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Regular maintenance is the key to a long and productive life for your Ford. It ensures that worn parts are replaced before they fail and cause additional problems. As your Ford dealership, we'd like you to know a few signs that you need to visit us for maintenance. Blocked Catalytic Converter Combustion produces large amounts of toxic chemicals, and the catalytic converter changes them into harmless chemicals and water. It does this using chemical reactions, extreme heat, and crushing pressure. Once the conversion is complete, the now-safe chemicals are forced out of the tailpipe. Carbon is produced as a byproduct of conversion, and over time, it can block the exit from the converter. A blocked converter forces the gases back into the engine. They raise the pressure inside the engine, which can cause your engine to shut down. A blockage can also cause your engine to fail within seconds of starting, as the exhaust gases can't leave the engine. We fix this problem by clearing the blockage, and the converter will work again. more Starting Problems Most starting problems are caused by a weak battery that can't supply enough power to crank the engine. They can, however, also be caused by issues like a failing alternator or a damaged starter. In addition, worn wiring can prevent the electrical charge from reaching the starter, or the starter solenoid, which receives the electrical charge from the battery and passes it to the starter, could fail. If you listen carefully when you hit the start button and hear a tiny click, this means the starter is working but not receiving the electricity it needs. If you don't hear a click, the starter has failed, and your engine can't start until it's repaired or replaced. Our technicians will investigate and fix the cause of the problem. Rotten Egg Smell The foul odor of rotten eggs isn't something you expect to smell from your engine compartment. It's caused by a gas called hydrogen sulfide, which can form in the engine if your battery is failing. The battery uses sulfuric acid in chemical reactions that enable it to store electricity as chemical energy. The acid breaks down naturally, releasing hydrogen gas as it does so. Hydrogen molecules escape the battery and combine with sulfur molecules in the engine to produce hydrogen sulfide. This gas is toxic and corrosive and will corrode the battery terminals. We can clean the corrosion, but it will return as the battery is failing and can't be repaired. Once we install a new battery, the rotten egg smell will disappear. If you have a problem, our Ford-trained technicians can fix it. Contact us today at Northwoods Ford in Minocqua, WI.

As time passes, even Ford systems and components slowly age and wear out. Worn parts can make driving dangerous. As your Ford dealership, we'd like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for a Ford service. Escaping Steam Steam from under the hood signals your engine is in serious trouble. Combustion generates large amounts of heat, and your engine has a very efficient cooling system to control the temperature. Coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water and is used to control the engine temperature. It travels through your engine at high speed, absorbing the heat, and transporting it to the radiator for removal via heat exchange. Cooling system components wear out as they age, and this can cause the engine temperature to rise. If your engine gets too hot, even coolant can overheat and boil. A sustained high engine temperature can crack the head gasket that separates engine oil from the coolant and cause major engine damage. If you see steam, contact us ASAP so our technicians can diagnose and repair the problem. more Grinding Noises If you hear harsh grinding noises when you apply the brakes, your brake pads have worn out and need replacement. The brake pads fit into the calipers, and they have a friction-producing covering that generates the friction that stops your wheels. The material covering gradually wears down as time passes, and once the material thickness drops to 1/4", a pad needs replacement. You'll hear high-pitched screeching from a worn pad as a reminder that the pad needs to be changed. This noise is made by a metal spike buried inside the pad material. If a worn pad isn't replaced, the material covering will wear away completely. When this happens, the bare metal of the wrong pad will gouge the wheel rotor, causing additional damage. We'll replace the worn pads and repair any damage to the rotors. Worn Tires Tire tread wears down naturally due to surface friction. As the tread thins, your stopping distance increases, and braking responsiveness declines. This can make an accident more likely. In addition, incorrect wheel balancing or poor wheel alignment causes specific wear patterns and reduces tire lifespan. Tire rubber loses elasticity with time, and this will cause the rubber to crack instead of flex. Cracks will widen and deepen, reaching into the rubber and causing leaks. Our technicians can fix any of these potential problems, and we can extend your tire life with regular tire rotations. If your tires are damaged, we can install and balance replacements while you wait. If you'd like to know more about our services or to book a service, contact us today at Northwoods Ford in Minocqua, WI.