Spring and Summer Maintenance

As summer quickly approaches, we welcome warmer weather and longer nights.  As we enjoy the change in season, it is important to prepare your vehicle.  Just like in winter, there are many maintenance services that should be taken into consideration this spring and summer to ensure that your vehicle is operating at peak efficiency.

As we all know, winter and its harsh conditions have a major impact on Hamilton roads. These conditions can have serious implications on your vehicle, which is why it is important to complete the following:

1. Wiper blades:  Always make sure to change your wiper blades every 6 months.  If this is not completed, it can cause streaking, smearing and possibly scratch your windshield.  This simple precaution will prove to be helpful when driving in spring showers.

2. Tires:  If you have winter tires, change over to your all-season tires.   All three of our locations: Image Honda, Queenston on the Mountain and Queenston on Centennial provide winter tire storage – please contact our dealerships for details.  If you do not have winter tires, you may want to consider a tire rotation, a service that will allow for even wear.  Winter can be hard on our tires and rotation will help extend their life and allow for improved handling and braking.

3. Car wash: Give your car a good clean and make sure that all the salt is removed to prevent exterior rust.  It is also important to wash the underneath of your vehicle as hidden salt can lead to rust and corrosion.

4. Change your oil: Always make sure that your oil is changed every 8,000 km or less, depending on the year of your vehicle.  Remember – older vehicles tend to burn oil faster. For vehicles with an Oil Life Monitor or Maintenance Minder, your oil much be changed at least once every 12 months, regardless of the % on your monitoring system.

5. Check all your fluids: Fluids tend to deplete faster in the winter since the cold weather causes our engine to work harder.  Therefore, it is crucial to make sure that all of your fluids are topped up for the spring.

6. Check your brake system:  The winter months can be hard on your brakes.  Listen for excessive grinding, screeching or squealing.  Have a Brake Maintenance Service performed, which will remove salt and debris and lubricate all your brake components to extend the life of your brakes.

7. Alignment:  All the potholes and rifts in Hamilton’s pavement can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s alignment, which can cause premature wear to your tires and front-end components.  An alignment service will increase tire life, and improve steering control and safety.

To check out our Service Specials, please visit our websites below or feel free to contact us by phone at any time! Image Honda, Queenston on the Mountain, Queenston on Centennial By: Amy Cochren

Trailer and Towing Safety!

Whether it’s towing your boat to the cottage or beach, heading on a camping adventure or just everyday fun, your vehicle plays an important role in summer activities!  When partaking in such, it is not uncommon to use a trailer for towing.  However, as many of us can surely attest, people often tow things in an unsafe manner.  The picture below is a clear example of what NOT to do!

After witnessing the above, we felt it important to share some tips on towing and trailering to keep you and others safe on the road.  First and foremost, it is important that you know your vehicle’s towing capacity.  Exceeding this capacity can not only cause damage to your vehicle, but can seriously endanger others on the road.  Each vehicle has a different capacity, so keep in mind that what you are able to tow with one of your vehicles may not be the same on another.  If you are unsure, such information is provided in your owner’s manual.

If your current vehicle is not equipped with towing capabilities, be aware that most GM and Honda trucks, SUV’s and crossovers have the option for a factory-installed trailering package.  If you are interested in more information on such products or installation, please contact our one of our three dealerships: Queenston Chevrolet, Queenston on the Mountain or Image Honda.

Towing Safety Tips:

  • Ensure that your vehicle can withstand your trailers capacity.
  • Make sure you have thoroughly inspected your trailer tires, brakes and hitch and ensure they are in working order before hitting the road.
  • DON’T overload your trailer and always make sure that the weight is balanced out.
  • If you have loose items, make sure that they are securely fastened or covered to prevent them from moving.  Accessories such as cargo nets and other products are available for purchase from our parts departments.
  • Keep a safe distance when travelling behind other vehicles.  The additional weight of the trailer will make it harder to stop.
  • Always adjust your mirrors so you can see the traffic behind you.

Please keep these safety tips in mind for your benefit and others on the road.  If you have any questions concerning your vehicles towing capacity or are interested in installing a trailering package on your vehicle, please contact us at any of our three locations and we will be happy to assist you!

By: Amy Cochren

Image Honda

Queenston on the Mountain

Queenston Chevrolet on Centennial

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

When we hear someone say “all-new” at the dealership, there are several things that come to mind. New technology, advanced safety features, shiny exterior and connectivity are just to name a few. On April 1st, when Chevy introduced the 2016 Malibu, the word “all-new” took on a whole new meaning.

Longer and lighter, with more interior space than ever before, the 2016 Malibu boasts an impressive line-up of features. Its improved fuel economy offers an estimated 4.9L/100km city, 5.2L/100km highway driving. As a new hybrid sedan, the re-designed Malibu will certainly give our competitors a run for their money.

2016 MalibuAdditional vehicle highpoints include:

  • GM exclusive OnStar 4G LTE in-vehicle connectivity and wireless phone charging
  • Standard safety technologies (10 standard air bags, with available features including: Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Automatic Parking Assist)
  • All-new Teen Driver feature – this will allow you to view your child’s driving habits, speed, warning alerts and so much more.
  • New power-dense Ecotec 1.5L turbo engine with fuel-saving stop/start technology (standard feature)
  • Chevrolet MyLink with an 7 inch touch screen is standard on LS, LT and Hybrid models
  • Chevrolet MyLink with an 8 inch touch screen is available on LT and Hybrid Models and standard on Premier model
  • Chevrolet MyLink with navigation is available with 8 inch MyLink system and features three dimensional maps.
  • OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot is standard on all models (includes 3 month/3GB data trial – whichever comes first)

The styling on the all-new Malibu is similar in many ways to the 2014 Impala. It’s sleek, elongated and shows off the dual-port grille. Contemporary lighting is a strong characteristic and includes light-emitting diode (LED daytime running lamps available on LT and Premier Models). The Malibu Premier also includes LED taillamps. With so much to offer, there is no doubt you will want to take this vehicle for a test-drive when it hits our showroom floor in the late fall of this year.

If you are interested in learning more about the new 2016 Malibu or any other vehicles in our award-winning lineup, please visit us at one of our 2 Queenston locations: Queenston on Centennial (905-560-2020) and Queenston on the Mountain (905-528-7001).

Online at www.queenstonchev.com

A familiar EV for Canadian Consumers

Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec are welcoming the Chevrolet Spark Electric Vehicle in 2016. The Spark EV was previously only available to Canadian fleet buyers and some U.S. states, but will now become an exciting option for consumers who can take advantage of their province’s incentive programs.

In Ontario, the incentive could range from $5,000 – $8,500 towards the purchase or lease of an eligible, new plug-in hybrid electric or battery electric vehicles. The rebate is determined by the vehicle’s battery capacity. Homeowners can also apply for rebates up to $1000 towards the installation of 240 V Level 2 home chargers for their garage or driveway.

sparkevWith an EPA-rated 132 km range, the Chevy Spark’s exciting 327 lb-ft of torque makes a standstill to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds.  The Spark’s DC quick-charge can replenish the batteries up to 80 percent in roughly 20 minutes.

With the Spark’s primary audience being young drivers, this electric vehicle may get attention it deserves from green-minded Canadians. Look for the rollout of this smart Chevy at Queenston by the end of this year!

Queenston on the Mountain State-of-the-art Car Wash Now Open – Complimentary With Every Service

We have some very exciting news to share at Queenston on the Mountain!  We are happy to announce that we have completed construction on our new state-of-the-art onsite car wash!  Now, every time you service your vehicle at Queenston on the mountain, you will receive a complimentary wash of your vehicle.

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Did you know we offer detailing?

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Please call our appointment coordinators directly at 905-381-4286 or email us at [email protected] to schedule your detailing appointment.

2014 Cruze Diesel Named Car of the Year

Its official, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel has been named “Top Diesel Car of the Year”, as well as “Diesel Manufacturer of the Year” by Diesel Driver Magazine. Voted on by the readers of Diesel Driver, 59.3% of the 11,030 votes cast were for the Cruze, beating out competing models that included: Audi, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW and Porsche.This isn’t the first award for the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel – earlier this year they were recognized by Wards Auto as having one of the 10 Best Engines.

Diesel Facts

The all-new Chevrolet Cruze is a 2.0L clean-turbo-diesel-powered model, and has a fuel consumption rating of 4.2L/100km highway. This new diesel achieves a better fuel consumption rating than any non-hybrid or gasoline passenger car in North America.

While there is much excitement still surrounding the 2014 model, Chevrolet just revealed the 2015 Cruze Diesel at the New York International Auto Show. Making revisions to the exterior styling, as well as enhancements to the interior convenience of the vehicle, Chevrolet has made available a diesel powertrain that still maintains its class-leading fuel economy.

If you are interested in reading what Diesel Driver had to say about the Chevrolet Cruze, visit http://www.thedieseldriver.com or visit us at one of our 2 locations Queenston on Centennial or Queenston on the Mountain to experience this award winning vehicle for yourself!

Credit: Chevrolet Canada, The Diesel Driver

Best Truck in Canada – 2014 GMC Sierra AJAC Winner

We’ve been bragging about this truck from the beginning, but now we can officially say the 2014 GMC Sierra is the “Best New Pickup” in Canada, voted by the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada (AJAC). The all-new Sierra is the most powerful and technologically advanced truck in GM’s 111-year history.2014 gmc sierra

Last October in Niagara Falls, 147 vehicles were tested and evaluated by 80 journalists who voted on the vehicles, combined with objective data.  Each journalist drove each categories’ vehicles back-to-back in the same day, under same conditions on closed roads to ensure fairness.

Rob Assimakopoulos, General Director of Marketing and Communications for GMC in Canada, said the following about the distinction, “With the importance of the pickup truck segment in Canada, we thank AJAC and its membership for this significant award recognizing the GMC Sierra as the best new pickup in the country.  The Sierra is the definition of GMC’s Professional Grade mantra, featuring the most advanced engines in a pickup with a unique combination of technologies delivering legendary GMC capability.”

We know how great the Sierra is and we encourage you to visit us at Queenston on the Mountain and experience its power and comfort for yourself.  Right now, until December 9th, take advantage of our 0% On Everything Event and drive home your new Sierra today!