How to Maintain Your Buick
Do you own a Buick? If so, you probably understand that these vehicles have a reputation for being durable and reliable; however, you also need to make sure that you take care of your Buick if you want it to last as long as possible. At Anderson Buick GMC, we are proud to provide you with access to some of the best vehicles in the industry, and we also do everything we can to help you take care of them. Learn more about some of the top maintenance tips you need to follow, and reach out to us to schedule an appointment with our service center.
1. Change the Oil on Time
First, you need to make sure that you change the oil on time. Changing the oil is important because it helps you take care of the engine. With fresh oil, your engine will have a much lower risk of overheating. Furthermore, you can reduce the amount of wear and tear on your engine, which can help your engine last longer. If you have questions about which type of oil is best for your vehicle, reach out to us to speak with our team. We would be happy to help you.
2. Take Care of the Tires
Next, you also need to make sure that you take care of the tires. In general, you need to rotate your tires at least once per year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Rotating the tires is important because it ensures that they wear evenly. This can help you get the most miles out of your tires. Furthermore, when you rotate your tires, you need to get the tire pressure checked. Make sure your tires are at the right pressure if you want to maximize your gas mileage. If you think that your treads are a bit low, it would be our pleasure to help you find new tires for your vehicle as well.
3. Check the Battery
When you take your vehicle to the shop for maintenance, you also need to check the battery. The battery is responsible for starting your vehicle. If you turn the key and all you hear is a clicking noise, there could be a chance that the battery is dead. In general, you should expect to get between three and five years of use out of your battery. We would be happy to check your battery for you to see if it has any life left on it. If you believe you need a new battery, we can help you find the right one.
4. Change the Air Filters
You should also make sure that you change the air filters in your vehicle from time to time. You have two sets of air filters in your vehicle. You have a set of air filters in the cabin, which are responsible for making sure everyone in the cabin has clean air to breathe, and you have a set of air filters in the engine, which is responsible for making sure your engine has clean air with which to work. You need to rotate the air filters on time if you want your engine to last as long as possible.
5. Get the Brakes Checked
Finally, you need to make sure that you get the brakes checked as well. When you slam on the brakes, you want your vehicle to come to a stop and avoid an accident. We would be happy to check your brake pads for you to make sure they still have life left on them. If your brake pads are worn out, we can replace them for you. We can also check your brake rotors to make sure they are working as they should. Count on the team from Anderson Buick GMC to handle all of your maintenance.
Maintain Your Buick with the Help of Anderson Buick GMC
Ultimately, these are a few of the most important maintenance tips you need to follow. If you really want to take care of your vehicle, you need to follow the maintenance schedule that has been set by the manufacturer. At Anderson Buick GMC, it would be our pleasure to help you do exactly that. If you believe it is time for your vehicle’s next maintenance check, give us a call to schedule an appointment with our service center.
How to Maintain Your GMC
If you drive a GMC in the local area, you understand just how reliable this vehicle can be. At the same time, it is important for you to take care of your vehicle if you want it to last as long as possible, and that is where we can assist you. We are Anderson Buick GMC, and it would be our pleasure to work with you to take care of your vehicle. Take a look at some of the most important tips for maintaining your GMC below, and give us a call today to schedule an appointment with a member of our team.
Change the Oil and Rotate the Tires
One of the most common maintenance tasks you need to take care of involves an oil change and a tire rotation. It is important for you to change the oil on time, every time if you want the engine to last as long as possible. Oil is responsible for lubricating the internal components of your engine. It reduces the wear-and-tear among those internal components, adding valuable years of life to your engine.
You also need to rotate the tires. This is important for making sure your tires last as long as possible. By rotating your tires, you make sure that they wear evenly. That way, you can get as many miles out of them as you can. You need to change your oil and rotate your tires at least once per year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Take Care of the Brakes
Next, you must make sure you take care of the brakes as well. When you slam on the brakes, you want your car to stop as quickly as possible. The only way that will happen is if you take care of them. You need to keep an eye on the brake rotors, making sure they are rotated on time when they wear out. You also need to keep an eye on the brake pads. They will eventually wear down as well, and you need to swap them out if you want your brakes to continue to work well. If you are looking for a team that can help you take care of your brakes, it would be our pleasure to assist you.
Keep an Eye on the Battery
You should also make sure that you keep an eye on your battery. In general, you should get between three and five years of use out of your battery. If your battery is starting to reach the end of its life, we can take a closer look at it for you. We will measure the ability of your battery to hold a charge, and if it is having issues, we will help you find a new one. You need a reliable battery if you want your car to start when you turn the key, and we can help make sure that happens.
Watch the Fluid Levels
Finally, you need to keep a close eye on your fluid levels as well. If your fluids start to get low, the performance of your car will start to suffer. You need to make sure the windshield wiper fluid level is appropriate if you want to keep a clean windshield in the middle of a rainstorm. You also need to make sure that your coolant level is appropriate if you want your air conditioner to function appropriately. Finally, you must make sure your brake fluid level is appropriate if you want your brakes to behave as they should. Count on us to top off your fluids for you.
Call Anderson Buick GMC To Schedule Your Next Maintenance Visit
In the end, these are just a few of the most important points you need to keep in mind if you want to make sure your car runs as well as possible for as long as possible. At Anderson Buick GMC, we are proud to be one of the most well-respected dealerships in the local area, and we have generated our reputation by always putting the needs of our drivers first. We would be happy to help you take care of your car as well, so give us a call today to schedule an appointment with our service center.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 LTD Interior Overview
The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 LTD impresses as a light-duty pickup with heavy-duty ambitions. Its available Duramax® 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel generates up to 460 lb.-ft. of torque while offering up to an EPA-estimated 30 MPG on the highway. Its MultiPro Tailgate eases your workload with six functions, so you can pack up to 89.7 cu. ft. of cargo in the bed. This truck also pampers with the following interior features, which you can experience in person with a test drive at Anderson Buick GMC.
Looking Good
The trim that you choose for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited determines the range of colors and materials that make your interior look good.
• The SLT upholsters its seats with perforated leather in Dark Walnut with Slate, Dark Walnut with Dark Ash, and Jet Black with Kalahari accents.
• In the AT4, the perforated leather seats also use Jet Black with Kalahari accents but add embroidered AT4 badging on the front of the head restraints and Dark-finish technical aluminum details.
• The Denali at the top of the line wows with an exclusive Denali Dark Walnut and Dark Ash Grey interior, embroidered Denali badging on the head restraints of the Premium Forge perforated leather seating surface, and authentic open-pore real ash wood trim.
Getting Comfortable
To pamper you with comfort, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited power customizes its heated and ventilated front seats in up to 10 ways, including power lumbar support. You can store your settings in up to two memory presets. The seats sit high to give you a confident view of your surroundings. The leather-wrapped steering wheel can also have built-in heating.
You can secure gear and tools in the light center console compartment, which is available with a safe, the large lockable lower glove box, the upper glove box, under the rear seat, and in available rear seatback storage, which comes with two compartments.
The Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control encourages individual temperatures for both you and your front passenger, which automatically compensate for changes in the weather. Rear vents also keep those in the back comfortable. To keep the cabin quiet, the dashboard and carpet rely on sound-absorbing doors and the inlaid doors are triple-sealed.
Entertaining Information
In the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited, you can still connect with the world around you through the GMC Infotainment system, which you control through the available 8-inch diagonal multicolor touchscreen. It wirelessly integrates your compatible smartphone through Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. You can access texting, make calls, and download selected apps while you’re still on the road. Amazon Alexa Built-in lets you use the spoken word to play music, get directions, and control smart home devices.
With Bluetooth, you can use up to two devices at the same time and store settings for up to 10. When you need to power up your device, lay it on the Wireless Charging pad. Your music sounds superb from the seven speakers of the Bose Premium Sound System, which includes a Richbass Woofer. Your entertainment choices include SiriusXM® Satellite Radio, which has satellite channels devoted to commercial-free music, live sports, and exclusive celebrity shows.
Available Navigation reveals turn-by-turn directions to your destination on a dynamic moving app. An available Wi-Fi® hotspot lets you and your passengers browse the Internet with up to seven devices at the same time without using your phone’s data plan.
Informing the Drive
The available 15-inch diagonal Head-Up Display keeps your focus on the road by projecting information such as speed, audio, and safety alerts on the windshield in front of your eyes. If you want to see what’s behind you, look to the available Rear Camera Mirror, which shows a video image. You can switch it to a traditional rearview mirror if you want. You also have up to 15 camera views, such as HD Surround Vision to show virtual bird’s-eye views of what’s around you and the Bed View Camera to show what you’re carrying.
Use the In-Vehicle Trailering app to keep tabs on what you’re pulling. You can create up to five custom trailer profiles that include trailer name, type, and hitch type. The app also monitors the trailer tire pressure, sends you maintenance reminders, and can run through a trailer lighting test.
2022 GMC Acadia Tech Overview
As a mid-size SUV, the 2022 GMC Acadia seats up to seven people in up to three rows. Folding down the rear seatbacks rewards you with up to 79 cu. ft. of cargo volume. You’re also surrounded by the following technology, which you can experience in person by coming to Anderson Buick GMC.
Entertainment and Information
In the 2022 GMC Acadia, you manage the GMC Infotainment System with Navigation on an 8-inch diagonal multicolor touchscreen. It integrates your compatible smartphone with assistance from Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. You can then make phone calls, handle text messaging, or access specific apps while you’re still on the road. Amazon Alexa Built-In encourages you to use your voice to play music, check weather reports, and control smart home devices.
You’ll feel like you’re in a concert hall when the eight speakers of the Bose® Premium Audio System surround you in music. Entertainment can come from the trial subscription of SiriusXM®, which gives you satellite channels with ad-free music, live play-by-plays from every major sport, and exclusive celebrity talk. You can stream your favorite tunes from the Internet with the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot that allows up to seven devices to browse the web at the same time.
New Views
The available Rear Camera Mirror presents an unobstructed view behind you using a camera. If you prefer, you can also switch it to a traditional mirror. To make tight maneuvers easier, High Definition Surround Vision merges the views from multiple exterior cameras to present one virtual top-down view. Helping to keep your focus straight ahead is the 6-inch diagonal color Head-up Display that projects important info on the windshield in your line of sight, including speed, navigation, and safety warnings.
Protecting the Teens
Go ahead and allow your teens to solo in the 2022 GMC Acadia. You can still keep an eye on them through Teen Driver Technology. It lets you set limits on audio volume and speed while issuing speed alerts that tell drivers to slow down. It also automatically turns on safety features. At the end of their drives, you can examine an in-vehicle report card that shows maximum speed, distance driven, overspeed warnings, among other information. You can use these numbers to coach your youngest drivers on good road habits.
Staying Safe
The 2022 GMC Acadia guards your road trips with the following safety features.
• Adaptive Cruise Control puts you at a safe distance from the vehicle that you’re following by adjusting your speed. The Following Distance Indicator tells you the time it would take to reach the next vehicle, which clues you into how close you’re following.
• Forward Collision Alert tells you if you’re about to collide with the next car while Automatic Emergency Braking can stop the accident from happening.
• Front Pedestrian Braking offers the same warning and braking when a person is in your path.
• Rear Park Assist sounds off to inform you how close you’re getting to a hazard behind you as you back into a spot.
• Lane Keep Assist with Lande Departure Warning tells you if you’re wandering across highway lines without activating a turn signal.
• IntelliBeam headlamps switch from high beams to low when they detect the lights of other vehicles at night.
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert warns you that a vehicle is crossing your reverse route when you back out of a parking spot.
• Side Blind Zone Alert makes lane changes safer by telling you if a car has entered your blind spot.
Other Technologies
If both your hands are full and you have the key fob on you, you can still load the rear cargo area by kicking under the back bumper. The Hands-Free Power Programmable Liftgate opens. You can also open it by pressing the liftgate button on the Remote Keyless fob, pressing a button on the dashboard, or pressing the touchpad on the liftgate handle.
The front seats feature eight power adjustments, so you can customize their positions to your comfort. You can store the settings of the driver’s seat and the outside mirrors for instant recall.
Tri-zone Automatic Climate Control encourages you, your front passenger, and those in the rear to set their own temperature levels.
Which Buick is Right for You?
At Anderson Buick GMC, we’re proud of the Buick selection that we have in stock. Stop by and our friendly sales consultants will be happy to answer your questions or take you on a test drive. Need some help picking the right one for you? Here are a few suggestions.
Entering the Brand
If you’re eager to experience the brand for yourself, the 2022 Buick Encore stands out as your most affordable option. This versatile subcompact easily manages city traffic while offering the flexibility to carry up to five or 48.4 cu. ft. when you fold down the seatbacks in the second row. You’ll gain more confidence under uncertain conditions when StabiliTrak® helps you maintain control when it detects loss of traction.
You get such convenience as Keyless Open and Start. Leave your key fob in your pocket and you can push a button to unlock the doors. Once inside, you can step on the brake pedal and press the Start button to get going. Download the MyBuick Mobile app to your smartphone and add Remote Access. You can then start and stop the engine, or lock and unlock doors when you’re away from the vehicle.
Getting Sporty
The 2022 Encore GX ST announces your athletic attitude with an exclusive mesh grille that shines with inserts in high-gloss black and red. Go with the Black Roof Package to highlight your choices with a black roof, black roof rails, and black mirrors. With this choice, your options for body colors are Satin Steel Metallic, White Frost Tricoat, or Chili Red Metallic. When the seatbacks are down, you’ll have up to 50.2 cu. ft. to stash camping and sports gear.
Your style is backed by a 155-horsepower 1.3-liter Turbo that helps you avoid gas stations with the Stop/Start system. It shuts down the engine when you stop and restarts it again when you’re ready to move. The EPA-estimated fuel economy reaches 32 MPG on the highway and 29 MPG in the city.
Compact Convenience
You’ll get more space for your family or yourself with the 2022 Buick Envision. It refines your driving experience with aggressive but sophisticated aerodynamic lines that boost fuel economy while reducing wind noise. Thrill to 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque from the 2.0-liter Turbo ECOTEC 4-cylinder and its nine-speed automatic transmission. Continuous Damping Control constantly reads the road and adjusts the suspension to optimize your ride.
To stay connected to family and work, take advantage of the Buick Infotainment System and its color 10.2-inch diagonal touchscreen. It wirelessly links your phone, thanks to support for Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto®. You can send and receive text messages, make phone calls, and access select apps while you’re on your drive.
Family Ride
You can keep the family together on your road trips with the 2022 Buick Enclave. It seats up to seven people in three rows while keeping the cabin calm with Active Noise Cancellation and QuietTuning™ technology. The Smart Slide second row makes it easier for passengers to access the third row. Look up to the sun and stars through the available Power Moonroof and its Power Rear Sunshade.
Keeping everyone safe are driver assists like Forward Collision Alert, which warns you about hitting the next car. Automatic Emergency Braking can prevent the accident. Front Pedestrian Braking gives you the same advantage when people are in your path. When you back out of a parking spot, Rear Cross Traffic Alert tells you of cars crossing your reverse route.
Top of the Line
The top of the brand belongs to the 2022 Enclave Avenir, which crafts your highway experience with the Whisper Beige or Ebony-themed cabin. You’ll like the feel of leather upholstery as you’re enveloped by wood tones and brushed chrome accents. The front seats can also get built-in heating, ventilation, and soothing massage. Outside, the 20-inch aluminum wheel with Pearl Nickel finish and the exclusive grille heighten the look of luxury.
On long road trips, engage Adaptive Cruise Control, which puts a safe gap between you and the next vehicle by automatically adjusting your speed. To ease tight maneuvers, HD Surround Vision merges the views from multiple cameras to display a virtual top-down view of the area around you.
The Dangers of Driving with Low Oil Level
When was the last time you checked your car’s oil? Not checking your oil on a regular basis could put you in danger of driving with a low oil level. Do it for long enough and you’ll risk damaging or even destroying your engine, which could cost you a pretty penny to repair or replace, depending on the severity of the damage.
Let’s dive into the dangers of driving your vehicle without the right amount of oil in the engine.
Why Your Engine Needs Oil
With hundreds of moving parts to contend with, your engine needs all the lubrication it can get to cut down on damaging friction. Engine oil makes that happen by adding a thin layer between moving metal parts, allowing them to slide smoothly instead of grinding each other into metal flakes.
Engine oil also helps with keeping your car cool under extreme temperatures or road conditions. As engine oil circulates through the engine, it also absorbs a small amount of engine heat. This latent heat travels toward the oil cooler. Some oil coolers are attached to the radiator while others can move around more freely.
Engine oil also helps make a clean sweep of your engine’s hydrocarbons and other unwanted debris. As it circulates, it also picks up a wide range of contaminants and other microscopic debris. You’ll find much of this debris on your engine oil filter or the small magnet at the bottom of the oil pan.
How Low Oil Levels Happen
Oil leaks are a common reason for low oil levels. Depending on how bad the leak is, it could take days, weeks, or even months to notice if your vehicle seemingly “uses” more oil than usual. Leaks can happen for a variety of reasons, from something as simple as a loose oil drain plug to old and worn-out seals. Oil can also lose its viscosity over time, which means small amounts can seep out no matter how well-sealed your engine is.
Overall neglect can also result in a low oil condition. If you haven’t checked your oil in ages, then there’s a good chance it may be low at least a quart or two.
Depending on your engine’s age, it may also burn a small amount of oil along with its fuel. This is especially the case for worn engines with equally worn-out seals and gaskets allowing oil to seep into the combustion chamber.
What Happens Without It
Knocking and Excessive Wear
Without enough engine oil to provide a protective barrier against wear and tear, your engine’s various moving parts are more likely to wear out. The resulting metal-on-metal contact can widen engine tolerances, resulting in bigger oil leaks and more serious issues like compression loss. The constant grinding also sends metal fragments and shavings into the oil, which will end up circulating through the engine causing even more damage.
Overheating
Run your engine long enough with a low oil level and there’s a good chance your engine will fail due to overheating. Chalk it up to the constant friction between unlubricated parts in your engine, which also generates large amounts of heat.
Overheating can make your engine’s cylinder heads, block, and other valvetrain components a total loss. The excessive heat can easily warp otherwise-flat surfaces on the engine. Without a flat surface to work on, fixing an engine with a blown or warped head gasket becomes nearly impossible.
Engine Failure
When you ignore every single signal and warning that has to do with your vehicle, then sooner or later the engine will take its leave. This usually means a catastrophic failure that stops your engine – and your vehicle – dead in its tracks. In some cases, you may see a failed engine with a “window” where the piston or connecting rod blew loose.
It’s not hard to see the signs of impending engine failure. For one, your engine’s performance may dwindle as you’d normally think. Your engine may also sound noisier than usual or suddenly exhibit a loud tapping or knocking noise.
A blown engine also gives your car sluggish acceleration and poor overall fuel economy. Depending on your budget, you may end up repairing the engine or replacing it with a lightly used version of the same.
Which GMC is Right for You?
Are you shopping for a new GMC vehicle in Douglas, GA? Then come to Anderson Buick GMC where we’ve been serving drivers for over 30 years. Our professional sales team will be happy to answer all your questions and take you on a test ride or two. If you’re not sure yet what to pick from our extensive inventory of cars, check out some suggestions on which GMC is right for you.
Starting Up
If you’re new to the GMC family, a good place to start is with the 2022 GMC Terrain. This small SUV seats up to five or you can fold down the rear seatbacks to increase gear capacity from 29.6 to 63.3 cu. ft. You can count on up to 170 horsepower and 203 lb.-ft. of torque from the 1.5liter Turbo 4-cylinder and 9-speed automatic transmission.
You’ll enjoy plenty of high-tech perks, such as a color infotainment screen that measures 8 inches diagonally. It wirelessly connects to your compatible smartphone, encouraging you to make phone calls or access texting while you’re on the road. You’ll vibe to the seven speakers of the Bose® Premium Audio System, which delivers concert-quality sound throughout the cabin.
Family Ride
At the opposite end of the lifestyle and size scale looms the 2022 GMC Yukon, which holds up to nine passengers and up to 122.9 cu. ft. of cargo. If you need to carry more, the Yukon XL fits up to 144.7 cu. ft. when you drop-down the seats. Moving you ahead is the 6.2-liter V8 that puts out 420 horsepower with the 10-speed automatic transmission.
Your journeys stay protected by numerous driver assists, such as Forward Collision Alert, which warns of frontal hits, and Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, which stops the SUV before accidents happen. Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert tells you of other vehicles in your blind spot to make your lane changes safer.
Maximizing Capability
For tough days at work, you need a tough truck like the 2022 Sierra Heavy Duty 3500. It tows up to 36,000 lbs. and offers engine options like the 4701-horsepower 6.6-liter V8 with a 6-speed automatic transmission and the 445-horsepower Duramax® 6.6-liter Turbo-Diesel V8 that generates up to 910 lb.-ft. of torque. You can also opt for Digital Variable Steering Assist, which eases your efforts at low speeds, and adapts its response to different conditions, such as when you’re pulling a heavy load.
To make loading and unloading easier, the Multifunction Tailgate boasts six different functions like an inner gate with a work surface and a full-width step. You can take advantage of up to 15 different camera views to check out what’s behind you, in front of you, or in your trailer.
Driving to the Future
Take a drive to the future in the all-electric GMC Hummer EV Pickup, which is slated to arrive in the Fall of 2022. This all-electric behemoth explodes with up to 1,000 horsepower and up to 11,500 lb.-ft. of torque. On one charge, you can travel over 350 miles and rush from 0 to 60 MPH in 3 seconds. Remove the Modular Sky Panels of the Infinity Roof and you enjoy unlimited access to fresh air and sun.
Activate Super Cruise™ and you can drive virtually hands-free on over 200,000 miles of compatible roads in the USA and Canada. With the available 4-Wheel Steer, your wheels can turn up to 10 degrees in either direction. You can then crabwalk diagonally at low speeds.
Expanding the Business
Take your business products and services to the customer in the 2022 GMC Savana Cargo Van. You’ll have up to 283.6 cu. ft. to hold equipment and deliveries and tow up to 10,000 lbs. Turn on Tow/Haul Mode to minimize excess shifting when you’re pulling a trailer. Pair the rear doors with an available sliding Passenger-Side door to ease your loading and unloading.
You can stick with the standard 276-horsepower 4.3L V6, the available 401-horsepower 6.6L V8, or the available Duramax® 181-horsepower 2.8-liter Duramax® Turbo-Diesel. When you park on a slope, Hill Start Assist holds the brakes, giving you time to move your foot from brake pedal to the accelerator without the van rolling down the slope. Go for the available built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot to maintain communications with the company database.
Winter Maintenance Tips
Preventive maintenance is a must no matter the season, but it’s especially important during the winter. Harsh, cold weather can take a toll on your car, while icy roads and snowy weather pose serious driving challenges. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to prepare your vehicle for the winter ahead.
Check Your Fluid Levels
There’s no overstating the importance of having the proper fluids in the right amounts in your vehicle. If possible, make a checklist of the essential fluids your car needs to roll on safely and reliably – engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze/coolant, etc. Make sure these fluids are present in the correct amounts for your vehicle. Don’t forget to check for leaks, as leaking fluids could indicate a more serious issue.
In addition to checking fluid levels, there are other fluid-related things you should also do:
• Check your oil viscosity. Cold weather thickens oil, making it harder to circulate throughout your engine even when it’s warmed up. Some vehicles recommend switching to a lower-viscosity oil during the winter months for peak performance.
• Switch to a winter-grade windshield washer fluid. The last thing you want is a solid block of ice inside of your windshield washer fluid reservoir. While a few cars have nifty ways of defrosting washer fluid, you’re better off switching to a blend that’s specifically formulated for use in freezing temps.
• Schedule an oil change if you haven’t already done one. Fresh engine oil gives your engine a better chance of holding up throughout the winter months. Consider having your brake fluid, power steering fluid, and engine coolant flushed or changed if needed or according to your normal service schedule.
Check Your Battery
Winter can be harsh on car batteries, but more so when said batteries are past their prime. Before cold weather settles in for good, have a professional take a close look at your battery. Not only do you want a physical inspection for obvious signs of problems, including corrosion and leaks, but also a comprehensive test to ensure it still has enough cold cranking amps to start your vehicle in freezing temps.
Has it been a while since you last replaced your battery? If it’s been four years or more, then replace it with a fresh, new battery before it leaves you stranded in the dead of winter. Most batteries have a three- to five-year lifespan before they’re no longer able to hold a charge.
Check Your Tires
Pay close attention to the current state of your tires. After all, those four strips of rubber wrapped around your wheels are your only contact with the road. Here’s what you can do to keep your tires in excellent shape:
• Check the tread depths. A dedicated depth gauge works, but you can also use the penny method in a pinch. Just insert the penny upside down into the tread groove with Honest Abe’s visage facing you. If you can see the top of his head, then it’s time to replace your tires.
• Check for abnormal wear. Problems like worn shocks and/or bushings, misalignment, or unbalanced wheels can cause tires to wear out in strange ways. If you see signs of unusual tread wear, have a technician look into it soon.
• Check for signs of damage. Look for any cuts, cracks, curb rash, or punctures. If you see any of these, consider replacing that tire as soon as possible.
• Check your tire pressures. Grab a tire pressure gauge and make sure your tires are inflated within your vehicle’s recommended specs. A quick look at the “Tire and Loading Information” placard on the driver’s side door jamb or “B-pillar” will tell you the appropriate PSI for each tire.
• Look out for dry rot. Tires can dry out and crack apart as they age. Replace dry rotted tires as soon as possible, as a blowout could occur otherwise.
• Consider switching to snow tires. Plan on doing a lot of driving in snowy regions? Then you’ll want to swap your summer or all-season tires to winter tires. Winter tires offer better traction on snowy and icy roads, as well as in below-freezing temperatures.
Have Your Brakes Inspected
Bad brakes can lead to worse outcomes on snowy roads, which is why you’ll want them inspected before hitting the road this winter. In addition to checking for brake pad and shoe wear, make sure the brake rotors and drums are properly turned with minimal signs of rust and/or corrosion. These issues can lead to longer stopping distances as well as increased vibration and brake shudder on hard braking.
Make Sure You Can See the Road Ahead
Yes, outward visibility is still a thing, more so when there’s piles of snow on your car with more to come shortly. Needless to say, you’ll need the following if you want to see where you’re headed this winter:
• Check and, if necessary, change your bulbs. Conduct a walkaround of your vehicle with the lights on and make sure every exterior bulb works.
• Replace your windshield wiper blades. If possible, upgrade to winter blades designed to withstand harsh winter conditions.
• Check your windshield for signs of physical damage. If you see any cracks or chips, plan on having your windshield fixed or replaced soon.
• Consider using a headlight restoration kit. You’ll need one of these if your headlight lenses are clouded up and tough to pass light through.
Wash and Wax Your Ride
A complete wash and wax does more than make your vehicle look good. It also removes unwanted contaminants that could go on to damage your vehicle’s paint finish. Don’t forget to add wax after washing your car. Wax adds a protective barrier that keeps road salt and other nasties off of the paint finish.
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How Often Should I Have My Spark Plugs Replaced?
Spark plugs are relatively small engine components that sit above each cylinder at the end of spark plug wires. Depending on the design of your vehicle’s engine, the engine may have one spark plug for each of its cylinders or two. Spark plugs serve very important roles in engines and wear out over time as a result of their usage. Therefore, you will need to replace the spark plugs that are in your vehicle’s engine routinely so that the engine can continue to perform to the best of its ability.
The Purpose of Spark Plugs
Spark plugs sit on top of the cylinders of engines so that they can ignite the air-fuel mixtures that are injected into the cylinders during the engines’ combustion processes. As an engine runs, both air and fuel are constantly being injected into its cylinders so that the engine can produce power to drive the vehicle’s wheels. However, the air and fuel need to be ignited so that the power can actually be produced. Spark plugs continually produce the sparks that ignite these mixtures as the engine runs, producing thousands of sparks within each minute that the engine is running.
Faulty Spark Plug Problems
One of the most noticeable signs that the spark plugs of an engine are wearing out is misfiring. Misfiring can be both heard and felt by a driver. Misfiring is caused by faulty spark plugs, because the plugs will either fire at the wrong times or will fail to fire at all, causing fuel to be left unburned in an engine. Pinging or rattling sounds in an engine are signs that the engine is misfiring. An engine will also run roughly and vibrate more violently when it is misfiring.
When the spark plugs of your vehicle’s engine are going bad, you may notice a decrease in your vehicle’s fuel economy. The vehicle’s engine will need to inject more fuel into its cylinders to produce power for the vehicle, due to the inefficiency of its spark plugs. Additionally, the fuel that is left unburned in the cylinders of the vehicle’s engine will begin to coat the spark plugs, worsening the issue by preventing the spark plugs from igniting.
A vehicle will not have the same performance when its spark plugs are faulty, and a driver may notice that the vehicle accelerates slower. The reason for the performance decrease is due to the fact that an engine’s spark plugs will not be efficiently igniting the air and fuel that is injected into the engine’s cylinders, preventing the engine from producing its normal power.
Your vehicle’s check engine light may come on if the spark plugs that are in its engine need to be changed. Vehicles, especially newer vehicles, are very effective at identifying issues with their systems. When an issue is detected, an alert is usually provided to a driver through the form of a dashboard light. If your vehicle’s check engine light comes on, you will need to do a scan of the engine’s computer and run the code that is provided by the scan.
Spark Plug Maintenance Routine
It is generally recommended that drivers replace the spark plugs that are in their vehicles’ engines at least once every 30,000 miles. This ensures that drivers will not experience the problems that are caused by bad spark plugs. However, the lifespan of the spark plugs that are in your vehicle’s engine depends on the design of the engine and the spark plugs that the engine is using. To find the best maintenance schedule for your vehicle, you should refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, where the vehicle’s manufacturer provides various maintenance routines and maintenance tips for your specific vehicle.
Conclusion
It is important for you to replace the spark plugs that are in your vehicle’s engine routinely so that the engine can operate as you expect it to. Replacing your vehicle’s spark plugs routinely will also allow you to save money on fuel by optimizing the performance of your vehicle’s engine. Visit us at Anderson Buick GMC if you would like to learn more about the spark plugs that are in your vehicle’s engine or would like us to inspect your vehicle. We provide dependable services at our dealership that will help you maintain and improve the condition of your vehicle.