Tag Archives: 2011 Chevy Cruze

Save Your Gas This Summer

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With fuel prices on the rise this summer, we thought we would share some tips that will make your tank of gas last a little longer.

1. Avoid High Speeds- As your speed increasees, your drag increases. Driving 62 mph vs. 75 mph will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.

2. Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard- By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.

3. Keep Tires Properly Inflated- Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%. Another option would be inflating your tires using Nitrogen. Nitrofill is a great way to keep your tires properly inflated while extending the life of your tires as well.

4. Use A/C Sparingly- When the air conditioner is on, it puts extra load on the engine forcing about 20% more fuel to be used. The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.

5. Keep Windows Closed- Having windows open, especially on the highway, increases drag and decreases fuel economy by about 10%.

6. Service Vehicle Regularly– Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.

7. Use Cruise Control- Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.

8. Avoid Heavy Loads- Remove the sand bags from your truck in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.

9. Avoid Long Idles- If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.

10. Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle- When buying a new vehicle, examine the vehicles rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.

General Motors offers a great selection of fuel efficient vehicles at affordable prices. The all new Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Impala, Buick Regal are all great options when looking for a fuel efficient car.

42 MPG Chevrolet Cruze Eco

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

 

Wondering how the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model manages to hit 42 mpg on the highway? Lucky for you General Motors has put together this short video showing how the Cruze Eco model manages to hit 42 mpg on the highway with some significant fuel-saving modifications.

A Note From Alan Gamblin

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    My wife inspired me to go on a diet.  After three weeks I’ve lost 15 lbs. and 2 inches in my waist.  Now all my pants are too big.  If I didn’t have a belt, I would be looking like some of the kids I see at the mall that purposely wear their pants to show off their underwear. 

     I’m excited that my pants don’t fit because now I have to buy some new ones.  It’s been a long time and my daughters think it’s great because I have to throw away my “old man pants” and get new ones.  Even my Levi’s with holes have to go. Now I have new jeans that actually fit.  Yes, I had to hem them and they did cost more, but they do look better.  A lady at the airport asked my wife, “how did you get your husband to wear those jeans?  I’ve been begging my husband to get a pair.”

     I share this story because I think our new car diet is over.  We’ve made do with vehicles that don’t fit us anymore.  We have had to live lean, but we now have the opportunity to buy a  car, truck or SUV with better quality, longer warranty and with interest rates lower than ever before.  We can own a Chevy or Buick that is more stylish, more compatible, fits our changing life style, is more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly.  Our products like the new Chevy Cruze, Camaro, Equinox, Silverado HD and Buick Lacrosse and Regal are world class.

     Yesterday, I had my first cookie in three weeks.  It was so good, it was the best cookie I’ve ever tasted.  I guarantee test driving a new car will feel just as good.   My diet is over, shouldn’t your car diet be too?

                                                                                                                                    Alan Gamblin

Chevrolet Cruze Eco 43 MPG

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Many people in the car industry want to know how the Chevrolet Cruze Eco gets 43 MPG on the hwy.  People are stumped by this because the Eco is not a clean diesel nor a hybrid, so is the number inflated by Chevrolet or does the Chevrolet Cruze get 43-MPG.  Well we are proud to say that the number is NOT inflated and the Cruze Eco really does get 43 MPG.  So what is the secret for the Cruze to get such amazing fuel saving numbers.

Chevrolet wanted to address three key areas to maximize fuel efficiency. The specific areas of focus to help get the Cruze Eco to 43-MPG was to work on the aero-dymanics, make the Cruze lighter and fine tune the engine.

The first place they started was aero-dynamics.  Chevrolet and its engineers put an under body covering or tray to reduce wind turbulence and control airflow under the tires.  The next step was to close off the front grille but still maintaining the correct engine temperature.  One of the biggest tricks that Chevy came up with was when the Cruze Eco reaches about 38 MPH and calculating temperature gauges throughout the car a set of slates drop down in the front bumper area to help the Cruze to drop its coefficient of drag by over 10% compared to the sedan.  Now think of this set of slates dropping like the Bugatti Veryon’s spoiler that magically appears when it reaches certain speeds.

The egineers wanted to put the Cruze Eco on a diet and drop as much weight as possible, but they were only to drop the weight by 214 lbs.  Over 42 changes were made to shed the 214 Lbs.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco comes with a 1.4L turbo-charged four-cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual transmission.  To save a little extra fuel the air conditioning compressor now has a clutch to reduce drag on the engine.  Also, there is an intelligent charging system set up that only engages the alternator when needed.

Now there isn’t much difference cosmetically from the Chevrolet Cruze and the Cruze Eco.  There is not graphics down the side like the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrids.  If you were to put the Eco next to one of our many Cruzes on the lot you would only notice the difference with the green Eco logo on the back and the slightly modified grille in the front.

At Art Gamblin Motors we are excited about the new Chevrolet Cruze Eco and its staggering 43-MPG hwy.  We suggest if you are in the market for a gas saving vehicle to put the Cruze Eco on your list, we know you won’t be disappointed.