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Your car tires are the only part of your car in contact with the surface. These four relatively narrow pieces of rubber support the weight of your car and allow you to move. For your safety, and that of your passengers and other drivers, it's vital that your tires are always in good condition. Tires can age, and surface conditions can cause wear and tear. When you need new tires, your Chevy dealer can help you with the best tires for your make and model. Do You Need New Tires From Your Chevy Dealer? Lincoln Penny Test This classic test gives a good indication of the condition of the tread on your tires. Every tire has tread, and these raised sections allow your tires to get a firm grip on the surface. Over time, your tire tread will wear down as the tread is abraded by surface conditions. The thinner your tread becomes, the more difficult it is for your tires to grip the surface. The penny test indicates the depth of your tread. Take a Lincoln penny, then turn it upside down and place it in the thinnest part of your tread. If you can see only part of Lincoln's face, your tread is safe. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tread is less than 2/32", and the tread is very thin. For safety, any tires with a tread that thin should be replaced ASAP. more Bulges in the Sidewall Your tires are made from a center steel band with thick nylon supporting bands running vertically through the tread. These bands are then covered in thick rubber and vulcanized to produce a tire. The sidewalls of the tire are the sections of the tire that face outwards. These sections of your tires are made from thinner rubber, as they don't need the reinforcing the tread sections do. This thin rubber of the sidewall can be a problem if they suffer damage. Contact of the sidewall with the curb can pinch the rubber, and this can lead to a bulge forming on the sidewall. A sidewall bulge is dangerous, as it becomes a weakness in the tire. The bulge can give way and cause your tire to blow out. If this happens when you're traveling at speed, it can lead to a serious accident. Driving on a Donut Your spare tire, or donut, is not recommended for long-term use. It's intended to allow you to get to a dealer and fit a regular replacement tire. There's an old saying that a donut is good for 50 or 50. This means the donut should be used for driving for 50 miles or 50 minutes. Donuts tend to be smaller than your regular tires, and they are made from lower-quality rubber. Don't trust your long-term safety to a donut, it will let you down. It's important to replace the donut as soon as you can. If your tires are showing signs of wear, call us ASAP at Bommarito Chevrolet South County.

Winter driving is highly hazardous, and you need the right tires to give you the traction you need on wet and icy road surfaces. A set of good-quality snow tires will provide you with the grip you need for safe steering, cornering, and braking on snow, sleet, and ice. Below your Chevy dealer gives you tips for choosing the right winter tires to ensure your safety in freezing winter weather. Advice From Your Chevy Dealer: 4 Tips for Choosing Winter Tires for Your Chevy 1. Choose Tires for Your Winter Driving Conditions Choosing the correct type of tires for the winter conditions you drive in is crucial. Fitting a set of good-quality snow tires are not just a precautionary measure; it's vital for traction on the ice and snow. All-season tires are perfect to use throughout the year if you only have to navigate wet and muddy roads, but if you drive in severe winter conditions on sleet and ice, you need a set of snow tires to give you maximum traction. Snow tires are more effective in harsher winter weather and ensure a shorter braking distance and increase handling on slippery road surfaces. 2. Check the Rubber, Grooves, and Sipes The rubber composition on snow tires is more flexible and softer in freezing temperatures. When the temperature falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, you need a set of snow tires with deep grooves for traction and wide sipes to channel water away. The deep grooves in snow tires direct the ice away from the tire for continued contact with the road. The sipes or slits you see in snow tires prevent skidding and give you that extra grip. The increased traction ensures safe braking and cornering on wet and slippery roads in winter conditions. more 3. Look Out for the Snow Tire Symbols When you pick tires for use in winter, look on the tires' sidewalls for symbols that indicate which conditions a tire is best suited to. Tires designed for use in winter have a three-peak mountain and snowflake and the M+S symbols on the sidewalls. The M+S Symbol If you drive in moderate winter conditions, tires with the M+S symbol will give you the necessary traction for braking, steering, and cornering. If you drive on snow, sleet, and ice, you will need extra traction. The Three-Peak Mountain and Snowflake Symbol If you drive in harsh winter conditions, choose snow tires that give you the traction you need. The tires are specifically engineered to provide the traction required to perform well on freezing roads covered in sleet and ice and have been tested and certified for severe winter conditions. Look out for a symbol on the sidewall that looks like three mountain peaks with a snowflake in the middle. 4. Purchase a Complete Set of Snow Tires Buy a set of snow tires and always mount snow tires on all four wheels to ensure the same traction level to increase stability and safety. If you mount tires with different traction capabilities, it will affect your handling and braking performance. If you only fit snow tires on the front of your car, it will increase the risk of the rear tires skidding. If you only change the rear tires to snow tires, your front tires will lose traction. Mount a set of snow tires to give you the necessary traction when you need it most on freezing winter roads. To ensure your safety on the roads in winter, visit Bommarito Chevrolet South County today for top-quality snow tires and expert installations performed by qualified Chevrolet technicians.

The alternator in your car keeps your battery charged and supplies power to your electrical system. It does this by converting mechanical energy generated by your car's movement into electrical energy. Without an alternator, the battery would go dead and the electrical system wouldn't work. Alternators have a fairly long lifespan, but they will wear out. As your Chevy dealer in St. Louis, MO, we can help you when you need an alternator repair. How to Tell When Your Chevy Needs an Alternator Repair by Your Chevy Dealer in St. Louis, MO Check Engine Light Stays On This light should go on when you start your car and then switch off. If the light stays on, it is a warning that something is wrong with your engine. There is not necessarily a fault with your alternator, but it is one of the components we will check. The warning code displayed will reveal the problem, and then we will fix it. Dead Battery The battery provides power to start the engine and it has an average lifespan of 3-5 years, after which it should be replaced. If your battery is fairly new and it dies, one potential reason is that the alternator is weakening and is no longer charging it. more Electrical Glitches A dying alternator tries and fails to supply enough electrical power to the system. Strange electrical glitches can appear, for example, windshield wipers may become sluggish or the power windows can stick in the open or closed position. These problems appear randomly, but they will become more frequent and more serious as the alternator fails. Electrical Cable Problems Electrical cables snake through the engine compartment to connect the electrical system. If these cables are damaged, they may not be able to effectively transmit power. The alternator can be working correctly but as it tries to force more electricity through the damaged wires, they will heat up. If you smell burning wiring, contact our service department. Unusual Noises Every driver is familiar with their car's sounds, but if you hear strange sounds from the engine this can mean that your alternator is starting to wear out. A knocking sound in the engine, for example, could be the sound of a loose alternator belt hitting other components when your car moves. Bearings on the alternator pulley can also wear out and start to make grinding noises. Starting Problems The battery provides the power to start the ignitor, but if your alternator is failing it may not be able to fully recharge your battery. The battery will drain, and may no longer have enough power to easily start your car. A delay in starting could be the result of a damaged alternator, a weak battery, or even an ignition problem. If you suspect your alternator is failing, call our service department at Bommarito Chevrolet South County. Our expert technicians will be happy to examine your alternator, and if it needs to be replaced we will fit a new OEM one for you.

There comes a time in every car owner's life when a part is going to need to be replaced. If that time has come for you, you might be wondering where you should get your parts replaced. Here's why you should get your Chevy parts from your St. Louis, MO Chevrolet dealer. 4 Reasons to Replace Your Chevy Parts at Your St. Louis, MO Chevrolet Dealer 1. You'll Get OEM Parts One of the best things about getting replacement parts from your dealership is that you can count on these parts being the right ones for your car. When you look for car parts, you have two options: aftermarket parts and original equipment manufacturer parts. Aftermarket parts come in a range of different qualities, and you'll need to make sure you're doing your research when you buy them to make sure you're getting the right ones. But when you get OEM parts from your dealer, you'll know you're getting the right parts for your car. 2. The Mechanics Are Experts Corner mechanics work with a wide variety of brands and models. Unfortunately, that usually means that they only know the basics about many of the brands that they work with. If you need some more complex work on your vehicle, going to your dealer is your best bet. The mechanics at your local dealership work exclusively with your brand of vehicle. That means they know exactly what your car needs, and they'll make sure that your vehicle gets the expert touch that it deserves. more 3. Service Will Be Fast When you need to get a part replaced and you bring it to a corner mechanic, you may need to leave your vehicle there for a long time. Even for simple replacements, you might end up having to leave your car with the mechanics for a couple of days. But dealerships have the resources and tools that they need to make sure that you're getting service and repairs that are fast and effective. If you only need a minor part replaced or an easy repair, then you'll only need to leave your car with the mechanics for a few hours. 4. Excellent Customer Service There are plenty of mechanics that offer great customer service, but you may have experienced some pretty poor service with certain ones. Getting good customer service is an important part of getting your car repaired. But sometimes it can be hard to find a mechanic that will offer you the friendly, patient service you need. Dealerships are proud of the products that they offer, and they're also proud of the services that they provide. That's why they'll work hard to provide you with customer service that will go above and beyond your expectations. If your car needs a part replaced, it's important to make sure you're going to someone that you can trust to do the repair. The mechanics at your local dealership will be more than happy to offer you high-quality parts and service. Visit us today at Bommarito Chevrolet South County to get your next repair.

Brake servicing is a vital part of your vehicle's maintenance, so you need to get a brake repair as soon as anything seems wrong. Your brakes will take care of you if you take care of them, so learn the signs that something is amiss. Visit your St Louis, MO Chevy dealer when you have a problem. Top 6 Signs Your Chevy Needs a Brake Repair From Your St Louis, MO Chevy Dealer 1. Your Brake Light Is On In some models, your brake light will switch on when it's time for a regular checkup on your brakes. However, it can also switch on when something is going wrong in your vehicle. Both causes warrant an immediate visit to the dealer, so be sure to make your way over ASAP. 2. Your Brakes Start Squealing New noises caused by your brakes aren't always cause for alarm. You might have a pebble or some other debris lodged in your brakes. However, it could also be your brake pad wear indicators making themselves known. The brake pads may have worn down and exposed a piece of metal that scratches against the rotors to create this squealing noise. It will often sound like a high-pitched, metallic shrieking. You need your brake pads replaced as soon as possible to ensure your vehicle stays in good condition. more 3. Your Brakes Start Grinding Grinding noises are always bad news. There's likely something scraping against a metal contact point, and that's going to cause further damage if you ignore it. Get yourself to the dealer as soon as you can, and be sure to have highly trained experts examine and repair your brakes. 4. Your Vehicle Vibrates or Wobbles When You Brake If your vehicle or steering wheel starts vibrating or wobbling when you use the brake pedal, then your rotor may be uneven. The problem will get worse if you ignore it, so you'll need to repair it as soon as you can. 5. Your Vehicle Is Leaking Fluid Brake fluid creates hydraulic pressure against the brake caliper, so you won't be able to stop if your vehicle has too little brake fluid in it. You need to check on your brake fluid level often, and stop by your dealer if you notice your fluid level is too low. If you're fluid level drops rapidly, then you may have a brake fluid leak. 6. Your Brakes Feel Soft If your brakes feel soft when you use them, then there may be moisture or air in your braking system. You might also have an issue with your master cylinder. Your brakes will often become less responsive after they become soft, so get to the dealer for a repair as soon as possible. You really don't want your brakes to become less responsive, as it will put you in immediate danger. Have you noticed any of the problems above in your vehicle? It's time to repair those brakes. Stop by Bommarito Chevrolet South County so we can fix you right up!

Whether you're gearing up for your next road trip or just taking the kids to practice, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is the SUV that can do it all. There are several different trim levels for this exciting SUV, and each provides its own benefits. Take a look at our guide to the different trim levels available for the Traverse to help you make your decision. Trim Levels of the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse Traverse L A nine-speed automatic transmission makes the base trim level of the Traverse a whole lot of fun to drive. Standard tech features in the Traverse L include a rear vision camera that provides an extra level of awareness of your surroundings. Traverse LS Deep-tinted rear windows give the Traverse LS a dark and bold look that will never go unnoticed. 18-inch bright silver-painted aluminum wheels help you stand out from the crowd even further. There's also a driver mode selector that helps you optimize your torque, suspension, and more for the situation at hand. Traverse LT Cloth An eight-way power-adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support lets you achieve personalized comfort when you're behind the wheel of your Traverse LT. Standard seven-passenger and available eight-passenger seating let you bring the whole crew along for the ride with you. more Traverse LT Leather Enjoy all the features you get from the Traverse LT Cloth with the addition of a premium leather interior from the Traverse LT Leather. The LT trim level also includes a rear power liftgate with programmable height adjustment settings that help to make loading up your cargo a hassle-free experience. Traverse RS Increase the level of safety you expect when you're driving with the full Chevy Safety Assist suite of features included on the Traverse RS, with features like automatic emergency braking to help you keep yourself and your passengers secure. This trim level also comes with amenities like heated driver and front passenger seats, as well as stylish exterior accents such as the signature black ice grille. Traverse Premier A heated steering wheel and heated second-row captain's chairs will keep you warm on even the coldest winter drives. There's also a wireless charging station that helps you and your passengers keep your devices up and running when you're on the go without any tangled cords involved. Traverse High Country Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking features help the Traverse High Country deliver you the highest level of driver assistance. There's also a SkyScape power tilt-sliding sunroof and a rear skylight with sunscreen that work together to let in plenty of natural light and provide some unforgettable views on your next road trip. If you still need a little help picking between these different trim levels, come on in to our dealership and let our informed team help you make the right choice on which Traverse is right for you. We're standing by to assist you in finding your next dream vehicle. Stop on in at Bommarito Chevrolet South County today and we'll help you out!