Summer Car Care Tips

This is an important time of year to keep your car clean and to have routine maintenance done. Summer is a very busy time for everyone and a busy time for your car. Excessive heat can be a drain on many of the components of your car. If you are planning a vacation where you will be driving your car, don’t wait until the last minute to have your service facility check the car for your trip. Summer is the busiest time for repair facilities as well and the heat that takes a toll on your car, can also take a toll on the technicians that work on your car. Remember, proper car care and maintenance can prevent a breakdown.

Summer Car Care tips:

1. If you have not visited your service facility in the last six months, it is time for a visit. Ask for a safety check. A well maintained car also gets better gas mileage.
   
   
2. Have the oil changed. Regular oil changes can double the life of your car.
   
   
3. Check your tires. Summer heat can affect the performance of your tires. Ask your service facility to let you know how much tread life you have left on the tires. An extremely worn tire can make stopping difficult. Check the tire pressures so that you get the best wear for your tires and better gas mileage.
   
   
4. Don’t run the needle down to empty. You put yourself in a risky situation that you may run out of gas while driving. Imagine getting stuck on the beltway, because you run out of gas. You could do additional damage to the fuel system which could be very costly.
   
   
5. Don’t wait to have that noise checked. You drive the car everyday, if you hear a strange noise, get it checked. Small problems can turn into really big expensive problems quickly.
   
   
6. Come to a complete stop. When you are backing out of a parking spot and put your car in drive while it is still rolling, you are doing damage to the transmission. Make sure the car is stopped before changing gears.
   
   
7. Have your air conditioning system checked. A marginally operating air conditioning system is likely to fail during hot summer months.
   
   
8. A dirty, streaky or smeared windshield can be a hazard. Replace worn wiper blades and replenish windshield washer solvent.
   
   
9. April showers bring May flowers, but what do May flowers bring: Pollen! The pollen that is covering your car is also being circulated through your vents. Have the air filter and all other filters check or replaced.
   
   
10. The greatest number of breakdowns occur during summer travel is due to overheating. Check the level and condition of your coolant. Remember to never remove the radiator cap until the engine is thoroughly cooled.

Last but not least, give your car a good cleaning. Clean out all the trash on the floor and in the pockets, vacuum the interior and then wash it. It just feels so good driving around in a clean car, doesn’t it? And have a great summer!

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.

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.

Solar Array Coming to the GM Orion Assembly Plant

Two-acre solar panel installation will produce enough energy to power 45 homes

General Motors is constantly making improvements to its facilities to reduce the impact the facilities have on the environment. From developing electric cars to reducing emissions to recycling waste from manufacturing facilities, GM is more environmentally-conscious than ever before. Another significant step in this direction is the construction of a solar array––a large group of connected photovoltaic cells (solar panels)––at the GM Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan, which will produce enough energy to power 45 homes.

The Orion Assembly Plant, in Lake Orion, is the home of the Buick Verano and the Chevrolet Sonic. The energy produced by the 350-kilowatt array, which will be built in a field next to the plant and owned by the area electric utility, DTE Energy, will be sent back to the grid for local homes and area businesses to use. The total energy saved will be equal to preventing 261 metric tons of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere.

“Last year, we committed to doubling our global solar output at our facilities from 30 megawatts to 60 by 2015,” stated GM Vice President of Sustainability and Global Regulatory Affairs Mike Robinson,. “We believe in harnessing energy from clean, renewable sources because there a solid business case to be made and it’s good for the environment. This array reinforces our progress.”

The solar array is part ofa DTE Energy pilot program called SolarCurrents^™. The goal is to install photovoltaic systems on customer property or rooftops during the next three years with hopes of generating 15 megawatts of electricity throughout southeastern Michigan. DTE Energy will construct the solar array on two acres of south-facing land to maximize output, providing power to local businesses and homes.

This addition to the Orion plant is the most recent in a series of environmentally-related efforts. Other examples include:

• Gas from two nearby landfills powers the facility, saving $1.1 million annually and reducing the amount of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide released into the air. This prevents more than 6,300 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

• Upgrades to lighting in the facility have cut carbon dioxide emissions by 5,003 metric tons and have saved $575,895. New software allows employees to track energy use in real-time and use the information to improve efficiency.

• A new eco paint process eliminates the need for a primer oven and is heated by landfill gas. The new process cuts energy use per vehicle in half compared to the previous process, and it gives the plant the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 80,000 tons at a full three-shift capacity – the equivalent of eliminating the emissions of 14,000 vehicles a year.

By utilizing innovative technology that contributes to more environmentally-friendly facilities, GM is helping to make the world a better place for its customers. To see what else GM is doing for the environment, visit www.gm.com/vision/environment1.html.

GM Helps Find Jobs for Military Veterans

GM’s $250,000 donation to Hiring our Heroes program will fund nationwide job fairs

General Motors is committed to helping the nation’s returning veterans find meaningful employment. GM and the GM Foundation recently made a contribution of $250,000 to the Hiring our Heroes program, run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation. The program is a national effort to help both returning veterans and their spouses find jobs, as many of these individuals had to put their careers on hold due to long separations and overseas military deployments.

 

The $250,000 given by GM will help fund at least 20 job fairs for veterans around the country; at these fairs, GM, a GM supplier and a GM dealer will act as sponsoring hosts.

 

“The best way to thank the men and women who volunteered to serve our country is with a good job when they return home,” stated GM Chief Diversity Officer Kenneth J. Barrett, a retired Navy captain.

 

“Between this gift and the combined efforts of our GM family, we hope to help more veterans jump-start their new careers in the civilian world,” Barrett continued. “Veterans bring discipline, a work ethic and skills to employers unique to their military training, so hiring them isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.”

 

Hiring our Heroes was launched in March of 2011; since then, the program has helped more than 9,500 veterans and spouses find jobs, according to the National Chamber Foundation. The Foundation is on track with various partner agencies to host 400 hiring fairs this year and is working to get the business community to commit to hire 500,000 veterans by the end of 2014.

 

Numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the May unemployment rate among veterans who have served since 2001 was 12.7 percent, significantly higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.2 percent.

 

“As the auto industry continues its own recovery, we hope to help identify as many jobs as possible within the GM family – including suppliers and dealers – for qualified veterans,” Barrett said. “At GM, we have nearly 5,000 veterans in our workforce today and 45,000 more who are retirees.”

 

David M. Warner, a Marine Corp veteran, is a perfect example of how valuable these job fairs are. Warner attended a job fair for veterans in Livonia, Michigan; soon after, he began working at the GM Fairfax (Kansas) Assembly as a material group leader in the plant that constructs the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse.

 

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” said Warner. “Many of my fellow Marines are seeking work, and I hope their search goes as well as mine did.”

 

Another benefit of the Hiring our Heroes program is how employed veterans can relate to those still seeking jobs. “Because military men and women are trained to not brag about personal accomplishments, they sometimes need coaching to sell themselves in the civilian world,” stated Ryan Church, an assistant program engineering manager for the Chevrolet Equinox. Church is also a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. “Veterans can identify when they see and talk to ’one of their own’ on the other side of the table at these job fairs.”

 

GM is also involved in helping veterans find employment through the GM Talent Acquisition; weekly updates on salaried job openings are sent to state employment agencies, veterans’ groups and outplacement firms.  Additionally, the GM Careers website features a “Veterans” section on the home page that links to the company’s recruiting calendar. As a corporate participant in the Army Pays program, GM ensures that all service member participants will receive a job interview when they apply for a position.

 

With so many veterans currently struggling with unemployment and many more expected to leave the service in upcoming years, it’s imperative that businesses help these heroes move on with their lives and give them opportunities to provide for their families. GM’s contribution to the Hiring our Heroes program is a significant step in the right direction.

Walt Disney Chevy Test Track Being Re-Imagined

Disney and General Motors have renewed their long-term business relationship with a new multi-year corporate alliance. 

As part of the new alliance, GM will be actively involved with Walt Disney Imagineering in the development of a re-imagined, design-centric Test Track experience. The refurbished Test Track will be presented by one of GM’s most famous brands, Chevrolet. As Chevrolet marks its 100th anniversary, the new alliance agreement enables General Motors to tell its story in new and exciting ways to millions of Guests from around the world and continue as the official vehicle sponsor of Walt Disney World Resort. 

The video above is the original Test Track Ride.

“We are excited to renew our long-term alliance with General Motors,” said George Aguel, Senior Vice President, Corporate Alliances for the Walt Disney Company. “This unique agreement extends collaboration between two of the most recognized brands in the world, a relationship that spans over 30 years. The re-imagined Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will continue our shared goal of providing unique and innovative experiences that engage Disney guests in exciting and interactive ways.” ”

“As a global brand, Chevrolet is looking forward to welcoming Guests from around the world to the re-imagined Test Track,” said Joel Ewanick, Global Chief Marketing Officer for General Motors. “The best of Disney and the best of Chevrolet will come together to bring Guests an immersive experience in the design process of the vehicles they see on the road today and will see in the future.”

Plans call for closing the current GM Test Track in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012.

As part of the re-imagining, the Future World attraction will feature a sleek new “Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot” immersing Guests in the fascinating world of automotive design. Amid upbeat music, engaging media, dramatic lighting and a collection of Chevrolet concept cars and model vehicles, guests themselves will become automotive designers – and peer into the future of personal transportation in the process.

At interactive design and styling workstations, Guests will be able to create their own custom concept vehicles. The adventure will then shift into high gear as Guests buckle into their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle and put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit.

Their performance testing complete, Guests will move into a post-show area filled with special effects and be scored on how well their custom concept vehicle did. And of course, Guests will be able see the very latest Chevrolet vehicles in an all-new state-of-the-art showroom. 

CNN Chronicles Young Girl Building Pontiac Fiero

At fourteen years of age, Kathryn DiMaria has already done what many self-proclaimed gearheads won't even attempt in their lifetimes. The Dearborn, Michigan teen is rebuilding a car from the ground up.

The intrepid youngster asked her parents when she was just twelve to start a Pontiac Fiero project, even offering to pony up all the funds herself. Father, Jerry DiMaria only expected the project to last a few months, but two years later, Kathryn is still at it. In this CNN video, the two are at Maker Faire (a DIY festival) rebuilding a 3.4-liter V6 engine out of a Chevrolet Camaro to replace the 2.8-liter mill found in the Fiero.

The whole family hast pitched in, with Kathryn's mother teaching her how to sew in order to complete the interior, father Jerry providing much of the technical know-how, and even her sister is chronicling Kathryn's progress through photos. Jerry even started a thread in a Fiero forum which has been live for two years and is now 22 pages long. Of the project, one forum member wrote, "welcome to the madness."

Apparently math and science lessons are coming into play in her project, hopefully putting an end to the "Why do I need to learn this?" argument, at least among her classmates. The lessons will hopefully allow Kathryn to follow her dream to become an engineer. The target date for the project's completion is Kathryn's sweet 16.  You can check out her progress in this video from CNN.

Camaro Leads the Way for Chevy app, Nav Integration

Chevrolet released a photo showing the 2013 Camaro's new navigation system, which will also include the company's MyLink app and voice command systems.

by Wayne Cunningham, cnet.com

Caption: Chevrolet should be making this LCD standard in the 2013 Camaro LT, SS, and ZL1, with navigation an optional add-on. (Credit: GM)

When we saw demonstrations of Chevy's MyLink system last year, it looked like the company finally had a solid competitor to Ford Sync. MyLink not only offered advanced voice command over phones and MP3 players, but also integrated smartphone apps.

However, as we saw in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, Chevy hadn't built a MyLink head unit that was compatible with a navigation system. The result: buyers had to choose between having advanced voice command or onboard navigation.

The 2013 Camaro seems to solve that little problem. A press release notes that the new car will come standard with "MyLink and color-touch radio" on LT, SS, and ZL1 models. The release goes on to say that buyers will be able to option navigation into that system, although the parenthetical "late availability" suggests Chevy engineers still have some work to do on the system.

It may be coming out later than the car, but that did not stop Chevrolet from posting a photo of the new navigation system on Facebook. The image shows a very clean interface, something Chevrolet has done well with in the past. The maps look bright and clear, while a translucent information bar along the top shows the current music playback. Along the sides of the LCD are what look like touch buttons, another nice feature for a clean interface.