Chevrolet’s Big Bet: The Larger, Lighter 2019 Silverado Pickup Truck

2019 chevrolet silverado back viewCR previews the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado ahead of the Detroit Auto Show, revealing new appearance, engines, and features.

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado unveiling was arguably the most important event of this year’s Detroit auto show.

Find out more about the 2018 and all new 2019 Silverado at Ron Westphal Chevrolet.  Call our Customer Care Team now at 630-898-9630.

The Silverado is not only General Motors’ best-selling vehicle, but it’s also the second best-selling vehicle in the U.S., trailing only perennial rival the Ford F-150. And the F-150 was updated recently. Meanwhile, Ram is showcasing an all-new full-sized truck in the Motor City this week, as well.
2019 chevrolet silverado dash
In boasting about this ground-up redesign, Chevy poked fun at the F-150’s all-aluminum body, with Mark Reuss, GM’s vice president of global product development, saying a good pickup bed is just as important as a good hammer.

Reuss said not a lot of work would get done if you chose an “aluminum hammer.”The quip may play well with the target pickup-driving audience, but Ford has remained committed to what it describes as “high-strength, military-grade” aluminum for its bed and body—a combination that helped the F-150 save about 700 lbs. with its last redesign.

While the new Silverado does indeed have a steel bed, its parts that swing open, such as the doors, hood, and tailgate, are now crafted out of aluminum to trim pounds, something automakers do to try to increase fuel economy.

For a V8-powered Crew Cab truck, Chevy estimates that it has cut approximately 450 pounds from the Silverado versus the outgoing model through careful design and use of aluminum and high-strength steel. Chevrolet’s weight loss regimen should help boost acceleration, along with fuel economy.

Despite the hype around the Silverado’s new, svelter self, Chevrolet did not reveal fuel economy estimates during the event.

The new Silverado is designed to appeal to a wide range of customers, thanks to eight distinct trim levels (the same number of trims as before) that range from bare utilitarian to posh urban cowboy, and numerous powertrain options.

Features include not only 4G LTE WiFi capability and a wide range of smartphone apps, but also an industry first: a power tailgate that can be raised and lowered remotely, with a press of a button on the keyfob.

The current Silverado is competitive because of its quiet cabin, and relatively easy access thanks to its manageable step-in height. It benefits from an easy-to-use infotainment system. We expect these virtues will be continued.

The eight trim levels start with the classic Work Truck, a barebones model that targets commercial users. The Custom remains a simple truck, augmented with some cosmetic upgrades.

For those looking for a budget off-road setup, the Custom Trailboss adds a two-inch lift kit, trail-ready suspension, and upgraded tires. The midlevel LT dresses the truck up with chrome details, LED lights, and 8-inch infotainment screen. The LT Trailboss adds the off-road package to the LT, creating an upscale, yet adventure-ready model.

The top High Country has premium features throughout, from an exclusive grille to power tailgate, and everything in between.

A total of six engines will be available, including two V8s (5.3-liter and 6.2-liter) which can run on only a single cylinder to save fuel, thanks to the truck’s dynamic fuel-management system.

A 3.0-liter, six-cylinder diesel also joins the Silverado’s engine lineup for the first time. This engine will come paired to a similarly new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Drivability has been a shortcoming of the current Silverado, especially with the 5.3-liter V8, as it doesn’t always respond quickly when drivers seek more power.

Chevy made space for cargo and occupants a priority in redesigning the Silverado. The bed is wider than before and now features a total of 12 tie-down points, up from four. There is also extra room in the cabin, where the Silverado’s slightly longer wheelbase translates to several more inches of legroom for in the backseat in Crew Cab models.

Look for the 2019 Silverado to go on sale this fall. Exact pricing information and fuel economy figures will be revealed closer to the pickup’s official on-sale date.

Chevy didn’t release details on what advanced safety equipment the new Silverado will get, saying it will be announced later this year.

We look forward to pitting the new Silverado against the new Ram and see how they fare against CR’s current top-rated full-size pickup, the Ford F-150.

 2019 chevrolet white silverado

Source: Chevrolet’s Big Bet: The Larger, Lighter 2019 Silverado Pickup Truck

Washington church leases space to Uftring Chevrolet, delays plans to move in – News – Journal Star – Peoria, IL

Uftring ChevroletWASHINGTON — Uftring Chevrolet is moving next door temporarily.Six days after the dealership at 1860 Washington Road was destroyed by a massive fire, officials announced Thursday that sales and service operations will move to a building 400 yards away at 1750 Washington Road that was home to Walmart and then Tractor Supply Company.Uftring is leasing a 25,000-square-foot portion of the building from Connect Church.

WASHINGTON — Uftring Chevrolet is moving next door temporarily.

Six days after the dealership at 1860 Washington Road was destroyed by a massive fire, officials announced Thursday that sales and service operations will move to a building 400 yards away at 1750 Washington Road that was home to Walmart and then Tractor Supply Company.

Uftring is leasing a 25,000-square-foot portion of the building from Connect Church, which planned to move into the space this year and celebrate its fifth anniversary in the fall.

The dealership also is leasing parking from Connect Church and A&J Storage, which owns the rest of the building.

The building is vacant. It’s been that way since Tractor Supply Company closed its doors in October 2015.

“Connect Church has been unbelievably gracious and compassionate to our needs,” said Mark Weston, chief executive officer for the Uftring Auto Group.

The church was launched in September 2013 and has been holding services at Washington Middle School since then.

It purchased the space in the old Walmart/Tractor Supply Company building late last year with plans to hold services there and have spaces for activities and offices after renovation work was done.

About 500 attend the church’s two services each Sunday. Services will continue to be held at the middle school while the dealership occupies the church’s space.

“We want to impact the community. That’s our vision, that’s why God put us here, and that’s more important than owning a building,” said the Rev. Dave Jane of Connect Church.

“We’ll be in that building one day. Right now, we want to help the dealership and help good people keep their jobs,” Jane said.

Jane said he doesn’t need convincing the church is doing the right thing by leasing its space, but that happened Thursday when he was in the building and an Uftring service department employee who was looking around gave him a hug and said, “Thank you.”

Uftring officials contacted Jane on Saturday, a day after the fire, to see if he’d be interested in leasing the church’s space. Details for the lease were worked out at a Monday morning meeting.

Weston said the dealership’s goal is to be in a rebuilt facility at the site of the burned-out facility in a year.

In the meantime, he’s anticipating the service department will open in the temporary dealership in about 30 days.

A permit from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is needed for vehicle sales to take place in the leased space. Weston is hoping to have the permit as early as Monday.

Uftring salespeople are working out of the Uftring Used Car Outlet in Washington, with all of the inventory parked at the temporary dealership.

A location is being sought for the Uftring Chevrolet body shop. Until then, body shop work is being done at Uftring body shops at Uftring Weston Chevrolet Cadillac in Peoria and the Uftring Automall in East Peoria.

Weston called the outpouring of support for Uftring Chevrolet “humbling.”

Caterpillar Inc. and the city of Peoria have donated office furniture and partitions for the temporary dealership, he said, and the city of Washington “has been fabulous. They’ve provided security (at the burned-out dealership) and Mayor Gary Manier has reached out to us every day, asking if there’s anything the city can do for us.”

Uftring Chevrolet has been at the Washington Road site since 1986. It was the Uftring Auto Group’s first dealership.

All of us at Ron Westphal Chevrolet with the Uftring Group a speedy and full recovery from this devastating event.

Source: Washington church leases space to Uftring Chevrolet, delays plans to move in – News – Journal Star – Peoria, IL

Chevrolet C-10 from Fast & Furious Is up for Auction on eBay

Chevrolet C-10 from Fast & Furious Is up for Auction on eBayFresh from hijacking oil the Chevrolet C-10 from the fourth installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise is up for auction.

Chevrolet C-10 from Fast & Furious Is up for Auction on eBay

Cars are the stars of The Fast and the Furious franchise. In such a heavily car dominated franchise when a truck appears it makes a lasting impact. One of the trucks from the opening scene in the fourth installment of Fast & Furious popped up for auction on eBay.

Looking for something a little newer?  Call Ron Westphal Chevy in Aurora, IL at 630-898-9630 or visit our website.

The opening scene of the movie, which was released in 2009, features the character Dominic Toretto played by Vin Diesel and his team of drivers attempting to hijack an oil truck train in the Dominican Republic. To attempt the hijacking the crew brings two heavily modified trucks. The truck which is up for auction is an orange 1967 Chevrolet C-10 driven by the franchise favorite character Han played by Sung Kang.Chevrolet C-10 from Fast & Furious

The auction states that the build was commissioned by Universal Studios and built by Dennis McCarthy. McCarthy has been building cars for The Fast and the Furious franchise since its third installment, The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift. It mentions parts of the truck that are of a movie prop nature such as the 10-speed tractor gear shifter, the smokestacks, and the air tanks bolted under the bed of the truck. The truck features a 502 big block V-8 engine matted to a three-speed automatic gearbox, MSD ignition, Holley Performance four-barrel carburetor, and Hedman headers.

The truck is being sold as-is, but states it is in “good running and drivable condition”Chevrolet C-10 from Fast & Furious interiorChevrolet C-10 from Fast & Furious bed

You may also enjoy this Auction Article

Read more at Source: Chevrolet C-10 from Fast & Furious Is up for Auction on eBay

How All Wheel Drive works Video in the 2018 Chevrolet Trax

Thanks for watching our video about How All Wheel Drive works in the 2018 Chevrolet Trax.  If we can assist you further , please contact our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 or visit our website.  

How to use Android Auto with your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Want to try out Android Auto (or Apple Car Play) in person?  Visit Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL near Naperville, Plainfield and Oswego.  We’ll be happy to show you around the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox.

Can’t make it to our dealership?  Visit us online anytime or call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 to answer any questions you may have.

Ron Westphal Chevrolet is a family owned dealership located on the corner of Routes 30 and 34 where Aurora meets Oswego.

Auto battery questions

Auto battery questions

Auto Battery Questions

Q: Why won’t my car start?

A: There are numerous reasons why a vehicle won’t start. If it’s related to the battery, the starter will generally not crank the engine. This is the telltale “click, click, click” when you turn the key. This could be an alternator not charging the battery properly, a loose battery or starter cable, or a battery that needs to be replaced. Because batteries only crank for 3 seconds, in most cases, there may be no “slow crank” warning. That is why it is important to get your battery tested by a Chevrolet Certified Service professional such as Ron Westphal Chevrolet.

Do I need to charge my auto battery after I jump-start my vehicle?

A: In most instances, normal driving will recharge the battery unless there is an issue with the vehicle. If your vehicle does not start after driving it, it’s recommended that you take your vehicle to your nearest Certified Service experts to have a diagnosis performed.

What are the main causes of auto battery failure?

Batteries wear out over time, but there are also issues that impact battery failure, for example, unusual “parasitic drains” such as adding accessories but not properly grounding them, infrequent startup, and discharged batteries freezing at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q: What should I consider when buying an auto battery?

A: ACDelco recommends the right balance of Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) and Reserve Capacity (RC). A higher CCA battery will not start your car faster. This is due to gear reduction starters, lower viscosity oils, fuel injection, etc. The average car cranks no more than 3 seconds and as a result does not need more CCA than what the vehicle manufacturer recommends. With the addition of vehicle electronics, RC is becoming more important. Select a battery that has the right amount of CCA, found in your Owner’s Manual and as much RC as you can.

Q: What kind of preventative maintenance can I perform for my auto battery?

A: The best thing that you can do is have your Certified Service technician perform a conductance test on your battery when you get your oil changed. This helps to monitor the status of the battery and helps prevent you from being in a situation where your vehicle won’t start.

Need a battery?  Have a car or truck questions?  Call Ron Westphal Chevrolet at 630-898-9630 or visit our website  or our Service Specials Page today.

Illinois man to restore father’s vintage pickup truck | Local | herald-review.com

1950 chevrolet 3100 pickup truckAfter returning home from Vietnam, Wendell Wingert bought a 1950 Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck and drove it home from Fort Hood, Texas.

After returning home from Vietnam, Wendell Wingert bought a 1950 Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck and drove it home from Fort Hood, Texas.

The Bronze Star recipient often picked up his wife, Mary, in the truck when they were dating. When they had kids, it sat on their Bonfield farm until they sold it to a neighbor almost 30 years ago.

But, the old, rusted-up truck is back in the family again. Wendell’s son, Leland Wingert, recently bought it back from a farmer for $1,000. It surprised Leland because the cheapest 3100 he found online was $5,000 and in worse condition.

Now, he has the chance to restore the family truck in remembrance of his father, who died two years ago, and see it run for the first time in his life.

“It was emotional when I bought it back,” the 43-year-old Kankakee County sheriff’s deputy admitted. “It brought tears to my eyes. I never expected I would get it.”

When Wingert picked it up, the tires still held air. However, the truck is missing headlights and glass. It also needs a new fuel pump and some other work.

“I’ll drive it how it looks once it’s road-ready,” Wingert said. “As far as the interior, I want it to match the exterior. I may just throw a horse blanket over the seats. It’s not going to look much different than this.

“My mom says it’s a piece of junk,” he added with a laugh. “My dad would probably say it’s a waste of time. I could imagine him asking me, ‘Why would you put time into this?’ But I’m a gearhead, and I want to see this thing run.”

Wingert does not have a timeline on restoring the truck. He has been working on a 1974 Chevy Nova for 15 years and built an engine for his 1972 Ford F-250. But he already has plans on how he will celebrate the truck’s reincarnation.

“Once it’s complete, I’m going to drive it to Maple Grove Cemetery and take a picture of it next to my father’s grave,” he said. “This is all in remembrance of my father. It’s just nice to have it back in the family.”

If you are looking for an older truck to restore, or something newer or brand new–call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 or visit our website.

Source: Illinois man to restore father’s vintage pickup truck | Local | herald-review.com

2018 Chevrolet Traverse Review: A Handsome Crossover SUV That Really Handles – The Drive

2018 chevrolet traverse reviewCan’t abide a minivan? Chevy’s cavernous new hauler shoots up towards the top of the kid-toting class.

After having driven a Sunday brunch’s worth of soft-boiled SUVs and crossovers dainty as a French éclair in 2017, the Chevrolet Traverse proved a literally squarer, more satisfying meal. Put Chevy’s redesigned SUV on the list of the year’s biggest, best surprises.

Visit Ron Westphal Chevrolet to find your perfect new or pre-owned Traverse or call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 today.  We stock a large variety of new and pre-owned models!

I honestly wasn’t expecting all that much from the new version of the Traverse. Released back in 2009, as General Motors was tumbling into bankruptcy, this three-row family hauler struck me as thoroughly capable‚ but duller than suburban lawn care. The Traverse was the most bus-like and utilitarian of a GM family that also included the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.

2018 chevrolet traverse interiorBut where the all-new Acadia and Enclave have been downsized, the Michigan-built Traverse actually expands slightly for the latest version, including a two-inch wheelbase stretch to 120.9 inches—just 10 inches shyginal Canyonero, the Chevy Suburban. This new package carves out moof the orire passenger and cargo space than anything in the class—a long roster of minivan alternatives than includes the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Mazda CX-9. Interior space squeaks past even the enormous Volkswagen Atlas, whether you’re talking space behind the third row, second row, or with all seats folded.

2018 Chevrolet Traverse Interior MyLInk Secret StorageThe bigger surprise is that the Traverse drives more like a smaller, nimbler SUV than the seven- or eight-passenger truckster it is. Its outstanding chassis tuning convinced me that the engineers earned their overtime, or at least took inspiration from the Camaro team. Shedding up to 360 pounds versus the previous model, including a 111-pound reduction for the chassis alone, the Traverse combines a tranquil ride with skillful handling that defies its girth.  Of those competitors I just cited, only the CX-9 feels more sprightly and car-like—and that Mazda is a relatively scrawny SUV, with decisively less cargo space and a third row that should really be described as row 2.5.

Chalk up another win for the restyled body. This Traverse is one big, handsome lug. Not surprisingly, the Traverse’s Coke-bottle profile, with its nipped waist and crisply flared fenders, came out of Chevy’s truck design studio, and it previews styling cues you’ll be seeing on one of GM’s most critical models: A redesigned Silverado pickup for the 2019 model year, followed by a new Tahoe around 2020. Where so many minivan alternatives, especially the insipid Asian variety—the Pilot, Highlander, and Pathfinder—seem like culprits for the nation’s low-testosterone phenomenon, the brawnier Chevy seems sure to attract dads who’d like to hold their head up on the way to school, band practice, or a convenience-store run for Huggies. Yet the Traverse isn’t a macho Mack Truck cartoon (not a Dodge, in other words), so moms won’t mind taking the wheel and admiring those muscles as well. I find it the best-looking Chevy truck in years. And the styling bodes well for models to come, including the Silverado (in Z71 off-road trim) that Chevy dropped a few days ago at Texas Motor Speedway prior to its January auto show debut in Detroit.

There’s also useful muscle behind the Chevy’s big chrome grill (or the blacked-out version on the RS trim level). GM’s direct-injection, “high feature” 3.6-liter V-6 gets a 10-percent bump to 310 horsepower (up from a base 281 horsepower), with an identical 266 pound-feet of torque. That’s accompanied by an efficient nine-speed transmission that’s as impressively tuned as the suspension. It replaces GM’s sluggish old six-speed—or more accurately, renders it obsolete.

Throw in the Traverse’s substantial weight loss, and this Chevy can surge from 0-60 mph in a fleet 6.7 seconds, a full second quicker than before. After years, nay decades, of mediocre GM automatics, this Hydra-Matic nine-speed, co-developed with Ford for transverse-engine applications, is a keeper. The three extra cogs fit into the same space as the former six-speed, and the entire unit weighs just 22 pounds more. There’s none of the obtrusive gear hunting or indecision that plagues some rival nine-speeds, including from Chrysler and Honda. Squeeze the throttle gently, and the tranny eases down one gear. Hammer it, and it may downshift three or four gears at a go, but without long delays or clunky engagements. The combination makes this big beast quite adept at passing, able to squirt through holes in traffic in snappy fashion.

Source: 2018 Chevrolet Traverse Review: A Handsome Crossover SUV That Really Handles – The Drive

Kelley Blue Book 2017 Chevrolet Bolt Review

Kelley Blue Book 2017 Chevrolet Bolt Review

Kelley Blue Book 2017 Chevrolet Bolt ReviewGM’s first mass-producible/mass-market electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt EV sets a new standard for acceptance by potential real-world buyers. Fitted with a huge 60-kWh battery pack — the biggest to appear in any non-exotic electric car to date — the Bolt EV in LT or up-line Premier form offers a benchmark 238-mile EPA per-charge range. That stat alone makes this ultra-green Chevy genuinely viable as a primary-use vehicle for a significant number of U.S. drivers. But the Bolt EV is a whole lot more. A natural rival to the Nissan Leaf and more affordable than a BMW i3, this cleanly styled, well-finished compact hatch boasts impressive room for five and their belongings, a sporty demeanor and offers features that rival those of many pricier conventional vehicles.

Looking for a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt?  We still have some in stock.  Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 or visit our website.

What’s New for 2017

Latest addition to the division’s lineup, the Chevrolet Bolt EV is a completely new offering built on a dedicated platform and fitted with an advanced electric powertrain that gives this compact 5-door hatch an outstanding 238-mile-per-charge range and excellent real-world drivability to match its solid functionality.

Read the full Kelley Blue Book 2017 Chevrolet Bolt Review:  2017 Chevrolet Bolt Review

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