Get The Most Out Of Your Black Friday Shopping

Whether you were one of the millions of Black Friday shoppers in the U.S. last year, or you are joining in for the first time, being well organized is key. A good plan will help you prioritize and check items off your list. Here are six tips to seize big savings the day after Thanksgiving:

1. Do your homework -  Jot down your gift list so you know what you need to purchase. Then take the very important step of determining your budget. Get a jump on sales by signing up for email alerts at your favorite retailers and liking their Facebook pages.
2. Compare prices, products and deals - Research the normal retail price of the items you want, the best sale price to date, then the best Black Friday advertised price at each store in your shopping area. Keep in mind the best deal isn’t always on Black Friday.
3. Make a game-day plan - By making the list, you can determine where each item you want will be the cheapest and what time the stores are planning to open. Then, you can map out the most practical travel route.
4. Avoid crowds if you can - Many department stores have limited-time offers, or items only available until they are sold out. If your list includes those items, you may feel the need to be at the store early. However, that’s not always necessary. If you don’t have a particular need for hot-ticket items, arrive at the store a few hours after opening to avoid the morning rush. To avoid crowds altogether, shop online. Some big-name stores have specials that will take place online at the same time as they do at the actual stores.
5. Use your smartphone - Instead of carrying lists and advertising flyers for each store, simply install checklist apps. You’ll have all your gift lists and prices in one convenient place. Upload flyers when needed to double-check or dispute prices.
6. Stick to your plan - Be sure not to let the frenzy of the day affect your judgment. Don't buy on impulse or under pressure and decide in advance what you want and what you can afford. No matter how big a bargain something may seem, once you’ve spent your budgeted amount, put the credit card away.

Easy Ways To Guarantee Your Brakes Last Longer

If you recently bought a new car and want to keep it in its best condition, or wish to keep your older model running smoothly, you must take care of the brakes.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 ● Avoid speeding:  Speeding puts more strain on your brakes. A brake at high speed turns energy into heat which damages the brakes. Drive at the posted speed limit and your brakes should last you much longer.

● Do not follow:  Avoid using brakes because the person in the car ahead flashed their brake light quickly. This is hard habit to break for many drivers, so just try and reduce it by learning to coast when these incidents take place.

 ● Reduce all the extra baggage: Try to avoid carrying needless baggage in your trunk. The heavier the car, the more impact it will have on the brakes. So lighten your car as much as possible.

 ● Do not use your left foot: You should only use your right foot on the brake pedal as it will help you avoid simultaneously pushing both pedals and avoid unnecessary brake taps.

● Change the brake fluids: It is critical to change your brake fluids on a regular basis to avoid damage to brakes.  If your car is old, you should consider renewing your brake fluids. When you change the brake fluids, the internal components and the brakes last longer and work better.

Follow these simple steps to brakes that will last longer and work more efficiently.

See all Shottenkirk Chevrolet Service Specials!

 

 

 

Halloween Safe Driving Tips

Help protect trick-or-treaters by following these driving safety tips on Halloween, or on the night your community hosts Halloween activities. Be especially careful between 4 and 8 p.m., when most severe vehicle/young pedestrian collisions happen.

• Drive slowly, and don't pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off children.
   
• Park your mobile phone. Avoid distractions by waiting until you've stopped to call, text, or surf. Get more mobile phone safety tips.
   
• Watch for children darting into the street. Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.
   
• Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don't see your vehicle approaching or don't know how to safely cross the street.

• Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals. And if you have to pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.

And, to keep your own trick-or-treaters safe:

• Teach them how to safely cross streets. They should look both ways and cross only at corners and crosswalks.
   
• Consider indoor community Halloween programs for younger kids. Some communities also offer to help you inspect your kids' treats to make sure they're safe to eat.
   
• Brighten them up. Give them flashlights and glow sticks, and/or use reflective tape on their costumes, so drivers can see them.

2013 Chevy Camaro - Fastest Cars Under $50K

Forbes.com has put out a list of the Fastest Cars Under $50,000. The 2013 Chevy Camaro makes number 5 and is the least expensive out of all those listed!

For the list, Forbes looked at the base Camaro, which is far below the $50,000 maximum. The base 2013 Camaro has a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 323 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm.

Camaro SS models come with a 6.2-liter V8 engine. When equipped with a manual transmission, the Camaro SS generates 426 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm. Automatic models see a small power drop, with 400 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 410 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm. The high-performance Camaro ZL1 carries a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, which generates 580 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 556 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. Chevrolet says that the Camaro ZL1 will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in four seconds with a top speed of 184 mph.

Bottom line any Camaro proves that you don’t have to spend 50K plus to get a really fast car! Check out selection of 2013 and 2014 Camaros.

Keep Driving If You See The Gas Tanker

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back later that day or if you can manage, come back the next day.  As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up the sediment in the gasoline. This sediment in the gas can clog fuel and fuel injectors, which in turn causes poor performance for your vehicle and possibly necessitating nagging repairs.

Top 10 Car Colors In The US

The great majority of people prefer white or black when it comes to their vehicle. This is according to the 2012 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report on the most popular colors for new cars. For a second consecutive year, white tops the list. People tend to think luxury and quality when it comes to black and white.

In the early 21^st century when silver became the color for cell phones, computers and home entertainment systems it was also the most common car color. Then, in the mid-2000s when Apple came out with white iMacs, iPhones and iPods white too gained in popularity in the auto industry.

All colors of today are less flat then decades ago with shimmery and more dimensional color options.

1. White
Makes up 23 percent of the US market

2. Black
Makes up 19%

3. Silver
Makes up 16%

4. Gray
Makes up 15%

5. Red
Makes up 10%

6. Blue
Makes up 7%

7. Beige or Brown
Makes up 5%

8. Yellow or Gold
Makes up 2%

9. Green
Makes up 2%

10. Everything Else
Makes up 1%

Check out all our inventory for your favorite color of vehicle Here

October is Fall Car Care Month!

 

Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, the Car Care Council recommends these four proactive steps to make sure your car is ready for winter driving.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/01/5784448/five-tips-for-fall-car-care-month.html#storylink=cpy

1. Battery – Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather is hard on batteries, so it's wise to check the battery and charging system. Because batteries don't always give warning signs before they fail, it is advisable to replace batteries that are more than three years old.  
2. Heater, Defrosters and Wiper Blades – Check that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are working properly as heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting. Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don't properly clean your windshield should be replaced. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. When changing the blades, be sure to also check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.
3. Tires – Check the tires, including the tire pressure and tread depth. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires lose pressure when temperatures drop.
4. Brakes – Have the brake system checked, including brake linings, rotors and drums. Brakes are critical to vehicle safety and particularly important when driving on icy or snow-covered roads.
   
   Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/10/01/5784448/five-tips-for-fall-car-care-month.html#storylink=cpy