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Not sure if your brakes need to be repaired? Find out with our blog and schedule your brake repair at your local Chevy dealership. Your Chevy's brakes are vital for keeping you, your passengers, and other drivers safe. They allow you to control your speed at any time. Brake components can suffer metal fatigue, leaks, or other damage, and this will compromise your braking system. Your Chevy dealer is on hand to help you when you need your next brake repair in Sterling. These are some problems to be aware of that your brakes need to be checked. Screeching Brakes When you mash the brakes, the master brake cylinder release brake fluid into the hoses. This fluid is pressurized, and as it travels down the hoses it exerts hydraulic pressure on the calipers. The calipers are attached just above your wheel rotors, and due to the pressure, they will close on either side of the wheel rotors. The brake pads inside the calipers have a special friction coating that improves the stopping ability of your brakes. more This friction covering starts to wear off from the first time the new pads are used. Over time, this covering will wear thin. When it reaches 1/8" thick, a piece of metal will be revealed. This metal piece will scrape against the rotors the next time you apply your brakes. The horrible screeching noise that follows is an audible reminder that it's time to change those pads. Hot Brake Fluid If you're facing the prospect of frequent, last-minute braking in hot conditions, it's important to know the effect on your brakes. As brake fluid gets older, it doesn't perform as well as it previously did. When you apply the brakes, the fluid is forced down the hoses. The brake fluid is pressurized, which increases its heat. Constant braking will lead to the brake fluid heating up. The old brake fluid isn't able to cool down, and it can start to boil. Boiling brake fluid releases a nasty burning chemical smell that's very distinctive. Not only is the smell bad, but the safety of you and your car are affected too. Boiling brake fluid loses the hydraulic properties you need for your brakes to work. If you smell a hot chemical smell and your brakes aren't working properly, pull over and call us right away. Grinding Brakes If your brake pads aren't replaced when they start to screech, they will continue to wear down. Once the friction covering has worn off, the bare metal of the brake pads is exposed. When you use the brakes, the metal of the pads will dig into the metal of the wheel rotors. This produces a horrible grinding sound as the pads begin damaging your rotors. A grinding sound means you should pull over and call our service department ASAP. If you continue to drive without replacement brake pads, you risk damaging the rotors. Damaged rotors can be time-consuming and expensive to replace. If you have any problems with your brakes, call us immediately at Ted Britt Chevrolet and our technicians will repair them for you.

Get new headlights in Sterling at your local Chevy dealership, Ted Britt Chevrolet! Problems with visibility lead to a great many road accidents after dark. It's always worth making sure your headlights are shining as brightly as possible. Let's take a look at five indicators that tell you when it's time to visit your local Chevy dealer for a pair of new headlights. Your Bulbs Begin to Fade There are three main types of headlight bulb, which tend to fade at varying rates. Firstly, you have old-fashioned halogen bulbs, which have a shorter lifespan but maintain near-maximum brightness until the day they fail. more On the other hand, longer-lasting, high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs begin to dim as they age. In fact, both HID and LED bulbs can lose up to 70 percent of their brightness before they die. So if you use HID or LED bulbs and you find it's getting harder to see the road ahead at night, then your headlights are probably fading. It's time for replacements. What Type of Bulb Are You Using? Many drivers are unsure which of the three bulb types their vehicle uses. This is often the case when you haven't yet had to change your bulbs since initially purchasing the car. Fortunately, there are two easy ways to find out which bulb type you have. To start, park your car facing a wall or garage door. Set the engine to idle and turn on your headlamps. If they cast a warm yellow color, then they're halogen bulbs. Both HID and LED bulbs cast a bright white light. The difference between the two is that LED bulbs instantly shine at full brightness when turned on. Whereas HID bulbs flash for a few seconds and then slowly build to peak brightness. Your Headlights Are Flickering Whichever type of bulb you use, a clear sign of trouble is flickering light. While flickering might be caused by problems in the connections or wiring, it's most commonly caused by a loose filament in the bulb itself. That bulb is on its last legs and needs to go. One of Your Bulbs Dies If both of your headlights suddenly fail at the same time, then the source of the problem probably lies with your battery or electrical circuits. But if a single bulb dies, it's more likely that the bulb itself gave out. And when one bulb goes, it's good practice to replace both at once because the second of the pair is rarely far behind. Your Bulbs Near the End of Their Lifespan It pays to know the expected lifespan of your headlight bulbs, and roughly how many miles you've driven since you bought them. That way you'll know more of less when it's time for replacements, and you won't be taken by surprise. Halogen bulbs generally last for only 500 to 1,000 miles. HID bulbs can last anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 miles. And LED bulbs can keep on shining for an impressive 30,000 miles. To know for sure, look up the expected lifespan for your specific type and make of bulb. Your Chevy Dealer Suggests Replacements During your regular servicing visits, the technicians at your local dealership will examine the circuitry and bulbs of your headlamps. If they find that your bulbs are near to giving up the ghost, they'll let you know it's time for a new pair. To have your headlights inspected, repaired, or replaced by certified technicians, visit Ted Britt Chevrolet. We have an inventory of over 500 new and used cars, with friendly, knowledgeable staff ready to provide for your automobile needs, whatever they may be.

The cooling system in your car consists of a water pump, a thermostat, and a radiator to keep the engine and components cool and to prevent overheating. A faulty radiator will cause damage to the engine and other crucial components. Below are signs that will alert you when to get a radiator repair at your Chevy dealer before you have to fork out a whole lot of cash on expensive repairs. 1. Low Coolant and Leaks When you suddenly have to top off the coolant more often, there might be a coolant leak. Check for bright green, orange, yellow, or pink puddles under your car. If your vehicle is leaking coolant, it might be a loose or damaged hose. Your Chevrolet technician will quickly determine where the leak is coming from and fix the problem before it leads to engine damage. more 2. Your Car Is Overheating When there is a problem with your car's cooling system, such as low fluid levels and leaks, the temperature gauge's needle will rise. A faulty thermostat that doesn't release the correct amount of fluid can also cause your car to overheat. If your vehicle overheats when it's idling, the culprit could be a broken or malfunctioning radiator fan. A faulty radiator fan will not pull enough air into the radiator to cool it down, and that's why your car is overheating. 3. Your Radiator Is Rusty Rust can cause severe damage. Holes will form, causing leaks that will lead to overheating. If the coolant is a brownish color, it's contaminated with rust, and over time it will cause your radiator to fail. If you notice rust, you need to ask your Chevrolet technician to inspect your radiator ASAP before more damage occurs. 4. The Radiator Is Clogged If you see a thick sludge inside your car's radiator, it means the radiator is clogged. The sludge will prevent the correct amount of coolant from flowing through to the engine. If not enough coolant run through the system, your car will overheat. 5. The Radiator Fins are Blocked or Damaged The radiator fins become blocked with insects, leaves, and road dirt as you drive. Stones and high water pressure can damage the fins. If the radiator fins are blocked or damaged, not enough air flows through to reduce the temperature of the hot coolant, resulting in your vehicle overheating. 6. There Is Smoke From Under the Hood or Exhaust Leaking coolant will cause white smoke to come out of the exhaust. If you see white smoke, check your vehicle's coolant levels. If the coolant is low, it's best to ask your technician to check your radiator. If you see smoke pouring out from under the hood, the radiator might be struggling to keep the engine cool. Pull over in a safe spot as soon as possible and wait for your car to cool down. Phone your dealership and ask for assistance. When your car is overheating, it's a typical sign of radiator problems. Ask your Chevrolet technician to perform a radiator inspection to determine what is causing the problem ASAP if you experience any signs. Contact Ted Britt Chevrolet today, and our qualified Chevrolet technicians will ensure that your radiator is in top condition.

Children should learn about the importance of car safety from a very young age. If they understand why and how safety measures are important to protect the family, they'll want to help keep themselves and others safe. Approach car safety by explaining its importance using words and concepts that are understandable by all ages. Learn more about these five car safety lessons to teach your kids. Always Wear Seat Belts Explain to kids that seat belts are essential to wear, no matter how short of a ride you're taking. Buckling up should be the first thing you do when you get into a car, making it something you always do. You won't forget, and it will become a good habit. Most seat belts have two parts, a lap belt that fits snugly above your hips and a shoulder belt that will fit snugly across your chest and shoulder. Both parts have one buckle that needs to be locked. more Seat belts keep everyone safe by keeping them in place if there's an accident or the driver needs to stop in a hurry. You may notice the shoulder strap locks tight during a fast stop. That's how seat belts help you move but keep you in place when they need to. Use Booster Seats Encourage booster seat use by explaining why they are needed for safety's sake. Booster seats are needed to boost kids so they don't fall out of their seat belts or get hurt by the shoulder belt at the wrong angle. Booster seats are used once kids outgrow car seats and should be used until between ages 8 and 12, depending on their height. Don't Pester the Driver Explain that it's okay to talk and ask questions, but it's not okay to distract the driver. The driver needs to pay attention to the critical job of driving. Being loud, arguing, or asking the driver to look at something besides the road can make the trip unsafe. Don't Touch the Door Handles or Window Controls Show that door handles and window controls can cause accidents if they are pushed or pulled. Don't touch the door handles or window controls unless an adult says it's OK because the door may pop open or the window could go up and down, pinching somebody. Never put your hands or head out the window or throw anything out the window. Stay Safer in the Back Seat Explain that the back seat is the safest place for kids, and there's also more room for books, games, and other fun things. Kids age 12 and under should not sit in the front seat. Explain that air bags are designed to protect adults from accidents but are dangerous for kids. Air bags quickly burst out of the steering wheel and dashboard, inflating like large balloons to protect adults from a crash. Explaining why kids should obey car safety measures to keep themselves and everybody else in the car safe will encourage them to follow the road rules. Explain the simple safety steps and reasons why we all should follow them to keep your family safer and make car trips easier. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

Planning for a road trip can be exciting and fun, but when you head out on the highway, you'll need to keep safety in the front of your mind. With all the cars on the road these days, driving can be risky business. Luckily, many advancements in vehicle safety technology have made road trips safer than they've ever been. Check out these ways that modern safety features will help you stay safe on your next road trip. Blind-Spot Monitoring Have you ever attempted to change lanes and had to suddenly swerve back into your lane because of a car approaching in your blind spot? You definitely aren't the first or only person to deal with this scenario. That's why automakers have developed and made widely available the blind-spot monitoring feature that's found on many modern cars, trucks, and SUVs. This system uses sensors to alert you to vehicles you can't see due to blind spots. more Adaptive Cruise Control Cruise control has been a well-loved feature in many cars since it first became a standard feature back in the 1960s. This technology has since come a long way, and many modern cars are now offered with adaptive cruise control as either a standard feature or an upgrade. It's a great safety feature for road trips, as it makes it easy to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you. This type of cruise control differs from the cruise control of the '60s because it will automatically apply the brakes when the car ahead of you slows down and then accelerate back up to speed when traffic resumes its flow. Automatic High-Beam Headlamps If your road trip will have you driving at night, then you'll want automatic high-beam headlamps as a feature in your new car. Constantly switching between high and low beams when driving at night can be a hassle, but with automatic high-beam headlamps, your car will do it for you automatically. This means no more blinding other drivers with your high beams and better visibility at night because the lights will adjust themselves as needed based on lighting and traffic. Rearview Camera All new cars are equipped with a rearview camera. It allows you to see things behind you when you're backing up at low speeds, making it easier to back out of tight parking spaces and driveways. When you're on a road trip and driving in unfamiliar territory, this feature can be a lifesaver. Tire Pressure Monitoring System Keeping your tires properly inflated is always a good idea, but if you're heading off on a road trip, you really need to ensure they have the right PSI. When your tires are inflated properly, you'll get better gas mileage and be safer. Tires without the right amount of air are more susceptible to flats and blowouts, so use your tire pressure monitoring system to keep your tires properly inflated. If you're not sure whether or not your car is equipped with these safety features, bring it by Ted Britt Chevrolet. Our team of experts can help you find out if these safety features are included in your vehicle. If not, you can check out the extensive inventory to get a vehicle with the safety features you want.

In today's tech-savvy world, people can do just about anything online. We can order groceries, replenish our wardrobes for next season, and arrange for transportation from anywhere. Another task you can tackle online is shopping for your next vehicle, and this method can actually bring some appealing benefits. Save Money and Time Buying your next vehicle online can save you time and money. You save time because you don't have to visit the dealership and interact with a salesperson, which also eliminates the time it takes to drive back and forth as well as the time spent on the premises. All you have to do is open up your computer and start browsing. By broadening your search, you may also be able to get a more affordable price than if you had only visited one location and paid the price of the model you're interested in buying. more No Need to Haggle In Person For some people, the idea of haggling over a car price is not very appealing. If you're in this majority group, you'll be happy to know that shopping for a car online often eliminates this aspect of the process. Even if you do want to discuss the price and find out whether you can get a lower rate, you won't have to do so while sitting face-to-face with another person. Instead, you can maintain your privacy and haggle as much or as little as you want online, rather than feeling pressured when you're in a salesperson's office. Shop From the Comfort of Your Home When you've created a comfortable and welcoming living space, you may not want to leave it to shop. By comparing car options online and doing your research from home, you can relax, take your time, and feel confident in your car choice and know that you're getting exactly what's right for you. You can create a more appealing atmosphere for yourself as you decide which model you want to purchase. Utilize the Convenient Chevrolet System Chevrolet, a popular U.S.-based automotive company, offers a simplified and convenient system for buying a vehicle online. The system is called Shop. Click. Drive. You can get started by searching the available inventory of Chevrolet models at participating dealerships near you. From there, simply click the “Start Buying Process” button next to your chosen vehicle. You can determine the details of the financial transaction, including whether you want to buy or lease the vehicle, and the estimated value of a trade-in, if applicable. After you finish the details of your deal, you can schedule a delivery to have your vehicle brought directly to your home, or you can schedule a pickup at the dealership you're working with to purchase the model. It's that simple. At Ted Britt Chevrolet, we work closely with buyers who want to handle the car-buying process through our website. We're a participating dealer with Chevrolet's Shop. Click. Drive program, so follow the steps to make your buying experience easier than ever. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com