First retail production Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition will be auctioned off by Barrett-Jackson to benefit Operation Homefront
2023 marks the 70th anniversary of Corvette, the longest running nameplate of any car on the road today. For eight generations, Corvette has pushed the boundaries of technology, performance and style while remaining an attainable cultural icon.
The 2023 model year Corvette Stingray and Corvette Z06 will celebrate this milestone with a special 70th Anniversary Edition package.
“Passion for Corvette runs deep at Chevrolet and this anniversary is extra special because of the excitement and sales success we’ve achieved with the eighth generation of America’s iconic sportscar,” said Steve Majoros, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “Even after 70 years, Corvette still makes hearts race and kids dream of the open road.”
70th Anniversary Edition Corvettes will stand out in one of two exterior colors unique to this package – an all-new White Pearl Metallic Tri-coat or Carbon Flash Metallic. Optional stripes are available in complementing colors – Satin Gray with the White Pearl Metallic Tri-coat and Satin Black with the Carbon Flash Metallic.
The 70th Anniversary Edition Corvettes feature distinct wheels with commemorative wheel center caps. While Stingray and Z06 each have separate wheel designs, the wheels share a similar dark finish and Edge Red stripe.
Inside the cockpit, drivers will find two-tone Ceramic leather GT2 or Competition Sport seats, red stitching throughout, red seatbelts, and sueded microfiber seat inserts and steering wheel.
Additional content includes:
- 70th Anniversary Edition exterior badging, including special Corvette crossflags
- Edge Red brake calipers
- 70th Anniversary Edition logo on seats, steering wheel and sill plates
- Rear bumper protector and trunk cover
- Custom luggage set with red stitching and 70th Anniversary Edition logo
70th Anniversary Edition Stingray coupes will also include an Edge Red engine cover.
The 70th Anniversary Edition package will be available when production starts later this year on 2023 Corvette Stingray 3LT and Z06 3LZ coupe and convertible models. The 2023 Corvette Z06 visualizer, live on Chevrolet.com, now includes the 70th Anniversary Edition package.
All 2023 Corvettes, including those not equipped with the 70th Anniversary Edition package, will feature a commemorative 70th anniversary interior plaque located on the center speaker grille and a graphic imprinted on the lower rear window.
Corvette is offering buyers more options in 2023 to make each vehicle bespoke and personalized, raising the number of choices to 14 available exterior colors and eight interior colors that allow for thousands of combinations.
America’s Supercar is raising the stakes for military families
The first-ever retail production mid-engine Corvette Z06 will be a 70th Anniversary Edition. VIN 001 of this highly anticipated special edition Corvette Z06 will cross the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, with proceeds benefitting Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit focused on building strong, stable and secure military families who can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities they’ve worked hard to protect.
Since 2017, Chevrolet has been a proud supporter of Operation Homefront. Chevrolet has provided seven Silverado full-size trucks to the organization’s six regional offices and headquarters, and donated funding for services.
Legendary former Corvette Racing driver Oliver Gavin will drive the 2023 Corvette Z06 stand-in vehicle across the auction block for this special occasion.
Offering 400 miles of driving range, up to 10,000 pounds trailering capacity and loaded with high-tech innovations
Today, Chevrolet introduced the 2024 Silverado EV — the reimagining of the brand’s best-selling nameplate, packed with the power and capability expected of Chevy Trucks, offering:
- Expected GM-estimated 400-mile range1 on a full charge offered on Work Truck (WT) and RST
- Up to 664 horsepower with more than 780 lb-ft of torque in available max power Wide Open Watts Mode on RST, enabling a GM-estimated 0-60 mph time of less than 4.5 seconds2
- Standard DC fast charging (up to 350kW)3 on WT and RST
- Up to 10.2kW of offboard power on WT and RST with optional equipment
- Up to 10,000 pounds of maximum trailering with up to 1,300 pounds of payload on RST4
Developed from the ground up as a fully-electric truck on GM’s advanced Ultium EV Platform, the Silverado EV offers a boundary-breaking combination of capability, performance and versatility, along with advanced technologies that can evolve the vehicle over time.
“Chevrolet has constantly revolutionized the Silverado franchise to make it the powerhouse it is today,” said Steve Hill, vice president of Chevrolet. “The Ultium Platform is a critical enabler of next-level pickup truck performance for both fleet and retail customers, whether they are currently driving a Silverado or are considering a pickup for the first time.”
At launch, the Silverado EV will be available in two configurations, an RST First Edition and a fleet-oriented WT model. Each will offer a comprehensive suite of standard and available safety technologies.
The flagship RST First Edition includes:
- Four-wheel steering
- Automatic Adaptive Air Suspension
- Multi-Flex Midgate that expands the truck’s cargo capability while maintaining seating for a rear row passenger
- Available Multi-Flex Tailgate with power release
- Large, 17-inch-diagonal LCD freeform infotainment screen paired with a neighboring 11-inch-diagonal reconfigurable driver instrument display and a multi-color driver head-up display with a field of view over 14 inches
- Trailering-capable Super Cruise5, the industry’s first true hands-free driver-assistance technology, allowing drivers to travel hands-free on more than 200,000 miles of compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada
The WT will launch first for fleet customers and offer impressive capability to meet the needs of organizations with sustainable transportation goals, including 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque. The WT will offer 8,000 pounds of towing and 1,200 pounds of payload4. After initial launch, Chevrolet will introduce a fleet model with up to 20,000 pounds max trailering with the max tow package4.
“GM Fleet has long provided customers with great products and services, an exceptional customer experience and innovative solutions to meet their unique business needs,” said Ed Peper, vice president of GM Fleet. “We’re excited to launch the Silverado EV, providing customers with a true work-capable truck to help them begin the transition to an electric fleet and assist them in achieving their own sustainability goals.”
Ultium-powered propulsion
The Silverado EV harnesses the power of the Ultium Platform, which is the foundation of GM’s EV strategy and the driver of the company’s vision for a zero-emissions future.
“The Ultium Platform enabled our design and engineering teams to start from a clean slate and create a pickup with impressive performance and capability,” said Nichole Kraatz, Silverado EV chief engineer. “The result is a truly impressive testament to the creativity and innovation our teams can bring to market with speed and at scale.”
A new body architecture, which efficiently leverages the available 24-module Ultium battery pack as a part of the fundamental structure, enables the vehicle’s impressive range. This structural design integrates the capability Silverado customers have come to expect from a full-size pickup in terms of strength, durability and performance, while also providing a more comfortable, confident ride both on- and off-road.
Additionally, the chassis is designed with independent front and rear suspensions, with power transferred to the available 24-inch wheels on RST via front- and rear-drive motors that compose the e4WD system. Automatic Adaptive Air Suspension enables the vehicle to be raised or lowered up to 2 inches (50 mm).
Four-wheel steer capability reduces the turning radius at lower speeds for greater maneuverability in parking lots, and enhances handling and stability at higher speeds, particularly when trailering.
The RST and WT models also come with Tow/Haul mode, trailer hitch provisions, and an integrated trailer brake controller and Hitch Guidance. The RST also includes Chevy’s Advanced Trailering System.
Phenomenal performance
The RST and WT feature public DC fast charging capabilities of up to 350kW enabling approximately 100 miles of range to be added in 10 minutes based on GM estimates.
When combined with the available accessory power bar, the Silverado EV’s PowerBase charging system offers up to 10 outlets, to provide a total of 10.2kW of all-electric power for countless worksite or recreational needs, including powering your home, with the required equipment.
The Silverado EV is also capable of charging another EV using the available accessory charge cord, sharing its power in times of need.
With the growing North American network of chargers and the Energy Assist feature in the myChevrolet Mobile App, drivers can create energy-efficient route planning even while trailering.
RST owners also have access to Ultium Charge 360, GM’s holistic approach to EV charging, which is designed to simplify the overall charging experience, including access to more than 100,000 publicly available charging points in the U.S. and Canada.
WT customers have access to Ultium Charge 360 Fleet Service, which offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive charging solutions for businesses, whether drivers take their vehicles home or return to a central depot.
Designed for performance and functionality
Inside and out, the Silverado EV RST and WT are thoughtfully designed for functional flexibility.
“We had no constraints when it came to designing the Silverado EV with dramatic style and flexible utility because we didn’t need to work around a traditional propulsion system,” said Phil Zak, executive director of Chevrolet Design. “The Ultium Platform allowed us to redefine what it means to offer expansive new storage and utility possibilities.”
Exterior proportions and surfacing convey the truck’s capability and athletic performance. The front-end design has been sculpted to efficiently direct air down the body side, significantly reducing drag and turbulence. As a result, the Silverado EV WT is estimated to have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any available production full-size pickup truck, which helps enable the impressive range.
The Silverado EV will be offered exclusively in Crew Cab models, with a shorter front overhang that gives the truck a more aggressive stance, more spaciousness and enhances forward downvision. The second row is pushed rearward, meaning passengers over 6 feet tall will be comfortable no matter where they sit.
Customizable first row storage on both RST and WT models makes the most of the interior space and provides functional solutions for a variety of customer needs.
The eTrunk – a lockable, weatherproof compartment in the front of the vehicle – provides enough space to fit a large hardside suitcase and a multitude of accessory options for both fleet and retail customers to load gear based on the unique needs of the customer.
The RST’s modular console features a capacity of just over 7 gallons, meaning a lunch cooler can easily fit inside. The RST features a fixed-glass roof, which offers expansive visibility, increased headroom and an enhanced experience for both front and rear passengers.
On the RST, the storage capacity of the 5-foot-11-inch bed is maximized thanks to the innovative available Multi-Flex Midgate, which provides just over 9 feet of storage between the cab and the tailgate when the Midgate is open.
A 40/60 second row seat offers four configurations that allow users to haul gear or equipment while still accommodating a passenger in the second row. With the addition of the available Multi-Flex Tailgate the Silverado EV RST enables up to 10 feet, 10 inches of load floor and storage capability. An available tonneau cover allows items such as lumber or a kayak to be loaded into a fully lockable, weatherproof storage compartment.
Technologies for today and tomorrow
The Silverado EV is packed with the latest technology, including an advanced software system that enables vehicle technologies to evolve over time.
As a driver approaches the RST with an enabled cell phone or key fob, a distinctive lighting animation greets them.
Upon entering the vehicle, a bold 3D animation appears on the RST’s large 17-inch- diagonal LCD freeform infotainment screen, which is paired with a neighboring 11-inch-diagonal driver instrument display. Together with a driver head-up display with a field of view over 14 inches, a driver can’t ask for more information at their disposal. With new, hands-free start, the vehicle turns on automatically after the driver enters with an enabled device, leaving hands free to buckle up and get on the road.
A major enabler of the Silverado EV’s technologies will be the brand’s first application of Ultifi, a new Linux-based software platform. Developed in-house at GM, it separates the vehicle’s software from the hardware to enable rapid and frequent software updates. This will give drivers the opportunity to evolve their vehicles over time, enhancing both the capabilities and accessing cloud services in a flexible and fast way.
Production, availability, and reservations
The Silverado EV will be assembled with domestically and globally-sourced parts at GM’s Factory ZERO, Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center — a facility repurposed and retooled with a $2.2-billion investment devoted to EV production.
In spring 2023, the Silverado EV will debut a WT model offering GM’s longest range battery with an expected GM-estimated range of over 400 miles on a full charge. In fall 2023, a fully loaded RST First Edition model, also delivering a 400-mile range, will debut with an MSRP of $105,000 + DFC. After production ramps up, Chevrolet will unleash the full Silverado EV portfolio, including WT (with a starting at MSRP of $39,900 + DFC), RST, Trail Boss and more. Customers will have the ability to content the truck across various price ranges, with MSRPs around $50,000, $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 and more, allowing them to choose the truck that meets their capability and pricing needs.
Reservations for the Silverado EV are available starting at 1 p.m. ET at Chevrolet.com.
Chevrolet Previews Equinox EV
Equinox EV builds on Chevy’s commitment to provide a wide range of EV options
Chevrolet will expand its EV lineup in fall 2023 to include the Equinox EV, an affordable, functional compact SUV that will start at an estimated MSRP of around $30,0001 in the U.S. The Equinox EV, which will be launched with both fleet and retail versions, including LT and RS trims, will leverage GM’s Ultium Platform.
“The Equinox has always played an important role for Chevrolet as the second-highest selling brand nameplate,” said Steve Hill, Chevrolet vice president. “Providing an affordable EV option in the industry’s highest volume segment proves Chevy is going to make EVs available to everyone.”
The announcement of the Equinox EV comes on the heels of Chevy’s reveal of the 2024 Silverado EV and confirmation of the Blazer EV SUV, which will be available in spring 2023.
New Year’s Traditions From Around the World
f you are as ready as we are for a new year with new vibe, maybe you want to try a different New Year’s Eve tradition! The New Year is celebrated around the world and trying something new (other than a party and New Year’s resolutions) might be exactly what you need to kick off 2022 in an upward trajectory.
From the more elaborate to the simple, here are some New Year’s traditions from around the world for you to try:
- In Ecuador, the people make giant “scarecrows” resembling evil things or people and at midnight, they burn them to start new year evil-free!
- In Spain, locals eat exactly 12 grapes at midnight to bring about prosperity and good fortune. Originally, this tradition was started by the grape-sellers so they could sell more grapes at the end of the year, but soon it caught on with everyone.
- In Brazil, the people throw white flowers into the ocean as an offering to Yemoja (the ocean goddess) to ask for blessings in the next year.
- Italians wear red underwear! Red represents fertility, so maybe only adopt this tradition if you’re hoping to expand your family in 2022.
- The Japanese end the year and start the new year with a bowl of soba noodles in a tradition called toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles). Starting your New Year this way could help with a long and healthy life.
Of course, there are many other traditions to kick off the new year for you to choose from. How does your family celebrate on New Year’s Eve or what is a new tradition you’d like to try?
We are proud to serve the Burien community and surrounding areas! At Burien Chevrolet, it is our priority to make sure you have a great car-buying or service experience. With more than 500 Google reviews, this is what some of your neighbors are saying about their experience at Burien Chevrolet:
“Best vehicle buying experience yet. We have purchased and sold several vehicles and dread going to dealerships. However Burien made this experience quick and painless. Found the truck we wanted online but it was 3 hours north in Burien, WA. Called in the evening to verify it was available and Jason let us know it was. Told him we would drive up in the morning but it would take a few hours. We called him on our way and he verified it would be waiting for us and sent us pictures too. We took it for a quick test drive and started paperwork. We did not plan on trading our truck in at the time but they were able to offer us a price we thought was very fair. We were in and out in under a few hours (shortest buy/trade transaction to date). No additional markups/hidden equipment on top of what they listed online and we even received an extra discount they had from Costco. We love our new truck!”-Trina B.
“Not wanting to pay king county high sales tax my wife and I reluctantly drove to burien Chevrolet. Now we are glad we did. Right away Robbie And Andy his manager was right there to greet us making us feel like we were not only customers. But made us feel at home. If you plan on buying a car it will be fast and good service. I would definitely recommend this dealership.”-Steve L.
“Amazing service! I drove into Burien Chevrolet 3 months ago when I first started thinking about trading in my vehicle. I test drove a used Equinox and loved it. I didn’t want to jump the gun and purchase a vehicle on my first day looking. After spending the next few months searching around at other SUV’s and Equinox’s, I found another on their website that I LOVED. The vehicle had yet to be delivered to the dealership, but the second it was, Jason, my sales rep, reached out and helped me get through all the necessary documents before driving 2 hours to the dealership. After giving them everything they needed, I had an offer from a bank in less than thirty minutes! I was in the dealership for less than an hour and only spent MAYBE 10 minutes waiting around for final numbers. Kevin, the gentleman who did my financing, had all the paperwork done and the vehicle was completely detailed and safety checked before I pulled into the lot. This was the most seamless and effortless experience I have ever had at a dealership and I drove off in a new 2021 Chevy Equinox! I can’t thank Jason or Kevin enough for going out of their way and staying after closing to help me get into a new vehicle.”-Kass K.
We love taking care of people and if you want to know that you’ll be taken care of, just take their word for it. Stop by today and let us know how we can help you!
Service & Parts Specials at Burien Chevrolet!
Tis the season to make sure your vehicle is tip top shape! Take advantage of these service and parts specials at Burien Chevrolet, so that you don’t find yourself in an emergency situation in the middle of winter. Some of our current deals include:
- Tire Price Match Guarantee! Make sure you get the best price anywhere on tires by getting them from Chevrolet of Burien. Keep you and your family safe with good tires on your vehicle this winter!
- Wiper Blade Rebate. If there’s anyone who knows the value of good wiper blades, it’s drivers in the Puget Sound region…who get to use them a LOT in the winter.
- Get an oil change starting at $59.95! Our technicians only use the best oil to keep your engine running smoothly.
- Deals on brake pads and rotor!
- More rebates on batteries and air filters!
Give us a call or schedule your service online so we can help keeping you moving this winter!
Mapping Speed
This is part of a feature article in New Roads Magazine, Chevrolet’s online lifestyle publication. This excerpt only includes the racetrack nearest Burien Chevrolet, but see the full article for their complete list and descriptions.
No matter where you reside in the U.S., there’s almost certainly a historic, challenging, or simply beautiful racetrack nearby. Take a trip to one and make a memory.
A Sunday drive can be good for the soul — a nice way to get out into the world even during times with limited options to do so. But for as much fun as it is, a quick drive is no substitute for a proper weekend getaway. By the same token, enjoying your Corvette or Camaro on a bit of country road or length of open highway (within reason, of course) isn’t the same as taking your Chevrolet performance car to the racetrack.
You might assume track days are more expensive than they actually are, or that any track worth the trip is too far away or so remote as to offer nothing in the way of vacation interests for the rest of the family. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are tracks all over America catering to all skill levels, with configurations to challenge novices and experienced drivers alike.
Fact is, if you’re reading this in the continental U.S., you’re likely within a day’s drive of a great racetrack. Many are located near major cities or areas friendly and of interest to tourists. As a bonus, many feature track days run by a regional or national Chevy-centric club.
A weekend getaway — or indeed, even a longer vacation — to one of America’s great racetracks is a way to unwind, see more of the country, have fun with the family, make new friends, and get more involved in the Chevrolet enthusiast community. That’s not to mention the perks of becoming a more skillful, experienced driver. Let’s scout out some of the best tracks you can visit, spread out across the country.
BUTTONWILLOW RACEWAY PARK: RACEWAY #1
Buttonwillow Raceway Park, about 150 miles north of LA, is somewhat remote but still only a couple hours from the Paso Robles wine region and top-notch surfing at San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach.
Buttonwillow is unique in that it’s really three tracks in one that can be configured into over 40 different courses (we’re looking at the “Race #1” setup here). Fair warning: The track doesn’t use official turn numbering either, leading to some discrepancies map to map. Some turns can be banked up to 10 percent, while others have negative camber, and quick elevation changes can develop a full skillset. Get on track with companies like Speed Ventures, or bring your car to Buttonwillow’s Performance Driving Clinic.
Holiday Appetizer Recipes
Are you entertaining for Christmas or New Year’s? One of the most important aspects of that is…the appetizers! Good appetizers can make a good gathering a GREAT gathering, so here are some of our favorite appetizer recipes that are sure to be a hit with your guests:
- Best Cheese Ball Bites. Cheese balls in bite-form? Yes, please!
- Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip. There is nothing better than putting it in the crockpot and leaving it to get delicious while you do other things to party prep. Plus, it’s spinach artichoke dip…yum!
- French Dip Pinwheels. Want to offer something a little more substantial? These French Dip Pinwheels will help your guests make it all the way to the countdown on New Year’s Eve!
- Reuben Egg Rolls. If you want to offer your guests something a little different, lot of fun, and definitely tasty, this recipe for Reuben Egg Rolls should be on your holiday menu!
- Chocolate Churro Dip. Ready for something sweet? This will DEFINITELY hit the spot!
What are some of your favorite holiday appetizers?
We are all doing more cooking this time of year, which means more errands. More car loads. Needing more IN our vehicles and FROM our vehicles. Read the experience of Chef Kim about her week-long test drive of the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS as published in the New Roads Chevrolet online magazine!
One Week with a Trailblazer RS
Chef Kim is passionate about sourcing the tastiest in-season produce for her restaurant, in tandem with local growers. We loaned her a 2021 Trailblazer RS to help get from farm to table with ease.
Trying to explain the vision for her restaurant, Miss Kim, can be tricky, so chef and managing partner Ji Hye Kim sums it up in two simple sentences. “I tell people that it’s as much a Michigan restaurant as it is a Korean restaurant,” she says. “Our food is inspired by Korean grandmothers and by Michigan farmers.”
That dedication to fresh, locally sourced produce while respecting her Korean heritage and the home-cooked meals from her youth keeps Chef Kim busy around her home of Ann Arbor, Michigan. “I have to run errands all the time if I want to buy one little ingredient to test a recipe, or if we run out of something,” she says.
Her efforts have paid off not only in a happy and well-fed clientele — even after a challenging year for restaurants during the pandemic — but also in professional recognition, with Miss Kim named a semifinalist for the 2020 James Beard culinary awards.
While Ann Arbor’s 100-year-old farmers market is just blocks from her restaurant, Kim spends plenty of time on the road visiting local food suppliers and farms. Those shopping trips inform Miss Kim’s recipes — not the other way around. They also were inspiration for some delectable recipes Kim is sharing with New Roads readers just in time to add a touch of Korean flavor to your holiday table.
“My favorite thing is to walk through the farmers market to see what’s in season and what strikes my fancy, and that gets my mind turning on the next item I’m going to put on the menu,” she says.
She also shops the nearby Argus Farm Stop, which sells items from more than 200 area farmers. Thanks to her experience and connections with local farmers, Kim says she can often tell which farms the vegetables are from by look, feel, or taste.
Unlike some chefs who began stirring and chopping as soon as they could walk, Kim didn’t start cooking until later in life. Growing up in South Korea, Kim says her mother didn’t let her in the kitchen: “She’s pretty possessive of the kitchen. She’s known as the best cook in the family.”
Despite working in restaurants after she moved to New Jersey as a teenager, Kim wasn’t bitten by the culinary bug until much later. At dinner parties, she realized that even if the conversation was boring, delicious food kept her attention. Almost on a whim, she decided to leave her corporate career and got a job at Ann Arbor staple Zingerman’s Deli. “I took a 90-percent pay cut,” Kim says. “That’s not hyperbole — I did the math.”
But what she gave up in salary was more than made up for in experiences. Starting off in the bread department and spending some time selling specialty cheeses, she began to build up her culinary skills and know-how in running a kitchen. After a few years, Kim took advantage of Zingerman’s entrepreneurship program and, with a partner, opened a local food cart called San Street. It was a lower-risk way for Kim to gain firsthand experience cooking and operating her own business.
With the food cart running from April through October, Kim used winters to intern at restaurants and kitchens around the country. But she credits her most formative cooking experience to spending time overseas at the Rome Sustainable Food Project.
“That’s when I saw local farmers bringing in vegetables every day,” she recalls. “It played a lot into how I perceive food and work in a restaurant with local farmers, and just being conscious of sustainability.”
Returning to the U.S., Kim again worked with Zingerman’s to launch Miss Kim. The restaurant has a cute patio outdoors and a cozy interior with tall ceilings and painted-brick walls. Located in Ann Arbor’s historic Kerrytown district, it’s surrounded by cobblestone streets lined with other independent businesses.
To help this busy chef keep her business humming, we loaned her a 2021 Trailblazer RS for a week of ingredient shopping, delivering finished meals, and everything in between. It turns out the crossover’s ample cargo space served up a just-right cocktail of utility for Kim’s lifestyle.
“My favorite part is the versatility,” says Kim. “Trailblazer’s back seat is spacious, so I can give my staff members a ride home, but then I can also easily fold the seats down, and I have a huge cargo area for when I’m catering or transporting ingredients.”
With the busy streets and tight parking spots of the area, Kim especially appreciated the Trailblazer’s city-appropriate size and easy maneuverability. “The Trailblazer has a pretty tight turning radius,” she says. “It’s pretty nimble.”
When she had to drive farther to source ingredients or visit other restaurants in nearby areas, Kim appreciated Trailblazer’s standard Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning,† as well as the ability to project the navigation app from her smartphone right to the vehicle’s infotainment screen.
“This is the first time I’ve used Apple CarPlay,®† and I thought it was super helpful,” she says. “It was nice to be able to put my phone down and still be able to see directions on the screen.”
Plus, Trailblazer’s powerful yet fuel-efficient† engine meant she could take less time out of her busy schedule for gas stops: “I’ve been driving all over for errands, and it’s definitely not a gas guzzler.”
All told, Trailblazer was a big hit with Kim as she juggled the many demands of running her popular restaurant. “It’s sort of the best of both worlds,” she says of the SUV, “because I can transport all the cargo that I need for the restaurant, but it’s not so big that I find it difficult to drive or to fit into my routine.”
5 Tips for Driving Safely During Rainy Season
Here in Western Washington, we’re used to the rain. We have to learn to play, work, and drive in the rain because life can’t stop when we get some (more) of that liquid sunshine. But it’s important not to become complacent while driving in the rain and to remember a few important key tips to keep you driving safely on your way.
Here are 5 things you can do to driver more safely in our rainiest seasons:
Prepare Your Vehicle
Make sure your windshield wipers work or replace them if needed. Make sure you are able to defrost your vehicle so you can see clearly out all the windows. Replace any head or tail lights as necessary and keep plenty of gasoline in your tank. If you aren’t 100% confident in your vehicle, give us a call to make an appointment with our service department!
Don’t Drive Through Standing Water
You see the signs and hear the warnings: don’t drown, turn around. Already this rainy season we have been hit with a couple serious rain storms that have left many roads underwater. Do NOT try to drive through water on the road or go around signs blocking roads. It isn’t worth the risk to your life or your vehicle. It seems that no matter how many times we read/hear the warnings, there are always people who ignore them and require rescuing by first responders.
Slow Down
If you’ve been driving for any length of time, you know the terror that comes from hydroplaning, which occurs when your car is driving a high rate of speed and goes on top of standing road water…and results in you losing control of your vehicle. Sometimes it is difficult to see where there might be standing water on the road, so it’s a good idea to slow down no matter what. Driving slower also makes it so your vehicle can slow down without sliding/skidding on the wet road, which has less traction.
Don’t Use Cruise Control
It’s tempting to use your vehicle’s cruise control option whenever you can, but it is important NOT to use it when driving in the rain. Why? The cruise control will keep your wheels turning at the same speed no matter what is happening…even if you hit standing water. Instinctually, we can feel when our vehicle goes over standing water and, hopefully, can slow down quickly enough that the vehicle stops hydroplaning and we regain control. Or if we feel the water is suddenly slippery, we can instantly slow down by taking our foot off the gas a little. When we use cruise control, it is always full-steam ahead.
Use Headlights
Even in the middle of the day, using your headlights makes your vehicle easier to see in the rain. Those dark rain clouds and reflections off the rain/wet road can make it difficult for you to see…and for people to see you! Help prevent someone from turning out in front of you at the last minute or stepping off the curb in front of you by turning on your headlights any time it starts raining.
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