Tag Archives: ford service

Get Your Ride Ready For Summer Fun

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Summer is in full swing, and it has brought gorgeous weather, all the fun under the sun that you could ask for, and lots of awesome road trips to experience Mother Nature in all her glory. This also means that you will need to make sure that your Ford car, truck, or SUV model is operating at peak performance and ready for whatever the road might throw at you. The experienced service team at your car dealership in Southern Maryland recommends that you carefully inspect your vehicle and ensure everything is in working order before you pack up the family and head out.  While you will definitely want to schedule a Waldorf Ford service appointment and get your vehicle cleared for your big trips, we have several suggestions for you to follow prior to your appointment that will help get your Ford model ready for the summer season.

A good Ford service tip is to check the levels of the fluids for your Ford car, truck, or SUV model. You can do that by taking out the dipstick and looking at where the fill line is currently placed, along with seeing how much windshield wiper fluid is remaining. Another recommendation we have to is to lift your hood and examine the state of your belts and hoses to see if there is any fraying. All you have to do is slightly tug on them a few times to ensure they are in good condition.

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Other practices to follow include inspecting the state of your radiator hose, spark plugs, and other components to see if they are in their best conditions. Lastly, it is never a bad idea to examine the appearance of your exterior to see if there are any dings or dents, as well as how your windshield wipers fared during those spring thunderstorms. The experienced Waldorf Ford service team will be glad to answer any questions that you have about these practices.

At your car dealership in Southern Maryland, we hope that these simple tips can help you prepare your vehicle before you bring it to us for a maintenance appointment. We are proud to have the skills and expertise to resolve any issues that you are experiencing, make sure there are no hidden problems, and get you back out on the road as quickly as possible. The service team at Waldorf Ford wants you to have the best summer possible, and that starts with a Ford model that operates at its fullest capacity. Schedule a service appointment and keep all of the summer fun going today!

Get Your Ford in Tip-Top Shape this Spring

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We’re nearing the beginning of Spring, and soon spring cleaning will be on everyone’s minds.

But spring cleaning isn’t only for your home or office.

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Take the time this year to make sure you properly clean your car, and get it looking it’s best for spring and summer, with these few tips:

  • Organize the glove box, and consoles. Sort through all of the paperwork in your glove box, and remove old insurance cards, vehicle registrations, and any other objects that you no longer need to cart around every day. Create a folder for your current vehicle registration and insurance card, and neatly place the important documents back inside of your glove box, to ensure that everything is there and easy to find when you need it!
  • Clean the windows—inside and out.  Wintertime driving can be pretty trying on the exterior of your car. Clean the windows extra, both inside and outside, with a clean towel, to ensure your visibility is never compromised.
  • Remove clutter from your trunk. Sort through all of the clutter in your trunk, and take out anything you might not need this summer (snow brushes, ice melt, gloves, etc.) and store them away for next year. While your trunk is clean, verify that your spare tire is in perfect, working order, just in case!
  • Scrub the exterior.  Winter time can leave salt and road grime all over the exterior of your vehicle. Be sure to scrub off the salt, especially on the lower half of your vehicle, and make sure your paint stays looking brand new!

If you’re in need of service for your vehicle, to ensure it’s running its best before you venture out for your spring and adventures, contact our Service Department, today!

It’s Not Too Late to Set One More New Year’s Resolution

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The clock might have already struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, and almost everyone has a plan in place to improve their life, whether with fitness, organization, or even managing finances. But what about bettering your automobile? It’s not too late to set a resolution to keep your vehicle at it’s best this 2018.

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Your vehicle is most likely one of your most valued and relied on possessions, so, why not take every measure to ensure you’re keeping it in tip-top shape throughout the year?

Here are a few ideas for New Year’s Resolutions, specifically for your automobile:

  • Keep up with your routine maintenance. Your vehicle’s routine maintenance is one of the easiest things to overlook—whether it’s not having the time to have maintenance addressed, or the money. Although it’s easy to neglect, it’s also one of the most important aspects of your vehicle’s longevity and can help you save money and time, in the long run. Schedule an appointment with our Service Department to have your routine maintenance addressed. 
  • Keep your vehicle’s interior and exterior clean. Although it’s tough to maintain the cleanliness of your vehicle, especially in the colder months, you may feel better if you do. Having a clean vehicle may help reduce stress, especially if your vehicle tends to get cluttered easily.
  • Keep up with your neglected maintenance. Have a rattling noise that’s been driving you crazy for a while, but haven’t had it looked at yet? Bring your car in for Service, and let our experts help you pin-point the problem, before it becomes a bigger problem.
  • Schedule regular check-ups. Just like your physical health, it’s important to keep tabs on your vehicle’s health. Schedule regular appointments to have your car checked, to ensure everything is in working order.

 

Make Sure Your Vehicle is Ready for Winter at Waldorf Ford

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Cold weather has set in here in Southern Maryland! Make sure your vehicle is ready to face the challenges that cold weather will throw at it, with these helpful tips.

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  • Change Windshield Wiper Blades & Refill Wiper Fluid – Snow, salt, and sludge on the roadways can be problematic, especially if your windshield wiper blades are old or you’re lacking wiper fluid. Be sure both are ready to go this year.
  • Check Tire Pressure – Make sure all of your tires are inflated to the proper weight. Cooler temperatures often leave your tires slightly on the low side. Check your tires often to ensure they’re inflated properly all winter long.
  • Change Your Oil – With the hussle and bussle of the busy holiday season, often times, preventative maintenance may fall by the wayside. Change your oil ahead of time, to ensure you don’t neglect your vehicle’s health.
  • Replace Your Battery – Your battery might seem fine now, but, when was the last time it was replaced? Batteries should be replaced every couple of years. Make sure a cold winter morning doesn’t leave you stranded this year.
  • Check Your Antifreeze Mixture – Make sure your antifreeze mixture is up to par for the winter months to ensure your engine is operating at the correct temperature.

To make sure your car is ready for the winter months, contact the experts in our Service Department. Schedule your appointment, today.

Get Your Vehicle Ready for Fall at Waldorf Ford

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Fall can be a busy time for any family, especially if you have kids. Between the new school year starting, extra-curricular activities, and the busy (and quickly approaching) holiday season, it’s hard to find the time to do anything, let alone prepare your car for inclement weather. Although it’s tough to find the time, it’s very important to do so, to ensure your family is safe on the road.

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Here are a few tips for safe travel when going into the Fall months:

  • Inspect Your Tires: Fall and Winter usually mean slippery conditions. Between wet leaves laying on the road and rain, sleet, and snow in the winter, you’ll want to ensure you have tires with ample tread to ensure you have good traction.
  • Check Lights: Ask a friend or family member to come outside with you while you turn on and off each light to ensure all are working properly. Fall means less day light. Make sure your lights work good while you still have time!
  • Replace Wiper Blades: Fall and Winter mean sleet, snow, rain, and everything in between. Make sure your windshield wipers can get through anything before the bad weather starts.
  • Make Sure Defroster Works: Check the functionality of your front and rear defroster to make sure they’re working properly to avoid having your windows fog up.
  • Check Your Battery: Nothing is worse than being in a hurry on a cool fall morning, just to find out that your car battery is dead. Hook up a battery tester to your car’s battery to ensure it’s in proper working order.
  • Check All Fluid Levels: Make sure you have enough fluids in your car (windshield, power steering, brake, transmission, and coolant). There’s nothing worse than an overheating car when you’re in a rush to get the kids to school.

Our technicians are ready and waiting to help you get your vehicle fall-ready—make an appointment with Waldorf Ford’s Service Department today!

Summer Road Trip Checklist

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It’s the middle of July, and you know what that means—summer vacation!

Millions of folks are packing up their cars this summer with only the sun, the sand and relaxation on their minds. But before you set sail for your summer trip, review our checklist to make sure your vehicle is travel-ready.shutterstock_259676957.jpg

  1. Check your tire pressure and tread. Low tire pressure can mean higher gas mileage, and too high of pressure can cause a flat tire, or worse, a blowout.
  2. Top off your fluids. Be sure to check your windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid and coolant before hitting the road. Taking these few steps can save you a big hassle and a big chunk of change in the long run.
  3. Clean your windows. It might seem like a silly item on the checklist, but visibility is key to safety when traveling. Take a few minutes to wash your windows—a nighttime glare on your windshield can make seeing a very difficult task.
  4. Get an oil change. Depending on what your Ford vehicle manual portrays, it is a good idea to change your oil every 3,000-7,000 miles. Changing your oil on a regular basis will keep your car running smooth.
  5. Have your brakes checked. Be sure to have a technician look over your brakes before you begin your journey—safety first!
  6. Check your belts and suspension. Make sure that your vehicle is road-ready by checking all of your belts and your suspension. A broken belt can leave you stranded, and that’s no way to start a vacation!
  7. Replace your windshield wiper blades. Don’t let a streaky windshield or heavy rain slow you down—make sure your windshield wiper blades are up-to-par.
  8. Check your lights. It’s always a good idea to do a walk-around of your car prior to leaving for your destination. Have someone sit in the car and turn on and off all of the lights (including turn signals) to ensure all lightbulbs are working correctly.
  9. Run an air conditioning test. Hot temperatures can make riding in a car without air conditioning nothing short of miserable. Have a technician make sure your AC is running nice and cool!
  10. Conduct a transmission check. Transmission failure can be a long and very expensive ordeal. Preventative maintenance and checking your transmission functionality before your trip could save you a ton of time, and money!

If you’re planning a summer road trip and need some help with conducting your road trip checklist, make an appointment with Waldorf Ford’s Service Department. Our technicians are ready and waiting to help you get your vehicle road-ready!

Ford Motor Company Launches New Warranty for Ford Genuine and Motorcraft Parts

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  • New warranty provides unlimited mileage coverage for 24 months from time of purchase or installation
  • Parts and labor continue to be covered with any repair completed at Waldorf Ford
  • Ford provides vehicle owners with towing reimbursement for repairs completed at Waldorf Ford

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WALDORF, MD, 2013 – Ford Motor Company announced the launch of a new warranty on Ford Genuine and Motorcraft service parts for unlimited mileage for 24 months from time of purchase or installation.

The Ford backing, clarity of terms, labor coverage and access to Ford’s nationwide network for coverage provides greater value and peace of mind for all customers whether they are general consumers, fleet operators or independent repair facilities.

“Ford is dedicated to constant improvement in all we do. Ford Genuine and Motorcraft replacement parts are approved by Ford engineering,” said Greg Basiliko, General Manager of Waldorf Ford.  “In the unlikely event a part fails, our new warranty demonstrates our commitment to quality, our customers and our intent to provide greater peace of mind and an improved ownership experience.”

Ford also will now reimburse fleets and independent repair facilities up to $150 in labor coverage. Ford continues a No Commercial Exceptions policy as a commitment to fleet customers.

In addition, Ford’s part warranty provides customers towing reimbursement for repairs completed at any Ford or Lincoln Dealership.

How it works

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If a service part purchased under the new warranty happens to fail and the repair is completed at a Ford or Lincoln dealership, the entire repair cost, labor and towing will be covered.  If the repair was completed at an independent installer or fleet facility, Ford would reimburse up to $150 in labor (the towing would not be covered).

In the case of an individual do-it-yourself customer who chooses to install a part themselves, the warranty covers the cost of a replacement part for 24 months and unlimited miles. The DIY’er labor time is not reimbursable.  Labor expense is only reimbursable on repairs completed in a fleet or installer facility.

Ford’s previous service parts warranty was 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurred first, and labor was covered if the part was installed by a Ford or Lincoln dealership. Labor was not covered on parts sold over-the-counter to a fleet or installer.

For more information visit Waldorf Ford located at 2440 Crain Highway, in Waldorf, MD 20601 or call our Service Department at 301-843-2400 or visit us online at http://www.waldorfford.com!

Calling all LADIES! Waldorf Ford’s First Ever LADIES DAY in Service!!!

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Waldorf Ford’s Service Department is so excited to announce the FIRST EVER “Ladies Day” Event here at Waldorf Ford!

At Waldorf Ford, we celebrate woman all year long so what’s not to love about a day dedicated to exactly that.  With Mother’s Day right around the corner we are cordially inviting you to celebrate and pamper yourselves, mothers, and vehicles at Waldorf Ford’s Service Department! 

On Thursday, May 9th, 2013 – 8 am to 5 pm, in Waldorf Ford’s Service Department Ladies will receive a special gift, a car wash, 5-minute chair massage, coffee, snacks, and goodies with the purchase of a service!  Plus Ladies will receive a $19.99 Oil Change.  Look for the coupon on our website and facebook!  Visit us on www.waldorfford.com, www.facebook.com/waldorfford or look for our hash tag #waldorfladiesday!

Please join us at on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 from 8 am to 5 pm at Waldorf Ford’s Service Department for our first ever “Ladies Day”!  Sounds like a great day to take care of all your vehicles service needs don’t you think?

We will be at Ladies Day on May 9th!  How about you?

Waldorf Ford is located on route 301 north in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington, DC.  Waldorf Ford 2440 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD 20601. 

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Importance of a Maintenance Schedule for your car

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There has recently been in the news a study that showed that people are keeping their vehicles for 6 years. Compare this to the 4 years people kept their vehicles just a short 8 years ago. What factored into this change? First, the economy. Even though things are looking better today, unemployment is still high and there is still a lack of confidence in the economy. Second, long loan terms. Now that you can finance a vehicle for 72 months it takes longer to gain equity in your vehicle. So people are hanging on to their cars until their are close to being paid off. Third, vehicle quality. The quality of most vehicles is better than it was. Build them better and they last longer.

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You have a role to play in the quality of your vehicle too. If you follow a maintenance schedule, you will help your vehicle retain value longer. Which will help you keep it longer and help you get more for it when its time to trade it in. Here are some of the things that you should put on that schedule:

Oil and Filter Change
Regular oil changes are important because motor oil contains additives that have the ability to neutralize acids. Over time, these additives get used up and stop being effective.
Also, oil can absorb water, dust and combustion byproducts and holds them in suspension. Eventually, the oil gets saturated and can’t absorb any more. When the contaminated oil remains in the engine it can cause corrosion.

Ignition System Maintenance
In today’s vehicles, the bulk of the ignition system maintenance involves spark plugs and wires. Worn or misfiring sparkplugs will cost you fuel economy and emissions performance. Most recommendations are to check the performance of your spark plugs at 30,000 miles and plug wires at 60,000 miles. Your local dealer can check this for you, also refer to your owners manual for manufacturer recommendations.

Cooling System Maintenance
Most modern cooling systems and coolant only require replacement every 100,000 to 200,000 miles. When refilling however, it is important to use only distilled water with a concentrated coolant, in order to prevent corrosion and mineral blockage. Always make sure to properly bleed the system after replacing coolant, as air bubbles can dramatically reduce cooling system ability.

Air Filter/Fuel Filter Replacement
A dirty air or fuel filter can cause poor performance, poor fuel mileage and reduced engine life. Changing your air/fuel filter is easy and rule of thumb is to change the air filter 12 months/12,000 miles or fuel filter 24 months/24,000 miles. For the best information, again check your owner’s manual or ask your service advisor.

Brake Rotor and Pad Replacement:
We typically recommend you check the condition of your brake components anytime you rotate your tires. Make note of any unusual wear. Replace the pads when there is still a little of the pad left, wait any longer and you could damage the rotor. Especially check into those brakes if the brake pedal feels spongy when you use them, you hear unusual grinding or squealing, braking is hard or your brake light is continuously on.

Tire Pressure Check: Maintaining the correct air pressure in your tires will not only help improve fuel economy, it will help your tires wear more evenly. The manufacturers put the recommended tire pressure on a sticker on the door jam. All you need is a simple pressure gauge and you can check it yourself.

Tire Rotation: Our rule is to rotate the tires whenever you change the oil. This will help your tires last longer, saving you money in the long run.

Transmission Fluid Change: Most newer vehicles don’t require or recommend a transmission fluid change. It is a sealed system that has the same fluid in it for the life of the transmission. If you have an older vehicle the standard is to change the transmission fluid and filter at 40,000 miles. I will go to our old fall back and recommend if you have any questions, refer to your manufacturer’s owners manual or ask your service advisor for help.

Car Wash: The exterior of your car will not only look better, it will last longer if you wash your car regularly. Road grime and winter road treatments are hard on your vehicle, corroding whatever it touches. So give your car a good scrub – you will feel better once you do!

That about covers everything. Servicing your vehicle properly will help keep it running better for you and help you get more for it when you decide to replace it down the road. If you have any questions about the maintenance of your vehicle, feel free to contact one of our service advisors at Waldorf Ford. We are conveniently located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Source: Carsdirect