Rusty Eck Ford Omaha

At one time or another, nearly every car owner experiences a car that won’t start. In some cases, it means a car has reached the end of its life cycle, and that the engine may have seized up. In other cases, it might just mean you left your headlights on by accident. Even well-built Ford cars can sometimes have these sorts of problems.

There are some things you can do to troubleshoot a problem with starting your Ford. If you turn the key and the engine doesn’t make a sound, you know that you probably have an electrical problem. Here are the things you can do to check out your electrical system:

Check for a dead battery. If you have a battery tester, you can use that to see if your battery is weak. If you don’t have a tester, the best way to see if the battery is dead is to jump-start the car. If it starts, you’re OK. You may want to replace your battery soon, however, to make sure that it hasn’t been weakened by being run down.

Look for battery corrosion. The connectors on your battery can, over time, become dirty and corroded. This corrosion gets in between the battery and the rest of the car, and keeps your car from starting. If your battery posts are dirty or corroded, clean them and then see if you can start the car.

Check your fuses. Most cars don’t have a fuse that is connected to the starter system, but it’s worth a check just in case. Replace any dead fuses with the appropriate type.

If these things don’t get your car to start, you may have a bigger problem. It could be that your ignition switch has gone bad. It could be that your starter has a bad connection.

Beyond all of these electrical problems, of course, there are other possible causes for your car not starting. Consider visiting your local Omaha, NE Ford dealership to have your car checked out. It may be something rather simple that their service department can fix within just a few minutes, and for a relatively small fee.

Did you know that having the filters changed in a Ford could be the best thing you can do to extend its life? According to many auto experts, filters play a huge role in the life and overall well-being of a Ford. Here is a brief explanation of three vital filters and what they do.

Air filters are designed to trap and remove any dirt that passes through the air before it gets through to the carburetor on older models. On newer models, air filters are designed to protect the fuel injectors. You should replace these about every 20,000 miles in your Ford. If you live in dusty areas, you should have your Ford’s air filter checked regularly and replaced when it gets dirty regardless of how long you’ve had it in your car.

Oil filters helps remove rust, soot and other particles that could damage the engine on your Ford. These should be replaced every 3,000 miles or whenever you get your oil changed.

Fuel filters protect your injector from contaminant. If particles get through, they can cause a great deal of damage to your Ford.

These should be replaced every 30,000 miles to prevent loss of high speed power, stalling and hard starting. Some auto experts suggest getting them changed on a yearly basis for the best performance from your Porsche.

If you think it’s about time to have some filters replaced in your Ford, bring it to your Omaha, NE Ford dealer for a complete checkup.

After years of use or thousands of miles of driving, brake problems are going to be inevitable. But do you know how to determine what the problem is without taking your Ford car to a mechanic? Here are some simple ways to diagnose Ford brake problems to give you a better idea about what’s wrong so you can make an informed decision.

Squealing
If the brakes on your Ford vehicle squeal until you push on the brake, you have worn the pads down. The high-pitched squeal you hear is a little sensor that is designed to alert you so you know the pads have worn down and need to be changed.

Soft Braking
Soft braking refers to pushing on your brake pedal and having it go down before the brakes actually “kick in.” This is usually because of air bubbles in your brake line and can often be solved by bleeding the brakes. It could also be an indicator that you have a bad brake master cylinder.

Pulsating Brakes
When you push on the brakes and they feel like they are pulsating, you probably have warped rotors. This can affect your stopping distance so it’s vital to have this checked.

These are just a few of the things that can go wrong with brakes. For more information or a complete checkup on your braking system, visit your Ford dealer near Omaha, NE today.

How many times have you hit a pot hole head on without seeing it? You’re driving along then all of a sudden your vehicle bounces and you are jerked and jostled all over your cab or front seat. Then, before you know it, the vehicle itself is bouncing down the road. Your front end is out of alignment and you now need to spend the money to get it repaired.

Perhaps the biggest hassle to a misalignment of your front end is the time you have to take off work and get it fixed. Sometimes, a simple alignment can take up a half day of your time because your auto service provider has a full slate of customers that day. It’s frustrating, we know. That’s why we offer a discount on the pot hole front end alignment service.

From now until the end of May, Rusty Eck Ford in Omaha is offering a discount on our front end alignment service and all you have to do is print our discount coupon.

Don’t wait until it is too late. The longer you go without realigning your front end will mean that you’ll spend more money on the alignment when you finally do get around to it and it could permanently damage your vehicle’s front end if you go too long. You may end up having to replace your front suspension. Don’t wait. Get your front end aligned today and avoid the pot holes!

If you’re in the area, stop by your Omaha Ford dealer today to check out the newest Ford vehicles, used cars, trucks, and SUVs, and service garage.

You have probably heard a number of auto maintenance tips over the years and wondered if they were really helpful. Many auto maintenance tips for your Ford vehicles have good intentions, but they are not always based in truth. Here are a few auto maintenance myths that you may have heard along with the actual truths.

Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles
This maintenance tip may be true for older vehicles, but if you own one of the newer Ford models, the oil doesn’t need to be changed that often. Many newer models can go 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Check your owner’s manual for more information.

Changing Air Filters at Every Oil Change
Most of today’s air filters can be cleaned by simply blowing compressed air on them. As a result, the air filter does not need to be changed at every oil change. Try changing the air filter at every other oil change to reduce unnecessary costs.

Flush Your Cooling System Twice a Year
This advice used to be doled out because older cooling systems lost fluid over time and the coolant was not as durable as today’s coolant. However, new coolant can be effective up to two years and coolant systems no longer lose coolant like they used to. Flush your coolant every couple years rather than every six months for cost-efficient and effective maintenance.

For vehicle maintenance and service, stop by your Omaha Ford dealership today.

Keeping an eye on your brakes is the best way to catch any problems with them before major repairs are needed. But do you know what to look for when visually inspecting your brakes? Here are some things to keep in mind so you can catch any brake problems before they become major problems.

Rotors
The rotors are the large round metal circles that you can usually see through the vehicle’s wheels. These should be smooth and shiny. If there are any grooves or other defects, have them replaced right away because they could cause more problems if left unrepaired. You can feel the rotors to check their smoothness, but make sure you have not been driving for a couple hours so they are not hot to the touch.

Brake Pads
These are the parts that rub along the rotors to stop the vehicle. If you notice any uneven wear on the brake pads or any cracks, have them replaced. This is a rather inexpensive repair job if you catch the problem before it goes too long. Also, if you hear a high-pitched squeak when stopping, that’s also a sign that your brake pads need replacing.

Drum Brakes
These types of brakes are common on the rear of the vehicle and they use the same concept as disc brakes. Inspect drum brakes with the same tips in mind.

If you have any questions or if your brakes need repairs, visit the service garage at your Omaha Ford dealer for a complete checkup and repair service.

Taking care of your Ford cars and driving them correctly will help you get the most life out of them as possible. Engine performance is one of the most vital aspects of keeping your Ford vehicles running efficiently and smoothly. Here are some tips to help you keep your engine running at its best over the years.

Keep a log of maintenance and routine procedures. Keeping track of the maintenance on your Ford car or truck is ideal because it reminds you of how long it has been since anything has been done. If you do not have a written log, you may think you just had an oil change when, in fact, it was actually performed a year ago.

Use the correct motor oil. Oil is literally the lifeblood of your engine. It lubricates, cools, dampens and much more. That’s why it is so important to use the type recommended by your owner’s manual.

Use a high-quality fuel. Most gas stations these days have fuel options that contain cleaning agents. This can help clean any gunk or debris that has built up in your engine or any other parts of the fuel system. Fill up your Ford with this type of fuel every once in awhile to keep things running smooth and efficiently.

Do you want to get the most out of the tires on your Ford pickup truck? If so, it takes some care and maintenance. There are typically four things to remember about tire maintenance to keep them in tip-top shape. Here are those four main rules.

1. Check the air pressure. The air pressure in your Ford tires is extremely important. Too much air pressure and you could have a dangerous blowout and cause uneven wear. Insufficient pressure and your tires will wear on the sidewalls and you decrease your gas mileage by as much as five percent. Check the pressure about every 4 to 6 weeks to make sure they are at their proper PSI for optimum performance and durability.
2. Check the tread. The tire’s tread tells you about how much life you have left in your tires. The tread can also tell you if the tires are unbalanced or aligned improperly. Look for uneven treads to check for these problems. Also, place a penny upside-down into the tire’s tread. If you ca see all of Honest Abe’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.
3. Rotate the tires. Tire rotation keeps your tires wearing evenly and gets more life out of them. Before rotating your tires, however, check your Ford owner’s manual to see what pattern you should use for the best possible results.
4. Balance your tires. An unbalanced tire wears unevenly and causes unnecessary stress on the suspension system. If you feel a vibration when driving, you may need an alignment.

Are you in need of new tires for your Ford truck? If so, feel free to schedule a service appointment now at your Omaha Ford dealer. Whether you need a rotation, tire repair or brand new tires, we are here to service your needs.

The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid comes with a number of great options and features that allow you to customize your car and make it your own. There are also some fun and practical accessories that you can add on if you want to customize it even further. Here are three of those accessories that make the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid an ideal vehicle for you.

1. Keyless Entry Keypad – As long as you can remember a combination, you can forget about always searching for your keys to get into your 2010 Ford Fusion. With the keyless entry pad, you simply push a few numbers on the keypad device and you’re in!

2. Portable Navigation System – Choose from the NUVI 205 or the NUVI 265WT for all your navigation needs. These models are from Garmin, a recognized leader in the portable navigation industry. Whether you need turn-by-turn directions, restaurants in the area or a simple map of your destination, these devices will get you where you need to go in a stress-free way.

3. SmartAlert System – This helpful accessory keeps you connected in case of an emergency. If you get into a collision and you are unable to call emergency services on your cell phone, a simple push of a button connects you to a dispatcher. This system can also diagnose engine problems and much more. The peace of mind that the SmartAlert system offers is simply priceless.

These are just a few accessories you can add on to your 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid to make it even more spectacular than it already is. If these or other accessories are important to you, schedule a service appointment at your Omaha Ford dealer today!

When you take your Ford vehicle in for any kind of service, you should always keep records of the repairs, maintenance or work done. There are several reasons for keeping your Ford service records in a safe place. Here are a few of those reasons.

1. Service records help avoid confusion. You may think you remember exactly what you had done to your Ford vehicle four years ago, but memories change over time. If you have your service records from that repair or maintenance job, you can save yourself some frustration by knowing exactly what you had done.

2. Service records help you remember preventative maintenance procedures. Did you have the oil changed two months ago or four months ago? When was the last time you had the tires rotated? With your service records, you can avoid paying for a service too often and you can avoid going too long between maintenance procedures.

3. Service records help you get a better price when you sell your car. If you ever plan on selling your Ford and getting a new one, having your service records organized and handy will show potential buyers that you were serious about taking care of the vehicle over the years. As a result, you are more likely to get a price closer to your asking price.

Is your Ford about due for an oil change or some other maintenance procedure? If so, schedule a service appointment now at your Omaha Ford dealer. Just be sure to hang on to those records!