Dumb Things NOT To Do To Your Car

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Buick Dealer, buying used car, car brakes, dallas Buick Dealer, Dallas GMC Dealer, dallas GMC Truck, dallas new car, dallas Used Car, dallas Used Truck, dallas Used Truck. New Car, DFW Buick, dfw car dealer, dfw gmc, driving anxiety, electronic roadside signs, Fort Worth Buick, fort worth gmc, Fort Worth Truck Dealer, Ft. Worth Buick, Ft. Worth car dealer, ft. worth gmc, GMC Dealer, GMC Truck, professional grade, track no go, Used Car, Used TruckAt Freeman Grapevine, we’ve seen a lot of dumb things people have done, or in some cases, “haven’t done” to their cars. Almost all “dumb” things people do to their cars can be avoided by just using some common sense. Really. Your car can provide years of unfettered service if you just use your head a little and don’t try to perform maintenance that is out of your skill set.

There are hundreds of “dumb” things we do to our car, but what are the 4 most common things we see rolling through our service department at Freeman Grapevine?

  1. Jumping with an improperly connected battery
  2. Running out of Gas (yes, this really happens)
  3. Not changing the oil
  4. Letting the Anti-freeze become corrosive

I know that most of you are thinking to yourself, “people really do that”? The short answer is, “yes”.

Check out the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09o07bh0k-4

Don’t get us wrong, we know how easy it is to do something silly like hook up a battery in reverse, you just have to make sure you know what you are doing before you attempt any maintenance on your own car. Do your research. If you aren’t sure how to jump start a car because you’ve always relied on someone else to do it for you, have someone show you the right way. It’s the easiest thing you can learn how to do as a car owner.

Again, we all make mistakes, but when you are dealing with an automobile, those mistakes can cost you big bucks. If you need maintenance performed on your vehicle, but aren’t sure if you are up for the task, don’t neglect your car. Bring it into Freeman Grapevine and we’ll take care of it for you. The last thing you’d ever want to do is attempt a fix that you aren’t qualified for or else you’ll be adding to the list of the dumb things NOT to do to your car.

Dallas, this is why you’ll want to wear your seatbelt

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For whatever reasons, drivers around the Dallas Fort Worth area really seem to tempt fate when is comes to wearing their seat belts. I’d say that 1/3 of the drivers in the metroplex, and I’m guessing low here, habitually neglect to wear their seat belts.

Aside from getting a sizable ticket, what else do you have to lose? Watch the video below and figure it out.

Fact. Seat Belts save lives. I know it may sound redundant, but wear them every time you drive, one day you will be grateful that you did…your family will be too.

How to repair a Flat Tire in no time…uh…FLAT!

Maintenance and Service, , ,

Ok, that was a ridiculous title, but you are reading this so it must have caught your attention. Let’s cut to the chase. You hate it. I hate it. It does nothing but was time and subject us to dangerous Dallas traffic…The Flat Tire.

At least one time in your driving career you are going to have to deal with a flat. Regardless if you are in a parking lot on on the side of the road, you will want to know how to make the change quickly and with as little effort as possible. If you are on the shoulder in busy traffic, safety is going to be a major concern, so you’ll want to really have this down.

Watch the video a few times and go out and practice once during the weekend. Knowing is half the battle.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joBmbh0AGSQ

If you think you may have a tire issue, don’t hesitate to bring it by Freeman Grapevine and we’ll take a look at it for you.We’ll even show you how to change it for future reference.

Remember, riding on an under-inflated or flat tire will not only destroy the tire, but you can dent rims, get poorer gas mileage, decrease braking ability, impair handling and possibly cause or be involved in a accident.

Can you Diagnose A Bad Fuel Pump?

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fuel pump fix, fuel pump diagnosis, broke fuel pump, Buick dealer dallas, buick dealer fort worth, car accident info, dallas Buick Dealer, dallas fort worth used car, Dallas GMC Dealer, dallas GMC Truck, dallas new car, dallas Used Car, dallas Used Truck, dfw driving, eassist, foggy headlights, fort worth Buick dealer, freeman grapevine, GMC Dealer, GMC TruckIf you have a bad fuel pump, you don’t need us to tell you. If a car has a bad fuel pump, it will normally exhibit a loss of power, or it may not start whatsoever. If the car is turning over, but doesn’t actually catch, this is called a “No-Start Condition”. There are various steps you can take after you’ve determined that you indeed do have a no-start condition. It could be as simple having a faulty fuse, or as complex as having a total fuel pump failure.

Check out the great video below by Eric the Car Guy!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piOzN1tZI_E

I think one important issue that isn’t included in the video is the presence of sediment. Sediment can and will collect at the bottom of your fuel cell. A great way to avoid sediment deposits is actually quite easy. Keep your tank at least a quarter of the way full at all times. This small attention to detail might just save the life of that fuel pump.

If you’ve run through your diagnostic checks and you think you may have a fuel pump problem, call Freeman Grapevine before your issue gets worse. A broken fuel pump will certainly leave you stranded roadside, or worse..in the middle of the road.

It’s Time To Change Your Cabin Air Filter

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cabin air filter, Buick dealer dallas, buick dealer fort worth, car accident info, dallas Buick Dealer, dallas fort worth used car, Dallas GMC Dealer, dallas GMC Truck, dallas new car, dallas Used Car, dallas Used Truck, dfw driving, eassist, foggy headlights, fort worth Buick dealer, freeman grapevine, GMC Dealer, GMC TruckWhen was the last time you changed your cabin air filter? If you have to think about it, it is probably time to change your cabin air filter. If you are scratching you head right now because you didn’t even know that your Buick, or GMC had a cabin air filter, then you really need to read this and watch the video.

Now keep in mind, not all Buicks and GMCs have cabin air filters. However, many do and if your Buick or GMC has a cabin filter, it should be changed once a year.

So, where is the cabin air filter? If your Buick or GMC has one, it will be behind the glove box. Consult your vehicle’s handbook for it’s location.  If you’ve lost or misplaced it, call your Freeman Grapevine.

Using online sources, like YouTube are also incredible place to find information.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnD5PauWTu0

Rather not deal with it? No problem, we will take car of it for you. Just give service a call and book an appointment. Having purified cabin air is really going to improve your comfort level by filtering out unwanted spores, dirt, dust and fumes.

Don’t Run Your Fort Worth Buick GMC on “Empty”

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Sounds like a pretty hard thing to do, running your Fort Worth Buick GMC on “E”, it’s obvious not to be taken literally, but is referring to the practice of “Istillhaveafewmoremilesleftism”. Yes, I just made that up, but those of you that have it know who you are.

What is running close to empty bad for your Fort Worth Buick GMC?  So what can go wrong? A lot of things!

The fuel-pump motor starts to suck in air when you’re low on gas. This creates unwanted heat which can have negative effects on the fuel pump. In this case, gasoline acts like a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motor.

Fixing a fuel pump that has prematurely met it’s end will set you back a couple hundred dollars, that’s a couple hundred dollars you could have saved if you don’t push the limits of your vehicle too often.

Here are some helpful thoughts to keep your attention on your fuel levels:

  • Don’t let your tank less than a quarter tank full
  • To get the most bang for your buck, fill up when it’s coldest (mornings in the summer) and pump slowly
  • Download gas price apps so that you’re not driving all around town
  • Fill up before at the beginning of the work week or before a long trip

Keep an eye on your gas tank and don’t let it get to low!  Also, remember you can see some benefits in the miles per gallon department with regularly scheduled maintenance. Haven’t had your Buick or GMC looked at recently? Call and make an appointment with your Dallas Fort Worth Buick GMC service center.

Dallas Fort Worth Buick GMC, Diagnose Tailpipe Smoke

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So, you started your Dallas Fort Worth Buick or GMC and you’ve noticed some smoke being emitted from your tailpipe and you aren’t really sure what’s causing it. More times than not, tailpipe smoke is not a very serious issue, but on some occasions it can be.  There are four different types of smoke your vehicle can emit and of course you don’t want to have a bad tailpipe smoking issue so below are some tips on how to tell what type of smoke you may be seeing.

Thin white smoke: No need for concern

If your tailpipe is emitting a thin cloud of white smoke which looks more like a vapor then there is no need for concern.  This is the result of a normal condensation buildup inside of the exhaust system. You’ll probably see some drops of water as well fall from your tail pipe,  this is also no need for concern. Condensation usually builds up over the night and is can be seen during the first start up in the morning. This thin white smoke should dissipate quickly after leaving the tailpipe

Thick white smoke: Call the tow truck or Get to Freeman Grapevine

If billowing white smoke is coming out of your tailpipe and does not look anything like the vapory white smoke as describe above then you most likely have a serious problem and need your vehicle to be seen by your Dallas service department at Freeman Grapevine.  This thick white smoke is an indication of engine trouble and means that there is potential for overheating. Driving with this condition may cause even more damage. Possible engine problems could be a blown head gasket, damaged cylinder head, the engine burning coolant or a cracked engine block.  All of these are serious problems that need immediate attention as they affect your engine.

Black Smoke: See Freeman Grapevine Service Department

If the exhaust of your vehicle is emitting is black or dark, then you need to get your vehicle checked out right away as your engine may be burning too much fuel.  There are two different kinds of black smoke, one being okay and the other not so much. If you start your car in cold weather and get black smoke, but then it clears up as the engine warms up then it’s not really anything to worry about.

However, if the black smoke keeps on coming out, then it may be an indicator of a dirty or clogged air filter, a clogged fuel injector, or a faulty sensor. Regardless, you will need to get your vehicle checked out.

Grey or Blue Smoke: See Freeman Grapevine Service Department

Oil being burned in the engines combustion chamber may result in thick grey or blue smoke coming out of your tailpipe. This problem can range from something minor as a clogged oil passages or something more serious.

If your engine is burning oil, it stands to reason that your oil level will be decreasing and will need to be checked often and topped-off. If this problem is not fixed you will eventually ruin your spark plugs, which can cause an overall decrease in gas mileage.

So you see that there are different types of smoke your car can produce, not all of it is bad, but most of them are. If you believe you are burning anything other than water vapor, then you are going to want to get your car serviced by your Fort Worth Service Professionals at Freeman Grapevine.

Is The Engine Compression Ratio In Your Car Right

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Your Dallas Fort Worth Buick GMC Dealer, Freeman Grapevine has a little engine education for you today.

What is Engine Compression and why is it so important? This ratio is actually a guide to how much power the engine can generate. The higher the compression ratio, the more powerful the engine. If you are into physics, and words like “total engine displacement”, then you’ll love the video below.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-vPrLPk_jw

The problem comes in when your engine loses compression. How much compression are you losing and why are you losing it? Do you think you need to run a compression test? Losing coolant? Poor performance? Blown head gasket? Loss of power? Really not sure? Bring your Fort Worth Buick or GMC into Freeman Grapevine and let us perform a compression test for you.

Ten Traffic Safety Improvements DFW takes for Granted

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It’s really easy to complain about traffic. It’s really easy to complain and whine about construction. In fact it seems like Freeman Grapevine is in the epicenter of construction central. One thing that we have to try to keep in mind is that, for all of the inconvenience, our “problems” with traffic and construction are actually because improvements are being made. So that got me thinking, What are some of the GOOD things about improving the safety and conditions of our roads.

Some of these, I’m sure you haven’t even put second thought to as being developed for your benefit.

1.    Divided Highways

2.    Median dividers and barriers engineered to turn vehicle wheels back into the proper lane of traffic.

3.    Improved and increased lighting for roads and highways

4.    Energy absorbing crushable barricades around fixed objects

5.    Small grooves or buttons down the side of the highway to alert drivers drifting off the road.

6.    High speed, multi-lane interchanges (instead of intersections or traffic circles)

7.    Improved signage and use of reflective materials.  (If the buttons down the middle of the road in front of you are red reflectors, you are going the wrong way.)

8.    Expanded use of improved guardrails

9.    Brighter LED traffic signals with pedestrian control lights.

10.  Improved reflective paints for highway lanes, crosswalks, and directional arrows.

I know we’ve all noticed these improvements, so it’s not just our vehicles that are safer these days.  Highway safety engineers have been working overtime for years to improve both traffic flow and highway safety.  Improving traffic flow contributes to safer roads as well as getting you to your destination more quickly.

Before the Interstate Highway program began very few highways were divided.  Roads were one solid strip of asphalt divided only by a line painted down the middle. Learning to pass slower vehicles by moving into and back out of the on-coming lane of traffic was a very important part of driver training.

Short wooden poles, strung together by a single strand of steel cable, were all that separated drivers from the road and a deep ditch or sharp curve.  The guardrails and barriers of today weren’t yet invented.

There was much less street and road lighting and some of the light bulbs were always burned out.  Halogens and LEDs have been a huge improvement.

One of the big killers in the past was drivers dozing off while driving and drifting into on coming traffic or bridge supports. The addition of median dividers, crushable barricades, and road shoulder grooving has significantly reduced head on collisions.

Highway safety engineers will continue to make improvements, but we shouldn’t take all the improvements we have now for granted.  Despite all the traffic, our roads and highways are built to be a lot safer for us than for our parents and grandparents.

Let’s say something good about highway and road development! Leave me a comment if you can bring yourself to do it.

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.