What Would Santa Drive?

Every December Santa embarks,
On a reindeer-guided journey around the globe in the dark.

He delivers toys in his trusty red sleigh
From house to house before the light of Christmas day.

But what if there were no sleigh in which to arrive,
He'd jump in a car but which would he drive?

He'd need a vehicle with all the right gear
What would be on Santa's wish list this year?
To determine which will take Santa beyond the stars.

All-wheel drive to conquer terrain with glee,
Like on the Tahoe, with a lot of capability

A vehicle with power and lots of "go,"
Can be found in the Camaro

A vehicle with room for hauling elves with grace,
Like the Chevy Traverse with Stow n' Go and plenty of space

With an in-dash navigation system to guide his way
The Equinox directs without delay

To deliver boats and ponies Santa will need to tow
Behind Chevy's Silverado, Ho Ho Ho!

To land on rooftops without a tip or roll
Maybe a Cruze with great control

One with heated seats keeping Santa toasty and warm
Like the Chevy Avalanche cruising through every storm

But only one vehicle in all the land
Will make this Christmas fine and grand

To keep Santa singing while flying alone,
The Prius's satellite radio offers carols in every time zone

With trimmings in leather and hardwoods throughout,
Santa rides in style without a doubt

But what color would he want as the winds whip to the right?
It's not hard to pick when it comes in Summit White.

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2012 Chevy Equinox Gains New Features

The lowdown on the upgrades to the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox?

“Since this generation went on sale in mid-2009 we have sold every Equinox we can build, but we aren’t counting on that momentum to carry us,” said Russ Clark, director, Chevrolet marketing. “We have carefully selected technologies that our customers will find valuable and are able to offer them at very attractive prices.”

Those technologies include Chevrolet MyLink, the brand’s highly regarded in-car infotainment and connectivity system. Leveraging the safety and security—and functionality—of GM’s OnStar system, MyLink provides both touchscreen and hand’s-free/voice-enabled access to online services like Pandora Internet Radio and Stitcher SmartRadio, along with stereo audio streaming, wireless control over Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, and a high-res seven-inch color touchscreen.

In addition, the new model year will see the Equinox add GM’s exclusive one-camera crash-avoidance system to its long list of available equipment. Significantly undercutting the price of rival systems, with an MSRP of $295, the Equinox’s technology relies on a high-resolution digital camera that is mounted just ahead of the rearview mirror on the windshield. The camera is able to detect the shapes of other vehicles and lane markings and alert the driver—with both visual and audible warnings—if the Equinox is following too closely to another vehicle ahead of it or leaves its lane without the driver signaling, or if a collision is imminent. And if a potential collision scenario arises, the system ensures the Equinox’s brakes are pre-charged for optimal braking performance

Chevrolet in the news

ARMY AWARDS POLARIS INDUSTRIES THREE-YEAR CONTRACT TO SUPPLY MILITARY ATVS, SPARE PARTS AND TRAILERS

Minneapolis, September 29, 2011 – Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the company has received a $54-million, three-year contract to provide All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), spare parts and trailers to Afghan and Iraqi security forces, the U.S. Government and other allied governments. The contract was received from the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Warren and includes options to extend the contract two additional years. This new contract award follows Polaris’ successful completion on an earlier multi-year contract awarded by the Army in 2007.

“Polaris is proud to serve the U.S. Military and our allies. As the leading supplier of Military ultra-light mobility platforms, we provide our customers the most capable, high performance ATVs. For almost a decade, we have been working with Military customers, all over the world, integrating their unique needs with cost effective mobility solutions,” said Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries. “With more than 3,000 battle proven vehicles deployed in theater, we have developed a strong understanding of our customers’ requirements. This unique position, coupled with our world-class manufacturing operations, allows us to supply vehicles quickly to meet the urgent operational needs of this contract.”

Polaris Defense was created in 2005 to provide a dedicated team focused on solving our warfighter’s mobility challenges, by providing a full range of platforms for military missions. More information about Polaris’ military vehicles can be found at www.polarisdefense.com.

First 2012 Camaro ZL1 Sells For $250,000

The very first 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 produced has officially been sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas for the staggering sum of $250,000. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

Rich Hendrick was the lucky winner of the sports car. The first Camaro ZL1 was produced with a Carbon Flash Metallic exterior, and it will be the only one produced with that particular color.
Not only will Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, benefit from owning a piece of automotive history, but his generous big will help the YMCA of Southern Nevada to open its doors many more people who need a helping hand.

“Our family has been involved with the YMCA for more than 25 years,” said Greg Heinrich, president of Fairway Chevrolet. “In that time, I have seen firsthand how the ‘Y’ helps young people, families, and seniors in our community. Today, the community’s dependence on the YMCA of Southern Nevada is greater than ever, with the Y sponsoring one out of four members.

The 2012 Camaro ZL1 was inspired by the legendary 1969 Camaro ZL1, of which only 69 were produced. It was the most exclusive and elite Camaro in history, and it was even recently voted the “best Chevy of all time” in an online contest.

“Like the original, the 2012 Camaro ZL1 introduces a performance benchmark for the street and the track,” said Russ Clark, marketing director for Chevrolet performance cars. “Offering the 69^th Camaro ZL1 at auction was a fitting tribute to the 1969 model, and a great way to benefit such a worthy cause as the YMCA.”

The Chevrolet Cruze is the top-selling compact car in the U.S. for four months now.

Courtesy Chevrolet is having a hard time keeping the Cruze in stock due to its high demand. This year to date, dealers across the country have sold more than 160,000 Cruzes and only have a 30-day supply of the sedans, roughly half of the industry standard.

Courtesy Chevrolet has had great figures with the Cruze since it debuted. Who wouldn't want the best eco car with the gas prices soaring?

Chevrolet dealers across the country have seen a 16% jump in their brand being purchased after the Cruze came onto lots.

Courtesy Chevrolet's sales are expected to keep reaching higher once the all-new sleek Sonic and extended range Volt role out to the dealership in the very near future.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Gets High Marks in Aerodynamic Testing

As gas prices fluctuate, General Motors is determined to deliver more fuel-efficient vehicles to consumers. But achieving more MPG isn’t as simple as utilizing smaller engines. For the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu, aerodynamics played a crucial role in its efficiency.

The latest Malibu has a drag coefficient comparable to a Corvette and nearly as efficient as the Volt electric car. Combining its sleek design with its fuel-saving eAssist technology, the Malibu ECO is able to achieve an estimated 26 mpg city and 38 mpg highway based on GM testing. Those are impressive figures for a full-size sedan.

“With the new Malibu, the design and aero teams collaborated to achieve maximum fuel efficiency for our customers without compromising the car’s visual appeal,” said John Cafaro, Chevrolet Malibu exterior design director. “The aero and aesthetic evolved simultaneously – working together, we sculpted the car in a way that makes it more slippery, applied innovative technologies like eAssist and active shutters, and we intentionally designed components such as the rear deck lid and outside rearview mirrors to help maximize fuel economy.”

When developing the new Malibu, engineers shaved 60 counts of fuel economy-robbing wind drag from the model it replaces, the equivalent of adding up to 2.5 mpg more highway driving range. Aero engineers and designers also conducted more than 400 hours of wind tunnel testing to ensure optimal fuel economy.

“Aerodynamics is driven by science.” said John Bednarchik, Chevrolet Malibu lead aerodynamic engineer. “While car designers favor wheel flares, sharp creases and other details that add style to a car, what catches the eye may disrupt the airflow, creating unwanted air turbulence and increasing drag. The new Malibu balances design needs with aerodynamic efficiency to truly benefit the customer.”

Vehicle aerodynamics remain a primary driver of overall fuel economy, especially at highway speeds. So, it’s good to know that so much attention has been placed on each and every curve of the all-new Chevy Malibu.

CEO Confirms Chevy to sell Diesel Cruze in the US

General Motors will sell a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze compact car in the U.S., GM CEO Dan Akerson says.

Planned for introduction in 2013, it would be the first Detroit passenger-vehicle diesel since the 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD sport-utility, and the first diesel car from Detroit since the 1980s.

A U.S. diesel Cruze has been the subject of heavy speculation, but was unconfirmed until now.

"I drove it the other day. It is great," Akerson said in an interview with USA TODAY. "These new diesels are quiet. Should make it in the low- to mid-40s, and that's with an automatic," the CEO said, referring to the likely fuel economy rating with an automatic transmission.

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The only U.S.-market compact car with a diesel now is the Volkswagen Jetta. With an automatic transmission, it is rated 30 mpg in town, 42 on the highway.

Diesel engines get 20% to 40% better mileage than similar-size gasoline engines, alluring to automakers trying to meet tightening U.S. fuel-economy regulations. But diesel fuel in the U.S. lately has averaged 5% to 10% more than regular gas. Also, diesel engines are costlier than gas engines, and require complex emissions gear, boosting the price of diesel vehicles.

GM's gasoline-engine Chevy Cruze Eco with automatic is rated 39 mpg on the highway, so a diesel would have to deliver significantly better than that to justify a higher-price car burning more expensive fuel.

"Generally, I think it's a good thing, but maybe way ahead of what the market's ready for," says Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. Not only is diesel fuel more expensive, it's not sold by every service station, he notes. "And a lot of people still have the misconception that diesel is smelly, loud, sooty — what city buses were 20 years ago."

Nevertheless, Nerad says, a diesel Cruze is smart marketing: "The fuel economy number they can point to probably is a good one."

GM wouldn't hint at pricing or give other details about the diesel Cruze because it is more than a year off. A Jetta diesel with automatic is $24,865.

Diesel backers believe a diesel in a popular, mainstream car such as Cruze finally could be a breakthrough in the historically diesel-averse U.S., convincing other automakers to modify their overseas diesels to meet U.S. regulations and offer the diesels here, too.

GM is at least considering packaging the diesel in a hatchback version of Cruze sold overseas.

Akerson offered some other hints of GM's powertrain future, citing electric vehicles and those fueled by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG): "We're going to introduce battery-only vehicles…CNG vehicles. Stay tuned. This is not the old GM."

Nissan's Leaf is the only mainstream battery car sold in the U.S. GM's Chevy Volt is an extended-range electric that goes about 35 miles on batteries, then switches on a gasoline engine to generate more electricity for the batteries so Volt can keep running when a plug-in recharge isn't available.

Diesels are common in much of the world because many countries heavily tax fuel to encourage sales of fuel-efficient vehicles such as diesels. Gasoline prices in major European countries this month, for example, have averaged around $8 a gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Diesel runs from slightly more to 15% less.

Cruze was the best-selling car in the country last month. Japanese companies normally dominate the top-seller list, but were short of cars because of interruptions in parts flow after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

For the first six months of this year, Cruze is the seventh-best-selling car.

OnStar Connects Family Members While They’re On The Road

OnStar has launched a new optional service called Family Link, linking subscribers to their loved ones when driving an OnStar-equipped vehicle.

This new service enables users to log onto the Family Link website to view a map with their loved one’s exact location at any time (pictured above). Subscribers can set up email or text message notifications to let them know the location of their loved one’s vehicle. They can choose the day, time and frequency of the alerts.

“Our subscribers have asked us for a solution to help them stay connected to their family when they’re on the road,” said OnStar President Linda Marshall. “What parent hasn’t asked their teenaged driver to call or send a text when they arrive somewhere, only to not hear from them? Family Link’s Vehicle Locate feature lets a parent check on their child’s progress or help determine when he/she might be home safe and sound.

The OnStar Family Link service is currently in a pilot phase and is accessible by invitation only. Approximately 10,000 active U.S. OnStar subscribers will be invited to the program.

Subscriber interest and comments from the pilot program’s users will guide decisions for launch and pricing of this service. Regardless, OnStar believes the service will provide greater peace of mind for subscribers while their loved ones are on the road.


via Chevrolet in the news

ALL NEW 2012 Polaris Ranger Crew Diesel at your Texas Polaris Dealer



2012 Polaris Ranger Crew Diesel in Texas

In 2011, Polaris entered the diesel Side-by-Side segment, with the introduction of the new RANGER Diesel. The RANGER Diesel shared the same full-size chassis as the RANGER XP 800 with the same attributes that made the RANGER line the hardest working, smoothest riding vehicles on the market. For 2012, Polaris is introducing its second diesel model and third vehicle to its multi-passenger line up,  the diesel crew.

This model shares the same 904cc, three-cylinder YANMAR® diesel engine as the RANGER Diesel, with the ability to carry six adults in total comfort. The engine is rubber-mounted to transfer minimal vibration to the operator, and provides low-speed torque to work harder. The fully-sealed, fixed center distance clutch driveline keeps water out of the clutches and provides better performance than competitive models.

RANGER CREW Diesel’s work ethic also includes a 55 amp alternator that gives the operator the ability to run many hard working, higher electrical load accessories, such as plows, extra lights, cab heaters and fans at the same time. It boasts a monstrous one-ton towing to tackle the toughest jobs and comes standard with a 2-inch hitch receiver to tow accessories with ease. Its 1,000 lb/454.5 kg capacity rear dump box has gas-assist dumping operation and accommodates many hardworking PURE Polaris accessories that go on and off in seconds.

RANGER Side-by-Sides are known to be the Smoothest Riding vehicles on the market and the RANGER CREW Diesel is no exception. Its long wheelbase combined with its fully-adjustable suspension creates a very smooth ride, even when fully-loaded. The vehicle’s suspension is the only four-corner adjustable suspension system that features Dual A-Arms with exclusive top-mounting-point adjustability. For recreational riding, the user can adjust to a softer setting or adjust stiffer for heavy-duty work. With a suspension travel of 9.6 in/24.4 cm up front, 9 in/22.9 cm in the rear and a ground clearance of 11.5 in/29.2 cm, the RANGER CREW Diesel provides a very comfortable ride.

To complement the suspension and travel, the RANGER CREW Diesel features On- Demand True All-Wheel Drive with VersaTrac that keeps you moving, automatically engaging all four wheels when you need more forward traction and reverting back to two-wheel drive when you don’t. When in two-wheel drive, the VersaTrac Turf Mode switch unlocks the rear differential for easier, tighter turns that won’t tear up the grass.

Inside the cab, the vehicle has the ability to carry six adults comfortably due to its superior comfort and ergonomics, including a slide-through cab design for easy entrance and exit that also provides lots of legroom. Leaned seatbacks provide extra comfort during travel and 10-inches/25.4 cm of tilt steering-travel provides plenty of steering wheel position options for the driver. For 2012, The RANGER CREW Diesel will be available in Sage Green.

Hardest Working Features

• 904cc, 3 cylinder, Yanmar® Diesel Engine
• 55 amp Alternator
• 1750 lb./793.8 kg payload, 1000 lb./454 kg cargo capacity, one ton/907.2 kg towing
• On Demand AWD
• High/Low beam headlights
• Heavy duty front end protection, inset lights and the most protection for critical components.
• Front full-bench under-seat storage and rear under-seat removable storage
• Full instrumentation
• Pallet-size rear dump box with gas-assist
• ROPS Certified Cab
• Lock & Ride®
• Cargo System

Smoothest Riding Features

• Easy-buckle driver and passenger safety nets
• Adjustable Dual A-Arm
• Front Suspension
• On-Demand, true all-wheel drive
• 9.6 in/24.5 cm front travel, 9 in/22.9 cm rear travel
• 11.5 in/29.2 cm Ground Clearance
• Seating for six
• Carries six adults comfortably with leaned seatbacks and lots of legroom
• 2 in/5.1 cm more leg room for rear passenger

Ranger Crew Diesel Inventory
Texas Polaris Dealer

GM to spend $328M at Flint to make next-generation pickups

GM made it official today that it will spend $328 million to refit its assembly plant in Flint, Mich., the General's historic home, to build the next generation of its key, profit-driving full-size pickups expected in 2013.
Flint is where 2,047 workers now build mostly heavy-duty versions of Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. GM says the money will keep or create 150 jobs. GM also builds versions of the trucks in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Silao, Mexico.

For a while, in the dark days of bankruptcy/recession/high gas prices, a next generation of the big trucks seemed in doubt as GM scaled back development. No more. "We remain committed to providing customers the utility and capability of our world-class full-size pickups," said Cathy Clegg, GM vice president of labor relations in a statement today. She said the new generation will be trucks that "offer better fuel efficiency than ever before without sacrificing features and functionality."

The $328 million and 150 jobs announced today are another part of the $2 billion GM earlier promised to spend in eight states over 18 months, creating or retaining about 4,000 jobs. Flint already got a piece with spending announced for the engine plant there and big chunks of the money and jobs are going to Detroit-Hamtramck to expand Volt production and build the new-generation Malibu and Impala.
via usa today

Pickup Makers agree to standard test for towing ratings

It's a victory for truth, justice and anybody who ever towed a trailer up a steep hill.

Major makers of pickups and SUVs have agreed to a standard test to rate their vehicle's towing capacity. By the end of the 2013 model year, most truck buyers should know -- for the first time -- how a vehicle performs vs. the competition.

"We wanted our customers to know that 10,000 pounds of towing capacity means the same things for all trucks," said Robert Krouse, the General Motors engineer who chaired the Society of Automotive Engineers committee that created the new standard.

This is a really big deal for millions of drivers. Towing capacity measures how heavy a trailer a vehicle can safely haul. The rating is as important to many pickup and SUV buyers as fuel economy or horsepower are to minivan or sports-car shoppers.

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The big difference, and the reason the SAE standard is a breakthrough, is that, until now, automakers could pretty much make up the numbers they claimed for towing capacity.

Each company designed its own test, and -- surprise! -- their trucks always aced the tests. Imagine the EPA didn't exist, and car companies could just make up fuel-economy figures to boost sales.

It's been caveat emptor, and catch me if you can on towing. Makers would boast about the pounds their pickups and SUVs could tow, and their exhaustive testing used to determine the towing capacity.

But when a new truck claimed a higher number, the other manufacturers would rewrite their spec sheets. Their trucks' towing capacity -- coincidentally ... magically! -- increased to match or beat the new kid on the block.

It was a farce, but there was nothing a customer could do, short of bringing a 10,000-pound trailer to their test-drive.

The new standard solves that problem. Created with input from leading truck, trailer and hitch makers, it assures that every truck tested fulfills the same performance requirements.

"Before, you couldn't say who had the best towing capacity, because you didn't know how it was tested," says Mike Levine, editor of Pickuptrucks.com. "This is the first time a customer can do an actual apples-to-apples comparison."

The test is demanding, and automakers expect published ratings to decrease:

The SAE test includes real-world tasks such as acceleration, braking, towing up a steep grade in 100-degree temperatures, understeer and stability. In addition to validating a truck's working credentials, it assures a basic level of safety for the driver and for others on the road.

With the demanding test, automakers expect their tow ratings to decrease by anything from a few hundred to more than a thousand pounds. They're willing to take the hit, because it's in their interest as well as the customers' to have credible towing figures.

Toyota is the first to use the standard. It already applied it to the Tundra. The Tundra's claimed towing capacity decreased, but its credibility grew.

Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and GMC full-size pickups are expected to adopt the test during the 2013 model year, which begins Jan. 1, 2012. Nissan will use the standard someday, but won't say when or on which vehicles.

Every truck tested to the standard can say its towing capacity is SAE rated. That's the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval when it comes to vehicle performance. The SAE is the leading independent body for vehicle standards and tests.

The towing standard is not mandatory. No manufacturer has to use it. If they don't, though, the figures they claim for towing capacity will be less credible and more open to challenge than their competitors'.
usa today

Hoffpauir Auto Group
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Chevrolet Promises Top Quality In The Camaro Convertible

Chevrolet wanted to ensure that the all-new Camaro Convertible featured the same level of quality as its Coupe sibling. To accomplish this, Chevrolet opened and closed the Camaro Convertible’s top more the 22,500 times — three times more than would be expected in a typical 10 years of use.

Many of these cycles were performed during extreme conditions, such as in temperatures that ranged from minus-22° F to 170° F and humidity of up to 95 percent. Additionally, every Camaro Convertible undergoes a water test as it completes assembly in Oshawa, Ontario to ensure that even a hurricane-like downpour won’t cause a leak.

“This past winter we even had our engineers driving 80 of these convertibles back and forth to work every day here in Michigan,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “They had to open and close the top five times each day no matter what the weather was like.”

Interior comfort is a top priority, and aside from ensuring that the elements wouldn’t creep into the cabin, Chevrolet also added an acoustical liner made of rubber sandwiched between an acrylic square weave outer fabric and an inner reinforcing cotton layer. This helps the Camaro Convertible score a better interior quietness acoustical rating than the Ford Mustang in interior quietness.

“For many buyers, a Camaro Convertible can be a collector car, something they might keep for generations. So we made sure the tops would retain their quality for a long, long time,” said Oppenheiser. “There is great value in a convertible with the original top.” Oppenheiser knows the needs for car collectors well. He personally restored a 1969 Camaro Convertible several years ago.

Spring Time Mower Tune Up..

It is easy to tune-up your tractor, lawn mower, or anything that uses a small gasoline engine. The procedure that is laid out here assumes that you have basic mechanical skills and the correct tools.


1) Lets start with a good clean-up. A little soap and water will make the job easier. If you have a pressure washer feel free to use it but, equipment manufacturers never thought folks would have 1000+ PSI in their hands. Take care that you do not force dirt and water into bearings that were not designed to withstand that kind of pressure. The high pressure spray will also wash away any lubricant that it hits. After a good cleaning it would not hurt to wax the steel metal. Some small tractors cost more than the car I drive.

2) The next step is to inspect the deck, deck belts, hangers, and blades. If anything is broken or worn, replace it now. You can find belts, blades and deck parts here. A tip here is to grab the blade tips and see if you can rock the blades, any movement more than 1/8" should be investigated. Make sure you replace any guides that you remove or are missing. If you have the deck off or tractor jacked up, remove the blades and have them sharpened. You can get the blades off by blocking the blade with a Blade Lock and unscrewing the blade bolt or nut. Wearing gloves is a good idea especially when re-installing the sharpened or new blades. Its a good idea to replace belts that have any signs of wear or are 4 seasons old. That way you are guaranteed to get through the next cutting season without any downtime for a belt. They always brake when you're doing that last minute cut before your wifes lawn party.

3) Now is a good time to lube the tractor, especially if you have removed the deck. Use your owner's manual. Most owner's manuals will point out where, and what kind of lube should be applied. Check the air in the tires for correct pressure. Low tire pressure can affect the quality of cut that you tractor will give.

4) Lets stop here and change the oil. Check the oil level. If its ok, start the engine and allow it to warm up a little. This will make the oil easier to change and will also stir up the dirt that may be in the oil pan so that it will come out with the used oil. Stop the engine. Spread some newspaper or have some Oil Sponge on hand. Now drain the oil into a receptacle. Here is a clean easy way to remove used oil, the "Oil Pump". Don't forget to replace the drain plug before refilling. If your engine is equipped with an oil filter, change it now. Fill the new oil filter with enough oil to at least wet the paper material inside. This will prevent a dry engine start up. Now Refill the engine with the proper oil.

While you are working around the tractor grab and shake things as you go. This is to help locate loose or missing parts. Rock the wheels to see if the bearings are loose or worn. Check the ball joints for signs of wear. Are all the deck hangers tight? Look for loose or missing bolts, clips or pins. Finding one now may save you not only down time during the cutting season, it could save you a "big" repair bill later. Check every electrical wiring plug that you find for tight fix and corrosion. Repair them now, not when the grass is 4" high and getting higher.

Gasoline is very dangerous. Work only in a well ventilated area, away from any source of heat or open flame!

5) Now for the engine parts.

A) Start by changing the fuel filter. Clamp off the fuel line between the tank and the fuel filter. Remove the filter by loosing the clamps that hold it and pulling it out of the hose. Be careful to catch any gasoline that may spill. ALWAYS replace the hose that is between the filter and the carburetor. That is because if you notice the filter usually has barbs on it. These barbs tear the inside of the hose when the filter is removed. A piece of hose could enter the carb and cause real problems.

B) Change the Air Filter if needed. Remove the air filter and precleaner. Clean or replace them as necessary. Be carefull if you have an air compressor. Do not use high pressure that will create small holes in the filter. Reinstall the Air Cleaner.

C) This next step is very important! Inspect the area of the cooling shroud. This is the cover that is over the engine itself. What you are looking for is any signs there may be of a mouse nest inside. Don't laugh. If you have never had one just wait and you will. If you do not remove it or grass clippings block the cooling fans of the engine, its toast. A tell tale sign of a mouse nest is thread or cloth. Some grass clippings are normal and need to be cleaned out.

D) Replace the spark plug, with the engine cold. The aluminium head can be distorted a little when its hot. This could cause the spark plug removal to damage the threads. Check the gap of the spark plug. Install a new spark plug of the correct type. Here is a tip, if the plug is in a hard to reach area, use a piece of 1/4" fuel line to hold the plug. Turn the hose to hand tighten the plug. Always thread the plug as far as it will go (or at least 2 full turns) by hand. That way you know you will not damage the plug hole. Torque the spark plug to the manufacturers spec. You can find the specs in their engine manual.

E: Replace the points and condenser using your service manual as a guide, if your engine is equipped with a point ignition. You might even cconside rconverting your ignition system to electronic.
G) The battery is often overlooked. It needs service even if it started your unit right up. Just looking at the battery can save trouble later. If the case looks bulged replace the battery. Measure the voltage. If the voltage is below 9 volts the battery probably will not last much longer. Inspect the terminals to make sure they are clean and tight. If not fix them now or replace the bad battery parts. Fill the battery with water to the full mark and charge it with a battery charger.

You should be ready to tackle those lawn chores now! Happy Mowing


Dixie Chopper Inventory



How to have the best lawn on the block..

Lawn Mowing Tips

Proper mowing is essential to a beautiful lawn, and contrary to popular belief, leaving your clippings on the lawn are actually healthy for it. Clippings will return nutrients to the lawn. They do not add to thatch levels, so it is best to let your clippings filter down.

The Hidden Nutrients in Grass Clippings
Grass clippings are 75 to 80% water and contain up to 25% of the fertilizer applied to lawns. Clippings quickly break down, returning moisture and nutrients to the soil. It only makes sense to allow the clippings to recycle into the lawn, where they can decompose. Those returning nutrients build greener and healthier lawns.

Understanding Thatch Levels
Thatch is a layer of dead vegetation that builds up on lawns at the surface of the soil. While a small amount of thatch is healthy for your lawn, an excess of thatch can be problematic. But thatch is primarily made up of roots and stems. Most people don't realize that grass clippings do not add to thatch levels, as clippings decompose very quickly. Bagging and removing your grass clippings will not reduce your thatch level. For controlling thatch levels, see: aerating lawns.

The Right Height for Your Lawn
The length of your lawn is determined from the top of the thatch level to the top of the grass blade, and maintaining a taller blade length will help keep your lawn and root system healthy. Taller lawns reduce evaporation and help prevent weeds by shading your soil. Your lawn will stay greener when it's kept at the right height. That exact height will vary by grass type, but you should never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade. For more information, ask your local K-Lawn lawn care specialist about the right height for your lawn.

The food producing part of your lawn is in the grass blade, and if you set your mower blade too low... you run the risk of damaging the plant. Scalping of this nature will cause your lawn to turn brown, restricts root growth and may run the risk of weed & disease problems.

How Often Should Your Lawn Be Mowed?
After determining the right height of your lawn, you'll need to adjust your mowing frequency to maintain that height. Lawn growth is effected by a variety of conditions, such as the season, grass type, irrigation frequency and the temperature. If possible, adapt your mowing schedule to your lawn's needs. During early spring and mid summer growing periods, you may need to mow more than once a week.

Using & Maintaining Your Lawn Mower
There are a number of good mowers on the market. It is preferable to use a mulching mower, so that clippings can be left on the lawn. Whatever mower you use, it is most important to keep your mower blade sharp. A dull, rough blade will damage the plant leaf and cause browning in lawns. Have your blade sharpened several times a year. Adjusting your mower deck height throughout the summer is equally as important. Remember, as temperatures rise, so should your mowing height. Early spring mowing can be lower to ‘clean up’ from the previous winter, but avoid scalping. Late fall mowing heights can be lowered as temperatures cool.

Points to Remember About Lawn Mowing:

Grass clippings left on the lawn are good for it, returning moisture and nutrients to your lawn

As temperatures rise, so should your mowing height.

Determine the right height for your lawn, removing only 1/3 of the leaf blade.

Mow your lawn as often as needed to maintain its determined height.

Use a mulcher with sharp mower blades to keep your lawn healthy

GM Adds Shift-And Jobs-To Meet HD Pickup Demand

How popular are the completely redesigned 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups? General Motors recently announced it would add a third shift at its Flint (Mich.) Assembly plant just to keep up with demand. And not only will this boost availability for two of the toughest trucks on the market, but it also means an additional 750 jobs for the state of Michigan.

“Adding a third shift is a response to customer demand for heavy-duty pickups, which most people use to tow, haul and plow,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, and customers can do plenty of each with GM’s HD trucks. The heavy-duty Silverado (Motor Trend’s 2011 Truck of the Year) and Sierra offer:

*A new 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel, delivering a robust 397 hp and 765 lb.-ft. of torque
*Towing capability of 21,700 lbs.
*Payload capability of 6,635 lbs.
*The segment’s best conventional trailer tow rating—17,000 lbs.
*Fifth-wheel trailer rating of 21,700 lbs.
*Confidence/control features like trailer sway control, integrated trailer brake control, hill start assist, automatic grade braking and intelligent brake assist
*A new exhaust brake system that reduces brake-pad wear
*Bold, aggressive exterior designs
*Available GM technologies like WiFi, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar and navigation

It’s further good news for Flint Assembly and follows a GM decision late last year to turn to the facility for added production of the light-duty Silverado. All told, the plant produced 115,000 trucks for GM in 2010.

“I’m very proud of the Flint Assembly team and what we have accomplished in the past year to launch the light- and heavy-duty pickups,” added Flint Assembly Plant Manager Amy Farmer. “The support of the UAW, its members and leaders was instrumental in making the heavy-duty truck the critical favorite when compared to trucks offered by our competitors.”

What Does Your Car Color Say About Your Personality?

Do people with red cars really get more speeding tickets than those with blue cars? Do car insurance companies use the color of your car to determine your rates? Do certain colors increase your chance of an accident? What does the color of your car SAY about your personality?

How Fast IS that Red Car?


According to the web site Colormatters.com there may be some truth to the urban legends surrounding car color and speeding tickets…at least anecdotally.

Visitors to that site say when they drive red cars they seem to get more speeding tickets. Although there seems to be no official statistics kept for such things, and the police aren’t talking about it, the stories reinforce the urban legend that many have heard.

In general, driving the speed limit is always a good idea no matter what color car you drive. If you keep your red car at or near the limit, the chances you will get a ticket are much smaller. In fact, they are probably exactly the same as the guy next to you driving the speed limit in his purple car.

Color and Personality

In Great Britain there was actually some research done that suggested the color of your car says something about your personality type. And accordingly, based on your personality type, your likeliness to be involved in an accident (in the U.K. at least). The research shows that black cars are twice as likely to be involved in crashes as cream-colored cars. Whether this is true in the United States is unclear.

Just for fun, here is what the research implied about certain car colors (listed in order of most dangerous to least)

Black denotes aggressive personality or someone who’s an outsider or rebel.

Silver cars someone who’s cool, calm and slightly aloof.

Green cars can often be chosen by people with hysterical tendencies.

Yellow cars signify someone who is idealistic and novelty loving.

Blue cars are chosen by the more introspective, reflective and cautious driver.

Gray cars represent those who are calm, sober and dedicated to their work.

Red cars denote those who are full of zest, energy and drive, who think, move and talk quickly.

Pink cars are chosen by gentle, loving and affectionate drivers.

White cars represent status-seeking extrovert drivers.

Cream cars are the least likely to be involved in accidents and denote self-contained and controlled owners.

The Color of Money

What about the car insurance rates question? Does your car insurance company use color to determine your premium? The answer is…no.


Some people have suggested that insurers use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to determine the car color and use that information, in part, to set the rate for each car. But the fact is car color is not one of the details encoded into a VIN number. So technically, unless they ASK you the color of your car when you buy your car insurance policy, they really have no idea what color it is. And thus has no affect on your rate.

Additionally, according to an article in the Chicago Sun-Times in 2005, despite the mistaken belief by 25% of drivers that color affects your car insurance rates, it really has no effect on your insurance at all. Factors like year, make, model, body type (of the car, not YOU), and engine size are taken into consideration along with the driver’s personal information.

So, if you want that little red sports car, go right ahead and get it. Does it mean you are full of zest, energy and drive and think, move and talk quickly? Only you can answer that.

The fact is, if you keep the speed of that little red number somewhere around the posted limit, stop at red lights, yield to oncoming traffic, and make your cell phone calls when you are stopped, you will probably do a lot more for your car insurance rates than any color ever could.

2011 Polaris RZR XP 900 ALL NEW

The All New Polaris RZR 900 at your Texas Polaris Dealer. Whether your in Austin, Houston or Dallas TX weve got you covered,

2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Silverado HD

Find yours new Chevrolet Silverado HD