Category: Resource

It can be hard to keep up with all of the care that your vehicle needs. When a light comes on in your dashboard or a mechanic lets you know you are due for a new service, this can surface lots of questions. One common source of service confusion is the coolant flush. Thankfully, Chapel Hill Tire has you covered. Here is a look at the answers to all of your common coolant flush questions. 

Is it Really Necessary to Flush Coolant?

Perhaps the most common question surrounding this service is, “Are coolant flushes really necessary?” The short answer is YES.

Your engine creates friction and heat in order to run properly. However, your engine is also made of metal pieces, which are malleable and vulnerable when heated. Extensive heat can cause a blown radiator, cracked gasket head, warped cylinder, and melted seals, among numerous other serious, dangerous, and expensive issues. To protect your engine from this heat, your radiator contains coolant that absorbs excess heat. Over time, your coolant will become worn out, burnt, and contaminated, causing it to lose its cooling properties. While you might not like hearing that you are due for an extra service, coolant flushes are necessary for a safe and healthy vehicle. 

Does Coolant Matter During Cold Weather?

As we approach the fall and winter temperatures, you may become increasingly tempted to ignore coolant services. Does coolant matter in the cold weather? Yes—the friction and power of your engine generate heat year-round. While the summer temperatures certainly do intensify engine heating, coolant is still incredibly important in the winter. Additionally, coolant contains antifreeze, which will protect your engine from the dangers of cold temperatures. 

What is the Difference Between Coolant and Radiator Fluid?

When reading your owner’s manual or various resources online, you might find “coolant” and “radiator fluid” terms used interchangeably. So are they the same thing? Yes! Radiator fluid and coolant are different names for the same material. You might also find it referenced as “radiator coolant,” which offers the best of both worlds.  

Is Coolant the Same as Antifreeze?

Another common question that drivers ask—“Is antifreeze the same thing as coolant?” No, these two are not quite the same. Rather, coolant is the substance used to regulate the temperature of your engine. Antifreeze is the substance within your coolant that prevents freezing in the winter. You might find some sources that refer to coolant as providing cooling properties only; however, since the coolant often contains antifreeze, it has widely become a general term that encompasses both. 

How Frequently Are Coolant Flushes Needed?

Generally speaking, a coolant flush is often needed every five years or 30,000-40,000 miles. However, coolant flush cadence can be impacted by your driving patterns, local climate, vehicle age, make, and model, as well as other factors. Consult your owner’s manual or a local professional for insight on whether or not you are due for a coolant flush. 

Additionally, you can look for signs of a needed coolant flush. These include a sweet maple syrup car smell and vehicle engine overheating. Take a closer look at these and other signs of a needed coolant flush here. 

How Much Does a Coolant Flush Cost?

Many mechanics try to hide their prices from customers, which can create questions, confusion, and unpleasant surprises. While we cannot speak for the costs you will face at other mechanic shops, Chapel Hill Tire offers transparent pricing for every coolant flush and other services. Our coolant flushes cost $161.80, which includes the safe disposal of your contaminated fluid, professional-grade cleaning of your cooling system to remove rust and sludge, high-quality new coolant, coolant conditioner to keep it preserved, and a visual inspection of your entire cooling system. 

Chapel Hill Tire: Local Coolant Flush

When you are due for your next coolant flush, visit one of Chapel Hill Tire’s eight Triangle-area locations, including our mechanics in Raleigh, Durham, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill. Our professionals will help you drive happy by getting you in, out, and on your way with fresh coolant. Make your coolant flush appointment today to get started!

When it comes to buying new tires, you want to ensure that you get the right tires for you at a great price. This investment can help improve your fuel efficiency, upgrade your driving experience, and keep you safe on the road. How. So what is the best way to get to the tires you need? Here is a look at the 3 most common options for tire shopping. 

Buying Tires In-Store: The Local Tire Shop Experience

If you feel uncertain about what you are looking for in new tires or how to get started, a local tire shop can help put you at ease and guide you through this decision. At a tire shop, you can speak one-on-one with local experts for insight. This gives you professional expertise, answers to all of your questions, and support throughout each stage of the buying process. Best of all, once you have found your tires, an expert can get them changed for you, making it a convenient one-stop process. If you are looking for ways to protect your wallet and your investment, you can also speak with an expert about available protection plans, warranties, and discounts that may be available. 

Buying Tires Online: Convenience and Control

Some drivers have a little more experience with tire buying and may be looking for a more streamlined purchasing process. If you want more convenience and control over your buying experience, online tire shopping may be the best route for you. One benefit of buying tires online is that you can easily access additional information. It is simple to read through reviews and connect with tire experts online or by phone with any questions you may have. You can also use online tools, like the Tire Finder, to match your vehicle with potential tire options. Adding filters by size and features allows you to easily narrow down your search results and find exactly what you are looking for. 

Dealership Tires: Think Before You Buy

Many drivers are tempted to buy their tires from the dealership that sold them the car (some drivers even think this is their only option). However, you should know that you can often find lower prices and better deals when you explore beyond the dealership lot. Dealerships often offer a more limited selection of tires at higher prices. If you are looking for proof, ask for a price estimate and compare it with that of your local tire providers. At a shop like Chapel Hill Tire, we are so sure that our prices will beat out the dealerships’ and other competitors that we offer a Price Beat Guarantee. 

Chapel Hill Tire: Your Local Tire Shop

When you are ready to buy new tires, visit the experts at Chapel Hill Tire. We have a vast selection of available tires sure to meet the needs of your car, truck, SUV, or crossover. Our experts even offer a Price Beat Guarantee to ensure that you get the best possible price on your new tires. We work hard to ensure an upgraded customer experience, both online and in-store. Make your appointment at one of our 8 Triangle-area locations (including tires in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Carrboro) or shop online today to get started!

Your vehicle’s lights are designed to help you stay safe, promote visibility, and communicate your vehicle’s movements with other cars on the road. Whether it is a dead headlight, a bad brake light, or a burnt-out turn signal bulb, missing one of your vehicle lights could create a serious accident. This is why having a dead bulb is a quick way to earn a ticket or fail your vehicle safety inspection. Here is everything you need to know about vehicle light services and what you can do when one of your bulbs goes dark. 

Turn Signal Bulb Replacements

I think it is safe to say that nobody enjoys an encounter with someone who doesn’t use their turn signals. This is for good reasons, as failure to indicate can create confusion on the road or cause an accident. However, even if you consistently use your turn signal, it will not be effective without a bright turn signal bulb. 

You can check your turn signal bulbs regularly by simply parking your car at home or another safe space. Next, press each of your turn signals individually or turn on your emergency lights to set them both off at the same time. Exit your vehicle and make sure that all of your turn signal bulbs are functioning and bright—including the bulbs on the rear and front ends of your vehicle. When you notice a bulb dimming, it is essential to get it replaced before it has the chance to burn out completely. 

Brake Light Bulb Replacement

It is best not to wait until you’re rear-ended before discovering that your brake lights are out. However, checking your brake lights is often more challenging than checking your turn signal lights. If possible, it is easiest to check your brake lights when you have someone’s help. Have a friend, partner, neighbor, co-worker, or family member press the brakes while you inspect the back of the car. If you can’t find someone to help you check your brakes, you may consider driving to a nearby mechanic. The experts at Chapel Hill Tire will check your brake lights for you for free to see if you are due for a new bulb.

Headlight Bulb Replacement

Unlike your brake lights or turn signal bulbs, issues with your headlights are incredibly easy to detect. This is because headlight issues should be apparent to you when you are driving at night. Has one of your lights gone dark? Driving with a single headlight presents serious safety issues and could earn you a ticket, which makes headlight bulb replacement a top priority. Thankfully, this service is quick, simple, and affordable. 

Keep in mind that headlight dimming does not always mean that your bulbs are going out. Headlights are made of acrylic, which can begin to oxidize over time as it is exposed to the sun’s UV rays. The oxidation gives your headlights a foggy, opaque, or yellowish tint. This is made worse by the dirt, dust, chemicals, and debris that can build up on your headlights over time. If your headlights are dimming out and your bulbs are in good condition, you may need headlight restoration. This service involves professional-grade cleaning and protection for your headlights to bring them back to life. 

What to do When a Vehicle Bulb Goes Out

It is essential to get your bulb replaced as soon as an issue arises. If you know your way around a car, your owner’s manual will detail bulb replacement processes that you can follow. However, the wiring, bulbs, and pieces surrounding your lights are often fragile and may be dangerous for inexperienced hands. Depending on your type of vehicle, this service might also require specialty tools. All of this is to say, vehicle bulb replacement is best left up to an expert. 

It is also important to note that your vehicle is a balanced machine, so every light has a pair between the left and right sides. In most cases, both lights in each pair were installed at the same time with the same type of bulbs. While this is not always the case, chances are that if one headlight, brake light, or turn signal light goes dark, its pair is not far behind. Many drivers choose to have the second bulb replaced to ensure that they will not be left immediately returning to the mechanic for the same service. 

Chapel Hill Tire Light Services

If you are due for a bulb replacement or light service, bring your vehicle to the experts at Chapel Hill Tire. We proudly offer these services through our eight Triangle-area mechanic locations, including Durham, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh. Make your bulb replacement appointment here online or give us a call today to get started!

Are you finding yourself having a hard time seeing during the rain? Effective windshield wipers are essential to both your safety and the safety of others on the road. While you may not think twice about your wiper blade health until an issue arises, thinking ahead could save you a lot of trouble. This leaves drivers with questions, such as “When do I need to change my wiper blades?” Chapel Hill Tire has the answers here to your common questions about windshield wiper blade replacements. 

How Often Should I Change My Wiper Blades?

Many drivers make the mistake of waiting until their wiper blades are coming undone before having them replaced. For full effectiveness, your wiper blades need to be changed twice each year. This can be impacted, however, by your wiper blade brand quality, your usage patterns, and other external factors. If you are unsure whether or not you need new wiper blades, bring your vehicle by an expert for insight.  

Do I Need New Windshield Wiper Blades?

Beyond just the twice-yearly replacement cadence, you can easily look for additional signs that your wiper blades need to be switched out. 

• Ineffective wiper blades: Perhaps most obviously, the first and most prominent sign that you need new wiper blades is that they have become ineffective. Poor-functioning wipers are a sign that you are past due for replacements. 
• Visual declination: You can also visually inspect your wipers for signs of declination, including tearing, rubber rot, and rusting beneath the rubber. These issues will render your windshield wipers incapable of proper functioning. 
• Irregularities during use: Your wiper blades should swipe smoothly across the glass when you use them. If you notice any squeaking, streaking, or bouncing, this is a sign that you are due for new wiper blades. 

When it comes to replacing your windshield wiper blades, it is always better safe than sorry. Waiting too long for this vehicle service can leave you facing hazards on the road. 

Dangers of Waiting on Wiper Blade Replacements

Inclement weather can strike at any moment, and it is essential that you are ready. If you wait too long to get your wiper blades replaced, you could find yourself without the tools you need to safely drive in these conditions. In a best-case scenario, this could leave you waiting under an overpass for the rain to clear. In a worst-case scenario, you could create an accident or cause harm on the road.

Windshield wipers (paired with windshield wiper fluid) also work to clear away unexpected impairments that may obstruct your vision, including bugs, dirt, and more. For all of these reasons, wiper blade issues can also cause you to fail your vehicle safety inspection. 

How Much Do New Wiper Blades Cost?

While we can’t speak for other mechanics, Chapel Hill Tire offers transparent pricing to take the guesswork and the deception out of service visits. New windshield wipers only cost $9.95-$14.95 at Chapel Hill Tire, depending on the brand and type you need. Best of all, this cost includes expert installation. 

What Makes Wiper Blades Decline?

Like any other vehicle part, your wiper blades require care and maintenance. Wiper blades can become damaged by ice and overnight freezing during the winter. During the warmer months, your wipers can also be warped by the sun and the heat. These stressors accelerate the standard wear and tear that your wiper blades will experience during regular usage. 

Chapel Hill Tire Local Wiper Blade Replacement

Here at Chapel Hill Tire, we install trusted wiper blade brands, such as Michelin, so that our customers can drive with confidence. Our professionals will inspect your wiper blades and install new, high-quality wipers that perfectly fit your vehicle. Make an appointment with your nearest Chapel Hill Tire mechanic location to get started today!

If your vehicle is your prized possession, chances are that you want to try to make your car last forever. While “forever” may be a stretch, there are easy ways to keep your car lasting as long as possible. Here is a look at 5 tips that can help you preserve your vehicle, brought to you by the local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire.

Vehicle Preservation Tip 1: Maintenance Flushes

While many drivers tend to dismiss the necessity of maintenance flushes, they are essential to the health of your vehicle. If you want to help your car last longer, they become even more necessary. Your vehicle relies on several different liquid solutions for proper functioning—including coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and more. Over time, these solutions become worn, depleted, and contaminated, making it essential that they are cleaned and replenished with regular maintenance flushes. 

Vehicle Preservation Tip 2: Consistent Oil Changes

Some vehicle services are needed more consistently than others. Perhaps the most frequently-needed service in any car is an oil change. It can be easy to push your oil change off for as long as possible, but this can shorten the lifespan of your vehicle significantly. To keep your vehicle lasting longer, you need to maintain your manufacturer-recommended oil change routine.

Vehicle Preservation Tip 3: Park in the Garage

Harsh environmental factors can take their toll on your vehicle’s health. This includes extreme heat, cold, precipitation, and more. You can protect your vehicle from these stressors by simply parking in a protected spot, such as a garage. If you do not have a garage available to you, parking in a shaded spot or slipping on a vehicle covering when it is not in use may also help prevent damage from the elements. 

Vehicle Preservation Tip 4: Quick Repairs

As you continue to drive your vehicle, it is likely to eventually run into a problem. Quick repairs are essential to preserving your vehicle and keeping service costs low. The longer that you ride out a problem your car is facing, the worse it may become. Because all of your vehicle systems work together for proper functioning, one needed repair can quickly spread into other vehicle issues when left unattended. To keep your vehicle lasting longer, bring it in for a repair at the first signs of an issue. 

Vehicle Preservation Tip 5: Matching Driving Patterns with Maintenance

It is no secret that your driving patterns will impact your vehicle’s health and longevity. If you drive frequently, you should service your vehicle more frequently. It is also important to factor in the road conditions in your area. Dirt roads, for example, can cause excess engine dust and extra needed filter replacements. Bumpy, uneven, and pothole-filled roads may require more frequent tire replacements, tire rotations, and tire alignments. 

Conversely, it is also essential that you do not let your vehicle sit for too long without proper care. Car batteries and engine oil both deteriorate more rapidly when your vehicle is not in use. Leaving your vehicle sitting for too long can also rot its rubber components, which includes everything from your tires to your engine belts. You also risk rusted parts when your vehicle remains sitting for an extended period of time while exposed to moisture. Here is a full overview from our experts on the risks of a dormant car. 

Chapel Hill Tire Local Vehicle Service

If you need help keeping your car in lasting shape, visit your nearest Chapel Hill Tire mechanic location for leading vehicle service. Our experts are skilled in all of the services needed to help your car last longer. Make an appointment at one of our eight Triangle-area locations to get started today.

We all know that trucks and large SUVs have extensive towing capabilities. However, compact cars can also benefit from a hitch. While you may not need to tow another vehicle or a large trailer, hitch installations can do wonders for the capacity of compact cars. Here is a look at everything you can do with a trailer hitch on your small or mid-sized vehicle. 

Trailer Hitch for Bike Racks

Perhaps the most common use of trailer hitches on small cars is for bike rack attachments. If you drive a compact car, chances are that your bike won’t fit inside. To take it along on your next adventure, you need a bike rack, which can easily attach to your car’s trailer hitch. 

Trailer Hitch Help for Canoes, Surfboards, and Paddleboards

For adventurers with a small car, lugging around canoes, paddleboards, surfboards, and other water accessories can feel challenging. If you are looking for a way to stabilize your transportation, a trailer hitch may be the solution you are looking for. Hitch attachments are available to give your compact car the extra support it needs. They provide a centralized security point at the back of your vehicle, perfect for tying down your surfboard, canoe, or paddleboard. 

Small Cargo Carriers

Do you have large cargo needs and a compact trunk? If your trunk space simply isn’t cutting it, a small cargo carrier can pick up the slack. These attachments connect to your trailer hitch to give you some extra room. Whether you are hitting the road for an adventure or gearing up for a move, small cargo carriers can help. 

Fun and Useful Trailer Hitch Attachments

Trailer hitches are designed for utility, and many manufacturers have gotten creative with their capabilities. Fun and useful trailer hitch attachments are available to help solve common problems faced on the road. Do you frequently lock your keys inside your car? Trailer hitch key vaults are ideal for you—they hold a spare key protected by a coded lock. Do you need an extra seat while camping? Trailer hitch hammock and chair attachments may be the perfect solution. 

Does My Car Need a Trailer Hitch? 

Many compact car drivers mistakenly believe that their vehicles are unable to tow—especially because they do not come with a trailer hitch pre-installed. However, most small cars can tow between 1,000-2,000lbs, which is enough to sustain small attachments like those listed here. You can find exact towing details for your car in your owner’s manual. 

You should not let the lack of a trailer hitch deter you from adventuring with ease. They are easy for experts to add to almost any car, crossover, SUV, or truck. 

Small Car Trailer Hitch Installation 

Are you ready to gear up with a trailer hitch installation? Visit your nearest Chapel Hill Tire location. Our experts are skilled and experienced in attaching trailer hitches to compact cars, large trucks, and everything in between. Make your appointment here online or give us a call today to get started!