One World Futbol Project + Chevrolet

One World Futbol brings the power of play to children around the world.  Chevrolet is helping by enabling the One World Futbol project to distribute 1.5 million ultra-durable footballs over the next three years to impoverished areas, refugee camps and conflict zones.  The mission is the use sport to resolve conflicts, teach tolerance, help kids recover from trauma and build community.  And you can become a supporter of this endeavor.  Want to get involved?  Buy one and donate to One World Futbol.

In the coming weeks, Chevrolet will introduce a special edition One World Futbol and enable people around the world to get involved and help bring this vision to life.  We invite you to watch this video of Sting and inventor Tim Jahnigen introductin the One World Futbol project and Chevrolet's founding sponsorship.

The Rev Heard Around the World

A marvel of engineering fifty years and counting.  Chevrolet may not have invented the engine, but we did invent THE engine.  You know the one.  The reason wind blown became a hairstyle.  Even the dust left in its wake packs a punch.  We call it the Small Block and the 100-millionth one is about to roll off the lot.

"The introduction of the Small Block changed everything, " says Jim Campbell, vice president, GM Performance Vehicle and Motorsports.  "It started a wave of innovation and escalating performance that influenced the entire automotive industry.  In the process, the Small Block fundamentally changed the Chevrolet brand by powering our most iconic cars -- on the street and the track."

Before it's 1955 introduction, Chevrolet offered only 6-cylinder engines.  They needed to design an engine that could compete with industry heavyweight Ford's flat head V8.  The goal was to match the power of the V8 but to keep the engine lightweight and affordable.

Their answer, the Small Block, delivered 195 horsepower with an optional 4- barrel carburetor.  An engine that outperformed almost everything it went up against.

"The Small Block transformed Chevrolet Racing, and soon fuel-injected Chevys were banned after dominating on the NASCAR circuit, Corvettes were winning at Le Mans, Camaros were winning Trans Am championships," says Campbell.

So what is next for the engine that brought innovation and performance to production vehicles and race cars alike?  "We are already developing the fifth-generation Chevy Small Block," says Sam Winegarden, executive director for global engine engineering.  "No doubt, it will hold true to the power, light weight and affordability that made the original engine an instant success, while continuing the technological innovation that has made the Chevy Small Block an icon of performance."

What To Do If Your Brakes Fail

There aren't many more sickening feelings than cruising along the highway, approaching an intersection, applying the brakes and feeling your 3,000 + pound ride keep right on going.

Fortunately for most of us, complete brake failure is a rare occurrence.  But when it happens, it's almost always unexpected -- and the results can be life threatening, to say the least.  So now is the time to take a second and think about what you would do in the event you stepped on your brake pedal and found yourself unable to stop.

The National Safety Council recommends you take the following steps should you find yourself in a position where your brakes suddenly fail:

Downshift immediately, but gently

Putting the car in a lower gear allows the engine to slow the car, and may give you enough time to be able to safely pull over.  Whether you're driving an automatic or a manual, try to downshift smoothly through the gears.  If you downshift too quickly, you risk a skid.  Do not shut off the car to stop it, as you'll lose your power steering, and do not put the car in neutral or you will lose the engine braking effect.

Try the emergency brake, but don't depend on it to stop

If you're driving a car with a good, strong emergency brake, go ahead and use it.  It helps to try your emergency brake out at slow speeds to see how much stopping power it really has.

Check for brake pedal blockage

Believe it or not, debris such as soda cans or bottles, coffee cups, rolls of paper towels and other items bouncing around in the cockpit can wedge behind your brake pedal, preventing its use.  Make sure the pedal's path is clear and if not, kick the obstruction out of the way.

Pump your brakes only if you have an older car without anti-lock brakes (ABS)

If your car has standard brakes they may respond to pumping, which could build up enough hydraulic pressure to allow them to work again.  But many newer cars with ABS will do the pumping for you, so you should firmly press the brake pedal even if the brakes are not working.  The brake failure may be temporary and if they suddenly start working again, you foot will be where it needs to be.

Alert other drivers

Turn on your hazards and honk your horn until you're stopped so other motorists will know to give you plenty of room.

If you must hit something, aim for something "soft"

This is a judgement call, but a wooden fence is better than a tree, for example -- and anything is preferable to hitting a human being.

Once you're safely stopped, get help - don't chance it home

Don't be tempted to drive the car again, even if the brakes suddenly start working.  Have the car towed to a repair shop or dealer for inspection and repair.

Back-to-School Shopping: Tax Free Weekend

Tax Free Weekend is here and it's time to save some money!

This weekend, back-to-school shoppers can purchase everything from bed linens, pillows, pillow cases, shower curtains and bath towels to clothing, clothing accessories, footwear and other related items that are exempt from the state's six percent sales and use tax and any local county sales tax.

Computers and printers, a key purchase for many shoppers during the tax-free weekend, remain exempt from the state's sales and use tax, as well.

This event, which has become the busiest shopping weekend of the summer season for merchants, lasts from August 3rd through August 5th in South Carolina.  However, if you buy things you don't necessarily need just to get the savings, then you won't save you or your family any money.


HOW TO AVOID OVERSPENDING

You can avoid overspending by being sure to make a complete list of school supplies to purchase and don't deviate from the list.  In addition, don't run around with four different supply lists.  If you have more than one child, it's easier to shop when you integrate everything you need into one main list.


HOW TO SPOT THE DEALS

Some stores are offering deals on top of the fact that the weekend is tax free.  Start scanning sale papers which might include special items on sale for the tax free weekend.  Some other stores may not offer any discounts, so it may be cheaper to go to another store and purchase the item even if it is tax free.

Chevy Announces Changes To 2013 Camaro - How Could It Get Any Better?

Performance and technology lead the list of upgrades

Since it roared onto the street in 1967 Camaro has been a force to be reckoned with - the epitome of what a performance car should be.  With the introduction of the Fifth Generation in 2010 Camaro continued the cross breading of jaw-dropping design, raw power and the latest technology. Nothing represented that more than the ZL1 - inspired by the legendary 1969 Camaro with its all-aluminum racing engine, made available to the public for the first time in 2012.

Now Camaro is ready to make history again with the introduction of the ZL1 Convertible. It has all the power, performance and fighter plane sophistication that has wowed enthusiasts - minus the top. Also new in 2013 is the Camaro SS 1LE Performance Package - a heart and mind meld of the SS with unique ZL1 features. There's also the connectivity and entertainment of Chevrolet MyLink - now available on every 2013 Camaro that tears out of the dealership parking lot.

For 46 years Camaro drivers - and those who long to join the club - have pushed us to deliver power, performance and technology. It's what they've come to expect. And it's exactly what we're delivering again in 2013.

Camaro ZL1 Convertible

It's the most technologically advanced Camaro ever. And now you have the option to drop the top in about 18 seconds flat. Introducing the Camaro ZL1 Convertible.

Feel the thrust produced by an all-aluminum 6.2L supercharged engine that packs 580 horsepower and 556 lb.-ft. of torque. Experience the excitement the performance that comes with the third generation of Magnetic Ride Control, world-class braking and four-wheel independent suspension that you can't get on a Mustang.

Inside you'll find a cockpit packed with more technology than ever before, including the Heads-Up Display that projects performance data right to the windshield and a 7-inch diagonal radio touch-screen. You'll also enjoy the latest in connectivity, information and entertainment of Chevrolet MyLink.

There's no doubt that getting behind the wheel, dropping the top and hitting the gas is the best way to experience this beast.

The 2013 Camaro Coupe SS 1LE Performance Package

For more than two decades, owners and enthusiasts have coveted the competition-ready third- and fourth-generation Camaro Coupe 1LE Package. Now the 1LE is back -combining white-knuckle performance elements of the ZL1 and SS with a decidedly aggressive attitude of its own.

Here are the cold, hard facts on the all-new road-racing Camaro that's going to carve up the track and live up to its legendary name.

Performance

• FE6 Performance Ride and Handling Suspension

• 1LE-specific front and rear stabilizer bars

• Four-piston Brembo^® disc brakes with red calipers

• Goodyear^® Eagle^® F1 Supercar^® Gen 2 tires (P285/35ZR20)

• Upgraded halfshafts designed to handle the higher grip and handling of the rear tires

• Tower-to-tower brace to enhance structural feel

• Tremec^® 6-speed manual transmission with specific gearing

• Electric Power Steering

• Available dual-mode exhaust with quad outlets

• 3.91:1 axle ratio

• 
  

Exterior

• Low-gloss Black hood wrap

• 20-inch 10-spoke black wheels with low-gloss clearcoat

• Available RS Appearance Package

• Available sunroof

Interior

• Sueded microfiber-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, shift knob and boot

• Available Boston Acoustics^® premium 9-speaker sound system

• Available rear vision package

Advanced technology has always driven Camaro. But that technology isn't just reserved for what goes under the hood - it's also in the cockpit.

Starting in 2013 every Camaro LT, SS and ZL1 will come standard with Chevrolet MyLink1 - a 21st century upgrade on how you can enjoy your music and connect with the world outside your vehicle.

MyLink uses your Bluetooth^® 3-paired smartphone to stream Pandora^® Stitcher SmartRadio through the system with Gracenote^®, which organizes your music library by populating song information and album art.

The system fully integrates your Bluetooth^®-paired smartphone, including contacts for advanced hands-free calling and phone control. And so you can easily enjoy all of these features without interrupting your active lifestyle, the convenient 7-inch diagonal touch-screen allows you to control those apps right through the radio unit or steering wheel-mounted controls.

Even more, you can use advanced voice recognition for true hands-free calling and the entire system - from the apps on your phone to your music-loaded USB drive. Just say the word.

The system is also available with built-in navigation, to keep you headed in the right direction. The navigation radio includes a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM Nav Traffic, for real-time updates.

Visit Chevrolet MyLink to learn more about how you can get connected, entertained and take control.

Search Rick Hendrick Chevrolet's New Camaro Inventory here, or contact the dealership by filling out this form.

Coming Up This Weekend 7/26 - 7/29

Charleston is a city full of nightlife and entertainment, music, art and theater -- and there is never a dull moment!  The only problem is deciding what you want to do out of all the available events/activities.  

To help you decide what to do this weekend, take a look at what Charleston has on it's weekend menu:

Davis Coen  Thur, July 26, 9 pm

Memphis-based blues singer/guitarist Davis Coen returns to his sometime-home of Charleston with a new album titled Hard Luck Cafe, a collection recorded at Jimbo Mathus's Delta Recording Service with bits extra mandolin, pedal steel and dobro.  

Read full story here.

Icarus Himself w/ Sans Jose Thur, July 26, 9 pm

Madison, Wis-based indie/psyche-fold trio Icarus Himself headlines in support of their second full-length album, Career Culture.  The latest single is titles "On Your Side."  Local garage-rockers Sans Jose open at 9 p.m.

Read full story here.

Shark, Rattle & Roll  Fri, July 27, 7:30 pm
Kick off the anticipated Shark Week with a waterfront concert from several local bands, plus a DJ inside the S.C. Aquarium.  There will also be food from local restaurants.
Read full story here.

Carolina One Blood Fest w/ Junior Reid Sat, July 28

Emanuel Records and DJ Freeze present a reggae/hip-hop showcase headlined by Jamaican reggae/dancehall artist Junior "One Blood" Reid.  With special guests.  A Freezy TV video shoot will take place.  VIP tickets are available.  

Read full story here.

Sea Ray of Charleston AquaPalooza Sat, July 28, 12 pm

An on-water festival featuring live entertainment, prizes, and a flotilla of epic proportions under the I-526 Wando River Bridge.  There will be live music all day from local bands the Blue Dogs, the Marc Collins Band and Two3Ways, with lots of boaters at the Daniel Island Pier.  Sponsored by Sea Ray of Charleston and co-presented by 98 Rock.

Read full story here.

Singer-Songwriter Showcase Sat, July 28, 12-10 pm

A showcase of acoustic and plugged-in sets on the Barn Stage (behind the Sewee Outpost).  Featuring Rosanna Hendrix, Virginia Street, Trey Clark, Jeff Dent, Phil Frandino, Dave Conner, Wanda Lu, Sam Stringfield, Mark Evans, Pete Ballou, Becca Bessinger, Tom DeMille, John L. Rowland, Bogan Mask, Chris Boone, Scottie Frier, Adam Way, Rachael Elrod, John Totaro, Tim Styles, Winston, Dan McCurry, Mike Thompson, Zach Tilley, Tommy Carl Taylor, Brad Pruette, Seth Sosbee, Tony Talley, Kylie Hinze, East of West, Jerry Jacobs, Joslyn Brown, Sarah Hunnicutt, Chris Holly, Nick Shelton and numerous guests.

Read full story here.

Southern Culture on the Skids, Boca Sat, July 28, 8:30 pm

Singer/guitarist Rick Miller, bassist Mary Huff, and stand-up drummer Dave Hartman have been doing their genre-bending, countrified rock'n'roll for years; they return in support of their recent albums The Kudzu Ranch and Zombifield, plus a handful of new wrestling anthems.

Read full story here.

KEM  Sun, July 29, 7:30 pm

The smooth-styled R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and producer headlines an "evening with" show behind his latest collection, Intimacy (Motown), at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.  

Read full story here.

Marley Lion Music Festival Sun, July 29, 3 pm

The festival will be held to honor the memory of Marly Lion, the recent Academic Magnet High School graduate whose life was taken on June 16, 2012.  There will be live music from Rohan Shirali, John Jamison and Mathew Finlayson, Erin Cooley, Joseph Riggs and Petter Huthwaite, Sarah Cole and the Hawkes, and Robert Paige and His More Talented Friends.  Food vendors include Taco Boy, Hubee D's, King of Pops and T&T Kettle Corn.  All proceeds benefit the Heart of the Lion Fund.  Straw hats are encourages to commemorate Marley.

Read full story here.

Y'all Entertainment Launch Party  Sun, July 29, 8 pm

Charleston-based promoters Ben Bounds and Joel Frank recently formed Y'all Entertainment as a joint venture to help artists, festival coordinators, venues and others in the music and entertainment industry.  They'll host a free, all-ages launch party at 8 p.m. with live performances from Charleston band the Tarlatans and an All-Star Jam Session featuring Mac Leaphart, Tyler Mechem (of Crowfield), Reid Stone (of Guilt Ridden Troubadour), Luke Cunningham, John Wesley Satterfield, Matt MacKelcan, Danielle Howle and more.  The event marks Frank's 30th birthday and will be held at Fiery Ron's Home Team BBG.

Read full story here.

This isn't everything Charleston has to offer this weekend, however. Click here to see more events coming up this weekend and early next week.

‘Diamond Rings’ Shine on Chevrolet Sonic, Cruze

Extra-hard, low-friction carbon coating prolongs life of piston rings, aids fuel efficiency

The diamond-hard technology that enables razor blades to shave closer and last longer also allows the piston rings of the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine, available on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze, to operate with less friction for better fuel efficiency and durability.

This use of diamond-like carbon coating, or DLC, on a General Motors powertrain component marks a first for Chevrolet. Although the advanced synthetic surface treatment is relatively new to automobiles, it can be found on a variety of high-end products, such as computer hard drives, orthopedic implants and semi-conductors. GM also is testing its use on machining tools.

In general, piston rings seal an engine’s combustion chamber, support heat transfer from the pistons to the cylinder wall and regulate engine oil consumption. In the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine, the slick, synthetically hardened steel rings do these things with minimal wear and tear.

---

“Thanks to diamond-like carbon coating, we can use lower tension on the Ecotec’s piston rings to reduce friction, which improves fuel economy,” said Rich Ricchi, GM Powertrain technical specialist. “DLC also reduces oil consumption in high-mileage driving, due to the favorable wear properties associated with the DLC coating.”

With the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed transmission, Sonic delivers an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. When similarly equipped, Cruze delivers up to 26 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

Depending on its intended use, diamond-like carbon coating can be chemically engineered to resist wear, control friction or avoid adhesion. In industrial applications, such as those being tested at a GM powertrain facility, a specially formulated DLC coating on metal hole-drilling tools helps avoid aluminum adhesion that can “gum up” machinery and cause production delays.

Having “cracked the code” of diamond-like carbon coating chemistry on Ecotec’s piston rings, GM is looking to use DLC on other powertrain components, such as rocker arms, as early as 2014.

“Through years of lab research, we’ve acquired an understanding of how to work with DLC at the atomic level,” said Michael Lukitsch, GM senior researcher. “It holds great promise for future applications, both in advanced manufacturing processes and improved production parts that save our customers money.”

Check out our 2012 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Chevrolet Sonic inventory at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet in Charleston, SC.   

Click here to contact dealership.

Saving Big with Fuel Discounts

An average family can save over $700 on gasoline over 18 months by aggressively taking advantage of grocery store promotions!  Many large grocery store chains, and the CVS drugstore chain, frequently offer discount deals related to gasoline.

Maybe gasoline’s not the first thing you think of when you go shopping for groceries, but you may be missing out if you aren’t reading the store circulars and looking for deals. The downside is that some of the promotions are unnecessarily complicated.

Here are some of the deals in the Charleston area, and how they stack up:

Bi-Lo

The Fuel Perks promotion allows members of Bi-Lo’s BonusCard loyalty program to save 5 cents per gallon on up to 20 gallons of gas, at a participating gas station, for every $50 spent at Bi-Lo on groceries, with some restrictions. Purchasing promoted items can generate additional Fuel Perks, which expire in 91 to 120 days.

What’s good: Fuel Perks reduce the price-per-gallon right at the gas pump. You don’t have to buy gas cards.

What’s bad: Fuel Perks offer a per-gallon discount for a single transaction, up to 20 gallons, so the potential for savings depends on the size of a vehicle’s gas tank, and how full it is when fueling up.

Bottom line: To save $5 on the maximum 20-gallon gas purchase, someone would have had to spend at least $250 on groceries. It amounts to getting up to 2 percent back on grocery spending, or half that much if you rarely buy more than 10 gallons of gas at a time.

CVS

The drug store chain frequently offers a promotion during summer months in which customers who buy $30 of selected items get a coupon for a free $10 gas card available at the store. Store circulars advertise the details.

What’s good: Getting $10 back on a $30 purchase.

What’s bad: Having to buy selected items, which may be available for a lower price elsewhere.

Bottom line: If you need the selected items and they’re being offered at a fair price, then spending $30 and getting a $10 gas card back is a very good deal. Think of it as a one-third-off sale on the items you have to buy, or 33 percent cash back.

Harris Teeter

Customers with a VIC Card can buy a $25 Shell or BP gas card for $20, every time they spend $40 in a single visit. The cards must be purchased in a separate transaction, but don’t they have to be purchased in the same visit.

What’s good: Spending $40 in a single visit is a low threshold for earning a $5 discount.

What’s bad: Having to go to the customer service counter and purchase the cards one at a time, even when buying multiple cards.

Bottom line: Save $5 for buying at least $40 in groceries and a $25 gas card. That’s a 20 percent savings on gas and a total savings on the groceries and gas card of up to 7.7 percent.

Piggly Wiggly

Customers with a Pig Card may earn Greenbax when they make purchases. Greenbax can be redeemed for discounted gas cards, or used to pay for gas at participating stations. Five Greenbax is worth $5 off a $25 gas card; one Greenbax equals $1 toward fuel at participating gas stations.

What’s good: With one Greenbax equal to $1 in savings, it’s clear what customers save.

What’s bad: Complicated earning rules. You only get Greenbax at The Pig if you spent at least $100 there the previous month. Depending on prior-month spending, a customer might receive anywhere from zero Greenbax to triple Greenbax for purchases.

Bottom line: A qualifying customer would need to spend between $33 and $100 to earn a single Greenbax worth $1. That amounts to cash back worth between 1 and 3 percent. Store promotions may give customers extra Greenbax for purchasing particular items or using coupons.

Publix

From time to time, Publix runs a special where customers who spend $50 on groceries can buy a $50 gas card for $40.

What’s good: It’s a straightforward deal that saves $10 each time. At Publix, when the deal is offered, customers can buy a gas card with their groceries in a single transaction. No loyalty card is required.

What’s bad: The promotion is offered only occasionally. Customers used to have spend just $25 to get the same deal.

Bottom line: Save $10 for buying $50 or more in groceries and a $50 gas card. That’s a total savings of up to 10 percent.

Saving money on fuel is a real savings, because it’s something most people have to buy. Having to buy particular things in order to get fuel promotions tends to whittle away at the savings. But when you can get fuel discounts for simply shopping as you normally would, that’s free money.