2012 Chevrolet Suburban at Rapid Chevrolet Cadillac

by Holly Johnson

For over seventy-five years the Chevrolet Suburban has gone through many changes from 1936 when it was a 2 Door panel truck to current day with a smoother body frame and 4 doors with all the upgrades of the 21^st Century.  The Chevy Suburban has come a long way from an inline six cylinder engine with 90 horsepower to the current day engine choices of a 5.3L V8 with 320 horsepower or 6.0L V8 with 325 horsepower both are coupled with a 6 speed automatic transmission.  This makes hauling that boat to the lake for the weekend a piece of cake or even driving the family around town, a comfortable enjoyable ride.  With an SUV that can work just as hard as any full size truck why would you look at anything else?  With new changes to the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban isn’t it worth a look to see what it can offer you?  Even if you purchase a new or used Suburban you will be making yourself a great investment in the long run.

The 2012 Chevy Suburban holds up to nine people, some full size vans don’t even hold that many or you can easily convert the cargo space to provide 137.4 cubic feet of room for whatever you need to haul.  When it comes to fuel economy, space, and amenities, the 2012 Suburban has a leg up on the competition be it the Dodge Durango, Buick Enclave, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia.  The 2012 Suburban also offers over 8,100lbs. of towing power when properly equipped.  Kelly Blue Book named the 2010 Suburban “Top 10 Family Car”.  In 2011 the Chevy Suburban was “U.S. News and World Reports” top two pick as being an affordable large SUV.  With the beginning of 2012 there is no doubt that the award winning Suburban will continue to top the “best of” charts.  With a low MSRP of $41,335, the 2012 Chevy Suburban is a truck based SUV that offers supreme value to buyers.

In spite of the 2012 Chevy Suburban’s truck based platform and being a workhorse functional SUV it has a modern sophisticated interior that outshines the bland design of other utilitarian vehicles.  The refined cabin is loaded with plush features giving the Suburban’s interior a contemporary look that sets it apart from its other large SUV competitors.  With each of the different trims available each one has different features such as Bluetooth, full power accessories, satellite radio, rear seat audio controls, heated outside mirrors rear parking sensors, tri-zone manual climate and remote vehicle start just to name a few.

No matter the changes the Chevy Suburban has endured it has still managed to last through history as being one of the longest made SUV vehicles on the market.  With the ability to haul anything from a boat the size of a small studio apartment to the kids Soccer team wouldn’t the 2012 Chevy Suburban be the ideal fit for you?  If you can’t afford to purchase a new Suburban even a used model will be a good investment for your present and future.

2012 Traverse Break Down from Rapid Chevy

by Holly Johnson

Americans are always ready for change be it a job, a new place to live or starting a family so the fact that the average American family has 2.6 kids shouldn’t be surprising but what if you have the Brady Bunch as a family?  Well you’re in luck then because the 2012 Chevy Traverse can hold a family of eight comfortably and still has room to bring the groceries home too.  Edmunds ranks the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse 3 out of 23 Affordable Midsize SUVs which they based on analysis of 26 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Traverse as well as analysis of reliability and safety data.  Why not go down to your Chevrolet dealer and check out the Traverse and take the family for a spin?

If you’re constantly on the move and your mobile device is your best friend the Traverse has features you’ll love.  OnStar Remote link mobile app lets you start your engine and lock or unlock your doors remotely from your IPhone or Android operating system.  You can check your fuel range, tank level, as well as remaining oil life or connect remotely to OnStar.  You can even schedule service making it easier to get that oil change scheduled using MYCHEVROLET to find the nearest Chevy dealer to book your appointment.  You can even use the app to call for roadside assistance, check what the warning lights and indicators mean or for some of those who lose their vehicle at a busy shopping center you can set a reminder of where you parked.

Before purchasing any vehicle you want to know it’s going to offer safety that will protect you and your family with whatever Mother Nature wants to dish out.  The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse will put your mind at ease.  Antilock disc brakes, traction & stability control, front seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for all three rows is standard on all 2012 Chevrolet Traverses as well as OnStar.  In Edmunds brake testing a Traverse LTZ was able to stop from 60mph in 130 ft, a Traverse LT with smaller tires was able to do it in 135 ft.  In government crash tests, the Traverse earned a top five-star rating for overall performance, with four out of five stars being given for overall front-impact protection & five stars for overall side impact protection.  The Traverse also aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, where it received the highest rating of “Good” in all frontal-offset, side-impact & roof-strength tests.  

So not matter if you have a Brady Bunch sized family or a smaller family the 2012 Chevy Traverse will be able to accommodate you all.  With safety features, plenty of room, & accessories that make managing everything a piece of cake isn’t it worth it to check out the 2012 Chevy Traverse to see what it can offer you & your family?

Chevy wins two Edmunds.com True Cost To Own Awards®

To choose the winners of its 2011 True Cost to Own^® Awards², the team at Edmunds.com gathered data on every 2011 vehicle on the market and estimated the five-year cost of owning each. After comparing every vehicle, Chevrolet came out on top twice: The 2011 Equinox and the 2011 Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab pickup.

“The 2011 Chevy Equinox is a stylish and comfortable entry in the highly competitive small-crossover segment,” Edmunds.com says. “RAV4 and CR-V shoppers should take notice.” They also note Equinox’s “premium look inside and out,” quiet cabin with tons of storage, and highly fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine³.

For the Silverado, Edmunds.com says: “Notably improved with added capability, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is an excellent choice for a heavy-duty truck.” Some of the highlighted features are “impressive hauling and towing capabilities; refined and quiet ride; solid build quality; responsive steering; comfortable seats.”

The True Cost to Own^® takes multiple factors into account. The Total Cash Price includes MSRP, typically equipped options, and other standard charges, taxes and fees. Depreciation is the amount by which the value of a vehicle declines from its purchase price to the estimated resale value. Insurance and financing are based on a well-qualified purchaser.

Importantly, the calculation also includes fuel, based on revised EPA ratings, assuming 45% highway and 55% city driving, and maintenance and repairs. Maintenance is the estimated expense of both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including replacing tires and other parts.

So what do the numbers on the motor oil mean?

1. The API service rating – this is a two letter rating that basically tells you the type of engine the oil is for ie gas or diesel and the quality level

2. The  next is viscosity grade for example 5W-30. This is the thickness of the oil. Water has a low viscosity and something like molasses would have a very high viscosity.

3. The last bit of information may be there or not bus basically tell you whether or not it’s “energy conserving”

Viscosity is ordinarily expressed in terms of the time required for a st­andard quantity of the fluid at a certain temperature to flow through a standard orifice. The higher the value, the more viscous the fluid. Since viscosity varies inversely with temperature, its value is meaningless unless accompanied by the temperature at which it is determined. With petroleum oils, viscosity is now commonly reported in centistokes (cSt), measured at either 40°C or 100 °C (ASTM Method D445 – Kinematic Viscosity).

a SAE 30 motor oil is the same viscosity as a 10w-30 or 5W-30 at 210° (100° C). The difference is when the viscosity is tested at a much colder temperature. For example, a 5W-30 motor oil performs like a SAE 5 motor oil would perform at the cold temperature specified, but still has the SAE 30 viscosity at 210° F (100° C) which is engine operating temperature. This allows the engine to get quick oil flow when it is started cold verses dry running until lubricant either warms up sufficiently or is finally forced through the engine oil system. The advantages of a low W viscosity number is obvious. The quicker the oil flows cold, the less dry running. Less dry running means much less engine wear.

Multi-weight oils (such as 10W-30) are  made possible by adding polymers to oil. The polymers allow the oil to have different weights at different temperatures. The first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature, while the second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature. Another way of looking at multi-vis oils is to think of a 20W-50 as a 20 weight oil that will not thin more than a 50 weight would when hot.

You may hear people say that they wouldn’t use a 5W-30 motor oil because it is, “Too thin.” Then they may use a 10W-30 or SAE 30 motor oil. At engine operating temperatures these oils are the same. The only time the 5W-30 oil is “thin” is at cold start up conditions where you need it to be “thin.”

Six Good vehicles for Families: Part 6 of 6

2012 Cadillac Escalade

2012 Cadillac Escalade

The 2012 Cadillac Escalade continues to impress. 2012 Cadillac Escalade is the kind of vehicle that could be your great choice if you are looking for a strong car with large capacity. You can begin considering about its exterior and interior design and see whether the vehicle matches your standard and expectation in term of the appearance. It delivers the luxury and elegance that would really fit your lifestyle, along with the comfortable interior parts that would make your travel time more comfortable. This car is the perfect choice for you who often travel in long distance. The wheelbase as the part of the basic elements also provides comfort in dealing with any types of road.

2012 Cadillac Escalade AWD 4dr Luxury – Summary

Brake ABS System: 4-Wheel

Disc – Front

Disc – Rear

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in): 13.0 x 1.2

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in): 13.5 x 0.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³): 108.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³): 60.3

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³): 16.9

Engine

Engine Type: Gas V8

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in): 116.0

Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in): 202.5

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in): 79.0

Height, Overall (in): 75.9

Ground to Top of Load Floor (in): 31.6

Ground Clearance, Front (in): 9

Ground Clearance, Rear (in): 9

Step Up Height – Front (in): 20.2

Step Up Height – Side (in): 20.2

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal): 26

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Capacity: 8

Front Head Room (in): 41.1

Front Leg Room (in): 41.3

Front Shoulder Room (in): 65.2

Front Hip Room (in): 60.5

Second Head Room (in): 39.2

Second Leg Room (in): 39.0

Second Shoulder Room (in): 65.2

Second Hip Room (in): 60.8

Third Head Room (in): 37.9

Third Leg Room (in): 25.6

Third Shoulder Room (in): 61.7

Third Hip Room (in): 49.1

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG): 15 (2011)

EPA Fuel Economy Est – City (MPG): 13 (2011)

EPA Fuel Economy Est – Hwy (MPG): 18 (2011)

Suspension

Suspension Type – Front: Indep torsion bar

Suspension Type – Rear: 5-link coil springs

Spring Capacity – Front (lbs): 3600

Tires

Front Tire Order Code: QST

Rear Tire Order Code: QST

Spare Tire Order Code: ZRS

Front Tire Size: P285/45R22

Rear Tire Size: P285/45R22

Spare Tire Size: P265/70R17

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch – Max Trailer Wt. (lbs): 5000

Dead Weight Hitch – Max Tongue Wt. (lbs): 500

Wt Distributing Hitch – Max Trailer Wt. (lbs): 8100

Wt Distributing Hitch – Max Tongue Wt. (lbs): 1215

Transmission

Drivetrain: AWD

Vehicle

Rear Door Type: Liftgate

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in): 22 x 9

Rear Wheel Size (in): 22 x 9

Spare Wheel Size (in): 17 x – TBD -

Front Wheel Material: Aluminum

Rear Wheel Material: Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material: Steel

Part 1 – Chevy Suburban

Part 2 – GMC Yukon

Part 3 – Toyota Sienna

Part 4 – Toyota Highlander

Part 5 – Chevy Tahoe

Cruze update, Rapid Chevrolet, “it’s all in the value”: July 29, 2011

The Cruze is about more than just affordable price, that has been well advertised by Chevy. It’s about value and performance as well. You get way more vehicle than what you are paying for with the Cruze. With its 4 cylinder engine – it’s a real gas saver, getting 35+ on the interstate. The Cruze is also the only car in its segment that has a 6 speed manual or automatic transmission available. Please forgive the oxymoron but the Cruze is the largest, compact car, with more interior room and trunk space than its major competitors.  The turbo version of the Eco is a torque-e little thing and has all the get up and go you need to pass safely,  accelerate up the on-ramp or just beat someone off the line at the red light. My favorite is safety. Rolling in this car must be like rolling around inside a giant marshmallow. It has 10 airbags! Where are they all? There is the standard front airbags, side curtain airbags, knee airbags and mid section side curtain airbags. If technology is your thing, than so is the Cruze. You can access nearly everything from the Chevrolet Cruze App. (pictures below), certain models have Bluetooth/USB, remote start, OnStar, and all the applications you could want including Facebook status. Before you leave the dealership with your new car, don’t forget to give your service writer your email. That way servicing your vehicle will be worry free. Anytime something is array, even low tire pressure, you will get an email from OnStar and the service department will get ahold of you. Oil changes, tire rotation and all the basic maintenance will also be sent to you in a convenient email. Last but certainly not least, the 2011 Chevy Cruze has a longer power train warranty than its competitors, including roadside assistance and transportation.

Chevrolet Cruze Application for Ipod

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Six Good Vehicles for Families: Part 5 of 6

2012 Chevy Tahoe

2012 Chevy Tahoe

Hybrid seats 8 people. From the information that has been put out on the 2012. It doesn’t sound like it will be significantly different than the 2011 model. In regards to fuel consumption, the Hybrid has made some ground.

Significant changes were made to improve the fuel economy on the 2012 Tahoe. It is the first full-size SUV with a hybrid engine with the standards of 33% fuel consumption. It has a two-hybrid system; driven by an electric motor at low speeds and the 6.0-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management technology. This system also uses regenerative braking. Other changes in fuel economy are a more aerodynamic front, low rolling resistance tires, low ride height and the use of lightweight aluminum on the hood and tailgate.
“All three models of the 2012 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe are remarkably comfortable and sophisticated. The three models – the Tahoe LS, Tahoe Z71, and Tahoe LT. The LS model offers contoured custom cloth seats, and an available split-folding third-row of seats that provides nine-passenger seating capability, a standard eight-speaker audio system and Premium Ride suspension. The Z71 model comes with features like 17-inch on-/offroad tires, 17-inch cast- aluminum wheels, skid plates, a newly available front brush, and a specially designed luggage rack with rear roller guard that makes loading and unloading heavy gear easy. Finally, the LT model features redesigned heated front bucket seats with standard Custom Leather seating surfaces. New second-row buckets that provide comfort and easy access to the rear are available as well.” -allautoreviews.com

Part 4 – Toyota Highlander

Part 6 – Cadillac Escalade

Six Good Vehicles for Families: Part 4 of 6

2012 Toyota Highlander

The 2012 Toyota Highlander is the best crossover for you if you want a seven-passenger wagon that’s cooler than a minivan and cushier than an SUV.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander should be a repeat of the 2011 Toyota Highlander. Available in front- and all-wheel drive and with gasoline and gas-electric hybrid power, the 2012 Highlander will continue to tread a line between minivan and SUV. It may not possess sufficient attributes of either to satisfy committed family types or image-conscious SUV fans. If you’re somewhere in the middle, you’ll find it an astute compromise.

Highlander is relatively easy to maneuver and garage because its body is no larger overall than the typical five-seat midsize crossover. Highlander, however, does squeeze in an available third-row seat. It’s tighter back there than in a minivan, but Highlander’s first- and second-row accommodations are as generous as any midsize SUV’s.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander will return with a choice of four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines and with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain.

The 2012 Highlander Hybrid will return with three unique features: an instrument panel display that monitors the flow of gas and electric power, an “EV mode” switch to lock in electric propulsion for a limited distance in certain low-speed conditions, and an “Econ-mode” switch that maximizes fuel economy by modulating throttle response during acceleration.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander will go on sale in autumn 2011

Part 1 – Chevy Suburban

Part 2 – GMC Yukon

Part 3 – Toyota Sienna

Part 5 – Chevrolet Tahoe

Part 6 – Cadillac Escalade

Six Good Vehicles for Families Part: 3 of 6

Toyota Sienna

2012 Toyota Sienna

The interior capacity of this vehicle model will take up to 7 adult passengers, although you can also remove the middle-section on the second row to enable an extra seat for the eighth person. Aside from a large interior space, you’d also be delighted to know that the 2012 Toyota Sienna is comfortable and provides a lot of room for your luggage.

There are five models available for the 2012 lineup: base Sienna model, LE, SE, XLE, and luxury Limited models. There are two engine choices available for the 2012 Toyota Sienna: four- and six-cylinder engine.  Some of the notable interior features that are impressive for its class include the second-row recliner lounge Seating, dual view entertainment center, navigation system, wide-angle rearview camera, and safety connect telematics system.

There is increased legroom ensure a comfortable ride even for passengers with long legs. Meanwhile, the cargo room has been given a boost to make it suitable for family travel or trips.

www.rapidautogroup.com

Part 1 – Chevy Suburban

Parts 2 – GMC Yukon

Part 4 – Toyota Highlander

Part 5 – Chevrolet Tahoe

Part 6 – Cadillac Escalade

Rapid Prototyping Creates Roadworthy Concept Parts for Volt

EN-V bodies fabricated in 3D Rapid Prototyping Shop at GM Design

WARREN, Mich., July 22, 2011– Whether a futuristic concept like the EN-V or a contemporary family hauler like the GMC Acadia Denali, three-dimensional rapid prototyping accelerates the creative process and reduces the time and money spent on clay modeling and molding of expensive prototype parts.

Designers and engineers from General Motors studios and technical centers around the world are able to see and touch their creations faster and at lower cost because of the digital manufacturing capabilities at the GM Design Center.

Selective laser sintering (SLS) and stereolithography (SLA) techniques allow designers to quickly and inexpensively go from computer models to one-off parts for wind-tunnel testing so more iterations can be tested in less time.  Aerodynamics engineers can put a current production vehicle into the wind-tunnel and skilled trade technicians can quickly swap body parts like bumper covers, grilles, spoilers and mirrors between test runs.

Before the parts are fabricated in the rapid prototyping shop, the computer models are tested for proper airflow using state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics software.  These pre-tested parts can then be replaced much more rapidly and with better repeatability than old-style clay models can be re-sculpted. More time is spent evaluating the changes than waiting for adjustments to be made.  In fact, testing capacity has doubled in the past two years.

“Long before a full-size model or vehicle is built, rapid prototyping helps to improve the accuracy of the one-third scale models that are used for early aerodynamic testing,” said Aerodynamic Development Engineer Suzanne Cody. “Air-flow through the engine compartment and underneath the car is critical to both cooling the engine and lowering drag.”

In the past, modelers would carve a rough approximation of the front structure and the engine from foam or wood to evaluate the air flow through the engine bay.  GM’s 3D prototyping lab can generate a fully detailed model including the engine, transmission, brake lines, drive-shafts, exhaust system, suspension and other components under the car.

“The end result is better correlation of air-flow measurements between the model and the full-size car or truck and fewer expensive changes are needed late in the program,” said Cody. “With the design of components like cooling systems locked in earlier, fewer prototypes are needed and vehicles can go from concept to production more quickly.”

Rapid prototype parts also speed up test track and on-road evaluations.  When 80 pre-production Chevrolet Volts were being built in mid-2009, several interior parts were fabricated by the RP shop and installed directly in the test cars.

“In design, we work with conceptual ideas in preproduction. Early part iteration allows us to get hands on to see what works and what doesn’t at the point where people actually touch the car,” said Checo Pacheco, a lead creative designer in the Branded Component Studio.

Some of the most public applications of RP components to date have been the EN-V personal urban mobility concepts that were featured during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show.  Three body styles were crafted for the EN-V at GM Design studios in Los Angeles; Melbourne, Australia; and Russelsheim, Germany.  The RP shop in Warren fabricated the bodies and many of the components for the demonstration fleet.

“3D rapid prototyping is enabling the designers and engineers at Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac to stretch the creative envelope,” said John Green, superintendent, GM Design Fabrication Operations. “We can bring more attractive, functional and aerodynamic vehicles to market in less time and at lower cost than ever before.”

About General Motors – General Motors (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 202,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 30 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy.  GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

SOURCE General Motors