Category: Resource

What happens when you find that the funny noise your car is making stems from severe engine damage? Perhaps your catalytic converter was stolen from under your vehicle, and now you are stuck paying for a replacement? Unfortunately, costly car damage can be unpredictable and challenging to prevent—even with routine maintenance.

In some cases, your car insurance will help cover your mechanic bill. In other cases, you may get stuck with repair costs greater than your paycheck. At Chapel Hill Tire, we help customers with unexpected car repair costs by partnering with Snap Finance. Here is our quick guide to financing your car mechanic services. 

Snap Finance for Mechanic Services

Here at Chapel Hill Tire, we have partnered with Snap Finance to help drivers afford unexpected costs. This option provides financing benefits for drivers with little or no credit, including:

• High Approval Rates: Snap Finance says “yes” when other lenders say “no,” even in cases of no credit or poor credit.
• Quick and Easy Financing: Their quick and easy application process can be completed online in no time. Best of all, you receive your approval decision in seconds. 
• Flexible Payment Options: Snap Finances gives customers multiple ways to pay—allowing you to select a plan that fits your budget. 

Much like credit card financing, this option comes with a few considerations:

• Assorted Financing Structure: Every offer and contract you receive from Snap Finance is created uniquely for you. Because there is not a blanket financing or fee structure, it is essential you carefully read your offer to ensure you fully understand your Snap contract, fees, final payoff amount, and other details. 
• Minimum Qualifications: While Snap Finance is known for its high approval rates, you will need to meet their minimum qualifications, outlined here. 

Credit Card Mechanic Financing

As an additional recourse for drivers,  many customers finance their mechanic services with one of their existing credit cards. This is an ideal option for drivers who have credit cards with low APRs and high credit limits. Financing with a credit card offers several benefits, including:

• Existing Account: By financing with an existing credit card, you will not need to complete an application or set up a new account. 
• Rewards Programs: If you get rewards, cashback, or other credit card perks, you can reap these benefits while getting your car the care it needs.

However, this option does come with a few considerations:

• Credit Card Capacity: Naturally, you will need to first ensure you have enough lending capacity to fund your mechanic services. If necessary, you may be able to request a credit line increase. Many credit card companies offer instant responses to credit line increase requests.
• Credit Limit: Putting your mechanic bill on your credit card can max out your credit limit and restrict the routine costs that you may ordinarily apply to the card. 

If you have a high-interest rate on your credit card, it can be helpful to see how this rate compares to other financing options. Naturally, the lower your APR, fees, and additional costs are, the less money you will have to pay for your services. 

In addition to your credit card and mechanic financing options, you might consider consulting with your bank to examine your credit or personal loan options.

Chapel Hill Tire Mechanic Service Financing

Here at Chapel Hill Tire, we are committed to helping our customers Drive Happy, and we are excited to offer new ways for drivers to get the car care they need. If you are looking for a local mechanic shop with financing services, look no further than your nearest Chapel Hill Tire. 

We have nine convenient locations across Chapel Hill, Apex, Carrboro, Durham, and Raleigh. Chapel Hill Tire also proudly serves nearby communities, including Knightdale, Cary, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We welcome you to make an online appointment, explore our promotions, or give us a call to get started today!

How can you tell when you are due for an oil change? Your car will often show a variety of signs that it needs care. Here is a closer look at the top five signs your car is due for an oil change.

Sign 1: Low Oil Levels

Here is a quick overview of how to check your oil levels:

• Locate the oil area of your engine (this is marked by the same symbol found in your oil dashboard light).
• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with an old rag. This will remove old oil for a clear reading.
• Reinsert the dipstick and pull it back out.

Most engines run on between 5 and 8 quarts of oil. You can find more specific details about your recommended car care in your owner’s manual.

Sign 2: Contaminated Engine Oil

Oil composition is another indicator of a needed oil change. Clean engine oil is often a light amber color. It should be somewhat translucent and glossy. If you notice dirt, sludge, or discoloration when you check your oil levels, it is time for an oil change.

Sign 3: Engine Oil Leaks

If you notice engine oil stains in your driveway and along other surfaces you frequent, chances are that you are low on oil. Oil leaking is a two-fold problem: 

• Leaking oil means you likely have a break somewhere in your engine allowing oil to escape
• As oil leaks, you will put yourself at risk for further engine issues

A professional will need to replenish your engine oil and find the source of your leak. 

Sign 4: Oil Change Schedule

Routine oil changes can be calculated based on your mileage or the time since your last oil change. Here is a quick guide on how to keep up with your oil change schedule. 

Sign 5: Driving Differences and Performance Issues

Ideally, drivers will get an oil change before their car starts showing signs of struggle. However, there are a few cues that you might notice in your car once your engine oil is low:

• Noises: Engine oil helps all of your car’s mechanical parts move together. When engine oil is low or depleted, you might begin to hear some straining noises coming from your engine. 
• Overheating: Your radiator is responsible for most of your engine cooling. However, your oil also has vital cooling properties essential to your vehicle. If your engine is showing signs of overheating, this could mean low engine oil. 
• Performance: If you notice your car driving differently than usual, such as trouble starting or slow acceleration, it could be a sign of engine oil troubles. 

Chapel Hill Tire Local Oil Changes

When you are due for an oil change, the mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here for you. We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 9 locations across Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Our professional mechanics also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Cary, 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!

What are catalytic converters? What do they do? Is my catalytic converter failing? Our mechanics are here to answer all of your questions about catalytic converters. 

What Do Catalytic Converters Do?

The catalytic converter is responsible for converting toxic car emissions into compounds that are better for the environment and human health. As your emissions pass through the catalytic converter, they transform from toxins like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into harmless compounds like carbon dioxide and water vapor. 

Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters?

Catalytic converters have been at the top of many drivers’ minds recently for an unfortunate reason: they are being cut out and stolen from cars across the nation. But why? There are two main reasons catalytic converters are rampantly stolen: 

• Catalytic converters rely on expensive precious metals (including platinum) that can be sold for hundreds of dollars aftermarket. 
• These vital vehicle components are highly accessible to thieves and easy to steal. It is essentially like having an expensive piece of jewelry hanging from your tailpipe at all times.

You can read our full guide to catalytic converter theft and what to do if yours has been stolen here. 

How Can You Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft?

The best way to prevent catalytic converter theft is to install a protective device (like the Cat Security). These metal shields are laborious to cut through, keeping them safe from theft. You can learn more about Cat Security in this video from our mechanics, or see the final installation results here. 

How Can I Tell If My Catalytic Converter is Failing?

While the most common issue with catalytic converters is theft, these vehicle components can fail like any other car part. They are responsible for filtering your exhaust, which can cause clogs. Additionally, car exhaust is incredibly hot, which can lead to melted, deformed, or broken catalytic converters. 

Here are the 5 main signs your catalytic converter is going bad:

• Sulfur (or rotten egg) smell coming from your exhaust
• Poor vehicle performance and acceleration
• Exhaust becomes darker in color
• You sense extra heat near your exhaust
• Check engine light comes on

Catalytic converters are also routinely checked during your annual emissions inspection. 

Can Catalytic Converters Be Cleaned or Repaired?

In most cases, failing catalytic converters will need to be replaced. Attempting to clean or repair catalytic converters often results in an in-depth, expensive service with low success rates. This process can leave drivers bearing the cost of both replacement and a failed repair attempt. 

Chapel Hill Tire Catalytic Converter Replacement and Protection

If you suspect that your catalytic converter is failing or has been stolen, bring your car down to the mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire. Our professionals are skilled at catalytic converter replacement services. We also install protective devices to prevent future theft and keep your new car safe. 
You can find our mechanics at 9 locations across Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Apex, Carrboro, and Durham. Our mechanics also commonly serve surrounding areas, including Knightdale, Cary, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment, explore our coupons, or give us a call to get started today!

Engine oil provides vital lubrication to help keep your engine parts working together seamlessly. It also offers cooling properties to support the work done by your radiator. Skipping this affordable vehicle service can cause irreparable engine damage. So why are oil changes so hard to remember? If you are like most drivers, you probably have more important things on your mind than oil changes. Our local mechanics have 5 easy ways to remember your oil change.

How Often Do You Need an Oil Change?

Before we dive in, let’s take a look at how often you need to remember to get your oil changed. On average, cars need an oil change every 6 months or 3,000 miles—whichever comes first.  However, sometimes it can feel like you just had your oil changed, even after almost a year. So how can you remember to keep your oil change schedule on track?

1: Take a Look at Your Dashboard Sticker

After your oil change, most mechanics will include a small sticker inside your vehicle that contains the date of your next recommended service. You can keep an eye on this date to help you remember your oil change schedule. However, while this sticker may stand out when it is newly placed in your vehicle, many drivers start to overlook it after a few months. As such, let’s take a look at a few other easy ways to remember your oil change. 

2: Set It In Your Calendar

Whether you keep up with a paper or online calendar, it can be helpful to look ahead and write a reminder. This lets you “set it and forget it,” knowing that you will have a note-to-self waiting for you the next time you need an oil change. 

3: Time Your Bi-Annual Oil Changes with Events

Here is a fun way to remember to get your oil changed—consider timing these maintenance services with other bi-annual events. For example:

• If you get an oil change around your birthday, your next oil change will be due at your half birthday six months later (an extra reason to celebrate). 
• You can time your oil change to the changing seasons. The summer solstice and winter solstice are exactly 6 months apart.
• If you are in school, you might remember that you have an oil change due once each fall and spring semester. 

Countless other biannual work events or milestones can easily double as a reminder to take care of your car by getting your oil changed. 

4: Smart Assistant Support

Keeping your car care on track can be as easy as saying, “Alexa, remind me in six months to get another oil change.” You can set a reminder on your smartphone or digital assistant for a helpful cue of your next service date. 

5: Friendly Reminders

If you know you have a hard time remembering car care dates and schedules, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Consider turning to your partner, family member, or friend to help keep you on track. 

If you found these tips helpful, consider sharing them with a friend—you might just end up saving them thousands of dollars in engine damage. 

Chapel Hill Tire Oil Change Near Me

When you are due for an oil change, the local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire have you covered. We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 9 locations across Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Our professional mechanics also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Cary, 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! 

Driving services like Uber, Lyft, and Postmates are at an all-time high in popularity. As more and more people switch to these driving jobs, they begin using their personal vehicles for work. Without proper mechanic care, this will create additional wear and tear for your car. Here is a look at 5 routine checks for Uber and Lyft drivers that can help keep your vehicle protected. 

1: Regular Tire Checks

Tires are one of the most important elements of vehicle safety, handling, braking, and movement. As Uber and Lyft drivers, it is essential you routinely check in with your tires:

• Treadwear: Tire tread is vital for vehicle safety, handling, and breaking. Catching uneven tread wear early can also help alert you of alignment issues—which are common for Uber and Lyft drivers. You can read our guide to tire tread depth here. 
• Air pressure: Low air pressure can cause road safety hazards, tire damage, and poor fuel economy. If you frequently have low tire pressure, look for signs of a nail in your tire.
• Tire age: While you do not need routine tire age checks, it is helpful to note these dates. Once your tires hit 5 years old, the rubber can begin to oxidize, which has the potential to create and/or worsen car accidents. You can read our guide to tire age here. 

2: Routine Oil and Filter Checks

When driving is your career, it is especially important to keep your engine healthy. Perhaps the most necessary service (and one of the easiest to forget) is the oil change. Your oil lubricates your engine—ensuring that all of the pieces move together seamlessly. It also helps keep your engine temperature regulated. This small vehicle service can save you thousands of dollars in engine damage. It is essential to routinely check engine oil:

• Oil level: Engine oil can become depleted over time. 
• Composition: Dirty oil will not perform as well as fresh engine oil. 
• Oil filter: Your filter helps catch contaminants in your oil, but it needs to be cleaned or replaced regularly.

3: Regular Alignment Checks

Bumps, potholes, and other road hazards can throw off your wheel alignment. The more frequently you drive (especially down less sturdy roads), the more likely your car is to lose alignment. As such, Uber and Lyft drivers are especially prone to alignment troubles. When your wheels are not aligned, it can cause accelerated and uneven tire tread wear. This can come in many forms:

• Tread becomes worn on the inside of your tire, while the outside half of your tire is like-new
• Tread is worn on the outside of your tire, while the inside half of your tire is like-new
• Just one of your tires becomes bald of tread while the rest are still like-new

Here is a quick test: the next time you find yourself in an empty parking lot, try very briefly removing your hands from the steering wheel as you drive at a low speed. Does your wheel turn to one side or continue relatively straight? If your wheel turns, you are due for an alignment. 

4: Brake Pad Replacements

Driving for Uber, Lyft, Postmates, and other services can put extra stress on your braking system. The most common issue we see from drivers is worn-out brake pads. Your brake pads press against your metal rotors to slow and stop your vehicle. Over time, the friction material of your brake pads becomes worn down, which will make your brakes less responsive. Routine brake pad checks can help keep you and your passengers safe on the road.  

5: Maintenance Fluid Checks

Your vehicle relies on a vast network of parts and systems to keep it moving forward. Many of these parts and systems rely on specialty fluid that needs to be regularly flushed and replaced. Keeping up with maintenance flushes can help you avoid more costly vehicle services, damages, and repairs down the road. During a routine oil change, your mechanic should check your:

• Brake fluid
• Radiator fluid (coolant)
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering Fluid

Chapel Hill Tire Car Care for Uber and Lyft Drivers

When you find your vehicle in need of service, bring it down to your nearest Chapel Hill Tire. We routinely run special coupons specifically to support Uber and Lyft drivers. Our auto service mechanics proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 9 locations across Apex, Raleigh, Durham, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill. You can make your appointment here online or give us a call to get started today! 

“Why won’t my car start?” While many drivers immediately assume they are facing a dead battery, it could be an issue with your battery, starter, or your alternator. The professional mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here to unpack how these systems work together to power your car’s electrical components. 

Car Battery: How Does a Car Battery Work?

Let’s start at the beginning: what happens when you turn the key (or push a button) to start your engine? Your battery sends power to the starter to get your vehicle running. 

Your car’s battery has three responsibilities:

• Powering your lights, radio, and other vehicle components when your engine is off
• Storing power for your vehicle
• Providing the initial burst of power needed to get your engine started

Starter: A Quick Overview of the Starting System

When you switch on your ignition, the starter will use an initial burst of power from the battery to fire up your motor. This motor puts your engine in motion, kickstarting all of your vehicle’s functioning parts. An essential power component among these moving parts is your alternator. 

Alternator: The Powerhouse of Your Engine

When your engine is turned off, the battery is your car’s only source of power. However, once the engine starts moving, your alternator provides the majority of the electrical power supply. How? While it is a complex system of moving parts, there are two main components at play:

• Rotor—Inside your alternator, you can find a fast-spinning rotor of magnets.  
• Stator—Along the inside of your alternator, there is a set of conductive copper wiring called a stator. Unlike your rotor, the stator does not rotate. 

Your alternator uses the movement of your engine’s belts to turn the rotor. As the rotor’s magnets pass over the stator’s copper wiring, they generate electricity for your vehicle’s electrical components. 

Not only is your alternator supporting your vehicle’s electrical functioning, but it is also recharging your battery. 

Naturally, this also brings us back to your starter. By maintaining the charge in your battery, your alternator ensures the starter has a reliable source of power any time you are ready to drive. 

Why Won’t My Car Start?

Each of these vehicle components has multiple parts at play—all working together to power your vehicle:

• Your battery powers the starter
• The starter kickstarts your alternator
• Your alternator recharges the battery

While the most common issue here is a dead battery, any interruption in this process can prevent your vehicle from starting. Here is our guide to determining when you are due for a new battery. 

Chapel Hill Tire Starting and Charging System Checks

The local auto repair and service technicians at Chapel Hill Tire are here for all of your vehicle’s battery, starter, and alternator needs. We offer everything from alternator replacement services to new car batteries and everything in between. Our experts also offer a starting and charging system check in our diagnostic services. We will check your battery, starter, and alternator to find the source of your car troubles. 
You can find our local mechanics in our 9 Triangle-area locations across Raleigh, Apex, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. We invite you to make your appointment here online or give us a call to get started today!

Tires are often “out of sight, out of mind” until an issue arises. However, many drivers do not know where to start when something goes wrong with their tires. Our local auto service mechanics are here to help! There are three places you can look to find more information about your vehicle’s tires: the tire information panel, the tire sidewall (DOT number), and your owner’s manual. Read on for more insight from the experts at Chapel Hill Tire. 

Tire Information Panel

What should my car’s tire pressure be? Where can I find information about my tire size? 

As the winter weather sets in, drivers frequently find their cars with low tire pressure. Additionally, when shopping for new tires online, you will need to know your tire dimensions. Thankfully, this insight is easy to locate. 

Information about your tire pressure (PSI) and tire size/dimensions can be found in your tire information panel. Simply open your driver-side door and look at the door frame parallel to the driver’s seat. There, you will find information about your recommended tire pressure and your tire size/dimensions listed. 

Tire Sidewalls: Tire DOT Number

Where can I find information about my tire age? 

Information about your tire age and manufacturer can be found on the sidewall of your tires. This one can be a little tricky to read, so make sure you have good lighting ready before you begin. Look on the side of your tires for a number beginning with DOT (Department of Transportation). 

• The first two numbers or letters after DOT are your tire manufacturer/plant code.
• The next two numbers or letters are your tire size code. 
• The following three numbers are your tire manufacturer code. For drivers, these first three sets of numbers or letters are generally just important in cases of recalls or manufacturer issues. 
• The final four numbers are your tire manufacturing date. The first two numbers represent the week of the year, and the second two digits represent the year. For example, if this number was 4221. It would mean your tires were manufactured in the 42nd week (late October) of 2021. 

You can find more detailed information in our guide to reading tire DOT numbers here. 

Vehicle Owner’s Manual

Finally, you can also find information about your tires by flipping through the pages of your owner’s manual or researching your vehicle online. Your owner’s manual is often found in the glovebox, and you can use the index to jump straight to the section on tires. However, this is often a more time-consuming process than getting tire information from the sources listed above. Additionally, if you are still having a hard time finding information about your tires, consider speaking with a local tire professional. 

Speak With a Tire Expert: Chapel Hill Tire

The professionals at Chapel Hill Tire are experts in all aspects of tires and automotive care. We are here and ready to tackle any tire questions or problems you are having. With 9 Triangle-area locations across Raleigh, Apex, Durham, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill, our mechanics are easy to find near you! You can explore our coupons page, make an appointment here online, or give us a call to get started today! 

As we settle into 2022, you might be trying to stay on top of your New Year’s resolutions. Did saving money make your list? The mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire may be able to help! Here is a look at 4 maintenance services and car care tips that can save you money this year.

1. Maintain Proper Tire Care

Did you know that proper tire care can help you save money at the pump? Imagine riding a bike with a flat, uneven, or damaged tire? It requires much more energy than riding a healthy bike. The same concept applies to your car. If your tires are out of shape, your car will have to work harder (and use more gas) to produce results. This extra effort can also lead to costly repairs as it extends stress to multiple vehicle systems. It is important to keep up with tire rotations and routinely check your tire pressure, age, and tread depth. You can also keep an eye out for signs of a nail in your tires or uneven tread wear (such as one tire becoming more worn out than the others).

2. Keep Up With Routine Oil Changes

Do you find your oil change dashboard light constantly lit? While our mechanics won’t judge you for your oil change neglect, we will warn you of the extra costs this can bring. A simple (and affordable) oil change can save you thousands of dollars in engine damage. Oil has vital cooling properties—absorbing up to 40% of your engine’s heat. It also lubricates your engine, allowing this system of parts to work together seamlessly. Together, these functions can help you dodge the most costly engine problems. 

Dirty, old, depleted, and contaminated engine oil can also cause some extra unexpected costs. For example, did you know that degraded engine oil can cause premature battery failure—especially in the winter? In the colder months, your engine oil will move more slowly—causing strain on your battery. If your engine oil is contaminated, it will require even more effort from your battery—often leading to premature failure. As such, routine oil changes may help extend the lifespan of your battery. Visiting a local mechanic for fresh engine oil can also help you save money at the pump by eliminating unnecessary exertion from your vehicle. 

3. Don’t Forget Cabin Air Filter Changes

When you find your vehicle’s heater or air conditioner broken, many drivers assume they are simply low on coolant. However, your car’s HVAC system circulates coolant through a sealed system. What does that mean? Unlike your engine oil, coolant does not become depleted over time unless there is an underlying problem. It is a much larger service to find and repair the source of the leak. The most common cause of damaged vehicle HVAC systems is dirty cabin air filters. 

As the air filters become clogged, they will have to work harder to pass air through. This added stress can cause costly HVAC system damage. You can save money and stay comfortable by ensuring your cabin air filter stays clean this year. 

4. Accept Help When You Need It

Between work, family, friends, and other obligations, you might not always have time to visit a mechanic. Busy scheduling can make it impossible to take advantage of cost-saving services. This year, we implore our drivers to accept a little help when they need it. If you need help keeping up with your car care, Chapel Hill Tire will come to you with our pick-up and delivery mechanic service. During this service, our professionals will come to your home or work and bring your vehicle back to the shop. Once it is fully serviced, we will drop it back off to you. Car care (and New Year’s resolutions) have never been more simple. 

Chapel Hill Tire Convenient Car Care

The professionals at Chapel Hill tire are here to help you meet all of your car care resolutions and save money this year. We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with our 9 locations across Apex, Raleigh, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham. Our professionals also serve surrounding communities, including Wake Forest, Pittsboro, Cary, Knightdale, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make your appointment here online or give our professionals a call to get started today!