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If you are among the people that do not want to deal with a ton of hassles from using tires with studs or have a fast-paced lifestyle, then you might want to consider using a studless winter tire set. This will save you a lot of trouble that could occur when you are not on top of when to change out your tires.

The studless tires have a ton of advantages over studded tires. For one thing, the studless tires can bite into the snow with the sipes and the deeper treading which handle the slush and the ice and…

Driving in bad winter conditions isn't always easy for drivers. We at Hendrick MINI want to make sure you prepare for the weather with a winter survival kit. If you are driving through bad weather during a long trip, emergency preparedness is essential for yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle.

Things that you should include to stay warm and safe are a portable cell phone charger, blankets, food, water, and extra clothing. If you need to get out of your vehicle, make sure you are in a safe place and have gloves and hats to help you stay warm…

Have you ever been driving on icy roads when your vehicle started to go out of control? This is called fishtailing, hydroplaning, or sliding. With icy roads, you have to be extra careful in snowy conditions. Icy roads can cause a vehicle's wheels to get stuck and slide together. While you may want to brake, if you press down too hard, you could be causing even more issues.

Snowy conditions also cause problems for tires that are older. You should always have snow tires or updated tires in order to drive on icy roads. You want tires that won…

There are a lot of different aspects of the infotainment system that come with many of the newest vehicles. We at Hendrick MINI are always interested in the types of features that allow people to connect and get information that is needed for their journey as well as enjoy some entertainment.

Among the important information aspects of the infotainment system of many vehicles is the ability to help you with your navigation. You just have to enter information on what you are looking for and then it will display the needed information for you.  

You may have heard the word differential thrown around in the auto shop, but what does it do? When your service adviser says that the differential’s oil needs to be changed, he’s talking about the part of the car that helps your vehicle’s wheels rotate around.

The differential of your car is located at the front or rear axle. Differentials help the axle turn the wheels so that they rotate properly. When you have front-wheel drive, your differentials will be in the back, and for rear-wheel drive, it’s the opposite. 

Do you know when your tires need to be replaced? Do you automatically replace them every year or wait until a problem arises? Good tires are needed if you expect a smooth ride with the best possible gas mileage. Come to Hendrick MINI and let us check over your tires and offer tips.

Not replacing your tires when needed can cause expensive damage to parts surrounding the tires. It can also affect the ride your vehicle provides. Here are signs your tires need replacing.

• Excessive wear on edges of the tread
• Don’t hold air pressure
• Sidewall shows cracks 

When you are shopping for a new vehicle, there are some minor features that you might want to think about before making a purchase. The majority of vehicles that are currently on the market come with some sort of spare tire. This spare tire can be used in the rare occasion that you experience a flat tire. Two different spares exist. There is the compact temporary and the full-size spare. Let's take a closer look.

The compact temporary tire is a much smaller and simpler version of a normal tire.  

One of the best ways that you can keep your young one protected when you are driving is to always keep him or her in a child safety seat, but in order for it to provide your child with optimal protection, it will need to be installed correctly. Our team at Hendrick MINI in Charlotte, NC would like to help you keep your child safe with these car seat installation tips.

When we talk about cars, we tend to focus on horsepower, comfort or safety features. But belts and hoses are vital to your car and to your driving experience, so let's discuss them now.

Most autos have timing belts. Since every moving thing has a lifespan, you need to pay attention to your timing belt's wear.

Motor oil viscosity is a vital piece of information. The rating describes the flow of oil at high and low temperatures. Today's vehicles need protection in hot or cold weather, particularly when starting. The three-part rating first states the low-temperature flow rating, followed by the letter W, and then the high-temperature flow rating. For example, the popular 10 W 30 describes the low-temperature viscosity (10) and warm-temperature viscosity (30).

Charlotte automobile owners understand the vital importance of motor oil. It must be the proper type, and oil changes must occur