Thursday, March 27, 2014

Get More Bang for Your Buck with the 2014 Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette has long been associated with horsepower value. The 2014 model is no different; boasting a minimum of 460 horsepower at a price that can't be beat. You’ll also get a comfortable and greatly improved cabin, lots of torque, and nearly 30 miles per gallon on the highway. If you're looking for a powerful sports car with impeccable value, check out the 2014 Corvette!

James Wood Autopark

Friday, March 21, 2014

The History of Road Signs

The first stop sign appeared in Detroit in 1915, but it didn’t look anything like it does today. The New York Times reports that the first stop sign was a 2-foot square metal sheet that had black letters on a white background. The stop sign, and many of the other signs created to help guide motorists and provide important information, evolved over the decades into the recognizable shapes we’re accustomed to today.

In 1923, the shapes of signs started to evolve. After the first square stop sign, other signs with more sides were designed to indicate a higher level of danger. A circular sign denoted the most risk, thanks to what can be seen as its infinite number of sides. As a result, circular signs were recommended for railroad crossings. The stop sign adopted an octagonal shape, which signaled the second-highest level of danger. Diamond-shaped signs were designed to provide warnings, while rectangular signs were intended to provide information. Setting standardized shapes for certain signs made sense since lighting wasn’t always ideal at that time. The thought was that it would be easier for drivers to react to known shapes, even if they couldn’t read the signs at night.

Color is also an important part of road signs today. Many drivers know what a sign means simply by those factors alone. Some of those sign colors go all the way back to 1924, when officials began discussing which color combinations to use on various types of signs. Stop signs were originally yellow in color, and the nationwide change to red didn’t come until years later in 1954. Now, stop signs have been red for so long that many people don’t remember it any other way!



James Wood Autopark

Friday, March 14, 2014

Why Bother Taking Two Cars When There's the Traverse?

If you're heading out with a crowd, why bother taking two cars? The Chevrolet Traverse can comfortably seat up to eight people. With its powerful V6 engine and refined maneuverability, you won't even notice you're driving an SUV! Check out our inventory here: http://bit.ly/1qA6vGX

Friday, March 7, 2014

How to Budget for Gas During Your Spring Break Road Trip

Regardless of how far you’re traveling, it’s always a good idea to make sure your car is in good working order before a road trip. The U.S. Department of Energy says things like low tire pressure and dirty air filters can reduce a car’s gas mileage, so make sure your car undergoes proper pre-trip maintenance.

In addition to making sure your car’s ready, it’s also a good idea to have a rough idea of how many gallons of gas you’ll need to get from Point A to Point B so you can estimate your gas costs. Online calculators are one good way to do this. For example, GasBuddy.com’s Trip Cost Calculator can help you estimate how much you’ll spend on gas by taking into account your route, your car model’s gas mileage, and gas prices you can expect to find along the route.

It’s nice to plan a few sightseeing stops along the way, but keep in mind that the further you travel off the beaten path, the more you’ll wind up paying for gas.

No matter how carefully you budget, it’s your right foot that’ll help decide how much gas you burn. Take a hint from the U.S. Department of Energy and go easy on the accelerator when the light turns green. Also, keep to the speed limit. Not only does this promote safer driving and more fuel efficiency, but it also helps prevent you from getting a speeding ticket!



James Wood Chevrolet Cadillac