How Often Should You Get an Oil Change from Your GMC Dealer?

There are many car electrical problems that can happen throughout your car's life, and these should always be repaired at the GMC dealer, as the dealership employs mechanics who are always up-to-date on how to diagnose and repair the latest GMC models. Let's look at some of the most common problems that you'll need to head to the dealer to fix. Photo by: Julia Avamotive via pexels.com more 1. A Dead Battery Your battery is the backbone of your car's entire electrical system. Without it, none of the car's electrical components can work at all. When a battery is faulty, it can sometimes be repaired, but most damaged batteries will need to be replaced. Old batteries also need to be replaced to keep your car running in top shape, so make sure you get yours replaced at your dealer regularly. 2. A Failing Alternator Your alternator is your battery's best friend. It charges the battery while you drive and converts mechanical energy into electric energy. When the alternator is failing, you'll notice your car having various electrical issues. Your headlights could waver between being too dim and too bright, your engine could stall, and many more issues can crop up when the alternator is faulty. 3. A Broken Starter Motor The starter motor is a small but essential part of your car's electrical system. The battery powers this motor, and the motor, in turn, switches on your car's combustion engine. Even if your battery and engine are working fine, your car won't be able to start if the starter motor itself is broken. You'll hear a click when you turn the key and have a broken starter motor, but the car won't start. 4. A Faulty Fuse Box Most of the time, the fuse box won't need to be replaced during your car's lifespan. The fuses inside may blow occasionally, but those are cheap and easy to replace. However, if your fuses become loose, the fuse box develops water staining, or your fuses start to blow regularly for no apparent reason, then the entire fuse box might need to be replaced. 5. A Bad Spark Plug Each cylinder of your engine has a spark plug to go with it. These plugs are responsible for igniting the fuel that powers up your engine. If one of these plugs stops working properly, then you'll notice your car doesn't start as powerfully as it did before. You might also notice trouble while idling, reduced gas mileage, and inconsistent power while driving. You need to get your bad spark plug or plugs replaced at the dealer. These problems can be jarring to experience, but they're generally easy to fix. Visit Crenwelge GMC Kerrville so we can take care of these issues promptly and get you back out on the road.

Your car's has a myriad of components and numerous interconnected systems. Regular engine services are the easiest way to prevent a problem, as a service enables us to check and replace components before they wear or become damaged. Your GMC dealer in Kerrville, TX, can fix any possible problem. We'd like to give you some examples of engine problems we can repair. Photo by: Anna Shvets via pexels.com more Engine Knocking A strange knocking sound under the hood is always a sign of trouble. When your engine has the correct balance of fuel-to-air, and the spark plug ignites the mixture, it burns in a carefully regulated way. Part of the mixture ignites, which creates a shockwave that ignites another part of the mixture, and the process continues until all the mixture in the cylinder has been consumed. The knocking sound is caused when the fuel-air mixture burns unevenly, and the shockwaves created as it burns happen irregularly. This sound is not only annoying, but it's a warning that you will suffer to the cylinders and pistons if the problem isn't fixed. Some causes of this problem are worn spark plugs, a build-up of carbon in the intake manifold, and low-octane fuel. We'll examine your engine to find the cause of the problem and fix it. Illuminated Warning Light There are many different warning lights on your dash. When your engine starts, all the lights illuminate and then go dark. If the engine warning light stays on, there's something wrong with your engine. The warning light doesn't identify a specific problem, but it does mean that you need to contact us ASAP, so we can investigate. We can identify the problem by connecting your car's computer to our diagnostic system. If something goes wrong, engine sensors will inform your computer, and the computer logs the problem with an error code. Once we have the error code, our expert technicians will repair the cause of the problem. Once the problem is fixed, the engine light will go dark again. Old Oil We all know that an engine needs oil. Oil lubricates all of your engine's components and helps to protect them against friction damage. Over time, engine oil accumulates dirt and minute debris, which reduces its speed. Slower moving oil can't work as effectively as it should, and it can even cause blockages in your engine. If the oil needs replacement, the oil can-shaped warning light on your dash will illuminate. This is a sign that the oil needs to be replaced. An oil change is a quick process that enables your engine to work more efficiently and prevents damage. If your engine isn't working as well as it should, call us right away at Crenwelge GMC Kerrville.

Your car battery is essential to start your car, and when your car is parked it maintains power to the alarm system, door lights, and other electrical peripherals. Modern car batteries last longer, but they will eventually wear out and no longer be able to be recharged. As your GMC dealer in Kerrville, TX, we'd like you to the signs that you may need a new car battery before the old one fails. Photo by: pixabay.com more Takes Longer to Crank the Engine Your battery is responsible for providing the power to start your engine. If your battery is good, your engine should crank and start as soon as you turn the key. If there is a delay in cranking this can be the sign of a dying battery, but it could as be a sign of a worn alternator. Your battery has a finite life, and on average it will need to be replaced every 3-5 years. As the battery ages, it becomes more difficult to recharge it and it also no longer charges to its full capacity. If your battery is at least five years old, it may not be able to maintain sufficient charge to crank your engine immediately. The battery may need several attempts to build up enough charge to crank your engine. Our technicians can easily test your battery and recommend a choice of replacement batteries if it is necessary. Check Engine Light The check engine light is a great warning sign that something is wrong with your car. Numerous sensors are attached to your car's vital components to monitor them, and the sensors detect subtle changes that you may not immediately be aware of. When a change is detected by one of the sensors, the check engine light will light up. The check engine light doesn't necessarily mean that you have a battery problem, but we advise contacting our service department so we can find and repair the source of the problem. An Old Battery As mentioned above, the average life of a battery is 3-5 years. Environmental factors and driving habits can also play a part in reducing battery life. The alternator charges the battery, but as a battery ages, it becomes more difficult to recharge. An old battery will also lose its ability to fully charge to its original level as it starts to degrade. We advise that your battery be tested at least every three years to ensure that it is functioning correctly. Our technicians will also be able to check the battery for any damage or signs of wear that could cause a potential problem at a later date. A dead battery can leave you stranded on the side of the highway with no help available. If you are in the Kerrville area, we want to make sure that never happens to you. If you experience any problems with your battery, call our service department right away at Crenwelge Motor