Halloween is just a couple of days away and that means the kids are going to be out in droves. If you must drive your Dallas Fort Worth Buick or GMC, take extra special care this holiday season ans the kids are going to be excited and safety is probably the last thing on their mind.
Of course it’s parent’s responsibility to make sure that their kids are save while trick-or-treating, but it’s also yours if you plan to be out on the roads. Remember, take it extra slow in the neighborhoods and suburbs. Don’t just expect kids to be using the corners to cross at, they can come from anywhere.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw_1LRcWuJI
Like the video said, if you can avoid driving at all, that would be the best thing, but if you must drive, keep an extra vigilant watch for kids and parents as they enjoy their Halloween evening Trick or Treating.
Have you ever wondered how a drop of gasoline spends its “life” after being deposited into the gas tank of your vehicle? Well here’s a nostalgic film from the 30’s that explains the route gas follows through your engine and how it generates power. Of course, fuel economy and technology has advanced greatly since then, but the fundamental principles are the same. Take a look:
Thought this was an old video, it did a great job of explaining to the public how their cars worked. Not that it was a mystery, but it was more of an attempt to teach people about their vehicles which in turn I’m sure was responsible for America’s love affair with the car. If you have any links to vintage car videos you’d like to share, just add them to the comments section below. Freeman Grapevine is always looking for fun and interesting car talk.
Independence Day is this Wednesday and while you are getting ready to enjoy the day off with family and friends, your Dallas Fort Worth Buick GMC dealer, Freeman Grapevine wants to remind you that Independence Day isn’t all about firing up the grill and shooting off fireworks. It’s about celebrating one of the most poignant moments in American history: the drafting and implementation of our Declaration of Independence. Our forefathers knew that there was going to be an amazing future in the history of that young country. To show you the true grandeur of the event here a snippet from a letter John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail.
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
Remember the true meaning of this national holiday. It’s the celebration of everything that we hold true to be uniquely American. It’s the celebration of our freedom and the vision of a group of men who knew we could be more than just subjects to the English Crown. It was a dream and a vision that has come to fruition and shaped the nation we have become today. There are very few who can afford the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States of America. Don’t take them for granted. After all, Freedom is never Free.
That being said,Freeman Grapevine wants to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July. When you polish off all of those burgers and hot dogs, swing by Freeman Grapevine and test drive Dallas Fort Worth’s hottest selection of Buicks and GMCs. There’s nothing like driving American, and we’re proud to offer you the best vehicles America has to offer.
Freeman Grapevine knows that sharing the road in Dallas and Fort Worth traffic can be hectic sometimes, especially when you throw in some random crazy driver that seemingly comes out of now where. Having your hands in the proper positions on the steering wheel will keep your focus on the road if you do encounter a situation of some kind.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KikPncL6RHw
The longer we are behind the wheel, the more we become lazy and comfortable in our car seats. It seems like the moment we take both of our hands off of the steering wheel is the moment we take our minds of driving.
Now don’t get me wrong, for many many people, including myself, to have a truly relaxing drive, one hand goes to 12:00 and the other is resting comfortably. That’s all well and good when you are on a long stretch of highway with the cruise control is set in you Dallas Fort Worth Buick or GMC, but when you are jockeying for position in heavy traffic, having both hands on the wheel is paramount. You’ll have better control and more strength to turn the wheel in a flash if need be.
10 and 2 just isn’t for the student driver, it’s for every driver. Sitting up straight and taking a firm grasp of the wheel will keep you alert and focused on the road. I know it sounds simple, but I dare you to try to modify your driving habits…the same habits that have been slowly developing over your driving career. You’ll find that it won’t be as easy as you think.
Your Dallas Fort Worth Buick GMC dealer, Freeman Grapevine wants to say, “Happy Father’s Day” to all of the dads in the DFW Metroplex. If it weren’t for you, who would have taught us to play catch, or show us how to fish, or told us about the need to change our oil in our cars?
Here’s to you Dads of DFW!
Bring dad into Freeman Grapevine and help him pick out an amazing Father’s Day Gift, we have hundred’s to choose from.
Summer is here, school is out and that means: It’s Road Trip Time! Here at your Dallas Fort Worth Buick GMC dealer, Freeman Grapevine, we love our road trips. Of course when you sell some of the best cars on the road, it’s hard not to.
If you are planning on taking a road trip this year, be it a family reunion, or just visiting parts of the US, we know that that price of gas is the first thing you are going to consider before you even make the decision on where you should take your road trip. In fact, in many cases the price of gas is going to dictate where you go and how long you are going to be gone. Factor in all of the food and lodging you may be spending cash on, and all of a sudden, that fuel tank seems like it is getting smaller.
So how do you save on gas and still go where you want? Check out this great list of gas-saving road trip tips I found via CNN :
Pick the right tool for the job: If you have more than one car to choose from, don’t just try to squeeze everyone into the one – or two – that go the furthest on a gallon. First of all, if you think you’re saving gas by splitting the crew into two small cars rather than taking the big SUV, you’re not. Remember, two small cars will burn gas twice as fast as one, and that’s probably faster than your SUV.
Also, packing too much into a small car can lead to the use of roof-top racks and bins, which seriously undermine fuel economy. (More on that in a moment.) Besides that, jamming everyone and everything into a too-small car can be just plain uncomfortable on a long trip and the point is to have fun, not start fights.
Pack light and smooth: Extra weight cuts fuel economy, so try to pack as light as possible. The savings are slight, but every extra 100 pounds cuts your fuel economy by about 2%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
More importantly, don’t pack more than you can fit inside the vehicle. This is especially important. Packing stuff on roof-top bins and racks cut fuel economy by about 21%, according to tests done by Edmunds.com.
And those roof-top racks with crossbars, even if left empty, also cut fuel efficiency. Take them off. Leaving them in place can reduce fuel economy by about 1%, according to Edmunds.com.
Use your cruise control: There are times when cruise control isn’t appropriate, such as in areas with heavy traffic or in bad weather. Also, using cruise control on hilly roads can actually use more fuel, not less, as your vehicle struggles to maintain speed while driving up hills.
But if you’re driving over relatively even terrain, cruise control can prevent unnecessary speed changes which waste gas. In tests by Edmunds.com, using cruise control at 77 mph improved fuel economy by 10 to 15 percent.
As an added benefit, cruise control prevents speed creep – the tendency to gradually increase your speed the longer you drive – and that can keep you from getting a costly speeding ticket.
Stay to the right: Even if you’re driving at a constant speed, going too fast wastes gas. Within the range of normal highway speeds, each 10 miles per hour faster will reduce your fuel economy by 15% to 20%, according to tests by Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com.
Going too slow isn’t safe either but at least try to stay out of the left lane where the traffic is fastest, unless you really need to pass someone. Again, this can also keep you from getting a ticket.
Calm down in town: When not in highway traffic, take it easy on the pedals. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking waste an amazing amount of fuel. In testing by Edmunds.com, aggressive driving cut fuel economy by about 25%.
Don’t worry about A/C: It’s debatable whether it uses more fuel to drive with your windows down on the highway or with the windows rolled up and the air conditioner on. In tests by Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com, it depended on the vehicle and speed. At 65 mph, using the air conditioner was slightly more draining. At higher speeds, it probably wouldn’t be.
Avoid getting stuck: This is something you’ll probably want to do anyway, but really try not to get stuck in traffic. Idling and slow driving wastes a lot of fuel, so plan to drive at times when few others are. Also, plan alternate routes ahead of time in case you hit unexpected snarls. Driving a little bit out of your way can use less fuel than crawling down the straight-and-narrow.
GPS satellite navigation tools can help by making it easier to change routes on the fly. Some newer models even include traffic warnings on the screen so you can see what you’re getting into.
Little things: For reasons of both safety and fuel economy, you should give your car a good once-over before setting off. Make sure tire pressure is set correctly, your filters are clear, your fluids are fresh and the engine is running well. These things will make only a slight difference to your fuel economy, but you should do them anyway to prevent wasting time waiting for a tow truck.
Make the most out of each road trip and who knows, with all of your savings you might be able to afford just one more road trip! But the main thing to do on a road trip is to have fun!
And now there are even apps that can help you watch your gas usage too. Check out FuelFrog which tracks your fuel usage once you provide them with the information for distance traveled, the price paid and how much fuel was used.
Before you hit the road, we always recommend checking that your fluids are good, especially the oil and the coolant levels. If you need to get your vehicle checked out before you hit the road, swing by Freeman Grapevine for a complete check up.
I don’t like the fact that I have to write articles like this, but every year it seems that Texas drivers and pet owners need a reminder. It pains me…strike that…INFURIATES me when I see dogs left in cars by themselves. First off, your dog’s temperature is already roughly 100.5°F to 102.5°F. In order for them to diffuse heat, they have to pant and cool the blood flow through their tongue since they have no sweat glands and do not perspire. As if that isn’t enough, they are wearing a fur coat!
What many people don’t know is that even on moderately cool days, the temperature inside a car can be fatal. Even when its only 70 degrees outside, in just one hour, the temperature inside a car can soar to over 110 degrees, and cracking the windows doesn’t really help.
If you think that your four-legged friends would be “OK” for a few minutes as you ran in to a store, think again. In fact, don’t think about it. Go ahead and sit in your car with no air running for 10 min. and then see if you feel the same way. I’ll even let you crack the windows. Sweat much?
No one is immune to catching a case of “the stupids”. You may think it will only take a few minutes to grab those groceries or chat with a friend, but that few minutes can translate into life threatening heat exhaustion for your best friend:
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
If your dog has heat stroke he will progressively show these signs:
Excessive panting;
Pale gums, bright red tongue;
Disorientation and your dog doesn’t respond to his name;
Increased heart rate;
Thick saliva;
Vomiting;
Breathing difficulties;
Collapse;
Coma;
Death
Dogs Prone to Heatstroke
Young puppies and older dogs;
Overweight dogs;
Dogs with an existing illness or recovering from illness or surgery;
Dog breeds with short faces – Bulldogs, Shar pei, Boston Terriers, Pugs – have narrow respiratory systems that easily get overwhelmed in hot and humid conditions;
Double coated breeds such as Chow Chows; and
Dogs bred for cold climates such as Malamutes, Huskies and Newfoundlands.
If you suspect that your dog may have heat stroke:
Make sure your dog is out of the sun and has access to water but don’t let him drink too much.
Cool him with cool/tepid water – either immerse him in a bath, gently hose him or apply cool towels to his body. Importantly do not leave wet towels on your dog and do not use very cold water – both prevent your dog form being able to cool himself.
Move your dog to an area where there is cool air circulating, such as an air conditioned room or stand him in front of a fan. The cool circulating air will help your dog to reduce his temperature.
Remember, your dog can’t tell you that he is uncomfortable, so you’ll have to use common sense. Under no circumstance should you leave your dogs unattended in a car. Regardless of how hot you believe you car will “actually” get, you are going to be wrong. Then you will be left with a tragedy that is not only emotional, but quite possibly legal as well. You will get fined for endangering an animal by leaving them in a hot car, or could even be arrested for animal cruelty if they die.
Keep your pups safe, keep them out of your hot vehicles. If you have any comments, questions or advice, leave a comment below or see me at Freeman Grapevine!
I think we’ve all firmly come to grips with the advancements of technology. I know Freeman Grapevine has certainly opened our arms to technology. Ever since the release of the personal computer in the early 80’s, they’ve only gotten smaller, faster and more useful. In fact, when I see someone who doesn’t have a smart phone I wonder how they made it this far without one?
For those of us who do have smart phones and are information junkies, like myself, I give you the top 5 automotive apps fore your new, or used Buick, or GMC that no driver should be without.
(source electronics.howstuffworks.com)
iGasUp
For just $2.99, iPhone users can download the iGasUp application and have updated gas station locations and fuel prices at their fingertips. The app gives users the 10 closest gas stations based on the phone’s current location. iGasUp boasts a network of more than 110,000 filling stations across the U.S. Once a driver uses his or her iPhone to pull up the closest 10 gas stations, the information can be sorted by cheapest or closest. The prices are updated frequently and each has a time stamp that indicates the freshness of the price. Users can then plot their course to the filling station of their choice by using the interactive Maps found on the iPhone.
Trapster
Trapster displays your location on a map using the iPhone’s WiFi location capabilities. Reported speed traps, which users enter into the Trapster’s network database, pop up along your route. Trapster’s settings allow users to setup their iPhones to give voice alerts of approaching speed traps and the dynamic radar feature compensates for a driver’s speed and direction in radar to relay accurate warnings. Signal cameras and police traps show up on the display as icons for easy recognition.
With a network of more than 330,000 users worldwide, nearly two-thirds of those being iPhone owners, the Trapster network has reported more than 5 million speed traps worldwide as of November 2011. It seems that Trapster has replaced the CB radio as the best method of radar detection — with the exception of illegal radar detection devices. And it’s free, too.
INRIX Traffic
Here are some of the things that INRIX Traffic can do (even without the $24.99 upgrade):
Incidents: A list of traffic events, updated via the Internet, which may affect the route you plan to take. These include accidents, crowds at major sporting events, convention traffic and other tie-ups reported by members of the INRIX Traffic community.
Comparative Traffic: A map of the local area with traffic density marked out in color-coded lines that tell you which routes have light traffic and which routes are bumper to bumper.
Predictions: A timeline that allows you to project traffic for the 15-minute interval during which you plan to be traveling.
There are several other traffic apps available for the iPhone, but INRIX Traffic has a solid community of users reporting conditions and, if you use the app, you join that community too. If what you see on the road doesn’t agree with what you see on the app, you can report the mistake with the click of a single on-screen button.
GoPoint
The free GoPoint app works with the GoPoint cable (which costs $100, but can be purchased online for less) to plug into your car’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port. This is the sort of thing that your local mechanic will do using a piece of equipment that cost thousands of dollars, but your iPhone can do it for the cost of a cable and the time you spend downloading an app. Some people would consider that a bargain.
What sort of information can the GoPoint app extract from the OBD port? Well, if you already know that your car is experiencing some kind of problem — for instance, if the Check Engine light is flashing — the GoPoint app can give you the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for it. These are standardized codes and the GoPoint app will define them for you in plain English. Unless you’re a mechanic, you might not be able to deal with the problem itself, but you’ll know what to expect when you take your car into the shop and can verify that your mechanic isn’t just inventing expensive problems that will cost you a fortune to fix.
Oh, yes — once you’ve purchased the GoPoint cable, there are additional apps that work with it, not just from GoPoint but from third-party developers, so that you can do things like monitor your fuel economy in real time.
Parker for iPhone
This app gives you a rooftop view of the local street situation and tells you where the parking places are. With the cooperation of the Departments of Transportation in several major cities, including New York, Dallas, Los Angeles and Boston, the San Francisco company Streetline has installed electronic sensors in selected neighborhoods to detect whether parking places are occupied or empty. This data is broadcast to a central location and can be accessed via the Parker app.
Parker for iPhone has a wealth of features, as well as a built-in tutorial to show you what they are and how to use them. They include the ability to choose a city and an area within that city that has parking sensors, a map showing a numeric count of the number of open spaces within a specific area, color coded icons on that map to point you to blocks with the largest number of open spaces, and a special display showing the fee charged by meters or commercial parking garages at the place where you want to park. In some instances, you can even pay for parking directly from the app. And once you’ve started a meter ticking, Parker will not only time it for you and remind you when it’s about to run out, but will use your iPhone’s built-in GPS to predict whether you have enough time to walk back to your car before the meter expires. If you drive much in major metropolitan areas, Parker can make your life easier and save you from a lot of frustration when you need to get out of your car and walk.
We’ve come a long way from the personal computer taking up and entire desk to fitting in the palm of our hands. Sometime I wonder what I’d ever do without my magic little phone.
There are thousands of beneficial apps out there. Can you suggest any others to Freeman Grapevine that would make our customer’s driving lives easier?
So far, North Texas hasn’t really had much of a winter. In fact, it’s been extremely mild compared to last year’s snow day which dropped 15″ of snow at Freeman Grapevine. I guess we should be happy about that though…we’re not used to driving in weather like that. So, as Spring quickly approaches it is time to do a good thorough spring cleaning on your Buick, or GMC. We’re talking inside and out with a good washing and a brand new coat of wax.
If I we you, I’d start on the interior of your Buick, or GMC first. Start by getting rid of all the trash, cleaning of the dash, and getting a heavy duty vacuum to get to all those hard to reach places. Everyone knows that washing your car in the winter cold is the last thing on your mind, so I know some of you out there have a lot of work to do.
The second thing you will want to do give your car a good wash and wax. Did you know that the sun can actually make the paint on your car soften a bit? That will leave your car susceptible to scratches and no one wants scratches on their new or used Buick, or GMC. Make sure that when you are washing and waxing your car you do so in the shade and not a sun drenched area.
Here are some other tips:
Use a lamb’s-wool mitt for washing and soft cotton rags or microfiber towels for waxing.
Do not use rags for washing; they can trap dirt and scratch the finish. Likewise, synthetic fabrics and brushes can also scratch a car’s finish.
Wash and wax in small sections. This saves time and if the wax stays on too long, it can be difficult to remove.
Our previous tests have shown that paste waxes are easiest to apply, but contrary to what you might think, they don’t offer as much protection as liquid products. Spray on/wipe off quick shine products are easiest to use, but our tests have shown they don’t provide much protection at all.
Once you are done with all of that you will be ready to cruise the streets of DFW in your clean car! It’s kind of a “no-brainer”, but if you happen to have any questions, call Freeman Grapevine, and we’ll tell you how we keep our new and used cars spotless.
No doubt that after years of driving in your car, you may have noticed that your interior doesn’t look at clean and nice as it used to. You knew this was going to happen, you may not have thought about it, but you’ve seen the effects of years of use before. Of course I don’t have to explain as you already know that this happened from sweat, body oils, dirt, food, and foreign liquids (hello, spilled coffee) seeping into your seats, upholstery, and carpeting. While regular vacuuming and cleaning can go a long way in stopping this problem but let’s face it, it will still happen eventually. The major problem is that replacing your car’s interior can become very expensive, so what’s a cheaper way to bring that shine and sleekness back in your car?
Freeman Grapevine found some great advice online that has great tips on some accessories you can buy to make your interior look like new.
For individuals who spend most of their time driving to and from events, it’s no wonder you would prefer your vehicle to be a representation of who you are. Whether it’s driving the kids to soccer practice, commuting to and from the workplace, or simply a run to town, adding these car interior accessories is an inexpensive way to show off your style.
A fun and creative method is seat coverings. Not only do they hide stains, tears, or other damages, but they’re an excellent reason to add a new look. There are many varieties available which makes the possibilities endless. Choose a material and color scheme that works for you and simply apply them to your old seats. Fabrics that are comfortable throughout the year are a great idea. Some are even sold in fade resistant varieties. To prevent conflict, measure your seats ahead of time to figure out which size works best.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXmSmuGODEc
The carpeting inside your vehicle can be costly to replace. Floor mats are inexpensive and easy to install than new carpet. This is ideal for those who are working with a set budget. They are available in different colors and materials and offer protection against muddy shoes.
To prevent clutter and an overall messy vehicle, you must be organized. There are many products available to assist you with this goal. To keep CD’s safe, place them in a CD case that is designed for this purpose. A holder that attaches to your visor is idea for those who need an easy reach. To prevent spills from drinks, purchase a drink holder. These are available if you are lacking one in your car.
So, be sure to check out some of these solutions for ways to make your interior look good as new. If you are unsure about how to recondition your interior, or would like some further advice, give Freeman Grapevine a call.
So far, North Texas hasn’t really had much of a winter. In fact, it’s been extremely mild compared to last year’s snow day which dropped 15″ of snow at
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