Winter Car Care Vehicle Maintenance Tips

BAY CITY, Mich. –– Michigan winters can be tough on us, the roads, and our vehicles. Freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and road salt all take their toll on cars and it's important to prepare your vehicle for the winter. We suggest bringing your vehicle into our Graff Bay City Service Center to get some seasonal maintenance work done like getting your brakes, tires, windshield wipers, and batteries checked and replaced if need be. Getting an oil change this time of year is a great idea as well. Following our Winter Car Care vehicle maintenance tips can help ensure your vehicle will be able to perform in top condition, handle well on the icy roads, and avoid the possibility of breaking down. Read on to learn the importance of taking care of your vehicle this winter!

On our new Winter Car Care Page, you’ll find tips on –

• Brakes: Your vehicle's brakes keep you safe through every season, but during the winter they are especially important. In winter weather it can take your vehicle a longer distance to break on snow and ice, so making sure your brakes work properly is key. You don't want to be the car that slides through an intersection or into a ditch. Follow the link to read more about your brakes.
• Tires: Find out why it’s important to understand the value winter tires offer. Winter tires are designed to handle winter roads specifically, and with the roads being slushy and icy, the thicker treads will help keep you from sliding around. Click the link to learn more about winter tires.
• Oil Changes: Your engine’s performance depends on regular oil changes, and when your oil is changed on a regular basis, you help extend the life of your vehicle. In the winter, it’s particularly important to keep up with oil changes because the frigid temperatures can have a negative effect on the oil, making it less effective at keeping your engine components from overheating and warping. For a list of signs your vehicle needs an oil change, follow the link.
• Wiper Blades: You need a clear view to drive in any season, but your vehicle's wiper blades become especially important in the winter due to debris from snow, salt, and ice. Harsh winter conditions can wear on your wiper blades, so click the link to find out how to know if you need to replace your wiper blades.
• Batteries: In general, car batteries normally last around two to three years. However, freezing temperatures can be hard on your battery life and make it more difficult to start your engine in the morning after a cold night. So, it’s crucial to be aware of your vehicle's battery life and replace it when necessary. Learn more about your car battery by clicking the link.

We hope you consider following our Winter Car Care vehicle maintenance tips, as they will help keep you safe on the road and likely save you money in the long run on costly repairs. If you're still worried about you and your passenger's well being out on the road, we recommend reading up on Chevrolet's new advanced safety features available on most new 2018 Chevy models. Features like the Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist Technology, Forward Safety Awareness, and more can help make driving a much safer endeavor.

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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Your Service FAQs Answered by the Experts at Graff Bay City

BAY CITY, Mich. – At Graff Bay City, we want to make your dealership experience the best it can possibly be. We’re always here to help you with anything you need including buying, leasing, financing, and servicing a vehicle. To make your experience more enjoyable and easy, we’ve been updating our website. Under the service section at GraffBayCity.com you’ll find an updated FAQ section. We’ve compiled all of your service FAQs that were answered by the experts at Graff Bay City and put them into one convenient spot. This way, if you ever have any service problems with your car, you can find the answer quickly, and bring your vehicle into our Service Center to get it fixed.

Your services FAQs, answered by the experts at Graff Bay City, have been split into six different categories to make searching simpler. The categories are:

• General Car Care – This category covers questions on your fuel type, vehicle performance, and weather conditions. You can also find a great list of items you should have in your car emergency kit.
• Under the Hood – The questions in this category help you with any components that can be found under your hood including car fluids, car battery, the alternator, and more.
• Oil Changes – Under this tab you’ll find answers to questions about the importance of routine oil changes and the type of oil that it best for your vehicle.
• Tires – With the proper care of your tires and wheels, your vehicle will perform at its best. Learn all about the value of routine tire maintenance and what causes the wear and tear of your tires.
• Brakes – Your brakes are the most important safety component of your vehicle, so it’s important to be informed about them. In the section you’ll learn about the warning signs to look for if your vehicle is experiencing brake problems.
• Wipers – Your wipers may seem like a small part on your car, but they ensure you have a clear view of the road. This category covers which wipers work best for your vehicle and the signs to look for in they need replacing.

If you have any other questions, feel free to give us a call at (989) 684-4411. We’re always ready to help you at Graff Bay City. Also, if you’re looking for a new Chevrolet, stop by our showroom. We have plenty of new and use vehicles you can choose from today.

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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The 20 Items to Have in Your Car Emergency Kit

BAY CITY, Mich. – Graff Bay City makes your car safety a number one priority. That’s why we’re here to tell you the 20 items to have in your car emergency kit, because cars do unfortunately break down and a lot of the time it’s unavoidable or unexpected. When it does happen you want to be prepared. The only way you can be ready for something like this is to have an emergency kit in your vehicle. Whether you have a flat tire or you need a jump, your kit will be there to help you just in case no one else is.

The 20 Items to Have in Your Car Emergency Kit

1. First-aid kit
2. Tools
3. Tire gauge
4. Reflective warning triangles
5. Jumper cables
6. Flashlight & batteries
7. Gloves
8. Rags
9. Foam tire sealant
10. Rain poncho
11. Bottled water
12. Warm blanket
13. Duct tape
14. Cat litter
15. Windshield scraper
16. Two quarts of oil
17. Paper towel
18. Pocket knife
19. Funnel
20. Tire inflator

Whether your car problem is big or small, this car emergency kit will offer some help. If you get into an accident or your car emergency is one that your kit cannot solve, make sure you call the proper authorities. After all, your safety is most important because a car can be replaced but you cannot. 

Remember by properly keeping up with your vehicle maintenance you’re less likely to get into a messy situation. With four seasons of weather in Michigan, seasonal vehicle maintenance is especially important. Schedule an appointment with our Bay City service center today. We’re happy to take care of your brakes, wipers, tires, batteries, or any other problems you may have.

Looking for a vehicle that’s affordable and reliable? Graff Bay City has plenty of used cars for sale. Come in today and we can help you find one that will meet your needs. Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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Winter Vehicle Maintenance & Car Care Tips at Graff Bay City

BAY CITY, Mich. – At Graff Bay City, we understand that buying or leasing a vehicle is a big investment, and it’s important to keep that investment in tip-top shape. With winter in full swing now, there are many damaging elements that can impact the condition of your vehicle – think salt, snow, and frigid temperatures. If you haven’t yet taken any precautions to prepare your vehicle for the winter season, it’s time for some proper winter vehicle maintenance! On our website, we have just launched a new service section just for you, covering winter car care tips and vehicle maintenance at Graff Bay City. These best practices will help you keep your car running better and longer for seasons to come!

On our new Winter Car Care Page, you’ll find tips on –

• Tires: Find out why it’s important to understand the value winter tires offer. Winter tires are designed to handle winter roads specifically, and with the roads being slushy and icy, the thicker treads will help keep you from sliding around. Click the link to learn more about winter tires.
• Batteries: In general, car batteries normally last around two to three years. However, freezing temperatures can be hard on your battery life, so it’s crucial to be aware of your vehicle's battery life and replace it when necessary. Learn more about your car battery by clicking the link.
• Brakes: Your vehicle's brakes keep you safe through every season, but during the winter they are especially important. In winter weather it can take your vehicle a longer distance to break on snow and ice, so making sure your brakes work properly is key. Follow the link to read more about your brakes.
• Oil Changes: Your engine’s performance depends on regular oil changes, and when your oil is changed on a regular basis, you help extend the life of your vehicle. In the winter, it’s particularly important to keep up with oil changes because the fridgid temperatures can have an effect on the oil. For a list of signs your vehicle needs an oil change, follow the link.
• Wiper Blades: You need a clear view to drive in any season, but your vehicle's wiper blades become especially important in the winter due to debris from snow, salt, and ice. Harsh winter conditions can wear on your wiper blades, so click the link to find out how to know if you need to replace your wiper blades.

Winter weather and the driving conditions it creates can take a serious toll on your car if you’re not properly prepared. To ensure that your vehicle will keep you safe and sound all season long, visit our Graff Bay City winter car care and vehicle maintenance pages for more information. Each page will provide you with the best winter car care tips for your tires, battery, brakes, oil changes, and wiper blades. If you’d like to schedule a service appointment for help on any of these topics, you can do that too. We’re always ready to help you at Graff Bay City.

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help you find the perfect car, truck, or SUV for your new family! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

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