7 Signs Your Car Needs a Brake Repair

February 04, 2022 · 3 min read

Can you tell when your car or truck needs brake repair or replacement? There are lots of signs that you can learn to recognize. If you notice any of the signs below, visit your Larned, KS dealer to get your brakes fixed.

1. You Hear a High-Pitched Screeching Noise

A high-pitched screeching is a sign that you need to get your brake pads replaced. The brake pads wear away to expose a piece of metal, and this metal scratches against your rotor. It's a built-in indicator that manufacturers used to let you know that you need a brake pad replacement now.

2. You Have Obvious Wear-and Tear

You should do a visual inspection of all the parts of your vehicle, and that should help you realize when you need to visit the dealer for a repair. You can visually inspect your brake pads and rotors by peeking between the spokes of your wheels. You should be able to tell whether the brake pads and rotors are in good condition by doing this. If either part appears thin or warped, then you need to visit your dealer for a repair.

3. You Hear Screeching, But You Have New Brake Pads

If you've just had a brake pad replacement yet you're still hearing a high-pitched, metallic screeching noise, then you probably have glazed rotors. This occurs after the rotors heat up so much that they get burned. You'll know your rotors are glazed if there are blue marks or dark rings on them.

4. Your Brake Pedal Vibrates

If your brake pedal is vibrating when it's used, then you probably have glazed rotors, too. The rotors are warped, and this is sending vibrations up through your brake pedal. The damage is only going to get worse, so please get the rotors replaced as soon as you can.

5. You're Taking Longer to Stop

If you're taking longer to stop than usual, then something is severely wrong with your brakes, and you need to get them checked right now. You shouldn't drive your brakes are anything less than fully responsive, so consider getting a tow truck to take you to the dealer.

6. Your Brakes Are Too Sensitive

Your bakes could be having trouble if they suddenly become too sensitive, too. This is a sign that your rotors are uneven, and it can also indicate that you need a brake fluid exchange. Driving with sensitive brakes can strain your vehicle, so get this problem seen to immediately.

7. You Spot a Puddle in Your Driveway

If you spot what looks like motor oil near your vehicle, then you might have a brake fluid leak. You'll be able to tell whether it's brake fluid or not by trying to see how slimy it is. Motor oil is slimy, but brake fluid isn't. Get to the dealer for a repair as soon you can. Even if this puddle isn't brake fluid, you need to get your vehicle checked out if something is leaking out of your vehicle. Come and visit us at Morris Smith Ford of Larned when you need to get your brakes fixed. Our service department is a team of professional and skilled auto service technicians dedicated to keeping your car and truck healthy, and to keep you stay safe on the road.

Jun 27, 2022

Driving Through or Staying a While? 3 Great Hotels for Visiting Larned, KS

Kansas offers great outdoor activities for family vacations, road trips, and backcountry adventures. You'll love the spacious cabin and smooth ride of your Ford F-150, which is the perfect pickup truck for your next camping trip. There are great places to stay, including RV parks, vacation rentals, and hotels in and around the Larned, KS area. 1. Townsman Inn This laid-back hotel is just a short drive from the Fort Larned National Historic Site and the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum & Research Library. Townsman Inn is a casual place that offers comfortable rooms with minifridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs with cable service, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi service. This inn offers convenient amenities and features, including complimentary continental breakfast at an on-site restaurant. Townsman Inn offers a business center ideal for corporate events and conferences. You'll enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool and lots of parking spaces, including accommodations for RVs, trucks, and other large vehicles. 2. Country Inn Motel Country Inn Motel is a terrific family-friendly motel conveniently located near outdoor trails, hiking, and local attractions. You'll find every suite provides comfortable bedding, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. The area has great places to explore, including the Camp Pawnee cycling path, Fort Larned National Historic Site, and Sante Fe Trail Center Museum& Research Library. It's the perfect inn to visit with the family during your next RV trip or on the way to your campsite or outdoor excursion. You'll find the service friendly, with affordable rooms, so you can plan a weekend getaway to view the local sights or an extended stay in the region. It's the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts, with many outdoor activities available in and around the area. 3. Downtown Larned Vacation Rental If you're looking for an alternative to traditional inns and accommodations, you'll enjoy this apartment rental near downtown Larned, where you'll have access to a large dining room, kitchenette, and a living area to entertain family or friends next group vacation. It's a clean and comfortable apartment that offers one bedroom, a futon, and flat-screen TV, and an overall cozy environment to enjoy a home-like atmosphere during your stay in town. You'll find this excellent vacation rental available near the town's center so you can visit nearby attractions within walking distance or a short drive from town. This vacation spot is close to spectacular natural beauty, views of the Arkansas River, and many great places to explore, including the Central States Scout Museum, cultural events, and the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum. There are plenty of amazing sights to explore in this region's parks, outdoor spaces, and beautiful trails that are ideal for hiking, cycling, and birdwatching. Come see us at Morris Smith Ford of Larned and discover our impressive showroom displays and fantastic deals on new and pre-owned vehicles. We offer great deals on the latest models, including a wide range of financing options and maintenance plans to fit your budget and driving lifestyle.

Jun 30, 2022

Meet the 2022 Ford Edge

The 2022 Ford Edge is a classic in Ford's lineup, integrating safety and sporty elements into a high-quality, reliable vehicle. If you're considering the Ford Edge for your next midsized SUV, here is some information that will be of interest. About This Beautiful SUV The Ford Edge is a vehicle that seats up to five people and gets 21/28 city/highway mpg. It has two available engines: the 2.0L EcoBoost and the 2.7 EcoBoost V6. The 2.0L EcoBoost delivers 250 horsepower and 280 torque, providing ample power for most drivers. For a more athletic ride, you may prefer the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine that's standard on the ST model. It delivers 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Safety Features of the Ford Edge If safety is your priority, the Edge is the right vehicle for you. When it's equipped with certain headlights, the Edge has a spot in the top safety picks by the IIHS, as well as a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard features include a rear-view camera and lane-keeping system that alerts you when you are drifting out of your lane. Other standard features include post-collision braking, which applies after a crash to lessen or prevent a second impact, and the BLIS blind spot information system to alert you when a vehicle is in your blind spot. That's not all. You can also choose to add even more safety features, the most notable of which is Active Park Assist 2.0. When you're struggling to fit into a parking spot, all you have to do is press a button, and your car will park itself for you. This goes for parallel parking, too. Need to get out of a tough spot? Let your Edge do the work for you. Smart & Sporty Design The edge combines both a practical sporty design with intelligent attention to detail. In the 2022 Edge, the rotary dial has been updated to give you more space in your center console. An available wireless charging pad will let you ditch the cords and charge your phone with ease. Add some finesse to the sporty look of your edge with the available sports packages. The SEL sports appearance package has 18-inch carbonized gray-painted wheels made from aluminum, all-terrain tires, and Navy Pier ActiveX seats. ActiveX seats are a material that's more durable than leather and easier to clean. The SE black appearance package has 19-inch high-gloss black aluminum wheels and a matching black grille. Connectivity for the Entire Family The Ford Edge comes with technology that everyone in your family will enjoy. The latest SYNC 4 technology with a touchscreen entertainment system lets you connect via Apple Carplay or Android Auto. The 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot can connect up to 10 devices at once. Your Ford Edge is just a test drive away. Visit our showroom to explore new and used Edges or custom order an Edge to your liking. Contact us at Morris Smith Ford of Larned to get you behind the wheel as soon as possible!

Jun 03, 2022

Signs You're Going To Need an Alternator Repair from your Ford Dealership

Your car's alternator serves two vital functions: supply power for your car's electrical needs to recharge your battery. A good alternator can easily accomplish these tasks. Eventually, like every mechanical component, your alternator will start to fail, and you'll need an alternator repair. What are some signs that you may need auto service soon? As your Ford dealer in Larned, KS, we can replace it for you. Here are some of the signs and symptoms that might suggest you're going to need a new alternator. Burning Smells A hot metal scent can signal a failing alternator. Your alternator is powered by the alternator belt that connects to the crankshaft. As your car moves, the crankshaft turns, and this causes the alternator belt to run across a series of pulleys that start to spin. Each of these pulleys is connected to one of your car's vital systems, and the spinning of the pulley powers the attached component. Your alternator pulley spins 3x faster than other pulleys to power the alternator. As your alternator starts to fail, it struggles to produce enough power to supply your car's electrical demands. In an attempt to produce more power, your alternator will start to spin faster. This extra effort places excessive strain on the alternator and it will start to heat up and you'll smell the hot metal of an overheating alternator. Electrical Problems Any electrical component can show bizarre behavior before it fails. If you notice strange behavior by various electrical components, for example, windows that won't open or close, or lights that won't switch on, these point to a deeper problem. The cause of this odd behavior is a problem in the electrical system, and the most likely culprit is the alternator. As we saw above, the alternator supplies all of your car's electrical power. As it wears down, it produces less power, which means the available power has to be rationed. Your car's computer will allocate this power to components that need it. The more components that are active, the greater the likelihood that power will be shifted from one of them to supply another component. Damaged Wiring The power produced by your alternator is transmitted to the various components via a network of wires and cables. These wires are connected to every component. They're protected against the harsh environment of your engine by plastic and rubber coverings. Wires can fray or break, and a damaged wire will cut off power to its connected component. Your computer will detect that the component isn't working and signal your alternator to supply more power to that component. As more electricity is forced into the damaged wiring, the wire will grow hotter, and this can cause the plastic and rubber coverings to burn. The smell of burning plastic is toxic, and if you smell it, we advise calling us ASAP so our technicians can fix the wiring problem. If you think your vehicle is showing symptoms. Call us at Morris Smith Ford of Larned, and our auto service experts will check your alternator.