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Do you have trouble driving in the dark? Check out our tips for driving after the sun has gone down safely! Don’t use “night driving glasses.” In fact, don’t wear glasses with any tint at all when driving at night. The only spectacles on your nose should be the ones with your prescription in them (if you wear glasses). Otherwise, keep that tint out of here! If approaching headlights tend to blind you, focus on the white line on the side of the road. You’ll stay in your lane and not get spots in the center of your vision from the oncoming headlights. Try to work your schedule around nighttime. If you know that you’re going to be driving after dark, try and find a ride home or to wherever you’re going. Ridesharing services or taxis are also a great option. Alternately, just don’t leave the house after dark. (This is what I do. I am very lazy and any excuse to stay in bed is a good one.) Try and drive in well-lit areas at night so that you can have the added bonus of streetlights. Have your dealer look at your headlights and ask about reconditioning or upgrading to brighter bulbs. It can make a difference! Service For You, For Less

Going on a road trip this season? Well, there are some things you’re bound to need on the way, whether you’re heading to Grandma’s or to an adventure in another state. Check out our list of must-haves for any driver/passenger combo, and share your own with us on our Facebook! In The Car Blankets and pillows Music Folding chairs Reading material Camera Cash for toll roads GPS Binoculars Wet wipes Puzzle books and quiet toys for kids Pen, pencil, notepad Tissues, paper towels, toilet paper Small bags for garbage Vehicle Emergency Kit Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs First aid kit Booster cables, wrenches, screwdrivers (basic toolkit) Gallon jug of water Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid8 Rags, workshop towels, old blanket Gloves Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts) Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel) Duct tape and WD40 Our Best Road Trippin’ Vehicles

If you’re anything like me, you have a habit of topping off your gas tank when you stop at the pump. Like, if it ends on $20.32, I’m gonna try to get it up to $20.50 or an even $21. You might not think that there’s any harm in it, but you shouldn’t be topping off your gas tank after all. It’s a hard habit to break, but I’m working on it. Check out why this is a bad practice below! So, first, it can overwhelm your evaporative system and break something or even cause a leak because of built up pressure. If your gas tank is too full, the pressure builds past the safe level when the gas heats up as your car moves. If there’s excess fuel, that gets sent to the evaporation system, and if you make a habit of overfilling your engine, you cut the life of that system way short. Another thing is that it is actually a waste of money! Gas stations nowadays have systems where if too much fuel is going into your car, it just goes right back up the hose and back into the station’s tank. This means that you’re spending money on gas that’s not even going into your car. Save money, save your engine - don’t top up! Fuel Efficiency Is The Name Of The Game

Are your headlights dying, or just dirty? You might notice that your headlights aren’t as bright as they once were…. Unfortunately, the time you’re most likely to notice this is when you’re driving at night and observe that you can’t really see the road ahead of you as well as you could before. This is a serious problem - you’re at a higher risk of getting into an accident if you can’t see properly! So, it’s time to take a look at those lights and figure out if they’re dying or if they’re just dirty. First of all, give them a good wipe-down with a clean cloth and some cleaning solution. This might be all your headlights needed! If they’re still dim, or if you see that the plastic lens is yellowed and scratched, there are options you can explore to clean them up and get them bright again. Check out this video on various methods of reconditioning your headlights to brighten them up! If these don’t work for you, bring your vehicle in to Galles Chevrolet to have us take a look. You deserve to see the road! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBnmQBinYTc Amazing Service For Less!

10 Things You Might Not Have Known About Chevrolet Vehicles - 100th Birthday Edition In 1918, the Chevrolet you could buy was the One-Ton, which was just a flatbed truck - you had a choice between the “express body,” which was the flat bed, or the “cowl and chassis,” which was the flat bed with an eight-post curtain top over it. The 1929 Chevrolet International Series AC Light Delivery truck was the first-ever truck in the industry with a 6-cylinder engine. It was also one of the first trucks with steel wheels, instead of wood. The 1938 Chevrolet Half-Ton had an MSRP of $592… which in 2017 dollars is equal to roughly $10,300. Still a great deal! In 1947, the Chevy 3100 Series truck was the first Chevy to have enough room for 3 passengers… and also was the first to feature side mirrors and a radio - in the dash! If you were in the market for a truck that meant business, the 1955 Chevy 3124 Series Cameo Carrier was marketed to customers as the “executive truck.” It was also a close ancestor of the El Camino! The 1973 Chevrolet C30 One-Ton Dually was the first Chevy truck with a Crew Cab - which meant that you could take the whole family along for the ride! Under the Reagan presidency, you could impress your friends and family in the 1988 Chevrolet C/K1500, which not only featured independent front suspensions, but also allowed drivers to shift in and out of four-wheel drive at any speed. 1999 marked the year the Silverado became its own model (it appeared as a trim in 1975), paving the way for all the amazing Silverado trucks on the road today! In 2007, the second-generation Silverado was named the North American Truck Of The Year™ at the North American International Auto Show… how about that!! The 2018 Centennial Special Editions feature a vintage Chevrolet logo that’s a throwback to 1918, when it all began, and the bowtie those first One-Tons featured! Start With Silverado! * Photos courtesy Chevrolet

You might think that there are some repairs and upgrades that you can take care of yourself in a nice DIY-type thing, and there are! But these are some of them that you should NOT be doing yourself, under any circumstances, because it will mess up your car and you will regret it. Take a look - if you had plans to do any of these things, reschedule! And by that I mean have your dealer do the job for you! Anything to do with the transmission. Even replacing the fluid in your transmission is something that should be done by a pro. You’ll spend money either way since it’s not a cheap fix or replacement. But when you trust a professional, you’ll get what you pay for when it comes to the fix actually working. Windshield repairs. Sure, you can find kits that will “fix” your windshield, but if a crack or chip is big enough it can lead to much more serious issues. Think about how much force is against your windshield as you drive, and then think about that force spreading cracks that you might not even see with the naked eye. An upgraded sound system. You might think you can do this, but it involves very delicate wiring that could start a fire, fry your system, or just not end up working. Take your vehicle to a professional and let them do the work for you! Fuel pumps. This is an expensive auto part, so you might think you can cut your costs by installing it on your own… but you’d be wrong. This is a very precise piece of equipment that needs to be installed just right, and if you mess it up you can total your car from the inside out. Engine diagnostics. You can buy devices that’ll turn off any lights or tell you what the problem is, sure, but turning off the light won’t fix the problem. The cost of taking this issue to your shop or dealer is about the same as the device, and will actually get the problem fixed without the risk of serious issues with your vehicle. Service Is Cheap With These Specials!

It’s that time again! “That time” being time for our October specials! They’re so great - you’ll be scared at how low the prices are! Get it? Halloween puns. Spooky, right? Anyway, let’s get down to it. Check out these specials, but make sure to come test drive them sooner rather than later, as they’ll all turn into pumpkins on the 31st! First up is the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT. This truck is a powerhouse that can take you and several thousand extra pounds exactly where you want to go, and in style! It can also be yours for up to $10,392 off of the MSRP, which is incredible. Then we have the 2017 Chevrolet Impala, the classic Chevy car, that has not only been redesigned to look sleeker and more sophisticated than ever before, but is also available for you to own for up to $6,719 off MSRP! We’ve also got a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse LS with your name on it. This is the SUV you’ve been looking for, and is perfect for rugged mountain trails as well as taking your kids trick or treating. You think it, the Traverse can take you there and back again - and for up to $5,750 off of the MSRP, you’d be silly not to pass this deal up. For those of you who have always wanted to live on the wild side, you finally can with the 2017 Chevy Camaro LT. When you combine the sheer power of this muscle car with the up to $5,500 off MSRP that Galles is offering, you’ve got the recipe for awesomeness. If you’re more the eco-friendly type, the 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS is also on our specials list for this month. With up to $3,728 off the MSRP, you can drive this vehicle home and revel in the low emissions. It’s a win-win for everyone! There are many more specials available this month - check them out on our website and test drive some of your favorites today at Galles Chevrolet! *All specials expire on 10/31/2017. See our specials page for details. Get ‘Em Before They’re Gone!

We all know that gas prices have been rising lately and it’s getting more tedious to fill up the tank because of how much it costs. Even with the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market, we’re still going to have to fill up eventually. Here are some tips on maximizing your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and making sure that you won’t have to fill up quite as often. Don’t speed. Speeding really decreases your gas mileage with the acceleration and deceleration that it involves. For every five miles per hour over 50 you go, you’re paying the equivalent of 10¢ to 20¢ more per gallon of gas. That can add up to a lot! Be a patient driver. When you drive more carefully, you save more gas! I know, it sounds crazy, but it’s true. Fast accelerations and braking a lot can lower your gas mileage by 15-30% on the highway and 10-40% in stop and go traffic. If you have a roof rack, consider ditching it in favor of a rear-mounted cargo box. The former increase drag and decrease how aerodynamic your vehicle is, which decreases your fuel efficiency. With a cargo box on the back (or rear-mounted bike rack, whatever floats your goats) your efficiency isn’t hit nearly as hard. Don’t idle by the curb. Turn your car off if you’re going to be stopping (except, of course, while you’re at a stoplight) because idling wastes about a quarter to a half a gallon of fuel per hour. That’s a lot! Make sure your car isn’t weighed down by a lot of stuff. Cleaning out your vehicle every so often can increase your MPG by about 1%. Seriously. Cruise control is your friend. Using cruise control eliminates accidental acceleration and braking that can happen when you’re driving on the highway and keeps you moving at a consistent rate of speed. Good stuff, right? Try using these tips when you’re driving and you should see an increase in your MPG’s. If you don’t go from 25 MPG to 70… well, you’re not gonna. That’s just not realistic. But you might go from 25 to 27, which, hey! That’s pretty good. Check Out Our Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles!

If you’ve ever gotten stuck in the mud, you know that it is almost impossible to get your car out of it. Of course, you’ll pretty much always get out of it, but if you want to expedite that process, there are some tools that you should have in your vehicle if you know that you’re going to be somewhere where you’re at risk of getting stuck in the mud. Check out our list of these tools! Shovel - you’ll need this to dig out your wheels, move mud aside, and free your car a little bit more than you’d be able to if you just had your hands! Pieces of old carpet, cardboard, or wood - to put in front of your tires to give them a little more traction and ability to climb out of the mud. Drive slowly over these pieces to give your tires a chance to grip onto them and get out properly. Plastic recovery tracks - this is only for the serious mud-lovers who also get stuck the most often. These will lift you right out of the muddy hole you’ve gotten yourself into, and can even be used as shovels. Tow strap - If you have a friend with you, they can use a tow strap on their vehicle to pull yours free. These don’t take up much space but are very useful! Winch - if you don’t have a friend, having a winch and tow straps (as well as a tree saver strap and snatch block) will help you get your car out of the mud on your own by using a tree, a rock, or something else. Just make sure you get a winch that can support the weight of your vehicle. Snow chains - Not just for snow! These can also help you get traction in mud. Make sure you put them on before you need them. While you think about this list, take a look at this video of someone’s really ingenious technique for getting out of the mud! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8ie05PybBI New Cars For Goin’ Muddin’

Football season is starting up and what better fall activity is there than tailgating? Whether you’re cheering for the Lobos, the Cowboys, or the Broncos, you’re going to need a tailgating kit in your car, right? Read on for our list of tailgating supplies you should have, and some other great tips for making your tailgates great all football season! Supplies you’ll need can conveniently be stored in a toolbox in your backseat or your truck bed, ready whenever you need ‘em. Spatulas Tongs can opener Toothpicks wooden skewers basting brush mini flashlight trash bags paper towels wet wipes hand sanitizer sunscreen poncho plastic zip bags Sharpie Masking tape your favorite condiments, spices, and seasonings You should also know how to pack a cooler as efficiently as possible, so on game-day, you can pack the most food and beverage possible to satisfy your friends and family. Put those cans of soda and water bottles (pre-chilled!) on the bottom of the cooler and throw a layer of ice on top, making sure that ice gets between the cans and bottles. Then put your food items, packed in watertight ziplock bags, on top of that bottom layer. Make sure the cooler is packed tightly so that no warm air gets in! If the weather is a little colder, you can also turn your cooler into a warming oven! Check it out here. A good idea is to bring thermoses full of hot soup or cider to keep your guests warm if it’s a chilly day. Here’s hoping your tailgate is great! Our favorite place to get ready for the big game is in the back of a Chevy pickup. Check out what we have in stock here at Galles Chevrolet! Go, team! Perfect Trucks For Perfect Tailgates

You know that old statement that goes something like “the nose knows”? Well, it’s totally right. The nose DOES know a lot of stuff, but your brain just might not be caught up to exactly what it knows. That’s what this blog is for! If you smell something weird in your car, there’s probably a reason for the smell, but you just might not know exactly what that reason is. So, voilà, here is a list of smells that can come out of your car, and what they mean, and what you can do about them! The nose says: Sulfur The car says: When you smell sulfur in your car all the time, you can assume that it’s gear lubricant leaking from the manual transmission, transfer case, or differential housing. There are sulfur compounds in the oil that serve as extreme-pressure lubricants for the gears, and after being in use for a few years the lubricant can get funky. Look for odiferous puddles of oily, viscous liquid under your car. If you see the aforementioned puddles, you should take your vehicle into the shop. The nose says: Maple syrup The car says: It’s coolant! One of the main ingredients in coolant is ethylene glycol, which is very sweet smelling… kind of like maple syrup but not tasty at all. Mostly because if you taste it, it’ll kill you. If you can smell it coming from your engine, that means there is probably a leak in your system somewhere. You should get your vehicle looked at ASAP, but this is definitely one of the easier fixes. The nose says: Rotten eggs The car says: Your catalytic converter is on the way out and is putting hydrogen sulfide into your exhaust. It could either be a fuel injection problem, or your cat is actually failing. Unfortunately, this is an expensive repair. You should take your car into the shop to have someone look at it… if the problem isn’t actually the cat there’s a chance that the issue could be fixed by someone who knows what they’re doing. The nose says: A gas station The car says: Raw gasoline leaking from somewhere in your engine. Unless you are actually at a gas station, you should not be smelling this. If you have an older car (like, from before 1980) then this smell is regular just because of how the engine works. If your car is newer than that, the smell probably means that you have a leak in your fuel injection line or a fuel tank vent hose. Take your car in to get looked at ASAP! The nose says: Hot oil The car says: ….hot oil. This probably means that there’s oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold, which heats up when your engine is running. You don’t want the smell, or the reason for the smell, to continue so you should open up the hood and look for smoke in your engine. If you can find the oil leak, wait until the engine is cool and then try to plug it up. Then you should take your car into the shop as soon as you can. If you need repairs, remember that Galles Chevrolet always has you covered. From questions to replacing parts, we can do it all! Exclusive Service Coupons At Galles Chevrolet

You’re driving around, minding your business when out of your periphery you see the gentle flicker of dashboard light lighting up. Take a deep breath, which light is it. HOW BAD IS THIS SITUATION?? One glance and immediate dread, the check engine light is on. You don’t even know what the problem is, and already your wallet hurts. But WAIT, there isn’t need to panic just yet! There are a whole host of issues that could be causing your check engine light to come on that won’t make you weep over your bank statement. One of the most common issues that will cause your check engine light to turn on is your gas cap being loose. So before you go panicking, go ahead and give that a quick check. Many people don't know this, but a loose, cracked, or faulty gas cap can cause fuel to evaporate, thus cueing your check engine light. If it is indeed loose, just tighten that bad boy up and carry on with your business. See not so bad, friend! Aside from a loose gas cap, all other reasons for your check engine light coming on are much more complicated, and therefore aren’t things you’ll be able to diagnose on your own or fix on the side of the road. Other causes can range from a damaged vacuum hose or ignition coil(s) to a failing catalytic converter to worn out spark plugs, and that’s just a few. If those words look like some sort of foreign language to you, don’t worry. There’s a reason we’re all not mechanics. The GOOD NEWS is that the qualified professionals at Galles Chevrolet will be able to diagnose and fix the problem for you in no time. BUT HOW DO THEY FIGURE IT OUT?!  Most modern cars have an on-board diagnostic system that provides a code identifying the specific issue at hand. So when you bring your vehicle to Galles Chevrolet they can read the code and sort out what the code means so that they can fix the issue. So while that light in the corner of your dash means you will have to seek the help of the professionals in our Galles Chevrolet service center in the near future, there’s absolutely no need to panic. If it’s not a simple fix, like your gas cap, we’ll be able to sort out the problem and get you back on the road in no time. Get Your Vehicle Checked Out Today!