Thursday, February 21, 2013

GM's Chevrolet Is The First To Finally Get Hands-Free Siri Integration In Cars


The integration will let roadsters make hands-free calls to iPhone contacts, play songs from iTunes and more.


General Motors' Chevrolet is the first to get hands-free Siri integration in its Sonic and Spark models. Now, iPhone-toting drivers on iOS 6 will be able to integrate Siri with the cars' in-vehicle infotainment system, Chevrolet MyLink.
The integration will let roadsters make hands-free calls to iPhone contacts, play songs from iTunes, listen to and compose iMessages or text messages, and add appointments to their calendar.
We've known for awhile that consumers were going to be able to drive Miss Siri in various vehicles from brands such as Mercedes, BMW, and Jaguar, but GM is the first to get there.

Friday, February 8, 2013

The 5 Best Super Bowl Commercials of 2013


The Ravens won the game, but which advertiser won the laughs and viewers in between the action on the field? Watch the Super Bowl’s best commercials this year below. Did we miss one you liked? Tell us in the comments.
Taco Bell: When some octogenarians bust out of their retirement home, they get into all kinds of teenage trouble: Regrettable tattoos, public displays of affection, breaking and entering, pyrotechnics, and finally, some late night Taco Bell. The directors found some great character actors — especially that guy who presses his nipple against the restaurant window — and a cool Spanish rendition of “We Are Young,” by the band fun.
Samsung: Funnymen Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd are both called in to Samsung HQ for a meeting about their “Next Big Thing” ads — but they’re battling each other over who truly deserves the gig. Rudd gets some of the best lines against Rogen: “I’ve never seen you so excited about something that isn’t food.” “Are you sure you aren’t here to see a guy named Sam Sung?” But then the commercial takes another meta turn, skewering the other commercials that have come before it, as Rudd and Rogen pitch ideas: Talking babies (E-trade), Asian rappers (Wonderful Pistachios) and sending a guy into the galaxy (Axe). Other cameos include Bob Odenkirk and LeBron James.
Best Buy:  Amy Poehler, shopping for electronics, has many questions for a helpful young Best Buy employee. Questions like, “What’s LTE, is it contagious?” “Can I use a dongle with this?” “Does it make you uncomfortable when I use the word dongle?” Amy Poehler is a goddess. P.S.: The definition of “dongle,” in case you were wondering.
Budweiser: Not everyone will agree. But this heartwarming commercial about a man who reunites with the Budweiser Clydesdale he raised from infancy tugged at the heartstrings of viewers. Many Twitter users said it brought tears to their eyes. It goes to show that dogs aren’t man’s only best friends.
Tide: It probably wasn’t a favorite commercial in San Francisco, but it played well elsewhere. A 49ers fan finds a miracle Joe Montana stain on his jersey, and considers it to be a religious experience and good omen for the game… until his wife, a Ravens fan, uses Tide to wash it. It was perfect for the Super Bowl, with a tone that was, er, spot-on.
Bonus:
Mercedes-Benz: Another flashy big-name celeb commercial — this time starring Willem Dafoe, Kate Upton and Usher — it’s a clever spot about a man who considers selling his soul to the devil for a car, but he realizes that he doesn’t have to. He can afford it.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Windshield and Windshield Wiper Maintenance

Your ability to see clearly is imperative to driving safety


Having an unobstructed, clear view out your windshield is always critically important, and never more so than during the winter months. Just a few minutes of basic maintenance before the poor weather starts can help insure the best possible visibility during the shorter days and longer nights of winter.

Your windshield should always be kept clean, but especially so in the winter. Dead bugs, sap from parking under trees and even bird droppings all make it hard to see out, and can be hard to remove completely. A clean rag and some vinegar can usually loosen up any residue that has been left on the glass.  If you live where it’s cold in the winter, frost, snow and ice left on the windshield while you drive can make navigation downright dangerous. Always completely scrape and clear snow and ice, from all your vehicle’s glass, before getting underway. Don’t forget to clean the inside surface of your windshield completely and regularly. Film from smoke and other substances builds up inside over time and can significantly reduce visibility. Glass cleaners containing vinegar make the task quick and easy.

If there is residue on your windshield that just doesn’t come off, stop by the dealership to see what options we can provide for you.

With the glass clean inside and out, don’t forget to remove any leaves or twigs that may be left in the inlets at the base of the windshield. These will restrict airflow into the cabin that is needed for heating and defrosting the inside of the windows. Some older vehicles also have windshield washer jets mounted below the trailing edge of the hood which can be blocked by leaves.
If the clean glass has any cracks or divots, these should also be taken care of by a professional auto glass repair facility. Small cracks and divots can now usually be repaired, without replacing the entire windshield, by injecting a polymer into the crack and then polishing the surface after it cures. Many dealerships now offer this service to their customers.

Many auto insurance companies will even pay for these small repairs without charging any deductible because it can reduce the risk of future accidents. Check with your insurer to find out about their policies and take advantage of a free repair if it’s available.

Over time, exposure to road sand and other debris can cause thousands of tiny pits and scratches in windshield glass. During the winter months, when the sun is lower in the sky, or at night, these pits can cause reflections that dramatically reduce visibility, even if the glass is clean. If your windshield has deteriorated like this, it may be time to replace it entirely. Of course, windshields with large cracks or star fractures should also be replaced immediately.

With the glass in good clean condition, it’s important to keep it that way. Windshield wipers are made of rubber and, just like tires, they need to be replaced periodically – usually at least once a year. To keep the windshield clear and streak-free, the rubber blades need to be free of cracks and cuts, and the rubber needs to flex to follow the curved contour of the glass.

Oxidation and long-term exposure to the sun will cause wiper blade rubber to harden and crack. Just as with tires, winter temperatures also cause rubber to stiffen. Like winter tires, winter wiper blades are made from different rubber formulations that stay pliable in sub-freezing temperatures, and they often have covers or shrouds over the wiper frames to prevent ice build-up. When you buy wiper blades, make sure you get the right size for your vehicle. If you have a hatchback, station wagon, van or SUV with a rear wiper, don’t forget to replace that blade as well, so you can see out the back.

Remember to keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir full throughout the year. It’s especially important to use a de-icing washer fluid during the winter months to prevent the fluid from freezing. These fluids typically contain some ethanol or ethylene glycol to lower the freezing point. Washer fluid is inexpensive, and it’s a good idea to keep a couple of extra gallons on hand so you can top off your washer fluid tank in between visits to your dealer’s service department.

It doesn’t take much effort to maximize your visibility, so spend a few minutes to care for your windshield and wipers. If you live in the snowy North, don’t forget to put an ice-scraper in the car. If you stop by today, we’ll help you keep your car ready for anything.


Schedule your service appointment today by clicking the button below.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Chevrolet Introduces "Find New Roads" Global Tagline


Chevrolet Will 'Find New Roads' as Brand Grows Globally Aligns around the world behind singular vision


Chevrolet is the world's fastest-growing major automotive brand and as it continues to expand its global operations it is aligning its engineering, design and retail operations behind a single vision and communications platform – Find New Roads.

The foundation of this new guiding principle is Chevrolet's legacy of innovation and commitment to doing the right thing for consumers. Find New Roads will be the touchstone for the brand as it develops new products and technologies for sale in more than 140 markets.

"Find New Roads embraces the spirit of ingenuity that has been in Chevrolet's DNA since the beginning and it will continue to guide every aspect of our business moving forward," said Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development. "We have sold Chevrolets around the world for almost a century, but this is the first time we have aligned behind one global vision.

"As we develop new products our designers and engineers will be empowered to find smarter solutions to address customer needs and make their lives better."

Since the launch of the Cruze mid-size sedan – the brand's first truly global vehicle – in 2009, Chevrolet sales have grown about 38 percent.

"This is the right time to launch this initiative with over 20 vehicle launches globally in 2013," said Alan Batey, vice president, U.S. Sales, Service and Global Marketing. "We are continuing to grow globally, especially in key emerging markets, and Find New Roads will help us drive even more consistency – both internally with our employees and externally with customers."

Chevrolet's approach to marketing and the retail experience is already aligning with this new global vision. Last year Chevrolet selected Commonwealth, a newly formed advertising agency, to service Chevrolet advertising around the world. The brand also has launched a program to train dealership personnel to approach every aspect of their business differently to improve the retail experience.

In addition to driving internal consistency for Chevrolet, Find New Roads also will be used in advertising around the world, beginning in the United States this quarter.

"Find New Roads will enable the whole company to rally around a consistent theme for the brand, and at the same time serve as an external message that works in all markets," said Batey. "The theme has meaning in mature markets like the U.S. as well as emerging markets like Russia and India, where the potential for continued growth is the greatest."

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality.