Top Family-Friendly Kid-Haulers

It’s always sad to see summer come to an end, but with its end comes the start of a new season.  As families say goodbye to summer road trips and days at the beach, it’s back to school time for many.

With carpooling, after school activities, sports and the like, families will be spending a considerable amount of time in their vehicles.  In fact, an online poll taken by CarGurus.com showed that a third spend more than an hour in their car on any given day. Needless to say, comfort and dependability are important features.

This year, CarGurus.com put together a list with their “10 Best Top Family-Friendly Kid-Haulers” and we are happy to announce that both Honda & GM made the list.

Here are the vehicles that made the CarGuru’s List!

Midsize SUV

  • 2016 Chevrolet Traverse

2016 Chevrolet Traverse

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minivans

  • 2015 Honda Odyssey

2015-Honda-Odyssey-01

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large SUVs

  • 2016 Chevrolet Suburban

2016 chev suburban

 

 

 

 

 

We are excited to see that these vehicles made the list.  Visit us at Image Honda or Queenston to schedule your test drive today.  As always, make sure to follow Hamilton Auto Blog for the latest news and updates!

Source: http://www.cargurus.com

http://www.canadianautodealer.ca/2015/09/top-kid-haulers-for-back-to-school/

EDMUNDS.COM 2015 BEST RETAINED VALUE AWARDS

We are proud of our vehicles and always love when they are recognized on any platform.  We are exceptionally pleased to announce that Edmunds.com have recently recognized several Honda and GM models with their 2015 Best Retained Value Award.  These awards recognize “the brands and models that have the highest projected private party residual value five years after their launch, expressed as a percentage of their average True Market Value.” (Edmunds.com)

Winners include the following:

Subcompact Car – Honda Fit

Midrange Sport Car – Chevrolet Corvette

Compact Crossover SUV – Honda CR-V

Large Crossover – GMC Acadia

Large Traditional SUV – GMC Yukon

Minivan – Honda Odyssey

As always, we encourage you to visit us in person or online and take a closer look at these award-winning vehicles.  You can find us online at www.imagehonda.com or www.queenstonchev.com

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/best-retained-value-cars.html

The Redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Silverado

When you think Chevrolet, you can’t help but think of the Silverado.  As it’s one of our most popular vehicles here at Queenston, we were excited when Chevrolet released a sneak peek of the redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup.

“The redesigned 2016 Silverado will build on Chevy Trucks’ legacy of dependability. It will feature a more muscular appearance and offer new customer-focused technologies,” said Joe De Stefano, brand manager, Chevrolet Trucks in Canada.

The Silverado’s bold new front end design adds aggressive horizontal elements, sculpted hoods and dramatic lighting.

2016 silverado

Other changes for 2016 will include expanding the use of 8-speed automatic transmissions, updated Chevy MyLink with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and additional safety technologies.

We will receive more information later this year regarding the 2016 Silverado’s revamped design – stay tuned to Hamilton Auto Blog for updates!  In the meantime, visit us at www.queenstonchev.com to browse our expansive Chevrolet inventory.

Source:

http://media.gm.ca/media/ca/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/ca/en/2015/Jul/0713_Silverado.html

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

The sporty and fun Cruze has been Chevrolet’s best-selling global car, and it’s getting a complete makeover for the 2016 model year.  The new Cruze will be larger and lighter, more sophisticated and even more efficient than before.

Packed with new technologies such as available Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and new active safety features, as well as a more spacious interior and an athletic, aerodynamically optimized design, the 2016 Cruze elevates the compact car segment.

2016 cruze front

Due in North America in early 2016, where a new, standard 1.4L turbocharged engine with direct injection and an SAE-certified 153 horsepower (113 kW) will contribute to a General Motors-estimated 5.9 L/100km highway fuel efficiency with the available six-speed automatic transmission. Stop/start technology contributes to the Cruze’s efficiency in stop-and-go driving.  The new turbo engine and a leaner architecture that contributes up to a 113 kilogram (250-lbs.) overall weight reduction also contribute to the new Cruze offering stronger performance, with expected 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) acceleration of eight seconds.

“The 2016 Cruze builds on a very successful program that introduced Chevrolet to new customers the world over,” said Alan Batey, president, General Motors North America. “We retained all the attributes that made the original Cruze a hit around the globe and built on them to make this car more sophisticated, more fun and more Chevrolet.”

Some highlights of the all-new Cruze include:

  • Next-generation Chevrolet MyLink with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, including a standard 7-inch-diagonal screen and available 8-inch-diagonal screen (at launch, 8-inch screen only with Apple CarPlay)
  • Projector headlamps with light-emitting diode (LED) signature lighting – and LED daytime running lamps on uplevel models
  • More standard features than most competitors such as 10 air bags, four-wheel disc brakes, rearview camera and available OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot
  • New available features including wireless phone charging, heated rear leather seats and heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Available advanced safety features include Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert

 

The Cruze will also boast a new model range for North America including L, LS, LT and Premier – and a more expressive RS package.

Esthetically, the Cruze’s sleek profile is complemented by detailed, layered line work in the hood and body-side panels, contributing to an overall impression of muscularity – with an athletic stance enhanced by a longer wheelbase. The headlamps sweep back into the front fenders and an expressive, stacked dual-port grille design offers upscale attention to detail. LT and Premier models feature premium forward lighting systems, including projector-beam headlamps and LED signature daytime running lamps.

2016 cruze rear

 

 

 

 

 

 

The redesigned interior will feature more spaciousness and legroom in both the front and rear passenger areas and will echo the exterior’s lean, muscular design. A mixture of accents, from piano black and matte black finishes to bright trim, along with more premium features such as available heated rear leather seats and wireless phone charging, complement the cabin with an upscale ambience.

2016 cruze interior

As always, safety is the Cruze’s top priority.  It features a new, stronger body structure that incorporates high-strength steel in key areas, a segment-leading 10 standard air bags, and available safety features including an expanded range of adaptive crash-avoidance technologies.  These include Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert.

Cruising into our showroom in early 2016, the all-new Chevrolet Cruze is set to take Canada by storm!   Visit us today or browse our online showroom at www.queenstonchev.com.

 

Source:

http://media.gm.ca/media/ca/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/ca/en/2015/Jun/0624_Cruze.html

2016 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

The sun on your face, the wind blowing through your hair…who doesn’t love a convertible?  Chevrolet has announced that they will offer a convertible model of the all-new, completely redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Camaro.

This Camaro convertible will feature a unique top, with advanced technology.  It is the only convertible in its segment to offer:

  • Fully automatic operation with latches that automatically release and secure the top
  • Capability of opening or closing at speeds up to 48 km/h (30 mph)
  • Remote opening with the key fob
  • A hard tonneau cover that deploys automatically, providing a more refined, finished appearance when the top is lowered and stowed.

2016 camaro convertible

The electro-hydraulic power roof system features multilayer construction – including acoustic and thermal barriers – designed for a comfortable, quiet driving experience in all seasons. The top emulates the sleek silhouette of the Camaro coupe.

“The 2016 Camaro coupe will set the benchmark for the segment in terms of technology, performance, and design,” said Shane Peever, Chevrolet brand manager for Canada. “Adding the most sophisticated top in the segment brings another level of refinement, and driving enjoyment, to the Camaro convertible.”

For more details on all the exciting changes in store for the Camaro in 2016, please click here.

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is set to arrive in our dealerships early in 2016.  For more information on our exciting Chevrolet lineup, please visit us online at www.queenstonchev.com.

Source:

http://media.gm.ca/media/ca/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/ca/en/2015/Jun/0624_Camaro-Convertible.html

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