Although we’re in the middle of a serious pandemic, not everyone has the luxury of being able to stay at home. If you commute to work, it’s important to keep your vehicle in top-notch condition. Here are some important maintenance tips for Chevy owners. Here is the ultimate pandemic motoring guide for your Chevy.
If you want to keep your Chevy running strong, make it a point to have the oil changed regularly. Most Chevy vehicles built in the past 15 years come equipped a convenient oil life monitor. This feature uses computer software to determine exactly when you need an oil change. It helps eliminate a lot of unnecessary guesswork.
After the “change oil” light turns on, be sure to have your vehicle serviced within the next 50 miles. Waiting too long to get an oil change can lead to a number of problems, including premature engine wear and decreased fuel economy. Pandemic motoring can lead to a dead battery. Don't let that be you!
It’s easy to forget about the tires. Nevertheless, they are among the most important parts of a vehicle. Develop a habit of checking your tire pressure every two weeks using a digital gauge. Low pressure increases the chances of a sudden tire blowout, which is the last thing you want to experience during a pandemic. The powerful explosion could cause you to lose control over your vehicle. Even if you’re fortunate enough to avoid a crash, you’ll still be stranded on the side of the road.
It’s also a good idea to routinely check your tires for signs of abnormal wear. In many instances, abnormal tire wear indicates the need for a wheel alignment. If the tread is low on your tires, don’t wait to buy a replacement set. When driving on slick tires, your vehicle won’t be able to stop as quickly or handle it as well.
If your Chevy’s check engine light pops on, you should immediately bring it in for service. Advanced diagnostic equipment enables the technicians to quickly track down the source of your trouble. While a loose gas cap may be the culprit, this isn’t always the case.
When an oxygen sensor goes bad, Chevy vehicles tend to trigger a check engine light. The part has a direct impact on performance and fuel economy. Most oxygen sensors have a life expectancy of around 100,000 miles. You could also be dealing with a bad catalytic converter, which is responsible for helping to reduce harmful exhaust emissions.
A modern Chevy tuneup involves replacing the spark plugs and installing new ignition wires. Luckily, you don’t need to get a tune-up every year. Most Chevy cars require a tune-up every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
When your spark plugs begin to wear out, expect to notice some obvious performance issues. Rough idling and hesitation when accelerating are especially common. Even worse, bad spark plugs can cause unburned fuel to get into the catalytic converter. Depending upon the specific Chevy model you own, the cost of a new catalytic converter can easily exceed $2,000.
Every year, thousands of Chevy drivers encounter an overheated engine. In many instances, this problem stems from a lack of maintenance. Also, because an overheated engine can self-destruct in a matter of minutes, it’s a problem that you should try to prevent.
Oftentimes, the issue stems from a lack of coolant in the radiator. This means there’s likely a leak somewhere in the system. Be sure to have your coolant hoses checked as well. It’s only a matter of time before an old hose burst, thus forcing you to call for a tow.
Call Creech Import Repair for any of your Chevrolet repair or maintenance needs. Lastly, we hope this article about pandemic motoring has helped you!
