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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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Five star review from Yelp:

"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!"

Positive Review from Google Maps:

"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."

Five star review from DealerRater:

"Extremelly friendly overall, great to work with. Explained all aspects for a first time buyer. I will definietly recommend this dealer as well as those employees."

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