Five Top Sites to See in Fort Smith, AR

To keep your Chevy or Cadillac in great condition for as long as possible, it's important to take good care of it. Ideally, this means periodical servicing with technicians who specialize in Chevrolets and Cadillacs and love these car makes as much as you do. The following are five essential services every driver needs to have done often, all of which are available at your local Cadillac dealership. more Full-Service Oil Change Your engine requires regular oil changes to keep functioning well. Under all that constant heat and pressure, engine oil breaks down and becomes dirty. Once every six to 12 months, you'll need to have it flushed out and replaced. With a full-service oil change, your mechanic also checks all the other essential fluids in your car. They'll replenish or replace these fluids where necessary. This includes checking your washer fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, battery fluid, radiator, radiator overflow jug, air filter, and serpentine belt. Tire Rotation Tires can wear down unevenly due to varying weight or pressure at the front or back of your car. To help counter this and help your tires last longer, you should get them rotated once every six months or so. During the visit, the technician will also inspect your tires carefully for signs of damage. They'll patch, replace, or repair any tire that needs it. It's essential not to neglect your tires, as they really are the legs of your car. Wheel Alignment One common cause of uneven tire wear is slightly misaligned wheels, which can be difficult to detect. If you ever feel like your car is tugging off to one side, veering away from straight lines, then it's likely that one or more of your wheels are misaligned. Misalignment can be caused by a bump against a curb or some other knock that you might not have noticed. If left unfixed, misaligned wheels can lead to worsening handling, tire damage, suspension problems, and other trouble. It's best to have the professionals at your local dealership straighten them out as soon as you can. Brake Service No other part of your car is more important for safety than your braking system. It's wise to have your brakes inspected every six months, or whenever you have your oil changed or your tires rotated. The most common parts of the braking system to wear down are the brake pads, which typically need replacing once every 10,000 to 20,000 miles, depending on your driving style and environment. Engine Diagnostic Even with such a smoothly-functioning machine as a Cadillac's engine, it's a good idea to have it checked for possible problems once a year. It's always better to catch issues early on and get them fixed before they develop into something more expensive and dangerous. You'll be able to get an engine diagnostic test at your local Cadillac dealer, where both computerized and manual methods will be used to examine your engine and other major car parts. To have any of these services carried out on your Chevy or Cadillac by experienced professionals, visit Orr Chevrolet of Fort Smith. We have an expansive inventory of new and used vehicles and a dedication to providing everyone who walks through our doors with the very best in customer service.

Safety is paramount while driving your Chevy vehicle, and your brakes are the first line of defense. To make sure they're functioning properly, it's important that you get them checked by a professional once a year or every 25,000 miles. However, should you encounter problems in between those inspections, make sure you bring your vehicle in to your Chevy dealer for brake repair right away. Here are some signs that your brakes might be failing. more Find Out at Your Chevy Dealer if Your Vehicle Needs a Brake Repair Your Brakes Are Sounding Off Chevy manufactures your brakes in such a way that will warn you with a piercing tone should your brake pads wear down. This is due to an exposed piece of metal that brushes against the rotors, creating the noise you hear. Glazed or warped rotors could also be the reason for the warning sound coming from your brakes. If the rotors are glazed, you'll notice a dark ring or blue marks on them. Warped or glazed rotors can spell trouble for not only your brakes but your safety as well. The Brake Pedal Feels Soft or Spongy There are a number of reasons this happens, and it's a sure sign that your brakes need to be professionally inspected before they fail on you. Some common reasons for a soft or spongy brake pedal include: Worn out rear brake shoe Leaky disc brake caliper Air in the brake line Damaged master cylinder Leak in the brake line Old or contaminated brake fluid Your Brake Pedal Is Vibrating When engaging your brakes, if you feel a vibration, it is a sign that the rotors are warped. Bring your vehicle in to a technician for repair as soon as possible. Also, be careful going forward that you don't brake too harshly, as this is one of the main causes of a warped rotor. Your Vehicle Takes Longer to Stop Being able to stop quickly is an important safety issue, for you as well as other inhabitants of the road. If your vehicle is not slowing down timely when you brake, you need to stop driving immediately. It's just too dangerous. Call a tow truck and have them deliver your vehicle to your dealer to inspect. Leaking Brake Fluid Brake fluid is crucial in allowing your vehicle to stop safely. The fluid does not evaporate over time, so low levels of brake fluid and/or a puddle on your driveway that looks like a less slimy version of motor oil are indications that your brakes are leaking fluid. Leaking fluid can and will eventually lead to brake failure, so don't take this issue lightly. Bring your vehicle to your dealer for a proper brake inspection and repair before you endanger yourself and others. If you notice any of these issues, or your brakes just don't seem to be performing as they should, be sure to consult a professional straightaway. See us on the double at Orr Chevrolet of Fort Smith for all your Chevy maintenance needs.

Dealing with a faulty battery can be a hassle, but you shouldn't let that slow you down. If you need a new car battery, your local Chevy dealer in Fort Smith, AR can help. Here are some of the signs you might notice when it's time for a new battery. more 5 Signs It's Time to See Your Local Chevy Dealer in Fort Smith, AR for a New Car Battery 1. Your Car Won't Start So you have hopped into your vehicle, and it just won't start. Don't freak out yet. If it is just the battery, then it will be an easy fix. See if someone can help you jumpstart your vehicle, and once you get it started, take it in for service right away. If you can't even get it started, call your local dealership to see what you should do next. They will help you find out how to get your car the battery it needs. 2. You Need Frequent Jumps If you are consistently needing a jump to get you going, then you might have a battery problem or something even worse. While it may seem inconvenient to have to go in for service, it is a lot better to have a reliable vehicle. Fortunately, you can find many great deals available online at your local dealership. Take your car in for service as soon as you start having these problems, and you will save yourself a lot of trouble. 3. Weird Electrical Issues If you have any issues with your lighting or with your electrical components, then you should consider the battery. If you take your vehicle in for service, your technician will be able to tell you if your problem is because of a bad battery, or if it is something more serious. Either way, it will need to be fixed before it becomes an even bigger problem, so you shouldn't put it off. 4. Visible Battery Deterioration Sometimes you can look at your battery and see that it isn't in great shape. If you notice that your battery is corroded, or if it seems bloated, then you should consider it time to replace that old battery. Any visible battery deterioration is a bad sign, and it could even be dangerous. Therefore, take your vehicle in to have the battery replaced as soon as you know it isn't right. 5. Your Battery Is Old After a while batteries wear out, if your battery hasn't been changed in a few years, and you are noticing other signs of problems, then this is a good indicator that it is time for a new one. Car maintenance can be stressful, but you don't have to deal with it alone. Contact us today at Orr Chevrolet of Fort Smith, and we can help you with any of your automotive needs. We offer top-quality customer care, well-qualified technicians, and amazing deals. So if you need a new car or a new battery, let us help you out. We look forward to seeing you soon!