Blog

If you're not sure whether or not your car needs new tires, you're in the right place. Tires due for replacement have many signs, and you can easily check them. Read on for five signs from your Chevy dealer that your tires need replacing. more 1. Your Car Is Difficult to Steer If your car feels like it's drifting to the left or right, then you may need replacement tires. Problems with steering or car handling are often a sign that your alignment is off. Misaligned or unbalanced tires can lead to tire cupping. Tire cupping occurs when the tires wear down unevenly, taking on a scalloped appearance. Have your car's tires and alignment checked by one of our Chevy certified technicians if you are experiencing any of these issues. Misaligned tires can be dangerous, so bring your vehicle in right away! 2. Vibrations or Shaking Vibrations or shaking can have many causes but are often due to faulty tires. Tread separation and flat spots can cause vibrations while creating potentially unsafe driving conditions. These damaged tires can cause steering and handling problems, creating an uncomfortable ride and a safety issue. 3. The Tread on Your Tires Is Visibly Low Tire tread is an important factor in overall car safety. Not only does it help your car grip the road and improve braking performance, but it also helps to prevent hydroplaning. When driving in wet or snowy conditions, if your tires don't have enough tread depth, the lack of traction can cause you to lose control. Visually inspect your tires regularly and be sure to check various spots on each tire. If you can see that your tire tread is low, it means you need a new set of tires. It's always a good idea to replace your tires when you notice they're starting to wear down. 4. Uneven Tire Wear Uneven tire wear can be caused by many factors such as incorrect inflation, misalignment, or a worn suspension. Keep an eye on the condition and tread depth of your tires and replace them when you notice uneven patches. By checking the tread depth with a penny or a tread depth gauge, you can quickly determine the condition of your tires. When you can see Lincoln's head, it's time to replace your tires. 5. Aging Tires Minimally used tires tend to experience aging instead of wearing. An aging tire has a substantial amount of tread; however, due to the chemicals used to manufacture the tires, the structure of the tires will break down. Aging tires are risky for driving and should be replaced every 4 to 6 years. While it may be tempting to put off buying tires, it's always best to replace them sooner rather than later. To find out if your tires need to be replaced, schedule an inspection at Mike Kelly Chevrolet. We'll let you know whether it's time for replacement tires and provide a competitive quote. Image via Pixabay

Butler, PA is a great little city with lots of amenities. But sometimes you'll be looking for something to do that isn't available in town. No matter what your interests are, there's bound to be day trips in the local area to suit you. more 1. Live Sport in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh has a proud sporting history, including hosting the first professional football game in 1902, with its franchises winning numerous Stanley Cups, World Series, and Super Bowls. Nowadays, the city is home to major sports teams in football, baseball, and hockey. And while it is possible to simply watch on TV, it's a far better experience being there in person. Tickets are surprisingly affordable as well, starting from $22 for a Pirates game, while the Penguins or Steelers are a little more expensive. The city is just over an hour's drive away, so it's an easy journey for the whole family. 2. Akron Zoo There's no reason you must stay within the state. Akron Zoo, just south of Cleveland, Ohio, is home to over 700 animals, including otters, capybaras, lions, and Humboldt penguins. Up-close encounters are available for certain species, such as Galapagos Tortoises and Boer Goats. There is a café open year-round in the Komodo Kingdom area of the zoo, with additional concessions in other parts of the zoo open during summer. The zoo is open 11 am – 4 pm daily from November to March, or 10 am – 5 pm the rest of the year. Tickets cost just $9 per person, with on-site parking costing $5. 3. Raccoon Creek State Park Another great place for animal lovers is Raccoon Creek State Park, near Hookstown. An abundance of wildlife, including warblers, turkeys, red foxes, skunks, and opossums can be seen from its 44 miles of hiking trails. Most trails in the park also allow horse riding, mountain biking, and cross country skiing (weather permitting). Alternatively, if you prefer getting out on the water, there is boat rental available at Raccoon Lake, with kayaks, canoes, hydrobikes, and rowboats available to hire up to one hour before dusk. It is also permitted to fish in any of the park's waterways at any time of year. You can catch bluegill, sunfish, bullhead catfish, and smallmouth bass, among others. 4. Carnegie Museum of Natural History If you're looking for somewhere to take the kids, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History could be what you're looking for. With a wide range of exhibits, including dinosaurs, American Wildlife, and Arctic life, there's bound to be something of interest for any visitor. The Discovery Basecamp gallery is a particularly child-oriented area of the museum, with a focus on hands-on displays to keep kids occupied for hours. Located in downtown Pittsburgh, the museum is open 10 am – 5 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and from 10 am – 8 pm on Thursdays. Admission costs $19.50 for adults, $14.50 for seniors, and $11.50 for children and students (valid ID required). You'll need a quality vehicle to enjoy these attractions. Visit Mike Kelly Chevrolet today for great deals on new and pre-owned vehicles. Image via Pixabay

Your battery supplies power to your car before you start the engine. Once your engine starts, the responsibility for providing all the electrical power falls on your alternator. When your alternator starts to wear out, it will provide less power, and eventually, your car will not even be able to start. As your Chevy dealer, we'd like you to know the signs that you need an alternator repair. more Headlight Problems Your headlights are powered by the electrical system, and when your car is running the alternator provides that power. If the alternator is weakening, it cannot supply power consistently and the headlights will start to flicker. The power fluctuations cause havoc with the delicate bulbs in the headlights, and they will burn out much faster. If you frequently have to replace bulbs, your alternator is likely failing. Starting Difficulty Your Car The battery provides the charge to start your ignition, and once your car is moving the alternator starts to charge your battery. When an alternator is weakening, it can't charge the battery sufficiently, and your battery will start to run down. If your battery doesn't have enough power, it will take longer to start your car as the battery has to build up a sufficient charge. Electrical Glitches As a failing alternator supplies less power, and your car's electrical system's power demands are constant, electrical glitches will start to occur. The glitches are random, but as the alternator weakens further they will occur more frequently. Windshield wipers, for example, can suddenly stop working, or the seat heater can suddenly go cold. The inconsistent power supply can also cause long-term damage to these components as they are not designed to work with a fluctuating power system. If you experience random glitches, we recommend contacting our service department so we can investigate. Worn Electrical Connections Your alternator may be working perfectly, but one or more of the connections in the electrical system may be worn or damaged. Due to the damaged connections, power will not reach the components that need it. The alternator will try to supply more power, and the cables will grow hotter. If you smell burning wire, this can be a sign that you have an alternator problem. Check Engine Light Goes On The engine light is an excellent early warning that there is a problem with your engine. The light doesn't necessarily indicate that there is a fault with the alternator, but it does show that something in your engine is not working correctly. Your car will display a code, and our technicians will use the code to trace and repair the problem. Don't let a dead alternator leave you stranded. If you experience any of the signs above when you are in Butler, PA, call us right away at Mike Kelly Chevrolet. Our expert technicians have the best diagnostic equipment available to find the source of the problem and repair or replace it. Image via Pixabay

When it comes to places to stay, tastes vary, as some seek luxury, others a modest retreat, or a business-oriented atmosphere, and some look for local style; the variety of hotels in Butler, PA will, we think, fit the bill for you as a visitor. more The Fairfield Inn and Suites This Marriott is a fair size, with 75 guest rooms, and located on Fairfield Lane, could be a great family event venue, as well as being perfectly suited for business needs. Its style is modern and friendly, with practicality and comfort clearly in mind - decent-sized desks are provided in rooms as are microwaves and refrigerators, and you can choose a room with a Whirpool Spa! Comfort Inn At Number One Comfort Lane, the Comfort Inn and Suites has outdoor parking and a heated indoor pool in addition to bookable meeting and event rooms. At least one of the guest rooms is wheelchair-accessible, and all rooms have refrigerators. Located nearby (a 7-minute drive) is Succop Nature Park wedding venue, so altogether, the Comfort has much to recommend it. Conley Resort and Golf Club Out on Pittsburgh Road, the Conley is clearly a gem for the dedicated golfer (currently rooms aren't available for non-golf bookings due to Coronavirus, but bookings are open for the next golf season, and for special events). There are 60 guest rooms at the motel, where there is also an indoor waterpark with a whirlpool and a sauna, also boasting two waterslides. Plus, four meeting or banquet rooms. You can take advantage of golf packages, and outings are available. Hampton Inn Located at Butler Crossings, this Hampton Inn is 30 minutes from Slippery Rock University and has 80 guest rooms. One feature, that we rather like, is the outdoor patio with a barbecue grill. It is also great that on-site laundry facilities are provided (but a patio with barbecue gets top marks!). Detailed accessibility information is supplied by the motel, and with good event facilities too, it's an option to explore. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Close to Benjamin Franklin Highway, on North Duffy Road, the Holiday Inn is an up-to-date practical choice, especially for the visitor who values functionality without sacrificing standards. All the facilities we would expect are available, and accessibility information is supplied. It is also conveniently close to Slippery Rock University and has a bookable 500 square-foot meeting room. SpringHill Suites by Marriot Centrally located at East Jefferson Street, the SpringHill Suites is exactly that; all guest accommodation is suite accommodation. Governed by its West Elm influence, rooms are spacious and furnishings have the modern elegance typical of West Elm. This establishment aims for that touch of luxury, perhaps coupled with community feeling; SpringHill Suites no doubt relish their central position, and will with pride, direct you to local delights such as the 'Butler Brew Works'. Visiting for business or for pleasure, be sure to call on Mike Kelly Chevrolet when you are in Butler! Image via Pixabay