Maintaining Your Vehicle

Routine maintenance, such as oil changes, having fluids checked and tune-ups, can greatly increase your vehicle’s performance and reliability as well as greatly extend its life. Failing to properly service your vehicle can result in increased repair costs, as well as greatly reduce its value for a future sale or trade-in.

Another benefit of routine maintenance is it gives your Lincoln service provider the opportunity to detect other possible issues your vehicle may be experiencing. The earlier these problems are detected, the more likely you are to save time and money.

Proper vehicle maintenance is the key to maintaining value. It’s good to keep this in mind if you plan on selling or trading your car or SUV. If your vehicle is mechanically sound and free of exterior and interior damage, you can expect to receive more for it. Conversely, an unmaintained vehicle will be worth far less, regardless of its make or model. Logging your maintenance schedule is not only a great way to keep track of your service history, but it also adds valuable documentation to a sale or trade-in.

Oil Change

Today’s vehicle engines generally have extended oil-change intervals beyond 3,000 miles, so it is recommended that you consult the specific maintenance schedule interval in your vehicle’s owner manual.

At many Lincoln dealerships, an oil change is so much more than just an oil change. Typically, most dealerships offer The Works which includes a complete vehicle checkup that includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and filter, belts and hoses check — all for a very competitive price.

Maintaining Fluid Levels

Having your fluids topped off is simple and can be performed in just a few minutes. These include: oil, radiator, transmission, power steering, windshield washer and brake fluid. Allowing many of these fluids to become dangerously low or old, can cause serious damage to your vehicle.

Filters

Your vehicle’s filters should be changed between 15,000 and 30,000 miles. Most can be inspected and replaced during a routine oil change. These include the engine air filter, oil filter, fuel filter and cabin air filter.

Spark Plugs

Your spark plugs should be changed every 100,000 miles. They are a bit more complicated than a routine oil change, and the time and cost will depend greatly on the year, make and model of your vehicle.

Belts and Hoses

Belts and hoses play an integral part in your vehicle’s performance. It is very important to ensure that both are maintained properly. As belts age, the rubber becomes brittle, causing it to crack. Once the belt begins to crack, it should be replaced as it can fail at any time. If the belt is showing signs of wearing on its outer edge, this is also a sign that it will need to be replaced.

Since coolant can get extremely hot, about 200 degrees F, the hoses that carry coolant are extremely important. Likewise, a belt or hose failure can cause loss of power steering and the electrical charging system, as well as an overheated engine. If your engine overheats, this can cause the cylinder heads to warp. In other words, it can lead to a very expensive repair.

Hoses are generally inspected for softness and swelling. They are then checked for hardening, cracks, chafing and heat damage. If any of these issues are detected, your hoses will need to be replaced.

Brakes

Brake issues can start out small but worsen over time. Waiting to have them repaired can greatly increase the costs involved. Having your brakes inspected during a routine maintenance visit can help save you both time and money. During a brake inspection, all major components — discs, brake pads, shoes and brake lines — should be carefully evaluated.

Rotors, also called brake discs, are vital to slowing down and stopping your vehicle. They should be inspected for rough spots, warping or damage. If they are shiny and show little signs of wear, maintenance is likely not needed. If they are damaged or warped, these parts should be resurfaced or replaced immediately.

Your vehicle has both rubber and metal brake lines. Both can crack and leak. A technician will first examine the rubber hoses to ensure they are soft and don’t have cracks. They’ll then check the hard metal brake lines for corrosion and leaking. If either are damaged, replacement is recommended.

Tires

Maintaining your tires not only helps keep you safe, it also helps your vehicle run more efficiently and extends the life of the tires themselves. Following these simple steps will help ensure you get the most out of your tires:

• Have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles – see tire manufacturer for specific recommendations.
• Check the pressure of all tires, including your spare, at least once a month when the tires are “cold,” meaning that the vehicle hasn’t been driven for at least three hours. Recommended air pressure for your tires can be found on the placard typically placed on the driver’s side doorjamb.
• Have your tires inspected during every service visit.

Why Should I Choose a Lincoln Dealership for Service and Repair?

Trust, Knowledge and Expertise

Today’s vehicles and their maintenance needs aren’t as basic as they once were. It has never been more important to ensure your technician is familiar with your car or SUV’s maintenance needs.

There are over 9,000 factory-trained Lincoln technicians across America ready to service your car or SUV. Their training has been developed by the same company that designed, engineered and built your vehicle. This means they have the knowledge, original equipment (OE) parts, tools and training to help ensure your service is done correctly the first time. Lincoln dealerships offer:

• Full-service maintenance and repair facility
• Parts and labor warranties
• Clean, comfortable waiting areas
• Wi-Fi
• Pickup and delivery service to and from your home or business
• Friendly and knowledgeable staff

Though many people tend to think using a dealership service center is more expensive, the truth is the price of routine maintenance, an oil change and other services at your local Lincoln dealership are highly competitive with other shops. Exceptional service is their specialty, and your Lincoln dealership can provide you with a complete vehicle checkup that includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and an overall inspection of your vehicle’s needs. You’ll also enjoy the added comfort of relaxing in a clean, comfortable waiting room — many with free Wi-Fi and refreshments — rather than sitting in your vehicle.

Links:
Lincoln Service