Winter Is Coming: Get Your Vehicle Ready!

The weather is starting to get a little cooler and colder days are coming, Liberty Buick GMC wants to be sure you are prepared for frigid mornings and snow days. Getting ready for winter means getting your vehicle should be geared up for the cold. Everything from new tires to snow packages and heated seats. Whether you are looking for a brand new vehicle to help you make it through the cold or just looking to prep your current ride, Liberty Buick GMC is here to help. Here is your winter servicing checklist:

1.       Tire Prep

Before winter rolls in, it is a good idea to get your tires checked. If anything needs be fixed, repaired, or replaced this is the time of year to get everything checked out and ready for the winter weather. Liberty Buick GMC has the best Certified Service Technicians to handle all of your tire needs. You can also browse through the Tire Finder Tool online to start your tire search. Maintaining your tires to keep them in quality shape can be challenging with wheel alignment and balance, tire pressure, tire rotation, and wear and tear. Tires require a lot of work and care to keep them it top condition.

a.       Wheel Alignment and Balance

To help prolong your tire’s lifespan it is essential to keep your wheels aligned. When wheels become unaligned it can cause uneven wear to your tire and even cause bearing, shock, and suspension problems. If your vehicle is pulling to one side or your tires are showing uneven wear, then it is a good idea to have your tires realigned.

b.      Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is constantly changing as the weather changes. For every temperature change of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, tire pressure changes about 1 psi. In the summer the pressure is higher and in the winter pressure is lower. To ensure your tires are at the correct PSI, it is a good idea to check the pressure at least once a month.

c.       Tire Rotation

To extend the life of your tires and improve performance it is always important to rotate your tires. Tire rotations are done to help make wear and tear even on all tires. Each tire works differently causing them to wear at a different pace. To help prevent uneven wear and increase the lifespan of your tires, tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles.

2.       Vehicle Inspection

Car inspections are always a good idea to be sure you abide by the law, ensure your safety, and compile with registration regulations in North Carolina. For your safety, it is important that all the bolts and screws on your vehicle are secure. Liberty Buick GMC is a Certified Inspection Station and a great place to take your vehicle for Vehicle Safety Inspections and Emissions Inspections. We take the extra step when it comes to vehicle inspections to ensure your safety. A vehicle inspection at Liberty Buick GMC checks:

·         Tires

·         Foot and Parking Brakes

·         Directional Lights

·         Engine Lights

·         Steering

·         Suspension Components

·         Wiper Blades

3.       Oil Change

Before winter rolls in, it is important to check your oil. The first step is checking your oil to make sure the correct amount is in your vehicle for proper use. An oil leak or low oil can cause your vehicle to run differently and often cause issue in your car. It is also important to have your oil changed every so often, depending on your vehicle and the type of oil you vehicle requires. Most cars require an oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles to adapt to the normal service schedule but some older vehicles may need oil changes as often as every 3,000 miles. On the other hand, newer vehicles may allow you to go for 15,000 miles before needing an oil change. Liberty Buick GMC has Certified Technicians that preform oil changes. Buick’s newer vehicles have a special Oil Life System that senses your car’s speed, engine temperature, and monitors operating conditions to help determine the best time for an oil change.  

4.       Check the Antifreeze

Antifreeze is one of the top vehicle concerns during the winter months. To prepare for winter it is a good idea to check the antifreeze level in your vehicle. To properly keep your vehicle from freezing, your engine cooling system should be filled with 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled water. To keep your vehicle operating properly and most effectively it is recommended that you follow the manufacturer’s guide for changing the antifreeze. Liberty Buick GMC has the best technicians around that are pros at changing and checking the pressure of your cooling system.

5.       Properly Functioning Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are super important for your safety. Rain, hail, snow, any type of precipitation makes the visibility outside change. When you are driving down the highway it can be difficult to see clearly, so you want to have the best possible view of the road. Properly functioning windshield wipers can make driving in messy weather a little more manageable. Your windshield wiper blades need to be changed if they are:

·         Streaking- the surface will be unclear and the wipers will leave long streaks behind. This often occurs when the blades are dry or dirty

·         Skipping- you will hear a loud, dry skipping sound that indicates that the rubber of the blade is wrapped

·         Worn Down-the edge of the rubber will start to round and even peel

·         Split- when the wiper blades are exposed to, too much sun the rubber of the blade will split or crack

·         Bent- damage can cause your wiper blades to become bent. Thing like car washes and scraping ice off of your vehicle can cause damage

6.       Brake Check

Finally, the brakes. Yep, that one is a no brainer. Brakes are an important part of your safety no matter the season. Winter time means slippery and ice roads so it is important that your brakes are prepared. So how do your breaks actually work?

1.       When your foot hits the brake, fluid signals the brakes of all four wheels to stop

2.       The force of your foot is multiplied

3.       The brake system exerts up to 1,000 pounds of hydraulic pressure to each brake

When it comes to your brakes there are two parts the brake rotors and brake pads. When you schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained certified technicians they will inspect both parts of the brakes to ensure your safety.

·         Inspection of the brake hoses for brittleness or cracking

·         Inspection of brake lining and pads for wear or contamination by brake fluid or grease

·         Inspection of wheel bearings and grease seals

·         Adjust parking brake as needed

·         Check brake fluid level at every oil change. Replace fluid according to the Owner’s Manual recommendations

·         Calipers and wheel cylinders should be checked every brake inspection and serviced or replaced as required

·         Inspect the brake lines for rust or punctures

As you prepare for winter, don’t forget to schedule an appointment at Liberty Buick GMC to make sure your vehicle is ready to keep you safe during the cold season and through any messy weather.

2018 Brings The Classic Buick Regal Back With A Spin In Three New Models (The Top 5 Features On Each Buick Regal)

Liberty Buick GMC is fired-up about the All-New- 2018 Buick Regal vehicles. The 2018 Buick Regal is riding in with a bang, with not just one remodeled vehicle, but three brand new 2018 Buick Regal vehicles. The three latest models incorporate innovative designs and styles that will appeal to many different tastes. Summer is coming to a close and the all-new Buick vehicles will be on the lot and ready to take for a spin before you know it.

The three new Buick Regal vehicles come in different shapes, styles, designs, and performance capabilities. The Buick Regal introduces two fresh sporty vehicles and a first-ever wagon-style car. For those who are sport junkies, to speed lovers, and adventure-getters, Buick has developed three vehicles that are certain to catch your fancy.

The Buick Regal TourX

The wagon style is in for 2018 and ready to make a statement! For the upcoming new year, Buick is kicking off with the first-ever 2018 Buick Regal TourX. While it may sound strange that station wagons are back after the influx of sports vehicles and minivans, the Regal TourX is changing any outdated perceptions that station wagons are uncool. By updating the suburbanite legend into a luxury retro vehicle in 2018, Buick is eager and sure to please loyal wagon fans and introduce the millennial generation to the charm and nostalgia of the station wagon phenomena.

The 2018 Buick Regal TourX is anticipated to hit Liberty Buick GMC’s showroom next year with high market interest, as its completely new model released by Buick. This station wagon is definitely a one of a kind and is ready to compete with other roomy, family vehicles on the market. The Regal TourX changes the face of Buick with a sleek and elegant look of a car designed for adventure and road-trips. From the bold exterior of a station wagon to key Buick features like the roof and cross rails above the vehicle, this new design has competitors blown away! The novelty of the station wagon combined with the exterior of this never-before-seen Buick is what makes the TourX so daring. Key features include:

·         The Body Style - The body style of the new Buick differs from other Buick models. It’s a station wagon with a front engine, all-wheel drive, and measures up at 196.3 inches long, significantly larger than other station wagons on the market. This vehicle is giving key competitors like the Audi A4, Volvo V60, and BMW 3 a run for their money!

·         Distinctive Wheels - The standard 18-inch aluminum wheels are designed for both style and effectiveness. They provide a high and low contrast that makes them a great fit. No matter what vehicle color you choose, the wheels will stand out.

·         Hands-Free Liftgate - The hands-free liftgate makes it easy to load, unload, and access gear even when you are busy and your hands are full. To open the liftgate, just wave your foot under the door. To make this even easier, the Buick has a tri-shield logo that illuminates the ground below the sensor.

·         Cargo Space – A big selling point of the Regal TourX will be the generous storage in the wagon, where there is 33 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, making it just as spacious as small SUVs.  And if you’re in need of even more space, folding the rear seats down will up the storage to 74 cubic feet of space.

·         Roof and Cross Rails - Since this Buick is designed for adventures, it comes standard with roof rails. The roof rails make it easy to travel with bikes, a travel carrier, kayaks, and other larger items.

·         Signature Headlights - The 2018 Buick Regal TourX is equipped with signature Buick headlights, standard with LED lights and auto-leveling technology. This technology helps enhance visibility while on the road. The vehicle also has an attention-grabbing arrival sequence to shine when you exit the vehicle.

The Buick Regal GS 

The Buick Regal GS puts a sporty twist on the original vehicle that increases its excellent performance and dramatic design. With an improved transmission and 51 horsepower more than the previous model, the Regal GS is all about dynamic performance; its race-inspired design creates a thrilling, smooth ride that will take everyday commutes to the next level. The top five features include:

·         Intelligent All Wheel Drive - The GS comes standard with the intelligent AWD technology. This includes a dynamic twin-clutch to provide peace of mind for undesirable road conditions and also provides torque and acceleration to keep every ride meeting your consistently high-performance expectations from Buick vehicles.

·         GS Exclusive Performance Seats - These high-functioning seats combine luxurious comforts with sporty design. Not only allowing the driver and front passenger to enjoy massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, the seats can also be adjusted to personal comfort preferences by tweaking the side bolsters, four-way lumbar support, and extendable thigh support.

·         The Engine - The Buick Regal GS has a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower. This engine provides power to make every drive exciting. With improved vehicle control and nine-speed automatic transmission, the V6 engine provides efficient and refined performance.

·         Sport-Injected Chassis - This feature provides an excellent, urban sport design that creates outstanding performance. The vehicle is designed with a lower center of gravity to make turns smooth and quick. Entertaining, sports-focused and highly responsive to the driver, the GS does not sacrifice performance for design at all.

·         Sportback Opening - The trunk is designed with sportback rear access that opens up to a large space. The vehicle also has the option to fold down the back row of seats for an increased cargo area.

The 2018 Buick Regal Sportback 

The All-New Buick Regal Sportback is just like the beloved Buick Regal, but with even more awe-inspiring innovative features. If you liked the 2017 Buick Regal, you will fall in love with the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback. Top aspects of the vehicle include:

·         Quiet-tuning Technology - Enjoying a quiet ride in a family vehicle may seem rhetorical, but the Sportback allows you to do just that. With noise cancellation blocking out road noise, you and your passengers will be able to have pleasant conversations and enjoy the drive. Moreso, the noise cancellation will prevent unwanted modification of how sound and music comes through your vehicle’s speakers, enabling your drive to have clear sound when you want it.

·         Turbo Engine - The 2.0 liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine is designed to help you achieve the perfect combination of power and efficiency. The engine delivers excellent performance that will not disappoint with up to 250 horsepower.

·         Advanced Transmissions - There are two excellent transmissions available in the Sportback. The FWD model has a 9-speed Automatic Transmission and the AWD has an 8-speed Automatic Transmission. Each option allows for a unique riding experience.

·         Built-in Wi-Fi - The option to have access to all of your electronic devices through Wi-Fi is available with the OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. You can connect up to 7 devices to the hotspot at any time. Wi-Fi access is a great way to keep your passengers entertained and happy during road trips.

·         The Look - The all-new Buick Regal Sportback has a sophisticated exterior design. The new design is elegant and bold with chrome accents, dual-exhaust chrome tailpipes, and dynamic sculptural lines.

With 2017 flying by, you will be looking forward to 2018 for when these highly anticipated and unique Buick Regal vehicles enter Liberty Buick GMC’s lot. Give Liberty a call today at (866) 442-0871 to learn more about each model and find out their arrival dates.

By: Grayson Collins

Content Manager

CCP Web Design