2019 Ford Ranger Production Begins December 2018 – Arrives in West Michigan in February

The wait is almost over: the 2019 Ford Ranger goes into production very soon and pre-orders are now open at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids! If you’d like to be one of the very first in West Michigan to drive the all-new Ranger, visit today and talk to one of our experts about features, trims, and pricing. The 2019 Ford Ranger will begin to ship to dealers in February 2019.

All-New Ford Ranger Is Adventure-Ready With Best-in-Class Payload, Gas Engine Torque And Towing Capability

If you’d like to know a little more about the New Ranger, the Official Ford Media Center recently posted an update about just how capable and tough the new truck really is. Learn more about the payload, towing, and power of the mid-sized pickup in the excerpts below: It’s almost here. As the 2019 Built Ford Tough Ranger nears production, Ford announces its all-new midsize pickup for North America will deliver best-in-class payload, gas torque and towing capability.

“Think of Ranger as the biggest and most capable backpack for your gear,” says Rick Bolt, Ford Ranger chief engineer. “With 1,860 pounds of maximum payload, Ranger can haul nearly a ton of gear to enable your next adventure.”

Anchored by a high-strength steel frame and robust solid rear axle with Hotchkiss suspension, Ranger can conventionally tow more than any gas engine truck in its class – 7,500 pounds when equipped with the tow package and a trailer brake controller.

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

Pre-Order Your New 2019 Ford Ranger at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

If you’re one of the many truck fans in West Michigan eagerly-awaiting the arrival of the New Ford Ranger, visit our showroom in Grand Rapids to place your order. Doing this now will ensure that your new truck will be among the first to arrive in Grand Rapids, and is built to the exact configuration you’d like. Our friendly and highly-knowledgeable staff would be happy to assist you.

Take a look at this 2019 Ford Ranger Fact Sheet. If you’re looking for a Ford Tough Truck today, Borgman Ford has one of the largest selections in the West Michigan area, and our team can match you with one that fits your needs and your budget. Take a look at our New Ford Truck Inventory and if you see something you like, ask about our Day Trader Program and test drive it for a full day. Come see why Borgman is the Best in the West!

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Deduct up to $1,000,000 in 2018 Equipment Purchases

This time of year, many business owners throughout West Michigan will be meeting with their accountants to discuss 2018 taxes. In some cases, they find some money left on the table in their Section 179 deductions. When this happens, many will come to Borgman Ford Commercial to expand their fleet and make sure their 2018 deductions are fully-utilized.

What Is The Section 179 Deduction?

Section 179 is a part of the IRS Tax Code that allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of equipment from their taxes, as long as that equipment is purchased and put into service during that tax year. This deduction was added to help small to medium-sized business grow, better-serve their clients, and stimulate the economy. For more information, talk to your accountant, tax preparer, or visit IRS.gov.

Can I Use Section 179 For Work Trucks & Vans?

Yes you can, but just take note of a couple of things: For 2018, the deduction limit is $1,000,000, and the vehicle must be ready for work and in your motor pool by December 31st, 2018. The business must be the owner of the vehicle, and there are limits and guidelines regarding personal use.

Do I Have To “Pay In Cash” To Get The Deduction?

Nope. Actually, it can be more profitable to lease or finance your new commercial vehicle because the amount you deduct will almost always be more than your cash outlay for the year.

What is the Best Source of Information About Section 179?

There is a wealth of information on the IRS website including articles and downloads of all the forms you need. However, the best people to talk to are your accountant and your tax professional, as they’ll know how all of this applies specifically to your business’s finances.

Ready To Add Ford Work Trucks & Vans To Your Fleet?

Remember, many other businesses in West Michigan are going to be reviewing their deductions as well, so beating the 4th Quarter rush is key!

To get started, check our Ford Commercial Inventory, our job-ready Work Truck Inventory, or visit the Borgman Ford Commercial Vehicle Center to explore your options with our highly-knowledgeable staff.Call Scott Gibbons (616) 706-3205, Tod Tobin (616) 710-2209, or Contact Us by email today!

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The Borgman Service Center is committed to serving all of your automotive needs. This includes ensuring your vehicle’s safety features are performing their absolute best.

Being able to see clearly through your windshield is pretty important, especially since rain, snow, and foggy mornings make driving conditions a little more dangerous. The problem is, it often isn’t something we think about until it becomes an issue.

Choosing The Right Wiper Blades

There are two fairly simple and inexpensive approaches you can take to ensure maximum visibility during a West Michigan rain or snow storm. In this Borgman How To, we’ll be taking a look at high-quality wiper blades and windshield treatments, comparing them, and helping you determine which is right for you. Windshield wiper blades seem simple, but there are a few things to consider here, including the material the blade is made from and the construction of the assembly. Some wiper manufacturers will use natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or coated rubber on their blades. While there isn’t a huge difference in performance, synthetic rubbers like silicone will last much longer than natural rubber but will cost more. Blades coated with Teflon or graphite present a happy medium – costing somewhere in the middle while granting the benefits of silicone blades. Other blades might use a mix of natural and synthetic rubber too.

The construction of the blade assembly also plays a part. Lightweight frames will make your wiper motors happy, while clever designs will create downforce as air moves over them, which keeps them effective at high speeds. The frame also ensures that the pressure on the blade stays even across its full length – preventing streaks.

Diamon-Fusion Windshield Treatments

Choosing which wiper blade is best for you is purely a preference versus cost question. For example, Motorcraft makes three different types of wiper blades. One that’s an excellent all-season wiper blade, a more premium wiper blade with specialty coatings and wear indicators, and a wiper designed specifically for winter. While having operational wiper blades on your vehicle is an absolute must, windshield treatments like Diamon-Fusion coating are elective. Whether or not you think they’re necessary is entirely your call. However, it’s worth noting here the major benefit of having your windshield coated: you’ll use your wipers less, especially during those “will it actually start raining or won’t it?” moments.

Droplets of water “stick” to your windshield because the surface of the glass isn’t perfectly smooth – at least not on a microscopic level. This texture gives the droplets a surface to hold on to in a sense, so what Diamon-Fusion does is help smooth these out. After treatment, raindrops bead up and roll right off the windshield while the vehicle is moving. This eliminates the need to constantly adjust your wiper interval during intermittent rain.

The coating is 100% transparent, improves windshield clarity, and is guaranteed to never yellow or blister. It guards against chips and haziness and helps reduce nighttime glare too. For more information, visit us and ask about Diamon-Fusion application and other services provided by our friends at Great Lakes Chemical.

Some will opt for the DIY approach with these treatments, and that’s fine. In our experience though, these often need to be reapplied every few weeks. The Diamon-Fusion treatment is much more permanent, and has the benefit of their proprietary formula and professional application.

Which Solution Is Best For West Michigan Drivers?

Determining which of the above solutions is best is based entirely on your preferences. Our job is to show you what’s available for your vehicle and help you make an informed decision. During the fall and going into winter, we generally feel that customers see more value in premium wiper blades than in the late spring and summer.

The tradeoff to consider with wipers is that inexpensive ones cost less to install, but will make more noise and wear more quickly. The more premium blades are quieter and will perform better for longer. Adding a windshield treatment will protect your windshield glass and help your blades last longer, but should be thought of as a supplement rather than a solution.

No matter what your automotive needs may be, the Borgman Service Center is here to help. Stop by for a visit or Schedule Your Next Appointment Online. We’ll listen to your needs, make sure all of your questions are answered, and help you make informed decisions about your vehicle. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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The New 2019 Ford Edge ST has started rolling into West Michigan, and Borgman Ford can’t wait to see auto enthusiasts get behind the wheel of this thing. Boasting 335 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, the Edge ST screams up to 60 mph in under 6 seconds and has proven to be the fastest ST-badged vehicle to date.

To celebrate the launch of this exciting sports SUV, The Official Ford Media Center has put together a 7-minute mini-documentary about the Edge ST and the ST brand in general, broken into 3 videos on YouTube. We’ve embedded them for your convenience below, or you can head over to Media.Ford.com to see each accompanying write-up. Enjoy!

   

New 2019 Ford Edge & Edge ST: Now Available at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids

West Michigan SUV shoppers and enthusiasts alike can find the latest and greatest iteration of the Ford Edge at Borgman Ford! The 2019 Edge has just started to ship, but we’ll be getting more and more inventory in the coming weeks. You can see our 2019 Ford Edge Inventory online, or please feel free to Contact Us if you’d like to custom-order exactly what you want. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Whether you follow motorsports or not, Borgman always finds it interesting how breakthroughs in the performance garage eventually find their way into the vehicles on our lot in Grand Rapids. Several Ford innovations like the ever-popular EcoBoost engine started life this way, and now Ford is showing off some other cool tech they’re working on for race cars that will eventually improve their entire lineup.

Ford Performance Racing Technology Speeds Development of New Vehicles, Cuts Engineering Costs

In this article, we’ll take a quick tour of a Ford Performance facility, explain some of the technology they’re using there, and show how it benefits performance and ‘civilian’ vehicles alike. Inventions like their new simulator are helping them save time and money on these engineering budgets. This makes Ford a force to be reckoned with on the track, and deliver better vehicles to you at affordable prices. Read all about it in the excerpt below: All-new research and development technology that helps make Ford Performance racecars faster also is helping Ford speed up development of its consumer vehicle lineup and improving the company’s operational fitness.

Breakthroughs including a daily driving vehicle simulator, 3D race environment and other advancements are helping Ford improve product development fitness by reducing the number of physical prototypes. In its latest move, Ford is working to speed up vehicle development and reduce costs through a new production vehicle dynamic simulator in a 33,000-square-foot facility in the heart of NASCAR country in North Carolina.

The initial purpose of the facility – up and running since 2014 – was to develop and test racecars virtually through an immersive simulator. But the tools have become so good so fast that Ford is now using the technology for its production vehicles.

“The mission of Ford Performance is to transfer innovations from racetracks to the driveways of new Ford vehicle owners,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance. “The tech center and this new driving simulator are two of the most important steps we have taken to help our mainstream engineering partners make sure the next Edge or F-150 is great to drive – even if you don’t check the performance model box.”

Shop New Ford Performance Vehicles at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com. Searching around West Michigan for a high-performance Ford Vehicle such as the Ford Mustang or something bearing the ST Badge? Visit the Borgman Ford Showroom in Grand Rapids today and see our full lineup of New Ford Cars, Trucks, and SUVs.

We have one of the largest selections of New Ford Vehicles in the area, and there’s surely something for every lifestyle or budget you can come test drive. If you’d like to be sure you’re going to love a New Ford, ask our staff about our Day Trader Program and take one out for a full day!

If you’re looking for something specific, our staff will be more than happy to help you find it or order it. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI is very eager to see what Ford’s plans are for the historic Michigan Station in Corktown, Detroit. After the last train left the station in 1988, the station was ultimately abandoned and became something of a canvas for local graffiti artists to hone their craft.

After Ford acquired the building, much of this artwork has cracked and fallen to the floors of the lobby and hallways, or otherwise become degraded. Ford enlisted the help of local women’s’ organization Rebel Nell to collect some of this fallen artwork and transform the fragments into beautiful, unique, and meaningful pieces of jewelry. 

Rebel Nell hires women who face barriers to employment in Detroit, and educates them on financial management, life wellness and entrepreneurship. You can read more about the project in Corktown and Rebel Nell in these excerpts from the Official Ford Media Center, or by visiting the links below.

From Graffiti Art To Jewelry: Corktown Firm Rebel Nell Turns Pieces Of Michigan Central Station Into Unique Wearables

For years, the walls, columns and archways inside Detroit’s abandoned Michigan Central Station served as a canvas for inspired graffiti artists and muralists.

That fascinating chapter of the iconic building’s history isn’t about to be lost as Ford transforms the structure into an innovation hub to help it realize its vision for the future of transportation.

Ford commissioned Rebel Nell, a Corktown social enterprise, to repurpose layers of graffiti paint from inside the massive building into one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.

The result is the limited edition Michigan Central Station Collection, an assortment of pendants and earrings, each individually created from fallen graffiti.

“There is a story in every piece,” says Shawn H. Wilson, manager, community engagement at Ford Fund. “Over the years Michigan Central Station became an artist’s playground. Artists went there to perfect their craft and build their brands. Part of the reason we’re doing this is to pay homage to the artists.”

Ford worked with Rebel Nell to gather fallen graffiti from the lobby and other floors of the 500,000-square-foot building, which closed in 1988 and has remained vacant since. Wilson and Rebel Nell co-founder and CEO Amy Peterson said they were respectful of the artists’ works and only gathered graffiti that had fallen from surfaces.

“Graffiti is truly art,” Wilson says. “Rebel Nell was able to help us identify artistic components inside the train station and which graffiti to use.”

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com, or stop by RebelNell.com to see their products and learn more about their mission. 

About Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

Borgman Ford first opened back in 1960 and has always been a family owned and operated company. Our founder Fred Borgman built the business around the golden rule, and through this has achieved long-term success in the Grandville community and beyond. His grandson Matt now oversees the dealership as general manager, ensuring that everyone who comes through our door is treated like family – just as we have done for nearly sixty years.

If you’re searching for a New Ford or Pre-Owned Vehicle in West Michigan, visit us any time to see our selection. Times have certainly changed since the 60s, but our dedication to Fred’s vision has not. Our staff will work to make sure all of your questions are answered, but will never pressure you into a sale. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Ford Drive 4 UR School: Grandville Band Boosters
Saturday, October. 20th 2018 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Grandville Band Booster Program needs our help, and the good news is all you have to do is test drive a New Ford Vehicle! We’d like to invite everyone to join us at Grandville High School on Saturday, October 20th, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and take part in the Ford Drive 4 UR School event!

For every person who stops by the high school and test drives that day, Ford will donate $20 to the band boosters for uniforms, instruments, educational materials, or anything else the band program needs. Together, we can help them raise $6,000 in one day!

Anyone 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license and auto insurance can go for a spin, but only one test drive per household will be valid. This only takes a few minutes of your time, but it makes a big difference!

Ford launched the Drive 4 UR School program in 2007 to help raise funding for education. It allows schools and their various programs to continue or expand through participation with the community. Following the program’s success, Ford launched the Drive 4 UR Community program to help other charitable and community organizations in the same way. These two programs have now raised over 35 million dollars for organizations across the nation. To learn more about the program, visit FordDrive4UR.com.

If you’re interested in going, be sure to check out our Event Page on Facebook. We hope to see you there, and Go Dawgs!

Grandville High School
4700 Canal Ave. SW
Grandville, MI 49418
Get Directions Here

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We’ve all experienced it: you’re driving along a West Michigan highway on a beautiful sunny day, and out of nowhere it starts pouring rain. Maybe you’re in Grand Rapids traffic around late fall or early spring and the temperature suddenly dips below freezing. Either way, it makes the advanced new AI-controlled All-Wheel Drive system in the 2019 Ford Edge that much more appealing to Michiganders.

Imagine being in one of the two scenarios above and not needing to do anything but stay focused on the road. The computer keeps an eye on input from all over the vehicle and is able to figure out what kind of driving condition you’re in. It then adjusts the vehicle’s systems accordingly – switching from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive automatically.

This article from the Official Ford Media Center explains more about how the system works. Take a look below for some excerpts:

New Ford Edge, Edge ST Use Artificial Intelligence To Help Improve Traction, Reduce Fuel Usage

The new 2019 Ford Edge with available all-wheel drive is smart enough to detect various driving conditions and automatically shift between two-wheel and all-wheel drive. The feature provides all-wheel-drive traction when it is needed, and helps reduce fuel consumption when it’s not.

The system is called all-wheel-drive disconnect, a first-for-Ford technology that uses a form of artificial intelligence that can calculate quicker than the human brain. Based on information received from dozens of high-tech sensors, the new Edge can determine in a fraction of a second whether all-wheel drive is needed.

“The concept is pretty simple, it was the execution that was the challenge,” said Scott Beiring, Ford driveline applications supervisor. “Shifting between two- and all-wheel drive needs to be fast and seamless enough that the customer doesn’t know it is happening.

”The system uses an all-new dedicated electronic brain that receives inputs from dozens of sensors throughout the vehicle. It interacts with the traction control system to detect wheel slip, receiving inputs from the anti-lock brakes to learn if that system is active. It even detects if the windshield wipers are on, whether the Edge is towing a trailer, and the outside temperature.

You can read more about how this system works on Media.Ford.com.

Find Your New Ford Edge at Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

The New 2019 Ford Edge and Ford Edge ST will arrive at Borgman Ford this fall. Take a look at our Online Inventory to find the one that suits you and stop by any time for a test drive. Our friendly and courteous staff will be happy to show you all of the exciting new features of the 2019 Ford Edge, but will never pressure you into a sale.

If you want to be sure you’ll love the 2019 Ford Edge or Edge ST before you make a decision, ask us about our Day Trader Program – you’ll be able to swap rides with us for a day and truly experience what the vehicle has to offer. If you see a better deal on a New Ford Edge somewhere else, be sure to let us know and we’ll match it. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids MI, is proud to represent a company with as much philanthropic reach as Ford. September is Ford Global Caring Month and all across the globe, Ford’s Volunteer Corp is hard at work to brighten the lives of people and improve their community infrastructure.

These projects include enabling access to clean water and building homes all over the world, to other community-based projects as close to home as Detroit. The Ford Motor Company Fund has also chipped in $700,000 to support these projects – providing the global volunteer corp with tools, materials, and other necessary support.

A recent article from the Official Ford Media Center tells more about their ongoing efforts, and we’ve provided some excerpts about the good work they’re doing. Take a look below, or visit Media.Ford.com to read the entire article.

Ford Volunteer Corps Deploys Thousands Of Employees Into Communities Worldwide During Ford Global Caring Month

Ford Global Caring Month is underway with more than 10,000 Ford Motor Company employees signed up so far to make people’s lives better in 40 countries during September – and registrations are still coming in to the Ford Volunteer Corps.

Ford Global Caring Month is the signature annual event of the Ford Volunteer Corps, an opportunity for teams of Ford employees to band together and help meet the urgent needs of people in powerful, impactful ways that strengthen the entire community.

During September, Ford volunteers in the U.S. will concentrate their efforts on neighborhoods. Specifically in Detroit, Ford volunteers will join hundreds of others in planting more than 600,000 daffodils on Belle Isle — one for every resident of the city. They will also be taking part in a project that will create safe pathways for students to school in the Regent Park neighborhood, which is not far from the Ford Resource and Engagement Center on Detroit’s east side.

“Healthy neighborhoods offer comfort, security and shared experiences that can make life richer and more enjoyable,” said Todd Nissen, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. “Neighborhoods are the building blocks of stronger communities, where people can find the assistance and the opportunities they need to raise their standard of living.”

Continue reading on Media.Ford.com.

About Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI

Borgman Ford has been family owned and operated since 1960. Our founder Fred Borgman founded the dealership on the principle that being honest and transparent customers should serve as the cornerstone of the business. Fred outfitted his sales team with red sports jackets to make them more visible – and therefore accountable – around town. Soon, Borgman became known as “The Home of the Redcoats,” which was synonymous with friendly, professional, and transparent conduct.

If you’re in the market for a New Ford or Pre-Owned Vehicle in West Michigan, visit our dealership any time and see our selection. Times have certainly changed since the 60s, but our dedication to Fred’s vision has not. Our staff will make sure all of your questions are answered and will never pressure you into a sale. Our customer service is what has set us apart for almost 60 years. Come see why we’re the Best in the West!

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The Borgman Service Center in Grand Rapids is always here for your automotive needs, and a part of that means working with you as a team to ensure your vehicle is operating smoothly and safely. Parents with new teen drivers can do the same, and while teaching the basics of auto maintenance with your teen driver will make them a more aware, responsible owner, it can also be a fun bonding experience.

Whether or not you have a new driver in the house, learning to care for a vehicle’s various systems will help everyone stay safe on the road and stave off expensive repairs. Join us in our latest Borgman How To as we go back to school for basic vehicle maintenance!

You can download a printer-friendly version of this article here for the glove box.

#1. Checking Your Tires / Wheels

Ultimately, tires are the single most important safety feature of a vehicle. As the sole point of contact with the road, tires play a role in starting, stopping, and predictable handling. Though it’s an easy thing to forget while going to class or off to the movies, simply doing a quick walk around the vehicle gives you the opportunity to act on any issues before they become dangerous. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Under-Inflated or Flat Tires. To re-inflate, check proper (cold) PSI level for your vehicle’s tires; it’s usually printed on a sticker in the driver’s side doorjamb.
• Worn-Down Treads or Uneven Tread Wear
• Bulges or Sidewall Breaches
• Wheels that look “off” or leaning while they’re parked straight
• Bent or Misshapen Rims
• Every now and then, check and make sure the spare is inflated and in good shape

Another thing to know is how to recognize a flat tire while out driving, as well as how to change to the spare. A steady “thwop thwop thwop” noise, pulling to one side, or “sloppy” turning are good indicators that a tire is low. The owner’s manual will be the ultimate authority on changing the tire, but here’s the basic procedure:

Park the vehicle as far over to the side of the road as possible and turn on the hazard lights. Remove the spare tire and jack from the trunk and place the jack under the designated lift point. Don’t raise the vehicle yet; use the wrench to loosen the lug nuts first. Raise the vehicle and remove the tire, then mount the spare on the posts sticking out of the hub. Following a star-pattern, incrementally replace and tighten the lug nuts – this ensures it’s tightened down evenly. Lower the vehicle and tighten them more with the tire on the ground until they’re as tight as possible. It’s important to check them again after a short while to ensure none of them have worked themselves loose. Bring your vehicle and your tire to the Borgman Service Center as soon as possible.

#2. Checking Your Oil & Fluids

Under normal circumstances, the only fluids your vehicle will need regular fill-ups of are gasoline and windshield washer fluid. However, there is a schedule for replacing the other fluids that’ll be specific to your vehicle with engine oil being the most frequent and important. The others include the transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. (Kids, blinker fluid doesn’t exist. In this one particular instance, don’t listen to dad.) These fluids all play a role in keeping their respective systems lubricated and cooled, so if you notice anything strange happening, this is a good place to start looking for issues.

Do not open the Radiator Cap (not the same as the reservoir) on a hot engine. The system is under pressure and can spray fluid as hot as 260°F if the engine is overheating. Also, never, ever open up the air conditioning system. The pressurized gas inside is harmful and an environmental hazard.

It’s almost always best to check fluid levels on a cold engine to ensure accuracy. Some fluid reservoirs are translucent and have “min” and “max” levels molded into them, so it’s easy to see if they’re low at a glance. Others like the engine and transmission have dipsticks. To check those, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a non-fibrous cloth, replace it, then carefully remove it again. The fluid will stick to the tip between marked “min” and “max” areas. If something is low, fill it up with the fluid specified in your manual, taking care not to overfill. Engine oil and coolant can burn up in the engine if you have a bad gasket (burning oil typically makes black smoke out of the tailpipe, coolant makes white-ish blue) but the other systems are closed. That means if you’re losing brake, steering, or transmission fluid, you probably have a leak. You can use Borgman’s online scheduler to make an appointment with our Service Center and have our experts find it.

One more thing worth mentioning: if your engine is overheating due to lack of coolant and you don’t have any extra, distilled water can be used as a temporary replacement until you can get it to Borgman for a flush. Do not throw water on a hot engine to cool it down.

#3. Check Your Belts

Most cars these days have just the one accessory belt or “Serpentine Belt.” As the engine spins to turn the transmission and the wheels, it also turns this belt. This belt spins different pulleys on the accessories, which include the water pump – which circulates coolant, the alternator – which generates electricity, and others like the power steering pump, air conditioner, and more. It’s worth a look while the hood is open to see if it’s cracked or looking worn down.

The other and hugely important belt is the timing belt, but some cars have a chain here instead. This belt or chain ensures that all four cycles in the engine happen precisely when they’re supposed to, and should be inspected regularly by a trained eye. If replacement is needed, it needs to be done as soon as possible. If it breaks, you’ll likely need to replace the engine too.

#4. Battery Care

While the engine is running, the serpentine belt turns the alternator and generates electricity for the spark plugs. To start the engine though, you need stored electricity to get the process going. That’s what the battery is for, and the alternator recharges it while you drive too. To make sure you have enough juice to turn the starter motor and fire the spark plugs, make sure your headlights and interior lights are off before leaving the vehicle. If your battery is drained (it happens to the best of us,) your manual will tell you how to hook up the jumper cables to a donor vehicle. If you keep a set in the trunk, you don’t need to hope someone will have some.

If your vehicle doesn’t start because there’s white buildup on the terminals, this could be something you can fix yourself. Carefully disconnect the battery (yup – read the manual) and mix up a good amount of baking soda with hot water. Put on a pair of thick rubber gloves and safety goggles, then grab an old toothbrush. Dip the brush in this mixture and use it to scrub off the corrosion. The baking soda will neutralize the acid and it’s abrasive enough to remove the buildup. Be extra aware of anything that could complete a circuit between the two posts on the battery, and keep the battery away from heat sources or open flame. Thoroughly dry the terminals and the connectors, carefully reconnect the battery, and see if the vehicle starts. If that didn’t fix it, our experts here are more than capable of finding the issue.

#5. Headlights, Brake Lights, and Turn Signals

The lights mounted around your vehicle aren’t just helpful to you, they alert other drivers of your position and intentions. Making sure they’re all working is a social and legal responsibility. If you have a lamp out, in many cases it is something you’ll be able to take care of yourself. The light bulb you’ll need will be specified in your manual or in a manufacturer-specific book in the supermarket. Your manual will also illustrate where you’ll be able to access the bulb connector to replace it. Fair warning here: some of these may require tools to remove the light assembly, or can just be a total pain to reach. If you’re not comfortable changing the light by yourself or you’re not sure which bulb is the right one for your vehicle, bring it to the Borgman Service Center. We’ll be more than happy to help.

#6. Listening To Your Brakes

For a multitude of reasons, a vehicle’s braking system isn’t something you should tinker with unless you’re a car repair pro. However, if you notice screeching or scraping when you stop, it’s from a metal clip around the brake pad rubbing on the metal rotor. It’s there for the sole purpose of letting you know it’s time to visit the Borgman Service Center for new pads. Luckily, Borgman offers a Lifetime Guarantee on Motorcraft Brake Pads – all you’ll have to pay for is labor.

If you feel your brake pedal getting “spongy” or notice a loss of fluid from the brake fluid reservoir, that almost always points to a leak in the system and you should schedule an appointment with us right away.

#7. Something Not Working? Check The Fuse

Your vehicle has a pretty complex network of wires and electronics, even if it’s a little older. To safeguard against short circuits, they all pass through a fuse box. If there’s too much current going through a circuit, the fuse breaks to stop the electricity from damaging the electronics or getting too hot.

Your manual will tell you where your fuse box is, and which fuses are connected to specific circuits. If something isn’t working, pull out the appropriate fuse and hold it up to the light. If the little metal horseshoe inside is broken, replace the fuse with a new one – making sure the little number on the top is exactly the same. If that doesn’t fix the issue or if your vehicle keeps blowing the same fuse, Borgman has the tools and know-how to find the electrical fault.

Drive Safely in West Michigan with the Borgman Service Center

The Borgman Service Center has been helping drivers in Grand Rapids and West Michigan keep their vehicles running in tip-top shape for decades. Our trained experts will listen to your concerns and repair your vehicle in a timely manner. We’ll use the highest-quality parts available and ensure that the work is done properly so you can get back on the road to adventure.

Whether you need routine maintenance performed or are experiencing issues with your vehicle, we’re here to serve you. Check out our latest Service Specials, Schedule your Appointment Online, and come see why Borgman is the Best in the West!

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