Developing a Maintenance Schedule

Keeping your GM vehicle maintained is less costly than a major repair. Small problems only become bigger when they are left unattended and can lead to expensive towing charges, repair bills and poor performance. To maintain your car, you should always follow your owner's manual instructions, as it is full of information that applies directly to your vehicle. For your convenience, however, here is a universal maintenance schedule that you might find additionally helpful.

Once a week or at each fill-up

Check your oil, water, wiper fluid, engine coolant/antifreeze level and tire condition and pressure.

Monthly check

Inspect transmission fluid and brake fluid, windshield wiper blades and power steering fluid. Review condition of belts, hoses and battery cables.

Every six months or 6,000 miles

Check the brake system and inspect and/or rotate tires. Review condition of clutch system (manual transmissions) and chassis lubrication.

Once a year

Have under-body flushing performed and service engine cooling system (which should include inspecting the radiator, water pump, fan belt, thermostat(s), radiator cap and antifreeze). Check accelerator control system, and lubricate doors, locks, hinges and parking brake.

15,000 miles

Inspect automatic transmission. Change auto transmission fluid and filter.

30,000 miles

Change spark plugs and fuel filter, inspect spark plug wire, check engine timing.
This schedule is a sample of the maintenance inspections and services required for many cars and trucks. It is not meant to replace the schedule provided in your owner's manual. Always refer to your owner's manual to achieve the best performance from your vehicle.

Note: In some cases, automakers do not advise tire rotation. Check your manual to find out when wheel alignment and wheel balancing are necessary.

This Week's Vehicle Maintanence Tip

Preserving your car during long-term storage
 
If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.

• Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
• Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
• Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
• Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
• Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
• Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickle-type charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
• Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.

Who's Your Favorite Maher Chevrolet Employee?

Happy Friday, fans! Today we want to know: who is your favorite sales person or employee that works at our dealership?

Throwback Thursday: Like a Rock Edition!

Happy Throwback Thursday, fans! Today we've discovered this Chevy truck commercial from 1992, which features the classic Bob Seger song "Like a Rock." Did you know this song was used in Chevy truck commercials for more than ten years? It's still one of the longest-running advertising campaigns in history.

Another 5 Star Review on Cars.com!

Check out this brand new 5 star review that we just received on our Cars.com page!

"My Equinox needed an oil chance and a software update. The service was completed in a timely fashion and the waiting area was clean, comfortable, and well appointed. I'm a small business owner, and I feel like Maher Chevrolet understands that my time is valuable."

You can read even more reviews by heading over to http://bit.ly/195ezqq.

Chevy's Model Year End Sales Event!

Don't forget that Chevrolet has officially launched their Model Year End Sales Event! This could be the last chance to get the 2013 Chevrolet you want as we begin to make room for the 2014 models, which means great offers for you! To check some of the great specials we have to offer, visit our website at http://bit.ly/1abWM0x.

Corvette Stingray Most Efficient Sports Car on the Market

The 2014 Corvette Stingray will deliver up to an EPA-estimated 17 miles per gallon in the city, and 29 mpg on the highway, making the new Stingray the most fuel efficient sports car on the market as no other car offers more than 455 horsepower and greater than 29 mpg highway.

“The Corvette Stingray establishes the benchmark for modern performance cars by using technologies to deliver more performance and more miles per gallon,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer for the Corvette. “We expect more and more performance cars will follow Corvette’s example.”

The EPA estimate of 17 city and 29 highway is for the Corvette Stingray equipped with an all-new, seven-speed manual transmission. The estimate reflects an average of fuel economy in both the default “Tour” mode, which delivers 28 mpg highway, and driver-selectable “Eco” mode, which delivers 30 mpg highway. For Stingrays equipped with the seven-speed manual transmission, Eco mode enables Active Fuel Management, which disables four of the cylinders for improved fuel economy during light engine loads.

For Corvette Stingrays equipped with the six-speed automatic, Active Fuel Management is active in all drive modes until the driver engages the manual-shift mode using the steering-wheel paddles. Fuel economy estimates for Corvette Stingrays equipped with the six-speed automatic will be finalized soon.

The highway rating represents an 11-percent increase in fuel economy over the previous Corvette, while the all-new 6.2L LT1 V-8 delivers 455 horsepower, a 6-percent increase over the previous Corvette. The LT1 delivers 460 horsepower with the available dual-mode exhaust.

By comparison, the Porsche 911 Carrera S delivers 400 horsepower, and an EPA-estimated 27 mpg highway.

Sports cars with more than 455 horsepower typically offer significantly lower highway fuel economy estimates than the Corvette Stingray. For example, the Jaguar F-Type S offers 495 hp and 23 mpg highway while the Audi R8 V10 offers 510 hp and 19 mpg highway.

Sports cars that deliver more than 29 mpg highway based on EPA estimates typically deliver significantly less engine output. For example, the Porsche Cayman offers 30 mpg and 275 hp while the BMW Z4 sDrive28 delivers 34 mpg and 241 hp.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall, with a convertible following by the end of the year.

Silverado Strong

Chevrolet dedicates the new Silverado anthem, "Strong," to you, the hardworking, honest and dependable men and women that make the Silverado what it is. Grammy award-nominated Will Hoge lends his voice in a nod to those who are "Silverado Strong." To hear the track, watch the video below!

Today's Workaholics Day!

Did you know that today's Workaholics Day? If you had to come into work today after celebrating the 4th of July, we feel your pain.

Chevrolet's "Independence Day Celebration!"

Chevrolet is excited to announce their 2013 "Independence Day Celebration," which takes place from today until the 8th! Because what's a better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a new Chevy? To see some of our current specials, visit our website (http://bit.ly/WymXJd), or visit our dealership during this celebration for even more smoking deals!

John Legend's Inspiration

As John Legend and Chevrolet team up to reintroduce the all-new 2014 Impala, John took some time to discuss the musical legacy he was born into, how he draws inspiration from the city he loves, and his appreciation for the way the new Impala takes an iconic classic into the future.

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala

The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Impala has advanced safety features to keep you safe, rich chrome & available woodgrain accents so you feel at home, and smart storage throughout the cabin. All this, plus the available Chevrolet MyLink radio and an EPA-estimated 29 MPG highway, make it the total package.

Another 5 Star Review on Cars.com!

Check out this brand new 5 star review that we received on our Cars.com page over the weekend!

"I have been looking since January to trade my old car for something new. Other car companies basically laughed and only offered me tiny car with a $ 600 payment. I brought my car to Maher and was not only able get a better car (brand new), but a lower car payment."

You can read even more reviews by heading over to http://bit.ly/195ezqq.