Summer Car Tricks

Sweltering temperatures can mean trouble for your ride, but these tricks can help you keep your car cool.

Hot interior?

Cool down faster by driving with the windows rolled down and the A/C cranked up, which forces out the hot air and allows the cool air to circulate. In a few minutes, when the air inside the car should be about the same temperature as the air outside, you’re ready to roll up the windows.

Scorching steering wheel?

Prevent burning your hands with this trick: Turn the wheel 180 degrees before getting out of the car. That way, the side you touch is safely in the shade while you're out.

Stinky seats?

A hot car can also mean a smelly car. To get rid of the stench, tape a dryer sheet onto the air conditioning. When you blast the AC, your ride will get a refresher too. Stash a box of dryer sheets under the passenger seat for maximum deodorizing as you travel.

Broken AC?

If your car's air conditioning isn't working or just needs an extra boost, try a solar-powered car fan. These tiny devices can be mounted on an open window, expelling hot air from the car while creating constant air circulation. Note: Tinted windows interfere with this gadget's function.

Blown-out tire?

Be prepared. Tires are more prone to blowouts in the hot summer months, because drivers are often on a sizzling road with the heavier loads for longer periods of time. Underinflated tires are most at risk, since the lack of air pressure puts the tires' components under increased strain; but overinflated ones are more likely to hydroplane in a summer rainstorm. Periodically check your tread by sticking a penny into the groove of the tire with Lincoln's head facing inward. If you can see the top of Abe's head, it's time for a new set.

Engine overheated?

Hot temperatures and low coolant levels increase the risk of your engine overheating, and your AC working overtime. If you see symptoms of an overheated engine—the temperature gauge rising; warning lights; steam billowing out from the hood—pull over to a safe place, turn off the engine, and wait at least a half hour for it to cool down fully before opening the hood. If your coolant levels are low, topping off the tank (it’s the translucent plastic one) could do the trick, but if the tank is empty you might have sprung a leak and will need pro help.

Sunny out?

Spending time in the sun is just as bad for your car as it is for you, as sun damage can cause paint and interiors to fade. To prevent problems, park in a garage when possible and invest in a sunshade.

Find a quality pre-owned Chevrolet at GMT Auto Sales!

Looking for a reliable, pre-owned vehicle? Don't waste your time looking all over Creve Couer, Jennings, Alton, and Berkley for the best value and selection. You'll find it all in one place at GMT Auto Sales in Florissant! And when it comes to truly reliable, pre-owned vehicles, one brand truly stands out: Chevrolet.

Click to view Vehicle Details.

As one of America's oldest automakers, Chevrolet cars have been on the road since…well practically since there have been cars on the road. And in all those years, Chevy has learned a thing or two about making cars that retain their value and keep running even through the toughest conditions. Looking for a capable workhorse of a truck? The Chevrolet Silverado features plenty of hauling and towing capacity to take on the big jobs. Perhaps a comfortable SUV for the family is more your speed? With parents and kids always on the go, the Chevrolet Suburban has always been a safe bet and a great value!

With so many quality pre-owned Chevrolet vehicles in our inventory, you're sure to find the perfect fit at a competitive price. Stop in to GMT Auto Sales in Florissant for a test drive today!

Will a Used Car Always Cost Less Than a New Car?

Everyone knows a pre-owned vehicle costs less money up front than a new one, but you may wonder whether the initial low cost is worth it in the long run.

Used cars typically cost more to repair each year than a new one, which may be under warranty, and used car loans typically have a higher APR than new car financing. Used cars usually get fewer miles per gallon, too.

Bank of America went through the blow-by-blow on every factor to consider when budgeting a car over the course of five years, and in most circumstances, the checkbook balances in favor of used.

In 2015, the average new car shopper spent $13,000 more than the price of an average used car -- and the majority of those used vehicles were less than 3 years old. New cars depreciate rapidly in monetary value, but are still highly reliable in most cases. Check the CARFAX vehicle history reports available for most of our used inventory to get a better idea of how well a vehicle was maintained.

Used cars are also less expensive to insure, and despite a higher APR, almost always cost less to finance because of their lower starting price. In the example used in the video, the used car saved its owner over $7,000 over the course of five years compared to buying new.

Learn more about costs and benefits of a used vehicle at GMT Auto Sales in Florissant, MO.

Muffler Warning Signs

Signs of Problems with Your Car's Muffler

A deep rumbling sound could indicate a problem with your exhaust system or muffler.

An exhaust leak and other muffler repairs are costly.

Depending on your car and its exhaust system, the cost to make repairs to a damaged or broken exhaust component can range widely - but putting off an exhaust repair almost always costs more than addressing them promptly.

Because your exhaust system does more than just keep your car quiet - it also routes exhaust fumes away from the cabin, helps your engine run properly and maintain optimum fuel efficiency, and reduces polluting emissions.

Here are some useful things to know if you suspect your vehicle may need muffler or exhaust system repairs:

Car exhaust repair

One of the most obvious signs for many drivers is a deep or loud rumbling sound coming from your car. When this happens, it's time to get it to a mechanic.

Having the exhaust repaired before it gets too loud offers the most benefit to you.

Delaying a needed car exhaust repair can make it cost more. That is because continuing to drive with an exhaust leak or bad catalytic converter can damage other things in your vehicle's operating system.

Don't just turn up the radio to drown out a loud muffler. Have the increased volume problem checked out and repaired by a professional. It will save you money in the long run.

Catalytic converter

The catalytic converter is one of the highest priced exhaust system parts and, in some vehicles such as SUVs and trucks, it may be prone to theft by scrap metal thieves.

If your catalytic converter has been stolen, you'll immediately notice a loud sound and altered vehicle performance upon startup.

An intact but failing catalytic converter may sound like someone shaking a box of rocks when your vehicle is idling when parked or stopped in traffic. If you notice any of these issues, schedule an appointment for the muffler shop right away.

Exhaust leak

If you notice a new vibration or loss of power when operating your car, have the exhaust system checked by a professional. You might notice the new vibration when you touch the steering wheel, foot pedals or car seat.

You might or might not hear a rumbling sound, depending on the size of the damaged area. A hole, exhaust leak or disconnected exhaust system component don't just cause vibrations, they can also signal the engine is no longer running at optimum performance.

Exhaust system affects fuel efficiency

If you notice you have to fill up your gas tank more often than normal, have your exhaust system checked out by a muffler repair shop.

Similar to the vibrations, increased fuel use is a sign something is wrong with your car. When the exhaust leaks, your engine works harder. When your engine works harder, it requires more fuel.

Things Self-Driving Cars Will Make Obsolete

New technology eventually replaces the old. Not only have public pay telephones all but disappeared in the wake of cellphones, but many homeowners even choose to forgo having a landline telephone. Meanwhile, Internet shopping services such as Amazon are slowly gaining prominence over brick-and-mortar retail stores.

Self-driving cars will change our cultural landscape the way the printing press, indoor plumbing and the Internet did. Over time, these autonomous vehicles (AVs) will make some things obsolete that we currently take for granted. They may not disappear overnight, but one day we'll likely look around and notice that the roads and highways are quite different places than they once were.

Here are five things the transition to AVs will probably relegate to history books.

Street Signs

Although pedestrians may still require signs announcing the names of streets, instructional signs -- such as stop, yield and no-parking signs -- will quickly become redundant on roads where cars drive themselves. AV programming will include such instructions. Even today, some GPS navigation systems display the current speed limit on their touchscreens. With this information programmed into a car's computer, we could see speed-limit signs eventually disappear, as well.

Traffic Lights

Chances are that traffic lights as we know them will also fade into disuse. Sure, pedestrians and bicyclists will still need to know who has the right of way, but traditional traffic lights that go from green to yellow to red probably won't be the source of that information. Something along the lines of current cross/don't-cross signals would probably serve the purpose more effectively.

Valet Parking

Self-parking will be a function of AVs: They'll be able to unload their passengers and find a parking spot on their own. Nissan has test AVs that are already capable of dropping off passengers, parking themselves and then returning to pick up those passengers by commands issued through a key fob. Essentially fulfilling the role of a valet parking attendant, AVs will eliminate such services and the costs associated with them.

Parking Meters

As with valet parking services, today's parking meters will likely disappear. In communities that currently use parking meters to generate revenue, some new technology will need to be developed to charge for street and public lots filled with self-parking cars. Such technology could look like today's toll-road transponders, such as Florida's SunPass. In any case, the idea of physically inserting money or a credit card into a metering system just won't work when cars park without a driver present.

Mail Carriers

Electric refrigerators replaced iceboxes, eliminating the need for ice vendors, and corner supermarkets eventually erased daily milk deliveries and milkmen from the scene. In much the same way, a number of commonplace service jobs may prove unnecessary in the age of self-driving cars. With AVs able to follow set routes, the position of mail carrier might be one of the first to go.

While it remains to be seen whether self-driving cars will truly make these now-common realities things of the past, one thing is for certain: Once AVs hit the streets, the world will start to look different pretty quickly.

Tire Dry Rot

Inactivity, low tire pressure and excessive heat are the primary culprits that cause automobile tire dry rot.

If you notice little cracks running spider-like along the sidewalls of the tires and running all the way to the tread, you may be experiencing a common phenomenon that occurs in stagnant cars – tire dry rot.

One of the most common reasons for tire dry rot is improper storage or infrequent use.

SIGNS OF DRY ROT

Rubber and plastic materials naturally degrade over a period of five to six years depending on the climate, temperature and humidity, the use and storage of the vehicle, and the air pressure levels of the tires. Dry rot is indicated by hard and brittle surfaces on the tires. As the oils in the rubber begin to evaporate, the chemical bonds break down, leaving a dry tire behind.

CAUSES OF DRY ROT

The most common causes of dry rot include low inflation of the tires, storage near excessive heat and a lack of use. Constant exposure to sun can speed up the effects of dry rot upon the tires, so if your car sits for long periods of time in balmy Florida, for example, chances are your tires will deteriorate quicker.

Finally, if your tires were manufactured several years ago, they could be unwrapping, whether they’ve been on your car the whole time or not.

HOW TO PREVENT DRY ROT

If you have to store your vehicle for long periods of time, ideally store it in a climate-controlled garage, keep the tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations, store it with boards under the tires and check the air pressure at least once a month.

TIRE DRY ROT REPAIR

Dry rot can be fixed only in the early stages. Try using a water-based tire product to help seal cracks and avoid products using petrochemicals or silicone. If dry rot is advanced, the only real solution is to replace the tires.

IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE ON ROTTED TIRES?

In most cases, tires with dry rot are probably not safe to drive on. Around town, you may have a little time before you need to replace the tires. Once the cracks reach the cords of the tires, the heat of long distance driving will cause the rubber to expand and the tires to actually break apart while driving.

The Different Types of Truck Cabs

When you’re shopping for a truck, you’ll probably notice some lingo among dealers with which you might not be familiar. Some vehicles are advertised as having a “crew cab,” while others are “double cab” or “extended cab,” and others do not mention these words at all.

What’s the difference? The space inside trucks with each different cab configuration will be divided a bit differently. Depending upon how you will be using your truck (personal vs. business) and whether you plan on having frequent passengers, you'll need to select the truck cab that best fits your own lifestyle.

Regular Cab

Of the three most common types, regular cab trucks generally have the least amount of inside space. They have a single row of seats, and there is no backseat at all. Since these trucks are smaller than other options and do not have nearly the capacity of an extended or crew cab, they are typically reserved for personal use by individuals who are either single or have very small families. Regular cabs are convenient if you don't need a lot of space apart from the bed, but are not ideal for those who frequently ride with others or need to carry large amounts of cargo inside of the vehicle.

Extended Cab / Double Cab

Both words refer to the same thing. Extended cab trucks are larger than regular cabs in that they have a (rather small) backseat. In order to access the backseat, passengers will need to open small doors that are only exposed when the truck’s main doors are already opened. The extended cab is a good compromise for those who want more space than a regular cab provides but may not want to drive a larger crew cab. However, if you regularly have several passengers or otherwise use your backseat often, it can become annoying to have to open your front doors in order to reach the back.

Crew Cab

The crew cab is the largest of the three types of trucks on the market today. A crew cab is similar to an SUV in that it has larger seats in the back that are accessed by their own full-sized doors. However, the crew cab is somewhat limited in that its bed is often shorter than that of an extended cab, in order to provide more room for the cab. By far the most expensive configuration, the crew cab is recommended for those who need a larger cab capacity or travel with others very often and don’t mind sacrificing a larger bed space.

Which one is right for you? Evaluate your needs and pick on that can fit your crew and gear in the best way for you.