Author: Jeff Cooper

It is never fun to jump behind the wheel and find that your car won’t start. To make matters worse, many instructions on jump-starting do not provide any specifications or guidance specific to hybrid vehicles. So how do you jump-start a hybrid? The local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with a step-by-step guide. 

Step 1: Safety Checks

Before you dive in here, please note that jump-starting a car battery can be dangerous. Hybrid car batteries are expensive and powerful—requiring even more caution. Here are a few safety tips to help you get started:

• During this process, keep all children and pets away from the engine(s).
• Ensure you are in a safe location when jumping a car battery.
• Handle any connection to the battery with caution.

If you are unsure of your ability to maintain the highest level of safety, it is better to be safe than sorry. Consider having your car towed to a local mechanic for service in these cases. 

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

Naturally, you will need some tools to help you along your jump-starting journey. There are two ways to jump-start a hybrid: 

• Using a jump-starting battery pack: You can jump-start your vehicle on your own using a jump-starting battery pack. If you go this route, you need a well-charged battery jump-starter. 
• Using jumper cables: You do not need to worry if you don’t have a battery pack! The traditional way of jump-starting a vehicle will require you to have jumper cables and a “donor” vehicle with a working, well-powered battery. 

For the sake of this article, we will assume drivers are using traditional jumper cables—though many steps are the same when using jump-starting packs. 

Step 3: Locate the Correct Battery

This step is the most significant difference between jump-starting a gas-powered vehicle and a hybrid. Hybrid cars have two batteries:

• One 12-volt that powers the vehicle like a standard car battery
• One high-powered battery that harnesses the power of regenerative braking to run an electric motor inside the vehicle—making it a hybrid

If your car won’t start, your traditional 12-volt battery is likely the source of these problems. So our next step in jump-starting your vehicle is to pop the hood and locate the correct car battery.

Every hybrid vehicle is different—however, most hybrid batteries are large and rectangular. Meanwhile, standard 12-V car batteries are smaller and boxier—think roughly the size of a child’s shoe box. 

So, where is my battery located? First, take a moment to examine your engine—in most vehicles, you should see your battery when you pop the hood. However, some hybrid cars take on a creative design. In these cases, you might find your battery under the cargo floor or in the trunk. 

Many batteries mark the location of the positive battery terminal. So, you can also look for a red plus (+) mark when searching for your battery. It is also helpful to check your owner’s manual for insight into your battery placement. 

Step 4: Position the Second Vehicle

Once you find your car battery, you can use this insight to position the donor vehicle. Move the two cars close together—roughly two feet apart. You will need to ensure the vehicles are close enough that the jumper cables can comfortably extend to both batteries simultaneously. At the same time, make sure the two cars are not touching each other. 

You should always jump from a battery of equal voltage. Most standard car batteries are 12-volt—but it is worth double-checking both car batteries before getting started. 

Step 5: Turn The Donor Vehicle Off

For safety reasons, both vehicles should be turned off when you get started. Presumably, your hybrid vehicle will already be off because the battery is dead. Make sure you also turn off the donor vehicle before hooking up the cables. 

Step 6: Positive to Positive

First, you will connect both positive (often red) cable clamps to the positive battery terminals. Again, these are often marked by a plus (+) sign. Start by connecting the dead battery, then move to the functioning battery. Make sure the clamp firmly attaches to the terminal.

Step 7: Negative to Ground and Negative to Negative

Read this step twice, as it is vitally important. 

First, connect the negative to ground for the dead car battery. In other words, clamp the negative (often black) cable to an unpainted metal surface in your vehicle—usually the car frame (or chassis). Do not connect it to the negative battery terminal.

Next, connect the negative (-) clamp to the functioning car battery’s negative (-) terminal. Again, avoid any tugging or pulling of the cable. If it cannot comfortably reach, the cars are too far away. 

Why not connect to the negative battery terminal of the dead car battery? When a car battery charges, it can release hydrogen gas (which is why this only matters for the dead car battery). Any tiny spark from the jump-starting process can ignite the hydrogen gas, causing a dangerous explosion. This hazard commonly occurs as drivers remove the cables. You can remove the negative cable without risking a spark if it is connected to the grounded metal instead of the battery. Moreover, once you remove the ground cable, you break the connection—substantially reducing any chance of sparking. 

Step 8: Start the Functioning Vehicle

Now it is time to start charging your battery. Turn on the functioning vehicle so that it can begin transferring a charge. It might take several minutes to charge, though revving the donor vehicle’s engine a few times can help speed up this process. 

Step 9: Try Starting Your Engine

After a few minutes, try starting up your hybrid vehicle. If it doesn’t work, give it a little more time before you try again.

If your battery still doesn’t start after a few tries, you likely have a deeper vehicle issue that requires a tow. There is also a chance that the cables are not properly set up or working. You can troubleshoot this issue by trying with a different donor vehicle or a different set of cables. You can also call a local mechanic to talk through your connection and ensure everything is set up correctly.

Step 10: Carefully Disconnect the Cables

Once your vehicle is running, disconnect the cables in the reverse order of connection:

• First, disconnect the ground cable clamp
• Next, remove the negative clamp from the donor battery
• Then, disconnect the positive clamp from your car battery
• Finally, remove the positive clamp from the donor battery

Step 11: Take Your Vehicle For a Spin

Jump-starting a car is quite an adventure! You are probably eager to drive straight home and take a break. You might also be anxious to get to school, work, or onto your next adventure. However, we recommend taking the scenic route to wherever you are going. Your alternator recharges your battery as you drive. The longer you drive, the less likely you will have to do this all over again the next time you get behind the wheel. 

In many cases, a jump-started boost will not last long—even with a health charge from your alternator. So try to visit your local mechanic as soon as conveniently possible. Here is our complete guide on when to replace your dead car battery. 

Hybrid Car Care at Chapel Hill Tire

Hybrid vehicles are one of our many specialties here at Chapel Hill Tire. In fact, all of our extended service free loaner cars are hybrids. So you know your vehicle is in good hands when you bring it to our local mechanics. Our experts proudly offer hybrid battery maintenance and replacement services. 

Chapel Hill Tire proudly serves the hybrid car care needs of the greater Triangle area through our ten esteemed locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. We invite you to make an appointment or give us a call to get started today!

When you trust a mechanic with your vehicle, how do you know you’re getting quality care? One marker of trusted quality is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.

Our local mechanics are here with everything you need to know about the vital role ASE certifications play within the auto industry. 

What is ASE Certification?

In short, an ASE Certificate is documentation from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence affirming that a car care specialist is knowledgeable and trained in high-quality service. 

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and maintaining quality car service within the industry. The organization has been educating, testing, and certifying automotive professionals since 1972. 

Why is ASE Certification Important?

So, why does ASE certification matter? There are several positive implications of this program that make it vital for mechanics and service technicians. 

1) Providing Mechanic Service Quality Regulation

At the time of publication—licensing, training, and certification requirements for mechanics vary by state. In other words, there are currently no universal legal standards for technicians in the United States. Therefore, ASE certification provides a vital widespread regulation for mechanic service quality. 

In the state of North Carolina specifically, mechanics currently do not need a license to complete any vehicle repairs or maintenance services. The only mechanic licensing requirements are for completing safety and emissions inspections. 

In other words, almost anybody can call themselves a mechanic, take your money, and work on your vehicle. However, vehicle repairs require careful consideration, experience, knowledge, and training. You know you are in good hands when you confirm your technician is ASE certified. 

2) Training, Knowledge, and Experience

Your mechanics are put to the test to get ASE certified. This process tests the comprehensive knowledge of everything from engine repair to brakes, transmissions, maintenance, vehicle lighting repairs, suspension systems, and everything in between.

In addition to formal testing, ASE certification requires hands-on training and experience. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence will ensure mechanics are qualified to work on your vehicle before they complete any solo repairs. 

3) Staying Up-To-Date in the Auto Industry

The auto repair industry is constantly evolving to keep up with best practices, the latest environmental protections, and new vehicle features. For example, the last few years have seen several changes and challenges, including:

• Beginning in 2022, all vehicles manufactured in the US switched from R134a to R1234YF freon—requiring new attachments and insights. 
• The rise of Tesla vehicles has presented some unique service challenges, including foam tire interior that gets in the way of patching and a vulnerability to curb rash. 
• Newer hybrid and electric vehicles require unique parts, service insights, and experience. 
• The pandemic created a number of vehicle problems—including a rise in catalytic converter theft. 

To ensure mechanics stay up-to-date, ASE requires certification renewals every five years. 

Chapel Hill Tire: High-Quality Mechanic Care Near Me

Chapel Hill Tire maintains ASE certification for all of our technicians and mechanics. This practice is just one of the ways we ensure our service is industry-leading and high-quality for our customers. 

Our ASE-certified mechanics proudly serve 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Chapel Hill Tire’s experts also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We welcome you to make an online appointment or give us a call to get started today! 

Car care has long been associated with inconvenient scheduling, long wait times, and dreaded hours spent in a stuffy mechanic lobby. However, new mechanic offerings make vehicle service truly effortless. 

The local technicians at Chapel Hill Tire are here to unpack six mechanic services all drivers need.

Pick-Up and Delivery Mechanic Services

Drivers used to plan their whole days around visiting a mechanic for service. But, thanks to the latest car care conveniences, you can now have your car fully tuned without lifting a finger. 

Pick-up and delivery services operate just as the name suggests. A professional will pick up your vehicle—from wherever you are within the service area—and bring it back to the shop for repairs or maintenance. 

Once your vehicle is ready, a delivery expert will bring it back to your work, home, or anywhere within their service range. This convenience has revolutionized car care for busy parents, working professionals, and college students.

While your car needs to be in drivable condition to qualify for pick-up and delivery service, it has also been helpful for newer drivers who may feel uncomfortable operating a vehicle in need of care.

Mobile and Flexible Payments

Changes in the payment industry are innovated for a reason—the most common motivations being security and convenience. For example, mobile wallets (like Apple Pay) allow users to sync their payment methods with their cell phones. 

While they certainly are not for everyone, some users depend on these newer innovations. But what good are new payment methods if shops don’t accept them?

At times, it seems that the mechanic industry has trouble making accommodations. More traditional mechanic locations may not accept newer forms of payment. This lapse can cause inconvenience for drivers. To access a higher level of care, visit a mechanic that keeps up with the latest payment methods—like Chapel Hill Tire.

All-In-One Service Visits

Accessing high-quality car care can feel like a wild goose chase without the right provider. Do you have to visit a mechanic, an inspection center, a tire shop, and an automotive repair center to get your car the service it needs?

The easiest way to access convenient car care is to find a mechanic that offers it all by maintaining comprehensive service specialties. At Chapel Hill Tire, you can have your oil changed, your tires replaced, your vehicle inspected, and your car washed/detailed in a single visit. Our wide variety of service areas makes it easy for drivers to get the high-quality care they need without running around.

Same-Day or Next-Day Mechanic Appointments

When your car needs service, you can’t afford to wait. Putting off valuable car care leads to more costly and severe damage. However, scheduling delays are the reality for many dealership service departments and overrun mechanic locations. To access the care you need, when you need it, find a mechanic offering same-day or next-day appointments.

Shuttle Services for Mechanic Appointments

Shuttle services make it easy to access high-quality car care without spending your days in a shop lobby. After you drop off your car for service, your shuttle driver will bring you where you need to go—whether it’s home, work, or a nearby shopping center. Then, once your vehicle is ready, they will pick you back up. 

To get started, simply select the free shuttle option when scheduling your appointment. It is just that easy. 

Free Loaner Cars for Extended Services

Have you ever received the dreaded news that your car needs extensive service? Many drivers panic, wondering what they will do without their vehicles overnight. You can skip the stress and inconvenience when partnering with a mechanic network that has in-house loaner cars. In these cases, your mechanic will give you a car to borrow for free while they repair your vehicle.

Convenient Car Care at Chapel Hill Tire

The local mechanics of Chapel Hill Tire do their part to keep up with the latest conveniences. We offer all the above services, and Chapel Hill Tire’s experts continually update our offerings to support your needs. 

We proudly serve the greater Triangle with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Our car care specialists also serve nearby cities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment or give us a call to get started today! 

To avoid getting a ticket on the road, you must maintain an up-to-date car registration. However, the vehicle registration process can be tricky if you don’t fully understand the requirements. To make matters more confusing, every state and county can have different renewal requirements. 

The local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with information on what you need to renew your NC car registration. 

Passed Car Safety Inspection

Vehicle safety is the most crucial element of any car. A comprehensive variety of safety features protect you and other drivers on the road. To ensure the roads stay safe, the NC DMV requires a pass on your safety inspection before you can renew your registration. 

Simply bring your vehicle to a local mechanic for the inspection and any necessary repairs or services. You can read our guide to everything checked during a safety inspection here. This detailed checklist will help you better understand the inspection process and whether or not your car will need service to pass.

After you pass your inspection, the results will be uploaded to the NC DMV system. This process allows you to renew your registration within an hour or two of your inspection pass. 

Passed Emissions Inspection

In some cases, you will have to pass an emissions inspection upon renewing your registration. This process ensures that your eco-friendly vehicle features (such as the catalytic converter) are in good condition. It also prevents and fines vehicle emissions tampering. As of 2023, emissions inspections are requirements in the following 19 NC counties:

• Alamance
• Buncombe
• Cabarrus
• Cumberland
• Davidson
• Durham
• Forsyth
• Franklin
• Gaston
• Guilford
• Iredell
• Johnston
• Lincoln
• Mecklenburg
• New Hanover
• Randolph
• Rowan
• Union
• Wake

This number is down three from last year, as Lee, Onslow, and Rockingham County all dropped emissions inspection requirements. 

Even if your county requires emissions inspections, your vehicle might qualify for an exemption. Such exemptions apply to:

• Cars less than three years old with fewer than 70,000 miles
• Registered farm vehicles
• Older and antique cars
• Diesel-powered vehicles

You can read more in our guide to everything checked during an NC emissions inspection. 

Property Tax and Registration Fee Payment

Your registration renewal also requires your vehicle property tax payment and registration fee payment. The tax charge helps pay for county services that help keep the roads safe. The DMV‘s registration fee helps pay for the overhead costs of DMV support, software, and even the cost of printing and mailing your new registration.

Car Insurance Coverage

If you get hit by an uninsured driver, you could end up dipping into your own insurance coverage or paying for an accident out of pocket. An easy way to regulate the coverage of vehicles on the road is through the registration renewal process.

You will only be able to renew your registration if your vehicle is covered. Drivers will need to provide their car insurance company name and their full policy number upon registration renewal.

Vehicle Information

You will need to have some vehicle information handy once you are ready to renew your registration. Particularly, you will need your license plate number and the last five digits of your title number. The DMV will send you a registration renewal notice with all of this information. However, they often send this notice out a few months in advance, meaning some of your current information might not match. Particularly, your title number can cause some trouble. 

The title number changes with each new owner of a vehicle. An owner transfer can happen when you:

• Pay off your car
• Refinance your auto loan
• Register the vehicle under a new name

In these cases, your current title number might not match the registration notice from the DMV. Thankfully, you can look up your new title number on the NC DMV website. 

Once you have all the above documents and information, you can renew your NC registration online.  

Car Inspections Near Me at Chapel Hill Tire

When it is time for your annual car inspection, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire are here for you. We proudly serve drivers throughout the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. 
Our professional mechanic locations are also preferred by drivers from surrounding areas, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment or give us a call to get started today!

Valentine’s day is coming up, and our local mechanics are here to make gift-giving easier than ever. What is the perfect gift for car lovers? Consider treating their ride to an upgrade or service. Let’s unpack 4 gifts that car fanatics are sure to love. 

1: Car Wash and Detailing Service

There is no feeling quite like driving a new car. While it is hard to maintain that new car sensation, you can let your loved one relive it this Valentine’s Day.

We recommend borrowing your loved one’s car and bringing it in for a professional car wash and detail. This service is perhaps the best give you can give to anyone whose prized possession is a car. A seasoned professional will clean the car—inside and out—to leave it looking brand new. This process includes a hand wash, towel drying, interior vacuum, interior cleaning, window cleaning, seat protector, exterior polish, and so much more. Detailing service also helps preserve the long-term value of the vehicle.

2: Custom Rim Protection

Curb rash can affect even the most careful drivers. It is easy to scrape up your rims as you turn and park your vehicle. Teslas are especially prone to curb scraping because of the jutting wheel design. While many drivers do not notice these small scratches, they tend to drive a true car lover crazy. AlloyGator rim guards can protect your partner’s car rims while adding a custom flair of style. 

3: Trailer Hitch Installation

Are you planning on giving your loved one a car bike rack for your adventures together? Or perhaps you are eyeing another vehicle attachment. Don’t let your gift fall flat. Many cars are now built without trailer hitches. Thankfully, you can have one installed at a local mechanic shop. This service is the perfect addition to round out your Valentine’s Day gift. 

4: New Tires or Routine Car Care

An act of service is a great way to show a loved one you care. For the practical gift giver, installing a new set of tires can be a sign that you care about your partner’s safety on the road. 

You can also focus on the routine car services your loved one might need. Has your partner put off any necessary car care? Taking charge of an upcoming oil change or inspection can give your partner one less thing to worry about. Even the smallest car service can have a big impact on their vehicle long-term.

Convenient Car Care at Chapel Hill Tire

The local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire can make giving the perfect Valentine’s Day gift easy. With our pick-up and delivery service, you can deliver industry-leading car service without lifting a finger. 

Our experts proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. We also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. You can make an appointment, browse our deals, or give us a call to get started today! 

Car wash and detailing services can be exciting for drivers, but you might have questions about what to expect. The local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with the insight you are looking for. Let’s unpack five car wash/detailing questions and their answers. 

Should I Clean Out My Car Before Having It Detailed?

In a car detailing appointment, you are paying for the interior of your vehicle to be cleaned. So many drivers wonder if they should pre-clean out their cars. The short answer is yes. There are three critical reasons you should pre-clean items out of your car before having it detailed:

• Uninterrupted Service: You likely want the best possible service when you invest in car detailing. Sorting your items can distract from the actual task at hand: cleaning out the finer details of your car. Drivers do not need to clear out their vehicles entirely—a phone charger and some spare change are somewhat expected. However, any clothing, children’s toys, or bulky items can get in the way of your service. 
• Personal Item Liability: Most importantly, you should remove any personal items or items of value from your vehicle before bringing your car in for detailing. Your car detailing technicians are not responsible for any lost or damaged items that you leave behind during this service. Detailers might mistakenly toss away items when clearing out any trash. It is also easy to damage fragile pieces when sorting through your vehicle.  
• Achieving a Clean Car: Finally, there is nothing like the rewarding feeling of picking up a freshly detailed car. This elated sensation can quickly be dampened when you open up a trunk full of clutter. It is best to use your detailing service as motivation to clear out all of your unnecessary items before having your car cleaned. 

While detailers will toss away any trash they encounter while cleaning out your vehicle, it is best to pre-clear unnecessary items from your car. 

How Long Does Car Wash and Detailing Take?

Thoroughly washing and detailing a car takes time. While it might be inconvenient, it is a telltale sign that your detailer is doing a good job. Car detailing can take anywhere from 1-4+ hours—depending on a few factors, including:

• The car wash/detailing package you choose
  • Premium Hand Wash
  • Comprehensive Detail with Wax
  • Ultimate Sparkle
• How many deep stains are in the car
• Whether you have fabric or leather seats
• The size of your vehicle
• The condition of your car

Here at Chapel Hill Tire, we only allow car wash/detailing services as add-ons for drop-off appointments. This policy can prevent drivers from getting stuck in our lobbies for extended periods. 

What Can You Leave in Your Car During Detailing Service?

The more you clear out of your car before detailing service, the better. However, you do not need to sweat if you leave behind a few items. 

• Keys: You will need to leave your keys with the car for the detailing service
• Small Items: It can be stressful to think about clearing out every single one of your items before your appointment. Phone cords and other common, small accessories are somewhat expected and easy to work around.
• Trash: Your car detailers will throw out trash as they come across it in your vehicle. It can be helpful to throw away any garbage beforehand, and this could prevent any mistakenly tossed items. However, you do not need to worry about thoroughly cleaning trash out of your car before the detailing service. 

As mentioned above, it is most important to clear out any personal items—especially those of value. 

Does Detailing Resolve All Interior Stains?

Car detailers can eliminate some of your stubborn interior stains using professional-grade materials, tools, and processes. 

However, this can also depend on the nature of the stain and whether or not it has set in. In severe cases, you might be able to detect faint signs of a previous mark during a close inspection. 

Additionally, if your mark is caused by an interior scratch or surface abrasion, there is no way to truly undo this damage. However, detailing services can help reduce the appearance of these marks. 

Can You Prevent Water Marks, Swirl Marks, and Spots After Car Washes?

Have you ever left a drive-through car wash thinking, “What is the point of paying for a car wash if it leaves behind marks?” 

Automatic car washes can prevent proper drying, which leaves hundreds of small, white hard water stains on your car. You might also notice swirl marks and leftover spots from dirty cleaning components. 

Hand washing and drying—as we do here at Chapel Hill Tire—is the best way to prevent these unsightly marks. In higher detailing packages, you will also get wax that will keep your car free of blemishes and spots for longer. 

Professional Car Wash and Detailing Near Me

Chapel Hill Tire offers industry-leading car wash and detailing services in the Triangle. You can get your car cleaned during any service appointment to have it looking and driving like new. 

If you don’t require any other car care, our professionals will come to you! We offer industry-leading mobile car wash and detailing services to customers within our service area. You can only book a mobile appointment on our  Google/Andriod or Apple smartphone app.

Our Triangle-area mechanics serve drivers with ten shops across Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. We also support nearby communities, including Pittsboro, Knightdale, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment, browse our promos, or give us a call to get started today! 

The only thing worse than a dead car battery is when you’re left stranded in the cold. Unfortunately, car battery failure is especially common during the colder months. Our local mechanics are here with insight into how the cold weather impacts your car battery.

Slowed Battery Mechanics

As you might know, cold weather can reduce your car battery’s capacity by 30% to 60%. So why does the cold weather drain your battery? This is a complicated process, but essentially, the cold weather interrupts the battery’s energy production. 

Your battery charge is fueled by an electrochemical reaction, which produces energy in the form of heat. So, naturally, less heat will mean less energy for your battery. 

Greater Energy Requirements

In addition to losing capacity, your battery will work harder in cold weather. When the temperatures drop, your engine oil and other vehicle components can slow down. As a result, your battery will require more energy to pump these slow-moving parts. The additional stress of overworking can cause winter battery failure. 

Recovering From The Heat

The cold winter weather drains your battery’s charge. However, low temperatures will not cause substantial battery harm. Especially here in the south, the real battery killer is the summer heat. 

Extremely warm temperatures damage your battery from the inside out. Internal corrosion and evaporation leave your car battery unable to battle the struggles of the winter season. 

Electric Vehicles and the Cold Weather

The cold weather can significantly cut your range if you are driving electric. The exact loss of range will depend on a variety of factors, including:

• Your vehicle’s make and model
• The age of your vehicle
• How cold the temperature gets
• The condition of your battery

You will want to plan your travels and charging sessions accordingly to avoid getting stranded with a dead battery. 

Preventing Winter Battery Failure

Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to protect your car battery from the cold weather.

1) Garage Parking

When possible, park your car in your enclosed garage. While this will not fully protect your car from the cold, it will help keep some of that frost away. However, if you are not used to parking in a garage, please note that it is essential to follow some safety precautions to avoid harmful carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Always open your overhead garage door before starting your vehicle. 
• Once your vehicle is on, quickly exit the garage enclosure. It is not safe to warm up your vehicle in the enclosed garage. Rather, exit to the driveway if your car needs time to heat up. 
• After parking in your garage, promptly turn off the vehicle. Additionally, you should keep the overhead garage door open until any emissions have had time to clear. 
• Ensure your smoke alarms double as CO2 detectors and keep them in good working order.

The safety of your home and family is of the utmost importance. You can read more information here from Iowa State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. 

2) Summer Protection

Perhaps most importantly, keep your battery protected from the summer heat. As mentioned above, heat damage contributes to most premature battery failures. So keep an eye out for signs that the heat is killing your car battery, and take the necessary steps to avoid damage. You can read our full guide on protecting your car battery from the summer heat.

3) Battery Checks

You can have your battery checked and serviced at a local shop. Your mechanic will clean or replace corroded terminal ends. Additionally, an expert can check the overall health of your battery. If it is near the end of its lifespan, your mechanic can replace it before you get stuck out in the cold. 

You can read more in our guide to when you should change your car battery. 

4) Have Your Engine Oil Changed

If you are worried about winter battery failure, take a moment to check the quality of your oil. As mentioned above, slow-moving engine oil can strain your battery, causing your car to overwork. This issue is made even worse if you have old, contaminated, or ineffective engine oil. 

Consider changing out your oil and filter each year as the temperatures drop. Not only will fresh oil minimize winter battery strain, but it can also prevent costly engine damage. 

Car Battery Replacement Near Me | Chapel Hill Tire

These tips from our local mechanics will help keep you from getting stranded in the cold. We proudly offer local battery replacement services in the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. 

Our industry-leading mechanics also commonly support surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment, browse our coupons, or give us a call to get started today! 

Your brakes are vital for vehicle safety and performance. So when something doesn’t feel right, you will want to get it fixed as soon as possible. One possible cause of braking troubles is sticking calipers. The local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with insight. 

What Are Brake Calipers?

Brake calipers are the muscle of your vehicle’s braking system. Many drivers are familiar with the brake pads + rotors and the vital roles they play in braking. Calipers are the vehicle components responsible for bringing your rotors and brake pads together to slow and stop your vehicle. Powered by a hydraulic system, calipers lower the pads against the rotors each time you press down on the brake pedal.

Is My Brake Caliper Sticking?

Most automatic cars will gradually move forward as you lift your foot off the brake—even before you press down on the gas. Once you put your foot on the gas, your car should effortlessly move forward. But what if something doesn’t feel right? Perhaps you are feeling some resistance as you shift from braking to accelerating? There is a chance your brake calipers are sticking. 

When a brake caliper sticks, it will not release properly after the brake pedal is lifted. This can cause the brakes to drag and create a variety of problems, including:

• Reduced fuel efficiency
• Excess heat in the brakes
• Premature wear on the brake pads
• Warped rotors
• Decreased braking performance

All of these issues have the potential to negatively affect other vehicle systems and components. 

What Causes Sticky Brake Calipers?

When your calipers are sticking, an internal caliper component is malfunctioning—typically either the caliper’s pistons, slider pins, bolts, or brake hoses. There are a few potential causes of brake caliper sticking:

• Corrosion or Rust: Many of your braking components are made of metal. Over time, this system is exposed to humidity and moisture, which can cause rust and corrosion. This issue can affect your brake caliper’s pistons, bolts, or pins to malfunction.
• Dirt and Debris: Your braking system can also pick up dirt, rocks, and other debris as you drive. Collectively, these factors can limit the mobility of your caliper’s pistons or slider pins—resulting in sticky calipers.
• Brake Hose Issues: As mentioned above, the calipers rely on a hydraulic system—hoses deliver specialized fluid to power your brakes. If the brake hoses become damaged or obstructed, the fluid will be restricted—leaving your brake stuck. 

How Do You Fix Sticking Calipers? 

Thankfully, sticky calipers can be corrected with the right tools. To fix sticking brake calipers, a professional mechanic can disassemble your braking system to find the source of the issue. Once diagnosed, your expert will clean or replace the components causing the problem. Because your brakes are vital to vehicle safety, it is essential to have a trusted, trained professional complete this repair as quickly as soon as possible.

Chapel Hill Tire: Brake Repair Near Me

If your brake calipers are sticking, the local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here to help. We can help diagnose and repair any braking trouble you might experience. Our experts proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. We also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. You can make an appointment, browse our coupons, or give us a call to get started today! 

Let’s face it: the cold weather can be tough on your car. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to help it manage the winter. The local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with some considerations. 

1) Inspect Your Tires

Cold weather can cause low tire pressure as the air compresses, affecting their grip on the road. So check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the proper level. You can read our 5-step guide to inflating your tires here. 

Your tire tread is also vital to ensuring your safety on the road—especially when inclement weather strikes. Therefore, it is vital to check each tire’s tread to ensure you have even wear and at least 2/32″ of thickness. (Click here to read our guide on checking your tire tread depth.) If you live in a place with frequent snow, you can also consider using winter tires. As the name suggests, winter tires are designed to perform better in cold and snowy conditions.

2) Keep Your Car Clean

Snow, ice, and road salt can all take a toll on your car’s exterior and undercarriage. As you walk over the salt-covered pavements, you can also track these abrasive materials into your car’s interior. Car wash and detailing services can help protect your car from the elements.

3) Check Your Car’s Fluids

Your engine relies on a variety of fluids—including engine oil, radiator fluid (coolant), brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Cold weather can cause your car’s fluids to thicken, which can put your engine at risk. This thickening worsens when your car’s fluids are old or contaminated. To keep your engine safe, have your local mechanic check your fluid levels and composition.

4) Keep your Battery in Good Shape

Cold weather can cause your battery to lose charge more quickly as it slows down the electrochemical reactions used to power your car. To make matters worse, the cold weather can also slow down your engine oil, requiring your battery to work even harder. Collectively, these issues often leave drivers stranded in the cold. If you have a newer battery, it’s important to keep it in good condition:

• The summer heat does more car battery damage than the winter frost. Try to park in the shade when possible.
• During the winter, parking in the garage can minimize the impacts of cold weather. 
• Your alternator recharges your battery as you drive. As such, avoid leaving your car sitting for extended periods.
• Have a mechanic clean off any rust or corrosion and replace the terminal ends when necessary. 
• Keep your engine oil fresh. As mentioned above, slow-moving engine oil is part of your battery’s struggle. Keeping up with regular oil changes will help your engine stay healthy while minimizing winter battery stress.

If your battery is older, have your mechanic test it to ensure it will survive the winter. It is often better to replace a nearly-dead battery than to risk getting stranded or needing a tow. For additional information, you can read our 8-step guide to jump-starting your car battery, our guide on when to replace your car battery, and our guide to the safety of battery jumps.

5) Stay Ready for Anything

When traveling in the wintery weather, you must stay ready for anything. It’s a good idea to keep a few essential items in your vehicle—including jumper cables (or a jump-starting battery pack), nonperishable snacks, a blanket, water, a flashlight, and extra warm clothing. These extras can help keep you safe and comfortable if any winter driving hazards leave you stranded.

Winter Car Care at Chapel Hill Tire

By following these tips from our local mechanics, you can help ensure that your car is ready to handle the challenges of cold weather.

Our professional mechanics proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. We also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment, browse our promotions, or give us a call to get started today! 

When it comes time to renew a car’s registration, many drivers fear it might fail the inspection. Thankfully, passing your North Carolina car inspection is easier than you might expect. Our local mechanics are here with an FAQ on common questions about passing your inspection. 

Will My Car Pass Inspection?

Unless your car is experiencing a safety hazard, you will not have trouble passing the state inspection. Ask yourself, “Does my car feel safe to drive?” In summary, this test will check the health and functioning of your:

• Lights
• Tires
• Horn
• Brakes
• Mirrors
• Turn signals
• Steering wheel
• Windshield wipers
• Exhaust system

If you are worried about failing your inspection, you can precheck many of these items at home—or ask a mechanic to take a look at your concerns. For more information, you can read our detailed list of everything checked during your car safety inspection here. 

I Passed My Car Inspection: Why Can’t I Renew My Registration?

It takes up to 2 hours for the inspection center to upload your “pass” status to the NCDOT. If you are still experiencing this issue after two hours, you can call your inspection center or mechanic for assistance. 

Will a Cracked Windshield Cause Inspection Failure?

The short answer is no; a windshield crack or chip will not cause you to fail your NC car inspection. Contrary to popular belief, a cracked windshield is not a safety hazard nor prone to shattering/inward collapse. Rather, your windshield works more like an industrial-grade plexiglass designed to protect passengers even under impact. Unless your windshield is so cracked that it impacts your visibility, it will not cause inspection failure. 

Can I Get My NC Car Inspected In Another State?

Yes, you can get your NC vehicle inspection completed by a mechanic or inspection center in another state. 

What if you happen to be traveling across state lines when you realize your registration has expired? In these cases, getting your car inspected as quickly as possible is essential so you can renew your registration, pay your taxes, and avoid a traffic ticket for expired tags. Even without the physical sticker on your license plate, you should be safe from a ticket once you renew your registration online.

You must complete safety and emissions inspections in compliance with NC legislation. Speak with your inspection professional to ensure they comply. For example, some states do not require safety or emissions inspections—which might make it hard to find an inspection center. At the time of publication, the following states do not require car inspections:

• Wyoming
• Washington
• South Dakota
• South Carolina
• North Dakota
• Montana
• Mississippi
• Minnesota
• Michigan
• Iowa
• Arkansas
• Alaska

If you are living out of state or traveling for an extended period, you can apply for an out-of-state exemption. Learn more here from the NCDOT. 

NC Car Inspections Near Me: Chapel Hill Tire

If you need a local car inspection service in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary, Apex, or Carrboro—Chapel Hill Tire is here for you. We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. 

Our local mechanics also serve nearby communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, and Morrisville. We invite you to make an appointment, browse our promotions, or give us a call to get started today!