Search Results for: c

Can’t Pull a Grenade Pin with your Teeth

Nov 12 2015

Your teeth aren’t that strong, they just can’t.

Those scenes in the movies – all nonsense.

The 2016 Chevy Equinox

Nov 11 2015

2016 Chevy Equinox LTZ AWD

2.4 L 4-cylinder engine
6-speed automatic transmission
All-wheel Drive (AWD)

182 horsepower
172 lb.-ft. of torque

Starting at $26,795
This one $37,995

You know me – function over fashion, forever – so I like the look of this Equinox.

That’s not to say I think the Equinox is ugly, not at all. In fact, the model you’re looking at remains mostly unchanged since its debut in 2009. As in – this vehicle will age well.

A fast way to differentiate previous model years from this 2016 is the new grille and headlights.

Available in 3 trims – LS, LT, LTZ – this is the top LTZ.

Remember, this Equinox is a people-mover; it’s not supposed to press you back in your seat, it’s a work horse, and it does that well. Pickup is decent off the launch, and while your foot will be to the floor while merging or passing, it’ll get there. While towing 1,500 pounds too.

Steering and suspension follow suit – tuned for comfort – and during it all the cabin is quite quiet.

AWD is available in each trim, another +$2,200. And it’s possible to opt-up to a 3.6L V6 engine which outputs 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel economy is rated at 9.9 L / 100 km (combined,) and I achieved a 9.7 L / 100 km. Not sure I’ve ever typed a that I achieved a lower rating before; I drive like a pig remember.

The centre console controls are easily learned, and there’s so many hard buttons! YES.

Features include remote start, a backup camera, cruise control, 8-way power front seats that are heated, and the cabin’s climate control is automatic.

A + $2,325 sees the addition of a sunroof, higher quality speakers and a navigation system.

The backseat is roomy, one of the largest in the segement, and ready – the rear seats recline. Nice eh.

This makes the cargo area slightly smaller than some of its competitors, but no matter, fold down the 60/40 seats and it’ll be fine.

Like most GM products, standard on all trims is the ability to connect the car to the internet.

Using OnStar with 4G LTE and a built-in WiFi Hotspot, passengeres can connect via the dashboard. Learn more here.

Chevy is great at storage.

Like the two-tiered centre stack cubbies, and the deep armrest storage compartment that easily holds your Happy Meal Spiderman driving glasses.

A + $1,250 Driver Confidence Package adds the en vogue driving aids – blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear park assist and forward collision alert. That’s a well priced package.

However, see the below photo? That orange bar is the forward collision alert, which I found a bit sensitive. Why is it lighting up when I’m passing on the highway?

If I owned this SUV, a piece of electrical tape would go overtop.

You’re going to start seeing these Equinoxes everywhere.

Look on your drive home tonight. It’s not that I pointed them out, but because this is Chevy’s 2nd best-selling vehicle (1st is a pickup truck.)

Saved the best fact for last…
the Equinox is built in Canada!

The Oshawa, Ontario Assembly plant produces SUV.

Blog tag = Chevy

Spoke at the Automotive Business School of Canada

Nov 10 2015

This morning I spoke at the Automotive Business School of Canada.

It was great to meet you, class! Clever of you to specialize in this industry, an ever-growing one with gobs of money behind it, an endless number of verticals so there’s a place for whatever your passion, and best of all, people who are passionate, intelligent and industrious.

To those contemplating getting a degree in anything auto-related, this is your school.

Choose between a 2 or 4 year program, both of which boast an ridiculously high 90% grad placement rate over the past 28 years. And it uses a lot of experiential learning, like how the class annually hosts the largest outdoor Auto Show in North America.

The curriculum for this class features a weekly guest speaker. Last week was the President of Audi Canada, this week was Jim Kenzie and I, whom you’ve met before.

Students – links to things I touched on:

– my weekly column, ‘Keri on Driving’ here, the car section of this blog here, and my section at the newspaper here

– my issue with autonomous cars here

– a car runs on the CAN bus network here

– have a job for life by specializing in auto security here

– why I’m not a fan of hybrids here

– and really – just be prepared to out-work everyone and you’ll do great!

– no, wait, one more thing – I wasn’t checking my phone, I was checking the time, well, expect for this one time haha

Thanks for having me today,
email me anytime with questions
and good luck to you!

Go too:

The Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario

So You’re Connecting your Car to the Internet…

Nov 9 2015

Friendly reminder that connecting your car to the internet comes with responsibility.

Make installing updates a priority, even though it’ll be a pain and requires going to the dealership to pickup a USB.

Also:

never connect your car to public WiFi
only use WPA2 security
if plugging in a USB key into the car, make sure it’s clean and virus-free
and you’re legally responsible for Hotspot users

Use the “4 Cs” to Judge a Diamond

Nov 9 2015

Determining the quality of a diamond is based on the 4 Cs:

1 – Carat

2 – Colour

3 – Cut

4 – Clarity

1 – its weight is measured in Carats. For a barometer, 1 Carat = 0.20 grams

2 – the whiter the diamond the higher the value; the pinnacle is totally colourless and transparent

3 – cutting a diamond enhances its sparkle and brilliance. Of the 4 Cs, Cut is the only one that’s influenced by the human hand

4 – a diamond’s clarity is determined by how many “inclusions” it contains, a spot or spec within the stone that got stuck during the millions of years it took nature to form it.