Ford GT

http://ford-trucks.com/how-tos is the leading Ford F-150 and Super Duty resource for technical DIY guides. Watch this video for tips on how to maintain your Ford truck and keep it running for years to come. For the full article, visit http://www.ford-trucks.com/how-tos/a/ford-f150-basic-maintenance-schedule-359521. Oil keeps your engine lubricated to perform its best. When it gets old it starts to break down and lose its lubricating properties. Once this happens, parts in the engine will begin to overheat due to the friction and will eventually lead to the engine seizing. Change your oil every three-thousand to seven thousand miles or three months. Whichever comes first. Check your engine oil via dipstick twice a week. Refer to the owner’s manual for the proper weight oil and the amount to use. Transmission Fluid Like engine oil, this keeps your transmission both lubricated and cool. Without it, transmission components will wear against each other and eventually break destroying the transmission. Changing this fluid is a bit more challenging than your engine oil, but definitely doable for the weekend mechanic. Check the level of fluid monthly using the dipstick. Change the fluid every sixty thousand miles. Refer to the owner’s manual for the proper ATF to use. Engine Coolant Without coolant, your engine will overheat and die very quickly. It’s important to make sure your coolant level is within the markings on the reservoir, especially if you live in a hot climate. Likewise getting a proper mixture of 50/50 antifreeze to water is important as well. The antifreeze will protect your engine from below freezing temperatures, without it hoses and fittings could freeze over and crack causing leaks. Check the coolant twice a week using markings on the side of the reservoir. Change the coolant every seventy to one-hundred thousand miles. Brake Fluid This is a more involved task and not something recommended for the beginning mechanic, because a mistake could mean redoing it all over again or a catastrophe. Your brake fluid is what makes your brakes work by using the fluid pressure to compress the pistons on the brake rotors, without it your brakes can fail. The brake fluid should be changed every thirty-fifty thousand miles. Check the fluid once every two weeks by taking a look at the reservoir. Make sure that not only the fluid is up to level but that the fluid is a light clear color. Use only DOT 3 or 4 fluids to fill, Check the owner’s manual to see which is for your car. Power Steering Fluid Your power steering pump is linking to your main drive belt, so keeping the fluid full is a necessity. If the fluid starts to run low you’ll be greeted by a whining sound when you try to turn the steering wheel. If it runs completely dry it can cause the pump to seize which can break your drive belt, leaving the truck inoperable. Check monthly using the marker on the reservoir. Top off as needed with fresh fluid. Check the owner’s manual to see for preference. Tires Without tires, your truck won’t go anywhere so it’s important to make sure they’re in good shape. A tire blowing out on the interstate can be deadly. You’ll want to: Inspect for uneven tire wear – this can be a sign of a bad alignment or wrong air pressure in the tire Check tread depth – the penny head test can tell you when it’s time to replace Check air pressure – this can be trial and error if not using the OEM spec tires, otherwise refer to air pressure stated on the door jamb sticker. Spark Plugs Spark plugs let your motor convert your gasoline into power by providing the spark for it to burn. Faulty spark plugs can lead to misfires which can lead to damage cylinders and blown motors. Check the state of the plugs every three months. Change them every sixty to eighty thousand miles or when bad. Change them all at once to keep the spark uniform for combustion. Check all these components regularly and you’ll be on top of the major things that will keep your Ford running daily. By doing these tasks you’ll know that you’ve prevented a ton of things that could leave you and your faithful truck on the side of the road.

• published: 14 Jul 2016
• views: 10858