Blog / Bommarito Chevrolet South County Service

Time for New Tires? Visit Your Chevy Dealer Today

April 07, 2022 · 3 min read

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.

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.

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Jun 20, 2025 in Bommarito Chevrolet South County Service

Exploring the Trim Levels of the 2025 Corvette E-Ray: Personalize Your Hybrid Supercar

The 2025 Corvette E-Ray takes motoring to new levels with its futuristic design and cutting-edge technology. This electrified Corvette is available in three trim configurations, each with unique features that help drivers personalize this hybrid supercar to their needs. Trim Levels of the 2025 Corvette E-Ray 1. 1LZ The lineup begins with the 1LZ, an impressive base model powered by the same hybrid system that drives the entire E-Ray range. At its heart is a 495-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 and an electric drive unit that powers the front wheels, making the E-Ray an electric all-wheel drive supercar that's ready for every season. The result is a combined output of 655 ponies, which enables the Corvette to shoot from 0 to 60 in a blistering 2.5 seconds. Chevy equips the 1LZ with a performance suspension, all-season tires, and Brembo brakes to optimize performance, and a unique exhaust that delivers a more aggressive sound. You also receive the tech to tame this powerful beast on public roads, including forward collision alert, lane keeping, front pedestrian and bicyclist detection, and automatic emergency braking. A head-up display is installed as standard, so you'll never miss a warning message. more Interior Highlights The sleek interior features Mulan leather upholstery with perforated inserts, including the comfortable eight-way power-adjustable GT1 bucket seats. Infotainment is delivered by an eight-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth technology, allowing you to wirelessly connect your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to access your favorite apps and play your personalized playlist through the 10-speaker Bose sound system. 2. 2LZ Building on the 1LZ, the 2LZ gains additional safety features, including HD front and rearview cameras, rear cross-traffic alert, and side blind-zone monitoring. Chevy also helps you analyze your performance around the track with a data and video recorder. More creature comforts are introduced to the interior, with the front seats becoming heated and ventilated and now featuring a power lumbar support and seatback bolster. A memory function lets you save your steering wheel, outside mirror, and both front seat settings. An infotainment upgrade adds integrated navigation, a wireless charging pad, and an additional four speakers to the sound system. 3. 3LZ Heading the lineup is the 3LZ, the most luxurious E-Ray of all. Chevy's top trim has a plusher interior than its brethren, with Napa leather upholstery, a suede microfiber headliner, and a leather-wrapped instrument panel and console. The upgraded GT2 bucket seats are extra comfortable and supportive, whether you're cruising the highway or cutting up the track. Drivers also receive a carbon fiber and leather flat top and bottom steering wheel. If you want a supercar that's ultra-powerful and extremely capable, you can't go wrong with any of the E-Ray trims. To explore the full lineup, visit Bommarito Chevrolet South County in St. Louis, MO, today, and prepare to experience the wonder of the new Corvette E-Ray. Image Via

Jan 24, 2025 in Bommarito Chevrolet South County Service

Comprehensive Multi-Point Inspections for Your Chevrolet: What to Expect

Routine inspections can help you find minor mechanical issues before they turn into full-blown problems that are more expensive to fix. Your regular Chevy inspection at your Chevy dealer can be scheduled at your convenience or when you notice performance issues, such as battery problems. Learn the ins and outs of routine vehicle inspections before you schedule your next service appointment. more Comprehensive Multi-Point Inspections for Your Chevrolet: What to Expect A Multi-Point Inspection will inspect all the crucial components of your vehicle to ensure everything is in good condition. Key points of your Multi-Point Inspection include checking the tires, brakes, windshield wipers, suspension systems, safety systems, exterior lights, and various fluids. Your Chevy mechanic will pay particular attention to the level and condition of transmission fluid, brake fluid, motor oil, and coolant. Your inspection service will also include a visual inspection, which is when a mechanic examines the interior and exterior of your vehicle for visible damage. Some visible damage, such as cracked headlights or bubbles on tire walls, can lead to mechanical errors in the future, so a mechanic may recommend correcting these issues as soon as possible. When to Schedule a Chevy Inspection You can generally ask for a Multi-Point Inspection during any of your routine vehicle services at your local dealership. For example, if you're already visiting your dealership for your regular tire rotation, you can request a Multi-Point Inspection to ensure all the other components of your vehicle are ready to take on the road. For some drivers, it may be a good idea to schedule a comprehensive inspection service before taking a long trip to make sure your Chevy is ready for extensive driving. You may also want to request a Multi-Point Inspection if you have noticed a marked difference in your vehicle's performance, such as reduced gas mileage, signs of battery issues, or problems with your air conditioning system. Can Regular Inspections Help You Save Money? Scheduling a routine vehicle inspection can help you reduce your maintenance costs. If you invest in correcting minor mechanical issues early, you can prevent these issues from getting worse or damaging other components of your vehicle. For example, if you notice your car overheating and a mechanic finds a small crack in your radiator during a routine inspection, but you fail to schedule repairs, your engine and other parts under the hood can be severely damaged. Simplifying Car Maintenance at Your Chevy Dealer If you drive a new Chevy vehicle, there's a good chance that you can streamline your vehicle maintenance by using the myChevrolet app and accessing vehicle diagnostic tools. This app can generate monthly vehicle diagnostics to identify performance issues that require service and remind you to keep up with scheduled maintenance appointments. It's a good idea to book routine vehicle inspections to correct small mechanical issues before they become expensive problems. Get in touch with Bommarito Chevrolet South County in St. Louis, MO to schedule a Multi-Point Inspection today.

Nov 22, 2024 in Bommarito Chevrolet South County Service

The Importance of Regular Oil Changes for Your Chevrolet

One of the most crucial components of your vehicle is your engine oil. To promote better vehicle performance and fuel efficiency, you should schedule an oil change according to your Chevy's owner manual. Learn why this routine maintenance is so essential and the type of engine oil best for your vehicle before you visit your Chevy dealer. more The Importance of Regular Oil Changes for Your Chevrolet Ideally, you should schedule a service to change your motor oil at least every six months or about every 6,000 to 7,500 miles. This is an optimal service interval since the motor oil in your engine will naturally gather debris and contaminants as you drive. Motor oil also naturally degrades after about six months, and may degrade faster if you drive your vehicle a lot in harsh weather conditions. Even if you drive your car infrequently, you should still schedule a routine six-month oil service. Motor oil will degrade even when your car is parked in your garage over the winter, which is why it's a good idea to change the oil after extended storage. Some drivers may schedule an oil service to winterize a vehicle, as well. Ask Your Chevy Dealer: What Oil Is Best? The best oil for your Chevy will depend on the specific type of engine you have and the age of your vehicle. Newer vehicles typically use fully synthetic oil, which offers greater protection from excess heat, extreme cold, oxidation, and friction. Older Chevy vehicles may require conventional oil, which contains additives to improve the performance of the engine and protect the engine from corrosion. Depending on your driving habits and your performance goals, you may want to use an advanced synthetic motor oil that is formulated to support cold engine start-ups. You can check your owner's manual for engine oil recommendations or speak with a Chevy mechanic to determine the motor oil that is best for your vehicle. Should You Check Your Engine Oil Yourself? Even with regular engine oil replacement, you should still perform a monthly check of your motor oil at home, along with other routine checks like assessing your tire air pressure. You can check your engine oil when the engine is cold by using a dipstick. If you notice your engine oil is murky or dark, you should book a service appointment as soon as possible. Other engine oil issues to watch out for include visible metallic shavings and milky motor oil. Milky motor oil may indicate that coolant or antifreeze is leaking into the engine, which can cause performance issues. Metallic particles in your engine oil can indicate engine damage caused by excessive friction and low motor oil levels. Routinely refreshing your engine oil can ensure your engine is functioning properly in cold weather and performing well on the road. Book your service appointment at Bommarito Chevrolet South County in St. Louis, MO.