Category Archives: Parts and Accessories

Tire Tread Depth For Maximum Safety

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Understanding tire tread wear and being able to read the signs of overuse, or excessive wear is extraordinarily important  in ensuring you are driving on the safest tires possible. I’ve written about it before, and no doubt you’ve read other articles on safe tire tread depth. But today I want to find out, specifically, how much tread is needed to safely bring your car to a complete stop?

Check out the video below. This will answer the question above.

A poorly maintained set of tires is nothing to mess around with. You have to always remember that they are they only things that are between you and the road. Stopping power just isn’t in your braking system, your tires must have enough tread available to actually grip the surface you are on. You can never tell when you are going to have to use emergency, or evasive maneuvers while on the road. Even a simple trip to the store can potentially be hazardous if your tires aren’t properly maintained.

Time for a new set of radials?  Freeman Grapevine has the tire you need for less than you think.

How To Evaluate Your Shock Absorbers

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Okay, Dallas Fort Worth, how do you know when  you need replacement shocks? The rule of thumb is every 50,000 miles, but it could be sooner, or even later. Your shock absorbers are an often overlooked but vital aspect to your Freeman Grapevine Buick, or GMC.

Checking your shocks is actually a very simple thing to do. In fact, it is something you can do yourself  fairly easily. Replacing shocks takes a little more technical “know how” and the right tools, but can also be done at home.

One way is by visual inspection. Inspect each shock absorber for fluid leaks, which show as dark stains in the road grime that collects on its body and mounting points. Examine the body for deep dents, and the piston rod for signs of pitting or rusting

How is your car handling while driving? For example, after hitting the bump does your new car, or truck continue to bounce up and down? If the answer is “yes”, then you will almost certainly need new shocks. Paying attention now, because shock absorber degradation may happen gradually and then worsen over time until. In fact, if you wait too long you can damage other parts and components of you car.

It is important to replace worn out shocks is because they are responsible for keeping your tires in contact with the road. Worn shocks will permit the tires to completely lose contact with the roadway. This can be especially dangerous if you hit a dip or a bump during a high speed corner. Good shocks will also help to minimize body roll, also very important during cornering.

If you think that your shock may be worn and just can’t figure it out on your own, swing by and we’ll take a look at them. Freeman Grapevine can recommend the right ones.

Car Stereo Upgrades For Your GMC

Parts and Accessories

One thing is certain, we all spend a lot of time in our cars, 540 hours a year to be exact. That’s right 540 hours of traffic, of red lights of sitting for hours on end. What do you do with all of that time wasted? With the crack down on cell phone usage, you’d better have a pretty killer stereo to stay entertained.

Now, for the most part, most people are totally content with their factory installed systems. However, there are some people…self-proclaimed “audiophiles” who demand only the clearest most efficient and, at times, the loudest audio systems available.

If you think you want to venture into the world of custom audio for your vehicle, there are some things you should know. First let’s start with the basics…the 3 components of your audio entertainment.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf3LJYMrdSo

When looking for an after market system, you really need know what you are looking for: what type of sound, what features, what brand, are you going to need an amplifier…these are just a few of the questions you should ask before you make any purchase. There are any number of places you can go to research and get expert advice, including my dealership.

I guess the bottom line is, if we are going to be spending 541 hours in our cars every year, I for one am going to want the best possible audio system in my vehicle to keep my mind off the fact that I could be playing a lot Golf with those wasted hours.

Dead Battery? Charge It Before You Throw It Out

Parts and Accessories

How important is it to keep a well maintained battery under your hood? Let’s call it your car’s Cup ‘o Joe…it provides that little boost in the morning when you turn the ignition to get the motor runnin’ (among a myriad of other tasks).

So, let’s say you accidentally left your interior lights on all night and you wake up to find that you have a dead battery, what do you do? Without a battery charger, you call into work and burn a personal day in hopes of getting a jump from a neighbor or a new battery. With a battery charger, well you get to save that personal day for a time when you really want to play hooky. Let me tell you, for around $50, it’s worth it and you’ll get a pretty decent charger to boot!

How does a charger work? Check out the video.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEPuO8kZVE8&feature=player_embedded

How easy is it to use? This easy.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oSuz0T51Fs&feature=player_embedded

Of course, there could also be other reasons why your battery is discharging faster than usual or not having enough juice to turn the starter, and that is a bigger issue. I’d advise you take your car to your mechanic if your battery issues become problematic.

Ozzie’s Q & A: Shocks and Struts

Maintenance and Service, Parts and Accessories
Photo Courtesy of VehicleFixer.com

Hey guys and gals! I wanted to put together a compilation of some questions I get asked a lot. Working for a GMC/Buick car dealer for many years, I’ve learned quite a bit. So here’s a few questions I get asked on a pretty regular basis.

What’s the difference between a shock and a strut?

Both of them perform the same function, making your ride smoother, but struts are a little more complicated, therefore, more expensive, too. Struts are an essential component of your steering system as well as supporting a great deal of your vehicle’s weight. Some cars use struts, some use shocks, some use both!

When should I replace my shocks and struts?

If you purchase a cheaper set shocks or struts, they generally last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on how crazy of a driver you are. Higher quality shocks and struts are known to last from 50,000 miles up to 100,000!

How do I know when I need to replace my shocks/struts?

You may never notice a change in your car’s handling since it is a gradual decline. Have you ever seen a car driving down the road that hit a speed bump and bounced 3-4 times before finally evening out? More than likely, the driver has no idea that’s happening because it’s been such a gradual process, to them, their car drives like it always has. Excessive bouncing, leaning, swaying, vibrations, and scuffed areas on your tire threads are all good indicators of needing your shocks/struts replaced. Of course, we can always do that for you!

What kind of car questions do you have? Find us on Facebook and send us a question, maybe I’ll answer it on next week’s Q & A.

 

In-Cabin Air Filters Need Replacing Too!

Parts and Accessories

We see it all the time. People trade in their cars and when we open the vents or turn on the air conditioning. It hits us like a ton of bricks. It’s the smell coming from your vents. It can smell like mold, garbage, or the worst I’ve ever smelled, old eggs. I’ve even heard stories of people who have traded in, or sold their car because they couldn’t escape that smell. It’s a common problem, but if you don’t take action and nip it in the bud, it could make you want to stop driving altogether. The air that comes in from outside is run through a filter to cut down on the amount of pollution you breathe. That filter is prone to getting wet and causing a mold problem or getting clogged and causing your air conditioner to perform less efficiently.

So how do you know when you need to replace your cabin’s air filter? A couple of different tests you can perform while sitting in your driveway will give you the scoop. The first one is pretty self-explanatory, turn on your air conditioner and take a good deep breath. If it’s stinky and smells of mold, that’s a pretty good sign. Also, if you turn your A/C to the high position and it’s not noticeable from the different settings (high, medium, low), your filter may be clogged, preventing the air from getting to you.

Most cabin air filters are located under or behind the glove compartment and only require a few clip snaps to access it. Some newer models have upwards of 3 filters! Those are a little but harder to access, as some of them are actually under the hood. Most auto manufacturers recommend replacing them every 12-15,000 miles. Of course, if you have any trouble finding yours or can’t find the filter, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

How Do Run-Flat Tires Work?

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Run flat tires

A common question I get asked here at work is “How do run-flat tires work?” Run-flat tires are a great invention that allows you, the driver, to make better decisions as to what you do when you realize you have a flat tire. First, the sidewalls of these tires are designed to withstand the weight of the car when your tire loses pressure. After all, when you have properly inflated tires, the air is what carries the weight of the car, not the tires. Secondly, these tires have a redesigned bead to maintain the connection between the tire and the wheel, so once you lose tire pressure, your tire stays attached to the rim. This also prevents your wheels from ever hitting the ground.

Most run-flat tires can withstand about 50 miles, but some have been shown to go over 200! With that being said, these tires are not meant to be driven without proper tire pressure, they are merely a safety precaution to allow you to get off the side of the road and to a tire dealer or repair shop.

There are a few things you should take into consideration before purchasing a car with run-flat tires.
1. These tires are heavier and will hamper your car’s efficiency.
2. These tires are NOT cheap!
3. Once a run-flat tire has been punctured, it cannot be patched.

Check this video out for a little bit more in-depth analysis!

We recommend tire pressure monitoring systems that will notify you, while you’re driving, if one of your tires is dangerously low. The combination of run-flat tires and a TPMS is your best defense against ending up on the side of the road with a flimsy jack underneath your car. Come by and let us show you some of the models that they come standard on.

Find A Bad Wheel Bearing Everytime

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This, quite possibly, is the easiest way to find and diagnose a bad wheel bearing. Let’s say that you know you have a bad wheel bearing because you can year it on the road. However, when you lift it and spin your wheel, you can’t hear it. You must not have a bad wheel bearing. Wait!!! just because you don’t hear it now doesn’t mean you don’t have a bearing issue. Check out the video below.

You are going to have to use feel to determine if you are having a wheel bearing issue. Remember to put your hand on the spring on the strut, you’ll feel a roughness in the spring.

If you think you need help with your wheel bearings, don’t hesitate to call Freeman Grapevine. We’ll put this exact technique to use ourselves with your GM car on the lift. It’s the easiest way to find a bad wheel bearing.

Keyless Remote Problems

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One of the greatest inventions in the modern history of the the automobile, isn’t the internal combustion engine…it’s the keyless entry system. That’s right, the keyless remote. It allows you to conveniently unlock your car from a distance to keep you out of the rain, or heat just a bit longer. Gone are the days of fumbling to insert the car key into the lock with hands full of “whatever”.

Of course when the the key fob goes down and you know it’s not the battery, what are you gonna do?

Remote keyless systems usually operate  on high frequency, short-range radio signals that can be obstructed by physical objects such as buildings or even other vehicles situated between the transmitter and receiver. The signals can also be jammed by interference from other transmission sources such as radio towers, radar detectors, walkie-talkies, cellphones and even fluorescent lights (see the do more than just make your skin look bad).

If the fob battery was just replaced, or if the same problem occurs in various locations, the system may need to be resynchronized. If, by chance, this procedure isn’t outline in the owner’s manual of your Buick, or GMC, your best bet is to bring it into Freeman Grapevine and have us take a look. It could mean the difference between a simple resynchronization or total replacement.

Convex Driver’s Side Mirrors…Why don’t you see them in DFW?

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So why don’t you see driver’s side convex mirrors on Dallas Fort Worth cars or anywhere else in the US? Quite frankly, they are illegal here. Why?  Anyone who has driven a car in Europe has seen that their driver’s side mirror are convex. In contrast to the United States, where vehicles must have flat (or planar) outside mirrors on the driver’s side, European cars can have convex, wide-angle mirrors on both sides of their vehicles.

What’s the big deal? With two convex mirrors, blind spots are virtually eliminated, they can virtually eliminate the need to twist one’s head toward the left when looking to turn left or changing lanes to pass.

Apparently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would consider permitting convex driver’s-side mirrors on vehicles, the change might finally be on the horizon. Both General Motors and Mercedes-Benz, have argued that drivers with convex mirrors on both sides will have a much wider field of view. The companies support the idea that the United States simply adopt the European rules for driver’s-side mirrors.

This endorsement of convex mirrors comes on the heels of a tentative proposition that would require all future United States bound vehicles have rear cameras. This is an added cost that will be passed on the consumer. With both driver’s side and passenger’s side mirrors convex, US bound vehicles can forgo the costly addition of rear cameras.

At the present time in the United States, drivers and automakers can install convex

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Additional installation of a convex mirror exposes blind spots flat mirrors cannot capture

mirrors as long as the mirrors also have the required flat portion, as some manufacturers, including Ford, have done.

According to the New York Times:

“The agency intends to re-evaluate existing side-mirror requirements (FMVSS No.111) to determine whether convex mirrors should be harmonized with European requirements,” said Karen Aldana, an N.H.T.S.A. spokeswoman.

If you are looking for a broader field of view in your driver’s side rear view mirror, consider adding a convex mirror to your existing flat mirror. I’m sure most auto parts stores in Dallas and Fort Worth have them. If you are having problems getting the right one for your Buick or GMC car or truck then just swing by Freeman Grapevine so you can stop driving blind.