Blog

It is important for you to prepare for the unexpected challenges that you may have on the road. The best way that you can do that is to make a winter survival kit. A dead car battery is one of the main challenges that you may have on the road. You can prepare for this potential emergency by having jumper cables. The cables need to be at least 15 feet long. If you live in an area that has snow frequently, then it is important for you to have a snow scraper.

You should also have warm clothes and a…

Many Bourbonnais motorists only think of the exhaust systems in their vehicles when taking emissions tests. Comprised of a catalytic converter, an exhaust manifold, a muffler, tailpipe, and a resonator, this system is designed to route dangerous gases away from the vehicle's engine, and to seamlessly deliver it into the outside environment. At Phillips Chevrolet Hyundai of Bradley, we're dedicated to helping drivers identify harmful exhaust leaks.

Why Finding And Addressing Exhaust Leaks Is So Important

The dangerous gases being guided away...

One of the most important reasons to keep an eye out for large paint scratches on your car is because exposed metal can rust in the weather. This may eat away at the rest of the paint or plastic on your car's exterior. Fixing up paint scratches on your vehicle might be easier than you would think at first.

Be sure that the paint color you use is pretty much an exact match to your car's exterior. Put a small amount of the paint you have selected on a metal piece to let it dry. When you are…

As a vehicle owner, you know your vehicle better than anyone else; therefore, you’re the first person to know if anything seems different. Although it is imperative to have repairs completed by a qualified technician, as a vehicle owner, there are indicators for you to identify an exhaust leak.

Often times, you will notice a "hissing" sound coming from the engine as a first indication. Because your exhaust system was designed to confine gases and fumes, it becomes a safety hazard when there is a leak. 

Hydroplaning usually occurs during bad weather when there is an overabundance of water on the road. When the level of water exceeds the ability of tires to scatter the fluid, hydroplaning occurs, and the driver loses control of the vehicle.

You can avoid hydroplaning with a few simple maintenance tasks and alerts. Worn tires have less ability to scatter water. The tread designed to move water from beneath a tire is not as deep, making water channeling a challenge. Replace worn tires before the rainy season. 

The coolant in your vehicle’s radiator helps keep your engine from overheating. An engine that’s too hot can’t be driven without significant car damage. Avoid expensive engine repair with periodic maintenance.

Radiator antifreeze contains water. The fluid also contains coolant to keep it from boiling or freezing. Since the running temperature of an engine can reach 20,000 degrees, the radiator also takes in outside air to keep the water cool. Radiator hoses carry this fluid to the engine and back to the radiator. 

If you are driving along one nice day with your car windows down and the radio on, and you're having some trouble hearing the music or the person next to you, take a second to assess what is going on. If you can't hear anything other than your engine sounds, then there may be something going on with your muffler or exhaust system. This is the area of your vehicle that helps flush engine sounds away from your vehicle so it won't be so loud. If something goes wrong with your muffler, then you will definitely notice…

Everyone knows that vehicles in areas with harsh winters can experience more rapid wear and repair. Generally this is caused by rust, which thrives in moist winter weather, especially with the added oxidation catalyst that is road salt. Your vehicle's suspension is especially vulnerable to these conditions, as it is largely steel and located in an area that leaves it largely exposed to the elements. That is why it is important to have your suspension inspected yearly by our trustworthy auto service team at Phillips Chevrolet Hyundai of Bradley in Bourbonnais, IL.

The colder weather is here again and that means challenging weather conditions on the road. Don't be stuck on the icy and snowy roads with old wiper blades that cannot provide you clear sight as you drive. Consider getting winter wiper blades from Phillips Auto Group of Bradley to keep you safer on the roads.

The winter wiper blades will keep the snow off your vehicle even in a blizzard. Old wiper blades weren't crafted to move heavier objects like snow, so the wiper arms bend and the rubber can't stay on the glass. New winter blades…

The good news to motorists in CITY is that the traditional advice for car owners to change oil after driving every 3,000 miles is out of date! The rule no longer holds for most modern cars. Today, many autos continue to serve you well after traveling 5,000, 7,500, or even 10,000 miles without an oil change.

Why is there a shift from the standard 3,000 miles rule? It's all because of new vehicle manufacturing technologies, modern engines, and better oil formulas.