This is probably the silliest thing I might have ever seen. I hope that you guys are smart enough to not ever think that this is ok or safe! You need and must have a reliable trailer to load your jet ski on! Thanks AutoBlog for sharing this hilarity!
We’ve all seen people doing really dumb things. You know, the kind of act of stupidity where you’d try to stop them from harming themselves or their possessions if it weren’t so riveting to watch. Hell, we’ve made some pretty heinous misjudgments in our time, but we’ve never attempted to load a jet ski into the back of a Ford Econoline while said van was partially underwater. That just doesn’t sound like a good idea.
While driving a jet ski into a cargo van doesn’t make any sense to us, we know of at least one YouTube all-star who thinks otherwise. Well, he probably thought otherwise until the van’s rear wheels began having trouble maintaining traction while submerged under water. Hit the jump to watch Darwin’s theory in motion. Luckily, it appears that nobody was hurt during this epic fail.
Now people we may not sell trailers but you can at least make sure you have a safe hitch at your Dallas Chevy dealer! Be safe out there and enjoy the video.
Eating in your car. I can’t say that I have never done that. I think at some point everyone eats in their car at least once. This is very true for commuters who travel long distances to work and home and almost have to eat in their cars. I came across this blog about how eating in your car could make you sick and of course I had to stop and read it. I am a firm believer that you should try to keep your new car or truck clean at all times. Mostly because it just looks good….but now it’s also because it can keep you healthy.
Check out the story from AutoBlog. After you are finished reading this and decide you need to have your car cleaned and detailed make sure you call your local Fort Worth Chevy dealer for help. We don’t want you getting sick either!
Ever eat in your car? If so, we’re thinking there is a good chance there is currently at least one french fry stuck between the driver seat and the center arm rest. That’s pretty bad, but a study by researchers from British auto accessories retailer Halfords shows that there probably are a lot more disgusting things in your ride than some fried potatoes or a few chunks of shredded lettuce. Scientists swabbed the door handles, steering wheel, shift knob, radio and seats and found bacteria ranging from Staphylococcus to Bacillus Cereus. Those names just sound unhealthy, and in reality they are the germs that cause food poisoning, impetigo severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Those nasty germs enter your car through the soil you walk on, the pets you travel with, the passengers you transport and the very hands you use to eat all that food.
That’s really bad news if you eat in your car regularly, and the study by Halfords shows that 70 percent of people do just that. Further, half of those study admitted to leaving food behind in the car, giving those bacteria the sustenance they need to help ruin your week. And don’t think that since this is summertime that the sun will bake your interior to the point where the germs die off. Quite the contrary, the nasty little microbes multiply faster as your vehicle heats up, bolstering the little buggers for the impending fight against your immune system.
To protect yourself from these germs, the best defense is to keep your hands clean and leave the eating for a clean kitchen table. But if you must eat while driving, scientists feel that car owners should clean their vehicles as often as one would wipe down that kitchen table. We’re not the type to shy away from every germ nature has to offer, but something as serious-sounding as Staphylococcus makes us want to make with the disinfecting wipes in short order.
What do you guys think? Kind of makes you want to never eat in your car again right?
A lot of people change their oil in their cars and trucks themselves. Lots of people don’t know how to change their oil and would rather just take their cars to their local Dallas Chevy dealer. I found this video that does a really great job of explaining how simple it can be to change your oil yourself if you want to. It’s a fairly simple task but you better make sure you don’t make a mess in the driveway.
I came across this story today fromUSAToday.com. Who is the better driver? The fast paced teenager or the slower paced senior? I was surprised at the answer. You’ve got to read this story. I was once a teenager and I thought I was a good driver then. I wonder how good of a driver I will be when I’m 65.
Picture this: You’re out on the road, driving in mixed traffic with your choice of drivers to follow. One is a gray-haired senior puttering along in the right lane and the other is a fresh-faced teenager moving briskly in the left lane.
Statistically speaking, which driver is safer to follow? Kirk Seaman of AOL Autos’ blog asks whether it’s older driver with the slower reflexes, poorer vision, and cautious driving style, or the younger driver with faster reactions, better eyesight, and driving with the flow of traffic?
Seaman’s answer: Stay in the right lane, behind the oldster, and let the teenager go on his way. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the safest drivers are in the age group between 64 and 69 years old. And studies of the data reveal that teenage drivers — especially male teenage drivers — are the most dangerous drivers on the road.
Here’s Seaman’s report on why:
“In every motorized country around the world, teenage drivers are disproportionately involved in crashes,” said Dr. Anne McCartt, senior vice president for research at the Institute. “The seriousness of this problem has been recognized for decades. Only in the last few years have public policies such as graduated driving licenses been enacted to address the situation. And those laws seem to be working, but fatalities are still high.”
In 2008, 5,864 15- to 20-year-old drivers were involved in fatal crashes. That’s the bad news. The good news is that number is down by 27 percent since 1998. Driver fatalities for this age group also decreased by 20 percent in the same time period.
However, motor vehicle crashes still remain the major cause of death for teenagers. In 2008, 2,739 15- to 20-year-old drivers were killed and an additional 228,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes. Sixty percent of deaths among passenger vehicle occupants ages 16-19 were drivers.
Senior drivers, like teenage drivers, have higher crash rates per mile driven, especially when it comes to fatal crashes. But seniors don’t drive as many miles, so a better measurement of their susceptibility to accidents can be had by comparing crash rates on a per capita basis. Looking at the numbers in this way shows senior drivers have much lower crash rates. Despite their increased risk of crashing per mile driven, relatively few elderly drivers are involved in accidents because of their lower rates of exposure. In addition, the rate of fatalities per capita among seniors has decreased 40 percent since 1975 and is now at its lowest level during this period.
Let’s look at the numbers. In 2008, 15- to 20-year-old drivers made up 8.5 percent of the U.S. population, yet accounted for 12 percent of occupant deaths among all ages in passenger vehicle (cars, pickups, SUVs, and vans). Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash. Drivers from 65 to 69 years old made up 3.7 percent of the population, but accounted for just 3.2 percent of all fatal crashes.
Major risk factors contributing to teenage crashes are those you would expect, including:
Lack of experience. Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations or not be able to recognize hazardous situations.
Poor judgment. Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and allow shorter headways (the distance from the front of one vehicle to the front of the next).
Low seat belt usage. Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use. In 2007, 61 percent of all 15- to 20-year-old passenger vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts.
“Almost all states have adopted some form of graduated driver licensing,” said Dr. McCartt. “These laws are proving effective in reducing teenage crashes.”
Graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems are designed to delay full licensure while allowing teens to get their initial driving experience under low-risk conditions. Research suggests that the most comprehensive of these programs are associated with reductions of 38 percent and 40 percent in fatal and injury crashes, respectively, among 16-year-old drivers.
“When parents know their state’s GDL laws, they can help enforce the laws and, in effect, help keep their teen drivers safe,” said Dr. McCartt.
What do you guys think about this story? I found it very interesting and as a Fort Worth Chevy dealer I felt the need to share it with you. What are your thoughts?
With recent flooding in Tennessee and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, I thought it was important to share with you some things to look for when purchasing a used car or truck so that you are sure it’s not flood damaged. Flood damage at times can be difficult to detect but I am hoping these tips from Consumer Reports will help you when you are on your search. You can always get a Car Fax report on the used vehicle you are researching or call your local Fort Worth Chevy dealer if you have questions.
Here are some hints on what to look for:
Inspect the carpets to see if they are wet, damp, or muddy.
Check the seat-mounting screws to see if there is any evidence that they have been removed. To dry the carpets, the seats must be removed, not generally a part of normal maintenance.
Inspect the lights. Headlights and taillights are expensive to replace, and a visible water line may still show on the lens or reflector.
Inspect the difficult-to-clean places, such as gaps between panels in the trunk and under the hood. Waterborne mud and debris may still appear in these places.
Look for mud or debris on the bottom edges of brackets or panels, where it wouldn’t settle naturally.
Look at the heads of any unpainted exposed screws under the dashboard. Unpainted metal in flood cars will show signs of rust.
Check if the rubber drain plugs under the car and on the bottom of doors look as if they have been removed recently. It may have been done to drain floodwater.
If you need to dig deeper, remove a door panel to see whether there is a water mark on the inside.
If you are from an area impacted by a flood and have a car that was not damaged, be aware that buyers may still suspect that it was. Consider having a mechanic inspect the car before you sell it so that you can present potential buyers with a clean bill of health.
Likewise, months and even years after a major event like the Tennessee flooding, damaged cars can surface in other parts of the country. It best to be vigilant when considering a used-car purchase.
Here is a good video with some tips from Car Fax:
Have you ever purchased a flood damaged vehicle unaware of it? Did it cause you any headaches?
There are only a few things more irritating than being stuck in a traffic jam. I often see people in the cars next to me screaming, hitting their steering wheel and generally looking extremely irritated. Then I see the people that are relaxed, jamming to the stereo and they look so calm and collected. How do they do this?
Well there are a few things that you can do to remain “calm” during traffic jams. Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist wrote a great blog on how to cope with traffic jams and I thought it has some pretty great tips in it so I thought I’d share. When I am driving to work now or when I am driving home and I get irritated with traffic jams I hope I can remember Eric’s tips.
Get a comfortable car with a good stereo, satellite radio and an automatic transmission.
If you spend most of your time behind the wheel staring at the bumper of the car in front of you, what’s under the hood of your car matters a lot less than how comfortable the seats are, how well insulated the interior is — and what kind of stereo rig you’ve got.
A plush sedan may be just the ticket — not the sporty car you can’t really use anyhow. Horsepower and 0-60 times are much less important in the bump and grind than having lots of leg and elbow room, seats that don’t make your backside go numb and — and most important of all, something to keep your mind off the debacle all around you. XM or Sirius satellite radio and their myriad programming options (or an iPod/MP3 player hook-up you can use to download podcasts and so forth) can help you forget that you haven’t moved more than a couple of yards in the past 15 minutes.
This is also why an automatic is essential for a commuter car. I love stick-shift cars, but in traffic, constantly having to push a clutch in and out gets tiring fast. It’s also much harder on the clutch and related components, which will wear out faster — and thus, cost you money.
Adjust your schedule.
Depending on the type of work you do, you may be able to get your boss to change your work hours slightly, enabling you to avoid the times of day when the roads are at a near-standstill. Instead of coming in at 9 and leaving at 5, see if you can get your boss to let you come in at 8 and split at 4 instead. In some cases, being able to leave at 4 vs. 5 may cut 30 minutes or more off your daily grind.
Another possibility is to work through lunch so you can leave an hour “early.”
Bottom line: Unlike asking for a raise, asking for slightly different work hours doesn’t cost the company anything. That makes it more likely your request will be granted.
Telecommuting and flex time.
The next step is to work on your boss to let you work from a home work station some of the time — or even all of the time.
Computers and the Internet opened this door — and today’s networking capabilities and affordable high-speed access (DSL, Cable) make it easy for many white collar and information workers to do everything they need to do from a remote location, such as a home office. More and more employers are becoming receptive to this arrangement, too — especially if you make a strong pitch based on how it will make you more productive and thus a better employee.
Point out that it doesn’t do the company any good for you to be spending two or more hours per day sitting in traffic; that you’d be much more productive if you were able to log on from home and be available immediately and virtually any time. Point out that you could handle unforeseen situations at odd hours and weekends. Present a “business plan” outlining every aspect of the work-from-home arrangement; suggest a trial period to make sure everyone is comfortable with it. You might even consider sweetening the pot by offering to take a pay cut in return for being able to skip the commute. Keep in mind that if they agree, you will save a great deal of money on gasoline, vehicle upkeep and maintenance — and so on. Taking a five percent pay cut may not actually cost you anything on balance — but it will likely be very appealing to your employer.
Try to be Zen about it.
This too shall pass — and working yourself into a futile rage every morning and every night is about as sensible as Elvis shooting the TV whenever Robert Goulet came on. Banging on the wheel, making faces, muttering hate and death under your breath won’t get you there any faster — just as Elvis blowing away his Zenith didn’t much hurt Robert Goulet.
The best way to cope with traffic today is to make a plan to escape it tomorrow. So long as you know the nightmare is temporary — that in three years, let’s say, you’ll have moved, arranged new work hours — whatever your plan is — you’ll be able to deal, just like a con who knows he’ll be out of the clink in “x” number of days.
When you are ready for a new more comfortable car make sure you check and see what your local Fort Worth Chevy dealer has to offer. There are some amazingly comfortable cars in the Chevy line up. Check out the Traverse or the Malibu just to name a few.
What do you guys think? Think these tips will help you?
Apparently some people have attempted something I would have never thought of. Ever. Cooking on your engine. Well to be exact cooking on your exhaust manifold. I even found in my curiosity a book with manifold recipes! This gives tailgating a whole new meaning. I also found this video below and well… It actually looks good. What do you guys think?
Oh and just in case you attempt this, I thought I better add some instructions for you from Wikihow as I have never done this before and could not tell you how to properly do it.
I think it is that time of year when the cops are out in full force. I keep seeing all these new speed traps on my way to work and a countless number of people pulled over getting a ticket for whatever reason. This irritates me simply for the fact that it slows down traffic cause people want to rubberneck. Well I came across this article by the National Motorists Association and they’ve got some pretty good tips. There’s nothing more irritating than being pulled over getting a ticket.
Here’s the list:
1.) Try not to drive faster than 9 mph over the posted limit on the highway and about 5-6 mph above the posted limit on secondary roads.
In most places, most cops will not ticket you if you’re within this range. Part of the reason is simply that most car speedometers are not perfectly calibrated and so it’s easier to challenge such a trivial ticket in court. Exceptions to this include 25 mph/school zones — where you should never drive even a single mph faster than the posted limit.
2.) Don’t drive significantly faster (or slower) than the traffic around you.
If you do, you’ll stick out — and if there’s a cop around, he will notice and focus on you. Learn from the prey animals of the African savannah: There is safety in numbers. Even if you are driving faster than the speed limit, if you’re one of a dozen cars in a pack, there’s only a one in twelve chance the cop will target you.
3.) Never speed at night, especially after midnight.
There are more cops on the road during these hours — and fewer cars. You will stand out. And the cops are looking for any excuse to pull you over, because night-time is DWI time and every car a cop comes across will be closely scrutinized. Give him a reason — any reason — to pull you over and he will pull you over.
4.) Make sure your car’s registration, license plates and state inspection are always up to date.
Cops are trained to look for passed-due inspection stickers (and also things like cracked windshields and dead headlights/brake lights, etc.)
5.) Pay attention to the behavior of other drivers, especially if you’re driving in an unfamiliar area.
If you see cars ahead suddenly slowing down for no apparent reason (or oncoming cars are flashing their lights at you) it’s likely there’s a radar trap up ahead. Slow down now.
6.) Be on guard driving through small towns you don’t know, especially small towns just off an Interstate or when a major road goes directly through a small town.
Speed traps are a reality of life and you’re most likely to encounter one when driving through a small town in the middle of nowhere. Some towns get a large percentage of their budget from traffic tickets and the local yokel cops are on the lookout for cars with out of state plates because they know the driver is not likely to come all the way back there to try to fight the ticket in court — no matter how trumped-up the ticket might be. It’s unfair, but it’s the reality on the ground.
7.) Be on the alert for sudden (and often poorly indicated) reductions in the posted speed limit.
On many roads, the maximum will drop from say 55 to 45 for no obvious reason — and sometimes, there’ll be a cop just after the sign change, waiting for you with his radar gun. Watch for work zones — where the limit may drop by half (and the fines double).
8.) Educate yourself about photo radar, or automated tickets.
If you’re traveling to say Phoenix, AZ or Washington, DC — be forewarned that these areas use automated cameras to ticket people for both red light running and speeding. You may get no warning — and have no idea you just got a ticket — until it arrives in the mail a few weeks later.
9.) Familiarize yourself with the makes/models of cars that cops tend to drive.
The most commonly used cop cars (marked and unmarked) are the Ford Crown Victoria, the Chevy Impala and the Dodge Charger. The nice thing about the Vic is that it’s very easy to pick out because it’s very large and pretty much only cops and older people drive them. The Impala’s harder to sniff out because they are anonymous-looking and really blend into the crowd. The Charger’s even worse because it’s a popular car and also a car that younger, sporty drivers favor. But in general, be on the alert whenever one of these cars is around; be extra wary if you see telltale signs such as multiple low-profile antennas, large tires with inexpensive-looking trim rims/hub caps and a spotlight on the driver’s side door.
10.) Don’t exceed the posted in adverse weather such as heavy rain or when it’s snowy.
Not only is it unsafe, it may also be a moving violation even though you may not have been driving faster than the posted maximum. Keep in mind that the speed limit is just that — the lawful maximum — under ideal conditions. If a cop sees you driving faster than he deems safe for conditions, he can still pull you over and give you a ticket. And besides, this is a case where slower really is safer. Even if you have a 4WD vehicle, it takes longer to stop (and the vehicle is more prone to skidding out) if the roads are wet or slicked from snow/ice. - Thanks to National Motorists Association for this list.
Just make sure if you are headed to your Texas Chevy Dealer so excited about getting a new car. You take your time. Ha ha. Can you think of anything they left out?
You love your car or truck. Of course you do. Over the years the seats have started looking a little shabby due to weight, friction, spills, and life on the road. Well no need to worry about what to do! Some seat covers can be a very inexpensive way to give your seats and your car or truck some new life. Here are a few reasons why getting some seat covers are ideal to recovering seats.
(1) They are affordable. Take a look around do some research and you will find that getting some new seat covers are much more affordable then you think.
(2) There are so many sites out there and places that make seat covers. You have sooo many options. Many different colors, material, fabric, designs. You name it.
(3) You get a fresh new look. Like I said before you love your car or truck and you want it to look good right? This is the way to do it without spending a lot of money.
(4) You are also getting added protection to keep your seats from getting worse. Your new seat covers are doing more than making your car look good. If you spill something the seat cover can be washed!
(5) Your personality and style is now seen a little bit more. You may have bumper stickers and such that show your personality but now your seat covers can really show you.
If you have any pictures of your seat covers send them into me. I want to see who has the best looking seat covers.
Ok so when was the last time you looked in your glove compartment box? What’s in there? Why is it that when you get pulled over or you’re looking for something you can never find it in there? It’s like the washing machine you know you put 2 pairs of socks in there so why are you missing a sock? I know every time I get a new insurance card I put it in the glove compartment box but somehow I can never find it. But I can find the ones that expired! The problem is that no one knows what’s supposed to be in there and what shouldn’t be in there. Here is a list of the most useful items to keep in your glove compartment box.
(1) Insurance – Now this one is important because they just passed a law in Texas that if you don’t have insurance or the proper documentation with you they can tow your car right then and there. I would however keep your title at home some place safe. Think about it if someone steals your car and they got the title – well they can sell your car. Just keep your registration and your insurance in your glove compartment box.
(2) A notebook and pen – You never know when your wife will call you with a grocery list or when you might get in a little fender bender and need to write your insurance information down. This is a good thing to keep handy.
(3) Tissues etc - Well this is a given. I blow my nose, my kids noses, I pick up there messes. Keep kleenex, wipes or something in there. Trust me you will need it.
(4) A cell phone charger - You may not be in your car that much but you never know when you may be in an emergency and your phone is dead. It’s a good idea to keep phone charger in your glove compartment box just in case.
(5) Flashlight – One time my car died and I had parked in a parking garage and it was dark. If I hadn’t had that flashlight in my glove compartment box I wouldn’t have been able to find the battery cables under my seat. Trust me you’ll find a use for that flash light.
(6) Tire Pressure Gauge – You should check your tire pressure often. Properly inflated tires gives you better fuel economy, better handling and extended tire life.
(7) Owner’s Manual – DUH! You never know when you will need this. I lost mine once and had to go get a new one. What a pain.
Let me know if you can think of anything I left out. I usually keep my receipts from car work in there too like from getting my oil changed etc. only cause I can’t always read that sticker they put in your window.
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
This is probably the silliest thing I might have ever seen. I hope that you guys are smart enough to not ever think that this is ok or safe! You need and must have a reliable trailer to load your jet ski on! Thanks AutoBlog for sharing this hilarity!
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