‘Ford Service Extravaganza’ offering free safety check, discounted parts, and contest prizes

Ford customers seeking to service their vehicles ahead of the festive period can look forward to rewards through the ‘Ford Service Extravaganza’ campaign with a free 20-point health for all Ford vehicles and a 10% discount on all spare parts.

Additionally, customers who spend a minimum of RM200 in a single receipt will be entitled to a contest entry where they will be in the running to win prizes such as Samsung Galaxy SIII smartphones, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 tablets and Garmin nüvi 50LM Portable GPS navigators.

“Ensuring that our customers stay safe on the road is of paramount importance to Ford, which is why we invest so much on smart and safe technologies across all of our vehicles,” said Patrick O’Neill, parts and service regional manager, Asia Pacific, Ford Export & Growth Operations.

“Campaigns such as the ‘Ford Service Extravaganza’ promotion are how Ford goes further in our promise to better serve customers. As Ford owners prepare to travel for their vacations during the holidays and upcoming festive season, they can take advantage of this promotion to ensure their vehicles are in tip-top condition,” he added.

In line with the safety-oriented nature of the campaign, Ford has also published a series of driving tips to help motorists better navigate the various potential road hazards that can crop up along the way. Most of these tips, which we have reproduced below in Ford’s own words, are common sense, but they appear to be alien to a shockingly large proportion of motorists:

(1) Check your car carefully before travelling. Brakes, steering, fluid levels, tire pressure and tread depth should be checked so that your vehicle is ready to deal with heavy traffic on the highway, especially in a downpour.

(2) Keep a good emergency kit in your car. Taking a few steps in advance can save you time, emergency service costs and help to avoid stress in case of a breakdown. The kit should meet your individual needs and be equipped with a spare tire, a torch, fuses, an air pump, water, first aid supplies and other items to attract or provide help

(3) Make sure that your wipers are in good condition and functioning properly. If the wiper blades are brittle or damaged, replace them before the rains begin.

(4) Have your seat belts fastened at all times. There is simply no substitute. Seat belts significantly reduce serious injuries or even death. Make sure that you and everyone in your car has their seat belts fastened at all times.

(5) Drive carefully! Pay close attention to your speed. Driving at high speeds is absolutely unnecessary. During monsoon season the rain can create a thin sheet of water between the tires and the road, a condition where the driver can more easily lose control.

(6) Turn on the headlights. When driving in rain or low-light situations like late evenings or dusk, switch on your headlights. It will increase your visibility and allow other drivers to see you from a distance.

(7) Maintain a safe distance between any vehicles travelling ahead of you. This is a good habit to observe especially when the road surface is wet, you will need more time and distance to react to a hazard.

Be especially careful not to follow closely behind large buses or trucks: the spray thrown off by their rear wheels could impair your vision. Also, Malaysian drivers have the bad habit of switching on their hazard lights when driving in heavy rain. Be equally wary of such vehicles, especially in the fast lane, as they could actually be stationary due to an accident or vehicle malfunctions.

(8) Always be alert for stop signs or obstacles blocking the road. If water is pooling on the road, remember never to drive through a flood, especially in an area that you may be unfamiliar with: turn back and look for another route.

(9) Plan your route and be aware of conditions. Regardless of whether you have a set destination or route in mind, a little knowledge of the route and conditions you might encounter can go a long way towards ensuring a safe and pleasant journey. Also, keep up with traffic reports so you can plan your journey better. During the festive season, major highways often provide a travel time schedule for drivers in efforts to control heavy traffic situations.

(10) Don’t go on the road tired. If you’re feeling tired, delay your journey or switch driving turns with someone else. If already on the road, pull up at the next rest stop and take a nap.