Ashley Ford Sales Blog

Just driving around at night you can see the difference in the headlights. Whether the headlights in your own car allow you to see better or those of the oncoming cars seem brighter. Are they brighter?

According to Sylvania a headlight manufacturer, the average halogen headlight is 40 to 70 percent brighter than headlights from 20 years ago. The high-intensity head lights are more than 400% brighter than headlights from the 1990s.*

Old headlights gave off 700 lumens of light; new headlights give off 1,000 to 1,200 lumens; high-intensity discharge lights give off 3,000 lumens.*

So even though those numbers allow you to assume that you are getting blinded by today’s headlights, you’re not. Headlights today are more accurate and precisely made.

Manufacturers must design lights according to strict standards imposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They mandate everything about the headlight from the exact placement of a filament to the design pattern of the reflector. And, reducing glare is required.

However, no matter how the headlight is maintained anything can affect it. Improperly inflated tires, a big pot hole, a fender-bender or an actual accident can knock headlights out of alignment. Even a small change can throw off the light beam by several feet.

In annual safety inspections your car’s headlights are tested for imperfections. But of course, illegal or improperly installed after-market headlights can set off dangerous glare.

*Boston Globe

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When you take your car to a dealer for car repairs, you know you are getting OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer parts. When you go to the small auto repair shops, you need to request them because most likely you will receive aftermarket parts. About 80% of independent car repair shops use aftermarket parts.

Does a less expensive part, or an aftermarket part, mean lesser quality?

To keep your Ford car in perfect working condition, genuine Ford auto parts are what you want. The quality of the auto parts you use will go a long way in making your car safe and durable.

Often times, aftermarket parts (not genuine Ford parts) are less expensive and so seem like the best solution. Oftentimes, these parts are not of the same quality, so you replace them sooner.

OEM Parts:

• It is easy to get your part, you don’t have to evaluate the prices and assess the quality of different brands.
• Quality assurance.
• Genuine Ford parts come with a warranty. Dealerships stand by their labor as well.

Even non-Ford car owners can use Ford auto parts installed in their cars to enhance performance and durability. For service on your vehicle, contact the Ashley Ford Service Department today.

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Cars require upkeep. If you neglect to change the oil, ignore the check engine light or skip routine servicing, you're setting yourself up for an expensive car repair. According to Art Jacobsen, vice president of CarMD.com, which publishes an online database of the most common and expensive check-engine-related automotive repairs, the key is to diagnose your car's problems early: "You've got to tackle it; address car repairs when they are small, before they escalates."

Here are the 10 most expensive vehicle repairs and what you can do to avoid them.

10. Replace Turbocharger/Supercharger Assemblies - Make sure you have the right amount of oil in these units, too much or too little is bad.

9. Replace Torque Converter Assembly- One way to avoid overheating this part, and incurring roughly $1,800 in repairs, is to not rev the engine while you have your foot on the brake.

8. Replace Catalytic Converter - before they go kaput, there are plenty of warning signs.

7. Replace Hybrid Battery – this mostly affects cars in the south and southwest because of the temperature.

6. Replace Injection Pump - If you follow your vehicle's scheduled maintenance program and change the fuel filters regularly, your fuel pump should stay clog-free.

5. Replace Camshaft - from not changing your oil often enough or using low-quality fuel.

4. Replace Cylinder Head Assembly and Spark Plugs - A flashing check-engine light often means a spark plug misfire.

3. Replace Transmission Assembly - keep tabs on your car's technical service bulletins.

2. Replace Hybrid Inverter Assembly – pay attention to your check-engine light and heed its warning.

1. Repair/Replace Cylinder - cylinder failure is rare, and it typically happens only after continued neglect.

Original article – MSN auto

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It is getting colder outside, several mornings have seen below freezing temperatures. One of the biggest causes for the need to roadside assistance in the winter is a dead car battery. If it has been awhile since you’ve gotten a new car or truck battery, have your battery checked.
 
Until then, be sure that you know exactly how to jump start a car so you are not caught out on the side of the road in the cold.

You’ll need:
Another car that runs
Jumper cables

Park the running car next to the dead car so that the jumper cables can reach both batteries. Check and see where the batteries are under the hood before you park.

It is very important that you do not mix up the cables or you can do damage to the electrical systems of both cars.  After the cars are parked next to each other, be sure they are both off.
 
The connection steps:

1. Turn both cars off.
2. Locate the "+" (positive) and "-" (negative) sides of each battery. They should be clearly marked. Often the positive (+) side has a red cover over the battery post and wires.
3. Attach the red cable to the "+" side of the good battery
4. Attach the other end of the red cable to the "+" side of the dead battery
5. Attach the black cable to the "-" side of the good battery
6. Attach the other end of the black cable to a section of unpainted metal on the dead car. This can be as small as any bolt near the battery.

There is no specific order to disconnect the jumper cables, but it is usually best to disconnect the black cables first then the red.  Don't let the red and black cables touch each other when they are still connected to one battery.

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