How to Take Care of Your Car This Fall

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,–– Fall is here, and winter is on its way. Soon the colder temperatures will be making you run to your closet to put on a sweatshirt. Turns out though, your vehicle is also affected by the changing of the seasons as well. During the colder seasons, important components of your vehicle can become worn or damaged due to the changing temperatures. Protect your vehicle and your investment by learning how to take care of your car this fall. In this blog, we'll inform you about the importance of your vehicle's belts and hoses, windshield, heating and ventilation system, and weather strips, and will also give you tips on putting together and maintaining an emergency kit to keep in your vehicle. Read on to find out more!

Belts and Hoses

Your engine requires a lot of working components in order to get you from Point A to Point B. The belts and hoses in your vehicle are some of the most important parts in your car. They transfer power and fluids throughout your vehicle to help it function properly. However, broken or damaged belts and hoses can potentially disable your engine or cause severe damage to it. In the fall and winter, colder temperatures can cause your belts and hoses to crack or break, which is why having them checked this time of year is extremely important. 

Windshield Care

If you had to name off at least three important safety components in your vehicle, would you even think of naming your windshield? Probably not! Your windshield protects you from wind, dirt, and debris while you drive, but it also keeps your vehicle structurally intact in the event of a collision or rollover. Read up on our website page to learn more about what to do if you discover any cracks or chips, and how to prevent them from expanding and further damaging your windshield.

Heating and Ventilation System

Believe it or not, your heating and ventilation system is another extremely important safety component in your vehicle! The heating and ventilation system in your vehicle obviously keeps your cabin warm while you drive in cold weather and defrosts your windows so you're able to see out your windshield morning on your way to work. But if you get stuck on the side of the road for whatever reason during the upcoming winter months, your heating system will keep you from freezing until help arrives. Consult our website for more information on maintenance, care, and what to do if your heating and ventilation system isn't working.

Weather Strips

Have you ever wondered what the black rubber strips that surround your car doors are called? They're known as weather strips, and they're located around your windows, windshield, and trunk as well as your doors. They work by preventing water, dirt, and debris from entering your vehicle, and can become worn or damaged over time, which can be problematic during colder seasons. On our website, you can learn the importance of weather strips, how to spot damage on them, and how to know if they need to be replaced.

Emergency Kit

When you're out and about on the road, it never hurts to be prepared. Keeping a properly stocked emergency kit in your vehicle will help you be ready for any situation you can encounter while driving. Our emergency kit page is full of information on putting together your very own emergency kit to keep in your vehicle, with tips on what to keep year-round and important seasonal items like a shovel or ice scraper. Let us know if you have any questions about putting together an emergency kit. We're happy to help!

Your vehicle is a big investment. Keep it protected when the temperatures start dropping by learning how to take care of your car this fall. You can discover tips on how to keep your emergency kit stocked and your weather strips, heating and ventilation system, windshield, and belts and hoses in top condition with our Fall Car Care advice. If you have any questions or would like assistance with putting together your emergency kit or spotting areas in your vehicle that may require maintenance, give our team a call and let us know!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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Fall Car Care at Graff Mt. Pleasant

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – The fall season has quickly arrived! The school year has started, the nights have gotten cooler, and soon we will be preparing for snow. The fall season in Michigan can unpredictable. From various temperatures, to unexpected rain or snow, you want to make sure your vehicle can handle whatever the weather brings. Our teams at Graff Chevrolet and Graff Buick GMC Cadillac Mt. Pleasant want to make sure you are safe when you hit the road this season. With our Fall Car Care at Graff Mt. Pleasant you can learn how to protect and properly service different vehicle components like your belts and hoses, heating and ventilation system, weather strips, and windshield. You can also learn some of the key items to keep in your emergency car kit. Continue reading for a closer look at what you will find on our websites for Fall Car Care!

• Belts and Hoses – You can learn about why your belts and hoses are an important part when helping your car get through the fall weather. Read about the different maintenance tips and when to properly service your vehicle belts and the different hoses. Learn more on our Graff Chevrolet or Graff Buick GMC Cadillac web pages today!
• Heating and Ventilation System – When you visit the Graff Chevrolet or Graff Buick GMC Cadillac heating and ventilation system pages you can learn how the system works to keep you warm, and how it can also be a safety feature. Visit our websites to also learn how to detect any heating and ventilation system damage. 
• Weather Strips – Weather strips help keep different weather elements out of your vehicle’s interior. However, if they are damaged it can be tricky locating the damaged section. To learn how to detect tears or weak spots, visit our Graff Chevrolet Weather Strips maintenance page or our Graff Buick GMC Cadillac Weather Strips maintenance page. 
• Windshield Care – Did you know your windshield plays an important part in your vehicle’s structure? It helps hold your cabin in one place, and serves as an important safety component. Learn how the smallest chip can turn into the biggest crack on our Graff Chevrolet or Graff Buick GMC Cadillac Windshield Maintenance pages. 
• Emergency Car Kits – Having an emergency kit in your car at all times is very important. With the fall weather leading into more difficult driving conditions there are some extra items you will want to have on hand. Learn about the different safety objects and essentials you will need when you check out our Fall Car Care Emergency Car Kits for Graff Chevrolet or Graff Buick GMC Cadillac Mt. Pleasant. 

Now you can have a peace of mind every time you hit the road with our Fall Car Care at Graff Mt. Pleasant. Our new Graff Chevrolet Fall Car Care pages and our Graff Buick GMC Cadillac Fall Car Care pages will explain how fall car care is important for different parts of your vehicle when it comes to your safety on the road. If you are ready to schedule your upcoming Fall Car Care service appointment you can contact our Graff Chevrolet or Graff Buick GMC Cadillac ASE Certified technicians online today!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

Top 10 Emergency Car Kit Supplies

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – With warmer weather slowly arriving, road tip vacations are becoming more popular. Before you hit the road for a new adventure, you need to make sure you are ready for any situation. It is important to be prepared for the worst incase of an accident, bad weather, or unexpected vehicle damage. That is why we put together the top 10 emergency car kit supplies you will be glad you had in your car.

Take a look at what to put in your emergency car kit:

1. Jumper Cables: Jumper cables are important to have at all times. You never know when you are going to have battery problems and they a key tool in getting your battery running properly. They also come in handy for others if you need to help someone else jump their battery. 
2. Funnel: Funnels are helpful if you ever have to top off an important fluid. They help prevent spilling and can make for accurate filling. 
3. Paper Towel: Car maintenance can be messy. It is always good to have paper towel handy to clean any spills or leaks. It also will help keep your self clean in dirty situations. 
4. Flash Light: Accidents happen at anytime. You don’t want to be blind in the dark. A flashlight will help you get around at night and can help see those smaller spaces under the hood! 
5. Duct Tape: Duct tape is a universal saver. While using duct tape won’t permanently solve a problem, it could be the one emergency car kit supply that helps get you to the auto repair shop just in time.
6. First Aid Kit: Not only do you want to prepare for emergencies with you car, but you never know what could happen to you or a passenger. First Aid Kits can help save lives and are smart to have at all times.
7. Heavy Gloves: If you ever have to check your car after it has been running, the parts can get hot under the hood. Keeping heavy work gloves in your emergency car kit will help protect your hands while working on car parts. 
8. Extra Cash: You never know if you need a tow, or emergency maintenance. It is smart to keep extra cash around so you know you can pay for whatever service may come up.
9. Water: Water is a great universal supply. It can help you stay hydrated in emergency situations and can be used for easy clean up. Water can also be used on your vehicle, for example, helping keep your engine cool. 
10. Blanket: The weather can be just as unpredictable as your vehicle. Having a blanket on hand all year will help you stay warm in cold temperatures or help you stay dry in wet conditions. 

Driving can be unpredictable. It is important to be prepared for the unexpected. With these top 10 emergency car kit supplies you can be ready for anything that may occur while on the road. Want to be even more prepared? Learn warning signs of potential vehicle damage on our Chevrolet FAQ page or our Buick GMC Cadillac FAQ page. You can even get your car ready for warmer weather on our Chevrolet Spring Car Care page or our Buick GMC Cadillac Spring Car Care page. Contact any of our dealership service centers to schedule an appointment for your vehicle maintenance today.

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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