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!
I love almost everything about the holidays – the gift giving, the baking, the family reunion, etc. What do I hate about the holidays? The crowded Dallas Ft Worth highways and roads. Everyday on my drive home from work, I sit in traffic. I’ve tried to time it out to see if leaving earlier or later helps, but the red lights are always inevitable. Traffic is irritating enough to Chevrolet owners in DFW, but when you throw in the terrible drivers and holiday clutter, it’s just plain miserable.
I’ve narrowed it down my top three types of drivers who drive me the most crazy and also slow traffic down. The next time you find yourself stuck in traffic, remember the following and don’t be that guy.
The Traffic Weaver - This is the category I see the most. People weaving in and out of the various lanes trying to get ahead. Sure they gain one or two car lengths in the process, but they’ve now also cut off six people and given another four anxiety that that car is eventually going to cause a wreck. I love when the guy behind me thinks he could get ahead of me and gets stuck behind a car going twice as slow. Though it’s not very “high-roadish”, I tend to make sure that I don’t leave that guy any room at all to cut in, forcing him to lose two more car lengths. If I’m in the fast lane, I’m there because I want to go fast, and if I could, I would be going faster. But obviously you thought otherwise and decided to try and squeeze ahead of me. As far as I’m concerned, that guy can pass go and not collect $200.
The Pointless Passer – In addition to the previous little rant about the guy who weaves through traffic, is the guy who pointlessly passes. If you are going to take the time to pass me, then you better not cause me to slow down.. Especially if you are in the fast lane. That’s all I have to say about that one. you If you’re going to pass me then you better not start driving slower than I am. What’s the point of that?
The Rubbernecker – If you’ve ever listened to a traffic report on the radio, I’m sure you’ve heard something along the lines of, “Stalled vehicle has 75 N backed up, as well as on-lookers backing up 75 South. These “on-lookers” are what I like to call Rubberneckers. I know that we all do this, some subconsciously, and I’m not saying it’s a terrible idea to slow down a little bit. But anything over five miles per hour is going to seriously cause traffic. There’s almost nothing I can’t stand more than sitting in traffic for fifteen minutes only to find out the traffic was due to rubbernecking.
The next time you are sitting in traffic, remember to not be that guy. After all, it’s the holiday, folks. So let’s also try and keep the road rage to a minimum. Happy driving, Dallas Ft Worth Chevrolet owners!
It’s official. The Chevrolet Camaro has been named the “Hottest Car” at the SEMA show in Las Vegas for the second consecutive year. For those of you unfamiliar with the show, SEMA is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. The industry’s brightest minds and hottest products all travel to Las Vegas to basically show off. And this year, Chevrolet did just that by displaying four new Camaro concepts.
The CorvetteandCamaro are known for their personalization. In a press release about SEMA, Vice President of Global Marketing and Strategy for Chevrolet said, “Go to any Corvette or Camaro enthusiast event and you will have a hard time finding a factory-stock vehicle. These are cars that owners treat as canvases to express their personalization and high-performance dreams – and have been for decades.”
Here are the highlights from Chevrolet’s press release regarding the different concepts showcased at SEMA this week.
Camaro Red Zone Concept
Photo Courtesy of AutoBlog
A design statement achieved with current and future accessories is the inspiration for the Camaro Red Zone Concept. It uses the Camaro convertible’s style to demonstrate what’s possible with a carefully selected collection of accessories – and it debuts a new, heritage-inspired stripe graphic that will be available soon. The result is a tasteful combination that blends contemporary style with a classic flair.
“This is a Camaro for those who want great looks and a performance personality,” said designer Adam Barry. “It’s a simple yet dramatic statement that is uniquely Camaro.”
Camaro Synergy Series Concept
Photo Courtesy of AutoBlog
The Camaro’s Synergy special editions were born at SEMA, and this vehicle is a new take on the concept, using the best of the best of Camaro accessories – as well as a distinctive silver exterior with red accents.
Camaro 1LE Concept
Photo Courtesy of AutoBlog
Born in the Camaro’s third generation and refined further in the fourth generation as a road-racing performance package, the legendary 1LE option code designation returns to the Camaro as a concept intended to carve up road courses. While only a concept, it borrows production components from both the Camaro SS and forthcoming Camaro ZL1 to deliver a competition-ready package. Hash mark graphics on the front fender are pure Chevrolet racing cues, too.
“The Camaro 1LE concept is all about the track,” said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro. “It’s an all-out race car package that pays tribute to that special option from the past.”
Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept
Photo Courtesy of AutoBlog
Welcome to the dark side of Camaro ZL1. This concept incorporates all the technology and performance of the Camaro ZL1 – which goes on sale in 2012 – but with an added layer of carbon fiber to add a decidedly sinister-looking element of form to a car that’s all about function. Included on this concept is the new Ashen Gray exterior paint (available on all 2012 Camaro models).
“This concept’s dramatic appearance matches the extreme performance capabilities of the Camaro ZL1,” said Tony Roma, program engineering manager for the Camaro ZL1. “And even if its styling doesn’t intimidate you, its performance on the track will.”
Talk about an overload of Camaro awesome-ness. Oh, I almost forgot to mention. Chevrolet also displayed a full-size tribute to the “Custom Camaro” that was part of the original Hot Wheels 1:64-scale line in 1968. For those of you who remember playing with Hot Wheels as a kid, this is dream come true. So Dallas Ft Worth Camaro lovers, which one of these concepts is calling your name?
Hey Dallas-Ft Worth Chevrolet owners, the results from the FBI’s annual report on auto theft is in, and I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that auto theft has continued to decline! According to the statistics for 2010, auto thefts are down more than seven percent from year’s 737,142. That’s a 38 percent drop from 2006 and 40 percent drop from 2001. Not too shabby, is it?
Unfortunately, there was still a reported $4.5 billion lost last year due to auto theft, which averages out to about $6,152 per vehicle. So even though it’s becoming harder and harder for criminals to break into vehicles (thanks to all of this wonderful technology), it’s still happening and will continue to happen if we don’t take precautions with our cars. Electronic immobilizers, keyless entries and alarms can only do so much, and in fact, driver error plays a huge role in auto theft.
So what can we do to keep ourselves from out of the statistics for 2011? First and foremost, lock you car. I know this may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how often people feel comfortable leaving the doors unlocked in certain neighborhoods or places.
Second, don’t leave your car unattended while running. Keep your keys with you at all times. I’ll admit, this is something I’ve done time and time again. I either forget something in the house or run into the gas station and leave the car running. This is practically inviting criminals to steal our cars.
It’s also important to keep your windows rolled up. I know that we recently experienced a brutal summer and that cracking the windows actually helps with air circulation in the vehicle, but thieves can easily use a slender arm or clothes hanger to unlock your vehicles in a matter of seconds.
I’m sure you’ve all seen the “Hide, Lock, Take” signs in places all over the metroplex. This is excellent advice. Never leave anything valuable out in the open that will give someone incentive to break into your vehicle. Put your iPod or portable GPS in the glove box whenever you exit the vehicle. Our glove boxes have a lock on them for a reason, so why not use it?
Remember DFW, driver error is one of the leading causes of auto theft. So stay safe and be cautious out there, and lets see if we can contribute to even lower statistics next year.
Our DFW cars are required to have two stickers in the windshield for your inspection and vehicle registration. In Texas, we have to have our vehicles inspected and registered annually. However, you can pre-pay for two or three years of registration. When you have your vehicle inspected, they will usually change out the sticker for you. When you get a new registration tag, you’ll have to do this yourself.
Though it’s not difficult to do, these stickers can be a little pesky if you’re not sure how to properly remove them. The stickers are made of semi-permanent adhesives to ensure that they stay on your windshield for up to three years without peeling off. Therefore, simply puling at their corners will not do the trick.
First, you’ll need to find some vinegar and paper towels. Try to use the strongest vinegar possible, because it’s the acidity that will loosen the sticker’s adhesives. Soak the paper towel with vinegar and hold it to the sticker for at least a minute. Remove the paper towel and push and pull on the sticker to see if it’s loosened up. If it has, grab one of the corners and slowly pull the sticker off. If it hasn’t loosened up enough apply the vinegar again for another minute.
Some people like to use razor blades to remove their stickers. This method is good, too, but I recommend using the vinegar, as well as the razor blade for the best results. Once you’ve removed the sticker, be sure to clean the area well before applying the new sticker. If you need any help at all, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Hey DFW Camaro lovers, I have some exciting news. Earlier today, Chevrolet announced that its most-powerful convertible ever, the 2013 Camaro ZL1, will debut at the LA Auto show next month. According to a press release issued by General Motors, this Camaro will deliver more performance and technology than many exotic cars and ultra-luxury convertibles. I told you I had exciting news!
The ZL1 will be powered by a 580-horsepower LSA 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine, so I’m sure Camaro Chief Engineer, Al Oppenheiser, wasn’t kidding when he said, “This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas.”
The convertible will share all its characteristics and engine parts with the 2012 ZL1 coupe model which recently lapped the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife course in 7:41.27 minutes. The only changes we’ll see are a tower brace under the hood, a transmission reinforcement brace, an underbody tunnel brace and a set of X and V braces under the body. All of these are aimed at stiffening the chassis to better handle and apply all the power the LSA generates. Check out this video of the 2012 Camaro ZL1 at Nordschleife.
Are you getting excited yet? The ZL1 convertible will most likely be available for purchase in the late months of 2012. Until then, I’ll be sure to keep you posted on the latest updates!
We’ve all heard of the dangers of texting while driving time and time again, but there are still those who continue to do it. Hopefully, my fellow Chevy DFW drivers out there have taken this matter seriously. If not, time to listen up. A new study coming to us from the Aggies shows these dangers are far worse than most experts believe.
Earlier this week, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), an agency of the Texas A&M University System, released a report revealing that reading or sending a text message while driving doubles a driver’s reaction time. The study consisted of 42 drivers between the ages of 16 and 54.
First, participants were asked to drive a course with and without texting, and their reaction times to a periodic flashing light were recorded. Without texting, reaction times fell between one and two seconds. With texting, the reaction times doubled to three and four seconds. Furthermore, drivers were more than 11 times likely to miss the light all together when texting.
As the drivers’ reaction times were being recorded, their ability to maintain proper lane position and speed was also being measured. The results showed that drivers were less able to:
safely maintain their position in the driving lane when they were texting. Plus, their swerving was worse in the open sections of the course.
maintain a constant speed while texting, tending to slow down in an effort to reduce the demand of the multiple tasks. By slowing down, a driver gains more time to correct for driving errors (such as the tendency to swerve while texting). Speed variance was also greater for texting drivers than for non-texting drivers.
[tti.tamu.edu]
Christine Yager, an associate transportation researcher in TTI’s Center for Transportation Safety who managed the study said, “Most research on texting and driving has been limited to driving simulators. This study involved participants driving an actual vehicle. So one of the more important things we know now that we didn’t know before is that response times are even slower than we previously thought.”
Research doesn’t lie, friends. It’s a fact that texting while driving slows reaction time. So why risk you an accident in your new Chevyto send or read a measly little text message? Surely your life is worth than that.
Even if you’re not a fan of The Fast and The Furious movie franchise, you’ve got to at least check out the fifth movie, Fast Five, for the cars alone. The list is long and ranges from 1960s classics to 2011 models. I’m sure you won’t be surprised to know that my favorite on the list is the 1965 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport. You could probably say I’m a little biased, but even Dennis McCarthy, one of the most well-known picture car coordinators in the business, calls it the “Hero Car”. And with good reason.
Built by Mongoose Motorsports, this replica of a Grand Sport features the Chevrolet 502 big block backed by a Borg Warner Super T-10 four-speed transmission and rides on CS Corvette suspension. Here’s a breakdown of the car’s role in the movie from Dennis McCarthy himself.
According to McCarthy, all of the Fast Five vehicles had a pretty rough life on set. The only ones still drivable were the Hero and two stunt cars. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and you’re a car lover like me, I definitely recommend you check it out. Here’s a scene from the movie featuring the Corvette. Enjoy!
There’s nothing worse than the feeling you get when you’re being pulled over. Whether or not you’ve broken a traffic law or may have a headlight out you’re unaware of, it can be stressful seeing those red and blues flashing behind you. If you know how to handle the situation, it’ll be easier for you to remain calm and possibly up your chances of receiving a ticket.
First and foremost when you see the police’s lights behind you, signal and pull over to the side of the road. Make sure you pull as far over to the right as possible without putting your entire vehicle in the grass. Be sure you don’t do this too quickly though, you don’t want the officer to have to slam on his brakes.
Once you’ve pulled over, go ahead and turn off the car. Roll your window down and place your hands on the wheel. If it’s night time, turn on one of the interior lights. A lot of times people will have their license and registration ready for the officer by the time he gets there. However, I would recommend waiting until he asks you for it. That way, it doesn’t look like you are rummaging about in the vehicle.
When the officer comes to your window, don’t speak first. I’m sure you’ve all seen people in movies saw “What seems to be the problem, officer?” This can come off sarcastic or cocky regardless of how you meant it. Answer all of the officer’s questions with “yes, sir” or “yes, mam”. This is common courtesy in any situation.
I’ve heard that one of the first things officers learn is to make up their minds on whether or not to give a ticket before leaving their vehicle. However, you have nothing to lose by being extremely polite and cooperative. You never know, you may be let off with a warning for your little four mph over offense in your new Chevy.
Electric cars are still pretty new to the states and so it’s only natural that people have questions and may be confused. The new, two-part 2012 Chevy Volt ad addresses this very issue in a brilliant way. Check out part one.
What makes the Chevy Volt so unique is it’s ability to switch between running on electricity and gasoline. In fact, it’s the first automobile with this ability. Not only does the Volt have an on-board electric source allowing you to drive gas-free, it also has an onboard gas generator that produces electricity giving you an additional 375 miles on a full tank of gas!
With all of these options comes choices. Do I drive on electric, gas or both? The answer is simple, let the Volt decide for you! That’s right, the car is actually programmed to give a choice of the three driving modes for the most efficient trip. You can also download an app that will give you real-time data on your battery level!
I’m telling you guys, the Volt brings an entire new meaning to term hybrid. Here’s the second part of Chevy’s gas station commercials. Enjoy!
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
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!
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