Car Maintenance
Beat the Heat: Essential Pre-Summer Car Maintenance Tips

As summer temperatures rise, ensuring your vehicle's air conditioning and cooling systems are in optimal condition is crucial. A timely checkup not only enhances your comfort but also safeguards your engine from potential damage. Early maintenance can prevent costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns, keeping you cool and safe on the road.

Burt Brothers Tire and Service offers comprehensive inspections to ensure your car remains reliable during the warmer months. Their expert technicians assess various components of your AC system and engine cooling mechanisms, providing peace of mind as you prepare for summer adventures.

Why Scheduling an Early AC Checkup Matters

Preparing your vehicle for summer involves more than just routine checks. Addressing potential issues with your car's air conditioning system before they escalate is essential. By scheduling a service appointment early, drivers can avoid long wait times at repair shops and ensure their AC functions efficiently when needed most.

Your car’s air conditioning system faces significant strain during hot weather. Over time, refrigerant may leak, filters become clogged, and critical components wear out. Waiting until extreme heat hits could result in inconvenient delays or even being stranded in an overheated vehicle. An early inspection identifies these problems, allowing technicians to address them promptly. This proactive approach saves both money and frustration by preventing larger issues down the line.

Ensuring Your Engine Stays Cool Under Pressure

In addition to passenger comfort, maintaining your engine's cooling system is vital for preventing overheating and costly repairs. Key components such as the radiator, thermostat, water pump, and coolant work together to keep your engine operating smoothly. Neglecting this system risks severe damage that could compromise your vehicle's performance.

Burt Brothers provides thorough evaluations of your engine's cooling capabilities. Certified technicians inspect coolant levels, evaluate radiator health, and examine hoses for signs of wear or damage. These steps ensure your engine remains protected throughout the sweltering summer months. Combining both air conditioning and cooling system services guarantees your vehicle stays reliable whether you're embarking on a road trip or navigating daily commutes.

Revolutionizing Fleet Maintenance: Ford Pro's Mobile Service Expansion

The demand for mobile maintenance is on the rise, with providers like Cox Automotive and Torque by Ryder leading the charge. Third-party service providers are expanding their operations, prompting original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to follow suit. Ford Pro, Ford’s commercial vehicle division, is at the forefront of this transformation. Travis Hunt, GM of parts and services transformation at Ford Pro, emphasizes customer-centric strategies. By offering mobile service, Ford Pro aims to address fleet managers' challenges and streamline vehicle management processes.

Ford Pro is enhancing its service capabilities through both physical expansion and advanced technology integration. The company operates over 750 service centers, including elite facilities with extended hours and specialized technicians. Additionally, Ford Pro employs a mobile service fleet with more than 800 technicians. Leveraging connected vehicle data from MY 2020 and newer models, Ford Live monitors vehicles in real-time, optimizing repair times and providing expert advice remotely. This system improves customer uptime without requiring direct involvement from fleet managers.

Redefining Customer Experience Through Mobility

Ford Pro’s decision to expand its mobile maintenance fleet aligns with customer demands and operational efficiencies. Customers increasingly seek convenient solutions that minimize downtime. By integrating mobile services, Ford Pro addresses limitations inherent in traditional brick-and-mortar facilities, such as capacity and operating hours. A mobile fleet allows technicians to reach customers directly, reducing the need for vehicles to be transported to service centers.

Hunt highlights that adopting a mobile service model complements rather than replaces physical locations. While traditional service centers remain vital for comprehensive repairs and diagnostics, mobile fleets enhance flexibility and accessibility. For instance, employing third-shift mobile technicians proves more cost-effective than extending service center hours. Furthermore, mobile services cater to customers who may not have time to visit a dealership during regular business hours. This hybrid approach ensures Ford Pro can meet diverse customer needs while maintaining high-quality service standards.

Technological Advancements Driving Efficiency

In addition to expanding its physical presence, Ford Pro leverages cutting-edge technology to elevate service offerings. Connected vehicle data plays a pivotal role in improving customer uptime. With all Ford vehicles from MY 2020 onward equipped with connectivity features, Ford Pro utilizes these capabilities to monitor vehicle performance continuously. Systems like Ford Live integrate vehicle data with service insights, enabling proactive maintenance and faster resolutions.

This technological integration transforms how fleet managers interact with service providers. Real-time monitoring allows Ford Pro specialists to intervene remotely when necessary, ensuring repairs are executed efficiently. Technicians benefit from detailed information about each vehicle's condition, which reduces diagnostic times and enhances accuracy. Moreover, this process occurs seamlessly in the background, minimizing disruptions for customers. By combining extensive physical networks with innovative digital tools, Ford Pro establishes itself as a leader in creating holistic ecosystems tailored specifically for commercial customers.

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Sarasota's Public Works Shines with Prestigious Automotive Certification

Achieving a significant milestone, the Fleet Services division of Sarasota’s Public Works Department has been awarded the Blue Seal of Excellence by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This esteemed recognition underscores the division's dedication to maintaining vehicles at the highest standard while ensuring technicians possess top-tier qualifications. By meeting rigorous criteria, the team demonstrates its unwavering commitment to delivering reliable and efficient service.

Key to this accomplishment is the impressive expertise within the team. To qualify for the Blue Seal, a workshop must have at least three-quarters of its technicians ASE-certified. Sarasota exceeds this requirement, boasting four Master Certified technicians who contribute to maintaining an expansive fleet of 850 vehicles. These include garbage trucks, utility trucks, and trailers vital for sustaining essential municipal operations. With over two centuries of collective experience, the team exemplifies professionalism and skill in their daily tasks.

Across the nation, ASE fosters a network of approximately 250,000 certified professionals spanning various sectors such as schools, dealerships, and service centers. Within close proximity to Sarasota, only three other ASE-certified shops exist, making this honor particularly remarkable. The Blue Seal not only reflects the team's proficiency but also reinforces their pivotal role in ensuring public safety and operational efficiency. Their success serves as an inspiration to others in the industry, showcasing what can be achieved through dedication and continuous improvement.

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