I Love Graff Okemos: August 2015

Friday, August 28, 2015

2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV Helps K-9 Units Fight Crime

Chevrolet Tahoe the Perfect Vehicle for K-9 Units

OKEMOS, Mich. – When your day job entails spying out suspicious activity and literally sniffing out the bad guys, it's important to stay attentive to your surroundings, lest you miss a clue hidden in plain sight.

When patrolling the streets in comfort, K-9 units are able to do their job with more clarity and efficiency. The 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV helps K-9 units fight crime by providing a spacious interior and superb climate control system that keep police officers and their dogs comfortable.

Although police dogs may seem indefatigable, man’s best friend is naturally susceptible to the negative effects of too extreme temperatures at both ends of the fahrenheit scale. The 2015 Chevy Tahoe PPV is equipped with numerous heating and cooling vents – more than any other police utility vehicle – and the third row seat has been removed to provide ample room for a kennel, making it possible for plenty of direct hot or cool air to reach a police dog.

Too many police dog fatalities are due to overheating caused by hot summer temperatures. Providing police dogs with plenty of access to space and cool air is one of the notable ways the 2015 Chevy Tahoe PPV helps K-9 units fight crime. Because it provide a comfortable environment alongside great performance and design elements, state and local municipalities and the federal government use the Tahoe PPV for patrol, first response, tactical, HAZMAT, and Border Patrol.

The 2015 Tahoe PPV is an exemplary 21st century vehicle that has drastically improved civil services working to keep our communities safe. Chevrolet’s contribution to civil service is one reminder of why we pride ourselves on being a Chevy used car dealership serving East Lansing, MI.

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you –– simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Chevrolet Releases Gen Six Camaro Pricing and Online Visualizer

OKEMOS, Mich. – If you thought the raucous over the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro was dying down, think again. Chevrolet released Gen Six Camaro pricing and an online visualizer that allows you to see what your new Camaro will look like and get a sense of how much it will cost.

With an ever-unfurling list of updates and new features, the 2016 Camaro 1LT comes with a suggested retail price of $26,695. The Camaro SS, Chevy’s most powerful Camaro to date, jumps up to $37,295 for the 1SS – still not that hefty of a price tag for the top-performing pony car.

The new Camaro will arrive in a simpler lineup of only two models – LT and SS – and four trim levels – 1LT, 2LT, 1SS, and 2SS. Now that Chevy released Gen Six Camaro pricing and an online visualizer, you can figure out beforehand what you plan on paying, plus what you want your new prized possession to look like.

The online Camaro Visualizer lets you check out features you can use to customize your Camaro with, including five interior and 10 exterior colors, interior accents, ground effects, wheels, and stripes. Other accessories highlights include:

Three aluminum wheel designs, in multiple finishes
Grille kits with six body-color inserts for LT and SS models; inserts are also available in chrome-appearance or primed versions for custom painting
A blade-style rear spoiler and a ground effects kit, each offered in 10 colors
Four exterior graphics packages, offered in multiple colors, including a body-side “spear” design; rally stripe design; front-fender “hash mark” design; and a racing stripe design
Interior trim kits, offered in multiple colors, including knee pads and door accent trim

Based on the Gen Six Camaro model and trim you choose, you can also pick alternate-finish variants like smoked taillamp lenses and blacked-out or LED-illuminated Chevy bowtie emblems.Giving you more of a say in how you want your 2016 Chevy Camaro to look is one of the customer-focused facets of Chevrolet that make them a superior automaker in today’s automotive industry.

Like Chevy, we care about what our customers want in a vehicle and figure out how we can make that happen for you. Stop in at our Haslett area used car dealer to see what we can do to help you with the purchase of your new Camaro, or of one of our used cars or trucks.

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you –– simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Ohio EPA Awards GM Toledo Transmission for Environmental Stewardship

OKEMOS, Mich. – Over the years General Motors has surpassed expectations concerning its environmental involvement, and most recently Ohio EPA awarded GM Toledo Transmission for environmental stewardship.

Toledo Transmission set a new benchmark for functioning as an environmentally friendly facility. The plant abstains from sending waste to landfills and has the most extensive rooftop solar array in Ohio.

Ohio EPA awarded GM Toledo Transmission for environmental stewardship that comprised a range of green processes, including:

Recycling, reusing, or converting daily operations waste to energy
Satisfying the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry through cutting energy use by 27% in three years
Changing out 3,900 lighting fixtures with 3,600 energy-efficient T8 fluorescent LED lights, and using motion sensors in the warehouse to conserve energy
Powering 19% of the facility’s energy needs with renewable landfill gas
Producing 3% of its electricity with a 1.8Mw solar array
Saving water and energy with a new machined-parts cleaning solution that performs at room temperature
Earning Wildlife at Work certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council for a habitat program that attracts different animals and pollinators
Teaching youth about their impact on local water quality through the GM GREEN partnership

This isn’t the first time Toledo Transmission has been recognized for its environmental stewardship. In 2014, the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable awarded the plant and its employees for a clean record in pollution prevention and sustainability.

Many people like to criticize the automotive industry for creating pollution. It’s nice to know our parent company cares so much about keeping the earth clean. Taking care of the environment matters to us as well, and there are ways you can help keep our earth clean. It can be as simple as keeping your vehicle in good working order to mitigate the amount of toxic fumes that can form and escape. Stop by our Lansing area used car dealer for any auto service needs you may have, and help us cut down on pollution!

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you –– simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Should You Buy a New Car or Used Car?

OKEMOS, Mich. –– The car purchasing process is much more navigable when you know why you want a particular vehicle and understand what makes it, versus another vehicle model, the best fit for you. But before you look at trim choices or optional specifications that add flair –– and cost –– to the car you're interested in, you need to answer a foundational question that will illuminate the path for your car buying journey: Should you buy a new car or used car? In this post we'll explore the major disparities between new and used cars so you can make a solid, unwavering decision for your next car purchase
.

What differences exist in the overall costs between new and used cars?

The first thing you’ll consider when deliberating between buying a new or used car is the cost difference. This isn’t so simple, as some used cars are more expensive than new cars. However, more often than not used cars are cheaper. New cars have new technology, features, design, performance specs –– essentially new everything –– which frequently makes them cost more. In sum, how much "new" are you willing to pay for?

Are there differences in financing new or used cars?

If you want to finance your next vehicle you need to understand its interest rate rests on its projected resale value, which is determined by how much the vehicle depreciates over time. Most banks expect a new car to depreciate by $9,000 within five years. Even so, the younger the car, aside from a few exceptions, the easier it’s going to be to sell, and the more money it will be sold for.

Used cars tend to have higher interest rates for a number of reasons: they've already depreciated and their resale values are already much lower than those of new cars; they're more prone to major mechanical issues and hefty repair costs; and there's a higher risk that used car buyers will bail on their loan, although that isn’t necessarily the norm. If you finance a used car, your lender needs to make up for the uncertainty of these factors, and the high interest rates attached to used cars are a way to cover that risk.

Are all used cars gas-guzzlers, and is every new car fuel-efficient?

Gas mileage is one of the biggest factors to consider when deciding between a new car or used car. You could purchase a used sedan that achieves 23 miles per gallon in the city and reap the benefits of fuel-efficiency; or you could go with an all-new SUV twice the size that peaks at 16 mpg on the highway and is best friends with the gas pump.

With a used car, you might end up saving your gas money instead of spending it in excess. Rather than assume all new cars are fuel-efficient, research whether the technology in a new car will save you money at the pump or not.

Do new or used cars cost more to insure?

Considering used cars cost more to finance than new cars, you might assume insurance costs would follow suit. However, the opposite is true; new cars cost more to insure than used cars. Despite the presence of new technology and added safety features you would assume make new cars less of a liability and, therefore, less to insure, these features consequently give new cars a higher value. This inevitably hikes up the cost of car insurance.

Does a used car require more maintenance than a new car?

Although it’s entirely possible that a used car will be just as reliable and durable as a new car, it’s not as likely. A used car will probably lead you to the mechanic more often than a new car will, and that could seriously attenuate your budget.

New cars cost what they do because they’re up-to-date. But that price tag also includes a warranty, which covers maintenance and repairs for a set amount of time. The nice thing about a warranty is you don’t have to worry about most maintenance and repairs that are often covered by the dealership or OEM (original equipment manufacturer). As a caveat, remember that warranties don’t last forever.

With used cars, the onus of maintenance and repairs falls on you. Things could get pricy, depending on how bad the need is for repairs. Then again, there are Certified Pre-Owned cars –– used cars that typically come with an attached warranty –– and this could be a middle-ground option worth looking at.

It’s time to make a decision.

We know how tough it is to decide whether you should buy a new car or used car. There will be other factors that go into your decision, but for now these are some of the major points to consider as you continue your journey through the process. If you need help or want more thorough advice, feel free to stop by our used car dealership serving East Lansing, Mich., where our staff will help you decide between buying or leasing one of our new Chevy vehicles or used vehicles.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

How to Help Your Child Get Ready for Back to School

OKEMOS, Mich. – Do you have a child heading back to school this fall? As you know, summer vacation comes and goes as fast as a day at the beach where suddenly the sun is setting and it’s getting colder. Hitting the books after three months away from a classroom can quickly turn into a stressful experience for many children, but we have some suggestions for how to help your child get ready for back to school.

Ask your child how ready they feel. Sometimes a simple question is all your child needs to muster up some courage for heading back to school. Find out if your child is nervous or excited. How are they planning to deal with that? Are they aware that they can come to you for advice and comfort as they make a difficult transition? Talking with your child always helps.

Take your child to their school before the semester begins. Class orientations are the best way to get your child used to the school environment because it gives them a chance to walk the hallways, find the nearest bathrooms to their classroom, meet or reacquaint themselves with other children, and take in the atmosphere of their classroom.

If your child’s class doesn't have an orientation before the semester begins, you can probably take them to visit the school a week beforehand – staff will most likely be working and preparing for the semester anyway. You could even just take them on a walk around the school, or to play at the playground, if there is one. Any of these will make them more comfortable.

Let your child choose their school supplies. As an adult, you may have forgotten how important it is to your child to have a certain color notebook, or pencils wrapped in graphics of their favorite superhero or cartoon characters. In your child’s eyes, school supplies are a statement to other children about who they are and what they like.

Make buying school supplies fun for your child and let them pick out items that fall under any school codes but still exemplify their personality. This will help them lighten up about the impending school year and relieve them of some anxiety.

Get your child on a stricter schedule. You might be lenient about your child’s sleep and play schedules during the summer months, but once the school year begins you know that has to change in order for your child to get the most from their education. Instead of waiting to put your child on a school schedule when the semester begins, try implementing it a week or so earlier.

Your child might pout about it, but it will adjust them ahead of time and make the transition much easier for both of you. If you wait to get them on a school schedule, you and your child could have one hectic first week of school.

Help your child feel independent. You know how it works – As you grow older you naturally yearn for more independence, but some children hit a point where independence can feel a little scary. Instead of acknowledging an increase in freedom, they feel more detached and alone than anything.

This commonly occurs in a classroom when your child is away from you in a classroom for 7–8 hours, 5 days a week. Help your child get used to being away from you by supporting their independence.

As was mentioned, you can let them pick out their own school supplies, but you can also do things like let them choose what they want for lunch the first day of school – Better yet, you could even let them make their own lunch. There are other ways to instill independence, but we’ll leave that to your discretion seeing as parents differ in their beliefs on child independence.

Parents have different opinions on how to help your child get ready for back to school, but hopefully these suggestions give you some direction in how to help your child cope with the transition period between summer vacation and the classroom.

Your child isn’t the only one who will make a transition as summer nears its end. You also have things to prepare for, albeit in the realm of adulthood, such as maintaining your vehicle and preparing it for colder weather. After all, you want to ensure that you can drive your child to school on time without any mechanical issues. Make sure you stop in at our used car dealership serving Haslett, Mich., to get a regular oil change and maybe even a new set of tires before the colder weather kicks in.

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you –– simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Chevrolet to be Presenting Sponsor of Woodward Dream Cruise for Fifth Year

OKEMOS, Mich. – If you’ve never been to the Woodward Dream Cruise – a globally recognized annual car show that attracts over 1.5 million people to metro Detroit – this is the year to go. Chevrolet will be the presenting sponsor of the Woodward Dream Cruise for the fifth year, and they’ve prepared a slew of events that you can get involved with, including:

Volt Silent Cruise: Chevy Volts only! The Dream Cruise will get a quiet but electric start where you and your guests can cruise down Woodward Ave. in your Volt. Plus, check out the next-generation Volt that Chevy will show off beforehand at the Kingsley Inn in Bloomfield Hills, Mich

Design on Woodward car show: GM Design will show off over 100 personal vehicles owned by GM design team members. Who knows what you can expect to see from one of the world’s greatest automotive design teams, but we’re betting you won’t be disappointed in what they bring to the table.

The Chevrolet Performance display: Here you can check out a number of performance vehicles still searing from the Hot Rod Power Tour; a handful of Chevrolet Performance parts and accessories; and an IndyCar vehicle. Plus, Linda Vaughn, ambassador and promoter of multiple American racing forms, will sign autographs.

Chevrolet will be the presenting sponsor of the Woodward Dream Cruise that officially begins its roll along Woodward Ave. on Saturday, Aug. 15. During the Cruise, Chevy’s lineup will be on display in Birmingham, Mich. Vehicles that will be on display include the 2016 Camaro coupe and convertible, the 2016 Volt, and a coupe and convertible version of the 1955 Bel Air in celebration of its 60^th anniversary.

If you’re planning on cruising Woodward, Chevy wants to make sure you have a memorable day that ends with you recounting the great moments of the Cruise. To make sure that happens, Chevy will deploy six Silverados to ride along Woodward Ave. that are ready to help anyone whose classic cruiser of any make stalls, overheats, or runs out of gas.

The Woodward Dream Cruise is something you don’t wan to miss out on – everyone should make it out at least once! You can get the full list of activities including dates and times here. Come into our Lansing areaused car dealer and get an oil change or any other auto service you need before you make the trip down!

Thursday, August 6, 2015

2016 Chevy Volt Gets an EPA-Estimated Electric Range of 53 Miles

OKEMOS, Mich. –– If you’re in the mood to save cash at the pump, look no further than the new Chevrolet Volt. The 2016 Chevy Volt gets an EPA-estimated electric range of 53 miles on its new 18.4-kWh lithium-ion battery.

Chevy’s entire point of revamping the Volt for 2016 was to give their customers, and drivers in general, what they want most: range. Exactly how impressive is 53 miles on pure electric power? The current Volt gets somewhere around 37 miles, which means the 2016 Volt just made a 40-percent increase in pure electric vehicle range.

Drivers of the current Volt drive purely on their batteries 80 percent of the time. Chevy expects drivers of the 2016 Volt will up that to 90 percent, which makes it crystal clear how efficient and valuable EV technology is becoming. What do those numbers mean? Drivers of the new Volt should be able to make it 1,000 miles before having to fill up, assuming they charge their vehicle on a regular basis.

The battery gives the 2016 Volt a combined 106 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe). When the Volt’s battery is nearly drained, a gas-powered generator boosts its driving range to give it a total of 420 miles on a full tank. The 1.5-liter range-extender achieves a combined EPA-estimated 42 mpg.

Drivers of the current Volt have no problem meeting and sometimes exceeding its EPA-estimated mileage, which should make you all the more certain that the 2016 Chevy Volt gets an EPA-estimated electric range of 53 miles without any issues. Just like drivers of the current Volt, we’re betting you can even exceed that estimation.

Now that you know how much gas and, therefore, money you could save with the 2016 Volt, we’ll expect to see you soon enough at our East Lansing used car dealer. If you’re looking to catch a deal on the current Volt once the 2016 model debuts, consider taking a gander at our used cars –– you never know what gems could be hiding!

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you –– simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

2016 Chevrolet Colorado Special Editions Available

OKEMOS, Mich.– The next big thing to come from Chevrolet is a slew of upgrades to its popular midsize pickup, the Colorado. The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado special editions available this fall perfectly exemplify the new capabilities and upgraded performance of the truck. They also make your individuality all the more definable.

The Colorado Midnight Edition will give the 2016 Colorado a commanding demeanor that really toughens up the entire aesthetic of the truck. As an evil twin of sorts, the Midnight Edition is completely blacked-out, including the grille, Chevy bow tie, and its 18-inch aluminum wheels. Further, this package comes with a spray-on bed liner, folding tonneau cover, and Chevy-logo sill plates that make it all the more tenacious.

The Colorado Z71 Trail Boss stems from the off-road truck suspension package that prepares it for the most inhospitable terrains. The Trail Boss edition expands on the off-road package and bestows the Colorado with a rugged image that includes a sport bar with LED trail lighting; black-finished 17-inch aluminum wheels with Goodyear Wrangler DuraTec 265/65R17 all-terrain tires; durable fender flares; tubular assist steps; and all-weather floor mats. Like the Midnight Edition, the Trail Boss edition also features a black bow tie and spray-on bed liner.

The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado special editions are available with extended crew cabs and bodies and in 2WD or 4WD with the 2.5-liter or 3.6-liter engines. Both are also available with the four-cylinder 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine.

We're not sure when you can expect to hear anything about special edition pricing, but we can tell you the 2016 Colorado will be available for purchase sometime this fall at our Haslett area Chevrolet dealer, where we also have the best batch of used trucks and used cars available.

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you – simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!