Blog / Norwood Ford Service

Top 6 Signs You Should Get an Engine Diagnostic

Top 6 Signs You Should Get an Engine Diagnostic

Sometimes, you know what's wrong with your car immediately when you hear certain sounds or see fluids on the ground. However, sometimes, you get a warning light that doesn't make sense. This is one of the signs that you need an engine diagnostic, which you can get from your Ford dealership. Here are other signs you need to get your engine diagnosed.

You Hear Sounds You Don't Recognize

Even though you might be able to self-diagnose your car if you hear a certain sound, such as squealing brakes, there are some sounds you might not recognize. For example, if you hear a rattling coming from under your hood, it could indicate several different problems. This is an ideal reason to get your car diagnosed at your dealership's service center. They'll be able to tell you right away what's making the rattling noise.

You Smell Strange Odors

Smelling strange odors is never a good sign when it comes to your car, but sometimes, you can tell where the smell is coming from. For instance, if you're driving down a steep hill and you are riding your brakes, you may smell a burnt odor from the brakes overheating. On other occasions, though, you may smell gas or other odors that you can't identify. Bring your car into your dealership to figure out where the smell is coming from.

Your Electronics Aren't Working Properly

It can be difficult to determine what causes your electronics to not work properly, as it can be anything from your alternator to your battery to your computer system. A factory-trained technician at your dealership can use their diagnostic tool to determine why your electronics aren't functioning correctly. They'll also be able to repair or replace the part that is causing the issue with genuine manufacturer parts to keep your car performing at its best.

Your Car Is Hesitating at Stop Lights

Your vehicle should always immediately respond when you press on your accelerator, but if you depress the pedal and nothing happens for a second or two, something is wrong. Again, this can be traced to a number of mechanical issues, so it's hard to diagnose without the proper equipment. A technician can hook your car up to the diagnostic tool for your specific car and be able to tell you what's wrong right away.

You Have Smoke Coming Out of Your Tailpipe

While steam coming from your tailpipe is normal, especially during cold days, if you see black or blue smoke coming from the tailpipe, there's something not right in your engine. Colored smoke is never a good sign when you're driving a car, so this needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your engine.

It's Been More Than a Year Since Service

Just as you should get your body examined every year at your doctor's office, you'll want to get your car an annual check-up as well. Having your car diagnosed annually will identify problems early, before they'll require more extensive repairs. If there's nothing wrong, it will give you peace of mind that your car is running just as it should.

Don't put off having your engine diagnosed, especially if you notice any of the above signs. Contact Jack Madden Ford to schedule your diagnostic appointment today!

Photo courtesy of Ford

Posted in:

Related Posts

Benefits of Getting a Tire Rotation

Find out if you need your tires rotated with Jack Madden Ford's service department. Rotating your tires is an important maintenance task to help ensure your vehicle's performance. You might be wondering what difference it makes, and why you need to shuffle your tires around when they all touch the road. Turns out, there are many important benefits to getting a tire rotation at your Ford dealer in Norwood. 1. Even Tire Wear First and foremost, rotating your tires helps to ensure that they wear down evenly. Your front and rear tires do different jobs and therefore, they tend to wear down at different rates. The front tires carry more of your car's weight, and more weight means more wear. more Plus, tires tend to wear more on the outer edges because they lean over when you turn. Rotating your tires helps to balance these natural wear patterns and avoid having them wear out prematurely. 2. Smoother Ride and Better Handling When your tires have been properly rotated, it can lead to a smoother ride and better handling of your vehicle. Imbalanced tires can lead to vibrations or wobbling on the road. They may even cause your car to pull to one side or the other. 3. Longer Tire Life Tires are not cheap, so you'll want to make them last as long as possible. Rotating your tires regularly helps to extend their lifespan by ensuring that they wear down evenly. This way, you won't have to replace them as frequently, saving you money in the long run and helping you get the most bang for your buck. 4. Safety First Last, but certainly not least, is safety. Uneven tire wear can lead to a decrease in traction, which can be especially dangerous in wet or icy conditions. It can also make your vehicle more prone to flat tires and blowouts. Regularly rotating your tires helps maintain proper traction and reduce the risk of tire-related accidents. Plus, it gives our technicians a chance to check your tires for any other potential issues, like leaks or damage. Get Your Tires Rotated at Jack Madden Ford Rotating your tires is generally recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but you should check your Ford's owner's manual for more specific recommendations. And where should you get it done? Your local dealership is a great place to start. We know your vehicle better than anyone else, and we'll make sure your tires are rotated correctly. Take care of your tires and keep yourself and your passengers safe on the road by rotating your tires regularly. It's crucial for a smooth ride and long-lasting tires, and it even saves you money. Don't put it off any longer. Make an appointment at Jack Madden Ford and treat your tires to a rotation today.

Ford Oil Change: How Often Should You Get Your Oil Changed?

Ford Oil Change: How Often Should You Get Your Oil Changed?

One of the most important ways to keep your Ford vehicle running well is an oil change. While newer engines don't need this service as frequently as older ones, you should still come to the dealership regularly to prevent any problems while driving. Read on to find out how often you should get a Ford oil change and what benefits this will have for your car. more How Often Is a Ford Oil Change Necessary? To find out exactly how frequently you should change your oil and filters, consult the manual your Ford vehicle came with. There might be slight differences between the models. Because newer engines work differently from older ones and the quality of the oil we use has improved, you don't necessarily need to come in every three months or 3,000 miles anymore. Most likely, the manual of a modern Ford vehicle will suggest changing the oil every 7,500 miles. However, this should be a minimum and you might need to come in more often if you often drive on uneven terrain or during the warmer summer months. If you regularly check your oil, you will see when it gets black and gritty and needs to be changed. The Benefits of Regular Oil Change: New Ford drivers may wonder why it's important to come to the dealership for an oil change on a regular basis. Couldn't you simply do this at your annual service appointment? Unfortunately, this isn't enough in many cases, especially if you drive daily. Let's now examine what benefits a regular oil change brings. Better Driving Experience As the quality of your oil decreases, you will notice a lot of changes to the way your car functions. There may be more exhaust, your engine will start to make noises, and your car might start to shake when you're idling. What's more, you'll have to pay more for gas because your engine won't be able to function as well as previously. To prevent all this, visit your local Ford dealership frequently and get your oil changed. Longer Car Life Maybe the most important advantage of always having fresh, high-quality oil in your car is that this will prolong its life and prevent you from having to pay hefty repair costs. Oil helps to lubricate your engine and prevent its parts from warping and breaking. People who let their car run on old oil for a prolonged period of time risk severe damage to their vehicle. Less Risk of Breaking Down With damage comes the risk of breaking down on the road. If you rely on your car to get you to and from work or other commitments, it's crucial that you maintain it well. Otherwise, you will most likely get stuck at some point and waste valuable time waiting for someone to come pick you up. In addition, you risk causing an accident, especially if your car stops running while on a highway or in a spot with low visibility. Make sure to consult your manual about how often you need your oil changed, then make an appointment at your local Ford dealership to benefit from the highest-quality service. This can help you to prevent problems with your engine and the risk of breaking down on the road. In the Norwood, MA area, contact Jack Madden Ford, and we can get you booked in for your oil change. Photo courtesy of Pexels

5 Reasons to Bring Your Ford Repair Needs to a Ford Dealer

5 Reasons to Bring Your Ford Repair Needs to a Ford Dealer

We know getting your car serviced isn't your favorite thing to do. And when you're in need of more than just a minor repair, the experience can be downright stressful. That's why dealers like Jack Madden Ford work hard to create a Ford repair experience that provides you with the highest quality and the least worry. With so much to offer, why go anywhere else when deciding where to take your Ford for repair? more We're the Experts It's simple enough – Ford service technicians are experts on Ford vehicles. All Ford service technicians are specially trained in Ford vehicle repair. We participate in ongoing training that ensures we're on top of any technical issues, new model specifics, and new features. What's more, if there have been any recalls or technical service bulletins posted for your Ford model, we know. We'll make sure any outstanding issues are addressed when you visit, even if you don't bring it to our attention first. Quality Parts When you bring your vehicle to a Ford dealer for repair, you're sure to get genuine Ford parts backed by the manufacturer. That means quality is guaranteed. Most genuine Ford parts have a one-year warranty. With aftermarket parts, you can't always be certain you're getting quality goods. At a Ford dealer's repair shop, you'll also get the relief of knowing that the part you need is probably already in stock. So you don't have to wait until the part comes in to start the repair. Your Warranty May Cover Costs If your vehicle is still under the original or an extended warranty, the repair cost may be covered. A basic original warranty is typically good for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. You might also get a warranty on any repair made at a Ford service center. Either way, with Ford's national network of service centers, your warranty is good anywhere your vehicle might need it. Convenience Our larger shop size makes it more likely that you'll be able to get your vehicle in and out in a timely fashion. And Ford service centers offer clean, comfortable accommodations should you choose to wait for your vehicle's service to be completed. Everything in One Place When you consistently visit the service center at a Ford dealership, all vehicle information is in one place. And you can take advantage of Ford Pass,™ a smartphone app that charts your vehicle's maintenance information. You can get vehicle alerts, schedule a repair, and even earn complimentary maintenance services. You've put your trust in us with the purchase of your Ford vehicle. We return that trust by offering the highest quality service, whether you're due for an oil change or are having engine trouble. Jack Madden Ford has helped Boston-area residents maintain their vehicles for more than 60 years. Schedule your repair or maintenance at Jack Madden Ford's state-of-the-art service center. Photo courtesy of Ford