Five Ways to Celebrate National Car Care Month with Your Ford Bronco

Did you know April is National Car Care Month? Caring for your Bronco with preventative maintenance and care is so important, that National Car Care Month actually happens twice a year. First in April, which provides the perfect opportunity to tend to any issues that may have developed over the winter, while at the same time preparing your vehicle for the fun road trips and extra trail drives that often come with summer weather, And then again in October, which is ideal for prepping your Bronco for winter driving and addressing any wear and tear that may have happened with all of your summer travel and off-road adventures.

We’re all striving to keep our Bronco looking and running it’s best for miles and years to come. Consistent, preventative maintenance throughout the year (not just when we notice strange noises, odors, leaks, or warning lights!) can help make that happen. Using the recommended maintenance schedule is a good place to start and plan when to do certain things. And if you want to learn more about caring for your Bronco or Sport, you may want to check out the owner’s manual.

Here are five things you can do this National Car Care Month to ensure you and your Bronco are ready to hit the trails safely, confidently and comfortably this summer.

1.  Check Your Tires.

They keep you rolling down the road and provide traction on the trails. Where would our Broncos be without a solid set of tires?! Keeping tabs on your tires at all times can provide many important benefits, including a smoother ride, a safer ride, improved performance and handling, greater gas mileage, and more. Take some time this month (and every month!) to:

• Check Tire Pressure. Off-roaders know the importance of tire pressure on and off the trail, but this becomes even more essential during the warmer Spring and Summer months as hot temps can cause the air in tires to expand, requiring you to do a bit of deflating to avoid uneven wear. Luckily the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) of your Bronco will automatically let you know when your tires are low on pressure and need to be checked.
   
• Track Tire Tread Depth — tires with a decent amount of treads can increase performance and handling of your Bronco. If the tires are looking worn and starting to become bald, it’s time to get them replaced.
   
• Check The Overall Condition — Does the rubber look cracked anywhere? Are there nails, screws or other road debris stuck on the tire? You never know where these types of items find their way into tires, but they could cause a slow leak, a flat or a blowout while driving, so it’s good to inspect those tires when you can.

2. Check Your Fluid Levels.

This is an important one to do any time of year, but especially after an intense off-roading adventure, when you are about to embark on a road trip, or when the weather is transitioning between seasons. You want to always check your Bronco fluid levels and ensure they are at the right spot for optimum performance — topping off any that need it and replacing those that need to be refreshed.  

Whether you are checking and changing the fluids yourself or leaving it to the pros at the service center, some of the fluids you should always monitor are:

• Motor Oil
• Engine Coolant
• Transmission Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid
• Brake Fluid
• Windshield Washer Fluid

You or your mechanic will also want to keep an eye on certain hoses to ensure they are properly functioning and don’t need to be replaced. And as we approach those summer months that can be unbearably hot in some locations, you’ll also want to make sure your air conditioning is functioning properly to keep you cool before the temps rise too much.

You never want to be nervous if your Bronco is going to power up. That’s why it’s always important to stay on top of your battery status — our Broncos need them to start and keep running. Depending on where you live and how much you drive, batteries may have to work extra hard in the colder winter months, potentially losing power and performance.

So, as the seasons change and warmer road-trip weather is upon us, it’s important to make sure your battery can provide the power you need to start your engine and hold the charge to keep all of those electrical features on your Bronco working as they’re supposed to. 

Batteries generally last an average of 3-5 years (of course, this varies by Bronco, climate, miles driven, etc.). If your Bronco is running normally and you don’t notice anything different regarding start time or electrical functions in the Bronco, the battery is probably working fine and does not need to be replaced. However, if you notice your Bronco is taking longer than normal to start, that may be a sign that it’s time to replace the battery. Other possible indicators include: the vehicle lights being dimmer, windows moving slower, the battery saver on the radio turning on sooner, and the auto start/stop not working. If you notice any of these issues with your Bronco, you can stop in at most auto parts stores or any dealer and usually get a quick battery test done for free, just to be sure.

4. Give It A Spring Clean.

Spring cleaning doesn’t only apply to your home. I don’t know about you, but I honestly feel like my car drives better after I give it a good exterior wash and interior clean. Sure the Bronco is meant to get dirty — and admittedly looks cool with a little mud or dust — but after months of salt build up during the winter or mud getting into places you can’t see, keeping it clean will keep it in great condition for miles to come. Ford has a great summary, Cleaning Your Ford Bronco SUV, on their website that provides an overview with tips for how to clean your Bronco inside and out.

One thing to do any time of year, but especially after a good off-road trip, is clean the floors. Get the scoop about Bronco washout flooring with drain plugs from this earlier Bronco Nation article: Guide: The Washout Flooring Feature of the Ford Bronco.

And if you want to always be ready to give your Bronco a quick clean at home, stock up on some great cleaning products from our awesome new partner, Bling Sauce. From your soft top and tires to the dash and door panels inside, you’ll find the right sauce in our gear store now. (And don’t forget… you’ll SAVE 10% with your Bronco Nation member discount!)

5. Restock Your Essentials.

You never know what kind of situation you may encounter while out on the road. Whether it’s a problem with your Bronco or helping a fellow driver on the road, a medical emergency, or an unexpected weather issue — it’s like the classic Scout Motto says: BE PREPARED. The two National Car Care Months (April and October) are great times to check your emergency kit supplies and make sure you are still ready to go. Did you use something on a previous Bronco drive and need to add some more? Did something break or get lost and need to be replaced? Is something expired or just old and in need of an update? Whatever it may be, it’s always smart to keep your kits stocked and ready to go.

• Build An Emergency Roadside Kit. Regardless of when, where and how far you’ll be traveling in your Bronco, make sure to pack an emergency roadside kit. Your ultimate Go-Box. Hot or cold, rain or snow, desert or mountain trails — your Bronco should be stocked with all the essential items you may need in an emergency. This article, Essential Gear for Your Bronco’s Christmas Wish List, offers a great selection of must-have items every off-roader needs in their Bronco or Sport to ensure your trail rides are safer and more enjoyable. 
• Prep Your Personal Survival Kit. Sure, there is the recovery gear included in your emergency roadside kit above, but there are many other items you may personally need or want in an easily accessible mini road trip survival kit. Meghan shares some items in her kit and gives tips to building your own in this article here.
• Put Safety First. When it comes to safety on the road, you can never be too prepared. You may include some basic first aid items in one of the kits above, or you can create a dedicated First Aid Kit with a more comprehensive selection of medical supplies you may need. These MyMedic Kits are an awesome solution for any Bronco or Bronco Sport.

Spend some time this National Car Care Month and do some of these simple things to keep your Bronco running and looking its best… and ready for adventure anytime, anywhere!

Do you have a regular maintenance plan for your Bronco? Have any tips or ideas to share to help other owners maintain their Bronco? Let us know below!