When you live in Queens, you know that every day carries certain travel challenges, whether running late to catch the F Train or inching forward in traffic on 75th Avenue. The last thing on your mind is your vehicle breaking down, but if your schedule has been too hectic to think about maintenance, this may happen in the future. Fortunately, here at Premier Ford Inc., we specialize in keeping NYC drivers moving forward, offering a variety of services and convenient scheduling to make fitting maintenance into your day easy.
We’re the best Ford service center near Queens, but we don’t just service Ford vehicles. We work with a broad range of models. We believe that you should have access to top-notch service no matter which car you drive. What are the most important routine services for your car? You may be able to get away with checking certain components of your car once or twice a year, but the following should be prioritized.
Oil and Filter
Your oil keeps your engine running at its best, lubricating the components inside your engine and helping you harness the performance and efficiency you require. When you fail to change your car’s oil at regular intervals, the oil becomes dirty and cannot lubricate your vehicle’s parts as well, resulting in your engine having to work overtime. This can cause internal parts to wear excessively, overheat, and may lead to a costly engine replacement, something no driver wants to consider. Along with your oil, the engine oil filter will need to be replaced at the same time. This important part filters out dirt and debris from your travels throughout the boroughs so that it doesn’t end up in your engine. This service is simple but extremely important to the operation of your vehicle. No one wants to have their engine seize as they’re on their way home from a long day of work in Manhattan.
Tires
Your tires have the big job of anchoring you to the road, providing you with the traction and control you need while in transit. When you ignore the condition of your tires, you risk losing control and causing an accident. You also sacrifice fuel efficiency, as your car works harder to move you down the road with worn or underinflated tires. This is why you’ll want to keep up with routine tire rotations so that each tire wears at the same rate. When it’s time for new tires, don’t wait. The last thing you want is to have a blowout as you’re on the way to Citi Field to catch a game. It's also important to check tire pressure and fill your tires up with air to manufacturer specifications so that you don’t walk out to your car in the morning and realize that you have a flat.
Brakes
Everyone knows how important brakes are in a vehicle. After all, faulty brakes can cause catastrophic damage to your vehicle and to you, so keeping up with brake services is critical. Partnering with a service center staffed with trained technicians will allow you to get your brakes inspected and address any issues before they get out of hand. From brake fluid to brake pads to rotors, the components of your braking system need to be checked regularly to ensure optimal safety on board.
Battery
Your battery gets your vehicle going each time you slide into the driver’s seat. Not only that, but it also powers the various electrical components of your vehicle, like lights, stereo systems, and other important features. Your battery will naturally deplete over time, so checking its performance regularly can save you a call to AAA as you’re stranded on the side of Utopia Parkway. No one wants a dead battery, but the good news is that there tend to be signs that your battery is having issues, including your vehicle having trouble starting the engine, dimming lights, and certain electrical components on board not working. To eliminate any of this, having diagnostics run on your vehicle can let you know if your battery needs to be replaced in the near future.
Fluid Levels
Plenty of fluids reside inside your vehicle, and each of them is important in its own right. We’ve already talked about engine oil and how it works to keep the engine components lubricated, as well as brake fluid, but there’s more that you’ll want to have checked out regularly. Coolant helps keep your engine from overheating, while transmission fluid helps to lubricate all of the parts of your transmission system to avoid damage to this important (and costly) vehicle component. If you frequently make trips out to Hudson Highlands for some time off the grid, be sure to check your transfer case fluid in your four-wheel drive vehicle as well.
Lighting
You may not realize how important brake lights are until you hit the brakes at a red light and someone skips into you from behind. This is a reality, so having your vehicle’s lighting checked routinely is for the best. Your service technician will ensure that your headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and interior lights are all working properly. This way, you can avoid any issues while heading to work during the week or taking the family to Rockaway Beach for a little vacation. It may sound small, but even a turn signal that’s burnt out can wreak havoc on your drive, which is why this simple fix can really benefit your travels.
Wiper Blades and Windshield Washer Fluid
It’s another small component that you don’t really think about, except when you get splashed by a semi-truck on I-278, and you’re in a panic because your wipers don’t work and you can’t see. However, this can happen if you don’t change out your windshield wipers regularly and keep your windshield wiper fluid topped off. It’s a good rule of thumb to replace your wiper blades once a year and check your fluid levels when you take your vehicle in for routine maintenance. That way, you won’t have to worry about having poor visibility and potentially causing an accident on the Horace Harding Expressway.
The Importance of Routine Maintenance
Some of these routine services are obviously important, especially oil changes and tire checks. Others, however, seem small but can greatly impact your drive. Failure to check your headlights can result in being unable to see on your way home at night. When you don’t top off your vehicle’s fluids, important systems like your brakes and transmission risk severe damage. Even your windshield wipers are integral to a successful journey through Queens and beyond. It helps to pay attention to these seemingly small services that can make or break your travels.
When you partner with a reputable service center, you don’t have to worry about what parts to service on your car. Your service professional is there to help construct a service plan that meets your driving demands. The last thing you want to worry about is your car’s performance, which makes routine services critical to the safety and longevity of your vehicle. Your car is a big investment that needs to be taken care of properly so that it continues to offer you the ride you deserve, no matter where you’re traveling. Be sure to keep up with these important routine services to gain maximum confidence that your vehicle won’t let you down.
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Ford Service Center Near Queens
