Is Your Vehicle Ready for Winter? 7 Things to Check Before Temperatures Drop

Hunt Ford is inviting the Franklin community and surrounding areas to come together for a great cause. On October 24, community members can visit Jim Roberts Community Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to participate in the Drive for Ur Community event. The goal is to help fund a new and first ever ADA-accessible playground for Franklin Parks & Recreation, creating a more inclusive space where children of all abilities can play, explore and make memories. Here’s how you can help: Ford Motor Company will donate $30 for every completed test drive, with a goal of reaching 200 test drives to generate a $6,000 donation toward the playground project. Whether you’re looking for your next vehicle or simply want to support a meaningful local initiative, your participation can make a difference for families throughout Franklin. No purchase is necessary. Participants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license. Join Hunt Ford in driving change and helping build a more accessible, inclusive community—one test drive at a time!

September might still feel warm in Franklin, Kentucky, but colder temperatures, icy conditions, and occasional snow are right around the corner. Getting ahead of the season with a Ford winter maintenance checklist helps you avoid breakdowns, costly repairs, and unsafe driving conditions. If you own a workhorse Ford F-150, adventure-ready Bronco, a family-friendly Expedition, or any other Ford vehicle, a little preparation now goes a long way once frost starts showing up on your windshield. Check Your Battery and Electrical System Hot weather is tough on batteries, and with summer stop-and-go traffic, road trips, and towing, your battery may have taken a beating. And now, cold weather is on the forefront to compound that. It’s hard on batteries, and a battery that works fine in summer can fail quickly when temperatures drop. As part of your Ford winter maintenance checklist, have your battery tested for charge and voltage. Look for corrosion around the terminals and make sure all connections are secure. Most batteries last 3 to 5 years, so if yours is getting up there, it is worth replacing before winter arrives rather than dealing with a dead battery on a cold morning. Inspect Your Tires for Cold-Weather Readiness Tire pressure drops as temperatures fall, which can affect handling and fuel economy. Check your tire pressure regularly throughout September and October, and refer to your owner's manual for the recommended pounds per square inch for your specific Ford model. While you’re at it, inspect the tread depth and look for any uneven wear or visible damage. Tires in good condition give you better traction on wet or icy roads, which is especially important for drivers navigating rural Kentucky roads. Test Your Brakes and Fluids Your Ford winter maintenance checklist should always include a thorough brake inspection. Cold weather can make existing brake issues worse, so if you notice any squealing, grinding, or soft pedal feel, get it checked right away. You will also want to verify your coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid levels. Make sure your coolant mixture is appropriate for freezing temperatures—a proper antifreeze-to-water ratio protects your engine when temperatures dip below freezing. Check Your Lights and Wiper Blades Shorter days in fall and winter mean you rely on your headlights more often, and with the wet conditions approaching, you don’t want to be caught off-guard. Walk around your Ford and confirm that all exterior lights are working properly, including brake lights and turn signals. Replace any burnt-out bulbs before they become a safety issue. Wiper blades should also be inspected and replaced if they are streaking or skipping across the glass. Consider switching to winter wiper blades, which are designed to handle sleet and light ice more effectively. Schedule Ford Service in Franklin, KY Before the Cold Sets In The best way to make sure your Ford is truly ready for winter is to have a qualified technician look it over. Ford service right here in Franklin, KY is available to help you work through every item on your winter maintenance checklist, from oil changes and filter replacements to battery tests and tire rotations. Ford Mobile Service also allows technicians to handle many routine services at your home or workplace, making it easy to stay on schedule even with a busy fall calendar. Bringing your vehicle in for Ford service—or arranging for it to be done while you’re on the couch at home—before the cold hits gives you peace of mind and helps you catch small issues before they turn into major repairs. Get Your Ford Winter-Ready Today Working through a Ford winter maintenance checklist in September is one of the smartest things you can do as a Ford owner in Franklin, KY. From your battery and tires to your lights and fluids, each item you check off helps ensure a safer, more reliable winter driving experience. Visit Hunt Ford at huntfordky.com to schedule your service appointment and get your Ford ready before the temperatures start to fall.

When the call to adventure becomes part of your everyday routine, Kentucky drivers start looking at the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport. It’s easy to assume these two vehicles are just trim variations of the same thing. They share a name and a rugged identity, but they are definitely built with different types of adventurers in mind. Whether you’re exploring back roads outside Franklin, Kentucky, or just need a capable daily driver for Bowling Green commutes that can handle the occasional detour, understanding the differences will help you find the right fit. Off-Road Capability: Ford Bronco vs. Bronco Sport The Ford Bronco is a purpose-built off-road vehicle built on a body-on-frame platform. It comes standard with 4WD, removable doors, a removable roof, and solid front and rear axles on higher trims—features you rarely see in the SUV segment. For drivers who genuinely want to hit serious trails, the Bronco is engineered to handle that kind of demand without hesitation. The Bronco Sport, on the other hand, uses a unibody construction and operates more like a traditional crossover. It still offers capable 4WD options and solid ground clearance, and the Badlands® trim adds features like a disconnecting front sway bar. It handles light trails and gravel roads with confidence, but it’s not designed for the same level of extreme off-roading as its larger sibling. Size and Practicality One of the biggest differences in this Ford SUV comparison comes down to everyday usability. The Bronco Sport is noticeably more compact, making it easier to maneuver in parking lots and city traffic. Its practical rear cargo area and a user-friendly interior designed for everyday errands and weekend getaways alike, offering 32.5 cu. ft. for everyday stuff like groceries, and a max of 65.2 cu. ft. to accommodate camping gear, sports equipment, and small furniture. The safari-style roof lets you stand up bicycles or stack gear, while the available cargo management system includes a slide-out shelf/work table. It’s highly functional for everything from tailgating and camping to organizing gear. The full-size Bronco is larger and available in both 2-door and 4-door configurations. The cargo area is bigger, maxing out at over 83 cu. ft., and built for adventure. It’s wide and squared-off for bulkier items, is easy to load with the swing gate, and can be equipped with rubberized flooring for easy cleanout. If you regularly carry a full family or need to haul gear for longer adventures, the added space of the standard Bronco may be worth considering. Technology and Comfort Both vehicles come equipped with Ford's SYNC® touchscreen infotainment system and Ford Co-Pilot360® driver-assist technology, so you aren’t giving anything up on the tech front regardless of which you choose. The Bronco Sport tends to feel more car-like inside, with a refined cabin that appeals to drivers who prioritize daily comfort for commutes and running the family around. The Bronco leans more into its rugged character inside, with washable interiors available on some trims and a more utilitarian layout that holds up well to muddy boots and wet gear. Which Driver Is Each One For? In a straightforward Ford SUV comparison, it comes down to your lifestyle. If you spend weekends on serious trails or want a vehicle that can tackle demanding terrain, the Bronco is hard to beat. If you want something more versatile and fuel-efficient—capable enough for adventure but cozy enough for school pickups—the Bronco Sport delivers that balance exceptionally well. Drivers around Bowling Green and Franklin, KY have access to both models, so test driving each one is always the best way to feel the difference firsthand. Visit Hunt Ford to Find Your Match The best way to settle the Ford Bronco vs. Bronco Sport debate is to see them both in person. The team at Hunt Ford can walk you through available inventory, trim levels, and current offers to help you find the Ford SUV that fits your life. Visit our website to explore both, ask the right questions, and choose the one that truly matches how you drive. Hunt Ford is here to help every step of the way.