If you’re currently relying on your iPhone’s standard GPS application (the maps icon) or you’re still using folding maps, it might be time to jump on board with the latest advancements technology offers us. I know that going out and buying a new Chevrolet Cruze equipped with a navigation system may not be the most economical choice for some of you, but as I mentioned before, there is a wide array of apps available to smart phones users. The question is, how do you choose the right/best one?

I read a really great article from consumer reports this morning describing the two ways to turn your phone into a navigation device: server-based navigation or an all-inclusive app.  The server-based navigation is where the map data for your route is sent to your phone as needed. The all-inclusive apps  store entire maps on your device. As with all things, there are advantages and disadvantages to both and the best option will vary depending on your personal preferences, needs and budget. Let’s take a look at how Consumer Reports breaks down the two choices.

Server-Based Navigation

Some cell-phone service providers, including AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, provide GPS navigation and traffic information that customers can access for a daily or monthly subscription fee. With this option, mapping data is not stored on the phone, and is instead accessed wirelessly over the cellular network as needed. Cost is typically either $10 a month or $3 a day. Another server-based solution, Google Maps, provides similar functionality for free, but only for users of Android devices. Compatibility limitations restrict iPhones to Google’s static maps only, without turn-by turn directions.

With the Google and iPhone exception, server-based navigation provides menus and features similar to those of navigation apps or portable systems, including spoken and onscreen turn-by-turn directions, traffic info, and a point-of-interest menu of destinations like restaurants, gas stations, and stores. Advantages of server-based navigation include automatically updated databases for map info, freeing up more phone memory without the need for storing map data on board. But the server-based option does consume bandwidth, something to consider depending on your data plan.

GPS-Capable Smart Phones and Apps

Smart phones have GPS receivers and mapping software, allowing users to download an app that gives them all the functions and features of a dedicated GPS unit.

Navigation apps are available from a variety of smart phone platforms through their online app stores, including Blackberry, Android, and iPhone. Prices vary from free or close to nothing to around $60 dollars. During the holiday season, apps can be found for a discount, making this a great time buy.

Bear in mind that with navigation apps, you tend to get what you pay for. Our testing has found the best apps come from known GPS device makers like Garmin, Magellan, Navigon, and TomTom, all of which provide reliable directions and easy-to-use menus that mimic the look and features of their portable GPS units.

So there are your options, Dallas Ft Worth Chevy owners. Which one seems right for you? Don’t forget, if you are in the market for a new vehicle and are thinking about a built-in navigation system, head down to Classic Chevrolet and check out the systems in the new 2012 Chevrolet models.

Thanks to Cassidy Schafer for contributing.

It’s been said that Americans spend nearly 20 hours a week in their cars, which is more time than we spend eating, showering and getting dressed. With that said, auto-related things make the perfect present!  Here are a few ideas.

Car Wash or Detail. I can’t think of a single person I know who wouldn’t love this present. Even the most OCD Chevrolet owner with a spotless interior will most likely miss those hard to reach spots. Or you may have someone who rarely cleans their car and is in desperate need of a wash. Either way, this makes a great stocking stuffer and Classic Chevrolet offers four different types of car wash packages to choose from.

Car Care Gift Baskets/Sets. Relaying of the first idea, who wouldn’t love a brand new set of car cleaning materials? Pack an assortment of sponges, cloths, brushes and potions in a shiny new bucket and wrap in a big fluffy towel for bonus presentation points. If you’d rather not go through all of that work, there are stores that sell ready-made gift kits. Just search on Amazon.com

License Plates. Unfortunately, the Texas Secretary of State website doesn’t yet offer gift certificates — but you can do the legwork and supply the cash for someone who might get a kick out of a personalized plate. The fee is $30 above the standard cost; since that’s based on vehicle value you’ll have to do a little detective work. But a check, a link to the Texas.gov.SOS website and a list of suggested personalize slogans could make a piquant little stocking stuffer for the jaded driver on your list.

Key Chains. No, I’m not referring to the souvenir-type key chains with people’s names on them… I’m talking about key chains that do things. Functionalities range from mace to LED lights. I’ve seen some really neat key chains that can store emergency cash or other items in small compartments. There are even some that offer mini solar chargers for cellphones .

Pet Products. Do you know anyone who brings Marley with them everywhere they go? Look into pet safety restraints, boosters and car cushions. For a stocking stuffer, you could pet-hair removal products like the Pledge Fabric Sweeper.

SiriusXm.  If you have satellite radio in your new Chevy, then you know how great of a present this can be to someone driving an non-satellite-capable vehicle. Portable satellite radios have really come down in price and you’ll usually get the first three months for free!

These are just a few of the things I could think of off the top of my head. You can always swing by Classic Chevy and check out the neat gadgets and auto supplies they have. Do any of you Chevrolet drivers have any last minute auto-related gift ideas? We’d love to hear them!

Want to hear the station now? Check out pandora.com/chevy100 and listen now! Let me know what you think. Also just in case you didn’t know something else special – Pandora will soon become available inside Chevrolet cars as part of the company’s MyLink infotainment system!

Thanks to Brandi Hodge and AutoBlog for contributing.

This house located in Missouri is said to be owned by a local Chevy dealer and is currently on the market. Not that you could ever leave the great state of Texas but should you want to check out all the amenities of this house you can check it out at Coldwell Banker. Maybe I should think about redesigning my pool…. Hmm.

How much do you love Chevrolet? How do you show your love?

[Source: AutoBlog, Coldwell Banker]

Thanks to Brandi Hodge for contributing.

1) Burnouts

It is still possible to light up the tires, but there’s more involved than just stomping on the gas pedal.

First, you usually have to turn off the traction control — which exists to prevent you from doing burnouts. As soon as the tires begin to slip, the electronic brain instantly pumps the brakes, or backs off the power — or some combination of the two — in order to restrain you from partaking of antisocial activities.

In some late-model cars, it is impossible (or extremely difficult) to turn the traction control entirely off. You think you did, but pushing the button only partially disengages the system. Real burnouts — the fishtail sliding type — are not allowed. At least (in some cars) not before you go through a multi-step process of depressing/holding the button — after which — for a brief time only — the computer will permit you to spin the tires. But only just a little bit.

Then it re-sets and you have to ask permission all over again.

2) Smoking

You can’t do that anymore, either. At least, not if you don’t want to burn holes in the upholstery.

Most new cars don’t come with ashtrays. You have to pay extra to get them — if they’re even available — as part of a “smoker’s package.”

It’s another passive-aggressive manifestation of subtle behavior modification techniques, like those 85 MPH speedometers cars had for awhile in the early ’80s. If the speedo doesn’t read any higher than 85, you won’t be tempted to drive faster. Right? So, if there are no ashtrays in the car, maybe you’ll give up that filthy habit.

Meanwhile, the automakers are writhing to outdo each other in getting Internet in cars, so you can read e-mail and surf the web while driving. . .

Because that’s so much safer than smoking.

3) Rest your left arm on the top of the driver’s side door

New cars have very high doors. In some, you feel like you’re sitting in a really deep bathtub, which makes it impossible to rest your left arm on the top of the door with the window rolled down, like you could do Back in the Day.

Doors have grown taller to provide better protection against side-impact crashes. Federal regulators demand it; the insurance companies lobby for it. Whether we — the people who actually pay for the cars — necessarily want it is apparently beside the point. Just like air bags and so many other things we’re forced to buy. If we want a new car, anyhow.

4) Pick a custom steering wheel

For most of the history of the automobile, it was possible to either order a new car with one of several available factory custom steering wheels — or buy one on your own, afterward, and install it in your garage with basic hand tools. It was a fun — and fairly inexpensive — way to set your particular car apart from the crowd. And also for the automakers to differentiate one trim level from another within a given model series.

Typically, the nicer/top-of-the-line trim came with a different steering wheel that became the centerpiece of the interior. For instance, in a ’70s-era Pontiac Trans-Am, you got a racy-looking three-point/spoked “Formula” wheel with thick custom padding around the rim — vs. the standard car’s cheap-looking vinyl deal.

In a new car, all trims within a given model get exactly the same steering wheel (maybe embellished with different trim). There are no optional wheels to select from and it is not possible to swap out the factory wheel for an aftermarket unit.

Because of the air bag. When these things were first introduced in the ’70s, almost no one voluntarily bought them. So the government mandated them. And now we’re all stuck with them.

5) Parking brake bootleg turns

Recipe as follows: With the car tracking straight, yank on the parking brake lever to lock up the back wheels as you simultaneously crank the wheel hard left or right (depending on which direction you want to go). The back end of the car will swing around, enabling you to make an abrupt 90 degree turn. Release the brake as the car turns, punch it — and go! (You can also use this technique to execute a complete 180 degree turn.)

Except you can’t — not in a new car, anyhow.

In almost all the new cars I have test driven recently, the parking brake is factory adjusted to barely have enough holding power to keep the car in place when it is parked.

It is insufficient to lock up the rear wheels suddenly, essential to a properly executed bootleg turn. There is also usually a super-annoying claxon (along with flashing warning light) that goes ballistic the second you begin to raise the brake lever, if the car is moving. Danger! Safety! What about the Children!

Possibly, you can tighten up the adjustment so that the brake comes on hard and fast when you need it. And certainly, you can ferret out the buzzer under the dash and smash the little monster to pieces with a ball-peen hammer.

But you shouldn’t have to do either, right?

6) Fine-tune the radio station

Years and years ago, cars had dial-type radios. The reception was crappy, but it was possible to find and keep on listening to a weak station for longer by making fine adjustments to the dial.

In a modern car with a digital-seek radio, this is often impossible. The radio will just skip over any station that’s not putting out a strong enough signal. You’re forced to listen to only the stations that the radio will let you listen to.

The other thing that’s gone forever — and maybe it’s not a bad thing — is the modular, one-size-fits-all stereo.

Most older-than-1980s-era cars, no matter the make or model, came with your standard rectangular slot — into which you could fairly easily swap in an aftermarket unit. This you almost had to do because most factory stereos sucked. The downside was that putting in a nice aftermarket stereo was an invitation to smash n’ grab thieves.

Today, factory stereos are very good; and they’re typically specific to that specific car — which is a deterrent to thieves, since the unit is useless outside of the car it came in.

But it was kind of fun spending a few hours on a Saturday afternoon installing a new high-powered custom stereo.

Like multiple ashtrays and three-across bench seats, that’s something that’s probably gone forever.

Well…. What do you think about all this? I must admit I laughed a few times actually. Eric is right on the money with all the changes that have occurred in vehicle design in the past few decades. All I can think is how back in the day we didn’t need seat belts. Your moms arm was your seat belt. What do you remember about driving the older cars?

Thanks to Brandi Hodge for contributing.

Determine the appropriate blade replacement and purchase from your local auto parts store. With the vehicle turned off, locate the wiper blades. Place your new blades alongside the old models to insure they’re the correct (same length and same style).

Pull the wiper arm up and away from the windshield. The arms are almost always spring loaded, which allows them to be pulled away and serviced.

The majority of wiper blades are attached by way of a release pin. Locate the slide lock on the wiper blade to release the pin. Remove the blade assembly from the wiper arm.

Slide the new wiper blade over the arm. Allow the pin on the arm to seat on the new blade. You’ll feel (and often hear) a click as it seats. In some examples, there’s a hook that covers the pin. Close it until it locks. Try to (gently) pull the blade off. It should be locked in place.

Lower the arm assembly back onto the windshield. Repeat the removal and replacement steps for the second blade. In many cars, it’s more difficult to acess one of the wiper blades (it will be positioned in the center of the car). To gain access, turn the wiper on. Allow it to sweep to a convenient location and turn the ignition key off. – Automedia.com

Just in case you are still slightly lost check out this video. It’ll help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJN7NqkUd1k

Thanks to Brandi Hodge for contributing.

Click on the pictures to get a bigger view.

Thanks to Brandi Hodge for contributing.

Many malfunctions in the sunroof system fall into 2 categories that can often be related to each-other. Water leak issues and electrical problems. Sometimes wiring or switch corrosion can be caused by the water leaks. 

A power sunroof can slide the roof panel open or closed. You can also tilt the roof panel up in the back to allow fresh air into the passenger compartment. When driving down the road this can also pull a vacuum and remove stale air from the interior cabin.

In most cases power sunroofs are not that much different than electrically operated power window systems found in most automobiles. Many common parts are shared such as system relays, a master control switch and the motor assembly to perform the movement. 

Note that most power sunroof systems are protected by a circuit breaker instead of a fuse. This is in case the sunroof begins to bind. It protects the motor by opening the circuit breaker. Often when people have power sunroof problems they will begin to look for the fuse when there is actually none. A circuit breaker will reset automatically when it cools down. 

Power sunroof common problems

Often power sunroofs are a popular option that does not get used very often. When this system sits for months or years without being used often components can develop corrosion that may hinder operation when it is finally desired.

Since a sunroof is part of the exterior surface of the vehicle a complete watertight seal is necessary. If this seal fails or the automatic drain becomes clogged with debris and water sits around the components the corrosion mentioned above will be accelerated. For this reason a very common sunroof problem is water sealing and drainage.

Diagnosing power sunroof problems is pretty straightforward. The first thing to check would be the circuit breaker. Next you would want to verify power at the motor connector. In that case you would be working from the load back towards the battery. If there is no power at the motor you can break out a wiring diagram and do some pinpoint checks at the relay and switch.

To read the full article you can see OnlineAutoRepair.com

Have you ever had issues with your power sunroof? How did you fix it? 

Thanks to Brandi Hodge for contributing.