April is Car Care Month

April is the time to make sure your car is running right

Did you know that April is Car Care month? That means there’s no better time to take care of any lingering issues that may have crept up over a rough winter.

A small investment in repairs or preventative maintenance will keep your car running smoothly and help prevent bigger problems later on. “A thorough vehicle inspection this spring can help keep your car safe and dependable and help you avoid much higher costs down the road in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council.

A few of the items you should take a look at include:

Battery: Almost everyone has been there before. You turn the key, and nothing happens. Maybe you left the lights on, or there’s another malfunction, or your battery is simply a lot older than you remembered – regardless, if your battery doesn’t work, neither does your vehicle. The experts in your dealer’s service department can run a diagnostics check to see how much juice your battery has left and advise you if it needs replacing.

Brakes: Do you hear squeaking, squealing or grinding every time you stop? Have you noticed it taking more and more pedal pressure to come to a stop? It may be time to replace your brakes. Neglecting your brakes puts you, your passengers and everyone else around you in danger. Stop by and let the technicians check the condition of your brake pads, rotors and the rest of your braking system to ensure you have maximum stopping power.

Exhaust: While your exhaust system may not seem as vital as your brakes and battery, it’s still important to fix any cracks, holes or damage. Loud noise and potentially harmful exhaust gases inside your vehicle are associated with neglected exhaust systems, which can also hurt the environment and be simply unpleasant to your neighbors and fellow motorists.

Steering and Suspension: Today’s suspension systems are pretty complex and allow you to travel on even the most treacherous roads in relative comfort. Rattling or clunking or excessive bouncing should be checked by dealership experts. Shocks, struts, springs and other components should be inspected periodically, whether you experience problems or not, to ensure optimal long-term performance.

Tune-up: The traditional tune-up has evolved over the years, but today’s vehicles still need tune-ups. Dealership technicians know your vehicle – and its recommended maintenance schedule – well, and can help you keep it running as efficiently as possible. Remember, a little maintenance now can help prevent major work down the road.

Stop by today and let the factory-trained professionals who know your vehicle best do the right work, with the right parts.

 

Vehicle Profile: 2014 Chevrolet Camaro

Sleeker styling and a new Z/28 model highlights of the 2014 Camaro

For 2014, the Chevrolet Camaro, on sale here at Jack Maxton Chevrolet in Worthington, Ohio, dials up the level of competition in the segment, thanks in part to a slew of updates including revised front and rear styling, improved aerodynamics, available features like RECARO^® performance bucket seats and a head-up display, and, perhaps most significant, the return of the Z/28 model to a lineup that already includes SS and ZL1 variants. Coupe and convertible body styles are available.

Trims: Cool Cruiser to Track-Ready Brute

 

As noted by Kelley Blue Book editors, “Whether you’re a 20-something performance enthusiast seeking a car that boasts loads of power and aggressive looks, or a mid-lifer ready to get your crisis on/relive your youth, the 2014 Camaro offers serious thrills for the money.” Indeed, with an MSRP of just $23,055, the Camaro 1LS coupe packs a punch courtesy of its powerful V6 engine, rear-drive chassis dynamics, and a bounty of standard features that includes 18-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth^® connectivity, and a complimentary 6-month subscription for OnStar’s Directions & Connections^® plan with helpful Turn-by-Turn Navigation assistance.

The 2014 Camaro 2LS and 1LT trims are equipped with premium cloth upholstery, foglamps, power-adjustable front seats, and the Chevy MyLink touch-screen and voice-controlled infotainment system featuring Pandora and Stitcher music apps, smartphone integration and much more. Drivers looking for extra amenities may want to consider the 2LT trim with its standard leather upholstery, head-up display, distinct gauges, rearview camera, 245-watt Boston Acoustics^® sound system, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Camaro SS is available in 1SS and 2SS versions, the former marked by the addition of a V8 engine along with 20-inch alloy wheels, Brembo ventilated disc brakes, and a limited-slip differential. The 2SS trim ups the ante by also adding the amenities found on the Camaro 2LT.

 

Moving the performance needle to even greater heights is the Camaro ZL1, which Chevy has fitted with a vented hood to increase road-gripping downforce, a dual-mode exhaust system that delivers a throaty bark at higher rpm, and a track-tuned chassis that includes GM’s incredibly responsive Magnetic Ride Control^™ technology, the fastest-reacting suspension in the world.

Positioned atop the Camaro lineup is the new-for-2014 Z/28. Using a V8 engine borrowed from the Corvette Z06 and featuring components such as Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix^™ brake rotors, RECARO^® seats, and massive R-compound tires that are essentially street-legal slicks, the Z/28 is quite simply the most capable factory-built Camaro ever offered.

 

Engines: No Less Than 323 Horses

 

In their review of the new Camaro, the editors of Edmunds.com wrote, “No matter which engine you choose, no one will ever accuse your 2014 Chevrolet Camaro of being slow. The V6 is responsive and revs freely, and the exhaust note is pleasingly sporty.”

The V6 they’re referencing is a direct-injected 3.6-liter with continuously variable valve timing. It produces a big 323 hp backed up by 278 lb/ft of torque, all of which is transmitted to the rear wheels via an Aisin^® six-speed manual transmission with Hill-Start Assist or an adaptive six-speed automatic with TAPShift steering-wheel paddle shifters.

That six-cylinder is standard in LS and LT trims, while the SS variants are amped up with a 6.2-liter V8 that puts out 426 hp and 420 lb/ft of torque. The V8 features efficiency-minded Active Fuel Management technology, which allows it to run on four cylinders under light loads to save fuel. In the ZL1, that 6.2-liter V8 is coupled with a supercharger that boosts output to 580 hp and 556 lb/ft of torque. The SS and the ZL1 come with separate versions of a TREMEC six-speed manual with Launch Control or with the six-speed TAPshift automatic transmission.

Finally, there’s the 2014 Z/28. At the heart of this all-new, track-ready Camaro is a hand-assembled LS7 7.0-liter V8 pushing 505 hp and 480 lb/ft of tire-shredding torque paired with a model-specific short-through TREMEC six-speed manual transmission. A standard 10.5-quart dry-sump oil system uses pressurized oil to ensure essential lubrication during high performance driving, and the Z/28 also features a special Performance Traction Management System and standard limited-slip differential. According to Chevy, this version of its iconic muscle car finished a lap of the famous Nürburgring race track, in bad weather, in seven minutes and 37 seconds (faster than some high-priced exotic supercars), and can pull 1.08g’s in corners.

www.jackmaxton.com

 

Take a drive in your Chevrolet – Five Places for the Best Pizza in Ohio

Ohioans love their pizza. Geographically located between Chicago’s deep dish and New York’s thin and crispy, Ohio pizza has a taste all its own. Discover the exclusive pizza Midwesterners are serving in the Buckeye State at these five pizzerias.

Dish it up at The Coccia House in Wooster

For more than 50 years, members of the Coccia family have been dishing up pizza for Wooster residents. Made fresh daily, the pizza dough is smothered with mounds of provolone cheese and quality toppings. As an Italian eatery, the Coccia House also makes its own pasta and sauces. It’s a go-to destination for college students, but the students come back again and again well past graduation. For more information, visit http://www.cocciahouse.com.

Taste blue ribbon pizza at Michael Angelo’s in Kenton

Owner of one of the best pizza joints in central Ohio, Michael Shepherd serves up blue ribbon pizza, and he has the awards to prove it. As a four-time world champion and a three-time U.S. champion, Shepherd knows his pizza. A 48-hour cold rise dough method enhances the crust, which is then baked in an aged soapstone pizza oven. The results bring visitors from hundreds of miles. To learn more, visit http://www.michael-angelos.com.

Stand out from the crowd at Bruno Brothers in Boardman

While Bruno Brothers restaurant in the small town of Boardman already had its regulars, visitors to the pizzeria grew in numbers after USA Today proclaimed its Brier Hill pizza the best in Ohio. The Brier Hill pizza is an old-school deep dish made with several sauces and topped with fried green peppers and Romano cheese. The restaurant is also known for its jumbo chicken wings, served with sides of dipping sauces. Visit brunobrospizza.com to learn more.

Stay for the show at Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza and Live Music in Worthington

If you’re looking for great food, followed by dynamic local entertainment, Natalie’s in Worthington is your place. Coal-fired pizza made with fresh ingredients is accompanied by local talent for an enjoyment-filled evening. Design your own pizza or choose one of the unique items from the menu and then add baked macaroni or an antipasto plate. To learn more, visit http://www.nataliescoalfiredpizza.com.

Whistle while you wait for the white pizza at Capo’s Pizza in Ashtabula

For more than 30 years, the Capo family has been serving local favorites at this Ashtabula restaurant. One of the most-requested offerings includes the white pizza, where the owners leave out the tomato sauce and replace it with olive oil and spices. Visitors design and pick their own toppings, resulting in a white pizza of gooey goodness. Learn more about their other pizzas, pasta dishes and grinders by visiting capospizza.com.

Discover the unique pizza flavors Ohio has to offer. Ohioans have ditched the customary thick-crust Chicago pizza and thin-and-crispy New York pizza to create pizza combinations exclusive to Ohio.

This article is presented by Jack Maxton Chevrolet in Worthington, Ohio http://www.jackmaxton.com 

Car Care: Springtime Check Up

Shake off the dust and rust and get ready for nicer weather

With winter nearly over and warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about getting your automobile back into shape. Cold weather and poor road conditions wreak havoc on your vehicle, both inside and out, so here are some helpful suggestions to get your ride ready for spring.

A thorough exterior and interior cleaning is first on the to-do list. Outside, be sure to give your car, truck or SUV a good wash to remove dirt and debris that has built up over the winter. Those in snowy regions should pay special attention to the undercarriage, where salt and sand can take its toll on metal parts.

Inside, clean out any winter-specific accessories you are carrying, and be sure to check and replenish your first-aid and roadside assistance kits. If you carry items like tire chains or bags of sand or kitty litter in the winter, it can be tempting to just leave them in the trunk or bed until next year, but don’t do it – all that extra weight will cost you money at the pump. According to http://www.fueleconomy.gov, carrying just 100 extra pounds can reduce your mileage by up to two percent.

Pay special attention to your vehicle’s upholstery and carpet to ensure they are free of dirt, stains and salt residue, and make sure you use products safe for the specific type of cloth, microfiber, suede or leather you have. Your dealership can advise you about the appropriate cleaners, stain removers, etc., recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer, and most dealers offer detailing services to quickly and professionally get your vehicle looking great.

Now that winter is almost over, it’s also time to replace your snow tires with your warmer-weather rubber. While you’re at it, check both sets of tires to see if they are ready for another season. Make sure there is adequate tread depth, and look for uneven tread wear that could indicate a balancing or wheel alignment issue. Vibrations felt when driving, and pulling to one side or the other, are also signals that service is in order. Your brakes have probably been through a lot over the past few months, so having a factory-trained technician take a good look at all the components would be a good idea, too.

Next, check your belts and hoses; fluid levels; battery; air, oil and fuel filters; and plugs and wires. Test your air conditioning system to be sure it is blowing cold air, and inspect your wiper blades for winter damage. It’s also a good time to get an oil change.

Regardless of what service you need, stop by and have the factory-trained professionals who know your vehicle best do the right work, with the right parts, for a price that’s lower than you think.

This article is presented by Jack Maxton Chevrolet in Worthington, Ohio.