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Routine trips to a trusted technician are vital for true vehicle health, performance, and longevity. With this in mind, head to your local Chevy dealer today to set up a suitable schedule for the following essential Chevy services. more 7 Services Offered by Your Chevy Dealership Change Motor Oil With all the heat and potential friction inside your engine, high-quality motor oil is crucial to lubricate parts and clean out debris. Modern motor oil tends to last 7,500 to 10,000 miles before degrading. Most drivers should have their oil changed at least twice a year to keep the engine properly protected. Top Up the Coolant Coolant is the engine's primary defense against overheating and should always be monitored. Top your coolant up when it's low and flush when it starts to age and discolor, which will typically be every two or three years. Tune Up the Engine Every aspect of your engine should be examined and finely tuned by a seasoned technician once a year. These routine tune-ups keep your car running smoothly and ensure that any engine problems are found quickly and nipped in the bud. Rotate and Change Tires The tires should be rotated twice a year to prevent excessively uneven wear. This extends tire lifespan; well-kept tires should ideally last from four to six years. Once the treads of your tires diminish to 2/32 of an inch or under, have them replaced. Inspect the Brakes For your safety, never neglect to have your brakes properly inspected twice a year. This involves removing each brake pad, rotor disc, and brake caliper to examine each part, plus careful inspection of the brake fluid and hoses. Replace Air Filters The engine's air filter usually needs to be replaced once a year, lest it clogs up, restricting the inflow of oxygen into the engine. You should also replace your cabin's air filter yearly. Service the Transmission The transmission fluid is vital for proper gearbox maintenance. Have this fluid topped up as required and periodically flushed. Your transmission should be fully serviced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles (30,000 to 60,000 miles for a manual transmission). Schedule All Chevy Services With Our Technicians In your busy daily schedule, it can be hard to remember each required service. This creates the risk of neglecting a car part, which might then start to experience problems. When you schedule services with us, we can help ensure you stay on top of it all and keep your car in tip-top condition at all times. Visit Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA, today to arrange a convenient vehicle maintenance schedule. We offer an impressive inventory of over 500 new and pre-owned vehicles, excellent upkeep services, and personalized customer care.

Your Chevy engine is highly efficient, and its various components work on split-second timing to achieve this performance. The timing belt synchronizes your engine's operation. As your Chevy dealer, we want to tell you more about the importance of this belt and some signs you need a timing belt replacement. more From Your Chevy Dealer: When Do You Need a Timing Belt Replacement? Why the Belt Is Important The timing belt is made from tough, reinforced rubber and connects the camshaft at the top of your engine to the crankshaft at the bottom of your engine. It moves through the grooves between the sections, ensuring that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close at precise intervals. The engine intake valves allow the fuel-air mixture into the cylinders and the exhaust valves allow the gases and residue from combustion to enter the exhaust system. Even slight timing delays can cause engine problems. Intake valves that open too early can draw in a fuel-air mixture that hasn't been mixed precisely, and your engine will use too much fuel. In contrast, if the exhaust valves open too early, the fuel-air mixture in the cylinders won't be sufficiently compressed, and your engine will lose power. When Do You Replace the Belt? On average, a timing belt needs replacement every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. The correct replacement time for your Chevy's timing belt is listed in your car handbook. The belt needs replacement as even reinforced rubber becomes less flexible and can crack. The heat inside the engine will cause any crack to widen and deepen, and the belt could break. Signs You Need a New Belt Misfiring Misfiring is caused by the fuel-air mixture in a cylinder igniting incorrectly. The mixture must be fully compressed before it's ignited to enable it to burn in a carefully controlled series of explosions. Efficient compression can only occur in an airtight engine cylinder. As we saw above, if your engine timing is out of sync, a cylinder may open too early. Increased airflow into the cylinder will cause the cylinder to misfire. Ticking Noises If you hear an odd ticking sound from the engine, it's a sign your belt needs replacement. The timing belt turns the crankshaft pulleys as it moves, but a worn belt won't move them fast enough, resulting in the ticking sound. Check Engine Light Sensors are connected to every important component to ensure they're working correctly. An older, worn timing belt can overheat, and if it gets hot enough it can snap. This immediately causes your engine to stop and sustain damage in the process. The sensors will identify the damaged belt and inform your computer, and the engine light will illuminate. Visit our service department today at Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA, and our technicians will check your timing belt and replace it if necessary.

To keep your Chevy running the way you expect, you need to keep up the proper oil change intervals for your model. You can always find out the general intervals from your owner's manual, and when you visit your Chevy dealer, we can give you specific advice based on your unique driving habits and our knowledge of your Chevy. more The Ultimate Guide to Chevy Oil Change Intervals For most modern Chevys, the right oil change interval is 7,000 to 10,000 miles. The precise interval for your model could be different from this, especially if you have an older Chevy. It also matters whether you're using synthetic oil or traditional oil. Traditional oil is cheaper initially, but since it has to be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles maximum, in the long run it doesn't actually save much. Also, bear in mind that the performance specs of modern Chevrolets are usually based on the assumption that you're using synthetic oil. You also want to remember that you'll need to get the oil changed out according to the intervals in your warranty if you want to keep the powertrain warranty valid. There's a reason for those requirements: oil is so important that regular changes are the only way to be sure that your engine performs in the way that Chevy guarantees. Your Driving Habits When you drive and where you drive can make a difference to your intervals. If you regularly drive short trips of less than 5 miles, and particularly if you don't give your engine time to warm up before you leave, this is going to degrade your oil more quickly and may also harm your engine. There's a lot of misinformation out there to the effect that there's no need to warm up your car at all, and this is usually something that well-meaning people will say because they are worried about pollution and emissions. It's true that you don't have to warm up your car for the long amounts of time needed in the past, mostly because of improvements in carburetors and oil, but it still does need a few seconds to get going. In a modern car, 30 seconds should be plenty most of the time. However, if the temperatures are below freezing, give it two minutes. The goal is to hit the sweet spot of just enough warming up to improve lubrication, hydraulic function, and fuel vaporization, while not wasting fuel. Book Routine Oil Changes With Your Chevy Dealer The best way to find out the right intervals for your car is to talk to a Chevy train technician who knows it inside and out. Once we get to know your vehicle and your driving habits, we'll make sure your oil is always fresh and your engine is always safe. If it's time for fresh oil, make an appointment with us at Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA today.

Your brakes are your Chevy's most important safety system, giving you full control over your speed. This is essential, as most accidents can be prevented if you stop in time. Brake components wear out over time, preventing your brakes from working efficiently. As your Chevy dealer, we want to give you a few signs you need to visit us for a brake inspection. more Signs You Need a Brake Inspection at Your Chevy Dealer Brake Fluid Leak Brake fluid is essential for your braking system, providing the hydraulic power that forces the brakes to work. When you hit the brakes, the pressurized fluid is forced through the brake hoses to the brake calipers. It forces the pins out of the calipers, causing them to clamp against the rotors. The brake pads inside the calipers create friction against the rotors and this stops your wheels. The fluid can leak from a rusted brake line, worn brake hose, or damaged seal. It's very difficult to spot a leak, as the fluid is thin and slightly yellowish, so it usually blends with the ground. You'll feel the lack of fluid as the brake pedal becomes less responsive. Our technicians will trace and seal the leak then we'll refill your brake fluid. Worn Brake Pads As we saw above, the brake pads force your rotors to a stop by generating friction. Each pad has a 1/2" thick rough material cover. The rotors are smooth and flat, and the reaction of a rough pad to a smooth rotor creates friction. As time passes, the friction material gradually wears off and the thinner material coverings prevent your brakes from working as efficiently as they should. Once a pad's material covering drops to 1/4" thickness, it needs replacement. The pad manufacturers install a metal spike inside the material, which only becomes visible when a pad has worn down. The spike will scratch against the rotor when you brake, producing a high-pitched screeching noise. We can quickly replace the pads and your brakes will work effectively again. Glazed Pads Glazed pads have a material covering that's turned smooth and glass-like. They're dangerous as their smooth surfaces can't produce friction, so a wheel with a glazed pad will continue to turn until brought to a stop by the other wheels. Glazing is caused by intense friction and heat caused by a pad continuously skimming a rotor surface. This can happen if you ride your brakes for long periods. It can also be caused by a damaged caliper that remains partially pressed against its rotor. We can quickly replace glazed pads, and we can repair or replace a damaged caliper if needed. If you have a brake problem, contact us today at Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA.

Chevy is well-known for its high-quality standards. Your new Chevy is protected by warranties that provide some of the best coverage available. As your Chevy dealer, we want to tell you more about some of the protection you receive under your 2024 Chevy warranty. more From Your Chevy Dealer: Understanding Your 2024 Chevy Warranty Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage Most of your Chevy systems and components are covered by this warranty. If any manufacturing-related issue is identified, the issue will be rectified by an authorized dealer using Chevy-trained technicians and Chevy-approved replacement parts. Warranty coverage applies for the first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Some situations are not covered by warranty, and these are explained in detail in your warranty handbook. Repairs using unauthorized parts, general wear and tear, and accidental damage are some examples of excluded situations. Tire Coverage Your tires are covered by the above warranty. There is no charge for labor during the warranty period. Tire replacements are free for the first year and pro-rate for the remainder of the warranty coverage. Powertrain Coverage The powertrain includes your engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Your transaxle and transfer case are also covered if your Chevy is equipped with them. All covered components are listed in your warranty handbook. There are certain exclusions detailed in the book, including sensors, the radiator, and the coolant. Coverage applies for five years or 60,000 miles. Extended Engine Coverage Certain engines and their components have extended coverage. These engines are the Silverado TurboMax and the 3.0L and 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel. These three engines are protected for five years or 100,000 miles against any manufacturing-related defect. Hybrid Vehicle Propulsion Battery Coverage If you have a hybrid vehicle, its propulsion pack and all internal components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. An exception to this coverage is the loss of battery storage capacity over time. All batteries gradually lose storage capacity, and as a naturally occurring behavior, this loss is not a defect. Restraint System Warranty Your seatbelts, seatbelt assembly, airbags, and the airbag deployment system are covered by warranty for six years or 72,000 miles. Sheet Metal Coverage All body sheet metal panels are protected against rust by specialized treatments applied during their manufacture. These metal panels are protected against rust by this warranty for three years or 36,000 miles. If rust appears, despite these specialized treatments, during your warranty period, any affected panel or panels will be replaced for free. Rust-Through Coverage Rust-through is corrosion that forms a hole through a piece of metal from one side to the other. Your Chevy is covered against this situation for six years or 100,000 miles. If you want to know more about any of your warranties, contact us today at Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA.

As your Chevy dealer, we offer a complete range of services to ensure your vehicle always works at its best. Servicing improves your Chevy's performance and reduces future repairs. We want to tell you about a few of the types of Chevy service we provide. more 3 Types of Chevy Service Available at Your Chevy Dealer Radiator Servicing The radiator is the heart of your Chevy's cooling system. Engine heat is absorbed by liquid coolant and transported to the radiator when the heat is removed by airflow through the radiator grille. A radiator operates at high temperatures and pressure, and over time, this causes parts to wear out or get damaged. A service restores the radiator's health and allows it to continue to work efficiently. During a service, we examine and test all the cooling system's components, ranging from the thermostat to the water pump. The system, including the radiator hoses, is tested for leaks to ensure that it remains airtight to keep the coolant pressurized. We drain the old coolant and replace it, and we also ensure the radiator is clean, debris-free, and working smoothly. Tire Rotations The tires are one of the hardest working parts on your Chevy. They're subject to continuous wear and tear due to surface friction. In addition, they are gradually weakened by exposure to water, mud, and UV rays. Each tire suffers additional wear on certain areas depending on the tire's position on your vehicle. A tire rotation helps to reduce wear damage by shifting each tire to a new position. The new positions the tires move to depend on the type of drivetrain you have. This equalizes wearing and helps all your tires to wear down at a relatively uniform​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ rate. Reducing tire damage allows your tires to last longer, giving you more time to prepare for their eventual replacement. Fluid Checks Your Chevy has a wide range of fluids that keep the engine clean, control its temperature, and allow the transmission and brakes to work effectively. All fluids lose their effectiveness over time, and some older fluids can even cause engine damage if they're not replaced. The most important fluids in your Chevy, after the fuel, are engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and brake fluid. Our technicians will check all your fluid levels and top them up if necessary. If a fluid needs replacement, we'll drain the old fluid and refill it. Some fluids, like transmission fluid and engine oil, have filters, and we replace their filters when we replace the fluid. Fresh fluids allow your vehicle's systems to operate more efficiently, reducing wear and tear and extending your Chevy's life. Book your next service today by contacting us at Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA.

The battery provides the power that starts your engine, and it maintains your Chevy's systems when the engine is switched off. As time passes, your battery will weaken and eventually fail. As your Chevy dealer, we'd like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for a new car battery. more 3 Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Chevy Dealer Short Driving Distances Regularly driving short distances can damage your battery and cause it to fail. The battery sends a powerful electrical charge to the starter when you hit the start button, which cranks the engine and begins the combustion process. The electrical charge uses a large portion of the battery's reserves, and this lost electricity is replaced by the alternator once your engine is running. The alternator doesn't recharge the battery at full power. After an initial full charge for ten minutes, the alternator switches to recharging at 10% of capacity until the battery is replenished. If you routinely drive only short distances, the battery will steadily weaken as it never sufficiently recharges. We'll test your battery, and if it's still in good condition, this issue can be fixed by driving your Chevy for at least one hour once a week. Dim Headlights Dim headlights usually mean that your headlight bulbs are weakening and will fail. They can also mean the bulbs aren't receiving enough electricity to shine brightly. You can test this hypothesis by checking the bulb's luminosity when the engine is switched off, then switching the engine on and rechecking the bulb's brightness. If the bulbs are dim under both conditions, they're probably wearing out, and we can replace them. If the bulbs are brighter when the engine is running, your battery is weakening. We'll test your battery using our computerized battery tester. This machine will identify any weakness in the battery and estimate its remaining life. If your battery is very weak, we can replace it to fix this issue. Illuminated Battery Light The battery light on your dash warns of any problems in your electrical system. The electrical system contains many sensors, each connected to an important component. The sensors monitor their connected components and will inform your computer if they detect any problem with their component. Your computer will log the problem and then illuminate the battery light. We diagnose this problem by connecting your computer to a diagnostic scanner. The scanner can read error codes on the computer, and our technicians will use this information to pinpoint the cause of the problem so we can repair it. Once the issue is fixed, the warning light will go out. If you have a battery problem, contact our service department at Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA.

Your tires will gradually wear out and will eventually need replacement. While it's impossible to prevent tire wear, you can reduce its impact on your tires and delay the need to replace them. As your Chevy dealer, we want to give you a few tips on tire maintenance that will help prevent avoidable early tire replacement. more Tire Maintenance Tips From Your Chevy Dealer Check Tire Pressure Regularly Regularly checking your tire pressure helps keep your tires in good condition. Your front and rear tires have specific pressure requirements, and their pressures are listed in your car manual. They can also be found on a sticker or a metal plate in the inside door jamb on the front passenger side door. Tires that are correctly pressurized will suffer less surface friction damage. Underinflated tires droop slightly, exposing the softer and weaker sidewalls to fiction. In this situation, you'll see excessive smooth bands of wear around the outer edges of the tread and lower sections of the sidewalls. Overinflated tires, in contrast, show excessive wearing in the center of the tread, as the increased pressure pulls the outer edges of the tire away from the surface. We can test your tire pressure and correct it within minutes. Tire Rotations The tire tread gradually wears down. Some of the wear is naturally occurring due to constant contact with the surface, but other factors can also cause wear damage. Wheel misalignment or incorrect tire balances increase damage to specific sections of the tread. Tires also develop increased wear due to their position on your Chevy. A tire rotation will reduce wear damage, as each tire is moved to a new position. The positions the tires move to depend on your drivetrain. Moving the tires to new positions spreads wear and tear more evenly across the tires and extends their life. Our technicians can easily rotate your tires for you. Look For Damage Sharp objects on the road can penetrate a tire surface and cause a leak. A bubble could form on the sidewall of a tire that has been pinched against a hard object. The tire bubble is easily noticeable, and it makes the tire potentially dangerous to drive on. The air inside a tire heats up as you drive, and if the air in the bubble heats up enough it can burst and cause a blowout. Tire cracks can develop on the surface of older tires, as the rubber gradually loses its flexibility. Once a crack forms, it will widen and deepen and eventually cause a leak. We can repair leaks caused by sharp objects, but tire bubbles and cracks can't be repaired. We'll remove the damaged tires and install and balance new ones for you. If you'd like to know more about maintaining your tires, contact us today at Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA.

Transmissions have an undeservedly bad reputation as expensive and time-consuming to repair. In reality, most transmission issues can be quickly and inexpensively repaired if they're detected when they start. As your Chevy dealer, we want to tell you about some signs that you need to visit us for a transmission service. more Signs You Need a Transmission Service at Your Chevy Dealer Foul Smell Transmission fluid is continually pumped through the transmission and cools the hot components as it moves over them. The fluid also coats these components in a protective covering that allows them to work effectively while protecting them from friction damage. The fluid's most important role is to provide the hydraulic power that allows the gears to shift. The fluid loses many of its special properties over time, including its essential heat resistance. Older transmission fluid can overheat in the hot transmission, and it can burn. If this happens, you'll smell a foul burning rubber stench from the fluid. We solve this problem by draining the old fluid, flushing the transmission to remove any residue, and then refilling the transmission with new fluid. Slipping Gears This is a very scary situation, as the gears will suddenly shift, without any warning, to the previous gear. You'll experience a drop in engine power and speed and usually hear the harsh sounds of metal grinding and clunking. These sounds are caused by the gears shifting against the resistance provided by the already-engaged gears. This sudden movement can damage gears and gear teeth. It can be caused by a leak of transmission fluid, which also means the transmission leaks. Other possible causes are worn gear teeth, damaged transmission bands, or an issue with the transmission computer. Our technicians will examine your transmission, diagnose the problem, and repair it. Damaged Transmission Mount The transmission is connected to the frame by two transmission mounts. These mounts prevent the transmission from moving and act as shocks to prevent transmission damage caused by vibrations as you drive. The mounts are made from tough rubber and are liquid-filled to absorb an impact. In time, the rubber will age, and this can cause cracks. The liquid inside a cracked mount will leak, reducing the mount's ability to reduce vibrations. If this happens, you'll hear thudding sounds when driving as the transmission moves. The transmission can't break loose but will suffer impact damage due to these movements. We fix this issue by removing your transmission and replacing the damaged mounts, then we reseat the transmission and securely reconnect it. If you suspect you have a transmission issue, contact us right away at Ted Britt Chevrolet in Sterling, VA. Our experts will have your transmission repaired in no time.

Getting a wheel alignment at your Chevy dealer when needed helps your tires last a long time, and it makes driving and lot easier. When your wheels are misaligned, you'll deal with issues such as excess steering wheel vibrations, difficult handling, and premature tire wear. None of this is pleasant, and it all makes driving less safe, too. more Why Is It Important to Get Your Wheels Aligned? Getting your wheels aligned is important because your car's handling can suffer when your car is out of alignment. Plus, misaligned wheels contribute to premature tire wear. When your car is easy to handle, it's a lot safer. Having tires that have worn down correctly is safer you, too, so never skip alignment appointments. How Frequently Do You Need a Wheel Alignment From Your Chevy Dealer? It's important that you get your wheels aligned at least once a year, although stopping by the dealer for an alignment twice a year is even better. If at any time you notice that your steering wheel is off center, your car is drifting or pulling to one side, or your tires have worn down unevenly, you should visit the dealer in case your car is out of alignment. The Benefits of Getting Your Wheels Aligned Better Handling It's a whole lot harder to handle your car when your wheels aren't aligned. To drive straight, you need to hold your steering wheel at a strange angle, usually off to one side. The more out of alignment your car gets, the more effort you need to put into adjusting your steering. It's distracting, uncomfortable, and not very safe. Better Ride Comfort It's not just more comfortable to drive when you don't have to adjust your steering angle; it's more comfortable to drive when your wheels are aligned because of your tires, too. Alignments help your tires wear down evenly, so you won't have to deal with excessive tire vibration. When your car is aligned, you'll also notice less vibration in your steering wheel. Better Fuel Efficiency When there's pretty much anything wrong with your car, it's going to use more fuel and leave you stopping for gas way more often than usual. Because your tires wear down unevenly when your car is out of alignment, the car has to work harder and is under more pressure during every ride. So, to compensate, it guzzles gas to help itself work harder. Better Tire Lifespan When your tires wear down unevenly, parts of them stop being road-safe much sooner than others. So, you end up buying a new set more often than you'd need to if your wheels were aligned. When the tires wear down evenly, they last longer, saving you money. Come down to Ted Britt Chevrolet in Stirling, VA for an alignment to avoid the issues that misalignment can bring. You can schedule your next service appointment online today.

Get an oil change at Ted Britt Chevrolet with our certified service department and technicians. Your car needs regular maintenance, and that includes oil changes. Understanding when to change the oil at your Chevy dealer can prevent expensive repairs and keep your vehicle running smoothly. When to Change Your Oil Most modern Chevrolet vehicles require fresh oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions. However, this depends on your specific model, year, and the type of oil in your car. If your Chevy is driven in severe conditions, such as frequent towing, carrying heavy loads, or stop-and-go traffic, you should change your oil more frequently. Always refer to the owner's manual for the most accurate recommendations. more Why Oil is Important Oil lubricates the moving parts of your engine, reducing friction and preventing premature wear. Keeping the oil fresh can extend the life of your engine. Oil also helps carry away heat as it circulates through your engine. Over time, old oil becomes less effective at cooling, potentially leading to overheating. You've Passed the Mileage Limit If you've driven more than 7,500 miles since the last time you changed your oil, it's time to schedule that appointment. Even if you haven't driven very much, but your last change was more than six months ago, take some time to evaluate the condition of your oil. Dark and Dirty Oil New oil is amber and transparent enough to let light through. As it gets older, it collects particles from the engine, turning dark, dirty, and thick. Check your oil color and consistency with your dipstick at least once a month to tell if you need a change. Your Engine Is Running Louder Clean oil cushions the parts of your engine so they don't grind together. If you start to hear more noise than usual from your engine, or worse, a knocking sound, the oil isn't doing its job anymore. That sound you hear is damage happening under the hood. Oil Light or Check Engine Light Modern vehicles have sensors and computer systems that monitor oil quality and levels. If the oil light or check engine light comes on, it's time to take a look at your oil, and probably schedule a service appointment. Smoke From the Exhaust Vapor coming from your tailpipe is normal. Smoke is not. Smoke coming from your exhaust means something is burning in your engine, and that something might be oil from a leak. Decreased Fuel Efficiency If you are making more frequent trips to the gas station, your car's oil might be to blame. A well-lubricated engine runs more efficiently, but one with old oil has to work harder, consuming more fuel. Regular maintenance, including changing your oil, is far less expensive than repairing your engine because you neglected it. Call Ted Britt Chevrolet and schedule your next service appointment today.

The combustion engine in your car depends on the ignition coils, without which no fuel can be combusted. When working well, ignition coils generate enormous surges of up to 60,000 volts of electricity, which the spark plugs use to ignite the engine's fuel. If your car has a faulty ignition coil, you'll experience a variety of resulting car problems. It's best to have a technician at your local Chevy dealer clean or replace the bad coil right away. Trouble Starting the Engine Without all cylinders ready to fire with healthy ignition coils, a car's engine can struggle to start in the morning. And if more than one of your coils is bad, your car may fail to start at all. Sputtering, Shaking Engine The spark plug that depends on a bad ignition coil will misfire, meaning that particular cylinder won't work when it's supposed to. As the driver, you'll feel your car sputter and shake strangely. Without immediate attention, this misfiring is likely to worsen as time goes on. Plummeting Engine Power When all cylinders are no longer firing properly, an engine can't generate full power. You're most likely to notice this diminished power while attempting to climb a steep hill or gain a burst of speed to overtake another car. Falling Fuel Economy When an ignition coil malfunctions, fuel is still being injected into the combustion chamber at the same rate, and sometimes at an increased rate as the engine tries to compensate. This results in more fuel being guzzled while power output is falling; you'll be stopping for gas far more frequently. Loud Popping Sounds When a bad ignition coil prevents the spark plug from sparking, an excess of unburned fuel can build up inside the cylinder. This unburned fuel may eventually leak back into the exhaust system and suddenly ignite, creating loud popping sounds. Such backfiring often indicates some kind of trouble with the spark plugs or ignition coils. Black Exhaust Smoke When unburned fuel reaches the intense heat of the exhaust system, it may ignite with a bang or burn away more slowly. Either way, you're likely to see black smoke seeping or pouring from your tailpipe. How Often To Have Coils Replaced at Your Chevy Dealer Ignition coils typically last from 80,000 to 100,000 miles. However, this lifespan can sometimes be shortened by other problems in the engine, such as an unbalanced fuel-air mixture resulting from a clogged air filter, a bad catalytic converter, or faulty spark plugs. Carbon deposits, moisture, and excessive vibrations can also damage ignition coils, as can an incorrect gap between a spark plug and its partnered ignition coil. Visit Ted Britt Chevrolet today to have your engine's ignition coils checked in Sterling and cleaned or replaced. We have an extensive and varied inventory of over 500 new and used cars, and courteous, experienced technicians to provide prompt, professional repair and maintenance.