The standard 2018 Chevy Colorado is an impressive machine in its own right. A leading midsize pickup truck, the Colorado has won over many buyers who may have otherwise opted for a full-size truck. Shoppers who don’t need the hauling or towing capabilities of a full-size truck will find a lot to like about the midsize Colorado, and the less-imposing price tag is a big selling feature, as well.

With all that said, Chevy has created a version of the Colorado that has been altered to serve those who like to get lost from the pavement from time to time. If you tend to head off onto dirt roads – and beyond – as often as you stay between the lines, you need a machine that is up to the task. That’s where the Colorado ZR2 comes into the picture. With a number of changes and additions as compared to the standard Colorado, the ZR2 is a vehicle that is sure to appeal strongly to a very specific kind of shopper. Let’s take a look at what makes this off-road midsize truck so exciting.

Power Options

Rarely does one-size-fit-all work when it comes to engines, which is why the Colorado ZR2 gives you some choices with regard to what will be fitted under the hood. If you would like to stick with a gasoline engine, you’ll be able to select a 3.6L V-6, offering 308-hp. On the other hand, if you would prefer to take a diesel engine with you out into the wilderness, you can pick the 2.8L, inline-four diesel, producing 181-hp. There isn’t a right or wrong choice here, as both can provide great performance, depending on your specific needs.

Use-Specific Features

When buying a vehicle that is never going to leave the pavement, you don’t have to think much about things like the suspension. Sure, it’s still important, but buying virtually any model from a major manufacturer is going to provide you with a suspension that is capable of handling the modest task of dealing with paved roads.

The story changes in a big way, however, when you plan to use your vehicle as an off-road explorer. In that case, a standard suspension probably won’t be up to the task, and you’ll need other use-specific features that are going to help you get the job done. Some people opt to modify their vehicles after purchase, and that is a viable option – but it isn’t really necessary when you can just buy a ZR2 to begin with. Some of the features included in this model which will help you enjoy your adventures include the following –

• Front/rear electronic locking differential

• Multimatic™ shocks

• Skid plates, rock sliders

• As much as 48mm added lift, compared to standard

With so many preparations already made for your off-road explorations, there isn’t much that you’ll need to do other than clear your calendar and plan an adventure.

Manners on the Road

It’s always tricky to walk the line between off-road performance and on-road comfort. You probably aren’t going to buy this truck exclusively for use in the wilderness – most likely, you will need to rely on this vehicle for many other, less-exhilarating tasks. Whether it is grocery shopping or traveling to and from work, you’ll need to your Colorado ZR2 to fill a number of different roles.

Fortunately, this vehicle is more than up to the task. You are likely to enjoy the way this vehicle performs while on the pavement, knowing all the while that it will be ready for some serious work when you explore more wild venues. The ability of this truck to move back and forth between the two environments so adeptly is a huge part of its appeal, and why it is worthy of your careful consideration.

At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we love to fill our customers’ needs without busting their budgets. Looking for a new 2018 Colorado ZR2 to help you explore the beautiful terrain of Idaho and beyond? Come see us right away. Our friendly team will be happy to show you around this impressive truck. Thanks for taking the time to visit!

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How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter

In Idaho, winter doesn’t arrive gently. Often, it will seem like the temperatures are relatively moderate and comfortable – until one day there is a foot of snow on the ground. To make sure you are ready whenever winter decides to arrive in full force, we’d like to offer you a few basic tips to prepare your vehicle for the months ahead. Fortunately, the steps you need to take to get your vehicle ready for the winter season aren’t particularly complicated, and most of them aren’t even expensive.

The key here, however, is to take action in advance of the weather conditions moving in. If you try to scramble to catch up once winter has already set in, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle like so many other people. Get ahead of the curve by preparing your vehicle as soon as possible and you can rest a little easier while watching those weather forecasts on the nightly news.

Start with the Tires

This is the obvious place to start when you think about winter driving, as you can’t necessarily count on the conditions under your tires to be as predictable as it is in the summer. If you expect to encounter some ice and snow during your winter driving – and you probably do – it’s a good idea to make sure you have a set of tires which is suitable for the conditions.

It should be noted that not everyone will need to drive around with studded tires just to be prepared for the winter. If you purchase a quality set of tires which is designed to deal with ice and snow properly, you may be able to get through the winter without studs. Of course, this depends on the exact kinds of conditions you plan to venture out on, and if you willing to stay home when the particularly nasty weather makes its way in. Think carefully about your winter driving habits before selecting a tire that you think will serve you well.

Power is Important

No matter what time of year it is, you always need a reliable battery to get you up and running, and to power your various electrical systems on board. That need is even more pronounced in the winter when the cold temperatures can drain your battery and make it tough to get the engine to turn over in the morning. Have your battery tested before winter arrives and consider purchasing a new battery if you are getting a little low on juice. You’d rather replace your battery a bit too early than a bit too late, as its no fun being stuck out in the cold with a car that just won’t start.

Give It a Clean

Cleaning is usually associated with the spring rather than the winter, but it actually makes quite a bit of sense to head into winter with a clean vehicle. You are sure to pick up quite a bit of dirt and debris as you drive around during the cold months, so start off with a clean slate to minimize the damage as you go. In addition to washing the outside of your car, give the inside a good cleaning so it is a more comfortable place to be. If you get into the habit of providing your vehicle with a deep clean prior to winter, and then again when spring arrives, you’ll never go too long without a proper cleaning.

Add Some Supplies

Despite your best plans, there is always the chance that you’ll wind up stuck when you venture out on a winter day. It might be that the forecast is off and far more snow moves in than was expected, or perhaps your vehicle simply encounters some difficulties and you need to wait a while for help to arrive. Whatever the case, it’s a good idea to keep some basic supplies in your vehicle just in case you have to spend some time in your car in the cold winter weather. Even a simple bag packed with a blanket, a few shelf-stable snacks, and an ice scraper would be a good start. You can think about your usual travels during the winter to decide how much of a kit you would like to pack up.

An Antifreeze Check

You don’t need to be a mechanic to understand that antifreeze is an important fluid to have in place in your vehicle when the temperatures plummet. Take the time to check the level of your antifreeze in accordance with the directions in your owner’s manual, and top it off, as necessary. This is a pretty basic task in most vehicles, but you can certainly bring your car or truck to Taylor & Sons Chevy for assistance if you don’t feel comfortable handling it on your own.

Adjust Your Habits

Okay – so this last one is cheating, just a bit. This isn’t actually something you need to do to prepare your vehicle, but rather to prepare yourself. Simply put, driving in the winter is not the same as driving in the summer. With the traction beneath your vehicle potentially compromised due to freezing conditions, you may not be able to accelerate and decelerate as cleanly as reliably as you can on warmer days. With that in mind, you’ll want to drive conservatively and provide yourself with plenty of room to stop. Increase your following distance, don’t attempt to start too quickly from a stop, and generally pay close attention to the conditions as they change.

If you need help getting your vehicle ready for the winter season, contact Taylor & Sons Chevrolet right away. With a great staff of professionals on hand and ready to assist, you can be sure we are up to the challenge. Whether you already know exactly what work you need to have done, or you would like some recommendations, our team looks forward to speaking with you. Thanks for reading and stay safe out there all winter long!

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One of the great things about living in the Pacific Northwest is having the ability to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. This is one of the most beautiful regions in the world, and the possibilities for exploration are virtually endless. Whether you like to stay close to home here in Idaho or travel around throughout Washington, Oregon, Montana, and beyond, you’ll want to have the right vehicle available for the job.

When the time comes to purchase a new off-road vehicle, what should you look for? The tips provided below should help point you in the right direction.

Four-Wheel Drive!

Okay – so this was an obvious place to start, and you probably didn’t need our advice here. Any off-road vehicle worth anything to you is going to have the ability to send power to all four wheels. It does need to be said that not all off-road vehicles approach this task in the same way, and that’s okay. All-wheel and four-wheel drive systems vary somewhat from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the important thing is that your vehicle at least can power each of the four wheels when necessary.

Why is having the ability to power all four wheels important in an off-road situation? Simple – it gives you more opportunity to find grip when some of the wheels are in a tough spot. For instance, imagine you are driving off-road in a standard front-wheel drive vehicle. Things are going along fine until you slow down slightly on an uphill stretch and your front wheels get a bit stuck in some mud. The back wheels are on firm, dry ground – but you can’t send any power to those wheels, so they are unable to help out. If you were in a four-wheel drive vehicle instead, the back tires would be able to grab some traction and help you keep moving along.

This same concept applies when all four wheels are not on the ground at the same time. If you are on an uneven patch and one of your wheels is slightly off the ground, that wheel obviously can’t help you move forward. Again, with the advantage of four-wheel drive, you could hopefully overcome this difficulty and move your vehicle along successfully.

Sufficient Capacity

It’s easy to focus on the capabilities of the engine and drivetrain when picking out an off-road vehicle but take a moment to think about what you need the inside of this vehicle to provide. Are two seats going to be enough for your adventures, or do you need four? What about cargo capacity? The way you use your off-road vehicle is going to be different than anyone else, as you surely have your own hobbies and interests to consider. With that in mind, take a moment to carefully think through what you’ll want to take with you on your trips before making the final decision on a purchase.

On-Road Ability

While you probably have visions of cruising around in the mud on roads deep in the forest, the reality is your off-road vehicle is going to spend plenty of time on the pavement. Whether that time is just to get from one off-road destination to another, or it is commuting around town to and from work, you’ll want to pick out something that is going to keep your relatively comfortable on the roads. A vehicle which burns too much gas or offers a ride which is too harsh for daily driving may get tiresome quickly. Think about how much pavement driving you will be doing and find an off-road vehicle that is going to strike a nice balance.

Ground Clearance is Important

When driving on pavement, you don’t often have to worry about ground clearance. As long as your front bumper is high enough to get over the speed bumps in the grocery store parking lot, you are good to go. Things look a little different with an off-road vehicle, however, as you’ll need to clear all sorts of obstacles while travelling off the beaten path. This is particularly true if you like to drive places where rocks tend to be a problem. Pick an off-road vehicle with a ground clearance that you think will be sufficient for most of your exploring.

The Right Price

As with any purchase, you’ll need to make sure you find a vehicle that fits appropriately into your budget when you decide to buy an off-road car or truck. While you obviously can’t go way above and beyond what fits into your budget just to buy a nice off-roader, you also don’t want to go too cheap and find yourself breaking down out in the woods. This vehicle needs to be solid and reliable, so make a sound investment which matches up nicely with what you can afford to spend.

Looking Ahead

Once you have taken ownership of an off-road vehicle, one of the keys to getting the most out of your purchase is going to be having that vehicle cared for properly on a regular basis. Off-road driving is hard on a vehicle – harder than just cruising along the pavement. With that in mind, make sure to bring this vehicle in for consistent service and maintenance. By staying ahead of the game from a service perspective, you can hopefully avoid bigger problems down the line. This is a good strategy with any kind of vehicle you own, but it is particularly important when you are putting your off-road vehicle to work in a tough environment.

If you need assistance tracking down the perfect off-road vehicle for all of your outdoor pursuits, Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would be happy to help. Give us a call or stop by soon to ask any questions you may have. Our experienced team is always glad to assist, whether it is regarding the purchase of a new vehicle, or service and maintenance on one you already own. Thanks for stopping by, and we look forward to serving you soon!

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The price of gas fluctuates from year to year, and it moves up and down within each year, as well. While there are periods of affordable gas followed by periods of high prices, one thing is for sure – it’s always in your best interest to need to purchase as little gas as possible. If you can manage to save gas through a variety of measures, even if the savings are minor, it can add up to a big difference in your bank account at the end of the year.

In this article, we are going to share some top tips for you to keep in mind as you strive to save yourself a few dollars at the pump. Some of these tips may fall into the category of common sense for many drivers, while others are points you might not have thought of previously. We hope you find the following information beneficial.

Drive Responsibly

One of the easiest things you can do in order to save a bit of gas is to drive your vehicle in a responsible manner. In other words, avoid stomping on the gas pedal each time the light turns green. Aggressive acceleration is going to reduce your fuel efficiency, and you’ll find yourself returning to the pump more frequently to fill up. Make no mistake – performing slow and steady accelerations is not going to turn a big V8 engine into a fuel sipper, but it is a good step.

Consider Your Driving Patterns

Sometimes, saving less gas will come down to nothing more than driving fewer miles. If you don’t drive as far, you aren’t going to spend as much at the pump. There is nothing groundbreaking about that analysis, but many people wind up driving far more miles than they need to during the course of a week or month. Think about the places you need to go and how you typically get from one place to another. If there is a way you can improve your driving patterns to reduce the total mileage, doing so would be in your best interest. Not only will you be able to save gas this way, you’ll also be able to go longer between oil changes and service visits, since the miles will not be adding up so quickly.

Buy a More Efficient Vehicle

Okay – so this one is going to require a significant upfront investment, but it just might be worth it in the right situation. If you are currently driving a vehicle that goes through a lot of gas – either due to a big engine or just decreased efficiency over time – you may want to look into the many efficient models that are on the market today. For drivers whose current vehicle has been on the road for a decade or more, it is often surprising to learn just how efficient today’s cars have become.

One of the nice surprises you may run into while car shopping is that you don’t necessarily need to buy a small hatchback if you want to get good mileage. Even some pickup truck configurations are able to return rather impressive numbers, thanks to the smaller engines that are offered by some manufacturers. If you are thinking of trading your current vehicle for a new model anyway, the promise of improved mileage might be what you need to make the leap.

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

This is a sneaky one. It might not be obvious that tire pressure would directly impact your gas mileage, but that is the case. If your tires are underinflated, there will be more ‘rolling resistance’ as you move down the road, and your car will have to work a little bit harder in order to get where you are going. Again, we aren’t talking about major gains here, but you should still see some improvement – especially if you do a lot of long-distance driving. Of course, overinflating your tires can present its own set of problems, so don’t go too far with this tip. Simply monitor your tire pressure regularly and make sure it is as close to the recommended guidelines for your vehicle (and tires) as possible.

Keep Your Vehicle in Good Condition
You’ve been told from the time that you became a car owner that you should stay on top of your service visits and oil changes for the benefit of your vehicle’s long-term health. That remains true, and it can even give you a little bit of a boost in terms of gas mileage. A vehicle that is not running properly is not going to be able to operate as efficiently as one that is in tip-top shape. There is nothing complicated or particularly difficult about this point – maintain your vehicle by bringing it in for periodic service visits and stay on track for optimal gas mileage.

Don’t Weigh It Down

When possible, avoid weighing down your vehicle with an unnecessary load, as that extra weight is going to have a direct impact on your vehicle’s efficiency. Of course, you might have to haul heavy items from time to time, but make sure to take them out of your car or truck when the job is done. Every extra mile you drive with that heavier load is one which will not be covered efficiently.

Unless you purchase an electric vehicle, your gas expense is not going away anytime soon (and even if you do, there is an expense associated with charging your EV). However, by being smart and making some wise decisions, you can take a step toward lowering the cost of your gas each month. Whether these savings add up to a little or a lot depends entirely on your current habits, how much you drive, your vehicle, and more.

If you have any maintenance or repair needs in and around the Ponderay area, or if you are ready to trade in your vehicle for a new model, Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would be proud to assist. Contact us today or stop by to learn more. Thank you for visiting!

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When you get ready to buy a new vehicle, one of the best assets you have working to your advantage is the vehicle that you are currently driving. Although you may be done with it for your own personal reasons, it still has some value – and that means you should be able to trade it in as part of the purchase agreement for your new car or truck. This is a great way to bring down the intimidating price of that shiny new vehicle you’ve been eyeing each time you drive by the Taylor & Sons Chevrolet lot.

For example, let’s say you have found the perfect model for your needs, and it has a sticker price of $30,000. If your trade-in is valued at $10,000, you are suddenly looking at only having to pay $20,000 for the new car or truck. That’s a total which is a lot easier to handle, and you’ll feel much better about making the purchase.

Of course, getting the most out of your trade-in is a great way to bring down the price of your next purchase as far as possible. Let’s take a look at a few quick and easy tips for raising the value of the vehicle you plan to sell.

The Basics

While it is known as a ‘trade-in’, what you are really doing here is selling your vehicle to the dealership in exchange for a reduction of the purchase price on your new car or truck. So, what do you do anytime you are going to sell something? You make it look good! By taking just a little bit of time in advance to prepare your vehicle for the trade-in process, you may be able to make it more appealing to the dealership.

Start by giving the exterior of your vehicle a good wash. Then, vacuum out the inside, toss out any garbage, and do your best to clean up any stains, etc. You aren’t going to get it back to new condition – it’s a used vehicle, after all – but spending an hour or two cleaning up its condition can go a long way toward elevating its value.

Get in the Ballpark

Thanks to the power of the internet, you can be armed with a pretty good idea of your vehicle’s value before you even visit the dealership. Use any one of a number of online resources to research how much you should expect to be offered for your trade. With a general idea of your vehicle’s value in mind, you will be able to fairly evaluate what you are being offered. That means you won’t accept a trade offer which is far too low, and you won’t find yourself asking for something that is much higher than is realistic.

You do need to keep in mind that using online tools to value your vehicle is just a starting point. The condition of your vehicle, the needs of the dealership from an inventory perspective, and other factors will influence how much you are offered in the end. Think of your research as providing you with a general idea of what your trade-in will be worth, and then negotiate from that point.

Feel Free to Negotiate

Speaking of negotiation, remember that you don’t have to automatically accept the first offer you receive. Sure, the first offer might wind up being the best the dealership can do, but it’s okay to discuss the trade-in number you are being presented with the sales staff. How did they arrive at that number? Why is it lower than you were expecting (if it is)? Ask a few questions and see if you can work out a trade-in number that will be satisfactory for both sides.

Care for Your Car

One of the steps you can take to get good value for your trade actually takes place well in advance of visiting a dealership. Over the course of your ownership of the vehicle, do your best to take good care of it day in and day out. Provide it with the proper maintenance, don’t drive it too hard out on the road, and park it in a garage, if at all possible. By offering your vehicle good care for years leading up to the day that you trade it in, its value should be higher, and you should get more money knocked off the purchase price of your new vehicle.

Work with a Reputable Dealer

This one is important. If you shop for your next vehicle on a reputable lot – such as Taylor and Sons Chevrolet – you are far more likely to be treated fairly than would be the case if you visit a lesser business. A good lot with a long history of quality customer service has too much to lose by trying to take advantage of you. Do some research into the dealerships in the area which have the best reputation and it’s likely that those businesses are going to be ready to make you a fair offer when the time comes to close this deal.

Of course, it’s also a good idea to trade with a reputable dealer because that means you’ll be buying your new vehicle from that same dealer. Buying from a good dealer is important as it will be easier to deal with warranty and maintenance issues that may come up down the line. Establishing a relationship with a car dealership like Taylor & Sons Chevy can make all of your vehicle buying and selling needs hassle-free for years to come.

When you are ready to trade in your current vehicle in exchange for a new model that meets the needs of your family perfectly, please stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. We always provide our customers with fair trade-in value, and you can count on a friendly and relaxed atmosphere when you visit our location. Thank you for taking the time to stop by our blog, and we look forward to serving you soon!

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It is a good idea for all drivers to know how to respond to specific situations that may pop up while out on the road. For example, you should know what to do if a tire suddenly goes flat and you have reduced control over the vehicle. Toward that end, you should also know how to respond if your vehicle overheats. Fortunately, this is not something that happens particularly often to modern vehicles. With that said, it still is a possibility, so you should have a plan of action in mind just in case.

With this article, we would like to provide some basic tips on what you should do when your car overheats. Of course, you always want to make sure the emphasis is on safety in these kinds of situations, so don’t take any unnecessary risks and always seek help if you are unsure of what to do.

Get Off the Road

As you might imagine, getting your vehicle off the road safely is your first order of business when your engine is overheating. Do not attempt to keep driving for any length of time, as doing so is only going to lead to further trouble. Of course, it is not safe to just stop your car in the middle of the road, so immediately begin to look for safe places to pull off. This should be relatively easy to do when on a residential street or two-lane road through town, but it will be harder when on the freeway. Once you have your vehicle safely out of harm’s way, turn the engine off and take a moment to assess your situation before taking any further action.

Don’t Reach for the Hood!

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in this situation is to immediately get out of your vehicle to reach for the hood. Remember, the vehicle is overheating, and that hood is almost certain to be extremely hot! For now, you’ll just need to leave it alone and let it cool. If you are not mechanically inclined and don’t know what you are looking at when you open the hood of a vehicle, there is no point in taking this step, even after the engine has cooled. You’ll want to call for help in the form of a tow truck or mechanic and let the professionals take it from there. 

Taking a Look

If you are comfortable doing basic work on your vehicle, and you know what you are looking at under the hood, you can address this situation for yourself in the right circumstances. First, you need to make sure the hood has been given time to cool properly. Watch the temperature gauge on your dash and wait until it has drifted down into the ‘cool’ range. Once the hood is safely open, you’ll want to check the level of coolant in the radiator.

This is another point where things can get a little dangerous. There is potentially a significant amount of steam built up in the radiator, and it could come rushing out as you twist off the cap. This is a serious danger as steam can be incredibly hot, and it may do damage if it contacts your hands or face. If you think the radiator is cool enough to open the cap, do so by using a towel or something else to protect your hand. Also, keep your head back as much as possible, and open the cap slowly.

An Important Refill

There is a good chance that your radiator will be low on coolant at this time. If that is the case, and you have coolant available, you can refill the radiator to the prescribed mark before replacing the cap. With the coolant properly refilled and the engine cooled down, you should now be able to attempt to restart your engine. Hopefully, the engine will start, and you will be able to get going once again.

Keep Close Watch

Assuming you do get back out on the road, it is important that you pay close attention to your temperature gauge as you drive down the road. Is it quickly heading back up into the hot range, or does it seem that you have fixed the problem by adding coolant? You don’t want to repeat the issue of having the vehicle overheat, so drive conservatively at first and see how the temperature fares for a few miles. If you see anything that makes you uncomfortable with the condition of your vehicle, pull over safely and call for help. You don’t want to push it with an overheating engine when you can have a qualified mechanic take a look and correct the problem properly.

Staying Ahead of the Game

This last point is not one that relates to how you should respond when your vehicle is overheating, but rather it has to do with staying out of this situation in the first place. If you periodically have your fluid levels checked as part of ongoing service, you’ll be able to spot a problem and take action before an issue comes up on the roads. For instance, if your mechanic notices that your coolant level is a little low, it can be topped off easily in the shop as part of your visit. Just like that, you will have taken a big step toward avoiding issues during your day to day life in and around Ponderay.

With any luck, you won’t need to deal with this issue in your vehicle anytime soon. If you do, we hope the tips above will at least give you some direction as you address the problem. Of course, if you have any repair or maintenance needs on your vehicle, the team at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet will be happy to assist. We have all of the knowledge and experience necessary to get the job done right, and you’ll always receive a fair price. Contact us today to learn more!

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There is something exciting about buying a new car. You have probably worked quite hard to be able to afford the car, and getting to drive a vehicle with all the latest bells and whistles is quite a thrill. No matter what type of vehicle you have decided to purchase, it’s only natural to feel proud of your new ride.

Of course, cars don’t stay new forever. Your vehicle will begin to age as soon as you drive it off the lot, which is why it’s smart to take steps to care for your car on a regular basis. There isn’t anything you can do to stop the miles from adding up, but you can help your vehicle to age gracefully as the years go by.

Fortunately, most of the steps that you can take to care for your new car are rather simple and straightforward. Let’s take a look at a few ideas.

A Car Wash Schedule

Let’s face it – your vehicle can get dirty in a hurry while driving around the roads of the Ponderay area. And it’s not like you need to be off-roading to pick up that dirt, either. Your car or truck is likely to build up quite a bit of dirt and dust just from standard, day-to-day driving. When you get started with a brand-new vehicle, it might be a good idea to set a car wash schedule for yourself as to not get too far behind on this task.

When it comes to washing your car, you have two basic options – you can do it yourself, or you can visit a car wash. This is a point that comes down to nothing more than personal preference. Some people like to do the job themselves, so they can address every last detail, while others prefer the convenience of the automated car wash. Make a plan for your new car and maintain a shiny appearance month after month.

A Maintenance Schedule

It’s a good idea to keep the exterior of your car clean, but it’s even more important to provide the car with the care it needs under the hood. Fortunately, this is pretty easy to do, as long as you are willing to follow the maintenance schedule that comes with your vehicle. Simply check in the owner’s manual for instructions on when to provide what kind of service to your car or truck. The manufacturer knows the vehicle best, so it is a good idea to follow along with their suggestions.

Of course, the team here at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would be happy to help with these service needs. We have a team of trained and experienced technicians who will be able to complete all of the standard maintenance on your vehicle with no trouble at all. Plus, if an issue comes up which is outside of the typical service schedule, we’ll diagnose the problem and help you to understand your options.

Take It Easy

We get it – your new vehicle has a powerful V-6 or V-8 engine, and you’d like to see what it can do. That’s fine, just be sure that you aren’t taking it too far. Aggressive driving habits are bad news for a couple of reasons. First, they may be dangerous, and you may wind up with a few tickets as a result. Of course, an even more serious outcome would be an accident that is caused by your reckless driving.

Even if you are able to avoid tickets and accidents, driving your vehicle too hard can be bad for is long-term health. For instance, stomping on the gas pedal as soon as the light turns green will be tough on the engine over time, and pressing hard on the brakes as you come up to a red light will wear down that system, as well. The better bet is to be gentle and smooth with your driving whenever possible. Ease your way onto the accelerator and ease your way onto the brake. There may be times when more aggressive driving is required to avoid trouble, but those should be few and far between.

Remember the Interior

So far, we’ve talked about caring for the outside of your vehicle in terms of having it washed, and we’ve talked about the attention that you need to pay to the engine under the hood. But what about the interior? After all, this is where you spend most of your time, so it only makes sense that you would do your best to keep the interior neat and tidy.

A good place to start is having a trash receptacle of some kind that you can keep in the vehicle to catch small pieces of garbage. It’s easy to just toss aside an empty drink container or food wrapper, but that’s a bad habit to get into. Instead, have a place where you can easily collect your garbage and then throw it out when you get a chance (such as when filling up with gas). If you never let trash accumulate in your vehicle in the first place, you’ll be a big step ahead of the game.

Also, try to make a point of vacuuming out the interior of your vehicle from time to time. Even if you don’t let trash add up, there is still sure to be debris that makes it way from the outside into your car. It doesn’t take long to vacuum up the carpets in a vehicle, but that simple task can make a world of difference in terms of how the vehicle feels as you sit inside. After making such a significant financial investment in your car or truck, taking the time to vacuum and perform other basic tasks seems like a no-brainer.

When the time does come to purchase a new vehicle, there is only one place to go – Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, of course! We have a great inventory of vehicles to choose from, a friendly staff, and competitive prices. Before you visit any of the other dealerships in the area, be sure to come pay us a visit. We look forward to serving you!

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You don’t want to take chances with your brakes. While it is an easy thing to take for granted, you need your brakes to be functioning properly if you are going to come to a controlled, safe stop while out on the roads. All vehicle maintenance is important and caring for your brakes is no different. If you pay attention to some of the signs your vehicle may be giving you that indicate it’s time for brake service, you may be able to have the work done before a more serious problem develops.

Of course, not everyone is an expert when it comes to car maintenance and repair. So, what do you do if you aren’t particularly knowledgeable about cars, but still want to care for your brakes correctly? It’s not as hard as it might seem. There are some signs of brake trouble which are simple to spot, as long as you are paying attention.

Feel It in Your Foot

When you press on the brake pedal, what happens? Obviously, the most important thing is that the car comes to a stop. While pressing on the brake, pay attention to the way it feels under your foot. It should feel steady and solid, without much in the way of vibration. If it does vibrate as you press it down, that’s a sign that you may be having trouble somewhere in your braking system. Specifically, it could be that your rotors are wearing down and in need of replacement. It easy to ignore this vibrating while just going on about your day to day life, but don’t make that mistake. If you have recently begun to feel this vibrating in the brake pedal, or if it has been going on for some time, contact Taylor and Sons Chevrolet for assistance.

It’s Getting Noisy

Properly working brakes should not be noisy. If you are regularly getting a squealing sound when press on the brake pedal, it’s time for a service visit. There is a relatively good chance that your brake pads are worn down and need to be replaced if this is the case. When you bring your vehicle in to be serviced by our talented team, we will evaluate the overall condition of your braking system before recommending repairs. It may be that the brake pads are the problem, or it might be that something else in the system is causing trouble. Whatever the case, we’ll get down to the bottom of it and get you back on the road with brakes you can trust.

It Takes A While to Stop

This is perhaps one of the easiest issues to spot for the driver who is not familiar with the workings of an automobile. When driving your car around town, pay attention to how quickly it stops in a variety of situations. Does it feel like you are stopping in an appropriate distance, or does your car keep on going even while you are riding the pedal? If it seems that it’s taking longer to brake than it did weeks or months ago, the brake system should be inspected. Again here, this could be an issue where brake pads have worn down and need to be replaced.

Won’t Hold the Line

As you apply the brakes to bring your vehicle to a controlled stop, does it feel like the car or truck wants to pull to one side of the road or the other? If so, you might have a brake caliper issue. The car shouldn’t pull to the side when braking unless there is some form of mechanical issue which is causing trouble. It’s important to get to the bottom of the problem so it can be corrected, and you can return to stopping in a straight line as soon as possible.

Do You Smell Smoke?

Needless to say, you shouldn’t be smelling smoke when you pull your vehicle to a stop. Many people will first think that something is wrong under the hood when a smoky smell makes its way into the cabin, but that smell may actually be emanating from your brakes. When a caliper gets stuck, it can cause the brake pad to rub constantly against the rotor, leading to an unpleasant odor. If you are experiencing this smell when you drive your vehicle, don’t delay in contacting Taylor and Sons Chevrolet. Our team will be happy to diagnose the problem with your vehicle and find a way to correct it promptly.

The Wrong Force

Finally, at our last stop in this discussion of brake system issues, we get to the matter of how much force it takes to engage your brakes. If you drive the same vehicle day after day, you probably have a pretty good understanding of how much effort you need to use in order to push on the pedal and bring the car to a stop. You may not think about it consciously, but you’ve developed a feel for the pedal as the miles have added up. When something feels off about the way your brakes are working, service is in order.

It’s possible for the feel of your brake pedal to change in either direction. It may suddenly feel like you have to push down with all of your might to apply the brakes. Or, it may be that the brake will go all the way down without you needing to push much on it at all. Neither of these situations is a good sign for the condition of your vehicle’s braking system.

At Taylor and Sons Chevrolet, we are committed to providing our customers with the best in automotive service and repair. Whether you come to see us in need of brake service or any other kind of automotive maintenance, we’ll be happy to help. Our rates are fair, our work is prompt, and our team is friendly. To learn more or to schedule a visit, please contact us at your convenience. Thank you for stopping by!

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Buying a car is expensive. When you purchase from Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, you can expect to get a great deal on your purchase – but that doesn’t mean it is going to be cheap. Owning your own vehicle requires a significant investment, so you certainly want to get the best possible return on that investment moving forward.

With that in mind, we would like to offer some basic tips on how to help your car last longer. These tips are not guaranteed methods, of course, as you never quite know what will happen over the lifespan of a car. However, by making wise choices throughout the time you own the vehicle, you can shift the odds in your favor.

Let’s take a look at a few basic steps you can take to help your car or truck live up to its potential.

Stick to a Service Schedule

When you purchase a new vehicle, you will find an outline of a service plan included with your owner’s manual. It is a good idea to pay close attention to this schedule, as it is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle healthy over the long run. Service visits typically don’t take very long, aren’t usually all that expensive, and they can do wonders for helping your car or truck avoid issues down the line.

If you have any doubt about when you should have your vehicle serviced, or what kind of work should be done, simply ask a member of the service department here at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for assistance. Our experienced team will be happy to help you with any questions you may have, so you can feel confident in the service plan for your car or truck.

Pay Attention to Warnings

You need to serve as the first line of defense for the health of your vehicle. While you might not have the expertise of an experienced mechanic, you can still watch for warning signs which may indicate some kind of trouble. The most obvious of these signs, of course, is the illumination of a warning light on your dash. These indicators are designed specifically to inform you when something is amiss. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring a warning light when you can stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to have the issue addressed. We will look into the underlying cause of the light and present you with options for moving forward.

The illumination of a warning light on your dash is not the only sign you can use to spot trouble before it goes too far. You can also pay attention to the way your car is running and note anything that seems out of the ordinary. You don’t need to be a car expert to notice when something seems out of the ordinary. You are used to the way your vehicle sounds and feels while it is running – if you think something is not quite right, bring the vehicle in and ask us to take a look. It’s better to be proactive in these situations so you can hopefully catch issues early on.

Oil, Oil, Oil

When you bring your vehicle in for a service visit, you will almost certainly have an oil change as part of that service. However, your vehicle will need an oil change more frequently than it will need service, so you’ll want to keep up with those changes as well. Again, this is something which requires a small investment of both time and money and can provide you with a great payoff over the long run. As you might suspect, Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would be happy to handle these oil changes for you. Our team can make quick work of a standard oil change, getting you in and out efficiently so you can go on about your day.

Sensible Driving

Aside from the various maintenance points to keep in mind with regard to the health of your vehicle, you can also do yourself a favor by driving in a safe and responsible manner. Of course, the main motivation to drive wisely is to keep yourself and other people safe out on the roads. In addition to that, you can help your vehicle hold up for a longer period of time if you are willing to get into some good driving habits.

What do those habits look like? First, try to be gentle on the accelerator when getting started from a stop. Stomping on the accelerator pedal is going to be harder on the vehicle than gradually picking up speed at a reasonable rate. The same goes for braking. Keep an eye on traffic out in front of you and ease onto the brake with plenty of time to spare. As a general rule of thumb, you want to be gentle with both pedals, avoiding actions that will cause the vehicle to start or stop abruptly. Of course, if you are in an emergency situation and abrupt action is necessary to stay safe, that will take precedence over trying to be kind to your vehicle. We hope this post has offered you some valuable ideas on what kind of care to give your car as the miles add up. There will inevitably come a time when your vehicle needs to be replaced but pushing that point as far into the future as possible will save you money. The good news is that most of the actions you can take to help your vehicle remain in good condition are pretty simple. You often won’t need to spend very much money on basic maintenance, and you shouldn’t have to go very long without your vehicle.

At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we take great pride in offering the people of the Ponderay area a winning combination of great service and competitive prices. Whether you just need to have a service visit completed or you are ready to buy a new car, we’d love to be your first stop. Thanks for visiting!

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Buying a new car is exciting, but it can also be quite expensive. For the average family, it can be tough to put together enough money for a down payment on a new car, let alone having to handle the monthly payments that come attached with the loan. Fortunately, you can put yourself ahead of the game if you already have a vehicle that you can trade in at the time of purchase. At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we always offer great value for your trade in, so come see us right away to find out what we can do for you.

Let’s take a look at some of the many benefits of trading in a car when you are ready to purchase a new one.

You Get Money!

Okay – so this is a pretty obvious point, but it is the only place we can start this article. When you trade in your old vehicle, you will be compensated for the act of turning over ownership to the dealership. Of course, it’s likely that you will never see that money in cash form, since it is going to be built into the deal that you are offered for your new vehicle. For instance, if your new vehicle is $25,000, and you are offered $5,000 for your trade, the price of your new car will simply be $20,000 (plus taxes, etc.).

If you decide to own your vehicles (rather than leasing them), you’ll likely wind up in a pattern of buy/trade-in for many years. Whether you tend to replace your vehicles frequently or rarely, you should be able to get some sort of value out of your old set of wheels when you are ready to upgrade. Having the availability of a trade in can do wonders in terms of the cost of your new vehicle, potentially taking the sticker price down by a significant amount.

You Get to Drive a New Vehicle

Another point that is relatively obvious yet deserving of a place on our list. When you decide to trade in your current car for a new model, you will be able to enjoy the experience of driving around town in something new. That might mean having access to newer technologies like Bluetooth that may not have been available when you last purchased a vehicle. It could also mean a nice boost in gas mileage, which is always welcome as it will save you money at the pump.

An Easier Alternative

When you arrive at the decision to replace your current car, you have basically two options available to you. On the one hand, you could trade the car in to the dealership where you are going to buy your new vehicle. On the other hand, you could opt to sell the car privately. That would mean listing the car for sale, meeting with potential buyers, negotiating a price, managing paperwork, and more. In the end, you should come away with some amount of money from that sale, and you’ll likely turn around to use that money for the purchase of your new vehicle.

Does that sound like a lot of work? It is. Sure, you could come through that process successfully in the end, or you could just trade in the vehicle and make things easy. The dealership you work with will handle trade-ins on a near-daily basis, so they know exactly what to do at each step. You don’t have to write an ad for your vehicle, take time out of your schedule to meet buyers, or anything like that. If you have been putting off selling your car because you aren’t looking forward to the hassle, opt to trade it in and skip the legwork.

Potential Tax Savings

It’s always a welcome development when you can save a little bit of money on a car purchase – or on any other kind of purchase, for that matter. If you trade in a vehicle when purchasing a new one, you could be able to save a little bit of money at the same time. Rather than having to pay sales tax on the entire price of the vehicle, tax is only due on the adjusted price after the trade in has been considered. So, from our example above, you’d only be paying tax on the $20,000 rather than the $25,000. That might not sound like a big deal, but it can add up pretty quick.

Get It Done

This goes right along with the point we made earlier about avoiding the hassle of a private sale, but we wanted to expand on just how much of a time savings you can enjoy by trading in your car. With a trade in, there is no lag while you are waiting for responses, and you don’t have to spend time going back and forth with counteroffers until you reach a satisfactory deal.

Rather, you simply head to the dealership on the day you want to buy a vehicle and get to work on a deal. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the deal – the kind of car you are trading in, the kind of car you are buying, etc. – the whole thing may be finished up in just a few hours. Just like that, you’ll have gotten value from your old vehicle and you will be out on the road in your new ride.

As you can see, trading in a car is a wise move – assuming you have one available to trade, that is. While you may not wind up enjoying each and every benefit we listed, depending on your specific situation, it’s likely that most of these points will come to fruition as part of your deal.

When you are ready to make a purchase, Taylor & Sons Chevrolet in Ponderay is the perfect place to start shopping. We have a knowledgeable and friendly staff, a huge selection, and competitive prices. Stop by during business hours to take a look around and have any of your questions answered. We hope to see you soon!

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