3 Signs Your Chevy Needs a Brake Repair

Regular tire rotation provides drivers with a number of benefits, including superior handling, better gas mileage, reduced safety risks, and cost savings. Let's look in detail at the main reasons you should visit your local Chevy dealer twice a year to have your tires swapped around. more 6 Benefits of Getting a Tire Rotation at Your Chevy Dealer Enjoy a Quieter, Smoother Ride All cars are designed to operate with four wheels of the same size, but driving with uneven tires means some wheels are effectively becoming smaller than others, which results in increased friction and more noise and vibrations from the road. This all works to diminish your handling, cornering, steering, and overall driving experience. Rotating your tires to keep them uniform in size helps to avoid these issues and keep your drives quiet, smooth, and pleasurable. Reduce Maintenance Costs When tires become excessively uneven, it also puts awkward pressure on closely connected car parts, such as the wheel axles and suspension. This uneven strain gradually pushes the other car parts out of shape, leading to additional maintenance costs over time. For this reason, routine rotation helps keep your entire vehicle in better shape for longer. Reduce the Risks of Blowouts When one or two tires become excessively worn down, they become more susceptible to blowouts. Having tires unevenly in contact with the road also diminishes traction, putting you at increased risk of skidding or hydroplaning on wet patches of road. Increase Fuel Efficiency When your tires are uniform, friction is minimized. Uneven tires generate extra friction, which means more engine power is needed to propel your vehicle, and fuel efficiency is reduced. As a consequence, the longer you leave it between rotations, the more frequently you'll find yourself stopping for gas. Save on the Cost of New Tires Rotating your tires often also helps each set of tires last longer. By spreading out the wear and tear, rotation prevents any one or two tires from wearing down faster than the others. Tire sets of four almost always need to be replaced at the same time, even if only one or two tires have become unsafe. This is because installing only two new tires usually results in two tires with much thicker treads than the two already worn-down tires. Keep Your Warranty Valid Warranties provide a great deal of peace of mind to many drivers, even though they rarely need to be used. If you currently have a tire warranty, it's likely to stipulate routine rotation of your tires in order to remain valid. Make sure you know the warranty's recommended schedule and stay well within it. Visit Merle Stone Chevrolet today to have your tires rotated by qualified professionals. We're a full-service dealership that's been diligently serving the local communities of northern California since 1959.

For optimal performance and fuel economy, it's important to take care of your engine. When you notice engine problems, the best thing you can do is schedule a service appointment at your Chevy dealer right away. Chevy mechanics can perform an engine diagnostic test to find the source of your issues so you can get back on the road as quickly as possible. more Four Engine Problems You Should Always Fix at Your Porterville Chevy Dealer 1. Low Engine Oil Low engine oil might seem like a small issue, but it can turn into a big problem. When there isn't enough oil in your engine, the oil pressure is too low to provide adequate lubrication to the engine. Without enough oil, the various parts of your engine will rub together too much, leading to excessive wear and tear from the friction. Low oil pressure can even cause your engine to stop working or overheat. If your check engine light turns on, you should schedule service right away. If you happen to have engine oil for your specific model on hand, you can top off your engine levels at home until you can visit the dealership for more detailed engine oil service. The dealership mechanic will drain out old oil, fill your engine with fresh oil, and correct any issues that might lead to oil leaks. 2. Overheating Engine An overheating engine is a major cause of concern. Not only is engine overheating dangerous to you, but it can also cause warping of the engine that could result in costly repairs. An overheating engine is often caused by coolant leaking from the radiator. 3. Leaks and Excessive Exhaust If you notice new fluid puddles beneath your car when it has been parked for any length of time, you might have a leak somewhere in your engine. Leaks can come from oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and other chemicals used in your vehicle. Leaks should be addressed as quickly as possible, particularly if you also notice excessive dark exhaust when you turn your car on. 4. Ignition Issues If your engine turns over without igniting, you might have a serious engine issue on your hands. Ignition problems are often associated with faulty spark plugs, problems with the ignition coil, and wiring issues. Sometimes, ignition issues can even cause problems when you're on the road, such as stalling or misfiring. It's best to get these issues fixed as quickly as possible, so you are safe on the road. Some engine issues, like low motor oil levels, are easy to fix, while other problems may be more challenging. No matter what problems your engine has, the expert Chevy mechanics at your dealership can repair your Chevy quickly. Book your next service appointment at Merle Stone Chevrolet today.

When the weather is nice, it's natural for Porterville, CA residents to seek out nice spots to spend an afternoon. Picnics are a great opportunity for bonding with nature while enjoying your favorite good eats. Check out these local picnic spots if you're ready to pack up your friends, family, and picnic treats in your 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer using the 40/60 rear folding seats. more Just Down the Road: Five Picnic Spots Near Porterville, CA 1. Murry Park Located at 500 E Putnam Avenue, Murry Park is one of the loveliest parks in the area. This park has sprawling green ways, a small lake, and excellent views, so you can enjoy your afternoon picnic escape. Visitors will be able to see local wildlife like ducks and geese, which can be fed with corn and lettuce at the lake. Some other attractions include two playgrounds, a fishing pond, access to the city pool, and a nine-hole disc golf course. 2. Veterans Park Veterans Park at 1501 W Henderson Avenue is dedicated to the 40 Porterville soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. This memorial park has several amenities, such as a covered picnic area and plenty of places to have a friendly game of tag football. This is also a dog-friendly park, so feel free to take your canine companion with you as you check out some of the memorial statue installations in the park. 3. Zalud Park This park, located at 700 N El Granito Street, is the best park to visit if you want to pair your picnic with lots of recreational activity. This park includes amenities such as four picnic areas and two covered pavilions, as well as a shaded playground with ADA accessibility. The recreational areas include two softball or baseball fields, two tennis courts, basketball courts, a volleyball area, a ping pong table, a nine-hole disc golf course, corn hole sets, and pickleball courts. 4. Centennial Park You can find Centennial Park right in the heart of downtown Porterville at 296 N Main Street. This urban park is a perfect getaway for a midday picnic date. The main feature of the park is the 18-foot four-dial post clock, which was installed in 2008. This park also features the beloved Marking Through Time mural and a covered gazebo stage area. 5. Skate Park If you want to enjoy a non-traditional picnic, you can stop by the Skate Park located inside Veterans Park on the Newcomb Avenue side of the park. This skate park includes an area for spectator seating, which is perfect for a quick picnic before you get back to skateboarding. The 15,000-square-foot park includes a six-foot half pipe, a nine-foot combi bowl, and various stairs with handrails. Whether you want a spot to have a quick picnic lunch or you want to reserve a picnic area for a recreation day with your family and friends, there are plenty of great spots in the area. Before you pack up your picnic favorites, stop by Merle Stone Chevrolet for routine service. Photo Courtesy of Pixabay