You don’t need to be a mechanic to know that oil is important in an engine. There are few things more important than good oil, and having that oil changed regularly is one of your main jobs as a car owner. But how do you know what oil to get? If you go to the auto parts store to buy some oil and put it in yourself, you’ll likely be faced with what feels like a million choices. Even if you go to a ‘quick lube’ place for an oil change, they will ask you what oil you would like – what do you say? This can be tricky for those without much automobile knowledge.

Fortunately, you don’t need to go through years of schooling to understand what oil to put in your engine. In fact, you should have a pretty clear understanding of this topic by the time you are finished reading this article. Let’s get started!

Start with the Owner’s Manual

This might be relatively obvious advice, but the best place to start is with your owner’s manual. Check your glove box and you are likely to find a thick book containing every imaginable detail with regard to the operation of your vehicle. Along with all of the information on things like how to operate the radio and how to use the air conditioner, you’ll find maintenance info. There should be a section regarding motor oil, and the recommended oil for the vehicle will be provided.

Of course, it couldn’t just be that simple. In many cases, there will be a couple of oils recommended, based on your local driving conditions. For instance, one oil may be recommended when the vehicle is going to be used in mild temperatures, while another oil may be recommended for those living in cold areas. As you work toward making a selection, you’ll want to keep this advice in mind.

It makes sense to value what you find in the owner’s manual above all else because the manual was written by the company that built the vehicle. When in doubt, sticking with what is recommended in the manual is a smart way to go. This is true not only for your oil, but also for anything else that you need to have done on the car.

What If It’s Missing?

You should have an owner’s manual in your car, but what if you check the glove box and find nothing but your registration and some old napkins? In that case, you may want to turn to the internet for assistance. It seems that you can find virtually anything on the web, and that includes information about most cars on the roads today. A quick search of the make, model, and year that you drive should return a ton of results.
While information will be easy to find, it probably isn’t a good idea to simply trust some random stranger on the internet. Instead, look for reputable sites that you can be sure have accurate information. Even better, try to find a digital copy of the owner’s manual that has gone missing. In just a few minutes of web searching, you’ll likely be able to track down exactly what you need.

Synthetic or Conventional

In recent years, it has become more common for vehicle manufacturers to recommend synthetic oil as opposed to conventional oil to be used in their engines. If you find that your owner’s manual recommends a synthetic oil, do not ignore that recommendation – it is there for a reason. Synthetic oil can offer a number of important advantages over conventional oil, including a longer useful life and improved flow in cold temperatures.

Some automobile owners are surprised at the cost of synthetic oil when they head in for their first oil change after buying the vehicle. Yes, it is more expensive than conventional oil, but there is good news on that front – you won’t need to change the oil as often. With the ability to drive more miles between changes, you’ll probably wind up spending roughly the same amount of money on oil changes as the years go by.

An Ongoing Conversation

Adding another layer of complexity to this issue is the fact that you may want to use a different oil a few years down the road than you are using today. High-mileage oils are available for vehicles which have racked up plenty of time out on the roads. Often, drivers will start to think about high-mileage oil when they are rolled past 75,000-miles or so. Of course, that number is not set in stone, and it’s possible that you’ll never need to turn to this type of oil.

Generally speaking, the idea behind high-mileage oil is to limit oil consumption and prevent leaks. The formulation of the oil includes elements that are supposed to help the seals in your engines continue to do their job properly as the miles keep adding up. Even if you do opt for a high-mileage oil, you’ll still want to make sure you are using an appropriate type of oil for the vehicle you drive. If you have any questions on this topic, it’s a good idea to speak with your auto technician about the options. He or she will be able to provide advice on whether or not a high-mileage oil is a good option for you at this time.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the blog here at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. We enjoy educating our customers on important points like what oil to put in their engine, or what tires to have installed on their wheels. Of course, if you would like to simply bring your vehicle to our shop for its repair and maintenance needs, you won’t need to worry about any of this. We’ll handle it all for you, meaning you can continue going on about your day to day life without much interruption. To schedule an appointment or simply to ask a question, please contact us right away. We look forward to serving you!

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What are the things you think about most when it comes to vehicle maintenance? Oil changes, obviously, are a big one that should come to mind right away. Making sure your brakes are in good working order is another big point, as is the amount of tread you have left on your tires. Along with those keys, there is another one which is often overlooked – tire pressure. Maintaining proper tire pressure is an important piece of the maintenance puzzle, even though it is ignored by many drivers.

In this blog post, we are going to take a look at what it is that makes tire pressure so important. If you are concerned that your tire pressure is low at the moment, or if you have any other vehicle maintenance needs to handle, please contact Taylor & Sons Chevrolet right away. We’ll be happy to help!

It Goes Both Ways

One of the first things we need to point out when talking about tire pressure is the fact that both under inflation and over inflation can be a problem. You may think first about under inflation, since that is likely the more common issue, but over inflation can have a negative effect on the tire, as well. Let’s take a quick look at some issues you may encounter on both sides of this equation.

• Under inflation. When there is not enough air in your tires, there are a couple of problems which can result. First, since more of the tire is going to be touching the ground as it rolls along, the side – or shoulder – of the tire is likely to wear down prematurely. Additionally, you are going to be encountering more resistance as you move down the road, which is likely to harm your overall fuel economy numbers.

• Over inflation. As you might expect, the issues here are largely the opposite from the points above. Specifically, less of the tire is going to be touching the road as you drive, leading the middle of the tire to wear down faster than it would otherwise. Also, the tire is going to feel stiff as you drive, and you’ll likely feel that effect in the cabin when you hit uneven spots on the road.

The way to avoid these negative consequences is obvious – maintain your tires as close as possible to the recommended inflation level for your vehicle. Staying in the right range with regard to tire pressure will help you get good performance from your vehicle out on the roads, and it will also help you extend the useful life of your tires.

A Matter of Time

When you put a new set of tires on your vehicle, you know one thing for sure – those tires are going to wear out at some point. While tires obviously last longer than a tank of gasoline, they should be thought of in much the same way. They are a consumable that is necessary to operate your vehicle on a day to day basis.

So, the idea when it comes to tire inflation is to get the most possible return on your investment in a set of tires. If you buy a good set of tires to help your car or truck grip the roads of Northern Idaho, you want to make sure those tires don’t wear out prematurely. The best way to reach that goal is to keep the ideal amount of air in the tires. This task might seem like a bit of a hassle, but it is worth your effort when you consider how much you can save by delaying the need to buy a new set.

A Safety Issue

Most drivers are going to be primarily concerned with extending the life of their tires when they pay attention to tire pressure. With that said, there is also a safety component to consider on this point. One of the most dangerous tire-related issues you can encounter is a blowout, and such an event may be caused by having too little tire pressure in place. Although it might seem like too much tire pressure would be the cause of a blowout – and technically, it could be – it’s usually low tire pressure that winds up leading to this kind of event.

As you can see, there are plenty of motivations for keeping your tires at an appropriate pressure. For starters, you’ll be able to optimize things like fuel economy and the wear pattern on your tires as the miles add up. You should also be able to stay away from purchasing a new set of tires for longer when you pay attention to tire pressure, and you may be able to decrease the odds of a blowout as well. Considering how simple it is to monitor tire pressure, pay attention to this simple maintenance point is a no-brainer. 

Getting Help

Fortunately, you don’t have to take on this maintenance issue all on your own. When you work with the team at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, you will have a helpful partner to keep your tires on a path toward a long and useful life. And, of course, we will also be able to help you with any other maintenance issues that may need to be handled on your vehicle. It’s always a good idea to have a trustworthy auto shop on your side, and that is exactly what you’ll find when you visit Taylor & Sons.
Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog, and we hope you now have a clear understanding of why tire pressure is worth your attention. If you are willing to add tire pressure to the checklist of things that you track with regard to the health of your vehicle, it’s more likely that you’ll stay on track for long-term reliable performance. At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we love caring for the vehicles driven by those living in and around Ponderay. Please feel free to contact us today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you may have. Thanks again for stopping by!

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The battery in your vehicle has an important role to play. Of course, you need the battery to supply the power used to get the engine started each time you turn the key (or push the button, in newer models). Your battery is also going to power the accessories that you use in the cabin, such as the radio, navigation system, etc. While your vehicle may run on gas or diesel, you aren’t going to get far without a properly functioning battery.

Unfortunately, many drivers take their battery for granted. Sure, car batteries tend to be rather reliable, but that doesn’t mean they can be ignored in the maintenance cycle. At some point, the battery is going to surpass its useful life, and you’ll need to have it replaced. But what is it that causes car batteries to fail? Are there any warning signs you should watch for that indicate battery trouble is on the way? We are going to look at these questions in this article.

Of course, if you feel that there is a problem with the electrical system on your vehicle, you can stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet right away for assistance. Our team will be happy to get to the bottom of the issue, whether that means replacing the battery or completing other repairs. We hope to serve you soon!

Leaving Your Lights On

This is the classic way to drain your battery, so it needed to be first on our list. If you were to leave your lights on for an extended period of time while the vehicle is parked – say while you are at work, or overnight – there is a good chance that you will come back to a dead battery. Unfortunately, that means you’ll probably need a jumpstart to get going once again. On the plus side, once you run your vehicle long enough to recharge the battery, you should be able to continue using it without much of an issue (unless the battery was already quite old and needing to be replaced.

If you have a newer model vehicle, you may not need to worry much about this issue anymore. The cars and trucks which have hit the market in recent years often feature headlights that will turn off after a period of time once the vehicle has been turned off. Check your owner’s manual for specific information on how your vehicle works.

Failing to Start the Vehicle for an Extended Time

Some car owners are surprised to learn that they may come back to a dead battery after leaving the vehicle to sit parked for a long period of time. If, for instance, you left your car or truck parked for the duration of a cold Idaho winter, there is a good chance you’d find your battery dead when spring rolls around. The energy from the battery is slowly drained while the car sits parked and you don’t have enough juice to get the engine started when the time comes.

Not only is it frustrating to find that your battery is dead and you can’t get going right away, but you may also find that even a standard jumpstart won’t do the job. It may be necessary to actually charge the battery before you will be able to get your car started successfully. In addition, depending on the age of your battery, it may not come back to full strength even when charged. If you know that you are going to be leaving your vehicle parked for an extended period, consider disconnecting the battery to prevent it from draining down while the car sits unused.

Old Age

Quite simply, your car battery may fail for no other reason than it has been in use for too long and it no longer up to the task. Batteries do not last forever, so you should expect that you will need to replace yours periodically as you move forward with your vehicle. How long should you expect to get out of a battery before it needs to be replaced? That’s hard to say, as the lifespan of an auto battery will depend on a number of factors. The quality of the battery, the age of the vehicle, the local weather conditions, and more can all impact how long your battery lasts.
As your battery ages and nears the end of its useful life, you may start to notice signs of trouble. For instance, it may take a little longer than normal for the engine to fire up. Or, your check engine light may come on to warn you that the battery is getting low. Pay attention to anything that seems unusual and contact Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for assistance in diagnosing and solving the problem.

Speaking of contacting Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we would love to take a look at your vehicle and examine the current status of your battery. It should go without saying that replacing your battery is not something you want to do when you are stuck in a parking lot, unable to get started. Instead, you would rather have the battery replaced before it runs down completely, so you can keep up with your busy life. The team at Taylor & Sons will be glad to assess the current status of your battery, as well as the rest of your vehicle as a whole.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. It’s easy to forget about the important role that your battery plays in the overall performance of your vehicle, but don’t be one of the car owners who makes that mistake. At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we take great pride in offering excellent customer service, and our services as competitively priced as well. If you are in need of a new battery, you can trust our team to find the right model and install it properly in your vehicle. We look forward to your visit!

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Let’s face it – forgetting about vehicle maintenance is an easy thing to do. Sure, you can remember to keep up with your oil changes, and you may even come in on time for your service visits at designated mileage markers. But do you manage to keep track of everything that needs to be done to your vehicle? Maybe, maybe not. One of the tasks that tends to slip through the cracks is tire rotation. This might not seem like a particularly important task, but it would be in your best interest to keep up with it – as well as all the other work your vehicle needs.
In this article, we are going to talk about why it is important to have your tires rotated on a periodic basis. Of course, when it is time to have this task completed, please contact Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for assistance. We will be happy to help!

Uneven Wear

The concept of rotating your tires comes down to the goal of evening out the wear on your tires as they age. If you were to leave your four tires in their original positions for the entire time that they are in place on your vehicle, you would almost certainly see uneven wear patterns. Tires which are installed on the front wheels are going to deal with different stresses than tires on the back wheels, and tires on the right side of the vehicle will deal with different stresses than tires on the left. If you tend to turn right more often than you turn left, for instance, the wear pattern will reflect that tendency.

So, to even out the pattern of wear that shows up on your tires, one of the best things you can do is simply move them from place to place on a periodic basis. When your tires are rotated onto different wheels, they will take on a new pattern of use and the rubber of the tire should wear in a different manner. This doesn’t mean your tires will last forever, of course, but it should help to extend the useful life of the tires. For something that is so quick and easy, rotating tires can make a meaningful difference in both the performance of your vehicle and the cost of maintenance moving forward.

Warranty Considerations

If you have purchased a new set of tires for your vehicle recently, you already know that tires are not cheap. A new set of tires can easily set you back several hundred dollars or more. Fortunately, most tires come with some form of warranty protection to cover your purchase. However, if you are going to keep that warranty in good standing, you may need to rotate your tires according to a specific schedule. Failing to rotate your tires may wind up voiding the warranty, leaving you on the hook for any issues that may pop up down the line. When you purchase your new tires, check the warranty carefully so you know what is expected in terms of tire rotation.

Keep Your Grip

Not only do you want to even out the wear on your tires in order to extend their life, but you also want to make sure you have the best possible grip on the road as you drive around the Ponderay area. Having tires with plenty of grip is one of the biggest steps you can take to stay safe on the road and promoting even wear is a big part of that equation. Even if you do have your tires rotated regularly, you should still check in on the status of your tread from time to time just to make sure there is still enough to grab onto the road surface. When your tread starts to wear thin, it is time to think about picking up a new set.

Buy All Four

You really want to buy four new tires when the time comes to replace the tires on your vehicle. This will allow the tires to be in the same condition right from the start, which should improve the way they perform. With that said, you may struggle to do this if you aren’t rotating your tires on a consistent schedule. Without the proper tire rotations, your wear will be uneven, and you’ll probably have a couple of your tires with a lot more tread left than the other two. So, what do you do? Either you buy a couple new tires and have a mismatched set, or you buy four new tires and essentially ‘waste’ some of the tread of the tires that had not worn as much.

It’s best to simply stay away from this scenario by having your tires rotated on a regular basis. This is an easy maintenance task to have completed, so you aren’t looking at a significant amount of time to have the job done. And, while you are bringing your vehicle in for tire rotation, you may be able to have other work done or at least have an inspection completed. Providing consistent care to your vehicle is one of the best ways to get great performance over the long run, and tire rotations are a key piece of that larger puzzle. 

At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we offer a full complement of auto care services. Need new tires, no problem – we have a great selection for you to consider. Need basic maintenance like an oil change or a brake job? Again, not a problem. We will make sure the job is done right, and we will get you in and out as quickly and efficiently as possible. We love serving our loyal customers here in Ponderay, and we are confident that you will be happy with the service you receive. Whether you need to come see us for a tire rotation or any other maintenance task, our team will be ready to get the job done. Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you soon!

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At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we are proud to carry a great selection of beautiful new vehicles. If you are in the market for a new Chevy, you have certainly come to the right place. With that said, we also carry a great selection of used vehicles, and that part of our inventory is worth your consideration as well.

In this article, we are going to discuss some of the many benefits that may come along with buying a used vehicle. We aren’t trying to talk you out of a new vehicle, of course – there is a lot to like about buying new – but we do want to point out that opting for a used model can be the right call for some shoppers.

Let’s get started!

#1 – Save Money

Obviously, this is where the list is going to start. When you purchase a used vehicle, you should be able to acquire it for a lower price than you would have to pay to get a similar vehicle in new condition. This makes perfect sense, of course, as you are getting something which has experienced some wear and tear along the way while serving a previous owner.

If the car you have your eye on doesn’t quite fit in your current budget, shopping for a used model is a good alternative. This will allow you to bring the price of the car down without having to adjust your shopping list too dramatically. As you shop, be sure to consider how many miles each vehicle has on the odometer, and also take other factors into consideration like maintenance records, previous accidents, etc. As long as you take your time to do your homework, and you shop with a reputable seller like Taylor & Sons, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding many used vehicles worth your consideration.

#2 – Get Extra Features

In some cases, buyers are able to afford the base model of a given vehicle – but that vehicle works its way up out of their price range when all of the options start to get added on. If you like to drive vehicles which are fully loaded with all of the best features, you might want to shop used instead. You never quite know what you will find when shopping a used lot. While you will certainly find plenty of base models here as well, you’ll also be able to track down some vehicles with all of the bells and whistles. And, since it is used rather than new, you may find the price to be far more manageable.

#3 – Potential for Coverage

One of the things that turns some people away from used cars is fears over having a lack of warranty coverage when they drive off the lot. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. It is possible to get some form of warranty coverage when buying a used car, depending on the situation. The number of miles on the vehicle, the number of years which have passed since it was new, and more will all impact the kind of coverage which may be available. The best thing you can do here is to ask when shopping on a used car lot for information about protection on any specific vehicle you are considering. You may or may not be able to get some degree of coverage, but this is a smart question to ask. Before you make a buying decision, take everything into account, including the price, the model, the miles, the year, the coverage, etc.

#4 – Save on Insurance Costs

Nobody likes to pay high insurance premiums, and new car buyers are sometimes surprised when they contact their insurance company to get a quote on their new vehicle. If you would like to keep your insurance rates down a bit, buying a used car can be a great way to do so. Since the vehicle is not worth as much as a brand new one, your insurance company won’t have to cover as much loss in the case of an accident. As a result, your premiums will be lower, and you’ll save money month after month. If you are wondering how much money you stand to save by making this decision, contact your insurance company for a quote. The savings may or may not be enough to justify going in the used direction, but the question is worth asking.

#5 – Avoid Depreciation

This one is well known among frequent car buyers. When you buy a new car, the value of the car drops pretty quickly in the early stages of ownership. This is for a very obvious reason – the car is no longer new. If you wanted to resell it, you would have to sell it as a used car, and the price would be lower than it was when the vehicle was new. With that said, this effect is less pronounced when you buy a used car to begin with. The value isn’t going to drop nearly as much, because the vehicle will simply have one more owner in its history, but it’s still a used car. If you don’t plan on owning your next vehicle for a particularly long period of time, buying used can help you avoid suffering too much loss due to depreciation.

As a car dealership, we obviously love selling new cars. And, of course, there is a lot to be said for the experience of buying a new car. The interior is in perfect condition, you have plenty of warranty coverage, and you don’t have to worry about anything hidden in the vehicle’s past that may come back to haunt you down the line. However, there is still plenty of room in this business for used cars, and we are proud to sell those on our lot, as well. If you still aren’t sure whether you would like to buy new or used, simply come down to Taylor & Sons Chevrolet in Ponderay, Idaho to speak with a friendly member of our team. We’ll be happy to offer assistance and show you around!

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The modern world is a busy place, and it is hard to keep up with everything that you need to do on a daily basis. There are work responsibilities, family duties if you have kids, household chores to take care of, and so on. It’s hard to carve any amount of time from the day, even to just relax for a few minutes.

With all of that in mind, it’s easy to understand why you would let your vehicle fall behind on its oil change schedule. Even though you know oil changes are important, it’s hard to commit to take time out of your day to have the work done. It can’t hurt just to wait a little longer, right? Well, unfortunately, it can. Despite your busy schedule, keeping up with your oil changes is a smart move that can help you get a better overall return on the investment you’ve made in your vehicle.

Think Big Picture

Without even getting into the details of what is happening in your engine as oil wears down, we can see that oil changes are important from a big picture perspective. You have made a significant investment in your car or truck, and that investment should be protected to the greatest degree possible. You almost certainly paid more than $20,000 for your vehicle if you bought it new, and that price could have been beyond $30k, $40k, or even $50k, depending on the model. So, is it worth it to risk the health of such an expensive piece of equipment just because you don’t want to take the time to stop in for an oil change? We don’t think so.

Not only is having your oil changed important because of what it means for the inside of your engine, but it also sets a pattern of care for the rest of the vehicle. When you have your oil changed a Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, our team will also be able to check on other key components of the vehicle as the oil change is performed. That way, you’ll stand a good chance of having important issues spotted before they become major problems. Yes, the oil change itself is an extremely important piece of the puzzle, but it can also lead to other valuable vehicle maintenance which will keep your vehicle out on the road for the long term. 

The Miles Add Up Quickly

For the sake of this discussion, let’s say that the owner’s manual in your vehicle recommends that you have the oil changed every 7,500 miles. This is a relatively common interval for a vehicle which uses full synthetic oil, as many do today. So, the 7,500-mile mark rolls around, and you decide that you are just too busy to come in for an oil change. So, you put it off for a bit, maybe just a week or two at first. Suddenly, you are at 8,000 miles since your last oil change, then 9,000 miles, and then 10k. It is amazing just how quickly the miles can add up when you are busy with your life here in the Ponderay area.

Being disciplined about bringing your vehicle in for an oil change as close to the mileage interval as possible will help you avoid falling so far behind that you never really catch up. Your engine oil is going to get dirty as it works, and eventually it will no longer be able to do its job properly. Not only will the oil itself be unable to live up to expectations after too many miles have rolled by, but so too will the oil filter be badly in need of replacement. If you keep waiting and waiting to change your oil, long after it should have been done, you can be sure that some degree of damage is being done to the condition of the engine. That damage might not show itself right away, but it’ll likely catch up with you at some point.

It Doesn’t Take That Long!

This is a point that we want to emphasize, because so many people seem to have misconceptions here. Yes, to have your oil changed at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, you will need to make time to stop by our location for the service. However, we work hard to get all of our customers in and out in a prompt and efficient manner. We never rush through the work, because it needs to be done correctly first and foremost, but we don’t want to keep you waiting, either. We know you are busy, and we have too much respect for you as a customer to allow unnecessary delays. Ultimately, we think you will be impressed with how quickly you can get in and out with a quality oil change.

One of the keys to staying on track with your oil change schedule is planning ahead. If you have a rough idea of how many miles you drive during the average month – which is pretty easy to figure out – you should be able to roughly guess when you are going to be due for your next oil change. Mark that estimate down on a calendar and keep track as the date approaches. Call for an appointment as soon as you know when you’ll need new oil and make the necessary accommodations in your schedule. By planning ahead, you can avoid having to scramble when you realize that an oil change is needed and your schedule is already booked up with other things.

Taylor & Sons Chevrolet is the perfect place to have your oil changed in Ponderay, Idaho. We greatly value our customers business, and we will work hard to make sure you get the most from your vehicle. Coming in for an oil change might never be your favorite thing to do, but it is an important way to protect the investment you’ve made in your vehicle.

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When you are ready to purchase a vehicle, you will have a number of options at your disposal. First, you will need to decide if you are going to purchase new or used. If you decide that a new car is in your future, you will obviously be headed to a dealership to close the deal. However, if you opt for a used model, you will be able to pick between visiting a dealership and going to an independent car lot. So, which is better? We are going to take a look at that very question in this post. In the end, we think you’ll agree that it’s hard to ignore the many benefits that come with shopping at a dealership for your next vehicle.

Right off the bat, we should state that it is possible to find quality vehicles in both of these locations. You can get a great used car at a dealership, and you can get a great used car at an independent lot, as well. Also, you may not notice a tremendous difference in price between these two locations. After all, the dealerships and the independent lots are competing in the same market, so one can’t afford to charge significantly more than the other for the same kind of car. While there are going to be exceptions to this rule, of course, you’ll generally find that prices don’t vary dramatically between the two locations.

Let’s take a moment to review some of the key perks you will find when you do business with a dealership.

A Reputation to Uphold

When you visit a dealership, you can be sure that the owner of that business has a lot invested in his or her operation. It isn’t easy to open a dealership, as there is a significant amount of time and money invested in the process. In other words, it’s not something you do on a whim. When you work with a dealership, you can be confident you are working with a business that is concerned with its reputation.

If you were to take your business to a used car lot, things would be a little less clear. It is far easier to get into the independent used car business than it is to open a dealership, so it’s possible you are dealing with someone only trying to make a quick buck. That is not always the case, of course. There certainly are reputable and trustworthy used car lots, but you’ll need to do your homework to make sure you are at a good one.

May Have Newer Inventory

This is not a hard and fast rule, but rather just something to watch for as you shop. When you look at the used inventory on the lot of a dealer, you may find newer cars with fewer miles. Contrast that with your experience at an independent lot, where you may find older model cars that have seen many miles roll by. Again, this isn’t to say that no independent lot will have reasonably low mileage vehicles, but your odds of finding something with little wear and tear may be improved by stopping by a dealership.

An Established System

Generally speaking, dealerships are going to sell more cars than the average lot. Dealers tend to have a lot of vehicles on the premises – both new and used – so they do quite a bit of business. That turnover can be beneficial to you, as the dealer will have a well-organized system in place to take you through the buying process. Whether you have your own financing or you need to work through the dealer to get financed, there is unlikely to be anything that catches the dealer off guard.

When you buy at a used car lot, things may be a little less predictable. Sure, it may go well, but there may be issues that come up along the way as well. It’s hard to know what you will find. Buying a car can be a bit of a stressful time anyway, you don’t need to add to the stress by putting yourself through a variety of issues trying to close a deal on a used lot.

Build a Relationship

Most dealerships, such as is the case at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, can do a lot more than sell you a used vehicle. When you purchase your vehicle at a dealership, you will have the opportunity to build a relationship that may lead to service visits and future car purchases. If you own more than one vehicle, which is often the case for families, it is nice to know where you are going to take all of your cars and trucks when they need attention.

As you already know, many independent lots don’t have a service department, or really anything else to offer beyond selling you the vehicle. In fact, in some cases, you may not even be sure that the lot is going to be in business the next time you drive by that location. Used car lots tend to come and go, making it all the more difficult to commit to making a big purchase at such a business. By sticking with the dealership experience, you should be able to look forward to a hassle-free process from start to finish.

In the end, the goal is to find the right car for your needs. Along the way, you want to get a good deal, you want to enjoy quality service, and you want to know that you’ll be taken care of after the purchase. For most buyers, the right answer is going to be selecting a dealership rather than an independent lot.

When you are ready to shop for your next vehicle, we hope you will stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to view our inventory. With many quality vehicles to pick from, it’s a safe bet we’ll have something that you love!

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Here in Ponderay, it can seem like winter is never going to end. With the short days and cold temperatures, even lifelong residents start to crave some warmth and sunshine. Fortunately, winter has made its way out and the temperatures have started to rise. Along with the opportunity to get outside more frequently, that also means that you should think about some basic automotive maintenance points. Your vehicle may have worked hard to get through the winter season, and it is now time to make sure it’s ready for the fast-approaching summer.

In this post, we are going to highlight some basic spring time automotive maintenance keys. If you are unsure about the specific work which should be performed on your vehicle, feel free to contact Taylor & Sons Chevy right away. Our friendly team will be happy to speak with you regarding the needs of your car or truck. We have an experienced group of technicians on-site, and we’ll be glad to provide your vehicle with the care it deserves.

New Wiper Blades

This is an easy one, and you can probably handle the job yourself (though we’ll be happy to do it for you, if you wish). Your wiper blades likely took a beating during the long winter, and they should be replaced to make sure they are ready to perform when the rains come down. Winter is particularly hard on wiper blades because of what the cold temperatures can do to the blade, and what will happen when they scurry across an icy windshield. Since wiper blades are such an affordable item, this is an easy maintenance point to kick off your spring automotive work.

Get an Oil Change

Another point which might fall into the category of ‘obvious’, but it needs to be highlighted anyway. As winter fades away, there is a good chance that you are about due for an oil and oil filter change. This is work we can complete at Taylor & Sons Chevy, along with any other maintenance you need to have performed. Not only should you make sure to stick with your recommended schedule for oil changes, but you should also understand that winter can be hard on your engine. Starting fresh with new oil and a new oil filter as temperatures warm up is a good idea. Again here, we find a maintenance point which is not particularly expensive, but which can have a bit impact.

Check on the Condition of Your Tires

It should be no surprise that winter can be tough on your tires. The cold weather doesn’t do any favors to the rubber, and you may hit a pothole or two that you can’t avoid as readily as you do in the summer. In the end, you may be left with tires that aren’t looking as good as you would like – especially if they were already a little rough before winter began. Now is a great time to think about replacing your tires so you can get the new set off to a great start in the relatively calm spring and summer seasons. Of course, if you have a set of winter tires for your vehicle, spring is the time to switch those out for your summer tires. As your only point of contact with the road, it is extremely important to monitor the condition of your tires and have them replaced when the time is right. If you aren’t sure how your tires are doing at the moment, feel free to bring your vehicle in to Taylor & Sons Chevy for assistance. We can check on the status of your tires and recommend options if they do need to be replaced.

Did Your Windshield Survive?

Winter is generally harder on your vehicle all the way around, and that even includes your windshield. If you took a couple of rock chips during the course of the winter, the time is right to have those chips repaired – or the windshield replaced, if necessary. A damaged windshield is not going to perform as well as an intact one in terms of safety, so it’s always wise to have the windshield replaced sooner rather than later. It is easy to overlook the importance of a chip or crack, especially if it isn’t directly in your field of vision, but the smart move is to address this right away.

How’s Your Battery?

One last point to think about as spring comes into full bloom is the condition of your battery. The cold weather can take a toll here as well, meaning you might not be getting as much out of your battery as you were before winter set it. A weak battery could leave you stuck in a parking lot, unable to get your vehicle restarted. By having your battery tested, you can see exactly how much power it is producing, and you’ll be able to tell whether or not it is due for replacement. The team here at Taylor & Sons Chevy would be glad to do this testing, and we can interpret the results for you. If the battery is at the end of its useful life, we can help you find a suitable replacement for a fair price.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the blog for Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. We love doing business here in Ponderay, even if that does mean having to live through the long, cold winters. Now that the cold weather has moved on, it’s time to make sure your vehicle is ready for the busy seasons ahead. Our technicians are ready to perform all of the work your car or truck needs to keep up with your lifestyle here in Ponderay and surrounding areas. To make an appointment or to learn more about our services, please give us a call or stop by during business hours. We look forward to serving you soon!

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Most drivers understand the importance of quality tires. Your tires are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, so it is important that they are ready for the job. They need to maintain traction on the road as you travel along, and not just in good conditions. Here in Idaho, of course, the weather can get a little rough from time to time. If you don’t have good tires on your side, driving may become a rather dangerous activity.

So, you already know that good tires are essential. But do you know how to tell when it’s time for a new set? After all, tires don’t last forever. Even if you purchased a quality set of tires at one time – or if your vehicle came new with excellent tires – you’ll eventually need to replace them. With this article, we hope to help you determine when the time is right to invest in a new set of tires.

Of course, if you would like to get expert help with this issue, simply turn the job over to the professional team at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. Come see us to speak with a member of our staff about the current condition of your tires. We’ll be happy to advise you with regard to how much life you might have left in your present set, and what you should be looking for when the time comes for replacement.

The Tread is Gone

Okay – so this is an easy place to start. If the tread has been worn off of your tires, it is time for a new set. Some drivers make the mistake of thinking that this is only dangerous in snowy or icy conditions, but that is just not the case. You won’t have much grip on the road when you are driving on bald tires, so you’ll always be at risk of losing control. From time to time, take a walk around your vehicle when it is parked to inspect the remaining tread. You should be able to judge the remaining tread pretty well visually, but running your fingers across the surface of the tire will tell the full story. If the surface of the tire is relatively smooth, the time is now to have a new set of tires installed. Another quick and easy way to check your tire wear is with a tread-depth gauge. These tools come in either digital or mechanical versions. The easiest way to check wear on your tire is with a penny. Place a penny upside down in between the tire tread as shown on the right. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the treads are worn and tire replacement is needed.

You Are on a Spare

This is another point which should be pretty self-explanatory. Spare tires are only meant to help you get home safely after you have a flat tire or another issue with one of your regular tires. Spare tires are not meant for long-term, ongoing use. So, if you are currently driving on a spare, it would be wise to look for a permanent solution in the form of a new set.

The Tires Are Damaged

It is easy to overlook this point, but it is another important one. Again, take a visual inspection of your tires while the car is parked. This time, instead of looking just at the treat, take an overall view of each tire. Do you have any cracks appearing in the rubber? Are there any other obvious signs of trauma that may affect the stability of the tire moving forward? A damaged tire can be a dangerous tire, as it may be susceptible to a blowout while on the road. Make a habit of checking for tire damage to make sure you aren’t putting yourself in a risky situation.

It’s Been Many Years

One of the sneaky ways to get into trouble with your tires is to just assume they are in good condition because you haven’t driven that many miles. This happens when a vehicle is not used on a day-to-day basis, and just sits in a garage or driveway. Without regular driving, the tread on your tires is going to remain in good condition. With plenty of tread and no obvious signs of damage, it’s easy to assume that the tires are ready to go.

But is that the case? Not necessarily. The condition of the rubber is going to degrade over time, especially if the vehicle is left out in the elements. By allowing your tires to sit day after day under the blazing hot sun, or out in the freezing cold, you will be gradually damaging the condition of the rubber. If enough time has passed, you may be left with tires that shouldn’t be used any longer – even if the tread is almost perfectly intact. Before actively using tires that have been sitting idle for a long period of time, give them a careful inspection to look for signs of cracking or other issues. With something as important as tires, you always want to err on the side of caution.

Having New Tires Installed

Once you have decided that it is time to have a new set of tires installed on your vehicle, you will want to make sure that the work is done correctly. This might not be the most complicated task that can be performed on your car or truck, but it should still be handled by experienced hands. You want to come away from the experience knowing that you can trust your new tires to help keep you safe on the roads of the Ponderay area and beyond.

If you are ready to have new tires installed, or you would like some advice on picking out the right set of new tires, please contact Taylor & Sons Chevrolet right away. Remember, finding the right tires is not just about picking a set that will fit on your wheels, but it’s also about matching the tires to your lifestyle. What kind of performance are you going to require them to provide? Think about the conditions you tend to face on the road, and find a tire that is up to the challenge. Thank you for stopping by, and we hope to serve you soon!

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What Does It Mean When I Am Told My Wheels Need an Alignment?

There are a number of different maintenance tasks which may need to be performed on your vehicle from time to time. Many of them, you are already familiar with, such as oil changes and brake jobs. But some of these maintenance tasks are less common, and less familiar to the average driver. One such job is a wheel alignment. If you have been told that you need a wheel alignment, we hope this article will clear up any confusion you may have on the subject.

How Does This Happen?

When your car rolls off the factory floor, it should be in perfect alignment. Everything is nicely square, and it is able to track a straight line with ease. If you’ve ever purchased a brand-new car, you already know just how easy they are to drive. Keeping the tires pointed straight ahead requires virtually no input on your part, and the vehicle responds easily and accurately when you turn the wheel.

Unfortunately, this period of alignment perfection doesn’t last long. The real world gets in the way soon enough, and your vehicle will likely be knocked out of alignment, at least to some degree. Often, your alignment will be the victim of bad roads. Those who drive on rough roads frequently – such as roads with numerous potholes, or unpaved roads – are usually going to see alignment problems sooner rather than later. Also, a single event can do damage to your alignment, such as an accident or even hitting a curb. Even drivers who take great care of their cars can’t completely protect them from the realities of day to day driving, so alignment problems are extremely common.

Look for Signs of Trouble

You don’t need to be a professional mechanic to spot signs of poor alignment. In fact, you are likely to be the first person to notice that something is wrong, since you are the one driving the car each day. If you notice some of the classic signs of alignment trouble, it would be wise to bring your car or truck to Taylor & Sons Chevy right away for service.

For most drivers, the first sign that something is off will be the fact that the vehicle is having trouble tracking a straight line down the road. Even though you are holding the wheel steady, with the aim of maintaining a straight line, the vehicle may be pulling to the right or left. This is almost certainly due to poor alignment. When your alignment is nice and square, the vehicle should have no problem rolling straight down the road.

Pulling to the right or left is the easiest way for most drivers to notice alignment problems, but it is not the only sign available. Other possibilities include uneven wear on your tires or a squealing noise coming from your tires. Take a moment to check out the tread on your tires while your vehicle is parked to see if you notice anything that looks unusual. If one side of the tire is worn dramatically more than the other side, it’s a good bet that alignment is to blame.

Why Does It Matter?

We understand that you probably aren’t in a rush to bring your vehicle into the shop for any reason. You have a busy life to lead, and this is another chore that you’ll have to squeeze into your schedule. With that said, it is important that you make time to have your alignment addressed as soon as possible.

One of the biggest reasons to have your alignment corrected is for the benefit of your tires. It is almost certain that your tires will wear out sooner with poor alignment than they would have if your alignment was properly squared away. As you know, replacing a set of tires can be a costly proposition, so extending the life of your current set is desirable. In addition, a vehicle which is properly aligned may actually use less fuel. It is inefficient to continually have to correct your path down the road, meaning a well-aligned vehicle should be more efficient thanks to its ability to drive in a straight line.

Finally, there is something to be said for the improved feeling of driving a car with accurate alignment. You will feel as though you are in better control of the car, and your overall driving experience will be improved. Driving should be something you enjoy, not a chore you dread – and taking the time to have your alignment corrected is a big step in that direction.

Staying on Course

Once you have had your alignment corrected by the talented team here at Taylor & Sons Chevy, there are a few small things you can do to help your vehicle remain aligned for as many miles as possible. For starters, it is a good idea to avoid weighing down the back of your vehicle with too much stuff. This can lower your vehicle height in the back, and your alignment can be affected. Also, you may see some benefit from making sure the proper amount of air is in your tires on a consistent basis.

One other point which should be made is that conservative, careful driving is likely to help. If you are requiring your vehicle to work hard as a result of aggressive steering, braking, and more, all of those actions are going to show themselves in the form of wear and tear. Take it easy, and you should be able to protect your alignment moving forward.

The team at Taylor & Sons Chevy would be happy to take care of your vehicle’s alignment issues. We have a qualified staff working on site, and we’ll be able to answer all of your questions before work begins. Thank you for taking the time to learn about wheel alignment and its importance in the overall health of your car or truck. We look forward to serving you soon!

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