SWANZEY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) As colder temperatures approach and New Hampshire’s roads prepare to deliver another season of potholes, frost heaves and winter wear, Monadnock Ford is encouraging drivers to take a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance.

For General Manager and Managing Partner Larry Monson and his service department, the goal is about more than keeping cars and trucks running. It is about helping customers understand their vehicles and make informed decisions about safety and repairs.

“Our job at Monadnock Ford is to help you manage the aspect of maintaining your vehicle so that when life happens, you can plan for it,” Monson said.

The approach reflects the dealership’s broader commitment to transparency and customer relationships.

That philosophy extends to the dealership’s service department, where Service Manager Greg Castor and Shop Foreman Bret Durfee work with customers and technicians to identify maintenance needs, explain repair recommendations and help drivers understand how to keep their vehicles in good condition.

Castor oversees the customer-facing service process, while Durfee, a Ford senior master technician, brings technical expertise to diagnosing vehicle problems and evaluating maintenance needs. Both emphasized the importance of preventive care and clear communication during a recent discussion about preparing vehicles for the region’s demanding driving conditions.

Preparing vehicles for New Hampshire’s conditions

New Hampshire’s changing weather and challenging road conditions can take a toll on vehicles, particularly during the transition from fall to winter.

Cold temperatures can lower tire pressure, while potholes and frost heaves can damage tires and suspension components or affect wheel alignment. Dirt roads, mud and heavy work use can create additional wear, sometimes triggering a chain of related problems.

“There are often cascading effects just from the environment,” Durfee said.

The dealership recommends paying attention to tires, brakes, suspension systems, fluids and filters, even when a vehicle appears to be running normally. Drivers may not notice a developing issue until it begins affecting performance, handling or safety.

Ford’s recommended maintenance intervals generally fall between 5,000 and 7,500 miles, depending on the vehicle and its requirements. Given the region’s conditions, Monadnock Ford recommends that many drivers consider service around every 5,000 miles.

Vehicles that accumulate fewer miles should not be overlooked, either.

“I would suggest that everybody bring their vehicle in at least once a year, have it serviced, have it looked over with that service,” Durfee said.

The dealership services gasoline-powered vehicles, diesel trucks, hybrids and electric vehicles, with maintenance requirements varying by model. Technicians can also check for applicable recalls, software updates and known mechanical issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Using a vehicle identification number, or VIN, along with mileage and manufacturer recommendations, the service team can help identify maintenance needs specific to an individual vehicle. Some Ford software updates are available remotely through the manufacturer’s app or over the air, while others require a dealership visit.

Small problems can become expensive repairs

Preventive maintenance can be particularly valuable for drivers who depend on their vehicles for work and businesses whose operations rely on trucks and other commercial vehicles.

“Preventative maintenance is typically a lot cheaper,” Durfee said.

Addressing a developing issue early may help prevent more extensive repairs, unexpected expenses and lost time. For businesses, a vehicle out of service can mean missed appointments, delayed jobs and lost productivity in addition to the cost of repairs.

Monadnock Ford is developing its Brattleboro location as a truck service center to better accommodate commercial and fleet customers. The focus is on helping businesses keep vehicles maintained and reduce unplanned downtime.

For individual owners, regular service offers a similar benefit: a better understanding of a vehicle’s condition and an opportunity to plan for maintenance rather than reacting to an unexpected breakdown.

Inspections put information in customers’ hands

With New Hampshire no longer requiring periodic state vehicle safety inspections, drivers remain responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe to operate.

Monadnock Ford offers checks of key components, including tires, brakes, suspension and potential fluid leaks, along with multi-point inspections designed to identify developing concerns.

Technicians may also examine tire wear patterns for signs of alignment or suspension problems.

A distinguishing feature of the dealership’s service process is its use of technician-recorded videos. Customers receive a complimentary multi-point inspection, and technicians can document their findings on video so drivers can see what was checked and understand why a particular repair or service might be recommended.

“Those videos get done by technicians,” Castor said. “This is to help maintain the car.”

The videos provide a direct connection between the technician’s work and the customer’s decisions. Rather than relying solely on a written list of recommended repairs, customers can review what the technician observed and discuss the next steps with a service advisor.

Castor said that process begins as soon as a customer arrives.

“It all starts right there. The service advisors when they come in, they get the smiling face coming in the door,” he said.

Service advisors help explain inspection results, answer questions and discuss priorities. Some repairs may warrant immediate attention, particularly when safety is involved, while other maintenance items may be scheduled for a later date based on the vehicle’s condition and the customer’s circumstances.

The team also looks for applicable recalls during service visits. Castor recalled a customer who brought a vehicle in without realizing it had a second recall. The dealership was able to address the additional recall during the same visit, saving the customer another trip.

Transparency over pressure

Monson said the dealership’s responsibility is to give customers the information they need to make decisions that suit their vehicles, budgets and driving habits.

“Our job is to educate and inform the customer. Just give them the tools to make those decisions,” he said.

“We don’t want to sell things to people that they don’t need or want,” he added.

The philosophy aligns with the “Monadnock Promise,” the dealership’s approach to fair pricing, convenience, quality service and building lasting relationships with customers.

As Monson has explained, he views the automotive business as a people business, with long-term trust more important than any single transaction. In the service department, that means explaining what a vehicle needs without making customers feel pressured to approve every recommendation at once.

The team recognizes that drivers have different budgets and priorities. By explaining the condition of a vehicle and outlining available options, staff members aim to help customers determine what should be addressed immediately and what can be planned for the future.

Modern vehicles require specialized expertise

Today’s vehicles are increasingly complex, combining mechanical systems with sophisticated electronics, computer controls and software. Diagnosing problems can require specialized equipment, manufacturer training and years of hands-on experience.

The dealership invests in technician education and training to help employees keep pace with changes in vehicle technology, including hybrid and electric systems.

That experience can be critical when diagnosing problems involving interconnected systems, where a symptom may not reveal the underlying cause.

Monson previously described technician development as a long-term investment for the dealership, with experienced employees helping newer technicians build their skills. He has also emphasized the importance of providing training and opportunities for employees to establish careers in the region.

The same emphasis on expertise and communication carries through to customer service, where the team aims to explain not only what needs attention, but why.

Meet the team at November networking event

Monadnock Ford will welcome members of the local business community to a Business After Hours networking night on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Hosted in partnership with the Greater Monadnock Collaborative, the event will take place at Monadnock Ford, 119 Monadnock Highway in Swanzey.

The evening will offer an opportunity for local business professionals to connect with colleagues, exchange business cards, enjoy refreshments and enter for a door prize. Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn more about the dealership and meet members of its team.

Admission is free for Greater Monadnock Collaborative members and $15 for nonmembers. Registration is available through the Greater Monadnock Collaborative’s business events website.

As the region heads into another demanding winter driving season, Monadnock Ford’s service team encourages drivers to make maintenance part of their regular routine. Checking a vehicle before a problem develops, understanding inspection findings and planning for necessary repairs can help drivers stay safer and avoid preventable disruptions.

For Monson and his team, the underlying principle remains the same whether a customer is purchasing a vehicle, bringing in a work truck or scheduling routine maintenance: provide clear information, treat people fairly and help them make decisions with confidence.