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.”

Gas Mileage Tip - Keep Your Car In Shape

Keeping Your Car In Shape

Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.

Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	4%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	$0.14/gallon

Keep Tires Properly Inflated

You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner's manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	Up to 3%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	Up to $0.11/gallon

Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil

You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Fuel Economy Benefit:	1–2%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:	$0.04–$0.07/gallon

Replacing a Clogged Air Filter on Modern Cars Improves Performance but Not MPG

Replacing a clogged air filter on vehicles with fuel-injected, computer-controlled gasoline engines—such as those manufactured from the early 1980s to the present—or diesel engines does not improve fuel economy, but it can improve acceleration.

Replacing a clogged air filter on an older vehicle with a carbureted engine can improve both fuel economy and acceleration by a few percent under normal replacement conditions.

Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.61/gallon.

Data Sources

Information on the impact of air filter condition on fuel economy is based on studies at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL):

• Thomas, J., West, B., Huff, S. 2013. Effect of Air Filter Condition on Diesel Vehicle Fuel Economy. SAE Technical Paper 2013-01-0311.
• Thomas, J., West, B., Huff, S., and Norman, K. 2012. Effect of Intake Air Filter Condition on Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles. SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-1717.
• Norman, K., Huff, S., and West, B. 2009. Effect of Intake Air Filter Condition on Vehicle Fuel Economy. ORNL/TM-2009/021. Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Estimates for fuel savings from vehicle maintenance, keeping tires properly inflated, and using the recommended grade of motor oil based on Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc., Owner Related Fuel Economy Improvements, Arlington, Virginia, 2001.

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!

Your Alternator Does Not Charge Your Battery

At least not in the way you might think. It's a common misconception amongst drivers that if their battery is flat, a good long drive will charge it up. After all the alternator generates power, right? Well yes, and no. Have you ever seen or driven a car where, as you sped up, the lights got brighter? That's because the battery was dead and all the electrical power was coming from the alternator. The faster the engine spins, the more power the alternator provides, and the brighter the headlights become.

In a properly functioning car, the 12V electrical system is mostly reliant on the battery itself. The alternator provides a 'topping off' charge to help maintain the battery, but can't really be relied on to charge it. Why? Because when your car is running, it consumes quite a bit of electrical power between all the onboard computers, wiring harnesses, instrumentation, headlights, radios, electric windows, high- and low-tension circuits etc.

The alternator in most cars is typically sized to match the demands of a running car. In other words, when the engine is on and the car is running, the alternator compensates for the electrical load and typically doesn't offer much more. Sure there might be some surplus power produced at speed, but to fully charge a nearly dead 12V battery would take a 2000 mile drive at 80mph or more with everything electrical turned off. A quick 10 minutes down the motorway isn't doing anything for you.

That's why you should invest in a battery charger if you ever find yourself with a low battery. Use the grid's power supply to charge your car's battery instead of trying to overload your alternator. Chargers come in many sizes from 0.75 to 1.5 amps for slow 'trickle' charging, all the way up to 200 amp quick chargers (although you'll need a dedicated electrical supply for something that beefy). Optimate, Battery Tender and Black & Decker all do reasonable chargers in the $20 to $60 range, available from most local car parts stores or online mega vendors, and using them is pretty easy.

They'll typically come with a variety of connectors - clamps, ring connectors and accessory plugs. The accessory plug might seem like the ideal choice but many modern cars don't have live 12v accessory sockets when the ignition is off, plus you're trying to charge a hefty car battery through tiny cables so I just wouldn't recommend that. Ring connectors are good if you need to charge the battery time and time again because you can wire one end of the charging cable permanently to the battery.

The most useful connectors are going to be the crocodile clips. Simple to use - connect the red one to the positive battery terminal and the black on to the somewhere on the chassis or engine, plug the charger in and leave it alone. A decent modern charger will be able to charge in three or four different modes - bulk charge, top-off and maintenance are the most common three. It should choose which mode to use based on the condition of the battery, and there'll be a light or indicator on the charger to tell you what's going on.
Two final points : some cars, notably high end Audis and VWs, have their 12v battery in the trunk or under the driver's seat. Typically they'll have charging posts under the hood somewhere for easy access - Audi put theirs under a plastic flap at the back of the engine bay, in the middle. Flip it open and there's a "+" post in there. For the negative terminal, just clamp the clip to any part of the chassis or engine where there's bare metal.

And secondly : if you have to keep charging the battery, it means either your alternator is about to give up, or more likely, the battery itself is about to give up. Expect 3 to 4 year's life out of a normal 12v car battery, irrespective of what the manufacturer or guarantee tells you. 5 years is out of the ordinary. 6 years is extreme. If you live anywhere with wild temperature swings, expect 2 to 3 years before you need a replacement.

Finding "The One" (parking space, that is)

Come fall, the 2014 Chevrolet SS Sedan will do most of the work for you.  In the meantime, check out these parking apps.

It's impossible to live life uninterrupted when you're circling the block for the 17th time looking for a place to park.  Chevrolet is here to help you out.  The 2014 SS Sedan will practically park itself.  Using Park Assist technology, the car will assess spaces to make sure you have enough room to get in and out, take over the steering wheel once you've found The One; and guide you into the vacant spot.  Parallel, perpendicular -- it makes no difference.  The catch?  The car won't be available for purchase until fall.

So while we count down the days until the park-assist sedan arrives, here are the best apps to help you find a spot -- and recall where it is -- when you don't have time to spare.

Parking Mate allows you to set a meter timer with a single swipe.  Your phone will alert you when your time is about to run out, which is excellent, because the only person who enjoys racing against a clock is Nicolas Cage.  Parking mate also helps you abide by street-sweeping rules and other restrictions by showing you the safest places to park and notifying you when you need to move your vehicle.

The Parker app tells you not only where the closest spot is in real-time, but also how much it costs to park there -- whether you're looking for a garage, a lot or a metered parking spot on the street.  Parker will ensure that you make an informed decision rather than committing to the first spot that jumps out at you.

If you're a minimalist, go the simple route and use Google Maps to remember where you parked.  The "drop pin" feature marks where it is so there's no confusion when you're ready to drive to your next destination.

Highly rated by iPhone uses, Parkbud goes the extra mile by helping you with everything from finding a spot to monitoring meter times.  It costs two dollars, but it comes with an affordable perk: It allows you to pay for parking with a couple of taps of your cell phone.  No more running to the car in the middle of a lunch date to avoid parking tickets!  Just use your phone to fill 'er up remotely.

The Walk Me to My Car app not only walks you back to your car, it also makes your phone vibrate when you're getting close, so you don't have to worry about walking up to a stranger's car and embarrassing yourself in the crowded parking lot.  The Walk Me to My Car app also includes a parking timer.

Crazy Concepts - The Best Concept Cars That Never Saw the Light of Day

Some concept cars were never meant for this world; they were either too expensive to produce, or were just never designed to actually be a reality, or at least not in the immediate future. Many of the best concept cars include designs that are more abstract than practical, while others contained the germs of good ideas that would be incorporated into other car designs. Some, however, are just impressive for taking a risk on what we’d normally consider to be good car design. With this in mind, the best concept cars that never saw the light of day include:


Propeller Driven Car

This concept was designed in 1913 by Marcel Leyat, and was notable for replacing an engine with a propeller; the car also featured spoke-less wheels and was extremely light at just 625 pounds. While it never went into full production, the propeller driven car, or the Leyat Helica to give it its full title, did make an appearance at the 1921 Paris Auto Show.


Citroen Tubik

A Type H van designed to include nine seats, the Tubik is distinguished by its sheer size - it was over 4.8 m long - and by looking like it would give most buses a run for its money. The elongated body of the car and van hybrid also contributed to its imposing frame.


Cadillac Sixteen

A 16 cylinder Cadillac with 1000 horsepower, the Sixteen was intended to demonstrate an alternative market for the brand that would make it more appealing for younger drivers; the concept’s super powered design never made it off the ground, though.


Hyundai Qarmaq

The result of a joint venture between GE and Hyundai, the Qarmaq was ahead of its time for being almost completely built using recycled plastics. The concept proved to be too expensive to build, though, although its intentions fit with today’s hybrids and electric vehicles.


Nissan Pivo

The main appeal of the Pivo came through its rotating cabin, which could turn by 360 degrees, meaning that the vehicle itself had no reverse gears. Intended as a city car that could reduce accidents, the pod style cabin remains an intriguing design idea for future cars.


Cadillac World Thorium

A nuclear powered car notable for having a front grill wider than the length of its body, and 16 wheels, the Thorium was predicted to last for a century without any maintenance.


Airflow Glass Car

Pierre Sabas designed this concept, which wraps an electric engine in glass, lowering the car’s suspension and allowing for four capsules to act as passenger seats. The Airflow Glass Car was intended to demonstrate the potential for a more aerodynamic design.


The Stackable Car

This concept involved adapting the idea of trolleys and bikes being ‘stacked’ in public for rental; small cars with omnidirectional movement, and no engine block or drive shaft (the motors were in the wheels) could be picked up and driven short distances.


Bentley SenseS

A futuristic concept from designer Arturo Peralta, the Bentley SenseS was used to promote biotechnology, whereby the car is uniquely linked to your own mood and biorhythms, presumably to encourage responses to speed and handling. The outside of the vehicle was pitched around using solid hologram technology.


Lexus LF-LC

The most believable of these concepts, the Lexus LF-LC concept is built by the Takumi (or “artisan”) master designers ensuring the sharpest eye for detail. The LF-LC’s leading concept appears to be, however, its next-generation hybrid technology which produces up to 500hp. Not your average Lexus, and a certainly not any cheaper than buying them used!

GM Hy-Wire

A vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells and by-wire technology, the GM Hy-Wire concept included a transparent glass front and rear panels, no hood, and open seat backs, allowing people to see into the workings of the vehicle’s engine.