Quick and Easy Maintenance Tips!

Battery

Most car batteries today are maintenance-free, sealed and can last more than three years. The first sign your battery should be replaced is often trouble starting the engine. 

Tires

A car tire inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) can lose one psi every month or for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change, so your car maintenance checklist should include checking tire pressure. Find the recommended level in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. And don’t forget the spare.

Rotate tires every 6,000 miles to prevent uneven wear, replace them when they become worn and have the alignment checked if the car pulls to either side when driving or if you notice uneven tire wear. 

Engine oil

Checking and changing oil is critical to keep today’s engines running properly and efficiently. Follow manufacturer guidelines for changing the lubricant – generally, every 3,000 miles or three to six months.

Check the oil level with the engine off and the car parked on a level surface. Open the hood, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth or paper towel, then return it to the oil reservoir. Take it out again and see whether the level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If you add oil, don’t overfill, which can damage the engine. 

Transmission fluid

Checking the automatic transmission fluid is another vital item on the car maintenance checklist. Look for a reservoir marked ATF (automatic transmission fluid) and follow the same steps as monitoring the oil level – only this time, with the engine running. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for change intervals, about every 30,000 miles. 

Engine coolant

Replace most engine coolant or antifreeze every 30,000 miles – or every two to three years. Newer formulas, however, may last up to 50,000 miles. To check coolant level, turn the car off and wait for the engine to cool. Locate the coolant reservoir (usually a translucent plastic tank) and eyeball the level of the coolant against the full and low indicators. 

Power steering fluid

Power steering fluid should be changed every three years or 50,000 miles. If you have a power steering fluid reservoir, check the level visually; otherwise, follow the dipstick method. Low power steering fluid may indicate a leak, so have your mechanic take a look. 

Brakes and brake fluid

Check to ensure that brake fluid levels are within tolerance. How often you need to replace brake pads or other components depends on how you drive and typical driving conditions. Warning signs of a brake problem include noise, vibration or “grabbing” when you apply the brakes. Working on your brakes is a job probably best left to the professionals. 

Air filter

Basic car maintenance suggests changing your air filter each year or every 12,000-15,000 miles. A clean air filter can help your engine “breathe” better and improve gas mileage and reduce harmful emissions. 

Fuel filter

Replace it annually to help prevent debris from clogging your car’s fuel line. 

Windshield wipers and wiper fluid

Windshield wiper care is one of the most neglected basic car care tips. Replace the blades every six to 12 months or whenever the rubber becomes worn. Check the wiper fluid reservoir every week or so and keep it full. 

Headlights and brake lights

With your car turned on and parked, have someone walk around to see that your lights are working – headlights, brake and tail lights, turn signals, etc.

Replacing bulbs in today’s vehicles can be a challenge. Have a mechanic do the job, particularly replacing and aiming headlights. A pro also knows if the problem is a blown fuse, not a burned out bulb.

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Career Opportunities at Merle Stone Chevrolet

• Are you looking for a career? 
• Have you had prior sales experience? 
• Selling anything where you are now? 
• Experience working with people? 
• Have great people skills?
• Self driven to run your OWN business...get paid what YOU are worth?  

This is an opportunity for three individuals to have a chance at joining our sales team. We do not hire very often and our people stay with us as part of our family. Recently we are growing and need more help. We are the largest volume Chevrolet Dealer in Tulare County, one of the fastest growing used vehicle dealers in the south valley. We are ahead of our time. We have a "value priced environment to sell in." We get our traffic off the internet and the phone. There are plenty of opportunities to grow from .. almost too many for our staff to handle right now. 

So, if you are looking for a HOME, looking for a place that takes care of their staff and their customers.. whether you are at another dealer now or never sold a car, but have what it takes...you need to email me your resume or text me at 559-310-7494 for more info. Spanish speaking a plus, must have GREAT phone skills and comfortable with technology, emailing etc. 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES AT BOTH OUR LOCATIONS ASAP.

Sincerely, 
Jason Martin
General Sales Manager
jason@stonechevy.com

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"My experience was a very positive one. The salesman provided me the necessary information which allowed me to make an informed decision. I did not feel any pressure in the process of purchasing my new car. Thanks!"
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Chevrolet Spark EV

The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV is a pure electric vehicle that packs 400 foot pounds of torque. So fast it moves like electricity.  http://bit.ly/1dQHbmT

Corvette Stingray Most Efficient Sports Car on the Market

DETROIT – 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.

- Courtesy of GM

Iconic Corvette Began 60 Years Ago

•     First Corvettes rolled off the assembly line on June 30, 1953
•     Since then, more than 1.5 million Corvettes have been produced

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Chevrolet today marked its 60th anniversary of the Corvette, an iconic American sports car. The first Corvette went into production in Flint, Mich. on June 30, 1953. Since then, Corvette has become an American icon that continues to offer the best in today’s technology and performance.
“During the past six decades, the Corvette has been woven into the fabric of American culture, as the sports car of choice for movie stars, musicians and astronauts,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “The very best Corvettes represent the state-of-the-art for their eras in terms of design, technology and performance.”
Here are some key facts highlighting 60 years of Corvette history:

•     Corvette is the world’s longest-running, continuously produced passenger car. The longest-running vehicle of any type is the Chevrolet Suburban.
•     Corvette made its debut as a concept vehicle at the General Motors Autorama in New York City on Jan. 17, 1953. It was such a success that a limited run of 300 production Corvettes began on June 30 of that year.
•     All 1953 models were Polo White with a red interior and they were priced at $3,498. In 2006, the third 1953 Corvette produced sold for a record $1.06 million at auction.
•     Corvette was exclusively available with an inline six-cylinder engine until 1955. That year, the optional V-8 engine was ordered by 90 percent of buyers. The six-cylinder was dropped in 1956. Corvette has been available exclusively with V-8 power since.
•     Corvette was produced only as a convertible for its first 10 years. The fixed-roof 1963 “split-window” Corvette Sting Ray coupe launched the second-generation Corvette.  Sales doubled and it became a year-round car for drivers in colder climates.
•     Approximately 1.56 million Corvettes have been produced since June 30, 1953. The 500,000th Corvette was built in 1977; the 1 millionth was built in 1992, and the 1.5 millionth Corvette rolled off the line in 2009.
•     Corvettes have been produced at three facilities: Flint, Mich. (1953); St. Louis, Mo., (1954-1981); and Bowling Green, Ky. (1981-2014). The change from St. Louis to Bowling Green happened during the production year. The first 1981 Corvette was built in St. Louis, and the last 1981 Corvette was built in Bowling Green.
•     No 1983 Corvettes were sold to the public. The model year was skipped in preparation for the all-new 1984 Corvette, which launched the C4 generation. Forty-four Corvette prototypes were built as 1983 models. Only one remains, and it is on display at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.

- Courtesy of GM

Avoid Being Stranded this Summer

The record-setting heat seen across the country can put extra stress on your car -- especially if it has a lot of miles on it. You'll notice an increased number of cars on the side of the road, particularly on these really hot days.

There are some simple preventative maintenance steps you can take to avoid walking instead of driving this summer.

Tires: Think about walking across the blacktop parking lot barefoot on a hot summer day -- that is what your tires experience during summer months. In addition, the heat is multiplied by the friction caused by the weight of your car. Heat pushes the materials your tires are made of to their limit, causing blowouts and flat tires. Make sure a reputable mechanic looks at your tires at least every 3,000 miles. Also, in between, make sure you keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer's specification, which is found in the vehicle's owner's manual. This will not only prolong tire life but help reduce fuel consumption.

Belts: Another wearable item that is put under extra stress in the summer months is the serpentine belt, sometimes called the fan belt. The added under the hood heat and the use of air conditioning weakens it, and if broken it immobilizes your car. For less than half of the price of a tow-truck ride home, you can buy a new serpentine belt and have it installed.

Cooling system: Oil changes are followed pretty regularly by most owners. However, an often overlooked fluid change is your cooling system fluid, or coolant. While this fluid lasts thousands of miles, and many manufactures call their coolant “100,000 mile” fluid, it should not be neglected. Have your dealer or mechanic test your fluid to ensure that it is up to snuff. Also, if your car does not have the high-mileage fluid in it, having it flushed and changed every two years is a good rule of thumb.

Air conditioning: While this system won't always leave you stranded when it fails (though it can), living without A/C on a hot day isn't fun. There is a lubricant in the system that can break down over time, and it should be conditioned every three years or as needed.

- Courtesy of Autoweek