A Comprehensive Maintenance Guide for your Ford F-150

With winter on the way here in Edmonton (because we're still in denial), now is the perfect time to make sure all of your maintenance is done on your F-150. Snow, ice, and road salt can deteriorate your truck if it's not dealt with right away, and Alberta's best-selling pickup truck deserves to be kept well-maintained, no matter what time of the year it is. That's why we at Kentwood Ford compiled a list of things you should check when maintaining your F 150, to keep it looking and performing as good as the day you bought it!

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure helps with optimizing your F 150's fuel economy and helps even out the wear on your tires. Ford recommends keeping the tire pressure on your F 150 at 241 KPA (35 psi) when it's cold, but some people tend to go up to 276 KPA (40 psi) for even better fuel economy at the expense of traction. Nevertheless, factory-recommended tire pressure usually compromises for optimal levels between ride quality, traction and fuel economy.  

Tire Wear

The best times to check your tire's treading are either bi-weekly, or whenever you need to fill up for gas. One of the easiest ways to check each tire's tread is by taking a penny (US works better) and placing it in-between the tread groove. If you can see all of Queen Elizabeth's (or Lincoln's) head, then it's time to replace your tires (for exact measurements, anything less than 2/32").

Check Spark Plugs

It's best to change your spark plugs once a month, but you only need to replace them every 95,000 to 120,000 kilometres unless it's in bad condition. Without good spark plugs, your F 150 can't sustain maximum power, develops issues with cold starting or acceleration misfires, and in worse cases, fails to even start the engine.

Check Fluids

Making sure our vehicle's fluids are at optimal levels and changed regularly helps prolong your F 150's lifespan.

• Engine Oil: Change your oil every 5,000-11,200 km
• Transmission Fluid: Change every 96,000 km
• Engine Coolant: Change every 120,000-160,000 k
• Power Steering Fluid: Check levels monthly with the markings on the internal reservoir
• Brake Fluid:  Change every 50,000-80,000 km
• Washer Fluid: Check levels every two-weeks, add when low

Refer to Maintenance Schedule

When in doubt, always refer back to your F 150's manual and take a look at the recommended maintenance schedule attached. You can also take a look on our website and see Ford's recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle, no matter whether it's a truck, car, or SUV.

These were just a few of the maintenance tips we recommend keeping up with for your F 150. Need help with some of these items? Make sure to bring your Ford truck, car, or SUV to our service department and we'll take care of everything, no problem!