Driving in the Rain

    
Just because winter is over in Michigan, does not necessarily mean that driving becomes easier. The rain that inevitably falls in the Spring can create dangerous driving conditions which many people are unaware of. I am here to share a few tips on how to drive carefully in the rain.
     Using cruise control on wet pavement has often been argued as unsafe. Judging by the research i have read, I would have to agree that using cruise control on wet pavement can increase the probability of hydroplaning. If the tires hit water and the treads do not catch, your engine will speed up causing you to hydroplane and lose control and because you are using cruise control, your feet may not be as close to the brake, causing your reaction ability to decrease. It is also important to remember that if you begin to hydroplane, do not turn the wheel or brake suddenly as this can send your car spinning, instead, slowly release your foot off the gas and steer straight. If you have anti-lock brakes, braking may be acceptable.

     Before reading up on this topic I was unaware of this scenario. Be especially cautious after a long dry spell when the rain falls. Engine grease and oil will build up along the pavement and when that first rain arrives, the roads will become extremely slick. It is important to maybe wait a few hours until the rain washes away the grease and oils so your commute is as safe as possible.
     One simple tip that many people overlook is the use of your headlamps. For many people, the rain makes it difficult to see, so you want to make sure that your headlamps are turned on so other drivers are aware of where you are on the road.

     Last but not least, if you see a huge puddle, don't try to make a huge splash by accelerating towards it. Even though this looks pretty cool, it can be very harmful for your engine. If the water makes its way up to your electrical components of the engine, it could cause damage which can ruin your engine and become very costly.
     Remember to always be aware of your surroundings and never underestimate how the weather can affect driving conditions. Drive Safe!

Chevrolet Sonic: Sporty and Smart

The Chevrolet Sonic hatchback is one of Chevrolet’s most recent creations. The Sonic is a drastic improvement from the outgoing Aveo both in quality and performance.

The Sonic features two engines which it shares with the Cruze, a 1.8L 4 Cylinder, and a 1.4L 4 Cylinder Turbo. The most popular engine is definitely the 1.4L Turbo which offers 138HP and 148lb-ft of torque, the most torque in its class. The Turbo engine launches the Sonic from 0-60 in an impressive 7.8 seconds. This number is especially impressive considering that the Sonic achieves 40MPG highway. The Sonic turbo on a full tank of gas can travel an astounding 488 miles! That’s a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The engine is only half of what makes the Sonic such a sporty ride. Chevy went through hundreds of suspension variations until they got the perfect blend of sport and comfort. The Sonic is a great small car for performance and fuel economy.

Even though the Sonic is priced to start as low as 14,000$, it is loaded with technology options. One of my favorite features is that you can start up your Sonic via your smartphone through the OnStar application. This means that in the winter, your car can be heated up by the time you get in, or in the summer, it can be cooled down for you, pretty convenient if you ask me. Another neat feature the Sonic provides is the radio connectivity. Pandora and Stitcher SmartRadio are both available as well as the possibility of hooking up your iPod to play through the radio. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you may want to try the Bluetooth connectivity availability which allows you to make calls through your vehicle.

The Sonic already has a great looking exterior but if you want to spice thinks up, Chevy has you covered. Chevy offers all kinds of cool graphics which the dealer can add to your Sonic, as well as matching black or white wheels, whichever floats your boat.

As always, Chevy doesn’t neglect safety. Sonic has you covered all over with 10 standard airbags which is the most in its class and is a key factor in its top safety pick by the IIHS. Other neat safety features include, StabliTrak, electronic brake force distribution, and the always trusted; OnStar.  

The Sonic is a great small vehicle for your money. You don’t usually expect such a fun drive from such a low priced vehicle, but the Sonic is re-writing how small cars are made.

April Fools

When I was a kid, I looked forward to April Fools like it was Christmas. I loved plotting elaborate plans to trick my family only to be so caught up in the moment that they get me good with a joke. Even today, they somehow manage to get me good and I'm almost 21.
Some people believe that April Fools presents an unlucky omen. Chrysler CEO Marchionne says that the scheduled release of the new Dodge Dart for April 1, may not be the best idea. At the Geneva Auto-show he recently said he may delay the date due to the "jinx" factor. Personally, I don't lose sleep over this sort of thing and I would give the customers what they want, a Dart to test drive on April 1. I have actually been waiting on the purchase of my next car until I can test drive the Dart. It seems to be a sporty car with an ample amount of horsepower produced by a turbocharged four cylinder and I am quite excited to drive it and make my decision on a vehicle. It's not like that one extra day will kill me, but I am really looking forward to a new car and the days seem to be moving by too slowly.
In the end, the extra day shouldn't make a difference for customers, and maybe it will eliminate a negative omen. Time will tell when we see how the Dart sells in America.

Windows Down or Windows Up?

Now that spring and summer are approaching, temperatures are increasing and gas prices are rising. This brings up a question, is it more fuel efficient to drive with your windows down with no air conditioning? Or is it more fuel efficient to have the windows up, eliminating drag with the A/C on? I have some information for you to consider.

            Studies conducted at a GM wind tunnel show that driving with the windows down consumes more fuel than does the air conditioning at speeds above 50 miles per hour. According to sources, with the windows down in a car, efficiency drops by 20%; it drops 8% with a large SUV. At these driving speeds, it is definitely more fuel efficient to drive with the windows up and A/C on.

            Now how about when you are just driving around down at speeds under 50? Driving at the lower speeds reduces drag so it is actually more efficient to drive with the windows down. However, be wary of acceleration, drag increases exponentially, so by going from 35 to 70, drag does not double, it quadruples.

            A good rule of thumb, experts say, is 40 miles per hour. So at 40, switch over to you’re A/C. There are also other studies and tests that argue windows down all the time is better. In my opinion, driving with the windows down and sunroof open are worth losing the gas efficiency.

Happy Motoring

Buick Verano: Creating New Paths

It’s about time that Buick throw their hats into the ring for the compact luxury group. The new Buick Verano is GM and Buicks poster child. But wait a minute; does the compact luxury market even exist? It does now. The Verano seems to place itself below cars (price-wise) such as the Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, and Audi A3, but above the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, and Ford Focus. The Verano comes in at around 23-25K, but fully loaded for around 29K. So what exactly is the Buick Verano “compact luxury sedan” all about? Let me explain.

            The Verano comes standard with a 2.4 Liter direct injected four, pumping out 182HP. It reaches 60MPH in about 8.4 seconds. It’s not the fastest car in the world, but it’s not expected to be either. Later on in the year Buick is expected to offer a turbo based Verano with an engine similar to the Regal Turbo. The current engine gets very good gas mileage at: 22MPG city and 31MPG highway.

Now let’s move on to the Buick aspect of a Buick, luxury. Buick has gone to great lengths to make the Verano as quiet as possible. The Verano has: Triple sealed doors, laminated side glass, an isolated engine cradle, aero panels underneath the car, and a fabric wrapped headliner. Talk about obsessive quietness! A plush leather interior and elegant dash give the Buick a luxurious feel. The optional leather seats in the Verano are extremely high quality which resemble that of the Cadillac’s, if not even better than Cadillac.

The interior instrument panel is extremely similar to the popular Regal; with it’s easy to use functionality and attractive blue ambient lighting it makes the lesser valued cars such as the Focus seem undervalued and the high priced cars such as the Audi A3 seem overvalued. The engine Start-Stop is a neat feature, but I would have liked to see it be distinct from the rest of the buttons, which it’s not. The Verano is also equipped with Buick’s Intellilink system which is a great touch screen audio system that can connect your phone through Bluetooth or your iPod through a USB port. 

            Safety is also a focal point for Buicks, the Verano is no exception. Standard with 10, yes 10 airbags, the Verano is a IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012. Like most other GM cars, OnStar is standard for 6 months with the option to be continued.  

            The Verano is not offered in the traditional CX, CXS, and CXL models, instead it is offered with various packages including the: Base, Convenience, and Leather group. I like this idea as the CX, CXS, CXL badges seemed to be getting boring and over-used.

            GM and Buick are very excited about this new compact luxury sedan as well they should be. The Verano has a chance to open new doors, not only at GM, but around the auto industry as a whole.

Yet Another Chevrolet Gem: 2013 Malibu

2013 Malibu

            This week’s blog update is about the all new, 2013 Chevy Malibu. Chevrolet is re-vamping its prized Malibu in early 2012 with aspirations to take on the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. This is not just a battle based out of America however; Chevrolet plans to sell the Malibu in 100 countries including 6 continents! This tells you that Chevrolet means business about their mid-size sedan. Let’s take a closer look at the new Malibu.

            The Malibu’s new body is based off of the Buick Regal and Opel Insignia, providing a sportier appeal, yet maintaining its class. I will note that the new Malibu is 4.5” shorter than the outgoing Malibu, but that does not necessarily mean there is less space inside. The interior room has actually increased by a little more than 3 cubic feet; this is possible because it’s now 2.7” wider. Relative to the 2012 Malibu, in the 2013 Malibu, there is an increase in hip and shoulder room which compensates for the slight loss of head and leg room. One of my favorite styling techniques GM and Chevy used on the exterior would have to be the tail lamps. Inspired by the Camaro, the four block tail lamps look sharp, sporty, and classy. 

            Let’s talk about the performance aspects of the new Malibu. Chevy made a bold and inspiring move with the Malibu’s engine, offering only 4 cylinder engines. The base engine will be a 2.4, 4 liter featuring eAssist (See LaCrosse blog update for information on eAssist). This engine will provide a generous 182HP. For the launch of the Malibu, this will be the only engine option, but halfway through 2012, Chevy will introduce a 2.5liter, 4 cylinder engine. Both engines will feature a six speed automatic transmission. Almost forgot to mention one of the most important parts, fuel economy: 26MPG city and 38MPG highway. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me. GM is sticking with their push towards great fuel economy and their sales are rising appropriately.

            Moving on to the vast interior features available. The Malibu comes equipped with standard options such as dual zone climate control, cruise control, auxiliary inputs, and Bluetooth connectivity. My favorite standard feature would have to be the new 7” touch screen, “Chevrolet MyLink Touch Radio.” This is really a cool feature to have standard on the Malibu ECO. Through voice commands or touch control, you can control the radio, your Bluetooth connected cell phone, Pandora internet radio, CD’s, XM radio, and regular AM/FM radio. This is a really cool feature and I am ecstatic that Chevy has made it standard. Oh, and the screen folds up to reveal a convenient storage space for your phone! There are some optional features worth mentioning including: a navigation system with turn by turn navigation and a beautiful sunroof for those sunny cruising days.

            Chevy once again made the Malibu one of the safest rides on the road. With 8 airbags, yes I said 8 airbags, no miss-types there, the Malibu protects it’s passengers from every angle. Along with side and front airbags, Chevy added knee airbags for the front passengers. The Malibu’s wider wheelbase along with its steel cage, aids its strong body during collision. Like most GM vehicles, OnStar is also standard.

            Starting from 23k-25k, the 2013 Malibu is going to give the Camry and Accord a run for their money. I myself may look at the Malibu this spring when I begin new car shopping!

The Chevrolet Cruze-A Compact Winner

With gas prices remaining high and customers still wanting a fun and sporty compact car, Chevrolet’s Cruze is fulfilling everyone’s wants and needs. U.S. News and World Report has named The Cruze the “Best Compact Car for the Money” in 2012. A great award to win, beating out the popular Civic, Corolla, and Focus.

The Cruze comes available in 5 trim models, priced from lowest (16,800) to highest (23,190): LS, 1LT, ECO, 2LT, LTZ. The Cruze also offers three engines: 1.8L, 1.4L Turbo, 1.4L ECO. The 1.4L Turbo engine, which is standard on most trims, delivers the perfect combination of; fuel efficiency at 25MPG city/36MPG highway, while not missing a beat of performance with its 138HP with 148lb of torque. The Cruze is not known to be a speedster but it is considered a fun-to-drive vehicle with great handling and a sporty feel.

The Cruze is a great looking car in my opinion. Its combination of curves and sharp angles make heads turn as people look to see what kind of car just drove by. In my opinion, the available RS package really turns heads. The RS package offers unique front and rear fascias, rocker moldings, a rear spoiler, and fog lamps. At $695, I believe the RS package is worth the money. 

Cruze with Available RS Package

The Cruze’s interior is a perfect display of why this vehicle is such an exceptional purchase. Part of why reviewers are so happy with the Cruze is because of the seats; standard with Chevy’s new cloth or upgrade to the available leather, standard on 2LT and LTZ models. These seats are great quality and have been reviewed to be very comfortable and surprisingly acceptable for taller drivers. The cubic space available at 95 cubic feet in the Cruze beats the Focus, Civic, and the Corolla. The backseat is typical of a compact vehicle but it is roomy enough to fit five adults comfortably, a fifth passenger might need to be a first grader.

            The Cruze offers a variety of interior features for everyone from the tech savvy to the tech illiterate. The Cruze offers cruise control and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel which are both easy to use and convenient. The Cruze also offers an All-Star package which boasts a sunroof and premium Pioneer sound system. The Cruze’s infotainment system is also a great addition. With the ability to hook your phone or iPod up through a USB port and control it through the car controls makes driving safer and less distracting. The Bluetooth availability also makes phone calls extremely easy. 

            Safety is not ignored at all by the Cruze. Standard for six months, OnStar watches over you and helps you when need be with both safety and directions. The Cruze comes standard with 10 airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control. All of this works to make the Cruze a top safety pick by the IIHS for 2012.

            Chevrolet has really created a winner in the tough compact car category with the Cruze. It’s a high quality car for a great price, something you don’t hear very often in the same sentence.