Getting the Most From Your Ford F-150: Maintenance 101

What does it take to ensure your F-150 lives up to the Blue Oval brand’s reputation for reliability and capability long after you drive off the lot? As the leading Ford service center near Florence, we have the answer. Routine maintenance will ensure your F-150 runs optimally and will get you the most for your investment every mile and adventure ahead.

McCluskey Chevrolet is your service partner, proudly treating F-150 owners to a world-class service experience that values your time, trust, and money. We treat every F-150 like our own and every customer like family—and fortunately, that experience begins now as we highlight the basics of maintaining your F-150 and how we can help!

Oil Changes

Your F-150’s heartbeat is a potent powertrain that relies on many moving components working together in a harsh, demanding environment. As the pistons, calipers, and many other parts move together, they generate incredible heat, creating the perfect conditions for overheating and excessive fuel consumption. Fortunately, oil mitigates the severity of these conditions by lubricating, cleaning, and cooling the engine.

Routine oil changes ensure your F-150’s engine has everything it needs to operate efficiently and effectively. Oil moves throughout the engine, lubricating the many moving components to help them move more efficiently without generating excessive heat. At the same time, the oil picks up dirt, dust, and other debris that can damage the engine.

As you navigate your life in Florence, everyday wear and tear on your F-150 can cause the oil level to decline. Likewise, the quality of the oil diminishes over time as it picks up debris and eventually turns into sludge. Routine oil changes at a service center like ours guarantee your F-150’s engine has the right quality and volume of oil to run optimally. Our technicians will drain the old oil, replace the filter, and add oil based on Ford’s recommendations for your particular model and powertrain.

Your owner’s manual outlines the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval, which is based on months or mileage. However, your F-150 may need more frequent oil changes. Why? Pushing the F-150’s limits with frequent towing or spending a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic puts higher demands on the engine, leading to more oil usage and faster degradation.

Tire Rotations

Every routine oil change at our service center includes two additional services that shouldn’t be ignored. Our factory-trained technicians will also conduct a multi-point inspection and rotate the tires. The multi-point inspection is an excellent way to plan for your F-150’s upcoming needs since our technicians assess major components—like the brakes, battery, and tires—and report their findings.

Beyond the multi-point inspection, rotating the tires is another essential routine service. Your F-150’s tires are its only point of contact with the road, making their condition critical to your safety behind the wheel and your truck’s performance. Rotating the tires promotes even tread wear and extends the life of your tires. This service also gives our technicians the opportunity to inspect each tire for damage, alerting you to potential issues or repair needs.

Automakers like Ford make routine maintenance straightforward. For example, your F-150 likely has the same service interval for tire rotations and oil changes. The caveat, however, is that it’s dependent on your driving style and the conditions. Aggressive driving habits, like hard braking and accelerating, can increase tire wear. Likewise, venturing off the pavement, navigating Florence streets covered in potholes, or spending most of your time in stop-and-go traffic can heighten tread wear and make more frequent rotations necessary.

Fluids and Filters

Maintaining your F-150 also involves monitoring and maintaining its fluids and filters. When you bring your F-150 in for service, our technicians will check the fluids and filters during the multi-point inspection. This check is crucial and ensures your truck has everything it needs to run seamlessly, but what types of fluids and filters are involved?

Every oil change includes replacing the oil and oil filter, but there are a few more fluids and filters to consider. The engine air filter mitigates dust and other debris from traveling to the engine, making it essential to your F-150’s performance. Likewise, fluids like the automatic transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluid play pivotal roles in your time behind the wheel. For example, the F-150’s brake system relies on pressurized brake fluid to engage the brakes and stop the truck. Without the right amount of fluid, your stopping power declines and sets the stage for a hazardous situation.

Your owner’s manual outlines the recommended service interval to check and flush your F-150’s various fluids. You’ll also find the recommended intervals for changing the various filters, like the cabin air filter and engine air filter. Our service technicians go one step beyond this recommended interval by learning more about your driving habits. Why? Depending on where the road and your life take you in Florence, your F-150 may benefit from more frequent fluid and filter changes because of dusty conditions and high demands, like towing, off-roading, or aggressive driving.

Brake Services

How much thought do you give to your F-150’s brake system? Most drivers don’t think about their brakes unless there’s something obviously wrong, like the truck pulling to one side or a grinding sound when they engage the brake pedal. Yet, getting the most from your F-150 involves more than last-minute brake checks; it also requires routine brake inspections and service to ensure your F-150 has everything it needs to stop.

Our technicians will inspect the brakes with every routine service, checking the entire system for damage, cracks, and leaks. Over time, everyday driving leads to wear and tear on the system. When this happens, you can turn to us and our specialty-trained brake technicians. Our service team can find leaks in the system, resolving damages in the lines that prevent the pressurized brake fluid from doing its job.

When you bring your F-150 in for brake service, our service team will listen attentively to learn more about the issues you’re experiencing. This attentiveness ensures our technicians are more effective and efficient, whether it’s time to resurface the rotors, replace the brake pads, or diagnose a more complex problem with the master cylinder. We’ll do whatever it takes to maximize your F-150’s stopping power to keep you safe behind the wheel.

Every service at McCluskey Chevrolet includes a multi-point inspection that assesses your F-150’s brake system. Your specific service interval is outlined in your owner’s manual, but you should always be aware of how your F-150 responds when you engage the brakes. For example, if you notice a pool of fluid under the truck, screeching or grinding when you apply the brakes, or pulling to one side, it’s time to visit our service center for a brake check and tune-up.

Bumper-to-Bumper Service for Your F-150

We’re honored to partner with you as your F-150 service team. Our extensive expertise guarantees your F-150 is in capable, trusted hands, while the McCluskey name promises an extraordinary experience like never before. Whether it’s time for an oil change, a new set of tires, new spark plugs, or a transmission service, trust only the best with your truck.