1997 Ford Ranger Maintenance

When it comes to your Ford Ranger, how you treat your car makes all the difference in its performance. With the right maintenance at the right time, your Ranger could be on the road well past the 200,000 mile mark. So, you want to care for your car, but you’re not sure when to get certain services. Instead of waiting for an issue to arise with your Ranger, you can stay ahead of problems before they even begin. Just follow your 1997 Ford Ranger maintenance schedule!

Ford knows your vehicle inside and out (they made it, after all!), so they’ve designed this schedule with your car’s unique needs in mind. Scheduled maintenance services can vary depending on driving conditions, climate, and other factors; however, there’s a good chance that your vehicle’s recommended maintenance services will include oil changes, tire rotations, brake pad replacement, filter changes, and fluid checks and exchanges. Staying on track with routine service appointments can help your Ranger perform better, keep you safer on the road, and prevent common 1997 Ford Ranger problems.

Bring your 1997 Ford Ranger to Firestone Complete Auto Care for factory-recommended maintenance services and a skilled technician will start the appointment with a Courtesy Check. The Courtesy Check helps us see what we’re working with under the hood, and allows us to alert you to any potential problems before they worsen. During a Courtesy Check, we’ll always check your battery, then we’ll move on to inspect your Ranger’s head and tail lights, tires, fluid levels, alignment, and windshield wipers.

Think you could be due for a new battery in your 1997 Ford Ranger? If your current battery is more than three years old, it may be time for a replacement (batteries typically last somewhere between three and five years). Depending on the climate where you live and your habits while driving, your Ranger may need a replacement battery sooner. Short trips and extreme temperatures can shorten the overall life expectancy of your Ford Ranger battery. It can be tempting to try and get as much life out of your battery as possible, but it’s smart to check it regularly and replace it before it gets too weak. Otherwise, you may find yourself (and your trusty Ranger) stuck in the middle of nowhere. Your Ford Ranger won’t even be able to start with a weak battery, much less get you where you need to go.

Ensuring you always have a well-charged battery can help your car’s overall performance, and regularly scheduled oil changes can help your 1997 Ford Ranger's engine run smoother. To learn how often Ford recommends you have the oil changed in your 1997 Ranger, check out the information table at the beginning of this page. Don’t forget, though, that weather conditions in your area or your personal driving habits can affect this interval. A Firestone Complete Auto Care technician will be happy to help you determine the best oil change frequency for your car’s needs. We'll also help you understand what type of oil to use for your 1997 Ford Ranger.

Maintaining your Ford Ranger 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. Don’t let a misalignment or pulling steering wheel put you in danger. You can count on Firestone Complete Auto Care’s trained technicians to inspect this system and, if needed, provide the appropriate Ford Ranger steering and suspension services. This can include things like power steering fluid replacement, wheel alignment adjustments, replacement of struts and wheel bearings, and ball joint lubrication. To keep your car running at its best, it’s essential to have regular maintenance services on your Ford Ranger's steering and suspension system.

If you skip recommended Ford Ranger services, 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. We can help you with all those issues. Our technicians have the knowledge and tools to repair and maintain the heating and cooling systems for your Ford Ranger’s engine, and we can service your A/C system, too. Is it time to replace the radiator in your Ford Ranger? 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 the place to go for 1997 Ford Ranger maintenance.

We can help you keep your vehicle (and your life!) running smoothly. Many of our locations have weekend and evening hours for your convenience.