are just as important during the winter months as they are in the summer. When ice from the road's sticks to your car's paint, it can eventually lead to rust. Inspect Your Battery Without a battery, your car will not work. Avoid the inconvenience of a dead battery by checking your battery's charge often. There are tools that you can use at home to test the charge of your battery. Some car inspections also check the battery during the multi-point inspection. The technician can usually identify when a battery's charge is low and notify you when it's time to replace the battery. Choosing a Ford Dealer Many Ford owners consider the differences between maintenance tasks at a local mechanic or with a Ford dealer. Ford mechanics are the most knowledgeable technicians when it comes to the maintenance of your Ford. Choosing a Ford dealership for these services can ensure that your car maintains its value, maximizes its fuel efficiency, and ensures that it is reliable and safe. In fact, most Ford warranties will require that you receive services through an approved Ford dealer. Ford dealers offer the most important services including oil and filter changes, wheel alignment, and a full multi-point inspection. Come by the Ford Store Morgan Hill today to schedule your Ford inspection. You can easily schedule an appointment online. Photo by Robert Couse-Baker | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

When you hear a screech, clank, clatter, or other noise emanating from your car, it's always a cause for concern. Even diligent and scheduled maintenance isn't always enough to stave off problems, but sometimes a fix is cheaper and easier than you may think. Tune-ups are an awesome way to restore top-notch performance to your vehicle and eliminate any sounds or other issues with your car. Before you take your vehicle to the shop in panic mode, here are a few signs that your car might need just a tune-up. Rough Idling and Late Acceleration If your entire car starts to shake when you're at a stop or if pushing the accelerator to the floor results in a late burst of speed, it could be time for a tune-up. There are many reasons for these problems, but a clogged fuel filter, faulty spark plugs, or a soiled air filter are the main offenders. During a tune-up, all of these parts are cleaned or replaced, eliminating the car shakes and providing a better overall performance. more Massive Drop in MPG After driving your car for awhile, you're familiar with about how far you can go on a tank of gas. If this fuel economy starts to drop without reason, it's a sign you need to schedule a tune-up service. Typically, a dip in fuel economy will happen gradually, and you may not even notice it at first. However, if you find yourself at the pump more often, the fuel filter, O2 sensors, and air filter need attention. Once you've changed these components, you should notice your mpg returning to normal or even improving. Check Engine Light Comes On The check engine light is on your instrument cluster to notify you when something's not quite right with your car. Instead of covering it with a piece of tape or ignoring it, take your vehicle to the mechanic. These technicians can run a diagnostic test on your vehicle to determine the source of the problem. Sometimes, a tune-up can eradicate the problem and turn off the annoying yellow glow of your check engine light. Loss of Speed Delayed acceleration is a definite sign you need a tune-up, and if your car suddenly becomes a bit sluggish, it's yet another reason to consider a tune-up. Faulty distributor points, clogged fuel injectors, and old air filters are usually the sources of the problem. During a tune-up, these items are replaced, which leads to an increase in speed and acceleration. Unusual Sounds If you begin to hear new, unusual sounds coming from your car, a tune-up could be in store. Engine noise and transmission grinding are two of the most problematic sounds, and without proper care, they can lead to bigger, more expensive problems. The crazier or louder the noise, the more likely you need the help of an expert mechanic. Routine maintenance and oil changes keep your car running smoothly and limit potential problems, but scheduling a tune-up every 45,000 miles or at the first sign of trouble is always a sound decision. Photo by stephenhanafin | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0