car maintenance | Lamarque Ford

A Healthy Car is a Happy Car

February 15, 2018 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

If you have your car checked regularly, you could save yourself from experiencing terrible incidents and prevent the possibility of you being frustrated and save you money. There are several car steps that you should take to keep your car in excellent health. Here are seven reasons why regular car maintenance is important.

It’s Safe

No matter how great your drive, you’re still at risk for getting into an accident if your vehicle isn’t running properly. Accidents can happen when you have faulty brakes, clouded headlights, worn windshield wipers and tires, a buildup in our exhaust or a leaky gas tank.

It’s good for the environment

Vehicles emit dangerous fumes like carbon dioxide and automotive fluids into the air and water. Maintaining your car helps save the environment and prevents it from getting worse.

It looks better

You’ve invested a lot of money and time into your car, and you should want to keep it like new. Taking good care of your vehicle will prevent faded paint, rusty spots, dents and bubbling tint from making your car look old and used.

It’s cheaper

You can save money from having to make costly repairs, especially if you drive a luxury vehicle that requires special car parts and accessories.

It’s reliable

There’s nothing worse than having your vehicle break down in the middle of a road trip with friends in your car. Things like a broken radiator, bad tires or an engine failure are not things that can be fixed on the side of the road. Our recommendation is to get your vehicle checked before going on a long adventure.

It sells faster

The value of your vehicle will depend on how well you take care of it. With competitive rates to buy a new vehicle, keep your vehicle in excellent condition. Most used car buyers value a vehicle’s condition over the make and model.

It performs better

Your mechanic will check your vehicle’s fluid levels, oil and parts to make sure your vehicle is performing at its best.

Having a reliable vehicle makes life easier, especially with a Ford. Properly taken care of Ford can go to 300,000-mile marks. Lamarque Ford’s service department makes it super easy to schedule services through our website. Keep your vehicle on the road safely and confidently for a long time to come to the dealership with the best deals: Lamarque Ford.

Quick Lane Car Service: Auto Repair, Oil Change and More | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

June 18, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for the best place to get your car serviced, look no further. Lamarque Ford of New Orleans offers Quick Lane, an extraordinary service center for car maintenance, windshield replacement, oil change and more. Quick Lane’s auto shop has the best factory-trained experts and latest technology to get the job done right, the first time. Other auto repair shops use generic brands and inferior parts, but Quick Lane is committed to the highest quality available for any make and any model. Also, Quick Lane understands you might have a busy schedule, so we’re open weekdays from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, no appointment necessary!

Aside from outstanding customer service and the highest quality parts, Quick Lane’s auto body shop offers a wide range of services for all brands. Take a look:

Air Conditioning System. We carry the best parts from Motorcraft® and perform all a/c services like tune-ups, flush, replacing and repairing of hoses, and the inspection of all of the cooling system’s components.
Alignment. If you live in the New Orleans area, you most likely drive through pot holes, which can damage your vehicle steering and alignment system. We’ll perform a road test to determine what’s causing your vehicle to pull right or left and restore your car’s alignment for improved fuel efficiency and handling.
Alternators & Electrical Service. Today’s cars wiring is complicated and delicate. Let the professional auto mechanics at Quick Lane take care of your vehicle’s electric system.
Batteries. A faulty battery can damage your car’s alternator or computer, so don’t wait until it is too late. Quick Lane offers fast battery test and replacement, no appointment necessary.
Belts & Hoses. Belt and hose failure can cause major problems in your vehicle, like overheating, loss of steering and electrical problems. We’ll perform a thorough hose inspection for leaks and belt tension test.
Brake Services. As we’ve said it before, your vehicle’s brakes are vital for your safety. Bring your car to Quick Lane to do a brake check-up and ensure your brake shoes, pads, rotors and drums are in working order.
Cooling System Maintenance. It’s summer time New Orleans, which means 100º weather is the norm. Your radiator and cooling system can take a hit, so be sure to monitor your temperature gauge. Visit us to have your radiator and fans inspected by factory-trained technicians.
Lamps & Bulbs. A burned-out headlamp or taillight can not only earn you a traffic ticket, but it can cause a serious car accident. Don’t put off replacing a light bulb and stop by Quick Lane today. We carry most replacements in stock.
Oil Change & Essential Maintenance. Getting your oil changed is the easiest way to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Our car maintenance center uses quality filters and the best oil grade to improve fuel economy and engine performance.
Suspension & Steering. Quick Lane’s comprehensive suspension inspection looks at worn shocks, struts, and steering components. In addition, we’ll check all fluids and lubricate the ball joints.
Tires. We offer a great selection of tires from the best manufacturers: Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, GoodYear, Dunlop, Kelly Tires, Continental Tire, General Tire, Hankook, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama and many more. Quick Lane at Lamarque Ford also rotates, balances, and install your tires.
Transmissions. Our auto repair shop provides scheduled maintenance for transmissions, which include thorough inspection, new fluids, and new filters. Come see Quick Lane if you’re experiencing shifting problems, as a poor lubricated transmission can lead to expensive repairs down the line.
Wiper Blades. Rain season is upon us and visibility is key. Stop by our car maintenance center for a quick inspection and we’ll determine if your wiper blades need to be replaced.

Next time your car is up for service keep Quick Lane at Lamarque Ford in mind. Our services also include free vehicle check-up report and free tire and battery inspection. Also, the first Saturday of every month we offer new owner clinics, to get the best out of your new Ford. Come experience great customer service as you wait for your vehicle, even on Saturdays!

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

Tires Make A Difference | Lamarque Ford | Metairie, New Orleans, Kenner

May 16, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

When considering car safety, most motorists ignore their tires. Tires are more than just rubber, as they directly interact with the surface and transmit power from your car into the ground. Tires also play a vital role in breaking, stability and fuel economy. It should come as no surprise then, that tire technology as been consistently improving over the years. Here are some tips that will help you and your car drive better.

Monitor Your Tire Pressure

Most new vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, which is a sensor that alerts the driver when tire pressure is low. However, some systems are more sensitive than others, so it is recommended to regularly check the pressure with a pressure gauge. Always consult your owner’s manual to ensure your tires have the optimal amount of air. Remember that improper tire pressure can compromise stability and breaking, so take this seriously!

Rotate Your Tires

Rotating the tires to opposite corners of your car will extend their life. Although this step is not crucial for safety, it can save you a few bucks in the long run. Most cars have traction on only one or two wheels, so there’s always more wear on a certain pair of tires (front ones or rear ones). Hence, rotating them evens out the damage to the tread evenly.

Keep Them Balanced

Tires only need to be balanced when they’re first put on your wheels. Each tire is balanced to its own wheel, so rotating the tires does not necessarily mean you have to get them balanced. However, if you’ve damaged the sidewall or hit a big pot hole, you could be better off with a balancing. Any time a tire and rim are separated, they need to be balanced.

Inspect Tires For Wear

This might not be part of your daily routine, but it could even save your life. Your tire can be visually damaged and still not be detected by the pressure monitoring system. Don’t wait until is too late and your tire blows up at highway speeds! Some people recommend to inspect your tires daily before leaving for work, and is as simple as walking around your car looking for signs of damage like worn sidewalls or foreign objects in the tires.

Watch Your Weight

All tires are built to withstand a certain weight. Do not overload them as it could cause them to blow up or get damaged. Consult your owner’s manual or your tire warranty to learn more about your tires’ weight rating. Overloading your tires usually means you’re overloading your vehicle’s suspension, which is never a good idea. If it feels too heavy, it probably is.

Replace Accordingly

As you perform your scheduled car maintenance, ask your mechanic to look at your tires and see if they need to be replaced. The rule of thumb is the penny test, and consists on sticking a penny into your tire’s tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If the tread covers the top of his head, you should be good to go. If there’s any concern over wet roads or hot weather, don’t hesitate to take your car to your local mechanic.

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How To Extend Your Car’s Life | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie

May 9, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard stories of people driving cars with over 250,000 miles on them. What’s the secret? We’ve put together a list of tips that will help your car run longer. Regular maintenance and common sense play an important role, as well as the way you drive.

Change Your Fluids Regularly

This is the single most important thing you can do to keep your car in great shape. Although this applies to all fluids (transmission, breaks, coolant, etc), pay special attention to the engine oil. If you drive a new car, stick to the manufacturer’s recommended changing intervals (some people recommend doing it sooner). If your car is older or has over 100,000 miles, it might be a good time to think about high mileage or synthetic oil, which better lubricates your engine. Changing fluids regularly will flush out any build up found in hoses and moving parts, keeping your engine in excellent condition.

Keep Your Car Waxed and Clean

Wax protects your car’s clear coat from the elements, making the paint last longer. It also allows you to wash your car’s exterior less often. Remember that paint not only makes your car look nice, but it also prevents the metal from rusting.

Drive At Highway Speeds

Cars are meant to be driven, and your engine operates at its peak performance when it drives at low rpms for long periods of time. That’s one of the reasons why your vehicle gets better gas mileage on the highway. Your engine also works better when it has reached optimal temperature, so driving short trips at city speeds is less than ideal.

Buy Gas From Reputable Sources

Go out of your way and ask the right questions. Some gas stations lack the filtration system required to keep gasoline clean at all times. Ask the associate if the filters are replaced regularly and if they mix the gasoline with anything else. You want to make sure you’re buying clean gas!

Look For Signs of Trouble

Whether your car is old or new, you should always be on the lookout for signs of trouble like leaks, odd smells, weird noises or any driving changes you might notice. It is always cheaper to repair a small problem; remember replacing a transmission or engine can cost thousands of dollars.

Having a trusted mechanic is helpful as well. Your local dealership has certified and trained experts and have the support from a national brand. Always shop around and make sure you and your car are treated with respect.

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What are the Different Types of Gasoline | New Orleans, LA

February 19, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever filled your car up at a gas station, you probably at some point have wondered what’s with the different types of gas available. Some are more expensive than others, due to variations in refining and state taxes; some are rated with different numbers; but they all seemingly work with your car. You’ve probably assumed that the more expensive ones are better in some regard, but you may have no idea as to how or why they are better. So what’s the deal?

The most basic difference between gas types is their octane ratings. This is indicated by the number you see next to the different levels of gas, and it is also the primary factor in the different prices of gasoline. The octane level is a measure of performance in gasoline that indicates how much compression the fuel can withstand before igniting. The higher the number, the more compression it can withstand. Diesel engines, which compress air rather than fuel, usually are fine with lower octane ratings. However, petrol engines, which are far more common in consumer vehicles, often times require fuel with a higher octane rating. Regular gasoline usually has an octane rating of 87, mid-grade at 89, and premium usually somewhere from 91-93.

It may be tempting to think that premium gas is simply “better,” and while this is true to an extent, it’s not quite as simple as it seems. The best way to know what gas to use in your car is to check your owner’s manual. Most engines will recommend regular gasoline, but some high performance engines will utilize higher compression and therefore require gasoline with higher octane levels. Whether you’re driving a brand new Ford for a used car that’s seen better days, it’s always a good idea to adhere strictly to the engine’s octane recommendation.

It’s important to note that you typically won’t get much added benefit by using a higher octane rating than recommended, but you can run into problems if you use a lower rating than recommended. If you lose the incorrect grade of gasoline, you may experience engine knocking, during which the air/fuel combination doesn’t combust at the optimum point in the cycle. This is a sure indication that you need to get a higher octane fuel.

Although understanding octane ratings is important, making sure you get the best car service is crucial to keep your engine running great.