How to Best Maintain a Ford Focus

As the owner of a Ford Focus, you know you’re driving a solid vehicle backed by the quality of the Ford brand. To keep your car driving at peak performance levels, it’s important to follow a regular service schedule. Consistent maintenance benefits you by preserving the key driving components of your vehicle, extending the vehicle’s lifetime, and saving you money from costly emergency repairs.

To understand the best maintenance schedule for your Ford Focus, consult your owner’s manual and check with your dealership. For more guidance about your specific model, you can also check the Ford Focus service support website. Here’s a quick guide on how to maintain a Focus from the experts here at Brewster Ford in Brewster, New York.

5,000-Mile Service

The first maintenance check on Ford’s service schedule at 5,000 miles is considered a minor service update. Technicians change your oil and filter, rotate your tires, and do a safety inspection for any leaks or malfunctions in the vehicle. This initial service establishes your baseline car performance and prepares your vehicle for peak operation with an initial assessment and oil change. Any time you get your vehicle serviced, it’s also a good idea to ask the technicians at your dealership to check for any recalls that affect your model.

7,500-Mile Service

The 7,500-mile service typically includes another oil and filter change with a tire rotation. During the oil change, technicians perform a safety inspection for brakes, belts, hoses, and any fluid leaks. The technician will also listen to the vehicle for any strange noises and look for proper vehicle functions, including head and tail lights. For some vehicle owners and dealerships, the 7,500-mile tuneup may serve as the recommended initial service.

10,000-Mile Service

For the milestone of the first 10,000 miles, technicians will again change the oil and filter in your vehicle. They’ll also perform a thorough tire rotation and inspection and an assessment of essential brake elements, including brake pads, shoes, drums, and rotors. Technicians will inspect the brake lines and hoses and check out the parking brake. Professionals check the cooling system and hoses, heat shields, and exhaust system in your vehicle, too.

Additional inspections on your Ford Focus involve nonsealed steering areas, including suspension, ball, and u-joints, and a check on the fluid level of your automatic transmission. A multipoint inspection to cover other areas, like wiper fluid, cabin filters, and battery life, concludes the 10,000-mile service. From here forward, the best way to maintain your vehicle is to continue service inspections every 10,000 miles.

20,000-Mile Service

The 20,000-mile service includes many of the same inspections as the 10,000-mile tuneup. This includes common replacements and updates, such as the cabin air filter, engine oil and filter, and a tire inspection and rotation. Technicians will also assess the brakes and brake elements, the cooling and exhaust systems, transmission fluid level, and the steering column. Another multi-point inspection completes this service.

30,000-Mile Service

The 30,000-mile service includes most of the same inspections and assessments as the 20,000-mile service. The main difference is the 30,000-mile service includes replacing the engine’s air filter. Technicians once again will check systems and inspect key vehicle components for optimal performance levels. They’ll complete another multipoint inspection and make any necessary recommendations for further service needs.

40,000-Mile Service

The 40,000-mile service includes the same inspections as the previous mileage checks. This time, the cabin air filter typically is replaced to coincide with the changing of the oil and oil filter, the key systems inspections, and the multipoint inspection. After the 40,000-mile service, most recommendations move the next tuneup to 60,000 miles because it often coincides with a vehicle’s warranty from the manufacturer.

60,000-Mile Service

Servicing your vehicle at the 60,000-mile mark is an important step in maintaining optimal performance. As you near the end of many standard manufacturer warranties, this essential tuneup provides key diagnostics for vehicle systems and components. Your Ford Focus will undergo the typical oil and filter change, engine air filter replacement, and tire inspection and rotation. However, this service is an opportunity for technicians to check parts of your vehicle that may undergo some common wear and tear from daily use.

The 60,000-mile service is an important time to check the timing and drive belts, which may require replacing at this point in your car’s life. Another common repair you may need at this time is to replace spark plugs or brake pads in the vehicle.

70,000- to 80,000-Mile Service

A tuneup at some point between these mile marks offers another chance for trained technicians to check key systems for wear and tear and maintain important vehicle components. You’ll also change the oil and filters and undergo a tire rotation during this service.

100,000-Mile Service and Beyond

Although it’s important to continue changing the oil and filters in your Ford Focus, your next major maintenance usually happens around the 100,000-mile mark. This is another important time to check for wear and tear to major vehicle systems and replace any parts that require attention. Your technician will provide a full diagnostic as with other scheduled tuneups, offering suggestions to help you keep your Focus in prime condition and extend the life of the car.

For additional service, consult your dealership and owner’s manual to continue maintaining your vehicle. Purchasing an extended warranty for your vehicle can also affect the duration of scheduled or recommended maintenance on your Ford Focus.

Ford also recommends running a vehicle health report (VHR) regularly to track the maintenance of your model. A VHR gives you a snapshot of your vehicle using real operating conditions to calculate diagnostics. When you complete regular VHRs, you can set up the report to send you regular updates or reminders about maintenance and recalls, helping you stay current on important vehicle checks, replacements, and repairs.

At Brewster Ford, we want to make maintenance simple for you. That’s why we offer shuttle service to and from your home and a comfortably furnished sitting area for your convenience while waiting in our service center. Trust our friendly and knowledgeable staff to provide quality maintenance and repairs on your vehicle with original parts from the manufacturer in a Ford-approved facility. Ready to schedule your next maintenance check? Contact us today to set up an appointment, or make a service appointment quickly through our online scheduling portal.

Tags: Ford Focus
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