Hey, it happens, even to all of us here at Southtowne. You’re driving along, focusing on the road ahead, and you might not even notice it until you drive over it.
Bam, you just hit a pothole. It might have sloshed your coffee, or made your CD player skip. So, what do you do? Probably, quietly curse the pothole, maybe even shake an angry fist in the rear-view mirror, but then you just go about your day. What you might not have realized is that hitting that pothole could have caused serious damage to your car.
First off, what exactly is a pothole? Well, as roadways freeze and thaw, some of the water erodes the dirt beneath the surface of the road. Then the asphalt will start to crack and chip away. This leads to small holes in the road, and they will eventually turn into potholes.
How can potholes affect you? Well, you could notice immediate damage via a flat tire or long-term damage could start to affect your alignment and steering. Pothole damage accounts for an enormous amount of insurance claims every year, so you should look for any signs of damage as soon as possible.
If you have aluminum rims, they might become bent or warped if you hit too many potholes, and they just can’t withstand the impact that older, steel rims can. If you hit a deep pothole, it could chip away some of the rust proofing on the undercarriage of you car, and you will want to get that repaired as quickly as possible.
The biggest problem will have an effect on your steering and shocks. If you notice that your car starts to pull in one direction or the other when you let go of the steering wheel, your alignment is probably off. If you notice that your drive is becoming a little rougher and you can feel every little bump in the road, those potholes might have messed up your shock springs.
If you’ve recently hit a pothole and you think there might be something wrong with your Buick, GMC, Chevy or Cadillac, then bring it into the Southtowne General Motors Superstore, and let us take a look at it. You don’t want to continue driving, as you can exasperate the issue.
It has been said that only two things are inevitable, Death and Taxes. Well, I’m going to add a third inevitability: you are going to have a difficult time with travel without a reliable car. Okay, that was stretch, but you understand what I mean. If you don’t own a Southtowne car, life can be just that more difficult.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to purchase, own and upkeep a brand new, fresh off the lot vehicle. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t own a reliable used vehicle. In fact, when you decide to buy an Atlanta used car, you are already taking a step in the right direction. The major benefit of buying a second-hand car is its lower price. The moment a vehicle leaves the lot as a “new” car and is driven on the streets, its value drops immediately. That’s just the way it is, although some automobiles are driven for only a few years, their prices are considerably less than the exact same car sitting on a dealer’s lot.
If you are a savvy Atlanta used car buyer, finding a car that has just come off lease is an excellent way for you to get more car for less money. In fact, you are going to have more choices, with more of the options that would probably be way out of your budget if you bought the car new. Having more choices means you won’t have to settle for an inferior vehicle or one you just can’t learn to love.
Okay, so you’ve saved cash just because you went the used car route. How else can you save? Good question.
In Georgia, (as in every other state) you have to have insurance. You are responsible, at bare minimum, to carry liability insurance. On a new car, fresh off of the lot, your coverage is automatically going to be on the higher end of the payment spectrum. A used car will help keep some of the insurance costs down. This is a good thing, especially with gas prices continuing to climb.
The bottom line is that when looking for a new car, it doesn’t have to really be new…just new to you. Doing some serious research and conferring with your dealer about your budget and what you’d like to have in your driveway will not only save you money and time, but you’ll have a car you can be proud of. More importantly, you’ll have a car you can rely on.
If you have any questions about buying a used vehicle: What you should look for, what your should expect etc., give me a shout at the Southtowne General Motors Superstore.
Atlanta Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC owners, it really is time to change your cabin air filter. If you are scratching you head right now because you didn’t even know that your car, or truck had a cabin air filter, then you really need to read this and watch the video below.
Now keep in mind, not all makes and models have cabin air filters, take the 2005 GMC Canyon for example. It doesn’t have a cabin air filter. However, many do, and it should be changed once a year.
So where is the cabin air filter? First call your Atlanta GM dealer to find out if you’ll be searching in vain. If your model Buick, GMC, Cadillac, or Chevrolet has a cabin air filter, it will more than likely be behind your glove compartment. Consult your owner’s manual for information on how to get access behind your glove compartment.
Using online resources, like YouTube are also incredible information sources, and you may find what you are looking for there as well.
Although it’s an easy do-it-yourself project, if you’d like to have your cabin air filter changed without having to go through the hassle of doing it, then just call Southtowne to set up an appointment. We can change your cabin filter and take a look at your air intake filter and fluid levels as well.
First, I never really understood how people can actually run out of gas while driving. I can understand having a broken fuel gauge or something, but apart from that, I’m still perplexed how it happens. Regardless of my understanding, it happens and since I’m here to offer solutions, I’ll skip trying to figure out the answer to the title question and give you some obvious solutions.
Let’s see, one easy solution to this problem is to have a friend of family member bring you some in a can specifically designed for gas…this is a no-brainer, right? You’d be surprised what people try to put gas into. No, a milk jug will not work, in fact it is ILLEGAL to transport fuel in anything other than a receptacle designed for it.
Another way is actually getting gas from another car. If you’re stuck on the side of the road, and you can get a buddy or a family member with a full tank to meet you, you can transfer gas from their car into yours in a matter of minutes.
How do you do that?
The only thing you’ll need is an automotive fluid pump. This can be purchased from a local auto parts store. It’s a good idea to go ahead and buy one now and keep it in your trunk just in case. It will be worth its weight in gold should you need it (let’s hope you don’t).
Once your buddy/brother/sister/mom/dad/Santa Claus shows up, have them pull along side you so your cars are lined up where the gas tank inputs are facing one another. Make sure both cars are turned off (this shouldn’t be a problem with yours, obviously) and remove the fuel caps on both cars. Follow the directions that came with your fluid pump and you’ll be back in business in no time.
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, SIPHON GAS WITH YOUR MOUTH!
Watch the video below and see the very dangerous fumes you’d be ingesting.
See, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…You should be up and running now. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to swing by Southtowne, or post your comments here.
Over the past 4 years, we’ve seen fuel prices skyrocket, yet for the most part the fuel consumption of our vehicle has nominally decreased. There is still an imbalance in regards to the gallons used vs. miles driven. It will catch up one day, certainly, or our modern vehicles will simple become too expensive to drive. So how do we get more miles per dollar? The performance of a new car is always related to the amount of fuel consumed by it. However, a new car’s performance can be increased in certain ways without negatively effecting the gas mileage of a car. Given below are few tips from autoblog.net:
Performance chips: Computer chips that operate most new cars these days keep track of how much horsepower and torque can be displaced. Using performance chips or recalibrating the current chip used in a car can help in increasing the torque and horsepower to a great extent.
Cold air Intake: Power of a car engine can be increased if the temperature of the air that enters the car can be reduced. An under the hood modification in the form of cold air intake can help in this. Such an enhancement also beautifies the engine bay by making it colorful and attractive. Such a unit will also make an appealing sound.
Reusable air filters: Throughout the life of most of the cars, about 6 to 12 auto air filters are used without facing any problem, but when not in use most of them end up at the landfills for waste materials. Even though reusable air filters cost thrice as much as normal air filters, they are washable and last much longer than the regular ones. In fact, when you buy a reusable air filter for your car, it is actually the last one you will be ever buying for it. These air filters help you to increase acceleration and horsepower, besides having a very positive impact on the environment.
Performance exhaust systems: Another way to unleash horsepower, trapped up torque, and improve the overall automotive performance is by using “catalyst-back exhaust systems” (cat-back) for cars. Such a system installed in a car reduces exhaust back pressure by using low restriction performance mufflers and large width exhaust pipes while keeping all the important emission parts in their proper place. In addition to better performance, the exhaust system emits awesome sound.
Check out this video for enhanced fuel performance:
Southowne doesn’t see the cost of fuel coming down anytime soon, but if you want the advice of an expert to help increase your new car’s performance, just call the Southtowne General Motors Superstore.
GMC has just revealed the new 2013 Acadia and Acadia Denali at the Chicago Auto Show. The Southtowne General Motors Super Store has really been anticipating this next generation Acadia. The New Acadia builds upon the success of the original, which, incidentally, had a record year in 2011. From what Southtowne has heard, the new Acadia was well received by the media, and will no doubt be well received by our Southtowne customers looking for a great new car in Atlanta.
Less than perfect credit these days has become a fact of life. With the current state of the economy, there are many who have been hit hard and had their good credit rating nearly obliterated. For new car buyers and some dealers alike, bad credit is a virtual “The Scarlet Letter”.
I’m here to let you know that it might not be as bad as you think. There is a lot of misplaced anxiety when it comes to trying to get a new or used car. First, you shouldn’t feel bad or self-conscious if you don’t qualify for a standard or good credit car loan. The bottom line is that it’s been a tough several years and there are many more people with a bad credit score looking for loans than you’d think. In fact, almost a quarter of Americans have bad or poor credit. The “bad credit” bus has a lot of passengers. Thanks to this fact, there are actually several companies that could provide you with an auto loan regardless of how bad your credit is.
What should you do first? How about a little research on your credit ranking. Check your credit history annually for reports which are not yours or are certainly not accurate. Since those false reports would decrease your credit score and increase your loan percentage rate, it is worth your time to look at your credit report. You can get a free credit report once a year thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.
Now, how much can you really afford to cover? Remember, these are regular monthly payments. Make sure you have enough for a down payment. Try using this loan calculator to help figure out your monthly payments: car loan payment calculator.
Before you drive to Southtowne, be prepared, as if you are ready to actually submit a car loan. Have your most up-to-date paystub from your current job, or proof of some other regular monthly income.
Now comes the fun part, when you get your car loan and enjoy the car you wanted, start getting your credit back on track. All you have to do is pay your credit and loan payments on time. It really can be that easy. Here’s just an extra word of advice: Don’t apply for every credit card that arrives through the mail. As a matter of fact, do not get one in any way.
To seek help from the right people to get your very own car with the best deals, you can always swing by and talk to us. Our guys at Southtowne are credit experts and can not only get you a car, but also be the first step in getting your credit back on the road too!
At Southtowne, we’ve see first hand the effects of what you are about to read. I haven’t written about this subject before and was giving it some thought the other day as I saw a large group of motorcyclists out for a Sunday ride. I thought to myself how many times, as I was driving, that a motorcycle either crept up on me, was in my blind spot or I flat out just didn’t see him because I wasn’t thinking about the possibility of a bike near my driving space. It’s more than once, I’ll admit to that.
One thing as drivers that we are all responsible for are the safety of our fellow travelers. That includes, most importantly, cyclists who are often the victims of careless driving from a passenger vehicle. Remember we share the road. We are responsible for controlling every lane change we make, every short stop we make and especially the safety of others on the road.
I did a little research into it and this is what I found at trafficsafety.org:
Two-Vehicle Crashes Facts
In 2006, 2,537 (51%) of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle while in motion. In two-vehicle crashes, 79% of the motorcycles involved were impacted in the front. Only 5% were struck in the rear.
55% of all fatalities in motorcycle crashes in 2006 involved another vehicle in addition to the motorcycle in the crash.
In 2006, there were 2,226 two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle. In 40% (883) of these crashes, the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle. Both vehicles were going straight in 582 crashes (26%).
93% of all two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in which the motorcycle operator died, occurred on non-interstate roadways.
In 2006, 51% of all two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in which the motorcycle operator died, were intersection crashes.
In two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle, in 40% of the crashes the other vehicle was turning left when the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.
Now folks, these stats are 6 years old, their numbers, I can only assume, have increased. We all know that motorcycles are far less crash-worthy than closed vehicles. They are also less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and less stable than four-wheel vehicles. Operating a motorcycle requires a different combination of physical and mental skills than those used in driving four-wheel vehicles. Motorcyclists and their passengers are more vulnerable to the hazards of weather, traffic and road conditions than drivers in closed vehicles. So please keep this in mind when you are changing lanes, making turns, or God forbid, using your cell phones while driving (it’s better you don’t do this last one for all of our sakes). Thank you for your continued safe driving in your Atlanta car.
An often overlooked, but an extremely important component in keeping your engine running smoothly and efficiently is your air filter.
At Southtowne Motors, we see a lot of need for air filter cleaning, or replacement. It can be hard to adhere to a specific time or mileage figure when a cleaning or change needs to occur, because the life of the filter depends on how much dirt and grime it ingests. We have seen filterers that last 20,000 or even 30,000 miles on a vehicle that’s driven mostly on expressways but those same filters may last only a month or two in a rural setting where the vehicle is driven frequently on gravel roads. Changing your air filter annually, or every 15,000 miles for preventative maintenance may be a good recommendation for the city driver, but not its country cousin.
Regardless of the mileage or time, a filter should be replaced before it reaches the point where it creates a significant restriction to airflow. Interestingly, a slightly dirty filter actually cleans more efficiently than a brand new filter. That’s because the debris trapped by the filter element helps screen out smaller particles that try to get through. But eventually every filter reaches the point where it causes enough of a pressure drop to restrict airflow. Fuel economy, performance and emissions begin to deteriorate and get progressively worse until the dirty filter is replaced.
If you think that your car could be performing better, or you don’t seem to be getting the gas mileage you believe you should, it might be time to change your air filter. Call Southtowne if you have any questions or need any assistance.
There’s a new face here at the Southtowne General Motors Superstore. It’s the 2012 Chevy Sonic. According to Chevy’s website, the Sonic has 1.8 liter 4-cylinder turbo Ecotec engine that cranks out 138-hp at 6,300 rpm and generates 125 lb-ft of torque at 3,800. Did I mention that it gets up to 35mpg? Or, that is starts at just over $14,000? No? Well here, forget that the new 2012 Chevy Sonic is going to turn a few heads and forget that it’s affordable for everyone. The new 2012 Chevy Sonic is nothing short than “super”. Don’t believe me? Check out the video below that will be airing during Super Bowl Sunday. If you thought that your car was special, just take a look at what the Chevy Sonic has already done in the ad below:
Atlanta, come and test drive the new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic at the Southtowne General Motors Superstore…and no, we will not be doing a bungee test drive. Well, not unless you really, really want to.
My name is Steve Mader. I've been in the automotive industry for over 30 years and have held numerous dealership positions before I began working at Southtowne in 1992. I have a real passion for community service, and that includes the automotive community. I figured that after 30 years I could possibly share 1 or 2 things I've learned along the way. I hope you find my articles informative, educational and entertaining.
By Steve Mader
