Summer Tires vs. All-Season Tires: What’s the Difference? #PhilSmithChevy

Imagine this: you know you need new tires for your vehicle, but cannot make a final decision as to which type you should buy. You have visited multiple tire dealers in South Florida, compared your options, and are still confused as to how you can best move forward.

One of the primary reasons for your troubles may be difficulty understanding the difference between summer tires vs. all-season tires. Until you have a firm grasp on this, a final decision may continue to elude you.

Let’s start out by taking a look at five points that best describe the benefits of all-season tires:

• Capable of providing a high level of traction during winter months, which is a big deal for those who live in a cold weather climate.
• Longer tread life, meaning you will not pay for tires as often.
• Top of the line performance in both wet and dry conditions.
• Moderate tread depths.
• Suitable for a variety of driving conditions.

Now that you better understand what you get with all-season tires, let’s examine the benefits of summer tires:

• Improved agility, speed, and handling.
• Less grooving.
• Increased braking and cornering, suiting those who are interested in pushing the limits of the driving experience.
• Maximum handling performance.
• Better in wet driving conditions.

As you can see, there are areas in which both types of tires excel. For example, if you are concerned about being able to handle both dry conditions and light snow, all season tires are the way to go. Conversely, if you don’t want to give up anything in terms of performance, you are better off opting for summer tires.

Making a Decision

Choosing the right tire is not as easy as it sounds. Some people simply make a decision and hope for the best, but this could lead you down the wrong path.

When comparing both options, focus on where you live, how you drive, and the type of weather you are going to face throughout the year.

Final note: make sure all four of your tires are the same. In other words, you don’t want two all-season tires and two summer tires.

Are you still unsure of which type of tire is right for your vehicle? Don’t hesitate to contact us for targeted advice and professional guidance.

#PhilSmithChevy - Spring 2015!

Phil Smith Chevrolet

Spring is finally upon us, and that means we’ll all finally be able to get out of the house to spend time with friends and family, get the exercise we’ve been needing, or just enjoy being out in the sun for the day.

Spring is a great time to enjoy long drives or to take weekend road trips. Before you do that, you’ll need to take care of some essential maintenance — sort of like spring cleaning for your car. Here are a few things you can do to get your car ready for spring:

Get an Oil Change

Temperature changes can affect the viscosity of your oil and its ability to lubricate your engine. Tough driving conditions such as slushy or icy road, salt and mud can all cause your engine to work harder, and your oil may have deteriorated more quickly.

Now is the time to schedule a quick oil change. You can get in and out in under an hour and have the peace of mind that your car is protected and ready for the spring.

Change the Air Filter

Your air filter may have become very dirty and clogged after the long season of falling leaves and snow. Those leaves, pine needles and other tree debris may have fallen into your air filter and clogged it. The snow and ice may have fallen through and left your filter covered in dirt, salt and other minerals.

You need a clean air filter to handle all the pollen and bugs that are about to stage an all-out assault on your car. Change the air filter now and ensure top performance and fuel efficiency for your car.

Inspect the Tires

You need strong, healthy tires to ensure safe driving all year long. Now that the harsh winter season is over, check your tires for signs of wear. Check the tread depth, and look for signs of damage, such as exposed steel or bubbles in the tread.

If your tires only have minor wear, you may be able to simply rotate and balance them. However, you may find much more wear that can only be addressed by changing your tires.

Now that you are thinking about cleaning out your home, make sure you do the same spring cleaning for your car. Get a quick oil change and take care of these other essential maintenance tasks to get the best performance from your car this spring.

Go Long in the 2015 Chevy Cruze

If there’s one thing that drivers everywhere can agree upon, it’s that the less fuel you consume, the better. We agree with that sentiment here at Phil Smith Chevrolet and that’s why we’re proud to offer our customers an impressive lineup of vehicles that hold that same standard, like the all-new 2015 Chevy Cruze. With an emphasis on saving fuel and, therefore, money, the 2015 Chevy Cruze is on your side in every possible way. For a test drive today, visit your friends at Phil Smith Chevrolet.

The 2015 Chevy Cruze comes with an impressive stock of up six trim models to choose from. Under the command of the incredible 2.0L Clean Turbo Diesel engine, drivers will have the opportunity to cut down on emissions while enjoying the longevity of a staggering estimated fuel economy of up to 46 highway MPG, with up to 717 highway miles on a single tank of gas. Prepare to save time and money with fewer trips to the gas station! Through the available Chevrolet MyLink, drivers will have access to a touchscreen that allows them to easily access options in media controls, GPS navigation and hands-free cell phone connectivity that allows them to stay connected while maintaining their focus on the road. With seating for up to five, available leather upholstery will keep everyone on board comfortable and happy over the course of the trip. And available in-car WiFi allows for up to seven devices to be connected to the internet with a strong connection.

To see just everything that the 2015 Chevy Cruze has to offer firsthand, visit your friends here at Phil Smith Chevrolet today.

#Chevy #Chevrolet #ChevyCruze #PhilSmithChevrolet #SouthFlorida #Chevy #FindNewRoads #ChevyStrong #ChevyTough #TruckMonth #Silverado #2015Cruze 

Phil Smith Chevrolet's Tip for Traveling with a Pet

Phil Smith Chevrolet's Tip for Traveling with a Pet

Everyone likes to take their furry friends along on road trips, but before you put the pedal to the metal, check out Chevrolet’s list of safety tips to make sure you and your pet get to your destination safely. When traveling with cats and dogs it is recommended that your pet is restrained in a pet carrier or safety seat. Our Chevrolet Equinox is perfect for traveling with dogs and cats with a spacious cargo area to accommodate a good-size carrier. It is also important to never leave any pet alone in the car as a parked vehicle can become dangerously hot in no time! Just like a child, no pet should hit the road without their favorite toy or treats. The optional cargo organizer in the Equinox is the perfect place to store everything you need to keep your pet occupied on the trip. Lastly make sure to bring your pet’s leash and a bowl for water as cats and dogs may get nervous along the trip and get dehydrated quickly. Of course if your pet can’t join in on the road trip you can always video chat back home or to the kennel with the available built-in OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot connection in the 2015 Chevy Equinox! Take consideration of these tips and you and your pet are bound for a great drive!

Phil Smith Chevrolet

1640 N. State Rd 7 (US 441)

Lauderhill, FL 33313

 United States

MORE CAR DRIVING. LESS GAS PUMPING.

6 Tips for Improved Fuel Economy

Still letting high gas prices keep you from taking a road trip to your favorite destination? Why? Just following a few simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance steps can stretch your dollar and give you more power at the pump

Fuel consumption is directly related to auto care and has a significant impact on how much gas you use.  Gas prices may rise quickly, but you no longer have to be a victim and just take it. Properly maintaining your vehicle can improve fuel economy as well as save you money.

Performing these simple maintenance tips, will improve fuel economy allowing you to spend more time on the road and less at the pump.

•       Tune-Up: Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.

•       Tire Pressure: Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent.

•       Motor Oil: Improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using the grade of motor oil recommended by the manufacturer.

•       Air Filters: Replacing clogged air filters on older vehicles can improve fuel economy and will improve performance and acceleration on all vehicles.

•       Gas Cap: Damaged, loose or missing gas caps allow gas to vaporize into the air.

•       Fix It: Addressing a serious maintenance problem, like a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by as much as 40 percent, according to www.fueleconomy.gov.

Modifying driving habits, such as driving the speed limit and avoiding quick stops and starts, can also increase fuel efficiency. Consolidating trips, avoiding excessive idling and removing unnecessary items from the trunk are also easy ways to lower fuel consumption.

TO WAX, OR NOT TO WAX, THERE REALLY IS NO QUESTION

WHY WAXING YOUR CAR IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WASHING IT.

Sure, many of us say that we know and understand how important it is to wash and wax our vehicles, but do we really? Do we truly understand that waxing our vehicle can not only protect the paint of the car but its resale value as well? For some reason most of us wash our vehicles, but often neglect the second step of waxing. Is it because we think it’s overly time consuming, don’t understand the value of doing so or maybe we just don’t want to. Whatever the reason, it’s time to take a look at the importance of waxing your vehicle.

Wax helps protect your car’s paint, which in turn helps protect the coating for your cars metal body. Whether it’s rain, sun, hail, or wind your car is constantly subjected to the elements. All of these elements can have damaging effects to your vehicle, which makes waxing your vehicle extremely important. It can also keep dirt from settling on your car and make it much easier.

Let’s face it. When your car looks good, you look good. Wax keeps your car looking shiny and new. With no wax on your car oxidation can occur. Oxidation is a chemical process where oxygen interacts with different elements, causing the paint on your car to become dull. No one wants his or her car to have dull, lifeless paint! A simple coat of wax can prevent this from happening because wax protects the elements on the car from reacting with oxygen.

Understanding the importance of washing and waxing your vehicle is key to keeping your car looking as good as ever. It will vastly improve the health of your vehicle over time. So go ahead. Get your vehicle washed and waxed today.

De-cluttering Your Car

How many bottles of water are rolling around on the floor of your vehicle? When giving someone a ride, do you have to toss everything covering your front seat into the back and then shove that pile to one side for another passenger to fit in the back seat? Do you have any idea what’s in your center console, glove box or door holders? Are there unidentifiable objects between the seats that you discover when your cell phone slides off of your lap and gets trapped in that crevice? Oh, there’s Jr’s pacifier.

If you answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, it may be time to seek help. Admitting you have a problem is the first step. The following is a 12-step program to return you and your automobile to a healthy and happy relationship.

Step 1: Gather at least 3 containers:  1 for garbage, 1 for things you think may go back into the car and 1 for miscellaneous things that need to be reviewed or returned to where they belong, like your closet.

Step 2:  Everything must go! Clean out that car right down to the bare bones sorting items into your various bins. Leave nothing. And don’t forget the trunk, under the seats or the pockets on the back of the front seats.

Step 3:  Before you dispose of the trash, sift through it one more time to be sure something of value wasn’t overlooked stuck to that gooey stick of gum or melted crayon. You may be surprised at what you discover that you thought was missing.

Step 4:  Go through the miscellaneous container and return each pair of shoes, extra coats, sporting equipment, books & magazines, toys, CD’s, tools and trinkets to their home base. Then return those borrowed DVD’s to your friend and finally exchange that broken alarm clock at the store.

Step 5: Give your car a makeover. Go on show some TLC. Bathe it, vacuum the interior, wipe the cup holders and dashboard down with a wet cloth, clean your windows and maybe throw in an air freshener. When your vehicle is sparkling clean, you’ll be less likely to pile that junk back in.

Step 6: After getting over the amazement of how beautiful your car looks, decide what really needs to go back in. Pull up the bin that contains what you thought may return to the car and get comfortable. Carefully review each item and decide whether it is necessary to carry around on a daily basis and sort them appropriately.

Step 7: Re-review your winners. Keep in mind that extra weight in the car means less efficient gas mileage, so be selective.  Sort the keepers into various piles based on where you think you’ll store them in your vehicle. Disperse the items that didn’t make the 2^nd round cut to their proper places.

Step 8: Where is the best place to keep your sunglasses, hand sanitizer, car insurance & registration, pens, back up paper maps, granola bars, umbrella or kiddie toys? When considering these things, keep the most commonly used items in close proximity for easy access.

Step 9: Organize your car. Perhaps a small box or bag sits on the back seat or that hangs off of the front seat will keep the kids toys within reach for them but contained to a manageable place. If you travel a lot and tend to need snacks, try putting them in a separate bag so when the munchies strike all of your options are in one place.

Step 10: Organize your trunk. Most important, have a container that includes emergency items like a first aid kit, jumper cables and a flashlight. If you and your family are involved in various activities, perhaps designating spaces for equipment would be helpful so the groceries will fit along with the stroller.

Step 11: Bonus: Rather than letting your phone/navigation system rest on your lap, try using a dashboard or windshield mount for hands-free ease. Are electronic device chargers and cords running amuck? Some Velcro ties may help keep them tamed. For safety, keep anything of value out of plain view.

Step 12: Enjoying freedom from the burden of clutter? Develop the habit of replacing items in their designated places right away rather than chuck in on the floor and it gets lost under the seat.  How much extra effort does it take to open the glove box? Train the kids too; make it a game. Who can clean their area the fastest gets a prize. Before you realize it, this good habit will become 2^nd nature.

Believe it or not, good relationships can last. Keep it clean folks.