Caring for Your Ford Bronco or Sport: Maintenance Schedule

image: Ford

You made a big investment when you purchased your Ford Bronco or Sport. And it’s one we hope you keep enjoying for many miles and years to come. One of the best ways to do that is carefully following the recommended maintenance schedule for your Bronco. Staying on top of the scheduled maintenance is crucial to its performance, reliability, and longevity.

Not only can regular maintenance and service appointments help your Bronco perform better over time and decrease the risk of breakdowns on the road, it will also help:

• Keep the overall cost of owning your vehicle down
• Prevent minor problems from turning into major issues (and expensive repairs)
• Increase the value of your vehicle when you sell or trade it

And don’t forget, failure to perform scheduled maintenance and regular inspections on your vehicle may result in vehicle damage that may not covered by the vehicle warranty.

You can find the maintenance schedule and more helpful info for your Bronco or Sport in the Owner’s Manual. As some of us are quickly approaching those cold winter months, we thought we’d share a quick, at-a-glance reminder of things you should always do to keep your Bronco running it’s best in any type of weather, on any type or terrain.

Off-Roading Means a Little Extra TLC

Keep in mind, these maintenance recommendations below are for people using their Bronco for everyday commuting or driving around on paved roads. According to Bronco Nation member Kyle Stone, Senior Master Technician at Brighton Ford in Brighton, MI, if you’re a frequent off-roader, your Bronco is going to need some extra cleaning and maintenance to prevent dirt from building up and affecting your drive quality.

"After off-roading, it's important to clean the undercarriage of the Bronco to remove mud from the suspension, brakes, axles, and radiator," said Kyle. "And you definitely want to check things like your air and cabin filters after every outing… I was amazed at how much dirt and dust can accumulate after a single day of dusty trail driving!"

Check Every Month

• The engine oil level
• Function of all interior and the exterior lights
• The tires; including the spare for wear and proper pressure
• The windshield washer fluid level

Check Every Six Months

• The battery connections; clean if necessary
• The body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
• The cooling system fluid level and the coolant system strength
• The door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
• The hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
• The parking brake for proper operation
• The seatbelts and seat latches for wear and function
• Safety warning lamps, brake, ABS, airbag and seatbelt for operation
• The washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary

Obviously, many of you may choose to do some of the above maintenance repairs and checks from the comfort of your own garage. For those of you not comfortable with the DIY route, or when the Bronco needs more elaborate service or system checks, it is always a great idea to take it to your local dealer, where certified Ford technicians will assess your Bronco and make the essential repairs.

Multi-Point Inspection

Another great advantage of taking your Bronco to the dealer is the multi-point inspection. At each scheduled service appointment with your dealer, your Bronco will undergo this comprehensive check, which can help identify potential issues and prevent major problems to make sure your vehicle keeps running great. This includes:

Check fluid levels and fill:

• Transmission
• Brake reservoir
• Power steering
• Coolant recovery reservoir
• Window washer

Check systems and components:

• Battery performance
• Horn, interior lights, exterior lamps, turn signals, and hazard and brake lights
• Windshield washer spray, wiper operation and wiper blades
• Windshield for cracks, chips and pitting
• Radiator, heater and air conditioning lines (leaks and damage)
• Engine air filter
• Oil and fluid leaks
• Exhaust system (leaks, damage, loose parts)
• Steering and steering linkages
• Shocks/struts and other suspension components (leaks and damage)
• Accessory drive belt(s)
• Clutch operation (if equipped)
• Tires for wear and proper air pressure

Other Maintenance Items *

Every 5,000-6,000 Miles: Change the engine oil and filter¹

Every 3 Years: Change the brake fluid.² This is a crucial maintenance task that helps ensure the responsiveness and efficiency of your vehicle’s braking system.

Every 20,000 Miles: Replace the cabin air filter. This helps ensure the air inside your Bronco remains clean and fresh, improving the overall driving experience.

Every 30,000 Miles: Replace the engine air filter. This helps maintain optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency.

Every 60,000–80,000 Miles: Replace the spark plugs

Every 100,000 Miles:

• Change the transmission fluid
• Replace the accessory drive belt(s)³
• Change the front axle fluid
• Change the rear axle fluid
• Change the transfer case fluid

This helps maintain optimal engine performance and efficiency and ensures the longevity of your vehicle’s essential components.

Every 200,000 Miles: Change the engine coolant.⁴ This crucial task helps to prevent overheating, protecting your engine from potential damage and maintaining performance.

Taking the above steps and following this maintenance schedule will help prevent costly repairs in the future and ensure your Bronco continues to perform at its optimal potential for years to come — both on your daily drives and your treks on the trails. 

* Perform these maintenance items within 3,000 mi of the last engine oil and filter change. Do not exceed the designated distance for the interval.

1 Do not exceed one year or 10,000 miles between service intervals.

2 Perform this maintenance item every three years. Do not exceed the designated time for the interval. Brake fluid servicing requires special equipment available at your authorized dealer.

3 After initial inspection, inspect every other oil change until replaced.

4 Initial replacement at 10 years or 200,000 mi, then every 5 years or 100,000 mi.