Tag Archives: freeman grapevine

Learn the Importance of your New Car’s Air Intake System

Maintenance and Service, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The safety, security, and performance of your new Buick, GMC or other brand is crucial if you desire to travel without fault.  In order to ensure that each of these elements are at their highest quality you must ensure that you are constantly maintaining every element of your new car or truck.

The problem is that many people will neglect to follow up on common vehicle problems unless these problems hinder the operation  of their vehicle.  This is the worse thing you can do.  A problem which may seem small right now could erupt into an even larger scale problem that could ultimately cost you a great deal more money than if you would have corrected the issue when it first was revealed.

One problem that many people attempt to avoid dealing with is issues with their vehicles air intake system.  If you remember one thing about this article it should be this:

“The air intake mechanism in your vehicle can’t be ignored!  Ignoring this element could cause additional damage to your vehicle and could also render it useless.”

What Can Happen If I Don’t Repair Or Replace My Damaged Air Intake System?

Deposits can accumulate on air intake valves, fuel injectors, and combustion chambers.  When this happens, your vehicle could lose power and be rendered useless.  You could also experience a misfire, knocking, or a rough idle.   Finally, you may have a very hard time starting your car.

What Do I Do If I Am Experiencing Issues With My Air Intake System?

If you are experiencing issues with your vehicles air intake system you should immediately stop driving the vehicle and immediately correct the issue.  You can attempt to clean the air intake mechanism on your own, or you can take your vehicle to a trained specialist who can repair and clean or replace your vehicles air intake mechanism for you.

The good news is that a new air intake system is inexpensive and can generally be replaced with little effort.  Even if you choose to carry out this task on your own, you will quickly discover that it is a very simplistic process.  Additionally, you will quickly be pleased with the manner in which your vehicle will operate once you have cleaned, repaired, or replaced your damage system.

Here’s a fun little video to show you how easy it is to clean your new car’s air intake system: (Yes, I know the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car.)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDHFm-4QFvs

If you have any more questions about your air intake system, just call or visit Freeman Grapevine. Remember, having a clean and properly functioning air intake system is paramount for your Buick, GMC or any any other brand to function efficiently.

Driving In Snow And On Ice In Texas

Tips and HInts, , , , , ,

Driving in snow and on ice in Texas isn’t necessarily an experience we get every year, but when we do, we generally react the same>>>SNOW!!! PANIC!!! When we only have the opportunity to test your driving skills in this type of inclimate weather, if we’re lucky, just a few times a year, so it’s always a bit of a shock when you have to drive in it again.

Your best bet for surviving our sporadic winter weather and snowfall is just stay home, but if that isn’t an option, you are going to need a refresher course on what you should and should not do when driving on snow and ice.

Here’s a refresher course for the southerner driving on the unfamiliar snow and ice packed roads of Texas:

What are some of the paramount things you should do when confronted with driving in snow?

  1. watch your speed
  2. don’t make any sudden movements (over-braking, over-steering, over-acceleration)
  3. wear your seat belt
  4. stay home if at all possible

This week we had our first snow of the year. It very well could be our only snow of the year, but if it isn’t, at least now you’ve had a quick little refresher course. Just remember to keep your speed down and your braking light. The ice and snow tend to amplify any moves you make and can make a mistake even worse. Also, be aware that not all ice is necessarily visible, so be very careful, the time for guessing about road conditions certainly isn’t when you are trying to navigate treacherous interstates, highways, streets and roads.

If you have any questions or comments about driving in the snow in Texas, don’t hesitate to post them or call your local Buick GMC dealer, Freeman Grapevine, for advice or service.

 

Plano Police Officer Hides Money In A Ticket For Expired Registration

Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

Let’s face it when we get pulled over it’s because we were breaking a traffic rule of some kind and not because the police have to meet a quota, or that you didn’t deserve to be pulled over. In fact, I’m going to share a story about a Plano Police officer who gave more than just a ticket for an expired registration, he gave the man $100 along with it.

The officer, who didn’t want to be named, simply said that the man he ticketed “needed it more than he did”. That is an amazing example of someone, not only doing their job, but being a good human being to boot!

Here’s the story:

I think everyone should take a hint from this officer. Be kind. It’s a simple philosophy. That doesn’t mean you have to give money, or time, or whatever…it means simply, “Be Kind”. The next time you see someone trying to merge in front of you, let them in with enough space, so you don’t stress them out. Give someone the parking spot you were in line for. Let the person who “really” got to the stop sign first go…and these are only car related ones! Think of all of the good Karma you will have if you make “Being Kind” one of your daily virtues…that’s how your Freeman Grapevine operates!

 

Remember, We Are Donating to Cook Children’s Health Care

Uncategorized, , , ,

Yes. I already wrote a blog entry about our $1 per fan donation to Cook Children’s Health Care Foundation, but is one blog really enough? Of course, not…100,000 blogs aren’t enough to get across how important places like Cook Children’s are!

I’ve already heard amazing stories of survival and received heartfelt “Thank You’s” for holding the simplest fund raiser we could. But ,you know what? Every dollar counts. Every pair of eyes that reads this counts. Every person we get to our Facebook page counts, because without the support of the community, places like Cook Children’s Health Care System would struggle to make ends meet.

I know what you are thinking, but the insurance covers…I’m going to stop you there. This isn’t about insurance, it’s not even really about money, it’s about people. It’s about kindness. It’s about hope. Freeman Grapevine understands how important these things are to the Mother’s and the Father’s of these children. We understand that these families are stronger and more courageous than you could imagine. We want you to understand that too.

As much as we all wish that every baby was born healthy, that every child was cancer free, that every child’s lungs and hearts were without flaws, they aren’t and that’s why we need places like Cook Children’s. That’s why we need you!

If you haven’t already, take a moment “like” our page and show your support for one of Texas’ greatest health care systems on, or before December 31st.

Thank you for your support and your time.

Personal Safety And Awareness Tips For Being In Your Car

Uncategorized, , , , , ,

You never know when and where your personal safety might be threatened, or may be the victim of a crime. One prime location is in a parking lot of local stores. Just getting in and out of your vehicle can be dangerous if you aren’t paying attention. It can be just one person who accosts you, or it could be more. Do you know what to do? When you leave a store are you instantly looking for suspicious people. Maybe someone hanging around the lot, or worse, your car? Even before then, did you notice anyone in the store you were just at who may have been following you?

I’m not trying to scare you. Quite the contrary, I want you to start paying attention. This time of year we are all preoccupied by other things…especially if we are shopping for the Holiday season. It’s very easy to ignore everything around you and that includes potential dangers like lurking criminals, or criminals of opportunity.

So what can you do when leaving a store and going back to your Buick, or GMC? Take a look at the video below for some helpful tips.

It is difficult to predict behavior, but easy to PAY ATTENTION to it, especially with all the paths of communication these days. In every case where a crime or theft has been committed, there have been warning signs, clues, and outright threats that go ignored.

If you feel nervous, or threatened alert a security guard, or police officer. Around the holiday season, patrols are usually heightened and there are more officers in and around stores. Remember, the people who are victims of crime are the people who are not alert, or prepared.

Freeman Grapevine wants this to be the best Holiday Season it can be, so take a little extra care this year and use your better judgement when you are carrying armfuls of bags out to your vehicle.

If you have any stories or tips you can share about ways of staying safe this year, please share write them in the comments section below.

Texas Law Allows For Arrest On Minor Traffic Offenses

Uncategorized, , , , , ,

This is, in fact, true. A police officer in Texas can arrest you for minor traffic offenses excluding speeding. Sounds strange, huh? When I heard this from a lawyer friend of mine, I was left scratching my head thinking that this couldn’t be true, but I did a little research myself and found that this is true. The case is Atwater vs. Lago Vista, 99-1408. I found an article from ABC news which confirmed that in 1997 Gail Atwater was arrested for not wearing her seat belt:

The officer arrested Gail Atwater, handcuffed her hands behind her back and took her to the city police station. A friend looked after her children and her pickup truck was towed away.

Texas law allows police to make arrests for routine traffic violations, except for speeding..

From my understanding, Atwater sued the city under the pretense that her Constitutional rights, specifically her Fourth Amendment Rights were violated. However:

The high court majority rejected her argument that police should not have arrested her for a crime that would carry no jail time.

“The arrest and booking were inconvenient to Atwater, but not so extraordinary as to violate the Fourth Amendment,” Justice David H. Souter wrote for the majority.

So, for all of you Texas drivers out there, it pays to be nice to the attending officer if you get pulled over for something other than speeding. Don’t have your seat belt on? You can be arrested. Run a stop sign? You can be arrested.

Now, that being said, you probably aren’t going to be held for a minor traffic violation, that is as long as you just follow the rules and don’t make that officer’s job any harder than it already is. Remember, they never really know what type of situation they are going into, even on a routine traffic stop. They have one of the most dangerous jobs you can have, so just go with the flow be nice.

What do you think about this story? Do you agree, or disagree?

 

The 2014 GMC Sierra Has Been Launched

GMC, , , , , ,

If you’ve been waiting for the new 2014 GMC Sierra, your wait is over! The craftsmanship is  better. Attention to detail, interior craftsmanship and quality appointments make the all-new 2014 Sierra a cut above other trucks with:

  • Durable, soft-touch instrument panel materials and door trim
  • Aluminum trim on instrument panel, steering wheel and center console
  • Contrasting stitching
  • Available All-Terrain model with carbon fiber-styled seat trim and red stitching

Sierra’s cabin is engineered to provide you and your passengers with a quiet, comfortable experience. Features contributing to cabin quietness include:

  • Triple door seals block outside noise
  • Shear body mounts that improve ride by tuning out vibrations
  • Improved aerodynamics which reduce wind noise
  • A valved exhaust system that reduces engine noise
  • Hydraulic powertrain and body mounts

Style meets substance inside the 2014 Sierra. From the exceptional storage space in the center console, to comfort and convenience features, Sierra truly has no peer. Features include:

  • A center console big enough to store hanging file folders, laptops and much more
  • Dual-density seat foam that holds its shape longer and keeps you comfortable
  • Larger controls that are easy to reach and read
  • USB ports and 12V charging outlets
  • Available 110V power outlet
  • Improved rear seat legroom
  • Locking under-seat storage on SLE models with front bench seating

Come and check Freeman Grapevine on the availability of the 2014 GMC Sierra. This new design is really a cut above all other Sierra competitors. You are really going to want to check out the 2014 GMC Sierra as soon as it hits the lot.

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?

 

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.