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There is no “one-size-fits-all” battery suitable for every car. Different car batteries are compatible with different vehicle specifications. In general, batteries are year, make, and model-specific. A healthy battery is one of many critical components for proper vehicle operation. The battery helps start the engine and keeps the electronics running. It also lets you charge your phone and play music even when the engine is off. However, automotive batteries gradually lose power over time, and cold weather is tough on them. If you are at all concerned about your battery, South Bay Ford will test it for free. When does your Ford battery need to be replaced? One of the most common vehicle problems is a dead battery. We have all been there. Maybe you left your lights on or didn’t completely close the door. Now your battery is drained. In addition to these painful accidents, you can proactively look for indications that you may need a South Bay Ford mechanic to look at or replace your battery. Here are a few signs: Delayed Engine Crank - when you attempt to start the car, it takes longer than usual to roll over or start Check Engine Light - the check engine light usually turns on when your battery is losing charge Low Battery Fluid Level - if the fluid level is low, you need to have the battery and charging system tested immediately Fluid Leaks or Corrosion –over time, corrosion will build naturally and may cause fluid leaks, which can be cleaned to prolong the life of your Ford battery What to consider when choosing a new battery? If you notice any of these issues, your battery should be tested at South Bay Ford. When you need a new battery, here’s what you should know to get the right one. Like everything else you buy, you can do a little research about batteries. After all, according to online review statistics, 95% of consumers read reviews before they buy a product. There are only five main things to review when picking a battery that’s right for your car. 1. Battery Group Size This is just the size of the battery- the length, width, and height. Many vehicles can accept more than one group size. Ask your Ford mechanic or check your owner’s manual to find which battery group sizes fit. 2. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) CCA is a rating used in the battery industry to define a battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. It is easier to start an engine in a warm environment than in a cold one. Your new battery’s CCA number should match the CCA number in your owner’s manual or the CCA of the vehicle’s original battery. A slightly higher CCA rating may benefit your vehicle’s cold-starting performance if you frequently travel by car to any of our wintery locals in California and our neighboring states. 3. Reserve Capacity (RC) RC helps to power your vehicle's electrical system if the alternator fails. It identifies how many minutes the battery can supply ample power without falling below the minimum voltage needed to run your vehicle. With RC, the higher the number, the better. This is an important factor to consider if you will operate electrical equipment on your vehicle while the engine is off. 4. Battery Date Code The date code is the date when the battery was made. Date codes come in the form of a sticker, or the code may be branded into the battery itself. On your original Ford battery, the first two characters in the code are a letter and a number. The letter is the month: A is for January, B is for February, and so on. The number is the last digit of the year of manufacture. So, a code starting with A9 would mean the battery was made in January 2019. 5. Warranty Ford offers battery warranties. If for some reason, the battery turns out to be bad, Ford will give you a new battery with the same amount of power for free. Battery Replacement at South Bay Ford Worried your Ford vehicle may be in need of a new battery? Not sure what kind of battery your Ford needs? Leave it to the experts at our dealership located just off the 405 in Hawthorne. Schedule your next service appointment for your Ford battery replacement today! South Bay Ford is here for your battery and all of your servicing needs.

One of Ford's most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of your onboard diagnostics system, and the display can look slightly different depending on your model. The light can say "Check Engine," or it can be a symbol of an engine, or it can be a combination of both. The light can be amber or red. What causes the check engine light to come on in a Ford? Onboard computers increasingly control and monitor your vehicle’s performance, and the check engine light can mean various things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as critical as an engine problem that can cause severe damage. Depending on your model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow typically means something less serious, but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in trouble and you need service immediately. If your check engine light is flashing, we recommend you not drive the car and schedule service at South Bay Ford today. Ford Check Engine Light Codes The check engine light turning on can be pretty intimidating. You don’t necessarily need to panic, and it’s helpful to understand what might be going on. If you hear the term diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), this is the name for the check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored in your car's onboard computer diagnostic system. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can represent. While it may seem overwhelming, you can have peace of mind knowing that your check engine light is doing what it’s supposed to - warn you of problems. Obvious vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated check engine light. Since there are hundreds of possible codes, there are also hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including: Transmission issues Emissions control issues Ignition system faults Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap Fuel and air metering systems problems Computer output circuit issues Bad Spark Plugs Old Battery O2 Sensor Your car’s computer will store this trouble code. Our South Bay Ford-certified mechanic can read the code with an electronic scan tool to diagnose and repair the issue. Is it safe to drive your Ford with the check engine light on? This is a complex question. The answer is that it depends. It depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to drive. If you notice a difference in the car's performance, it could indicate a more troubling problem. If the check engine light is flashing, it means that there is a significant enough problem that you should call us right away and describe the issue. Will the check engine light reset itself? The check engine light on your Ford will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, the light will turn itself off if it's tightened. In most cases, your Ford light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it into South Bay Ford so the light and code can be double-checked and reset. How many miles can you drive with the check engine light? If you check engine light is flashing, we suggest you pull over and contact South Bay Ford to determine if your vehicle may be secure to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck. Since each check engine code has its own severity level, it is difficult to predict how many miles you can drive with the warning light on. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to contact us. Turn Off Your Check Engine Light with South Bay Ford If you have any issues with your check engine light, call South Bay Ford. We are here if you need us. Add us as a contact on your phone at (888) 426-9096.

We are proud to be your local Ford dealer and meet your service, new car sales and used car sales needs. As a family-owned and operated dealership for 30 years, we are honored winners of many top awards from Ford Motor Company, including 16 President’s Awards for Sales and Service – now, ten years in a row. If your Ford needs servicing, South Bay Ford is the place to go, and here are some reasons why: 1. Protect the Value of Your Car According to Kelly Blue Book, the average new car price tops $49,500, so you’ll want to rely on top professionals to work on your vehicle. New car dealerships offer the highest level of technical training, state-of-the-art equipment and factory-specified parts to protect your investment. 2. Support from Trained Technicians Technicians must be electronic experts and excellent mechanics. Dealers and manufacturers spend considerable money on continuous training to ensure that technicians are up-to-date on today's increasingly complex vehicles. Our technicians are Ford Certified; they have the latest credentials and tools from Ford Motor Company to best service all Ford models, including those out of production. 3. Superior Equipment The value of automobile diagnostic equipment is over $100,000. As an official Ford-authorized dealership, we are required to use and maintain this high-end equipment which also has connectivity to Ford factory service experts and databases. 4. Bigger is Better Dealerships are bigger than independent shops, so we have more bandwidth to get you in for an appointment and finish the work on your car. We take the proper time to properly service your car and get the job done right the first time. Many independent shops prioritize emergencies while they wait for parts. Rushed jobs can lead to imperfect work that may lead to inferior work. 5. Particular Parts Servicing your vehicle with South Bay Ford is the best way to ensure you receive genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. We carry an inventory of parts to cover servicing and repairs assuring a faster turn-around time in addition to the following: Compatibility: Because the same manufacturer makes OEM parts, they are guaranteed to fit in your car and work like they are supposed to with your car’s systems. Longer life: OEM parts are manufactured the same way as the original parts in your car, so they tend to be more reliable than aftermarket parts and last longer. Warranty: OEM parts have a warranty to protect you if the part is defective or doesn’t work correctly. The specific warranty will differ by part and model. 6. Preserve Your Warranty All new Fords vehicles have a manufacturer warranty that specifies maintenance schedules and repair procedures. Servicing at South Bay Ford eliminates the possibility of voiding the warranty for failure to meet requirements. Extended service contract policies can also be purchased from us for added protection. Learn more about South Bay Ford’s Extended Service Plan (ESP). 7. Complimentary Convenience To ensure convenient service, we offer extended service hours that include Saturdays. Quick Lane service is available for routine maintenance and simple repairs without the need to schedule an appointment. We also provide amenities, including an in-house bistro, free wi-fi, complimentary shuttle service, a comfortable waiting room, personal workstations, and loaner cars available upon request, depending on the nature and duration of your service visit. World Class Service Department South Bay Ford offers a premier service experience that is backed by our principles of respect and integrity. Have your car serviced in our state-of-the-art service bays by certified technicians as you wait comfortably. You can count on our experts at South Bay Ford for your vehicle service and repairs. Schedule your next service appointment, or contact us today for a consultation!

We enjoy our cars’ latest technologies, features and materials. Although vehicles are more durable and reliable than ever, they are not invincible. Even newer cars require multi-point inspections (MPI) every other year to ensure that important systems and components don’t fail. Why Should I Get a Multi-Point Inspection? There are plenty of reasons to get a multi-point inspection. Here are the top three reasons: Safety: For starters, you want to catch any potential issues before they result in a breakdown. You don’t want to be stuck in a dangerous situation anywhere, especially not on a freeway, or out in the middle of nowhere alone, or with loved ones in the car. Cost Savings & Budgeting: Multi-point inspections evaluate your vehicle on a rating scale (green = good; yellow = needs repaired soon; red = needs repaired now); it provides you with the information needed to plan and budget for repairs in the future. No one wants to be caught off guard by an unexpected bill, no matter how large or small. Longevity & Value: This type of in-depth inspection can actually increase your vehicle’s longevity because it ensures your car is running at its best. Proper service records are key to preserve the resale value of any vehicle. MPIs are an important element of your car’s full history. What is a Multi-Point Inspection? With a multi-point inspection, a certified mechanic performs an in-depth, front-to-back inspection of your vehicle. The specific number of inspection points can vary by vehicle. The inspection may include dozens of points. Typically, multi-point inspection points fall into these categories, including but not limited to these items. Under the hood: engine, transmission, drive train, fluids, suspensions, drive belts, cooling system hoses, heater/AC hoses and connections, radiator core & cap, filter check; fluid top-off: Coolant, power steering, windshield washer, automatic transmission On the road: brakes, tires, rotors, ABS, tire rotation & pressure check, brake fluid check, check rotor condition; measure pad thickness Safety: airbags, seat belts, recalls Electrical: battery, lights, locks, windows, terminals, cables, mounting; capacity test Exterior: body, scratches, dents, rust Interior: upholstery, seats, carpets After a mechanic reviews all of these critical parts of your car, they can recommend the level and timing of any repairs or maintenance. Here at South Bay Ford, we pride ourselves on certified Ford technicians that provide the best service Los Angeles can find. Our service department is well experienced to administer the best care in your vehicle’s class. Go Far with South Bay Ford Has it been a while since your Ford vehicle had a multi-point inspection, or do you notice any signs of problems? At our service center, we help drivers around Los Angeles keep their beloved Fords in tip-top shape. Improve safety, cost savings, and the longevity of your vehicle by getting a multi point inspection from South Bay Ford and schedule your Ford service appointment today!