2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra show all their sides in Detroit

There could hardly be more riding on the next-generation General Motors full-size pickup trucks, so the automaker has wisely made sure to have a selection of different models on hand at the Detroit Auto Show to show off. The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra were both officially introduced last month at a stand-alone reveal, and now they'll be on display for the public to see in various body configurations and trim levels.

The Silverado LTZ Crew Cab and Sierra SLE Extended Cab are aimed at providing more of a high-end pickup experience, while the Silverado LT Z71 Extended Cab and Sierra SLT Z71 Crew Cab should have off-road fans scouting out their favorite trails. The crew cab trucks won't go into production until sometime during the second quarter of this year – with other bodystyles coming later in the year – but we have plenty of live images from Detroit for you to enjoy.

Source: Autoblog

Car Tip of the Week: Preserve your car during long-term storage

If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.

• Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
• Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
• Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
• Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
• Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
• Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
• Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.

Source: Reader’s Digest

The MyBuick remote start in the all-new Enclave is another way Buick does what it takes to prepare for anything and make smart beautiful while doing so.

Driving Tip of the Week: Go easy if you find yourself stuck

When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It’s a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.

Source: Reader’s Digest

The GMC Sierra doesn’t compromise when it comes to maximum power and fuel economy year after year. Now that's professional grade.

Alright fans, lets see who takes the cake on this one! What is the longest road trip you've ever taken and where were you traveling to and from?

The excitement can be felt everywhere as GM announces the launching of their next generation of pickups promised to be high above the rest.

With diesels gaining so much popularity throughout the U.S. market, GM may tap the growing demand with a midsize diesel option.

GM Midsize Truck Diesel Option Hinted at by Execs

General Motors will re-introduce mid-size trucks to the North American market in 2015, and when they do, a small diesel engine is a likely option. 

 

“Fundamentally, there will be a place for diesel in the future,” said GM North American President Mark Reuss, speaking at the unveil of the new GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado half-ton trucks in Detroit.

Currently in worldwide markets, GM’s small trucks (including the new Colorado) offer both a 2.5-liter and 2.8-liter diesel engine option, the former making 150 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the later offers a more substantial 180 hp and 324 lb-ft. With the trucks already available overseas, offering at least one of these diesel options in the US is foreseeable.

With the current surge of diesel’s coming to our shores, it seems that Americans are starting to get over their diesel biases.

When asked about diesels in the new half-ton models, GMC Communications Manager Joe LaMuraglia said that there are none in the works, though when pushed on mid-size trucks with diesels, he declined to comment directly, suggesting further that a small GM diesel is likely for North America.

Source: AutoGuide

Today's Monday Maintenance Tip will help you with one of the most important ways you can save money and increase safety on the road.

Monday Maintenance Tip: Rotating Your Tires

What is this?

We know that all tires rotate. But we're talking about another kind of rotation -- rotating tires to different corners of the car and maybe even reversing the direction in which they turn.

Many tires are rotated front-to-back and side-to-side, but some tires are directional, which means they're only supposed to turn in one direction. They have to stay on the same side of the car. Directional tires often have arrows on the tire's sidewall to show you the direction in which they should turn.

If you're not sure which kind of tires you have, check with your mechanic.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

You should do this service only if you can do it for $20 or less, in our opinion.

The financial benefit of rotating tires is that you'll increase the useful life of the tire. But if you pay more than about $20, you'll probably wipe out any savings you might have gained.

Instead, ask your mechanic to rotate your tires when they're already off your car for another service, such as a brake repair. That way, you won't have to pay extra -- unless your mechanic is a jerk.

Why do I have to do this?

You don't have to rotate your tires. But by rotating them, you will increase your tires' life because they'll wear more evenly.

What happens if I don't do this?

Nothing bad will happen, but you'll get fewer miles out of your tires.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

No.

Car Talk Tip: Don't forget Newton's Seventh Law: Tires in balance tend to stay in balance. If you're having your tires rotated, don't pay extra to have them rebalanced. You probably won't need it. Have your tires rebalanced only if you feel a shimmy or vibration.

Courtesy: CarTalk.com

Get a sneak peek at what could be the new look for the Buick LaCrosse in 2014 thanks to these recently captured spy shots.

Facelifted Buick LaCrosse caught in China

Back in September, General Motors promised nine new or refreshed models for its Buick and GMC brands within 12 months, and while we've already seen what the updated 2014 GMC Sierra will look like, we're now getting our first look at what appears to be the facelifted 2014 Buick LaCrosse. Judging by a set of spy shots posted on Autohome showing a Chinese-market model, the updated sedan is getting a pretty big makeover, including a completely redesigned interior and a refreshed exterior.

From the outside, all of the usual midcycle updates have been made to the LaCrosse, including new lights and fascias. The new front end features a larger, reshaped seven-sided grille, LED-trimmed headlights and Buick's signature portholes are now mounted on the side edges of the hood to be more visible. The rear view has similarly small yet refined changes such as the new decklid with a chrome brow that stretches the full width of the car, to a more squared-off rear fascia with exhaust outlets pushed out to the corners. From the single shot we can see, the LaCrosse's new rump looks very similar to the Hyundai Equus.

The second-generation LaCrosse helped reestablish Buick as a near-premium automaker with its interior quality, and the next model could very well up the stakes even more. The new cabin design ditches the wraparound wood trim on the instrument panel and door panels for a smoother, more contemporary look. While it's hard to make out all of the changes, we can instantly see that the center stack is now more upright with fewer buttons, but the biggest news might be the cabin technology the 2014 LaCrosse might offer. Checking out the shot of the center console, we see what looks to be a pad similar to the handwriting recognition technology used by Audi, which would make this a first for GM.

There's no word on when (or where) the 2014 LaCrosse will be introduced, but based on GM's timeline of "nine cars in 12 months" and the lack of camouflage in these pictures, we're guessing that we could see the facelifted sedan very soon.

Source: Autoblog.com

Get the inside scoop on the all-new 2014 GMC Sierra from Executive Director of Design for GMC, Ken Parkinson.