The better care you take of your Ford, the better care it will take of you. Routine preventative maintenance is the key to safe, smooth, cost-effective driving. Drivers should also learn how to identify signs of car trouble and respond quickly to have issues repaired early on. If you notice the following indications of wear and tear, head straight to your local Ford dealership to have it resolved. more You See Smoke or Steam Starting with one of the more urgent warning signs, steam emerging from under the hood usually indicates overheating, which could rapidly destroy the engine if you continue to drive. Any smoke in the exhaust may also indicate a need for engine maintenance. This might be caused by misfiring spark plugs or motor oil leaking into the cylinders. You Hear Strange Sounds Always trust your ears when it comes to your car. Grinding sounds could point to an issue with the gearbox, brakes, or engine. Thumping, knocking, ticking, or banging could mean the engine is under-lubricated or overheating. Squealing could mean worn-out brake pads. Any other odd noise shouldn't be ignored. You Feel Excess Vibrations When the tires, wheels, or suspension are overly worn, you'll often feel excessive vibrations. Worn-out brake rotors can also cause rhythmic vibrations in the brake pedal. You Notice Puddles of Fluid The various essential fluids that your car relies on should never be allowed to leak. If you notice any kind of puddling oil or fluid under your car, check the motor oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other fluids, and have the leak repaired at once. You Smell Something Unpleasant Rotten egg smells might indicate a faulty catalytic converter or a leaking battery. Burning smells might emit from the transmission or engine when the fluid or oil is low or leaking. You Can't Accelerate Quickly If your engine doesn't deliver its usual power and responsiveness, have it inspected. The spark plugs might be misfiring as a result of an underlying fault. You're Stopping More Often for Gas Most engine or exhaust-related issues reduce fuel efficiency. Problems with the wheels and tires might also cause you to stop for gas more frequently. You Struggle To Start Your Car Slow starts in the morning typically indicate a drained or worn-out battery. A bad starter or other malfunctions in the electrical system could also be to blame. You Can't Stop Your Car Promptly Needless to say, never drive if your brakes don't feel as firm as usual. Leaking brake fluid or overheating brake pads can sometimes cause a loss of brake force. You See a Dashboard Warning Light Your Ford will detect and warn you of the aforementioned issues and any other attention your car requires. If you notice the check engine light, oil pressure light, battery light, tire pressure light, or any other warning light appear, ask a technician to inspect and service the relevant component. Schedule Maintenance at Your Local Ford Dealership If you book routine maintenance with us, your car will be kept in optimal condition at all times. This significantly reduces the chance that you'll need to notice and respond to the above signs of car trouble while out on the road. Have your car serviced and tuned up today at Briarwood Ford in Saline, MI.
Plenty of space, optimized performance, and useful features make the 2025 Ford Explorer an inspiring family road trip vehicle. Read on to learn how the Explorer can support your next adventure. more The Sophisticated Terrain Management System Six driving modes make small adjustments to optimize the Explorer's performance for a better experience on the road. Normal mode works well for day-to-day trips, Sport mode enhances the handling dynamics as you take corners, and Tow/Haul mode prepares the transmission for heavy loads. Slippery mode enhances traction in rough weather conditions. When you want to save on gas, you can select Eco mode. The Off Road setting improves your experience when you head out on a bumpy path. These driving modes can be enjoyed with the standard rear-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The Smooth Performance A 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine powers the new Explorer. This is paired with a refined 10-speed automatic transmission. The standard powertrain delivers 300 horsepower for your next adventure. There is also an available 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. This comes standard on the ST trim. This trim also adds sport-tuned suspension, SelectShift capability with paddle shifters, and Black skid plate elements in the front and rear of the Explorer. The Towing Capacity All models have the Class III Trailer Tow package. This gives the Explorer a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity perfect for a small trailer. The Refined Exterior The Explorer's bold style lines come together with a host of useful features for a refined exterior perfect for families. Black roof rack side rails create a useful way to secure extra cargo on your next road trip. The LED headlights and LED taillights keep the road well-lit. A power liftgate offers quick access to the spacious cargo area. The Family-Friendly Cabin The Explorer makes family road trips more fun by giving seven passengers their own well-designed space. The third-row 50/50 bench seat provides seating for three passengers. Alternatively, it folds flat to create 46.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats. In the second row, you'll have two captain's chairs with armrests for an EZ-Entry function for accessing the third row. Drivers have a clear view of the crisp 12.3-inch instrument panel cluster from their ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The heated front row also has a four-way power seat for the front passenger. The entire cabin will enjoy tri-zone electronic automatic temperature control and dome lights in each row. Charging USB ports come standard in the first row and the center console, where second-row passengers can reach them. Ford's four well-packaged trims make it easy for families to find the right fit. Contact Briarwood Ford in Saline, MI to schedule a test drive.
Trading in your vehicle at the Ford dealership comes with lots of benefits. Trading in instead of selling your car privately can save you money, time, and stress. Let's take a closer look at some of the trade-in benefits you can expect. more 1. You Pay Less Sales Tax You don't pay sales tax on the value of a trade-in in Michigan. So, let's use some random numbers as an example of what this could mean for you. Let's say you want a new car that costs $30,000. You bring your old car to trade in at the dealership, and it's valued at $10,000. You use this $10,000 to lower the cost of your new car to $20,000. You then only need to pay sales tax on that $20,000 instead of the full cost of your new car. 2. You Don't Need to Arrange a Private Sale You have to put a lot of work in when selling your car privately. You're dealing with advertising your car and talking to potential buyers on your own. You'll also need to supervise test drives. All of this is in addition to fixing any major issues your car has and making it look its best. It takes a lot of time and effort. If you'd rather not spend so much time arranging a sale for your car, then trading the vehicle in may be more appealing to you. Once your car is fixed up and looking great, all you have to do is drive to the dealership and mention that you're looking to trade in your car. Someone will be with you very soon to appraise the vehicle and make you an offer. 3. You Don't Need to Deal with Large Financial Transactions When privately selling a vehicle, you need to make sure the buyer pays you securely and in full. Arranging this transaction can be a little daunting if you're not used to doing things like this. It's less daunting with dealerships, as you're dealing with an experienced business. Even when trading in, you can avoid large transactions if you'd like; you can use your trade-in's value to reduce the cost of a new car. 4. You Don't Always Need to Get Minor Repairs Dealerships are sometimes happy to purchase cars that have a few minor problems. So, if you don't have the money to pay for these repairs, or you'd rather not spend money on a car you're about to sell, then trading in may be a great way to avoid getting small problems fixed up. Based on the benefits above, trading in can be a great option for many people. If you're interested, then come to Briarwood Ford in Saline, MI, to trade in today.
