Thursday, October 3, 2013

Weekly Car Tip: How to Keep Your Car Smelling Fresh!




Every car had that distinctive 'new car' smell at one point in time. However, it doesn't take long before it gets replaced with less-desirable scents such as body odor or stale french fries. We believe it is a smell that should not be limited to cars that are only weeks old. If you follow a few of these simple techniques, you can achieve a fresh smelling car for years to come. 

First, let us cover some preventative measures. They may seem like common-sense, but it's still worth mentioning. Obviously, avoid smoking in the car. While it seems like the smoke immediately disperses, it actually has a much more pervasive nature. Cigarette smoke has a tendency to find its way into fabrics and other hard-to-reach places in the car. This is the quickest way to displace that fresh scent. Another, maybe not so obvious (but still important), in-car activity to avoid is eating. And whatever you do, don't leave fast-food bags in the car during the day or overnight! If you must eat in the car, be sure to have some car wipes handy to clean the steering wheel and any other surfaces that may have been affected. It's also a great idea to keep an in-car trash bag that will contain any spills or messes that you may encounter.

Now, even following those rules, it's still inevitable that the new-car-smell will eventually fade away. What can you do to restore it? Here are a few suggestions:

  1. We all know that you can buy the car-fresheners to place around the vehicle. Some of these work better than others, but there are certainly better options.
  2. Next time you're in the department store, grab a couple cologne or perfume samples (depending on your preference) and leave them in the car. These scents are strong and will remain in the car for longer.
  3. Vacuum often! Use carpet deodorizer, or baking soda, to absorb any scents left behind by the vacuum.
  4. You can place orange peels in an inconspicuous place. As they dry, they will continue to release a naturally fresh scent.
  5. Dryer sheets also work very well. Put an open box underneath the drivers seat. They absorb bad odors while also emanating a fresh smell.
Is there anything we missed that you have found success with? Let us know in the comments, or drop us a line on the Bob Brown Chevrolet Facebook Page!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

EV Owner Etiquette


If you have yet do drive a fully-electric vehicle, you may not realize that the driving experience is significantly different than your average car. That's precisely why Chevrolet released a list of driving tips for those still making the adjustment. We'll quickly highlight those tips in this blog post.


  • Once your car is finished charging, it is proper etiquette to move your car. This allows the next person to utilize the charging station. If you plug your car in and leave while it is charging, leave a note indicating that it is okay for the next person to unplug your car to charge their own. 
  • Fully electric vehicles receive priority at charging stations.
  • Watch for pedestrians. Electric motors are almost silent which makes it difficult for people to be aware of approaching EV's.
  • The Spark EV has a Pedestrian Friendly Alert Function which can be set to activate at slow speeds. The feature emits a 'Chirp' sound, making the vehicles presence known. 
  • As an EV owner, whether hybrid or fully-electric, it is your responsibility to act as ambassador to others. Spread the word about the benefits of EV ownership, as well as the nuances that come along with it. 
 For more information, visit the Bob Brown Chevrolet Website.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Weekly Car Tip: Music Can Improve (Or Worsen) Your Driving



Most of us listen to some form of music in the car while we are driving. Did you know that, depending on the style and genre, music can have drastic effects on your driving abilities? This study shows that faster tempo music causes the driver to make rash decisions like being impatient at red lights, driving faster and making more mistakes, sometimes leading to accidents. Interestingly, the study also shows that listening to any type of music, regardless of tempo, serves to moderate your heart rate. 

So next time you get in the car, think twice about putting on Slayer or Deadmau5. Maybe try some Chopin? Nora Jones? 

Friday, August 23, 2013

2014 Silverado makes NHTSA history



The Chevy Silverado has recently been awarded with the first ever five-star government safety rating for a pickup truck. Features like high-strength steel, fully boxed frames, lane departure warning, forward collision alert and rear view cameras all contributed to the Silverado's reception of the highest possible safety rating. 




"Safety is as important to truck buyers as it is to car buyers," said Gay Kent, GM director of vehicle safety.

"Silverado and Sierra set a benchmark for pickup truck safety by offering a full array of advanced features designed to protect occupants before, during and after a collision."

GM's decision to redesign their trucks for the first time in seven years could not have come at a more optimal time. Sales of full-size pickup trucks has increased by 24% through July, while the rest of the industry only rose by 8.5%. Experts attribute this to a built up demand, stabilizing housing market and healthy energy industry. 

With Ford, Chrysler and Toyota lurking, it's a huge victory for Chevrolet. The demand for trucks is soaring. There's no doubt that the NHTSA's decision to endorse the safety of the Silverado will help to conquer the high-competition truck market.  

If you have been considering buying a truck, now is the time!  And it's an obvious choice to go with the brand that research has proven to have the best possible passenger safety: Chevrolet. 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

How the Traverse Ousted the Minivan


There's no denying the practicality of a minivan. It's a smart buy for many young families. The hard part is looking past the horrifying aesthetics that come along with most (all) minivans. Put simply, they're uncool. And capitalizing on that deficiency, the Traverse may well put the minivan out of its misery. 




One of the big factors in this match-up is the Traverse's standard third-row seating. With all seats in use, the Traverse still offers 24.4 cubic feet of storage space. Not enough? Fold the third row and you get a spacious 70.3 cubic feet of family fun. Another point that makes it such an appealing choice is that what most cars of its class offer as optional, come standard on the Traverse. That includes a rear view camera system and curtain airbags in the case of a rollover.

While measuring its style appeal is a matter of opinion, it's safe to say that the Traverse is no match for the current vehicle choice of soccer moms across the country. After all, soccer is all about style.

See our inventory


Thursday, August 8, 2013

The Economics of EV Ownership



We all miss the days of gas under $3. But instead of being bitter about the "old days," why don't we come up with a way to recreate those days of gas savings?

With the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV drivers can save approximately $9,000 in fuel costs over 5 years compared to the average vehicle. That's $150 a month that can be spent on something else!

The amount of money you can save on fuel is the equivalent of:

  • Airfare for an around-the-world trip
  • 6 pairs of Google Glasses
  • 60 Nike+ FuelBands
  • 6,425 Starbucks Tall Coffee of the Days
The only question is what would you spend all that extra cash on?

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Bob Brown Chevrolet - Chevy Model Year End Event



Now could be the last chance to get the 2013 Chevrolet you want. As we make room for the 2014 models we need to move out the 2013's, this means great offers for you. They’ll soon be gone so hurry in now!

Visit the Bob Brown Chevrolet Website for more information. Or just come on in to see these amazing savings for yourself.