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Advice From Your GMC Dealer: Does Your GMC Vehicle Need a Radiator Repair?

Your GMC's radiator keeps the engine cool and prevents overheating. When there's a problem with your radiator, and it's not repaired fast, it will cause severe damage to your Sierra, Terrain, or Acadia engine. Below are ways to tell when your car needs a radiator repair from the certified technicians at your GMC dealer.

You Get a High-Temperature Reading

The job of your radiator is to keep everything cool under the hood and prevent your car's engine from overheating. When there's a problem with the radiator, you'll get a high-temperature gauge reading. When it's hot outside, your air conditioner is running, and your car's temperature gauge reading is higher than usual, it's normal. If the temperature stays consistently high, get it checked out by a certified GMC technician as soon as possible.

The Coolant Is Dirty and Thick

Coolant is usually a bright green, yellow, pink, or orange. Some are even red or blue and have a syrupy consistency. Over time and with use, the coolant becomes dirty and thick, loses its protective qualities, doesn't flow as easily through the cooling system, and clogs the radiator, causing your car to overheat.

Your Car Is Leaking Coolant

Your car is leaking coolant if you see pools of bright yellow, green, orange, or pink liquid on the ground under your vehicle. A lack of coolant will cause your car to overheat. Check the coolant level, top it off, and get the leak fixed by a qualified GMC technician as fast as possible to avoid extensive damage to your engine.

Your Radiator Is Rusty

Rust will play havoc with your radiator and cause holes that will result in leaks. If the coolant is brownish, it could be that rust has contaminated the coolant. Contaminated coolant will lose the ability to cool down the engine, cause overheating, and damage not only your radiator but also your engine.

The Fins Are Damaged or Clogged

The delicate tubes that run across the radiator carry hot coolant cooled by air that blows onto the tubes before it flows back to the engine. When leaves, bugs, or dirt clog or damage the fins, it blocks the airflow to cool down the coolant, and the engine will overheat.

You See Smoke From Under the Hood or Tailpipe

Your radiator might be the culprit when it gets too hot under the hood. If you see smoke pouring out from under the hood, don't continue to drive your car. Pull over in a safe place immediately, wait for your vehicle to cool down, and call your dealer to ask for assistance. If your vehicle leaks coolant, it could also cause smoke from your tailpipe. Check the coolant level; if it's low, it could indicate a leak.

Act fast to avoid expensive repairs and replacements if your car shows any of these signs. Call Hart Motors GMC today, and the skilled technicians will repair your radiator expertly.

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Genuine GMC Accessories: Personalize Your Vehicle

Image via GMC Using genuine GMC accessories will boost the value you receive out of your vehicle. Because these accessories are endorsed by the manufacturer, you know they meet the same quality guidelines as your favorite trucks and SUVs. Keep reading to learn about some of the best accessories available for your GMC. more Genuine GMC Accessories Assist Steps and Running Boards You'll need to stop by with your GMC to check the fitment for the various assist steps and running boards we keep in stock. They're designed to maintain a factory appearance so that you get the benefit of being able to get in and out of your GMC easily without detracting from its stylish exterior. We also carry rocker panel guards which provide a subtle enhancement to the edges of your GMC while also protecting the rocker panels from rock chips and other damage. Exterior Decals and emblems are some of the simplest yet impactful ways you can personalize your GMC's exterior. When you visit our dealership, you'll find front grille and tailgate emblems in black and red as well as some that are illuminated. We also offer side emblems in a range of attractive color options, such as Tech Bronze and Performance Red. Other exterior accessories include: Fender flares Accent lighting Grilles Deflectors Lamp alternatives Interior Cargo Management Between the updated consoles, under-seat storage, and cargo bed organizers, there's a wide array of accessories to help you keep everything inside your GMC secure and out of the way. Nearly all of the interior cargo accessories are designed to fit specific models to maintain a factory look. Additional interior cargo management accessories include: Cupholders Cargo nets Cargo shelves Cargo shades Exterior Cargo Management Hitch carriers and roof racks are among the most popular exterior accessories found at our GMC dealership. The Thule ski carrier is perfect for anyone driving to the slopes, while the variety of available bike racks will come in handy when the mountains thaw out. We also carry Thule roof-mounted cargo boxes where you can store more luggage to free up interior space. Floor and Interior Protection Flooring Protection We offer floor mats and liners constructed from plush carpeting as well as resilient all-weather materials. All of our protective mats and liners are vehicle-specific so you get a tailored fit, and most are available for every row of seating. To protect the floor of the cargo area, we also offer heavy-duty liners that can protect the factory flooring material from scratches and spills. Seating Protection Carhartt is one of the primary brands producing attractive, heavy-duty seat covers for GMC vehicles. Most seat covers are available in a dark grey or the traditional Carhartt light brown color. Additionally, Carhartt makes seat covers for every row of seating. Accessorizing your GMC allows you to showcase your personal taste as well as boost the functionality of your vehicle. To discover more GMC accessories and see how they fit on your vehicle, visit Hart Motors GMC in Salem, VA.

5 Signs Your GMC Vehicle Needs New Headlights

We all know how important good headlights are on a vehicle, and while a light that's completely obviously means you need new headlights, there are also some other signs to watch for. Noticing these will let you get a jump on things before the light actually dies, and your GMC dealer can help you find just the right headlights for your vehicle and driving needs. more 5 Signs You Need New Headlights From Your GMC Dealer Dimming or Flickering Lights One of the most obvious signs that your vehicle's headlights need replacing is when they begin to dim or flicker. Dimming headlights can significantly reduce your visibility at night, even though it can be hard to notice at first. The main way to tell will be that it just seems harder to see at night, or you feel like you're using your brights more than you used to. Don't just flip on your high beams to deal with this, either. They're not meant for normal driving conditions and shouldn't be used all the time. Meanwhile, flickering lights are a sign of an unstable power supply to the headlights, indicating potential electrical issues or the end of the bulb's lifespan. Uneven Illumination If you notice that one headlight is brighter than the other, it's a clear sign that the dimmer headlight needs attention. Uneven illumination not only affects your visibility but can also be distracting to other drivers or even confuse them about what's coming at them. Since bulbs are usually installed in pairs, if one needs to be replaced, it's usually best to just do them both. Changes in Light Color Pay attention to any changes in the color of your headlights. If they start to appear yellow or less white than they used to be, this is a sign of aging. Older bulbs can lose their intensity and clarity, which can significantly impact their effectiveness. Visible Damage to the Headlight Lens Physical damage to the headlight lens, such as cracks, chips, or fogging, can affect the brightness and direction of the headlight beam. This damage can allow moisture to enter the headlight, too, potentially shortening the life of the bulb. Warning Lights on the Dashboard Some modern vehicles have dashboard indicators specifically for headlight issues. If a headlight warning light appears on your dashboard, it's an immediate sign that you need to check your headlights and might need to replace them. Typically, the issue is electrical rather than something wrong with the bulb here, so be sure to take it to the dealership for a good look. If you notice any of these signs, don't wait to be left in the dark. Come talk to us at Hart Motors GMC, and we'll make sure you're safe on the road.

4 Benefits of Getting a Tire Rotation at Your GMC Dealer

Regular vehicle maintenance isn't just about keeping your car running smoothly. It's an investment in safety and efficiency that can actually save you money in the long run. One often overlooked service that ticks all these boxes is tire rotation. Taking your vehicle back to the GMC dealer for this simple service has a range of benefits you might not expect. more 4 Benefits of Getting a Tire Rotation at Your GMC Dealer 1. Your Tires Can Wear Evenly The tires on your GMC don't wear evenly by default. The front tires usually bear more of the vehicle's weight and are responsible for steering, which often leads to them wearing out faster than the rear ones. Moving your tires from one position on your vehicle to another is called rotating them, and it helps ensure that wear is distributed more evenly across all four tires. This can help maintain the handling and traction your GMC was designed to deliver. 2. Longer Tire Life When your tires wear evenly, they last longer: it's as simple as that. If you let your tires go too long without rotation, they may wear out in one specific place, meaning you may find yourself replacing them much sooner than necessary. Purchasing new tires is not only a significant expense, but it's a serious hassle. Taking care of the tires you have allows you to go longer between replacements. 3. Improved Safety The safety benefits of rotating your tires are clear and critical. Unevenly worn tires can lead to decreased grip on the road, especially in wet and slippery conditions, making it harder to stop quickly or navigate sharp corners. Even wear helps to maintain the handling you need to drive safely. Additionally, poorly maintained tires are more prone to blowouts, which can be dangerous at high speeds. When you take your vehicle to the dealership, we'll rotate the tires and check their overall condition, including tread depth and any potential damage. 4. You Can Save Money Rotating your tires on a regular schedule can actually save you money over time. With evenly worn tires, you won't need to replace them as frequently, but the savings don't stop there. Well-maintained tires can also help improve your GMC's fuel efficiency. Regularly rotating your tires at the dealership is an easy way to care for your vehicle that pays off in the long run. Not only do you ensure even wear on your tire set, but you also maintain the performance and safety of your vehicle. Next time you're due to rotate those tires, call Hart Motors GMC to keep that rubber rolling smoothly.