Car Care: Why Winter Tires Are Necessary

Even if you don’t get snow, winter tires are important…

Getting out and conquering the weather provides a welcome respite from the winter doldrums, so don’t let foul weather or cold keep you from doing the things you enjoy. A simple yet effective way to get around safely in the colder months is to invest in a set of winter tires.

While not every area of the country experiences snow or even brutally cold temperatures, the fact is that summer and “all-season” tire rubber begins to lose its flexibility and ability to grip the road when the temperature drops below just 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter-specific tire rubber is specifically formulated to perform in colder temperatures, and winter tires also have added features and specific tread patterns to help maximize traction in poor driving conditions. In addition, summer and all-season tire tread patterns are designed to channel away water; when it gets colder, those channels can get filled with snow or ice and slush, creating a dangerous situation. Winter tires feature tread “sipes” – tiny slits in the tread blocks that enable the tires to flex and rid themselves of the snow that packs in when you drive. Even on sheets of ice, winter tires will give you better traction than non-winter tires can provide.

Winter tires are just as important on four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles in order to realize the benefits of the 4WD/AWD system; it doesn’t matter how many wheels are getting power if the tires they wear can’t hold the road. AutoExpress magazine compared two vehicles of the same make and model––one equipped with AWD and summer tires and the other a front-wheel drive model with winter tires––and the FWD/winter tire model simply outperformed the AWD model, specifically because of the difference in tires.

A study done a few years ago in Canada saw accidents drop by five percent when winter tires were mandated, partially due to the fact that winter tires have been shown to help cut braking distances by as much as 30 percent.

Some manufacturers recommend a specific make and style of winter tires for their vehicles. Ask your dealer’s service department for information about what is suitable and/or recommended for your particular make and model.

A pair of proper winter tires can mean the difference between confident winter driving and potential trouble, and it’s not too late to make the switch. There are plenty of affordable choices available, and your dealer’s factory-trained personnel can help get your vehicle ready for anything winter brings.

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

Keep Your Children Busy on Road Trips

Make holiday travel seamless with these tips:

As if traveling for hours to go see your in-laws isn’t torture enough, your young son or daughter may spend the duration of a holiday road trip complaining if they’re not properly entertained. Keep your kids from getting bored in the car with these simple suggestions:

 

• Make a magnet tray. All you need is a baking sheet, some flat magnets and a glue stick. You can magnetize a notepad of paper and markers, or anything else you could imagine. You can also paint a scene on the magnetic sheet before the trip and get corresponding magnets for your kids to play with. For example, paint a barn and a field on the sheet and buy a set of farm animal magnets or stickers (magnets are better because they are removable and, thus, lead to extended play time). Magnet trays are great because utensils will not roll off and onto the floor, causing you to have to turn around and dig under the seats for crayons.

• Create a dry-erase book. A binder, plastic page protectors, and dry-erase markers are all you need to enable hours of entertainment for your children. You can look up printable games or coloring pages on the internet or create your own. Slide the sheet of paper inside the plastic and let your children go to town. The marker will just wipe right off; and not only off of the page protectors — dry erase marker spots are easy to remove from windows and car seats, as well.

• Buy “prizes.” These could be also known as “bribes.” Before the trip, go on a short shopping spree at the local discount store and get a bunch of small toys. Then give one at a time to your children if they are behaving, i.e. no whining, no fighting with siblings, etc. It’s cheap and easy, but it makes for decent motivation for the kids to be good.

• Have a road-trip tracker. If you don’t want to hear a barrage of “Are we there yet?” throughout your trip, a road trip tracker will help. What’s more, it will keep your children looking forward to the next milestone marks you hit on the trip. You can make a road-trip tracker with just a thick piece of ribbon and a clothespin. Mark off a long piece of ribbon into sections based on how many cities or states through which you will be traveling, or by landmarks or time expectations. After you hit the next milestone, your kids will be exciting to see how far they have traveled and how much longer they have left in the car.

• Go back to basics. You can never go wrong with a pillow, blanket and some headphones. Download a book on tape, or a read-along, or just have your kids’ favorite music on hand with their most comfortable aspects of home (their favorite stuffed animals, for example). Chances are they will fall asleep and you will have some peace and quiet of your own for a while.

Holiday road trips don’t have to be stressful. A little bit of preparation can go a long way when it comes to traveling with kids!

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

Vehicle Profile: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado

Setting the standard

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is the “just right” pickup truck for many drivers – drivers for whom the size of a full-size truck feels like too much. The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, available here at Jack Maxton Chevrolet in Worthington, Ohio, is all-new from front to back, top to bottom and even underneath. It’s a reinvention of the midsize truck that delivers unmatched efficiency, capability, refinement and rugged performance.

It begins with the Colorado Base (MSRP $20,120. The standard Extended Cab/long box (six feet, two inches) configuration can be swapped for a Crew Cab/short box (five feet, two inches) or Crew Cab/long box setup, instead. The long box can accommodate eight-foot long items with the tailgate down.

A segment-best 200 hp is provided by the standard direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which also delivers 191 lb/ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission routes output to the rear wheels. This powertrain rewards Colorado drivers with best-in-segment fuel economy, EPA-estimated at 27 mpg highway. Other standard features include four-wheel antilock disc brakes with four-piston front calipers and Duralife^™ brake rotors, power-adjustable folding exterior mirrors, a rearview camera, a locking tailgate, a theft-deterrent system and a chrome CornerStep rear bumper.

The Colorado interior offers the comfort of a good sedan. Inlaid, triple-sealed doors, thick window and windshield glass, and sound-deadening materials are used to create a quiet cabin free of wind and road noise. Front bucket seats, a four-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a six-speaker audio system with 4.2-inch LCD screen, USB port and auxiliary input are included, as well.

The Colorado WT (Work Truck) comes with a six-speed automatic transmission in Crew Cab models, which also feature a folding rear bench seat. Dual rear seats with under-seat storage are standard in Extended Cab models. In Crew Cab/short box 4×4 and Crew Cab/long box trim, the Colorado WT adds more muscle by way of a 3.6-liter V6 engine that also delivers segment-best horsepower. This aluminum-alloy engine is strong––with 305 hp and 269 lb/ft of torque––and it’s also efficient, returning a best-in-class EPA-estimated 26 mpg highway.

The Colorado LT carries the six-speed automatic transmission and also features OnStar Directions and Connections with a six-month service plan included. The outside mirrors body color, there are chrome moldings along the beltline and the Colorado LT rides on standard 17-inch Blade Silver Metallic cast aluminum wheels. Inside, the standard Chevy MyLink audio system comes with a customizable eight-inch color touch-screen. MyLink pairs with your smartphone and allows easy, touch-and-swipe or voice-activated control over audio, apps and more, plus it features Text Messaging Alerts and, for iPhone users, Siri Eyes Free. You’ll enjoy three free months of SiriusXM Satellite Radio All-Access Package, Bluetooth, four USB ports, audio and cruise controls on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, and remote keyless entry. The Colorado LT also offers OnStar 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot technology.

The Colorado Z71 (MSRP $27,630) is even better-equipped than the LT. The “Z71” badging underscores plenty of substance. Its Z71 Off-Road Suspension features twin-tube shock absorbers that can take a pounding and an automatic locking rear differential that maximizes traction. Four-wheel drive models also get a protective shield for the transfer case. Other enhancements include front recovery hooks, Hill Descent Control, foglamps, and an EZ Lift & Lower tailgate that’s available in the other trims. The Colorado Z71 is tough, and it’s also comfortable and convenient. There’s remote start, heated front seats (also available in LT trims) four-way power-adjustable front seats with power lumbar, and handsome, 17-inch Dark Argent cast aluminum wheels. LT and Z71 trims can be equipped with a seven-speaker Bose audio system, as well as navigation.

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is ready to go to work. Like the Silverado, it’s built on a strong, fully-boxed frame, and the available four-wheel drive system has an electronically controlled transfer case with “2WD,” 4WD HI,” and “4WD LO” settings. The Colorado offers a best-in-class maximum trailering capacity of 7,000 pounds and best-in-class payload of 1,590 pounds. Its gross vehicle weight rating starts at 5,400 pounds and goes as high as 5,900 pounds. The standard 4.10:1 rear axle ratio is great for putting the torque to work, and an available 3.42:1 axle is available to enhance fuel economy. The 3.6-liter V6 engine is standard with the 3.42 axle. Advanced, segment-first driver assistance/safety features that are available in the Colorado include Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning.

Standard bed-rail and tailgate protectors are included, and there are thirteen tie-down spots in the bed that can be used with the available, moveable cargo tie-down rings. Utility can be enhanced even more with the addition of the all-new GearOn^™ storage system and available accessories and appearance enhancements. The GearOn^™ Bars package, for example, includes cargo tie-down rings and tiered storage cross rails, while the GearOn^™ Bed Divider and GearOn^™ Utility Rack increase cargo carrying flexibility and capability.

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado sets a new standard for midsize pickups. There’s still quite a bit more to the 2015 Colorado, so come in and experience all it offers for yourself today.