Preventative Maintenance for Ford Mustangs: How to Keep Them Running for a Lifetime

Preventative Maintenance for Ford Mustangs

If you're the proud owner of a Ford Mustang, then you know that it's important to perform preventative maintenance in order to keep it running for a lifetime. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most important things you can do to maintain your car and prevent major problems down the road. We'll cover everything from oil changes to tire maintenance, so read on for tips that will help keep your Mustang running like new for years to come.

Wash and Clean Your Mustang Often

It may seem obvious, but keeping your Mustang clean will help stop dirt build up and prevent rusting while also making it look great. If you are bringing your Mustang to a car wash it's better that you don't opt for the cheapest option. Those $10 car washes can do more harm than good to your vehicle. If you decide to wash your Mustang yourself make sure you use microfiber towels, as regular towels can scratch your car, and often get the nickname "glorified sandpaper" because of the small scratches they can create. It is also common to apply paint protection film on areas of your mustang that are likely to be hit with small pebbles and bug splatter while driving. The paint protection film is quite affordable and will keep your paint looking the same way it did when you first bought the car.

Something many Mustang owners forget to get is a cover. It's important, if you don't use your Mustang as your daily driver you should invest in a high quality Mustang cover to protect it from the elements when it's not in use. If your Mustang is going to sit in a driveway or even a garage uncovered it is going to be collecting dust, dirt, and even mildew from trapped moisture. To prevent moisture build up be sure to clean the undercarriage of your Mustang periodically. This will help clear dirt with trapped moisture and prevent the build-up of salt and other materials that can lead to corrosion.

Regularly cleaning the interior of your Mustang will also help prolong the life of the vehicle and help it hold its value. In addition to regular cleaning, many Mustang owners prefer purchasing a set of carpet mats, and preserving the Mustang ones in case they ever want to sell their car, the original mats always look better to a potential buyer.

Change Your Mustang's Oil Regularly

One of the most important things you can do for your Mustang is to change the oil regularly. The frequency with which you need to change your oil will depend on how often you drive, but as a general rule, it's a good idea to change it every 6000 miles or so. This may seem like a lot, but it's really not when you consider how important oil is to keeping your engine running smoothly.

If you don't change your oil regularly, the old oil can start to break down and form sludge. This sludge can clog up your engine and cause all sorts of problems, so it's important to change your oil before it has a chance to break down. In addition to changing your oil, it's also important to change your oil filter. The oil filter helps remove impurities from the oil, and if it gets clogged, it can cause all sorts of problems.

Check Your Mustang's Tire Pressure Regularly

Another important preventative maintenance task is to check your Mustang's tire pressure regularly. This is something that you can do yourself, and it only takes a few minutes. You'll need a tire pressure gauge, which you can buy at any auto parts store, and you'll also need to know what the correct tire pressure is for your car. The correct tire pressure can be found in your Mustang's owner's manual.

Once you have a tire pressure gauge, checking your tire pressure is a simple matter of taking the cap off of the valve stem on each tire and pressing the gauge onto the valve. The gauge will tell you what the current pressure is, and if it's low, you can add air until it reaches the correct pressure. It's important to check the pressure in all four tires, as a low tire can cause problems with your Mustang's handling.

It's also important to remember that the correct tire pressure will change with the temperature. In general, you should add about one pound of air for every ten degrees Fahrenheit that the temperature drops. So, if it's cold outside, be sure to check your tire pressure and add air if necessary.

Check Your Tire's Tread Depth

The final preventative maintenance task to perform on your Mustang is to check the tread depth of your tires. This is something that you can do yourself with a simple tool called a tread depth gauge. You can buy a tread depth gauge at any auto parts store, and they're very inexpensive.

To use a tread depth gauge, simply insert the tool into the tread of your tire and push it down until it hits the bottom. The number that lines up with the top of the gauge is your tread depth. As a general rule, you should replace your tires when they reach a tread depth of less than 2 millimeters.

Have Your Mustang Serviced Regularly

In addition to the things you can do yourself, it's also important to take your Mustang in for regular service appointments. During these appointments, a qualified mechanic will be able to inspect your car and perform any necessary maintenance or repairs. They will also be able to catch any potential problems before they become serious, so be sure to schedule a service appointment for your Mustang at least once a year.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your Mustang running like new for many years to come. Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your car on the road, so be sure to stay on top of it.