by L Baures | Dec 29, 2017 | Automotive News
Photo: Buick Media
This luxury SUV is Buick’s top of the line, capable of seating up to 7 people and is available in All Wheel Drive (AWD). Based on the same chassis as the Chevrolet Traverse, the Enclave is the biggest vehicle in the Buick line-up, but not quite the size of a large SUV such a Tahoe. The 2018 model year Enclave has a 10% increase in interior space.
All new design
For 2018, the Enclave is completely redesigned. It’s a whole new vehicle, and this time, it looks really good. Buick calls it a more, “athletic” look- a synonym for sporty, I have to agree. Are those swooshing lines and a slight bulging rear wheel arch I see on a Buick!? Yup, sure is. A lower roofline, more aggressive windshield angle and longer wheelbase adds to that athletic look too.
Photo: Buick Media
All trim levels get Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto for easy smartphone integration. An all-new interior built-it ionizer is available on all trims except the Enclave 1SV base model.
Across all Enclave’s, the engine is still a 3.6 liter V-6 and as with almost every other manufacturer now, Start-Stop technology is included. Transmission is a 9-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy ratings are at 25 mpg on the highway, 17 mpg in the city and combined 21 mpg (AWD) on regular gas.
Here’s the trim line-up with key features
A new addition to the trim line-up is the Avenir spec which is the top of the range, ultra luxurious model. (Fun fact, the word Avenir is French for future).
- Enclave 1SV
- Essence
- Premium
- Avenir
Enclave 1SV
This is the entry-level model that is FWD. Standard safety equipment includes a rear vision camera, park assist, and 7 airbags including a front center side airbag. Key features incorporate an 8″ color touchscreen infotainment system (Wifi hotspot available through OnStar subscription), Keyless entry and push start button. LED headlamps, 18″aluminum wheels and heated seats. Active noise cancellation and QuietTuning™ are also included, for a quieter for luxurious atmosphere while driving.
Essence
Available in AWD, the Essence has perforated leather upholstery, and some key safety features are standard such as; Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. This is called the Driver Confidence Package. All new in-vehicle Ionizer is installed, to keep air quality good and reduce odors. The hands-free power liftgate that projects the Buick logo is also standard. Other highlights on the Essence include the options of Navigation, 20″ wheels, power folding 3rd row and 360° camera.
Premium
The Premium gets heated and ventilated front seats, 2nd-row heated seats, heated steering wheel and a Bose sound system. Also standard is a power folding 3rd-row and Driver Confidence Package II.
The Driver Confidence II Package is an enhanced safety package that has;
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Safety Alert Seat
- Front and Rear Park Assist
- Forward Collision Alert
- Following Distance Indicator
- Intellibeam Headlamps
Avenir
The Avenir is the top of the line trim, all features in lower trims are included or the feature is replaced. Unique to this trim is the premium suspension (continuously variable real-time dampening) with Sport mode. Concept inspired styling is unique to the Avenir such as the 3D mesh grille. 20″ wheel and navigation are standard. Wireless smartphone charging is also standard and supports iPhone 8. Enhanced safety features include Adaptive Cruise Control with stop/go and Front Automatic Braking.
by L Baures | Dec 28, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
With the amount of snow we get here in Wyoming, I’m sure everybody has at least seen that vehicle as pictured below, once, if not twice. It’s kind of a chore to clear snow off your vehicle. Do we have to do it? Is it safe if we don’t?
Picture: Don Landgren
Do You Legally Have To Clear Snow Off Vehicle?
In some States, such as Tennesee, drivers can be charged with misdemeanor reckless driving for not clearing ice/snow. Does it even snow in Tennesse that much? The murfreesboropost.com says that “peephole drivers” who don’t clear all of the windshields can be “…deemed to be “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property”.
What about Wyoming?
If you do a search for the word “snow” in Wyoming Statute Title 31, you’ll likely come across snowmobile laws and tire laws. There isn’t much in the way of a direct, ‘you must clear all the snow off your vehicle’ part. Here is what it does say:
“315955. Windshields and wipers.
(a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other material or substance upon or crack within the front windshield, side or rear windows of the vehicle which materially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.
(b) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. This subsection shall apply to multipurpose vehicles as defined in W.S. 311101(a)(xv)(M) when equipped with a windshield and an enclosed cab.”
The law, in basic layman’s terms, says you must clear all of your vehicle windows from obstruction.
Common sense tells us that flying debris, whatever it might be, can be dangerous. If someone’s brake lights are covered in snow, other drivers won’t know their braking. Snow covered headlights and turn signals can also be hazardous.
Tip: If there is a LOT of snow on your vehicle, use a broom to get the majority of it off. Leave a small layer so the paint doesn’t get scratched. Alternatively, use a foam-tipped broom like the one pictured on the left.
Snow Tips” How to get your Vehicle Unstuck
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by L Baures | Dec 19, 2017 | Automotive News
OnStar teams up with NORAD to track Santa
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) has offered Santa tracking since 1955 according to their website. The program is actually based out of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The Norad Tracks Santa® program uses satellites, high-powered radar, jet fighters and Santa Cameras to track his whereabouts around the world.
How?
General Motors customers with Chevrolet, Buick, GMC’s and Cadillac’s that have an active OnStar subscription will be able to join in. Tracking Santa can be done by simply pressing the blue Onstar button in the vehicle and asking for a “Santa Update”. Available in U.S. Canada and Mexico.GM’s press release also stated that, “In the spirit of the season, OnStar will also donate $1 to the American Red Cross for each Santa Update button push received“.
Image: GM Media
When?
The Santa tracking program via OnStar will be available from December 24th between 7 am EST (5am MST Mountain Standard Time). It will end on December 25th at 5 am EST (3 am MST). Making travel plans for Christmas Eve with the kids in the car? That would be the perfect time to check out Santa’s location and wow the kids!
No OnStar?
No worries, if you don’t have OnStar, but still want to track the white-bearded guy and his reindeer? You can track him right here!
Other Santa Tracking options can be found at the following pages;
https://www.noradsanta.org
NORAD Facebook
On the NORAD website, you can visit the North Pole, play new games every day, watch movies, listen to music, and visit the library. Apps are also available for Android and Apple devices or #NORADTacksSanta #NORADSanta.
What is OnStar?
OnStar is a company owned by General Motors that provides connected services to GM vehicles. A subscription-based service (sometimes comes with a free trial on vehicle purchases) through which pushing a button-usually on the rearview mirror- can provide services such as; emergency services, automatic crash response, stolen vehicle assistance, navigation and more. It’s also the same service that provides smartphone remote vehicle start, lock, and unlocking doors as well as vehicle diagnostics. For more information, OnStar, contact your dealer or check out their website here.
Have a Merry Christmas from the Trusted Auto Professionals team!
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NORAD Tracks Santa.” NEWSLINE360™, 29 Nov. 2017, 12:39, www.newsline360.com/noradsanta.
Chevrolet and OnStar Help Kids Find Santa on His Journey Around the World.”Media.gm.com, 19 Dec. 2017,
by L Baures | Dec 19, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
They are part of the family too!
It’s that special time of the year but don’t forget to add your car and/or pickup to your gift list. You know, that trusty piece of metal that gets you to work or the grocery store every day. The one that keeps you warm, the one that gets the kids to school, the one that lights the way.
(more…) by L Baures | Dec 15, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
UConnect is the vehicle platform you’ll find in Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAMs. The 8.4″ color touchscreen is very user-friendly and easy to use. The system is used to control your entertainment such as radio or music via a media device. It also responsible for connectivity like Wifi, maps in navigation and communication such as phones. Kind of like the smartphone equivalent for your vehicle.
Which vehicles have the UConnect system?
These systems starting to appear in vehicles around 2011 although not all vehicles will be equipped with it. If you have this system or not, depends on which vehicle and trim level you have. Various changes and upgrades have been made since then too, so this video may not apply to your exact model. This video is for 8.4″ up until 2017. To check which system you have click here and if you’d like tips or tricks on a different system, let us know.
What are the favorite apps?
The favorite apps on the screen are the ones aligned along the bottom. Standard favorites might be in order from bottom left : Radio, Media, Controls, Apps, Climate, Navigation (if equipped), then Phone.
Why would I want to rearrange the UConnect apps?
Say for example, you are going on a long road and bad weather is forecast for your drive. You might want to have quicker access to the weather information instead of having to find your way to the app whilst driving. To make it more easily accessible you can make it a favorite app. When it’s a favorite app, it will be an icon on the bottom line up of your screen.
How to make an app a favorite
Go to the apps page. Select the app that you’d like to make your favorite. Press and hold the icon of the app with your finger, do not lift your finger. Drag it to the bottom of the screen over the icon you’d like to replace. You will see the app moving under your finger. Once you have it in place, you can then lift your finger. This app will now stay in your favorites until you decide to change it again or replace it with the original if you don’t need it anymore.
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