On the surface, it would seem like 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are just two different ways to describe the same thing. Since vehicles have four wheels, wouldn’t calling the system “all-wheel drive” mean that power is going to all four wheels? While that’s partially true, it doesn’t quite tell the whole story. In the end, 4-wheel and all-wheel are not the same things, and we’ll explain the difference below.

What is 4-Wheel Drive?
Let’s get started by accurately explaining what is meant by the term “4-wheel drive”. As the name suggests, 4-wheel drive provides a vehicle with the ability to send power to each of the four wheels. Rather than just being rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive – where power is only set to two of the wheels to move the vehicle forward – a 4-wheel drive vehicle is able to distribute power all the way around.

What’s important to note here is that a 4-wheel drive vehicle can send power to all four wheels, but that is not the default setting. When driving on paved roads in good conditions, the vehicle should be in its standard configuration (which is likely front-wheel drive). Then, if the roads get snowy or icy, or if you head off-road, 4-wheel drive can be engaged to take advantage of the added traction it can offer. Not only should you not need to engage 4-wheel drive when on pavement in good conditions, but doing so can actually be harmful to your vehicle and its tires. Only turn 4-wheel drive on when you are facing slippery conditions on pavement or when you have left the pavement entirely.

What is All-Wheel Drive?
In some ways, all-wheel drive is a more advanced version of 4-wheel drive. Rather than relying on driver input to change the settings of the drivetrain, all-wheel drive is a system that runs automatically in the background. As the vehicle moves along, the onboard computer will determine which wheels should get the power that the engine is creating. This can not only lead to better grip on the road, but it can also have benefits in terms of handling through corners. All-wheel drive has become more and more common on cars and small SUVs and it is a nice feature to have for many situations.

It is not the same thing as having 4-wheel drive, however. When facing seriously slick conditions, an all-wheel drive system (depending on the details of that system) may not be able to provide the kind of grip that is offered via 4-wheel drive. This is why trucks and other vehicles that are more likely to explore off-road areas are typically built with 4-wheel drive rather than an all-wheel drive system.

Do Some Reading
For owners of any vehicle with one of these two systems, it’s a good idea to take a moment to read the owner’s manual and understand how the system works and what options the driver has to make adjustments. A 4-wheel drive vehicle will typically have a couple of different options – such as low-range and high-range 4-wheel modes – and you might even have some control over how the all-wheel drive functions in that type of vehicle. Just a little bit of knowledge in this area can go a long way toward helping you make the right decisions on the road.

Making a Smart Choice
If you are in the process of shopping for a new or used vehicle, you might be trying to decide whether all-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive is better for your lifestyle. Or, if you need these features at all – perhaps a standard front-wheel drive vehicle will serve you just fine. As you get ready to shop, keep the points listed below in mind –
• Will you turn 4-wheel drive on? As mentioned above, 4-wheel drive is a system that you are only going to engage in certain situations. Is it likely that you will ever encounter those circumstances? If you don’t drive off-road and you rarely decide to venture out in snowy conditions, 4-wheel drive might not be necessary. And, since it comes with some downsides such as potentially reduced fuel economy and low ride quality, you may want to avoid it unless it will play a beneficial role in your driving experience.
• All-wheel drive has fewer downsides. If you find a vehicle you like that has all-wheel drive, you should feel free to consider it even if you weren’t necessarily looking for that feature when you set out to shop. There are simply fewer drawbacks or compromises to make with all-wheel drive as compared to 4-wheel drive. Yes, you might not get quite as good of gas mileage with an all-wheel drive system as you could with 2-wheel drive, but the difference should be minimal. And, since the all-wheel drive system is used in regular driving conditions, you’ll be benefitting from it along the way.
• Consider the costs. All other things being equal, you will likely pay a little more for a vehicle than has all-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive as compared to one that doesn’t. That’s okay, and it could prove to be a great investment, but it’s a point to be aware of as you shop. If your primary goal is just to keep the cost of your purchase down while getting a vehicle that can serve you well day after day, also look at front-wheel drive vehicles that meet your other shopping criteria.

Having the ability to get power to all four of your vehicle’s wheels can go a long way in the difficult winter conditions that are often experienced here in Idaho. While both 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive can get the job done, one may be better than the other in your situation. If you are in the market for a new vehicle and trying to decide which style is best for your needs, turn to the team at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for help. We’ll be glad to offer our input and help you locate the perfect vehicle. Let’s get started today!

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The winter conditions here in North Idaho need no introduction. With frequent snows and constantly cold temperatures, it can be hard to get around this area safely through the winter months. To keep up with your busy schedule in spite of the challenging conditions, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is prepared for what is to come. Let’s take a look below at some of the basics of how to prepare for winter driving.

Consider Winter Tires

This is a great starting point for automotive planning as winter arrives. If you are going to be doing a lot of driving in the winter months – and especially if you are going to be driving on more than just the main roads – you should think carefully about investing in a dedicated set of winter tires.

Most likely, you currently have all-season tires on your vehicle. These are general, all-purpose tires that are designed to perform acceptably in most situations. You can think of all-season tires as being a compromise between the extremes. Rather than performing perfectly in all weather conditions, they do pretty well most of the time, which serves the needs of the average driver. Unfortunately, given the harsh winter conditions that North Idaho is likely to experience, all-season tires might not get the job done.
When you switch to winter tires, you’ll gain the advantage of having deeper and wider treads, which will give the snow somewhere to go as you drive – meaning you’ll have a better chance to maintain traction. Also, winter tires use a rubber compound that stays softer in cold temperatures, which is another step toward maintaining traction. After you buy a set of winter tires, you can simply have them installed for the winter season and then swap them back for your regular tires when spring comes around and the temperatures warm up.

Add Some Important Supplies

If all goes well, you won’t get stuck anywhere while on a winter drive. And, if you choose to equip your vehicle with winter tires, you will be making that outcome less likely. With that said, it can never be ruled out as a possibility, so you want to prepare your vehicle with some supplies that will keep you safe in the event that you become stranded for a time.

As a starting point, create a small package with a blanket, some water, a first aid kit, and some non-perishable food. Use a bag or box to contain everything and store it away wherever you have room in the car or truck. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it all winter, and you can take it out in the spring (or keep it in the vehicle throughout the year, but modify the contents based on the season). In addition to those basic items we listed above, other options for your winter kit include an ice scraper, a small shovel, flares, etc.

It’s a good idea to customize your kit to suit the types of winter driving you will be doing. Those going off into the wilderness for winter adventures will need a robust kit that has plenty of supplies for survival in case they are stuck overnight in the cold. On the other hand, if you only drive in the city on relatively busy roads, you can opt for a simple kit that has just a few supplies to keep you safe and comfortable until help arrives.

Change Your Habits
One of the best ways to prepare for winter driving has nothing at all to do with your vehicle or the equipment you carry. Instead, it is about adjusting your driving habits to make sure they are appropriate for the conditions. Too many people try to drive the same way in the winter that they do in the summer, and the results can be ugly. You don’t need to be afraid when driving in the winter, but you do need to respect the conditions and drive in a way that will help keep you, your passengers, and other vehicles safe.

Here are a few winter driving tips to keep in mind –

• Increased following distance. This is always a good place to start, and this is a tip that applies on a rainy day in any season just as it applies in the winter. When conditions are a bit slippery, as they often are during an Idaho winter, stay farther behind the car in front of you on the road than you would otherwise. The reason for this adjustment is simple – with less traction to rely on, it’s going to take you longer to stop if the vehicle in front of you does something unexpected. Adding space essentially adds time, and that time can make all the difference when trying to avoid an accident.
• Take different roads. Hills are not your friend in the winter. Of course, there are plenty of hills in North Idaho, but when you have the option to take a flatter route to your destination in tough conditions, do it. Even if you think that your vehicle is up to the challenge of a particular hill in the snow, that road might be backed up with other cars that are struggling to make it through. Favor flatter roads and everyone will be better off.
• Gentle acceleration and braking. When possible, do your best to ease onto the throttle and onto the brakes as you drive around in the winter months. Aggressive starting and stopping is a recipe for trouble when the conditions are slippery. Of course, you have to do what you have to do in an emergency situation – such as braking hard – but when you have the option, do your best to operate your vehicle gently so you can stay in control of its movements.

If any of your winter preparations require the help of a professional service department, don’t hesitate to reach out to Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. With a friendly team of experienced technicians and a great reputation throughout the area, you’ll be in good hands from the start when you pay us a visit. We are excited to serve you!

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If you have a damaged windshield, it’s easy enough to just ignore the damage and continue on with your day-to-day life. After all, it probably doesn’t seem like a big deal unless the damage is right in your line of sight as you sit behind the wheel. With this article, however, we’d like to make the case that it’s actually quite important for you to have the windshield fixed as soon as possible.

At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we like to do our part to keep the drivers of North Idaho as safe as possible out on the roads. One way we can do that is by offering an outstanding service department that is staffed with experienced, friendly technicians. We can deal with just about any issue that might come up with your vehicle, so get in touch today to learn more. We are here to serve you!

It Will Only Get Worse
One of the best reasons to take care of your windshield damage as soon as possible is that the chip or crack you are currently dealing with is only going to get worse as time moves on. It might currently be only a small crack that doesn’t really interfere with your line of sight from behind the wheel, but that could change without warning. You may return to your vehicle for a drive home, for example, and find that the crack has spread and it’s now difficult to see the road properly. This is a particularly big problem in a place like North Idaho where the temperature differences between day and night can create conditions that are perfect for making cracks worse.
Rather than just hoping the crack doesn’t get worse anytime soon, you should consider getting ahead of the problem by having the windshield repaired or replaced. That way, you won’t be in for any surprises when the problem suddenly gets worse, and you can get back to focusing on other things in life. Also, as we will see later in the article, acting quickly on this repair task can wind up saving you money in the long run.

It’s the Law
Not only is having an intact windshield important for your personal safety – more on that in a moment – but it’s also required by law. It’s possible to be cited for driving with a damaged windshield, and the cost of that citation will only add to the expense you are facing in terms of fixing or replacing the windshield. So, each time you drive around with that damaged windshield will serve as another opportunity to receive a ticket, and you still won’t have done anything about the windshield itself.

Consider Your Safety
If you are like most drivers, you probably take for granted the important role of a good windshield when it comes to your safety out on the road. In fact, you probably wouldn’t even mention the windshield as “safety equipment” – instead you’ll think of things like seatbelts, airbags, anti-lock brakes, etc. All of these various systems are important, but the windshield is your first line of defense and does a lot of work keeping you safe. Even a small object could be harmful – and even deadly – if it came in and struck you while your vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. This is why having a windshield that is in good condition is so important. If your windshield is compromised – even if it is not completely broken – it won’t be able to protect you as well as it could when it was undamaged. This means something that comes up off the road or falls off another vehicle and hits your windshield could potentially come right on through. That’s not a risk worth taking. A damaged windshield is a dangerous windshield, so take care of this problem right away and make sure you aren’t putting yourself or your passengers at any undo risk.

Check on the Cost
You might be surprised to find that the cost to take care of your windshield problem is not as significant as you may have feared. This will vary wildly from one case to the next, of course, so the best thing you can do is reach out to a service department for more information. At the very least, find out how much it is going to cost you to deal with this manner and you can then figure out how to proceed.
If you need a new windshield installed, rather than being able to fix the old one, you may only need to spend a few hundred dollars to make that happen. Sure, no one likes to spend a few hundred bucks on this kind of repair, but that’s not too bad of a price considering all of the important points we’ve listed above. Think about it this way – if you wound up getting a ticket for driving with a broken windshield, the cost of that citation could approach what it would have cost to just have it replaced right away.

It Could Be a Quick Fix
Speaking of saving money, taking care of this problem immediately could lead to an outcome where the windshield can be repaired rather than completely replaced. This is only possible when the damage to the windshield remains very small, as it might be shortly after it is hit by a rock or some other object. If you leave it alone and allow that small chip or crack to turn into something bigger, there will be no more option for repair and it will be necessary to have a new windshield installed.
Whether it’s a cracked windshield or any other type of repair that is needed on your vehicle, the team here at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet will be happy to get to work. Give us a call or stop by to see us today and learn more about what we have to offer. Thank you for stopping by!

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In the Sandpoint, Idaho area, the arrival of winter tends to be greeted in one of two distinct ways. For some people, it’s a cause for celebration – plenty of residents love the first snow forecast of the season and can’t wait to hit the slopes as the snow starts to pile up. For others, winter is dreaded, with a countdown toward spring starting at the first sign of a frost.

No matter how you feel about winter weather in our area, it’s always important to prepare your vehicle for the challenges ahead. Driving in the winter tends to be more challenging in the summer months, both in terms of the cold conditions your car will face and what it’s like out on the roads. Let’s take a moment in this article to go over the basics of car maintenance and what points you should check on before the worst of the weather moves in.

For help with any vehicle service or repair needs around Sandpoint, turn to Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. You can trust our dedicated and experienced team to get the job done, and we take great pride in the fair pricing that we offer to our customers. Give us a call today to get started.

Cover These Three Points First

As winter rolls in, you’ll want to at least have the basics of car maintenance taken care of – and these three points are a great place to start. This probably isn’t all that you will need to do to get ready for winter, but if you at least hit on these keys, you’ll be in pretty good shape.
• Have your battery checked. The first piece of equipment that is going to be vulnerable in the winter is usually the car’s battery. With cold overnight temperatures – and sometimes daytime temperatures that don’t get back above freezing – your battery is going to slowly lose some of its charge while the car sits parked. That’s not a big problem for a fresh new battery, but it can lead to trouble if you are using a battery that is already a few years old. Have yours checked and consider replacing it if the capacity is testing in a low range. Getting ahead of this and testing the battery in advance is better than dealing with a situation where your vehicle won’t start in the morning because it’s cold and the battery doesn’t have enough juice.
• Think about tires. You might not need to purchase an entire set of winter tires to get through the season safely but doing so is at least worth considering for those who drive a lot during the cold months. Specifically, consider winter tires if you have a job or other obligations where you need to venture out in bad weather – in other words, if you don’t have the option to just stay home in adverse conditions. Even if you aren’t going to opt for a set of dedicated winter tires, check on the condition of your current all-season tires to make sure they have enough tread left to provide at least decent grip on winter roads. Always keep the limitations of your vehicle and your tires in mind during the winter and stay home when in doubt.
• Pack some supplies. While you will always set out with the best intentions when going on a drive in the winter, it’s still smart to prepare for unexpected conditions. Part of winter driving maintenance can include packing up a bag and stowing it away in your vehicle. Include some water, non-perishable food, a blanket, and any other relevant survival/safety equipment. Hopefully you won’t need to pull it out at any point, but it will be there if you need it.

With your battery in good condition, your tires addressed, and a kit packed and put in your vehicle, you’ll be off to a nice start for winter preparations. Take care of these items right away and drive with more confidence in the months ahead.

An Important Point on Inactivity

For some people, the arrival of winter means driving a lot less frequently. If you don’t drive as often in the winter – or maybe you only use one of your two vehicles for most of the winter driving – you’ll need to think about what you are going to do to keep the other car in good condition while it sits around. Idleness isn’t the best thing for the condition of a vehicle, but it can be managed as long as you have a plan.

In the best-case scenario, you’ll be able to park indoors for the duration of the winter. That will keep the snow away and avoid trouble with critters and other issues that come along with letting a vehicle sit outside for months at a time. If you can park inside, make it a point to simply pull the vehicle out once a month or so on a relatively nice day to start up the engine and let everything run for a few minutes.

Of course, parking inside might not be possible, in which case looking into a car cover could be a good option. That would help you protect the exterior of the vehicle, and you can easily peel the cover back and start it up once in a while as the winter moves along. Remember that your battery is going to slowly drain in the cold weather while the car isn’t being driven, so think about using a charger designed for long periods of storage to keep it topped off and ready to work properly when the time comes to start the engine.

Getting your vehicle ready for winter is about taking care of the basics and being prepared for the variable weather conditions that are sure to take place in the months ahead. The team here at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would love to help you get ready for those challenges, so stop by and see us today, or call our service department to schedule an appointment. We appreciate your time!

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When the rain is pouring down, it’s generally better to be inside your vehicle than walking down the sidewalk. Being in your car, you will at least be able to stay dry and avoid the chill that comes with getting soaked on a chilly Idaho morning or evening.

With that said, you still can’t take things for granted while driving in a heavy rain, as this situation can present some dangers of its own. We’d like to use this article to highlight the ways in which driving in a heavy rainstorm can be dangerous, and what steps you should take to keep you and your passengers safe.

Are you in the market for a new or used vehicle in the Sandpoint area? Or do you need to have some service performed on your current vehicle? Either way, Taylor & Sons Chevrolet would be proud to serve you. Give us a call at your convenience or stop by to see us in person.

The Golden Rule of Driving in Bad Weather

You won’t be surprised to find that the best tip you can receive for driving in heavy rain is exactly the same as the tip you’ll get for driving in any other kind of bad weather – slow down! Without a doubt, this is the best way to cut down on the chances of a dangerous accident in these conditions. By reducing your speed, you’ll immediately have more time to react to things around you, and any issues with losing traction on the road won’t be as dramatic.

Yes, it’s okay to drive under the speed limit in cases of inclement weather. Some drivers seem committed to maintaining the normal speed limit in a downpour, but that just isn’t necessary. You should be driving at a speed that is suitable for the conditions at hand, and when it’s absolutely pouring, that usually doesn’t mean driving the posted speed limit. You can always speed back up when the rain takes a break and the road conditions improve.

Turn On Your Lights

Even if it is the middle of the day, turn your headlights on when the rain is coming down aggressively. Heavy rain makes it harder for everyone else on the road to see, and they’ll have an easier time picking you out between the raindrops if you have your lights on. This is always a good plan, but it’s particularly important when driving on two-lane roads without a middle divider. This can be a dangerous situation in heavy rain, so flipping on your lights is a good safety measure to help other drivers clearly identify your position on the road.

Watch for Standing Water

It’s not only the visibility that is a concern when driving in these conditions, but also the conditions of the road. Specifically, watch out for standing water at low spots in the road, as significant standing water could cause a couple of different types of problems. First, your tires might “hydroplane” on top of the water, meaning they will lose contact with the pavement and your vehicle may slide out of control. That’s a serious safety issue so you’ll want to take your speed down significantly, if possible, when approaching any area of standing water.

Another risk that comes with standing water is flooding your engine if the water comes up too high. You can never quite tell how deep standing water will be, so always proceed with caution, even if you don’t think it is very deep. When a large volume of water splashes up under the hood of your vehicle, it can cause serious trouble that may bring your journey to a sudden halt.

Consider Taking a Break

There might come a point where the rain is simply too severe to make it worth continuing your trip. If you aren’t comfortable with the conditions, or if you think that it’s just too dangerous to be on the road, look for a safe place to pull off and wait out the storm. This is one of those situations in life where it is far better to be safe than sorry.

The threshold for what qualifies as dangerous conditions is much lower at night when it is dark outside. Where you might be able to make it through comfortably during the day, similar rain conditions at night might be too much to take on without undue risk. Specifically, it can get hard to see things like lane lines and road signs when it is dark and the rain is relentless.

Have Good Wipers Installed

It’s easy to take the condition of your windshield wipers for granted, as it doesn’t seem like they would change much as time passes. They do wear out, however, and the rubber blades that wipe water off of your windshield aren’t going to work as well as they used to. If you just stick with the old blades that were originally installed on your vehicle, it will become difficult to get the windshield effectively cleared off.

Fortunately, it’s easy and affordable to replace your old blades with new ones. You can find replacement blades that fit your vehicle at just about any auto parts store, and most people can handle changing them out as a DIY project. Simply follow the directions provided with the new blades and you should be done with this task in just a few minutes.

It will never be as nice to drive in a heavy rain as it is to cruise across Idaho on a sunny afternoon, but you have to be ready for anything in this part of the world. When the rain does pour down, we hope the tips above will be helpful in keeping you out of trouble and allowing you to reach your destination safely. We appreciate your visit to our site and please feel free to reach out if Taylor & Sons Chevy can serve you in any way.

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The tires on your vehicle are its only connection to the road. Without good tires, it’s going to be difficult to maintain a good grip on the ground, potentially leading to a dangerous situation. Despite the importance of tires, they tend to be overlooked by the average car owner. If you’d like to pay more attention to your tires and give them the care they deserve, this article is a great place to start.

At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we’ll never take the health of your tires – or any other part of your vehicle – for granted. When you trust our service department with your maintenance and repair needs, you’ll always have a team of experienced professionals taking care of the work in a timely manner. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, please reach out today.

Start with the Basics

When trying to keep your tires in good condition, it tends to be the simple steps that make the biggest difference. If you can pay attention to the points we’ve listed below, you’ll be off to a great start.
• Maintain proper air pressure. This is perhaps the most important tip of all, so it’s the best place to start our list. Simply put, you need to maintain proper air pressure in your tires if they are going to operate to the best of their potential. When the tires have too little or too much air, the tread pattern isn’t going to contact the pavement properly, and the rubber may be compromised, as well. Fortunately, there are a couple of easy ways to address this matter. First, you could just stop by a service center to have your tires checked and the air pressure adjusted. Alternatively, you could do it yourself, either with an air pump at a gas station, or at home with an air compressor. No matter how you do it, be sure to check the ideal air pressure for your tires in advance, so you know exactly what PSI they should read when optimally inflated.
• Rotate frequently. Tires don’t wear out evenly as they age. Since it is only the front tires that turn, the tires in those two positions are going to experience tread wear faster than those in the back. By having the tires rotated periodically, you can even out the wear and get a longer lifespan from each set.
• Pay attention. One important piece of this puzzle is simply to pay attention to how your tires are wearing down as the miles add up. Make it a habit to periodically walk around your vehicle and check on each of the tires. How do the treads look? Do any of the tires have damage that should be inspected? You don’t need to be a tire expert to spot signs that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.

Just those three tips alone can do a world of good when trying to care for your tires. None of these points should take up much time, so make it a point to plan out things like air pressure checks and tire rotations so you can stay ahead of the game.

Be Smart Behind the Wheel

Another part of caring for your tires involves driving your vehicle responsibly. If you drive in a wild or aggressive manner – such as accelerating suddenly and then stopping hard – you will wear rubber off the tires far quicker than if you drove in a controlled fashion. Of course, there are plenty of other good reasons to pay attention to your driving habits, like staying safe and avoiding tickets, so this one is a win all the way around. If you’ve fallen into some poor driving habits over the years, use this reminder to be gentle on the pedals and your tires will thank you.

Dealing with Inactivity

One of the tricky things about caring for tires is figuring out what to do with them when you aren’t going to be driving for a while. This might be a problem you face if you own a vehicle – like a sports car – that is only really suitable for driving during the summer months. If you are going to park that vehicle until spring rolls around again, it’s important to have a tire care plan.

The first point of concern is flat spots developing on the side of the tire that is contacting the ground while it’s parked. Since the vehicle isn’t going to move for months, the bottom of the tire might flatten slightly under the weight of the car or truck. One potential solution to this issue is simply to move the car very slightly every few weeks or so. Just rolling it forward or back a quarter turn on the tires will do the trick. Alternatively, you could choose to overinflate the tires just slightly before putting the vehicle into storage, which may also help to avoid the flat spot issue.

Also, you might need to think about protecting the tires from the elements. If you are going to park in a garage, this won’t be a problem. You should be able to just leave them alone, as the whole vehicle will be protected by the roof and walls of the garage. If you don’t have that options, however, and you are going to be forced to park outside, consider adding tire covers to protect the condition of the rubber. Considering the modest cost of a set of four covers, you might feel like this is an investment well worth making. And you can even use the covers in the summer months as well, to keep the sun from beating down on the rubber and drying it out.

How Can We Help?

When you hit the road with tires that are in good condition, you stand a far better chance of remaining in full control of your vehicle until you reach your destination. That’s particularly important here in Idaho where inclement – and sometimes extreme – weather conditions are always a threat. Thank you for taking the time to stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet and we hope to serve you soon!

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The importance of an oil change for your vehicle is not breaking news. Virtually every vehicle owner knows that the oil in their vehicle’s engine must be changed at regular intervals to keep everything working as it should. Fortunately, those oil changes can be simple and affordable when you visit Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to have them completed.

In this article, we’d like to take a closer look at what you can expect when you book an oil change with our service department. Whether you have been frustrated with the experience you have had with other shops, or if you have just acquired a new vehicle and want a reliable partner for all service needs, give us a call today to get started.

We Make Life Easier

The first thing to know about getting an oil change at Taylor & Sons is that we aim to make your experience as easy and straightforward as possible. This is routine maintenance, after all, so the process should feel routine. You make an appointment, come into the service department, and we take it from there. We don’t think there is any reason that oil changes should be as frustrating or complicated as they seem to be at some other shops.

Speaking of simplicity, you don’t even have to make a call into our office to schedule your next oil change. Instead, you can go through the booking system we have right here on our site. Just follow the steps as they are presented, and you should be able to find a convenient time that works for your schedule.

Making the Right Change

As compared to many other vehicle maintenance and repair tasks, changing the oil in an engine is pretty straightforward. For a service department that has all of the necessary equipment and experience to get the job done, an oil change is as simple as it gets.

With that said, there are still some decisions that need to be made. Specifically, the right oil needs to be used for the needs of your engine. These days, more and more engines call for at least a synthetic blend, if not a full synthetic oil to be used. However, some models still use basic conventional oil, so your technician at Taylor & Sons will let you know what is suggested for the vehicle that you bring in for a change.

If you head to a lesser-known auto shop for an oil change, you might need to make more of these decisions on your own. They might just ask what type of oil you want to use, without providing much direction on their end. That’s not the experience you will have when shopping at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. With us, you’ll be working with experienced professionals, and we will use our knowledge to help guide you. That way, when you drive away after the oil change, you can feel confident that the right work was performed, and the correct oil was used.

More Than Just Changing Oil

In addition to using the right oil to replace the old oil in your engine, Taylor & Sons will also perform some other important tasks while your vehicle is in our shop. These quick checks will help make sure your vehicle is healthy enough to head back out onto the road day after day. And, if any issues are uncovered, we’ll suggest the appropriate fix to get everything back to how it should be.

One of the first things that will be checked is the set of tires that is serving your vehicle. Worn tires can make for a dangerous situation, and this is one thing that many drivers take for granted. While it’s easy enough to check the remaining tread on your tires, it’s also important to make sure they are correctly aligned and balanced. Healthy tires will go a long way toward keeping you and your family safe while driving around Idaho and beyond.

In addition to tires, there are plenty of other elements that are going to be inspected on your vehicle. Some of those points include the brakes, fluid levels, wipers, and the battery. This kind of overall review of your vehicle’s health will help you feel good about the state of your various systems, and it will give you a good indication of what kind of maintenance and repair may be needed in the near future. Considering the fact that you need to have your oil changed anyway, you might as well have the overall vehicle reviewed to make sure it is in good working order.

When Should I Come In for an Oil Change?

There are a couple of ways to know that it is time for an oil change in your vehicle. For starters, you can simply watch the mileage since your last visit and compare that to the recommended frequency for your make and model. For older vehicles, a 3,000-mile period between oil changes is commonly recommended. So, if you have a vehicle that is still running on conventional oil, that might be the right frequency for your needs. With that said, engines that use synthetic oil can usually go much longer between oil changes. Your owner’s manual might suggest somewhere between 6,000 and 7,500 miles, for example.

Additionally, if you own a Chevy vehicle, you may have the Oil Life System on board. In that case, you can just let the OLS light tell you when it is time to have your oil changed. This advanced system monitors the condition of your oil and will tell you when the time is right to make an appointment and have the oil switched out.
Oil changes should not be a major hassle that clogs up your schedule. Rather, they should be a quick and easy task that you just check off your to-do list without any fuss. To make sure that is the case, reach out to Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to schedule your first appointment. Our expert team would be proud to serve you!

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While it’s easy to take them for granted, the headlights on your vehicle are perhaps the most important piece of safety equipment you have on board. Once the sun starts to go down, or before it comes up in the morning, your headlights are the only thing you have to see the way ahead safely.

Of course, you’d never consider heading out for a nighttime drive without functional headlights. But what about when your headlights get cloudy and don’t work as well as they should? This can be a dangerous situation, as visibility can be reduced dramatically, and you might not be able to see things that would have otherwise been easy to spot. So, let’s take a moment to talk about what cloudy headlights are and what you can do to correct this issue.

Why Headlights Get Cloudy

Before we dive into the details of how you can clean up your cloudy headlights, it will be helpful to look at some of the causes of this issue. It’s important to know the cause of cloudy headlights because picking out an accurate cause will allow you to apply the proper cleaning technique. If you don’t match up the right cleaning option with the correct cause of the problem, you aren’t going to get good results.

Generally speaking, there are three reasons why your headlights may become cloudy over time. Those reasons are as follows –
• Damage over time. As you drive down the road, things are sure to be flying by and will occasionally hit your headlights. These aren’t (hopefully) going to be major impacts – it will be little stuff like dirt and other small debris that will gradually wear on the front of the headlight. As your vehicle ages and these small little damages accumulate, you might find that your headlights become less and less effective.
• UV damage. The sun’s powerful rays can do a lot of damage, and your headlights are not exempt from that issue. As you drive in the sun, and perhaps park your vehicle in a spot where the sun can beat down on it day after day, the headlights are going to oxidize. That means the plastic will start to take on a yellow tint, and again, the light won’t be able to pass through as easily as it did when the vehicle was new.
• Condensation. When your headlights are in good condition, the seals that surround the headlight casing will keep water out. Over time, however, those seals will degrade somewhat and small amounts of water could get in. As a result, condensation can start to be an issue inside the headlight, and the water on the plastic will obscure some of the light that should shine out onto the road.

Inside or Out?

As you can see from the discussion above, the issue of cloudy headlights can be a problem both inside and outside of the headlight assembly. The first two types of damage we covered – damage from driving around and UV degradation – are problems that will impact the outside of the plastic headlight cover. On the other hand, condensation is an issue that will be seen on the inside, and is therefore trickier to handle.

Below, we are going to offer some tips on how you can improve the condition of your headlights on the outside. So, if you are dealing with that kind of cloudiness, we hope those tips will help. However, if the issue is condensation on the inside, we recommend getting professional help. Correcting this matter means having the headlight taken apart so the seals can be repaired or replaced and any other problems can be addressed.

Improving Cloudy Headlights

To work on improving the condition of the outside of your headlights, follow the steps below –
• First, identify the areas that need to be cleaned. Is there damage on both of the headlights, or just one? Is the entire plastic cover damaged, or are there small spots that need to be addressed? Take a close look and note all spots that need to be treated.
• Next, get either some toothpaste or baking soda to use as a cleaning agent. Both of these options will offer just enough abrasion to help clear up the surface without doing further damage. If you are going to use baking soda, make it into a paste by mixing it up in a bowl or cup with a small amount of water.
• Apply your chosen product to the front of the headlight and use a sponge to rub it into the plastic firmly. This is a polishing action, so move in circles and apply enough pressure to make progress on the condition of the plastic. When finished, wash off the headlights and see how you have done. You might need to repeat this process periodically to maintain the lights moving forward.

A Note About Prevention

There isn’t much of anything you can do about dirt and debris striking your headlights while driving down the road – that’s just part of the reality of driving. However, you can help protect the condition of your headlights by parking in a covered spot as often as possible. This will keep the plastic out of the sun and prevent the UV rays from creating that dreaded yellowing effect. This doesn’t even have to mean parking in an enclosed garage – just adding a carport to your property as a covered parking spot would go a long way. Not only would this help you keep your headlights in good shape, but it would also help protect your paint and the rest of the vehicle.

If you need professional help with the condition of your headlights or anything else on your vehicle, be sure to check in with Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for assistance. With an excellent service department in an addition to our selection of new and used vehicles, we are here to serve you. Thank you for considering Taylor & Sons!

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There are few things as exciting as getting a new truck. That’s true pretty much anywhere, but it’s particularly true here in Idaho. With a whole world of outdoor wonderlands to explore, and plenty of work to be done, the uses for a truck around this area are endless.

To help you make the most of your experience with a new truck, we’d like to offer the list below of ten things that you should know. Take a little time to get to know your truck as closely as possible and you’ll maximize the enjoyment you get out of the machine. Let’s get started!

#1 – What Kind of Fuel it Uses
Okay – so this is a pretty basic one, but it’s a good place to start our list. One of the things you need to be sure you know about your new truck is what kind of fuel to add to the tank each time you fill up. Does the truck run on gas or diesel? Also, be sure that anyone you let use your truck knows what type of fuel it requires, as well. Putting the wrong type of fuel into the tank is a costly and painful mistake.

#2 – Understand the Safety Features
New trucks today come with more safety features than ever before. That’s great news, but you need to be sure you understand what comes on your truck and how it works. For instance, be sure you know where all of the cameras are and how they are accessed, as well as any driver assistance features like lane departure warnings, etc. It’s better to know about these systems in advance than to be surprised by something while out on the road.

#3 – How Often the Oil Should Be Changed
It used to be that 3,000 miles was the standard interval for having oil changed. That story is a little different these days, however. With more and more engines using synthetic oil, the interval is often closer to 7,500 miles. Check your owner’s manual to confirm how often the oil should be changed and then keep up with that schedule as best you can.

#4 – Get to Know the Visibility
If this is the first time you have owned a truck, or maybe you’ve purchased a truck that is larger than what you’ve had in the past, the visibility from the driver’s seat might be a bit of an issue. This is something you get used to with practice, so make it a point to spend as much time behind the wheel as possible in the early days so you can get comfortable with how everything looks from that perspective.

#5 – How Much Room You Need to Park
Along the same lines, it is going to take some practice to learn how to park your new truck. The best option here is to head to an empty lot where you can rehearse making your way into various spaces to see how much room you need to maneuver. These practice sessions will come in handy when you find yourself needing to park in a small lot on a busy weekend.

#6 – Towing Capacity
If you plan to pull anything with this truck, it’s important to know your limits in that area. Check on the towing ratings for the make and model that you have, and plan to give yourself a little margin under those ratings just to be safe. Of course, it’s best to check on these ratings in advance so you can be sure that the truck you purchase is going to be up to the challenges that you have in store for it.

#7 – How to Engage 4WD
Assuming your truck has four-wheel drive capabilities, you’ll want to know how to engage that system, and under what circumstances. Most of the time, you’ll probably be fine traveling around without it turned on. However, when traction is questionable and you want to make sure you stay on firm footing, knowing how to put it to use is important.

#8 – Caring for the Interior
Keeping your truck looking and feeling great on the inside comes down to consistent cleaning and upkeep. One key is knowing what products to use on the materials that finish the inside of the vehicle. For instance, do you have leather seats, or are they cloth? Do some research or ask at the dealership about upkeep advice so you can make sure the interior stays as nice as possible for many years to come.

#9 – Clearance Height
It’s good to know how tall your truck is just in case you find yourself in a spot where taller vehicles may not be permitted. While that’s not a problem too often in rural areas, it could become an issue when heading to bigger cities. For instance, if you have a large, lifted truck, it might not fit into a parking garage that has particularly low ceilings. Instead of learning the hard way, know your truck’s height so you can quickly determine whether or not it’s safe to proceed in certain situations.

#10 – The Cruise Control System
If you log a lot of miles on the freeways in and around Idaho, using cruise control is a great way to maintain a safe speed throughout your journey. Of course, you can only do so if you know how that cruise control system works. So, take some time with the owner’s manual to educate yourself on that system and make sure you understand all parts of how to engage and disengage it correctly. Then, when on the freeway, it will be easy to put it to use when the time is right.

As a new truck owner, you’ll need a trustworthy service department to handle all of your maintenance and repair needs, so be sure to visit Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to learn more about what we have to offer. Or, if you haven’t purchased that new truck just yet, come by and check out our inventory. We would love to serve you!

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What are you looking for in your next vehicle purchase? There are a few things that are likely on your list, but few – if any – will be as important as safety. You want a vehicle that is going to keep you as safe as possible out on the road, and plenty of the models in the Chevrolet lineup fit that bill. In fact, as you look up and down the Chevy options on the market today, you see vehicles that have been designed with safety as one of the primary objectives.

With that said, let’s take some time in this article to highlight some of the safest Chevrolet cars and trucks. We’ll look at some of the best safety features included in these models, so you can better understand what is available and which model might be the right pick for your family. Of course, when the time comes to check out these vehicles for yourself, don’t hesitate to stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to work with our friendly and knowledgeable team. We are excited to see you!

Chevrolet Silverado
It feels right to start this list with a truck. After all, trucks are inherently rather safe vehicles due to their size, and that’s particularly true when talking about the Silverado. With loads of safety features and an excellent track record as one of the best overall trucks on the road, there are many different reasons to pick the Silverado as your next ride.

In addition to the natural safety benefit of being a truck, there are plenty of systems onboard the Silverado that will allow you to enjoy added security out on the roads. It’s important to note that the features included in your truck will depend on the year of the Silverado you purchase, as well as the trim package. Some of what you may find will include the following –
• Rear vision camera. This is a handy device to have on any vehicle, but it’s particularly welcome on a truck. It can be hard to see what is behind you when driving a pickup, but that problem is a thing of the past with a rearview camera displayed on the dash each time you put the vehicle into reverse.
• Hitch guidance. Another feature that is relevant to the lifestyle of a pickup truck driver, this tool will help you hitch up to a trailer without any issues.
• Following distance. One of the things that you need to think about on the road – especially while driving a larger vehicle like a truck – is following distance. If you follow too close to the vehicle in front of you, a dangerous situation could be created where you can’t stop in time if something unexpected happens. With the Following Distance Indicator, you’ll know how far behind you are, and you can adjust as needed to find a safe spot on the road to travel.
• IntelliBeam lights. When driving in very dark conditions, which is common during the winter months on some of the back roads of Idaho, it’s nice to have the high beams on so you can see everything easily. Of course, doing so can make it difficult for oncoming drivers to see, so you need to turn them off when traffic is coming the other way. With IntelliBeam, that is done automatically so you can maintain focus and keep your hands on the wheel.

Chevrolet Suburban
With the Suburban, you again get the inherent safety advantage of size on your side, only this time it is in the form of an SUV rather than a truck. The Suburban is an extremely popular family vehicle, as it is ideal for getting the family around town in comfort while having plenty of room for cargo in the back. Again, the safety features found on your Suburban will vary, but some of the possibilities include –
• Front pedestrian braking. When the onboard computer system recognizes that a pedestrian may be in the path of the vehicle, the brakes will be automatically applied in an effort to avoid a collision. This does not replace the driver paying careful attention to the road, of course, but it is a nice backup to have in place.
• Lane keep assist. While there is no debate about the convenience and comfort of having so much size to your advantage with the Suburban, some people are hesitant at first to drive such a large vehicle. With lane keep assist, you should find yourself feeling more comfortable than ever behind the wheel, as the computer system will help you keep the vehicle between the lines and will alert you when leaving a lane without the turn signal engaged.
• Adaptive cruise control. On longer drives, cruise control is a great way to maintain a safe and appropriate speed out on the freeway. Of course, you will inevitably come upon slower vehicles while on the freeway, so adaptive cruise control allows the vehicle to adjust the controlled speed as needed to maintain a safe distance without completely disengaging the system.

Chevrolet Malibu
We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the safety of the bigger vehicles in the Chevy lineup, like the Silverado and the Suburban. Those are vehicles with excellent safety features, to be sure, but it’s worth mentioning that the Chevrolet Malibu – a sedan – also offers a long list of safety equipment for those who need a smaller vehicle to handle their day-to-day obligations. If you are in the market for something smaller than a truck or SUV, don’t overlook the Malibu as a great pick.

There are plenty of options in the Chevrolet vehicle lineup that rank as some of the safest vehicles on the road today. Whether you decide to pick out one of the models listed above, or you go with one of the other vehicles in the Chevy lineup, you’ll be riding in a safe machine every time you head out onto the road. We’d love to serve you on your next vehicle purchase, so please come by and say hi. Thanks for visiting!

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