It's National Tourism Week!

Did you know that this week is National Tourism Week? To celebrate, we want to know: where's a place you'd love to visit in your Chevy? We think a trip to the Dells would be a perfect getaway for the whole family!

Chevy Sees Greener Pastures with 2014 Silverado High Country

It's no secret that full-size pickups are the financial engines that power Detroit automakers – it's been that way for decades. In recent years, though, growing consumer appetites for dolled-up trucks has meant even more opportunities for manufacturers to line their coffers while pleasing increasingly discerning customers. Trims like King Ranch on the Ford F-Series and Laramie Longhorn on Ram trucks now include high-end amenities that were the exclusive preserve of luxury cars just a few years ago.

General Motors has been content to let its GMC brand harvest top-shelf pickup buyers for some time now – particularly with its high-line Denali models – but it's hard to turn away easy profits. GM says over 30 percent of new pickup sales now transact above $40,000, and that figure is growing by the year. Thus, it's no surprise that execs are finally letting Chevrolet get in on the action with this new range-topping High Country trim for the 2014 Silverado. Officials tell Autoblog that it's the first premium-branded Chevy pickup since the Cameo Carrier of the 1950s.

Sitting above the LTZ and Z71 off-road model, the Silverado High Country sets itself apart with trim-specific chrome grille and body-color bumpers front and rear – the only fullsize Chevy so equipped – along with unique 20-inch alloy wheels and a few bits of chrome frosting to go with the usual complement of badges. Available only in crew cab configuration, High Country will be offered in both two- and four-wheel drive with the buyer's choice of V8 engines – 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter – along with either a 5-foot, 8-inch or 6-foot, 6-inch box. There are no specific powertrain or suspension calibrations for the model.

Inside, the changes continue the somewhat restrained Western theme, with saddle brown leather (a grade nicer than what's found in lesser Silverados) lining heated and cooled bucket seats that have the High Country logo embroidered on the headrests. We've already had the chance to sit in the truck, and it's a comfortable, high-quality environment that's perhaps a notch or two down on the cowboy overtones compared to something like an F-150 King Ranch. GM knows they need this model to perform well in Texas, the nation's largest truck market, but they're also hoping the model plays well on the coasts.

Pricing has not yet been announced, but options will be few. A High Country Premium Package with driver alert technologies (read: lane departure and collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert and haptic seat), power pedals, trailer brake control and heated steering wheel figures to be the big-buck bundle, while other options will include navigation, sunroof, rear-seat entertainment, and GM's new CornerStep bumper finished in chrome.

Interestingly, Chevy's research suggests that pickup buyers at this elevated price point are less brand-loyal than those under $40k, so the company is eying more conquest sales than it might with lesser models. Yet officials say they don't think High Country will cannibalize GMC Sierra Denali buyers, because despite their close mechanical and visual kinship, the two brands support different owner demographics (GM labels target High Country buyers as "Everyday Hero" and Denali customers as "Disciplined Achievers"). As it is, the High Country will be priced above the starting price of well-equipped Sierras but fall short of Denali models. The latter will also keep some exclusive features to ensure it remains GM's most prestigious pickup, including a reconfigurable eight-inch screen in the instrument cluster. Chevy Truck director of marketing Maria Rohrer says the two GM divisions are working "closer than ever," presumably to make sure the divisions don't step on each others' toes as they approach each other at the high-dollar summit of the truck market.

(courtesy of Autoblog)

How to Save on Gas and Get Better Gas Mileage

How to save on gas: I have always been told that idling your car saves gas, because it takes much more gas to start your car.

Turns out I was wrong.
 
I learned that if you idle for only 10 seconds, your engine uses as much gas as it does when you start your engine. Yikes! If you round up to two minutes? It uses the same amount of fuel that it takes to drive 1 mile.

Not only will this tip save you tons of gas and money, but it will also help preserve the environment and cut down on pollution. I don't know about you but I'm sold!

Here are more gas-saving tips:

Check your tire pressure. You can get as much as 3.3% better gas mileage when your tires are filled properly!

Change your oil on time. Your car uses more gas when it's in need of an oil change.
 
Buy your gas on Wednesdays. Gas prices typically go up on weekends, so fill up mid-week.

Carpool! Drive with someone whenever possible, or trade off driving your kids to school with a friend.

Condense your trips. Try to get all your shopping done in one day rather than doing little trips every day.

Walk. If there is a park a few blocks away, walk rather than drive. It's shocking how much you can save by cutting out a drive here and there. Plus, this is better for the environment AND your health.
 
Take note of gas prices. It's easy to pull into the nearest station and fill up without really noting the pricing. Take note every day of what the gas prices are, and FILL UP when you see a good deal.

Warehouse stores. Buy gas from Costco or Sams Club...they often times have great discounts.
 
Take advantage of fuel perks. Some grocery stores offer discounts on gas when you buy groceries. If you buy groceries there anyway, top off your tank! Better than paying full-price somewhere else.

Pay with cash. At some stations they offer you a discount if you don't buy your gas with a credit card.

Change your tires. Make sure you have the right size tires for your car, and that they are in good condition. This makes a big difference.

Change your air filter. A dirty filter causes worse gas mileage.

Don't speed! This helps your gas mileage, AND your wallet by avoiding speeding tickets

Use cruise control. Driving with cruise control when on the freeway gets you WAY better gas mileage.

Take off easy. Gunning your car and taking off with speed burns through unnecessary fuel. Try to take off slowly when at a red light or stop sign.

So there you go! Simple tips to help you save on gas. How do YOU save on gas?

Source: funcheaporfree.com

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is this Sunday! Do you plan on doing anything special to celebrate this year? Are you going to cook up something extra delicious for the occasion? Let us know!

Throwback Thursday: Corvette Edition

It was "the most advanced productive car on the planet" (well, for it's time anyway). In honor of Throwback Thursday, take a look at this futuristic Corvette ad from 1984 that advertised the fourth generation model!

Another Rave Review on Edmunds!

Wow, take a look at this brand new review that we just received on Edmunds!

"We always try to find the vehicle we need at Holz first, for the last 20+ years. Don't always find the right car for our needs, but we have referred many friends and relatives to our friends at Holz! This time we found a great Equinox for a great price...I almost feel like we stole it!!"

You can read even more reviews at http://edmu.in/15Hqn2h.

Holz Motors is Proud to Honor Those Who Serve.

Holz Motors is proud to honor those who serve. Which is why, during Military Appreciation Month, those who use the Chevrolet Military Discount when purchasing an eligible new Chevrolet will receive a special Honor and Valor badge to display on their new vehicle. It's our way of showing our gratitude for their service.