How to Save Money on Gas

With gas prices on the rise, here are a few tips to pay close attention to that will help you save TIME…and MONEY at the pump.

1. Don’t fill up on the weekend.  Prices are always higher on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

2. Keep tires inflated to the maximum.  It can improve mileage by as much as 10%.

3. Go easy on the brakes.   Coast up to the stop sign so you don’t have to break very much.

4. If you’re stuck in traffic, or waiting for someone, turn off the engine.

5. Take heavy stuff out of the trunk.  Every 100 pounds reduces mileage by 2% according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

6. Use a cash-back credit card.  Some offer as much as 5% back, while 1-2% is the common figure.

7. Consider gas efficient vehicles such as the GMC Terrain, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Buick Enclave or Cadillac SRX Crossover which offer better gas mileage without sacrificing the space that comes with the convenience of an SUV.  Come take a look at all the energy saving inventory we have to offer at Coulter Tempe…where getting the best deal is EASY!

New Cadillac ATS to Challenge BMW

General Motors Co. says it will unveil four new vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in January, including a new Cadillac that it hopes will take the fight to BMW.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS is an all-new, compact, rear-wheel-drive sedan, said Mary Barra, vice president of global product development for GM.

“The ATS is really a crucial part of our Cadillac strategy,” she told reporters on Friday at an Automotive Press Association luncheon.

“It enters one of the biggest segments in the global luxury industry, both from a volume and from an importance perspective. It’s a segment, it’s well-known, that’s dominated by German cars — including the BMW 3-series, the Mercedes C-class and the Audi A4. And we believe we’ve developed a compelling and convincing new challenger.”

The ATS will be built in Lansing at GM’s Grand River assembly plant. It is based on an entirely new rear-wheel-drive architecture that will also provide the foundation for other future products.

We are excited to showcase the Cadillac ATS and look forward to seeing it dominate on the road!

Roadtripping with the GMC Terrain

General Motors recently contacted a local mommie about driving their new 2012 GMC Terrain…here’s what she had to say about her experience with the sporty SUV.

I’m guessing that GMC chose the name “Terrain” for this vehicle, because it is a crossover SUV designed to handle different types of – um – terrain.  In all honesty, off-roading was not the first thing that came to mind when I first saw this vehicle.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s tough looking – like it could boss the other SUVs around on the playground – but it was stylish, both inside & out.  The model I received had a carbon black metallic exterior with chrome trim & chrome-clad aluminum wheels.  The interior featured jet black leather seats with red accents.  The red trim was very nicely done, I might add.  GMC could have taken it a little too far, making it gaudy, but they didn’t; red stitching and peeks of red on the door panel.

Of course one of my biggest concerns, as a mom, is safety.  As usual, the good folks at General Motors do not disappoint.  The 2012 GMC Terrain (SLT-2) comes with 6 air bags, anti-lock brake system, Stablitrak stability control system, rear child seat latch anchors, theft deterrent system and 6 months of On-Star (subscription service available after 6 months).

These are all fairly standard in new vehicles these days.  There are a few other safety features that really impressed me though, including the passenger sensing system that turns front air bags on and off, based on the weight in that seat.  Another feature my husband enjoyed was an improvement to the rear-view camera which, in addition to showing whats behind you, also shows your path of travel; I wish I would have snapped a picture of this because it’s very helpful.

One of the newest safety features of the 2012 GMC Terrain is the Forward Collision Alert & Lane Departure Warning system.  It’s a little technological wonder that kicks in, automatically, after you’ve reached 25 miles per hour.  It can sense if you are approaching another vehicle too fast, alerts you and pressurizes the brakes in preparation.  The lane departure warning uses a digital camera to detect the lane marking and beeps when you begin to veer.  Not only this a great safety feature, it also came in very handy for proving that I am a better driver than my husband. 

For comfort & convenience, the Terrain features a built-in color GPS with a 7″ screen, packaged together with a CD/MP3 player, AUX input & USB port, Bluetooth with audio control and power everything, including rear hatch.  With heated front seats & remote start, it’s winter ready too.

While we didn’t take it over particularly rough terrain, we did spend a good deal of time on the interstate system and was very impressed with how well the Terrain minimized being jolted across our famous potholes.  The lumbar support also helped make both the driver and passenger comfortable for the long trip.

The 2012 GMC Terrain starts at around $25,000 and seats up to 5 (2 in front; 3 in back).  It’s not a truck, but the cargo space was sufficient for my family of 4, including 2 teenage girls that have yet to discover the joys of packing light.

This is another General Motors car that gets a recommendation from a local Mommie.  Tops in safety, looks & comfort and packed with great features it makes the perfect road-trip vehicle.

Come see the 2012 GMC Terrain at Coulter Motor Tempe today, where getting the best deal is…EASY!