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Your car is made up of a mixture of parts that last for different amounts of time. Some should last for many, many years before they need to be replaced, while other parts wear down and need to be replaced more frequently. The GMC dealership can take care of everything for you, from replacing a faulty engine part to a simple brake pad replacement. more 4 Signs Your GMC Needs a Brake Pad Replacement from Your Local GMC Dealership 1. The Brake Pads Look Thin Peek between fuel bills and look at the brake pads every few weeks. Note what they look like when they're new, then what as they get thinner over time. When they start looking particularly thin, around 1/4 of an inch thick or less, they visit the dealer to get them checked by a professional. They should never be allowed to get thinner than 1/4 of an inch thick, as you'll compromise your safety by driving with pads that are thinner than that. 2. The Brake Pad Life Monitor Alert Many modern GMC vehicles have systems in place that warn you when it's time for certain types of maintenance. The Brake Pad Life Monitor is one of these systems. If the sensors detect that your brake pads are too thin, then you'll see a warning about it in your instrument cluster. 3. The Brake Pad Wear Indicator Is Exposed Brake pads usually have a wear indicator. This is a small metal component that becomes exposed when your brake pads get too thin, and then it begins scratching against your rotors. It creates a distinct metallic shrieking noise that you'll hear when you activate the brakes. Be sure to get the brake pads replaced as soon as you start hearing this noise, as the pads will get thinner and thinner, and your rotors may become damaged. 4. The Brakes Start Growling Growling and grinding noises can appear if you go too long before replacing your brake pads. You'll hear the screeching we just mentioned first. If you don't replace the pads, then the noise will gradually turn into growling as more and more of the pad wears away. You may end up with no pad left, leaving the caliper to press against the disc. This scratches your rotors and makes your car unsafe to drive, as the brakes won't work very effectively. Visit Dutch Miller's Beckley Automall in Beckley, WV, if you need to replace your brake pads. We perform all kinds of break maintenance, whether it's simple or serious.

As you drive your GMC, the exhaust works hard to clean the engine's emissions, keep hazardous gases out of the vehicle, and muffle the engine's roar. If any part of the exhaust wears out or suffers damage, you'll need to have it repaired right away at your local GMC dealership. Here are five key signs that your truck, SUV, crossover, or van needs prompt exhaust system repair. more 5 Signs Your GMC's Exhaust System Needs Repair Weakening Engine Power Your vehicle's powerful engine requires healthy exhaust to allow a smooth outflow of fumes. If the exhaust becomes blocked, gases back up inside the system, which prevents adequate oxygen from entering the engine at the front of the vehicle. This hinders the combustion process, which means your engine will lose power and might start to misfire. Decreasing Gas Mileage If you find yourself stopping for gas more frequently than usual, you may have a fault in the exhaust system. When clogged, the engine may struggle to generate as much power for each gallon of gas it guzzles. A leak in the exhaust could also create false oxygen readings, which prompts the engine to erroneously inject more fuel to compensate. Rattling From Below As the exhaust pipes and components are underneath your truck, it's sometimes possible for bumps or jolts to loosen the bolts and hangers that keep it attached. If the catalytic converter loosens in its harness, you'll hear metallic rattling from below. A damaged cat might also create rattling noises when you rev the engine as loose parts shake around inside it. Rotten Egg Smells Never ignore a sulfur-like smell of rotten eggs inside the cabin. This might indicate that either your catalytic converter or the muffler are no longer doing their job properly in cleaning the engine's fumes. This means you're breathing hazardous gases. Have the problem fixed at once. Heightened Engine Noise As the name suggests, the muffler at the end of your exhaust system primarily reduces the engine's noise. If your muffler is cracked or rusted through, you may hear suddenly louder engine roaring. This noise might exceed the legal limits that define noise pollution in your area. Head to Your GMC Dealership for Exhaust System Repair If you suspect a problem with your exhaust cat, muffler, manifold, resonator, or oxygen sensor, don't delay having it repaired. Our experienced technicians can have your exhaust and vehicle performing perfectly again in no time. Visit Dutch Miller's Beckley Automall in Beckley, WV, today. We provide great vehicles, maintenance, and repairs with prompt, courteous customer service.

If you notice any of the following six symptoms, you'll need immediate brake pad replacement at your local GMC dealership. more 6 Signs Your GMC Needs a Brake Pad Replacement Screeching Brake Pads The most common and obvious sign of worn-out brake pads is a high-pitched screeching noise whenever you brake. This screeching is caused by a small metal tab that gets uncovered as the friction layer diminishes past a certain point. Brake Pads Look Too Thin If you have open-spoke wheels, you can peer between the spokes to perform a rough check on the condition of your brake pads. If it's difficult to see, a flashlight will help. This layer should be more than a quarter of an inch; if it's less, consider replacing the pad. Metallic Grinding Sounds A more serious warning sign of worn-out brake pads is a heavier metallic grinding sound. This may mean one of your pads has worn out entirely and now the metal casing is scraping directly on the rotor disc. This reduces stopping power and damages the rotor, so have a new pad installed at once. Brake Pad Warning Light Your car may have a brake pad warning light installed, in which case you'll see a light come to life on your dashboard when a pad is almost done. Check your owner's manual to see if your model has such a feature installed and what the light looks like. Weakening Brake Force If you ever press the brake pedal and sense that you're not slowing down as quickly as usual, pull over and inspect your brake pads. One or more of them might be worn out or overheating. Burning Smell From Overheating When used continuously for prolonged periods without pause, such as in heavy traffic or on steep mountainous roads, brakes can sometimes overheat. This could cause the resin in brake pads to melt, generating a burning smell and might reduce your car's stopping power. Have Your Brakes Pads Inspected at Your GMC Dealership Brake pads generally last between 25,000 and 65,000 miles, depending on how much strain you put on them. This wide margin makes it difficult to predict the lifespan of your pads, so it's wise to have your brakes inspected every six months. Visit Dutch Miller's Beckley Automall in Beckley, WV, today to have your brakes checked or repaired. We offer great cars, deals, vehicle upkeep, repairs, and customer support.

Getting routine maintenance from your GMC dealership is a sure way to keep your car trouble-free. Keeping on top of your oil change schedule should be one of your priorities regarding maintenance, as it keeps your engine lubricated and prevents premature wear and tear. more 6 Your GMC Needs an Oil Change from Your GMC Dealership 1. Your Car Tells You It's Time Modern cars are great at letting you know when it's time for fresh oil. There's an Oil Life Monitor in the vehicle that'll let you know when your oil needs to be replaced based on a series of factors, such as the engine's temperatures over time, engine speeds, and vehicle load. This monitor doesn't tell you when your oil is running low, though, so you'll need to check that manually. You need to visit the dealer for a top-up if you notice the level is low. 2. You Have Worse Fuel Economy If your fuel economy is worsening, then you need to head to the dealer to see what's wrong. Reduced fuel economy can indicate many issues, including low-quality oil or a low oil level. 3. Your Car Gets Loud Cars run quietly in motion, so hearing noises that don't usually happen tells you something unusual is going on. You may hear increased engine sounds, knocking, or rumbling when the oil level is low, as the engine's parts are grinding together without lubrication. 4. Your Engine Stalls A car that's working normally should easily get you from one place to another with no stalling at any point throughout the journey. If your engine seizes up at any point on the trip, then head to the dealer. You might need new oil. 5. Your Exhaust Fumes Are Dark You generally shouldn't be able to see your vehicle's exhaust fumes. If they become dark and easily visible, then your car needs maintenance. Sometimes getting fresh motor oil is enough to fix the problem. 6. You Struggle to Shift Gears Struggling to shift gears is often associated with transmission trouble, but it can also let you know it's time for new oil. A clogged oil filter can make it harder to shift gears, too. If your filter is dirty, then your oil probably needs changing, too. Visit Dutch Miller's Beckley Automall in Beckley, WV, next time you need a fresh fill of motor oil. Head to our website or call 304-250-4617 to schedule your appointment.

Detecting your GMC's transmission issues early can save you a lot of time, money, and stress. Knowing what happens when you need transmission service is essential, as it lets you get to the GMC dealer early and get back on the road again in no time. more 6 Signs Your GMC Needs Transmission Service From Your Buick Dealer 1. You Can't Switch Between Gears A lot of the problems you'll notice when your transmission is in disrepair are gear-related. Being unable to switch gears is a very common problem when the transmission is faulty, but the issue usually isn't serious. You may just have contaminated transmission fluid, meaning you need to get that old fluid drained and have it replaced with fresh fluid. 2. You Keep Slipping Gears A transmission that's in disrepair may cause you to slip gears, which is jarring and dangerous. When your gears slip, your cart may not be shifting when it should. Your engine could rev too much when going up a gear, or it could decelerate suddenly and late, making it a lot harder to control your acceleration and deceleration. 3. You Smell Something Burning There are many reasons you could smell a burning odor while you're driving. Often, it tells you that something in your car is overheating. It could be the transmission. In some cases, the transmission fluid may be burning up because it's old and is overdue to be replaced. 4. You Hear Noises While You're in Neutral Cars should run quietly the vast majority of the time, including while they're in neutral. New noises occurring are never a good sign. If those new noises start happening while your car is in neutral, then it's usually a sign that there's something wrong with your transmission. In some cases, it just means you need new transmission fluid, but there could be other issues instead. 5. You See Red Fluid on the Ground If you see red fluid pooling near your vehicle, then it's almost certainly transmission fluid that's leaking out of the car. Older transmission fluid may appear brown or black instead. Check your transmission fluid level and see if there's enough to let you drive to the dealership safely. If there isn't, then you'll need to get towed in for a repair. 6. Your Car Acts Strange When Changing Gears If you have a problem with your transmission, then your car may misbehave during gear changes. You might hear a grinding sound or notice unnecessary power surges during gear changes. Come get your transmission fixed at Dutch Miller's Beckley Automall in Beckley, VW. Call our service department at 304-250-4617.

When you're driving on a hot day, it's very refreshing to feel the cold air from the AC blowing on your face and cooling you down. If you have an AC not working, this can make even the shortest drive feel like a trial. As your GMC dealer, we have the technicians and technology to fix any AC problem for you. These are examples of some issues we can repair. more AC Not Working? Visit Your GMC Dealer Today Jammed Compressor Clutch The compressor converts liquid refrigerant into gas and acts as a pump to pressurize the refrigerant and force it through the system to chill the air. It switches on and off as needed to control the chilling process. The compressor clutch, which controls the compressor, can jam over time. A jammed clutch causes serious problems for the AC. If the clutch jams closed, your AC won't work as the refrigerant can't move. A clutch that jams open forces the compressor to work continuously, and this can cause the compressor to break down. Our technicians will examine the clutch, and we can easily replace it to fix this issue. Blocked Ducts If you turn on the AC and no air flows through the vents, your ducts could be blocked. Air enters the AC through a vent located just below your windshield. Once this warmer air is chilled, it's blown into the cabin through the vents on your dash. A blocked external duct prevents the AC from working due to the lack of air. The external duct can become blocked by leaves, dirt, and other debris, and this debris can also block the ducts leading to the cabin vents. This debris can also cause noises like rustling as it moves with the airflow. Clearing the ducts is a relatively quick process, and airflow will return to normal. Refrigerant Leak Your AC can't work without refrigerant. This odorless, colorless gas absorbs heat from the air and is rapidly cooled to chill the air. Worn or damaged seals in the system can lead to leaks, and the air blowing from your AC will become warmer as refrigerant leaks away. Fortunately, tracing and sealing a leak is a quick process for our technicians. We insert a UV dye into your AC and then view its progress through the system utilizing a UV viewer. Once we locate the leak, we'll permanently seal it and then refill your refrigerant. If you have an AC problem, visit us today at Dutch Miller's Beckley Automall in Beckley, WV.

It’s never too soon to prepare your vehicle for the elements! Winter weather can be harsh on vehicles, and preparing your GMC for the colder months is important if you want to be sure you'll be safe, your vehicle will run reliably, and you'll always get the performance you expect. It starts with proper GMC maintenance, and it ends with some things you need to do at home to really be ready for Old Man Winter. Winter Vehicle Prep GMC Maintenance at Your Dealer The Battery As temperatures drop, the chemical reactions that generate power in a battery slow down, reducing its efficiency and ability to hold a charge. Bring it to us, and we'll let you know if it needs to be changed. more The Tires You need to have the right ones, and they need to be in good shape. Ensure your tires have sufficient tread depth: 5/32 of an inch for better grip on snow and ice is perfect. Consider switching to winter tires, too, which are designed to perform better in cold temperatures and provide superior traction on snow and ice compared to all-season tires. We can help you source these and get them on for you. The Fluids Using the right types of fluids during winter is important as cold temperatures can affect their viscosity and performance. Most important, ensure you're using the right engine oil. We'll check all your fluids and make sure you're set. Things to Check at Home The Heating System Turn on the heater to ensure it's working correctly. If it's not producing enough heat, there might be an issue with the heater core or thermostat. Also, make sure the front and rear defrosters are functioning properly, and make sure the blower motor is producing sufficient airflow. If anything's wrong, come see us. Visibility Your wiper blades should be in good condition to clear snow and ice effectively, and you may want to consider using winter wiper blades. Either way, make sure they're working well. Ensure that all your exterior lights, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals, are working correctly. If you have any burnt-out bulbs or the lenses are grimy, come see us right away. Prepare an Emergency Kit Blankets and Warm Clothing Non-Perishable Food and Water First Aid Kit Flashlight and Batteries Snow Shovel and Ice Scraper Jumper Cables or Portable Jumper Tire Chains or Traction Mat Ready for winter? Come see us at Dutch Miller's Beckley Automall for more tips, maintenance, and anything else you need for winter.