There’s owning a Ford, and then there’s owning the entire experience. The latter requires a dedication to vehicle maintenance that lasts long after you drive off the lot; and as we recently learned from owner, Gary Dicks, it can definitely help your vehicle go further than you’d ever imagined.
Taking exceptional care of his 2003 Ford Escape is a way of life for the Brockville area resident. And having recently hit an impressive 500,000 km, he and his vehicle are literal living proof of the power of regular service. Since buying his Escape in 2003, Gary has faithfully been taking it for regular service at the Brockville Ford dealership. Over the years, he’s become somewhat of a celebrity at the dealership and a great friend to its staff, forming what is truly a Ford family to be proud of.
What motivated him to be so diligent about service? Gary and his Escape have spent a lot of time together over the years; whether it’s his daily 130 km commute to and from work, towing his boat to go fishing on weekends, transporting his three kids and all their cargo, or navigating tough country roads in any season, Gary says his Escape has “given me everything I need for my lifestyle.”
But his 2003 Escape isn’t the first Ford in Gary’s life to be there for a significant milestone. When he first met his wife, Sandy, he was the proud owner of a 1978 Ford F-100 half-ton, complete with racing stripes and matching seats. Gary and his wife, Sandy, joke that their courtship was indeed, a real Ford pick-up!
As for hitting 500,000 km, Gary never expected it. In fact, anticipating he’d need it, he purchased a new Escape in 2010. However, five years later, he’s still driving the old one and it seems determined to hit 600,000 km next!