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Is your AC not working? Driving without good air conditioning is no fun at all on hot summer days. The following maintenance tips will have your AC running at full power in all conditions. And if your AC runs into trouble, head to your local Ford dealer for repairs. Ford Air Conditioning Maintenance: Stay Cool and Comfortable Recharge the Refrigerant The AC works by cycling refrigerant through the condenser, compressor, and evaporator. As it flows, the refrigerants switches between liquid and gaseous states, drawing heat from the air as it does so. To maintain its special properties, the refrigerant will typically need to be recharged every two years. more If your AC stops blowing cold air, you may have a refrigerant leak on your hands. As AC refrigerant is transparent, odorless, and evaporates quickly, it's often difficult to locate an AC leak without a special dye skillfully applied by a technician. Clean Your Car's Interior Regularly The quality of the air inside your cabin will impact the AC's long-term performance. With this in mind, clean and vacuum your cabin's surfaces frequently to prevent dust and airborne contaminants from building and clogging up the air conditioner. Replace the Cabin Air Filter The cabin air filter cleans the air entering your car. Without a good air filter, the air inside your car will become dirty, clogging the airways and hindering your AC. Cabin air filters usually need to be replaced once a year. Frequently Use Defrost Mode The AC's defrost mode is often essential on cold winter mornings when the windows are fogged and frosted. Even during the warmer seasons, it's a good idea to run defrost mode for 10 minutes per week. This helps clean out moisture from your cabin and AC system, while also preventing mold and maintaining optimal gas pressure. Set Your AC to the Coldest Setting Over the long run, your AC is put under less strain when used at the coldest setting. When warmer than this, the AC must reheat the air, working harder and burning additional fuel. So unless it's too chilly for comfort, keep your AC running extra cold. AC Not Working? Visit Your Ford Dealer for Repairs If your AC starts rattling, clicking, or making other strange sounds, have it examined and repaired. Any reduction in its ability to cool your car should also prompt repairs. Smelly air blowing out of the vents is often a sign that mold needs to be cleaned, and water dripping under your dashboard may point to a clogged outflow pipe. Whatever problem your AC has, have it fixed quickly before it develops into a more serious repair job. Visit Fernelius Ford, Inc. in Cheboygan, MI, today to have your AC serviced or repaired by experienced, helpful professionals. We seek to provide all our customers with a top-notch vehicle purchasing, financing, or servicing experience.

While you're on the road, the condition of your tires impacts almost every aspect of your driving experience, from handling to fuel efficiency. If you neglect to maintain your tires, you're hindering your driving pleasure, shortening the lifespan of your tires, and also increasing your risk of blowouts and skids. With all this in mind, here's a complete guide to car tire maintenance. You can have all the necessary services promptly carried out at your local Ford dealership. Comprehensive Guide to Ford Tire Care and Maintenance Check the Air Pressure First and foremost, always keep an eye on the air pressure inside each tire. If any of your tires become over or under-inflated, that tire may overheat, lose traction, wear down more rapidly, or even blow out. Check your owner's manual to know the optimal PSI for your tires and check the air pressure at least once a month, adding or releasing air as required. more Measure the Tread Depths While checking air pressure, also examine your tires for signs of damage. As the treads become shallower, use a tread depth gauge to measure the depths of the voids in the center of each tire. If the treads reach 2/32 of an inch in depth, it's time for new tires. Rotate Your Tires Frequently Tires become unevenly worn because of slight weight differences at either end of the vehicle, among other factors. This becomes problematic if the tires become too uneven in size, diminishing traction and vehicle handling. Unevenness also shortens tire lifespan. It's broadly considered best to have tires rotated twice a year, which evens out wear and extends tire longevity. Get Your Tires Realigned As tires bump against curbs and over potholes, they tend to become slightly misaligned. This misalignment accelerates tire wear and also causes steering and handling issues. For this reason, it's advisable to have your tires realigned once or twice a year. Have Your Tires Balanced Similarly, individual wheels can gradually become slightly unbalanced in weight, which leads to wobbling or bouncing. Tire balancing is a delicate procedure that the technicians at your local dealership can carry out to ensure each tire is evenly weighted around its circumference. Schedule Routine Tire Maintenance at Your Ford Dealer These essential tire care procedures are often neglected by busy car owners. If you schedule tire services with us, you can relax in the knowledge that your tires will be well maintained over the long run. We'll keep track of each service interval and politely remind you when an upcoming rotation or realignment is due. Visit Fernelius Ford in Cheboygan, MI, today to have your tires serviced by experienced technicians. We're a local full-service dealership providing a broad range of excellent vehicles and services alongside courteous customer care.