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Choosing the Right Oil for Your Vehicle

person checking car oil on white cloth
Most drivers understand the importance of engine oil. It helps lubricate your car's internal parts, keeps them cool, and prevents wear and tear. Choosing the right oil for your vehicle can be a bit tricky. Use this guide to sort out all those numbers, letters, and terms so you can go home from the auto parts store with the right product.

Viscosity

Viscosity indicates how easily oil pours at a specified temperature. On the label, that's the number before the W — which stands for "winter." It refers to how thick the oil is at zero degrees Fahrenheit. The second number after the dash refers to its thickness at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Motor oil thins when it heats up and thickens as it cools. Thicker oil does a better job of maintaining a protective film between moving parts. The higher that second number, 10W-40 versus 10W-30, the more resistant that particular bottle of oil is to thinning. In low temperatures, the oil must resist thickening in order to flow properly throughout your engine. If it's too thick, it will be more difficult to start your car, and it may adversely affect your fuel economy ratings. A lower number before the W is the best choice for cold-weather performance, like a 5W product.

Premium Conventional Oil

When you look at the oil on the shelves of your local auto parts store, you'll see types for all kinds of purposes. Premium conventional oil is the new-car standard. It's available in several choices for viscosity, such as 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30. These three choices work well for most light-duty vehicles.

Full Synthetic Oil

If your vehicle is equipped with a high-tech engine like the latest model Corvette or it's designed for heavy-duty use, such as the Silverado, you may want to consider a full synthetic oil. These products have passed stringent tests for superior, long-lasting performance. They are designed to deliver better flow at low temperatures, and they resist breakdown in high heat. This is one of the most expensive options, though, and not every engine needs it. If you're commuting with a Malibu sedan, don't waste your money on full synthetics.

Synthetic Blend Oil

Just like it sounds, this type of engine oil is a blend of synthetic and organic lubricants. It's an ideal choice if you're towing heavy loads or consistently driving in high temperatures. They resist oil loss from evaporation and increase fuel economy. These blends are popular with truck and SUV owners who want extra protection for less than the cost of a fully synthetic product.

Changing Your Oil

There's a ton of controversy about how often you should change your oil. Some experts recommend every 4,000 miles, while others say at least twice a year. The best resource to answer this question is your owner's manual. If you're still unsure when to perform this routine maintenance, visit the experts at Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC service center. Oil is vital to keeping your car's engine running smoothly. Use this guide to help choose the right one for your vehicle. Image via Pixaby.com by Skica911
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A Closer Look at the 2023 GMC Yukon XL

The GMC Yukon is already one of the most spacious full-sized SUVs in its segment, but its XL form extends its length by about 15 inches to provide even more passenger and cargo space. Of course, it still features an attractive and plush cabin with many standard and optional amenities. Here's a guide to the 2023 GMC Yukon XL! more A Closer Look at the 2023 GMC Yukon XL Power and Performance A mighty 5.3L V8 engine putting out 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque is the standard powerplant. Buyers who regularly tow larger trailers and vehicles will want to opt for the larger 6.2L motor, which provides 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque—good for a maximum towing capacity of close to 8,000 pounds. A 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine improves fuel efficiency up to an EPA-rated 27 highway MPG. No matter which version you choose, the power is transmitted through a 10-speed automatic transmission with a tow/haul mode and an electronically controlled overdrive. The available Active Response 4WD system features a 2-speed transfer case that can automatically switch from 2WD to 4WD when it detects a loss in traction. Its shift-on-the-fly feature lets you make seamless manual shifts between 2WD and 4WD while on the move. Passenger Cabin Thanks to the Yukon XL's slightly larger size, it boasts 42 inches of legroom in the second row, 36.7 inches of legroom in the third row, and up to 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space when the 60/40-split rear seats are folded down. In addition to power-folding second- and third-row seating, the second row is available with a power-release that activates with just the press of a button for quicker, easier access to the third row. From the premium cloth seats of the SLE to the Alpine Umber full-grain leather upholstery of the Denali Ultimate, the Yukon XL offers an array of choices to customize the interior. Available all-weather floor mats are especially resistant to the elements, plus they're easily removable and washable. Tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front and rear outboard seats, and a heated steering keep the interior comfortable during all sorts of weather. Multimedia and Connectivity All Yukon XLs come equipped with a large 10.2-inch GMC Premium Infotainment System with a multitouch display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Google Built-In for added convenience. When it comes to entertainment, there are loads of options, including a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, streaming TV shows and movies in high-definition, and a powerful 18-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. With the myGMC mobile app, you can use your smartphone to check on your vehicle's status or use Family Sharing to enable your family to control the locks and start the vehicle with their own devices. Great capability and a cavernous, luxurious interior combine to make the Yukon XL the SUV of choice for larger families. Check out the 2023 model by heading over to Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC today!

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Does Your Buick or GMC Need a Brake Repair?

Does Your Buick or GMC Need a Brake Repair? You Spot Leaking Brake Fluid Brake fluid maintains hydraulic pressure inside the brake mechanism and hoses. This hydraulic pressure allows your foot on the pedal to exert enough force through the master cylinder to clamp the calipers and stop your two-ton vehicle. When brake hoses spring a leak, fluid escapes, air gets in, and hydraulic pressure plummets. This is extremely dangerous as your foot on the pedal will no longer be exerting enough force to properly stop your car. If you notice a yellow or yellowy-brown liquid pooling in your wheel wells or on the ground near your wheels, you might have a brake fluid leak. Never drive a car with leaking brake hoses until they're repaired. Your Fluid Is Too Low or Old Over time, brake fluid ages, diminishes, and fills with contaminating particles and moisture. As this worsens, you'll gradually feel your brake pedal feel softer and spongier, and your car won't be stopping as promptly. You can check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood. If the fluid looks low or very dark and dirty in color, have it flushed out and renewed. When the fluid is too low or old, you're also likely to see the anti-lock braking system warning light come to life on your dashboard. Your Brakes Are Overheating If your daily commute requires long periods in heavy stop-and-go traffic, your brakes are at risk of overheating. With extreme overheating, it's possible for the brake function to temporarily reduce. This worrying phenomenon is called brake fade. If it occurs, pull over at once to a safe place and allow your brakes to cool back down. You Hear Strange Sounds While Braking Fully functioning brakes should be relatively silent when applied. If you hear loud squealing, you probably have a brake pad that needs replacing. Any clattering or grinding sounds usually mean something is loose or trapped inside the caliper. Your Brake Pedal Is Vibrating The rotors in a Buick or GMC's vehicle brakes are remarkably durable. But extreme overheating can cause any rotor to become scored, warped, or coated in resin from a melting brake pad. If this happens, you're likely to feel a rhythmic pulsing or vibrating through the brake pedal. The malfunctioning rotor will need to be resurfaced or replaced. Have Brakes Serviced Often at Your Local GMC Dealer The more frequent your brake servicing visits, the less likely you are to ever experience these brake-related issues. Under ordinary driving conditions, it's best to have brakes serviced twice a year and brake fluid flushed every two years. Visit Stone Chevy Buick GMC to have your brakes serviced or repaired today.

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The Top 9 Coffee Shops in and Around Tulare, CA

Coffee makes people more energetic and happier. So why don't you invite your friends to grab a cup (or two) of coffee? In and around Tulare, CA, excellent coffee shops are yours to visit. 1. Top O'The Morns-Drive On Prosperity Avenue is this small coffee house. It serves popular caffeinated favorites including latte macchiato and caramel frappe. You can order milkshakes and cookies here, too. more 2. Component Coffee Lab This 2017-established shop in Visalia's Main Street began its operations as a coffee roaster called Slow Train. Since 2012, it's been serving roasted coffee in small batches and single origin. It also offers breakfast items. 3. The Human Bean Head to Mooney Boulevard to get to this coffee shop in Tulare. In addition to coffee, this place also serves hot chocolate, smoothies, and pastries. If you want to order coffee and enjoy it outside, you can. This place features a covered outdoor seating venue. 4. El Charro Cafe This small place on Bardsley Avenue is where people go for a satisfying cup of coffee and Mexican food. Because it's open from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening, you can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner here. Its friendly staff offers excellent service, too! 5. Mikey V's Want to have coffee in a small place with a mom-and-pop vibe? Then check out this shop on Tulare Avenue. The coffee here may not have as much flavor compared to the coffee in other places, but it's good and strong! 6. Salles Cafe This cute shop on N J Street is open from 5:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening. It offers a nice, quiet environment with a hometown feel. Other than coffee, this place also serves fluffy biscuits, sausages, pork chops, and more. 7. Bravo Farms On Retherford Street is where you can find one of the Bravo Farms outlets. It serves great-tasting coffee. Apart from that, it delights customers with sandwiches, pizza, beer, and more. If you plan on drinking beer, kindly do so responsibly. 8. Vejar's This place on S K Street is many tourists' go-to stop for extraordinary coffee. To know what the hype is all about, see for yourself and try its delicious coffee. Want more than just coffee? You can also order your favorite American and Mexican dishes here. 9. Cafe and Bakery - Tulare A serving of perpetually hot and fresh coffee is what you can get at this small cafe and bakery on Laspina Street. Craving bread and cheese as you sit back with your coffee? If so, you can order them here, too. These nine shops in and around Tulare serve coffee unlike any other. They also feature a drive-thru section! And speaking of drive-thrus, talk to us if you need help in this department. Call us to check out our available vehicles at Stone Chevy Buick GMC. We have a lineup of certified and pre-owned Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC available.