3 Signs You Need a Tune-Up at Your Ford Dealer

Your Ford is reliable, fuel-efficient, and provides real driving pleasure. To keep it working in great condition, it needs regular services and maintenance. As your Ford dealer in Amsterdam, NY, we’d like to tell you about some signs that your Ford is due for a tune-up.

Illuminated Warning Lights

The lights on your dash are connected, via your car’s computer, to sensors. These sensors monitor the components they’re attached to and illuminate if a problem is detected. Sensors are so sensitive that they can identify a problem before it starts.

The brake light, for example, will come on due to a brake fluid leak, a damaged handbrake cable, or a failing brake pedal booster. The sensors connected to these components send a warning to your computer. The problem is logged, and the relevant warning light illuminates. Any warning light on your dash is always a sign you need to visit us. Our technicians will identify the problem and repair it.

Stalling Problems

Stalling can be dangerous, especially if you’re on the highway. Your engine will suddenly stop as more than one cylinder your engine is unable to complete combustion. If combustion can’t occur, your car won’t move. There are several possible reasons for combustion failure, and one of the most common causes is dirty or worn spark plugs.

A spark plug is attached to each cylinder to ignite the fuel-air mixture in its cylinder at a precise moment. We replace the plugs regularly according to your car’s service schedule. If the plugs have worn out due to age or been damaged, they won’t fire at the precise time or with sufficient power to ignite the contents of the cylinders. We’ll test your spark plugs and replace worn or damaged ones.

Black Exhaust Smoke

One of the causes of black exhaust smoke is a high fuel-to-air ratio in your engine. Effective combustion requires a 14:1 ratio of air to fuel. The air your engine needs enters through the radiator grille and then passes into the air filter. This filter traps dirt and debris, and the filtered air passes into the engine.

Over time, the filter will become blocked and cut off the air supply to the engine. An engine that has insufficient air becomes fuel rich. When this happens, much of the fuel in the cylinders won’t burn. The unburnt fuel is expelled through the exhaust and leaves in a black cloud of toxic smoke. We can check the filter and install a clean one to fix this problem.

If your Ford isn’t running as smoothly as it should, it’s time for a check-up. Schedule a service appointment at our Amsterdam auto repair shop or call us today at Brown’s Ford of Amsterdam.

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