1996 Ford Explorer Maintenance

Take care of your Ford Explorer and it'll take care of you. With proactive maintenance, your Explorer could be on the road well past the 200,000 mile mark. Not an expert in what services your car needs and when? No problem. It can be overwhelming, but fortunately, there’s a resource that takes the guesswork out of routine Explorer maintenance. Just follow your 1996 Ford Explorer maintenance schedule!

The recommended maintenance schedule is put together by Ford, your vehicle manufacturer. Depending on driving conditions and climate in your area (as well as other contributing factors, like your personal travel habits), your car’s scheduled maintenance needs may vary; in most cases, though, recommended maintenance will consist of services like tire rotations, vital fluid checks/exchanges, filter changes, brake pad replacement, and oil changes. Keeping up with routine service appointments is a great way to keep your Explorer running for longer, decrease your risk of dangerous malfunctions on the road, and prevent common 1996 Ford Explorer problems.

Come to Firestone Complete Auto Care for manufacturer-recommended routine maintenance on your 1996 Ford Explorer and an expert technician will begin by performing a Courtesy Check. A Courtesy Check helps "set the stage" for your service and catch any small problems before they turn into big repairs. During a Courtesy Check, we’ll always check your battery, then we’ll move on to inspect your Explorer’s head and tail lights, tires, fluid levels, alignment, and windshield wipers.

Think you could be due for a new battery in your 1996 Ford Explorer? Batteries generally need to be replaced every three to five years. Yours may need to be replaced sooner depending on your driving habits and climate. Extremely hot or cold temperatures can take a toll on your Ford Explorer battery, and so can frequent short drives. Sure, you could wait until your battery is completely dead, but it’s a much wiser decision to replace it before you need to. If you keep driving on a battery that can't hold a charge, you run the risk of being stranded when your battery finally gives out (and no one can predict where that might be!). Your Ford Explorer won’t even be able to start with a weak battery, much less get you where you need to go.

In addition to maintaining a strong battery, investing in regular oil changes can help your 1996 Ford Explorer's engine run smoother. See Ford's recommendations for oil change intervals for your 1996 Explorer in the chart at the top of this page. Keep in mind that your oil change interval could be different given your driving style and climate. A Firestone Complete Auto Care technician will be happy to help you determine the best oil change frequency for your car’s needs. We can also answer any questions you have about what type of oil to use for your 1996 Ford Explorer.

Maintaining your Ford Explorer steering and suspension system can not only ensure a smooth ride; it can also help you maintain control of your car in compromised road conditions. That's important if you plan on taking the road less traveled! Trust our technicians to inspect system components and if needed, provide Ford Explorer steering and suspension services including wheel alignment, strut replacement, power steering fluid changes, ball joint lubrication, and wheel bearing replacement. Components within your Ford Explorer's steering system require regular maintenance.

If you fall behind on routine Ford Explorer maintenance (or worse, don’t do it at all!), you (and your engine) could quickly lose your cool when there's a problem on the road–especially if that problem is an overheated engine or broken A/C. Our technicians have you covered there, too, with the tools and expertise to care for your entire Ford Explorer cooling, heating, and climate control system. Is your Ford Explorer radiator in need of replacement? We’ve got your back. Got a funny smell coming from your A/C? We’re here to fix that, too. Firestone Complete Auto Care is your spot for 1996 Ford Explorer maintenance.

So visit us regularly, or visit us urgently. Many locations are open on weekends and in the evening.