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Car maintenance is a simple process for drivers who want to maintain their cars in between trips to the dealer, save time and money, and avoid expensive repairs. If you prefer to have your dealership handle the maintenance because you feel out of your depth, your GMC dealer can help you, too. Dealer technicians will keep comprehensive records of all your services, use approved filters and fluids, and make sure every part of your vehicle is in good working order. 4 Car Maintenance Tips From Your Buick GMC Dealer 1. Fluids Regularly check your fluids and replace them when they are depleted or dirty. Oil is the most important fluid because it helps your engine avoid friction and heat, major causes of engine wear. When checking your oil, check it at least once a month. If you must change the oil, most manufacturers recommend changing it every 3,000 miles, so check the manual to make sure. Take your vehicle to the dealer if you don't feel comfortable changing fluids. Other fluids you want to check are brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant. If any of these fluids are low, add the correct fluid based on your owner's manual. If you notice a spot on the ground from any of these fluids, it is a good idea to take your vehicle to the dealer and schedule service so the technicians can find the source of the leak and fix it. This will help you avoid future problems. 2. Lights Check the outside lights, including your fog lights and high and low beam lights. Some cars may have a special tool that allows you to easily change these lights. Otherwise, you should visit the dealership mechanic to do this for you. Brake lights and blinkers are also important. Making sure these parts work ensures the safety of you and your passengers. 3. Tire Pressure Tire pressure should also be checked regularly because low tire pressure will affect fuel efficiency. Properly inflated tires control tire wear and help avoid problems with vehicle alignment. Make sure to check the pressures in your tires at least once per month when you check your fluids.  It is also important to check the spare tire as well. 4. Battery Batteries are another important part of your vehicle that should be checked regularly. Batteries should be replaced every four or five years. Cold weather can lead to weakened batteries. Fortunately, dealers will test batteries for free, so take advantage of this service to get your batteries checked. Having them tested is a good idea to avoid getting stuck when the vehicle won't start. Regular routine maintenance is important because it saves you from expensive repairs and helps your vehicle last longer. Visit us at Crain Buick GMC to schedule your next maintenance on your Buick or GMC vehicle.

Engine problems are the last thing any driver wants to consider. Most drivers imagine that any problem with the engine is expensive and time-consuming to fix. Fortunately, most problems can be quickly and inexpensively fixed if they're identified when they start. Your GMC dealership can fix any possible issue for you. These are some examples of problems we can repair for you. 3 Engine Problems You Should Only Get Fixed at Your GMC Dealership Blocked Radiator The radiator is responsible for removing the heat from your engine. It does this by heat exchange, as the heat generated by your engine is swapped for cooler outside air. This heat exchange occurs in the thin metal tubes in the front of the radiator. Liquid coolant in your engine absorbs the heat and transfers it to the radiator. The coolant, however, also absorbs rust, dirt, and other debris in your engine. This debris is left behind in the radiator when the coolant recirculates through your engine. In time, this debris can build up and block the tubes and radiator hoses. These blockages will prevent your engine from cooling, and the temperature will rise. Our technicians can find and clear the blockage. Starting Problems If your engine has difficulty starting, these problems can be caused by four separate issues. You may have a blocked catalytic converter, a worn battery, a damaged alternator, or a faulty starter solenoid. The battery provides the charge to the starter solenoid to start your engine. If the battery is weak, it may not produce enough power to charge the solenoid. If the solenoid is damaged, it can't fire the starter motor, can your engine won't crank. The alternator provides power for all your car's electrical systems. A damaged alternator may not produce enough power to recharge the battery. Finally, a blocked converter will cause the exhaust fumes to flow back into your engine. These fumes will prevent the spark plugs from sparking, and your engine will die in seconds. Our technicians will find the cause of the problem and repair it. Electrical Problems Most of the systems in your car require electricity. The alternator is responsible for producing all the electrical power for your car. This component has a relatively long life of approximately eight years. As the alternator ages, however, it will produce less power. The lack of power will cause problems for a wide variety of systems. If there isn't enough power available, your computer will have to shift the available power as needed. This shifting power will cause random electrical glitches. Our technicians can test your alternator and replace it if it's failing. If you experience any problems with your engine, call us immediately at Crain Buick GMC.

Accidents do happen, but no one wants to be a part of one. The most important thing is that both you and anyone riding with you are safe, but you also want to be sure your vehicle gets back to working order quickly: and for that, you need a quality collision repair. The technicians, technology, and parts at your Buick GMC dealer can restore your vehicle to its original state. Below we explain how Buick repair works for drivers unfamiliar with the process. How to Get a Quality Collision Repair: Visit Your GMC Dealer Arrival and Check-in Our repair center is a safe place to come if you're shaken up by the experience of being in an accident. Once you're relaxed, we'll ensure we have all of your car's details so we can check it in. Also, we will need the details of your insurance company if they will arrange for the repair. As soon as we receive the information, we can take you home, and you can relax knowing your vehicle will be taken care of. We will visually inspect your car while you are in our offices. To determine if damage needs to be repaired, our technicians will examine the damage carefully and critically. A complete visual inspection is accompanied by a careful report on what needs to be done to fix your car. Disassembly Following the visual inspection of your vehicle, it will be thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt or debris. It will be easier to determine the degree of damage after this washing. After that, the damaged parts will be removed. The car's structural integrity will be carefully examined. Using paint details collected by our paint team, we can match your GMC or Buick's color perfectly. We will send you or your insurance company a detailed breakdown of the repairs and their cost. We will also work with your insurance company to expedite the process. Repairs Upon receiving approval from either you or your insurance company, we will assemble the necessary replacement parts. A time estimate for the completion of the repairs will be provided to you and you will be kept informed of the work progress. Any damage to the body of your car will be repaired by our technicians and corrosion protection will be applied. Painting This stage involves assembling all the parts that need to be painted and preparing the parts and the vehicle for painting. Using the right color will allow the new parts to blend seamlessly. All parts and sections of your car requiring it will receive a basecoat and clear coat application. Reassembly Your car will be equipped with the new parts it needs. Upon completion of your car's assembly and testing, our quality control team will inspect it to verify that all repairs have been completed to GMC Buick standards. Collecting Your Buick Repair From the Dealer When your car has passed quality control, we will contact you to notify you that it is ready to be picked up. As soon as you approve the work and confirm your satisfaction, your car will be ready to drive away! If you need repairs to your car, visit us at Crain Buick GMC to get the help you need.