GM Says “Thank you” to America’s Military

May is National Military Appreciation Month. Here, in the Florida Panhandle, we also know this year is the Centennial of Naval Aviation. In honor of our military, General Motors has extended and broadened their military discounts. These discounts range from $500 all the way up to $4,000. They’re valid during May and available to members of the military and retirees as well as their spouses. The honored branches are the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and the Coast Guard.

These discounts will help GM put more tires on the street, but more importantly, they will allow more of our military and their families to buy safe, reliable General Motors vehicles. In addition, GM is donating $100 to Cell Phones for Soldiers for every Chevrolet model sold. They’ve already collected over 50,000 cell phones and donated 114 million phone cards to the charity. This equates to somewhere around 200 years of call time for our soldiers. Of course, we don’t have new Chevrolets at McKenzie Motors, but the discounts are valid on any GM vehicle.


To sweeten the deal, GM is offering to add an Honor Badge to vehicles sold under this discount. The badge features the phrase “HONOR AND VALOR” encircling a yellow ribbon, in honor of the military and military personnel. Adding sugar to the honey, GM is offering an additional $750 rebate for eligible members of USAA, a military financial service provider.


Finally, General Motors is unveiling a Limited Edition 2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS. There will be 99 “Honor and Valor” Camaros produced. The release of these special edition Camaros will happen during the Indianapolis 500 military personnel parade on May 28th.


To learn more about GM’s May Military Discount program or to find out about any of the great GMC, Buick, or quality pre-owned vehicles at McKenzie Motors, visit us online at www.mckenziemotors.com or stop by our showroom at 6500 Carolina St. in Milton, FL.

StabiliTrak Helps Keep Your GMC Shiny Side Up

GMC Terrain

No one wants to be out of control. Behind the wheel, we like to feel as though we’re master and commander of the open road. So, when we give up control of something, it’d better be for good reason. The 2011 GMC Terrain will take control and help keep you on the road when it senses that there is trouble. This is thanks to StabiliTrak technology. Not since the introduction of seatbelts has there been such a positive advance in vehicle safety.

StabiliTrak is an advanced, computer-assisted technology that helps with directional control under difficult driving conditions. When the vehicle’s computer system senses a difference between the direction of travel and intended direction of travel, StabiliTrak will selectively apply the brakes and, in some instances, may even reduce engine power output to aid in direction correction. This happens in less than one second.

A member of the StabiliTrak development team, Bret Dick, describes the technology as a milestone in crash avoidance. “The best crash is the crash you avoid,” Dick said. “Active safety systems like StabiliTrak with traction control are designed to keep the GMC Terrain on the road while avoiding spinouts. Future developments will build on this technology to make the roads safer for all drivers.”

Dick’s interest in safety engineering goes all the way back to his childhood home in Rochester, New York, and BMX trail riding. “Racing BMX bikes started a lifelong curiosity into how things work,” Dick said. “Even today, when I see a piece of machinery or electronics, I intuitively start breaking it down in my head to figure out what makes it tick.”

This technology is already making drastic improvements in safety on America’s roadways. Introduced by GMC in 2003, StabiliTrak and other similar technologies have reduced the chances of being involved in a fatal crash by 1/3 over the last 10 years, this according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

General Motors was the first domestic manufacturer to implement electronic stability control. This is just one, among many, safety technologies designed to protect passengers before, during, and after an accident. The Terrain also features Rollover Mitigation, Trailer Sway Control, and Panic Brake Assist. In the event that a crash does occur, OnStar’s Automatic Crash Response will alert first responders so that medical assistance can be on-site as quickly as possible.

Safety features such as these, and the feeling of protection that they create, helped GMC close the first quarter of 2011 with retail sales up 31 percent; making March GMC’s 18th consecutive month of sales growth. GMC sales are up 11 percent over the previous year.

“The first quarter showed continued strong consumer demand for GMC’s capable, fuel efficient, well-equipped trucks, sport utilities and crossovers,” said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick & GMC Sales and Service. “Terrain, in particular, attracted buyers with its segment-leading fuel economy.”

The Terrain, as well as the rest of the GMC and Buick product lines, is available at McKenzie Motors in Milton, Florida. If you have questions regarding StabiliTrak, OnStar or anything auto related, call, email, stop in, or find us on facebook.

What do you expect from a customer service experience?

We all may have different expectations, but there are more than likely a few common points. We all want it (the experience) to be:

Fast. We hate to go through the proper customer service channels with a problem, only to end up waiting. As consumers, we have options to submit concerns over negative experiences. Often, the business’ website will have a “contact us” button or a customer service tab; some businesses are quick to respond to concerns via social media such as facebook or Twitter. Of course, there is always the telephone. If you can find a phone number for a customer service department, this may be your preferred method. Unfortunately, it’s becoming harder and harder to actually speak with a human when calling these numbers. If you have a question or concern regarding a vehicle at McKenzie Motors, you can call our office – and speak with a human, you can contact us through our website, or you can find us on facebook and express your concerns there. You won’t have to wait long to have an answer to your question or a resolution to your issue.

Accurate. Just slightly more annoying than a business taking too long to get back with you regarding a concern is when the business’ customer service department issues blanket statements or emails regarding products. There have been instances where the response from the business either had nothing to do with the complaint. Sometimes, it even seems as though the customer service department didn’t take the time to read the complaint. Not so long ago, we had an issue with a padlock… it wouldn’t open. When we contacted the manufacturer, they suggested that we return it to the place of purchase or send it in. Clearly, they hadn’t read the part of the email that said that the lock was installed and wouldn’t open. We will listen to your concerns and, if the problem is covered under your warranty we’ll make it right. Even if it’s not covered, we’ll do the best that we can to provide a satisfactory solution.

Thorough. Quite possibly the most important aspect (if there actually is a “most important” among the equally important aspects) is that the business’ actions completely address the concerns. It’s not always possible to make the customer, you, completely happy with the situation. Sometimes, things can be beyond the control of all parties involved. In these cases, the business should take extra care to ensure that the issue has been addressed as thoroughly as possible. This means explaining the steps that have been taken AND letting the customer know, with examples, that everything possible has been done to resolve the issue. At McKenzie, we do that. If not, let us know and we’ll do what it takes to make it right.

If you have any questions or comments, leave them below or find us on Facebook and tell us about your adventures!

The Drive to Drive

Even though gas prices have risen sharply in the last few years, one of America’s favorite pastimes is still driving. At McKenzie Motors, we love it too! There is a lot to be said for hopping in the car (or truck) and going for a drive. Whether you call it a tension reliever, thinking time, or just exploration, a little time behind the wheel can be great for the mind and soul. Living on Florida’s Gulf Coast provides us all great opportunities when it comes to finding scenic drives. One such route, Pensacola to Panama City, takes you to and through a lot of interesting and beautiful destinations along Florida’s Emerald Coast.

Taking about 3.5 hours, depending on how often you stop, this drive will cover approximately 103 miles. Starting in Pensacola, head east on Main Street (U.S. 98). The three-mile bridge spans the blue-green water of Pensacola Bay as it arches over the entrance to Pensacola Harbor. Immediately after crossing the bridge, you’ll find yourself in beautiful Gulf Breeze, a jewel of Santa Rosa County. Just through Gulf Breeze you have an option: either continue on U.S. 98 through Naval Live Oaks along the Gulf Islands National Seashore, or take Rte. 399 to Santa Rosa Island. This barrier island has miles of unspoiled shoreline dotted with live oaks, sea grasses, and sand dunes.

U.S. 98 and Rte. 399 converge in Navarre. From this point eastward, Florida’s thriving tourist industry provides vistas including hotels, condos, restaurants, boardwalks, and pristine, white beaches. Navarre leads to Ft. Walton Beach, just east of which, highway 98 crosses back onto Santa Rosa Island. It is near here that you may want to stop and have a swim at the Choctawhatchee Bay Recreational Area.

Once you’ve crossed the bay, you’re only a few miles from the unofficial charter boat capital of the Panhandle, Destin. Of course, there are miles of beautiful beaches here as well. East of Destin is Sandestin, and just beyond, a detour on Rte. 30A takes you on a 20 mile drive past scenic lakes, through towering pine forests, and into historic Florida towns. Along this leg of the route, feel free to stop for coffee or a snack at the Grayton Beach Recreational Area or in Seaside, a planned resort village made famous in the movie the Truman Show, featuring Jim Carrey.

From Seaside, Rte. 30A rejoins U.S. 98 for the remaining leg of the trip. Once in Panama City, stop and enjoy the 27 miles of fine white sand and glimmering gulf water. Relax and take in the sunshine as you bide your time waiting for the return trip.

Perhaps you’d like to take this drive. Maybe you’d even like to make a detour or create a route all your own. If you have a favorite drive in the Panhandle, let us know. We’d love for you to share your driving stories with us. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below or find us on Facebook and tell us about your adventures!

Now, get to driving.

Buick Consumers say Buy, Buy, Buy

Buick’s recent ground-up redesign has done wonders for sales. The company’s first quarter numbers show retail and total sales up 49 and 39 percent respectively. March ended as Buick’s 18^th consecutive month showing growth in retail and total sales. Around 38 percent of Buick buyers have most recently had non GM vehicles. Nearly half of those were import vehicles.

“Regal, LaCrosse and Enclave continue to attract new-to-Buick buyers seeking fuel efficiency, luxury and style in the midsize sedan, full-size car and crossover segments,” said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick & GMC Sales and Service. “We fully expect the arrival of the fuel-efficient LaCrosse with eAssist and all-new Verano luxury compact to attract even more new customers to Buick.”

The newly redesigned Regal launched in April of 2010 and has been a key contributor to the automaker’s increased sales figures. The Regal’s sales increased sharply in March of this year due to the introduction of the Regal CXL Turbo, which accounted for 30 percent of Regal’s March sales. The turbo 2.0 liter provides better horsepower and torque than can be found in the Acura TSX, as well as better fuel economy. Paired with a six speed manual transmission, this Regal is a screaming 32 mpg highway machine.

The Regal isn’t the only Buick model with sales on the rise. Retail sales for the LaCrosse showed a 4 percent increase in the first quarter of 2011. The 2012 LaCrosse will feature GM’s new eAssist technology. The eAssist uses an electric motor coupled with lithium-ion batteries to harness the kinetic energy created during braking. This electric power is used for starts and stops as well as to provide a power boost when cruising, if needed.

The eAssist system uses power stored in the battery to provide needed electrical boost in various driving scenarios, optimizing engine and transmission operation. An advanced 115V lithium-ion battery and latest-generation 15-kW induction motor-generator unit help increase fuel economy through:

    * Regenerative braking, which provides up to 15 kW of electricity to charge the battery

    * Providing up to 11 kW (15 hp) of electric power assistance during acceleration

    * Automatic engine shut-off when the vehicle is stopped

    * Aggressive fuel cut-off during deceleration down to zero vehicle speed, enabled by the torque smoothing provided by the induction motor-generator unit

    * Intelligent charge/discharge of the high-voltage battery.

“The capability to deliver electric boost to the powertrain system during heavy acceleration and grade driving enables the engine and transmission to operate more efficiently,” said Steve Poulos, global chief engineer of the eAssist system. “Full fuel shutoff at stops and during deceleration complements electric boost and regenerative braking with additional fuel savings.” 

The Enclave, which is in its fourth year, showed its strongest sales in 2010 and continued to grow by 24 percent in the first quarter of this year. It has the highest rate of cross-over buyers of any Buick, attracting 46 percent formerly non-GM buyers. A major draw for the Enclave is its 24 mpg highway ride combined with eight passenger comfort.

“Fuel efficient vehicles and positive word of mouth continue to draw new customers to Buick showrooms,” Sweeney said. “Consumer interest in the brand also is evident by a 31-percent year-over-year increase in traffic at Buick.com, which is an important sales generator.”

For more information about these and other great Buick vehicles in the Milton, FL area, go to McKenzie Motors’ website at http://www.mckenziemotors.com

Remembering the First

There are a lot of memorable firsts in a lifetime: first day of school, first love, first kiss, etc. The adage, “there’s a first time for everything” is true, no matter who you are. Being that this is a car blog, we’ll bet you can guess what first we’ll be talking about. That’s right, first car; or, in this case, first truck. The following story was submitted to “From the Glovebox” by reader, B.F.

It was 1991 when I had finally saved up enough money to buy my first vehicle. Being a young man in the south, there was no doubt that my first vehicle had to be a pickup truck. Eventually, it would be black, have a gun rack in the back window, and a CB antenna on the roof; but, not the day that I got it.

My parents believed in the value of a dollar, and they tried to teach me the same the best way they knew how. They helped pay the insurance but, buying the vehicle and keeping gas in the tank was my own responsibility. Fortunately, at the time, gas was less than a dollar a gallon.  I started working when I was 14, and saved as much of each paycheck as possible. Eventually, I had a few hundred dollars saved. There weren’t a lot of options in my hometown for buying a used vehicle. In fact, there were only two, the classifieds and the parking lot at the IGA.

For weeks, I scanned the classified ads in the local paper. People were selling all kinds of cars and trucks, but nothing that would fit into my modest budget. Then, it happened. I found my first truck. It was a white 1984 GMC S-15 with red, orange and blue stripes down the side. It was a five speed manual. I learned fast how tricky operating a clutch, brake and gas pedal was. It didn’t take long to get used to it though.

Two weeks later, to the day, on the way to work from school, a woman in a car turned in front of me. I couldn’t stop. In just fourteen days I’d gotten my first vehicle, and I’d gotten in my first wreck. I cried and swore I was through driving. Unfortunately, I had the most basic insurance, which didn’t cover collisions. Luckily, both my father and I loved shade tree mechanic work. We bought a replacement bumper, grille and right front fender (from a junkyard) and got to work bringing that truck back to life. On the positive side, I had the opportunity to get rid of those stripes and put some black paint on those flat, white body panels. Incidentally, this is also just about the time that I started getting into automotive customization.

I’m 35 now, and I’ve had more cars and trucks than I’ve had years behind the wheel; but that S-15 was my first and will always be special. Thanks for letting me share my story with you.

We thought this was a nice story about a man and his first truck. What do you think?

Do you have a first vehicle story you’d like to share with us? If so, feel free to post a comment below. 

IIHS, NHTSA, and Other Important Safety Acronyms

If you’ve ever shopped for a new or used car, you’ve probably heard of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). You’ve likely heard of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Both of these groups were formed on the heels of the publication of the book “Unsafe at Any Speed”. This book, authored by Ralph Nader, was published in 1965 and highlights the relative unwillingness of auto manufacturers to adopt new safety features including seat belts. The organizations investigated and compared safety features but it wasn’t until 1978 and 1995 until the NHTSA and IIHS, respectively, began conducting crash tests.

A variety of front and side impact tests are conducted by both agencies. The tests vary in their speed and structure, but they’re looking for the same thing… safety. To underscore the differences, the NHTSA performs a roll-over test; while the IIHS tests head and seat restraints for rear crashes.
Each organization tests cars that are new to the market and those that have had modifications from the previous model year. Most vehicles are tested every year, though, if there are no changes in the vehicle year-to-year, it is not tested subsequent times until a change of some sort is introduced.

Other, more specific, differences in testing procedures include that the NHTSA crashes vehicles, full-head on, at 35 mph. The IIHS performs this test at 40 mph and only on the driver’s side 40% of the front of the vehicle. This, in their description, is to accurately display the impact with another vehicle that has crossed the center line.

When we think of vehicle “Star” ratings, we’re generally are referring to the NHTSA’s ratings. In the fall of 2010 the NHTSA revised their Five-Star rating system. Initially, there was some resistance to the change. The term “teaching to the test” comes to mind. The safety tests had become so standardized and their protocols so well known, that manufacturers had figured out how to make nearly their entire product line qualify as 5-star certified. The testing procedures needed to be changed to keep up with and push safety standards to new levels.

"We want to make manufacturers stretch to make the cars as safe as we believe is technologically feasible," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "The tests need to keep up with the state-of-the-art technology."

Some of the testing revisions include the addition of a new dummy, intended to represent smaller female passengers, and additional, more stringent side-crash criteria. The previous versions of the tests used a medium sized, male dummy to represent all drivers. "We recognize that this didn't properly capture a significant portion of the American populace," Strickland said. "We added the small female dummy to capture how a crash would impact them in terms of injuries." Additionally, the NHTSA introduced an overall summary of the report for easy, at-a-glance safety assessment. The new ratings, however, can’t be compared side-by-side with previous model year assessments.

Look for new ratings to appear on 2011 model year vehicles. Information can be obtained from safercar.gov. Are we removing more responsibility from the driver and moving to a place where driving is too safe?

Big Brother Style Bother or Money Saving Miracle?

There’s a new(ish) technology in town that could save you some money, but at what cost? Auto insurance companies are beginning to implement, on a voluntary basis, an in-vehicle monitoring system. The purpose of these systems is to keep track of your vehicle’s speed, acceleration, braking, and seat belt information. What does this mean to you? Well, in exchange for your safe, responsible driving you could save “up to 30% in as little as 30 days” according to Progressive.

These devices are small, plug into the OBD II port, and transmit information, wirelessly, back to the insurer. Based on what they learn, they may lower your premium. For instance, if you’re a responsible driver, don’t have a heavy foot, and drive less than the national average of 12,000 miles you’re in good shape. The transmitter, of course, is more reliable than the self-reporting system that is currently in place. Granted, most people are honest and report their auto use data correctly; but there is always the chance that an error in “guesstimation” can occur. Reporting to the insurance company how many miles you expect to drive in a year is innocent enough, but do you really even know how many miles you drove last week?

Progressive’s program, called Snapshot, has been in testing for a couple of years. In that time a quarter-million users have logged their driving habits electronically, totaling more than two billion miles of data. The program now monitors driving habits for 6 months. If, after that time, no erratic driving has been recorded the driver’s lowered rate can be locked in and the device returned to Progressive. Not a bad deal, right?

Now, the next – and most Big Brother like – issue is personal privacy. You’ve been thinking about it the entire time you’ve been reading this article. Admit it. Do you really want an electronic passenger telling “the man” that you gun the throttle, sometimes, when merging into traffic? Most of the transmitters, with the exception of State Farm’s OnStar powered system, don’t have the capability of collecting GPS information, which is a plus. But, the fact remains that electronic data can be compromised, hacked, or “misplaced”. Remember those lost government laptops from not so long ago?

The data from the Snapshot device will not be used to settle legal issues unless specifically requested by police, a subpoena, or other legal means. The issue here is this: to whom does the data belong? Sure, it’s your driving habits; but you’re on public roads, interacting with others, and using a device that belongs to your insurer.

So, what do you think? Are you willing to turn your driving habits over to your insurance company to save some money? Let us know in the comments section or on our facebook wall.

Pump Less or Drive More, Your Choice

So, the cost of gas is going up and your paycheck isn’t. This is something that we’re all dealing with but there are ways to stretch that tank as far as possible. You might have heard about hydrogen generators, wind tunnels, and hypermiling. Those are all pipe-dream attempts at increased fuel economy and, too often, an attempt to take a little bit of money out of your pocketbook. We have seen the hydrogen generators produce hydrogen but, we’ve never actually seen one in use, increasing fuel economy.

“Although [GM] vehicles are engineered with efficient, fuel-saving technologies, it still takes maintenance to ensure your vehicle performs as efficiently as it did when it left the factory,” said Roger Clark, General Motors Energy Center senior manager. “Drivers can improve their own fuel economy for free by making some very minor behavior changes.”

The following are sure-fire ways to increase your gas mileage. We promise.

Get a tune up – According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a properly tuned engine can improve fuel economy by up to 4 percent. If there is a serious issue present, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, then the impact on fuel economy could be as high as 40 percent.

Take a load off – Many people drive around with several pounds of unneeded cargo. This cargo makes your vehicle work harder and, as a result, it burns more fuel. An extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by 2 percent, according to the EPA. A loaded roof rack is even worse on fuel economy. That additional weight, when combined with the additional wind resistance, can reduce economy by up to 5 percent.

Feel the pressure – Improperly inflated tires are a big cause of decreased fuel economy. Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. This impact can be measured at approximately .3 mpg per pound underinflated. Also, properly inflated tires will last longer, hold the road better, and be safer for you and your passengers.

Take your foot off the skinny pedal – Maximum fuel economy for each vehicle varies but, in most vehicles, it decreases rapidly above 60 miles per hour, according to the EPA. They tell us that every 5 mph over 60 sucks more and more gas to cover the same distance. You’ll get there quicker, unless you run out of gas on the way.

Shut ‘er down – That time that you spend in the drive-through waiting for your burger is time that your car is getting 0 mph. Those 15 minutes or so can end up doubling the price of your meal. Do yourself a favor and walk inside to get your food.

Be Zen behind the wheel – Aggressive driving, speedy acceleration, hard braking, and frequent lane changes can decrease fuel economy by up to 1/3 on the highway and 5 percent in the city. Also, if your vehicle has overdrive, use it. That extra gear will decrease engine speed, thus saving fuel and engine wear.

Get some fresh air – When you’re driving in town, at lower speeds, it’s best to roll the windows down rather than use the air conditioning. Under these conditions, the A/C can reduce fuel economy by up to 10 percent. Above 45 mph the wind resistance caused by the open windows will decrease fuel economy and actually cost more than not using the A/C. The popular Discovery Channel show “Mythbusters” tested this and found it to be true.

Plan a route – Driving around town all willy-nilly running errands is definitely a fuel burner. Before leaving the house, map out your stops so that you can take the most direct route around town. Also, it’s best to plan your errands around city traffic so that you can avoid traffic jams and 0 mpg times.

Check your cap – The fuel cap is an important and often overlooked part of the fuel economy equation. A poorly fitting gas cap can allow fuel system pressure to be out of balance, trigger a check engine light and, most importantly, decrease fuel economy. According to the EPA, loosely fitting fuel caps allow 147 million gallons of fuel to escape into the atmosphere – unburned – every year.

There you have it; nine ways to increase your fuel economy, for free. Perhaps you’ve already been doing these things, or some of them. If so, good job! If not, get crackin’.

Do you have any more fuel saving tips? Feel free to share them in the comments section.

Thank you, GMC

Among automotive companies, brand loyalty is a big deal. It’s important, no matter what industry but, some people seem to have the same kind of devotion to “their” car company as others do a particular sports team or spouse. “Don’t talk bad about brand z or we’ll have words.” I remember when I was a kid, and growing up, my dad always drove a GMC truck. He was a GMC truck man when the C series came out and remained a GMC truck man until he passed.

Those trucks, all of them, got us into and out of some difficult situations. The one I remember most was an early 80s model. It was red with a white top, had two gas tanks and was unstoppable. I can still hear the clicking sound of the floor-mounted high beam switch. Why’d they ever move that switch? The bench seat made it easy for me to sit near Dad and watch all of the intricacies of driving both on and off road. It’s hard for me to imagine a childhood without seeing several pickup trucks in the pre-dawn light, gun racks in the rear window, ready to take their drivers to the depths of the woods.

Hunting was a big part of what we did when I was young; but it wasn’t the only reason that my dad depended on his GMC truck. It seemed to be indestructible. Sand, gravel, dirt, three wheelers, Jon boats, and heavy machinery all held their place in the bed at one time or another. My dad was a hard-working, blue collar man. He relied on his truck for work, pleasure, and transportation.

A lot of time has passed since then. I’m not a manual laborer. In fact, my hands are baby soft. I’m much more comfortable typing on my keyboard than up a tree, freezing, in the middle of December. Still, I drive a GMC Acadia because I remember my dad and his devotion to the brand. His GMC never let him down and I don’t expect that mine will either. Even though I don’t ask as much of my vehicles as my dad did, I still expect as much. 

The Details on Detailing Pt. 2

Last time, we ended with “… [f]inally, spray the carpet and upholstery with the fabric refresher of your choice and close the doors. Next time – wash, wax, and shine.”

Well, as promised, we’re going to talk about the proper way to wash and detail the outside of your vehicle. Assuming that you’ve been shopping and picked up the things from the list in the previous post, you’re ready to clean the outside. Let’s get started.

Before you get out the hose and bucket it’s a good idea to walk around your vehicle and get the lay of the land. Of course you know what your car looks like, but do you know where the bugs, droppings, nicks, and road tar are? These things need extra attention during the washing process and can be more difficult to see once the water starts flowing. Take mental notes as these areas may require the use of a tar and bug remover during the washing process. Again, follow manufacturer’s recommendations.

Following the suggestions on the bottle mix the soap and water in your wash pail and toss in your mitt or rag. Now, thoroughly wet down the vehicle. Use higher pressure to help remove loose dirt and debris. Make sure that your rag or mitt is full of soapy water and get started washing. As with the interior, we are going to wash from the top down. There are contradictory theories as to whether one should wash top down or bottom up. Our thinking is this; grittier dirt has a tendency to accumulate on the lower portion of the vehicle so it’s better to wash this last, thus avoiding scratching the finish. Continue washing, one section at a time, top down. Rinse after each section. A lot of, if not most, people use a spray nozzle during the wash process but, for best results, smoothly running water will “flood” the soap from the vehicle and will run off in sheets, leaving less chance for spotty drying.

After all of the body panels and windows have been washed it’s time to move even further down… all the way to the wheels and tires. You selected a product to clean your wheels and tires based on your wheel type, right? Time to read that label again; apply and scrub as recommended. Rinse thoroughly.

Time to dry her off. There are so many faux pas in the car detailing world… most people don’t even dry their vehicles after washing. Now’s the time to start. Grab a chamois or some other soft, lint-free towel and start wiping. Top down; gently remove the excess water from the vehicle, turning the towel often. Dry the windows with the towel and follow up with newsprint to eliminate spots and streaks.

Take a moment to admire the clean vehicle but not long enough to rest on your laurels; you’re not done yet. If there are any scratches, it’s time to see if you can remove them with a polishing compound. As long as the scratch doesn’t go all the way through the paint, a good buff with a low grit polishing compound followed by a waxing will likely eliminate any blemishes. (Time to repeat the detailers’ mantra; check the label for usage instructions.) Generally, you’ll want to apply the compound, buff vigorously, let dry to a haze and buff off. The same process holds true for waxes. If you’re using your orbital polisher here, be sure to move lightly and quickly so as not to burn the paint. After the scratches have been buffed it’s time to apply a liquid or paste wax... one panel at a time. Follow directions and you’ll have a finish that you’ll need those sunglasses to look at.

Almost done now. All that remains is to shine the exterior rubber. Spray the tires and other rubber or unpainted plastic surfaces with protectant, let it soak in and then buff off.
Now that you’ve done all of this work you can really appreciate how much those detailing shops charge. Here’s something to consider, you might want to alternate weekends for this work. Wash/wax one weekend and clean the interior the next. When the wash/wax weekend comes around just tidy up the interior; on interior weekends use a quick detailing product on the exterior. This way you’ll always have a clean, new looking vehicle you can be proud of.

Admire your work. You deserve to take a few minutes for yourself right now. Okay, put all of those cleaning products away and go cruise!

The Details on Detailing Pt 1

The weather is warming up and that means that it’s time to break out the bucket and hose. In years past you’ve washed your car or truck, vacuumed the interior, sprayed on some Armor All or other protectant, and – if your vehicle is lucky – you might have even hit it with a wax. Unfortunately, the years have not been overly kind to the interior or exterior…. or maybe both. A simple wash/wax and vacuum just won’t bring her back to the look that you expect and want. She’s a pretty lady, treat her right. To find out how to bring that little girl back to the gloss of her heyday, or to keep your new car looking new, read on.

So, we’re going to talk about how to wash, dry, and wax the exterior and we will discuss vacuuming, cleaning windows, and using a protectant on the interior. We’re going to talk about detailing here… not just a basic wash and wax. We’ll cover this in two separate posts… it’s a detailed (no pun intended) process and deserves to be covered thoroughly.

First things first, put the dishwashing liquid back in the kitchen and go to the store. You’ll need some proper car detailing products. Here’s a basic shopping kit:

·         Car Wash Soap

·         Paste or Liquid Wax

·         Polishing Compound

·         Orbital Buffer

·         Protectant

·         Wash Mitt

·         Non-Ammonia Window Cleaner

·         Wheel and Tire Cleaner

·         Degreaser

·         Vacuum (Shop Vac or the like)

·         Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

·         Paper Towels

·         Lint-Free Cotton Cloths

·         Cotton Swabs

·         Newspaper

·         Toothbrush

·         Wheel Brush

·         Detail Brush

·         Fabric Refresher

·         Sunglasses

NOTE: Be sure to buy products designed and approved for your interior and exterior surfaces.

Getting Started

Start with the interior. Take the floor mats out and set them aside for now. Now, wipe the hard surfaces with a solution of lightly soapy water. This will clean all of the dust from the interior. Use your brushes to get into the tight areas around radio controls, the shifter gate, and other cramped spaces. Clean the vent surfaces and areas around the door handle and lock with a cotton swab. These places are hard to thoroughly clean so extra care is necessary here.

After all of the surfaces are free of loose dust and dirt it’s time to break out the spray protectant and one of those lint-free cotton cloths. To avoid having a glossy shine on the interior, spray the protectant directly on the cloth and then wipe the dash, console and other hard surfaces. Flip the cloth frequently to lift off excess protectant. Be careful not to get overspray on the steering wheel or pedals.

All of the dust is off of the interior and it’s got just the right amount of shine. Next, it’s time to clean the windows. Spray them, carefully, with window cleaner. Try not to get window cleaner on your freshly polished interior. If you do, just wipe back over it with your protectant cloth. Working one window at a time, spray and then buff/scrub with either a lint-free cloth or newspaper. The newsprint will not leave lint on the windows and has just the right amount of abrasiveness to cut through window grime.

Once the windows and hard surfaces are clean it’s time to move on to the carpet and upholstery. Start with the seats and then the floor (notice, we’ve worked our way from top down here?) Vacuum loose dirt from the seat surfaces. If they’re fabric apply upholstery cleaner to any stains and scrub in with a brush, then, depending on usage recommendations, vacuum up the residue and dirt. If the seats are leather be sure to use a leather cleaner and conditioner. Do not use products intended for vinyl on leather upholstery as this may cause damage and/or discoloration.

Continuing toward the floor, vacuum the carpeting. It’s easy to slide the seats forward to do the rear floor and slide them back to do the front floorboard. If there are stains on the carpet, break out that carpet and upholstery cleaner. Now, find the floor mats that you took out earlier, put them on a flat surface, and vacuum them before reinstallation. This will prevent you from introducing dirt into your clean car interior.

At this point, you are only two steps from completing the interior portion of this detail job, and you can really see the fruits of your labor blossoming. The final steps are simple. With the soapy solution from earlier and one of those cotton cloths wipe the door jambs. It’s not uncommon for there to be areas that are easier to get to with either the front or rear doors closed so be sure to check all of the possible angles from which you can approach each area of the door jamb. Finally, spray the carpet and upholstery with the fabric refresher of your choice and close the doors.

Next time – wash, wax, and shine. 

GMC’s Comfortable Ride

GM’s truck division, GMC, has been putting dependable trucks on the road since 1902. Today, they are one of the nation’s strongest brands and they’re taking steps to ensure that there is a place in the American automotive market for them for years to come. There has been a strengthening of the full size truck and SUV markets. Additionally, GMC has a strong presence in the ever-growing crossover and light duty truck categories. They have shown year over year sales growth for the last 15 months. In fact, January through December of 2010 showed a total sales increase of 29 percent. This was spurred, in part, by 40, 46, and 73 percent sales growth of the Sierra, Acadia and Terrain, respectively.

The Terrain, a compact SUV that has class leading 32 mpg, led sales growth among GMC’s lineup. An America more conscious of its wallet and the environment was snatching up Terrains in 2010 within an average of 19 days on the lot. Competitors’ vehicles spent an average of 32 days on dealer lots before being purchased.

Other things prodding the Terrain’s sales are the fact that it is attracting both male and female buyers. Better than 20 percent more females, 46 percent, are buying the Terrain over other GMC models. It’s also important to note that half of all Terrain buyers trade in a non-GM vehicle.

The Acadia’s sales were their best in December of 2010 too, delivering an increase of 46 percent over December of 2009 and 30 percent for the year overall. Like the Terrain, many sales are coming from non-GM trade-ins. In fact, over half of all Acadias sold in 2010 were sold to people who traded in non-GM vehicles.

The good news keeps rolling in for GMC. Yukon and Yukon XL ended 2010 on a positive with the line up 26 percent. The standard Yukon was up 17 percent and the XL was up 31 percent over 2009. 

In spite of a reduction in fleet sales of 17 percent for GM overall 2010 was a great year for the automaker. Don Johnson, vice president of U.S. sales operations for GM credits the company’s sales performance to GM’s new company focus.

What do you think? Should there be a Terrain or an Acadia in your garage?

The New Look of the New Buick

Buick has always been known as an automotive company that pays close attention to detail and luxury. In recent years, however, tired exterior design and waning consumer interest have caused sales to slump. A fresh redesign of their entire product line and a reminder that Buick vehicles have a design that incorporates luxury, power and sleek lines have caused a revival for the automaker.

The Enclave, LaCrosse and Regal continue to attract new buyers to the Buick line with approximately 41 percent of buyers coming from non-GM brands and 27 percent come from foreign brands. All three earned Consumer Digest’s “Best Buy” award in 2011 and spurred MOTOR TREND magazine to declare that “Buick is Back” in a headline.

The Enclave's low and aggressive lines tell us that it's an SUV that can actually do what we ask of it while keeping us wrapped in leather. The Enclave also features the best fuel economy of any 8 passenger SUV on the market.

The Lucerne blends effortless driving with power, comfort, convenience and all of the quietness that you’d expect from a full-size luxury sedan. It also has available safety features such as Side Blind Zone Alert and a Lane Departure Warning system.

In 2010 the LaCrosse got a complete ground-up redesign. The six-speed automatic transmission provides an EPA rated 30 mpg on the highway.

Buick’s Regal, the bad boy of the bunch, is available with 2.0L of turbocharged punch. This midsize sport-sedan has a European bred and inspired driving feel and its modern, sleek design is an excellent display of Buick’s re-found attention to detail and build quality. And, if you’re feeling saucy, the 2012 Regal GS’ 255 horses, 0-60 in under 7 seconds, and racing inspired exterior and interior design will suit you nicely.

Just a few minutes online or on the lot at McKenzie Motors will solidify Buick’s place in the forefront of your mind when considering a new luxury car or SUV.

Napkins, Registration, Proof of Insurance… What else can you get from the glovebox?

Welcome to “from the Glovebox”. This is the home of McKenzie Motors’ blog and an extension of our social media presence. At McKenzie Motors we’re committed to providing the best customer service experience possible for the Gulf Coast. We serve the areas of Milton, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Ft. Walton Beach and Pace in Florida and we’ve got a growing base of devoted customers in Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama too! If you’re looking for a new Buick or GMC or if you’re in the market for a quality pre-owned domestic or import car, truck, van or SUV we’d love to show you how southern hospitality in the automotive industry should be. 

We’ll be posting stories here about nice drives, tips about Buick and GMC vehicles, and general automotive related content. We’ve got some of the most beautiful drives in the country right here on the Gulf Coast. Did you know that most people don’t actually read their owner’s manual when they buy a new or used car? There are often a lot of cool features available on vehicles that folks just don’t know about. What’s the best way to detail your vehicle? Is it different if you’re detailing a car versus a truck? What can you do about your headlights when they start to yellow? These are some of the topics that we’ll be covering right here on “from the Glovebox”. 

Here’s a quick tip that was passed along to us. It’s important to check the oil in your car or truck, obviously, and we all know someone who used the old thumb/index finger method to wipe the oil off of the dipstick… messy. We’ve even seen people using blades of grass or trying to fling the oil off but these aren’t really viable options. What we’d suggest is keeping a napkin or paper towel somewhere under the hood like in the battery compartment or, pretty much anywhere that it can be wedged and stay in place. One warning though… don’t tuck it into the exhaust manifold area. This is a fire hazard and very dangerous. 

Alright, it’s time to go check the oil. We’ll be back soon!