Your Spring Checklist: Five Things to Address First

The hot summer months tend to put more strain on various components of your car than any other time of year. Many drivers think that winter is the worst time for cars, but the heat, dry temperatures, and often increased driving can all contribute to a higher number of summer breakdowns. Keep yourself safe on all of your summertime adventures by understanding what causes cars to break down in the summer and taking steps to avoid these issues. more Overheating When it's hot outside, your engine is at higher risk for overheating. If the engine gets too hot, it could burn out critical components and cause damage beyond repair. There are several ways to protect against overheating. Start by checking the water level in the engine, but only do so when the engine is cool. While you're checking fluids, top off the power steering fluid, oil, and washer fluid as well. You'll also get an indication of overheating when you look at the dashboard. The recommended temperature is in your manual, but you could notice a red warning light or that the needle is starting to rise. If the engine overheats, pull over immediately to allow it to cool down before continuing to drive. Dirty Oil Your engine relies on oil for lubrication and cooling. Over time, deposits from the engine can fall into the oil reservoir. Getting your oil changed regularly is one of the best ways to protect your car from overheating and damage. During an oil change, the technician will remove all the dirty oil from the engine. The next step is replacing the oil filter, which can help keep debris out of the oil lines and reservoir. Finally, the technician will replace the oil to the recommended level, ensuring proper cooling and lubrication of the engine. Check your owner's manual to find out how often the oil should be changed. Tires While a blown out tire doesn't necessarily mean your car has broken down, experiencing this problem can put your car out of commission until you can get a new tire. The outdoor temperature has a significant impact on the tire pressure, and when the pressure gets too high, you're more likely to have a blowout while you're driving. Going over hot sections of road can also impact the safety of your tires. Keep a close eye on your tire pressure all summer long by checking it every time you get gas. Consult your owner's manual or the sticker on the inside of the driver-side door to make sure your tires stay at the right pressure for the hot temperatures. When you check the pressure, take a visual inspection of the tire condition as well. The tread should be at least 2 mm in thickness, although it's better to be closer to 5 mm. Stick an upside-down penny between the tread sections for a simple safety test. If you can see President Lincoln's hat, it's time for new tires. Stay safe on your summer road trips by making sure your car can handle the heat.

Your safety on the road is crucial – but what steps should you take if your vehicle is recalled? A recall is not something to ignore! Stay ahead of the game with our simple, step-by-step guide. What Is a Recall? When there’s a recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines if a vehicle does not meet motor vehicle safety standards. Manufacturers are then required to file a report including details of the vehicle, the number of vehicles affected, equipment affected, a description of the defect, what led up to the decision to recall, an explanation, and a recall schedule. Registered owners must receive a recall notification from manufacturers by first-class mail within 60 days of the recall instructing owners on how to get the issue fixed, the time frame of the fix, and how long the repair should take. Checking For a Recall According to the NHTSA website, searching by license plate is one of the newest and best ways to check for a recall. While manufacturers must notify registered vehicle owners in 60 days, physical mail can be unreliable. If you have suspicions of a recall or have seen news concerning a potential recall on your car’s make and model, searching the NHTSA website for a recall through your car’s license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the easiest and most efficient way to stay safe. What To Do When Your Car Is Recalled? Once you find out if the recall applies to your vehicle or parts, there are three options: repair, replace, or refund. By law, the manufacturer must choose one of the three options to correct the issue. If the manufacturer has chosen repair, your vehicle or part must be repaired by the manufacturer at no cost to the vehicle owner. Replacement means that if the problem can’t be fixed, the manufacturer must provide you with another similar or identical model. A refund option involves the manufacturer refunding the purchase price of your vehicle, minus depreciation. These options also apply to accessories such as car seats. Your recall letter or warning should notify you if your car is too dangerous to drive. Regardless, the recall issue should be resolved immediately by taking your vehicle to a local authorized dealership matching the make of your car. Remember, the bigger the recall, the longer the waitlist for an appointment. How to Book a Recall Repair Appointment at Waldorf Chevrolet Cadillac Recalls must be done at dealerships for recording purposes, quality monitoring, and making recalled parts available to manufacturers for inspection. While the NHTSA gives manufacturers a grace period for repairs to be made available after a recall, you should contact your local dealership to book an appointment as early as possible to beat the crowds. Establishing a friendly relationship with your local registered dealership can pay off during a difficult recall period! Has your vehicle been recalled? Call Waldorf Chevrolet Cadillac immediately to book your recall repair appointment and ensure your vehicle functions to its intended safety guidelines and performs its best. Our team is happy to help, from minor service to full recall assistance!

It’s not just important to choose the best car for you and to have a dealership and mechanic you can trust. It’s also important to give your car the maintenance it requires. Doing so can help maintain the smooth operation of your favorite vehicle, while also prolonging its life on the road. One part of your car that should be regularly maintained is the cabin filter. If it’s clogged, your interior air quality can plummet. But how do you know if it’s clogged? Here are three signs that your cabin filter is clogged so that you’ll know too. 1.  There’s Little Flow The cabin filter is, essentially, a component of the air conditioner structure in your car. It’s also known as the air-conditioning filter and is often comprised of a paper or cotton-type material.   In its ideal state, it helps to clear pollutants from the air before enter your interior cabin space. Also, filters can help keep the air conditioner in good shape. more If you’re in the car for a good, long drive, and you notice the air doesn’t seem to be moving no matter how high you crank the AC, it could be a sign that the filter is clogged. The lack of freely moving air reveals there’s too much guck blocking the filter pathways. If you feel stagnating air, consider taking your filter in for a change or at least a check. This is also true if there’s slow air flow even at lower fan settings. If you need to turn the fan higher to meet your needs, this alone could be a sign that it’s time for a filter change. 2. Dust Another sign is is that you’re seeing more than the usual amount of dust and debris inside your car. True, some of that could be a natural degree of pollutants — but it could also be the gunk that’s been in a clogged filter, now airborne in your car. In this scenario, the AC system is pulling air through and around the filter. 3. Less Vehicle Power Believe it or not, your cabin filter can affect your AC system, and the AC can have a strong impact on the power of the entire vehicle. If your filter is clogged, then you might have to turn up the AC. The harder your AC works, the more the engine does, too. The drive train, alternator, and all other essentials in your car’s workings might get less of the energy they need. When these horsepower-generating parts suffer, you might feel that the vehicle is just not up to snuff. While this is not great news, look on the bright side: If your car seems slow, this might not be a major mechanical problem, but something as simple as a clogged filter, which is easy to change. Cabin air is important not only for the long-term maintenance and performance of your vehicle but also for the health of all the passengers. Breathing in clean, fresh air is important, especially on long drives, and particularly on cold or rainy days when you don’t want to open the windows. To be on the safe side, be sure to get the cabin filter checked, or have it changed at regular intervals. Get Your Vehicle Serviced at Waldorf Chevy Today Getting your vehicle serviced at Waldorf Chevrolet in Waldorf, MD means putting your car in the hands of trusted, factory-trained technicians who prioritize quality, efficiency, and customer care. Whether you need routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations or more in-depth repairs, the service department is equipped with the latest diagnostic tools and genuine GM parts to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and safely. With convenient scheduling options, competitive pricing, and a comfortable waiting area, Waldorf Chevrolet makes servicing your vehicle a stress-free experience tailored to your needs. " It was definitely time to replace the cabin air filter on the Sentra. " by sylvar is licensed by CC BY 2.0