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The car radiator is an essential component of your car by keeping your vehicle operating at a safe temperature. If you notice your vehicle overheating, it could signal that your radiator is failing. Key an eye out for these signs of you need a radiator repair from our local GM dealer in Topeka, KS. more A High-Temperature Gauge A rising or hot temperature gauge may also indicate that it’s time to repair your radiator. When the temperature gauge is in the red zone, it means that the car cannot regulate its temperature and is overheating. Your engine can suffer significant damage if your gauge is rising at high temperatures, so if you see your temperature gauge rising, pull over right away and get and bring your car to Cable Dahmer of Topeka’s Service Department immediately. Low Coolant Level A low coolant level can cause a lot of problems. If you notice that your coolant level is low, the cause may be a leak in the engine. If you see yellow or green fluid under your parked car, it’s probably leaking coolant. We recommend you take it to our Service Center right away. Check your coolant level regularly to ensure that you don’t have a leak, and definitely check it when the engine is cold! Review your manufacturer’s manual regularly for your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. White Smoke Anytime you see white smoke coming from the engine, you should stop driving your car over and tow it to Cable Dahmer of Topeka. If smoke is coming from the tailpipe or under the hood, this is usually a sign of overheating. White smoke is usually an indication that your car is leaking coolant into the engine. A leaking radiator can cause severe damage to your engine and be expensive to fix. Rust and Discoloration If you see rust spots underneath the hood, it could also signal a leak. The leak can be in the radiator or one of the hoses connected to the coolant system. The rusting happens when the coolant leaks, bubbles, and then causes corrosion. Any component around a radiator that is rusted or discolored needs to be repaired immediately. If your service technician catches a problem early enough, they may be able to repair it at a lower cost. Rust signs or a white residue are cues that you have a leak. Cracked or Collapsed Hose If you notice a collapsed hose or a crack in the hose, this also needs to be repaired. The hose is designed to move coolant and water to and from the radiator. If a section of the hose has cracked or collapsed, you probably have a malfunctioning radiator. Clogged Radiator A radiator can clog due to dirt, debris, rust, and build-up of deposits. If your radiator is clogged, it won’t cool your engine properly. If your engine is constantly running hot, it’s probably caused by a clogged radiator. If your car is overheating, it’s one of those problems which should not be delayed or overlooked. Bring your vehicle into Cable Dahmer of Topeka today where our service team will be happy to perform an inspection, let you know the problem, and get you back on the road right away. Image via DealerOn

Your transmission is a complex and highly-sophisticated part of your GM vehicle. It's responsible for channeling your engine's power into a usable form to move your wheels. Like any mechanical part, regular checkups and service are required to keep it running at its best. As your GM dealer, this is what will happen when you bring your car in for a transmission service. more What We Check Our highly-trained mechanics will carefully examine your transmission when your vehicle arrives at our service department. There is a standard list of components that we automatically check. Our technicians will also look out for any signs of potential problems in your transmission. If we discover a problem, we'll let you know, and we can repair it while your car is in our service department. Transmission Pan and Gasket Your transmission pan is an important part of your transmission. It protects the fluid from dirt and contaminants and protects the transmission's underside from damage due to debris thrown up from the surface. The pan helps to cool the transmission fluid before its recirculated through the system. The pan has a magnet in it that captures metal pieces in the fluid that have been collected in the transmission. The gasket fits between the pan and your transmission and provides a seal to prevent leakage. In time, this gasket can wear or get damaged, and a worn gasket can cause a transmission fluid leak. If the gasket is in good condition, we'll clean it and replace it. If the gasket is damaged, we'll replace it. Clean the Transmission Our technicians will clean the transmission casing, transmission pan, gasket, and all the other transmission components. These components can get caked in dirt and grime. Removing this build-up of dirt helps to prevent contaminants from entering the transmission. Replace Transmission Filter As transmission fluid flows through the system, it absorbs dirt, metallic fragments, and other debris in your transmission. These contaminants make the fluid thicker and slower, which reduces its ability to work effectively. The purpose of the filter is to capture these contaminants and prevent them from blocking the transmission. Over time, this filter will clog up, so we replace it. Change Fluid Transmission fluid is essential for your transmission. It provides the hydraulic power needed for your gears to work, and it provides a friction barrier around all of the transmission components. This friction barrier helps to protect them from damage. In addition, the fluid helps to reduce the temperature in the transmission. This fluid gradually degrades as it works. Older transmission fluid loses its abilities and doesn't cool the transmission as it should. It also becomes less able to provide friction protection to the transmission's components. This old, sluggish fluid will be replaced during your service with clean, fresh fluid. Regular transmission servicing will keep your transmission working for many years to come so make sure to schedule an appointment at Cable Dahmer of Topeka's Service Center in Topeka, KS. Image via DealerOn

Car batteries are supposed to last you for years, but there are some things you can do to shorten that time. We don't suggest doing those things. Instead, implement these tips into your driving and maintenance routines to extend your car's battery life span and save yourself some money and stress. more Take a Joyride One of the worst things you can do to your battery is let it sit unused for long periods of time. Paradoxically, your car battery can sometimes last a shorter length of time if you don't use it. If you have a car you're not actively using throughout the week, take it out for a joyride every now so it can stretch its metaphorical legs. Beware of Warm Weather Hot weather can wipe out a car battery quicker than most things. After sitting under a hot sun, your battery only gets hotter when you run your engine. This high heat can evaporate the battery's fluids, forcing you to replace it sooner. Try to keep your car in a shaded area such as a garage or under a car cover. Both your car's battery and paint job will thank you later. Turn Off Your Electronics If you're in the habit of leaving your lights or radio on after you turn off your engine, try to cut back on that. Running your electronics without your car started causes your battery to drain. Sometimes this may not be an option, such as running your air conditioning in the summer without wasting gas if you're waiting for someone, but you should try to cut back on it as much as possible. At the very least, be diligent about making sure your headlights are turned off when you don't need them. Watch for Buildup Every now and then, check your car battery's terminals for signs of corrosion. Make sure your engine is off and cool before you lift the hood. While you're down there, check your battery for cracks, warping, or any other signs of damage. If you notice corrosion or buildup on your battery's terminals, which is where it's connected to the rest of your vehicle, you can give them a good scrubbing. Just make sure your battery is completely dried off before you operate your vehicle. Cut Down on Short Drives Making frequent short trips can wipe your battery out. If you don't drive your car long enough for the battery to fully charge, it can add stress that shortens its life span. Driving like this doesn't give your alternator enough time to fully charge your battery. We suggest that once a month, you take your car for an extended charge so that it has time to operate at full capacity and maintain its own health. Try to use more of these smart car tips in your maintenance routine to increase the life of your battery and your car's health as a whole. Remember that the more you take care of your car, the more it will take care of you. For any questions about taking care of your GM vehicle's battery, make sure to visit us at Cable Dahmer of Topeka in Topeka, KS! Image via DealerOn