April Tire Service Specials

April Tire Service Specials

$200 Tire Rebate

$200 Mail-in Rebate* on a set of four tires when purchased with a GM or BuyPower Card®**

Expires
04-30-2019
OR $100 Mail-In Rebate* with any other form of payment. Eligible tire brands: Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, and Pirelli.
*See dealer or mycertifiedservicerebates.com for details and rebate form, which must be postmarked by 5/31/19. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery of debit card. Offer valid 3/1/19-4/30/19. Credit approval required. Terms and Conditions apply. Talk to your Service Advisor to apply.

view all our april tire service specials on our website

Tire Price Match Guarantee

Provide us with a better price at the time of purchase and we’ll match it.

Find a better price within 30 days of the purchase, and we’ll refund the difference.* Eligible Tire Brands: BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Michelin, Pirelli, and Uniroyal.

Offer Disclosure

*Ad, written estimate, or Internet quote for identical tire(s) from a competing tire retailer/installer located within 100 miles of the dealer required during guarantee period for price match. Offer ends 12/31/19.

$140 Tire Rebate

$140 Mail-in Rebate* on a set of four tires from Firestone and Michelin

Expires
04-30-2019
when purchased with a GM or BuyPower Card®** OR $70 Mail-in Rebate* with any other form of payment.
*See dealer or mycertifiedservicerebates.com for details and rebate form, which must be postmarked by 5/31/19. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery of debit card. Offer valid 3/1/19-4/30/19. Credit approval required. Terms and Conditions apply. Talk to your Service Advisor to apply.

Chevy Bison Package is worth the money

bison package

Yes, the ZR2 is far from a base truck. But based on a suggestion from the peanut gallery  (*waves at PrincipalDan*) we thought it would be a good idea to see if a “base” off-roader is a healthier bet than upgrading to the full meal deal.

Looking for a new Colorado?  Visit our website or drop by our showroom!

Want to know more about Zr2?  Read this article!

In fact, calling the ZR2 a base truck – with its DSSV dampers and other gonzo off-road kit – seems like heresy to your author. Jumping a Colorado ZR2 at 40 mph over an obstacle on a trophy truck track proves just how capable the thing is.

(How’s that Ranger Raptor coming, Ford? Oh, it isn’t? I see. Thanks for the mobility scooter, then.)

Chevy has, however, added another layer onto the ZR2 cake. Called the Bison, is its extra gear worth the cash? Or are gearheads better off with a “base” ZR2 and spending the money on mods of their own? Let’s see.

By the way, did you know that Chevy quietly dropped the manual transmission option that used to appear on the 2WD base Colorado? Me either, despite the build-n-price tool showing a stick on the floor in the promotional image. Chalk up another loss in the standard column.

Jumping right into the deep end, the Bison is technically an option package and not an additional trim. For $5,750, shoppers will net themselves front and rear bumpers designed by the off-road boffins at AEV. In fact, it is said that development of the Bison started not long after the ZR2 appeared, with the company’s boss essentially being told to envision a ZR2 as if he himself were taking it to rugged locales like Road of the Bones in Russia.

bison package worth the money

AEV additions also include more robust skid plates, new wheels, and a few styling tweaks like the CHEVROLET billboard grille and a set of fog lamps. Mercifully, the Bison package is a standalone option, one that does not require selecting other gear in order to get the good stuff.

You’ll notice the truck shown here is the Extended Cab model, not a Crew. This is because your author firmly believes that Colorado buyers are far better off taking the longer bed than longer cab, since legroom is so woeful in the Crew that it’s just as logical to get the smaller cab. It’ll likely only get used for enclosed storage, anyway.

bison package rear view

According to the AEV website, very little of what makes up a Bison is available as standalone parts. I’m sure if someone waved a bag of cash at AEV they’d craft the bumpers for them but it doesn’t seem to be mass-market stuff. Yet. However, their snorkel kit is $459 compared to Chevy’s $725 performance air intake system.

My answer? Yes. I’d pop for the Bison. In a world where a set of bumpers are close to $3,000, and skid plates are equally expensive, the Bison package is a fair (but not bargain) priced package. Just stay away from everything else on the ZR2’s option list.

For more view source:  https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/04/ace-of-base-2019-chevrolet-colorado-zr2/

Camaro SUV? Check out the new Chevy Blazer.

SUVs have come a long way since the last time I owned one.

I had a pair of 1991 Isuzu Troopers, the old, boxy ones. I especially loved the enormous cargo area.

The ride quality wasn’t great — it felt a little like driving a box truck — but I loved them both. I wish I still had one.

I’m feeling nostalgic about those SUVs because I spent the week driving the new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer, which is nothing like my boxy Troopers.

Chevrolet has reintroduced the Blazer as a midsize SUV crossover. It seats five and has a starting price of $28,800.

The Rally Sport AWD version I tested has a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a base price of $43,500. My Blazer came equipped with the optional Enhanced Convenience Package and the Driver Confidence Package, which added $3,575, for a sticker price of $47,050. A $1,195 destination charge brings the sticker total to $48,270.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer offers a Chevrolet-first Cargo Management System that helps drivers secure smaller items by dividing the cargo area.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer offers a Chevrolet-first Cargo Management System that helps drivers secure smaller items by dividing the cargo area.

 

The Blazer sits nicely in the Chevrolet SUV lineup between the smaller Equinox and the larger Traverse. It shares a platform with the GMC Acadia and the Cadillace XT5.

The interior and nose are inspired by the new Camaro. I had more than one person ask if I was driving a Camaro SUV.

It sure looked like it to me, and that’s a good thing.

I’m not a car reviewer. I drive an occasional new vehicle to take a look at the new technology.

I’m a bells and whistles guy who loves nothing more than figuring out what all the buttons do in a new car. I hate having to look things up in the manual.

So if you’re here to read all about horsepower and torque, you may be disappointed. For gearhead reviews, try Car and Driver or Motor Trend.

Tons of technology

The 2019 Blazer RS AWD is full of technology. For the first few days, I constantly found new buttons and settings to explore. There are different trim levels, so not all the features I am mentioning are available on every model.

The center screen is an 8-inch touch display that controls the Blazer’s entertainment and climate systems (although there are separate climate control buttons under the screen).

The audio system has AM/FM/SiriusXM along with Bluetooth so you can pair your phone to play music or make calls. There is also a 3.5mm aux-in port so you can connect an iPod or non-Bluetooth device.

The 2019 Blazer RS AWD has an 8-inch screen that controls the entertainment system.(Jim Rossman/Staff)
The 2019 Blazer RS AWD has an 8-inch screen that controls the entertainment system.
(Jim Rossman/Staff)

The entertainment system has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I tested CarPlay with my iPhone. You’ll need to connect via USB cable to enable CarPlay. The Blazer has three sets of USB inputs that include a standard USB-A port and the newer USB-C port.

The 2019 Blazer RS AWD has USB-A and USB-C ports along with a wireless charging mat that was able to charge my new AirPods.(Jim Rossman/Staff)
The 2019 Blazer RS AWD has USB-A and USB-C ports along with a wireless charging mat that was able to charge my new AirPods.
(Jim Rossman/Staff)

This was the first vehicle I’ve encountered with USB-C.

There are USB ports on the dash below the screen, inside the console storage compartment and even on the back of the console so that back-seat passengers can use it.

The aux-in port is inside the console as well.

The entertainment system also has apps including iHeartRadio and many others if you’d like to stream from the car.

Speaking of streaming, the Blazer is equipped with 4G-LTE, which can provide Wi-Fi for passengers to get online (internet access is an additional cost).

The bottom of the center controls features a storage cubby that houses a wireless charger that was big enough for my iPhone XS Max.

There is also a 120-volt AC outlet for plugging in things that require electricity.

The Blazer has cameras on all sides, which means it can stitch those images together to show you some pretty crazy angles.

The 360-degree cameras show some pretty interesting angles.(Jim Rossman/Staff)
The 360-degree cameras show some pretty interesting angles.
(Jim Rossman/Staff)

You can control the camera views through the main screen, changing the view as needed. All of the angles were helpful, especially to see how centered I was in a parking space.

The rearview mirror also has an embedded screen to show the view out of the rear camera.

Safety features

The Blazer has a lot of technology I’ve come to love in new vehicles, including forward collision alert and forward automatic braking.

I got to test the automatic braking the first day when the Blazer didn’t think I was going to stop in time when approaching a line of cars at an intersection. The brake was applied automatically, and the vehicle stopped immediately. The Blazer thought I was a bit of a “late-braker.” I adjusted my behavior and there were no more self-braking instances.

2019 Chevrolet Blazer console with shifter and drive mode selector(JESSICA LYNN WALKER)
2019 Chevrolet Blazer console with shifter and drive mode selector
(JESSICA LYNN WALKER)

It also has adaptive cruise control to help you maintain the gap between you and the car ahead of you if it slows down. Lane keep assist provides steering correction if you start drifting out of your lane without using your blinker.

The Blazer has rear cross traffic alert, which I love. It vibrates your seat if it senses an obstacle (person or vehicle) approaching when you are in reverse.

Along with the rear camera angles, it is very helpful when you’re trying to get out of a tight parking spot.

The Blazer also has GM’s Teen Driver feature to set some monitoring and limits for selected drivers based on their key fobs. And it has OnStar.

Styling

The Rally Sport edition of the Blazer has a custom black mesh grill with a black bowtie emblem and black lettering all around. Inside, the black leather is highlighted with red stitching and the air vents have red accent rings.

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS interior features a driver-centric interior along with red accents and trim.
The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS interior features a driver-centric interior along with red accents and trim.

The large, round vents are brought over from the Camaro. Interestingly, the outer ring of the vents controls the temperature. My wife appreciated the ease of adjustment for her side.

The Rally Sport comes with all-wheel drive, and a dial on the console lets the driver choose from driving modes including two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, sport mode, off-road mode and tow/haul mode.

The driving mode selector knob on the console.(Jim Rossman/Staff)
The driving mode selector knob on the console.
(Jim Rossman/Staff)

The Blazer was a lot of fun to drive, and the technology kept the geek in me very engaged.

The car had the fit and finish of a luxury vehicle.

Driving the Blazer was never a chore, and the ride is very comfortable.

The cargo area is big, and the split back seats fold down with the pull of a lever on each side. The automatic tailgate raises and lowers quickly and quietly.

Chevrolet has a nice rail system in the cargo area with a flexible cargo partition you can adjust from front to back to keep boxes or golf clubs from sliding around.

Overall, the Blazer is a great addition to the Chevrolet SUV family, especially if you’re looking for a sportier design.

Pros: Great looks, tons of safety and technology packed inside; great ride.

Cons: Expensive to get all the bells and whistles.

Bottom line: Solid midsize 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is no dog when it comes to performance.

Oil Change Questions

Oil change questions

Q: What do I need to do when my “Change Engine Oil Soon” message displays?

A: When the “Change Engine Oil Soon” message appears, oil change service is necessary for the vehicle as soon as possible, within the next 600 miles.

Feel free to call our Service or Parts Departments at 630-898-9630.

Oil change questionsIf driving under the best conditions, the Engine Oil Life System might not indicate the need for vehicle service for more than a year. The motor oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and the Engine Oil Life System will need to be reset. Your Chevrolet dealer has Certified Service expert technicians who will perform this work and reset the system. Click here to schedule service.

Q: How can I be sure to get the correct type of motor oil for my vehicle?

A: Consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual or visit the Certified Service experts at your Chevrolet dealer to be sure you get the proper oil for your vehicle. For 2011 or newer vehicles, dexos1TM Full Synthetic is the recommended oil specification (dexos1TM for gasoline engines, dexos2TM for light-duty diesel engines, 15W40 CJ-4 for Duramax diesel engines). Advantages of dexos1TM Full Synthetic over conventional motor oil include improved oil performance and protection, increased piston cleanliness, reduced oil consumption, and greater viscosity control.

Q: I’ve heard that I should change my oil every 3,000 miles. Is that still true?

A: The majority of today’s Chevrolet vehicles are equipped with the Engine Oil Life System, which has made the 3,000-mile oil change obsolete. Depending on the age of the vehicle, driving habits, and road conditions, vehicles with today’s advanced engines can go much longer than 3,000 miles between oil changes. Always be sure to check your engine oil level regularly, even with an Engine Oil Life System.

400 hp Blazer SS to debut at New York

Chevrolet Blazer SS To Debut At New York With 400 HP

4 HOURS AGO   SUV 

Chevrolet is finally cashing in on the high-performance crossover craze.

Search Blazers on our website or call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630.

The new Chevrolet Blazer is a very sporty SUV thanks to its Camaro-inspired styling, so it was surely only a matter of time before Chevrolet launched a performance-focused version. With the rise of performance SUVs such as the Ford Edge ST and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, it makes sense for Chevrolet to cash in on this growing segment. Chevrolet has been keeping quiet about a performance-focused Blazer, but now the automaker has confirmed a Blazer SS will make its world debut at the New York Auto Show on April 17.

Blazer SS Ron Westphal Chevrolet

Sadly, the Blazer SS won’t utilize the Camaro’s 6.2-liter V8 with 455 hp. Instead, it will get the same turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 found in the Cadillac CT6, which produces 404 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic. That makes it more powerful than the Edge ST, but still no match for the 700-hp Jeep Trackhawk. 0-62 mph takes 5.3 seconds before the Blazer SS tops out at 155 mph. All-wheel drive, of course, comes as standard to handle all that extra muscle.

View Source:  https://carbuzz.com/news/chevrolet-blazer-ss-to-debut-at-new-york-with-400-hp

What is Fat Tuesday?

What is Fat TuesdayYes, it’s true that Mardi Gras is a day filled with drinking, bead-throwing, and parading through the streets of New Orleans. But the roots of the celebration go much deeper than one may think. Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday”, is actually an ancient celebration that first started in medieval Europe.

After the celebration was introduced to Rome, Venice, and then to France at the end of the 17th-century, Mardi Gras made its way to French-American coloniesthis link opens in a new tab in 1699. On March 2nd, 1699, French explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville landed about 60 miles away from what would later become New Orleans. He named this place “Pointe du Mardi Gras” on the eve of Fat Tuesday. Bienville later established “Fort Louis de la Louisiane” (now the city of Mobile) in 1702. In 1703, Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated the first American Mardi Gras.

But what’s the deal with calling the holiday Fat Tuesday, you askthis link opens in a new tab? This name, and the celebration that comes along with it, is actually of Catholic origin. Fat Tuesday is the last day of the “Carnival” season —  a mainly southern European and Latin American celebration filled with feasting, drinking, and dancing. It’s basically a season-long Mardi Gras.

The day after Fat Tuesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. During Lent, Catholics often fast in preparation for Easter. So before the fasting takes place, those who take part in Lent indulge in their favorite foods and drinks during Carnival and Fat Tuesday.

Celebrants literally fatten up on the Tuesday before Lent. (This is a holiday we can really get behind.)

Fat Tuesday isn’t mentioned in the Bible, and actually, the Bible explicitly tells practitioners to stay away from drunkenness, sexual immorality, and debauchery. Knowing this, some experts theorize that ancient Catholics may have adopted Pagan fertility celebrations.  Others believe Mardi Gras is simply an act of rebellion against the Church’s negative view of sex and gluttony.

What is fat TuesdayMardi Gras is all about releasing your sins before attending Ash Wednesday services. Now knowing the meaning behind the name, we’re ready to embrace the food, drink, and fun during this year’s February 13th celebration. Bring on the king cake!

View Source:  https://hellogiggles.com/news/why-mardi-gras-called-fat-tuesday/

TRANSMISSION REPAIR

TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND SERVICE

TRANSMISSION REPAIR

GET IN GEAR

When you experience a transmission problem, it could be any number of issues. The transmission has more moving parts than many other vehicle systems, making room for error a little larger for someone not properly trained when it comes to transmission repair. That’s why you need a Certified Service expert with advanced training and GM vehicle knowledge.

Call our Service Department at 630-898-9630 or visit them online.

 


WHAT A GRIND

Diagnosing a transmission problem can be tricky. As parts fail, you can experience shift delays, slipping, clunking, humming, or grinding. The correct repair can range from a new gasket to a full transmission replacement.

Certified Service Technicians know your vehicle best.

Shift your thinking with Certified Service TRANSMISSION REPAIR

The Certified Service technicians at your Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac dealers are expert finders and expert fixers. They know their way under GM hoods – because GM Factory Diagnostics puts data directly from your vehicle right at their fingertips.

With state-of-the-art technology and extensive expert GM training on your side, worry’s in the rearview. Schedule an appointment today.


TRANSMISSION SYSTEM MESSAGES ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC)

If there is a transmission issue that requires immediate attention, the Driver Information Center may display one of the following messages:

  • Transmission Repair from Certified Service Experts TRANSMISSION REPAIR

Service Transmission

This message displays if there is a problem with the transmission. See your dealer for transmission service.

Shift to Park

This message displays when the transmission needs to be shifted to P (Park). This may appear when attempting to remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is not in P (Park).

Transmission Hot — Idle Engine

This message displays and a chime sounds if the transmission fluid in the vehicle becomes hot. Driving with the transmission fluid temperature high can cause damage to the vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it idle to allow the transmission to cool. This message clears when the fluid temperature reaches a safe level.

How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid

It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level. A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your dealer and have it repaired as soon as possible.

There is a special procedure for checking and changing the transmission fluid. Since this procedure is difficult, this type of transmission repair should be done at your dealer. Change the fluid at the intervals listed in the Maintenance Schedule of your Owner’s Manual, and be sure to use the fluid listed under Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.

When to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid

Automatic transmission fluid should be drained and replaced (with Dexron® VI Automatic Transmission fluid) as listed in the Maintenance Schedule of your Owner’s Manual.

 

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS

Design and Performance

Each Genuine GM Parts automatic transmission and transfer case is factory engineered and rigorously tested to deliver smooth, consistent performance. The latest engineering advancements are incorporated into every transmission for years of trouble-free operation.

Genuine GM Parts transmissions, transfer cases, and components provide:

  • The same Original Equipment engineering standards that go into every GM vehicle
  • The latest enhancements and improvements found in a new transmission
  • Durability standards equal to those in new GM vehicle transmissions and transfer cases
  • Test certification under stringent and demanding conditions at state-of-the-art-labs

Nationwide 3-Year or 100,000-Mile Limited Warranty

You can be confident that the Genuine GM Parts automatic transmission or transfer case built for your vehicle will function as originally designed and engineered. That reliability is backed by a fully transferable limited warranty on parts and labor for 3 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.


MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS

Design and Performance

When you purchase your Genuine GM Parts manual transmission, you can rest assured that you’re getting the same unbeatable quality that came with your new vehicle. Every Genuine GM Parts manual transmission is engineered to GM specifications and designed to fit and operate perfectly, right from the start.

Nationwide 1-Year or 12,000-Mile Limited Warranty

Genuine GM Parts manual transmissions come with a transferable limited warranty on parts and labor for 1 year or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first.† All the more reason you can rely on Genuine GM Parts manual transmissions.

Manual Transmission Repair TRANSMISSION REPAIR

When to Change Manual Transmission Fluid

Manual transmission fluid should be drained and replaced as listed in the Maintenance Schedule of your Owner’s Manual.


2019 chevrolet bolt ev

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV at Whole Foods, Frisco, Colorado 2019 chevrolet bolt ev

Colorado, which is taking steps to adopt California’s EV mandate, has always had a different wildcard factor affecting road trips: altitude.

The state has the highest portions of the Interstate highway system, including routes spanning past 11,000 feet and varying several thousand feet. Even with a number of electric cars like the Chevrolet Bolt EV now offering well over 200 miles of EPA-estimated range, the range anxiety that was once the norm for any highway trip in more level states still looms large here, where the long grades can be a true test.

That’s exactly what I had in mind when I headed to lunch from Denver to a Whole Foods 72 miles away in Frisco, Colorado, toward my favorite lunch buffet—likely around $8 for a plate of kale and quinoa, and maybe a cookie to cancel out all that healthiness.

Yes, there are Whole Foods much closer, but there are none anywhere in the world at a higher elevation.

I set off in a 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV knowing that I’d make it to Frisco on a full charge but not certain if I could cruise home without plugging in. A DC fast charger is coming to Frisco, but for now the only way to juice up is a 240-volt, Level 2 charger. Who needs to rush lunch, anyway?

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV at Whole Foods, Frisco, Colorado

“Good food matters at 9,097 feet,” a sign above the produce section at the world’s highest Whole Foods proclaims, as if elevation matters when shopping for bananas. What does matter at 9,097 feet is the route there, which would take me from a mile high in Denver over several passes and under the continental divide through the Eisenhower Tunnel at about 11,150 feet above sea level.

Keeping with the Whole Foods theme, I swung by my local store for a quick electron and coffee top-off. That done, my Slate Gray Metallic Bolt EV showed 203 miles of range with outside temps below 30 degrees F, the climate control set to 72 and the seat and steering wheel heaters engaged.

I hit the highway after selecting Low mode with the drive lever before realizing as I sped up that one-pedal driving isn’t really meant for high speeds. Instead, the single regen paddle located behind the left steering wheel spoke comes into its own at those speeds. The paddle has been decried as a gimmick, but I found it useful for occasional modulation as I entered the ups and downs of the Rocky Mountain foothills.

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV 2019 chevrolet bolt ev2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

I initially planned to use cruise control but soon realized from studying the rapid drop of the range meter that, if I had any intention of making it to Frisco’s Whole Foods and back on a single charge, I’d need to watch my acceleration and deceleration closely.

As the sun broke through and the air warmed toward 40 degrees, I shut off the climate control, and 20 miles were added to the estimated range displayed in the Bolt’s instrument cluster.

The big test came as I climbed toward the Eisenhower Tunnel. At the summit, the Bolt showed 103 miles of range, down 122 miles in about 55 miles of driving!

Gliding about 15 miles downhill into Frisco, however, added 20 more miles, and I cruised into the Whole Foods parking lot with an empty stomach and 119 miles of range showing. Overall, I’d driven 71 miles and had used 84 miles of range, albeit with the asterisk that I turned the climate control system off about 25 miles into the drive, because I didn’t need it.

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV after 71.3-mile drive from Denver to Frisco, Colorado 2019 chevrolet bolt ev2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV after 71.3-mile drive from Denver to Frisco, Colorado

Fueled by hunger, perhaps, I was feeling optimistic about the 71 mile drive back home with an extra 32 miles of range showing, so I skipped the empty charging spot next to a Nissan Leaf and parked the Bolt in the standard lot.

Of course, as I ate my lunch, I looked up at the mountains I’d just driven through, remembering that I had a big climb before the gradual descent back to Denver.

Return trip

By the time I reached the opposite side of the tunnel 15 miles outside of Frisco and had nowhere to go but eastbound and down into Denver, the Bolt’s estimated range had dropped to 87 miles. I still had about 65 miles to drive, but the downhill run would allow the Bolt to regenerate some energy.

I was confident I’d make it home without being devoured by marmots on the side of the freeway while waiting for a tow truck to haul an inert electric car to a charger, so I spent a little time getting to know the greenest of Chevys. Little did I know how much that estimated range figure would change as I made the last drop out of the foothills and into Golden, about 10 miles west of Denver.

The Bolt settled into its highway jaunt in typical small-car fashion. It’s not quiet and the narrow, low-rolling resistance tires cause it to skitter about more than larger cars. However, I didn’t find its seats to be as objectionable as some of my colleagues.

The interior is far from perfect, however. The light gray carpet in my tester isn’t suited to wintry slush in a snow state. Additionally, the infotainment screen washes out in bright light and can be kludgy. The 10.2-inch touchscreen is large, however, and the Apple CarPlay compatibility fills nearly the entire screen.

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV after 143.9-mile roundtrip from Denver to Frisco, Colorado 2019 chevrolet bolt ev2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV after 143.9-mile roundtrip from Denver to Frisco, Colorado

When I finally rolled up to my house nearly 144 miles later, the Bolt’s instrument cluster showed just one bar below a half charge and an astounding 130 miles of range to go.

That’s right, in the 65 miles from the tunnel at the top of the mountains to my house, the Bolt added 43 miles of range. And since Frisco, 70 miles up and mostly downhill on the way home, the total range climbed 11 miles.

A look at the efficiency history screen reads like a topographical map for the last 50 miles, showing as high as 16 miles per kWh at several points.

Lordstown assembly plant

Lordstown assembly plant
According to reports from The Vindicator and the Detroit Free PressGeneral Motors turned down a private business proposal that could have potentially kept Chevrolet Cruze production at the Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant going for several years to come. Bernie Moreno, the owner of a car dealership conglomerate, had offered to buy 150,000 to 180,000 Cruzes as part of a plan to start his own ride-sharing company. The deal was nixed, and the Lordstown plant idled in early March.
Looking for a new Chevy Cruze?  We have them in stock.  Call our Customer Care Team today at 630-898-9630 or visit us online.

As part of a restructuring, General Motors announced at the end of 2018 that it was shutting down operations at several production plants and cutting thousands of jobs. The Lordstown plant, which built the now-defunct Chevrolet Cruze, was one of the hardest-hit locations, as it has been an Ohio staple for decades. Although GM has found new jobs for some of the affected workers, the new positions mostly require major moves to new states or cities.

Moreno, who owns GM, Rolls-Royce, Lotus, and Mercedes-Benz dealerships, had a plan that could have kept all of the Ohio workers in Ohio. He reportedly met with GM in December 2018 and offered to buy the Cruzes throughout the next few years with the condition that the cars were built at Lordstown. The deal potentially could have kept two shifts at the plant going, but GM CEO Mary Barra and her team reportedly did not see it as a viable financial option. Moreno did not comment for either article.

For full details on the deal, Moreno’s company, and how it was shut down, read the full reports on The Vindicator and the Detroit Free Press.

April Fools Day – The History of Fools

Image result for april first april fools

April Fools’ Day – The History of the Fools

April Fools’ Day, also called All Fools’ Day, is celebrated every April 1st in the United States. While it is not officially recognized as a holiday, many celebrate by pranking, or pulling practical jokes on, their colleagues or by organizing larger-scale hoaxes.

As April Fools’ is celebrated in different ways throughout the world, it is unknown exactly how the tradition originated. Some cultures saw it as the first day of spring, celebrating with general merriment and feasting, and certain calendars may consider it the first day of the year. One theory for the terming of an April Fool was that some refused to follow these calendars that recognized April 1st as the first day of the year, which resulted in being called an April Fool.

There are a few other theories as to precursors to the holiday tradition. Hilaria, a Roman festival, which celebrated Cybele, an Anatolian goddess, was celebrated around March 25th. The Feast of Fools was a term given to many medieval festivals celebrated during the fifth-sixteenth centuries in Europe, but particularly at the end of December. These celebrations developed a tradition of practical jokes, especially when observed in Spain.

However, the tradition of practical jokes had been well established by 1632, when legend states that the Duke of Lorraine and his wife escaped a prison at Nantes by dressing as peasants, walking right out the front gate. When the guards were alerted to the escape, they laughed at what they thought was an April Fools’ prank. One of the first April Fools’ pranks occurred in 1698, when citizens of London were tricked into attending the lion-washing ceremony at the Tower of London, a ceremony that did not actually exist.

April Fools’ Day Pranks

While Americans will typically shout, “April Fools!” after pulling off a prank, Europeans sometimes refer to the holiday as “April Fish,” as many observers will tack a paper fish to another’s back and yell “April Fish!” However, the individual pranked is still referred to as the “Fool.” Fish are often featured on European April Fools’ Day cards. Traditional pranking often stops at midday in the United Kingdom, and if one pranks after this time, they themselves become the fool.

Hunt-the-Gowk Day is Scotland’s version of the holiday, where one sends a messenger back and forth between another person, each time saying that they need to contact the other before the issue can be resolved. However, this practice is dying out in modern times. The Persian New Year falls on April 1st, which is marked in Iran with one of the oldest pranking traditions that still exist. This is actually another theater as to the holiday’s origin.

Many other cultures celebrate April Fools’ day similarly to the United States, and others may designate a “joke” day on another day of the year, such as May 1st for those living in Denmark.

Historic April Fools’ Pranks

Millionaire auctions off iceberg: in 1978, a businessman and adventurer named Dick Smith announced he would be towing an iceberg from Antarctica to break into smaller cubes for sale. He advertised that these Antarctic ice cubes would freshen the taste of any drink for the price of ten cents a cube. The media was on site in the Sydney Harbor to report on the barge towing the iceberg, which was revealed to actually sheets covered with shaving cream and fire extinguishing foam.

The Derbyshire Fairy: Lebanon Circle Magik Co. (which should have been the first clue) posted a picture of what looked like a small mummified fairy on their website in 2007, stating that a man had found the creature while walking his dog out in the country. The photo attracted thousands of visitors to the sites and resulted in many interested emails. But on April 1st, the site’s owner admitted the creature was an April Fools’ hoax. However, the most interesting part of this story is that many continued to contact the website stating that they did not believe that the fairy was fake.

Big Ben Goes Digital: The BBC reported in 1980 that the famous Big Ben clock tower would be converted to a digital clock in order to modernize the tower’s look. This outraged many citizens, as the clock tower was a historical part of London’s culture. BBC Japan even offered the clock hands in a contest to the first four callers, which actually resulted in some bidding.

Loch Ness Monster Found: In 1972, a photo surfaced that the Flamingo Park Zoo in Yorkshire claimed to be the body of the Lock Ness Monster, discovered by a team of zoologists at Loch Ness. However, upon further inspection, the photo appeared to be of a seal. The zoo’s education officer eventually confessed to the hoax, saying that he’d placed the seal in the water after shaving its whiskers.

Sweden Covers their TVs in Tights: in 1962, Sweden’s only television channel announced that the station could be viewed in color if one cut up tights and placed it over the television’s screen, which would bend the television’s light to make it appear in color. Thousands of Swedes cut up stockings and taped them over their television only to realize they were victims of a hoax.

The Earth Loses Gravity: in 1976, BBC Radio 2 reported that due to rare astronomical alignment of Pluto behind Jupiter, the Earth’s gravity would decrease. Listeners were told to jump in the air at 9:47 AM to take advantage of this, which would result in a floating feeling. Many reported that they had felt this floating sensation, one even stating that she and her friends lifted from their chairs to float around the room together.

Home Grown Spaghetti Trees: one of the most famous April Fools’ pranks occurred in 1957, when BBC news program Panorama reported on Switzerland’s spaghetti harvest. The region’s mild winter and lack of natural spaghetti pests allowed for the fruitful production of home-grown spaghetti. The BBC received many calls from people interested in growing their own spaghetti, who were told that they should place a sprig of spaghetti in tomato sauce.

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