Blog

Ford trucks are more than fun and more than hardworking. They are also well made. Even so, they need careful attention if they are to stay in good working order. That’s why Ford Truck Service should start with prevention. more After all, you want to prevent expensive repairs, and you can, if you are proactive as a Ford truck owner. Essential maintenance includes checking your fluids regularly and making sure that these fluids are exchanged when the time comes. Ford Truck Service is Less Expensive When Fluid Levels are Checked Regularly If you utilize our service department for your Ford truck service, you can be sure that we will help you monitor your vital fluid levels. It is a good idea for you to watch over these levels as well. All it takes is a quick check when the engine is cool. The Effects of Heat on Ford Trucks In Arizona, coolant is really what makes it possible for trucks to run. Our high temperatures threaten to overheat the engines without the intervention of modern coolant. The Ford manual explains that F150 coolant should never be above a 60 percent strength. This will hurt the engine in hot weather. In fact, our high temperatures might allow the driver to use coolant at a strength as low as 40 percent. Coolant is much trickier than many people are willing to admit. That’s why constant checks by an expert are a good idea. Your Earnhardt Ford service department and Earnhardt fleet services are your destination for regular oil changes and other maintenance for just this reason. Drivers need good advice on their coolant if they want their Ford trucks to do well in Arizona’s desert heat. Lubrication is Key to the Long Life of Ford Trucks You also want to keep up with how old certain fluids are. Brake fluid is essential to keep the brake mechanical parts lubricated. Likewise, the steering cannot work properly without the power steering fluid to provide adequate lubrication. When these fluids become too dirty, they cannot do their jobs, and the result is damage to big ticket items like power-steering pumps and racks. Keep an eye on your fluid levels with the help of our excellent mechanics. As always, rely on Earnhardt Ford service department for true expertise. Our fleet service center serves your business truck maintenance needs.

If the 2021 Ford Ranger was built with the idea that every buyer could have the power they need. What does that mean? Well, the Ford Ranger towing capacity is the same, regardless of whether you buy the least expensive model or one of the higher trims. more How does Ford do that? Offer the best towing capacity at the lowest price? Here’s the story. Midsize Truck Towing Capability The Ford Ranger towing capacity is 7,500 pounds. You can look at each trim level and see the same figure. It is true for the XL, XLT, and Lariat. It’s true whether you choose the SuperCrew or SuperCab. It’s even true if you stick with front-wheel rather than four-wheel drive. Next let’s take the Nissan Frontier. This truck comes with a four-cylinder engine that can pull up to 3,500 pounds. You can step up to the V6, paying more, and pull up to 6,720 pounds. Interestingly enough, the 2022 Frontier, an updated model, is said to have the same tow ratings as the current model. Next up is the Toyota Tacoma. Its towing capacity is 3,500 pounds. Again you can step up to a V6, paying more to boost the tow ratings to 6,800 pounds. The Honda Ridgeline only has a V6, but its towing capacity is either 3,500 (FWD) or 5,000 pounds (AWD). Now compare that to the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. These two midsize relatives offer 3,500-pound towing capacity at the base level. That climbs to 7,000 pounds when you spend more and buy the available V6. If you spend even more, you can get the turbodiesel. At that point, you can edge past the Ranger and tow a maximum of 7,700 pounds. Lastly, the Jeep Gladiator has a number of engine/transmission choices. The tow ratings are 4,000 pounds, 4,500 pounds, 6,000 pounds or 7,650 pounds. Once again, you will be paying more to be able to tow slightly more than the entry level Ranger. How does Ford achieve such high tow ratings? By now you may be asking how does Ford achieve such high tow ratings without demanding a ridiculously high entry level price? It’s simple. The manufacturer used engineering to outsmart the competition. Every Ranger comes with a turbo four engine that is capable of 270 horsepower. That turbo power adds a torque boost, allowing the truck to generate up to 310 pound-feet. The other four-cylinder trucks don’t come close. The Tacoma and Frontier don’t break 200 horsepower. The Colorado and Canyon claim 200 horsepower, but they can’t compete with the Ranger. To get the towing capacity that most truck buyers want, you’ll pay more for the V6 of these different models. Then the horsepower rises to a competitive level. Still, the Ranger remains ahead of all of these rivals in terms of torque. Gladiators have a number of configurations as stated earlier. You can get more torque than the Ranger, but only if you purchase the Ecodiesel. Interestingly, this drops the towing capacity of the Gladiator to below the Ranger’s top level. So, in conclusion, if you want the best midsize towing capacity, there’s really only one smart choice. The Ford Ranger runs circles around the competition when it comes to the best ratio of power to cost.

Everyone knows that their pickup truck needs regular oil changes. Yet many owners look the other way when it comes to the timing of this important maintenance. Still others rely on cut-rate services to handle the solemn duty of replacing their oil and filter. Ford truck service at Earnhardt takes care of your oil changes and so much more. more Ford Truck Service can be just as fast and efficient as a cheap drive-through, when you utilize the Earnhardt Ford service department. Businesses can get fleet deals with the Earnhardt fleet services center. Either way, your Ford trucks will be in practiced hands. A. Why are Oil Changes Important? The engine in your Ford truck is the best of the old and the new. Each new model year builds on the prior ones. Furthermore, each engine change is thoroughly tested in real world conditions. Nothing is left to chance when it comes to Ford trucks. Every part and every mechanism is carefully calibrated for the success of the whole. That’s how the Ford F150 came to be the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. year after year. To keep the engine well lubricated, the oil has to be as clean as possible. Over time, debris makes its way into the engine and into the oil. This dust or dirt is microscopic, but it is building up day after day. The oil filter also gets clogged by these same tiny particles. Even the mightiest of Ford trucks can fail if the oil isn’t changed on time every time. B. How Often are Oil Changes Necessary for Pickup Trucks? Until the 2008 Ford models, the manufacturer recommended oil changes at 5,000 mile intervals. The newer models can now go up to 7,500 miles. You should refer to your manual to see what is recommended for your specific vehicle. Pickup truck oil change recommendations vary when it comes to the manufacturer. It also will vary based on whether it is a gas or diesel engine. Whether modern or classic, Ford trucks should have their oil changed by six months even if they haven’t met these mileage limits. Also, here are some of the reasons you may need to change your oil more frequently than the recommended mileage limits: Hauling or towing heavy loads frequently Repeatedly driving at low speeds due to heavy traffic conditions Off-roading Using E85 fuel for more than half of the truck’s mileage Traveling in high heat conditions (100 degrees or more) Spending time in excessively dusty conditions C. Ford Truck Service Goes Beyond Simple Oil Changes Earnhardt Ford knows you can go many places to get an oil change. That’s why its oil change services go above and beyond. You can get the practiced eyes of a mechanic on your Ford truck any time you visit. Why not ask for a routine point-by-point inspection every time you have your oil changed? You will be surprised at how this simple act will find small problems and prevent them from becoming big ones. Whatever you do, don’t neglect your engine oil. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the service department at 833-735-9305 during regular business hours. Schedule your oil change online any time and let’s keep your truck in better condition, longer.

Whether for your trade or your contracting business, the end of the year is a great time to purchase the SuperDuty Ford you need, whether the Ford F-250 or F-350. It’s an exciting time of the year as the 2020 models go on sale and the 2021s arrive. more When what you want is a SuperDuty F-250 or a SuperDuty F-350, you can shop for specials to keep your costs down. And that is how you save your business money and make your holidays merrier at the same time. When it comes to Ford trucks, it’s always a good time to upgrade your fleet at Earnhardt Ford. Super Duty Performance: Meet the Most Capable Heavy-Duty Pickup Ever Ford knows how to build a capable truck for the job at hand. The Super Duty® has best-in-class capability across every category. It out-hauls and out-tows any other full-size pickup. These trucks lead the pack and keep moving forward with your choice of a 7.3L OHV gas V8 or the Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel. What if you want to take your SuperDuty off-road? Outfit a Super Duty® 4x4 Crew Cab with the exciting Tremor Off-Road Package with 35-inch maximum-traction tires and specially tuned dampers on the off-road suspension. You can handle obstacles with Rock Crawl and Trail Control™ modes. Super Duty Tech: Who Knew a Truck Could Be So Smart? Available driver-assist technologies complement your driving skills. They can alert you to a potential collision and help you remain alert while driving. Backing up a trailer is difficult whether you’ve done it a few times or a thousand. That’s why Pro Trailer Backup AssistTM was developed by Ford. Rotate a knob to the direction you want the trailer to go – the truck’s Assist system can take care of the rest. FordPassTM gives access to remote-start features. You can even check your fuel level and oil life with the tap of a finger. The touchscreen with its voice-activated technology and smartphone apps provide a fast, safer way to find your route, get in touch, or be entertained. Add to this Ford-Tough strength and capacity all the latest technological features that keep you safe and increase your ability to get the work done, along with Earnhardt Ford’s great pricing, and you have the perfect holiday gift for your business – or for yourself.

For today’s driver, the 2021 Ford Ecosport is the affordable SUV that makes sense for a busy lifestyle and a tight budget. Shoppers will appreciate the updated styling on this sporty ride. Ford Ecosport specials help keep costs down. more Ecosport Prices Are Just the Beginning of the Model’s True Value In general, Ford Ecosport prices aren’t expensive when compared to other SUVs. At Earnhardt Ford, we often offer Ford Ecosport specials, making a good buy even better. Whether this is your first new car purchase or your fifth, onsite financing gives you access to the loans you need. Smart technology gets the 2021 Ford Ecosport on its way. The engine reduces fuel use, but it doesn’t skimp on power. This reduces ownership costs, making a good buy even better. Get a quote to learn about Ford Ecosport pricing. Smart Size Your commute just got easier with a driver’s chair that gives you a good view of the road while ensuring that your legs have plenty of room. Easily adjustable, you can put your seat where you want it. If you are driving friends or family, they’ve got wiggle room, too. Finally, the cargo capacity is above average, giving you more hauling room for the money. Tech Savvy Driving The dash system allows you to do more while keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. This is a sizable 6.5-inch display with the convenience of advanced connectivity for both Apple and Android. If you want more, Ford Ecosport trims allows you to step up to the optional system with even more sophisticated connectivity and a bigger touch screen. You may be surprised to find fast-charging USB ports or automatic climate controls on a vehicle this affordable, but Ford makes them available on the Ecosport. Furthermore, in addition to the rearview camera, you can have a rear cross traffic alert to help with safety in parking lots. A related device is the blind spot monitor, which alerts you to side traffic and discourages drivers from changing lanes at a bad time. Fun Behind the Wheel Ford engineers know that Ford drivers tend to be enthusiastic about getting behind the wheel. That’s why the Ecosport has been updated recently to make it easier to handle. The driver enjoys greater maneuverability and control. There’s more to learn about this SUV and related Ford Ecosport specials. Contact Earnhardt Ford to schedule a test drive.

The Ford F-150 pickup is a capable truck with a wide variety of trim levels and configurations. While any F-150 model can handle some off-road driving, the Raptor is the off-road model with extra features to make it even more capable when you want to tackle rough terrain, and the FX4 package adds off-road capabilities too. Here are some of the features that make it easy to take the Ford F-150 off-road. more The F-150 Raptor Engine and Handling The Raptor comes with a twin-turbo V-6 engine that develops 450 horsepower. This engine has a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. It comes standard with four-wheel drive, and it has high-output off-road FOX Live Valve Racing Shox. Ford adds a long-travel suspension with front upper and lower control arms that are unique to the Raptor, along with unique tie rods to make it even more capable. The Exterior Features The Raptor sits higher than the other F-150 models, giving it more ground clearance, and Ford constructed it from high-strength, military-grade alloy. This not only makes it lighter, but this material also allows it to maintains the strength to handle all kinds of terrain. It has 35-inch all-terrain tires, flared fenders, skid plates, two tow hooks in the front and two tow hooks in the back, LED grille lights, and a locking rear differential. This truck also has a Torson front differential with a torque-sensing feature. The Performance Technology Ford's Trail Control system is a feature that works like cruise control for off-road terrain. All you need to do is set the speed, and the system will take care of the acceleration and the braking. It automatically sends torque and stopping force to the wheels that need it, so you can just focus on the steering. The Terrain Management System The specialized terrain management system in the F-150 Raptor has seven different selectable driving modes. Drivers can choose from Normal, Tow/Haul, Baja, Rock Crawl, Sport, Slippery, and Deep Snow/Sand. Having this many different types of terrain to choose from allows you to find the mode you need to ensure that you get the best possible performance from your truck. The FX4 Off-Road Package For drivers who want a model other than the Raptor, the base XL with all-wheel drive offers the option for the FX4 Off-Road Package. This adds an electronic-locking rear differential, skid plates, an off-road-tuned suspension, and hill-descent control to the XL. The F-150 Cabin Whether you take the F-150 off-road or drive it down the highway, you can ride in comfort. Depending on the trim, you can get a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats. An 8-inch touch screen comes in most models, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and the option to add navigation. The 2020 Ford F-150 is the truck you want for off-road driving. Whether you go with the off-road themed Raptor model or add the FX4 package to one of the other trims, it can tackle almost any terrain.