Chevrolet Adds Theft Alarm Notifications

OnStar Theft Alarm Notification

OnStar Theft Alarm Notification

Chevrolet recently announced Theft Alarm Notification, an enhancement to the existing Stolen Vehicle Assistance service allowing OnStar subscribers to receive a real-time alert when the vehicle’s alarm sounds. The service will be available to later this summer.

The Theft Alarm Notification feature is another enhancement to OnStar’s existing security features, which include Remote Ignition Block and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. With Theft Alarm Notification, OnStar subscribers can opt in to receive an alert through text, email or phone if a theft attempt triggers their vehicle’s alarm system and the alarm sounds.

This feature will offer customers the peace of mind that in the unfortunate situation of a stolen vehicle, they can be quickly alerted and have the support of OnStar. From security features to navigation, connectivity and diagnostics, our customers appreciate the many benefits of OnStar’s services.

If a properly equipped Chevrolet is stolen, OnStar advisors will work with local authorities and use GPS technology to pinpoint the vehicle’s location. In certain models, if the conditions are safe, advisors can send a signal to slow down the vehicle, aiding police officers in its recovery and preventing a potential high-speed chase.

Theft Alarm Notification leverages the features of the Theft Protection Package available on Chevrolet’s full-size Tahoe and Suburban LT and LTZ SUVs, which feature glass breakage sensors, interior motion sensors and an inclination/tilt sensor. Each sound an alarm if the vehicle is lifted off the ground, a break-in is attempted, or if motion is detected within the vehicle when the alarm is armed.

The Theft Alarm Notification feature is included within OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Assistance service and is available to subscribers with the Security or Guidance package and a compatible vehicle. Most 2014 model year and newer Chevrolet vehicles are equipped to offer Theft Alarm Notification.

 

2016 Chevy Colorado Special Models Dressed to Impress

On the street or on the trail, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado’s Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss bring bolder choices to customers, looking to make a visual statement with their truck.

The special editions will roll into our showroom this fall, with distinctly tailored appearances that blend custom design cues with Colorado’s popular options and accessories. The Midnight Edition evokes the aesthetic of an urban tuner vehicle, while the Z71 Trail Boss is designed for terrain where the pavement ends.

These editions will offer Northwest area customers more choices on top of the segment-leading capabilities and efficiency of the Colorado.

(L to R) 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Midnight Edition and Trail Boss

(L to R) 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Midnight Edition and Trail Boss

Colorado Midnight Edition 

Echoing the blacked-out design theme introduced on the popular Silverado Midnight Edition, the 2016 Colorado Midnight Edition casts an imposing stance. Offered exclusively in black, additional exterior details such as the grille, the bowtie emblem and the 18-inch aluminum wheels are also finished in black. Additional content includes a spray-on bedliner and soft, folding tonneau cover – both in black – and Chevrolet-logo sill plates.

The Colorado Midnight Edition is available on LT models with the extended and crew cab bodies, in 2WD or 4WD, and with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines. It will also be available with the all-new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

Colorado Z71 Trail Boss
The 2016 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss builds on the capability of Chevrolet’s Z71 off-road truck suspension package with more aggressive tires and off-road-inspired appearance enhancements.

An all-new sport bar with LED trail lighting makes the new edition of the Trail Boss instantly identifiable. It’s complemented by black-finished 17-inch aluminum wheels matched with aggressive Goodyear Wrangler DuraTec® 265/65R17 all-terrain tires, bold fender flares and tubular assist steps. It also features a black bowtie grille emblem and a spray-on bedliner, and a set of all-weather floor mats inside the truck.

The Colorado Z71 Trail Boss is available on Z71 models with the extended and crew cab bodies, and in 2WD or 4WD. Like the Midnight Edition, it will also be available with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines, as well as the 2.8L Duramax diesel. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

September Employee of the Month: Scott Mawdsley

Employee of Month Scott Mawdsely

Congrats to Scott Mawdsley for being named September’s Employee of the Month. Being the friendly and welcoming face of the parts department, Scott treats every guest as a member of his own family and helps each person find the exact part they need for the vehicle. Scott has been with Gamblin Motors since 2012 and strives to learn something new each day about his fellow employees. Scott is the one who organizes employee birthday party potlucks and Saturday lunches. He loves getting to know employees and customers. Congratulations Scott!

First Annual Corvette Show

Corvette Show1

From the classic generations to Stingrays, we love Corvettes at Gamblin Motors.  To see some of these models in person, join us on Saturday, September 12 for our first  Corvette show. We are teaming up with the Tacoma Corvette Club to bring an array of Corvette models to the Plateau community. Chevrolet_C2_Corvette_Coupe_(Rassemblement_Saint-Bruno-De-Montarville_'10)

Come down to our main store (1047 Roosevelt Ave E, Enumclaw) to view these beauties and vote for the People’s Choice award winners. We will open at 9:00 a.m. to both entrants and the public to begin viewing and voting.  Voting closes at noon, but the Corvettes will remain on display until 3:00.  While we are counting the ballots, enjoy music, giveaways, and a great lunch provided by Big Daddy’s Family BBQ.  Awards will be handed out at 1:30. Chevrolet_Corvette_Cabriolet_(4686689134)

Interested in bringing home one of the trophies? Enter your Corvette through the Tacoma Corvette Club for a $20 entry free. We hope to see you Saturday, and while you’re here, take a peek at our 2016 Corvette Stingray that just arrived.CORVETTE 1961-SIDE

Squeaky Clean

Rain On My Shield

Roughly 90% of the decisions we make behind the wheel are based on a clear, unobstructed view of the road.  It doesn’t matter if you live in a part of the country littered with rain, snow, sand, dirt or mud, your specific environment slowly weakens your wipers ability to clean your windshield.

Modern cars have more sloped windshields which improve fuel economy, but it also puts more strain on wiper blades and wiper arms and high speeds.  Wiper arm spring tension is a vital component to the wiper blade being able to work effectively, as well as the number of pressure points in a wiper blade.

rain ride MGD©

Beam design wiper blades allow the blade to follow the curvature of your individual windshield and provide more consistent and complete contact in all weather conditions.

It is recommended that you change your wiper blades every 6 months or 6,000 miles (roughly every other oil change).  At each wiper change, inspect the spring and of your wiper arms.  You want a good snap!

 

A Whole Bunch of Color


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We were excited to sponsor the Win Me 5K color run. This event took place in our own backyard. The Enumclaw Expo Center was busy with thousands of people of all ages and fitness levels. What made this 5K different than any other 5K? Color! DSCF0501While racing through the beautiful course, racers were doused at ten different color stations along the way. Runners started the race wearing white and ended wearing a rainbow of colors. We were given the provided volunteers at the blue color station, and we loved hitting everyone with a little bit of Chevrolet Blue.DSCF0508

Each runner was entered to win thousands of dollars in prizes. Prizes included Macbooks, iPads, Apple watches, vacation getaways, and a brand new car. Throwing color on people is sure fun, but giving away a brand new car is exhilarating. Gamblin Motors sent home a brand new Chevy Spark with Leta Johnson. She was stunned and ecstatic.DSCF0692

DSCF0683Not only were participants given the chance to win great prizes, but could give back to multiple charities. Runners and sponsors made donations to Seattle Children’s Hospital, Strong Against Cancer, Send a Kid to Bumbshoot, and our local charity, Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation.DSCF0511

 

 

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August Employee of the Month: Dale Dunks

Dale Dunks Employee of the MonthCongratulations to Dale Dunks for being named August’s Employee of the Month.  Dale joined our sales team in 2006, and does a fantastic job delivering great customer service. You can always find Dale going the extra mile for his customers.  Dale was born and raised here in Enumclaw, and loves the car business.  Dale is the Father of one son and is expecting another child in a few weeks.  He loves to spend time with family, checking out muscle cars, working around the house, or hiking in the mountains.

Buick Introduces Apple CarPlay Capability

Apple CarPlay is standard in the 2016 model year Buick Regal and LaCrosse, providing a smarter, simpler way to use an iPhone while on the go. Buick is committed to providing the simplest connected driving experience possible to customers.

Apple CarPlay is standard in the 2016 model year Buick Regal and LaCrosse, providing a smarter, simpler way to use an iPhone while on the go. Buick is committed to providing the simplest connected driving experience possible to customers.

As the world becomes increasingly connected, Buick remains at the forefront of new applications and connectivity that provide customers with a seamless, integrated driving experience. That legacy advances with new Apple CarPlay capability for smartphones offered in all 2016 Regal and LaCrosse models.

The technology connects a smartphone through Buick’s IntelliLink system, integrating applications such as navigation, hands-free text messaging, contact lists and entertainment apps for news or music onto the eight-inch-diagonal IntelliLink radio display. Later in the model year, Android Auto capability will also be offered with IntelliLink.

Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features customers want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. This allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay-supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third-party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay. Apple CarPlay is compatible with iOS 7.1 or higher.

Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at g.co/androidauto. Android Auto requires a phone running an Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system or higher.

Using both applications is simple. A “Projection” icon on the IntelliLink screen is visible when a phone is not connected, then changes to indicate CarPlay or Android Auto when a compatible phone is connected via USB.

A majority of the smartphone applications with the respective systems are controlled via voice commands through a steering wheel button, which ensures drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Compatible apps need to be downloaded to a phone before using. Apple and Google’s privacy statements and terms of use apply. Data plan rates may also apply.

 

Smartphone Overheating? Chevrolet Impala Can Help

While occasional smartphone overheating is normal, it can be disconcerting as it saps the phone’s battery life and slows processing speeds. Industry-first technology coming soon to some Chevrolet models can help cool down this problem for drivers.

Engineers regularly subject vehicles to the most extreme climates to ensure subsystems work properly. While testing a smartphone wireless charging feature, they noticed some smartphones would suspend charging or shut off altogether after only a few minutes in high temperatures inside a car’s cabin.

Engineers added a cold air vent to certain Chevrolets for the 2016 model year to help keep smart phones wirelessly charging in the car from overheating.  The industry-first feature will be available in 2016 Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Volt and Cruze models equipped with wireless charging and Chevrolet MyLink. The Active Phone Cooling feature works when the car’s heating, ventilation and cooling system is on.

Engineers added a cold air vent to certain Chevrolets for the 2016 model year to help keep smart phones wirelessly charging in the car from overheating. The industry-first feature will be available in 2016 Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Volt and Cruze models equipped with wireless charging and Chevrolet MyLink. The Active Phone Cooling feature works when the car’s heating, ventilation and cooling system is on.

Most smartphones have built-in thermal protection features to protect battery life, but that protection – which can cause the phone to pause charging or turn off until it has cooled down – is inconvenient for customers on the road who rely on their smartphones for streaming music, navigation or receiving phone calls.

Chevrolet is addressing this with a system called Active Phone Cooling in several vehicles, including the 2016 Impala and Malibu equipped with available wireless charging. No other automotive manufacturer offers a similar solution for in-vehicle smartphone cooling.

An air vent connected directly to the car’s air conditioning and ventilation system is directed to the charging bin where the phone rests for wireless charging, sending cool air to help lower the phone’s temperature. Active Phone Cooling operates only when the HVAC system is turned on by the driver.

“Over time, regular overheating can do permanent damage to the lithium ion batteries that power our smartphones. I always recommend keeping your phone in a cool, ventilated place, where it can stay at a comfortable room temperature, whether it’s charging or discharging,” said Jeffrey Van Camp, deputy editor of Digital Trends.

Active Phone Cooling will also be available in the 2016 Chevrolet Volt and Cruze equipped with available wireless charging.

 

2016 Silverado: The New Face of Strong

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71. Available fall of 2015.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71. Available fall of 2015.

Chevy Trucks are on a roll, with pickup sales up, Chevrolet intends to strengthen this momentum with significant updates for the 2016 Silverado 1500 full-size pickup.

“The redesigned 2016 Silverado will build on Chevy Trucks’ legacy of dependability. It will feature a more muscular appearance and offer new customer-focused technologies,” said Sandor Piszar, marketing director for Chevy Trucks. “New front end designs with bold horizontal elements, sculpted hoods and dramatic lighting reflect the strength and refinement that have helped make Silverado the fastest growing full-size pickup brand this year.”

Other changes for 2016 will include expanded use of 8-speed automatic transmissions, updated Chevy MyLink with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and additional safety technologies.

Truck owners count on their pickups for everything from work to play. We look forward to welcoming the 2016 Silverado into the showroom and we know our customers are excited to get behind the wheel, too.