Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Chevy Dealer

Your Chevy transmission works very hard to transfer the power of your engine to the wheels. The complex process involved in this energy transfer makes your transmission a complex and complicated piece of machinery. Unfortunately, as with any mechanical item, metal fatigue or other damage can leave you in need of a transmission repair. As your Chevy dealer in Park Hills, MO, we can help you when your transmission needs some work. Humming, Whining, or Clunking Your transmission should be silent. When either you or the transmission computer shift gears, the movement should be quiet and unnoticeable. If your transmission starts to make strange sounds, this is a sign that your transmission needs to be checked. If you have an automatic transmission, you'll hear a slight humming that will gradually turn into a whining sound over time. A manual transmission, in contrast, makes louder and harsher sounds. You will usually hear clunking or grinding noises. Sometimes these sounds can be mistaken for other problems, for example, a loose engine mount can make a clunking sound as it shifts when your car moves. Check Engine Light If the check engine light on your dash comes on, it's a sign that something in the engine isn't working correctly. The warning is, unfortunately, general as it doesn't specifically warn you if there's a transmission problem. The light is connected to numerous sensors emplaced throughout your car that monitor its various components for signs of trouble. These sensors can detect minute changes in the behavior of the components they're attached to. An increase in the temperature in your transmission caused by a blocked transmission filter, for example, can cause the check engine light to light up. If your engine light stays on, call our service department so we can find the problem. Slipping Gears When you or the transmission computer shift gears, your transmission should stay in that gear until it's changed. If your transmission starts to slip, it can suddenly and unexpectedly drop back into the previous gear position. If you have a manual transmission, your gear can move into neutral. This situation is extremely dangerous, as it removes your control over your Chevy. A transmission that slips into neutral will automatically cause your car to stop. This unexpected action can also cause damage to the gears and gear teeth. Our technicians will examine the transmission and find the cause of the problem. Dragging Clutch This problem only happens in manual transmissions, and occurs when the flywheel and the clutch disc don't disengage when the clutch pedal is depressed. The issue could be a fault between the master and slave cylinders in your clutch, or it could be due to a fault in your transmission. Our experts will find the cause of the problem and repair it. These are just a few signs that your transmission needs to be checked. If you experience these or any other odd behavior from your transmission, call us at Park Hills Chevrolet. Photo by Mídia: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-car-in-a-repair-shop-4116170/

The radiator, thermostat, and water pump are part of the cooling system, and together they perform the critical task of keeping your car's engine cool. Overheating is one of the first indications of radiator problems. The following signs will warn you when you need to get to your Chevy dealer for a radiator repair to avoid extensive engine damage and high repair costs. Constant High-Temperature Readings Every component in your car's cooling system must properly function to keep the engine cool. A constant high-temperature reading could be due to low fluids or a broken or malfunctioning thermostat. When the thermostat is not working properly, an incorrect amount of fluid will be released, and your car will overheat. An overheating issue will not go away on its own. Your Chevrolet technician will quickly determine what is causing the problem and repair it effectively before the heat damages other vehicle components. Overheating When Idling When your car overheats when idling, the culprit is most likely the cooling system. If your vehicle overheats while idling, the radiator fan might be malfunctioning. If your car is overheating, pull over. You need to turn off the engine and wait for it to cool down. In the case of overheating, ask your Chevrolet technician to inspect your vehicle's cooling system as soon as possible. A Coolant Leak If you have to fill up the coolant more often, it might indicate that your car is leaking coolant. Check under your vehicle, and if you spot bright green, pink, orange, or yellow puddles, coolant is leaking out. The leak could be from a degraded or loose hose or the radiator itself. If left unattended for too long, leaks could cause severe damage. White Smoke From the Tailpipe An internal coolant leak could cause white smoke to come out of your car's tailpipe. If you see white smoke, pull over and wait until the engine is cool before you check the level of the coolant. If it's low, there might have a coolant leak. Ask your Chevrolet technician to take a look as soon as possible. Steam From Under the Hood If you see steam from under the hood is a sure sign that your vehicle is overheating and that the radiator might be malfunctioning. The best cause of action is to pull over and wait for the engine to cool down. Don't drive your car any further. Contact your dealership while you wait and ask for assistance. A Clogged Radiator If your car is overheating and you see a thick sludge inside the radiator, your radiator is clogged. The thick gooey substance will block the radiator and prevent the coolant from flowing freely, making it more difficult for the radiator to distribute the correct amount of coolant to the engine. Rust and Contaminated Coolant Rust will cause extensive damage. A sign that your radiator is rusty is when the coolant is a brownish color. Act fast and get help from your Chevy technician before the rust makes holes that cause leaks. If you don't get the leaks repaired quickly, the problem will worsen and cost lots of money to repair. If your car shows signs that your radiator needs repair, it's best to schedule an appointment with a qualified Chevrolet technician. You don't want too long to avoid more damage that will lead to expensive repairs. Contact Park Hills Chevrolet today. Our qualified and skilled Chevrolet technicians will ensure that your car's cooling system works perfectly. Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

The average midsize car has a curb weight of 3,361lbs. That is a lot of weight that your brakes need to slow down and stop, especially in emergencies when you need to come to a stop quickly. That is why it is essential to make sure the brakes on your car are healthy; if you need a brake repair, then your local Chevy dealer is the perfect place to start. more Is It Time for a Brake Repair? Visit Your Chevy Dealer Today The brake light on your dash is an easily recognizable sign that you need to visit a repair shop soon. The brake light can be red, yellow, or orange and signifies that it is time to have your brakes inspected for issues. Waiting to take your vehicle in will not make the problem disappear and cause the problem to grow larger. However, if you take care of the problem when it is small, it could mean fewer expenses later on. Vibration If you notice your steering wheel vibrating while driving, it could signify that you have an uneven rotor. A brake inspection could reveal the need for a repair so you can solve the problem quickly. Another time you may notice unusual vibrations in your car is while braking itself. If you notice that your vehicle vibrates or feels like it is jerking as you apply pressure to the brakes, it's time to get your car into the service center at your dealer. Sounds Unusual sounds are a noticeable indicator that you should bring your car to a dealership to check it. For example, you may notice grinding or squealing in your brakes while driving or while you are coming to a stop. These sounds could be caused by metal grinding on metal; if this occurs, make sure you schedule an appointment soon. A dealership will be able to diagnose and fix these problems for you. Soft Brakes If you notice that your brakes feel "soft" when you are slowing down or coming to a stop, then you should make an appointment with a professional. Another indicator is if you notice that it takes longer to stop than usual. Your brakes are necessary to your safety, and the safety of others in your car, so soft brakes can become a significant problem. Drifting If you notice that you are pulling or drifting to one side while braking, it's important to get your brakes checked. A drifting vehicle can easily cause accidents and is dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. This uneven braking can be caused by several issues, including the hoses or calipers. So don't wait; make sure you get your brakes inspected as soon as possible. The brakes in your car keep you, your family, and others on the road safe. If it has been a long time since you had your brakes inspected, or you have noticed issues, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment for repairs. Contact us at Park Hills Chevrolet of Park Hills to schedule an appointment with our factory-trained service department today. Photo courtesy of Chevrolet.