Blog

In order to keep your Buick well maintained, you'll occasionally need to replace your timing belt and your serpentine belt, the latter of which is also known as the car belt. Your timing belt synchronizes your camshaft and crankshaft, opening and closing valves as your engine runs. Your serpentine belt transfers power to various important engine accessories. Let's take a look at common indicators that you need to visit your local Buick dealer to replace a belt. Do You Need to Replace One of Your Car Belts? Serpentine Belt Trouble Without a fully functioning serpentine belt, your car will rapidly run into all sorts of problems. A serpentine belt weaves and winds between many shafts and pulleys, powering various accessories. Over time, these belts can occasionally loosen, slip off, or snap. Here are four main signs of serpentine belt trouble to look out for. Your Air Con Stops Working The serpentine belt powers the air conditioning compressor, which is vital for the air con to work. So if you find your cabin failing to cool down on a hot summer's day, your serpentine belt may well be the culprit. Your Electronics Falter Your car's battery is charged by the alternator, which in turn is powered by the engine via the serpentine belt. So if your belt slips or cracks, the battery will stop recharging while you're on the road and will swiftly die. If you notice various electronics failing, including your headlamps and engine starter, check your serpentine belt first of all. Your Power Steering Fails If you're driving the ever-popular 2022 Buick Enclave, or any other Buick model, you'll know how silky smooth the steering is. This superior handling is augmented by a very advanced power steering pump, which is kept functioning by the serpentine belt. So if your steering ever suddenly becomes heavier, your belt may have stopped doing its job. Your Engine's Overheating The coolant system of your Buick plays a vital role in keeping your engine from overheating. Coolant is pushed around the engine by the water pump, which is powered by the serpentine belt. So if you ever notice signs of overheating, such as ticking noises, a burning smell, or your temperature gauge shooting up, then your serpentine belt might be to blame. Timing Belt Problems Your timing belt plays the more limited but equally important role of ensuring the engine valves are opening and closing in harmony. Any timing belt fault will be immediately noticeable as your engine starts to malfunction. You might find your engine failing to start, or misfiring frequently when it does. You'll hear strange ticking noises and you might even find oil leaking from under your hood. You might also notice smoke pouring from your exhaust. If you notice any of these problems, have your timing belt checked by a trusted technician right away. How a Buick Dealer Inspects Your Belts A technician will check both belts carefully, looking for any sign of cracks or fraying along the edges. They'll use a belt wear gauge to measure the depth of the V-grooves that keep the belts gripping the pulleys. In the case of the timing belt, they'll also check the nuts and bolts that hold it in place, which can occasionally come loose over time. Have your serpentine and timing belt examined by experienced professionals today at Crain Buick GMC. We're the region's number one Buick GMC dealership, and we're dedicated to providing all of our customers with nothing short of outstanding service, whatever your vehicle needs may be. Image by wnk1029 from Pixabay

You wouldn't want the sterling safety features of your Buick Encore or GMC Terrain SLE to be hampered by poorly maintained tires. After five or six years, even the most well-maintained tires face the risk of blowing out or losing traction on the road. Damaged tires often need replacing far sooner than this. Here are seven clear indicators that you should head to your local Buick GMC dealer for a set of new tires. Time for New Tires? Visit Your Buick and GMC Dealer Inexplicable Air Loss Most punctures are dramatic and unmistakable, leaving you with no doubts that the tire needs replacing. But sometimes a tire can become punctured more subtly. As a result, a hidden crack or cut could be causing persistent air loss, which you might only notice when you check your tire pressure. Never ignore inexplicable air loss. The underinflation it causes will hamper your vehicle's handling and responsiveness. And even the smallest of punctures compromises the tire's structural integrity, putting it at risk of blowing out on the road. Embedded Objects One common cause of sneaky punctures is embedded objects in the tire rubber. If you ever notice a nail, a scrap of metal, or anything else dug into the tire, don't ignore it. The object might have gone deep enough to pierce the inner lining, in which case you'll need to have it removed and the tire repaired or replaced. Sidewall Cracks As a tire ages, it will inevitably develop a few hairline cracks in the sidewalls. This is a natural sign of the rubber breaking down and losing flexibility, caused by UV light, temperature fluctuations, salt, oils, and chemicals from the roads. Initially, these small, superficial cracks can be safely ignored. But if you notice them increasing in depth, length, and number, you're at risk of a sidewall blowout and the tire should be swapped out. Tread Cracks Cracks in your tire treads should be treated with more urgency than sidewall cracks. Tiny cracks deep in the tread voids might pose little threat but any larger, wider crack usually indicates some underlying structural problem, such as dry rot or trapped air under the tread. A tire damaged in this way puts you and your passengers at risk and needs to go. Deep Cuts Needless to say, if you notice any deep cuts in the rubber from objects on the road, your tire may be too damaged to continue using. This is especially the case if the cut is so deep that you can see the inner lining underneath. Blisters or Bubbles Tires can become damaged by scrapes against curbs or bumps over potholes. Sometimes the only sign of such damage is a blistering or bubbling of the outer rubber. This often means the inner lining has become damaged and air has escaped, becoming trapped under the outer layers. Unfortunately, this kind of damage has ruined the tire, which will need to be replaced. Diminished Tread Depth The sturdiest of tires often make it to the end of their lifespan without suffering any of the aforementioned damage. In this case, you'll most likely need to replace them when the tread depth nears 2/32 of an inch. This is the minimum legal tread depth in the US. A wary driver concerned about traction should consider swapping out their tires long before the tread depth becomes so shallow. This is especially the case during winter, when slippery roads require greater tread depth to maintain traction. During winter, it's not recommended to go below 5/32 of an inch. To have your tires inspected, rotated, or replaced by friendly, experienced professionals, visit Crain Buick GMC of Springdale. We're the region's number one dealership and our priority is to serve our customers with an outstanding, highly personalized service, whatever your vehicle requirements might be.

From the outside, the 2022 GMC Yukon XL is obviously a rugged and versatile SUV. From the inside, it actually kind of seems like your living room. The Yukon offers a powerful 6.2L V8 engine and impressive towing capacity. But it also offers Wi-Fi and bucket seats. The 2022 GMC Yukon XL Makes Anywhere Feel Like Home The Yukon is a full-size premium SUV. What that means is you're getting capacity, capability, and comfort. The Yukon XL is more than a foot longer than the standard model, which mostly means even more cargo space in the back and some more legroom for the rear seats. Apart from the XL's extra room, the features stay the same, and they focus on providing a pleasant ride for a large number of passengers, with room for all of their stuff. Luxurious Interior Breathing Room for Everyone Anyone who's flown on a commercial airliner knows that on a long trip you want as much space to yourself as possible. And the Yukon XL provides it. The Yukon is a big vehicle with enough space in the cabin for your passengers to spread out a bit. The comfortable seats are available with options like leather trim and second-row bucket seating. Tri-zone automatic climate control and the available panoramic sunroof ensure that things stay comfortable inside no matter what the weather is like outside. The Comforts of Home To keep everyone entertained the Yukon offers a 10.2-inch display for controlling the  GMC infotainment system, which sounds amazing over the optional 14-speaker Bose audio system. On long drives, passengers in the back will particularly appreciate the available Rear-Seat Media System with dual high-definition touchscreens. And, to keep everyone's personal devices charged and connected, the Yukon offers up to eight USB ports, two 110-volt outlets, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. A Modern Driving Experience The Yukon offers the kind of technological options that you'd expect in a modern premium vehicle. The available 15-inch head-up display can put the information you use most right at the bottom of the windshield, where you can glance at it while still keeping an eye on the road. And for help negotiating narrow spaces and tight corners, the Yukon offers up to 13 camera views to give you a clearer, more accurate picture of what's around you. Easy to Bring It All With You You won't need to worry about squeezing all of your luggage into the Yukon XL. Maxing out at more than 140 cu. ft. space, the Yukon has plenty of room for luggage, or camping gear, or whatever you might need. When you need to bring something that won't easily fit behind in the back, the Yukon has you covered with different split-folding seat options to open up more interior space. Or, opt for the Max Trailering Package to get up to 8,400 pounds of towing capacity. The Yukon is a machine that will get you where you need to go. But it's also designed to make sure you get there in comfort and style. To check out the different packages and trim options for the Yukon XL, visit us at Crain Buick GMC of Springdale today.

Make every drive you head out on a special occasion with a vehicle that pairs a smart style with an energetic performance that will have you looking forward to getting behind the wheel. You'll get it all when you choose the 2022 Buick Envision as your next compact SUV. Learn more about how the Envision helps you to be at your best when you read about everything this impressive new model from Buick can bring you your drive. Introducing the 2022 Buick Envision Striking, Refined Appearance One look at the elegant style that Buick captured in the new Envision is enough to leave a lasting impression. Boasting a wider, more aggressive stance than previous year's models, the new Envision is ready to take the road by storm. Aerodynamic body lines give the Envision a sleek shape that enhances its style and also reduces drag on your vehicle for better fuel efficiency and less wind noise as you drive. Welcoming, Inspiring Interior You'll feel like you're climbing aboard a cabin designed specifically for you with the fine craftsmanship and luxurious touches waiting for you inside the Envision. Available ventilated driver and front passenger seats are just one of the many perks that will help you enjoy a high standard of comfort on every travel you take. Quiet-tuning technology gives you a peaceful and quiet right, blocking outside noise from interfering with your cabin's atmosphere. Confident, Efficient Performer The 2.0-liter turbo engine powering your Envision combines exciting thrill rides with fuel-saving energy efficiency to give you the best of both worlds when it comes to performance. You'll get up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway, saving you from steep costs at the fuel pump. Available intelligent all-wheel drive with active twin-clutch automatically optimizes your traction by sending torque to where it's most needed at any given moment. Modern Technology Features Infotainment is at your command when you're behind the wheel of the Envision, enjoying a fully-integrated multimedia experience that gives you all the entertainment you need for your travels ahead. The Buick Infotainment System has dozens of apps for you to choose from, letting you pick the features that matter most to you. Amazon Alexa compatibility connects your vehicle to your smart home, letting you take a cohesive experience with you wherever you are. Advanced Safety Systems The Envision instills a sense of security when you drive it by protecting you and your passengers with the Buick Driver Confidence suite of safety features. That suite includes the enhanced automatic emergency braking system to keep you secure even in potentially dangerous situations on the road. This feature helps you avoid or reduce the impact of a collision by automatically enhancing your own braking when sensors detect an imminent collision. We couldn't cover all the impressive features that the Envision offers you in just one preview. To get the full picture, you'll have to see this exciting compact SUV for yourself. Come see the Envision at Crain Buick GMC of Springdale today!

What do we look for in our vehicles? Something stylish. Something durable. Most importantly, we are looking for something that is safe. Buick dealers and GMC dealers do something truly beautiful by combining all three of those necessities. Let's take a look at some of the ways they're innovating car safety features for a better driving experience. 6 Car Safety Features GMC Dealers and Buick Dealers Can Offer You 1. Buick Gives a New Meaning to Bird's Eye View Using multiple cameras, a Buick vehicle can provide a virtual overhead view of your vehicle's surroundings. Gone are the days of bumping into shopping carts in the grocery store parking lot; here are the days of full 360-degree view. Buick's got your back, literally. 2. 24/7 Roadside Support Some things are unavoidable. Buick is prepared for the unavoidable. With OnStar assistance, your problems are met by swift solutions. Car accidents can be scary, and they can be life-threatening. With the automated crash response, Buick vehicles are able to connect to emergency services so they can render aid to you as needed. 3. Pump the Brakes With Automatic Braking Whether it's fog, snow, or rain, unpredictable weather can limit our range of sight. Buick takes this into account. With built-in sensors, your vehicle will apply the brakes if it senses a pedestrian or obstacle in front of it. Not only is Buick concerned about the safety of your life, but they are also concerned about the lives of the people outside of your vehicle. 4. Stay in Your Lane GMC vehicles offer something truly special with the lane drift warning system. If at anytime your vehicle drifts out of its a designated lane, your steering wheel will make small corrections to keep you on track. Don't worry though, you can easily regain control of the steering wheel at any time. 5. Watch Your Blindspots One of the most common causes of car accidents is being unaware of your blind spots. With built-in cameras and sensors, GMC cars are able to detect cars on both the right and left sides of your vehicle and warn you. Never has keeping your eyes on the road been so easy. 6. Don't Be Distracted by Noise Constant beeping can be distracting to most drivers, and also annoying. GMC understands that. As the owner of the vehicle, they believe you should have the right to choose what you hear and how you hear it. That is why they have made it possible to change the warning alerts to seat vibrations. Buick and GMC care about the people behind the wheel of their machinery. Pay Crain Buick GMC of Springdale a visit today to learn more about what makes GMC and Buick the right car for you. With a refined knowledge of the technology employed, and the mechanics involved, they are the experts. A conscious consumer will have safety features close to the top of their priority list when purchasing a car. It's hard to find quality and safety in a pretty package like Buick or GMC.