Tag Archives: freeman grapevine

Find A Bad Wheel Bearing Everytime

find bad bearing, front bearing set, front wheel bearings, bad bearings, car bearings, wheel bearings, freeman grapevine

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.

Buying A New Car Online, How Easy Is It

buying a car online, online car, internet car buyng, easy car buying, freeman grapevine, online purchase, buick, gmc

Is buying a new car online right for you? That’s a really good question. With more online resources the and ever, the automotive industry on the dealer side has changed quite a bit. First, the amount of information readily available to the potential car buyers is vast. There’s almost noting you can’t find out online. In fact, more people than ever are coming into my dealership extremely well prepared with knowledge about a particular Buick, or GMC that they have done mounds of research on.

Well, what about actually purchasing a vehicle online? This is something that we are seeing more and more. People are opting to take their purchasing power online rather than having a face to face with a salesman, which can be uncomfortable and daunting for some. Negotiating price isn’t necessarily everyone’s cup of tea. This is where buying your newt new car online might be right for you.

I guess one of the misconceptions about an online purchase is that you lose your negotiating power, which is entirely not true. In fact, it puts a little more power in your hands. You now have the ability to take your time when negotiating a price. Just because an online seller gives you a price, that doesn’t mean that you can’t see if there is any wiggle room, or any additional options they might be willing to throw in before you agree to make the purchase.

Check out the new report below:

As was state in the video, some people actually enjoy the face to face negotiation process, while others just aren’t that comfortable with it. These are the types of buyers that would benefit from purchasing online. Just remember, regardless if you are making your purchase online, or at the dealership, you are going to want to take a test drive. If you can swing it, rent the vehicle you are looking at purchasing and keep it for a weekend. This way you have a much better idea if that vehicle is going to fit your needs.

So there you go, the face of car buying has changed. You now have a choices. It all depends on what your are more comfortable with. So, if you are looking for a new Buick, or GMC and are interested in buying online, start at Freemangrapevine.com. If you are the type that gets a rush from face to face negotiations, then just swing by Freeman Grapevine and let’s chat.

Has anyone bought a car online before? What was your experience like?

GMC Sierra, The Ultimate Tailgater

sierra tailgating, ultimate tailgating, gmc tailgating, freeman grapevine, gmc football, gmc game,Finally, Football is back!!! Of course that means you are busy selecting the games you are going to attend, but more importantly, you are making even bigger preparations for tailgating that game!

Of course, what better way to tailgate more efficiently in a new 2014 GMC Sierra. Sure you can tailgate in any vehicle, but it’s just more authentic in a truck. Am I right? Plus just take a look at how cool this tailgate is!

You’ll have more space to transport food and beverages, tents, chairs, TVs, and grills (take a look at the one in the picture above…that’s a great grill). Let’s face it, tailgating is the ultimate fan preparation before the teams hit the gridiron.

Check out the fine are of tailgating in this video. It’s worth the watch! (Yeah, It’s a Bengals oriented video…Cowboys fans do it better).

If you are looking for a new way to start tailgating, try it in a luxurious new 2014 GMC Sierra. Come and take a look at all of the great tailgating options Freeman Grapevine.

Have any great tailgating stories? Share ’em with us!

GMC Sierra Models Earn Top Safety Rating

2014 gmc sierra denali, freeman grapevine, gmc safety, truck safety, safest truckWould it be fair to say that truck buyers are less concerned with safety than car buyers? I would say emphatically, “No”. Truck buyers are just as concerned with safety as anyone else. GMC was well aware of this when they redesigned the 2014 Sierra and Sierra Denali 1500.

For the first time since the NTSA tightened its truck safety criteria in 2011 two trucks received a top rating. Both we GM vehicles. GMC Sierra models were one of them.

According to multiple news sources:

The GMC Sierra and Sierra Denali 1500 have been accorded the highest possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score

Sierra offers fully boxed frames, extensive use of high-strength steel, and several segment-exclusive safety features are available, including forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and safety alert seat

Sierra set a benchmark for pickup truck safety by offering a full array of advanced features designed to protect occupants before, during and after a collision.

This was no small accomplishment. It took focus and commitment to the design and a passion to follow through with improving and already amazing truck. GMC did just this. However, overall safety certainly wasn’t the only improvement. The new 2014 GMC Sierras have added and extensive array of new details to both the performance of the truck as well as the interior appointments. You can see them all, and take a test drive right here at Freeman Grapevine.

What do you think of the all new 2014 GMC Sierra?

What’s The Difference Between Severe And Ideal Driving Conditions

check engine light, oil change, engine maintenance, freeman graprvine

What’s the difference between severe and ideal driving conditions? The answer may surprise you. We’re not talking about weather here folks, or even roadway conditions. What we are talking about it how much stress you are putting on your engine through your daily driving habits. For example, what does Start & Stop driving do you the life of your oil, as well as the engine itself when compared to driving longer distances at a constant speed?

There is a long running debate among your average drivers which questions the standard 3,000 mile interval of oil changes. Is it 3,000 miles, is it 5,000 miles? Do you just follow blindly what your owner’s manual tells you. Have you taken into consideration “how” you drive?

Look, some manufacturers vary somewhat in their descriptions of what constitutes severe driving conditions. But as a general rule, a vehicle falls into the sever service category if it experiences any of the following conditions during a typical week of driving:

  • Extensive stop & go driving.
  • Frequent trips under 5 miles
  • Prolonged idling of the engine.
  • Driving in mountainous terrain
  • Operating in cold weather below 10* F (something we don’t need to worry about)
  • Operating in heat above 90* F (something we DO need to worry about)
  • Operating in extreme Humidity
  • Hauling heavy loads

Under any of these conditions, manufacturers usually suggest that the normal interval be cut by anywhere from to one half. Your owner’s manual should list recommended intervals for your particular vehicle under ideal conditions as well as severe driving conditions.

For more information on how to understand the ware and tear that your vehicle may be experience, don’t hesitate to call Freeman Grapevine , or leave a comment below..

Fixing A Radiator Leak

As you may, or may not know, if you fail to change your coolant every 100,000 miles, or 5 years or so, you run the risk of it turning corrosive and actually eating the radiator materials from the inside out. This includes the hoses and heater core. The heater core is basically, for lack of a better description is buried deep in your system and can be considered at the very center of your heating and cooling system. If it breaks down long enough it can cause some serious problems, such as causing a leak within the vehicle itself.

However, if you find that it is a hose, a water pump, or the radiator itself, then you are in luck. That’s an easy replacement, or you may even be able to seal the leak.

Check out the video below for a description on where radiators can leak and what you can do about it on your own.

Now, as was stated in the video, sealing a leak, if you can, is only a temporary fix. You are better off replacing the radiator altogether. If you think you have a radiator leak that needs to be fixed in your Buick, or GMC vehicle, feel free to give Freeman Grapevine a call. You can certainly attempt to replace the radiator on your own. It’s not that time consuming, however, if you aren’t comfortable with mechanics, or haven’t changed a radiator yourself before, you may want to give us a call.

 

Pale Blue Smoke From Tailpipe

blue smoke tail pipe, burning oil, freeman grapevine

Have you been seeing a pale blue smoke coming out of your tailpipe when you start your engine in the morning? The blue color is an indication that oil is being burned in the cylinders. The fact that it occurs only in the morning means you probably have worn valve guide seals that are leaking tiny amounts of oil into the cylinders overnight. It’s a fairly common problem with older vehicles and not necessarily serious as long as the car is not consuming oil between oil changes.

In order to solve this problem, you are going to need to replace the seals. However, you may have another valve problems,and at worst you may have to replace a piston. Let’s be realistic, unless you are a master mechanic, you are going to want it bring it to Freeman Grapevine, or another qualified mechanic. A severe issue may take a few days to diagnose and fix.

Wet Weather Brings slippery Roads to North Texas

slipper roads, skidding car, grapevine cars, gmc fort worth, dealerships dfw, buick dealer, GMC dealer, used cars dfw, used cars fort worthSpring is almost here and that means that the weather will begin to change.  Some of the change is pleasant and welcome like buying a new Buick, or GMC.  The trees start to get their leaves back, the temperatures are rising which makes being outside enjoyable again, and the cool breeze can allow you to open your home windows and turn off the heater.  But some of the changes can make life a little more difficult, especially while driving, and that mostly comes from the rain.  While accidents can happen at any time, the chances start to increase with bad weather, and knowing how to be a better driver during and after the rain falls can help protect you and your car.

If you are driving on roads that have experienced rain for the first time in a couple of weeks, you have to take extra caution.  While it may not seem like too much water is on the road, the little bit that there is can loosen up all the oil, grease, and dirt that has dried on the asphalt.  This can turn any road into the world’s largest slip and slide, causing you to have trouble braking and turning over this slick surface.  If you are planning on driving on wet roads, be sure to give yourself more travel time so you don’t feel like you are running late which may cause you to drive less safely.

While driving, keep extra distance between your car and the car in front of you.  This will give you more time to brake and adjust to any other situation in front of you.  If you do need to brake, do so earlier and with less force than you normally would.  If you slam on your brakes, your tires may lose traction on the wet and slippery road and it may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If you are on a highway or multi-laned road, drive in the middle lane or the lane farthest from the curb.  Water can accumulate in places that you may not see causing you to hydroplane.

If you start to hydroplane, take your foot off the pedal and allow your tires to catch up with the speed you are going.  Don’t accelerate or brake, because this will cause your car to veer, and hold the wheel firmly to avoid causing your wheels to change directions.  Driving on wet roads means more caution is needed so be sure to act accordingly.  If you are looking for a new car for any kind of weather, then be sure to come into Freeman Grapevine.

Keyless Remote Problems

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.

Avoid The Dreaded Dead Battery

This just happened to me and it’s going to happen to you too. You are going out to eat, and when you get in your car, it struggles just a bit to start; not much, but you decide to continue to your destination anyway. You park, lock the doors, go inside and have a great meal.

Well, unfortunately what you didn’t know was that the locking of our car doors was pretty much the end of the last bit of juice you had left in your old battery. (If this is a new battery, you may have an entirely different problem). You know you used up the last of the juice because now your car simply make a click, or a series of clicking sounds without ever turning over.

So what causes your aging battery to age even quicker?

  • Avoid Short Trips- If you rarely drive more than 20 minutes at a stretch, you aren’t giving your alternator enough time to fully charge the battery. Drive a minimum of 30 min once a week to avoid chronic undercharging which causes a buildup of sulfate deposits on the internal plates. This will eventually impede the battery’s ability to hold a charge
  • Unplug The Gadgets- Whether it’s a laptop a passenger is using, a DVD player in the back seat,  or the simple charging of a phone. Actualy forgetting to unplug devices like these overnight without having the ignition engaged, might draw enough power to leave you with a dead battery in the morning.
  • Watch For Warning Signs-An illuminated alternator or battery waring light is a good sign. If you have a volt meter it should read between 13.5 and 14.5 volts with the engine running and all accessories turned off. If you don’t have warning lights or a volt meter, you probably have an ammeter. In this case while driving, your indicator needle should return to the center of the gauge. If it stay high on the (+) side, that means you battery isn’t holding a charge. If it is on the (-) side, you are having an alternator issue most likely.
  • Watch For Excessive Vibration-Vibration can literally shake your battery to death. The coatings on actually shake loose from the plates on the battery’s interior. This usually happens when the battery isn’t properly anchored.
  • Over charging and Chronic Undercharging will also do a number on your battery. Over charging actually lessens the life of your battery. Undercharging often results in a battery that is unable to hold it’s charge.

If you think you need a battery change, checkup or charge. You know that Freeman Grapevine is always here to take care of any of your service needs.