Don't Overlook Your Tires this Winter | Prescott Brothers Ford of Rochelle

It only takes a penny to see if your tires are worn or losing tread. Examining your tires for wear and tear, along with checking tire pressure and alignment, are essential to ensuring your vehicle’s safety on the road and helping to improve gas mileage and performance. It is recommended to check tire condition and pressure regularly.

The use of a single penny allows you to check the safety of the tire tread on your vehicle. Place the penny on its side with Lincoln's head facing down and if you see Lincoln's head, it is time to bring your car into Prescott Brothers Ford of Rochelle. No one knows how to care for your Ford better than the experts at your dealership. Tires are selected to provide an exceptional driving experience with characteristics including superior handling for wet or dry traction, stability, tread life, acoustics, comfort and rolling resistance, which impacts fuel economy. These considerations, as well as load and speed ratings, determine which brands and tire types are approved for use on your vehicle.

Vehicle owners should check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, on a monthly basis and more often during colder weather. In addition, the tread should be checked for uneven or irregular wear as well as cuts or bruises along sidewalls. Tires should be inflated to recommended pressure levels, rotated every 6,000 miles to promote uniform tire wear and be replaced if worn or damaged.

If the vehicle shakes or pulls to one side, it could be a sign of an alignment issue. Because uneven or accelerated tire wear may indicate an alignment problem, it’s a good idea to have the alignment checked at least once a year. Wheel balance can change as a result of normal tire wear and unbalanced wheels can cause rapid wear of shock absorbers and struts.

You can check all of these factors yourself or let the professionals do it for you at Prescott Brothers Ford of Rochelle. Make your online appointment. or call (815) 562-2178

Brake Maintenance Makes Sure You Stop on Time | Prescott Brothers Ford of Rochelle

Vehicle brakes are vital to your safety when driving. What signs indicate that they’re wearing out?

For those who suffer a daily commute through heavy traffic, your vehicle’s braking system can bring thousands of pounds of metal, plastic and empty Starbucks cups to a stop hundreds of times before you get to work. It goes without saying that these pieces wear out, but they do so slowly, meaning you may not notice they need attention until it’s too late.

Neglecting your braking system can lead to increased repair costs, or worse, no brakes at all. Fortunately, paying attention to some of the signs of brake wear can keep you on top of stopping maintenance, saving you some money and keeping your car from bouncing off of the guy in front of you.

The most obvious indicator that your vehicle’s brakes need attention is an incredibly high pitched squeal when you come to a stop. Brake pad manufacturers include a little piece of metal called an indicator on the pad itself. When the material wears down to the point where less than ¼ inch is left, the metal piece begins to touch the vehicle’s rotor, doing a pretty good impression of fingernails on a chalkboard. Depending on how hard you drive, that usually means you should replace your brake pads within the month.

Occasionally, the indicator rusts and falls off, leaving you with no irritating noise to warn of brake wear. Additionally, many aftermarket and low-cost pads don’t come with a wear indicator at all. For the more observant, there are other signs that your pads need attention. If it takes you longer to stop than it used to, or if your brake pedal travels farther than it did a few months ago, it might be a good idea to get your stoppers checked. Regular pad checks are a good idea and require little more than removing a wheel and knowing what to look for.

Rotors are a little trickier, as they can usually last through two or three sets of brake pads before needing to be replaced. If your steering wheel wiggles in your hands when you come to a stop, your rotors are probably “warped,” and it’s a good idea to swap them out.

Most shops will offer to “turn” your rotors for you instead of outright replacing them. This means shaving enough metal off of the rotors to make them smooth again. Newer vehicles are equipped with thinner, lighter rotors to save on costs and increase fuel economy. If you’ve got the option, go ahead and replace them.

There are several options for replacement brake parts for your vehicle. While you can never go wrong with what your manufacturer recommends, a variety of aftermarket parts can help you cater your brake system to your driving style. If you find yourself replacing rotors often, you might consider switching to a slotted version. While initially more expensive, the slots disperse heat better than stock, though 99 percent of the time they aren’t necessary for the average driver.

Your rotors aren’t the only piece of brake hardware that can be changed for better performance. One of the most common brake pad upgrades is a switch to ceramic pads. These pads stop just as well, if not better than the stock pieces, but produce much less dust and are generally quieter. While you can also install performance brake pads on your vehicle, these usually have a shorter life span and generate more wear on your rotors.

While neglecting your brakes until your car is grinding to a halt instead of gliding is always an option, it can cost you in unnecessary rotor replacement and possible towing bills. That’s not to mention the likelihood of losing most of your stopping ability right when you need it most. Keeping up with brake maintenance, paying attention to the signs of brake wear and choosing the right equipment for your vehicle will let you slow down like you should.

Top Ten Signs of Brake Wear:

1.   High pitched squealing
2.   Vibration in the steering wheel when stopping
3.   Grinding noises when stopping
4.   Increased braking distances
5.   Longer pedal travel
6.   Feeling the car “pull” to the left or right when stopping
7.   A weak emergency brake
8.   A bad smell after coming to a hard stop
9.   Pedal “fade”
10. Not stopping

When you start experiencing any of the above listed symptoms it is time to make an appointment at Prescott Brothers of Rochelle or call us at (815) 562-2178.

Source: http://www.carcare.org/2011/10/car-brakes-how-do-you-know-when-to-change-them/

September is Preparedness Month - Stay Safe On The Road With An Emergency Kit

There are plenty of emergency preparedness kits available on the market today, but in putting your own kit together you will be better able to meet your family's specific emergency needs.

Step 1 - Establish Need

Spend a few minutes thinking about who might be needing the kit. Do you travel as a family? Is this a commuter car? Is there more than one driver? Taking a few minutes to establish these specific parameters will go a long way in being prepared for road emergencies.

Step 2 - Determine Space

The goal in being prepared is to have ready access to the supplies you need when you need them. An emergency kit that is hard to get to can be dangerously ineffective. Space can be utilized in the trunk, under a seat, behind the seat or under the floor. Once you know where the kit will go you can plan to pack according to the available space.

Step 3 - Check Basics

Establish what you have in your car as a standard feature. Is your spare tire still usable? Pull it out to check for air pressure and the overall condition. Do you have all the associated tools ( jack and lug wrench) available and stored in their designated space?

• Test the emergency lights in your car to make sure the bulbs and fuses are in working condition.
• Test the lighter unit, which will be vital if you need to recharge a cell phone.

Step 4 - Add Tools

• Jumper Cables
• Flares
• Flash Light With Fresh and Extra Batteries
• A Tire Inflating Product or Can Sealant
• Small Tool Kit
• Duct Tape
• Pocket Knife

If you live in a mountainous area be sure to include these seasonal items:

• Chains
• Shovel With a Folding Handle
• Cat Litter or Sand
• Thermal Blanket (large enough for two)
• Gloves

Step 5 - Prepare Medical Kit

An emergency preparedness kit must include a good quality First Aid Case. Rather than piece mealing a kit, these can be purchased at a local auto supply store. In addition to what is already in the kit, you may want to include emergency numbers for doctors, family members and other important connections. Tape these numbers securely to the inside cover of the kit. If someone in your family has a specific need or medical condition such as diabetes or asthma, be sure to include this information also. If there is room to add extra insulin or other sustaining medications, now would be the time to do so.


Step 6 - Gather Provisions

Today's food preservation methods makes it convenient to carry life support food for long periods of time without needing refrigeration. Pack into your emergency preparedness kit:

• High Energy Protein bars
• Dehydrated Fruits
• Canned Nuts
• Fresh Water or Some Sort of Portable Water Purifying System

Step 7 - Additional Items

Not every situation on the road qualifies as a full scale emergency, but the following items will be good to have on board regardless of the degree of need or crises:

• Cell Phone Charger
• Toilet Paper
• Safety Matches
• Coins For Land Line Calling
• Change of Clothing
• Pen and Paper
• Bright Scarf or Flag

Source:  http://www.doityourself.com/stry/assembling-an-emergency-preparedness-kit-for-your-car#b

Winterizing Your Vehicle | Prescott Brother Ford Rochelle IL

Are you ready for the upcoming winter and what it will be offering? Before you rush to the store for the last gallon of milk and loaf of bread, you’ll want to be sure your car is ready to battle the elements. Follow these tips before venturing out into the winter wonderland.

• Get a Tune-Up. Have your mechanic check your hoses, belts 
  and anti-freeze. A weakened hose or belt can break and leave you stranded, or a 
  weak solution of anti-freeze can ice up and damage your cooling system. 
• Check Your Battery. Make sure your car’s battery connection 
  is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If 
  the battery is three years old or more, have it tested and replace it if 
  necessary.  
• Check Your Heater and Defroster. If your heater isn’t 
  working, you’ll probably know. But what about front and rear defrosters? Before 
  you’re faced with a frosty windshield, turn your front and rear defrosters on 
  and off to make sure they’re working. 
• Give Yourself a Brake. If you have the slightest concern 
  that something’s amiss with your brakes, get them inspected immediately. If you 
  have anti-lock brakes, you should avoid pumping the brakes if you begin to 
  slide.  
• Have Your Exhaust System Checked. Ask your mechanic to 
  double check the exhaust system for leaks, which can emit dangerous carbon 
  monoxide into your car. If you become stuck in the snow and want to run the 
  engine and heater, make sure your tail pipe is clear of the snow and crack open 
  a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. 
• Fill up with Washer Fluid. Slush and mud splashed on a 
  windshield can spell danger for a winter driver. Make sure your washer fluid 
  reservoir is sufficiently full, and keep a spare jug in the trunk. 
• Consider New Wiper Blades. Even if your windshield wiper blades 
  are in good condition, you might want to upgrade to a rubber coated snow blade 
  that can handle the extra weight of wet snow. They’re not expensive, and could 
  make your winter driving a lot safer in the long run. 
• Take a Look at Your Tires. Your tires need to have adequate 
  tread with “grip” to propel you through the snow. 
• Fill Her Up! One of the best driving tips for winter is to 
  keep your tank more than half full at all times. It will help you avoid 
  freezing in your fuel lines, and will keep you safer in winter weather 
  situations.

If for any reason you are in need of assistance with any one of these safety precautions please give us a call and we will be happy to help you in any way we can. Please visit Prescott Brothers Ford or schedule an appointment today!