Some Car Maintenance Tips For Those Who Spend Hours Tackling Traffic

If you use your car to commute, you would have, no doubt, experienced having spent most of your driving stuck in peak traffic. What you might not know is that crawling along at 10kph can be more harmful to your car than driving at a moderate pace – it stresses certain parts of your machine more than normal. This essentially means that these certain parts, will need more than normal attention.

But what do you need to look at, and how big a deal is it? What do you need to pay attention to? Read on to find out.

BRAKES

All that braking to a halt from walking speeds means the engine cannot contribute to slowing the car down, so the brakes will wear out faster than usual. Reduced braking power, constant squealing noise, car pulling to one side under braking, vibration in the brake pedal or steering while braking – are signs that your braking system needs attention. If you live in a high-humidity city like Mumbai or Chennai, the brake fluid can absorb moisture quicker than normal and might need to be replaced before the scheduled time. Your brakes are one of the most critical safety components in your car, so always keep an eye on them.

CAR FLUIDS

The various fluids ​​in a car also undergo extra stress if you drive in rush hour conditions. You’ll need to keep a regular check on all of them. The coolant has the unenviable task of keeping the engine cool when your Ford isn’t driven quickly through clean air that passes over the radiator. In stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tends to evaporate faster, requiring more frequent top-ups. The engine oil will also get dirty quicker if you spend most of your time in city traffic. At Ford, we are Committed to Serve You, so we make sure we inspect all the necessary fluids at every service – including the engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid.

Ford cars equipped with an automatic gearbox need to have their transmission fluid checked frequently – after all, your automatic gearbox has more work to do in traffic! Vehicles with hydraulic power steering should also have their power steering fluid checked. Always get your car’s fluids inspected (and, if necessary, replaced) only at authorised Ford service centres. Fords are built to exacting standards, which keeps you safe and returns maximum fuel efficiency. Our technicians are trained to similarly high standards to make sure you get the best service possible and the longest life from your Ford.

DRIVE BELTS

These​​ undergo extra strain in traffic. These are the black rubber belts that you see driving multiple pulleys at one end of the engine. They supply power from the engine to critical components such as the AC, alternator, and the water pump for the engine’s cooling system. A typical sign of a worn belt (or one that needs adjustment) is a loud squealing noise from the engine bay during start-up, especially when the engine is cold. Other signs include AC and power steering that doesn’t work well and an overheating engine. Look for signs of wear and cracks on your drive belt if you experience any of these symptoms.

ENGINE

It undergoes more wear-and-tear than usual because of the nature of stop-and-go city traffic. It needs to idle a lot, which stresses it more than usual, and continually undergoes changes of the load because you’re constantly accelerating and braking rather than moving at a steady speed as you would on a highway. So, keep a check on the engine to see if you can discern any unfamiliar noise or vibration; this will help you catch any engine issues before they escalate.

We, at Ford, understand that you care for your favourite machine, which is why we have attractive Extended Warranty package that can be purchased before your new Ford warranty expires. The extended warranty covers all mechanical and electrical failures, as well as labour for the repairs. It is transferable to new owners as well, meaning your car’s resale value will be enhanced. If your original warranty has lapsed, we’ve got you covered as well – you can still subscribe to our Anytime Warranty and get warranty coverage for one year or 20,000 km, whichever is earlier. This applies to the Ford Endeavour, Ford EcoSport, Ford Freestyle, Ford Figo, and Ford Aspire. To be eligible, your Ford needs to be less than six years old and have less than 1,20,000 km on the odometer.

You can also refer to Ford’s User’s Guide for handy info should you have any questions during daily maintenance and vehicle usage. The aim is to assist you to operate your vehicle with confidence.