Your Spring Car Care Checklist

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- While you're tackling that spring cleaning list for your home, there's some spring car care that should make it to your to-dos as well! We all spend the winter season dreaming of the road trips and adventures we'll experience once the warmer months roll around, but before you hit the road to catch those sun rays, you should make sure your car is up to the task. Winter weather can have some detrimental effects on your vehicle, but if you follow this checklist, your car should be ready for whatever travel plans your spring and summer months hold. 

• Have Your Steering and Suspension Inspected: Due to the freeze/thaw cycles that make up the majority of Michigan winters, potholes are a constant issue. Hitting these obstructions can severely damage your steering and suspension, but our service experts can get your vehicle back in alignment in no time. 

• Repair Dings and Dents: Harsh winter weather can lead to minor car body damage. While this doesn't necessarily affect the way your vehicle runs, it can decrease the aesthetics of your vehicle and thus, the value of your car. 

• Check Your A/C: There is nothing more disappointing than turning on your A/C once the summer months roll around and feeling nothing but hot air. Turn on the A/C and run the fan on all speeds. If something seems amiss, our certified service center would be happy to take care of the necessary repairs. 

• Change Windshield Wipers: The seemingly neverending downpour of hail, snow, and sleet can seriously mar your wipers, not to mention, you may want to purchase some new ones to prep for those spring showers that are on their way! 

• Tire Maintenance: Tires are the only point of contact between you and the road, so it's important that they're kept in good condition. Check the pressure of all them, including your spare, and make sure the tread is in good condition as well. 

• Inspect Air Filter: A clogged air filter can severely affect a car's performance and reduce your gas mileage by up to 10%! 

• Check Belts and Hoses: Cold temperatures can harden and/or damage rubber so make sure you check your belts and hoses for hardening, softening, leaks, cracks, blistering, or any other visible damage. 

• Inspect Your Battery: Cold temperatures can really do a number on your battery so make sure you have it tested. It's also a good idea to double check that it's properly mounted and that the connections are clean, tight, and corrosion-free. 

• Check Your Fluids: It can be easy to slack on keeping track of the level of your vehicle's fluids during the winter months, but once spring rolls around it's essential that you make sure they're all newly changed and topped off. This includes your oil, washer fluid, and coolant. 

• Get a Full Detail: You're cleaning your house from top to bottom, so why not your vehicle too? Collected dirt, dust, and grime on your vehicle can cause major damage including rust to the exterior of your vehicle and create deterioration inside your vehicle as well. 

Want some more in-depth Spring Car Care tips or are you ready to schedule a Spring service appointment for your vehicle at Graff Mt. Pleasant? Click here: http://bit.ly/2Tq5WXN

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.

Oil and Important Fluids: Why and How to Check them for National Car Care Month

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- There are three important fluids that run through your vehicle and all of them serve specific purposes that affect function, performance, and efficiency. Making sure they're regularly checked, flushed, topped off, and changed is an essential part of seasonal maintenance that will improve the longevity and safety of your car. Oil, coolant, and washer fluid should be checked on a routine basis, and the start of spring is the perfect time to do so. If you're planning on spending a lot of time on the road come the warmer months, it's even more important to schedule a service appointment with us to stay safe and make sure your car is running at its best.

We at Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant are here to tell you about oil and important fluids, and why and how you should check them for National Car Care Month.

WASHER FLUID

Washer fluid works together with your wiper blades to allow you clear visibility through your windshield. Some vehicles have built-in sensors that signal low washer fluid levels on the dashboard, while others do not. In any case, it's important to learn how to check it yourself so you always have a means of clearing your windshield of precipitation and debris while driving. The opening to your vehicle's washer fluid tank can be found under the hood, indicated by a picture of a windshield on the cap. When completely empty, most washer fluid reservoirs will take a whole gallon. No matter what the level, be sure to pour evenly and slowly.

If you go the route of doing it yourself, make sure you get a pre-diluted washer fluid that's rated for the temperatures you'll be driving in, otherwise you can risk it freezing in the tank. This information is always printed on the label. Though if you're unsure about going it alone, visit our service center and we'll gladly top it off for you!

OIL CHANGE

Oil is an extremely important component of a well-running vehicle, as it lubricates the moving parts of your engine, helps to reduce heat caused by friction, keeps the engine clean, and protects it against wear. Routinely having your oil changed can help you avoid expensive damage in the long-run, as well as enhance the overall longevity of your car. Routine oil changes should be done every 3,000-5,000 miles, or sometimes longer depending on your driving habits and if your vehicle uses synthetic oil. If you're not sure, always consult your owner's manual.

However, if you have any upcoming road trips or other spring and summer activities that will put you on the road more often, stop in for an oil change to ensure your vehicle can handle it and that your engine runs smoothly.

COOLANT

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is responsible for controlling the temperature of various engine components. It serves a dual purpose of keeping the radiators in your vehicle from freezing or overheating throughout the year. We recommend replacing your coolant every two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. Different vehicles have different needs, however. So when in doubt, always check your owner's manual for your make and model's specs.

If you suspect that your engine may be overheating or detect a sweet smell while driving that might indicate a coolant leak, come visit us and our service experts can see what's going on, and top it off if needed. With warmer temperatures on the way, spring is the perfect time to check your coolant fluid checked to prevent overheating.

Now you know why it's important to check your oil and important fluids, and how to do it. All three fluids serve crucial purposes that are essential to a well-running vehicle and work together to ensure your safety as well as that of your investment. To perform their duties, however, they need your help. If you're uncomfortable checking or changing these fluids yourself, Graff Mt. Pleasant's friendly team of service specialists will gladly do it for you! Schedule an appointment 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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Have Your Belts and Hoses Inspected for National Car Care Month

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,---We at Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant are here to share with you why you should have your belts and hoses inspected for National Care Care Month. When it comes to keeping your vehicle running in good shape, your belts and hoses are some of the most important parts of your engine because they enable your car to run! Normal use will cause them to wear down over time, but are more susceptible to damage in extreme hot or cold weather. Hot weather can add heat on top of existing friction, which causes these parts to wear down a lot faster. while cold weather on the other hand can make them stiff and prone to cracking.

By following scheduled maintenance and having regular inspections completed, you can be sure that your belts and hoses are working properly. While they don't often require replacements, inspections can catch little issues before they become big problems. We've shared some tips below on the various kinds of belts and hoses that help your car run, as well as how to spot any signs of damage.

BELTS

Your engine's belts control things like your AC compressor, water pump, alternator, engine valve intake and exhaust, and power steering. A broken belt can completely disable your vehicle, and the changing temperatures that come with springtime can make them more prone to wear. Damaged, cracked, or frayed belts can still run but can cause even bigger issues like your engine overheating. While they don't often require replacements, it is important to get your belts inspected regularly.

There are two kinds of belts your engine uses: the timing belt and the accessory or serpentine belt.

Timing Belt: Also known as the Cam belt, the timing belt synchronizes the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft. This helps the engine's valves open and close at the right times during the cylinders' intake and exhaust strokes. You should have your timing belt replaced every 60,000-100,000 miles or whenever your owner's manual tells you to do so, and here are a few signs to look out for that may indicate a replacement is in order:

• Your engine "jumps" gears
• Your vehicle is completely disabled
• There are plastic pieces from the camshaft gears in your oil pan
• There is loss of oil pressure (due to the camshaft pieces being in your oil)
• You hear a squeaking noise from your timing cover
• You hear rattling noises coming from your engine
• You have trouble starting your vehicle

Accessory or Serpentine Belt: Most vehicles usually have one or two drive/accessory belts. Also known as the "serpentine" belt, the accessory belt gets its name from the snake-like motion it uses around the pulleys of the engine. Its job is to transport power to components like your power steering pump, AC compressor, alternator, and many others.

Water, dirt, oil leaks, and excessive heat can cause your serpentine belt to wear down very quickly. You should have it inspected every 10,000-20,000 miles, and replaced every 60,000-100,000 miles or whenever your owner's manual tells you to do so. Here are a few signs that your accessory belt might need replacing:

• An overheating engine
• A disabled vehicle
• A loss of power steering
• A squealing or high-pitched noise while accelerating

HOSES

In the same way your circulatory system moves blood and oxygen around your body, your engine's hoses move fluids vital to your car's performance throughout its entire system. A cracked or damaged hose can lead to the leaking of these vital fluids, like coolant or brake fluid, and reduce the efficiency of your vehicle. There are several kinds of hoses inside your car:

Radiator Hoses: This hose moves coolant through your engine to regulate its temperature. Without it, your engine can overheat which can in turn case major internal damage and lead to costly repairs. Here a few indicators of a radiator hose leak:

• Drop in coolant level
• Smoke coming from your engine
• Rising engine temperature
• A bright pool of liquid underneath your vehicle

Fuel Line: The fuel line transports fuel from your fuel tank to the fuel pump, and are typically made out of reinforced rubber but can also be made out of plastic or metal. While they aren't usually a part of your vehicle's routine maintenance, it is extremely important to have them checked before the end of the fall or beginning of spring when temperatures are changing drastically. Here are some signs you may need to replace your fuel line:

• Loss in fuel efficiency/gas tank emptying faster than normal
• Puddles of gas underneath your vehicle
• Smelling gasoline while driving
• Hard starts
• Your vehicle not starting at all

Brake Lines/Hoses: Brake lines and hoses are used to stop your vehicle when you depress the brake pedal. Some vehicles made of steel and some made of rubber, but rubber takes the majority for the flexibility it provides to your car's suspension when traveling on uneven surfaces. Here's how to tell if you have a broken brake line or hose:

• Loss of braking ability
• "Soft" brakes

Now that you know why, go forth and have your belts and hoses inspected for National Car Care Month! Take care of your car, and it will take care of you. Schedule an appointment with our friendly and knowledgable service team today, and we'll help you keep your vehicle running at its best this spring and get it ready for your summer adventures!

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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Routine Maintenance on Your Car

MT.PLEASANT, MI – Get out your sweaters Michigan, because fall is here! Which only means that winter is right around the corner. While some people are sad to see the summer go and some are rejoicing for snow it’s important do routine maintenance on your car this season. Fall is a great time to take care of your car because you need to prepare it for winter, but it’s not too cold out yet. We have a few simple things you should be doing at least once or twice a year to keep your car running perfect all year-round.

1. Change your wiper blades – Your wiper blades should normally be replaced once every year. It’s best to change them before the colder weather comes because they’ll take more wear and tear from road and snow debris then. You might even want heavier duty ones for the winter. Replacing wiper blades is super easy. You just need the right sized blades for your car – be careful, because some cars have two different sizes – and then just snap them into place.

2. Check your spare tire – You don’t want to be that person on the side of the road shivering from the cold waiting for roadside assistance because your spare doesn’t work correctly. All you need is a tire pressure gauge – which you should keep in your glove box at all times. It takes 30 seconds to do and saves you a lot of time in the long run. Just so you’re aware your pressure drops one PSI (pound per square inch) every 10-degrees the weather drops, which we know changes everyday in Michigan.

3. Check and top off fluids – By fluids we mean your windshield-washer fluid and brake-fluid. Your windshield wiper fluid should have antifreeze in it for the winter so you can deice your car quicker. To check both fluids you need to find the required minimum that is located on the side of the containers and then fill it to the right amount. Make sure you double-check that you’re putting the right fluid in the right area. Dangerous things will happen if you mix them.

4. Change your air filter – The engine air filters should be replaced at least twice per year. The dirtier these filters get the less airflow you have and your car performance decreases significantly. You can find a replacement filter at any auto store. All you need to do is find the air filter cover, take out the old filter, replace it with the new one, and put the cover back on.

5. Check your battery and lights – Check your battery by looking for any corrosion around the connections. If there’s anything there, unplug the connections and use a special brush to clean the bad areas. Make sure you plug them back in tightly when you’re done. Check your lights by having a friend walk around your car while you turn them on and off. Not only is this a safety hazard for you and other drivers, but you can also get a ticket if your lights don’t work properly.

All of these items are pretty simple to complete and you can do them all on your own. Save yourself some time and money and perform routine maintenance on your car once or twice a year. It will also keep you and other drivers safer on the road.

If there’s any auto care that you need help with come into our service center near Big Rapids, MI. We can help you with your oil changes, car repairs, and car parts. Visit us at your Graff Mt. Pleasant Chevy 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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