Happy Labor Day Weekend!

From the Department of Labor: 
"The History of Labor Day
Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means
 
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

A Nationwide Holiday

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker."

We want to thank all of our Chevy Tough customers who have to come to us at 1500 Savannah Highway, Charleston, South Carolina from Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek and the surrounding areas to pick out a brand new truck to handle the workload and to supply all of their Chevy needs.

Happy Labor Day to all of our customers!

Hit The Books In Style In A New Sonic!

As we begin to get prepped and ready to head back to school, we can all get a little nervous. New classes, new teachers, new lab partners and on top of that we have already began to stress about that first round of exams. In order to ease those nerves, Kelley Blue Book has just released their top 10 back-to-school picks that will make all your friends jealous of the style, comfort, fuel economy and safety of your new whip.

Each year, Kelley Blue Book rates new cars recognizing the “10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2013.” This year, our favorite 2014 Chevrolet Sonic made the list as one of the most spacious, safe and low-cost new sedans on the market! Not only did it make the list, it ranked in the top 5!

“Available as a sedan or hatchback, the sonic is a surprisingly exciting subcompact whose price starts a hair under $15,000,” KBB.com explains. “We also appreciate that the Sonic brings sensibility with its style, boasting 10 airbags for the safety-minded and impressive fuel economy that reaches 40 mpg.”

TheCollegeDriver.com also boasts about this sleek new Sonic, calling attention to it's two new limited edition colors, a chromatic plum called Deep Magenta Metallic, available August through October, and Cool Blue - a greyish, dirty blue - will be available on Sonic from November until March. Dragon Green will come to the lineup as a permanent addition to the Sonic palate the first quarter of 2014.

Check out our latest selection of Chevy Sonics here and hit the books in style this year!

Time To Get Your Head In The Game!

Beyond food, drinks and tunes, the right mix of hardware can make or break a tailgate party. Chevy has noted the 2014 ChevroletTraverse as being the ultimate in tailgating vehicles, both for the room it provides for all the right tailgating accessories, and for the navigation and entertainment provided by the Chevrolet MyLink Radio.

Here's a checklist of things you will want to be sure to pack into your new 2014 Traverse on your way to the Big Game!

The Grill

Your grill can be anything from a tiny hibachi to a 30,000-BTU burner, so long as it cooks enough meat for your crowd. Charcoal grills are still the reigning champs, but gas grills are making a comeback, since startup and cleanup tend to be easier.

Coolers

Bring at least two coolers — one for beverages, the other for meat. Models range from basic Styrofoam boxes all the way to thermoelectric mini-fridges that plug into a vehicle's auxiliary power outlet.

Folding Chairs

Unless you want your guests winding down 45 minutes into the festivities, give them a place to sit. We find that folding chairs are easier to store than plastic lawn chairs.


Folding Table

While fold-down tailgates serve as a good perch for food and beverages, many vehicles have ditched them for raised liftgates. Stand-alone tables provide the extra room you'll need for a winning spread.

Power Inverter

Consider bringing a power inverter if you want to plug in a television, radio or anything else that uses a conventional alternating current. Inverters can turn a vehicle's direct-current outlet (the cigarette lighter in many cars) into a power source for twin-pronged AC plugs. If you're looking to include lots of heavy artillery — multiple TVs, a parking lot speaker system or an outdoor heater — bring a stand-alone generator to the event.

Flags

In a crowded parking lot, flags provide a beacon for your tailgaters to meet up. Bring at least two flags: one with your team's colors, the other with a distinct design so stragglers can find you when they finally show up.

Games

When plates are clean and cups run dry, keep guests entertained with poker (if you remembered the folding table and chairs) or a beanbag toss.

Check out our selection of  2014 Chevrolet Traverses here or come by 1500 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407 to pick out your perfect tailgating ride! GO Team!

The Importance of Oil and Filter Changes

An oil change is one of the most important things you can do for your car

Regular oil and filter changes are among the most affordable, and at the same time most important, scheduled maintenance services you can do to keep your vehicle running reliably for many years. Without proper lubrication, the combustion engine becomes little more than an expensive boat anchor.  Engines are made up of hundreds of moving parts that have to slide and spin against each other, and without a reliable supply of clean oil, those parts will grind to a halt before you get to the end of the block. In addition to its primary function of reducing friction between moving parts, engine oil also acts as an additional coolant to help take some of the combustion heat away from the cylinders.

To properly do its job, oil has to flow freely through dozens of passages in the engine. The larger passages are cast into the cylinder block and heads, while many smaller ones are drilled into crankshafts and piston pins. While oil does help minimize wear of bearings and other metal parts, tiny metal particles eventually contaminate the oil over time. A mix of unburned fuel and exhaust gases can also slip past the piston rings, mixing with the oil and diluting it.

If oil isn’t changed according the vehicle’s maintenance schedule, it will get thicker and turn into a sludge that can’t do the intended job. The oil filter, which helps to remove dirt and other particles from the oil, will also get filled up over time. When that happens, the pressure increases and a bypass valve opens that lets unfiltered oil run through the engine. If this happens for an extended period, it can cause very expensive damage.

Until about the mid-1990s, it was generally recommended that drivers get their oil and filter changed every three months or 3,000 miles. Since then, a number of technological improvements have allowed oil change intervals to be extended to 10,000 miles or more, depending on the make, model and powertrain of vehicle. Driving style, frequency of towing, and weather and road conditions also play a big role in how often the engine oil in your vehicle should be changed, so you should check your owner’s manual for guidance. Your dealer’s service technicians are also a great resource for recommendations that are personalized for your particular vehicle and driving conditions.

Oil formulations have improved, making oil more stable so that the thickness, or viscosity, doesn’t change as much over time, and detergents added to oil help break down contamination from fuel and exhaust. New fully synthetic and synthetic blends reduce engine friction and improve fuel economy while lasting longer.

Modern engine electronics also help to extend oil life. Most new engines have sensors that can detect the condition of the oil, and systems built into the electronic control unit monitor driving conditions. By keeping track of conditions like temperature, average speeds and engine loads, oil life monitors can determine if your vehicle is subjected to conditions that can accelerate oil break-down––like frequent or heavy towing; extreme heat; lots of stop-and-go driving––or if most of your driving is highway cruising.

Vehicles equipped with oil life monitors provide an indication of oil condition in the instrument cluster and recommend when to get an oil change. Vehicles that are subjected to more stress might be recommended for an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, while those that see lighter duties might go a little more, saving money and time for the driver.

Speaking of saving time and money, while it’s not difficult to change oil yourself at home, the hassle of cleanup and properly disposing of the old oil (never dump it on the ground or in a sewer) can be avoided by having your oil changed by your dealer. As part of your dealer’s oil and oil filter change service, service technicians will also lubricate key chassis components, top off fluids as necessary, inspect other vehicle systems and discuss with you any problems or questions you may have.

A small investment in maintenance will keep your vehicle running reliably for many years to come, and will also save you money at the pump. 

 

 

 

 

Click here to schedule a service appointment with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet.

Chevrolet's Giving Customer's Quality they Want

Chevrolet Has Received More 2013 J.D. Power Initial Quality Awards Than Any Other Automotive Brand.

   

Chevrolet vehicles are giving our consumers the quality they deserve. According to the 2013 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study^SM, Chevrolet received five segment awards, more than any other auto brand.

These results highlight Chevrolet’s commitment to quality. Customers want inventive designs, advanced features, exhilarating performance and great quality-without any sacrifices. At Chevrolet, quality is at the center of every decision that affects the development of every vehicle.

The J.D Power study was redesigned for 2013 and provides manufacturers with information they can use to quickly identify problems and drive improvement. Chevrolet will take that challenge seriously.

“Customer satisfaction and quality are our top priority so these results mean a lot to us,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “We will continue to listen and learn from our customers as a way to improve quality even faster on all cars, trucks and crossovers that wear the Chevrolet bowtie.”

Chevrolet turned in an exceptional performance in the study. Segment leaders for Chevrolet were:

Segment Award Recipients

Camaro  – Midsize Sporty Car

Impala  – Large Car

Tahoe  – Large CUV

Silverado HD  – Large Heavy-Duty Pickup

Avalanche  – Large Light-Duty Pickup

Chevrolet’s commitment to quality and steady introduction of new, fuel-efficient products with the technology and features that more customers want helped the brand achieve record 2012 global sales of 4.9 million vehicles.

It’s American Ingenuity to Find New Roads.

Join the coversation with Chevrolet on Facebook and on Twitter @Chevrolet.

“The Chevrolet Impala, Camaro, Tahoe, Silverado HD, and Avalanche; received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among Large Car, Midsize Sporty Car (tie), Large CUV, Large Heavy Duty Pickup, Large Light Duty Pickup (tie in the proprietary J.D. Power 2013 Initial Quality Study^SM. Study based on responses from 83,442 new-vehicle owners, measuring 230 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in February to May 2013. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.”