Winterize your Buick Or GMC

Maintenance and Service, , , ,

You may have never heard of the term “Winterization” before. RVers and Boaters are well aware of this term, but drivers aren’t really so much, especially here in Texas where our winters are especially mild.

However, something tells me that this year Dallas and Fort Worth are going to see a fairly cold winter and there are certain thing you should do to prepare for the colder months. There are a number of things that can go wrong with fluids, belts, hoses and wipers among other things, when the weather gets cold.

Check out the video below for some good tips on how to get your car ready for the winter, or “winterize” your Buick, or GMC. It goes over the winterization process in good detail.

Now some of this winterization you can do on your own, but it’s probably better to bring it into your Buick GMC dealer, Freeman Grapevine so you know that all of your fluids are being changed properly and as well as saving you a ton of time if you need to change out any hoses or belts. If you have any questions about the winterization of your Buick or GMC, give Freeman Grapevine before it gets too cold and you are left stranded in the cold.

Fort Worth, what’s your opinion on “checkpoint” apps?

Uncategorized, , , ,

Every year, there are thousands of DWI related accidents, injuries and deaths on Texas highways. In Dallas and Fort Worth alone you are bound to see one or two stops that you know are alcohol related. Did you know that there are DWI phone Apps out there that a night help drivers avoid speed traps and DWI check points? That is to say, an application for your smart phone, be it Blackberry, iPhone or whatever. Do you think that the apps are designed to help drunk drivers avoid getting caught, or are they a way to keep people from driving drunk altogether? I think the jury is still out on this.

I guess the bottom line is that if you just don’t drink and drive, you’ll have nothing to worry about and you can that that $1.99 you are going to spend on that App and put it towards something more useful…like taking a taxi.

Freeman Grapevine, your Dallas Fort Worth Buick GMC dealer is curious to know what you think about using technology to potentially avoid a DWI check point. The police, by their own admission want you to know that they are out there, so they could care less if there is a phone app tipping you off of their location, but you may feel differently. Do you think that these apps help, or harm drivers?

 

Freeman Grapevine Is Donating To Cook Children’s Health Care System

Just for Fun, , , , ,

Hopefully it should take a motivational event to spark the spirit of giving in people. However, all it takes sometimes is for a community business to remind people that there are always people that need your help through a simple donation drive. Well, that’s exactly what Freeman Grapevine is doing. From now until December 31st, we will be donating $1 for every new fan that “likes” the Freeman Grapevine Facebook page to Cook Children’s Health Care System. Trust me folks, those $1 bill add up and all you have to do to secure your donation is to follow the link above and like our page. Our donation goal is $1,000 which should be too hard with your help!

It doesn’t take much to participate, in fac you can make your donation in less than 30 seconds.

About Cook Children’s

Cook Children’s Health Care System is a not-for-profit, nationally recognized pediatric health care organization comprised of eight entities – a Medical Center, Physician Network, Home Health company, Northeast Hospital, Pediatric Surgery Center, Health Plan, Health Services Inc., and Health Foundation.  Based in Fort Worth, Texas, the integrated system has more than 60 primary and specialty care offices throughout North Texas.  Its service region includes Denton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise counties, with an additional referral area encompassing nearly half the state.

Cook Children’s traces its roots back to 1918, but throughout its continual change and robust growth, it still embraces an inspiring promise – to improve the health of every child in its region through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury.  To live up to this promise, Cook Children’s combines the art of caring with the use of leading technology and extraordinary collaboration to provide exceptional care for every child, every day.  For more information, please visit www.cookchildrens.org.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Hb_aVFL5o&list=UUxEyrzSbfOZVSgL2FLAKsww&index=7

Again, it doesn’t take much time to make your donation. I’ll be posting through out the month with stories from Cook Children’s that will hopefully inspire you to give a little of your time to help the kids at Cook. Remember, it costs you nothing and you have a chance to help Freeman Grapevine raise $1,000 for kids who need your donations immediately.

2013 GMC Acadia Denali

GMC, , ,

One of GMC’s more popular luxury family vehicles is the GMC Acadia. The 2013 GMC Acadia debuted at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show with a new nose, revised/softened sheet metal and a redesigned rear end. An industry first center airbag is new, as is the Side Blind Zone Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems. New wheels, a standard rear-view camera and a softer, more sophisticated interior are part of the redesign as well.

Taking it one step further, GMC has gone as far to instruct their engineers to make the new Acadia as comfortable as possible, taking it as far as designing some of the most comfortable arm rests in the industry.

The 2013 Acadia is an eight-passenger family car, so comfort is a crucial factor in its success. And it goes deeper than soft suspension and large seats. The engineers have created resting places that considered angles, dimensions and the right materials to achieve maximum comfort. In their quest they came up with 16 places for resting the sensitive elbow bones.

That’s some real attention to detail there!

The only way to really understand the amount of thought that went into the re-design of the 2013 GMC Acadia is to come and test drive one for yourself at Freeman Grapevine. I promise, you’ll never drive a more comfortable family vehicle.

 

Dallas Fort Worth Buick Verano With Peyton Manning

Buick, , , , ,

I’m a big sports nut, for those of you that know me, you are well aware of that. I think that’s probably why I like this new 2013 Buick Verano commercial with Peyton Manning calling “audibles”. He’s using Buick’s/OnStar Voice recognition system to access information in real time. Of course, aside for it being a pretty funny commercial, the new 2013 Buick Verano has a ton of modern features that make it a front runner in the compact sedan class. It’s a solid vehicle with degree of luxury that is hard to find in any car at the Verano’s price point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2URz_fApsC0

Here’s a behind the scenes look at Peyton’s commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hRoY-hP58Y&feature=endscreen

The voice activation system is an amazingly progressive feature of the new Verano, but it’s just one of many that it has to offer. The only way I can really explain to you how wonderful the 2013 Buick Verano is, is to come into Freeman Grapevine and test drive one  for yourself.

Shopping For A Used Car In Dallas Fort Worth

Used Cars, , ,

With the holidays just around the corner, there are thousands of anxious teenagers crossing their fingers and hoping that they might get the ultimate present this year…a car of their very own!

Now we know, that most cars parents buy for their children, and even those kids who work hard all summer and are ready to buy their first car, probably aren’t going to purchasing a new Buick, or GMC. However, buying used is certainly going to make that dream car more in their reach.

What’s the first step in buying a used car in Dallas Fort Worth? Make a check list and follow it. There are a few things that you are going to want to discuss with your kids, dealer and financier.

1. Think about purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle. A certified pre-owned vehicle generally can be purchased with the manufacturer’s extended warranty and have had a complete inspection.
2. Make sure the vehicle suits everyone’s needs. If this vehicle will be a family car, bring everyone along to take a test drive to make sure everyone is comfortable in the car. If you have small children, bring your child safety seats to make sure they fit and can be easily installed.
3. Purchase a vehicle history report and have it inspected by a qualified mechanic. By following both of these suggestions, you can may avoid unexpected issues later on.
4. Look into promotional programs. Many manufacturers offer incentives when you purchase their used vehicles. Ask your local New Jersey used auto dealer for more details.
5. Look into financing before hand. Before purchasing your vehicle, look into interest rates to be sure you are getting the best rate you can find. Check with your dealer, bank or credit union.
6. Negotiate on the price of the vehicle. When purchasing a vehicle, you should negotiate based on the total price of the vehicle rather than on what you want your monthly payments to be. Your monthly payments can always be lowered, by extending the life of the loan.

Now the best part is that when you’re ready to buy a used car, I just happen to know a great place that has an amazing selection and the best customer service in DFW. Swing by Freeman Grapevine anytime and ask for David Parrish, I guarantee that he’ll take great care of you and get your in a reliable vehicle you can be proud of.

Noisy Front End, You May Need A Wheel Hub Replacement

Maintenance and Service, , , , ,

If you have a noisy front end suspension, shaking steering wheel or hear a low growling noise you may need to have your hub bearing assembly examined and replaced. Let me say right off the bat, that this is not something you should ignore, or let go. We want you to know that if you do, it can cause further damage and a possible catastrophic failure of your steering system.

Before assuming that you have a hub bearing assembly problem, you’ll first want to verify the source of the noise. Often noise can be caused by newly paved or uneven roads, tire pattern or uneven tire wear caused by other suspension issues. This makes diagnosing a faulty hub bearing assembly tough sometimes.

What exactly is a hub bearing assemble? It’s basically bearing mounted inside the hub which is attached to the axle and keeps the wheels spinning smoothly.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpdghLj6AhE

A worn, or faulty hub bearing assembly is nothing to take lightly, as it could result in the loss of steering, a total separation of the wheel which will result in an accident. If you are hearing any noise coming from your front end and you aren’t sure what it is, we suggest that you bring it in to us, Freeman Grapevine, for further diagnosis and inspection.

Fort Worth: Looking to upgrade your Car Audio…Start here first.

Just for Fun, Parts and Accessories, Tips and HInts, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

First, before you even open that Crutchfield catalog, you need to learn the basics of reproducing a clear and sonically well-rounded aural environment in your vehicle. To dumb that down, “How do I make my Car Stereo sound better?”

There’s no doubt that cars play a significant role in almost everyone’s lives. Everyday, people spend hours and hours inside their cars whether driving to and from work, running errands or simply being stuck in traffic. What’s the first thing you do? If you are anything like me, you hit the radio for some entertainment. I can’t drive 10 feet without getting the tunes going in my car.

So who should I thank for the hours of refocusing the days events while I use my car as an entertainment bubble? Well, that honor goes to the Galvin brothers who developed the first radio used in cars in the 1930s, drivers around the globe can now listen to music while on the road. Forty years and billions invested in audio technology later, the Galvin brothers system is still being used along with its different features to make drivers and passengers’ driving experience better.

So, what do you need to understand about car audio before you go Mod crazy and start buying 1,000 watt power amps and 15″ woofers? Well, in actuality, your first car audio system can be quick and easy upon taking into account a number of factors that will determine a great outcome. First set a budget and research your brands. Check Consumer Reports for accurate and unbiased reviews. Blaupunkt, Pioneer, Bose, Denon and Kenwood are the more popular brands. Then you’ll want to consider all the functions you expect to get like the capacity to play MP3s and CDs. There are hundreds of options, layouts, controls and features available in the modern car receiver/deck, so figure out what you’d like to have. For example, do you need a line in to connect an MP3 player of some kind? Will it play MP3 CDs? Is there a hard drive for music storage? Nail these questions down before you start shopping.

Now this is actually the trick part: choosing the right speakers. What are the right speakers, you might ask? Speakers come in three types including the loud speaker, tweeters and the subwoofer. Loud speakers are for middle sound ranges and while being able to resonate a wide range of sounds, it is only able to do so in a limited manner. This is the reason it needs the other types. Mid-range is the tonal frequency that allows the music to be heard with clarity and cleans up some of the muddy nature of Bass heavy tracks.

Tweeters are small speakers that produce high notes. This is the very top end of the sound. It’s the top end that makes the sound “shimmer”. Tweeters make it possible for high notes to be heard in a fuller and clearer tone.

The third type is the subwoofer that allows for the lower sound range to be emitted. Bass as a tone is omnidirectional,so the bass feels as if it is surrounding you. Tweeters and Loud Speakers are, for the most part, mono-directional, meaning the sound quality will change hen moving left or right from dead center. Beautiful bass and clear baritone can be attributed to the subwoofer.

One other important thing to remember is the fact that your vehicle isn’t wired for extreme audio upgrades. Here is a good video to watch to educate yourself about audio wiring:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p82xRzCr-lc&feature=youtu.be

Like in purchasing anything of significant value, research can prove very helpful.  Check the numerous online shops that offer car audio systems and the different deals available. Reviews and tips from others who have purchased and used the same products can be very helpful. Pay particular attention to reviews that aren’t the glowing reviews, they are usually the most objective and honest.

If you have any questions or are looking for an audio system upgrade for your car, then don’t hesitate to give us a call…we can really help turn your vehicle to a rolling entertainment center.

Veteran’s Day Should Be Every Day

Uncategorized, , ,

Veteran’s Day was yesterday and your Dallas Fort Wroth Buick GMC dealer, Freeman Grapevine wants to extend our warmest “Thank You” to all of the men and women who have served in our nation’s military with honor and pride.

The thing to remember is that it shouldn’t take a National Holiday for you to recognize the sacrifice that so many have made in order to secure our freedom and liberty for threats both overseas and stateside. Their job could possibly be the hardest in the world…and they volunteered to do it. They put themselves in harm’s way so you and your children hopefully won’t have to. For that, EVERY day should be Veteran’s Day.

Never forget that when you wake up in your comfortable bed, somewhere a soldier is waking up in a sleeping bag in the middle of a country that isn’t his own. When you kiss your kids goodbye before you go to work, you know that only 8 hours separates you from seeing them again. Where as when a soldier kisses his or her child goodbye before going to work, they won’t see them again for another 6 months.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bKG6ERsg50&feature=g-vrec

Remember, every day should be Veteran’s Day. If you see, or know a vet, shake their hand for their service. It’s the very least you can do to honor their sacrifice.

A Multi-Million Dollar Garage Nice Enough For Texas

Just for Fun, , , ,

Now we all know the slogan, “everything is BIG in Texas”. Well this garage is big, but it’s not in Texas, it’s in Arizona. However I wanted to share it with you, because not only is it a multi-million dollar garage, but the cars that is houses are simply amazing.

You’ve gotta respect and admire a guy who loves his vehicles this much to construct a garage that is amazingly unique and a design marvel. Never mind that he has a 1 million dollar Bugatti, or an array of other vehicles, including a Barracuda worth approximately $2 mil. This garage is a fantasy garage, with leather clad walls and touch screen information centers.

Check this place out!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M0-xrF2kpA&feature=colike

Now I’m sure that somewhere in Texas there exists a garage that might rival this one, but I has yet to hear about it. I mean, let’s get serious here, a turntable that’s both functional and for show? That’s pretty extravagant.

Have you seen or heard of another garage that can rival this one? If so, show it to us! Freeman Grapevine loves stuff like this. I know it’s almost obnoxious to have a space like this, but at the same time, this multi-million dollar garage is certain worth all of the jaws it’s dropped.