KEEPING YOU AND YOUR VEHICLE SAFE THIS WINTER

No matter how many times we do it, driving in wintery conditions never gets easier or less frustrating. Driving in snow can be risky and you must always be prepared for the unexpected. When bad weather does strike, we recommend staying off the roads if possible. 

Did you know that snow and ice are more slippery at 0 C than at -20 C or below? It’s a common misconception that the colder the temperature the worse the roads – be aware this isn’t the case.  Even at 4 C there can be black ice on the roads. Always keep a safe distance between yourself and another vehicle as sudden braking can cause skidding.

Few things are more annoying than when you need to get somewhere and you find your car buried in snow.  Although it is tempting to quickly clear your windows and go, it can be dangerous for both you and those driving around you.  See and be seen – make sure that you properly remove all snow and ice from your hood, windows, lights, roof as well as the rear part of your vehicle.  It is also a good idea to take the brush and clear any snow or ice between your wheels and under your bumper.

Transport Canada has put together a highly informative booklet on Winter Driving Safety Tips.   This book is free and highly useful.  It can be viewed online or printed off to keep in your glove compartment.

Some tips in the booklet include:

  • Preventing problems before they occur
  • Getting your vehicle winter ready
  • How to prepare for driving in poor weather
  • Avoiding collisions

To view or download a copy please visit Transport Canada http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-safetyfeatures-winterdriving-index-693.htm

If you are interested in purchasing winter tires for your vehicle or would like to make sure your car is ready for winter, please visit us at www.imagehonda.com or www.queenstonchev.com

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Transport Canada

Drive For A Cause

On December 13, 14 and 15th, Queenston on Centennial and Queenston on the Mountain held their Drive for a Cause event.  This event provided individuals the opportunity to support a local charity and test drive one of our exciting 2013 Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicles including; the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia as well as the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, Spark and Buick Verano.

For every test drive taken during our three day event, Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC donated $25 to Hamilton Food Share on the behalf of that individual.  In total, we raised $1,225 for Hamilton Food Share.  What is so notably great about Hamilton Food Share is that for every $1 donated, $5 worth of food will be generated.

All of us at Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who participated and made this event such a big success.  Because of you we were able to feed many families in our community this holiday season!

By: Amy Cochren

AutoHwy Holiday Gift Guide

AutoHwy’s Holiday Gift Guide

 Heated Ice Scraper ($10-$20)

This is a practical and useful gift for anyone getting into a vehicle this season. For emergencies and for everyday use, a heated ice scraper gets the job done quicker than a regular ice scraper when you’re strapped for time.

totes

 http://www.sears.ca/product/totes-heated-ice-scraper/645-000105056-71588

Remote Key Finder ($10-$20) 

If you have a loved one who’s constantly misplacing their keys, this is the perfect gift for them.  This is an affordable gift that will come in handy.  

key finder

http://www.amazon.ca/Wireless-Locator-Control-Cellular-batteries/dp/B000TD50HQ

Chevy Bowtie Utility Bag – ($30-$40)

These stylish Chevrolet utility bags are a great gift for the man or woman in your life who also happens to be a car enthusiast. Get a bag in the shape of the signature Chevy bowtie in whichever colour you like. There are a wide range of colour options for this gift idea.

chevy bowtie

http://www.chevymall.com/Chevrolet-Bowtie-Utility-Bag/productinfo/JS633/

Plasmaglow™ – Neon GloStix – ($20-$30)

Neon Glostix tubes by plasmaglow are an affordable way to highlight a vehicle wherever you want it highlighted – under the dash, in the trunk, etc.  The sticks provide a neon glow of the colour of your choice. A very funky gift idea.

plasmaglow

http://www.plasmaglow.com/neon-glostix

Fanmats™ – Carpet or Vinyl Car Mats ($45-$100)

These car mats are made for sports fans. You can have your loved ones’ favourite team’s logo on either a vinyl or carpet car mat for their car. Fanmats™ offers all sorts of floor mats and rugs that span across NFL teams, MLB teams, NBA , NHL, and military mats. A great gift for a sports fan.

fan mats

http://www.fanmats.com

15 Piece Car Wash Kit ($30-$40)

Everyone likes their vehicle looking clean and attractive. This car wash kit provides everything you need for a thorough car wash in an organized kit with the Honda logo imprinted on it. The kit includes a car wash brush, spray gun, glass cleaning brush, tire brush, cotton cleaning brush, windshield cleaner, sponges, gloves and hose adaptors.

honda kit

http://www.honda.ca/parts-service/merchandise

Remote Car Starter ($120 – $400)

When the winter sneaks up on us we all wish we had a remote car starter to warm up the car long before getting in. This would be a great gift for loved ones who are always waking up extra early just to get the car defrosted and warm. It’s a little bit pricey but definitely a useful gift for any driver.car starter

http://www.mass.ca/productshow.asp?id=35&vehicleId=0

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Driving Made Easy

It is important to maintain a clear visual of the road while driving. Now that we are in the winter months, our windshield is susceptible to frost, ice, snow, rain and sleet, which can make it difficult and sometimes dangerous to drive. However, with a little maintenance and preparation, you can make your winter drive a little better.  At our dealerships, we offer a wide array of maintenance services that will prepare you for Old Man Winter. 

Wiper Blades:  There is nothing worse than getting to your car in the morning when you are late for work only to find your windshield frozen over.  Often times, people will run their blades over the frozen windshield in order to clear it. This severely reduces the life span of your wiper blade. Wiper blades frequently get neglected on most cars and yet, they are constantly used and exposed to harsh conditions.  We recommend that you change your blades at least once a year, preferably every 6 months. 

Stone Chip Repair: A stone will most likely chip your windshield at least once over the course of your ownership.  If untreated, it will continue to crack reducing your visibility and can be potentially dangerous. As the cold weather takes effect, you will find that the crack with get increasingly larger. At our dealerships, we offer a stone chip repair service – this quick and affordable service will save you money… and your windshield. 

Wax your lights:  You might be saying to yourself, “Wax my lights?”  Yes, visibility in the winter months can be minimal, so it is important that you are getting maximum light from head lamps.  Adding a little car wax to the lights and then wiping off and buffing with a towel will assist in preventing ice and snow from sticking.  The same practice can be applied to your taillights.

We hope you found these tips for winter driving helpful.  If you would like to schedule a service appointment at one of our dealerships, please visit us at www.imagehonda.com or www.queenstonchev.com

By: Amy Cochren

Drive For a Cause – Queenston on Centennial and Queenston on the Mountain

Queenston Chevrolet on Centennial and Queenston on the Mountain will be holding the “Drive For a Cause” event on December 13, 14 and 15, 2012.  This event will provide individuals the opportunity to test drive one of our exciting 2013 Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicles including; the re-designed Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia as well as the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, Spark and Buick Verano and make a donation to Hamilton Food Share.  This is a fun opportunity to get behind the wheel and donate to our community.  For each test drive taken during the 3 day event, Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC will donate $25 to Hamilton Food Share on the behalf of that individual. Our goal for this event is to donate a total of $3000.  What is notably great about Hamilton Food Share is that for every $1 donated, $5 worth of food will be generated.

By: Amy Cochren

2013 Chevrolet Spark

The Spark is so action packed; you would never know it is the first mini-car from Chevrolet!  Aside from the eccentric colour pallet – Jalapeno, Salsa Red, Denim, Techno Pink and Lemonade – Chevy’s new vehicle has been coined as a “small engine in the big city”. The 1.2L, 4 cylinder engine with variable valve timing allows the Spark to run more efficiently by conserving fuel.  Another fantastic feature is the Hill Start Assist, which keeps the brake engaged while your foot switches from the brake to the gas pedal on inclines.   

This 5 door, 4 passenger mini car is easy to park and so much fun, you will be offering to drive your friends everywhere! Although the Spark is small, it is surprisingly roomy and high volume for its size.  With the 7 inch Chevrolet MyLink display screen, you have everything at your fingertips. MyLink allows you to get directions, take phone calls, watch movies and listen to your favourite music. This car has so much to offer, it is without a doubt an attractive option for anyone who is in the market for a small, economy minded car.

If you are interested in the Spark or any of the vehicles in our award winning Chevrolet line-up, please visit us at http://www.queenstonchev.com

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: GM Canada

Queenston on Centennial – 2011 Silverado 1500 Walk Around

If you are in the market for a pick-up, this is the truck for you!

If you would like to schedule a test drive, please click here or visit us at www.queenstonchev.com

SUPER LOW KMS! GORGEOUS PICK-UP! This is the right choice if you’re looking for a full-size pickup with good performance and a comfortable interior. A smooth and quiet ride, you’ll enjoy the long drives in this Silverado 1500. A fuel efficient V8 engine will get you there in no time while saving you money at the pump too! With this low odometer, it won’t be around for long! Come check it out at Queenston on Centennial! When you mention SPECIAL PROMO CODE: TA0831NM2012 Receive a special in store offer! Queenston on Centennial Certified Vehicles get Quakerstate 10 year/400,000km engine warranty! 150 point Technician Inspection on EVERY used vehicle! Exchange policy, Carproof Report included, 24-hour roadside assistance and ask about our grad program! Proudly serving these communities ? Hamilton, Niagara, Burlington, Oakville, Binbrook, Dunnville, Milton, Brantford, Ancaster, Waterdown, Flamborough, Cambridge, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Glanford, Smithville, Grimsby, Caledonia, Winona, Cayuga, St. Catherines, Welland, Haldimand, Hagersville, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo, Etobicoke, Guelph and more!

 

Help with a “Like” and Donate to Hamilton Food Share!

Starting today through to December 17, 2012, Autohwy launches their Facebook “Like” drive campaign.  For the second year in a row, we have partnered with Hamilton Food Share to help make this Holiday season a brighter one for more than 7,600 local children and their families.  For each new “Like” that our AutoHwy Facebook page receives, we will donate $2 to the organization.  What is so exceptional about this charity is that for every $1 donated to Hamilton Food Share, approximately $5 worth of food will be generated.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

For those wanting to know more about Hamilton Food Share, we thought we would share some statistics from the organizations Survey “Depth of Hunger Project!”

  • There is a common belief that food bank users are people who have recently moved to our community.  The survey results dispel this misperception.  On average, survey respondents have lived in Hamilton for 22.9 years.
  • 66% of respondents have been coming to a food bank for 6 months or less.
  • 57% of parents who go to a food bank said their children go hungry at least once a week because there wasn’t enough money to buy food.
  • Children who experience prolonged bouts of hunger get sick more often and for longer periods of time.
  • Hungry children have trouble learning since they can’t focus or concentrate.

This is a fantastic cause that both Queenston and Image Honda are proud to support.  We would like to thank everyone for their help and look forward to raising a great deal of money for Hamilton Food Share this Holiday season.

By: Amy Cochren

2013 Silverado 3500 HD Named Canadian Truck King!

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD named Canadian Truck King for 2013

The Canadian Truck King challenge takes place each year. It is a head-to-head competition among six pickup truck manufacturers that involves driving the trucks back to back over a two day period. A group of automotive journalists tested the trucks under certain criteria to evaluate the trucks’ performance, inside and out. Trucks were tested on and off road, they were loaded and unloaded, they towed trailers, and they were tested on evaluations of ride and handling, among other tests.

After 2,600 km of testing, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD was crowned Canadian Truck King for 2013. It beat the Ford 350 and Ram 3500 to take first place.  “The heavy-duty truck segment is one of the most competitive in Canada and it’s an honour to have the Silverado HD officially crowned the Canadian Truck King for 2013,” said Sharon Sikorski, GM Canada marketing manager for trucks.

The 2013 Silverado 3500 HD is powered by the Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine, and a 1000 six speed automatic transmission powertrain combination. This powers the truck with 397 horsepower at 3,000 rpm, and 765 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm.  It also features a high pressure fuel system for greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, and the list goes on. What can be said is that this truly is a powerful truck.

Canadian Truck King for 2013 – Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

If you would like information on the Silverado or any of the Trucks in our award winning Chevrolet line-up, please visit us at www.queenstonchev.com 

© GM Corp

 By Nerissa Mohamed

Source: GM Canada

2013 Chevrolet Trax

New to Canada this year is the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Trax. Unavailable in the United States, the Trax is Chevy’s first entry into the small SUV class.  This vehicle has the flexibility of a small car, while offering you the feel and practicality of an SUV.  Marc Comeau, Vice President of Sales, Service & Marketing for Chevrolet Canada, described the Trax as a vehicle “building on Chevrolet’s long tradition of offering dependable and capable SUVs and crossovers.  Trax delivers modern styling, versatility and efficiency, while offering car-like handling and all-wheel drive.”

Operating with the same engine as the Chevrolet Cruze, the Trax drives on a 1.4 litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine with an output of 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque.  The three trim levels available are: the LS, which come with standard front-wheel drive and 6 speed manual transmission; and the LT & LTZ models that come in a 6 speed automatic transmission with an all-wheel drive option.

The innovative Chevrolet MyLink is standard on the 2LT and LTZ models, and is available as an option in the LS model. MyLink is an in-vehicle connectivity system that provides audio streaming for your devices, as well as wireless control of your smartphone.

Catering to passenger comfort, the Trax provides 60/40 fold down seats.  The front passenger seat can also be folded flat providing you with up to 8 seating arrangements.  There are also numerous areas for storage and 6 cup holders made accessible for your passengers on those long car trips.

The Chevrolet Trax is set to arrive at Queenston before the New Year.  If you are interested in this vehicle or any other vehicles in our award winning Chevrolet line-up, please visit us at www.queenstonchev.com

By: Amy Cochren

Credit:

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/vehicles/chevrolet/trax/feature-2013-Chevrolet-Trax

http://media.gm.ca/media/ca/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/ca/en/2012/Sep/0928_Trax.html