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FAQ on Vehicle Service and Car Care | Madison, IN

Our service center at Chandler Chevrolet is here to help your car, truck, or SUV run smoothly for years to come. We’re dedicated to serving our customers like you in Madison, Indiana, with all of your automotive needs — including answering your questions on proper vehicle maintenance. Here are answers to the most common car service questions we’re asked. 
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What major maintenance needs does my Chevy have?

All gas-powered Chevy vehicles have some key maintenance needs regardless if you drive a Silverado, Equinox, Impala, or even a Corvette. These are motor oil changes, tire rotations and alignments, brake replacements, and fluid flushes.

    How often does my car need an oil change?

    That depends on how old your car is and how many miles you drive on a monthly basis. While older cars used to require frequent oil changes, most modern vehicles can go 4,000-6,000 miles before needing an oil change. That may be every 3 months for you if you drive long distances every week, or it’s every 6 months if you don’t drive often. Either way, we don’t recommend going more than 6 months without getting fresh motor oil. 

      Why are oil changes so important?

      Motor oil is the lifeblood of your car’s engine. It helps the mechanical components move smoothly through crucial lubrication and cleansing. It gathers the gunk that forms during the combustion process. Over time, though, the liquid can become thick and coarse as contaminants gum it up. The longer it goes untreated, the worse damage the motor suffers. Clean oil returns the engine to its proper performance.

        Why is my check engine light on?

        There are many reasons this dashboard warning light can appear when you’re driving your car. It may be due to faulty parts, such as the airflow sensor or spark plugs. Crucial systems may be failing, like the catalytic convertor. Most commonly, the cause has something to do with the engine or transmission, so that’s why it’s important not to ignore this light if it appears. A service technician can plug in and find the specific cause.

          Are electric cars lower or higher maintenance?

          One of the biggest benefits of owning an EV — apart from skipping gasoline fill-ups — is the minimal maintenance that they require. An electric car isn’t powered by a combustion motor, so it doesn’t have all the same moving parts that suffer from wear and tear. The powertrain only has a few major components, namely the electric motor and battery. The only major maintenance that an EV requires is a new battery around 100,000 miles. That can get pricey, but is a fair tradeoff for skipping years of oil changes. 

            Is it better to service at a dealership?

            Yes, there are many reasons that having your car serviced at a dealership is better than going to an independent garage in Madison or doing it yourself. If you own a Chevrolet, we have the knowledge and equipment needed to perform specific tasks on Chevy vehicles. We’re training to properly work on Chevy vehicles old and new, constantly receiving new information directly from the manufacturer. Plus, we have access to official OEM parts that mirror the ones originally used on your model.

              What are OEM parts?

              This acronym refers to “original equipment manufacturer” parts, meaning these products are made by the same companies that produced the original product installed in your vehicle when it was first assembled. OEM parts are identical to the original parts for a seamless fit, which results in better performance and reliable quality. These differ from generic aftermarket parts made by other companies to imitate the original parts, which can be questionable in quality and specs.

                How often should I bring my car for maintenance? 

                Regular service appointments are crucial for your vehicle’s performance and longevity. That’s why we at Chandler Chevrolet recommend scheduling a basic checkup at least two times every year. This is cadence is frequent enough to catch major issues before they worsen and to provide oil changes and tire rotations. Need help remembering when you schedule an appointment? Call us to set up a routine maintenance reminder so we can contact you when your car is due for an appointment.

                  Why do my car’s tires need to be rotated?

                  Tire rotation is crucial for prolonging the life of your car’s tires. Swapping around their positions on the wheels helps them wear evenly rather than just in the same spots. Neglecting tire rotations will cause their treads to wear down faster and need replaced sooner. Biannual tire rotation should be part of your regular vehicle maintenance at Chandler Chevrolet. It only takes a few minutes and can add months or years to the life of the tires.

                    What repairs are covered by warranty? 

                    Every automaker’s warranty program covers different components for varying periods of time. Newer Chevrolet models carry a suite of warranties that include bumper-to-bumper limited coverage, powertrain coverage, rust and corrosion coverage, and emissions control system coverage. The specific parts covered by these warranties are listed in the warranty disclosures, but generally they’re only for manufacturer or installation defects, not normal wear and tear. 

                      Why won’t my vehicle start?

                      Your car’s engine may not start for one of several reasons. Most commonly, this is due to a dead battery that has lost its charge from age, winter chills, or overnight depletion. You can tell if a dead battery is the culprit because other parts like the wipers or radio struggle to operate. Otherwise, the cause may be a faulty starter, alternator, or spark plugs — but such ignition issues are uncommon in modern vehicles.

                        FIND YOUR NEXT VEHICLE AT CHANDLER CHEVROLET!

                        Looking for a great used vehicle? Stop into Chandler Chevrolet in Madison, Indiana, and check out what we’ve got in store.

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