Wednesday, November 20, 2013

All-New 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Redefines Midsize Trucks


 It's time to get excited for Chevy truck fans.


Chevrolet recently unveiled the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, which will redefine the midsize truck and offer real truck capability and versatility to customers who don’t require a full-size truck. The new Colorado is built with the DNA of a true Chevy truck, expected to deliver class-leading power, payload and trailering ratings. Colorado goes on sale in fall 2014 as a 2015 model.

“Our strategy is simple: meet the needs of the broadest possible customer base, and let them choose precisely the right truck to meet their needs,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president and president of GM North America. “The all-new Colorado benefits from the solid foundation established by the Silverado, and it reinvents the midsize truck while reinvigorating the segment at the same time.”

The new Colorado was developed for the North American truck customer, with distinctive design, comfort and connectivity features, including segment firsts such as available forward collision alert and lane departure warning.

Colorado will also offer the segment’s only diesel engine in its second year – a proven Duramax 2.8L I-4 turbodiesel already offered in global markets. The diesel engine will expand Colorado’s powertrain lineup to cover the broadest range of needs. 


The new Colorado’s technologies are aimed at complementing owners’ lifestyles with connectivity and other features that support their daily and recreational lives – and help keep them safe, including:
  • Eight-inch diagonal color touch screen (LT, Z71) and multiple USB drives
  • A 3.4-inch diagonal driver information screen in the instrument cluster
  • Available next-generation OnStar and MyLink enhancements with gesture recognition and natural language voice recognition
  • Available navigation
Browse our current selection of new Chevy trucks by visiting the Rotolo Chevrolet website.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Nitrogen: Is It Better for Your Car Tires?


 If you don't already know, there is an alternative to regular air when it comes to inflating your tires. Many claim that there are numerous advantages to filling your cars tires with nitrogen, and perhaps there is some truth to that.



Green valve stems indicate nitrogen
You may have noticed some tires that have green valve stems and/or caps. Those tires have been inflated using pure nitrogen, rather than plain old air. Atmospheric air contains 78 percent nitrogen as it is. Typically, the nitrogen you put in your tires would be 93 percent pure or above, to achieve the desired benefits.

Purported benefits of filling your tires with nitrogen include:
  • Better pressure retention
  • Improved fuel economy
  • Cooler running temperatures
  • Tire-rot prevention









Now, some argue that the benefits of using nitrogen do not exceed that of the cost. At dealerships, the upgrade to nitrogen can cost anywhere between $50 and $180. Then you will have to pay roughly $6 per tire to refill them. Compare that to say 75 cents per tire to fill them with conventional air at most gas stationsor possibly for free, depending on your local stations—you can see why detractors arguments may be valid.

It is certain that your tires will stay inflated longer with nitrogen. That equates directly to better fuel economy. And while tire-rot is not as common with modern cars, there is still some tenable possibility to save money. Really what it comes down to is just trying it out for yourself and determining whether it is cost-effective in the long run.

Browse our current selection of vehicles or schedule a service appointment on the Rotolo Chevrolet website.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Learn More About Chevrolet's SEMA Concepts

Chevrolet today revealed six new concept trucks and SUVs on the eve of the SEMA Show, the annual convention of automotive performance parts and styling accessories. The uniquely styled vehicles represent performance and personalization variations of the 2014 Silverado 1500, as well as the all-new 2015 Silverado HD, Tahoe and Suburban.

The concepts include:

Silverado Cheyenne concept
The Chevrolet Silverado Cheyenne concept embraces the adage that less is more. With this performance-oriented concept of the all-new 2014 Silverado regular cab, a reduced curb weight and the performance of the new 420-horsepower 6.2L V-8 combine for a strong power-to-weight ratio and exhilarating performance.


Brad Paisley Signature Silverado
Like his music, the concept vehicle country star Brad Paisley collaborated on with Chevrolet designers blends tasteful country style with an edge, featuring a custom paint job, high-performance accents, a lowered stance and – no surprise here  – an amped-up sound system.


Tony Stewart Silverado concept
It takes a strong truck to live up to the speed, energy and passion of Tony Stewart. This Silverado LTZ Z71 concept was designed in conjunction with Stewart, with personal touches and Smoke® graphics that symbolize his racing spirit. The exterior also features a Dark Tarnished Silver color, tinted headlamps and taillamps, and several Chevrolet Accessories components available through Chevy dealers, including a tonneau cover, four-inch chrome assist steps and 22-inch wheels with a custom finish. Inside, the Stewart’s signature is embroidered on the headrests.


Silverado Volunteer Firefighter concept
Chevrolet developed the Silverado Z71 Volunteer Firefighter concept to honor the service of first responders and share a vision of how the all-new, more capable 2014 Silverado can serve them. It features a full complement of rescue equipment incorporated on a new Silverado Double Cab equipped with the Z71 Off-Road suspension.


Silverado Black Ops concept
The Chevrolet Silverado Black Ops Crew Cab 4x4 concept was designed to be ready for anything. It builds on the truck’s strength, performance and safety with features designed to offer support in an emergency – including custom-fabricated lower body armor and a lockable, bed-mounted Truck Vault storage unit. It holds a solar power pack, a pair of gas masks, gloves, military first aid kit, folding shovel and rope.


Silverado HD Dually tow vehicle
Demonstrating the hauling capability of the all-new 2015 Silverado HD lineup, this crew cab concept is shown in Chevrolet’s SEMA Show display hitched to a custom trailer holding a COPO Camaro race car and with a new COPO racing engine and transmission in the bed. Decked out in a custom Ice Blue exterior color and wearing custom lightweight aluminum wheels, the truck also sports Chevrolet Accessories components including six-inch chrome assist steps, a tool box and bed lights. The HD Dually tow vehicle is powered by the 6.0L gas engine and six-speed automatic transmission.


Tahoe Police concept
Chevrolet is readying a police version of the new Tahoe, and this concept offers a look at how law enforcement will be hitting the highway in it in the near future. The full complement of emergency lighting and police equipment is comes with the Tahoe 9C1 police package’s standard equipment, including a 5.3L V-8 engine rated at 355 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch steel wheels, police-specific suspension and auxiliary battery for emergency equipment.


“Chevrolet’s lineup of full-size trucks and SUVs is all-new and stronger than ever,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “No matter what your needs, whether it’s hauling lumber to a work site, delivering your kid’s soccer team to a game or towing your boat on a weekend fishing trip, Chevrolet has the vehicle with the capability, dependability and connectivity today’s truck customers want.”

To see our current selection of new Chevy's visit the Rotolo Chevrolet website

Friday, November 1, 2013

The Leading Causes of Car Accidents: Anticipation Is the Best Prevention


Accidents occur when you least expect them. It's important to be able to anticipate which scenarios and conditions are most likely to cause an accident. It's an ability that comes only with experience. However, you can prepare yourself to deal with dangerous situations by familiarizing yourself with the circumstances that most often lead to accidents. Following are the six most common causes:


1. Distracted Drivers. This includes texting while driving. Studies have shown that even talking on your phone in hands-free mode can be enough to pull your attention away from the road. Other common activities in this category are rubbernecking, eating, looking at scenery and adjusting the radio. While some of these distractions are ultimately unavoidable, it's important to identify the right times to perform these tasks. If you're unsure, you can always pull off the road momentarily. 

2. Driver Fatigue. We've all been in that position where we're crunched for time on a road trip and push ourselves to the limit of sleep deprivation. It's common knowledge that it is extremely unsafe to continue on in this manner. About 100,000 accidents of this nature occur every year. Being aware of this fact is important to protect yourself on the road. The most dangerous time to encounter drowsy drivers is between 11pm and 8am. 

3. Drunk Driving. This one's a no-brainer. Don't do it. Also, be aware of holidays, weekends and peak times when it's most common that you will be sharing the road with this despicable type of motorist. 

4. Speeding. Sometimes exhibiting speed can be the difference between getting caught in a dangerous roadway situation and avoiding it. It's important to know instinctively when to do so. However, when on an open stretch of road, there is no reason not to obey the posted speed limit. Another thing to keep in mind is that driving significantly below the speed limit can also be dangerous. A good rule of thumb is to maintain speed with the flow of traffic. If you don't feel comfortable matching the speed of traffic around you, perhaps you should choose an alternate route. 

5. Aggressive Driving. The New York State Police defines an aggressive driver as somebody who, "Operates a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of the other users of the streets and highways." That is a fairly broad definition of the term. Specific examples include road-rage, tailgating and failure to yield right-of-way. Obviously, you never want to operate a motor vehicle in an emotional state that prevents you from making informed decisions. It's more difficult to avoid interaction with these type of people on the road. If you do run into an aggressive motorist remain calm, keep your distance and avoid passing this person. If you feel the situation may escalate, dial 911. 

6. Weather. This cause is completely uncontrollable. However, it still is avoidable. It's important to always inform yourself of weather conditions whenever you plan to be on the road. The radio is a great tool for ascertaining current conditions while on the road. 700 AM broadcasts current conditions in most cities across the country. If you do get caught driving in inclement weather, precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of losing control and/or colliding. Reduce speed, leave more room between yourself and the next car and perform smooth and calculated maneuvers. 

Be safe out there fans! Get more great automotive related content by following this blog and by visiting the Rotolo Chevrolet website. Feel free to share us what you think are some other common causes of accidents.