May 31st, 2013 -
We all strive to look and feel the best. What we drive can usually tell others a lot about who we are as people. So keeping our vehicles clean inside and out is important, especially for those first impressions. A majority of the public will only see our cars from the outside. So make sure the paint stays presentable! Here are some tips and tricks from your DFW Chevy dealer.
 Wash your car every two weeks. If you live near the ocean or somewhere there is a lot of pollution or roadwork, you might want to wash it more often. Chemicals from the air can wear at your paint job and dull it faster. When deciding how to wash your car, always use a touchless carwash. This will prevent any unnecessary dings or scratches that machines are undoubtedly known to cause. If you do wash your car yourself, make sure you rinse your car thoroughly before touching any part of it. Wash with a soft and clean washing mitt. Dirty mitts can scratch the finish of your Chevy. Never let your car sun dry or during mid-day. This can leave spots on the car. Instead, use micro fiber drying cloths and a squeegee. Micro fiber cloths absorb the most water and leave no streaks, reducing the fine scratches that other drying cloths can leave.
It is recommended to wax your car at least three times a year. Using a carnauba-based wet wax is best for a fresh, wet shine to your car. It has an easy on and off application and also protects from UV rays. Wax but never polish. If you do decide to polish your car, use the least abrasive polish you can find. Also, for those unfortunate and inevitable times when we get chips or dings, use a paper clip to touch up the paint job instead of a paint brush. Simply dip the end into your paint and apply right to the scratched surface. Only touch up scratches that are longer than 1/16th inch. Smaller scratches will not look as good after being touched up.
Remember to never wash your car in the sun. The car should be cool to the touch. Use these few words of advice and keep your car’s paint job looking new. Go and show the world how amazing you look in your Chevy!
May 29th, 2013 -
 The 2014 Chevrolet Impala is here and it is certainly a head turner! Never in the past 5 generations of Impalas has it been so visually interesting. The Chevrolet Impala has moved into the 21st century. The new model has improved in a few ways. The latest Impala is a front wheel drive, full-sized four door sedan and powered by three different engine choices coupled with an automatic transmission. The V6 engine gets 22 MPG combined. Though this car has not been on the market long, company reviews have been favorable so far of the pickup the Impala has even without the SS attached to it. In a review written by Marty Padgett of TheCarConnection, he mentions the fuel economy of the new Impala is “off the pace” and a few digits lower than the Azera and Avalon.
When you first step inside the 2014 Impala, you will notice a spacious and luxurious feel. Some customers say parts of the interior have a “flimsy, plasticy feel”. While others feel the interior now has “too much drama”. The center dash has a motorized, eight-inch, touch screen that raises out of the panel revealing a storage area with USB port for charging or tethering your phone or music player. Easy to customize and use, you will soon be listening to your favorite music with the MyLink system. There are 4 themes to choose from to display a look you like that also changes the look of the driver information system. The navigation system in the new Impala uses a 3D map and also has a valet mode to keep wandering hands out of your valuables.
The seats in the new Impala have an option for heating and cooling. You also have more leg room in both the front and rear seats. Every detail of the Impalas interior was selected and crafted to be an exceptional driving environment tailored to its driver. Here at Classic Chevrolet, we strive to deliver the most exceptional cars on the market. This is a classic car which has been redefined and brought back from almost certain death of the model.
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 24th, 2013 -
It is an exciting feeling buying a new car. You sit inside and breathe in the new car smell. You run your hands along the steering wheel feeling the smoothness of the leather. It’s then you make a solemn vow to always keep it looking, feeling and smelling new. But how does one keep it looking like it just rolled off the lot? First thing’s first. You have to make sure it is clean inside and out! A car with a well maintained exterior and interior is a fast way to making your car feel like new again.
Give your Chevy a good scrub down at least once a week. Detail your car every other month or so. That is to say, shampoo all upholstery and carpets and even cleaning all the grime from the engine bay. Freshly cleaned and polished wheels are quick and easy ways to improve appearance too. Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight or in hot weather. Instead, wash your car close to dusk with ample shade. This will prolong the life of your paint. Also be sure to use proper vehicle soap and drying cloths. Never let your car simply air dry. Doing this will leave unwanted streaks and water spots which could lead to rusting areas.
At the same time, you can make sure your headlights stay clear and bright by using cleaners to rid of any yellowing. Change any worn out rubber seals or strips on your car including your wiper blades. Be sure to regularly replace brakes, shocks and springs that are designed to wear out and degrade your performance. Once you’ve completed all these small tips, your car should be looking and feeling like new!
How do you keep your Chevy looking and smelling great? Need some inspiration? Stop by your Grapevine Chevy Dealer for some in person tips!
May 15th, 2013 -
The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo with a diesel engine hits your favorite Texas Chevy dealer in the latter part of 2013. This car is already gaining quite a buzz as the most fuel efficient car on the market.
While the EPA touts the diesel engine on the Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo gets 46 miles to the gallon, approximately 710 miles distance on one tank, an energy engineer for General Motors states she traveled 900 miles on just one tank of diesel.
The EPA’s estimate involved driving the six-speed automatic transmission at the speed limit. The engineer, Tessa Baughman, drove five miles below the posted speed limit on her trip home to her family in Arkansas. On her return trip, she drove with the speed of the traffic and went approximately 800 miles on one tank.
Benefits to the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo
The 2014 Chevy Cruze diesel is certainly impressive when it comes to fuel economy, but there are other stand-out features that make it the car to own. There is an auxiliary heater that helps warm up the car quickly on cold days. There’s a rear back-up camera for your safety too.
The engine is incredibly quiet, and that’s going to make it popular with many. The two-liter German diesel engine gets about 148 horsepower and 258 pounds per foot of torque. There is also an overboost feture that kicks the torque up to 280 pounds per foot when you need quicker acceleration.
The engine is designed to be environmentally friendly with about 90 percent less nitrogen oxide than other diesel engines. In addition, the Chevy Cruze’s baffles are made from recycled tires, so GM even put thought into recycling waste in this car’s design.
The car is aerodynamic with clean lines and 17-inch alloy wheels that make it feel sporty when you’re behind the wheel. It’s definitely a car that will develop a huge fan following!
Bottom Line
With an MSRP of $24,885, you don’t have to invest a lot to get a car that helps you trim your budget year after year. Save money on fuel and head to a Texas Chevy dealer to see when the dealership expects to have these cars available.
May 13th, 2013 -
Chevy enthusiasts are a loyal bunch, and they tend to love both new and used vehicles. Before you go shopping for a used car, your local Grapevine Chevy dealer would like to provide you with some tips on what to look for in a pre-owned vehicle.
First, verify that the vehicle is parked on level ground before you begin examining it. You need to be able to clearly see all the tires and to make sure the vehicle isn’t sagging. Examine the ground to see if there are any leaks from the vehicle. It’s prudent to start up the vehicle and then check for leaks once more while it is still running.
Open and shut each door, to make sure it works properly and closes shut. Also check that each door’s locks will open and close, and that you can roll the windows up and down completely. Then, get inside the vehicle and check out the interior. Are there any rips, tears or stains on the upholstery or the seats? This might not be a deal breaker for you, but such minor damage can indicate that the owner neglected to take care of other aspects of the vehicle as well.
Turn on the air-conditioning. This is especially crucial in a hot environment like Texas. Crank it up all the way and make sure the AC is doing a good job in cooling the interior.
Do check the odometer, to make sure that the vehicle hasn’t been driven too many miles in too short of a span of time. A good rule of thumb is about 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. However, if the vehicle is very old, low mileage is not your only consideration.
Get out of the vehicle and look under the hood. Do you see any rust, dents or other signs of damage? If so, it may mean that the owner did a poor job of maintaining the vehicle, or that it was involved in an accident. Of course, you will want to examine the belts and hoses to see that they are not cracked and are intact. Also open the trunk and check to make sure it doesn’t have holes, cracks or rust.
You shouldn’t consider buying a pre-owned vehicle without taking it for a test drive. During the test, accelerate to about 30 miles per hour and then hit the brakes to see how they function. Does the car swerve? Did you feel any vibrations in the brake pedal or hear any unusual sounds?
Pre-owned Chevys are great for people who need to watch their budget. No matter what vehicle you select, once you’ve taken steps to make sure it’s in good shape, you are bound to find it provides you with a safe, comfortable and stylish ride.
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.
May 8th, 2013 -
 When the new year’s car models are released on to the market, it is an exciting time for car lovers everywhere. If you have recently visited your DFW Chevy dealer, you may have already been introduced to the new 2014 Impala, but if not, learning more about this sleek car can help you decide if it is the perfect option for you and your family.
Style and Performance
When you check out the 2014 Impala, you will see this vehicle is the optimal in both style and performance. The smooth lines of the vehicle’s shape offers a stunning style, as well as optimal aerodynamics to reduce the amount of resistance the car experiences. Available in the 31 MPG 4-cylinder model or the 29 MPG V6 engine, you will be able to purchase the perfect one for your needs and desires. With its excellent handling, you will be able to drive with a feeling of elegance you have never experienced before.
Technological Advances
As soon as you sit in the Impala at Classic Chevrolet, you will feel as though you have stepped into the future. This vehicle is filled with new technology that completely changes the driving experience for drivers. An eight-inch touch screen provides you with easy access and quick operation of the radio, as well as other features, including voice recognition. Keyless access and start, USB ports for charging phones and a rear vision camera make great features to add to this car.
The Utmost in Safety
Along with all the technological advances available, you will experience the utmost in safety for yourself and your family. The car boasts 10 airbags that protect you and your family in the event of a crash. In addition to the airbags, this car is filled with sensors that will help you become an even safer driver. Sensors on the front end alert you to the potential of a collision if you are too close to the car in front of you; cross sensors in the back alert you of cross traffic behind you when the car is in reverse; and blind spot sensors light up an LED indicator in your side mirrors to alert you of drivers in your blind spot. This car can even let you know if you are drifting out of your lane without the use of a turn signal!
If you want a car that is the perfect combination of sleek beauty, safety and technological advances, the 2014 Chevy Impala can be a great option. This car is packed with features and comes in a variety of amazing colors to allow you to find the perfect one to best meet your needs. Visit us today to take a test drive and see what this new model has to offer your driving experience.
May 6th, 2013 -
As a leading Chevy dealer, we’re committed to keeping all of our clients happy, from sales to service and beyond. This month, we’re taking the pain out of your collision repair with a quartet of specials designed just for our collision repair clients:
 · The deal: When you have $500 or more of collision repairs performed in our state-of-the-art body shop, we’ll give you $100 of paintless dent repair for your door dings for free. Everybody’s been the victim of parking lot perils: careless drivers who throw their doors open without looking first and runaway shopping carts that are drawn to your car like a magnet. This monthly body shop special will take away those little door dings that are making your car look older and more beat up than it really is. Think of it as a Botox treatment for your car.
· The deal: Another bonus for customers with $500 or more in collision repairs – we’ll give you a free interior detail to make the inside of your car look as good as the outside. Fast food residue, sneaker scuff marks, rubbed-in mud, dead bug bodies and a whole lot of dust and dirt. The inside of every car is subject to a lot of occupant abuse, and over time, it can take its toll on the way your interior looks and feels. While your car is in for body shop repair, let us treat you to a free interior detail to get rid of all that grime.
· The deal: They say beauty is only skin deep, so when you have $500 or more in collision repairs this month, let us treat what’s under the hood, too, with this free lube, oil and filter special. Especially with the hot summer season rapidly closing in, having your fluids changed is critical to keeping your car running well. With this lube, oil and filter freebie special, your car will get a lube treatment, a brand new oil filter and up to six quarts of oil, and we’ll even check the fluids and top them off.
 · The deal: Get a free $75 upgrade on your Enterprise rental when your car gets $500 or more in collision repairs at our body shop. You take pride in what you drive, so why not take pride in your rental? With a free upgrade of up to $75, you can drive in style even while your car is in the shop. Just present the coupon to the service advisor and we’ll do the rest.
We value every one of our customers and offering the highest level of service is just one way we let you relax and enjoy the difference. Visit our site often to keep an eye on our monthly specials and find out what else is happening at your DFW Chevy Dealer and in the community.
May 2nd, 2013 -
May has arrived which means that spring is in full bloom and summer is just around the corner. The Dallas-Fort Worth area teems back to life this time each year, which means that you can get our your Chevy and hit the open road. After you’ve made a stop at your Grapevine Chevy dealer, you can head out to one of these events.
May Events in Dallas-Fort Worth
- Jimmy Buffett Concert — Jimmy Buffett himself will be playing live in the Dallas area this month. Parrotheads across the region will be thrilled to know that they can take their favorite Chevy vehicle and head to FC Dallas Stadium on May 4. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m., with Jackson Browne as an opening act and Jimmy Buffett headlining. Spend the evening joining in with some of Buffett’s most famous tunes, including “Fins,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and of course, “Margaritaville.”
 Dallas Flamenco Festival — This unique festival takes place each year in Dallas, allowing people to experience the beauty and art of flamenco dancing. The festival takes place from May 4 through May 5 this year at the Ochre House Theater. The festival was founded by flamenca Delilah Buitron, who is from the Dallas area. She wanted to share her love of flamenco dancing with the community at large, and invented the Dallas Flamenco Festival along the way. People in the area can catch two flamenco performances at this festival — one at 7:00 p.m. May 4 and another at 2:00 p.m. May 5. Tickets are $15 for this unique event, which you are sure to enjoy. You might find yourself joining along with the amazing dances.- Dallas Fort Worth Women’s Expo — The Dallas Fort Worth Women’s Expo is coming to town again, providing women with the opportunity to pamper themselves, do a little shopping and explore a new interest. The women’s expo takes place this year from May 18 through May 19 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Tickets are only $5, and it promises to be a great day out for women of all ages. The event highlights all of the great things that are available to women in the area. Women have an opportunity to check out new cosmetic products, get a little pampering done and eat some delicious food along the way.
Whether you are hoping to spend the month of May enjoying concert after concert, or you want to indulge a little bit in yourself, you will find something fun to do this month in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Of course, don’t forget to make it a point to stop by and check out our great deals this month on the lot as well.
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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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