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The alternator is one of your car's most important components. Modern cars have a huge variety of devices and accessories that require electricity, and the alternator generated this electricity. An alternator is tough and designed to last, but it can still suffer wear. It can even be damaged by the actions of other failing components. As your Ford dealer, we'd like you to know some of the signs that you're going to need an alternator repair. 3 Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Your Ford Dealer A Damaged Battery One of the tasks of your alternator is to ensure that your battery is always fully charged. Once your car engine is running, your alternator begins recharging your battery. A healthy battery and alternator will work together perfectly to keep your Ford running just like it should. If the battery starts to fail, however, your alternator can get damaged, too. As a battery wears out, it becomes more difficult to charge, and its maximum charging capacity will also decline. Your alternator will try and charge the battery, and it should receive a confirmation that the charge was received and stored in the battery. A worn battery won't supply this confirmation, and your alternator will work harder to try and recharge the battery. Your alternator will take extra strain, and it can also start to fail. more Damaged Wiring The power produced by the alternator has to reach the components that need it. Wires and cables snake through your engine to carry this power to each component. The wires are designed to work in the hot, unforgiving conditions of your engine. Unfortunately, like wiring anywhere, it can get damaged. Broken or damaged wiring will cause problems for your electrical system. The obvious sign of a broken wire is the failure of the component that it's connected. In an attempt to restore power to the component, the alternator will supply even more power to overcome the problem. Damaged wiring doesn't transmit electricity, but as more power flows through it, the wiring will heat up. The hot wiring can start to burn, and you'll smell a burning plastic smell coming from the engine. Dim Then Bright Lights When the alternator starts to wear out, it will slow down and produce less power. This problem isn't immediately noticeable, as your alternator produces more power than is required. When the alternator can't produce enough power, your car's computer will have to decide on how the limited power needs to be divided. Your computer will usually supply just enough power for the component to work. When you switch on your headlights, the light will seem very dim. After a few minutes, the lights will suddenly become brighter than they should be. The reason for this is that additional power has become available from a component that has been switched off. The extra power is shifted to the lights, and this extra juice will make the lights far brighter. An alternator always shows some signs that it's failing. If you suspect you have an alternator problem, call us at Ken Ganley Ford.

It's important to take care of your brakes, and they'll be able to take care of you when you need them. To keep your brakes operating effectively they need to have regular servicing. The brake system is a relatively simple one, but parts can wear or break. Any damage to the brake system can place you and your car in danger. When you need a brake repair, it's time to see your Ford dealer. Signs You'll Need a Brake Repair at Your Ford Dealer Screeching Brakes Your brakes don't make a sound when they work. This makes hearing a screeching sound from the brakes even more disconcerting. The high-pitched screech is a warning sign that your brake pads need to be replaced. Your brake pads provide the friction resistance that's needed to slow and stop your car. The pads achieve this through their friction material covering. The friction material cover on a brake pad is 1/2" thick, but it gradually wears down each time you use the brakes. When the pad thickness drops to 1/4" thick, it reveals a metal spike placed in the pad by the manufacturers. The next time you use your brakes, the spike on the worn pad will scratch the metal rotor and make a screeching sound. This means it's time to change your pads. more Wobbling Steering Wheel Pressure from the brake fluid will cause the brake calipers to close on either side of the wheel rotors. The smooth surface of the wheel rotors aids the grip of the calipers. If you feel a wobble or vibration in the steering wheel when you apply the brakes, this suggests that there's a problem with the surface of one or more of your rotors. The surface of a wheel rotor can rust, or it can suffer a buildup of waste from the friction material on the brake pads. Constant contact between the brake pad and the rotor for a long period will also wear part of the rotor surface. Our technicians will examine the surface of your rotors, and we'll repair or replace them depending on the level of damage. Your Car Veers to One Side If you hit the brakes and your car veers towards one side, this means that part of your brake system has failed. We saw above the pressure from the brake fluid closes the calipers against the rotors. If your car veers towards one side, this means there's a problem with your brakes on the opposite side. Two possible causes of this failure are a rusted or damaged caliper or a problem with the brake hose. If the brake hose on one side is blocked or damaged, the brake fluid won't be able to exert any pressure on the caliper to close it. If a caliper is damaged, it may not close. Your car will automatically pull towards the side with a working brake. For your safety, it's vital to have any braking problem checked immediately. If you suspect a problem, call us right away at Ken Ganley Ford, Inc.

Crawling its way through mud, sand, and rocks, the 2022 Ford Bronco is the go-anywhere SUV that you've been looking for. With standard four-wheel drive, selectable terrain modes, and multiple roof options with detachable doors, it's clear that this SUV was built for outdoor adventures, though it handles just as well on city streets. So if you're not familiar with the 2022 Bronco and all of its impressive features, here's a quick guide to help get you up to speed. Get to Know the 2022 Ford Bronco Strong Performance Whether you opt for the 2.3L, the 2.7L, or the 3.0L, all of the Bronco's engine options will satiate your thirst for strength and capability, with up to 400 horsepower produced by the largest engine. If the 10-speed automatic transmission doesn't suit you, there's also a seven-speed manual available for more hands-on shifting. For full control in off-road settings, you'll want to opt for the Trail Turn Assist, Trail 1-Pedal Drive, and Trail Control features. Trail Turn Assist reduces the Bronco's turning radius for better handling at slow speeds, while Trail 1-Pedal Drive and Trail Control both make off-road driving easier by eliminating the need for a brake pedal while keeping the vehicle at a pre-selected speed. more An Interior with Class As for this SUV's interior, it's an impressive one that offers a wide array of stunning features and room for as many as five passengers in the larger four-door models and four passengers in two-door models. After a long day at work, you can relax in the heated 10-way power driver's seat while the colorful ambient LED lighting emanates from the vehicle's footwells below. Store larger cargo in the back with up to 83 cubic feet of space available, or pack away smaller items using the MOLLE Panel feature found behind both of the front-row seats. Decadent Technology For tech necessities, there's SYNC 4, a multipurpose infotainment system that you can use to make hands-free phone calls, listen to your favorite songs, or get audible directions to businesses or other locations while on the road. Then there's the powerful 10-speaker B&O Sound System, which delivers heart-pounding bass through a premium subwoofer. For on-the-go power, both front- and rear-seat passengers can keep their laptops charged with the dual 12-volt power outlets found in the cabin, while smartphones can either be plugged into the two USB ports up front or placed on the available wireless charging pad. Smart Safety Monitoring A wide range of tech-based safety features come with the Bronco as well. This includes Auto High-Beam Headlamps, which automatically turn up the brightness when dark road lighting is detected, and a rearview camera that makes reverse parking safer and easier. There's also Pre-Collision Assist, a system that can detect hazards on the road, and Post-Collision Braking, an intuitive system that jumps into action to stop the vehicle if it's still rolling after a collision has occurred. With its sophisticated interior, robust 4x4 performance, and the first-class tech features you'd expect to find in a legendary SUV, the 2022 Bronco sets a new standard both on- and off-road. Come shop our inventory and take a closer look at this striking Ford vehicle today at Ken Ganley Ford in Barberton.

Do you know how long it's been since you took your vehicle in to the dealership? Do you remember the last time you went to get a Ford oil change? Did those questions make you stop and think a little? Let's take a look at how to know if it's time to take your Ford into the dealership for a little tune-up. How Long Since Your Last Ford Oil Change? If you're lucky, the last time you got an oil change done, the shop or dealership put a handy little sticker on your windshield to remind you when to come in next. The standard procedure used to be 3,000 miles between oil changes, but with newer engines, those numbers are being stretched a lot longer. Many cars, especially those that use synthetic oil, can go up to ten, even fifteen thousand miles, before needing to go into the shop. At a minimum, your Ford likely needs an oil change (including oil filter) twice a year. But if you didn't write down the date last time, or your dealership didn't put a sticker on your window, it's no big deal. There are other ways to know when it's time to have your car looked at. more What Does the Oil Look Like? Pop the hood and take a look at the oil itself for a clue. You'll find the dipstick by taking a look at your owner's manual. Take it out and wipe it off before reinserting it to check the oil. Make sure the level is between the maximum and minimum lines on the dipstick, then check the color. The darker the oil, the more quickly you should head to the shop. Fresh oil should be a light brown color and a little transparent. If you feel like getting your hands dirty, you can always check out the consistency of the oil in your Ford. Rub a little of it between your fingers, feeling for any grit or dirt. If you've had an oil change recently, your oil will look clean and smooth and be a nice liquid consistency. The older your oil gets, the darker and more sludgy it becomes. Lights and Noises Your car's oil light should turn on when it senses a low oil level or the oil needs to be changed. This is a pretty clear signal to head to your local dealership and have them get to work. If you're not sure about your dashboard lights, take a peek at your owner's manual to find out which light means what. A final, and much more obvious clue, is if your Ford starts making some funny noises. Especially if you hear what sounds like engine parts knocking around under the hood, you'll know that you're overdue for an oil change. Oil keeps things running smoothly, so by not getting to your dealership soon enough, you may be risking some much more expensive visits later on down the road (if you can make it that far). Does it sound like your car or truck is in need of an oil change? If so, call or stop by Ken Ganley Ford today to get your Ford back in tip-top shape.