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Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Helpful Tips for People Looking to Buy New Cars for Sale on the Market


Buying a brand new car is always an exciting experience, whether or not you’re doing it for the first time. There’s something utterly fulfilling about the thought that you will finally get to drive around your own vehicle. Additionally, the new car can be a significant investment in itself.

Given the gravity of this purchase, it only makes sense to do your research and make the necessary preparations first before shopping around for a new car, so that you can get the most value for your money. Here are some tips that can help you make a smart consumer decision when buying new cars for sale. Read more from this article: http://bit.ly/2jebfoQ

Monday, October 16, 2017

Auto Dealerships Offer Tips on Finding a Safe Car for Your Teen Driver


Getting your teen their first car almost seems like a rite of passage nowadays. Your child might be over the moon at the prospect of finally getting behind the wheel, but it’s understandable if parents feel a bit anxious. After all, it’s said that the biggest safety threat to teens is driving on the road. This is largely due to the fact that teen drivers tend to have the least safe types of vehicle, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Before you head out to auto dealerships to buy your kid a car, consider vehicle safety. Here are a few tips that can help you as you go over your options.
Always Think Big
The saying “bigger is better” isn’t always true, but in the case of vehicle safety, these are wise words to live by. Smaller cars, even those that boast of several high-tech safety features, simply have nothing on bigger, heavier rides. Vehicle types such as SUVs have bigger crush zones and longer hoods, which give them an advantage in frontal crashes.
Their heavier built and frame also protects drivers and passengers from non-collisions like rollovers. Forget about handing down your old sedan to your teen. The extra money you will spend on a bulkier vehicle will be a great investment toward road safety.
Go Slow and Steady
Sports cars are hardly ideal for your child’s first vehicle for more reasons other than its expensive price tag. Giving them access to higher horsepower and stronger engines will only tempt them to put the car through its paces. Cars with less horsepower discourages teens from speeding and other risky driving tactics like aggressive lane-changing, running the red light and challenging friends to races.
Dealers recommend choosing the smallest cylinder and engine option available, as well as the lowest horsepower trim. That should be sufficient for their needs until they can handle something more powerful. You get better fuel economy in the process, too. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Look at the Scores
Organizations such as the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have made it easier for consumers to assess the safety ratings of the cars on the market. They release reports for cars of each model year so buyers can compare. Many, however, are unaware that crash test scores are different for each vehicle class size.
You might be confused as to why a small hatchback has the same safety rating as a hulking SUV. This could lead you to think that both offer the same level of protection, but that is not the case. Comparing safety ratings only work if you do it within the same class size. If you want to make a more in-depth analysis for cars in different classes, you can ask your dealer for help.
Being a smart buyer goes a long way in keeping your kids safe on the road. Ask your dealer for top safety picks to get you started on your search for the right vehicle.

About McLoughlin Chevrolet
Offering both new and used Chevrolet vehicles, as well as GM cars, McLoughlin Chevrolet is the leading car dealership serving Oregon. We treat the needs of our customers with paramount concern to ensure that they have a positive experience on their journey to becoming a car owner. We also provide Chevy service, parts, and repair so that you get the most out of your vehicle.
Sources:
Safety Rides Shotgun, IIHS.org

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Buying Diesel Trucks in Portland—Is Diesel Engine Worth It?


Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make when gassing up your vehicle in Portland is pouring in the wrong fuel. If your car has a gasoline engine and you accidentally filled the tank with diesel, you are in a big trouble. Aside from having a stubborn engine that dies in seconds or won’t start at all, you will need to have your vehicle towed to a service center for cleanup.

Thanks to the genius of most car manufacturers, however, cars with gasoline engine have a gas cap that prevents nozzles bigger than the typical unleaded gasoline nozzle from fitting into the tank. In other words, it is almost impossible to mistakenly fill your tank with the wrong fuel because there’s a deterrent element added.

This is actually a common knowledge among most drivers, but why it is a big deal in the first place is interestingly baffling. Have you ever wondered why there are two types of fuel when it can be easier and less confusing if all cars are using the same fuel? Well, it pretty much has to do with the invention of the diesel engine.


Gasoline Engine vs. Diesel Engine

Decades back, all cars had a gasoline engine, which uses a quite simple mechanism—fuel is mixed with air, the piston goes up to compress the mixture, the compressed mixture is ignited through a spark plug, fuel is combusted and transformed into mechanical energy, and the car moves forward. Then a smart guy named Rudolf Diesel came along and said that the process can still be improved to increase efficiency.

He introduced a new engine design, which ignites fuel through compressed air instead of the heat produced by a spark plug. Because it requires high compression ratio to make such ignition, this engine is able to run with high thermal efficiencies, which allows for better fuel economy. This is why the engine is also tolerant of leaded fuel, which actually adds to the efficiency because it evaporates more slowly than gasoline. He called this engine diesel engine and you can guess why.


Why Shift to Diesel Engine

There’s a plethora of reasons why you should be using a diesel engine. For one, it allows you to use leaded fuel, which apart from the above-mentioned benefits also emits smaller amounts of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide, gases that are well-known for their role in global warming. In short, you are helping to save the planet.

It is also capable of producing low-end torque because it has long piston stroke and high cylinder compression, which is quite useful for pulling a heavy trailer or anything that requires more rear strength. The Duramax Diesel engine is one the best examples of this kind of engine. If you have diesel trucks that you use for towing heavy objects on a regular basis, you can be confident about not needing any towing-related repair anytime soon.

So when planning to purchase vehicles, especially those that you will need for heavy-duty loading, pickup models with high-performance diesel engine are your perfect option. Due to the amazing benefits of diesel engine, diesel trucks and cars are in abundant supply in many car dealerships across the country today. Dealerships, such as McLoughlin Chevrolet, even offers used units for buyers who want to save money but experience almost similar perks.


Sources:

Difference between Gasoline and Diesel Engines, NCHEurope.com
How Diesel Engines Work, HowStuffWorks.com
Benefits of a GM Duramax Diesel Engine, GM-diesel-engines.com

Friday, October 13, 2017

Common Blunders You Should Avoid When Purchasing Used Trucks in Portland


If you’re looking for a vehicle that can meet your light-duty towing, loading, and off-road transportation needs, the Chevrolet Silverado with 6.2-L V-8 can be your best bet. This 4 x 4 truck boasts of reasonably refined powertrains that provide sufficient muscles to take on heavy loads and conquer virtually all types of terrain. Inside the vehicle awaits multiple features that make driving safe, comfortable, and fun.

Because Chevrolet 6.2 is jam-packed with perks, the price of a brand new unit can be prohibitive, especially if you are purchasing on a budget. Luckily, there are dealerships in Portland that offer used trucks to give buyers affordable yet worthwhile options.

Buying a used truck, however, requires a slightly different approach when compared to buying a new truck, mainly because the vehicle’s quality has already diminished, along with all other reasons. Following are car buying mistakes that you need to avoid to make sure that the used truck you will buy has all the features you need.


Neglecting Inspection to Save Time

While you are expected to fork out less on a used truck, it is still a huge investment that is worth your time and attention. Invest time in inspection. Hire a mechanic to check every nook and cranny for dents, scratches, and other tiny details that can have a huge impact on the truck’s performance, durability, and safety.The fact that you don’t know the vehicle’s current condition makes inspection all the more necessary, so give it time. Inspection can reveal essential information, such as the vehicle’s accident history, replaced parts, repair works done, and maintenance issues.


Buying without Weighing

A Chevrolet 6.2 is perfect for carrying and towing a wide range of loads, from light groceries and camping tools to heavy construction materials. Despite this perk, it still pays to know the type and weight of cargo you will be using the truck for. Does the cargo bed have enough space for such load? Will it hold the weight without the engine or tires taking a huge toll? All these questions have to be answered before you even think about calling a dealership.


Taking Mileage Lightly

Gas mileage may seem trivial but it is actually a critical issue that you must never overlook when purchasing a used truck. You have to determine how much you will be using the truck and for how long. It wouldn’t be so much of an issue if you will be traveling short distances, but if you’ve planned on using this truck for long-distance towing from the beginning, you should rethink your options now. You may want to purchase a brand new unit instead. 


Forgetting the Past and Moving On

When it comes to buying a vehicle, especially a used truck, you should not be hasty to forget the past. Find out as much information about the truck’s history as possible before you finally make up your mind. Learn about how the previous owner used and took care of it and what type of detailing it underwent in the past. These pieces of information, no matter how inconsequential they may seem for you, are actually crucial, as they can keep you and other future passengers safe in every journey. 

To ensure that you will avoid these mistakes and succeed on your purchase, go to a car dealership instead of a private seller. Not only do dealerships like McLoughlin Chevrolet offer more options, but they also make sure their pre-owned vehicles have been thoroughly inspected and detailed before being made available on their lots. Also, there’s a chance that the original add-ons, including insurance and warranties, have also been preserved.


Sources:

3 Important Things to Consider When Buying A Used Truck, TheWeeklyDriver.com
Engine and Transmission, CarAndDriver.com

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Putting Duramax and Power Stroke to the Test to Know Which Trucks for Sale Are Better


It’s easy to tell if a pickup truck is worth buying—it has a fuel-efficient engine, it can handle all kinds of terrain, and it’s equipped with safety features. While every prominent manufacturer claims that their trucks are built with the top-performing diesel engine, you cannot just take their word for it. The only way to be certain is to put their flagships to the test.


Today’s Bests

Two of the most sought-after diesel engine models today are GM’s Duramax 6.6L Diesel and Ford’s 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel. If you have the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD or any of Ford’s 2017 Super Duty series, you’ve probably heard of these engine models at least once or twice.  Both are jam-packed with a wealth of design features that have successfully overcome their previous shortcomings.

The power stroke diesel, for instance, now has a unique exhaust flow design that Ford claims could increase the thermal efficiency of the turbocharger. Duramax, on the other hand, now features an SAE-certified 445 horsepower (332 kW) and 910 lb.-ft. (1,234 Nm) that allows for easier, more confident hauling and trailering. If you aren’t tech-savvy enough, you can get lost in those figures.


Putting Them to the Test

Unless you see them in action, it’s hard to figure out how these improvements can actually make a difference to either car. Thankfully, there are actual tests done by Diesel Power, the world's largest and best-selling diesel enthusiast magazine and the leading source for diesel enthusiast tech, custom trucks, diesel events, new vehicle reviews, and more. Actually, a similar test was done before, which concluded in Duramax favor.

What Diesel Power recently did was a rematch and this time they added a twist in the race. They tested the strength of each vehicle by taking them over one of the toughest tows in America. Diesel Power somehow knew how the test was going to end but they held it anyway to know for sure. By the end of the race, it appeared that Duramax was still the better diesel engine.

The test data revealed that Chevy Silverado runs over 2 minutes faster than the Super Duty, leaving the latter behind by almost 10 meters, and accelerated toward 50 mph almost 14 seconds faster. The towing torture test was very real, which is why the results are incontestable. Duramax remains the king of the diesel engine world.


Other Perks to Enjoy

Chevy Silverado isn’t just a towing beast. It can also carry heavy loads without caving in or putting so much stress on the tires. The designers made sure that the car’s body can take as much pressure as its diesel engine can withstand. Simply put, the brawny figure of Silverado isn’t just skin-deep but in fact a complementary cladding to the well-built framework.

As the vehicle is expected to take on tremendous amounts of load, the tires are designed to conquer the road. Whether you drive them on the dusty roads or rocky plateaus of the countryside, the treads will take minimal damage and your truck will hold up. So if you are planning to buy trucks for sale soon, you better look at Chevy Silverado to make an investment that is guaranteed to yield return, and be sure to purchase it from a trusted dealership, such as McLoughlin Chevrolet.


Sources:

New Duramax 6.6L Diesel Introduced on 2017 Sierra HD, GMC.com
6.7L POWER STROKE DIESEL, PowerStrokeHub.com
NEW DURAMAX 6.6L DIESEL OFFERED ON 2017 SILVERADO HD, Chevrolet.com