Nitrogen Vs. Oxygen: Which Is Better For Your Car Tires?

If you don't already know, there is an alternative to regular air when it comes to inflating your tires. Many claim that there are numerous advantages to filling your cars tires with nitrogen, and perhaps there is some truth to that.

Green valve stems indicate nitrogen

You may have noticed some tires that have green valve stems and/or caps. Those tires have been inflated using pure nitrogen, rather than plain old air. Atmospheric air contains 78 percent nitrogen as it is. Typically, the nitrogen you put in your tires would be 93 percent pure or above, to achieve the desired benefits.

Purported benefits of filling your tires with nitrogen include:

• Better pressure retention
• Improved fuel economy
• Cooler running temperatures
• Tire-rot prevention

Now, some argue that the benefits of using nitrogen do not exceed that of the cost. At dealerships, the upgrade to nitrogen can cost anywhere between $50 and $180. Then you will have to pay roughly $6 per tire to refill them. Compare that to say 75 cents per tire to fill them with conventional air at most gas stations—or possibly for free, depending on your local stations—you can see why detractors arguments may be valid.

It is certain that your tires will stay inflated longer with nitrogen. That equates directly to better fuel economy. And while tire-rot is not as common with modern cars, there is still some tenable possibility to save money. Really what it comes down to is just trying it out for yourself and determining whether it is cost-effective in the long run.

Browse our current selection of vehicles or schedule a service appointment on the Bob Brown Chevrolet website.

Nov

6

Learn More About Chevrolet's SEMA Concepts

Chevrolet today revealed six new concept trucks and SUVs on the eve of the SEMA Show, the annual convention of automotive performance parts and styling accessories. The uniquely styled vehicles represent performance and personalization variations of the 2014 Silverado 1500, as well as the all-new 2015 Silverado HD, Tahoe and Suburban.

The concepts include:

Silverado Cheyenne concept
The Chevrolet Silverado Cheyenne concept embraces the adage that less is more. With this performance-oriented concept of the all-new 2014 Silverado regular cab, a reduced curb weight and the performance of the new 420-horsepower 6.2L V-8 combine for a strong power-to-weight ratio and exhilarating performance.

Brad Paisley Signature Silverado
Like his music, the concept vehicle country star Brad Paisley collaborated on with Chevrolet designers blends tasteful country style with an edge, featuring a custom paint job, high-performance accents, a lowered stance and – no surprise here  – an amped-up sound system.

Tony Stewart Silverado concept
It takes a strong truck to live up to the speed, energy and passion of Tony Stewart. This Silverado LTZ Z71 concept was designed in conjunction with Stewart, with personal touches and Smoke^® graphics that symbolize his racing spirit. The exterior also features a Dark Tarnished Silver color, tinted headlamps and taillamps, and several Chevrolet Accessories components available through Chevy dealers, including a tonneau cover, four-inch chrome assist steps and 22-inch wheels with a custom finish. Inside, the Stewart’s signature is embroidered on the headrests.

Silverado Volunteer Firefighter concept
Chevrolet developed the Silverado Z71 Volunteer Firefighter concept to honor the service of first responders and share a vision of how the all-new, more capable 2014 Silverado can serve them. It features a full complement of rescue equipment incorporated on a new Silverado Double Cab equipped with the Z71 Off-Road suspension.

Silverado Black Ops concept
The Chevrolet Silverado Black Ops Crew Cab 4x4 concept was designed to be ready for anything. It builds on the truck’s strength, performance and safety with features designed to offer support in an emergency – including custom-fabricated lower body armor and a lockable, bed-mounted Truck Vault storage unit. It holds a solar power pack, a pair of gas masks, gloves, military first aid kit, folding shovel and rope.

Silverado HD Dually tow vehicle
Demonstrating the hauling capability of the all-new 2015 Silverado HD lineup, this crew cab concept is shown in Chevrolet’s SEMA Show display hitched to a custom trailer holding a COPO Camaro race car and with a new COPO racing engine and transmission in the bed. Decked out in a custom Ice Blue exterior color and wearing custom lightweight aluminum wheels, the truck also sports Chevrolet Accessories components including six-inch chrome assist steps, a tool box and bed lights. The HD Dually tow vehicle is powered by the 6.0L gas engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

Tahoe Police concept
Chevrolet is readying a police version of the new Tahoe, and this concept offers a look at how law enforcement will be hitting the highway in it in the near future. The full complement of emergency lighting and police equipment is comes with the Tahoe 9C1 police package’s standard equipment, including a 5.3L V-8 engine rated at 355 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch steel wheels, police-specific suspension and auxiliary battery for emergency equipment.

“Chevrolet’s lineup of full-size trucks and SUVs is all-new and stronger than ever,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “No matter what your needs, whether it’s hauling lumber to a work site, delivering your kid’s soccer team to a game or towing your boat on a weekend fishing trip, Chevrolet has the vehicle with the capability, dependability and connectivity today’s truck customers want.”

To see our current selection of new Chevy's visit the Bob Brown Chevrolet website. 

The Absolute Best Roads in the World!

There are roads that draw people from all over the world. Whether its the sporty experience they offer, or simply the amazing views, these 10 roads are definitely worth visiting.

1. Great Ocean Road - Australia

This beautiful route is a 243 kilometres stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.




2. Highway 1, aka "Big Sur" - California

Hwy 1 is carved out of the Pacific cliffs and spans almost all of California's coast. Enjoy picturesque views including the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge.




3. Deals Gap, aka "Tail of The Dragon" - Tennessee

This road is famous among motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts for its serpentine nature. It is part of the U.S. Route 129 in Blount County, Tennessee.




4. White Rim Trail - Utah

This trail is used by off-road travelers, as well as hikers and bicyclists. Perched precariously above Canyonlands National Park in Utah, its expansive views and switchbacks make it a destination for many outdoors enthusiasts. 




5. Ruta 40 - Argentina

At more than 3,000 miles long, it is one of the longest roads in the world. Much of it is unpaved, but those daring enough to venture here will be gratuitously rewarded with awe-inspiring landscapes.




6. Conor Pass - Ireland

This road epitomizes the Irish countryside, offering views of vast green meadows situated between craggy cliffs.




7. Touge Roads of Mount Fuji - Japan

Quite possibly the birthplace of drifting, this road winds its way up Japan's highest mountain and has been a destination for racing enthusiasts for many years.




8. Stelvio Pass - Italy

Regarded as the sports car world's holy grail, though encountering some criticism with that distinction, it only takes one look to understand why this road is high on every list. 




9. Guoliang Tunnel Road - China

This road is known as one of the most dangerous in the world; quite possibly challenged only by Bolivia's "Road of Death". With no other options, engineers decided to carve the tunnel road out of the mountain starting in 1972.





10. Trollstigen, aka "Troll Ladder" - Norway

Another famous road among sports drivers, its 9% grade and numerous hairpin curves offer a unique driving experience.

 

Let us know what are some of your favorite roads to drive on!

Visit the Bob Brown Chevrolet website to see our current inventory of vehicles. 

Is ethanol fuel actually bad for your car?

 

 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) originally determined that E15 fuel was suitable for vehicles manufactured after 2007. However, automakers then filed a lawsuit against the EPA and its motion to endorse the renewable fuel, making it illegal. E15 is essentially gasoline that contains 15 percent ethanol. The auto industry determined that the fuel was unsuitable because many older vehicles were vulnerable to some of its effects. So with ethanol based fuels basically outlawed, consumers had to continue to be reliant on ruthless oil companies. 

Some believe that the oil companies are taking advantage of consumers on this basis.

“We are writing to express concerns that oil companies are engaging in anti-competitive practices aimed at blocking market access for renewable fuels,” says Grassley, an Iowa government state representative.


New research has emerged suggesting that the fuel is indeed safe for all models built in 2001 or later, which verifies E15 proponents' claims that consumers were being misled. Ultimately, the EPA endorsed the ethanol-based fuel and now it is up to businesses and the consumer to adopt E15.

There are many advantages to producing and using E15 fuel. Ethanol is produced domestically which will create jobs, not to mention lessen our staggering reliance on foreign oil. It will also effectively lower greenhouse gas emissions by 59%. Another benefit to consuming E15 rather than standard gasoline is the reduced risk of oil spills, considering that much less oil will have to be transported across the ocean. The fuel is also 100% renewable. 

Along with all the pros listed above, there is one last thing to consider. E15 is cheap. It's relatively inexpensive to produce compared to gasoline, and that translates to lower prices at the gas pump. 

What are your thoughts on E15? Comment below.

Chevrolet Offers iPhone Users Siri Eyes Free Integration

Chevrolet announced additional vehicles with Chevrolet MyLink will be available with Siri, Apple’s intelligent assistant that helps get things done just by asking. Siri Eyes Free Integration will be available on the 2014 Camaro, Cruze, Equinox, Malibu, SS and Volt. 

Owners simply connect their iPhone with the MyLink radio via Bluetooth, pair with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button to begin and end sessions with Siri in Eyes Free mode.
In the 2014 Camaro, Cruze, Equinox, Malibu, SS and Volt vehicles equipped with MyLink, owners can use Siri in Eyes Free mode to:

• Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone
• Play songs in their iTunes libraries, and even switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode
• Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
• Access Calendar and add appointments

Connect with us on the Bob Brown Chevrolet Facebook page to get more great Chevy related news.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Next Stop

For a third year in a row, Chevrolet is teaming up with the American Cancer Society to take a stand against breast cancer through early detection, protection and awareness. You are also encouraged to take part in the fight. 

On October 5, October 19, November 2, and November 16, you can take a test drive at your Chevrolet dealership and Chevrolet will contribute $10 for every drive to the American Cancer Society. 

So if you've been drooling over the opportunity to get behind the wheel of any of the 2014 models, like the new Camaro, now is the perfect time to act on it! 

Visit the Bob Brown Chevrolet Website to browse our selection of new cars, and to get our contact info. 

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!