Keep It Moving With Regular Maintenance
Your Ford Explorer plays a huge role in your day-to-day life, helping you to navigate between trips to the grocery store, along road trips, and taking the kids to school. To ensure that your Ford Explorer delivers the performance, reliability, and safety that this incredible SUV is known for, it’s important to regularly make your Ford Explorer’s maintenance appointments on time. At Blake Ford, we are dedicated to helping you get the most out of your vehicle, and our team of certified Ford technicians is here to help support you with expert care tailored to your vehicle’s unique needs. Visit us today in Franklin, VA!
Ford Explorer Maintenance Schedule
Routine Maintenance
Oil and Filter Change: It’s vital that you regularly have the engine oil and oil filter of your vehicle changed to maintain engine health, which should be addressed around every 5,000 miles at your Ford Explorer’s maintenance appointment. Adding fresh oil to your vehicle lubricates the engine components, reducing wear and tear.
Tire Rotation and Inspection: Rotating your tires promotes even tread wear, extending their lifespan, and also helps the technician to identify issues such as uneven wear or damage like holes and nails. This service should be performed ideally at the same time as your oil and filter change as part of a regular vehicle tune-up.
Brake Inspection: Around the same time as getting your oil and filter changed, alongside tire rotation and inspection, have the technician check the brake system of your vehicle, including pads, rotors, and fluid levels.
Ford Explorer Maintenance At and Before 30,000 Miles
Multi-Point Inspection: Around every 15,000 miles, your technician should perform a comprehensive check of the exhaust system, steering system, brakes, and cooling system to ensure overall vehicle longevity, performance, and safety.
Engine Air Filter Replacement: Having your automotive technician install a new air filter to your engine around every 20,000 miles enhances the overall fuel efficiency and engine performance of your Ford Explorer, only allowing clean air to enter the engine.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement: Additionally, replacing the cabin air filter at the same Ford Explorer maintenance appointment as the engine filter ensures that only clean, fresh air circulates inside your vehicle, keeping up pollutants, toxins, and allergens.
Transmission Fluid Check: Your Ford Explorer’s transmission requires clean, fresh fluid that’s free from contaminants to lubricate its components. Regularly checking transmission fluid levels around every 30,000 miles helps with smooth gear shifting and prolongs the transmission’s lifespan.
Lubricate Ball Joints: To prevent rough steering, you must have the ball joints of your vehicle lubricated in order to maintain smooth steering and suspension performance around every 30,000 miles at your Ford Explorer’s maintenance appointment.
Ford Explorer Maintenance After 60,000 Miles
Clean and Repack Wheel Bearing: To prevent excess wear and tear on the vehicle, cleaning and repacking wheel bearings must be completed to ensure smooth wheel rotation and properly controlled handling of your Ford Explorer. Have your technician perform this service around every 60,000 miles at your Ford Explorer’s maintenance appointment.
Replace Spark Plugs: Spark plugs operate as the source of power that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine, allowing it to start properly. Change out the spark plugs around every 90,000 miles to ensure efficient combustion and maintain the engine’s performance.
Coolant System Flush: Flushing your Ford Explorer’s coolant system helps prevent engine overheating by preventing buildup, maintaining optimal engine temperature, and extending its longevity. This service should be performed at your Ford Explorer’s maintenance appointment around every 100,000 miles.
Fuel Filter Replacement: At the same appointment, have your technician replace your vehicle’s fuel filter. A clean fuel filter ensures the fuel system operates efficiently, providing the engine with clean fuel for optimal performance.
Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve Replacement: During the 100,000-mile appointment, your technician should also replace the PCV valve to reduce emissions from your vehicle by removing harmful gases from the engine.
Transfer Case Fluid Replacement: If you have a four-wheel-drive Ford Explorer model, replacing the transfer case fluid around every 60,000 miles ensures that the drivetrain operates smoothly and reliably so you can safely take your vehicle off-road or in inclement weather conditions.
Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement: Also, around 100,000 miles, replace the serpentine belt to prevent potential breakdowns so that your vehicle’s engine components can run smoothly and efficiently.
Differential/Gear Oil Replacement: Finally, at the 100,000-mile Ford Explorer maintenance appointment, have your technician change the differential oil to ensure that your vehicle maintains smooth operation of gears and axles for the remainder of its lifespan.
Ford Explorer Hybrid Maintenance
Drivers of the Ford Explorer Hybrid model will find that their vehicle does not require quite as much maintenance as the regular gas model due to its hybrid powertrain, which contributes to less wear and tear on certain aspects of the powertrain. For the most part, drivers should still follow the routine Ford Explorer maintenance list to maintain the health and longevity of their vehicles. The only exception is having the high-voltage battery, battery cooling system, and regenerative braking system inspected and replaced as needed.
Ford Explorer Maintenance Costs
Maintaining your Ford Explorer involves various costs, which can vary based on factors such as location, service provider, and vehicle condition. Maintenance costs will depend on model year and usage of the vehicle.
It’s Time For Your Next Appointment
The Ford Explorer is an incredible vehicle designed to be long lasting and high performing while delivering on exceptional safety and reliability. Following our recommended maintenance schedule and making routine Ford Explorer maintenance appointments, you can avoid costly repairs and enjoy consistent peace of mind on the road. At Blake Ford, we believe that proactive maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle healthy, and our skilled technicians are passionate about providing top-tier service for our customers. Booking your next appointment online is as easy as 1-2-3, and you can schedule your next service appointment through the convenient tool on our website. Visit us today in Franklin, VA!
