Graduating from high school is a huge accomplishment. When you step back and think about everything that has happened from kindergarten all the way through senior year, it’s an incredible journey. Not only that, but there are countless possibilities ahead, which is what makes this part of life so exciting.

As a parent, seeing your child graduate is an event that comes with mixed feelings. You are proud, to be sure, along with feeling that tinge of sadness that comes along with your child growing up and moving out of the house. If you are hoping to buy a gift for graduation that will express your love and provide your child with a huge boost as they head out into the real world, consider shopping for a car at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet.

The Feeling of Freedom

By the time a young person reaches their senior year of high school, they have been in school for a long time. In fact, virtually all of life that they can remember has involved going to school day after day, month after month. While there are certainly plenty of great experiences wrapped up in those school days, the feeling of freedom that comes from getting that diploma and moving on to the “real world” is liberating.

Providing your child with a car at this stage of life will only further that newfound feeling of freedom. Whether they are going off to college or will be looking for a job, having a car that they can use to get around is a big advantage. In addition to giving the gift of freedom, generously purchasing the car for your child will free them from the burden of taking on a car payment so early in life. This is no small gesture, and it is sure to be appreciated for years to come.

Finding the Right Vehicle

Once you have decided that you want to explore buying a vehicle for your child’s graduation gift, the next step is figuring out which vehicle is the right fit. There are plenty of factors to take into consideration here, including the following –

• New or used. One of the first points to sort out is whether you are going to look for a new or used model for your child. Obviously, a new model will come with a higher price tag, but it will also have the potential to last much longer since the odometer hasn’t started spinning just yet. With that said, Taylor & Sons is proud to offer many great used vehicles on our lot, so you can do well when shopping in either category.
• Body style. Most likely, your recent grad isn’t going to need a vehicle with a large seating capacity at this stage in life. So, a sedan or small SUV will probably make the most sense – but thinking about their needs and lifestyle is important when deciding what direction is best. A pickup truck could also work, especially for the active young person who likes to explore the outdoors.
• Gas mileage. This is a big one, considering most young people are going to be on a tight budget when first getting started in adult life. A vehicle that gets great gas mileage will keep your child away from the pump for longer stretches between fill-ups, helping their gas dollars to go a little bit farther.

Try to keep the big picture in mind when shopping for a vehicle and look for the option that checks the greatest number of boxes. You might not be able to get everything you want for your child with the budget you have available, but it should be possible to find something that gets the job done if you have some patience and work with the team at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet on this exciting purchase.

Make It a Surprise?

There are two lines of thinking with regard to this type of purchase. On the one hand, it could be a memorable surprise to pull a car into the driveway on graduation day as a surprise gift. That’s certainly a moment that no one in the family will forget anytime soon. If you can pull off the surprise properly, you’ll get a great reaction and plenty of smiles (and maybe even a few happy tears).

On the other hand, you might choose to use this as an opportunity to work together with your child to shop for something that will suit their needs. The experience of going through the car buying process with help from a parent could pay off later down the line when they need to shop for their own vehicle purchase. There isn’t a right or wrong on this matter, so just spend a bit of time thinking about whether or not you want to make this a surprise.

Get Started Right Away

This isn’t the kind of purchase that you want to rush. Even if you think that there’s plenty of time left until graduation day, it’s best to get started right away shopping for the vehicle that you’ll purchase. It might take a bit longer than you expect to find the right model, and you need to leave time to work through the financial side of the deal properly. Rather than making a hasty choice at the last minute because you have run out of time, you can take your time and enjoy the experience if you get started sooner rather than later.

If you are even considering buying your child a car as a graduation gift, take the first step by stopping by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to see what we have available. You’ll be impressed by the variety included in our inventory, and our friendly team will be happy to steer you toward the vehicle that will be right for the new life that your child is about to experience. We hope to see you soon!

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Finding a car that will work nicely for the needs of your family requires looking for a specific set of features that isn’t available in every vehicle. Some of the great cars on the market today would work nicely for a single individual or even a couple, yet they might not work at all for a family.

Fortunately, Chevrolet offers a great selection of vehicles that are oriented toward the specific requirements of family life. This article will highlight some of the best Chevy vehicles for a family, so take a moment to explore the options below. Of course, when you are ready to see one of these models for yourself and set up a test drive, the team here at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet will be proud to serve you. Stop by to see us today!

Chevrolet Suburban

Any discussion of Chevy vehicles for families has to start with the Suburban. The biggest member of the lineup, the Suburban has been a long-standing choice for families who need plenty of room for both passengers and cargo. While extremely functional, the Suburban also owes some of its ongoing popularity to the style that it brings to the road. This is a great-looking SUV that just continues to get better with age.

One of the best things about the Suburban is how everyone will have a comfortable place to sit – even those who retreat back to the third row. Where some other SUVs provide a third row that is rather uncomfortable for anyone but a small child, the Suburban delivers a great experience for everyone on board from the back to the front. If are in the market for a large family hauler that is as versatile as it is comfortable, the Suburban is an excellent place to start.

Chevrolet Tahoe

The Tahoe is the slightly smaller sibling of the Suburban, and it is another extremely popular option for families that need plenty of capacity. The Suburban and Tahoe share largely the same styling, so if you like one, you are going to like the other. Since there is only a minor price difference between the two, the main deciding factor here is which one works better for your needs and lifestyle.

Some people will take the approach of wanting to maximize available space, which will obviously push them in the direction of the Suburban. However, the Tahoe offers similar capabilities in a slightly smaller body, and that smaller body might make it easier to do things like park in your driveway or in a parking lot, change lanes on the highway, etc. Think carefully about what you want out of your next family vehicle and there is a good chance the Tahoe or Suburban will check all of those boxes.

Chevrolet Silverado

You might not think first about a truck serving as a family vehicle, but the Silverado is capable of doing just that. When equipped with the crew cab, you’ll have plenty of room in the backseat for three people, and even older kids will have plenty of legroom to feel comfortable. Given the tough and rugged nature of the Silverado, this is a great pick for life in Idaho where the driving conditions might not always be ideal.

Of course, while it has room inside to transport the family around from one place to another, the Silverado also delivers in terms of performance and versatility. You can use it to haul materials, pack up gear for a camping trip, and on and on. Having such a capable vehicle in your driveway is a big advantage in day-to-day life, and at the same time, it is perfectly comfortable for dropping the kids off at school, going to the store, etc.

Chevrolet Malibu

Just as you might not think first about a pickup truck as a family vehicle, you might also overlook the ability of a sedan to serve in the same role. For families with one or two children, however, the Malibu is perfectly capable of being the go-to family car, and it offers many reasons to give it a closer look.

Fuel efficiency is a big selling point here, as the Malibu can get up to 35 MPG on the highway. It also offers more than 15 cubic feet of cargo room and plenty of standard safety features. You aren’t going to find the spaciousness of a Suburban or Tahoe in this car, of course, but you do get a vehicle that’s affordable, enjoyable to drive, and easy to park even in tight spots.

Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevy Equinox – and the Traverse, which we will discuss below – occupy a middle ground between the size of a sedan like the Malibu and the big SUVs like the Suburban and the Tahoe. In that way, you get a bit of the best of both worlds here, as you will have more seating and cargo room than a car, yet better efficiency and a more compact design than one of the bigger options. Although the Equinox looks relatively small from the outside, you may be surprised to find just how much space is available once you climb in.

Chevrolet Traverse

For many families, the Traverse is going to strike a perfect balance in terms of size, price, and capabilities. Like the Suburban and Tahoe, this is a three-row SUV, so you should have little trouble fitting the whole family inside. It is not as large as those two, however, so some will find it a little easier to manage around town. Don’t let your search for a family vehicle end before at least checking out the Traverse, as this one might prove to be a winner.

As you can see, the options are many when you shop within the Chevrolet lineup for a family-oriented vehicle. You probably won’t want to make your selection based only on what you see online, however – you’ll also want to come see these vehicles for yourself to explore the various features and experience them on the roads around Sandpoint. For that, Taylor & Sons Chevrolet is an excellent choice, so come by and visit our location at your convenience. We are excited to serve you!

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For decades, driving a sports car has meant pressing down on the accelerator to hear a thunderous roar from under the hood. When you pair a relatively small, lightweight vehicle to a powerful engine, the results can be impressive. That’s been the case with many versions of the Corvette, one of the most beloved vehicles in American automotive history.

While times are changing, the Corvette is not going anywhere – it is simply evolving to keep up with modern demands and technology. As electric cars become more and more common on roads from coast to coast, the Corvette is jumping into that arena with the all-new 2024 E-Ray.

As the name suggests, this is a vehicle that utilizes electric power, but don’t think for a second that using electricity means that this Corvette will somehow be less exciting than previous versions. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. By blending electricity with a traditional gas engine in a hybrid format, the E-Ray is capable of incredible feats.

What is a Corvette E-Ray?

As mentioned above, a Corvette E-Ray is a hybrid vehicle that carries the traditional styling and badge of the legendary Corvette. Hybrid or not, you won’t have any trouble identifying this vehicle as soon as you see it – every automotive enthusiast or even casual observer would know right away that this is a member of the Corvette family. Those looks are the starting point for what will draw you in to consider this model, but great styling is only the beginning of the conversation.

Some Incredible Feats

Often, sports cars are measured by some of the raw stats they are able to produce, so we might as well dive right in with some of those numbers. Perhaps no statistic is more notable in the world of performance driving than a car’s 0-60 performance – and the Corvette E-Ray can accomplish that feat in a stunning 2.5 seconds. That’s the kind of speed that is hard to understand unless you experience it for yourself.

With a mind-boggling 0-60 time, you would expect the E-Ray to perform admirably in the quarter mile as well – and it does just that. The quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds is also an outstanding indication of just how capable this vehicle is, and how much fun it is to drive. Of course, none of these results should be very surprising when you consider the fact that this vehicle can produce up to 655 combined horsepower between the gas engine and the electric motor.

A Car You Can Live With

Often, when you look at purchasing a car that has the kinds of performance capabilities outlined above, you wind up making some sacrifices in other areas. Specifically, you are left with a vehicle that is a ton of fun to drive and is capable of incredible feats on the track but isn’t exactly practical for getting around on a day-to-day basis.
Impressively, that’s not really the case with the E-Ray. Despite its jaw-dropping speed and acceleration, this is a car that you can still use in a practical manner, getting around town nicely as you handle your chores and other tasks. The vehicle comes standard with all-season tires, it offers a comfortable ride, and the e-AWD system means you’ll have control on a variety of road conditions.

An Impressive Combination

When you think of a hybrid vehicle, you probably think first of a car that is designed for efficiency above all else. Hybrid technology can also be used to elevate performance, however, as is the case with the Corvette E-Ray. In this case, the gas engine that is put to use is a serious one – it’s a 6.2L V8 that puts out 495 horsepower on its own. Even without the help of an electric motor, this would already be a fast and powerful vehicle.

The electric drive unit that partners with the gas engine to drive this version of the Corvette brings an additional 160 horsepower to the equation. This motor powers the front axle and is what allows the E-Ray to accelerate from a stop so suddenly. When you aren’t in the mood for raw performance and just want to move your vehicle around the block without firing up that big V8, you can operate the car in EV-only mode.

A High Tech Machine

When you slide in behind the wheel of a Corvette E-Ray, you’ll have an incredible amount of tech at your disposal. Your seating position feels as much like a cockpit as it does a driver’s seat, and you’ll have an angled display that makes it quick and easy to get whatever information you need. Everything about the design of this space is catered to maximizing the driving experience, which is exactly how it should be in a car this fast and exciting.

In addition to driving-related stats such as the battery power level and performance metrics, you’ll also have some entertainment options at your disposal. The E-Ray comes equipped with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can easily pair the vehicle with your phone for access to all of your preferred music, podcasts, and more. Also, you can upgrade the speaker system to include a. total of 14 Bose speakers, which is sure to produce an impressive sound inside of the cabin of the Corvette.

If you have long dreamed of owning a Corvette, or if you are a previous owner and are interested in a new model, the E-Ray is more than deserving of your attention. Stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to learn more about any of the vehicles in the Chevy lineup and our team will be happy to work with you. Of course, if the E-Ray doesn’t prove to be the right fit for your needs at this time, we have an assortment of other Chevy vehicles for you to explore, as well. Thank you for your time and we hope to see you soon!

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The concept of spring cleaning is something that is typically applied to your home. After a long winter where you spent much of your time indoors, your house may have become a bit cluttered and in need of a cleanout. By spending some time getting your living areas back in shape, you can feel the same kind of revitalization inside as is happening outside with plants and flowers starting to pop up once again.

This same type of logic can be applied to your car or truck. Winter driving requires you to carry some extra supplies in many cases, and you might find that your vehicle has gotten a bit cluttered just like your home. Also, there are some maintenance points you might choose to take care of as spring arrives that will help you transition to driving in warmer weather. We’ll offer some vehicle spring cleaning tips below, and if you need any maintenance or repair work completed – or if you simply want to shop for a new Chevy – come by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet right away.

Start with These Three Steps

One of the reasons you might not wind up going through with a spring cleaning project is you simply may not know where to start. To help you get over that hump and put this project in motion, we’d like to suggest kicking things off with the three steps listed below –

• Toss the garbage. This is the easiest possible first step, which is why it’s such an appropriate place to start. Simply take a trash bag out to your car and collect everything that you want to toss out. Even a large vehicle should only require a few minutes on this task, and it will make a huge difference in how your vehicle looks and feels.
• Vacuum it out. After you pull the trash out of your vehicle, the next easy step you can take is to bring out a vacuum cleaner to pull dirt and debris off of the carpets and seats. Again, this is a pretty easy job, and may take around 10 minutes to complete. A portable wet/dry vacuum with a few attachments is a great choice for this task, but a handheld vacuum will also do the job, as well.
• Wash the windows. With the interior looking better than it has in months, you can wrap up this initial cleaning phase by washing all of the windows of the vehicle, both inside and out. Some soapy water, a soft brush, and a clean towel should be all you need for this task. Make sure to get the windows completely wiped off when you are finished to avoid unwanted streaks.

Even if you don’t go any farther than these three steps, you will already be pretty happy with the results. You’ll have a vehicle that is free from trash, smells better thanks to the vacuuming process, and is easy to see out of in all directions. This is the foundation of a great spring cleaning, and the next section will highlight some additional steps you may wish to take to get even better results.

Going the Extra Mile

If you tend to drive a lot of miles, especially in the spring and summer, it might be worth your time to go even further in your spring-cleaning efforts. These steps will not only make your vehicle more enjoyable to use, but they will also help to care for the long-term condition of the car or truck.

• Wash the exterior. Even if the weather outside isn’t yet hot and sunny, you still might want to think about having the exterior of your vehicle washed early in the spring. You could do the work yourself or take your vehicle to a commercial car wash facility. Either way, this will allow you to wash away some of the dirt and debris that winter may have left behind. Specifically, getting any accumulated road salt off of the vehicle will be helpful in terms of maintaining its condition moving forward.
• Add fresh windshield wipers. Winter conditions tend to take their toll on windshield wipers. There is plenty of rain to deal with during the fall and winter seasons, of course, and during the cold weather, your wipers might wind up dealing with some ice. Spring is a great time to pull off the old ones and install a new pair – you might choose to handle this as a DIY job, or it can be done for you at Taylor & Sons along with some other basic maintenance points.
• Switch back to all-season tires. If you swapped out your “regular” tires for winter tires over the last few months, the lead up to spring is the right time to make that switch in the other direction. Once the threat of snowy weather is mostly gone, you’ll want to remove your snow tires and put them back into storage until the cold weather comes back again. Before you start driving on your all-season tires again, be sure to check their condition and confirm that they are at the proper air pressure.
• New cabin air filter. During the winter months, you will likely have the heater running every time you drive your vehicle. That constant use means the cabin air filter is quickly going to get dirty – so spring cleaning presents a great opportunity to replace it with a fresh one. This will give you cleaner air in the cabin and allow your heating and cooling system to work better at the same time.

Taking some time to spring clean your car or truck is a worthwhile endeavor that will allow you to better enjoy your time on the roads during the warm months to come. For any automotive needs you may have in the Sandpoint area, be sure to turn to Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for assistance. Our team would be proud to work with you to provide your current vehicle with the maintenance it needs, or to help you find a new Chevy to park in your driveway. Thanks for visiting!

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Getting regular oil changes is one of your most important responsibilities as a vehicle owner. If your vehicle has a gas or diesel engine, keeping the oil in that engine fresh is essential – and finding a reliable and affordable oil change near you is the way to make it happen.

While it might be tempting to think that all oil change services are alike, that’s not quite the truth. There are some differences in the service you will get from one business to the next, so it’s important to know what you should look for when making your oil change appointment. Check out the
content below for more information and be sure to give us a call at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet when you are ready to get started.

The Value of Oil Changes

Some car owners simply don’t respect the importance of an oil change. As you see the number on that oil change sticker come and go, and nothing happens, you might be tricked into thinking that oil changes are just an unnecessary expense and they can be safely avoided to save some money.
In reality, oil changes are vital for your vehicle’s health, as engine oil is the lubricant that keeps everything running correctly. As oil ages in your engine, it can’t lubricate as effectively, and excessive friction is created. This means more heat and more wear on the engine’s parts, and plenty of different issues can come up down the line as a result. Given the modest cost of an oil change and the value it delivers in terms of durability and performance, keeping up with this service point is one of your top priorities as a car owner.

So, if you have already fallen behind on your oil change schedule, is all hope lost? Of course not – just schedule an oil change right away and get back on track. There is no way to undo any wear and tear that might have occurred while you were letting the odometer tick up without changing the oil, but that’s okay. Just make it a point to keep changing your oil on time moving forward and you’ll be doing what you can to protect the engine’s health.

Quality Service is Important

In addition to mistakenly thinking that oil changes aren’t actually very important, some people also make the error of believing that all oil changes are the same. Toward that end, many car and truck owners will just look for the lowest price and take their vehicle there, regardless of any other considerations. Low prices are common at “quick lube” places along highways and near shopping centers, but why are they able to charge such a low price? You typically get what you pay for in this type of situation.

When planning your next oil change, try to look at the bigger picture. Who is going to be working on your vehicle? Do you trust that person to do this work? While an oil change is not the most complicated task that can be performed on an engine, it still needs to be done correctly and with care. The professionals at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet will always strive for excellence and deliver quality service, but the same can’t be said for every place that has a sign out stating it can change your oil.

An Obsession with Speed

You will often see oil changes advertised in regard to how fast you can be in and out of the location for this service. But is that really what you want to base your decision on? And do you really want the technicians working as fast as possible to get you out the door? More likely, you’d prefer that they take just a few extra moments to get everything right. As long as you schedule the oil change for the right spot in your schedule, you can probably deal with it taking an extra 15 or 20 minutes, as long as it is done correctly.

Speed should not be the primary determining factor in the quality of an oil change. Instead, you should be focused on making sure the right oil is used, the correct filter is installed, and everything is done cleanly and put back properly when finished. Rushing automotive work is a recipe for disaster, and good technicians will always place an emphasis on doing the job right over doing it in a hurry.

Building a Valuable Relationship

Perhaps the most important reason to carefully pick where you have your oil changed is that you have an opportunity to establish a relationship with a service department that can help you deal with all kinds of automotive maintenance needs. You might only need an oil change at the moment, but that will change soon enough – and if you already have a trusted place to take your vehicle, you’ll know who to call when other service or repair points need to be addressed.

In fact, you can think of an oil change as sort of a trial run for a service department that you might work with on bigger projects down the line. Since oil changes are quick and affordable, you won’t have to make a big investment on this first visit – you can book an oil change and see how your experience goes. Then, if you like how you are treated and how the work is done, you’ll have some trust in place for other things later on. It’s always good to feel like you are working with someone you can trust when it comes to your car or truck.

Call Today!

An oil change should be a simple and convenient process for you as a vehicle owner. It’s an important maintenance task, but you’ll be tempted to skip it if it’s simply too inconvenient or takes up too much of your time. So, for a solution, just call Taylor & Sons Chevrolet and book your appointment today. We value our customers’ time and we’ll make sure to get the job done promptly while never sacrificing on the quality of our service. Thank you for visiting!

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The winter months can be harsh. Here in Idaho, we are very familiar with cold temperatures and plenty of snow, and such conditions are not necessarily nice to your vehicle. Knowing what the winter weather can do to your vehicle is the first step towards protecting it until spring rolls around again.

In this article, we are going to cover some of what you want to watch for during the winter, and some things you can do to minimize the effects of the harsh conditions. Of course, if you need any help from a professional service department, reach out to Taylor & Sons Chevrolet and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment.

Start with Your Tires

You might be surprised to learn that your tires can actually be one of the most affected elements of your vehicle when winter weather arrives. There are a couple of problems you might face in this area, and the first one is a loss of air pressure. When cold temperatures become the norm, the air in your tires will condense, and they will not be as full as a result.

With less pressure in place, the tire will flatten out on the bottom and more of the rubber will be on the road as you drive. That could lead to wearing out the tread prematurely, and you will deal with more rolling resistance – which means a decline in gas mileage.

Also, the rubber compound used to create your tires might not be suitable for winter weather, and the tires could get stiff as a result. This would lead to a decline in performance and you might not get as much grip on the road as you would like – and grip is particularly important during the winter season.

Stressing the Battery

Another issue brought on by cold temperatures is a decline in the strength of your battery. Have you ever noticed how it takes an extra moment or two on a cold morning for your battery to get the engine started? That’s not a big deal if the battery still has enough juice to get the job done in the end, but you might find yourself stranded if the battery comes up short and it can get the engine to turn over.

You are more likely to deal with problems in this area if you are using a battery that is at least a few years old. Car batteries gradually decline in strength as they age, so an older battery will be more likely to run into cold morning issues than a new one. Also, the severity of this issue depends on the temperatures outside. You won’t notice much of a difference on a relatively mild winter morning, but nights where the temperatures plunge below freezing can cause a problem.

Fluid Problems

There are many different fluids required to keep a standard vehicle with a gas engine running properly. While those vehicles won’t immediately be frozen up when the temperatures drop, you might experience a decline in performance as a result of the colder weather. Specifically, you’ll find that your engine oil gets thicker, and the transmission fluid that makes it possible to switch gears can also fail to perform as it should.

Fresh fluids, and the right fluids for the conditions, will go a long way on this point. For example, you might opt for synthetic oil rather than traditional motor oil, as it will hold up better in cold temperatures. It also tends to have a longer useful life in the engine, so while it’s more expensive to purchase, it can stretch out the interval between oil changes.

Aging Rubber Issues

We already mentioned that the rubber compound used in your tires might not be suitable for cold weather, but that’s not the only rubber used in your vehicle. There are other important areas where rubber is in play, including the belts that help the engine run and the seals around the doors and windows. Healthy rubber belts and seals shouldn’t have much trouble in the cold, but those that are already compromised by age or some other issues might not make it through the winter successfully.

Treating old rubber seals with silicone is one way to prevent them from giving you too much trouble in the winter. Of course, if they are particularly old or already cracked and damaged, replacing them instead might be the best way to go. There is also rubber used on your vehicle as the part of the windshield wiper that actually contacts the glass – this is an affordable component to replace so stay ahead of the game and make sure your wipers are ready for the winter season. After all, this is the time of year when they are expected to be used the most.

The Simple Solution

So, with so many things to worry about in the winter months with regard to your vehicle, what’s the answer? It all starts with maintenance. For all of the points above, we can see that proper vehicle maintenance on an ongoing basis will improve your chances of avoiding any trouble.

For example, if you have a battery under your hood that is only a year or two old, the cold weather is unlikely to give you trouble. The engine should fire right up even on a frigid morning since the battery still has plenty of juice available. Likewise, tires that are in good condition and feature a rubber compound that is capable of dealing with cold weather won’t lose traction on slippery roads.

Even if you love the beauty of the winter snow, you won’t necessarily like what it does to your car or truck. With a little help from Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, however, you can mitigate those issues and keep your vehicle in good condition throughout the winter season. We appreciate the time you have taken to visit our site and we look forward to serving you soon.

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If you are one of the countless drivers interested in making the switch to an electric vehicle, you’ll want to be sure to check out Chevrolet’s lineup in this category. EVs are getting more and more popular as the technology advances and countless benefits come to light. Whether you are already convinced that an EV is right for you, or you just want to explore the possibility, Chevy has something for everybody.

This article will highlight some of the popular EV models Chevy now has available. It’s a wide-ranging vehicle lineup, covering a variety of price points, sizes, styles, and more. If you’d like to see any of these vehicles for yourself, or if you simply want more information, pay us a visit at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet and we’ll be happy to help.

Chevy Bolt EV

If you know anything about the lineup of Chevy electric vehicles, it’s likely that the Bolt is the first name that comes to mind. So, we might as well start here, as this vehicle is a great pick for many people who want to get into the world of EVs for a modest investment. One of the best values in the EV game, the Bolt can be had for less than $30,000 while offering excellent range, surprising cargo space for a small car, and much more.

For buyers who are looking for a little more space, the larger Bolt EUV version is a great pick. With this model, you get all of the same great features present with the standard Bolt, but in a slightly bigger package. If you are stuck trying to pick between these two appealing options, take some time to see them for yourself in person so you can get a sense of the difference and determine which will be a better fit for your lifestyle.

Chevy Silverado EV

Those who don’t follow the electric vehicle market closely might be surprised to find the Silverado on this list. This is one of the most popular trucks on the market, of course, and you might not have been picturing a pickup truck when thinking about making an EV purchase. Chevy is excited to expand its EV selection into this realm, however, and there is a lot to like about getting the versatile performance of a truck packaged with an electric powertrain.

Even buyers who need significant towing power can still keep the EV version of the Silverado on their shopping list. It’s possible to get a Silverado EV with the capability of pulling up to 10,000 pounds, so this is still a vehicle that can get the job done without a traditional gas or diesel engine under the hood. It’s also quite quick to accelerate, fun to drive, and is available in a configuration to get up to 400 miles on a single charge.

Chevy Equinox EV

SUVs are as popular in Idaho as they are across the rest of the country, and for good reason. With a great blend of performance features and the capacity to handle most families, owning an SUV is an excellent way to solve all of your transportation needs in a single package.

No longer limited to gas-powered SUVs, you can now get the versatility of this type of vehicle while still enjoying life as an EV owner. The Equinox has long been one of the beloved members of the Chevy SUV lineup, and it is now available in an all-electric configuration. You will be able to get as many as 300 miles out of this vehicle on a single charge, and it has an available 17.7-inch screen in the front to display all of the information you could possibly need while behind the wheel.

To stand behind the product that it offers, Chevy supports the battery in the EV Equinox with an 8-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty. Knowing that your battery is protected and knowing that you won’t have to stop at the pump for gas to continue your adventures around Northern Idaho, you can relax and enjoy wherever it is that this Equinox happens to take you.

Chevy Blazer EV

As one of the most recognized names in Chevy history, it only seems fitting that the Blazer takes its place among the new lineup of electric vehicles. The new Blazer offers modern, stylish looks while staying true to its roots at the same time. And, if you think that an electric Blazer couldn’t possibly deliver the fun or excitement of the traditional gas engine version, think again – in the SS version using Wide Open Watts, this Blazer can get from 0-60 MPH in under four seconds.

While there is plenty of fun to be had in the Blazer EV, there are also characteristics that make this a practical, reasonable choice for your family. It can offer a range of up to 320 miles on a single charge, and the battery is backed by a limited warranty for the first 8 years or 100,000 miles.

A New Way to Drive

It’s safe to say that the EV revolution is already well underway, but that doesn’t mean that an EV is the right choice for every buyer at this point in time. It’s perfectly reasonable to want to gather as much information as possible about owning and driving an EV before you decide how you’ll move forward. Of course, if you decide that going with an EV isn’t quite the right fit just yet, Chevrolet continues to offer an excellent selection of vehicles powered by gas and diesel engines that you’ll want to explore.

Ready to check out an EV for yourself? Taylor & Sons Chevrolet is the ideal place to start your search. Our friendly team will answer any questions you have and will set up a test drive for any vehicles you’d like to experience for yourself. Thank you for visiting and we are excited to serve you!

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The tires on your vehicle are the only connection you have with the road as you drive along. If your tires aren’t getting the job done, nothing else will matter – you are going to have a hard time maintaining control and staying safe. While the demands are your tires are pretty minimal when conditions are good, winter driving is another story entirely. In winter conditions, you need tires that are up to the challenge of holding onto cold and slippery roads so you can avoid an accident and make it to your destination.

The article below will provide some basic insight into how you can pick tires for winter driving. By understanding what factors matter, and by matching the tires you pick to the type of driving you will be doing, you can set yourself up for comfortable and controlled driving all winter long.

Understanding the Options

To make the right decision for a set of tires that will get you through the winter months, it’s first important to know what the options are for most passenger vehicles. The possibilities include the two listed below.

• All-season tires. If you live in Idaho and have a standard passenger car or pickup truck, this is likely what is currently on your vehicle. As the name suggests, these tires are meant to be able to do a little bit of everything. They are suitable for driving in dry conditions, wet conditions, warm temperatures, cold temperatures, and everything in between. The tread pattern and rubber compound are both a compromise – basically in the middle of the extremes. This design means that these tires are pretty good in all conditions and not necessarily great at anything. If you are going to stick with all-season tires through a north Idaho winter, it’s important to make sure that yours are in good condition and still have plenty of tread life left.
• Winter tires. Instead of going with your all-season tires through the winter, you might decide to purchase a dedicated set of winter tires to do the job. That means you’ll be swapping out your tires twice a year – once at the start of the winter driving season, and then again when the weather warms back up. By switching to winter tires, you should get far better performance in snow and ice conditions. Winter tires have a more aggressive tread pattern for better grip, and perhaps most importantly, they have a different rubber compound that stays supple at low temperatures. This combination will help you grab onto the road even when it’s slippery, and you will likely notice a dramatic difference in your driving experience.
You might also think about studded tires as a winter option. This is likely the most aggressive option available and having studs in your tires does come with some drawbacks – like a noisy ride in the cab. For most people, either all-season tires or snow tires will get the job done.

Considering Your Needs

So, which one of the two options outlined above is better? It’s not really a matter of “better”, unfortunately, as this is a choice that has to be made on a case-by-case basis. To be sure, winter tires are going to offer improved performance in snow and ice than all-season tires, but that isn’t the end of the story. There is an additional cost associated with going that route, so you need to balance what your driving demands are with the cost of setting up your vehicle for success in the cold months.

As a starting point, do you have to drive when the weather turns ugly? For instance, if a significant snowstorm moves into the area, are you going to need to make it to work no matter what, or will your job allow you to stay home until conditions improve? Someone who has to get to work even in bad weather will likely want to have winter tires equipped. If you don’t have to go out in such a situation, however, you can plan ahead with things like food and supplies for home and just wait out the worst of the weather.

There is also the matter of chains to consider. If you wanted to stick with all-season tires but still wanted to get around safely in tough driving conditions, you could add a set of chains to your garage that could be put on the tires when necessary. This way, you don’t have to purchase a whole new set of tires, but you can still take a step up from basic all-season tires in the worst of the winter weather.

The Storage Factor

For a moment, let’s imagine that you decide to buy a set of winter tires for your vehicle. That means you will now be the owner of eight total tires for a vehicle that only can use four at a time. So, what do you do with those extra four tires when they aren’t in use?

They are probably going to need to live in your garage. Tires can be hung easily on a wall, or placed up on a shelf, so they aren’t too difficult to store. You’ll need to set aside the necessary space for the tires to sit while they are waiting for their turn on the calendar to roll around, but as long as you have a garage, you should be all set.

The team here at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would be happy to help you pick out the right tires for the winter season. Give us a call or stop by to see us today and you can learn more about what tires might be right for your vehicle. Of course, we also offer a long list of other maintenance and service options, so you won’t need to look anywhere else to get your vehicle ready to go. Thanks for stopping by!

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As a vehicle owner, there are few things you can do that will be as beneficial for your vehicle as performing preventive maintenance. Whether you purchased your vehicle new or used, it’s important to keep up with the maintenance schedule to give that vehicle the best possible chance of a long and useful life.

We understand that it can be tempting to skip some of your scheduled service visits. Life gets busy, and it seems like it wouldn’t be a big deal to just skip out on these maintenance appointments once in a while. That’s a habit that will likely come back to cost you in the end, however, so let’s use this article to reinforce the importance and value of ongoing service.

Enjoy Cost Savings

For most car and truck owners, this is going to be the primary motivation for keeping up with preventive maintenance. Simply put, you can expect to spend less money over the life of owning your vehicle as compared to skipping maintenance and only dealing with problems when they come up.

Of course, it doesn’t always feel like this at the time, which is why you might decide that it’s just cheaper to go without the maintenance. It’s not free to have your car serviced, so you might keep that money in your pocket at the moment while choosing to disregard the issues that may come up later. In the months and years ahead, you’ll likely find yourself wishing that you had gone ahead and made those service appointments, as it would have been a matter of spending a small amount of money at that time to save far more money later on.

It’s important to work with an honest and reliable service department so you don’t wind up paying more than is necessary for your maintenance. At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, you can count on us to provide fair pricing for all of our maintenance work, and our trained and experienced team is more than up to the challenge of getting this work done correctly.

Avoid Frustrating Downtime

If you run into automotive issues, you’ll have to deal with the downtime that comes with having your vehicle in the shop while it is repaired. The time that it has to stay in the shop will depend on a number of variables, including the work that needs to be done, the parts that must be ordered, how busy the shop is, and more. This may have a minor impact on your day-to-day life, or it could turn into a major headache that requires some serious sacrifices to work around.

Keeping up with preventive maintenance doesn’t guarantee you’ll never face these kinds of problems, but it does make it less likely. Following the schedule for maintenance that is recommended by your manufacturer, you’ll give your vehicle the best possible chance at success in the years to come. And, even if there are problems that come up, those issues may be less serious and require less time to correct.

Stay Ahead of Issues

When you skip out on maintenance, you are putting yourself in a position to always be playing catch up with your vehicle. As the problems add up with the passage of time and miles, it will seem like there is always another issue coming up that has to be addressed. This is a frustrating way to own a car. It will be a more enjoyable experience – and kinder to both your wallet and schedule – if you can stay ahead of the game all along the way.

This is why manufacturers have designed strategic maintenance plans for the vehicles they sell. Those plans take into account the expected wear and tear of various parts, and the service that is required at common intervals will address things that are likely to need attention at that time. If you choose instead to do your maintenance in more of an on-demand style, meaning you just address problems when they come up, you’ll never be in a position of getting out in front of the vehicle’s needs.

Maintain Value for Resale or Trade-In

Finally, there is the matter of the residual value of the vehicle to consider with regard to maintenance. At some point, you’ll likely want to sell or trade in the vehicle to purchase another. When that day comes, you naturally want the vehicle to be worth as much as possible. With a more valuable trade-in, for instance, you are able to effectively bring down the price of the car or truck you want to purchase, meaning this is another way for you to save through maintenance.

There are two ways that keeping up with a service schedule can pay off when it comes time to sell or trade in. First, you will have kept the vehicle in good condition all along, so anyone who checks it out is likely to be impressed by what they see. It will be a desirable vehicle to others simply because it has been so well-maintained while you owned it.

Also, you can provide the service records to give confidence to potential buyers that they are getting a vehicle in good condition. Many vehicle owners don’t keep up with their service schedules effectively, so if you do, you can show those records as an indication of just how much attention the vehicle has received throughout your time as owner.

If you need to make an appointment for an upcoming maintenance visit, please contact Taylor & Sons Chevrolet today and our team will be happy to help. By planning ahead, you can pick a spot on our calendar that is convenient for your schedule, making it easy to come by and have service performed without interrupting your daily life in any meaningful way. Thank you for stopping by and we are excited to serve you!

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Generally speaking, driving in the winter is more dangerous than driving during the warm summer months. Of course, the roads can be dangerous during any time of year, so you always need to be alert and attentive, but winter conditions lend themselves to more hazards than any other season.

In this article, we’d like to discuss some of the common winter road hazards you might encounter in your travels around northern Idaho and beyond. By knowing what to look for, you will hopefully be able to make smart choices and stay out of trouble on your way to each new destination.

Slippery Roads

This is the obvious one, so we might as well start here. When driving in cold winter conditions, you will likely experience slippery road surfaces from time to time. No matter what kind of vehicle you are driving, and no matter what kind of tires are fitted to that vehicle, you need to proceed with caution when the roads are slippery.

As you gain more experience driving in a cold winter climate like the one here in northern Idaho, you’ll learn how to handle various circumstances. For instance, when there is a lot of snow on the road, you might still have some decent traction, but low-clearance vehicles can easily get stuck. On the other hand, clearance isn’t an issue on the ice, but it can be nearly impossible to maintain control over your vehicle on an icy street.

It’s always a good idea to increase following distance to give yourself more margin for error on slippery roads. Slow down, give the cars around you as much space as possible, and pay careful attention to how your vehicle feels as you drive. If you aren’t comfortable with the situation, or you feel like you are going to lose control shortly, consider pulling over to a safe spot to either wait for better conditions or to get help.

Downed Trees

A potential problem throughout the fall and winter in the Sandpoint area, a tree that falls across the roadway is an obvious danger to any vehicle that comes upon it suddenly. While it will be pretty easy to see a tree down on the road in the middle of the day, such a hazard can be nearly invisible at night – especially if you aren’t paying close enough attention. Keep your eyes on the road and reduce your speed at night so you have plenty of time to stop if something unexpected is on the roadway.

Also, you should remember that even a small portion of a tree can be dangerous and may cause you to lose control of the vehicle if you hit it. For instance, a modest branch that is across the road might be more than you want to roll over at full speed. Look for an opportunity to go around it, or even move it out of the way, if it is safe to do so and no other traffic is around.

Low Visibility

You always need to be able to see clearly while driving a motor vehicle. Even with good headlights and quality windshield wipers, some winter conditions can create problems with visibility that are hard to overcome. A heavy snowstorm is an obvious example of a time when it may be hard to see the road and any traffic around you, but it’s not only snow that causes a problem. You might also struggle to see clearly when rain is coming down hard, and foggy conditions may be the worst of all from a visibility perspective.

So, what should you do when visibility deteriorates and you can’t see where you are going? Pulling over to a safe place where you can wait for conditions to improve is the best bet. You simply can’t fake it when you can’t see the road – there is no way to work around this problem. With any luck, the conditions will change relatively quickly and you can get on the move again once you are able to see where you are going.

Reckless Drivers

Everything we have discussed so far falls into the category of things that you can monitor yourself and decide how to proceed. While you can’t control the weather, you can control how you respond to the conditions in terms of how fast you drive – or even if you decide to drive at all.

Unfortunately, the actions of other drivers are out of your control completely. Too many drivers fail to adjust their driving behavior when the conditions deteriorate, meaning they can wind up putting themselves and others in danger. To minimize the chances that another vehicle puts you in danger during winter driving conditions, keep the following points in mind –

• Assume the worst. Sadly, it’s best to assume that others are going to make poor decisions when the weather is bad and conditions are dangerous. For instance, instead of assuming that another vehicle is going to come to a controlled stop at an intersection, wait until they actually do so before you proceed. If they come up to the intersection too aggressively and then can’t stop in time because of slippery roads, you don’t want to be in their path.
• Follow further behind. You can’t prevent vehicles behind you from following too close, but you can at least give yourself plenty of space in front to avoid any trouble. Having more distance between you and the car in front will give you extra time to stop, and you could even steer out of the way of a collision if you lose the ability to brake. Generally speaking, increasing following distance is a good strategy in weather conditions of all kinds.
• Watch for lane changes. When someone changes lanes in winter conditions, it’s possible that they will lose control of the vehicle and start to skid or even spin out. This is even more likely if the car is traveling too fast for the conditions at hand. When you see a turn signal come on, do your best to give that vehicle extra room just in case things go wrong.

At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we are serious about helping our customers stay safe throughout the winter and into the spring. Whether you need some repair or maintenance on your current vehicle, or you need to shop for a new vehicle that is more suited to winter conditions, we are here to help. Contact us today or stop by our location to chat with a member of our team. Thanks for visiting!

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