Over the past decade, road trips have become much less painful for backseat passengers due to all of the handheld technology (Gameboys, iPhones, DVD players, etc.) we now have, but according to GM, psychological studies have indicated that car passengers often feel disconnected from their environment.
In response to these studies, the GM Research and Development department challenged researchers and students from the FUTURE LAB at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Israel to conceptualize new ways to help rear seat passengers, particularly children, have a richer experience on the road. Thus, the Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Project was born. And believe me, Texas Chevrolet owners, you’re going to be blown away with what they came up with… interactive car window displays.
In a GM press release, Tom Seder, GM R&D lab group manager for human-machine interface said, “Traditionally, the use of interactive displays in cars has been limited to the driver and front passenger, but we see an opportunity to provide a technology interface designed specifically for rear seat passengers. Advanced windows that are capable of responding to vehicle speed and location could augment real world views with interactive enhancements to provide entertainment and educational value.”
Before you get too excited, I must tell you that GM currently doesn’t have any plans to put this into production. The Bezalel students were given free reign to create applications for this interactive window without having to worry about whether it could be mass produced or not. So it’s uncertain whether this idea will ever come to light. Still, the design and idea is pretty incredible.
The apps the Bezalel students developed include:
Otto, an animated character projected over passing scenery that responds to real-time car performance, weather and landscape. With Otto, passengers can learn about their environment in fun, playful ways.
Foofu, an app that allows passengers to create, explore and discover through finger drawing on window steam.
Spindow, an app that provides its users a peek into other users’ windows around the globe in real time.
Pond, an app that allows passengers to stream and share music with other cars on the road, download favorite tracks, and share messages with other passengers on the road.
GM released this awesome video detailing the project and showing us how the students simulated a vehicle environment. Check it out, Dallas Ft Worth Chevy lovers.
There’s no denying that this rain was much needed in the Dallas Ft Worth metroplex, but man oh man. When it rains in Texas, it pours. Driving in the rain can be stressful enough, but driving to work after it’s been raining non stop since the night before is just plain miserable. Especially when you’re carefully driving along in your new or used Chevy and the vehicle next to you happens to fly by, hitting a huge patch of water that engulfs your entire vehicle causing you to lose visibility for a few seconds. Anyone out there know what I’m talking about?
It’s been said that flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the U.S. because people think they can drive through deep water or don’t pay enough attention. As I mentioned above, hitting a huge patch of water at any speed over 15mph will not only throw water onto the vehicle next to you, it’ll also jerk your Chevrolet and splash water onto your windshield skewing your visibility. If that’s ever happened to you, you know it’s beyond stomach-dropping. Especially if it happens on one our crowded DFW highways.
Since the weather man tells me that we are aren’t expecting any clear skies until at least tomorrow, I thought it might be a good idea to share some tips on how to drive in these conditions. Hopefully, this will make your drive home this evening and tomorrow morning a little less nerve-racking.
First and foremost, if you see a barricade, DO NOT drive through it. This may seem like a no-brainier, but watch the news tonight and see how many people thought they could make it through. Second, avoid driving through standing water on the road and in parking lots if at all possible. According to Progressive.com, the average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Not to mention that driving through deep water can potentially stall your engine and even cause irreparable damage.
Last year, a friend and I were driving to Lubbock, Texas, during a horrible storm. The brunt of the storm hit in a small town name Seymour which only has one road out. Thinking that it would be better to get out before the flooding got worse, we decided to drive through. Horrible, horrible mistake. Before we knew it, water was up over her headlights and her engine began acting funny. After we finally pulled through, she had a difficult time accelerating. Three months later, she needed a new transmission. Moral of the story? Don’t guess at the depth of a flooded road or parking lot. Take another route if you can. Replacing the transmission on a Chevrolet or any other vehicle is not cheap.
In the event that an alternate route does not exist and you have no other reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water, Progressive.com suggests the following:
Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current passes through water easily.
Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you’re in their path.
If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
If you can’t restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.
Don’t become a victim of these dangerous flash floods, Dallas Ft Worth Chevroletowners. Following these precautions and save your beloved Chevrolet and your life from injury.
For more than 100 years, the North American International Auto Show (known by most as the Detroit Auto Show) has taken place every year in the beginning of January. For many automobile makers and car enthusiasts alike, the Detroit Auto Show is the premiere car show in the world. Why, you might ask? Because as many as 50 new production and concept cars make their debut at this show.
This show is also a good way to generate publicity and inform people of what’s to come. All types of popular and creditworthy magazines write articles and reviews about the cars on display. Some even shoot videos to give their audience a first hand look. And that’s exactly what Consumer Reports has done with the innovative, best-in-its-class 2013 Chevrolet Spark.
The Chevy Spark falls into the “mini car” class. Most popular over seas, mini cars are desperately trying to make their way into the hearts of us Americans who haven’t been known for typically liking “small” vehicles. Especially in Texas… where we like everything bigger including our Chevys. With that being said, it’s not surprising that other mini cars, like the Fiat 500 and SmartCar, have not had a whole lot of success in the states. I strongly believe that that is all about to change, though, because the Chevy Spark is not your typical mini car. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so. Check out what Consumer Reports had to say about the Spark at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month and get a great, up-close look at the Spark.
The Spark is aimed at those of you Dallas Ft Worth Chevrolet city dwellers and young buyers on a budget. Thoughts? In my personal opinion, the Spark has a bright future ahead of it. Pun intended.
The Corvette has been around for what seems like decades… six to be precise, and this year, GM has something special planned to mark the Corvette’s 60th anniversary – a special edition 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible. A lot of times, “special editions” usually just mean a different trim, paint job, wheels or little logo. But that’s hardly the case here.
The 427 Convertible borrows hardware from the Z06 and has the same rear axle as the Z06 along with magnetic ride control. Under the hood, the 427 sports a 427-cubic-inch LS7 V8 under its hood producing 505 horsepower and 470lb-ft of torque. You know what that means, don’t youDallas Ft Worth Chevrolet lovers? If you guessed that this is the most powerful Corvette Convertible ever produced, you are correct. The 427 Convertible blends elements of the Z06 and ZR1 models to create the fastest and most-capable convertible in Corvette’s history. Excited yet?
The 2013 model is more than just a “special edition” for Corvette’s 60th anniversary. It also marks the final year for the current ‘C6′ generation. In a press release last week, Vice President of Global Marketing and Strategy for Chevrolet, Chris Perry, said “We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate these milestones than bringing back one of the most-coveted combinations in the brand’s history – the Corvette convertible and a 427 cubic-inch engine.”
Like the Z06, the 427 Convertible is only available in a six-speed manual transmission (as it should be in my opinion) and also features several carbon-fiber components that help reduce weight, including a carbon fiber raised hood, carbon fiber Z06-style fenders and carbon fiber floor panels.
Now lets talk power-to-weight ratios. This is a calculation that measures actual performance of an engine. It’s also used as a way to compare overall performance between vehicles. The ratio is the engine’s power out divided by the weight of the vehicle. Here’s a few ratios from some of the well-known speedsters out there:
Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet – 6.90
Audi R8 5.2 RSI Spyder – 7.58
Aston Martin DBS Volante Convertible – 7.82
Ferrari California Convertible – 8.31
With the weight reduction, the 427 Convertible’s curb weight comes to 3,355 pounds (1,522 kg). Combined with its 505-horsepower LS7 engine, it gives the 427 Convertible a power-to-weight ratio of 6.64. In case you didn’t notice, that’s better than all the mentioned above.
According to Chevrolet, the combination of low mass and high output will make the 427 Convertible one of the fastest convertibles in the world, delivering estimated 0-60 performance of 3.8 seconds, quarter-mile performance of 11.8 seconds, lateral acceleration of 1.04 g and a top speed of more than 190 mph.
The 427 Convertible will makes it’s first public appearance on Jan. 21 at the Barrett Jackson collector car auction in Arizona, and is scheduled to arrive at Chevrolet dealerships early this summer. I’ll be sure to post more updates as they come, DFW Chevy fanatics.
Back in 2009, General Motors announced at the SEMA show that the famed LS9 engine – which was designed to live in the tight confines of theCorvette ZR1 engine bay – would be offered as a crate motor. Crate engines are ones you can purchase and place in any vehicle. However, they can be pretty pricey… which is why we haven’t heard of too many concoctions like the one I’m about to share with you.
If you’ve ever wondered what you’d get when you crossed a Chevy Silverado and an LS9 engine… wonder no more. A Houston-based tuner shop called Fastlane, managed to stuff this supercharged engine under the hood of a four-wheel drive Chevy Silverado. Though no one’s quite sure why, critics of all sorts agree that it doesn’t matter.
With at least 205 more horsepower and 169 lb-ft more torque that any factory engine you’ll be able to buy with the Silverado, this is bound to be one for the records. Fastlane recently revealed a video of exactly what this pickup can do. Enjoy Dallas Ft Worth Chevroletenthusiasts. I sure did.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association decided to spice things up last year and revised its New Car Assessment Program. The Overall Vehicle Score is the combination of frontal and side crash tests and rollover resistance testing. With the 2012 Sonic earning itself a five-star rating, Chevroletnow has a total of ten 2012 models that have earned the highest ratings possible.
The Sonic was tested under NHTSA’s revised New Car Assessment Program implemented starting with the 2011 model year the number of General Motors 2012 models with 5-star overall vehicle scores for safety. Pretty impressive, given that these new rigorous test procedures are by no means easy. For example, the NHTSA has added a new side pole test simulating a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.
“We developed Sonic to exceed customer expectations of subcompacts in terms of segment-leading safety features,” said Gay Kent, GM executive director of vehicle safety. “From the largest vehicles in our lineup to the smallest, we are putting overall crash-worthiness and state-of-the-art safety technologies at the top of the list of must-haves.”
So why exactly did the Sonic ace the test? I’m willing to bet that the exceptionally strong body structure through the incorporation of a single welded side ring unit and the vehicle safety being made of more than 60 percent high-strength steel had a little something to do with it.
The 2012 Chevy Sonic was designed to help drivers avoid crashes, while protecting occupants in a crash. In addition to the tougher-than-nails structure, other standard safety features include:
Driver and front passenger dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side pelvic/thorax air bags, knee air bags and head curtain side air bags with rollover protection that cover front and outboard rear seating rows. The Sonic also has side impact air bags in the outboard rear seating positions for a total of ten standard air bags.
Rollover sensors, which can activate the head-curtain side air bags if sensors determine an imminent rollover. In a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant protection.
StabiliTrak electronic stability control helps the driver maintain control by comparing the path being steered by the driver with the actual response and, when necessary, applying the brakes or adjusting the throttle or a combination of both.
Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS, full-function traction control and panic brake assist that activates when an emergency braking maneuver is detected. The system automatically develops additional brake pressure to more quickly engage ABS
Front safety belt pretensioners to reduce forward occupant movement and load-limiting retractors to help manage forces during a collision
OnStar, which features the Automatic Crash Response System that uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event that a crash is detected.
What more could we ask from the Chevy Sonic? In case you’ve missed the daredevilish stunts the Sonic’s been performing, you can check them out here. Crazy to think that this daring little car is one of the safest out there.
Uh oh. You’ve found yourself with a dead battery, and you’re unable to jump it even with your friend’s powerful Chevy Silverado. There’s no corrosion on your battery terminals, so what the heck is going on? Let’s think back over the last couple of weeks… did you happen to notice your gauges flickering at all? Or how about your headlights? Have they looked a little dim lately?
Whether or not these things were happening, if you found yourself with a dead battery and you are unable to jump start it, then you might be looking at a problem with your alternator. The alternator is part of the charging system in your Chevrolet that produces electricity for many devices. It’s a type of generator that transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy. Your battery does supply your car with some electricity, but most of the electrical mechanisms within the vehicle, require the alternator’s steady stream of power. In layman’s terms, an alternator keeps your battery charged. So even if your alternator dies or malfunctions, your car will run for a while directly off of the battery, until all the battery’s power is drained. That’s when you won’t be able to turn the engine over or get any power at all.
Luckily, there is a really easy way to tell if the alternator is going out on your used Chevrolet. As I mentioned above, one of the signs of alternator problems is dim headlights. Why? The alternator supplies the vehicle’s electrical needs. So when it loses its full potential, so will the things that use it’s electricity. Drivers sometimes experience symptoms ranging from dimming or extremely bright headlights and dash lights, to speedometers and tachometers that simply stop working for no reason. Other accessories, like heated seats or power windows may experience a slowdown, as well.
There’s a great, DIY test you can do with your headlights to see if your alternator is working properly. Turn your car headlights on while the car is running (make sure you are outside… we don’t need any carbon monoxide accidents). Press the accelerator while the car is in park. If the headlights dim or get brighter when you press the accelerator, your alternator could be bad. If the headlights remain the same, your alternator is probably fine.
If you’re still unsure about whether or not your alternator is going out, or it already has for sure, go and see the service department over at Classic Chevrolet. Unfortunately, it’s not really cost-effective to have alternator fixed. You’ll most likely need a new one. But it’s still important to watch out for the signals so you don’t end up draining your battery and getting stuck on the side of a Dallas Ft Worth highway.
When I was younger, my grandfather would pick me up from Grapevine and drive me back to Dallas to stay with him and grandma for the weekend. Every time he picked me up, he would ask if I wanted to go the “pothole way” or the “skunk way”. Now that I’m older and driving myself, I realized that the “pothole” way was actually highway 183. I also realize how much he probably hated when I chose that route because potholes can actually damage your Chevy‘s tires, chassis, suspension and wheels/rims.
When it comes to advice on potholes, the first thing I’ll tell you is to flat out avoid them at all costs. That doesn’t mean you should violently swerve to try and miss them though. What I mean is that if you see one far enough away and have enough time to change lanes. But let’s face it, that’s not always the case. You could either be traveling at too high of speeds to get out of the way in time or be stuck in between other vehicles.
A friend of mine once told me that he always sped up when he saw a pothole because he thought that high speeds would make your Chevrolet “fly” over the gap in the concrete. This is a very common misconception, though. The higher your speeds, the greater the damage you could cause. So if you’re going to hit a pothole, try and slow down as much as possible. But don’t forget to look in your rear view mirror. You don’t want to break hard enough to cause the car behind you to panic or worse, rear-end you.
When you’re about to hit a pothole, get a tight grip on your Chevrolet‘s steering wheel. If you don’t, you may find yourself losing control and swerving left or right. Weather.com says that a pothole can send enough of a shock through your steering system to send your car into the next lane, potentially causing an accident… even if you don’t lose control.
Something else to keep in mind… DON’T BRAKE INTO A POTHOLE. I know I said you should slow down above, but I did not mean that you should hit the brakes the second before you hit the pothole. In fact, this is one of the worst things you can do to your Chevy. So slow down as much as possible, but be sure to let off the brakes in enough time for your car to come out of the “nosedive” position it’s in from hard braking.
We’re going to be seeing a LOT of rain this week in Dallas Ft Worth, Chevy owners. And guess what? Rain hides potholes! So be extra cautious. As I mentioned before, potholes can seriously mess up your Chevrolet in Dallas and Ft Worth. So if you’ve hit a lot recently, or even a really large one, you should probably bring your car in to the Classic Chevrolet service department and have your alignment checked. Moral of the story? Do your best to avoid hitting potholes in your new or used Chevrolet, DFW.
One of the most common things used Chevrolet car owners have to deal with is an issue with the battery. The average life span of a battery is between three and six years. However, a battery’s life is unique to the owner and their driving habits and also the quality of the battery.
When you find yourself with a dead battery, odds are you’ve either left your headlights on by accident or you’ve had the key on the ACC setting listening to the radio for too long. In this case, all it will take is a simple jump start and then some recharging.
However, there is another reason you’re battery may be malfunctioning. When you go to look under the hood, the first thing you need to check are your battery terminals. If you see grimy deposits (usually white) on the battery terminals, they are corroded. Corrosion can also be the reason your battery has been performing poorly (slow rolling windows, dim interior lights, etc.)
So how do terminals become corroded anyway? The main cause is an overflow of sulfuric acid from the battery, but moisture build-ups can also cause it. Not to worry, cleaning terminals is actually very simple, and I’m speaking from personal experience. Once you’ve finished, you’re battery will most likely restore to its proper performance level.
What you’ll need:
a flat-head screw driver
a can of Coca-Cola (you can also use baking soda and water)
water
a metal bristle brush ( a toothbrush will also suffice) and Vaseline
What to do:
Make sure the car is off and pop the hood. Remove the negative battery cable by loosening it with a flat-head screwdriver and then lifting it off the terminal. Set it aside, and remove the positive battery cable the same way. Make sure you set the positive and negative cables away from each other. It’s very important that they don’t have contact.
Pour the Coca Cola or baking soda and water on the battery terminals and the battery cable ends. Scrub with the toothbrush or metal bristle brush until all of the corrosion is gone.
Use the water to wash off the Coca Cola or baking soda and water.
After the terminals and battery have dried, apply a thin coat of Vaseline to the terminals and slide the terminals back on and tighten (first the positive, then the negative cable)
Corroded Terminals
Cleaned Terminals
When you finish, test out your handy work. You should be able to get the car started. You might have to try and jump your Chevrolet again. If you're still unable to get the engine to turnover, you may want to give Classic Chevrolet's service department a call.
Before you start thinking to yourself how carpooling is not the “cool” thing to do, let me ask you one question, Dallas Ft Worth Chevrolet owners: Do you know how much gas the US could save per day if the average commuter carried one more person? 33 million gallons!
According to RideShare.com, our average passenger car consumes 550 gallons of gas a year and an SUV consumes 915. Using Texas’ average gas price of 3.08, that comes to $1,694 for cars and $2,818 for SUVs. That’s only if gas prices were to say at three dollars for the entire year… and let’s be honest, we know they’ll rise again. Just think of how much you’d save by carpooling! Not to mention, carpooling helps decongest the roads, reduce pollution and can even relieve stress for those not driving. Let’s not forget about the benefits of designated carpooling lanes (HOVs). I know I wish I had a carpool every morning on my drive to work as I sit in traffic and see the carpoolers flying by in the HOV.
CarpoolConnect points out some other beneficial reasons to carpool including:
Higher occupancy rates also can reduce consumption of oil thereby reducing corresponding political and economic risks, emissions of greenhouse gasses, common pollution.
Carpools save considerable expenses from gasoline, oil, tires, car depreciation, tolls, parking, and in some cases insurance.
Carpools may provide social connections in an increasingly disconnected society. New online carpooling services are offering new ways to make social connections through discussion sites and custom ride-sharing services.
Still think carpooling isn’t the “cool” thing to do? If you’ve recently purchased a new or pre-owned Chevrolet,wouldn’t you love to show it off and save money at the same time? I know I would!
Hi, I'm Hagen Durant, General Manager of Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, TX - I am a huge car and truck enthusiast and love talking cars. I'm a cyclist, health nut, father, geek, and drummer. I look forward to giving you great information about cars and trucks, driving tips, maintenance and so much more.
If you have any questions or would like to make suggestions feel free to email them to me at hagen@classicchevytexas.com
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