Jack Maxton and Step Up for Stefanie

It was cold and windy but… over 4,500 people made it out to ‘Step Up for Stefanie 5k’ on October 28th. The Ohio State alumni band was loud and proud and the Spielman family was out greeting everyone. Jack Maxton Chevrolet  formed a team and raised funds for the cause. 100% of proceeds go to finding a cure for breast cancer. Below are highlights from the walk.

From the Step Up for Stefanie Team:

GM Helps Find Jobs for Military Veterans

GM’s $250,000 donation to Hiring our Heroes program will fund nationwide job fairs.

General Motors is committed to helping the nation’s returning veterans find meaningful employment. GM and the GM Foundation recently made a contribution of $250,000 to the Hiring our Heroes program, run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation. The program is a national effort to help both returning veterans and their spouses find jobs, as many of these individuals had to put their careers on hold due to long separations and overseas military deployments.

The $250,000 given by GM will help fund at least 20 job fairs for veterans around the country; at these fairs, GM, a GM supplier and a GM dealer will act as sponsoring hosts.

“The best way to thank the men and women who volunteered to serve our country is with a good job when they return home,” stated GM Chief Diversity Officer Kenneth J. Barrett, a retired Navy captain.

“Between this gift and the combined efforts of our GM family, we hope to help more veterans jump-start their new careers in the civilian world,” Barrett continued. “Veterans bring discipline, a work ethic and skills to employers unique to their military training, so hiring them isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.”

Hiring our Heroes was launched in March of 2011; since then, the program has helped more than 9,500 veterans and spouses find jobs, according to the National Chamber Foundation. The Foundation is on track with various partner agencies to host 400 hiring fairs this year and is working to get the business community to commit to hire 500,000 veterans by the end of 2014.

Numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the May unemployment rate among veterans who have served since 2001 was 12.7 percent, significantly higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.2 percent.

“As the auto industry continues its own recovery, we hope to help identify as many jobs as possible within the GM family – including suppliers and dealers – for qualified veterans,” Barrett said. “At GM, we have nearly 5,000 veterans in our workforce today and 45,000 more who are retirees.”

David M. Warner, a Marine Corp veteran, is a perfect example of how valuable these job fairs are. Warner attended a job fair for veterans in Livonia, Michigan; soon after, he began working at the GM Fairfax (Kansas) Assembly as a material group leader in the plant that constructs the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” said Warner. “Many of my fellow Marines are seeking work, and I hope their search goes as well as mine did.”

Another benefit of the Hiring our Heroes program is how employed veterans can relate to those still seeking jobs. “Because military men and women are trained to not brag about personal accomplishments, they sometimes need coaching to sell themselves in the civilian world,” stated Ryan Church, an assistant program engineering manager for the Chevrolet Equinox. Church is also a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. “Veterans can identify when they see and talk to ’one of their own’ on the other side of the table at these job fairs.”

GM is also involved in helping veterans find employment through the GM Talent Acquisition; weekly updates on salaried job openings are sent to state employment agencies, veterans’ groups and outplacement firms.  Additionally, the GM Careers website features a “Veterans” section on the home page that links to the company’s recruiting calendar. As a corporate participant in the Army Pays program, GM ensures that all service member participants will receive a job interview when they apply for a position.

With so many veterans currently struggling with unemployment and many more expected to leave the service in upcoming years, it’s imperative that businesses help these heroes move on with their lives and give them opportunities to provide for their families. GM’s contribution to the Hiring our Heroes program is a significant step in the right direction.

Car Care: Transmission Care

A healthy transmission is crucial for smooth operation

One of the most important parts of your car or truck, and often a part you rarely think of, is the transmission. Proper transmission maintenance, while not necessary as frequently as other routine maintenance tasks, is still an important part of increasing your vehicle’s longevity.

Getting power from your car’s engine to its wheels is the job of the transmission. The gears in the transmission help multiply the torque from the engine to get your vehicle started from a stop, and they reduce the engine speed needed to drive at highway speeds for less noise and fuel consumption. Transmissions come in automatic and manual varieties. Automatic transmissions contain planetary gear sets and hydraulically operated clutches, instead of the foot-pedal clutch found in a manual, to engage the gear that’s needed at any particular time. The hydraulic fluid, and the filter that keeps the fluid clean, are the only parts that need any regular maintenance.

Newer transmissions are sealed to help prevent leaks, and many modern transmissions don’t need any service until 100,000 miles or more. Older transmissions need to have the fluid and filters replaced more frequently. Repairing damage if the transmission isn’t sealed up properly after fluid and/or filter maintenance can get very expensive, so transmission service is a job best handled by your dealer’s service department.

 

The driver-operated clutch in a manual transmission vehicle consists of a pressure plate that squeezes a friction disk against the engine flywheel. Most newer clutches are operated by a hydraulic cylinder that needs to be kept full of fluid, and the reservoir can be easily checked by anyone and topped off if necessary.

The condition and lifespan of the clutch itself is dependent on how the driver uses it. A driver who doesn’t slip or ride the clutch can have it last 100,000 miles or more. Someone who rides their foot on the clutch pedal can overheat it, causing it to wear out prematurely. Replacing a burned out or worn clutch is a difficult job that should be handled by a dealer. The gearbox also contains a thick lubricating oil to keep heat and noise levels down, and this should be drained and replaced according to the recommended maintenance schedule.

For more information about your transmission, and to keep it performing optimally, stop by or contact us today at 1-877-331-1628.

Vehicle Profile: 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

An American icon that’s as versatile and comfortable as it is powerful and efficient

Buyers often judge the capability and versatility of a full-size pickup by the numbers. Not just dollar figures, but power numbers, towing numbers, bed length, how many transmission speeds it has and how many different configurations it offers.

The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 delivers all the right numbers, starting with its five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty – 40,000 more miles of powertrain coverage than you get from the Ford F-150. For 2013, the Silverado MSRP starts at $22,595, $1,075 less than the $23,670 MSRP of the 2013 F-150.

The Silverado offers five trims (WT, LS, LT, XFE and LTZ), three cab styles (Regular, Extended and Crew Cab), three cargo bed lengths (five-feet eight-inches, six-feet six-inches and eight feet) and two-wheel or four-wheel drive. If that’s not enough, Chevy also offers the completely unique Silverado 1500 Hybrid – the industry’s only full-size hybrid pickup. With a 6,100 pound towing capacity, the 1500 Hybrid delivers segment-best fuel economy EPA-estimated at 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

The Silverado offers five powerful and efficient engine choices – a Vortec V6, and four Vortec V8s built on 57 years of V8 research and development and proven over billions of miles of driving. The V8 lineup delivers advanced technologies like Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Variable Valve Timing (VVT), and all non-hybrid Silverado V8s are FlexFuel capable, allowing buyers to run on either gas or E85 ethanol.

The capable 4.3-liter V6 is good for 195 hp and 260 lb/ft of torque. The first V8 is a 4.8-liter with VVT rated at 302 hp and 305 lb/ft of torque. The V6 and the 4.8-liter V8 come with an electronically controlled Hydra-Matic^® four-speed automatic transmission. A 5.3-liter VVT V8 comes in both iron block and lighter, aluminum block versions, both delivering 315 hp and 335 lb/ft of torque. Active Fuel Management allows both 5.3-liter V8s to run on four-cylinders under light load conditions, such as highway driving, for better mileage.

The flagship Silverado engine is an aluminum-block 6.2-liter VVT V8 that cranks out 403 hp and 417 lb/ft of torque. All 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8s are paired with six-speed automatic transmissions featuring powertrain grade braking, a new technology for 2013 that automatically downshifts the transmission on long, steep descents, reducing brake rotor temperatures more than 200 degrees.

Not only is every Silverado engine option powerful, but the 5.3-liter V8 returns an efficient 21 mpg highway in both 2WD and 4WD models and 22 mpg highway in the more aerodynamic Silverado XFE.

In addition to powertrain grade braking, the Silverado 1500 is tailor-made for towing, featuring standard StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control, Trailer Sway Control, Hill-Start Assist and transmission Tow/Haul Mode, and options like Trailer Brake Controller, which is fully integrated with the antilock braking system, a rear-vision camera and the MAX Trailering Pack that enables the Silverado to haul a massive 10,700 pounds. The Silverado also features a maximum payload capacity of 1,937 pounds.

Five available suspension systems give you the flexibility to tailor your Silverado to suit your needs, whether you need maximum on-street performance, off-road capability or serious towing capacity. In all cases, a coil-over shock front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering offer a superior ride and precise handling and control. A fully boxed frame with a hydroformed front section gives the Silverado superior rigidity and strength. Further adding to the capabilities of the Silverado, a GM segment-exclusive automatic locking rear differential is standard on XFE and LTZ trims and available on the others.

The 2013 Silverado builds on nearly a century of heritage by featuring a rugged-yet-sophisticated exterior look that fits in equally at the work site or downtown. A range of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels are offered, as well as 10 exterior color choices. The list of standard and available exterior features on the Silverado is extensive, and includes foglamps, heated outside mirrors, a spring-loaded EZ lift and locking tailgate, and chrome accents on exhaust tips, recovery hooks, door handles and mirror caps.

The Silverado features four interior color and trim combinations and two interior designs; the traditional pickup look or the luxurious LTZ package. While the traditional interior features larger controls and door handles that are easy to operate with gloves, the LTZ has a unique, upscale instrument panel and distinct trim accents. The Silverado boasts standard and available options commonly found in luxury cars including leather-trimmed upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, navigation, Bose premium audio, a rear-seat entertainment system, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, a power sunroof and remote vehicle starting system. If you wish, you can even turn your Silverado into a mobile hotspot with the available Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile. Enjoy dependable internet access for multiple users up to a 150-foot radius from your truck.

An elevated, 60/40-split rear seat with one hand operation comes standard on all Crew Cab models (available on Extended Cab) to help maximize interior cargo and passenger space. Extended Cab rear access doors have 170-degree entry operation for easy rear-seat access.

With all the right numbers for power, efficiency, capability and value, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado is hard to beat. With so many drivetrain and build configuration options and all the latest technology, you can outfit a Silverado exactly to your needs. Visit our showroom today for a test drive of the 2013 Chevy Silverado.

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GM’s History of Design Innovations – Automaker’s groundbreaking design department celebrates 85 years

General Motors was the first automaker to recognize and focus on the importance of automotive design, something taken for granted today. Led by Harley Earl, GM Design was created in June of 1927 to “study the question of art and color combinations in General Motors products.” Earl and his department moved the company to offer multiple colors for models, develop concept cars and, perhaps most significantly, institute yearly model changeovers.

Standing on that kind of history, it’s no surprise that General Motors is a global leader in automotive design today, with 1,900 men and women in 10 international design centers focused on the future and creating “art that moves you,” driven by current GM Design leader and Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn.

“Our global team is united around its passion for designing vehicles that make an emotional connection with customers,” said Welburn. “What was true 85 years ago is still true today: A designer’s role is to create a beautifully executed exterior with great proportions that draw you in, and an interior that invites you into a relationship that develops and grows.”

In recent years, Cadillac and Buick have each undergone design renaissances, and Chevrolet has become a global brand with a globally recognized design language, apparent in such vehicle introductions as the Chevy Camaro sports car, the Malibu midsize sedan, and the Cruze compact car.

Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range went from concept to production in just three years, winning “North American Car of the Year” honors and co-winning the European “Car of the Year” award along the way.

“Our global structure allows us to design more new vehicles and to dedicate more people using the latest technology and tools to bring them to market,” said Welburn. “The diversity of thought, experience, culture and perspective we foster here is unrivaled, and it fuels our creative process.”

Those who make a living handing out automobile design awards have taken notice of GM’s innovations. Buick was named to the “Hottest Brands of 2010” list by the cable network MSNBC, while the new Chevy Camaro won several awards that same year, including “World Car Design of the Year” at the 2010 New York International Auto Show, “Collectible Car of the Year” from the National Automotive History Collection, Kiplinger‘s “Best New Sports Car” award, Ward’s “Best Sports Car Interior” award, and a “Best in Design” distinction from Popular Mechanics.

In 2011, the same year the Chevrolet Volt was named “North American Car of the Year,” the Volt was also named Motor Trend “Car of the Year” and Motor Week “Driver’s Choice Best of the Year.” Also in 2011, the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon was named an Automobile magazine “All-Star,” an “Editors Choice Top 10 Vehicle” of the year by MSN Autos and “Most Wanted” by Edmunds Inside Line.

Most recently, the all-new 2013 Cadillac XTS luxury sedan made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show as the most technologically advanced production car in the brand’s history; the Buick Encore small crossover was unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit; the Chevrolet MiRay concept car won “Best Concept” in the annual Detroit News Readers’ Choice Awards; and the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS compact luxury sports sedan is currently challenging the world’s best premium cars.

Additional milestones in GM’s history include pioneering the concept of “advance design” in the 1930s, making it the first company to use special studio teams to explore engineering and design possibilities. The following decade, GM became the first automaker to hire women designers.

To test drive “art that moves you,” stop by today. Schedule a test drive.