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Without a functioning radiator, your car's engine would rapidly overheat and break down. The radiator serves the important function of drawing heat from the coolant as it circulates throughout the engine compartment, keeping the temperature under control. Here are five common signs of a malfunctioning radiator that should prompt you to visit Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala's Service Department right away for radiator repair. Overheating Engine The most urgent indication of a faulty radiator is the engine overheating. This will cause the temperature gauge on your instrument panel to shoot upward into the red while your engine steadily loses power. You might also hear odd knocking and ticking sounds from the engine as moving components start to struggle against each other. If the temperature rises high enough to boil the coolant, you'll also see white vapor rising from under the hood. In the case of overheating, it's best to pull over safely and not drive again until the radiator has been repaired. Otherwise, your engine could suffer catastrophic damage. more Rusting Radiator Radiators are susceptible to rust over time, especially in particularly wet or humid climates. If you notice large patches of external rust building on your radiator, you may need to have it professionally cleaned or replaced. Radiators can sometimes also rust internally, which will usually cause the coolant inside the coolant reservoir to turn a rusty brown color. Leaking Coolant Excessive rust, a damaged radiator cap, or cracks in the hoses or hose connections can occasionally allow coolant to leak from a radiator. If this happens, you might notice a brightly colored fluid puddling under your car. A coolant leak must be repaired at once to prevent the engine from overheating. Damaged Radiator Fins You can visually check your radiator for signs of damage to the fins, which are the weakest part of the radiator. If your radiator's fins are broken or dented, you may need a new radiator. Malfunctioning Cabin Heater It might be surprising to hear that the cabin heater in many cars is connected directly to the engine's cooling system. As the radiator expels heat from the coolant, the warm air generated is blown into the cabin to warm you and your passengers. So if your cabin heater ever stops blowing warm air, the radiator might be to blame. Flush Your Radiator Frequently at Your Chevy Dealer Radiators need to be flushed periodically to get rid of contaminants and refresh aging coolant. A general rule of thumb is to flush a radiator every 30,000 miles, but you can check the owner's manual for your particular Chevy model to find out the precise interval to follow. Visit Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala in Pataskala, OH today to have your radiator inspected and repaired. Our award-winning dealership has a dedication to upholding the utmost standards in customer care.

Healthy tires are vital for your driving safety, and a good tire makes braking easier and faster and provides good traction on any surface. Your tires can get damaged or worn out, and Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala can fit new tires when you need them. These are some signs your tires could be damaged. Old Tires Modern tires are scientifically designed and engineered, and they last longer and are safer than ever before. Despite this, your tires will still age. Rubber tires are regularly exposed to abrasion, water, mud, and snow, and extreme hot or cold temperatures can cause the rubber to degrade faster. Sunlight can also play its part over time in wearing down your tires. As rubber ages, it loses its natural flexibility. The loss of flexibility can make the rubber prone to cracking, which can lead to a puncture. The tread will also wear down, and a low tread reduces your control while driving. Every tire has a warranty, and if your tires are out of warranty, it's advisable to get them checked. We will examine your tires and advise you if we need to replace them. more Visible Wear Bars As you drive, the tread will gradually wear down. This is unavoidable, but in time, a low tire tread will make driving more difficult. Your tires have tread wear indicator bars built into them as an early warning that your tires are wearing out. These bars are barely visible on a new tire but will become more prominent as the rubber wears down. Tire wear indicator bars look like flat lines across a tire that run perpendicular to the tread. It's advisable to check your tires regularly for any signs of damage. If you spot these visible lines on a tire, it's time to visit us for a tire check-up. Our highly trained technicians will examine your tires and let you know if they need to be replaced. Slow Leaks A slow leak is caused by a sharp object that pierces the tire. Sometimes, this object isn't visible in the tire, but air will continue to leak out. The air inside a tire is more pressurized than the external air, and as time passes, the hole will become larger as more air is forced out of the tire. As a tire loses air, the tire will slowly flatten out, and more of the tire surface is exposed to surface friction. If you have a slow leak, we may be able to repair the tire. We'll identify the source of the leak and fix a small rubber plug into the hole to seal it. If the hole is too large to plug, we can fit a replacement tire for you. Driving with worn or damaged tires is dangerous. Call us today at Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala.

Healthy brakes are your Chevy's most important safety device, as they allow you to control your speed anytime. If your brakes show signs of wear, it's essential to get them checked ASAP, as brake failure can result in an accident. In Pataskala, OH, your Chevy dealer can repair your brakes for you. These are some signs that you'll need a brake repair very soon. Your Car Is Pulling to the Side When you hit the brakes, each brake should engage at the same time. If you brake and your car pulls to one side, this is usually a sign that one of your brakes isn't working correctly. This type of problem usually displays a slight pull when it begins, but the pull will become more pronounced if the problem isn't fixed. The failing brake on one side is caused by either a damaged brake caliper or a blockage in the brake hose connected to that brake. The brake hose carries the pressurized brake fluid, which forces the caliper against the rotor to stop the wheel. If the caliper is damaged, it won't engage the brake. Your car will continue to move towards the side until the braking of the other wheels stops your car. We'll examine the affected brake and fix the problem. more Hard Brake Pedal Your brake pedal should always provide resistance when you step on it. This resistance increases as you push harder. The resistance is provided by the pressurized brake fluid that enables the brake system to operate. If you step on the pedal and it barely moves, you need a repair ASAP. If the pedal doesn't respond correctly, your braking system won't work when you need it. A hard brake pedal is usually caused by a brake pedal booster failure. This booster provides additional power to force the brake fluid to move through the system. The booster uses a vacuum to generate 10x human strength to overcome the resistance from the brake fluid. Any damage to the booster could compromise the vacuum, and the booster won't work. Grinding Noises Under normal conditions, your braking system shouldn't make any sounds. If you start hearing a grinding noise each time you use the brakes, your brakes are being damaged. The noise could be due to a stone lodged in a brake caliper, which grinds against the metal when the caliper activates. Worn brake pads can also make a grinding sound. When the friction material covering has worn off, the metal pads will grind against the rotor surface and damage it. Our technicians will find the cause of the noise and fix it. If your brakes show signs of wear, call us at Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala.

Your Chevy's alternator generates the electrical power for all your car's systems. It works continually while your engine is running to supply power. In time, your alternator can get damaged, and you'll need an alternator repair. As your Chevy dealer in Pataskala, OH, we can fix that alternator problem for you. These are some of the types of problems we can fix. Blown Alternator Fuse All the electrical systems in your car have fuses, including the alternator. These fuses protect the component they're attached to from electrical damage. In the event of an electrical problem, the fuse will automatically blow out to isolate its component from harm. The failed fuse can easily be replaced, and the component will work normally again. If the alternator fuse blows, the alternator will automatically shut down. Lack of power from the alternator will cause your car's systems to draw power from the battery instead. The battery isn't designed to supply all your car's electrical needs, and this drain will cause the battery to fail in less than an hour. Once we replace the fuse, your alternator will work again. more Damaged Wiring The power generated by your alternator has to reach the components and systems that need it. Your Chevy has large amounts of cables and wiring that run through it. These wires and cables have to be protected from heat and dirt, and they're covered with thick plastic and rubber insulation. Wiring, unfortunately, can still get damaged due to age and other problems. A broken wire will cut off the supply of electricity to one or more components. Your alternator will continue to supply power through the damaged wire, which causes it to heat up. The heat this generates can get hot enough to burn the insulation. If you smell burning plastic or rubber, call us right away so we can fix the problem. Dead Battery A dead battery can be a sign of a failing alternator. As your alternator ages, its electrical production drops. This is caused by wear and tear on the alternator. As the available power supply drops, your car will experience a variety of electrical problems. One of the alternator's duties is to recharge your battery. A worn alternator won't be able to completely recharge your battery. This means the battery will steadily weaken and eventually die. We can test your alternator and replace it if it failed. We'll also test your battery and recharge it or replace it if it's been damaged. If your alternator is showing signs that it's failing, call us right away at Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala. Our experts will fix the problem for you.

When it comes to your Chevrolet, you want only the best top-quality services to keep your car in great shape. The team of experts at your Chevrolet dealership has knowledge and expertise, advanced technology, and cutting-edge equipment to ensure that your Chevy is always in top running condition. 1. Oil Changes When it's time to change the oil in your Chevy, you can rely on our qualified Chevrolet technicians. They know what type and grade of oil is the best for your specific model to keep your engine clean, protected, and running smoothly. more 2. Brake Services Our Chevrolet technicians perform thorough brake system inspections to ensure that your brakes are in good condition and you are safe on the road. If a replacement is needed, the technicians use quality ACDelco Gold (Professional) or GM Original Equipment brakes. GM brake pads have a small piece of metal attached to the pads that'll make a high-pitched squealing sound when the pads are wearing thin to warn you the pads needs replacing. When you hear that high-pitched sound, schedule a brake service, and our technicians will expertly replace your car's brake pads. 3. Battery Services The battery in your car provides the energy to start the engine and must always be in good condition to avoid breakdowns. We offer professional battery inspections and tests to determine if your battery is still strong and if you need a replacement. When you need a new battery, the Chevrolet technicians know what type of battery, size, and capacity your specific vehicle requires. They will replace the battery with a powerful and affordable ACDelco battery that lasts longer and prevent you from getting stranded next to the road. 4. Collision Repair At our state-of-the-art Collision Center, the collision professionals use advanced equipment to perform high-quality repairs you can rely on. It doesn't matter if it's a tiny scratch or significant body damage; we will repair your vehicle like new. We offer frame, body, and plastic bumper repair, glass repair and replacement, welding, and excellent refinishing. Our claims handlers will take care of your claim, and for your convenience, we provide shuttle and car rental services. We also offer a lifetime warranty on our workmanship and refinishing. 5. Tire Inspections, Rotations, and Replacements Our Chevrolet tire experts will take care of all your tire needs, from tire inspections and rotations to installations. The technicians perform thorough tire inspections, including a check for wear and damage such as bulges and cracks, and inflate your car's tires to the correct pressure levels. The technicians will rotate your car's tires to reduce uneven wear and prolong the life of your tires. If you need to replace the tires, ask one of our friendly professionals for assistance. You can also visit our website to find a perfect set of tires for your vehicle, and our technicians will perform an expert installation. Allow Chevrolet experts who know your vehicle better than anyone else to care for your Chevrolet. We offer competitive prices on services and fantastic money-saving specials. Pop in at Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala today for a vehicle service performed by qualified and experienced Chevrolet technicians. Image via facebook.com/CoughlinPataskala.

Do you know what the most important routine vehicle maintenance is? You guessed right. It is changing your vehicle’s oil. Regularly changing your vehicle’s oil is a key factor in keeping your vehicle running properly for years to come and getting your oil changed at any Coughlin Cars location in central Ohio is a quick and easy service. Let’s look into some of the reasons you should regularly change your oil. Regular Oil Change Services = A Healthy Vehicle Build-up from dirty oil makes your vehicle’s engine work harder. An engine that is working harder will result in more issues than needed. This means that your engine will not last as long as it should. We should also note that a vehicle that is regularly maintained will have a higher trade-in value when you visit Coughlin Cars for your next vehicle. more Regular Oil Changes Result in Better Gas Mileage When searching for a new vehicle, we all look for a vehicle with superb gas mileage. Did you know that if your engine’s lubrication is poor – it will lead to lower gas mileage? The U.S. Department of Energy stated that gas mileage is improved overtime with routine, proper oil changes. Having a Quick Oil Change Will Keep your Engine Clean When oil flows into the engine; dust, dirt and other particles start to accumulate in the oil. If you are regularly changing your oil, the particles do not have time to build up to form unwanted sludge in your engine. With a quick oil change, you will remove these particles from your vehicle before they are able to cause harm to your engine. Keeping your Engine’s Parts and Components Cool Without the proper oil and lubrication, your engine’s parts will start to create friction. The more friction there is will lead to more heat. It is also important to note that if you let your oil become contaminated with dust and debris, the engine’s components will become covered in sludge which leads to the heat staying in the components for a longer period of time. By having clean oil in your vehicle, the parts will have less friction. This means there is less of a chance of your engine over-heating. Clean Oil Maintains Engine Lubrication There are countless moving parts under the hood of your vehicle that are moving at quick speeds. Without the proper lubrication, from clean oil, these parts will create more heat and, in return, break down. Having the correct and clean oil is a crucial step in making these components and parts run properly. Interested in starting a regular schedule for getting an oil change near you? Coughlin Cars offers quick oil changes at all of our service locations in Chillicothe, Circleville, Heath, Marysville, Newark and Pataskala. Give us a call at 614-956-1900 to get your car scheduled for your next oil change service.