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The all-new Buick Encore is ready to go wherever your life leads and designed to get you there in style, comfort and your kind of luxury.

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"Since 2001 Beck & Masten has been selling and servicing our vehicles with honesty and professionalism. We have never has an issue go unaddressed ..... They continue to go above and beyond to help us with our vehicle needs. Would never dream of going anywhere else and have recommended them to everyone we know and they too have gotten the same superior service. Keep up the great work!"

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"I have purchased 6 vehicles from the used department at Beck and Masten. So when it came time for my aunt needing a new used vehicle I knew this first place I wanted to look. Of course it did not take long to find a vehicle that matched her criteria. Time is precious and they do not waste any of it. I was given the price (thousands under book) the first time instead of numerous trips back and forth with the manager. I was given top dollar for my trade. I was very happy with my service here and would recommend Thomas Clark to anyone. Not only will I continue to be a customer of Thomas, now he has a new client(my aunt) as long as he is there. Thanks Beck and Masten one time."

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Maintenance Tip: Coolant Flush

Coolant Flush – How Often is Needed?

Real coolant flush entails removing all the fluid that is in the cooling system and replacing it with fresh one. The best method of removing all the fluid is hooking the car to the machine that will remove it while at the same time, it puts in fresh fluid. The coolant flush machine puts in the right amount of fluid.

 

The machines circulate the fluid in the vehicle cooling system for a number of times. This removes any kind of debris that could have accumulated for a long time. This is the only way that one can consider to have received the service that has been done in the right way.

 

Refills and Drainage

 Coolant flush is usually confusing to many people as many think that it involves just draining and then refilling cooling system. There are others who assume that it is done by hooking it up to the flush machine and back flushing the system.

 

The difference between refill or drain and engine coolant flush is big. Draining and refilling is straight forward and has no difficulties while a flush needs one to have a coolant flush kit, draining and refilling just includes the drainage of a radiator and the reservoir.

 

It is then refilled with the some new fluid.  Before draining and refilling it is important to make arrangements on how the fluid should be drained as the old fluid cannot be poured down a drain or on the street.

Coolant Flushes and Solvents

Clearing contamination in the engine coolant system might be necessary  but  using a flush solvent  or any element  that  is used to clean  the cooling  system  will do more damage than  good. Getting the cooling system flushed using the flushing machine might be the right way but it is important to first ask is coolant flush necessary?

 

This depends on the reasons that have prompted the car owner to consider it but at times it might not be necessary and the cost can be saved. However there could be reasons why someone feels that it is necessary to have a it done and not just because there is coolant flush coupon that would cater for part of the cost.

 

If the PH of the cooling fluid is not the right one, there is a need to for flushing. It is also important to do a flush if it is noted that the coolant has been discolored. When carrying out such service the BMW and Toyota coolant flush cost might be different depending on where it is done but it is necessary to use a flush machine.

 

The advantage of using the flush machine is that there is an assurance that almost all the old coolant will be flushed out. Draining and refilling just removes only 50 to 60 percent of old fluid.

 

Frequency of Coolant Flushes

 

When it comes to maintenance of the cooling system that involves coolant flush how often should it be done? This is something that does not need to carry out frequently. There are mechanics who advise their clients to do it every year but it is not necessary and will only increase servicing cost for nothing.

 

Most of the cars that were built after the early year of 1990s have coolant that can last for at least five years or even longer. For all this period, no maintenance is required. Although this is a good service when there is a necessity to have it done, coolant flushing can be imposed on the customers who do not understand about the time when it should be done by mechanics who want to make extra cash.

 

The best thing to do after being informed by mechanic that there is a need for coolant flushing is to find out the exact reason why it should be done. Check your car manual; it is about 50,000 miles interval before it is needed for such thorough cleaning service.

 

Coolant Test Strips

 It is possible to establish if there is a need for coolant flush even without the help of a mechanic. This is done by using by using testing strips that can be bought from most of the stores that sell auto spares. These strips make it possible to determine whether the coolant has the right PH.

 

By using the test strips one can establish the level of freeze protection and if there is a need for more additives. If it is necessary for such service the coolant flush kit instructions should be followed. Ensure that everything is needed and ready before starting the exercise.

 

Courtesy of CoolantFlush.net

Active Safety a Common Element in Expanding Buick Brand

2013 Verano and Encore feature 10 air bags, advanced active safety

DETROIT – In addition to the redesigned Enclave luxury crossover SUV arriving this fall, Buick’s lineup will continue to expand in the coming year with two all-new models – the 250-horsepower  (187 kW) Verano Turbo luxury sedan and the versatile Encore luxury crossover. No matter the size, safety is a cornerstone of every new Buick.

Both Verano and Encore offer 10 standard air bags and body structures that consist of more than 60 percent high-strength steel. In the 2013 model year, each model also receives new active safety systems. Unlike passive safety features – such as safety belts and air bags – that are designed to protect occupants when a crash occurs, active safety systems use sounds, visual warnings and automated actions to help prevent crashes.

Later this summer, Verano will make standard a Rear Vision Camera on all models and an optional safety package that includes Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. These two technologies share a set of radar sensors hidden in the corners of the rear bumper that may help drivers avoid crashes when changing lanes or backing.

When backing, Rear Cross Traffic Alert senses cross traffic up to 65 feet away that may not be visible to the driver when backing out of a parking space or driveway. The driver is alerted with a red directional arrow displayed on the Rear Vision Camera screen and three directional beeps.

“We want to integrate our backing visual warnings onto that screen so drivers know where to look and can quickly see for themselves what’s causing the warning,” said Raymond Kiefer, General Motors Active Safety Technical Fellow. “That way, they can react quickly to what the camera, radar and ultrasonic sensors are detecting.”

Side Blind Zone Alert technology makes its way to the Verano from the larger LaCrosse luxury sedan and Enclave luxury crossover SUV. It cautions drivers when a vehicle is in a blind zone in an adjacent lane. According to sales data, it is among Buick’s most popular active safety features.

Encore, which arrives early in 2013, carries its own active safety resume and will be the first vehicle in its segment to offer the combination of Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. Both features use a single forward-looking camera sensor that has a lower cost to consumers than competitive systems that use radar or a combination of radar and camera.

“Studies suggest that people can use changes in object size as they approach to estimate how long until they collide,” said Kiefer. “Buick’s single-camera detection system works much like a human eye, with state-of-the-art image processing equipment analyzing 10-12 scene images per second to decide if the changes in the size of a vehicle ahead suggest a crash may be just a few seconds away.”

Forward Collision Alert can be adjusted to near, medium and far timing settings.  Although an “Off” setting is also provided, the majority of owners report they keep the system active. 

At speeds above 25 mph, Forward Collision Alert gives audible and visual warnings when a collision may be imminent. Lane Departure Warning alerts drivers when they may have crossed a detected lane marker without using a turn indicator when driving at speeds over 35 mph. It, too, can be deactivated with the push of a button.

Like every current Buick, Encore will be offered with a Rear Vision Camera.

Enclave, the industry’s top-selling three-row luxury crossover, will debut this year with safety innovations of its own, including the world’s first front center air bag. Every Buick also comes standard with six months of an OnStar Directions and Connections plan, which includes Automatic Crash Response and roadside assistance.

Every 2012 Buick model is rated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and every Buick model tested by the U.S. government’s New Car Assessment Program this year has received a Five Star Overall Vehicle Score. To discover more about how the brand designs vehicles around occupant safety, visit the Buick vehicle safety page.

Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick or at www.facebook.com/buick.>

 

Courtesy of GM Media

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Driving Safely in Reduced Visibility Conditions

Driving is always more difficult in reduced-visibility conditions.It’s hard to see your route clear.Reduced visibility conditions include twilight, darkness, rain, snow, fog, smoke, and bright sunshine.

• Use moderation in judging a safe speed. Drive slow enough to maintain a safe stopping distance.
• Don’t slow down so much that you become a risk to other drivers.
• Be aware that in reduced visibility conditions, drivers tend to follow the tail lights of vehicles in front of them.
• If you must pull off of the road, pull as far off of the road as possible, turn off your headlights, take your foot off of the brake pedal, and turn on your hazard lights.
• Make sure you have a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle in case of bright sunlight.

Courtesy of Car-Use.net

Buick Sticks to Stick-Shifts to Offer Choice, Performance

Buick recently released detailed specifications on the surprisingly powerful Verano Turbo. Along with the 250 hp engine is the continued option of a six-speed manual transmission.

 

In a time when even exotic car makers are switching to dual-clutch automatics and BMW would prefer not to offer a stick-shift, Buick, of all brands, is continuing to offer the shift-it-yourself, preferred-by-enthusiasts feature.

The 2013 Verano Turbo joins the ranks of the Regal Turbo and Regal GS as the three Buicks with manual transmissions. Buick says that they now offer more manual transmissions than exotic car-maker Ferrari. Is Buick really aiming for the enthusiast market with these self-rowers?

Not exactly. “Our strategy has more to do with choices for our customers than anything else,” said Phil Colley, from Buick communications.

“There are people who simply prefer a manual transmission, and as we’ve learned with Regal Turbo and GS,” said Colley. “Our customers prefer to have that choice.”

Still, the Regal Turbo and GS are both considered the ‘sportier’  Buick vehicles. Each makes 220-hp or more, and comes equipped with tighter suspension. They also come with the brand’s Interactive Drive Control function that allows for several modes, including a ‘sport’ that quickens up steering feel.

Colley even told us that Buick sells more manual transmissions in the Regal GS’ than automatic equipped ones, which is particularly interesting because the automatic is a no-cost option.

“With the added performance and fun of the Verano Turbo, offering an available manual seemed like a natural choice” said Colley.

Pricing details on the new Verano Turbo haven’t been announced yet, but the 2012 Verano costs just $22,585, and tops out at $26,850. It will be interesting to see if Buick also offers a no-cost transmission option on the more powerful Verano Turbo.

Colley wouldn’t comment on if the manual transmission choice is something Buick would offer were it not for the fact that such units are already engineered and available in other GM models. Still, the fact that Buick goes through the trouble of engineering and emissions certifying manual transmissions for three of its models shows that the decision to do so is either profitable at the dealership level or as a marketing effort.

 

Buick, after all, is rumored to be preparing a new wave of exciting models, with recent GM trademark filings for the names “Riviera” and “Grand National” suggesting a future that’s as exciting as its past, rather than the old man pigeonhole the brand is currently stuck in.

Pardon Our Mess!

We want to thank everyone for hanging with us while we continue to remodel.

2013 Terrain Denali

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Just the Facts:

• The new Denali edition of the 2013 GMC Terrain will start at $35,350, including shipping.
• The 2013 Terrain Denali goes on sale in the third quarter of 2012.
• The basic 2013 Terrain Denali comes with front-wheel drive and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

DETROIT — The new Denali edition of the 2013 GMC Terrain will start at $35,350, including shipping, when it goes on sale in the third quarter.

As is the case with other GMC products such as the Sierra, Yukon and Acadia, the Denali model will top the Terrain lineup. The current range-topper, the 2012 GMC Terrain SLT-2, is priced from $33,835, including shipping.

The basic 2013 Terrain Denali comes with front-wheel drive and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive bumps the price to $37,100, while an optional 301-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 on either version will add $1,500, including a step up in wheel/tire size from 18 to 19 inches.

Standard safety features on the Terrain Denali include forward collision alert, lane departure warning, side blind zone and rear cross traffic alert. Among the extra-cost options are navigation, a rear cargo cover and a trailering package.

Inside Line says: You knew it was coming.

 

Monday Maintenance : Avoiding Potholes

 

Potholes destroy tires, and the price of tires is rising sharply due to a supply shortage of natural rubber (yes, it still comes from trees, mostly in southeast Asia) and increasing demand from China, where car ownership is undergoing double-digit growth. Petroleum is also used in tire manufacturing, adding further to cost volatility. Blow out just one tire on one pothole and expect to pay out more – one major tire manufacturer increased prices three times in 2011 alone.

Damage from potholes doesn’t stop at tires. In a blink of the eye, you can experience $1000 of damage, possibly more, when your car hits a pothole – it’s possible to impair your car’s shock absorbers, suspension system, struts, rims and alignment as well. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the average additional vehicle operating costs due to rough roads in 2007 was $400, with higher costs experienced in places including Baltimore ($589), Concord, NH ($656), Dallas-Fort Worth ($512), Los Angeles ($746), New Orleans ($622), New York-Newark ($638), Oklahoma City ($631), San Francisco-Oakland ($705) and Tulsa ($703). Deteriorating roads and general inflation since 2007 likely pushed these costs higher.

But there are things you can do before, during and after hitting a pothole. A preventive strategy is more about preparation, driving skills and reacting appropriately when a pothole sneaks up to surprise you. We suggest you approach it on three fronts, as follows.

Adopt smarter driving practices

You can reduce damage with vehicle preparation and driving with good sense:

• Check your tire pressure to keep it at the tire manufacturer’s recommendation. If a tire is too soft, it handles poorly and in a sudden bump may rupture if the wheel rims pinch it against the jagged edge of a pothole. Over-inflated tires are more susceptible to damage as well.
• Have a clean windshield! Your field of vision is critical.
• Observe the traffic ahead of you – if other cars are swerving and stopping, it’s because of a problem in the road.
• Beware of puddles – what might look like a little surface water might have a nasty, deep and sharp-edged pothole lurking below.
• Reduce your speed on roads that are prone to potholes. Slower hits generally involve less damage, a simple matter of physics.
• Stay focused and pay attention to the amount of traffic in front, behind and alongside you. You might be able to avoid potholes but do not want to cause an accident while doing so.

React quickly, intelligently when a pothole is upon you

Assuming you drive defensively – and do not tailgate, which restricts your ability to anticipate potholes or sudden braking by the vehicle in front of you – here is what to do if you are just about to hit a pothole:

• Brake only lightly, if at all. And do something counterintuitive by letting off on the brakes entirely the moment before impact. Clamping down on your brakes at higher speeds not only tempts rear-end collisions but also compresses the front-end suspension system, increasing the damage.
• Hard braking can actually cause greater contact between the tire and the pothole where it might otherwise glide over it.
• Do not swerve in a last ditch attempt to avoid the pothole. Aside from creating a hazard for vehicles immediately behind and beside you, you risk hitting the pothole on an oblique angle, which can cause more damage to the tire, wheel rim and alignment than if you hit it perpendicularly.

Reduce the damage in the aftermath

Post-impact, the right moves can at least limit the extent of the damage:

• Immediately pay attention to whether or not you have a flat tire. If so, minimize how much you drive on it, pull off the road as soon as you can do so safely where you can change the tire to your spare. This will minimize the damage to your wheel rim.
• Even without a flat, there may be preliminary damage. At your next stop, check tire rims to see if they were bent, if there is visible cord material or bulging. This could fail later while driving.
• Note if your car pulls to one side without corrective steering. This suggests the wheels are out of alignment and need mechanical attention.

In most municipalities, you can and should report potholes to the streets department – use a smartphone app such as SeeClickFix or SaveMyTire.com, or the local 3-1-1 or other call-in line. You might also be compensated for your loses if that pothole was reported previously and left unfixed, however rules for this are determined on a city, township or county level.

 

Courtesy of Pothole.info

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad's out there. We hope you get to enjoy some quality time with dear old Dad this weekend.

 

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2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Short Box 4-Wheel Drive SLE Truck

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2012 Buick Enclave vs 2013 Buick Enclave

Long Regarded as the most attractive of General Motors' Lambda variants, the Buick Enclave gets a mild makeover for 2013 to bring its look more in-step with the brands newer offerings, such as the Regal, Verano and LaCrosse sedans. Compared to the styling changes for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, the Enclave's changes are much more subtle. As seems to be all the rage lately, the 2013 Enclave gets LED driving lights, in addition to standard HID headlights in sharper slightly more aggressive "cat eye"-shaped housings. LEDs also light up the subtly-updated taillights as well. The front grille is larger and more prominent, complementing the grille and other front-end changes. Finally, Buick's signature "VentiPorts" are moved from a lateral position among the hood crease to the top of the hood, for a cleaner, more contemporary look. Although from a pure functionality perspective, we wonder if they're needed at all. Moving around to the rear, the taillights get the aforementioned LED treatment, as well as getting a thinner chrome accent surround, and rectangular reverse lights replacing the previous round inset design. Finally, the 2012's oval exhaust tips are supplanted by integrated rectangular outlets in the bumper. The interior of the 2013 model carries over many of the themes of the 2012, including the semi-circular center console shape with the climate vents and analog clock, but tones down the woodgrain accent trim, moving it from front-and-center on the dashboard to a broad, sweeping swath that goes from the upper part of the door panels to a thin strip sweeping across the top of the dashboard, following a integrated blue LED light accent strip. Finally, the touchscreen interface is updated with GM's new IntelliLink interface and knob controls replacing last year's buttons for climate control. Are the changes to the 2013 Enclave and improvement, or unnecessary meddling to the style of what was arguably one of Buick's best-looking models to begin with? Share your thoughts below.

 

Read more: http://blogs.trucktrend.com/6805653/suvs/styling-showdown-2012-vs-2013-buick-enclave/index.html#ixzz1xcfQI3Y8

Monday Maintenance : Windshield Cracks

Windshield cracks and dings affect the integrity of your car’s infrastructure and can evolve into more serious problems. Don’t leave your car in foul territory – Take these cautionary measures until you can get your windshield properly repaired.

Checking your windshield is important because a ding that occurs in spring or summer can cause a break in the winter. Most people drive more in warm weather and more driving means more vibration, which can cause a ding to expand into a cracked windshield.

Warmer weather also means running the air conditioning. "The shock of quickly going from hot to cold stresses a windshield and causing that ding to suddenly become a cracked windshield," says Jim Olson, director of national accounts and brand awareness for NOVUS® Windshield Repair.

Here are some tips if you have a ding or star on your windshield:

    Inspect the ding. If it has a cone shape, a circle deep in the glass or looks like a small star with points spreading out, have the ding repaired promptly. These are serious dings that can grow into a cracked windshield.

    Don't touch a ding or attempt to repair it yourself. Without special equipment and training, you will only contaminate the damaged area, making repairs hard to complete.

    As a temporary measure, put a piece of clear tape, like packing tape, over the ding. This won't keep the ding from spreading, but will help prevent contamination.

    Don't wash the vehicle-especially through the car wash.  Soap and water can contaminate the spot and a high-pressure wash can cause the ding to expand.

    Driving a vehicle with a windshield ding causes vibration and exposure to the elements cause the ding to spread.

    Avoid slamming the car doors and don't close the doors with the windows rolled all the way up. The vibration or buildup of air pressure inside the car can cause the ding to spread.

    Don't run the defroster, heater or air conditioning on high settings.  Don't park the vehicle in the sun. Rapid changes in interior temperature or prolonged exposure to sunlight can stress and weaken the windshield.

 

Source: NOVUS via Road & Travel Magazine

Astros Officially Sign Top Pick Correa, Make Him A Millionaire

What would you do if you were 17 and a millionaire?

Carlos Correa, taken by Houston with the top pick in this week's amateur draft, agreed to a contract with the Astros for a signing bonus of $4.8 million on Thursday.

The deal for the 17-year-old shortstop is the first for a top pick since the new collective bargaining agreement that places restraints on spending for selections in the first 10 rounds. It is the lowest guarantee for a top selection since Kansas City gave pitcher Luke Hochevar $3.5 million in 2006.

Under the labor deal, agreed to in November, the recommended slot value for the top pick was $7.2 million. The values of the slots for a team's picks in the first 10 rounds are added up, and teams exceeding their totals are penalized with a tax and possibly the loss of future draft picks. All selections are limited to minor league contracts.

"We're absolutely thrilled to have him as a part of our organization," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "It's a monumental day for us and for him and for the city of Houston. We're delighted."

Correa was at Minute Maid Park on Thursday for the announcement and met players and took batting practice with the team. He said he picked the No. 12 jersey he donned on Thursday because he was the top pick in 2012 and because he admires fellow Puerto Rican Roberto Alomar, who wore the number.

Correa will return to Puerto Rico to graduate from high school this weekend before joining the Rookie-Level Gulf Coast League on Tuesday. He's happy they were able to get a deal done quickly so he could begin his career.

"It means a lot," he said. "I want to play baseball. I want to play for the Houston Astros. I don't want to lose time. I feel comfortable signing early. I like this team. I just want to work hard."

Correa is the highest draft pick ever from Puerto Rico. He also is the first shortstop to go first overall since Tampa Bay selected Tim Beckham in 2008, and the fourth shortstop taken with the top pick since 1994.

St. Louis players Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina, who are both from Puerto Rico, came on the field early before their game against the Astros to meet Correa and also talked to and posed for pictures with his family.

Beltran was excited that Correa was chosen first in the draft.

"It really means a lot," Beltran said, adding that he called to congratulate him on draft night. "I think Correa is a hero in Puerto Rico being the first pick overall. At the same time, it's going to motivate a lot of kids back home in Puerto Rico to continue to play the game of baseball."

The Astros, who fell to a franchise-worst 56-106 last season to earn the top pick, are looking for Correa to develop into a superstar. He seems ready for the challenge.

"I just want to get to the big league level the quickest that I can," he said. "I want to be a leader. I want to be the face of the franchise. That's what I want as a player. I will work hard right now to be a great player, an impact player in the big leagues."

Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2012/06/08/astros-officially-sign-top-pick-correa-make-him-millionaire/#ixzz1xFMDjdoG

Check-out what some of our friends had to say about us!

"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Beck Masten-North. From the moment I walked in the door, everyone was polite and courteous. As a female looking for a car, and having a bad experience at another dealer, this was best experience I could have imagined. I worked with Thomas Clark aka "Tank" who was courteous, polite and extremely knowledgeable. He always replied with Yes ma'am and No ma'am the entire visit, and was so personable. I never got a sales pitch or felt pressured. I received great service and drove out with a great pre-owned SUV. He wanted me to be happy with my trade in (which was a 13 year old car) and the service I received. He answered all my questions and gave me great information on the SUV I purchased. Tank goes above and beyond and I will always come back here for my purchase. I've already given his info out to 4 people I know who are looking to buy. On a scale of 1 to 10, Tank is a 12! He's exceptional!" -CherylFelps

 

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SCCA: Caddilac, Camaro Sweep WC Weekend In Detroit

Johnny O’Connell, of Flowery Branch, Ga., and Andy Lee, of Colorado Springs, Colo., defended their Saturday wins with a Sunday victories in the Pirelli World Challenge Cadillac V-Series Challenge at Belle Isle. The Cadillac and Camaro gave General Motors a weekend sweep on the temporary street circuit in the shadow of their world headquarters.

O’Connell’s No. 3 Cadillac Racing Cadillac CTS-V won overall and in the GT class during the 27-lap Round Seven race, which was shortened to a 50-minute timed race after being slowed twice for 12 laps for full course cautions. The race finished behind the safety car, with the Cadillac averaging 66.719 mph in the 56.16-mile race.

O’Connell started from pole in the No. 3 Cadillac Racing Cadillac CTS-V, but lost the drag race from the standing start to the first corner to Lawson Aschenbach’s No. 1 Privacy Star/Entrust Porsche 911 GT3. Aschenbach led the first 14 laps, including seven laps under the first caution caused when the No. 2 Hawk Performance Nissan GT-R made heavy impact with the wall.

Aschenbach pulled away from the restart with O’Connell in tow and the No. 9 K-Pax Racing Volvo S60 of Alex Figge and the No. 8 Cadillac Racing Cadillac CTS-V of Andy Pilgrim also giving chase. A bobble by Aschenbach in Turn 12 slid his Porsche wide, and O’Connell moved into the lead on lap 15.

O’Connell and Aschenbach pulled away in a two-man race, with the gap between the two fluctuating slightly as the pair worked their way through traffic. Aschenbach was on the bumper of O’Connell when Roger Miller’s No. 23 Ford Mustang Boss 302S hit the tires in Turn 1, rolled onto his side door temporarily, and then settled back on his tires to bring out the final caution on lap 22. Miller walked away, but time expired before the car could be removed and the tire wall repaired to give O’Connell his second win of the weekend and third of the season.

“The day actually began after yesterday’s race, going over what my car was doing,” O’Connell said. “In yesterday’s race, there were some things that I wasn’t happy about, and looking at data with my engineer and making the right moves over night. In this morning’s session, I pretty much focused on the balance I thought I would need toward the middle of our stint. I got to where I was pretty good with my car.

“I was just going to bide my time and hope that traffic worked in my favor. There were two corners where he just had a little bit of difficulty getting his car initially pointed, made just a slight mistake, killed enough of his momentum and left me enough of a gap to shoot through. From that point on, I was just trying to be smooth and hope that traffic worked in our favor. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that when I saw that wreck at the end I was happy, because Lawson was breathing down my neck pretty good.”

A motivated O’Connell also turned the fastest lap of the race, in 1:26.952 (86.116 mph). His pass for the lead was named the Cadillac CTS-V Move of the Race.

“If there’s a race that, when you drive for Cadillac, more than any other place you want to win in Detroit,” O’Connell said. “Especially when the president of GM comes up to you before the race and wishes you luck. Not that that adds any pressure!”

Aschenbach was clearly disappointed in the runner-up finish, despite the effort.

“We obviously had a good start,” Aschenbach said. “I was able to get in the lead and sort of hold Johnny at bay. We were hoping for a long green, because it seemed like our car was a bit better in the long runs. It was all working pretty good until that first caution, and I’m not quite sure if I just picked up too much stuff on the tires or what was going on but the car got pretty loose on entry. What ended up happening is, Johnny ran a great race and I just got a little loose and he was able to get around me.

“I tried to make it good at the end and give him a little bit of a fight, but unfortunately there was another caution.”

Figge started fifth and moved to third on the standing start, then spent the entire race with his mirrors full of Pilgrim’s Cadillac in the battle for the final podium spot. Figge fought off Pilgrim, with the two coming home in third and fourth position, respectively.

James Sofronas finished fifth in the No. 14 Global Motorsports Group Porsche 911 GT3.

Andy Lee led flag-to-flag in the No. 20 Best IT Chevrolet Camaro to get his third win of the season and second of the weekend at the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. Running in the shadow of General Motors’ world headquarters, Lee fought off veteran Jack Baldwin’s No. 68 Hot Wheels/Voodoo Ride Invoice Prep Porsche Cayman S to the checkered flag.

“We came into this weekend knowing we’d be competitive, but to sweep the whole weekend is definitely beyond expectations,” Lee said. “This team of ours is small and we’re learning, but these guys really put their heart and soul into these cars. I’m proud of the effort. It’s nice to be in a Chevrolet in Detroit and take home a couple of wins in front of the home factory. I’m pretty proud of the whole weekend, it’s unbelievable.”

Baldwin, who last competed in Detroit during his 1992 championship winning Trans-Am Series season, finished second in class behind the pace car. He also earned the Invisible Glass Clean Pass of the Race award when he passed Peter Cunningham’s No. 42 Acura/RealTime Racing Acura TSX on lap 15.

“The last time I was in Detroit, 20 years ago, I was out in the Hot Wheels Camaro, and this time I’m in the Hot Wheels Cayman, so it’s kind of cool,” Baldwin said. “I like street racing, and Belle Isle is probably my favorite street circuit.

“It was good racing today. I got past Peter down into Turn 1, and raced with Andy. My hat’s off to him. He did a great job. He was smart, he had a real good car. I really didn’t have anything for him. I had a couple of opportunities, but I couldn’t make them materialize.”

Cunningham finished third, and relinquished the Championship lead with Lee’s victory.

A pair of Ford Mustangs completed the top five, with Jason von Kluge’s No. 19 Steeda Autosports Ford Mustang Boss 302S passing Justin Bell’s No. 50 eBay Motors Ford Mustang Boss 302S on lap 14 and holding on for fourth. Bell finished fifth.

Robert Stout, making his second start of the season in the No. 52 Nissan/SPL Pro/Sparco/Motul Nissan 370Z, earned both the Optima Batteries Best Standing Start and the Sunoco Hard Charger Award for improving 10 positions after starting 37th overall on the grid.

With just five races remaining in the season, O’Connell leads the GT Drivers’ Championship with 895 points. His teammate, Pilgrim, is second with 757, followed by Aschenbach at 675. Randy Pobst, who started at the rear of the field after stalling on Saturday’s standing start and finished ninth in the No. 6 K-Pax Racing Volvo S60, is fourth with 626 points. Figge (575) is fifth.

Cadillac leads the GT Manufacturers’ Championship with 56 points, followed by Porsche (47), Volvo (34) and Corvette (8).

In GTS, Lee takes over the Championship lead with his weekend sweep, leading by just 10 points over Cunningham, 832-822. Baldwin (759), Bell (678), and Michael Galati (544) complete the top five. Acura holds a slim 44 – 40 lead over Chevrolet in the GTS Manufacturers’ Championship, followed by Ford with 39 and Kia with 14.

The Cadillac V-Series Challenge at Belle Isle will air on NBC Sports, July 7 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

More information is available at www.world-challenge.com. Follow Pirelli World Challenge on Twitter @WCRacing.

DETROIT, Mich. - Results from Sunday's 27-lap, 56.16-mile Pirelli World Challenge Championships GT and GTS Round 7 race, part of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, with finishing position, class, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, car, laps and reason out (if any).

1. GT, (1), Johnny O'Connell, Flowery Branch, Ga., Cadillac CTS-V.R, 27.
2. GT, (2), Lawson Aschenbach, Darnestown, Md., Porsche 911 GT3, 27, -1.913.
3. GT, (5), Alex Figge, Denver, Colo., Volvo S60, 27, -3.064.
4. GT, (3), Andy Pilgrim, Boca Raton, Fla., Cadillac CTS-V.R, 27, -4.574.
5. GT, (4), James Sofronas, Newport Beach, Calif., Porsche 911 GT3, 27, -4.821.
6. GT, (6), David Welch, Bothell, Wash., Porsche 911 GT3, 27, -6.339.
7. GT, (9), Tomy Drissi, Los Angeles, Calif., Porsche 911 GT3, 27, -8.030.
8. GT, (8), Madison Snow(R), Salt Lake City, Utah, Porsche 911 GT3, 27, -8.526.
9. GT, (15), Randy Pobst, Gainesville, Ga., Volvo S60, 27, -9.162.
10. GT, (13), Tony Gaples, Lincolnshire, Ill., Chevrolet Corvette, 27, -9.264.
11. GTS, (16), Andy Lee(R), Colorado Springs, Colo., Chevrolet Camaro, 27, -17.711.
12. GTS, (17), Jack Baldwin, Marrietta, Ga., Porsche Cayman S, 27, -18.808.
13. GTS, (18), Peter Cunningham, Milwaukee, Wis., Acura TSX, 27, -20.792.
14. GT, (12), Fred Roberts, Toronto, Ontario, Dodge Viper, 27, -23.397.
15. GTS, (21), Jason vonKluge, Ann Arbor, Mich., Ford Mustang Boss 302S, 27, -23.979.
16. GTS, (24), Justin Bell, Los Angeles, Calif., Ford Mustang Boss 302S, 27, -25.144.
17. GTS, (22), Michael Galati, Olmsted, Ohio, Kia Optima, 27, -26.783.
18. GTS, (26), Dane Moxlow, Grosse Ile, Mich., Ford Mustang Boss 302S, 27, -27.934.
19. GTS, (23), Brad Adams, New Orleans, La., Ford Mustang FR500 C, 27, -29.257.
20. GTS, (27), Nick Esayian, San Diego, Calif., Acura TSX, 27, -31.082.
21. GTS, (28), Harry Curtin(R), Buffalo, N.Y., Chevrolet Camaro, 27, -31.860.
22. GTS, (31), Todd Napieralski(R), Chelsea, Mich., Chevrolet SS Camaro, 27, -32.896.
23. GTS, (32), Craig Capaldi(R), Richmond, Mich., Ford Mustang Boss 302S, 27, -34.789.
24. GTS, (33), Mark Klenin(R), Lonetree, Colo., BMW E92 M3, 27, -35.430.
25. GTS, (34), Ric Bushey(R), Virginia Beach, Va., Nissan 370 Z, 27, -36.221.
26. GTS, (25), Mark Wilkins, Aurora, Ontario, Kia Optima, 27, -37.417.
27. GTS, (37), Robert Stout, Brownsburg, Ind., Nissan 370 Z, 27, -1:18.665.
28. GTS, (29), Don Istook, River Oaks, Texas, Audi TT RS, 26, -1 lap.
29. GT, (14), Jason Daskalos, Albuquerque, N.M., Nissan GTR, 25, -2 laps.
30. GT, (10), Anders Hainer, Hidden Hills, Calif., Audi R8, 21, Mech.
31. GTS, (19), Aaron Povoledo, Toronto, Ontario, Ford Mustang Boss 302S, 21, -6 laps.
32. GTS, (36), Roger Miller(R), Salt Lake City, Utah, Ford Mustang Boss 302S, 20, Crash.
33. GTS, (30), Brian Kleeman(R), Towson, Md., Nissan 370 Z, 17, Crash.
34. GT, (11), Mike Skeen, Charlotte, N.C., Nissan GTR, 3, Crash.
35. GTS, (20), Alec Udell, The Woodlands, Texas, Ford Mustang Boss 302R, 2, Crash.
36. GT, (7), Steve Ott, Houston, Texas, Porsche 911 GT3, 1, Crash.
37. GTS, (35), Richard Golinello, Tampa, Fla., Ford Mustang FR500S, 0, Crash.

Time of race: 50 minutes, 30.221 seconds.
Average speed: 66.719 mph
Margin of victory: 1.913 Seconds
Lap leaders: Laps 1-14, #1 Lawson Aschenbach; laps 15-27, #3 Johnny O'Connell
Fastest race lap: #3 Johnny O'Connell, 1:26.952 (86.116 mph)
Fastest qualifier: #3 Johnny O'Connell, 1:27.582 (85.497 mph)
Sunoco Hard Charger: #52 Robert Stout
Optima Batteries Best Standing Start Award: #52 Robert Stout
Cadillac CTS-V Move of the Race Award: #3 Johnny O’Connell
Invisible Glass Clean Pass of the Race Award: #68 Jack Baldwin
Kia Turning Point of the Race: #3 Johnny O’Connell pass for the lead

Monday Maintenance Tip : Keeping Your Car Healthy

Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.

Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated

You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner's manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall.

Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil

You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

 

Courtesy of FuelEconomy.gov