Its Time for Winter Tires

Even though we are still bare & dry here in Medicine Hat (how long will this hold up???!!) we figure it is getting to be that time a year again when the roads start becoming a little bit more slippery. One of the most important (and most overlooked) aspects of your cars ability to perform in winter is the proper tires. Did you know that below 7 degrees Celsius, all-season tires see a measurable loss in traction and control? That’s right, at 7 degrees! Most people (myself included) think winter tires are only useful whens its really cold and really icy, but thats not the case. Winter tires have a special compound in the rubber that hardens when the temperature reaches 7 degrees, creating more optimal conditions for your driving.

Featuring a combination of specialized tread designs and compounds to provide effective traction in cold, snowy conditions, winter tires are the safest tires for Canadian winters. Marked with the pictograph of a peaked mountain with a snowflake, this symbol means your tires will meet the specific snow traction performance requirements – designed specifically for cold, snowy, icy and slippery driving. These tires are also designed for improved traction on cold, dry road surfaces.

You can spot an all-season tire by the M+S (Mud + Snow) marking on the sidewall . All-season tires do provide safe all-weather performance. But remember, in severe winter snow conditions, they are not the safest choice.

Good Advice for Canadian Winter Drivers:

• Install Four Winter Tires.
• Do not mix tires: differenttread patterns, size, construction can compromise vehicle performance and safety.
• Check your tires: worn treads have less traction on all surfaces, especially on ice and snow.
• Monitor tire pressure: in colder weather, the pressure in your tires drops. This affects safety and fuel consumption, so check your tires often.

The performance of your vehicle’s tires is directly related to the temperature outside. As the temperature drops, even the best summer tires will fail to respond road conditions. All-season tires , while designed for all types of weather, will not perform as well in ice and cold.

As a rule, whenever the average outdoor temperature falls below or climbs above 7 degrees Celsius (19.4 degrees F), your tires will be affected. As the temperature drops, non-winter tires loose elasticity and the grip they have on the road. That’s why the best tires to have when the temperature drops are winter tires. Conversely, winter tires will deteriorate faster in hotter temperatures.

If you’re interested in finding what winter tires would work best for you, or if you’d like to just learn a bit more, stop by or drop us a line and one of our tire professionals would be happy to help you find what works best for your specific driving conditions. You can also visit our handy online Tire Store here: http://www.davisgmctrucks.ca/PartsandAccessories/TireStore/tabid/21382/Default.aspx

Our SmartPhone app is ready!!

How would you like to easily connect with us from the palm of your hand? Now you can! You can download our smartphone app and get to ability to book a service appointment, browse our new & used vehicle inventory, call GM roadside assistance, check out local gas prices, get directions to our dealership, or get in touch with any department at the dealership! Search “Davis GMC” in the App Store, or follow the links below for your preferred mobile device:

iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/davis-gmc-buick-dealerapp/id452725803?mt=8

Blackberry: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/52346?lang=en

Android: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.davisgmcbuick.dealerapp&feature=search_result   

Getting to Know the GMC Terrain

 

The GMC Terrain began life in 2010 as a cross-over SUV designed to replace the outgoing Pontiac Torrent. The Terrain shares its Theta architecture with is sibling, the Chevrolet Equinox, but the two have drastically different styling in a move to differentiate the two brands more than they have in the past.

Power is provided by your choice of a 2.4L 4 cylinder, or 3.0L DOHC direct injected V6, with both engines mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4L comes with 182 hp and 172 lb. ft. of torque, compared with the V6’s capabilities at 264 hp and 222 lb. ft. of torque – fuel mileage is spectacular on both engines, with a combined rating of 36 mpg from the 2.4L and 27 mpg from its big brother the 3.0L. You also have the option of FWD and AWD in each sub model, consiting of SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1, and the range topping SLT-2. Every model comes standard with a rear backup camera, Stabilitrak electronic stability control, GM oil life monitor, 4 wheel disc brakes, 6 airbags, and ambient interior lighting. There are also some very popular options available including a Pioneer 8-speaker stereo, sunroof, programmable power liftgate, and dual rear DVD screens. One of the most popular features, which comes standard on every Terrain, is the Multi-Flex rear seat. This gives the rear 60/40 split bench seat the ability to slide nearly 8 inches front and back, as well as a 3-position recline.

As with every GM vehicle, the Terrain comes standard with OnStar, and you receive a free 6-month trial of the OnStar Directions and Connections package with Turn-by-Turn Navigation when you purchase a Terrain.

Not only does the Terrain have excellent performance, efficiency, and a ton of fun features to choose from – it is also extremely affordable. The starting price for a basic Terrain SLE-1 FWD is just south of $28,000, but even better yet are the financing options, with 0%, 0.9%, 1.9% and 2.9% options available depending how long you choose to finance.

Come in today and enjoy the Terrain for yourself – you need to get behind the wheel to really experience all it has to offer.

 

2012 Buick Regal GS

As winter finally (hopefully) winds to a close and spring is upon us, we have started looking forward to the next sports car that will be gracing our showroom. The 2012 Buick Regal GS is an all-new trim level of the recently released model that comes with a few tweaks to an already solid car. The GS will get a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec engine delivering 255 horsepower and 295 lb. ft. of torque, which Buick claims will get the car from 0-60 in under 7 seconds. Other equipment will include four-wheel disc brakes with Brembo front calipers, and 19-inch alloy wheels (20 inch wheels with performance tires will be optional.) The GS will also have unique front and rear fascias with a GS specific grille and additional air intake, as well as rocker panel extensions and an intergrated rear spoiler. Interior wise, the car will have 12-way power leather front seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, metal pedals and satin-finished accents throughout the cabin. One of the more interesting features is the Interactive Driving Control, which will enable drivers to select from three suspension/steering settings: Standard, Sport, and GS.

As the last of the this snow finally melts, we are left to salivate over the arrival of the latest Buick, looks like we’ll have to wait until mid-summer for the GS to hit our lot and it can’t come fast enough. For now, enjoy some pics!

Diesel Exhaust Fluid and the 2011 Duramax Diesel

THE MOST POWERFUL DURAMAX DIESEL EVER NOW RUNS CLEANER TOO!

The enhanced, legendary Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel is the most powerful Duramax ever built – generating more horsepower and torque than ever before. This proven powerplant gets the job done while being friendlier to the environment.

The improved Duramax uses the latest emission control technology, reducing Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions by a whopping 63% when compared to the 2010 model. GM engineers determined the best way to accomplish this remarkable reduction of diesel emissions was to employ a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

The SCR system is an after-treatment system, since it treats the vehicle’s exhaust after combustion. Here’s how it works:

1. A fine mist of DEF is injected into the exhaust while the engine is running
2. The heat from the exhaust converts DEF into ammonia
3. When the ammonia, mixed with exhaust gases, reaches the SCR catalyst, the NOx emissions are broken down
4. The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) then captures soot to incinerate it during regeneration cycles.
5. Water vapor, nitrogen and reduced emissions exit the exhaust system.

What is DEF?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid is a non-flammable fluid comprised of 33% ammonia-based urea and 67% purified water. DEF is used with diesel engine exhaust systems to reduce the amount of emissions produced by turning Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) into nitrogen and water vapor. DEF technology has a proven track record since it has been used in Europe for years.

Driving Range Between DEF Tank Refills

The SCR system uses DEF at a rate of about 1 to 1.25% of the vehicles diesel fuel usage. A full tank of DEF provides a driving range of about 8,000 km. Since DEF is directly related to fuel consumption, range will vary depending on driving conditions

Refilling Your DEF Tank

DEF is stored in a 5.3 gallon (approx 20L) tank located under the passenger side of the cab. The DEF tank fill point is conveniently located under the hood, along with other fluids that require periodic maintenance. It’s easly identified with a blue cap. DO NOT OVER FILL THE DEF TANK

Storing DEF

DEF shelf life is typically at least one year, depending on the storage temperature. It is best stored out of direct sunlight at room temperature. Small DEF spills can be cleaned up by absorbing it with dry earth, sand, or other non-combustible material and scooping it into a container for disposal. While DEF is not listed as a hazardous waste by the federal government, please use proper disposabl methods. Do not empty into drains; dispose of this material and its container in accordance with all applicable local and national regulations.

Electronic Onboard Warning System

There is no guessing involved when it comes to maintaining a correct DEF level with this system. An electronica onboard warning system provides you with numerous warnings in the Driver Information Center to help you maintain adequate DEF levels, alert you if the DEF quality is poor or if there are concerns with the system. See your Duramax owner’s manual supplement for a complete description of the electronic onboard warning system and its warning messages.

Maintaining DEF Fluid Levels

The electronic onboard warning system will provide a message alerting the driver when the DEF level is around 1,500 km remaining range. Additional messages that must be acknowledged alert the driver at the 500 km, LOW, and 0 km fluid ranges as the DEF tank gadually empties. The fluid level in the DEF tank must be maintained for the vehicle to run correctly. If the DEF tank is allowed to run empty, the system will alert the driver. If fluid is not added at the next vehicle start, the vehicle speed will be limited to approx. 88 km/hr and ultimately to 7 km/hr in accordance with federal requirements.

Adding DEF to an Empty or Low Tank

Always add at least 4 L to release the vehicle from any speed limitation. Once the system is refilled, the system resets itself and a service visit is not required. It may take up to 30 secondsin park or several km of driving to update the DEF level warning.

Will DEF Freeze?

DEF freezes at approximately -11 degrees celsius, so the tank and DEF system are designed to freeze in cold climates. If DEF is frozen, the vehicle will still start as it always has. There is a second tank inside the DEF tank that is heated in 270-minute intervals while the engine is running, to ensure DEF fluid is thawed. This cycle was originally 90 minutes and that produced some of the freezing problems with trucks located in cold climates for extended periods of time, but the new program extends the cycle to 270-minutes to ensure enough DEF is circulated to keep the truck running at optimal standards. Residual heat from this internal tank helps to heat and thaw the remaining DEF in the larger tank. Do not overfill your DEF tank, as freezing will cause the fluid to expand and in turn could damage the tank.

If you have any other questions about the DEF system in the 2011 Duramax, feel free to drop us a line or visit our website at www.davisgmctrucks.ca

 

 

GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD Concept

 

Due to be released at the Detroit International Auto Show from GM: The GMC All-Terrain HD concept. You may be familiar with the half ton Sierra All-Terrain (different wheels, grille, interior than a standard Sierra) but the HD goes a little more off the map…. Powered by the 6.6L Duramax diesel, the truck also has an extra 3 inches of ground clearance, is 4 inches wider, and rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch offroad tires with Fox off-road shocks (same as used on the Ford Raptor.)

Inside, the concept comes with Denali-spec interior and satin metal finishes – much like it’s half ton counterpart, but also has the upcoming next generation 80 gB hard drive that we’ll be seeing across the full GM line in the next few years. Being a concept there are no plans to actually produce the truck… yet… but if it were to be produced you would likely see it come from a third party firm as opposed to rolling off the GM production line looking like that.

Will be excited to see the concept at the Detroit show, and maybe find a few more details about possible production of the truck, but for now enjoy the pictures.

GMC Granite Compact Pickup Concept

At the 10th anniversary of GM’s North Hollywood Advanced Design Center, GM unexpectedly unveiled a surprising little compact concept car based on the GMC Granite Concept unveiled last year. The vehicle is the Granite Compact Pickup – it’s identical to the Granite urban utility vehicle from the grille to the b-pillar, but adds a small truck bed behind the 2-seat cab.

“We designed the Granite to be modular,” said Robb McCann, design manager for GM’s California design studio. “Our first choice [after the compact crossover version] was to do a compact truck for Southern California because small trucks have been so popular here. The big idea is that it’s for someone who wants a pickup with a small footprint with great fuel economy and an occasional load in back.”

The wheelbase is only around 110 inches, but its 4-foot-long cargo box can be extended to 6 feet. Two side-hinged Dutch-style doors replace a conventional one-piece fold-down tailgate. When the doors are opened, a pallet that forms part of the floor of the cargo box can be pulled out to provide extra bed space. The cargo box also features small access doors down the side of the box to provide easier access to the space directly behind the cab.

Power would be provided by a 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated with a FWD propulsion system, creating the incredible fuel economy of a small car, with some extra utility (albeit small) from the bed in the back.

The truck is not likely to be produced, at least not anytime soon, but its styling and size harkens back to the Chevrolet LUV of the 70s which found a niche market, and was popular in California.

We’ve already shown how much we like the wild styling of the original Granite urban utility vehicle, and even though this small market truck is unlikely to see the road, it’s nice to see some new and interesting ideas coming from the General!

The HD Rumble In The Rockies – GM vs. Ford

Pickuptrucks.com recently held a competition between the new GM and Ford one-ton HD trucks called the Rumble in the Rockies, pitting the trucks against eachother on the “Nurburgring of Pickups” at the Eisenhower Pass in Colorado. After their Heavy Duty Shootout over the summer, there was backlash over the short test distances as well as the newer available engine option from Ford that ups its power and torque numbers, so the Rumble in the Rockies was their final test to really find the true best truck between the GM and Ford. The two trucks used were about as apples-to-apples as you can get, with a $65 price differential, and a few lbs. difference in the GCWR – the GM was a Chevy Silverado LT 3500HD DRW 4×4 with a 6.6L Duramax, while the Ford was an F-350 XLT DRW 4×4 with a 6.7L Power Stroke with the Job 2 option of 400 hp and 800 lb. ft of torque.

This competition was done solely by a third party (pickuptrucks.com paid for their own accomodations and for all the testing) to keep any calls for purposefully schewing the numbers, after GM had challenged Ford to a real-world showdown in the Rockies but Ford declined the invitation.

The Eisenhower Pass is an extremely difficult stretch of road to encounter will pulling a loaded trailer, as basically every bit of towing and braking hardware is stressed at a very high altitude for multiple miles at a time – so what better place to stage the competition? The grade starts at 5% for 2 miles, and increases to 7% for the remaining 6 miles until the entrance of the Eisenhower Tunnel – which is the highest tunnel in the US. The trucks pulled a 6,500 lb gooseneck trailer loaded with three 4,140 lb pallets for a total of 18,920 lbs. over that stretch – this brought the total GCWR to 27,940 lbs for the Chevy and 28,160 lbs for the slightly heavier Ford.

The first part of the test ran the trucks 7.6 miles up the pass, rising 2,224 feet over that distance, before coming back down and evaluating the exhaust brakes on the way down. You can check the full article for the in-depth analysis of each run, but for our purposes I’ll just give a quick rundown: The Ford ran 4 times, starting in 4 wheel drive and switching to 2 wheel drive at approximately 30 mph, and only 3 adult males were present in the truck on the first 2 runs to offset the Chevy’s 220 lb curb weight advantage (as the article points out, 220 lbs is basically unnoticable when you’re moving 15 tons uphill.) The best run the Ford could muster was 10 minutes, 46.8 seconds with an average speed of 42.41 mph and a top speed of 58.5 mph.

Next up was the Silverado’s turn, using the same parameters as the Ford, and the Chevy was significantly faster – finsihing in 8 minutes, 38.2 seconds – more than 2 full minutes quicker than the F-350! The average and top speed of the Chevy was also higher, at 53.63 mph and 67.38 mph respectively.

The next test was the exhaust brake, bringing that 15 tons back down the pass on a white knuckle stretch of highway while trying to keep the trailer and truck controlled. The big difference between these 2 trucks being that the Silverado has a push-button activated exhaust brake, while the Ford’s exhaust brake is automatically enabled whenever the truck is in Tow/Haul and can’t be turned off by the driver.

The difference in exhaust brake performance (echoing the must shorter test performed in the HD Shootout) was starker than the difference towing up the hill

In the test, they wanted to see which truck required the least amount of wheel brake application, so when speeds reached 60 mph, the driver applied his left foot to the brake to slow down the truck to 52 mph to start the cycle again. Through four runs, the Ford had to be manually slowed down 11 to 14 times during each descent, with the exhaust brake seeiming to have minimal effect. On the other hand, the Chevy, as pickuptrucks.com but it, was a “Superhero on the descent” with an average of only one to two manual brake applies on each run. The most telling aspect of the run was at the turnaround point at the bottom of the pass, where you could smell the hard-worked brakes on the Ford, but nothing coming from the Chevy.

As you can see from the results, the Chevy was the clear winner in the performance categories tested during the Rumble in the Rockies, and is the top choice among the writers over at Pickuptrucks.com for new HD pickups. As they put it:

There’s no question that GM’s latest diesel pickups are the performance leaders in the class. Chevy doesnt just run deep. It runs high as well.

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

**Thanks to Pickuptrucks.com for the info on the test, head over to their site for great in-depth views into the full test**

Happy 15th Birthday OnStar!

OnStar was officially launched at the Chicago Auto Show in 1995, celebrating its 15th year in operation here in 2010. In that time it has helped millions of people find directions, unlock their doors, and get help in an emergency – but it’s not ready to sit back on its heels just yet. With the ever advancing Ford Sync system, GM is looking to improve OnStar in a few key areas. Recently released info tells us that OnStar is currently testing a few new features that it will roll out in the near future – including voice texting (something Sync does very well) and the ability to update your Facebook status by speaking.

Here are a few of the accomplishments OnStar has made in the first 15 years:

More than one million responses to Emergency Service alerts, assisting drivers, first responders and local police departments in many life-threatening situations.

More than 146,000 responses to Automatic Crash Notifications where OnStar sent emergency personnel to a vehicle whose driver was unresponsive after an airbag deployment.

198 different coastal communities helped with hurricane preparedness through OnStar’s Crisis Assist.

More than 59 million Turn-by-Turn routes delivered. What was seen as a preliminary step against distracted driving, Turn-by-Turn Navigation allows an advisor to send directions directly to a subscriber’s Driver Information Center or radio.

More than 4.7 million doors have been unlocked by OnStar’s Remote Door Unlock service. OnStar unlocks 1,833 doors every day, a huge convenience for people who accidently lock their keys in the car.

More than 147 million monthly e-mails have been sent to subscribers since launch, giving them real-time diagnostic reports of their vehicles.

Luckily I haven’t personally had to use any of the emergency features or stolen vehicle run down on my own OnStar system, but I can attest to the ease of  the Turn-by-Turn system, and the monthly diagnostic reports provide some great insight into the major mechanical systems in your car that you would otherwise need to go to the service department to get. The biggest (and most helpful for me, unfortunately) feature is the Remote Door Unlock system, when you lock your keys in your car you simply call OnStar and after a few security questions, they unlock the doors for you.

If you’d like a full rundown of the many features of OnStar, visit our blog post from a few months ago here.

So Happy Birthday to OnStar! It has been a great 15 years, and we can’t wait to see whats to come in the next 15.

Its no perfect game, but a Corvette isn’t a bad consolation prize…

Armando Galarraga accepts his new Corvette, a reward from GM for his excellent sportsmanship

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga narrowly missed out on the 21st perfect game in MLB history on Wednesday, but was robbed of the feat by a blown call. On Thursday, General Motors decided to give the pitcher a consolation prize in return for his efforts – a brand new Corvette Grand Sport convertible.

GM president Mark Ruess says GM gave Galarraga the red droptop as a reward for an excellent performance, and the way he handled himself in the tough situation (he accepted umpire Jim Joyce’s apology and forgave him for the error during the game the next day.) Not many guys would be able to handle that heartbreak the way Galarraga did, and not only did he win alot of support from every umpire in the league on future calls, but he now has a 436-horsepower beauty in his driveway to show for his class.