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Blake Arbogast

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2013 Buick Enclave Has Arrived!



Since its debut during the 2008 model year, the Buick Enclave has been at the forefront of the ascendancy of General Motors' (GM) Buick marque. And now, the 2013 edition of the full-size luxury crossover SUV is here--with enough updates to ensure its place as one of the best choices in the market.


The 2013 Buick Enclave is split into three models: Convenience, Leather and Premium. Each SUV is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that generates 288 horsepower at 6,300 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 270 pound-feet at 3,400 rpm, which is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A dual stainless-steel exhaust is integrated in the fascia. Customers have a choice between a front-wheel drive (FWD); and all-wheel drive (AWD), which enhances driving control over a variety of road surfaces. With the FWD, fuel economy is estimated at 17 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 24 mpg on the highway (17/24 mpg). With the AWD, it's 16/22 mpg. Standard towing capacity is estimated at 2,000 lbs, with the peak capacity of 4,500 lbs.
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Grand National, T-Type and GNX Models Are Returning to Buick



Edmunds Inside Line is reporting that Buick is planning to revive the Grand National, the T-Type and the GNX models in the near future. These three models were popular in the 1980s.

The Grand National debuted in 1982 as an appearance package on the Buick Regal. It was named after NASCAR's Grand National Series. Buick was successful in the series in 1981 and 1982, winning the Manufacturer's Cup in both years. General Motors?

Buick Encore Gets Innovative All-Wheel Drive System

The latest model of the Buick Encore SUV will feature an innovative Active On-Demand all wheel drive system. The new system will send torque to the rear with every start. If there is not any slippage detected, the new system will return the Encore back to primarily front-wheel drive. The traditional system only sends force to the rear when it is a detected that the torque has slipped.

Buick's new AWD system first came to light when engineers were developing an AWD system for the luxury SUV model Buick Enclave. Due to the success of the AWD system on the Enclave, Buick made the decision to apply the system to the smaller Encore. Buick also decided to team up with Borg-Warner to produce a compact coupling system that is triggered by a magnetic charge, which allowed engineers to fit an all-wheel drive system into a compact front-wheel drive system.

The lighter weight of the Buick Encore allows the AWD system to react faster. In addition, the lighter weight makes it easier for the vehicle to control and transmit torque...


Cell Phone Blocking Device for Your Car


Everyone breaks the law once in a while. You know, when the cell phone is ringing and you are expecting an important call. It is hard to let it ring. You know you aren't suppose to answer, but just this one time couldn't hurt. It happens every day. The stories change, but people are still talking on cells while they are driving. Most states have passed laws making it illegal, but teens especially seem to forget.

Every year people are killed because someone was talking or texting while driving. It is tempting for most people and they think they are the exception. They can drive and talk. The distraction will not be a problem for them. It only take one mistake and someone's life can be changed.

A delivery driver was getting tired of seeing people on the road everyday talking while they were driving. He was aware of several times, they almost caused accidents. He thought about it for a long time and came up with a way of blocking cell phone coverage for five feet around the driver's seat. He and a friend worked on the project and got it patented. They felt it was not only a way to make money, but a way to help people from hurting themselves or someone else. It was a moral responsibility...

Intellilink: The Future of Infotainment



General Motors innovative IntelliLink system offers in-vehicle smartphone connectivity and much more. It is now standard on all Buick models and it is an available option on the GMC Terrain and Acadia.
 
Safety and Convenience

IntelliLink converts the vehicle's seven inch infotainment screen into a mobile command center. Android, IOS, and Blackberry devices all work with the system. Icons on the touch screen can be custom-configured to align with driver preference.

Motorists can keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel thanks to voice-controlled phone and audio functions. Phone calls can be placed via voice command. Likewise, favorite songs and/or artists can be summoned by voice only....
Car owners don't necessarily have to be certified mechanics to know when something is wrong with a vehicle. Cars make a variety of noises, including thumps, squeals and hisses, that let drivers know when something is wrong.

Staying tuned in to vehicle noise is important for drivers who want to keep their cars in good shape. Essentially, owners can listen to the sounds made by their cars and possibly invest in early care to avoid total breakdown and more costly vehicle repairs down the road.

Most drivers know the types of noises made by their vehicles during normal operation. If and when these noises change, drivers should be careful to note any oddities in the new sounds, which could be signs that problems are developing. Many noises represent specific issues in a vehicle's operation, such as high-pitched squealing that stops when the driver hits the brakes; this is often a sign that brake inspection is due. When grinding sounds are heard each time the brakes are applied, it might mean that brake pads are worn and in need of replacement...

GMC Canyon Replacement Confirmed

The Canyon's future re-emergence was confirmed during a recent conference call with the Vice-President of Marketing for Buick/GMC, Tony DiSalle. He stated,  "While we continue to make strong progress in fuel economy gains on our full-size trucks, we know that there is a group of customers who want the functionality of a truck but may not need full-size pickup. We believe that introducing a new, agile and efficient mid-size Canyon will meet the…

Tire Rotations - A Necessity?

People make it a point get their oil changed regularly and maintain proper fluid levels, but oddly enough one of the most used parts of the car is also the most neglected. Tires are one of the least thought about aspects of car maintenance. Rotating your tires every 5,000 miles should be an important part of everyone's maintenance scheduled. But why is it so important?

Tires are expensive! Make them last! This pictures show the difference between rear wheel and front wheel drive vehicles. It's important to rotate your tires from front to back and from side to side. You can also check your owner's manual or call the Arbogast Service Department for the best patter rotation for your specific vehicle. 

On front wheel drive vehicles the rear tires last much longer. The front tires are responsible for the steering, braking and carry the bulk of the car's weight. Because of this, they experience more wear and tear. Rotating the tires helps to evenly distribute the effects of driving on the tires. Failure to have the tires rotated causes the front tires to wear out quickly and means spending money on tires much sooner than necessary.

Front tires lean during a turn and the outside edges can feather or scallop. When the tire's treads begin to scallop the structure becomes compromised. A compromised tire structure can cause flat tires and other forms of tire failure. While there are other factors to consider when the tires begin to scallop, the majority of cases are the result of not rotating the tires...

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil - What's the Difference?

Go into any service center for an oil change and ask the attendant what the difference is between synthetic oil and conventional oil. Chances are he will tell you that synthetic oil is more expensive. While this is true, it is not the whole story. You had better think twice before basing your purchase decision solely on price. Here is some information to help you decide which type of oil is best for your car and the type of driving you do.

Conventional Oil


Conventional oil is the most common form of automotive oil you will find. It is a natural petroleum-based product that is made up carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in both short and long chains. The extreme heat of a running engine can cause the short chain molecules to break down. When they do, the oil becomes much less efficient at lubrication than when it was new. Even when it is fresh, conventional oil has the tendency to become more viscous at cold temperature and less viscous at high temperature. The high viscosity of cold oil makes it flow much slower to critical engine parts that need lubrication. High-viscosity oil forces the engine to run without the lubrication it needs to reduce friction and wear until it warms enough to flow. Hot oil tends to have low viscosity. Because it is too thin, it has reduced friction fighting abilities and subjects engine parts to wear.


Synthetic Oil


Synthetic oil is a relatively new creation, but can be found in many automotive centers and stores. It is a laboratory creation that consists of a base stock call polyalphaolefin, a hydrocarbon compound that consists of a 30 molecule chain...

Buick Encore Goes on Sale Early Next Year

Buick's success in recent years with the large crossover, the Enclave, meant it was only a matter of time until a two row crossover would be introduced. The Buick Encore is a great choice for those who prefer the elegance and look of a Buick but don't need the capacity of an Enclave.

As is the case with current Buick models in general, even a 'base' Encore is loaded with features. GM's Intellilink system is standard, which includes both Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. The image produced by the rear view camera is displayed on a large 7 inch Color LCD screen.
Buick is continuing its commitment to safety with a total of ten airbags, forward collision alerts, land departure warnings and OnStar.

The 2013 Encore offers an extremely quiet ride. This is due in part to an innovation called  'active noise cancellation.' Noise patterns are countered through audio patterns broadcast through the Encore's speaker system. Sound deadening materials throughout the vehicle as well as the use of an acoustically absorbent headliner also enhance the quiet ride of the 2013 Encore...
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