News

If you have a car breakdown, one of the quickest ways to ensure that you can get back on the road is by having a roadside emergency kit. Often, the reason for a breakdown is minor, or it doesn't require a towing service. And even if a towing service is needed, some items are critical to your safety while waiting.

A roadside emergency kit should include jumper cables for a battery jump-start. A dead battery is a leading cause for a car breakdown in Frankfort and Lansing. Phillips Chevrolet suggests that you also have emergency flares available. Always use…

Cleaning your vehicle’s tires is a must if you want to prevent “brown tires,” which is a condition that erodes the appearance and state of your wheels. You should only ever use cleaners that are labeled safe for all wheels. Any cleaner that has a degreasing chemical and leaves behind a residue can contribute to the erosion of your tires’ appearance over time.

When cleaning your tires, you should only use nylon bristle brush to scrub down into the nooks and tread. These brushes get the debris and dirt out of your tires and rims. Once finished, a rub…

At Phillips Chevrolet, we want to help motorists stay safe when they're behind the wheel. When the roads are wet, vehicles are at risk of hydroplaning. While hydroplaning can happen anytime the roads are wet, it's most likely to occur soon after a light rain begins.

When hydroplaning occurs, your vehicle's tires won't have direct contact with the road surface. A thin layer of water separates your tires from the road, and the result can be extremely dangerous. Hydroplaning can cause loss of braking, power, and steering control. In addition

A warm day might be just perfect to give the engine a spring clean in order to remove all that excess grease and grime that is collected through use. It's not only nice to have a shining exterior, it's nice to know your engine looks great as well.

The important first step is to make sure the engine is fully cooled before you start and that any plastic covers are removed to be cleansed separately. Ask advice from your Phillips Chevrolet maintenance department regarding parts of the engine that should not be cleaned such as electrics. Cover electrical…

Faulty mufflers and exhausts can cause drivers a variety of issues. A tailpipe releasing smoke is a common example. What, exactly, are the roles of the muffler and exhaust? How do the exhaust and muffler work together to help your vehicle function properly?

Your car's exhaust system in put in place to move your engine's gasses to your vehicle's tailpipe. Several components are involved in this process. Some of them are the exhaust joints, oxygen sensor, muffler, catalytic converter and, of course, the tailpipe. Failure of any one of these exhaust system components can be both 

If you want to have an easier time driving through the snow and ice during the winter time, then it is a good idea for you to use winter tires. In many places, it is mandatory for you to use winter tires. However, it is important to note that you should only use winter tires during the cold months. These tires are designed to last about 4,400 miles. The average American drives over 13,000 miles per year.

Your winter tires will quickly wear out if you drive them during the summer. These tires are not equipped to handle…

If you have a pet that sheds in your vehicle, you may feel overwhelmed with hair in your car! At Phillips Chevrolet, we have a few tips that can help you keep the pet hair under control and your interior in good condition!

Use a balloon or a piece of tape to get hair to come out of the hard-to-reach areas in your vehicle! You can also use toothbrushes or rubber brushes to collect hair out of the carpet in your car. Using a small vacuum for your vehicle after each time your pet exits your vehicle will help keep…

Brake fluid is a hydraulic liquid responsible for moving various braking system components. It works under high pressure and temperatures to ensure your vehicle stops. The stop-action happens once you exact pressure on the brake pedal. The fluid is a non-compressible liquid that lies within brake lines to deliver pressure from the brake pedal. Each of the brake rotors on each wheel gets the force causing an ultimate slow down or stop.

Here is how brake fluid works

Once you exact pressure to the brake pedal, the pedal pushes a piston inside the brake caliper. 

Healthy tires are necessary to give you better fuel economy and vehicle handling. Yet, you probably do not pay as much attention to your tires as your engine. A few simple maintenance checks can prevent you from driving around the Frankfort area on worn-out tires.

Tread depth helps with traction. The “penny” test is a simple way to check the tread depth of your tires. All you do is use a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing downward and place the penny in a groove of a tire tread. If Lincoln’s head is partially covered, then you have…

When it comes to jump starting another vehicle, it can be daunting to figure out the process if you've never done so before. To ensure everyone's safety, the first step you should take is to make sure all ignitions are switched off.

A red cable will first clamp onto the positive or larger rod on the working battery while the other is attached to the dead battery's positive terminal. When both red cables are securely fastened, place one of the black clips onto the other battery's negative side. Put the last black line on a bare…