There are many reasons why someone might want to store their vehicle. While they might enjoy driving their Ford Mustang through Costa Mesa during the majority of the year, they might prefer to store it during certain seasons or events. Or maybe they are going somewhere on an extended vacation and will not be home for a full month. Either way, knowing how to properly store your Ford Edge in Costa Mesa is essential for keeping it in tip-top shape. Here is everything that you need to know about storing your vehicle for any significant period of time.

Protect It From the Elements

Even though modern vehicles are designed to be pretty durable and weather resistant, that does not mean that you should just let your vehicle sit still out in the open for weeks at a time without protection. Your best option is to keep the vehicle in a garage since this provides a cover as well as a fairly constant room temperature. However, if you do not have a garage to keep your vehicle in, then you can always look at putting it into a storage facility.

If both of these options are out of the question for you, then at the very least, you need to make sure that your vehicle is protected by some kind of car cover. Weatherproof covers can usually be found at most auto stores or a Ford dealer in Costa Mesa and are a good way to keep rain, dust, and dirt off of your precious vehicle.

Perform a Deep Clean

Regularly cleaning your vehicle is always a good idea, but the amount of cleaning that you have to do before putting it into storage is even more intensive. For some people, cleaning their vehicle right before putting it in storage for the next month or two seems like a complete waste of time. However, this is an extremely important step in making sure that no damage occurs to your vehicle while it sits motionless for so long.

By leaving dirt, bird droppings, or water droplets on your vehicle, you allow these things time to eat at your vehicle’s exterior. Sure it might have just been a few little bits of dirt when you first stored the vehicle, but by the time that you come back, it might have caused of a section of your vehicle’s paint to be permanently discolored. So it is best to get the exterior thoroughly cleaned and even waxed in order to provide that extra level of protection.

You should also make sure to clean out in the interior of your vehicle. This is less for protection and more for the fact that no one likes coming back to a vehicle with a dirty interior. Give it a quick wipe down and do not forget to vacuum the floor and seats. This can prevent forgotten food, drinks, or crumbs from becoming awful, smelling messes in your vehicle.

Get an Oil Change

Replacing the oil in your vehicle is an extremely important step if you are planning to keep your vehicle stored for any longer than a month. Since most oil has contaminants within it, these could end up damaging your engine when left motionless for extended periods of time. Oil changes also give you the chance to get all of your other fluids, like the windshield washer fluid, replaced and completely filled up as well.

Disconnect the Battery

Even when your vehicle is not turned on, the battery is still being slightly used. This means that if you leave your vehicle alone for over a month, you could end up coming back to a completely dead battery. One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to completely unhook the battery from your vehicle and keep it stored in a safe and dry place. By doing this, you also prevent the battery from experiencing corrosion.

An even better solution is to find someone you trust to take your vehicle out for a short five-minute drive every couple of weeks. This helps to keep the vehicle’s components active and gives the fluids and lubricants a chance to flow through the vehicle.

Inflate the Tires

The tires on most vehicles are able to lose a few psi from their recommended amount of pressure before they become visibly affected or trigger a low-pressure warning in your vehicle’s information system. So without you even knowing it, your vehicle’s tires could actually be slightly below their ideal amount of pressure. Fixing this situation is a vital step in preventing flat tires from occurring.

As your vehicle sits for long periods of time, it is going to slowly let out some pressure from the tires. So even though your tires might look perfectly fine now, when you come back in six or eight weeks they might be looking much worse. That is why you should check the side of your tires to find the recommended psi level and then fill them up to match it.

Stay Away From the Emergency Brake

If there was ever a time to use the emergency brake, then you would think that it would be when your vehicle is being stored somewhere and is not supposed to move. However, you would be extremely wrong. The last thing that you should be doing when storing your vehicle for more than a couple of days is using the emergency brake.

When the emergency brake is activated, it presses the brake pads up against the rotors to prevent the tires from moving. However, when the brake pads are allowed to press up against the rotors for too long, it can result in them becoming damaged or even fused together. A better option for making sure that your vehicle does not go anywhere is to simply use some wheel chocks. They work just as well and there is no danger of accidentally damaging your vehicle.

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My Mom used to tell me that driving is a privilege not a right and it should be taken seriously. As you get older, you understand this concept and you learn how important a car really is. When it comes that time to buy a new car, you should take your time and buy the car that is right for you. Before you head to the Ford dealer in Costa Mesa, there are a lot of things that you need to establish and consider before you sign on the dotted line.

• You want to understand the various needs that your car is going to have fulfill before you decide. You want to have a grasp on a lot of different factors in your life that your car is going to have to accomodate. You want to establish how many people you want to be able to fit in your car and if you plan on expanding your family in the next couple of years. You need to understand the type of driving that your car will have to do as far as location, weather, and the distance that the car is going to go on a daily basis. You also should realize what type of cargo space you need and whether or not the you are going to need to tow things for work or play.
• Your budget is one of the most important things to know before you head to the showroom and take a test drive. The general rule for car payments is that it should be no more than 20% of your take home wages.
• Another piece of the puzzle to consider is whether to buy or lease the vehicle. Each choice has its own sets of positives and negatives. Leasing can cost less over the time you have the car, but eventually, you will have to turn it in. Buying costs more, but at the end of it, the car will be your car.
• Make sure you also consider all the other cars that are in the same class as the one you are looking to get. If you are looking at a new Ford Edge at the Costa Mesa dealer, make sure you look at all the other cars that are like that one. You may surprise yourself and find a car you love that you weren’t even thinking was an option.

Car purchases should never be rushed into. Make sure you know all of your choices, your financial situation, and your needs. Although you may want to buy the one you love and had your heart set on, it may not be the car that is right for you.

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Power steering is one of the cornerstone features of modern vehicles and is the reason why directing a vehicle is ten times easier than it used to be several decades ago. But when your power steering belt begins to significantly wear down or outright fails, then it can make driving your Ford Fusion throughout Costa Mesa so much more difficult.  

That is why it is important to be able to determine when your power steering belt is in need of replacement. Luckily, this article breaks down the symptoms of a bad power steering belt and what you can do when yours begins to fail you.

How a Power Steering Belt Works

An engine typically has multiple belts, so figuring out which one is the power steering one might be a little tricky for some people. It is usually located on the front of the engine and is in charge of operating the entire power-steering hydraulic-fluid pump. What this means is that the belt is tasked with making sure that the power steering is actually accessible to the driver. Without the power steering belt, the entire system ceases to work and all ability to use it is lost.

How to Spot a Significantly Worn out Power Steering Belt

Being able to spot a significantly worn-down power steering belt is important because it allows you the opportunity to get the situation fixed before the belt fails entirely and you lose all power steering in your vehicle. One of the easiest ways to tell if your power steering belt is beginning to fail is by paying attention to how easily and consistently the vehicle is able to turn. If you notice that driving your Ford F-150 through Costa Mesa can sometimes feel slightly difficult or jerky, especially around corners or maneuvers that require a lot of turning, then it might be a sign that your power steering belt is beginning to slip.

Another identifier to watch out for is a sudden squeaky noise coming from the engine. If you ever hear a grinding or squeaking noise coming from the engine when you turn the wheel, then that is a really significant indicator that your power steering belt has seen better days.

Looking for Damage

If you do not hear anything or feel any issues when turning the wheel, but still have a suspicion that something might be wrong with the power steering belt, then you can always examine it for yourself. If you do this, then you need to know exactly what type and significant wear and tear you are looking for.

Having any sort of oil, gravel, or other sorts of debris on the belt is not a good sign. This could potentially mean that the belt on your vehicle is not working properly and might be in need of replacement. In the meantime, just try to gently clean the affected portions of the belt and check to see if the debris has caused any damage to occur.

Power Steering Problems Not Related to the Belt 

The power steering belt is by no means the only component of the power steering system in your vehicle. There are many other parts including the power steering pump, steering yoke, steering coupler, power steering hoses, and more. Besides the power steering belt, the power steering pump is the most common part to end up failing. If you are wondering how to tell the difference between a failing belt and a failing pump, then you will need to look for the following symptoms.

A high pitched whining noise is one of the most obvious indicators that your power steering pump is the part that is failing. The grinding or squeaking noise that you will hear from a power steering belt is different from this kind of noise. The whining noise will only occur whenever you turn the wheel.

Having a delayed steering response is the other main sign that it might be your power steering pump that is breaking down. Turning the wheel of your Ford vehicle as you drive through Costa Mesa should result in the vehicle immediately adjusting to match your steering input. However, if you notice that you turn the wheel and have to wait for a full second before the vehicle matches, then you should probably go get your power steering pump checked out right away.

What to Do When You Have a Bad Power Steering Belt

When you notice an issue with your power steering and think you have determined that it is the power steering belt that is the problem, then it comes time to get it fixed. You have a couple of options about how you can go about getting it fixed. If you are particularly handy with tools and have a decent amount of experience working on vehicles, then you could definitely perform the repair yourself.

Replacing the power steering belt is not a particularly difficult task, but there are a couple of issues that might arise if you try to do the repair yourself. The biggest issue is that you might not even be able to access the power steering belt in the first place. In some vehicles it is relatively easy to get access to, however, other vehicles require you to completely unhook and raise up the engine. This is not something that the vast majority of car owners should attempt to do themselves since they likely lack the tools and experience to do it properly.

So for many individuals, the best course of action when your power steering belt is acting up is to take it to a professional to get it fixed. While it is technically possible to continue to drive your vehicle even once the power steering unit has completely failed, it is generally not a good idea. Without power steering capabilities, it will become so much harder for you to have control over your vehicle.

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Choosing who we do business with is a conscious decision on our part. There are many large corporations that we may work with on a daily basis but some of us want to know if we are working with a company that appreciates its customers and fellow citizens. We can choose to do business with companies that give back to their local and global communities in positive ways. When you decide to buy that F150 from the Costa Mesa dealership, you want to know that you are supporting a car company that is worth supporting. Ford works with, and created, charities that do great things for people everyday that most people don’t even know about.

They work with multiple charities, but one of the charities that Ford started is the Warriors in Pink program. This mission of this charity is to help all of the people who are affected by and battle breast cancer every day. They support patients, survivors, and co-survivors (people who supported a loved one). They help them with tips, support, and resources to handle the battle and the aftermath with breast cancer.

Ford has been actively supporting breast cancer charities since 1993 but they started the Warriors in Pink over ten years ago. They have raised over $130 million dollars for breast cancer, with 100% of those proceeds actually going directly to breast cancer charities. They support 4 major charities with their fund: The Susan G. Komen Foundation, Dr. Susan Love, The Pink Fund, and the Young Survival Coalition, 

They also started two different programs to continue and expand their great work with breast cancer awareness and support. The More Good Days program was created to give those affected by breast cancer tools and resources to handle their fight. They also started the Models of Courage programs which gives survivors support from other survivors. These great things have helped and enriched the lives of the patients, families, and friends who all have to deal with breast cancer in their own roles.

It is nice to know that when you go to look at buying a Ford in Costa Mesa, you are buying from a company that takes pride in helping other people all over America. It is a character trait that all people should have and companies like Ford have used it as a characteristic of their company. When many people have a bad connotation of big business, it is nice to see a huge global powerhouse do good things for the everyday people who have supported them. It is a great example of how we are a global world and how one hand washes the other.

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When purchasing a new vehicle, many automotive aficionados will flock to infamous muscle cars. This is due to their reputation and power on the road. However, many drivers will often overlooked the sub-class of muscle car known as pony cars. These beastly vehicles are very similar to muscle cars, however, they are slightly different. Basically, a pony car is a highly styled vehicle with a sporty appearance that is more affordable and compact than a traditional muscle car. Any driver who is thinking about purchasing a muscle car should learn the positive and negative aspects of purchasing a pony car. This can help them make an educated decision when purchasing a vehicle.

Positive Aspects of Purchasing a Pony Car

There are numerous benefits that come with purchasing a pony car. These powerful vehicles tote almost as much brute force as a traditional muscle car. They comes equipped with powerful engines that can be heard from down the street. Any driver looking for a beastly vehicle will not be disappointed in a pony car.

Another positive aspect of purchasing a pony car is that they are more affordable. A driver in the Costa Mesa, CA, area could spend less on a pony car, like the Ford Mustang, than they would on a muscle car, like the Chevrolet Chevelle.

The final benefit to purchasing a pony car is that they are extremely visually appealing. A freshly cleaned pony car can be spotted from a mile away. This is thanks to the sharp exterior that many pony cars tote.

Negative Aspects of Purchasing a Pony Car

Even though pony cars are beautiful, powerful pieces of automotive machinery, there are a handful of downsides to them. The main one is that they are not quite as powerful as traditional muscle cars. This means that drivers looking for the fastest vehicles may not be satisfied with the performance of a pony car.

Another downside to purchasing a pony car is that they can be expensive to fix. This is due to the fact that pany cars tote specific parts that can be hard to find. Anyone who is thinking about buying a pony car needs to keep these aspects in mind before making the purchase.

After spending some time in a pony car, it is hard not to fall in love with it. These powerful, little vehicles are packed with personality and benefits. However, there are also a handful of negative aspects that come with purchasing a pony car. It is the responsibility of the driver to learn both the positive and negative aspects of these vehicles. This will ensure that they make the right decision.

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After years of driving in fossil fueled vehicles, many drivers have decided to switch over to hybrid vehicles. This is primarily to do with the numerous benefits that hybrid vehicles have to offer. However, even though they offer a number of benefits, hybrid vehicles do have their fair share of negative aspects as well. Before driving over to a dealership to purchase a hybrid vehicle, it is beneficial for drivers to learn the positive and negative aspects of purchasing a hybrid vehicle. This will help the driver decide whether a hybrid vehicle is right for them.

Positive Aspects of Purchasing a Hybrid Vehicle

When it comes to purchasing a hybrid vehicle, there is definitely no shortage of benefits. The most obvious benefit is that hybrids like the Ford Fusion allow the drivers in Costa Mesa, CA, to save on fuel. This means that the driver is no longer at the mercy of expensive fuel prices.

Hybrid vehicles are an environmentally friendly choice in comparison to fossil fueled vehicles. This is due to the fact that hybrid vehicles feature what are known as “twin powered engines.” This means that they run on both fossil fuel and electricity. When the vehicle is just using the electric part of the motor, the vehicle releases little, if any, emissions into the atmosphere.

Another benefit of purchasing a hybrid vehicle is that they have a higher resale value than fossil fueled vehicles. This means that the driver can potentially have more to spend on a new vehicle when they are done with the hybrid.

Negative Aspects of Purchasing a Hybrid Vehicle

Although we all wish that there were no downsides, unfortunately, there are a handful of negative aspects that come along with hybrid vehicles. One of the main downsides is that they are not as powerful as traditional vehicles. This is due to the fact that the gasoline part of the twin powered engine is small, giving the vehicle less of a kick.

Hybrid vehicles are also known to be quite expensive. This can make them difficult for the average driver to purchase. However, those that can afford a hybrid vehicle will be able to make their money back off of the money they save on fuel 

One of the final negative aspects of purchasing a hybrid vehicle is that they can be expensive to repair. This is due to the fact that hybrid vehicles are made with expensive parts that need to be handled with precision.

Before signing on the dotted line, it is important for drivers to learn the positive and negative aspects of purchasing a new hybrid vehicle.

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When purchasing a new vehicle, many drivers will consider purchasing a four-door sedan. This is due to the fact the this style of vehicle offers a plethora of benefits for the driver. Any driver that is unaware of the numerous benefits that four-door sedans offer should take the time do some research. This will not only provide them with valuable information, but it will also help them make an informed decision when purchasing a new vehicle in the future.

Aesthetically Appealing

In comparison to a number of other vehicle styles, four-door sedans are quite aesthetically appealing. This is partially due to the fact that they are compact vehicles with sleek exteriors. Many four-door sedans also have high quality interiors with a number of intricate details. This makes them beautiful on both the inside and the outside. Anyone in the Costa Mesa, CA, area that is looking for an aesthetically appealing four-door sedan may want to consider the Ford Focus.

Fuel Efficient

Many four-door sedans are quite fuel efficient. Non-luxury four-door sedans will often tote sizable fuel tanks that run off of regular, unleaded fuel. Many of these four-door sedans will tote a fuel economy of anywhere between 30 and 50 mpg of combined driving. By driving a fuel efficient, four-door sedan, drivers can save their money over time. This allows them to have the final freedom to spend money on other aspects of their life. There are a number of fuel efficient, four-door sedans available at the Ford dealerships in the Costa Mesa, CA, area, including the Focus.

Security

Many vehicle styles, like hatchbacks, SUVs, and trucks, all have one common problem: they are prone to getting broken into. Thieves will primarily try to steal things that can be grabbed or seen easily. If there is something valuable in the bed of a truck, the thief can easily steal it. If there is something valuable in the trunk of a hatchback or SUV, a thief can smash the window and steal the item. However, if there is something valuable in the back of a four-door sedan, the thieves have no way of seeing it. This is due to the fact that four-door sedans do not have windows that expose the contents of the trunk. This makes four-door sedans that perfect vehicle choice for storing valuable items.

After doing some research, there is no denying that four-door sedans offer a plethora of benefits for drivers. Some of the primary benefits of four-door sedans is that they are aesthetically appealing, fuel efficient, and have added trunk security. With all of this in mind, it is easy to see why so many drivers love their four-door sedans.

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When purchasing a new vehicle, many drivers will often look at the flashy details of the exterior. However, all drivers need to remember to check for essential features within the interior of the vehicle. Although they may not be the flashiest or most attractive features, these can drastically improve the driving experience. Before going to a vehicle dealership, it is important for drivers to learn what these essential interior features area. This can help them choose a safe, practical vehicle.

Vanity Mirrors

Many modern vehicles tote a feature known as vanity mirrors. These useful features are mirrors that are placed on the ceiling near the driver and front passenger seat. Vanity mirrors allow the driver and front seat passenger to look at the back seat passengers without straining their neck. It also allows them to easily look at themselves without dealing with the distortion provided by side mirrors. It is a bonus if a driver can find a vehicle with illuminated vanity mirrors; this feature will make it easier for the vanity mirrors to be used in the dark. Anyone in the Costa Mesa, CA, area that is looking for a truck with vanity mirrors may want to take a look at the Ford F-150.

Cupholders

Although they may not seem essential, a vehicle that doesn’t have cupholders is a huge red flag. This is especially true if the driver is constantly driving with family members or a large amount of passengers. Having a large amount of cupholders will minimize the amount of spills that happen in the vehicle. Any drivers in the Costa Mesa, CA, area that is looking for an SUV with an abundance of cupholders should check out the Ford Flex.

Armrests

After riding in a vehicle for a long period of time, many drivers and passengers like to rest their arms. However, this cannot be done in a vehicle without armrests. This useful feature can make the driver experience much more comfortable. If the driver is often riding with passengers in the back seats, it may be beneficial to look for a vehicle with a rear folding armrest. This feature is hidden in the middle rear seat of a vehicle; when there are two passengers in the back, it can be pulled down and used as an armrest. As a bonus, this armrest will sometimes feature cupholders, phone charging stations, and more.  

When purchasing a new vehicle, it is important for drivers to make sure that they choose a vehicle with all of the essential interior features. Some of these features include vanity mirrors, cupholders, and armrests.

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When vehicles first started becoming a consumer product, they had very small amounts if any technical features. Since then, practically every vehicle manufacturer offers a wide variety of technical features in their vehicles. These technical features can improve the driving experience and keep the driver safe on the road. Anyone who is thinking about purchasing a new vehicle should take the time to get familiar with the best technical features that modern vehicles have to offer. This will make it easier for drivers to pick a vehicle with top of the line technical features.

Rearview Backup Camera

One of the most innovative technical features to ever hit the automotive market is the rearview backup camera. This amazing piece of technology allows the driver to view what is going on behind the vehicle. This makes it easier for drivers to back out of the tightest of parking spaces. Rearview backup cameras can also minimize the chances of a driver backing into any vehicles, poles, or people. Anyone in the Costa Mesa, CA, area who is interested in purchasing a vehicle with a rearview backup camera should check out the Ford Explorer.

Remote Keyless Entry

Many drivers have been in the sticky situation where they can’t seem the grab their keys out of their pocket or purse. This hassle ends up wasting precious moments when a driver is in a rush. Thankfully, this issue has become a thing of the past with remote keyless entry. As the driver approaches the vehicle, the remote keyless entry system will sense that they driver is close by. It will then unlock itself when the driver opens the door. Anyone in the Costa Mesa, CA, area that is looking to purchase a vehicle with remote keyless entry should check out the Ford Fiesta.

Smartphone Connectivity

For years, drivers had to deal with messy AUX cords when they wanted to play music off of their phone. Thankfully, drivers can now listen to their music wirelessly through smartphone connectivity. This system utilizing a Bluetooth connection, allowing the driver or passengers to access their music without being plugged in. Having less wires makes a vehicle less distracting for the driver and more visually appealing to passengers.

Drivers and passengers alike can be thankful that many modern vehicles tote a wide variety of technical features. Some examples of innovative technical features are rearview backup cameras, remote keyless entry, and smartphone connectivity. However, these are just a few of the technical features that modern vehicles tote. The driver is responsible for taking the time to learn all of the amazing, modern technical features that vehicles tote.

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When purchasing a vehicle, many drivers prefer to buy something brand new. Although new vehicles come with a number of benefits, it doesn’t mean that drivers should instantly write off their pre-owned counterparts; this is especially true when it comes to SUVs. Before heading to a Ford dealership in Costa Mesa, CA, all drivers should take a step back from the situation and learn the benefits of purchasing a pre-owned SUV. Learning these benefits may influence the driver’s decision and convince them to purchase a pre-owned SUV.

Lower Initial Price

The most obvious benefit to purchasing a pre-owned SUV is that it has have a lower price than its counterpart. In comparison to a new model, a driver can spend a fraction of the price on a pre-owned Ford Escape in the Costa Mesa, CA. If the driver purchases the vehicle from a friend or family member, they can potentially save even more money on the pre-owned SUV. Purchasing a pre-owned SUV allows the driver to spend his or her money on other aspects of the vehicle such as gas, upgrades, or accessories.

Lower Price on Insurance

One of the lesser known benefits to purchasing a pre-owned SUV is that they cost less to insure. In layman’s terms, the more valuable an insurance company determines something to be, the higher the driver is going to have to pay. Insurance companies see new vehicles as more valuable, so they will often charge a higher premium.

Decent Return on Investment

After spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new vehicle, many drivers would hope to get a decent return on their investment when they sell it. However, this is usually not the case. A vehicle will drastically depreciate in value as soon as it is driven off of the lot. This makes it hard for the owner of a new vehicle to make their money back. On the other hand, pre-owned vehicles have already gone through this major depreciation phase. This means that the owner of a pre-owned car is more likely to get a decent return on their investment.  

Before going to a new Ford dealership in the Costa Mesa, CA, area, all drivers should consider the benefits of purchasing a pre-owned SUV. By purchasing a pre-owned SUV, the driver can save on the initial price and insurance. The driver can also get a decent return on his or her investment if they ever decide to sell. However, these are not the only benefits of purchasing a pre-owned SUV; be sure to do some research and learn them all.

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