Rocking around a REAL Christmas tree this year? Here's how to get your tree (and your Chevy) home in one piece!

If getting from point A to point B has held you back from gracing your home with an authentic Christmas tree, worry no more!  Keep these simple steps in mind and you'll be rocking around it in no time.

PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE: Ward off scratches and loose pine needs by placing the tree on top of an old blanket in your cargo area

BE PREPARED: If you’re going to haul your Christmas tree on your roof, you must have a roof rack so you can secure the tree to cargo hooks.  Be sure to give everything a steady tug or two before you hit the road so you know it is securely fastened.

TRUCK TIP: Remember that there could be hotspots in the bed of a truck!  If you are using the back of a pickup to transport your tree, be mindful of the damage it might suffer if exposed to the heat of the exhaust pipe.

Got it all strapped in?  Give it a tug once or twice to make sure it’s secure, and you’re on your way!  Remember to use common sense rules such as avoiding the freeway, adjusting for lost rear-view visibility, and keeping your speed in check.  

For the perfect Chevy to haul your Christmas tree this year and for many more to come, check out our inventory online!

Winter Travel Tips

We wanted to share some winter driving tips from the Iowa DOT.  As with most tips some may be considered common sense, but much of the advice below you may not have even considered!

Simple and Quick Tips For Driving On Snowy/Icy Roads:

-- Do not use cruise control.

-- Keep a safe distance from vehicles in adjacent lanes as strong wind gusts could push a vehicle outside its lane of travel.

-- Be aware that ramps and bridges may freeze before other roadway segments.

-- Put a safe distance between your vehicle, and the vehicle a head  in case sudden driving maneuvers are necessary.

-- Take extra care if driving a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, or sports utility vehicle, or when towing a trailer, as these vehicles are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by wind gusts.

-- Your vehicle’s headlights are a valuable asset when driving in winter weather. Turn them on to see and be seen.

-- If your vehicle begins to slide, take your foot off the gas pedal and shift into neutral, or if you have a manual transmission, depress the clutch. While it may be a natural instinct to slam on your brakes, this may cause your vehicle to slide further and result in loss of vehicle control. Tap the brake pedal lightly.

-- If you have an idea that there may be ice ahead (if you see vehicles ahead of you sliding, for example), downshift to a lower gear before you come onto the ice. The lower gear will force you to drive more slowly and give you better control of your vehicle.

-- If your vehicle does begin to skid on the ice, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. This should help to steer your vehicle back on the right track.

-- Do not think you are invincible just because you drive a four-wheel drive truck or sports utility vehicle. Four-wheel drive vehicles have no advantage over other vehicles when it comes to driving on ice.

DOT officials said winter driving is always unpredictable, so be PREPARED for the unexpected. 

Keep your windshield washer full and have good wiper blades so that you can keep the windshield clear.
Keep plenty of fuel in the tank. You never know when you may be delayed or stranded.

Pack a winter survival kit to keep in your vehicle. Suggested items include jumper cables, blankets, candles, matches, water, extra clothing, boots, snow shovel, ice scraper, high calorie non-perishable foods, flashlight with extra batteries, first-aid kit, and sand or strips of carpet for traction.

The best tip for winter driving can sometimes be to stay home! If you crash on a bad road the very least you will be late.

The Eagle Has Landed

The eagle has landed. We repeat, the eagle has landed. And by eagle, we mean the Chevy SS! We only have one in stock, so you know that this car will be driving away quicker than you can say Chevrolet. It has 415 Horse Power, can parallel park itself, and do so much more. Inquire about this ferocious vehicle today!

Contact us at (866) 725-7159! Roger that? Over and out!

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.