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If you don't know when your last oil change was, then you're probably due to get one soon. You need to make sure you visit your Ford dealership to get your oil replaced regularly so you can keep your vehicle running smoothly. Different vehicles can need changes at different intervals, so let's go into this in more detail. How Often You Should Be Getting an Oil Change at the Ford Dealership Recent Ford models are equipped with an Intelligent Oil Life Monitor, so you don't need to keep track of how often you get the oil replaced. Your vehicle monitors the oil level and alerts you when the level is getting low. A message will appear in your digital display letting you know that you need to head to the dealer to get your oil replaced as soon as you can. If you have an older Ford model, then it may not have this monitor built in. In this case, you need to keep an eye on your mileage and visit the dealer on a mileage-based schedule. Ford vehicles generally need to get their oil replaced every 5,000 miles, and that comes down to getting it changed about twice a year. If you drive more than 10,000 miles in a year, then you may need more than two annual oil changes. Schedule Service more How to Find Your Maintenance Schedule You should make sure you check your specific Ford's maintenance schedule in case you need to get your oil replaced more or less frequently than average. Every Ford vehicle is sold with a manual that you should read through carefully. You'll find information about your service schedule in this manual. Your oil will generally be replaced each time you visit the dealer to stay on top of your maintenance schedule. You can also search for your vehicle's make and model or your Ford's VIN online to find your maintenance schedule. If you no longer have your manual, and you can't find your maintenance schedule online, then visiting the dealer to talk to a technician will help you figure out how often you should be getting maintenance. You'll generally have your oil replaced every time you stop at the dealer for this routine maintenance. Signs You Need New Oil ASAP If you haven't had your vehicle oil replaced in a while, then some signs may crop up telling you it's time to get to the dealer as soon as you can. You'll know you need to get your oil replaced as soon as possible if: -There's a knocking sound in your engine -There's an oil smell in the cabin -Your oil is dark or dirty -Smoke comes out of your exhaust Come by Visalia Ford to get your oil replaced whenever you need to. Our technicians will be happy to discuss your maintenance schedule with you if you have any questions. Contact Us

Even though ignition coils have long lifespans relative to other car parts, they can sometimes become prematurely damaged or fouled by excessive vibrations or carbon deposits. Visit your nearest Ford dealer right away to have a faulty ignition coil dealt with before it causes trouble with other engine parts. Contact Us Schedule Service Service Department 6 Common Signs of a Faulty Ignition Coil Poor Engine Performance A fully functioning ignition coil generates electrical power for the spark plug so when a coil breaks down, the spark plug can no longer ignite the fuel inside the cylinder. As ignition coils serve this essential function, a faulty coil will rapidly cause the whole engine to lose power. more Coughing and Stalling in Idle When you've stopped your car but the engine's still running, it puts a lot of additional strain on the engine. For this reason, you're likely to notice the problems caused by a bad ignition coil when you pause and rest at traffic lights. With a bad coil, your idling engine will cough, sputter, shake, and it might even stall. Dropping Fuel Efficiency With at least one cylinder lacking a good ignition coil, your fuel will be burning less efficiently. This can cause a notable drop in gas mileage. You might notice your gas tank emptying more rapidly than usual. Strange Exhaust Sounds Bad ignition coils rapidly lead to other kinds of car problems if not dealt with quickly. One of the first issues will be a buildup of excess unburned fuel inside the malfunctioning cylinder. This excess fuel will eventually start to leak back into your car's exhaust system. Inside the exhaust, the fuel can cause damage to the catalytic converter and suddenly ignite, causing backfiring. Thick Smoke Behind Your Car The excess fuel often partially ignites inside the combustion chamber or inside exhaust pipes. In either case, you'll soon see black smoke billowing from the tailpipe behind you. Check Engine Dashboard Light Your car's various sensors will usually detect engine problems caused by a bad ignition coil and warn you by lighting up the check engine light. If you see this light on your dashboard, head to your nearest dealership to have the underlying problem identified and fixed as soon as you can. Visit Your Ford Dealer Most of the time, ignition coils last for 100,000 miles or more. If a technician can clean the coil or fix the faulty wiring, you may get many more miles out of that ignition coil. If the coil is cracked or the electrode inside is burned out or seriously damaged, however, you'll need to replace it with a new one. Visit Visalia Ford today to have your ignition coils inspected and fixed or replaced. We offer competitive deals and financing offers, with courteous, personalized customer service, and contact us for new and used cars. FAQ What are the common signs of a bad ignition coil? Poor engine performance, coughing or stalling at idle, dropping fuel efficiency, strange exhaust sounds, thick black smoke, and the check engine light. Why does my car stall or sputter when idling? A faulty ignition coil puts extra strain on the engine during idle, causing shaking, sputtering, or stalling when stopped. Can a bad ignition coil damage other parts of the car? Yes. Excess unburned fuel can enter the exhaust system, potentially damaging the catalytic converter and causing backfiring. How long do ignition coils usually last? Most ignition coils last 100,000 miles or more. Some can be cleaned or repaired, but cracked or damaged coils must be replaced. When should I visit a Ford dealer for ignition coil issues? Visit your nearest Ford dealer as soon as you notice symptoms. Prompt service and maintenance prevent further engine problems and ensure proper repairs.