Blog

Tips for Winterizing Your Chevrolet Vehicle in Flint, MI

2020 Chevy Silverado driving during winter

With a harsh Michigan winter just ahead, now is the time to prepare your Chevrolet vehicle at Randy Wise Chevrolet in Flint. Our certified technicians at our Chevrolet service center have a winterization routine designed to help with performance and safety in freezing temperatures and on icy roads. This is how we’ll help you get your vehicle ready to handle whatever the Michigan winter throws at it.

Battery and Fluid Inspection

Cold weather is rough on a battery, especially in temperatures we experience Up North. A weak battery can fail on the first frigid morning, so we recommend having your battery tested to ensure it has enough cold-cranking amps. It’s also important to check your fluids. Your antifreeze must be at a 50/50 mix to prevent freezing, and proper windshield wiper fluid is also vital.

Brake Check

Your brakes are crucial for safety on slick, icy roads. Our technicians will perform a brake inspection to check the condition of the pads, rotors, and brake lines, and make any necessary replacements to keep you safe wherever winter takes you.

Tire Traction

Traction is extremely important during Michigan winters. As temperatures drop, tire pressure will also drop, which reduces your grip. We’ll check your tire pressure and adjust it to the cold-weather specification. And if your tire tread is worn, we’ll recommend winter tires or new all-season tires.

Fresh Winter Wiper Blades

Heavy ice, snow, and road salt can take a toll on your standard wiper blades. Winter-specific blades are meant to be heavier and more robust, which allows them to clear your windshield without freezing or streaking.

Winter Emergency Kit

The last winterization tip is something that you can do yourself. Pack a winter emergency kit with items like an ice scraper, small shovel, gloves, warm blankets, jumper cables, and a bag of sand or kitty litter in case you get stuck in snow.

Schedule Your Chevrolet Winterization Appointment in Flint, MI

Don’t wait for the first snowfall to discover an issue with your Chevy car. Schedule your winterization appointment here at Randy Wise Chevrolet in Flint today to prepare your vehicle for a safe winter!

Recommended Posts

Man using Chevrolet accessory rooftop storage

The Top Chevrolet Accessories for Summer Fun

With the right Chevrolet accessories, your next summer adventure can be your best yet. These accessories let you pack everything you need, keep your furry friend safe on the way, and help you leave beach sand where it belongs, at the beach. Plus, they’re designed with your vehicle in mind, so our team at Randy Wise Chevrolet can help you find pieces that fit your interior perfectly. more Extra Cargo There’s plenty of room for storage in a Chevrolet SUV, up to 144.5 cubic feet in the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban, but for bikes, kayaks, and other equipment, you’ll want to install roof racks. In addition to attaching smaller vehicles, you can also mount a cargo carrier so you can maximize both seating and storage. You can even install a Chevrolet cargo cooler and turn your car into the ultimate tailgating destination! Pet Gear It’s natural to want to bring your pet along on your summer trips, but when a large dog wants to climb into the front seat, it can quickly become a safety hazard. Pet barriers help keep safely in the back, and with a pet seatbelt, they’ll even be protected in case of an accident. Don’t forget about seat covers for all of the fur, dirt, and mud pets bring along. Sunshades Even if you’re sticking around Flint, MI this summer, Chevy accessories can make your driving easier. Sunshades and window deflectors are essential if you ever park in the hot sun, as they reflect the sun’s rays and keep your cabin cool for when you return. With one custom-designed for your cabin, you can ensure you’ll always have a comfortable interior when you return. Order Chevrolet Accessories in Flint, MI With a little preparation, you can enjoy every drive even in the hottest summer weather. Find out how we can upgrade your interior at our Flint, MI Chevrolet dealership. Talk to our team about compatible accessories and drive home in a more capable car today!

Chevrolet service technician inspecting tread depth

How Summer Heat Affects Chevrolet Tires

From weekend trips to the lake to visiting Ann Arbor for the July Art Fair, summer is filled with Chevrolet driving adventures in Michigan. While the temperature rarely hits triple digits up here, your warm-weather driving may test your car if you haven’t kept up with regular Chevy tire service. Don’t let a blowout interrupt your vacation fun. Stop by Randy Wise Chevrolet to avoid these problems. more Hot Air Expands As the summer sun heats up the black rubber of your tires, the air inside expands. As a rule of thumb, tire pressure increases by about one PSI for every ten-degree shift in the ambient temperature. It’s easy to test and adjust your air pressure in your own garage with a pressure gauge; just let a little air out to stay in the recommended pressure range listed on your door jamb. Wear Distributes Unevenly Even when your tires are in the right pressure range, heat can make the surface expand and bulge. That means that each tire will start to develop uneven wear patterns that, if ignored, will start to interfere with handling and may even cause your car to pull to one side. Regularly rotating the tires, along with regular pressure checks, ensures that any wear is distributed naturally to keep you in control. Tires Break Down With the blazing summer we’ve had this year, it’s especially important to be aware of how heat can break down your tires’ rubber walls. Between the temperature and the direct UV light from the sun, older sets of tires will be more likely to start cracking along the sidewall. Since these cracks can be dangerous even when they’re almost invisible, you should have our team inspect them before any long-distance summer road trips. Get Chevrolet Tire Service in Flint, MI Don’t let these hot-weather dangers get in the way of your summer fun. Have our expert team at our Flint, MI Chevrolet dealership perform a complete check-up before you hit the road. Whether you have road trips or just everyday driving in store, it’ll be easier with a healthy set of tires, so visit us today!

Chevy service technician under the hood

Chevrolet Maintenance Tips: Transmission Service Intervals

It may seem simple to check how often should you service a transmission, but there are a few factors to keep in mind. Your owner’s manual gives you a clear schedule, but depending on how you drive, you may need to do it more frequently to keep your car running its best. If you’re not sure, follow this guide then talk to our team at Randy Wise Chevrolet to find out what’s right for you. more Normal and Severe Schedules Many drivers stick with the “normal” service schedule for their Chevrolet SUV or truck, but in Michigan, you may be engaging in “severe” driving without knowing it. Even if you’re not towing heavy loads, stop-and-go driving in freezing winter temperatures put a major strain on your engine. If you do tow, you’ll definitely want to use the “severe” schedule and get transmission service more frequently. Warranty Impacts When you put off transmission service, the dirty transmission fluid can’t smooth out gearshifts and can’t help regulate temperature as well. Neglecting transmission maintenance can lead to increased wear, and if a transmission failure is caused by neglected maintenance, your warranty might not cover that repair. You may not know until you have a major breakdown and find it’s not covered, so it’s essential to keep up with these scheduled Chevy service visits. Automatic Alerts If you remember the old days of inspecting transmission fluid manually, the good news is that you don’t need to get messy under the hood with many new Chevrolet vehicles. When you need urgent transmission service outside of a scheduled stop, you’ll get an alert on your Driver Information Center. Regardless of the system, a red alert means you need immediate attention. Get Chevrolet Transmission Service in Flint, MI Heavy-duty Michigan driving needs heavy-duty vehicles at the top of their game. Have our team at our Randy Wise Chevrolet make sure your transmission is still running its best. With preventative care, you can even drive confidently all year round.