The Spirit of the American Family Road Trip Remains Alive

OKEMOS, Mich.,–– Family road trips: an American tradition. As the holiday season begins, family road trips will be at an all-time high, as it's the time of year to visit family and friends. Although road trips are the new family dinner table, parents still get stressed out. A new survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Chevrolet revealed some interesting points about parents' stress derived from road trips. Through a series of questions, Chevrolet found that the spirit of the American family road trip remains alive.

Surprisingly, kids are not the source of parents' stress on road trips. Increased amounts of traffic stress parents out the most. However, in-vehicle technologies, such as Wi-Fi and USB outlets, could lead to a better road trip experience overall. Good thing Chevy offers a slew of these in-vehicle technologies and safety features that make family road trips more enjoyable, including plenty of storage space, USB outlets, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The following statistics were found from the survey:


Technology

Parents hold in-car Wi-Fi at the top of their wish list for better road trips.

• "56 percent of parents say that having Wi-Fi/internet connectivity would help make their family road trips more enjoyable."

Love for Road Trips

Families do love taking road trips together. It's the time when they can bond together and make special memories while on the road.

• "93 percent of all parents say they like or love taking road trips with their family, including more than half (53 percent) who “love” it. Of those who take road trips, 95 percent like or love them, including 55 percent who say they “love” them."

• "Spending time with family (80 percent) and exploring and stopping at interesting locations and destinations (69 percent) are parents’ top two favorite aspects of family road trips."

• "Traffic and other unexpected delays is by far the most stressful part of the family road trip, according to nearly two in three parents (63%)."

Quick Stats

According to the survey, there is indeed a perfect road trip length.

• "American parents who take road trips believe that the “perfect” family road trip length is typically six hours."

There are plenty of distractions for the kids.

• "Parents who take road trips today bring 6.6 mobile devices, on average, in the vehicle."

SUVs are the vehicle of choice on road trips.

• "Nearly two-thirds of all American parents (63 percent) say they would prefer to take a family road trip in an SUV over any other type of vehicle, with more than two in five (42 percent) preferring a large SUV with three rows."

Kids have a say, too.

• "67 percent of parents who take road trips involve their children in the planning."

Chevrolet offers many tech and safety features in its newest models, making the holidays a little less stressful. With in-car Wi-Fi as an option, families are more likely to take a longer road trip and more frequently. The newest safety features available include Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Surround Vision, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and many more. Chevy's goal behind providing these many features is the hope that families will have a better experience in the car and the spirit of the American family road trip will remain alive. Start shopping our Equinox and Traverse inventory to find an SUV that will keep your loved ones comfy, safe, and occupied while on the road this holiday season!

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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Travel Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving

OKEMOS, Mich.,–– Traveling during the holidays can be a hassle. Not only is there a lot of traffic, but the risk of getting into an accident is significantly increased. We understand that enjoying a delicious meal with your friends and family is important. That is why we want you to have a safe trip this year. Read our list of travel tips for a safe Thanksgiving!

1. Make sure your vehicle is up to speed: Check up on its routine maintenance by inspecting tire pressure and fluid levels. Schedule an appointment with our service team if your vehicle is in need of a little TLC.

2. Map your route in advance and plan for heavy traffic: Be prepared for busy roads during the holidays. Consider leaving earlier or later to avoid traffic congestion.

3. Keep your valuables in a safe place: Theft can happen at any time. To be proactive, put your valuables in a covered storage area or the trunk of your vehicle.

4. Bring a charger and cell phone with you: This may be a given, but we thought we'd remind you.

5. Set a schedule and stick to it: If you're traveling a long distance, its best to know where you want to make stops along the way. This will keep you on track along your route.

6. Fill up on gas: Don't head out on your trip without a full tank of gas. It's better to be prepared than waiting until the last minute.

7. Keep a close eye on the road: Thanksgiving is right around the time of year when deer and other large animals are all over the road. Pay closer attention than you normally would to lower your risk of a collision.

Avoid the road-trip stress and enjoy your holiday with friends and family by following these travel tips for a safe Thanksgiving. Whether you are just driving down the road or logging multiple hours on your trip, it's best to be prepared for any situation. Your loved ones will be at ease when they see you make it to your destination without any harm or issues along the way. To make driving easier, Chevy offers many safety features in its new vehicles. Check out our Hanksgiving Sale going on now and see how you can save on a new Chevy with the latest advances in technology!

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner

OKEMOS, Mich.,–– No one ever said Thanksgiving dinner was bad. High expectations are set amongst family and friends for a dinner they've been thinking about for weeks now. Set the tone this year with the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner. With rich, zesty, and bold flavors, these recipes will set you up for success.

Main Dish

Herb and Citrus Butter Roasted Turkey

Side Dishes

Crescent Roll Stuffing

Green Bean Bacon Bundles

Parker House Rolls

Chive and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Cranberry Sauce

Dessert

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Pie

You'll want to savor every bite this year. From the main dish to dessert, these recipes will only make you crave for more. With flavors so delicious, you may be put in a food coma. This holiday will be one to remember with the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner! After you indulge in this appetizing meal, make sure to rest up for all your shopping on Black Friday. To make the holiday season easier, drive home a new vehicle that has enough space for your purchases and will keep you safe on the road. We'll give you an additional $2,500 on top of the value of your trade-in during our Hanksgiving Sale!

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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Survive Black Friday in a New Chevy

OKEMOS, Mich.,–– Black Friday is always a crazy time of year, but the incredible deals are hard to pass up. Other than the patience to wait in the long lines before the stores open, you'll need a vehicle that has plenty of cargo space, fuel efficiency, seating, and some technology features make your post-Thanksgiving spree go off without a hitch. So this year, survive Black Friday in a New Chevy. These vehicles are the ideal choices for whatever your shopping needs are for Black Friday and the rest of the holiday season.

2018 Chevrolet Traverse

With seating up to 8 for all your friends and family to come along for the shopping, the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is the perfect vehicle for Black Friday. No other mid-size SUV will be able to store as much loot with the Travesre's best-in-class max cargo space. Also, in the likely event that you're carrying a bunch of bags or boxes while leaving the store, you can open the trunk available hands-free gesture liftgate. To top it all off, with all the frenzied driving going on during Black Friday, you'll feel secure knowing the Traverse's 14 available advanced safety features are keeping you safe and sound.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

With Best-In-Class available V8  horsepower and fuel economy, the new 2018 Chevy Silverado has all of the capability you'll need to get around on Black Friday, making stops at all of the stores on your list. It also has a 2,250lbs. maximum payload for hauling all of your purchases including large items and appliances. Plus, you're not likely to get cut off trying to get into a parking space in this imposing truck.

2018 Chevrolet Cruze

No vehicle will help you get to each and every store on your list in one tank of gas with more style than the 2018 Chevy Cruze. The Cruze gets an amazing 29 city/40 hwy mpg and up to 52 hwy mpg with the available turbo-diesel engine. If you get the Cruze Hatchback you can also make use of 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space when the second row of seats is folded down. Thanks to its standard turbo engine, this affordable vehicle has all the quickness and agility to navigate the crowds this Black Friday.

If you're looking for a new Chevy to survive Black Friday in, or have your eye on a vehicle that would perfect as a gift for yourself or a loved this holiday season, shop our inventory online. During our "Hanksgiving" Sale, you can get an additional $2,500 on the value of your trade-in to make a new Silverado, Traverse, or Cruze even more affordable. So there's no better time than now to get into a new 2018 Chevy vehicle! As winter approaches, we also recommend completing our Fall Car Care maintenance routine to get your car, truck, or SUV ready for the freezing temperatures that can wreak havoc on your internal components.

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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Chevy Pays Homage to Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 30-Second TV Spot

OKEMOS, Mich.,––Chevy made a tribute to one of their most successful NASCAR members on November 5th. Son of the NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Sr., he has had outstanding performance over the course of his career. With a total of 26 wins, including two Daytona 500 1st-place finishes, he has had a prosperous and rewarding career behind the wheel. Chevy pays homage to Dale Earnhardt Jr. with a 30-second TV spot during the broadcast of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA Texas 500.

This 30-second spot features never-before seen photos and videos from some of Earnhardt Jr.'s most defining moments in his race history, along with a collage of memories that span over his career. The TV spot is called "What a Ride" and truly showcases Earnhardt's successful journey with NASCAR.

“We have been so fortunate to have Dale Earnhardt Jr. as part of the Chevrolet family,” said Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “His ‘Never Give Up’ attitude and true passion for performance are the same qualities that drove Louis Chevrolet to race more than a hundred years ago, and still drive us today to innovate and win.”

At the end of the season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be retiring after a long 22-year professional racing career. He stated in his retirement speech that he is proud to support Chevy and represent the bowtie logo. If you want to catch the TV spot on air, it will be shown on the NBCSN broadcast through the year-end championship banquet in Las Vegas. Take a look at the long journey as Chevy pays homage to Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a 30-second TV spot. Get behind the wheel of your own Chevy today by taking a look at our new vehicle inventory. You can also value your trade before you buy.

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities Your Kids Will Love

OKEMOS, Mich.,––Now that Halloween is gone and November is here, it's time to gear up for the holidays. First on the list: Thanksgiving! This holiday is dedicated to the harvest. The very first Thanksgiving happened in 1621 when the Pilgrims and Native Americans hosted and attended a three-day long feast to celebrate the Pilgrims' first successful harvest in the New World.

In modern America we continue to celebrate this holiday with a large one-day or one-meal feast, but there's plenty of fun to be had leading up to Thanksgiving. Get in the spirit and check out these Thanksgiving crafts and activities your kids will love:

Fall Leaf Painting

Grab a few variations of leaves and let the kids have at it to create some cool pieces of art. You can even frame these as a keepsake and bring them out to hang each year when Fall arrives. 

Count Your Blessings Calendar 

Each day, you'll write something you're thankful for on a sticky note and attach to the back of the leaf. Rotate which family member writes each day's note, or come up with each note together. At the end of the month, you can store the notes in a "time capsule" and read them next year. 

Lego Stamped Corn

All you need is paper, a little paint, and a few Legos off the floor. Make a bunch and tie together, or string them up banner style for a cute touch to your Thanksgiving day feast. 

Floating Mayflower Craft & Science Experiment

Make sure to save a few applesauce or fruit cups before doing this floating Mayflower science experiment & have some Play Dough or Silly Putty on hand. Try this in the bath tub or kitchen sink! 

Coffee Filter Turkeys

These colorful and fun turkeys are really easy to make. If you have toddlers, you can cut some of the harder tasks out by prepping the turkey's body ahead of time. 

Stuff the Turkey Game 

Once you're done making the pieces for the game, you can plan as much as you want! Click the link to see how you can vary up the game for players of different ages. 

Mason Jar Candle Holder

This craft is aimed towards older kids or adults, but the younger ones can help with the collection of the leaves. These festive jars are perfect for the Thanksgiving table or entry way to set the mood. 

November has officially arrived and it's time to prepare for guests, good food, and fun activities to do together! We hope these Thanksgiving crafts and activities are ones your kids will love. Before your family starts crafting away, we want to remind you of the importance of taking car of your vehicle this season so that you can make plenty of trips to the grocery store, craft store, and family members' homes safely. Check out our Fall car care tips online and let us know how we can help get you prepared for the cold weather ahead with oil changes, winter tire installments, brake inspections, and more. You can conveniently schedule a service appointment online, or by giving us a call. 

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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7 Creative Fall Date Ideas

OKEMOS, Mich., – Fall is one of the best seasons to plan the perfect date! From a cozy night by the fire to a trip to the ice rink, these 7 creative fall date ideas are sure to impress your significant other on your night out! The best part is, these fall date ideas don't even have to be dates! You can enjoy these activities with your friends or the whole family if you'd prefer. Read on to find fall fun in the Lansing area!

1. Make Homemade Candy Apples

What better way to enjoy each other's company than by crafting your very own candy apples? Whether you prefer yours plain or would rather dip them in layers of M&Ms or peanuts, candied apples are a fall food staple that tastes amazing and are easy to make!

What You'll Need: Red or green apples, lollipop sticks, white sugar, light corn syrup, water, red food coloring

2. Picnic in the Park

It may be a little chilly out, but if you bring a few warm blankets and some hot chocolate, you can set up a little picnic to stay cozy in the autumn weather! Set up your picnic at the Harris Nature Center, Ferguson Park, or take a drive to one of Lansing's beautiful outdoor parks for a day you won't soon forget!

What You'll Need: Blankets, hand warmers, hot chocolate, picnic basket/cooler, lunch supplies

3. Visit the Wonderland of Lights

From November 17th-December 31st, the Potter Park Zoo is transformed into a gorgeous display of lights and visual displays. Visit the animals, enjoy holiday cookies, and take in the incredible Wonderland of Lights at Potter Park Zoo! 

What You'll Need: A warm coat and gloves (it gets cold out!)

4. Take a Trip to the Cider Mill

What better way to enjoy fall festivities than at the cider mill? You can grab a warm cup of cider, snack on a tasty doughnut, kick back on a hayride, and get lost in the corn maze, all in one day! If you aren't sure where to go, check out these cider mills in the Lansing area to find the perfect apple orchard or cider mill to visit this year! 

What You'll Need: An empty stomach and a big smile!

5. Catch a Drive-in Movie

You can catch a double feature at the Ford Drive-In with your significant other on any day of the week! With five screens and plenty of room for any vehicle, you can cozy up and watch two films for the price of one!

What You'll Need: Any snacks you'd like to bring and a couple blankets if it gets cold!

6. Visit the Lansing Art Gallery

Looking for a great date at a great price? Admission to the Lansing Art Gallery is free and open to the public! The gallery is updated bi-monthly so you can discover new works of art every time you visit. Keep an eye on their 2017-2018 calendar to see when special events are taking place throughout the year so you can plan the perfect date during a fun event! 

What You'll Need: An open mind and a pencil and paper if you feel inspired by any art piece you see!

7. Play a Game of FootGolf

Yes, you read that correctly - FootGolf, a combination of soccer and golf, is the newest craze in the Lansing area! Head on down to Hawk Hollow Golf Course and put your fancy footwork to the test in a game of 18 holes. You'll never want to play an ordinary game of golf again!

What You'll Need: Your best athletic clothes, shoes, and a coat (just in case the temperatures drop!)

Total Cost: $15 for 18 holes, $9 for 9 holes

Check these 7 creative fall date ideas off your bucket list before the season ends to ensure that you've made the most of this breathtakingly beautiful season. If you're on the hunt for more fall fun but aren't sure where to start, we can help! Check out our Fall Seasonal Guide to discover orchards and cider mills, exciting autumn events in the Greater Lansing area, and helpful tips to stay safe on the road this season! Before you head out on your date, though, make sure you complete our Fall Car Care routine to avoid an embarrassing breakdown on the road. If you do happen to find anything wrong with your vehicle, make sure to bring it into our Graff Okemos Service Center right away. You won't regret it once the snow starts to fall!

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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