Blog / Auto Service Yuba City

Advice From Your Ford Dealership: How to Tell If Your Ford Needs a Radiator Repair

Your vehicle's cooling system relies on the radiator to cool down the hot coolant by passing it through narrow tubes. If your radiator is not working correctly, your car may overheat, which can cause permanent engine damage. Below, your Ford dealership helps you identify when your vehicle requires a radiator repair to avoid further damage.

The Fins Are Clogged

The proper cooling of radiators largely depends on maximum airflow. The thin tubes resembling fins in the front of your vehicle carry the hot coolant away from the engine. When you're driving, air flows over these tubes, which helps to cool the temperature of the coolant. When dirt, leaves, or bugs block the fins, it reduces the airflow. 

Your Car Is Overheating

A faulty radiator can cause your vehicle to overheat while idling or driving. A broken thermostat or too little coolant can cause your Ford to get too hot under the hood while you drive. A failing radiator fan could cause overheating while your car is idling. If your car overheats, you should pull over immediately when it's safe and call us for assistance while you wait for the engine to cool down.

The Coolant Is Low or Leaking 

Keeping the coolant at the proper level ensures your engine runs at the ideal temperature. If your car requires frequent coolant refills or if you notice brightly colored orange, green, or yellow puddles forming on the ground under your vehicle, your car is likely leaking coolant. 

The Coolant Is Discolored and Contaminated

Coolant circulates freely between the radiator and the coolant passages. A faulty radiator can cause a sludge buildup that can contaminate the coolant. When the coolant is dirty, it becomes thick and takes on a rusty color. Thick coolant cannot flow freely through the system and may cause the radiator to clog.

You Notice Corrosion

Generally, coolant does not cause corrosion or eat away at metal components in a vehicle's coolant system. Coolant contains inhibitors to prevent corrosion. If you fail to flush your car's coolant system for extended periods, the inhibitors may break down and cause the formation of sludge or corrosion that could result in cracks or leaks in your coolant system.

Your Car's Heater Is Malfunctioning 

Your radiator can impact the functionality of your vehicle's heater, especially on the passenger side. The cabin heater operates by circling coolant through the heater core system, which causes warm air to flow through the vents. There won't be enough coolant to generate warmer air if there are clogs or leaks.

If you experience radiator trouble, you must quickly get it repaired. Call Geweke Ford now for an appointment, and the certified Ford technicians will perform expert repairs.

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Time for New Tires? Visit Your Ford Dealership

The condition of your tires puts the safety of your Ford on the line. It's time for new tires from the Ford dealership if you notice any of these signs of trouble with your tires. Tread Depth Below 2/32" The minimum safe depth for tread on your tire is 2/32 of an inch. The most common way to check how much tread you have left is something called the "penny test." Take a penny and place it in the groove of your tire's tread, with Lincoln facing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires are too worn to be safe and need to be replaced. Irregular Tread Wear Uneven wear can be a sign of misalignment, improper inflation, or suspension issues. Rotating your tires regularly can help avoid this issue, but once the wear has become bad enough, your tires will need to be replaced. Vibration or Noise If you notice a lot of road noise or vibration even when driving on smooth roads, there may be a problem with your tires. Anything from internal damage to misalignment can cause shaking while you're operating your car, so if you feel a lot of vibration you should have your tires inspected. Sidewall Integrity Issues Cracks, cuts, or grooves in the sidewall can signify serious problems with your tire's structural integrity. Damaged sidewalls can't be patched, so if the cuts are more than superficial you will have to replace your tire. Bulges on the Tire's Surface Bumps and bulges that protrude from the surface of your tires point to areas where damage has caused weak spots. These weak spots are likely to fail suddenly, so if you see one you should have the tire replaced immediately. Aging Tires The rubber compounds in your tires break down over time due to age and exposure to the environment. Even if your tread has not worn down, most manufacturers recommend replacing your tires once they reach six years of age. Frequently Low Tire Pressure If you need to add air to your tires once in a while, that's normal. Heading to the air pump every week or so is not. Tires with constantly low pressure probably have leaks. You should have your tires inspected to see if your leaks can be repaired. Poor Handling If you notice decreased responsiveness while steering, braking, or accelerating, it could be due to worn-out tires affecting your car's performance. Visit the Ford Dealership for New Tires Your local dealership offers a range of tires that are perfect for your Ford. Our technicians are trained to handle alignment, balancing, and rotation to ensure that your fresh tires are correctly cared for. Properly maintained tires are an investment in your vehicle. Call Geweke Ford to schedule an inspection for your tires today.

Does Your Ford Need a Brake Repair?

Brake failure is an unfortunately common occurrence on the roads, primarily due to the improper maintenance of careless drivers. About 5% of total car crashes are caused by failing brakes, which amounts to 300,000 accidents per year. To avoid joining the drivers who make up this shocking statistic, keep an eye out for the following signs of brake trouble and have brake repair carried out quickly at your local Ford dealership. Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal After months or years of driving your car, you'll know exactly how your brake pedal ordinarily feels underfoot. If it ever depresses to the floor too easily with a soft or spongy sensation, pull over at once; your brake fluid might be leaking. Brake fluid fills the brake hoses that connect the pedal to the brake calipers at each wheel. If the fluid leaks from any of these hoses, hydraulic pressure is lost, meaning your pedal won't be able to properly transmit the stopping signal to the brakes until the leak is fixed. Suddenly Noisy Brakes When you brake, an occasional squeak is usually harmless. But if you start hearing a loud and continual squeaking, one of your brake pads may need to be replaced. Brake pads are designed to emit this sound when they're almost worn out in order to draw the driver's attention. Neither should grinding or clattering sounds be ignored. Grinding may indicate a totally worn-out brake pad that's scraping metal directly against the rotor and causing damage. If anything gets trapped in a brake caliper, you might also hear a grinding or clattering sound when you brake. Strangely Vibrating Brake Pedal Rotors can sometimes warp out of shape or become otherwise damaged while overheating. If this happens, the misshapen rotor will generate gentle vibrations as the pad presses against it. You might feel these vibrations through the brake pedal. Tugging to One Side Sometimes, brake trouble causes the whole vehicle to tug to one side or the other. If you feel your car trying to wander toward the neighboring lane when you brake, have a technician take a look at your braking mechanisms on the opposite side of the car; that's usually the side with the malfunctioning brakes. How a Ford Dealer Can Inspect Your Brakes A thorough brake inspection carried out by an experienced technician will involve raising the vehicle to remove the wheels and each component of the brakes. Each part will be carefully examined in turn. The brake fluid, lines, hoses, and brake pedal will also be inspected. Once any faulty parts have been repaired or replaced, the car and brakes will be carefully tested to ensure that all is back in safe working order. Have your car's brakes checked and repaired today by qualified professionals at Geweke Ford. We're a family owned and community-oriented dealership that's been diligently serving the drivers of Yuba City for 25 years.

Benefits of Getting Car Financing at Your Ford Dealer

So you've found the perfect Ford for you. Maybe it's the latest Mustang or a sturdy F-150! But before you can get out on the road in your new vehicle, there's something you have to figure out: car financing. While the idea of navigating interest rates, loan terms, and monthly payments might seem daunting, getting your financing directly from your Ford dealer can be a smart way to make the process more straightforward. 1. Convenience and Efficiency When you choose to finance through your dealer, you're signing up for a seamless and hassle-free process. Everything you need is right there at the dealership. Instead of running back and forth between the dealer and your bank or credit union, you can choose your car, discuss financing options, and sign the paperwork all in one place. The dealership's finance manager is an expert at managing sales, trade-ins, and the paperwork for your car loan. Dealers also have established relationships with multiple lenders. All this means that they can usually get you in and out and on the road in your new car the very same day you choose it. 2. Flexible Financing Options Your local dealer will have access to a variety of financing options and will be able to cater to a wide range of credit scores. Whether your credit is spotless, a little rough around the edges, or somewhere in between, dealerships are equipped to find a financing plan that suits your situation. And because we work with multiple lenders, we can shop around to secure competitive interest rates and terms. This can be especially beneficial for first-time car buyers or those without a long credit history. Your dealer is motivated to get you behind the wheel of a new car, so we'll work extra hard to find a financing solution that makes sense for you. 3. Special Promotions and Incentives One of the most attractive reasons to finance through the dealer is access to exclusive promotions and incentives. Ford often offers special financing rates and cash-back deals to buyers who finance through the dealership. These promotions can result in significantly lower interest rates than you might find elsewhere, saving you a bundle over the life of your loan. Additionally, dealerships sometimes have special programs for recent graduates or military personnel. It's worth asking about any current promotions or incentives when you go to buy your car because you might just score an unbeatable deal on your financing. Whether you're eyeing a rugged Bronco, a sleek Fusion, or a dependable Escape, you should discuss your financing options with your dealer. We're ready and eager to help you find a financing solution that gets you behind the wheel quickly, comfortably, and affordably. Ready to take the plunge? Take a drive down to Geweke Ford where we can help you find your next car.