A Comprehensive Guide To The Ford Explorer Maintenance Schedule
The Ford Explorer is one of the most exciting, reliable, and versatile SUVs on the market, ranked with top safety ratings and engineered to elevate how you commute and adventure. Taking care of your Ford Explorer is absolutely essential for keeping this vehicle in optimal condition, ensuring that it continues at its peak performance. Bring your vehicle to Aschenbach Ford’s service center for premium Ford Explorer maintenance. Adhering to the vehicle’s maintenance schedule is vital for maintaining strong performance, reliability, and increasing the longevity of the vehicle. At Aschenbach Ford, we believe in and prioritize empowering our customers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles in top condition, and have created this guide to help vehicle owners know exactly when to make their maintenance appointments. Make your appointment and visit us in Wytheville, VA!
The Importance of Regular Maintenance: When To Bring Your Ford Explorer In For Service
Regular Ford Explorer maintenance is the key to prolonging the life of your vehicle and ensuring it operates efficiently. Here’s a thorough breakdown of when to bring your vehicle in for maintenance.
Every 5,000 Miles
- Oil and Filter Change: Getting a regular oil change, including changing the engine oil and oil filter, are vital for engine health and should be performed during nearly every Ford Explorer maintenance appointment. A fresh oil change lubricates engine components, reducing wear and tear.
- Tire Rotation and Inspection: Rotating your tires ensures even wear on the tread, extending their lifespan. This can also help to identify issues such as uneven tread wear or damage like holes, nails, or glass.
- Brake Inspection: Checking the brake system, including brake pads, rotors, and fluid levels, is essential to stay safe on the road.
Every 15,000 Miles
- Multi-Point Inspection: A multi-point inspection involves checking the exhaust system, steering system, brakes, and cooling system to ensure the vehicle’s overall performance and safety.
Every 20,000 Miles
- Engine Air Filter Replacement: A clean engine air filter improves fuel efficiency and performance by ensuring proper airflow to the engine.
- Cabin Air Filter Replacement: Having the cabin air filter changed during your Ford Explorer maintenance appointment keeps the air inside of your vehicle clean, preventing any toxins or air pollutants from entering the vehicle.
Every 30,000 Miles
- Transmission Fluid Check: Ensuring the transmission fluid is at the proper level and in good condition helps maintain smooth gear shifts.
- Lubricate Ball Joints: Proper lubrication of the ball joints ensures smooth steering and suspension performance.
Every 60,000 Miles
- Clean and Repack Wheel Bearing: Regular cleaning and repacking of wheel bearings helps to prevent wear and tear, ensuring smooth wheel rotation.
Every 90,000 Miles
- Replace Spark Plugs: Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine. Replacing them at recommended intervals for Ford Explorer maintenance ensures efficient combustion and optimal performance.
Every 100,000 Miles
- Coolant System Flush: The coolant system helps prevent your Ford Explorer’s engine from overheating. To prevent overheating, checking and topping off coolant levels is crucial for engine longevity.
- Fuel Filter Replacement: A new fuel filter gives your Ford Explorer’s engine a fresh start, ensuring that the fuel system stays clean and efficient for optimum performance.
- Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve Replacement: The PCV valve helps to remove gases from the engine, thereby reducing emissions and improving engine efficiency.
Every 150,000 Miles
- Transfer Case Fluid Replacement: Replacing the transfer case fluid ensures that the system operates smoothly, especially in 4WD models.
- Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement: The serpentine belt powers multiple engine components, and replacing it prevents breakdowns, ensuring that all systems operate efficiently.
- Differential/Gear Oil Replacement: Replacing the differential oil helps ensure that the gears and axles of your Ford Explorer rotate and operate smoothly.
Ford Explorer Hybrid Maintenance Schedule
One major perk of driving a hybrid is that they generally do not require as much maintenance as gas vehicles. If you drive a hybrid, Ford Explorer maintenance looks more like regular checks and inspections to ensure that the vehicle’s components are functioning properly. It is also important to check the engine filter during regular maintenance to ensure proper airflow to the engine. Whenever you bring in your Ford Explorer hybrid for routine maintenance such as tire rotations and oil changes, ask that they inspect your vehicle’s battery, high-voltage cables, and electric motor cooling system. For more insight, consult your Ford Explorer’s maintenance guide in the vehicle operating manual or access Ford’s maintenance schedule tool online.
Ford Explorer Maintenance Cost
Understanding the cost of maintaining your Ford Explorer is important if you intend to plan ahead and budget accordingly for future maintenance appointments. The Ford Explorer maintenance prices can vary significantly, and will depend on your usage of the vehicle.
Getting You Back On The Road In No Time
Taking care of your Ford Explorer and regularly keeping up with the Ford Explorer maintenance schedule is absolutely vital for ensuring vehicle longevity, performance, and even safety in the long run. At Aschenbach Ford, we pride ourselves on providing top-notch service by our master technicians, and promise expertise for all of your Ford Explorer maintenance needs. Our certified technicians are trained to handle both conventional and hybrid models, ensuring your vehicle receives the best care possible. Consulting the owner’s manual for the precise maintenance schedule is crucial. Schedule service online and visit us in Wytheville, VA.
