Spark Art: Beppe Giacobbe | Chevy Spark | Chevrolet

Say ciao to Italian artist Beppe Giacobbe, one of the global artists chosen to create work inspired by the car that's built and loved around the world -- the 2013 Chevy Spark

Our Customers Go Out Of Their Way To Tell Us We're Going Out Of Ours!

"Nick the salesman is very good at his job goes out of his way to show you all the different cars.he answers any questions you have and shows the new updated show room and service depatment.The finance department is great at there job too,they will help you with any questions you have too."

Chevrolet to be first U.S. automaker to integrate Apple's Siri assistant into its Spark and Sonic cars

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Chevrolet will launch Siri, the virtual assistant technology featured in Apple's iPhone, in its cars with the 2013 Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Sonic models. The feature, dubbed Siri Eyes Free, will allow drivers to make hands-free calls, access their iTunes music library, listen to and compose messages, and check game scores or local weather.

Chevrolet will become the first US carmaker to integrate Apple's Siri virtual assistant technology into its cars with the launch of its 2013 Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Sonic models.

Siri is a voice-activated feature on Apple iPhones and iPads that can perform internet searches, answer questions and even receive email and text message dictation. The special in-car version, called Siri Eyes Free, that Chevrolet is to deploy, was unveiled in June at the World Wide Developers Conference and is designed to give drivers access to smartphone features, via a dedicated dashboard-mounted button, without having to take their eyes off the road.

Chevrolet made the announcement Tuesday at the Los Angles International Auto Show where its marketing director for small cars, Cristi Landy, explained the feature would be compatible with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 and would work via the cars' existing Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system. By pushing the steering-wheel-mounted voice activation button, users can make hands-free calls, access their iTunes music library, listen to and compose messages, and even keep up to date with big game scores or the local weather.

"It says a lot about our commitment to small-car customers that Chevrolet has announced that Siri Eyes Free capability will be available in the Spark and Sonic well before the luxury brands," said Cristi Landy, "Safe, easy, reliable and portable connectivity is a top priority for our customers, and Siri complements MyLink's existing capabilities to help deliver an incredible driving experience."

In bringing Siri to its small cars first, Chevrolet is taking the same path as Mercedes-Benz, which became the first car company to integrate the technology into its models when it launched its new A-Class in September.

Providing increasing levels of in-car entertainment and connectivity while reducing distractions is becoming a major challenge for carmakers around the world. As the use of smartphones continues to grow, so do the risks they pose to safe driving. New federal guidelines, published in February by US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, seek to limit in-car distractions caused by communications, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices; and, in particular, any device that requires use of the hands and/or diversion of the eyes from the primary task of driving.

"Distracted driving is a dangerous and deadly habit on America's roadways - that's why I've made it a priority to encourage people to stay focused behind the wheel. These guidelines are a major step forward in identifying real solutions to tackle the issue of distracted driving for drivers of all ages," said LaHood.

Courtesy of NY Daily News

Help Your Odometer Reach 300,000 Miles

Five Maintenance Tips For Getting To 300,000 Miles

1. Keep your battery charged. This is especially important if you don’t drive your car that often. If you plan to let a vehicle sit for more than a couple weeks, you should invest in a “trickle charger,” or battery tender, which plugs into a regular household outlet and keeps your battery fully charged, automatically. I have a battery tender for my lawn tractor battery for winter months, and it guarantees a strong start in the spring.

2. Keep at least half a tank of gas in the car. Plenty of reasons not to let your car run on fumes, but one I had never considered before reading this article is that an empty gas tank is more prone to rust.  The rust can leach into your fuel and clog filters and fuel lines downstream. Rust could also eventually eat through your gas tank leaving a hole.  At today’s gas prices, who can afford for that to happen!

3. Don’t forget the tires. When you fill up your gas tank, or every couple weeks, whichever happens more frequently, be sure to check your tire pressure. If you drive an older vehicle like me you’ll need to pick up a tire gauge. Look at the label inside the door, or in your owner’s manual, to find the correct tire pressure for your specific model. Low tire pressure causes things like uneven wear on your tires and decreased gas mileage.

4. Change the oil. There is some debate in the frugal car owner world on whether or not you should change your oil as often as prescribed by car manufacturers (and those express oil-changing facilities). I’m no expert, but I think you should stay pretty close to the suggested schedule, only deviating a month or two, or a couple hundred miles. Peters agrees with me. Besides, a $30 oil change is much cheaper than a new engine, and if you are ultra frugal, you can even change your own oil!

5. Be kind to your clutch, and your brakes. If you drive a car with a manual transmission you know at some point you will likely have to replace the clutch. But you can extend the life of your clutch, and your brakes, by not riding either one for long periods of time, and by using your accelerator (or not using your accelerator) to coast a bit as traffic ebbs and flows.

Automobiles are becoming more and more expensive these days. In fact, next to buying a home, it is probably the largest single purchase most people will make in a lifetime. Use the steps above to increase the chances your vehicle will last well beyond your car loan, guaranteeing you many years of debt-free driving.

 

Courtesy of Frugal Dad

Mark Is One Happy Volt Owner. Why Not Join Him?

10 Commonly Forgotten Vehicle Maintenance Tips

Vehicle maintenance is something that is often overlooked on most cars and trucks; most people will avoid maintenance and just drive em till they drop or the engine blows. There are a few particulars of maintenance that should never be over looked. This article will outline the most common things as far as maintenance that are a must to keeping your vehicle on the road.

Oil changes

As far as maintenance is concerned oil changes are a must and should be done regularly to keep your engine free of friction causing deposits. Actually changing your oil and not just adding oil is a must. If you are simply adding oil to your engine and not changing it with the filter you are doing your engine a major disservice. When just adding oil when it gets low you are creating silt deposits in the bottom of the pan that over time can cause oiling issues when the pick up tube screen gets clogged; this can lead to low oil pressure and poor oiling to the top end of the motor, ultimately it will cause engine failure. Another oil changing maintenance tip is to never change the type of oil you use; if you use cheap oil than continue to do so. Switching from cheap oil to a full synthetic can lead to gasket and oil sealing problems whereas the cheap oil leaves deposits behind that seal up these tiny crevices; full synthetic has many detergents that will clean these deposits away and cause oil leaks.

Transmission service

The number one cause of automatic transmission failure is the lack of changing the transmission fluid and internal filter at the correct intervals; for automatic transmission maintenance one should always refer to the owner's manual for the correct intervals. If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person automatic transmission service is a breeze. Simply drop the pan, remove the old filter and gasket and replace the transmission fluid (with the vehicle specific fluid, failure to do so can lead to automatic transmission failure).

Manual transmissions and rear ends

These two parts of a vehicle are often overlooked, especially the rear end. You should change these fluids at the regular maintenance intervals to ensure that they last a really long time. Over time low fluid levels can cause a lot of heat and friction that can cause expansion and contraction of the transmission and rear end metal geometry which can cause leaks. So, keeping fresh fluid in there and keeping them full is a must have for manual transmission and rear end maintenance.

Fuel filter

A clogged fuel filter is a sure fire way to fry a fuel pump or starve and engine from fuel and make it run lean. Fuel filter maintenance is very often over looked, failure to change the fuel filter can be very costly if you don't do it at the correct service intervals.

Spark plugs

Spark plugs are a very important part of engine maintenance; if they are not replaced at the recommended times they can create havoc on your engines ignition system. Worn out spark plugs can cause coil pack failure as well as engine misfire problems. An added benefit of changing your spark plugs is that they will provide you with the best fuel economy, making a complete burn of the air fuel mixture. Always use vehicle recommended spark plugs for ignition system maintenance; some cheaper spark plugs will just not work worth a darn and you may end up having to change them frequently.

Timing belt

This may be the most costly part of maintenance, but it is key from preventing your engine from having catastrophic engine damage. You should always change your timing belt as the vehicle manufacturer has scheduled it. Failure to do this maintenance can result in bent valves and damaged piston; essentially complete engine damage.

Balancing and rotating tires

You paid a lot of money for your tires so this type of maintenance is just a cheap portion of service to ensure your investment. The driving wheels on a vehicle will always wear out tires from the ones that simply roll, so rotating your tires and getting them balanced every six months or so is a good way to keep your tires in tip top shape, this will also eliminated annoying shakes in your steering wheel. In addition to this maintenance an alignment is also key, without a proper vehicle alignment after hitting a curb or a big pothole you may very well have changed your vehicles suspension geometry, this will lead to uneven wear on the inside or outside of your tires; so be warned.

Coolant

Coolant is the heart and soul of your engine maintenance program; if you begin to get low on coolant it can cause serious engine damage such as blow head gaskets and leave you stranded, you should check your coolant levels every two to three weeks and have the system flushed once a year. Also adding too much water into the system is a bad idea especially if you live in a climate that has freezing winters. You don't want your engines coolant to freeze and expand which can possible crack the block or make water seals leak.

Battery

Your battery is very important to the maintenance of your vehicles electrical system. A bad or undercharged battery (or jumping off the car too often) can cause damage to the alternator from overworking it and to the starter. Both of which can be costly to repair.

Serpentine belt

This piece of maintenance is fairly inexpensive to replace and can generate quite an annoying sound. Other than that you can be really up the creak if it breaks, because it operates your water pump and sometimes your power steering, alternator, and air conditioning. If your belt breaks either your engine is going to overheat or you will drain your battery; failure to do this maintenance will always leave you stranded.

 

Courtesy of Yahoo

Installation | OnStar RemoteLink | Chevrolet

The OnStar RemoteLink mobile app is the perfect way to communicate with your Chevy vehicle. You can use the app for Remote Start, Horn & Lights, and Lock & Unlock features. Learn how to install the app and get started.

We have some exceptional used specials in our lot. Come see how easy it is to make the switch.

http://www.holzmotors.com/VehicleSearchResults?search=used

Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain pass the 1 million sales mark

GM’s Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUV have both surpassed the 1 million sales mark. A quicksilver metallic 2013 GMC Terrain Denali drove off the assembly line at GM’s CAMI plant this week, marking 1 million vehicles produced on the architecture.

Both models were launched in 2009 as 2010 models and since then the two have grown in sales every year. Sales have more than doubled from 138,248 units in 2009 to 283,491 units in 2011. Through the first 9 months of 2012, GM leads the small SUV segment in sales, ahead of the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage/Hyundai Tucson and the Ford Escape.

“Small SUVs attract buyers with diverse personal preferences but a common need for space and versatility,” said Alan Batey, vice president of GM Sales, Service and Marketing. “With Equinox and Terrain, we can deliver on those core attributes while offering two very different design and packaging propositions. Chevrolet and GMC are both stronger brands with these vehicles in their showrooms.”

Courtesy of EGMCarTech

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Keeping Up Appearances

What's the simplest thing people can do to help maintain their car's value over time? Richard Griot of car care and tool supplier Griot's Garage says, "Keep all of your vehicle's surfaces — the glass, trim, paint and wheels — clean." And we agree.

Your car has many enemies — some visible, some not. Emissions from industrial plants are released into the environment, where they are transformed into nitric or sulfuric acid. When deposited onto your car, in either a wet or a dry state, these contaminants can eat paint and, in extreme cases, metal. When ignored, acid from dead bugs, bird droppings, tree sap and even fallen leaves can do the same. Even something as benign as dust can cause tiny scratches in your car's finish, which can make the vehicle look dull and lifeless.

And the longer offensive contaminants are left on your vehicle, the greater the extent of the damage they can cause to both the car and its perceived value.

So what, you say? A few war wounds are endearing, right? Wrong!

Perception Versus Reality
The reality is that people often value material items based on the way they look. According to the folks at Kelley Blue Book, aesthetics is one of the top considerations when a person buys a car. And since more people are testing the used-car market these days, it is important to keep your car looking its best so it's worth more when you are ready to sell it. A vehicle that has a pitted or stained finish or splotches of rust is a turnoff, and thus is worth less than a car that looks pristine, regardless of how you maintained the vehicle mechanically — sad, but true.

If you currently don't clean your car regularly (at least twice a month), it's not too late to change your ways. Of course, the quickest and easiest way to a sparkling clean car inside and out is to take your four-wheeled friend to a detail shop for the royal treatment. At $75 to $300 or more per visit, using a professional detailer twice a month can get rather pricey. Luckily, there are plenty of do-it-yourself products on the market that you can use to clean your car at home, saving time and money.

To help, we've compiled some advice from car-care professionals on how to properly clean and care for your automobile. Follow these guidelines and your ride will look like you have a detailer on weekly retainer.

ON THE OUTSIDE
Before breaking out the sponges and getting down to business, you'll want to park the vehicle in a shaded spot, preferably in a gravel area where the water can seep, rather than on asphalt that can cause rapid runoff. Direct sunlight can cause some surfaces to dry faster than you may want them to, leaving residue and, thus, unwanted streaks on the finish.

The Basic Wash
Now you're ready to get busy. You'll need a steady supply of water (make sure your hose has a trigger-type nozzle, to conserve water), a soft and dirt-free cloth (or a wash mitt, terry cloth towel or soft-bristle brush) and — last but not least — a proper car-wash soap.

Don't make the mistake of using dishwashing soap or a household cleaner on your car; they contain harsh detergents that can strip wax and damage paint. As Craig Burnett, chemist for Mothers Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners, puts it: "Car-wash products are designed to remove automotive dirt from cars, not grime from clothes or grease from dishes. Don't confuse your kitchen with your garage."

Also, most car-care experts recommend starting at the top of the vehicle and working your way down, focusing on one section at a time. "The bottom of your car, particularly behind the wheel wells, traditionally has heavier accumulations of dirt particles," explains Mike Pennington, director of training for Meguiar's, a leading producer of car-care products. "Washing from the top down minimizes the risk of contaminants in the water or getting caught in the wash mitt or brush, thus minimizing the chances of creating scratches or swirls in the paint as you rub the car clean."

Here's the best game plan:
1. First rinse the entire car with water to remove loose dirt.
2. Wash and rinse the vehicle one section at a time, working from top to bottom, to prevent a section from drying too quickly and leaving deposits or residue.
3. Don't scrub aggressively. Instead, rub the car's surface gently to loosen dirt. Aggressive rubbing can grind dirt right into the finish, leaving scratches and swirls.
4. Rinse the wash mitt or sponge often to prevent accumulated dirt from scratching the paint.
5. After the final rinse, wipe the excess water from the vehicle's surface to prevent water spotting. A soft terry cloth towel or a high-quality chamois are recommended. Keep the towel or chamois clean to help prevent scratching, and wipe the vehicle lightly to soak up water without abrading the vehicle's finish.

Note: If you live in a climate where sand or salt is used on the road surface, be sure to rinse inside the wheel wells, paying special attention to the lower part of the fender, where salt and sand may have accumulated. We recommend using a high-pressure hose for this task.

Wheels and Tires
One of the most dramatic ways to improve the appearance of your vehicle is to keep its tires and wheels (or rims) clean. Address the wheels first.

Have you ever noticed that the front wheels of many cars appear dirtier than the back wheels? This is caused by the accumulation of brake dust shed by disc brakes, which are on the front wheels of virtually all cars these days. A number of car-care products on the market do a good job of removing it. You simply spray the cleaner on and rinse after 30 to 60 seconds.

Be careful, however, to use the right kind of cleaner for your type of wheels. If you don't, the results could be devastating. For instance, a spray-on product designed for premium alloys will begin to strip off a typical wheel's protective varnish if left on too long. It can also damage plastic wheel covers. So read the directions and warnings carefully before you apply any wheel cleaner.

After the rims are spick-and-span, focus your attention on the tires. Many tire dressings simply spray on and require no wiping. They are formulated to produce a clean, slightly glossy look.

Wax On, Wax Off
At least 97 percent of today's vehicles come from the factory with some type of clear-coat finish that contains stabilizers, ultraviolet light blockers and UV light absorbers that help keep a vehicle's paint looking new longer. While they do provide great protection, clear-coats are not a panacea.

"Clear-coats can give drivers a false sense of security by appearing to protect the underlying base coat," says Matthew Broderick, group vice president of marketing at Turtle Wax Inc. "They are fragile and susceptible to scratches, abrasions and swirls that make the paint look dull."

Waxing your vehicle will help remove paint oxidation and surface dirt, while adding another layer of protection against grease and grime. Wax will also improve or remove minor damage such as surface scratches or light contaminants and will provide a high-luster finish.

Most automakers recommend that you wax your vehicle twice a year to protect its clear-coat from damage and maintain the car's color and shine. However, some auto-care suppliers recommend monthly waxing. "Ideally, a vehicle should be waxed three to four times per year," Pennington says, to maximize the protection provided by the wax. "A good strategy is to start right before the winter and get into a three-month cycle."

When waxing your ride:
1. Wash and dry the vehicle before applying any product.
2. The paint surface should be cool and not in direct sunlight. The outside temperature should be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity should be low.
3. Apply the wax in small sections with either a foam pad or small terry cloth towel using overlapping strokes or circular motions.
4. Wait for a section to dry to a haze before wiping the wax off with a terry cloth towel or cloth diaper. Wipe in both directions, turning the towels often. And remember to shake them out often to remove accumulated wax that might scratch the finish.
5. When completely finished, wipe the entire vehicle again, paying particular attention to the edges of trim pieces, doorjambs and moldings where excess wax may have accumulated.

For additional shine between wax jobs, several manufacturers offer spray-and-wipe products to quickly enhance a vehicle's shine.

ON THE INSIDE
Now that you have finished the exterior, it's time to tackle your car's interior.

First, thoroughly vacuum all carpets and upholstery to remove loose, dry dirt. Don't forget to vacuum under the seats.

Specialists recommend using lint-free towels and clean water to clean the dash area and seats. Cotton swabs are helpful for getting dust out of tight spots, and a clean, stiff-bristled brush is indispensable for removing caked-on dirt and grime in carpets and floor mats.

As far as solvents are concerned, Pennington suggests you always use a product that is designed for the surface you want to clean, whether it is leather, vinyl, plastic, wood, simulated wood or upholstery. Each product is specifically formulated for a particular surface and will not work effectively on other surfaces. In fact, the wrong cleaner may even do damage.

Even with right cleaner, don't use too much of it. "The biggest problem with interior cleaning is that many people overuse the cleaning products or saturate the carpet when they shampoo," Pennington says. Also never use a product that leaves a shiny, slick finish on the dashboard or steering wheel. A shiny dash reflects light, which can be a major safety hazard while driving. Same goes for a slippery steering wheel.

Courtesy of MSN Autos

Inducing A Malibu State of Mind

What-Were-They-Thinking Wednesday

In this issue of "What were they thinking Wednesday" we inquire as to what this driver is thinking. Help us complete the caption.

Some Tips on Minimizing the Risk of Your Vehicle Being Broken Into or Stolen

Keep it inside a locked garage with an armed guard and Doberman on duty! Or, drive a car that nobody would want to steal.

Seriously, there are some common sense precautions you can use to minimize the risk of your vehicle being stolen or broken into:

Never leave the keys in the ignition, and never leave the engine running while you run into a store or drop something off. You car might not be there when you come back, and you might even be issued a ticket for such stupidity!

Always lock your car, even when running short errands to the grocery store or leaving your car in your own driveway. A car thief will walk right up to an unlocked car in broad daylight, hop in and be gone in 30 seconds. Locking the doors won't prevent him from breaking into or stealing your car, but it will slow him down and may discourage him enough to pick on someone else's car.

Never leave valuables (purses, briefcases, radar detectors, money, portable electronic devices, leather coats, etc.) in plain view. They encourage thieves to break in and help themselves. Either take the valuables with you or lock them out-of-sight in the luggage compartment.

Avoid parking where you have to leave your keys with a valet or parking attendant. It's a simple matter to make a duplicate key and steal your car later. Use self-park facilities where possible.

Park in well-lighted areas, preferably where there are people and/or traffic nearby. This discourages casual thieves from breaking and entering.

If you're installing an expensive stereo system in your vehicle, think hard about getting a "pull-out" unit that can be removed for safe-keeping if you have to park the vehicle outside. Or at least buy a radio that has a theft-deterrent code that makes it inoperable if somebody rips it out of your dash.

 

Courtesy of Yahoo! Autos

Hit the Open Road

Quite an impressive set up here, though the windows might be a little cold during winter. What would your ultimate road trip machine be?

Hot Wheels Camaro First Look

Chevrolet Designer Dave Ross and Hot Wheels Designer Felix Holst get a first look at the production Hot Wheels Camaro which was revealed at SEMA and available to order beginning November 1, 2012, arriving at dealerships in early 2013.

"I Will Go Back" Says The Author of This Glowing Review

"I have always had excellent service at Holz Motors. I have bought several auto's from Holz. I will go back when I need another car."

- Linda B