What Should You Do During A Recall?

Aside from a few key exceptions – Optimus Prime or KITT, for example – our cars aren't proficient in English. Nevertheless, that doesn't refute the fact that your vehicle certainly communicates with you. The sound might not always be pleasant to hear, though. Differences between the normal sounds your car generates and the more worrying noises can be subtle, so it's crucial to pay attention. As you wouldn't overlook a person's cry for assistance, you shouldn't ignore your car when it's essentially doing the same. By attempting to understand what's troubling it, you can then proceed to take action. Here at Savage L&B, our team is always on the lookout for out-of-the-ordinary engine sounds. Here's an outline of various noises your vehicle may exhibit – and importantly, what these sounds might indicate. Squealing / Chirping High-pitched squeaks should not be considered a persistent annoyance to the driver – they often manifest a loose or worn belt. If you notice such sounds, especially from the engine, it's likely your serpentine belt, controlling your alternator, power steering pump, and water pump. If you suspect this, schedule a service appointment without delay, as a malfunctioning belt can result in overheating, loss of power steering – and a daunting repair bill. However, before you do, confirm the squealing isn’t from your brakes. Manufacturers intentionally add a small metal piece in your brake pads, creating a screeching sound to alert you that your brake pads are becoming thin. Observing your brakes pads’ state is essential, but brake pad replacement is far more common (and less expensive) than swapping your serpentine belt. Knocking / Tapping / Pinging It’s not someone lodged in your hood (hopefully). A faint thumping or ticking noise from the engine could denote an issue with the engine bearings. These bearings support the engine’s revolving parts – and they’re not hesitant about signalling when they’re declining. Conversely, it could be a problem related to low-quality fuel or old spark plugs – both can induce further damage or engine failure. To avert this, contact our Service Department quickly at the initial sign of these insistent noises. Rattling / Clanking If you perceive a rumbling in your engine, it’s one of the most directly worrying car sounds. It’s an alert that something – potentially crucial for your safety – is unattached or mishandled. If you’ve inspected under your hood and are uncertain about what could be wrong, let an expert take a look. A gentle rattling or profound roar could be a more immediate warning, as it often points to a deteriorating catalytic converter. Regrettably, the only remedy in this case is to completely replace the converter. Follow a regular maintenance schedule, and hopefully, you won't encounter this situation. Whoosing / Hissing Typically, these noises result from a leak in the exhaust system. If overlooked, this leak can lessen both engine performance and fuel economy. The leak could stem from various places: punctures in the muffler, catalytic converter, or exhaust manifold are all potential leak sources. Luckily, our Parts Department stocks everything you need to restore harmony to your vehicle and have it operating smoothly once more. A sustained hissing could also be due to coolant leakage or the vehicle’s cooling system overheating. If you think your car is overheating, halt and find a spot to park without delay – for your own safety and the health of your engine. Transmission Grinding Persistent grinding noises frequently originate from transmission problems and are most noticeable when shifting or altering gears. (Automatic transmissions produce jolting and trembling rather than a grinding noise.) Be aware of other symptoms of a malfunctioning transmission, like leaking fluid, a burnt smell, or a power shortfall. Consult with a seasoned or certified professional soon to avoid hefty transmission repair expenses. Relish The Tranquility The most tranquil sound your vehicle can produce is the lack of sound. A silent engine is a healthy engine, and at Savage L&B, we’re delighted to provide your vehicle the silent treatment. Have faith in our team of seasoned technicians for battery diagnosis, oil changes, and any other essential service. When abnormal noises persist, it might be the right time to consider a new vehicle. Bring your old car to Savage and trade it for a new or certified pre-owned ride today. From the Jeep Renegade to the Dodge Durango, our vehicles purr like kittens and drive like dreams.

Let's be real for a moment: the last time a dealer recommended a tire rotation, did you think you were being hustled? Because the vast majority of dealerships and manufacturers do such a poor job of explaining what tire rotation is, drivers understandably suspect it's just a generic add-on to your service estimate. Not only are these procedures legitimate, rotating and balancing your tires regularly are some of the most surefire ways to increase your tires’ lifespan. Courtesy of our experienced technicians here at Savage L&B, here’s why you should make tire rotations a regular part of your maintenance routine. What Exactly Is Tire Rotation? Tire rotation is actually quite a simple process. It involves moving your tires from one area of your car to another. Typical tire rotation follows the same pattern: with front-wheel-drive cars, front tires typically get shifted straight back, while the rear tires are moved to opposite sides on the front. The opposite applies for rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles, in which the rear tires are moved straight forward, while the front wheels are moved to opposite sides of the rear. You don’t need to rotate your tires excessively – the recommended interval is 5,000 to 8,000 miles – but requesting a tire rotation whenever you get an oil change (or at least every other time) is a safe habit to adopt. If you notice a decrease in tire pressure or abnormal vibrations when steering, these could be signals that your tires are due for a relocation. Okay, I Know What Tire Rotation Is. But Why Is It Important? Why is it important for your vehicle to shuffle its tires around, like school kids getting a new seating assignment? Well, tire rotation helps prevent uneven wear caused by the front of your car being heavier than the rear. By balancing the tread on your tires, you'll experience a smoother ride with no vibrations. Plus, it'll give you better grip on slippery or narrow roads, enhancing your safety on the road. On the other hand, an uneven tread on your tires can lead to faster wear and deflation, which in turn reduces fuel efficiency. That's why tire rotation is vital not only for preserving the health of your tires, but also for the well-being of your engine. If the air pressure in your tires remains low, it may be time to time to schedule a service appointment with us. So Then... What’s Tire Balancing? When balancing, mechanics use a machine to confirm that the weight of the tire and wheel are balanced. If they’re unequal, small lead weights are attached to the rim of the wheel until an equilibrium is attained. Making sure your tires are properly balanced is just as important as keeping up with regular rotations. Both these procedures follow the same recommended timelines. If you decide to have your tires rotated and balanced with each oil change, many auto shops will even offer it as a complimentary service. Find Your Perfect Balance Today We make sure everything is in its right place here at Savage L&B. If you're looking to kick off your year with a new or used vehicle - from the adventurous Jeep Renegade to the forward-thinking Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid - simply stop in at Robesonia's most-trusted dealership.

The calendar is getting set to flip once again, so it's time to make potentially life-altering resolutions... and then immediately break them. But here’s a new thought for the new year: what if 2024 is the year you stick to your resolutions? The thing about New Year’s resolutions is that there’s no need for them to be major life upgrades (though they certainly can be). If you commit yourself to losing weight or quitting smoking and succeed, more power to you! But holding yourself to a handful of small changes can wind up making a large impact. For every car owner, there’s plenty of small adjustments that can be made when it comes to your driving habits, how you care for your car, and more. Here are five resolutions to consider in 2024: Don’t Ignore the Service Light The service light coming on in your car is inherently alarming, but obviously there’s a wide array of issues it could be indicating - some far more serious than others. Still, it’s perfectly normal for people to ignore the problem until it becomes something more tangible. But in 2024, try to address small problems before they snowball into large, costly ones. Schedule regular service appointments with our experts here at Savage L&B, and when your service light flashes, take it to the garage as soon as you can. Ultimately, your checking account will thank you. Clean Your Car Regularly Keeping your car cosmetically healthy is less important than monitoring what’s happening under the hood – but that doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. The interior of your car, especially, can wind up accumulating dirt and debris quickly, to the point where you wonder how you let it get to that condition. When you suddenly need to give a passenger a ride, you could find yourself in an embarrassing situation. It's recommended you wash your car about every two weeks to keep the exterior clean. Every two months or so, consider running it through a more thorough wash or wax.  And every time you take it to the car wash, vacuum the inside to keep it consistently clean. Put Your Phone Down More and more of today's vehicles are embracing the fact that our phones have become an integral part of daily lives. Thanks to the rise of interconnected apps and infotainment screens, interacting with certain facets of your phone while driving is becoming safer and more seamless. That said, if the only way to check your phone remains to pull it out of your pocket while you’re driving, it's time to put a stop to that in 2024. Pull over to the side of the road if you have to text, but otherwise remember it’s okay to not look at a screen for a half-hour. Cell phone usage still contributes to 1.6 million crashes each year, and one out of four accidents is caused by texting and driving. Even if double-tasking while driving hasn’t been an issue for you in the past, focus your attention on the road and don’t needlessly endanger lives. Remember, all it takes is one incident to dramatically alter your life. Know Your Lane If you’re driving on the highway, you're in the fast lane and someone is behind you, find a safe opportunity to change lanes and let them pass you. There’s always that one puzzling driver going 55 miles per hour in the left lane; you don’t want to be that driver. Think of it this way: you wouldn’t refuse to move your cart if you were blocking someone at the grocery store. In 2024, let’s all resolve to become more responsible drivers by expressing common courtesy and sticking to our lanes. Consider Making the EV Switch this Year This one constitutes more of a major life change, but if you have the resources, 2024 is the year to give serious thought to making the change to hybrid or electric. The impact it has on lowering carbon emissions is substantial, and we’re going to need every advantage we can get to combat climate change in the years ahead. It helps that as more dynamic electric vehicles continue to emerge, more dealerships are buying into the EV experience. And charging stations are starting to pop up everywhere. Here are some just a few nearby charging stations in the Reading area: ChargePoint Charging Station on 815 Lancaster Ave., Reading, PA 19607 ChargePoint Charging Station on 1015 Lancaster Ave., Reading, PA 19607 ChargePoint Charging Station on 210 George St., Reading, PA 19607 Volta Charging Station in the Shillington Shopping Center, Reading, PA 19607 Destination Charging Center on 701 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601 Cruise Into the New Year No one is perfect when it comes to making and keeping their resolutions, but with some effort, we can all change our habits for the better. Hopefully, you take these suggestions to heart, because they’re truly important to creating a safer, more orderly world. But even if you’re only able to implement one or two of these resolutions into your driving routine, you’re exhibiting a real and meaningful desire to change. What never changes is the quality of vehicles you’ll find here at Savage L&B. One more resolution: it's important to treat yourself once in a while. With our huge selection of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles, we'll have you driving confidently into the new year.