Regular Car Checks Recommended During High Summer Temperatures

Staying on top of your car's systems during the height of summer can help ensure a comfortable and safe ride.

Summer can be tough on cars, especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and stress the cooling system and tires. As a precaution, these vehicle components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid breakdowns and car problems, according to the Car Care Council.

Excessive heat and overcharging shorten the life of a battery. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which then damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, which will eventually destroy a battery.

To get the most life out of a battery, the council recommends having the electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate. If your car's battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it often, especially in hot weather and add distilled water if necessary. Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt can become a conductor, which drains battery power. If corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator and inhibits the current flow.

The cooling system also works harder during hot temperatures to prevent overheating of the engine. To keep the cooling system working effectively, the coolant and distilled water mixture for a vehicle's radiator should be 50:50. As a reminder, never open a hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level in the reservoir.

As a rule of thumb, the coolant should be changed annually on most vehicles. This will keep the cooling system fresh and clean inside, which helps prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper boiling point and protection. A pressure test, thermostat test, a cooling fan test and a visual inspection for leaks and corrosion should also be done annually. Hoses and drive belts should be checked for cracks, bulges or frayed edges.

The radiator should be kept clean by periodically using a garden hose and a soft brush to carefully remove bugs, dirt and debris.

Tires also need special care in warmer weather as high temperatures put added stress on them. To maximize tire life and safety, check the tire condition and inflation pressure monthly, and have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Summer heat will cause the pressure within a tire to rise, therefore, it's important to check the pressure when tires are cold. The owner's manual includes the recommended air pressure for your vehicle's tires.

"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The council reminds motorists that the vehicle's exterior also can be damaged by sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt and air pollution. To protect the paint and finish, vehicles should be washed weekly and waxed every six months.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visit http://www.carcare.org/.

Source: Car Care Council

2016 Buick LaCrosse Earns Five-Star Safety Rating From Federal Government

WASHINGTON — The 2016 Buick LaCrosse sedan earned the highest five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2016 LaCrosse received five stars in the front and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover crash test. The rating applies to front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the car.

The 2016 LaCrosse is expected to arrive at Buick dealerships this summer.

Standard safety equipment includes a rearview camera, antilock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control and eight airbags, including rear-seat thorax airbags.

Two Driver Confidence packages add more safety equipment. The Driver Confidence 1 package is available on 1SL, 1SP and 1SR models. It includes forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, lane-change alert, side blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, HID headlights, foglights and a head-up display.

The Driver Confidence 2 package, which is available on 1SP and 1SR models, adds collision preparation with collision-mitigation braking, full-speed-range adaptive cruise control and a Safety Alert seat for the driver. The special seat vibrates depending on the direction of a crash threat.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not rated the 2016 LaCrosse, a carryover vehicle. But the 2015 LaCrosse earned "good" scores in all Institute crash tests.

Source:  http://www.edmunds.com/

2017 Buick Encore Spy Shots

Buick’s Encore subcompact, launched in early 2013, arrived just in time to take advantage of a splurge in demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient crossovers. Buick sold 138,218 of them globally in 2014, a staggering 42 percent rise on sales numbers just one year prior, and this year is shaping up to be even better.

Nevertheless, to ensure the Encore stays fresh and features the latest technology, Buick will introduce an updated model next year. A prototype for the vehicle has just been spotted testing in Europe. Though Buicks aren’t sold in Europe, the Encore is twinned by a model called the Mokka sold by General Motors Company’s [NYSE:GM] European arm Opel, so it’s not unusual to see development taking place across the pond.

We’re expecting only minor visual changes for the Encore as this only represents a mid-cycle update. The camouflage gear on this prototype suggests a few tweaks to the headlights, new bumpers and possibly a new grille. Look for the fog lights to sport a similar design to the one on Buick’s Envision small crossover, which is due in the U.S. later this year, as a 2016 model. This updated Encore will arrive sometime next year, as a 2017 model.

It’s not clear what powertrains will be offered in the 2017 Encore, though we could see the vehicle adopt GM’s latest EcoTec range of engines. These engines should also appear in the next-generation version of Buick’s Verano compact sedan, also due as a 2017 model.

The current Encore is powered exclusively by the same turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder that's available in several Chevrolets including the Trax, the Encore’s corporate cousin. Incidentally, an updated version of the Trax should appear shortly after the updated Encore makes its debut.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/

2016 Buick Enclave Adds OnStar 4G LTE Connectivity

DETROIT – Let the streaming commence! Passengers in the 2016 Buick Enclave can download on the go with OnStar 4G LTE connectivity. It includes a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which can be used simultaneously by up to seven devices.

The Enclave’s connectivity upgrade brings 4G LTE and the Wi-Fi hotspot to the entire 2016 Buick model range, from Encore and Verano to Regal and LaCrosse – and the all-new Cascada convertible. The Wi-Fi hotspot is on whenever the vehicle is on and it comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial.

“Customers’ daily lives are so entwined with personal devices, so the addition of OnStar 4G LTE and its integral Wi-Fi hotspot is a feature they will rely on,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “It allows busy people to stay connected throughout the day and provides another outlet for passenger entertainment on long trips.”

4G LTE is the most current and fastest mobile data network – 10 times faster than 3G and 100 times faster than the previous generation of OnStar hardware. And with OnStar, it also offers stronger, broader coverage than smartphones on the same network.

Buick’s IntelliLink color touch radio is standard on all Enclave models and enhances the driving experience with a higher level of wireless connectivity and customized options – all while building on the safety and security of OnStar.

Six months of OnStar Guidance service is standard. OnStar’s RemoteLink Mobile App allows smartphone users to control vehicle functions, access vehicle information and send directions directly to the vehicle. An opt-in service called FamilyLink allows subscribers to stay connected to loved ones by checking the location of their vehicle online or by signing up for vehicle location alerts.

Five Years of OnStar Basic Plan includes RemoteLink Key Fob Services, allowing owners to remotely start and lock/unlock a car (if properly equipped), and activate the horn and lights from anywhere with a data connection. It also includes OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics which runs monthly checks of a vehicle’s engine, transmission, antilock brakes and more. Dealer Maintenance Notification, which sends diagnostic report directly to a preferred dealer, makes service scheduling simple.

Buick Outlines 2016MY Lineup

Out with the 2015MY and in with the 2016MY for Buick, which has just laid out its product plans for the new model year. 

The only truly new addition to the range is the Cascada, Buick's first convertible offered in North America in 25 years, which is based on the European Opel Cascada, but even though it was announced today as part of the brand's 2016MY lineup following its debut in Detroit earlier this year, it won't actually go on sale until early 2016. 

Until then, Buick has made some trivial changes to its existing lineup for the 2016 model year adding fresh color choices, updating infotainment systems and improving equipment features on certain cars. 

You can see what changed in more detail in the list below. 

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What's New For 2016:

2016 Buick Cascada (Brand New Model):

• - 2+2 convertible with distinctive design, premium features, refinement and 4G LTE connectivity
• - Advanced chassis technologies – including HiPer Strut front suspension – and standard turbocharged performance
• - Insulated soft-top system opens in 17 seconds at up to 31 mph

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2016 Buick LaCrosse: 

• - Updated IntelliLink system with new display screen and two USB ports
• - 20-inch wheels available on premium AWD models
• - Exterior colors: Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic, Graphite Gray Metallic and Ebony Twilight Metallic

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2016 Buick Regal & Regal GS: 

• - Buick IntelliLink enhancements with new display screens and more intuitive controls
• - Exterior colors: Ebony Twilight Metallic, White Frost Metallic, Crimson Red Tintcoat and Dark Forest Green Metallic

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2016 Buick Verano: 

• - Premium level of equipment for the segment, including an available rearview camera system and available heated steering wheel
• - Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features comprise the available Driver Confidence package
• - Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (upgraded from previous six-way adjustment)
• - Available 7-inch-diagonal Color Touch radio with Buick IntelliLink 
• - OnStar with 4G LTE and standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot (includes 3GB/three-month data trial)
• - New exterior colors: Crystal Red Tintcoat, Ebony Twilight Metallic and Graphite Gray Metallic

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2016 Buick Enclave: 

• - OnStar with 4G LTE
• - Exterior colors: Summit White, Ebony Twilight Metallic, White Frost Tricoat
• - Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels and optional 19-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels
• - Tuscan Edition that elevates Enclave’s sculpted beauty with a striking bronze waterfall grille and 20-inch chrome-clad wheels with bronze pockets (available on 1SL and 1SN)

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2016 Buick Encore: 

• - Exterior colors: River Rock Metallic, Graphite Gray Metallic and Summit White
• - Revised 18-inch, seven-spoke “Ultra-Bright” wheel finish

Buick reveals new Verano in Shanghai

The lion's share of the new vehicles being showcased at the Shanghai Motor Show this week may never make their way to US showrooms. But Americans will surely want to note the unveiling of the all-newBuick Verano.

The current compact sedan in the Buick lineup arrived in 2011, and is now preparing to enter its second generation with the model you see here. Details are the only element more scarce than photos (GM has released one thus far), but we can see that the new Verano adopts more dynamic styling than the model it replaces.

The design borrows elements from the Riviera and Avenir concepts, with a more steeply raked windshield and rear glass said to give the new Verano a more elongated look (and lower drag coefficient) than its compact footprint would dictate. Up front you'll see Buick's signature waterfall grille, flanked by HID xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and taillamps.

Motivation comes courtesy of a 1.5-liter turbocharged Ecotec four, driving 166 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque through a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 17-inch wheels are shod with Continental rubber. Just how many of these specifications will remain relevant when the new Verano reaches Buick dealers on this side of the Pacific remains to be seen.

Spied: 2017 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 Chassis Cab

The GM light-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks look like they'll be coming to market refreshed for 2017 or 2018. Our spy shooters are seeing both of them running all sorts of loaded and empty test loops, likely to work out the bugs on a modified or upgraded powertrain. Here's their latest report:

"Recently we've caught the updated Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickups out on their first test runs. … We caught a pair of 2016 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty prototypes (one crew-cab 2500 near maximum payload and towing capacity, and the other an empty chassis-cab Duramax) coming in from a run.

"Much like the light-duty trucks we've seen before, the Sierra looks to be hiding a moderate front-end refresh, with a new front end, hood cuts, a revised grille and updated headlights.

"We suspect the bigger news is under the hood, where the GM HD trucks are reported to get upgraded versions of the Duramax V-8 turbo-diesel. At least one report pegs the new Duramax numbers at 450 horsepower and 850 pounds-feet of torque.

"A version of the 10-speed transmission co-developed with Ford is also likely to make it into the heavy-duty pickups by 2018."