Tech Toolbox: Brakes

Since the dawn of the automobile, technology has propelled us forward at an alarming rate. Larger displacement motors, more efficient transmissions, stronger differentials, and better tires for traction have fueled our unending need for speed. So how do we STOP?

Remember your high school physics class? Of course you do, but just in case, here is a quick refresher. Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, discovered that fluids are not compressible and transmit force evenly in all directions. You may recall an equation called Pascal’s Law: Force = Pressure X Area. This is the basis for all hydraulic systems like your vehicle’s brake system.

The hydraulic brake system of your vehicle is made up of the following: master cylinder, brake lines, calipers and wheel cylinders. A master cylinder has two pistons inside that put pressure on the brakes as you put pressure on the brake pedal. The pressure produced by the pistons inside the master cylinder is transmitted through the brake lines and is applied to the calipers or wheel cylinders.

All modern vehicles have disc brakes on the front. Disc brakes are made up of a caliper that, when applied by brake system pressure, squeezes two brake pads against a metal disc called a rotor. The rotor is bolted to the axle with the same bolts holding the wheel and turns at the same speed as the wheel. This squeezing action produces friction and slows the wheel.

Some vehicles, especially trucks, use drum brakes in the rear. In a drum brake system, the wheel cylinder pushes two brake shoes against a metal drum that is bolted to the wheel and axle. This creates friction and slows the wheel.

In either system, the friction material on the pads or shoes wears off over time, and the pads or shoes need replacement. Drum brakes use a series of levers and springs and require periodical adjustment and cleaning. Also, the brake drums and rotors become warped or scored from constant heat cycles. A warped brake rotor or drum will cause your vehicle to vibrate when coming to a stop. These parts require precise machining with special lathes.

Does your vehicle have a brake vibration or squeal when coming to a stop? Come see an Everett Certified Service technician. We use the latest technology in brake lathes to match your rotors to your vehicle.

David Gibbs
Certified Service Technician
Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC

Register now for FREE Chevy Youth Baseball Clinics

As part of the Chevy Youth Baseball Program, the Carolina Chevy Dealers are hosting FREE youth baseball instructional clinics in our area for boys and girls ages 7-13. Instruction will be provided by the experienced staff and players of Ripken Baseball!



When: Saturday, April 20, 2013
Where: University City YMCA
(clinic will be held on field north of track; right of playground)
8100 Old Mallard Creek Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28262

Schedule:
Check-in: 8:00AM – 8:45AM
Clinic: 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Snack: 12:00PM

-OR-

When: Sunday, April 21, 2013
Where: Shuford YMCA
1104 Conover Blvd East
Conover, NC 28613

Schedule:
Check-in: 1:00PM – 1:45PM
Clinic: 2:00PM- 5:00PM
Snack: 5:00PM

Spots will fill on a first-come, first-served basis and registration will close two days before each clinic date.

For more information and to register online, please visit: http://rsvp.youthsportswired.com
Select Market: Charlotte      Password: playball

Best pickup coverage in America

The Chevrolet Silverado is known for being tough and has been engineered to last. Now, North Carolina 2013 Silverado owners will receive a higher level of coverage.

Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC in Hickory, NC is now offering customers the best pickup coverage in America. The program covers standard scheduled maintenance costs for two years or 24,000 mile scheduled maintenance – whichever comes first – for all 2013 Silverado 1500s sold between March 1 and April 30, 2013.

The scheduled maintenance is just one in a long line of the benefits of buying a 2013 Silverado 1500. Silverado has the lowest cost of ownership and continues to be rated as the most dependable, longest-lasting pickup on the road.

 

The scheduled maintenance services will be provided by the Silverado experts in Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC's Certified Service & Tire Center, using only manufacturer-recommended parts. It also includes:

• ACDelco dexos1® oil and ACDelco Oil Filter Change
• 4-wheel Tire Rotation
• 27-Point Vehicle Inspection (MPVI)

The scheduled maintenance program provides Silverado drivers with a great added value and increased peace-of-mind. More information is available at www.everettchevy.com.

Tech Toolbox: Remote vehicle start

As a modern automotive consumer, we have come to demand a high level of luxury from our vehicles. Looking at some of the current amenities offered by GM -- heated steering wheel, massaging power seats, rain sensing wipers -- it is hard to imagine what will be next. Even the simple interaction of turning the key to crank our vehicle has been reengineered to a futuristic press of the remote.

Before we can talk about how, it is important to discuss why GM has provided you with this feature. Remote Vehicle Start (RVS) paired with Automatic Heat Ventilation and Air Conditioning (AHVAC) allows a vehicle to not only start, but to also adjust the interior temperature at the push of a button. In winter, when you start your vehicle using RVS, the interior is warm and windshield defrosted before you’re done putting on your coat. In summer, your RVS started vehicle will engage the air conditioning on high to cool your car before you can pay for your ice cream cone.

Now days, your vehicle is made up of many computers that share information on an internal network often called GMLAN. This high tech network makes it possible to not only start your vehicle, but also to make adjustments like interior temperature. When the RVS command is sent from the remote transmitter, a receiver built into the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR) picks up the signal. The RCDLR decodes the message and sends it to the Body Control Module (BCM). The BCM requests the Engine Control Module (ECM) to crank the engine, and tells AHVAC to adjust the temperature. The AHVAC checks the outside temperature so that it can determine what the desired interior temperature will be.

That is a basic explanation of what happens in less than a second when you press the RVS button on your remote.

Certain safeties are built into the system to cancel or prevent RVS in case a malfunction has occurred. That’s where Everett’s Certified Service department comes in. We know all there is about your vehicle’s creature comforts.





David Gibbs
Certified Service Technician
Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC

March Mania at Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC

Haven't you heard? It's March Mania at Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC... and we're not talking about basketball. Check out our latest television commercial and let us know what you think about Dave's basketball "skills".



But seriously, March is the perfect time to upgrade to a nicer, newer vehicle. Don’t miss your shot at a great deal on a new or pre-owned vehicle during March Mania, only at Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC. And remember… if you didn’t get an Everett deal, you didn’t get a deal at all!