Speeding. We all do it… to some extent, at least. I, myself am guilty of this. I came across an interesting article with some findings from a study that I had to share with you, though, and the facts are clear. In a new study from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), it states that speeding-related traffic fatalities have not been reduced in almost three decades. While it may be tempting to fly down the Dallas Ft Worth highways in our new 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, we have to resist. In 2010 alone, more than 10,000 people lost their lives in speeding-related accidents and it continues to be a factor in almost one-third of traffic deaths each year.
ConsumerReports.org stated that the GHSA report surveyed all 50 states and found that little has been done to improve state laws on speeding since 2005. In fact, the study shows that some are regressing; Seven states have increased speed limits during that time with some reaching up to 85 mph, with only two states having higher fines for speeders and three states having an excessive speed classification. I’m sure you know that the great state of Texas is one of the states mentioned above that has increased speed limits. But to the Lone Star State’s defense, the speed limit was only increased in rural areas where it was really needed. Regardless of whether or not I agree, there are studies that have long shown that higher traffic deaths are attributed to higher speed limits.
As if saving lives wasn’t enough of a reason for you to lighten the load on your Chevrolet’s pedal, you’ll also be saving yourself some precious green on gasoline. That’s right, ConsumerReports.org’s tests have shown that with a family sedan, an increase of 10 mph at highway speeds can drop fuel economy by five mpg.
On March 22nd, General Motors announced some good news for those of you who live for speed but prefer an automatic transmission instead of the classic stick-shift. That’s right Dallas Ft Worth, the Chevrolet Sonic’sfuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine will now be available in either manual or automatic transmission. Excited yet?
“Providing the option of a turbocharged engine to our non-stick driving Chevy customers allows us to offer everyone the thrill and power of a fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L powerplant,” said Jim Danahy, vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer for North American small cars. “Both in the Sonic and Cruze, the engine enables better fuel economy without sacrificing power or performance. It’s really a winning combination.”
According to AMCI Testing, the Sonic’s Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission hit zero to 60 in 7.8 seconds which is faster than both it’s competitors – the Honda Fit and the Hyundai Accent. With the six-speed automatic, you won’t lose too much time. The Sonic with the turbo-automatic combination hit zero to 60 in about eight seconds.
“Traditionally, turbocharging was used to enhance the performance of engines, but today it is as much about fuel economy as a 0-to-60 time,” said Bob Benedict, assistant chief engineer for the Ecotec 1.4L engine. “The turbocharger provides high-pressure airflow for high torque to boost the vehicle and give the driver a fun driving experience with improved fuel efficiency.”
As if that wasn’t enough, we’re looking at EPA-estimated 37 mpg highway and 27 mpg around the metroplex. I told you this was good news. Stay tuned and check in with Classic Chevroletto find out when you can get behind the wheel of one. In the meantime, check out this video from GM.
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!
There is already a lot of doubt when it comes to electric cars. Why? I personally believe it’s because people are not properly informed and believe the numerous amount of myths floating around about electric cars. Truth of the matter is that almost all of these myths are not true. The public has sadly been misinformed by friends, family, etc. The good news? There are actually advocacy groups out there dedicated to giving the public the facts like Plug In America.
I found some great information on their web site debunking the most common myths associated with electric cars. Hopefully, you’ll have a different view point after reading these. Who knows, you may even head up to your Texas Chevrolet dealership and take the 2012 Chevrolet Volt for a little test drive. I’ll bet you’ll find you much more fond of it than you thought.
Myth: Electric cars are only good for short trips. Reality: Consumers have owned and driven electric vehicles for seven years or more and regularly use them on trips up to 120 miles.
Myth: Electric Vehicles take too long to charge. Reality: The most convenient place and time to charge is at home while you sleep. Even using the slowest 120-volt outlet, the car can be left to charge overnight, producing about 40 miles of range. Most new BEVs and PHEVs will charge from 240-volt outlets providing double or triple the charge in the same amount of time. Charging stations that reduce charging time even more are beginning to appear.
Myth: Electric vehicles are too expensive for market penetration.
Reality: The government stimulus package includes a $2,500 to $7,500 tax credit for EVs and PHEVs. Some states, including the great state of Texas where we reside, are considering additional incentives ($5,000 in California and Texas). And, the purchase and lifetime operating cost of an EV is on par with or less than its gas-powered equivalent because EVs require almost no maintenance or repair: no oil or filter changes, no tune ups, no smog checks.
One of the great things about our country and capitalism, is that technology keeps getting better and better and cheaper and cheaper. Think of expensive digital cameras and blu-ray players were when they first came out.
There are plenty of other myth associated with electric cars like the Chevrolet Volt. But try not to believe everything you hear, DFW. If you have any questions about the Volt at all, don’t think twice about giving Classic Chevrolet a call or swinging by the Grapevine car dealership to ask the professionals. They’ll set those doubts straight for you.
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.”
Over the past decade, road trips have become much less painful for backseat passengers due to all of the handheld technology (Gameboys, iPhones, DVD players, etc.) we now have, but according to GM, psychological studies have indicated that car passengers often feel disconnected from their environment.
In response to these studies, the GM Research and Development department challenged researchers and students from the FUTURE LAB at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Israel to conceptualize new ways to help rear seat passengers, particularly children, have a richer experience on the road. Thus, the Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Project was born. And believe me, Texas Chevrolet owners, you’re going to be blown away with what they came up with… interactive car window displays.
In a GM press release, Tom Seder, GM R&D lab group manager for human-machine interface said, “Traditionally, the use of interactive displays in cars has been limited to the driver and front passenger, but we see an opportunity to provide a technology interface designed specifically for rear seat passengers. Advanced windows that are capable of responding to vehicle speed and location could augment real world views with interactive enhancements to provide entertainment and educational value.”
Before you get too excited, I must tell you that GM currently doesn’t have any plans to put this into production. The Bezalel students were given free reign to create applications for this interactive window without having to worry about whether it could be mass produced or not. So it’s uncertain whether this idea will ever come to light. Still, the design and idea is pretty incredible.
The apps the Bezalel students developed include:
Otto, an animated character projected over passing scenery that responds to real-time car performance, weather and landscape. With Otto, passengers can learn about their environment in fun, playful ways.
Foofu, an app that allows passengers to create, explore and discover through finger drawing on window steam.
Spindow, an app that provides its users a peek into other users’ windows around the globe in real time.
Pond, an app that allows passengers to stream and share music with other cars on the road, download favorite tracks, and share messages with other passengers on the road.
GM released this awesome video detailing the project and showing us how the students simulated a vehicle environment. Check it out, Dallas Ft Worth Chevy lovers.
There’s no denying that this rain was much needed in the Dallas Ft Worth metroplex, but man oh man. When it rains in Texas, it pours. Driving in the rain can be stressful enough, but driving to work after it’s been raining non stop since the night before is just plain miserable. Especially when you’re carefully driving along in your new or used Chevy and the vehicle next to you happens to fly by, hitting a huge patch of water that engulfs your entire vehicle causing you to lose visibility for a few seconds. Anyone out there know what I’m talking about?
It’s been said that flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the U.S. because people think they can drive through deep water or don’t pay enough attention. As I mentioned above, hitting a huge patch of water at any speed over 15mph will not only throw water onto the vehicle next to you, it’ll also jerk your Chevrolet and splash water onto your windshield skewing your visibility. If that’s ever happened to you, you know it’s beyond stomach-dropping. Especially if it happens on one our crowded DFW highways.
Since the weather man tells me that we are aren’t expecting any clear skies until at least tomorrow, I thought it might be a good idea to share some tips on how to drive in these conditions. Hopefully, this will make your drive home this evening and tomorrow morning a little less nerve-racking.
First and foremost, if you see a barricade, DO NOT drive through it. This may seem like a no-brainier, but watch the news tonight and see how many people thought they could make it through. Second, avoid driving through standing water on the road and in parking lots if at all possible. According to Progressive.com, the average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Not to mention that driving through deep water can potentially stall your engine and even cause irreparable damage.
Last year, a friend and I were driving to Lubbock, Texas, during a horrible storm. The brunt of the storm hit in a small town name Seymour which only has one road out. Thinking that it would be better to get out before the flooding got worse, we decided to drive through. Horrible, horrible mistake. Before we knew it, water was up over her headlights and her engine began acting funny. After we finally pulled through, she had a difficult time accelerating. Three months later, she needed a new transmission. Moral of the story? Don’t guess at the depth of a flooded road or parking lot. Take another route if you can. Replacing the transmission on a Chevrolet or any other vehicle is not cheap.
In the event that an alternate route does not exist and you have no other reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water, Progressive.com suggests the following:
Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current passes through water easily.
Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you’re in their path.
If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
If you can’t restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.
Don’t become a victim of these dangerous flash floods, Dallas Ft Worth Chevroletowners. Following these precautions and save your beloved Chevrolet and your life from injury.
Even if you aren’t an automobile guru, you’ve probably heard the terms “torque” and “horsepower” before. You may even have some sort of idea of which numbers are considered to be high and low for each. The question is… do you understand what they are? If not, don’t worry. You’re not alone. The next time you hear someone talking about how much horsepower the 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1has, ask them to explain exactly what that means and you’ll probably have a 50/50 chance that they won’t know. And after reading this, you’ll even be able to call them out on it!
Horsepower is the amount of work done over a period of time, and torque on the other hand is a measure of force, rotational force, or how “hard” something twists. Think of it this way: horsepower is the actual speed potential of a vehicle and torque is how hard the car pushes you back into your seat when accelerating. Torque is also what allows a Chevrolet truck or car to tow.
Different cars will have different balances of horsepower and torque. I found a great example from MindOverMotor.com comparing a 2012 BMW M3 and a VW Diesel Touareg . The Touareg makes 240 horsepower and 406 ft/lbs of torque. This means that you’ll feel a really good push into your seat when you hit the gas, but when you look down you will be going 40mph instead of the 60mph you thought it’d be. On the other hand, the M3 has 414 horsepower and 295ft/lbs of torque. It won’t seem to pull that hard when you gas it, but when you look at the speedometer it will read 120mph when you thought you were at 90mph.
Now let’s look at the 2012 Camaro ZL1. This muscle machine makes 580 horsepower and 556lb-ft of torque. So when you gas it, you’ll definitely going to feel the “get up and go” and when you look down at your speedometer, you’ll probably be significantly speeding.
In conclusion, it’s torque that makes a car feel fun when you hit the gas, but it’s the horsepower that makes a car fast. So what type of balance are you looking for, DFW? I’m betting the 2012 Camaro ZL1 (available in Spring 2012) is ranking pretty high right now in your list of fun and fast cars to drive.
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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