Blog

Your tires gradually wear out as you drive, and they can become damaged by other issues, for example, brake problems. Tire life can be extended by regular tire rotations, but eventually, your tires will need replacement. As your Ford dealer, we'd like you to know a few signs that you may need to visit us for new tires very soon. Incorrectly Inflated Tires Over or under-inflated tires are dangerous and costly. Tires that aren't correctly inflated wear out faster and need to be replaced sooner. An underinflated tire sags slightly, and this exposes some of the softer sidewall rubber to surface abrasion. The sidewall isn't reinforced, so this abrasion makes punctures or a blowout more likely. more Overinflated tires are equally dangerous. The air inside a tire heats up as you drive. The excess air inside an over-inflated tire increases the pressure inside the tire, and it can easily blow out, especially if you're driving at higher speeds. We can fix either of these problems by adjusting the tire pressure. We'll also check your tires for signs of damage. If your tires have been damaged, we can replace them for you. Tire Bulges Tire bulges can form on any part of a tire, but they're most common on the sidewall, which is the section of a tire perpendicular to the surface. This part of a tire isn't reinforced like the tread, and its rubber is softer. A bulge forms when part of a tire is pinched against a solid surface. The pinched section bulges outwards, and stretches the rubber around it. A bulge in your tire is dangerous, for the same reason as the overinflated tires discussed above. The bulge is a major weakness in the tire structure, and it will swell even more as the air inside it heats up when you're driving. A bulge can't be repaired, but we can replace your tire, and you can drive safely again. Bald Tires The tread is the most important part of a tire, as it provides the grip on the surface that enables you to drive, corner, and brake safely and easily. Over time, the tread slowly wears down due to abrasion with the surface. As the tread level drops, your braking distance will increase, and cornering and driving feel less steady. If the tread wears down completely, driving becomes dangerous. The lack of tread means your tire can't grip the surface, and you can can easily skid on wet or muddy surfaces. If you have a bald tire, visit us ASAP so we can replace it with a new one. If you have a tire problem, visit us today at Pugmire Auto Group, and we'll fix it.

​​​​​​​​​​​​Battery problems are a major headache for any driver. We depend on the battery to start the engine, and if it fails, one could be left hunting for jumper cables. Luckily, battery problems are quick and easy to fix, and your Ford dealership is here to solve them for you. We'd like you to know a few signs that you may need a new car battery. Bad Alternator The battery stores electricity to provide the power to start your Ford's engine and to maintain the electrical systems when the engine is switched off. The electricity used is replaced when your engine is running. The alternator begins its work once your engine starts, and this mini-generator replenishes the battery's stored energy as you drive. more A failing alternator produces less electricity than it previously did. The lack of power affects all your car's systems, which means less electricity is available to replenish the battery. Since the energy needed to start the engine is relatively fixed, reduced recharging will gradually cause the battery to run down. We will check your alternator and replace it if it's failing. Slow Cranking Cranking brings your engine to life. When you turn the key or push the start button, an electrical charge is sent from the battery to the starter. This charge powers the starter, which initiates the crank. The crank enables the combustion process to begin, and once combustion starts your engine will run under its own power. Cranking requires a significant amount of electricity, and a weakening battery may not supply enough power. Slow cranking can also be caused by a problem with the starter. Our technicians will need to investigate to find the cause of the problem. Once we've identified the failing component, we can repair or replace it depending on the situation. Worn Cables Your battery is connected to the electrical system by two battery cables. These cables are protected by thick insulation to protect them against the heat inside the engine. The cables can become damaged over time, and this affects the battery's ability to recharge and supply the necessary power to start the engine. If you examine the cables and they show signs of wear or damage, it's time to visit our service department. Our technicians can quickly replace damaged cables, and we'll test your battery and the electrical system for any other issues. If damaged cables are the cause of the problem, your battery will work normally again as soon as they're replaced. A weakening battery can fail when you need it, and you could be stuck waiting for a tow truck. Call us today at Pugmire Automotive Group, and we'll ensure this doesn't happen.

Headlights are essential for safe driving after dark. Even during the day, if you get caught in foggy or stormy weather, then headlights become an important safety feature. Here are five problems that should prompt you to visit your local Ford dealer at once for new headlights. Fading Headlight Strength Whether you're using halogen, HID, or LED headlights, the bulbs may start to fade in power as they near the end of their lifespan. Sometimes headlights can lose as much as 70% of their power before dying. more However, it's unwise to drive with anywhere near this amount of dimming. Always change your bulbs as soon as you notice they're starting to fade in order to maintain maximum brightness. Erratic or Flickering Light If your headlights start to grow dimmer and brighter erratically, you might have a problem with the underlying electrical supply from the battery or alternator. More rapid flickering might indicate a problem with one of the bulbs or the wiring behind it. Discolored or Hazy Light Most headlight lenses these days are made from a highly durable thermoplastic polymer, which is transparent, heat-resistant, and tough enough to endure stones thrown up from the wheels of other vehicles. However, lenses can still become scratched and cracked over time, which might cause the light to become hazy. Damage from UV rays in sunlight can also haze or discolor the lenses and light. If your lenses become damaged in any of these ways, you'll eventually need to replace them. Sometimes headlight lenses simply become dirty, in which case you only need to clean them. Repeated Bulb Failure Halogen bulbs will generally last from 450 to 1,000 hours. HID bulbs can last anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 hours, and LED bulbs might keep going for as long as 40,000 hours. If you find yourself needing to change your bulbs more frequently than expected, ask a technician to take a look at the socket or wiring. There might be an underlying fault. Unresponsive Headlights Needless to say, if your headlights refuse to turn on one day, you'll need to have the fault repaired. If none of your bulbs come on, the problem is likely to lie with the wiring or electrical supply. Have Faulty Bulbs Tested by Your Ford Dealer If you suspect one of your bulbs is dimming, you can replace it with a new one and see if the light becomes markedly brighter. If you're still unsure, have your bulbs tested at your local dealership. The technician can use a multimeter or similar tool to check the strength and brightness of each one. Have your headlights repaired or replaced today at Pugmire Ford of Carrollton. We're a full-service dealership providing top-notch cars, maintenance, and customer service.