From our family at Novato Chevrolet to yours, we wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!

Chevrolet Donates 50 Trucks to Red Cross for Storm Relief

Chevrolet today donated 50 Silverado full-size pickup trucks and Express cargo vans to the American Red Cross for use in relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy and other storms buffeting the Eastern seaboard and nearby states.

“It is during disasters like this that we all need to pull together as a country and Chevrolet has a role in that,” said General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. “Making these vehicles available quickly where they can do the most good is something we can do right now.”

GM’s OnStar subsidiary is also supporting the initiative by providing each of the donated vehicles with 300 OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes of hands-free cellular and three months of its Directions and Connections plan which includes turn-by-turn navigation services. Service available via Advisor or by download. The trucks are being pulled from existing inventory at dealerships closest to where they are needed.

In addition to the vehicle donation, the GM Foundation earlier donated $250,000 to the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, which enables the agency to be ready to provide immediate disaster relief anywhere in the country.  The money is used to shelter, feed and meet emotional needs of disaster victims. The money also helps feed emergency workers, handle inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provide blood and blood products and help disaster victims access other available resources.

“The impact of Hurricane Sandy is being assessed up and down the East Coast and even further west, and the road to recovery will be long for many families,” said Neal Litvack, Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross. “GM’s generous donation of vehicles and the GM Foundation’s donation of finances will help the American Red Cross to respond with shelter, food and care, aiding affected residents now and after the storm, as they move toward recovery,”

Anyone interested in providing support to hurricane victims are encouraged to visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make a donation.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year.  Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About the GM Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.>

About OnStar

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology. With more than 6 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China, OnStar is currently available on more than 40 MY 2013 GM models, as well as available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road with OnStar FMV. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

Courtesy of GM Media

See what Jon D. has to say about his recent experience with Novato Chevrolet!

What do you think of this concept? A 2013 Malibu with performance interior & exterior features, an L4 turbocharged engine and a racing-inspired chassis. If Chevrolet decided to push the limits, it would look like this Malibu Turbo concept car.

5 easy DIY car maintenance moves for fall

With autumn's shorter days, cooler temperatures and inclement weather drawing closer, now is a good time to get your car ready for the demands of the coming driving season.

Although some seasonal car maintenance will require the assistance of a qualified car mechanic, here are five, simple do-it-yourself car maintenance projects to make your auto better prepared for fall and save you the labor cost of having these services done by a mechanic.

1. "Wiper blades should be replaced annually every fall," says Tony Molla, spokesman for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence in Leesburg, Va. "You generally use your wipers more frequently in the fall and winter. They'll also be taking a lot more abuse from road grime and windshield-washer solvent, so it's best to have a fresh set then."

Fortunately, replacing wiper blades as part of car maintenance is very easy and requires no tools. They cost from $10 to $20. Be aware that some cars will require same-sized blades for the driver and passenger sides, while others will require a longer blade for the driver-side wiper. So, be sure to consult the in-store sizing guide to buy the right ones. And don't forget to buy a third blade if you own a hatchback, station wagon or SUV, with a wiper for the rear window.

2. "Autumn is also a good time to check your spare tire to ensure that it is properly inflated," says Jim Travers, associate editor for autos at Consumer Reports and familiar with car maintenance. The typical space-saver spare tire found in most cars must be inflated to the inflation pressure listed on the side of the tire. A tire pressure gauge costs $7 to $20.

"Spare tires on pickup trucks and sport utilities are suspended underneath the vehicle on a cable, and that mechanism requires regular attention," says Pat Goss, master technician of PBS's "MotorWeek." Lower and raise that under-car spare to check if the cable mechanism works freely. In fall, spray it with a rust penetrant like WD-40 and then lube with white lithium grease. If the mechanism has seized, repair it immediately.

Tire pressure drops one PSI, or pound per square inch, for every 10-degree drop in temperature, according to the AAA, so check your tires on a weekly basis. The proper inflation pressure will generally be listed in your vehicle's owner manual and/or noted on a sticker located on the driver's doorjamb.

3. "In fall, windshield-washer fluid needs to be replaced with a solvent that is suited for use in cold weather," says Molla. The washer fluid costs $2 to $4 per gallon, depending on the brand and whether it has antifreeze mixed in.

Travers says autumn is also a good time to check your level of antifreeze ($10 to $16 per gallon) in the coolant recovery reservoir. In this car maintenance move, if you find that you are below the required minimum stamped onto the side of that opaque container, add the appropriate quantity of properly diluted fluid to that reservoir and not to the radiator. Make sure that you use the correct fluid because green and orange antifreeze/coolant cannot be mixed.

Checking the brake-fluid reservoir is also a good idea. If the level is low, top it off with the appropriate type of brake fluid ($3.50 to $17 per container, depending on the type). "As your brakes wear, it's normal for the fluid to go down a bit," says Molla. "However, if you notice a bigger decrease, that could be an indication that you have a leak or other issue in the braking system."

4. At a minimum, engine air filters ($11.50 to $53 per filter, depending on brand) should be replaced twice per year as part of car maintenance. So, if you haven't done so already, replacing your car's air filter is a good idea. When an air filter reaches the point where it causes enough of a pressure drop to restrict airflow, the car's fuel economy, performance and emissions begin to deteriorate, getting progressively worse until the dirty filter is replaced.

"Fortunately, it's easy to replace an engine air filter and, again, it's a job anyone can do without tools," says Travers.

5. "Many electrical issues and ignition problems stem from loose or corroded battery connections," says Travers. "If you notice corrosion on the posts or cable connectors, use an appropriate brush ($4 per brush.) This is a very inexpensive, yet handy tool that you can get at any auto parts store. And clean both (posts) completely, and then reconnect everything snuggly and securely."

As part of regular car maintenance, and for safety, make sure all of the car's lights are working; it's important for you to see, as well as be seen, during autumn's longer and darker nights, adds Molla. "Replacement bulbs will typically cost a dollar or two, with the exception of headlight bulbs, of course. They're considerably more expensive, but you can replace them all quite easily on your own without tools and save yourself a hefty labor charge in the process."

Headlight bulbs range in price from $14 to $27 for a single bulb to $25 to $50 for a dual pack.

Courtesy of BankRate

Watch ZL1 engineer Tony Roma and Formula Drift racer Conrad Grunewald demonstrate the latest Chevrolet Driving Dynamics technologies as they hit Willow Springs International Race Track with Corvette and Camaro.

Make sure to visit Novato Chevrolet – and with offers like these, who can resist! Get our free tire rotation with oil changes today!

Climatic Wind Tunnel Puts All-New Malibu Turbo to the Test

Neither snow nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night kept product development engineers from swift completion of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo, arriving this month. The location for all of this torture testing? General Motors’ Climatic Wind Tunnel in Warren, Mich., where all Chevrolet vehicles take on the elements.

On the hottest days of summer, Malibu Turbo, which starts at $27,710, withstood blizzard and hurricane conditions inside the wind tunnel, where the temperature can replicate 40 below zero and the wind can blow 150 mph. Even on the coldest nights of winter, the tunnel’s temperature can easily climb to 140 degrees under 1,155 watts per square meter of simulated sunshine.

At this state-of-the-art facility, engineers take vehicle development and validation testing to the extremes, subjecting powertrain cooling, cabin heating, ventilation and air conditioning   systems to the harshest weather conditions found from Death Valley, Calif., and Denali, Alaska.

The wind tunnel also simulates driving actual roads with real-world weight burdens, such as hauling a fully loaded trailer up a steep incline by applying resistance through the wheels of the tunnel’s dynamometer, a tool that also allows simulated driving speeds of up to 155 mph.

“Testing in the Climatic Wind Tunnel reduces the need to travel to remote locations, which helps save time and money,” said Ben Cruz, GM engineering group manager for thermal testing at the Climatic Wind Tunnel. “Tunnel testing also minimizes the safety risks and traffic interactions associated with testing on public roads, and because the conditions are repeatable, we’re not limited by the whims of Mother Nature.”

Engineers used the tunnel’s blizzard-making capability to test Malibu Turbo’s air induction system, which is designed to prevent snow from clogging the vehicle’s air cleaning system. The system’s torturous path of multiple barriers blocks water molecules while allowing air to flow freely for engine combustion.

Malibu Turbo’s powertrain cooling system was developed in the tunnel and attuned to the car’s specific powertrain heat outputs and airflow characteristics to provide optimal performance even in extreme heat and cold. The system is designed to allow wide open throttle acceleration at egg-frying Death Valley temperatures, and has been validated in that desert location.

Malibu Turbo’s occupant comfort is just as important when the going gets hot. The car’s air conditioning system was tested against tunnel simulations of the high heat and humidity found along the Gulf Coast. This torture test helps ensure that Malibu Turbo’s all-new 2.0L engine delivers the rapid cool-down performance expected of a turbocharged power plant.

Climatic torture testing helps Chevrolet deliver improved quality and durability. Malibu topped the midsize sedan category in a recent third-party quality study, due in part to development work done at the Climatic Wind Tunnel.

“The new Malibu turbo was designed with the things that matter to our customers in mind, like starting on cold mornings and not overheating on hot summer days,” said Jeremy Loveday, Malibu turbo’s program engineering manager. “The Climatic Wind Tunnel helped us place the Malibu turbo in extreme conditions – if the car survives there, then it’ll perform extremely well when customers have them.”

Courtesy of GM Media

Michelle, we are honored to have you as a customer

"I went to Novato Chevrolet last week to get my 2006 Tahoe worked on. I needed a oil change. I thought it was going to be a lot more money than the quick oil change places that I have been to in the past, but was surprised to find out it was only 39.95 for the oil change and they rotated my tires at no charge. I also got a 10.00 dollar rebate that brought the total cost to 29.95. They even washed my car! I was treated like a customer and not a lady that knows nothing about cars. Great job Novato Chevrolet. You have earned my business" - Michelle G.

Click here to read this review and more on Yelp!

 

 

Using your USB port, you can now watch movies with your Chevrolet Spark

Have you seen the amazing incentives from Chevrolet this month? You won't be able to say no!

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Chevrolet Trucks: Building America for 95 years

It started with a simple idea – a few car chassis fitted with hand-built beds to help carry materials around a booming car factory. Before long, millions of Chevrolet pickups were woven into the fabric of a fast-growing country. Chevy trucks tackled the toughest jobs on farms and in the fields, hauled tools and lumber to the burgeoning suburbs and carried families and friends into the wilds for well-earned vacations.

“The legacy that Chevrolet trucks have built over the last 95 years is important to protect,” said Don Johnson, Chevrolet vice president of Sales and Service.  “The best way for us to do that is by delivering the capability and technology our customers have grown to expect, in both our current trucks and in our next generation of full-size pickups."

Here are some Chevy truck highlights:

1918 Chevrolet Four-Ninety Half-Ton Light Delivery “Cowl Chassis”

Although there are indications that some Four-Ninety based trucks were built for internal use in 1916, and that a few even earlier chassis may have been converted to ambulances and sent to France in 1914, the first customer chassis appears to have been built in Flint, Mich., on Nov. 22, 1916, and shipped from the factory on Dec. 2 that year.

Two four-cylinder models marked Chevrolet’s formal entry into the truck market for the 1918 model year. Both were cowl chassis units that came from the factory with only frontal sheet metal. It was customary at the time for buyers to obtain a wooden cab and cargo box or panel van body to suit their purposes.

Priced at $595, the half-ton Light Delivery cowl chassis was essentially a bodyless Chevrolet Four Ninety car equipped with stronger rear springs. Mounted with a pickup box or panel body, it provided an agile and economical light-delivery truck for small businesses popping up across America in the boom following the First World War.

The second model, a 1-ton capacity 1918 Chevrolet “Model T” (presumably for “Truck”) cost $1,125 without a body.  It was based on the FA-series car, and was built on a truck frame that was longer and stronger than the half-ton model.  A 37-horsepower engine gave the larger truck the power to haul heavier loads at a governor-limited top speed of 25 mph.

1930 Chevrolet Pickup

The simple cowl chassis models were replaced in the 1930s by factory-built pickups, which initially came with roadster and closed bodies.  Chevrolet bought the Martin-Parry body company in 1930 and quickly began selling steel-body half-ton pickups complete with a factory-installed bed.

At the heart of these new pickups was a new Chevy inline six-cylinder engine, which soon earned names like “Cast Iron Wonder” and “Stovebolt” for its rugged design.  First produced in late 1928, the new engine had a modern overhead-valve design.  Inline six-cylinder engines became a mainstay in Chevrolet cars and trucks for decades to come.

By the mid-1930s, half-ton pickups with factory-installed steel boxes had become the lifeblood of the truck market, with brands like Mack, Studebaker, Reo, and International competing with Chevy, GMC, Ford and Dodge.

1937 Chevrolet Half-Ton Pickup

In the mid-1930s, as the U.S. economy began to recover from the Great Depression, Chevrolet pushed for leadership in a reviving truck market with what were designed to be some of the strongest, most innovative models produced to that point.

For 1937, Chevrolet introduced new trucks with streamlined styling that many still consider the best designs of the era. The ’37 also featured a sturdier body and a larger and more powerful 78-horsepower engine, among other improvements.

A 1937 Chevrolet half-ton pickup was sent on a 10,245-mile drive around the United States that was monitored by the American Automobile Association (AAA).  Carrying a 1,060 lb. load, the truck averaged 20.74 miles per gallon.

1947 Chevrolet Advance-Design Half-Ton Pickup

In early 1947, Chevrolet introduced its Advance-Design trucks, the first completely redesigned GM vehicles to appear following World War II. Owners of earlier pickup models had asked for a roomier, more comfortable cab with improved visibility and a wider pickup box. They got all of that and more.

Designers sought to make the truck’s styling clean, brisk and attractive. Headlamps were now set wide apart in the front fenders and five horizontal bars made up the grille. The design was produced with few major changes from 1947 through 1953, and was then continued with a new frontal appearance into early 1955.

During the Advance-Design trucks’ run, there was a measurable shift among Chevrolet customers to trucks. Prior to World War II, the production ratio of the brand’s cars to trucks had been about 4:1. By 1950 – the year Chevrolet became the first brand to sell more than 2 million vehicles in a single year – the ratio of cars to trucks was closer to 2.5:1.

1955 Chevrolet Task Force Pickup

By the mid-1950s, the post-World-War II boom was under way, and customers were looking for style and performance even in pickup trucks.  In mid-1955, Chevrolet introduced the all-new Task Force trucks, which shared design language with the 1955 Bel Air, and also offered the new small-block Chevy V8 as an option.

Also new to the 1955 truck line was the Cameo Carrier, a high-styled gentleman’s pickup more at home in a trendy suburban California bungalow driveway than on a farm or in a factory yard.  The Cameo Carrier was only produced through 1958, but it set the stage for new generations of well-equipped personal use pickups, including the El Camino, Avalanche, and Silverado crew cab.

A major engineering advance with tremendous future implications was announced for 1957, when a factory-installed 4-wheel-drive system became available for the first time on select models.

Chevrolet continued to offer the Task Force trucks with annual updates through 1959. During 1958, a new slab-sided Fleetside box option provided an alternative to Chevrolet’s traditional step-side pickup box.

1959 Chevrolet El Camino

The original El Camino introduced for 1959 combined the dramatically finned styling of that period’s Chevrolet cars with half-ton pickup utility. But the excitement was short-lived. After 1960, the El Camino went on a three-year hiatus.

Chevrolet revived the El Camino “personal pickup” concept for 1964, with a new version based on that year’s new mid-size Chevrolet Chevelle. During the ‘muscle car’ era that followed, El Camino buyers could order their truck with a Chevrolet high-performance big-block V-8 powertrain, creating a sport pickup that could “haul” in more ways than one. By 1968, a complete Super Sport package was available.

The Chevelle El Camino enjoyed a devoted following and was produced through two more styling generations (1968-1972 and 1973-1977).  For 1978, the El Camino was successfully transitioned to that year’s new, smaller Malibu platform. The final El Caminos were 1987 models.

1961 Corvair Pickup

Although there had been a number of small pickups prior to the 1960s, the compact car boom that kicked off the decade brought with it a new crop of forward control trucks, including the Corvair 95. With its unitized body structure and rear-mounted engine, the 95 offered a lot of cargo space in a compact maneuverable package. The Rampside model offered a side gate on the right side of the vehicle, which allowed easy access to the low load floor at the front of the bed.  Although clever in design, the Corvair 95 never caught on in the showroom, and in the final model year of 1964, only 851 were sold.

1967 Chevrolet C-10 with Custom Sport Truck Package

It took only one glance at any of the 35 Chevrolet C/K models for 1967 to see that Chevy trucks had a new look that year. The exterior profile, which would characterize Chevrolet C/K models through 1972, featured a lower-silhouette cab and large, rounded wheel openings. The new chassis had coil springs front and rear.

A new-for-1967 Custom Sport Truck package was a trend-setting option that included deluxe, car-like upgrades inside and out. The package could even be ordered in combination with bucket seats.

By 1967, the Federal Interstate Highway System was giving Americans unprecedented access to the nation’s natural wonders and recreational areas. Customers who enjoyed such pursuits appreciated the small-block and big-block V-8 power choices that gave Chevrolet trucks the torque needed to pull trailers up grades, and horsepower to cruise comfortably with a camper at Interstate speeds.

1972 Chevy LUV

In spring of 1972, Chevrolet started selling the LUV pickup on costal markets.  Built by GM partner Isuzu, the LUV featured a 75-horsepower four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission.  Although the specs were modest, the LUV was a fully functioning pickup, with a ladder-style frame, a six-foot bed, and a payload of 1,100 pounds, plus room for two passengers.  Within a few years, soaring gas prices would make compact pickups like the Chevy LUV a major factor in the U.S. truck market, and it wasn’t long before Chevrolet started work on a home-grown small truck.

1982 Chevrolet S-10

The Chevrolet S-10 was the first domestically produced compact pickup, larger than the imported Chevy LUV but smaller than the full size C/K model.  An 82-horsepower four-cylinder engine was standard, with an available 110-horsepower V6 – the only one in the class.  Properly equipped, the S-10 could haul 1,500 pounds, and tow 4,000. The roomy cab and high levels of standard and optional equipment gave the S-10 a broader appeal than that of earlier, bare-bones small trucks, and it quickly became a mainstay of the Chevrolet lineup, appealing to everyone from young customers looking for a first set of wheels to businesses seeking a rugged work truck.

1988 Chevrolet Pickups

Pickup trucks had been slowly migrating from the worksite to the suburbs, and the 1988 Chevrolet C/K pickup accelerated that trend, bringing the aerodynamics, electronics and materials that had revolutionized the automobile over the past decade to the full-size pickup.  Extensively tested to make sure it met the high bar for dependability set by previous Chevy pickups, the new truck also featured advanced aerodynamics for improved fuel economy, including a narrower cab for lower drag, flush side glass, and a sleek front end with integrated lamps.

A full range of powertrains was offered, from a 4.3-liter V6 through a 6.2-liter diesel V8.  To enhance durability, the trucks featured extensive use of galvanized steel for corrosion resistance, and a full welded frame with a boxed front section for strength and rigidity.   Civilized driving characteristics and styling moved full-size pickups closer to being the family vehicles they are today.

1999 Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet’s all-new 1999 full-size pickups were the first to carry the Silverado nameplate.  The new trucks resulted from the most intensive development program yet undertaken by General Motors and they arrived just in time for a boom in truck sales.  The styling of the new Silverado pickups built on the purposeful design that characterized the preceding C/K pickups. Interiors had all the comfort and convenience features personal-use customers were starting to expect.  Power came from a new generation of V8 engines.

2004 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

The 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche pioneered the idea of a light-duty pickup that could comfortably accommodate the family, and the 2004 Silverado took this idea and ran with it. In less than eight years, light-duty crew cabs would dominate the full-size pickup market, accounting for more than two-thirds of all sales, and transforming pickups into a true multi-purpose vehicle for both work and family. Available creature comforts included dual-zone climate control, Bose sound systems, a rear-seat DVD player, OnStar and XM radio. Even with the creature comforts, Silverado maintained the Chevy truck capability.

2007 Silverado

The all-new 2007 Silverado provided significant improvements in performance and fuel economy, while strengthening the capability and dependability Chevy pickups were known for.  It featured a new fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering for improved ride and handling, while new Gen IV small-block 5.3L and 6.0L V-8 engines could deactivate four of the eight cylinders when not needed to save fuel.  Safety advances included StabiliTrak electronic stability control and head-curtain side airbags for enhanced occupant protection.

2013 Chevrolet Colorado

Just as full-size pickups have become the lifeblood of the American economy, midsize pickups are important vehicles for businesses and families in many countries outside the United States. Chevrolet’s new global mid-size Colorado pickup is designed to help expand the Chevrolet brand into many of the world’s fastest-growing markets.

Developed under the direction of a truck-savvy team from GM do Brasil, the inaugural version of the global Colorado was launched in Thailand, the world’s largest market for midsize pickups, in November, 2011.  Over the next several years, Colorado will be introduced into many global markets, including the United States, where it will offer a more fuel efficient alternative for customers who don’t need all of the capability of a full-size pickup.

Courtesy of GM Media

Welcome back to the work week fans! Here is a Monday maintenance tip for you!

Top Off Your Brake Fluid

• Check brake fluid monthly. Wipe dirt from the master cylinder lid before you open it. If you need fluid, add the type recommended by your car’s maker. Never substitute other fluids, such as transmission or power-steering fluid. And don’t use brake fluid from a previously opened container. Once exposed to air, brake fluid absorbs moisture and contaminates easily.

Rolling hills and changing temperatures can affect the MPG in your Volt. Watch this video to see how you can achieve the most MPG by using electricity more efficiently.

When's the last time you had your oil changed? If you are due for one, then take advantage of this great offer from Novato Chevrolet!

Front Bench Takes a Back Seat

When the 2014 Chevrolet Impala arrives next year it will put to rest a fixture of automobiles since the days of the horseless carriage – the front bench seat. The outgoing Impala is the last passenger car in production in North America to offer three-across front seating, an option that that ends with the introduction of Chevy’s redesigned flagship sedan.

The passing of the front bench seat into automotive history is expected to transpire without notice from many car buyers. Only one in 10 Impala buyers chose the $195 option last year on the LS and LT models. For many of today’s car buyers, front bucket seats are the norm – a trend that General Motors designers expect will continue.

“A lot of people prefer bucket seats because they’re sporty, even in models that aren’t sports cars,” said Clay Dean, GM director of design. “Our customers also appreciate having the center console as a convenient place to store their phone and other personal items.”

The first Chevrolet ever manufactured, the Series C Classic Six of 1911, featured a front bench seat. Chevrolet will continue to offer bench seats on pickup trucks and sport utilities.

The need for six-passenger sedans is largely being met today by SUVs or crossovers, such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Traverse, which offer seating for up to eight.

“There is certain nostalgia for bench seats, like being able to snuggle up with your date at a drive-in movie, and some customers still like them,” Dean said. “You never know, we might see bench seats re-emerge someday, possibly in very small cars like the EN-V urban mobility concept vehicle, in which the feeling of open space may be very desirable.”

Courtesy of GM Media

Don’t you want to keep your car running smoothly as long as possible? Well here is a Monday maintenance tip to help extend the life of your car.

Don’t Try to Carry too Much

• Never exceed your car’s roof load specifications or weight limits. You can find them in your vehicle owner’s manual. Check the weight limitation of your roof rack as well. Typically the range is from 150 to 200 pounds (68 to 90 kg). That’s the equivalent of eighteen 8-foot 2 x 4s (2.4-meter 38 x 89s) or three sheets of 3/4-inch (17-mm) plywood. If you have to deliver a heavy load from the home or garden center, consider having it delivered. It will save wear and tear on you as well as your car.