With the
smart-phone revolution having no end in sight, automakers are racing to
bring that same type of connectivity directly to the car. Two brands
stand out in the race, Chevrolet and Buick. That makes sense as Chevy's
MyLink and Buick's Intellilink both stem from General Motors' diligent
efforts to provide a seamless integration of automotive performance and
entertainment. In this article we'll briefly run through some of
Intellilinks features and capabilities.
In the previous
generations of Intellilink, you could sense that maybe Buick had rushed
its implementation of the technology. The buttons were bulky and
cluttered. The functionality was not intuitive.
The
next-generation Intellilink solves all those problems. The user
interface is streamlined and natural. The previous 17 physical buttons
have been replaced by only seven. The touch-screen icons are large and
easily identifiable.
All the magic
takes place within a generous 8 inch touch-screen. Take advantage of its
superior connectivity with your mobile device. Intellilink uses the
same gestures we've become so familiar with. Slide your fingers to the
left or right, performing what Buick refers to as a 'Fling'. Drag and
drop items. You can also utilize the natural voice recognition to
control the system.
Altogether, these features make it easy to safely perform whatever it is you're trying to do, even at highway speeds.
Intellilink is available on the 2014 LaCrosse and Regal. Browse our selection on the Bob Brown Buick GMC Website.
Fall is here, and it's a good time to start thinking about winter preparation. The cold season can place extra strain on certain parts of the vehicle, especially at temperature extremes. By performing a few simple checks on your cars critical parts, you can ensure that you won't get stranded in the cold this winter.
1. Antifreeze. Naturally, this is important. A 50/50 mixture of distilled water and antifreeze will typically suffice. If you live in areas that have unusually cold temperatures, you may want to increase that ratio a bit.
2. Battery. The cold weather will put more stress on the cars charging system. Cold starts are notoriously difficult for some cars. The last thing you want to do is be stranded in the frigid morning dealing with a dead battery.
3. Oil & Filter. This is standard maintenance (as are most items in this list). But it is even more crucial in the winter months. Refer to your owners manual for OEM recommended oil type.
4. Lights & Indicators. Because of the longer days, your lights will have to work harder. All lights on the car are important, but headlights and brake lights especially so. If you haven't replaced them in a few years, it might be a good idea to just proactively do so. It will be much cheaper than getting into a collision because a fellow motorist couldn't see you.
5. Tires. Good traction in the winter is essential. Inspect the tread, or have someone do it for you. Also, be sure that your tires are inflated to the manufacturers suggested standards.
6. Windshield. Visibility is key to road safety. You want to make sure that all windows are cleared of ice and snow before hitting the road. Mix de-icer and Rain-X treatment in your washer fluid to avoid chipping away at ice in the morning with a chisel.
7. Belts & Hoses. Winter temperatures can put extra stress on these parts. Don't let a $10 part get your stranded.
8. Cabin Air Filter. The summer months can really create a build up of dust and particles. If your car is equipped with a cabin air filter, it is wise to change that now. Blasting the heat on full will only embed these contaminants deeper into your cars heating/cooling system.
9. Exterior Paint. Rain, snow and salt will really eat away at your cars finish. Applying a proper coat of wax will significantly reduce this.
10. Roadside Emergency Kit. This is ALWAYS important. Simple items like Fix-A-Flat, basic tools and extra oil can really save the day. Be sure to keep a few blankets in the car through the winter too, in case the worst happens.
Connect with us on the Bob Brown Buick Facebook Page to get more great automotive related news.
If you need help getting your car ready for winter, we are at your assistance!
The 2013 Verano is a powerful compact luxury sedan, with a quiet cabin, smooth styling, and plenty of standard features. This year Buick introduced the 250-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the premium trim package. Every Verano comes equipped with the Buick IntelliLink system. Other standard features include: 18-inch aluminum wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, satellite radio, and USB ports.
With a turbo-charged engine, you'd expect some compromise in cabin noise. Not the case, as Verano is regarded as one of the quietest in its class. With the 250-hp engine, there is an optional 6-speed manual transmission.
With attractive aesthetics, improved performance and a plethora of tech features, the 2013 Buick Verano is an all-around winner.
Browse our selection by visiting the Bob Brown Buick GMC Website.
Most of us listen
to some form of music in the car while we are driving. Did you know
that, depending on the style and genre, music can have drastic effects
on your driving abilities? This study
shows that faster tempo music causes the driver to make rash decisions
like being impatient at red lights, driving faster and making more
mistakes, sometimes leading to accidents. Interestingly, the study also
shows that listening to any type of music, regardless of tempo, serves
to moderate your heart rate.
So next time you get in the car, think twice about putting on Slayer or Deadmau5. Maybe try some Chopin? Nora Jones?
The 2014
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and High Country and the GMC Sierra and Sierra
Denali 1500 are the first pickup trucks to receive the highest possible
five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the NHTSA changed its
New Car Assessment Program in 2010!
Both the
Silverado and Sierra offer fully boxed frames and extensive use of
high-strength steel. In addition, several segment-exclusive safety
features are available, including Forward Collision Alert, Lane
Departure Warning, and Safety Alert Seat.
To read more about the safety features of these award-winning GM models, read the full press release.
Hello there, fans! It's time again for our #WeeklyCarTip!
This week we'll keep it short and simple. It's the kind of preventative maintenance that you will take for granted 364 days out of the year, but that ONE day when you do get a flat tire, you will be glad that you took action. So without further ado, we present:
It's safe to assume that just about everyone has had to deal with a stubborn flat tire. You know the one, where you put every ounce of your body weight into loosening one of those forsaken lug nuts — to no avail?
Use some anti-seize compound to keep those lug nuts from sticking. You will thank yourself the next time you're on your way to an important meeting and the worst happens. Keep a can of anti-seize lubricant in the car, as well. That way you'll never have to worry about stubborn lug nuts again.
Until next time!
It's the season for road trips—that perfect time of the year for putting those hard-earned PTO hours to good use. If you happen to be single or married but without children, forget this article. There are no rules or suggestions for you. Well, except one: Enjoy it while you can.
For the rest of us, the whimsical nature of road trips is a thing of the past. We have to painstakingly plan every moment. What used to be a capricious expedition into the unknown is now more of a NASA flight plan, with each miniscule detail calculated to the second. First, we establish a rough itinerary. Then, to be safe, we develop a contingency plan. We take stock of food provisions and medical supplies. Then, we plan some more.
What's originally intended to be an escape, quickly becomes the same old routine. Worse actually, because the stress levels are much higher when you're somewhere unfamiliar. So how can you prepare well enough for such an event, that you still have the capacity to appreciate the spirit of exploration? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- The obvious way to get a kid to shut up is to fill his/her mouth with something. Snacks are very important when hitting the road with children in tow. Portable and non-messy foods are ideal here. Some good items to bring: Boxes of raisins, string cheese, crackers, grapes, apple slices, juice boxes.
- To maintain a good schedule, you'll want to limit the number of bathroom breaks by limiting the amount of fluid intake. Make a game out of it. Like, "You can't take a drink until you see a blue car."
- Too few breaks can be equally as damaging to you sanity. Think realistically how often you'll need to stop to keep the kids from bouncing off the walls of the mini-van. Plan your schedule accordingly to this.
- Messes are inevitable. Be prepared for this. Items like zip-lock bags, paper towels, easy-wipes and spill-proof cups are just a few examples.
- The dollar store is your friend. There are so many great, affordable options available that will provide entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, here are some ideas:
- Electronic Games
- Have the kids trace your progress on a map. Buy an extra so they can draw on it with water soluble utensils. (This will also somewhat mitigate the "Are We There Yet?" cliche.)
- Portable DVD players are your savior!
- Bribe them with toys! Also, bring along some toy catalogs. This will keep them entertained for hours. Bring some glue sticks and construction paper so they can create a "Toy Wish List".
- Don't underestimate the power of music. Perhaps some classical music will YOU in the mood while putting THEM to sleep?
- Of course, there are the old fashioned ways to keep entertained. Games like I Spy, the License Plate Game and Slug Bug are always effective.
