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Archive for August, 2010
Saturday, August 21st, 2010
Scheduling a service appointment can ensure happy motoring.
It’s summer time, and the weather is hot. We all know how the words to that old song go, but not everyone is as familiar with how the warmer weather can impact your car’s performance and reliability. With summer’s prime driving season upon us, it’s more important than ever to make sure your car is in tiptop shape.
More miles are traveled during the summer months in the United States than during any other time of year. As a result, it is important to make sure your car or truck is capable of handling the extra odometer stress. Fortunately, a service appointment at your local dealership is a great one-stop way to have your car inspected, make sure all of its maintenance is up-to-date and ensure it is capable of performing at its best.
One of the first things dealership technicians will verify during a summer inspection is the state of your vehicle’s tires. The extra heat thrown off by the pavement during the warmer months of the year can add additional stress to tire rubber that is worn out or nearing its replacement date. Dealership personnel can verify that there are no cracks or divots in the tire sidewalls, and that there is enough tread life remaining to see you through the season.
This last point is also crucial for dealing with any rainstorms you might encounter while out on the highway – bald tires are a significant contributor to hydroplaning, which can see you lose control of your car when encountering standing water or heavy rain. Technicians will also verify that each of your tires is filled with exactly the right amount of air, as too much or too little can contribute to excessive tread wear, as well as lower fuel economy.
The next stage for most summer tune-ups takes place under the hood where your vehicle’s air filter will be inspected to determine whether it must be replaced. As the summer usually brings with it road construction and drier air that can create dust, it is often the case that an air filter will have become choked with that dust and other road debris. Less clean air making it into your engine means less power being produced, and while the drop in horsepower might be so gradual as to be difficult for you to notice while it is happening, what you will pick up on is just how much better your fuel mileage gets with a brand-new air filter installed.
Other engine-related summer maintenance items that can improve your car’s miles per gallon include spark plugs and fuel filters. The former can be easily pulled and checked to make sure they haven’t become coated with carbon, which can degrade their ability to provide a powerful spark. Spark plugs are inexpensive to replace and their inspection should be part of any regular maintenance schedule. Fuel filters strain out any impurities in the gasoline you put in your car. If they become clogged, they can limit or block the flow of gasoline to your car’s engine, severely impacting power and gas mileage. Once again, this item is cheap and quick to replace in the majority of cases and can improve both the idle and the acceleration of your vehicle, in addition to fuel economy.
In addition to performing the standard brake pad, rotor and fluid checks that should be done every time you have your automobile in for servicing, one of the final things that dealership technicians will verify as being in good working order is your car’s cooling and air conditioning systems. When the mercury starts to climb, you need a radiator that can handle the task of keeping your engine cool enough to perform safely. Not only should the radiator be checked for leaks, but all the hoses in the engine compartment also need to be inspected to make sure they are fit for duty. The coolant in the car should be tested to validate that it is in good enough shape to handle the extra work during the summer months.
Summer car maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated – in fact, getting your car ready for the hottest and busiest driving season is as simple as stopping in at your local dealership and putting yourself in their capable hands.
Source:IMN
Posted in Car Care | No Comments »
Saturday, August 21st, 2010
 The best-equipped editions of the popular Chevrolet trucks go the extra mile in terms of utility, performance and amenities. Full-size pickup trucks offer some of the widest selections of equipment and features of all modern vehicles. The ability to option out a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to match your exact daily driving and hauling needs is indeed a powerful tool. To get the best understanding of what the Silverado has to offer, it is a great idea to take a closer look at the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT and LTZ trim levels, each of which offers an exceptionally high standard of functionality and comfort.
The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT (MSRP $26,810) represents the highest trim available on Regular Cab body-style trucks from the American automaker. The LT comes standard with a 4.8-liter V8 engine that produces a healthy 302 hp and 305 lb/ft of torque while turning in a respectable 19 mpg highway through a four-speed automatic transmission. Optional for 1500 LT trims is a 315-hp 5.3-liter FlexFuel V8 that generates 335 lb/ft of torque. Upgrading to this mill also adds a six-speed automatic transmission to the mix along with several heavy-duty cooling systems and a locking rear differential.
The LT trim can also be found on Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles, which offer additional seating for three passengers along with an extra set of rear doors, expanding total capacity to six occupants. For each of these editions of the Silverado, a 6.2-liter FlexFuel V8 is available to drivers who absolutely require the final word in horsepower and torque. With 403 ponies and 417 lb/ft of twist, this engine comes with a six-speed automatic and absolutely mauls the competition. Four-wheel drive is, of course, also an option for the entire Silverado V8 range.
Out back, the Silverado 1500 LT Regular and Extended Cab models come with a choice of either a six-foot, six-inch cargo bed or an eight-foot bed, both of which are well suited to handling a wide variety of loads. The Crew Cab model is outfitted exclusively with a five-foot, eight-inch box. Inside, standard features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, power windows and door locks – but what sets the LT apart is the ability to upgrade it a la carte from a long list of optional equipment packages and individual equipment choices. The Interior Plus Package provides steering wheel-mounted audio controls, an MP3-capable CD player and a power driver’s seat while several different chrome packages can also be chosen to dress up the vehicle’s exterior. Stand-alone options include over 15 different wheel choices ranging from 17 to 22 inches in size, along with bedliners, bedrail protectors and several tonneau covers.
The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ seriously ups the ante when it comes to both standard and available features. The LTZ trim is available exclusively for Extended and Crew Cab body styles, and these trucks are found with either the 5.3-liter (standard) or 6.2-liter V8 between the front fenders. Leather seats are included on this most elite edition of the Silverado along with heaters for both the driver and the front passenger. Additional amenities included with the LTZ trim include dual-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a unique Bose stereo system.
The LTZ shares the customization possibilities offered by the LT, presenting a fantastic number of options and packages that increase the Silverado’s comfort and utility. The Convenience Package adds rear-parking assist to make it easier to park and maneuver out of tight spaces along with power-adjustable pedals and an available power-sliding rear window. The Silverado LTZ can also take advantage of the Z71 Suspension Package, which preps the truck for severe off-road duty by adding rugged shock absorbers, a thicker front stabilizer bar, an array of skid plates designed to protect the vehicle’s undercarriage and a special air cleaner to keep dirt and grime out of the pickup’s engine.
The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado LT and LTZ pickups are the final word when it comes to equipment, comfort and sheer utility in the full-size truck world.
Source: IMN
Posted in Silverado | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Small cars have always been held in lower esteem. “They’re cramped and cheap,” everyone used to say. Put those people in a Chevy Cruze, however, and you’ll likely get a stunned silence instead. With a global team working on it, the Cruze is an exceptional car that’s comfortable anywhere, built to high standards and filled with premium materials. Its compact dimensions make it maneuverable and economical the world over, and the Cruze logged 4,000,000 miles while under development, more than most cars and a testament to Chevrolet’s commitment to leading the segment with the 2011 Cruze.
It’s definitely a Chevy: just look at the bold styling. The two-segment grille is the family nose, and the Cruze looks sporty with its raked windshield and arched roof. The wheels have been pushed out to the corners of the bodywork, a nod to both performance and maximized interior space, giving an air of muscular confidence.
To support the precision build quality, the Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant was retooled with the most modern equipment. The resulting Cruze is endowed with a strong bodyshell that earns five-star crash ratings everywhere the Cruze is sold. A premium look is enhanced by restrained brightwork and detailing, and has already proven a hit in other regions of the world.
Cruze’s looks will immediately garner attention, but its interior is what will shut the mouths of detractors. Premium materials define the interior atmosphere. The standard audio system has MP3 capability and an auxiliary jack, and music fans can step up to a nine-speaker Pioneer system with USB port for easy iPod integration. Bluetooth connectivity and a navigation system are also available, and the optional leather upholstery and reasonable price will have your friends’ jaws gaping. The 2011 Cruze isn’t just a small car, it’s a premium small car.
Trim levels will be LS, LT and LTZ, and an RS Appearance Package will be available to dress up LT and LTZ models. RS Package models will get revised fascias, a rear spoiler, foglamps and rocker-panel extensions. RS interiors are dressed up with a new instrument cluster carrying chrome accents and blue backlighting. All Cruze models have a serenely quiet demeanor and are packed with 10 standard airbags including roof rail head-curtain, rear-seat side and new front-seat knee airbags.
Power is provided by efficient Ecotec four-cylinder engines. Standard in LT, LTZ and Eco trims, a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with variable valve timing delivers 138 hp and 148 lb/ft of torque – output numbers you’d expect from a 2.0-liter engine. The 1.4-liter is good for 40 mpg on the highway in the Cruze Eco with six-speed manual transmission. The Cruze LS gets a 136-hp 1.8-liter engine that foregoes the turbocharger, but keeps the rest of the high-tech features such as a lightweight block, dual overhead cams with continuously variable timing, a variable intake manifold and an electronically controlled cooling system. Both engines are compact and efficient and deliver strong, flexible power.
Transmissions are six-speed units, whether automatic or manual. Fuel economy is maximized with a tall overdrive gear, and the Cruze Eco gets specific gearing in its six-speed, helping it top the fuel economy ratings for the Cruze lineup – its 40 mpg estimated highway mileage is also expected to be best in class. The smooth and carefully packaged six-speed automatic carries ActiveSelect control that allows racing-style sequential gear changes, and drops into neutral when stopped, which enhances smoothness and reduces fuel consumption. The Cruze Eco features enhanced aerodynamics (including lowered ride height, a lower front air dam extension and numerous underbody panels), ultra-low rolling resistance Goodyear tires and unique, lightweight, 17-inch aluminum wheels, all of which contribute to its outstanding fuel economy.
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (MSRP $16,995) is a handsome, well-made, world-class small car. Not only will its quality and equipment level astonish, the fact that it’s from Chevrolet is equally impressive. Anyone who says small cars and domestic brands aren’t any good will eat their words after an encounter with the Cruze.
Source: IMN
Tags: 2011 Chevy Cruze
Posted in Chevy Cruze | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
The SUV boom of the recent past was partially fueled by the ease with which those large vehicles shrugged off the cargo- and people-hauling realities of every day life. The Chevrolet Traverse takes a more rational approach for buyers who don’t need the towing capacity of a Tahoe-sized SUV, but still want a spacious interior.
Room for three rows of seats and plenty of payload is efficiently packaged in the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. The environment is packed with technology and assembled with care, and the design wraps around occupants with a tasteful stylishness. Seven or eight passengers can be accommodated in the Traverse’s flexible interior. For full passenger capacity, a 60/40-split bench provides second-row seating. Captains’ chairs can be specified for the second row, instead, and the third row is split 60/40 to offer passenger space and cargo flexibility. Plenty of room is left behind the third row, unlike some vehicles that are so crammed full of seats that you must choose between carrying people or stuff because you can’t carry both.
It’s not just a big box with plenty of seats either. The Chevrolet Traverse carries lots of value for its $29,224 starting MSRP. Climate control with rear-seat controls, cruise control, a six-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input, MP3 playback and a three-month trial of XM Satellite Radio is standard equipment. Eight-passenger seating is also standard in the LS and 1LT trim levels. Stepping up from the LS trim through two levels of LT and to the top-dog LTZ nets plenty of comfort, convenience and luxury.
Available upgrades make the Traverse an even better fit for your life. Technology like a rearview camera integrated into the mirror (available in 1LT; standard in 2LT and LTZ) and an available ultrasonic parking assist system (standard in all but LS) helps keep the bodywork free from accidental scuffs. A power liftgate is standard on 2LT and LTZ trim levels, along with three-zone automatic climate controls, an upgraded 10-speaker Bose audio system and second-row captains’ chairs. Traverse LTZs are the most luxurious with perforated leather upholstery in the first two rows and heated and cooled front seats. Families will love the available DVD entertainment system, and you’ll all get there safely and securely with the optional navigation system that incorporates standard OnStar Directions and Connections.
Also helping you arrive without incident is the Traverse’s refined powertrain. All versions use a direct injected 3.6-liter V6 with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that packs 288 hp (281 with single exhaust) and teams with an advanced six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is one of the biggest feathers in the cap of the Traverse. SUVs equipped with four-wheel drive have gotten families to Grandmother’s in time for Christmas dinner for ages at the expense of tidy on-road behavior and a large appetite for fuel. An all-wheel drive Traverse is even more secure in inclement weather with its intelligent system actively distributing the engine’s power based on speed and traction. Standard StabiliTrak stability control with traction control intervenes to keep things upright and moving forward as well.
In addition to StabiliTrak, the Traverse has a 360-degree safety system that includes a full complement of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners. The body is reinforced in key areas and high-strength steel is used in numerous places. The independent suspension offers more nimble handling than any truck-based SUV could ever pull off, too. Even though it’s not a truck, the Traverse doesn’t shy away from work. It’s capable of towing 5,200 pounds, impressive for this segment of vehicles.
Source: IMN
Posted in Jim Glover Chevy | No Comments »
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