When you think of the Ford Bronco, you think ruggedor dependable. Sure, the Ford Bronco is plenty capable, but if you want your Bronco to perform its best, you should stick to a regular maintenance schedule. Regular maintenance keeps your Bronco running smoothly and helps it reach its full potential. These tasks include periodic oil changes, replacing filters, and checking fluid levels. If you’ve never set a maintenance schedule, here are some tips for building a new Bronco maintenance schedule and making your favorite Bronco more dependable than ever.
If you want to keep your engine running smoothly, change your Bronco’s oil and oil filter regularly. Consult your owner’s manual for how often you should change your oil. Generally, your oil and filter will change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you’ve had your Bronco awhile, you might wonder how often you should change the oil on a high-mileage Bronco. High-mileage Broncos should have the oil changed every 3,000 miles.
Pay attention to the type of oil you’re using in your engine. A full synthetic oil can provide extra protection for high-mileage Broncos (75,000 miles or more). Synthetic oil is sometimes contentious because there’s a myth synthetic oils can damage older vehicles, like classic Broncos. However, this is not the case. Synthetic oils aren’t just for high-mileage vehicles; they provide many benefits for your Ford truck. They offer more lubrication than conventional oils and operate better under high heat and low temperatures.
Occasionally, you’ll need to replace the filters, including your engine air and cabin air filters. These filters help keep your Bronco’s systems clean, so regularly changing them out helps your Bronco's many parts run efficiently. A dirty air filter, for example, can restrict airflow and cause engine problems. Check your owner’s manual for more information. Your air filter will probably need to be replaced every 15,000 to 25,000 miles, and you can swap out your oil filter with every oil change.
Regularly check your Bronco’s fluid levels, including your engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. You should check these fluid levels every month or two. You’ll want to check your fluids more frequently if you're collecting a lot of dust and dirt.
You can also flush your coolant system to help remove dirt, sludge, and any leftover residue. These deposits build up in your coolant system over time, leading to numerous problems --overheating, engine failure and fluid leaks are the most common. A coolant flush is done roughly every 2 years, or 30,000 miles.
Rotating your tires will help your fuel economy and prevent uneven wear. Rotate them every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.
Inspect your brakes so your brake pads and rotors are in good condition. Worn brakes can wreck other parts of your Bronco, like your tires. You'll want to check your brakes every six months, about as often as you rotate your tires.
Regular service visits are a huge help in keeping your Bronco maintained. You can take your Ford Bronco to a qualified mechanic and have them provide tire rotation, brake inspection, and oil changes. Shop visits can also catch potential problems early on.
Here are additional tips to keep your Ford Bronco in its best condition:
Follow these tips and you can extend your Bronco's lifespan.
