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Your vehicle's tires significantly influence your driving experience. They're essential to how well your car steers, handles, accelerates, and brakes. However, they can wear out and become misaligned over time, leading to inferior ride quality and potential safety issues. Then again, if you maintain your Ford vehicle's tires regularly, you can keep them in good working order. Find out how tire rotations and alignments work and why you should include them in your auto maintenance routine. What Is a Tire Rotation? A tire rotation is a process of switching the position of each individual tire on your vehicle. Generally, rotating your tires should happen every 5,000 miles or according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. It's a good idea to get this service while going in for an oil change. A tire rotation presents a great opportunity to visually examine your tires for signs of damage, measure their tread depth, look at their air pressure, and rebalance them if you notice any vibrations. Why Are Tire Rotations Important? Regularly rotating your wheels helps distribute wear evenly across each tire, increasing their tread life. This is because different positions on your car may need a different give from each tire. For instance, the front tires of a front-wheel-drive car will take a greater proportion of the friction and torque needed for accelerating, turning, and braking. This can result in unpredictable wear on the tires. It's especially vital for new tires to be rotated before 5,000 miles, as tire tread that's deep and fresh is more vulnerable to uneven wear. Preventing uneven tread wear helps keep your tires' tread depth uniform, which leads to more consistent traction and handling across all four tires. This will enhance your vehicle's braking and cornering performance, making it safer to drive. If you own an all-wheel-drive vehicle, evenly worn tires can reduce strain and wear and tear on your drivetrain and help you avoid costly repairs. What Happens If You Drive With Misaligned Tires? Failure to rotate your tires regularly can cause them to be misaligned. Misaligned tires may lead to uneven wear patterns that lower the life span of your tires. Taking your vehicle to a service center for routine tire alignments is an excellent preventive maintenance solution that can make your tires last longer, regardless of whether you have premium or discount ones. You may find your steering wheel leaning to one side or jerking out of your hands when you have alignment issues. If you're struggling to drive in a straight line or holding your steering wheel in one direction to keep your vehicle moving forward, it's a sign that it may be time to get your tires rotated. Even a small steering problem can escalate dramatically when your tires are misaligned. For example, hitting an unexpected pothole can cause you to lose control of your car. Over time, driving on misaligned tires may damage your suspension. As a result of alignment issues, your suspension system is likely to experience excessive stress on one side, causing it to wear out faster than on the other side. Getting a tire rotation or realignment is much more affordable than replacing your suspension. What Tire Rotation Pattern Should You Use? The best tire rotation pattern for your vehicle depends on what type of tires you have, what kind of drivetrain your car is equipped with, whether you're using directional or non-directional tires, and whether or not the size of your front and rear tires are the same. The following are the recommended tire rotation patterns for different types of tires and vehicles: For Non-Directional Tires of Uniform Size Rearward cross: The rearward cross pattern may be suitable for your vehicle if it's rear-wheel, four-wheel, or all-wheel drive. The front tires are moved to the rear axle on the opposite sides, while the rear tires are brought forward and remain on the same side. X-pattern: The X-pattern is recommended if you own a front-wheel-drive vehicle, such as a sedan or lightweight truck. All tires are swapped diagonally, meaning they're repositioned from one axle to the opposite and switched from one side to the other. Forward cross: The forward cross pattern is commonly used on front-wheel-drive cars. The rear tires are diagonally repositioned so that they're on the opposite sides of the front axle, and the front tires are moved back directly. For Non-Directional Tires of Uniform Size and With a Full-Size Spare Rearward cross (four-wheel or rear-wheel-drive cars): The spare tire goes to the right side of the rear axle, while the rear tires are moved up directly to the front. The left front tire is now your new spare, and the right front tire is switched diagonally to the opposite side of the rear axle. Forward cross (front-wheel-drive vehicles): The rear tires are repositioned to the front on the opposite sides, while the right side of the front axle becomes the new spare tire. The front left tire is moved directly back, while the spare occupies the right side of the rear axle. For Directional and High-Performance Tires Side-to-side: The side-to-side pattern is ideal if your vehicle has high-performance tires of different sizes on the front and rear axles. The tires stay on the same axle and swap sides with their same-sized partner. Front-to-back: This tire rotation pattern is used for vehicles with directional tires. The tires are switched to a different axle but stay on the same side of the car. If you're looking for top-quality tire rotation or alignment services in Brewster, New York, consider taking your vehicle to Brewster Ford. Serving Brewster, Peach Lake, Lake Carmel, Croton Falls, Mahopac, Patterson, and Katonah, our dealership has a Ford-certified service center that provides the full range of tire services, including tire rotations and tire replacements. No matter which Ford model you own, you can count on our factory-trained technicians to help you keep your tires performing at their best. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Photo Credit: 2015 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT by Michel Curi is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Auto maintenance is extremely important whether you recently bought a new car or are still driving your old clunker. No matter how old your car is or what type of vehicle you have, scheduling regular maintenance visits with a trusted dealership like Brewster Ford is crucial for maintaining its longevity on the road. Here are some reasons why regular car maintenance is essential. Reduces the Cost of Future Repairs Regular car maintenance can help keep your engine and powertrain working efficiently, which decreases the likelihood of having expensive repairs in the future. Dealerships have designed special tools for performing preventative maintenance, so you don't need to worry about doing the repairs yourself. If you have a Ford truck or car, you may consider bringing your vehicle to Brewster Ford for your regular maintenance. To schedule an appointment, contact our service department. Assists in Preventing Motor Vehicle Accidents There are many things that can go wrong with the vehicles that you can't see, such as worn parts, loose bolts, and contaminated fluids. Worn parts give off less power than they're supposed to, so your vehicle may seem sluggish. Loose bolts can cause potentially dangerous accidents. Contaminants in the oil or transmission fluid can reduce the effectiveness of vital systems in your cars, such as the power steering or braking system. Damage to these essential systems could cause you to lose control of your vehicle, which is why regular maintenance is important for safe driving. Protects Against Wear and Tear Regular maintenance is essential for protecting your vehicle against regular wear and tear from driving. For instance, if your vehicle has older brake pads, they may cause damage to your brake rotors if not replaced in a timely manner. Additionally, if your car doesn't receive regular maintenance, oil seals may crack or break down, leaving your motor oil to leak or pour out. If parts that reduce the amount of friction wear out, they may lead to premature engine failure. Worn parts can also cause components to fail, which can result in substantial damage. Gives You Peace of Mind If you drive a car that doesn't get regularly checked or maintained, you may become anxious about whether you will make it to your destination safely. If your vehicle breaks down in a remote location, you could get stuck, be unsafe, or even lose your job. Consider investing in regular maintenance each time the oil is changed and before long road trips to give you peace of mind that your car will be able to take you wherever you need to go. Makes It Easier To Sell Your Vehicle If you're trying to sell your car and want to obtain a better price for it, regular maintenance is important because buyers place a high value on well-maintained vehicles. Buyers often complete vehicle inspections, which can reveal a lot about the car's condition. CARFAX reports also show how often a vehicle receives maintenance, which can have a large impact on the selling price. For example, if your vehicle received regular oil changes and maintenance while you owned it, this may improve the buyer's confidence that the vehicle is in good condition. Improves Engine Quality and Gas Mileage If you get regular oil changes, your car's engine will run more smoothly over time. As you continue to drive, the oil in your vehicle thickens and deteriorates, causing dirt and grime to enter and cause damage to engine components. Changing the oil in your vehicle as soon as your owner's manual or dealership suggests can make the engine operate more effectively and for longer. This can also improve your gas mileage by maintaining the efficiency of your powertrain. Improving your gas mileage is a great way to save money over time while owning a vehicle long-term. Reduces Chances of Engine Overheating Overheating is one of the most common reasons why vehicles get stranded while they're on the road. If your engine is overheating when you're driving, it's possible that there are problems with your radiator. Most vehicles have indicators of engine heat that can help you identify this issue. Getting regular maintenance can ensure you have enough engine lubricant and radiator fluid to maintain the temperature levels of your engine. Ensures Optimal Tire Type and Pressure Another common issue that regular maintenance can fix is improper tire type and pressure. Though tire pressure may seem like a simple fix, improperly inflated tires can cause serious harm to your vehicle and the passengers inside. Additionally, if you experience cold temperatures in the winter, it's essential to put winter or all-season tires on your vehicle to maintain traction during the snowy season. Bringing your car or truck in for service at Brewster Ford can help ensure that your tires have the optimal pressure and traction for any season. We also offer tire rotation services to ensure the even wear of your tires. Helps Keep Your Cooling and Heating Systems Working Properly Regular maintenance can help ensure your vehicle's heating and cooling systems work effectively when you need them most, from changing filters to fixing AC leaks. Service appointments typically include regular checks for air filter quality and coolant levels. At Brewster Ford, we always let you know if your air filters could use replacing, and we have highly trained professionals capable of repairing almost any heating or cooling system. If you need to get your car serviced, stop by Brewster Ford for all of your service needs. You can always visit Brewster Ford for the best service in New York, even for regular oil changes. We also provide comprehensive maintenance services, such as tire, brake, fluid, and engine services, at great prices. You can also stop by if you're ready to purchase a new car or truck. We may even have coupons available for your next visit. Our team at Brewster Ford is ready to help you with all your service needs, so give us a call today. Photo Credit: Ford by Mike Mozart is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Summer is here, and you may spend your free time hitting the road and exploring New York travel destinations on your season's to-do list. You may also want to ensure that your vehicle delivers optimal trip performance. If you detect reduced performance while driving around, it may signify an underlying issue you can solve by scheduling maintenance service at our dealership. Ignoring such issues may cause further damage since the vehicle may struggle to deliver and maintain peak performance. Our team at Brewster Ford has highlighted signs that you may need routine auto maintenance service to avoid incurring high repair costs from your vehicle's damaged parts. Noises That Indicate It's Time for Service Typically, if you hear any unusual noise while driving around Brewster, it may signify that some car components aren't functioning correctly. Here are some noises to look out for and what they could indicate: Ticking or Clicking Noise A ticking or clicking sound can indicate low engine oil or an issue in your vehicle's valvetrain. If the engine oil is too low, you risk damaging your engine due to friction on the engine parts. You can temporarily solve the problem by adding engine oil that will tide you over on your drive to a dealership's service center. Squealing Noise Squeals may come from your engine or brake pads when you step on the brakes. Squeals coming from the engine can be due to the loosening of the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt transfers power from the crankshaft to essential engine parts like the water pump and the alternator, so you should schedule a repair as soon as you detect any issues. If the squeals happen when you step on the brakes, the brake pads are likely worn down and require replacement. Rumbling or Roaring Noise A rumbling noise underneath the driver's seat may indicate a leak in the manifold of your exhaust system. Ordinarily, the rumbling noise isn't heard because of the muffler. However, when the exhaust system fails, all the engine noises and carbon monoxide can leak into the car's cabin. When you hear this rumbling noise, head to our dealership in Brewster to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Flapping When you hear a flapping sound when you turn on your air conditioner, it may mean there's a loose or worn-out ventilation flap. Usually, the air gets into the cabin without obstructions in the vents. A loose ventilation flap will move around when air pressure hits it, creating a flapping sound. Flapping sounds shouldn't cause alarm, although they can irritate you while driving. To solve this, you can schedule an AC performance check. A Loud Bang Sudden bangs may indicate a backfire in the combustion chamber. These bangs occur whenever fuel that didn't burn in the combustion chamber escapes and burns up in the exhaust. Fuel and air in the combustion chamber typically mix perfectly to prevent backfires. Due to the force of the loud bangs, your vehicle parts may be damaged, so bring your car in for service as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Benefits of Routine Maintenance All vehicles experience wear and tear, so regular maintenance servicing is vital to keep them functioning efficiently. Servicing also helps maintain the condition and value of your car. Here are the benefits of routine maintenance: Reduced Repair Costs Routine maintenance is a preventive measure by repairing faulty parts or components before affecting other areas around them. Repairs help you save money in the long run by fixing minor problems before they become significant issues. For example, by getting a routine check done, you can spot when the engine oil is lower than usual and refill it instead of being unaware and eventually damaging your engine. Improves Fuel Economy Routine maintenance may increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Maintenance checks, such as correcting tire pressure, can also improve fuel economy. Fuel economy improves because the vehicle won't need to strain to compensate for the lack of tire pressure while driving. Another maintenance check that improves fuel economy is changing the motor oil since it spares the engine from blockages that may lead to reduced efficiency. Higher Vehicle Value If you intend to sell your car later, scheduling routine maintenance helps your vehicle retain its value. Usually, vehicles with a good maintenance history are highly sought after and fetch a good amount of money from interested buyers. Warranties in most new cars also require that you perform routine maintenance to keep them valid. Vehicle Safety Service technicians spot any damage or malfunction and fix it before it becomes a danger, improving safety for you and others on the road. For example, replacing worn brake pads in time could help avoid collisions due to brake failure. Fixing any broken parts, such as the fuel cap, that may lead to increased carbon emissions is an environmentally conscious decision too. Vehicle Longevity Maintenance services can extend your vehicle's life span too. Services like oil changes, replacement of worn parts, and tire rotation ensure that any issues with the vehicle parts don't affect other areas. For example, if you don't keep the power-steering fluid at the proper level, you may eventually need to replace the whole power-steering pump and rack. Scheduling maintenance service also means you won't need to worry about buying a new vehicle for a long time due to the dependability of a well-maintained vehicle. Schedule Maintenance Servicing at Brewster Ford Pay close attention to the signs your vehicle needs maintenance work and act accordingly to prevent dangerous situations on the road. Also, putting off routine maintenance can cause a small problem to become a big one, which will be more expensive later on. You could avoid that by scheduling a service appointment. At Brewster Ford, we value our customers and their vehicles, so we conduct thorough maintenance services on your car every time you bring it to us. Our services range from preventive car maintenance and engine diagnostics to brake repairs and part replacement. We have expert trained technicians who will handle any maintenance job promptly to get you back on the road soon. You may also use our service specials to reduce repair costs if your vehicle is out of warranty. Get in touch with Brewster Ford Brewster, New York, to schedule your next maintenance service. Photo Credit: Image used with permissions via Ford.com