How to Check Your Vehicle's Fluids

DURAND, Mich., –– Want to protect your vehicle from breakdowns, accidents, and costly repairs? Checking up on your vehicle's fluids at least once a month will help to reduce repair costs, improve your safety on the road, and protect your investment from potential damage. Learn how to check your vehicle's fluids to keep it running at peak efficiency. Follow these quick and easy steps!

How to Check Your Wiper Fluid

While it may not directly affect your vehicle's performance, your wiper fluid helps to improve your visibility on the road when you're driving. You'll use up your wiper fluid over time from cleaning your windshield. If you notice that your wiper fluid level is lower than normal, pop the hood of your vehicle and locate your wiper fluid reservoir (look for the "Washer Fluid Only" label). Locate the "full" label on your wiper fluid reservoir, and fill the tank until it reaches that mark!

How to Check Your Oil

Your engine oil is one of the most important fluids in your vehicle. It lubricates your engine's components, which reduces your engine's heat and prevents parts from rubbing against each other and causing damage. Typically, you should have your engine oil replaced every 3,000-5,000 miles, or whenever your vehicle owner's manual tells you to do so. Checking your oil only takes a few steps and should be done only after you allow your vehicle to cool down for an hour. Pop the hood of your engine and follow these directions to check your oil:

1. After popping the hood, look for your engine oil dipstick (it should look similar to the image above). Put your finger through the loop and pull the dipstick out of your engine.
2. Wipe the dipstick off on a paper towel or rag to make sure you can get a clean reading.
3. Reinsert the dipstick and remove it again to read the oil level. There should be labels on the dipstick indicating whether you're at the maximum or minimum oil level. If you're below the minimum level, bring your vehicle in for an oil change!

How to Check Your Coolant

You should check your coolant level as well to make sure it's at its designated amount. This fluid is what keeps the radiators from freezing or overheating. Before you check your coolant, make sure your engine has cooled down or you could be sprayed by scalding water! Use your vehicle owner's manual to locate your coolant reservoir. It should look similar to the image above. Your coolant should have maximum and minimum levels similar to other reservoirs in your engine. Get your coolant refilled right away if it's below the minimum level!

Keeping your coolant level high reduces your engine's heat and helps to regulate internal temperatures in your vehicle. You should have your coolant levels refilled every 30,000 miles, or whenever your vehicle owner's manual tells you to do so.

How to Check Your Power Steering Fluid

Your power steering fluid helps to transmit power from your steering wheel to your vehicle's engines to give you smoother and easier steering on the road. If you want to check your power steering fluid, look for a reservoir similar to the one above (it should have a power steering fluid label on the cap). The labels on the exterior of the reservoir will have two sets of lines, one for a hot engine and one for a cold engine. Consult your vehicle owner's manual if you aren't sure what type of engine your vehicle has. If you need your power steering refilled, bring your vehicle in for service right away!

How to Check Your Brake Fluid

Your brake fluid helps to transfer power from your brake pedal to your brakes, allowing your vehicle to slow to a stop whenever you need it to. If your brake fluid is below the minimum level, you may encounter trouble while you brake as it may require more force. To check your brake fluid, you must first locate your brake fluid master cylinder reservoir. It should be close to your brake pedal, but if you can't find it, consult your vehicle owner's manual. Like other reservoirs, it should have a "full" and "empty" indicator on its exterior. If it's below the "empty" label, schedule a service appointment with us!

Checking your fluids at least once a month will help you to extend the life of your vehicle, reduce maintenance costs, and improve your safety on the road. Now that you know how to check your vehicle's fluids, you'll be able to determine whether or not you need to have important reservoirs on your vehicle filled. If you need your oil changed, brake fluid replaced, or other service, give us a call or schedule an appointment online right away! Consult our routine maintenance FAQ if you have any questions on power steering, coolant, or other important components in your vehicle.

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road in Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand wants to revolutionize your car buying experience. We’ll bring all the transparency and customer satisfaction you need while making the buying experience fun! If you have any questions be sure to contact us at (989) 288-2657 or head over to our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com! We are proud to serve Durand and the surrounding communities of Owosso, Flint, Genesee Charter Township, Swartz Creek, and Corunna.

Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube and Instagram

5 Signs Your Brakes Need to Be Replaced

DURAND, Mich., – Brakes are some of the most crucial components of your vehicle that the ensure safety of not only you and your passengers but other cars out on the road as well. Yet, brakes are often overlooked in terms of routine maintenance by the average driver, and their repairs and replacement aren't always seen as a priority. Well, we're here to tell you that your brakes and brake pads are some of the most important components in your vehicle and they need to be maintained and inspected regularly. Otherwise, you run the risk of an accident happening or serious and costly component break down. We've compiled a list of 5 signs your brakes need to be replaced to help you tell when it's time to bring in your vehicle to a service center.

How can I tell if my brake pads need replacing?

That is always the big question. You can start by searching for brake pad wear by looking through the spaces between your wheel's spokes. You will see the outside brake pad pressed against a metal rotor, and the pad should be at least 1/4 inch thick. Any less than 1/4 of an inch and you should have your brake pads inspected to see if they need to be replaced.

Typically, you should have your brakes checked about every 5 months or every 5,000 miles. If you drive in stop-and-go traffic a lot or make hard brakes often you should get your brake pads checked even more frequently. You can always ask our technicians to take a look at your brakes the next time you're at a service center for an oil change just to be safe.

Signs your brake components need replacing:

Grinding or Squealing

If, when you brake, you hear a loud metallic sound, it means that your brake pads have worn down completely, and are most likely beyond replacement. The grinding or squealing noise you hear is caused by the two pieces of metal (the disc and the caliper) rubbing together, scratching your rotors and creating an uneven surface. If this happens, your mechanic will likely tell you that the rotors need to be resurfaced or replaced.

Reduced Responsiveness 

If your brakes aren't reacting to your foot, are less responsive, or if the brake pedal sinks all the to the floor when you press on it, there may be an air or fluid leak in the braking system. An easy way to check is to look for a small puddle of brake fluid underneath the vehicle when it's parked. Brake fluid has an appearance very similar to fresh motor oil.

Pulling

If you find your vehicle pulling to one side while you're braking, it may be time for a brake adjustment or to get your fluid drained and replaced. When your vehicle pulls during breaking, it's usually a sign that the brake linings are wearing down unevenly or that there is debris or foreign substances in the brake fluid.

Vibration

If you feel a vibration on the brake pedal when you're applying your foot to it, this can either mean that the rotors have become warped or that your wheels are out of alignment. Warped rotors are caused by severe braking for long periods, and the vibration is felt because the brake pads are not able to grab the surface evenly.

Shaking Steering Wheel

Warped or thin brake rotors can also cause your steering wheel to shake and vibrate as well. This is because the rotors aren’t able to disperse the heat. If you’re experiencing this issue, it’s important to have your brakes looked at and repaired so you’re safe on the road.

If you are experiencing any of these 5 signs that your brake pads, rotors, or other brake components are wearing down or need to be replaced, it's very important you get them looked at right away. Our experienced and skilled team at the Graff Chevrolet Durand Service Center can address and fix any issues you may have. The sooner you get these issues taken care of, the better. Putting off these repairs can compound the damage and affect other components in your vehicle making for a costly repair bill. Plus, you're putting yourself and others on the road in danger by driving with compromised braking ability. So schedule an appointment today to ensure that your vehicle is top working order.

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road in Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand wants to revolutionize your car buying experience. We’ll bring all the transparency and customer satisfaction you need while making the buying experience fun! If you have any questions be sure to contact us at (989) 288-2657 or head over to our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com! We are proud to serve Durand and the surrounding communities of Owosso, Flint, Genesee Charter Township, Swartz Creek, and Corunna.

Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube and Instagram