Earlier this week, we talked about what to do when driving through a hailstorm. As you know, we’ve seen some crazy weather this week in the Dallas/Ft Worth metroxplex. On top of the hail, we had to deal with flooded roadways. A few months back, I touched on some tips about driving during floods. Given this week’s extreme weather, I thought it’d be a good idea to go into a little more detail on how driving your Chevrolet car or truck through water.
I’ve said before, and I’ll say it again: when the roads have become flooded with water, slow down and drive cautiously. Have you ever hit a large amount of standing water while traveling at high speeds in your Chevrolet? I have, and let me just tell you that it’s terrifying. Water flies up over the car eliminating your vision completely and the car jerks. Luckily for me, I’ve only hit small patches of water in the past. If you don’t slow down and hit flood water at full speed, you might as well be hitting a wall. You’ll probably lose control then come to a violent stop.
If you can’t see the ground through moving water, never drive though it. Countless times we’ve seen people and their cars carried away because of this. If you can’t get a good look at the water, it’s okay to stop your car and get to get a closer look. The rule of thumb is if the water is deeper than the bottom of your doors or the bottom third of of your wheels, you should not drive through it. Find a different route to avoid damaging any of the electrical components of your new or used Chevrolet.
Flooded roadways are not only unsafe, they can be detrimental to your Chevrolet’s engine. Avoid finding yourself in deep water as much as you can. I do know that this is sometimes unavoidable (let’s say during the night, for instance). In the case that you do find yourself stuck, I strongly recommend carrying an object strong enough to cut your seat belt in your car at all times. This will come in handy in all types of other situations also. If you put your Chevrolet through some deep water during these storms, you may want to bring your new or used car or truck by the Classic Chevrolet service department. Sooner rather than later.
Looks like the Dallas / Ft Worth metroplex is in for some severe weather this week! I guess it was to be expected seeing how the temperatures the past few months have been much higher than the average. I was watching the news this morning, and the weatherman was mentioning the high probability for hail with these storms. And of course the first thing that came to my mind? My poor new car sitting helpless all day without any cover. Hail damage is no joke. It's also not the most pleasant thing to drive through. If you've ever been stuck in a hail storm while on the road, I'm sure you can relate.
I decided to do a little research before I left the house the morning to see if there were any tips on driving in a hailstorm. Since I know there are many of you who will also have to be driving through the storms, I thought I'd share my findings. I found the most helpful information on Progressive.com.
Tips for driving in a hailstorm:
Stay inside the vehicle. Hail falls at fast speeds, and it can cause injury to those in its path.
Stop driving and pull to a safe place so hail doesn't break the windshield or any windows — driving compounds hail's impact with your car. Stop under an overpass, and don't forget to pull out of traffic lanes and onto a shoulder. Avoid ditches due to possible high-rising water.
Keep your car angled so the hail is hitting the front of your car. Windshields are reinforced to withstand forward driving and pelting objects. Side windows and back glass are not, so they're much more susceptible to breakage.
Lie down, if possible, and keep your back to the windows. If you have a blanket, cover yourself with it to prevent possible debris from hitting you.
Another thing you want to be weary of when dealing with hail is the aftermath. If it has hailed a lot, the roads will now be covered with a bunch of ice pellets. This can make driving a little slippery. So take caution when driving after a hailstorm.
It's too bad that inclement weather isn't a reason to skip work or work from home, isn't it? Hopefully, the weathermen are wrong, and we won't see any hail. But if we do, at least you'll know now what to do to protect yourself and your new or used Chevrolet. Safe travels!
Well DFW, it’s March. You know what that means, don’t you? Truck Month! I’ve got to hand it to whoever decided that March would be the month of trucks. Seeing how spring is right around the corner, what better time than now to get that new Chevy Silveradofor all of your upcoming outdoor activities? For those of you who already own a truck, or have owned a truck in the past, I’m sure you can agree when I say that nothing compares to owning a pick-up. The possibilities seem endless.
If you’re contemplating joining the pick-up truck world, think about the following three things.
Towing. Trucks can tow just about anything from boats and SEA-DOOs to other vehicles.
Hauling. Quit relying on that friend of yours with a truck to pick up your supplies from Home Depot for that next home project or your supplies for this year’s garden. If you have your own truck, you can throw just about anything in the back of that bed. Need a way to get that new furniture home? Problem solved. Be the one whose friend’s call for help for a change. I promise, you’ll love it.
Safety. Worried about your safety on the road? Try driving a vehicle that was built to plow through just about anything instead of a passenger car that was built to deform to protect you in the case of an accident. We all remember Chevy’s end-of-the-world Super Bowl ad, don’t we? Chevy trucks are the longest-lasting, most dependable truck on the road. Hands down.
What more of a reason do you need for finally stepping up into a Chevrolet Truck or even trading up your current pick-up? Oh, wait. I know! It’s TRUCK MONTH! Check out a few of Classic Chevrolet’s deals below. Looking for more? Click here. Happy Truck Month!
View Classic Chevrolet 2012 Silverado Inventory
2012 Silverado
Get 0% financing for 72 months on all 2012 Silverado models.
If you trade in an eligible vehicle, get an additional $2,000 trade-in allowance
View Classic Chevrolet 2012 Silverado HD Inventory!
2012 Silverado HD
Get 0% financing for 72 months on all 2012 Silverado models.
If you trade in an eligible vehicle, get an additional $2,000 trade-in allowance
Oil changes. Sure we all know that it’s important to have the oil changed on our new and used Chevrolet,but the question is… do you know why? Though there are many reasons, here are two particularly important ones:
Engine Sludge. By regularly changing your oil, you’ll prevent the formation of engine sludge and even help to remove sludge that has previously formed. So what exactly is sludge? As your oil deteriorates, it thickens and breaks down. This causes the oil to gel and can result in complete engine failure. This of course is in the most extreme cases, but still. Why would you even want to trek down that path?
Engine Friction and Operating Temperatures. No matter what you do, your engine oil is going to age and get dirty. This reduces its friction-reducing capabilities which will increase wear on your Chevrolet engine. Changing oil regularly ensures that engine friction is kept at a minimum by replacing old, degraded oil with new, clean oil. Regular oil changes will help reduce the engine friction and also results in a decrease in engine operating temperatures.
So Grapevine, the next time you are complaining or whining about having to take your Chevrolet car or truckin for a routine oil change, remember these two things and please, think of your beautiful Chevrolet engine.If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time for an oil change, you can always give the Classic Chevrolet service department a ring. They’re always more than happy to help. In fact, you can take your vehicle in and have the oil changed, a four-tire rotation and 27-point vehicle inspection for only $29.95. Click here for more details.
Back-up cameras are becoming increasingly popular on new vehicles and we are seeing more and more models capable of being equipped with them. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet car or truck in Grapevine,have you given any thought at all to springing for the back-up camera option? If you haven’t or you’re currently on the fence, get a load of this: According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), back-over accidents cause an average of 229 deaths and 18,000 injuries per year.
I’m sure you’ve all heard at least one story of a parent accidentally running over a toddler and that alone should be reason enough for all of us to want to have a back-up camera on our vehicles. If you don’t have children, think about the neighborhood children or pets.
On a less depressing note, back-up cameras can also help you become a better parallel parker and help you to see one of the largest blind spots on your vehicle. I can now honestly say that I am a fantastic parallel parker now. Thanks, of course, to my back-up camera, but still.
Have you heard that the NHTSA is currently working on legislation to pass a new safety regulation that will require all new automobiles to come standard with a backup camera by 2014? That’s right, Grapevine. Even if you aren’t planning to buy a new Chevrolet any time soon, you’re next model could come with a back-up camera as standard!
NHSTA’s plan is to phase in over the next four years starting with 10 percent of new cars sold expected to comply with the mandate by 2012, 40 percent by 2013 and 100 percent by 2014. Though this regulation will not come cheap, NHTSA says it could save 95 to 112 lives per year and prevent 7,000 to 8,000 more injuries.
It’s estimated that the addition of rear-view camera equipment will cost between $159 to $203 per car, or $88 to $158 on vehicles already equipped with some sort of display screen — like one used for navigation. NHTSA says the total approximate cost to equip their estimate of 16.6 million vehicles sold in 2014, would be between $1.9 billion and $2.7 billion. [Source CNNMoney.com]
If you’re about to make a purchase today, you’re still presented with the option, and you already know where I stand… do it! In case I still haven’t convinced you, head down to Classic Chevrolet and test drive one of the many models equipped with a back-up camera and see for yourself!
In an era where fuel economy and saving gas has become one of the most important factors when it comes to the car-buying decision, it’s important to know the facts. We’ve all heard numerous car myths, whether or not we knew that they were “myths” at the time.
The problem with most of these gasoline myths is that they have been around forever, and as you know… our Chevrolet cars and trucks have come a long way. So though some of these may have been true at one point in time, they are not so true when it comes to our modern vehicles. I’ve picked out my top three favorite myths to debunk. Susan Winlaw, co-author of the book, Car Advice for Women (and Smart Men), examines six popular gasoline myths and gives us the facts behind them. Here are my two favorite ones to debunk. Check out what else Winlaw has to say in the video below.
1. Once your gas gauge hits empty, you have at least one more gallon of gasoline.
Most cars actually have about two gallons in their tanks when the gauge hits empty! This myth is actually true! Though we’d like to think that car manufacturers did this to be helpful to those of us who seem to always find themselves running on E with no gas station in sight, it’s really just a marketing ploy. Have you ever noticed how your gauge seems to stay on the full side much longer than it does on the empty?
National auto writer Paul Duchene said, “Gas gauges aren’t linear. They are set up so they actually stay on ‘full’ for a long time, mosey on down to half, then plunge quickly to about a quarter, then gradually make their way down to zero, at which point you have about two gallons left.”
However, running on empty is definitely not something you should do on a regular basis… especially in the summertime.
2. Use premium gas and your car will need fewer tune-ups and get better mileage.Premium Gas Pays for Itself
The only thing that using regular gas could cost you is a few extra horsepower at high speeds. But the odds are, you aren’t going to notice anyway. Most engine fuel-management systems are perfectly prepared to handle lower-octane fuel.
“The difference between 87 and 93 octane is so insignificant that you will realize neither better mileage nor fewer maintenance bills by buying supreme,” said Duchene. “It makes no difference unless the car is supercharged or it is absolutely specified that it needs higher octane.”
Hey Grapevine, Arlington, Dallas and Ft Worth Chevrolet fans, are you ready for the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco? General Motors recently loaned the Malibu to the folks over at Consumer Reports and their reviews are in. Their initial impression is good. But did we honestly expect anything less from Chevrolet? Consumer Reports’ summed up their review by saying that the Malibu’s redesign represents a major step forward in ride, handling, refinement, and interior quality. Here’s a snippet of what else they had to say.
The “Eco” designation indicates a mild hybrid with a small electric motor augmenting the gasoline-fueled engine. It works well, with smooth transmission shifts and decent acceleration. As in full hybrids, the engine shuts off when you stop and then instantly restarts when you let go of the brake pedal. The stop/start is so unobtrusive that most people won’t even notice it. Following the Malibu Eco, the base Malibu will debut with a new 190-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A range-topping version will be introduced even later in the year, with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine instead of a traditional V6.
With its quiet, nicely appointed cabin and absorbent, steady ride, the new Malibu feels almost like a luxury car. Handling is fairly agile with precise and responsive steering. Such driving dynamics are not entirely surprising given the car’s European donor, the sophisticated Opel Insignia from Germany. The Malibu is not as Euro-centric as the Regal, though: It has a more relaxed demeanor that may have broader appeal.
I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t wait to jump in a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco and take it on my own test drive. Keep your eyes open for this beauty to hit your Dallas Ft Worth Chevrolet dealership this March. Until then, check out this video from Consumer Reports and get a first-hand look.
Even though you might not like football, I’ll bet there are a few of you out there who watched the Super Bowl anyway just to see the commercials. Am I right? Chevy had some really great ones this year in case you happened to miss them.
Happy Grad
For those of you who don’t know, this ad actually came from Zach Borst, who beat out almost 200 other submissions by independent filmmakers around the world as part of the brand’s Route 66 Super Bowl XLVI ad contest!
Synopsis: One lucky college grad receives the best graduation gift ever — or does he?
Chevy Sonic “Stunt Anthem”
Synopsis: The all-new Chevy Sonic is up for adventure. Get a load of this montage of its previous adventures. If you’ve been following this blog for awhile now, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of the Sonic and Chevy’s “Let’s Do This Campaign”. If you’ve missed any of the Chevy Sonic’s stunts in the past, click here to watch them all, or check out Chevy’s montage from the Super Bowl.
Chevy Silverado Apocalypse
Synopsis: A man drives his Chevy Silverado through an apocalyptic world predicted by the Mayan calendar. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it to the meeting point. No wonder the Silverado is known as the most dependable and longest lasting full size truck on the planet. However, the folks over at Ford weren’t too pleased with this commercial… watch it below to find out why.
So which Chevrolet Super Bowl ad was your favorite? Let you favorite Grapevine car dealer know by answering below!
When it comes to getting a Texas car, the first thing you need to decide is whether you want to buy new or pre-owned. If this is your first time getting a car on your own, there are a few things you should know. As with all things, there are advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s start with the positive. Obviously, you’re going to pay less money up front. This just so happens to be the biggest appeal to buying a pre-owned car for most. The reason your car is going to cost a significant amount less than a new car, is because someone else has already depreciated the car. While the car will continue to depreciate, it won’t depreciate as fast as a new car from year to year.
With a used car, you’ll also be saving a fair amount of money on taxes and insurance. Because property taxes are based on retail value, that lower vehicle amount will result in a lower tax.
On the flip slide, you don’t really know what kind of life the car has lived. Of course you can always check CarFax (which I strongly recommend), but you can never be too sure. Keep in mind that CarFax won’t tell you much about the interior of the vehicle.
Another thing about used cars… options. If you’re looking for a specific color, make, model and mileage, it can not only be hard to find, it can also restrict your options once you find one. Let’s say you find the exact car you are looking for, but you’re not so sure about the price. It may be hard to walk away and find another one with your exact requirements.
Lastly, a pre-owned car is well, pre-owned. The vehicle may already be halfway through it’s life which means there’s only that much left. It may also have some visible damage on the interior and exterior. Fact of the matter, a used car will not last as long as a brand-new car. It’ll also likely need more maintenance than a new car.
Regardless, there isn’t a right or wrong choice. It’s all up to you and what you’re willing to spend and what you’re hoping to get out it. If you’re still on the fence, you can always head down to Classic Chevrolet and take a look at both new Chevrolets and used Chevrolets. Any of our expert salesmen would be happy to help you decide.
Awhile back, I told you guys about the new fuel economy labelsthat the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently modified. Leave it to Chevrolet to take these new revised labels a step further.
On January 26, Chevrolet announced that its vehicles sold in the US will have Ecologic™ environmental labels on the windows, starting with the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, that will let customers see some of the environmental features of the vehicle relating to manufacturing, driving and recycling.
Chevy is the first of the automakers to introduce this new type of label that can be seen as early as March on the rear driver-side windows of Sonics followed by other Chevrolet models later this year.
In a press release, General Motors North America President, Mark Reus, said, “Customers want companies to be honest and transparent about their environmental efforts and sustainability goals, and rightly so. Putting an Ecologic label on each Chevrolet is just one more way for us to share our environmental progress.”
The new label communicates vehicle-specific features to customers in the following areas:
Before the road: Environmental aspects related to vehicle manufacturing and assembly.
On the road: Fuel-saving features such as advanced engine technologies, aerodynamics, lighter weight components or low-rolling resistance tires.
After the road: How 85% by weight of the vehicle can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.
Eileen Claussen, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), said “Chevrolet’s goal to invest millions in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other lower-carbon projects to reduce U.S. emissions by up to 8 million metric tons demonstrates innovative corporate leadership. With this new labeling program, Chevrolet not only gives easy access to information customers want, it again shows its commitment to the environment.”
I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t agree more with Eileen. As a lover of Chevrolets in Dallas Ft Worth, isn’t it nice to know how focused Chevy is on ways to save fuel and alternative energy sources? Not to mention how important the environment is to the company.
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
Earlier this week, we talked about what to do when driving through a hailstorm. As you know, we’ve seen some crazy weather this week in the Dallas/Ft Worth metroxplex. On top of the hail, we had to deal with flooded roadways. A few months back, I touched on some tips about driving during floods. Given this week’s extreme weather, I thought it’d be a good idea to go into a little more detail on how driving your Chevrolet car or truck through water.
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