May 27th, 2013 -
 Traveling brings families closer together and it wouldn’t be a family trip without your pet. Giving your pets a chance to see different places and new experiences is healthy and fun for them. It is also a way to avoid the trauma and cost of boarding your dog or cat. Traveling long distances isn’t so easy for all animals. Try taking your pets on shorter trips first to get them acclimated to traveling in a car. Even if it is short rides around town in your Chevy, each outing will help your pet get used to riding in the car.
It’s vital that you pack your pets essentials such as medical and vaccine records. Make sure your pet’s tags are up to date with phone number and address in the event your pet gets lost. Remember your pet’s meds, food bowl and scooper along with a crate. Feed your pet only a light snack before leaving on your trip. Pets can become carsick. Once you’ve arrived at your destination or stopped for the day, go ahead and feed them normally.
Packing for your pooch is just as important as packing for yourself. Familiar scents help to comfort your pet and make them feel more at home. Any blankets or pillows that your pet uses should be put in the car or crate. Along with proper bedding, a few good chew toys will help keep your dog occupied for hours. A lot of chew toys come with hollowed out centers. Kongs are a great idea for dogs. They are durable and can be easily filled with treats, frozen peanut butter, or other snacks. This will keep them entertained indefinitely.
Remember your pet needs rest breaks and water on your trip. They aren’t like humans so they can’t go too long without potty breaks. Aside from a bathroom break, it’s a good chance for your pet to stretch their legs, get some water and some exercise. A tired pet makes a happy pet and better traveling companion. Make sure you have your leash ready. Your pet might not be able to wait while you are digging to find their leash.
So the next time you and your furry friend want to go on a road trip, stop by your Grapevine Chevy dealer for an awesome car!
May 10th, 2013 -
 One of the things that make your DFW Chevy dealer happy is to see how customers get so much enjoyment out of their Chevy on road trips to fun and exciting places. If you haven’t been to San Antonio lately, now is the time to take a trip. Here are some suggestions for places you can visit in San Antonio.
SeaWorld San Antonio
As the weather heats up, you’ll want to pack up the whole family and head out to SeaWorld San Antonio. This enormous attraction spans 250 acres, making it the biggest marine-oriented theme park in the world. It has plenty of dolphins, whales, sea lions and sharks for you to check out. You won’t want to miss the Steel Eel roller coaster which will hurtle you along the track at speeds approaching 65 miles per hour, or about the same speed you drove to get to the park.
The Great White is an inverted steel roller coaster and the first of its kind in Texas. To help you keep cool, there is a water park with water slides and swimming pools, or you can just hang around the killer whale tank until you get thoroughly soaked by the splashes these enormous creatures make as they leap from the water.
Remember the Alamo
If the last time you visited the Alamo was when you were a kid during a school field trip, what better time to revisit this important aspect of historical Texas. The 4.2-acre complex holds such significance to not only Texans but also people from all over the world, it sees more than 2.5 million visitors every year. Admission is free.
You’ll learn about the efforts made by Texans as they fought against the army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, with such luminaries as Davy Crockett, James Bowie and William Travis becoming famous for their noble sacrifice. The Alamo is now managed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and you will have an opportunity to tour the site, visit the museum and take a stroll in the Alamo Gardens.
San Antonio Botanical Garden
Founded in 1980 and run by the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens is a beautiful complex spread out over 33 acres. Visitors enjoy the formal and display gardens, which include the Rose Garden, which is a sweetly perfumed location you won’t want to miss, and the Kumamoto En Garden, which is a gift from San Antonio’s Sister City of Kumamoto in Japan. The Sensory Garden, also known as the Garden for the Blind, will stimulate your sense of smell and touch.
The Lucille Halsell Conservatory contains a wide variety of plants from desert and rainforest environments, as well as insect-eating plants and plants that live in water. Be sure to take in the sights of the forest of palm trees in the Palm and Cycad Pavilion, a 65-foot high environment.
December 31st, 2012 -
Happy Holidays, everyone!
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to think about those New Year’s resolutions and where the best parties will be to toast the coming year. Here at your DFW Chevy Dealer, we’ve compiled a list of New Year’s Eve parties that you, our valued Chevy customer, would like to attend. Check out the best ones, make your party plans, and pay the babysitter extra before you drive down to these New Year’s Eve bashes.
2013 New Year’s Eve Events
Big D NYE
Victory Park is hosting the biggest New Year’s Eve bash complete with food, music and fireworks. The party begins at 8:00pm and runs up until 2:00am. Admission is free and there will be live television coverage starting at 10:30pm. Watch for celebrities and entertainers to make an appearance. So visit the multiple stages or watch what is happening on the available high-definition large screens.
Victory Park
3090 Olive Street 300
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 303-5535
Rock The 2013 At The Intercontinental Hotel-Addison
If you are looking for more of an inside New Year’s Eve party, then take a drive to the Intercontinental Hotel-Addison where you can drink and dance the night away from 9:30pm to 1:00am. This year’s band is Emerald City, who have been named The Entertainers of The Year. Ticket prices start at $70 as this covers the live music. This event sells out every year, so get your tickets as early as possible. If you don’t want to drive home, spend the night at the hotel as you can make reservations at 972-386-6000.
Intercontinental Hotel Addison
15201 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, Texas 75001
(972) 386-6000
Gaylord Texan Resort New Year’s Eve Ballroom Gala At The Texas Ballroom
For local New Year’s Eve celebrations, check out Gaylord Texan Resort’s annual Ballroom Gala held in their Texas Ballroom. Hear a variety of live music played by Downtown Fever. Dance the night away to Rock, Swing, Pop, Hip-hop, R&B and many more music genres. After the event, you can continue to party at the resort with just your close friends and family. The event starts at 8:00pm and lasts up to 12:30am.
Gaylord Texan Resort
1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, Texas 76051
(817) 778-2000
Your DFW Chevy Dealer Wants You To Drive Safely This New Year’s Eve
Before you take that first sip of champagne, ensure that you have a designated driver or some other means of transportation to get home safely. Even try to find a place to bunk up for the night. Never place your Chevy keys into the ignition if you are intoxicated. Your life, and the lives of other drivers on the road, is important to your loved ones. Drive safely and have fun this New Year’s Eve.
See you in 2013!
November 12th, 2012 -
Whether you are a Classic Chevrolet customer from decades ago, or you have recently driven a brand new Chevy off of the lot, we want to make sure all of our customers stay safe and sound as they visit family this holiday season. The holidays are a busy time of year, with everyone heading out to the malls and to parties. This means there are more people on the road than usual, and drivers need to be extra vigilant. The following are three tips your local Chevy Dealer DFW would like to offer.
3 Tips for Safe Holiday Driving
- First and foremost, never drink and drive. The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate the year that has passed and the new year that is on its way, but always make sure to drink responsibly and have a designated driver. Drunk driving accidents increase around the holidays, and it is important that everyone is able to enjoy this festive season safely.
- If you are traveling long distances this holiday season, be sure to take into account what types of driving conditions you might be facing. You likely won’t have to deal with snowy conditions in Dallas, but if you are heading to the Midwest or the Northeast you will need to be prepared to drive in snow and ice. Take lots of breaks on a long drive in order to stay alert, and pack lots of fun things for the kids to do so they do not get bored on the drive. These precautionary measures will ensure everyone has an enjoyable road trip while staying safe at the same time.
- Limit your cell phone use. Not only are there more people on the road during the holiday season, but those some people also have a lot on their minds. Everyone should avoid being distracted while driving. Make sure to be mindful of the cell phone laws in the area you are in — many states have banned texting while driving — and try to stay off of your phone unless it is an emergency. There is plenty of time to check text messages, e-mails and apps when your car is parked.
As the holiday season gets closer once again, we at Classic Chevrolet want to make sure that everyone in the Dallas area has the opportunity to enjoy this special time of year. Remember to not only take care of your Chevy car, truck or SUV by getting regular oil changes and tune ups but take care of those special passengers in the vehicle as well. When you are mindful for yourself and your own passengers, you are automatically making the roads and highways a safer place for everyone else. And remember, the holidays aren’t the only time of the year where it is important to drive safely. Take these precautions to heart all year round as well.
November 9th, 2012 -
After getting your new car from a Dallas Chevy dealer, you may decide on taking a road trip. Road trips don’t have to be cross-country — you can take a local road trip. Choose from many places within two hours of Dallas for a great weekend road trip. You can go for a day or make arrangements for an overnight stay if you wish.
Fort Richardson: Fort Richardson is located on 228 State Park Road 61 in Jacksboro. If you want to camp or just visit for a day to visit several historic landmarks, this is a great road trip. It offers an educational value for children and adults and lots of nature, including hiking trails, bike trails and equestrian trails. If you leave early in the morning, you can have a full day of fun and be home by night; or you can camp at the park or reserve a local hotel if you want to stay overnight.
Cedar Hill State Park: If you prefer something closer, Cedar Hill is only about a half-hour drive from Dallas. It is located on 1570 West F.M. 1382 in Cedar Hill. You can enjoy fishing, hiking and trails, including biking, hiking and nature trails. This park is also wheelchair accessible. This would be perfect for having a birthday or anniversary party, as they have a day use group facility.
Cleburne State Park: Located at 5800 Park Road 21 in Cleburne, this park offers mountain bike trails, hiking trails, biking trails, a playground, a boat ramp and many other things to make for a fun day. It’s about an hour and a half from Dallas, so you can get there quickly and enjoy the entire day. If you are into camping, whether in a tent or an RV, the park also has campsites.
Instead of going on a long road trip, you can take a trip to a different area just outside of Dallas every weekend and call it an extended road trip. It not only gets you out of the house and makes it feel like you are doing something, but it also keeps the kids from getting too bored because each park has different things to see and different activities. With a new Chevy from a Dallas Chevy dealer, you’ll be sure to have a lot of fun every weekend.
November 2nd, 2012 -
Thanksgiving season is a time for families to come together, traveling great distances in some cases, and mostly by car. Many a GM and Chevrolet car owner will be hitting the road this year, repeating the annual trek to make “home” in time for the big turkey dinner, potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie, only to work it off later on either watching the big game or playing a rendition in the park down the street.
So here’s a couple of tips for a safe Thanksgiving holiday to avoid disappointments and unexpected delays when traveling:
- Get the basic maintenance out of the way – It only takes a few minutes to pop the hood and check your engine oil, coolant level, brake fluid reservoir and transmission oil to confirm everything is up to snuff. The last thing you want is a warning light going on while on the road. Every GM and Chevy car comes with clearly labeled containers under the hood for easy access and check.
- Pump up those tires – with the quick help from a tire gauge and your local gas station, check all your tires and make sure they are at recommended pressure. It makes no sense to waste gasoline pushing car with underinflated tires down the highway for miles and miles.
- Watch out for rain – Fall is here and winter is just around the corner. That means roads have a good chance of being wet and maybe even a touch of black ice on a cold night. Good tire tread is a must for safe driving. If your tires are old, it’s time to change them out with a new set. If you can’t afford all four right now, then change at least two and put them on the front so you have the best directional traction and control.
- Plan your route ahead of time – The Dallas-Fort Worth area tends to be a major traffic conduit for folks traveling from all over, so it’s smart to expect congestion and delays during holiday travel. Make sure to have a good route mapped out ahead of time as well as a Plan B option if you hit a traffic jam or accident delay on your original path.
- Give yourself time – One of the leading causes of traffic accidents involves people in a hurry. It leads to a loss of attention and bad driving decision-making. Giving your trip time for delays and changes makes the drive far easier to handle, especially if something comes up along the way.
- Don’t drink and drive – It’s great to enjoy the holidays with good food and drink, but stay away from the driving wheel when enjoying spirits. Law enforcement in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and other regions will be working overtime to keep roads safe and to catch drunk drivers. Remember, even one drink or beer is enough to trigger a violation for many, given body size and weight.
As a Dallas Chevy dealer, we want to wish all drivers in Texas a warm and happy Thanksgiving in 2012. Stay safe, be with family, and give thanks for everything we have!
October 12th, 2012 -
I think we’ve all experienced back pain while driving at least a time or two. It’s usually always in the lower back… I wanted to find out what the connection was between driving and lower back pain. Research has come up with a few different things that can cause lower back pain. Vibration from the engine, sitting position and how long you are driving your used DFW Chevrolet, all contribute to lower back pain.
There are a few things you can do to make the seats in your Chevrolet a little more comfortable:
The Seat - Make sure you are sitting in the very back of your seat. When you slouch your lower back is not supported. Sitting up right with your bottom all the way to the back of the seat will help minimize the stress on your spine.
The Backrest – You should place the seat at a 10-15 degree incline from the vertical position. If for some reason this feels unnatural to you then you need to make the seat more upright. If you are sitting at a bad angle it can strain your neck.
The Headrest – This is good in helping your posture and it will help lower injuries in an accident. The bony bit at the back of your head (known as the ‘inion’) is a good guiding point, the headrest should be level with this. There should be about 1 inch between the back of your head and the headrest. This allows for the ligaments and the muscles of your neck to control the posture of your head better and giving better support in case of an accident.
Seat/Pedal distance - You want to make sure that you do not over stretch your legs and you also want to make sure you don’t have to twist your body in any way. If your knees are bent and you can’t move them very easily then you need to stretch out a bit. If your legs are completely straight when you push down on the gas then you need to tighten up a bit. It is normal to have your knees bent at about a 45 degree angle.
The Arm position - Your arms should be as relaxed as possible, elbows bent around 20-30 degrees. You want to reduce any stress on your shoulders so you should adjust your steering wheel to a mid to lower position. Make sure to remember to stay at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel.
Take breaks on long drives - I once drove 14 hours without stopping (unless it was a quick bathroom break). My body was so stiff I was hurting the next day. It’s always better to travel with someone else but if you are alone stop at a rest stop every couple of hours and walk around a bit. It’ll help trust me.
What tips do you have for making driving in your new or used Chevy more comfortable?
August 17th, 2012 -
When it comes to getting a new car in Dallas, we have a lot of decisions to make. Obviously, we have to select a make and model first. But beyond that, we will have to decide on other options such as color, interior, engine size, features and sometimes transmission.
For quite some time, we’ve had the option to choose between driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission or a manual transmission. It seems that these days, this option is much less of an issue. In fact, I don’t think my younger sisters are even aware of or know the difference between the two. For this reason, I decided to share a little bit of basic knowledge for those of you out there who are unaware, as well.
Let’s start out by putting it plainly: in a manual transmission, the driver is responsible for shifting the gears as speed changes, and in an automatic transmission, the car is responsible for shifting the gears. Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages to both transmissions and the one that’s best for you all depends on your personal preferences and your driving habits.
Overall, the automatic transmission is considered the easier of the two because you’ll have to learn how to coordinate the clutch and the throttle in a manual. Speaking as someone who learned how to drive in a vehicle with a manual transmission, I will admit that it can be a bit challenging. The learning curve will be different for everyone.
Now let’s take a look at some of the major differences. A manual transmission out the gate will typically be about $1000 cheaper and will require fewer repairs. They also tend to get better mileage. An automatic transmission on the other hand, requires less stress and less concentration. They are also much easier to drive in traffic compared to a stick shift. Though they have higher repair costs, this may be worth it to some considering you have an extra free hand and free leg.
Like I said before, the choice is strictly up to the driver and the driver’s preferences. If you haven’t made up your mind yet, you can always head down to your number one North Texas Chevrolet dealership and try out both.
Thanks to Cassidy Schafer for contributing.
[Source: DriveSteady.com]
July 27th, 2012 -
 Regardless of how long ago you took driver’s ed, you’re bound to have forgotten a few things. Some of which are actually really important, including knowing the difference between the Texas lane markings. When you’re driving down the road in your new or used Chevrolet, have you ever noticed that sometimes the lanes are marked by yellow lines and other times they are white? Come to find out, a lot of people don’t even know there is a difference and most people don’t know what that difference means.
So let’s take a trip back in time to driver’s ed and review exactly what the Texas lane markings mean. After all, violating any one of them can result in a ticket and/or an accident.
Broken White Line. For those us driving around on the Dallas Ft Worth highways, this marking is probably the most familiar to you. A broken or dashed white line separates lanes of traffic moving in the same direction
Yellow Lines. Traffic going opposite directions is separated by yellow lines. If you’re to the left of a yellow line, and you’re not intentionally passing somebody, you’d better get over to the right FAST before you see the head ornament of a Mack truck directly in front of you. I see this confusion happen a lot when city folks get off on a rural, two-way frontage road. There are various types of yellow lines; see below for the specifics of each.
White lines. These separate traffic going the same direction. There are several varieties of white lines; see below for the meanings of each.
Solid Double Yellow Lines. Double yellow lines indicate that passing is not permitted (in other words, a “no passing zone”.) Even if you think you can see far enough ahead, there may be some other obstacle or reason that you can’t see that makes it unsafe for you to pass. However, it is legal to turn left across a double yellow line (see below.)
Single Solid Yellow Line. This is used to mark the left edge of the roadway on a divided highway. The use of this marking to mark the center of a two-way road is non-standard and has no official meaning.
Solid Yellow Line on Your Side, Broken Yellow Line on the Other Side. You’ll find these markings on all of those two-lane highways running through the great state of Texas. When you have a solid yellow line on your side, you may not pass. Traffic on the side of the road with the broken (dashed) line is allowed to pass and vice versa.
Broken Yellow Line. A single broken (dashed) yellow line means that passing is permitted in both directions.
Broken Double Yellow Lines. This marking is fairly rare and is used to separate reversible lanes. Pay attention to and obey the lane control signs or signals.
Double White Lines. Parallel white lines indicate that changing lanes or turning across the lines is prohibited. Doing so may be dangerous or interrupt the smooth flow of traffic.
Single Solid White Line. This is used to channelize traffic and indicates that changing lanes is discouraged, although not specifically prohibited. You can cross it if you have to, but you should avoid it if possible. Even a thick single white line can be crossed if necessary; however, they are really discouraging you from crossing, so you might think twice about it. A single white line is also used simply to mark the right edge of the roadway.
So there you have, Dallas Ft Worth Chevy drivers. Your roadway marking defined. The next time you’re out and about, take a minute to look at the markings of the lane you’re driving in. Safe travels!
[Source: TexasHighwayMan.com]
Thanks to Cassidy Schafer for contributing.
July 16th, 2012 -
Ahhh the summer. For most of us, this is the time we take those vacations we’ve been planning all year long. I don’t know about you, but I just love hitting the road with the windows down and feeling that summer air (in the early morning of course when the temperatures aren’t unbearable).
If you’re planning a trip in your new or pre-owned Chevrolet with friends or family this summer, it’s a good idea to check a few things before you head out of the Dallas Ft Worth metroplex.
For starters, ask yourself the following questions:
- When is the last time you checked your refrigerant? Long roads trips quickly become miserable with no air condition especially during this time of year.
- How are your fluid levels looking? Check the wiper,transmission and brake fluid levels.
- When was your last oil change? Check your windshield for a sticker that lists the mileage of your last oil change. If it was more than 3,000 miles ago, I’d recommend a change. If you aren’t sure how long it’s been and there isn’t a sticker to tell you, then you definitely need to bring your car or truck in to the Classic Chevrolet service department and let them take a look for you.
- How’s that glove box looking? Do you have all of your documents up to date?
Now that we’ve made it through that list, here are a few other important things to check on:
- Double-check the air pressure in all your tires,including the spare. Long hours of pounding the pavement are hard on tires,so check each tire’s tread for wear.
- Check the antifreeze hoses,and make sure you don’t need to top off the coolant.
- Make sure your headlights,turn signals,back-up lights are working. Did you know that extra weight in the rear of your car or truck can cause your headlights to shine higher than normal,potentially blinding other drivers momentarily?
- Adding on to the previous item,make sure items you’ll need at a rest stop are easy to find. Avoid packing a lot more weight on one side of the car than the other.
Once you get on the road, you definitely don’t want to run into any car-related issues. It’s a terrible way to start or finish a trip. As always, the Classic Chevrolet dealership is more than happy to help you check off the above lists.
[Source: Allstate.com]
Thanks to Cassidy Schafer for contributing.
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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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