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On average, a new car battery will last around six years before needing to be replaced. This lifespan varies depending on the vehicle, mileage driven, and even the climate you live in. These are the signs to watch for to know when it's time to schedule an appointment to get your battery replaced at your Ford dealer. more 1. You Have Trouble Starting Your Vehicle Your vehicle's engine relies on the battery for power to start. When the battery no longer produces the same amount of power, the engine isn't getting what it needs to start. This may result in the engine turning over several times before it catches. Sometimes this will be accompanied by a clicking sound that will let you know that the battery is struggling to provide the necessary power. 2. The Battery Looks or Smells Different If you open your hood and notice that your battery looks different than it once did, or if it omits a strong odor, this is likely a sign that it is time to get a replacement right away. Old batteries may leak battery acid, which can cause a sulfur smell. Leaking battery acid will also cause corrosion on the exterior casing of the battery. 3. The Vehicle's Lights Are Flickering When your battery is beginning to fail, other parts of your Ford car or truck besides the engine might show signs that they aren't receiving the necessary power. It's common for a vehicle's headlights, taillights, or even the interior cab lights to flicker when they aren't getting enough power from the battery. The occasional flicker isn't uncommon. But if you frequently notice that your lights flicker while driving, it may be time to get your battery checked. 4. A Warning Light Appears on Your Dash Some Ford vehicles display a warning light on the dashboard when the battery is having trouble. If you notice a new light on your dashboard that you don't recognize, consult your owner's manual to see if the light could be because of the battery. 5. The Battery Is Nearing Six Years Old Waiting until your battery no longer powers your vehicle can result in getting stranded somewhere inconvenient. You might find yourself with a car that won't start before your morning commute to work, or while on vacation. If you know that your battery is nearing three or four years old, it's a good idea to start getting regular battery inspections. If your Ford is showing signs that it may need a new battery, don't wait to get it taken care of. Contact Dowling Ford in Cheshire, CT today to schedule a service appointment.

When it comes to pickup trucks, Ford's F-Series has been the gold standard for nearly five decades running, ranking as the top-selling truck in the US. The new 2024 Ford Super Duty F-350 SRW is the latest in a long line of distinguished F-Series trucks, and it offers a big dose of heavy-duty innovation among its many exciting features. more A Full Lineup of Trucks The Super Duty designation is given to Ford pickup trucks having greater performance capabilities than the standard consumer models. Ford Super Duty trucks are engineered to carry more payload, have greater towing capacity, and offer more powerful engines. For 2024, Ford is offering six variants within the Super Duty F-350 SRW (single rear wheel) family: F-350 XL F-350 XLT F-350 Lariat F-350 King Ranch F-350 Platinum F-350 Limited Whether you're looking for a no-nonsense truck to tackle tough jobs or a powerful workhorse packed with a full suite of technological features, with six trim levels, there is a Super Duty F-350 model that's the perfect fit for your needs. Super Duty Power Under the hood, the Super Duty F-350 trucks for 2024 feature a powerful 6.8L 2-Valve DEVCT NA PFI V8 gas engine that delivers 405 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Pair this powerplant with Ford's TorqShift-G 10-speed automatic transmission, and you have a rare combination of raw power on demand and a silky smooth ride when you just want to get from point A to point B in comfort and style. Super Thoughtful Design The new Super Duty F-350 SRW series from Ford features thoughtful design elements with comfort and function in mind. Interior enhancements include a fully immersive sound system, front seats that fully recline, and front and rear heated seats. On the exterior, the Super Duty F-350's box side steps and bumper corner steps make climbing in and out of the truck easier and safer. The step openings are even large enough to fit workboots. Super Cutting-Edge Technology The new Super Duty F-350 SRW trucks are also embedded with advanced technology designed to enhance the driving experience. High-tech features include: Digital Instrumentation Ford Super Duty F-350 trucks feature 12-inch digital instrument panels with key driving data displayed in easy-to-read formats. Ford's Head-Up Display technology lets you keep your attention on the road ahead of you by displaying your driving speed and other vital information directly onto the windshield in your natural line of sight. 360-Degree Monitoring An available 360-degree camera system provides a bird's-eye view of your F-350 truck to give you confidence and peace of mind while backing up or switching lanes. This technology is particularly helpful when towing a trailer. Enhanced Connectivity With 5G Wi-Fi connectivity, you can seamlessly pair your iOS or Android device with your Ford Super Duty F-350 truck to finish up that important paperwork or stream your favorite podcast. Connect with the experts at Dowling Ford in Cheshire, CT to learn more about the heavy-duty innovation in the new Super Duty F-350 trucks.

The 2024 Ford Edge is a modern, stylish crossover that's just as functional as a daily driver as a family vehicle. Cutting-edge technology and upgrades to the interior and exterior make for an incredibly comfortable and convenient ride, no matter how you plan to use your Ford Edge. more The Ultimate Driver's Seat The cutting-edge comfort of the Ford Edge starts in the driver's seat. As a vehicle owner, it's where you'll spend most of your time, and Ford has created the ultimate driver's seat to maximize comfort and functionality. A 10-way power seat makes it easy to position yourself in the best spot for safety and comfort. A heated steering wheel, as well as heated and cooled front seats, are available options that can help make your daily commute or long road trip even more comfortable. Rotary Gear Shift Dial In 2024, the Ford Edge got a unique interior upgrade. A new Rotary Gear Shift Dial is more than just a stylish addition to your vehicle. This smaller shift makes space for more conveniently designed cupholders, larger bin storage, USB ports, and other smart storage solutions. The result is a more functional front seat. Hands-Free Liftgate Whether you're lugging bags of groceries or carrying your child and trying to unload a stroller, the hands-free liftgate is one available piece of technology that can make a big difference in how you use your Ford Edge. Simply swipe your foot under the middle of the rear bumper, and watch as the liftgate automatically opens. This means never having to fumble with bags to open your trunk. Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology Ford's Co-Pilot360 Technology includes a suite of safety features designed to make for a more stress-free driving experience. The Lane-Keeping System makes it easy to stay centered in your lane, while the Blind Spot Information System is like having a second set of eyes watching all around your vehicle for other cars, and letting you know when they might be out of your line of sight. The result is a safer, more relaxed ride. Alexa Built-In Whether you want to update your navigation to take a different route, add an item to your shopping list, or search for local restaurants, built-in Alexa in your Ford Edge makes for a more convenient, safe drive. Plus, when you get to your destination, FordPass Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot makes it easy to use your favorite devices from the comfort of your vehicle, or up to 50 feet away, allowing you to work on the go or enjoy your favorite entertainment like streaming movies or scrolling social media. Ready to see if the new Ford Edge is the right choice for your next vehicle? Visit Dowling Ford in Cheshire, CT today to take a look at our inventory and take a test drive.

The 2024 Ford F-150 is part of the latest F-series lineup and offers a range of innovative new features. Read on to learn more about 10 must-have features in the newest Ford F-150. more 1. Pro Access Tailgate The integrated swing tailgate allows you to get 19 inches closer for easier access to cargo in your truck bed. This tailgate also allows for a driver-side approach, offering a 100-degree fully open access space. 2. LED Lighting Available LED fog lamps help you see in murky conditions while available LED dynamic bending headlamps adjust when taking on curvy paths. LED headlamps come standard on all F-150 models. 3. Adjustable Seating The Ford F-150 can seat up to five passengers with plenty of legroom. For added cargo space within the cabin, you can fold up the rear seats with ease. There's also available heating and ventilation for your seats, making rides more comfortable in any kind of weather. 4. Under-Seat Storage Do you need a little extra cargo room in your F-150's cabin? Storage under the seats provides ample space for small cargo during work or long road trips. 5. Interior Work Surface The available Interior Work Surface turns your F-150 into a mobile office. The stowable shifter lets you open and unfold your center console, making it a flat work surface where you can place your laptop, notebooks, or other work essentials. 6. All-Terrain Tires The STX FX4 model has available 18-inch all-terrain tires. These tires are built for off-roading with the ability to suppress jarring impact from rocky routes. 7. FOX Racing Dual-Live Valve Shocks The Ford F-150 Raptor model has available FOX Racing Dual-Live Valve Shocks. These come with internal bypass engineering ​and active damping to automatically adjust to changes in the terrain. 8. Hands-Free Highway Driving Ford BlueCruise lets you drive hands-free on 97% of controlled-access highways throughout the United States and Canada. This technology allows you to relax on long drives or interact more freely with your passengers without compromising your ​safety on the road. It is important to remember this is an assistive driving feature, and you should still remain focused and alert while using BlueCruise. 9. Head-Up Display Keep your eyes on the road with the available Head-Up display. This feature projects important vehicle information onto the windshield directly above your steering wheel, including speedometer and fuel consumption. 10. Ford Co-Pilot360 Ford Co-Pilot360 uses a combination of assistive driving features to help you tow large cargo, change lanes safely, and back out of parking spaces with ease. The new Ford F-150 is a durable pickup with a lot to offer adventurous drivers. Visit Dowling Ford in Cheshire, CT, to experience the F-150 for yourself!