Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of our fans!

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Happy Holidays to all of our fans!

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ARF Holiday Pet Food Drive

In partnership with the Salvation Army and Safeway, ARF’s Holiday Pet Food Drive will once again lend a paw to those in need this holiday season. ARF will be collecting cat and dog food donations through December 30 to help local pet guardians provide for their furry families. Any cat and dog food - wet or dry, unexpired and unopened - is appreciated. Donations may be dropped off at ARF, located at 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, from 9 a.m.  – 5 p.m. weekdays and Noon  – 5 p.m. weekends, or at six Safeway locations, in Alamo, Blackhawk, Clayton, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Please visit www.arf.net for specific Safeway drop-off locations. Food will be distributed to Contra Costa County families through the Salvation Army in Concord. Families in need of pet food assistance should contact the Salvation Army directly at 925.676.6180

Information courtesy of: http://concord-ca.patch.com/events/arf-holiday-pet-food-drive-6ece46db

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What to do if your brakes stop working

Suppose you're driving down the freeway one day. As you're about to take the exit, you tap on the brakes -- and you don't slow down. No matter how hard you press, nothing happens. You have no brakes! What are you going to do? When you press on the brake pedal in almost all cars today, you're pushing on a piston. That piston pushes on brake fluid in the master cylinder, pressurizing the brake fluid. It flows through thin pipes, called brake lines, to pistons at each wheel. Those pistons apply pressure to the brake pads, and they squeeze against a disk or a drum to stop the car. If you were to have a catastrophic loss of brake fluid or if someone were to cut your brake lines, nothing would happen when you hit the brake pedal. The first thing to do if you ever find yourself in the "no brakes!" situation is to try pumping the brakes. If your brake lines have a small leak (instead of a cut), you may be able to pump enough fluid into the system to get things under control. The next thing is to try the emergency brake -- this is definitely an emergency! If someone cut your brake lines, he or she was probably smart enough to cut the cable for the emergency brake as well, so let's say that you find that the emergency break is out of commission too. Now you officially have a problem. The next thing to try is the transmission. You can downshift a gear at a time and use the engine for braking. Lots of people do this with their manual transmission as a matter of habit. It works just as well with an automatic transmission. Drop to a lower gear, wait for your speed to decrease and then drop down another gear. If there's a grassy median, you can drive onto it to aid the process. The surface of the grass and the uneven ground will provide a little resistance to help slow the car. If you're doing all this and it looks like you're going to run into something before you get the car stopped, then think strategically. Given a choice between running into something solid -- the massive concrete post of a bridge -- and something that will give way -- a chain link fence -- choose the object that will give way. If you can scrub off speed by edging the side of the car against a wall or a guardrail, that's a good idea. Or, if you can drive up a rising embankment, that will also help. In other words, if you have time to save the car by using something nondestructive like the transmission or an embankment, use it. If you can't save the car, then save yourself. Do whatever you can to avoid injury to yourself by running into something "soft" or scrubbing off the speed. And if that fails, then relax and hope your airbag is in good shape!

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-problems/brakes-stopped-working1.htm

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Top 5 Signs of Engine Trouble

5. Warning Lights: If your car is working properly, these are what Audra Fordin of "What Women Auto Know" calls "hello, good morning" lights. You fire up theengine and the dashboard lights up like carnival. This is the car's computer checking everything out. One by one, each of the lights turns off and you're ready to drive. If they don't turn off, though, that's bad. Either very bad or slightly bad, depending on which light remains lit. These lights are connected to sensors that monitor everything your car does. If something seems out of whack, the computer will use these lights to tell you what it is. It can't use its words; it's not KITT, you know. The lights you'll probably want to pay the most attention to are: Check Oil/Oil Level Low Oil Pressure Low Check Engine The "Check Engine" lamp is perhaps the most troubling of lights because it could mean so many different things, from "you didn't screw the gas cap on tightly enough" to "look out for pistons flying through the hood and into the stratosphere." The easiest way to find out what this light is telling you is to hook your vehicle up to a scan tool. This diagnostic tool looks a little like an oversized calculator and plugs into a communication port inside the car. After you instruct it to perform the scan, it "speaks" with your car's computers to find out exactly what's prompting the light to turn on. You can purchase your own tool from an auto parts store for less than $100, but then what? You're probably not going to put on your coveralls and crawl under the hood yourself. Instead, visit a service station, where a technician will use the scan tool to identify the trouble. 4. Doing the Jerk: Driving should be free of jerking, surging, or stalling. It should be smooth and easy, more like ballet than Beyonce. What's cool in the club is not cool in an engine. But if your car is popping and locking, that's a pretty strong sign of engine trouble. It could be due to fouledspark plugs, clogged fuel lines or fuel filter, the main computer reading the driving situation wrong, or many, many other issues. The last thing you want is for your vehicle to take its own sweet time accelerating, or to give out entirely, as you're merging onto a busy highway with other vehicles barreling down behind you. Likewise, high revving at idle or acceleration that's out of your control are situations you should have a qualified technician investigate and repair as soon as possible. Preventive maintenance, including regular oil changes and belt replacements at recommended intervals help to keep you out of the danger zone. 3. Rude noises: A tapping or popping that sounds like Barney doing deep knee bends (which never happens), for instance, could indicate detonation taking place within the engine's cylinders. This happens when gasoline ignites prematurely in the combustion chamber of the cylinders and can potentially result in expensive piston damage. If you hear a grinding noise when you attempt to start your car, your starter motor might need to be adjusted or replaced. If you hear grinding when shifting between gears, it could be transmission replacement time! It's not as fun as it sounds. And if you're driving a manual transmission, do not listen to Uncle Barney when he says, "Grind it 'til you find it." In most cases, a little bit of noise from either your car or Uncle Barney -- like a mild ticking or clicking -- might be normal. Cars with roller rockers in their valve trains, for instance, emit some ticking noise; and fuel-injected vehicles also produce slightly audible clicks from the injectors [source: 2CarPros.com]. If in doubt, listen intently, try to track down the general area of the noise as best you can and then attempt to explain it in as much detail as you can to a qualified service professional. 2. Foul Smells: Cars rarely smell delightful. They're burning gasoline or diesel fuel, there's hot metal under the hood, and your brother ate a burrito just before he got in the passenger seat. There's not much you can do about your brother besides open all the windows and monitor his lunch intake, but any other automotive smells that make it into the passenger compartment spell trouble. The scent may signal oil or coolant leaking from their normally closed-loop systems, or it may indicate dangerous exhaust gases invading your car's interior. Car and truck exhaust contains toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, so if the inside of your car smells as if you were standing behind your car, get out and get it fixed. Fight the urge to take a little nap first. So sleepy. That's the carbon monoxide talking, friends. At least open a window on your way to the shop. The smell of burning rubber could mean you just did an awesome smoky burnout, or it could be telling you that drive belts or accessory belts beneath the hood are damaged, loose, or worn out. It could also mean that a rubber hose carrying important fluids is touching something that it shouldn't -- something that's too hot and is melting the rubber. In any case, it's a good idea to act sooner rather than later, as these nasty smells could be linked to a much more crucial and expensive component. 1. Smoke Signals: Smoke can come from the front or back of the car, and it's not good in either case. But the tailpipe will send-up colored smoke in attempt to tell you what the problem is. Here is your secret decoder ring: Blue smoke: Oil is escaping from its intended passageways within the engineand is being burned along with fuel. Of course, you could always keep adding engine oil to the crankcase to prevent it from being all burned up (and risking serious engine damage), but the smart thing to do would be to take the car in to have any worn or damaged seals repaired [source:Torbjornsen]. White smoke: Water condensation or antifreeze has mixed with the fuel supply. Again, adding coolant or antifreeze to your car's cooling system will keep your car from overheating for as long as you remember to keep feeding the reservoir, but the wise move is to have it checked out as soon as possible. If the smoke is coming from under your hood, that probably means you ignored white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and now your engine is overheating. Or maybe you completely forgot to add coolant at all, and the engine overheated.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/mechanical/5-signs-engine-trouble.htm#page=5f

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Up Against a Red Light

Thinking of running that red light? Here's an article that lets you know why you probably shouldn't. Red-light cameras can track you down after you push that orange light a little too far:

"Red-light systems rely on some sophisticated technology, but conceptually they are very simple. The system includes only three essential elements: One or more cameras One or more triggers A computer In a typical system, cameras are positioned at the corners of an intersection, on poles a few yards high. The cameras point inward, so they can photograph cars driving through the intersection. Generally, a red-light system has cameras at all four corners of an intersection, to photograph cars going in different directions and get pictures from different angles. Some systems use film cameras, but most newer systems use digital cameras." Courtesy of Howstuffworks.com

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Check out this article courtesy of Howstuffworks.com to learn about the history of Buick, including a look at some of the more colorful classic models. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/buick.htm

"In 1904, Buick moved from Detroit to Flint, Michigan, where it soon came under the control of William C. Durant. Buick prospered, and in 1908 Durant formed General Motors with Buick as its foundation and chief source of revenue. Six-cylinder engines arrived in 1914, and were the only type Buick offered from 1925 to '30. By that point, Buick buyers were mostly upper middle-class professional types who'd moved up from a Chevrolet, Oakland, or Oldsmobile -- hence the "doctor's car" sobriquet of the make's early years. The Depression considerably reduced the size of this clientele -- and Buick sales -- but the division would bounce back strongly, reaching fourth in industry production for model-year 1938 (from a decade-low seventh in 1934-36)." Courtesy of Howstuffworks.com

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Top 10 Signs of Transmission Trouble

Wondering how your transmission is doing? Check out these tips from Howstuffworks.com to tell if your transmission is doing well, or if it needs a little help: bit.ly/TGnMdk

"It seems intuitive that if you hear weird noises when the car should be shifting, that the transmission is acting up. But would you suspect it if things were going "bump" in neutral? Yes, it could be the transmission. Such sounds could have a simple and inexpensive solution -- as with many of the problems on our list, adding or replacing the transmission fluid sometimes does the trick. Bear in mind that as is the case with engine oil, different vehicles do best with the specific formulation called for in the owner's manual. Alternatively, lots of noises from the transmission while it's in neutral could signal something more serious, like mechanical wear that will need the replacement of parts. In this case, common culprits are a worn reverse idler gear or worn bearings, possibly coupled with worn gear teeth [source: Procarcare.com]. Losing control while driving is never a fun experience. Find out on the next page how a bum transmission could have a car "slipping" toward disaster if not repaired in time." Courtesy of Howstuffworks.com

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How to Protect Your Car’s Interior

Try to add up the hours you spend in your car. It’s a lot, isn’t it? Commutes, errand runs and road trips can have you sitting in those bucket seats for hours on end, and during that time, you and your passengers are actually living in the interior. That means smudges on the windows, scratches on the dash and food in the seat crevices accumulate and leave you wondering what happened to the spotless interior you swear it had when you first bought the car.

A Quick Clean

Luckily, it’s not that difficult to keep a car’s cabin from looking a little too, well, lived in. First things first, get something to stuff your trash into. Just use a plastic bag or a container you don’t use around the house and throw it in the backseat. You can even affix a temporary hook to the door or seat to keep things even neater. Every once and awhile, take it out and relish in the fact that you haven’t spent an hour cleaning up. Keeping trash off the floor also preserves your carpets, which can get stained from any number of items.

The idea of taking a rag to your dash and leather seats is made easier if you have them on-hand. The key here is to just use a little bit of soapy water to wipe the surfaces of your car – some cleaning products contain alcohols that prematurely dry and age the materials by reducing the flexibility in the vinyl. Store a small spray bottle of your homemade cleaning fluid and a rag under your seat or in a storage bin for access when you’re waiting for your kids to get out of school or sitting in that crazy-long drive-through line. This will also come in handy when an emergency spill happens. Lastly, keep your car smelling like roses (or at least a laundromat) by adding dryer sheets under the seats.

Weather Resistant
You can’t discount the impact weather has on your vehicle either. In summer, sandy feet can quickly make a mess of an interior, and dare we mention the destruction caused by mud and snow? If you spend a lot of time ducking in and out of the elements, you might want to grab some all-weather floor mats. They’re easy to clean and do a great job of keeping the muck in one place.

The sun’s rays can also wreak havoc on your car’s surfaces, causing vinyl to crack over time and materials to fade. A simple solution is to regularly put a sunshade on the windshield. They’re inexpensive and help to keep your interior looking new.

Saving money on repair work and cleaning comes more easily when you take the time to make preventative care a priority. Not only will these tricks make your car a nicer place to be, keeping grime out of your ride will cut down on large maintenance costs in the future and will help to retain its value over time

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Tips for Driving in the rain:

How do we deal with hydroplaning and low view distance? AAA offers these tips of advice:

Go slowly. Slow down and increase following distances. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions. When it rains, visibility is reduced and braking distances increase.

Light up. Use low-beam headlights to help others see your car and increase your visibility. Remember Maryland law requires headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in use.

Be careful of standing and running water. As little as six inches of water on a road can cause most drivers to lose control of their vehicle. Nearly half of all people who die in flash floods are in cars and have underestimated the power of flood waters or have not acted quickly enough to escape. Do not drive through moving water or flooded areas. If floodwaters arise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can safely do so. If not, do not open your car doors, stay within your vehicle and call 911.

Be a follower. Driving in the tracks of other vehicles can improve traction and help avoid hydroplaning.

Readmore: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/weather/safety/safety-tips-for-driving-in-heavy-rain#ixzz28wNQwICo

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10 Most Dangerous Distracted Driving Habits

10: Eating and Drinking

Compared to some of the other distracted driving habits on our list, this one might seem relatively tame. After all, it doesn't demand all that much cognitive horsepower to stuff your gullet while on the move.

But before you get too enamored of underway refueling, consider some of the things that could go wrong:

• You could spill scalding coffee on your lap
• That breakfast sausage muffin or deluxe burger could collapse in your hands, sending crumbs, sauce and patty pieces all over your work outfit
• Greasy hands or one-handed driving means less control of the steering wheel and shifter

In each of these cases, drivers face a potential domino effect where impaired attention plus an unexpected event lead to loss of control.

Solution: Eat before or after you get behind the wheel; to chow down during your drive places you and others at risk.

9: Applying Makeup or Grooming

We treat it almost as a joke: the harried office worker who slogs through morning rush hour while painting her face; the road warrior who uses drive time as shaving time.

There's even a conveniently placed "vanity mirror" in the fold-down visor right above the windscreen to facilitate this morning ritual. As usual, the blamed culprit is shortage of time. With our schedules more compressed than ever, the car or SUV might seem like the perfect place to take care of less mentally taxing tasks such as personal grooming.

But there's little arguing with the science on distracted driving. All but a small percentage (between 2 and 3 percent) of the population experience a noticeable decline in performance when they try to do two or more things at once [source: Watson and Strayer].

You may have gotten away with eyebrow plucking on the interstate up until now, but just remember that it's always a gamble.

8: Tending to Fido or Kitty

Clawing their way in at No. 8, as you may have guessed, are pets. Next to kids, or perhaps in lieu of kids, pets are the collective apples of our eye. Circumstances dictate that sometimes we want to, or have to, transport them. The reason could be a veterinarian visit, a move to a different home or maybe just a trip to the park or beach outside of walking distance.

In any case, the last thing you need is an animal roaming around inside your vehicle while you drive. For the same reasons you wouldn't want people shuffling around the cramped passenger compartment, pets should be secured. It's safer for them, you and others outside your vehicle.

Fortunately, there are carriers for cats and other small pets. For larger dogs, you can try vehicle partitions or even doggy harnesses that strap your canine securely into a seat. That way he can enjoy the wind in his face without getting fur and slobber in yours.

The proper securing device, coupled with your reassuring words and caresses, should make riding in the car a tolerable and perhaps downright enjoyable experience for your pet. And unlike our next subject, pets don't require expensive video games or other electronics to remain settled.

7: Keeping an Eye on the Kids

The little bundles of joy can be anything but if they don't have distractions of their own to while away time in the car. Whether it's two or more young ones squabbling or a lone infant protesting to be released from a restrictive child safety seat, you do not want to divert your attention from the road to indulge them.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, passengers are ranked by drivers as among the most frequent causes of distraction. Young children are four times as distracting as adults, while infants can be a whopping eight times more distracting, the AAA Foundation reports. Think carefully, though, about stealing a few seconds' glance to investigate while at cruising speed.

It takes only a fraction of a second for a road-borne hazard to enter your vehicle's collision zone and precipitate a disaster.

For the sake of everyone involved, if the little ones' screaming is about to force you to turn around and go back there -- pull over first.

6: Driving While Drowsy

It was a late night. Maybe you figured, "I didn't drink any alcohol, I'll be fine." But not long after getting behind the wheel, it felt as if your eyelids were anchored with five-pound weights. No matter how loudly you blasted the stereo or how many windows you rolled down, Mr. Sandman relentlessly seduced you to join him.

If that's ever happened to you and you're still here to read this, you're lucky. You're also not alone. Nearly 41 percent of drivers say they've fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point or another, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The NHTSA estimates drowsy driving in the United States causes 100,000 crashes a year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths [source: NHTSA].

Of course, it's not always convenient or safe to pull over and catch a few winks. Perhaps you don't think you need or can afford a night at a hotel or motel. But considering the alternative -- death -- it seems reasonable to consider it a non-discretionary purchase.

We go from mental shutdown to sensory overload with our next distraction. Continue to the next page to see why some people can't seem to keep their eyes on the road.

5: Fiddling with Entertainment and Onboard Electronics

Just because manufacturers and aftermarket companies make high-tech gadgets you can play with while driving doesn't mean you should.

Wisely, in-car DVD players are set by the factory to only play in view of the driver when the vehicle is parked. While that setting doesn't stop determined mobile multitaskers, at least it sends the message: The people who made these things think it's a bad idea to watch DVDs and drive at the same time.

Regular and satellite radios, iPod adaptors and navigation systems can all be deadly digital devices, in the wrong hands. To prevent your love affair with gadgets from becoming a fatal attraction, pull over if a gizmo requires you to focus on a screen and remove your eyes from the road. There's nothing wrong with In-Car Entertainment (ICE) in and of itself. But drivers need to know when to draw the line so that they don't wind up on a cold slab.

Many of us confess to taking a certain amount of guilty pleasure in rubbernecking. But can overindulging lead to a broken neck or worse? Continue on to find out.

4: Watching Roadside Diversions

Billboards are now animated and practically dare you to try not looking at them. Elsewhere, the hazard might be roadside bombshells -- like if you happen to be cruising through South Beach.

We humans are hardwired to notice the extraordinary. In our earliest days, the unusual could have represented an animal that wanted us for lunch or even a potential mate from another tribe who could diversify the genes of our offspring. One big difference between now and then was that we didn't have the ability to hurtle ourselves across the landscape faster than even a cheetah.

At 55 miles per hour (88.5 kilometers per hour), a car can cover half the length of a football field in about 4 seconds. So while your attention is focused on that toned hardbody strutting along the sidewalk, there's plenty of time for a cell phone-occupied driver to cut in front of you without looking.

While, arguably, our ancient hardwiring makes women better-suited to vehicular multitasking in the modern era, it's dangerous to divide your attention (hence your reaction time) among multiple activities behind the wheel, no matter what your gender.

One of the best -- or perhaps worst -- examples of this is our next distracted driving habit. It's guaranteed to push your buttons, so click to the next page to find out more.

3: Texting and Updating Social Media

OMG -- were you actually surprised by this one? Here's a stat that's nothing to LOL about -- you're 23 times more likely to crash if you text while driving [source: Distraction.gov].

Prior to the 2000s, this distraction would not have even made the list. But with proliferating technology and social media platforms, it's become one of the worst collective weapons of mass distraction with which we have to contend.

It takes about five seconds of attention to a screen and keyboard to send a brief text. Disturbingly, 77 percent of young adult drivers say they can safely drive while texting [source: stoptextsstopwrecks.org].

In actuality, distracted driving accidents, including those caused by the use of handheld devices, collectively form the No. 1 killer of teens, according to the NHTSA and others.

While it's convenient to blame our problems on technology, sometimes it's quite apparent that the issue really lies with us.

2: Daydreaming

Driving can be an opportune time to organize your thoughts, clear your mind, think through problems or just enjoy a few moments of solitude.

With experience, routine driving becomes an automatic activity in and of itself. Like brushing our teeth, we don't really have to think about the intricately coordinated choreography of our senses and muscles while driving.

So we might think we have plenty of processing power left over to focus on non-driving related tasks. And that can be dangerous, if we overestimate our powers of focus.

If you've ever let your mind wander and missed your exit on the highway -- then considered swerving across several lanes to catch it -- you're probably aware of the risk posed by daydreaming.

The fact is driving a car equates to operating heavy machinery. Just as you wouldn't expect a crane operator to drift off while hoisting tons of metal beams overhead, responsible driving means maintaining focus. Not only is it a courtesy to your fellow drivers, but it helps you to spot and avoid crazies on the road!

So what's our No. 1 driving distraction? This one has really stirred passions, on both sides of the distracted driving debate.

1: Talking on the Phone

Ringing in at the top spot on our list: talking on the phone. This dubious honor goes to the granddaddy of distracted driving, the now-ubiquitous cell phone. Ever since Wall Street titans and wannabe titans wielded the gigantic brick phones of the 1980s, our obsession with mobile communication has gotten us in trouble behind the wheel.

Driving under the influence of a cell phone, be it handheld or hands-free, impairs driver reaction to the same level as being at the legal limit for blood alcohol content of .08 [source:stoptextsstopwrecks.org].

Hands-free headsets appear to reduce the risk somewhat -- instead of both cognitive and manual impairment as you have with a handheld device, hands-free units only tie up your mental capabilities; in some jurisdictions, they're mandatory for people who talk on the phone while they drive.

Studies suggest that talking on a cell phone roughly quadruples a person's risk of being involved in a crash [source: AAA Foundation].

How could something that seems so innocuous be so deadly? Once again, it lies in the brain's ability to truly do only one thing at a time. We've become such masters at task switching that we create the illusion of successfully doing two or more things simultaneously. But throw a surprise into the mix, like a child darting into traffic or a slamming of the brakes by the car in front of us, and the brain can quickly fail to keep pace.

So there you have it -- 10 of the most dangerously distracting habits you can engage in while driving. While you might have a greater awareness of the risks now, just remember that many people don't.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/10-most-dangerous-distracted-driving-habits1.htm

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The Buick Human Highlight Reel

The Buick Human Highlight Reel is full of inspiring former NCAA athletes that are making a difference in the world around them. Who do you know making a difference beyond their college years? Watch the newest videos featuring John Loose and Jeremy Bloom now http://spr.ly/6034p6b6

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Safe Driving Tips: Heavy Rain

Fall is here, and with it come the dangers of driving in heavy rainfall... something we all have to deal with.  So how do we deal with hydroplaning and low view distance?


AAA offers these tips of advice.

Go slowly. Slow down and increase following distances. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions. When it rains, visibility is reduced and braking distances increase.

Light up. Use low-beam headlights to help others see your car and increase your visibility. Remember Maryland law requires headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in use.

Be careful of standing and running water. As little as six inches of water on a road can cause most drivers to lose control of their vehicle. Nearly half of all people who die in flash floods are in cars and have underestimated the power of flood waters or have not acted quickly enough to escape. Do not drive through moving water or flooded areas. If floodwaters arise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can safely do so. If not, do not open your car doors, stay within your vehicle and call 911.

Be a follower. Driving in the tracks of other vehicles can improve traction and help avoid hydroplaning.

Read more: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/weather/safety/safety-tips-for-driving-in-heavy-rain#ixzz28wNQwICo

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Fall Car Care Month

October is Fall Car Care Month and there are a few tips that can help you keep your car in top shape for the upcoming Winter season.

The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle operating at its best:

1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

2. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.

3. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.

4. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

5. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

6. Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

Read More: http://www.carcare.org/2011/09/fall-into-a-vehicle-maintenance-program/

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Checking Your Engine Oil

One of the most important things you can do to keep your car running like new is to regularly check the oil, but do you know how?

Check engine oil regularly, especially if you notice that the oil level drops between the oil changes. Engine oil cools down and lubricates the engine. Driving with very low oil level can cause engine problems.

Park your vehicle on a level ground. Set the parking brake. Make sure the transmission is in "Park". Stop the engine. Wait for a minute or two to let engine oil drain into the oil pan. Pull the engine oil dipstick. If you don't know where it’s located, check your owner's manual, usually it has a bright handle saying "Engine Oil".

Wipe the dipstick off. Insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the oil level.

The oil level should be between the "Low" and "Full" marks. In this photo the level is OK and oil looks clean.

Check the oil condition: If it's way too black, as in the left photo, it's definitely time to change it. If it's brown, but still clean and transparent, as in the right photo, it's OK. If engine oil is of the "coffee with milk" color it means that engine coolant mixes with oil. This is a sign of some internal engine problem, such as, for example, a leakinghead gasket - have your car checked out.
If oil looks clean, but the level is low, you can just top it up.

To top off engine oil use a recommended type of oil; for example, if your owner's manual or the oil filler cap indicates SAE 5W-20, use SAE 5W-20 oil. If your engine needs synthetic oil, use only synthetic oil. You can find the recommended oil type for your car in your owner's manual.

How to top off engine oil:
Add a little amount of oil into the oil filler neck. Wait for a minute to let oil to flow into the oil pan. Check the oil level again with the dipstick. If it's still low, add some more. But don't overfill it. Don't forget to install the dipstick back and close the oil filler cap when you finished.

To view a full slide of detailed step by step photos visit: http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simple.html

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GMC Acadia: Bringing Back Luxury - Stealing Buyers

If you're looking for luxury in your SUV and want to pay the best price, take it from this Florida buyer... The Acadia is what you're looking for.


"It started when my boss bought an Acadia and I wondered why the owner of a company worth over $100 million didn't drive something more expensive," she said. "But then I looked for myself and as a former BMW driver, I was impressed. The Acadia has great quality, craftsmanship, and all the luxury features I want without being over the top. It's smart luxury."

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She added that she has convinced three friends to buy GMC models, and that she convinced her company's CFO to purchase a Sierra pickup.

Apparently, other shoppers share her enthusiasm. GMC sales last month were up 11 percent from August of 2011, the highest they have been since 2008. Year-to-date sales are up 3 percent from where they were in the same period last year.

Read more: http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/2323/20120904/gmc-acadia-terrain-sierra-snag-buyers-car.htm

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Looking For Something Different?

If you're looking for something fresh and a little out of the ordinary stop your search here with the 2013 Enclave.

The Enclave has a new panoramic-style LED lit cabin which emits soft blue ambient lighting at night, however is completely invisible during the day... makes for a sort of pleasant surprise with the upgraded cabin, one that's sure to impress friends.

GM Authority wrote the following on the new Enclave:

Buick designers look to home interior design for inspiration to design in-vehicle ambient lighting. For example, the major light sources (like TVs) in a high-end home at night are complemented by soft, evenly-distributed interior lighting elements. Similarly, the ambient lighting sources found in today’s Buick vehicles create a warm, inviting driving experience by complementing the bright output of gauges and IntelliLink infotainment system displays with soft, Ice Blue lighting radiating from hidden sources.

Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/09/heres-how-buick-lights-its-cabins-using-ambient-lighting/

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How To Make Your Car Last Longer

April may be national car care month, but it never hurts to go the extra mile to keep your car running longer.

“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Following a routine maintenance program makes financial sense, extending useful vehicle life and helping avoid costly repairs down the road.”

The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best for the long haul:

-Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

-Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.

-Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

-Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

-Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

-Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.

-Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

-Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

-Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

Tips from: http://www.carcare.org/2012/04/car-care-the-key-to-a-long-lasting-vehicle/

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The Stylish, Fuel Efficient Encore

The Buick Encore is certainly a head turner in the SUV / Crossover segment. The Encore is not only designed to offer a luxury experience at a well below average price, but also intends to beat both Ford AND Chrysler products in fuel efficiency bringing a whole to game to the crossover market!

Freep writes:


The six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive version of the Encore received an EPA fuel economy estimate of 25 m.p.g. in the city and 33 m.p.g. on the highway for a combined rating of 28 m.p.g.

The EPA estimated that the average driver would spend about $1,900 per year on gasoline for the Encore.

GM bragged that the 2013 Ford Escape’s combined EPA fuel economy rating is 26 m.p.g. while Chrysler Group’s Jeep Compass’ combined rating is 25 m.p.g. GM also boasted that the Encore beats the Mini Countryman S and Volkswagen Tiguan on combined fuel economy.

Info From: http://www.freep.com/article/20120828/BUSINESS0101/120828037/GM-says-2013-Buick-Encore-will-beat-Ford-Chrysler-products-fuel-efficiency?odyssey=nav%7Chead

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Tips From Our Pros

e-Assist technology helps Buick cars such as the LaCrosse achieve an EPA-estimated 36 mpg highway, but it's not just e-Assist that helps you get a higher mpg average. You can also save fuel with proper tire inflation and regular rotations.

Regular rotations will make your tires will last longer, too, so make sure you come see our Buick Certified Service experts to have them rotated every 7500 miles or when they change your oil.

If you're looking for discounts on these services visit: http://www.buick.com/maintenance-repair/service-offers.html?cmp=bu_redir_1 or http://www.lehmers.com/ServiceSpecials !

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How to Use Jumper Cables

Need a jump? Seems like a basic thing to do for your car, but you'd be surprised how many people can't use jumper cables properly.

● Find a car to serve as the boosting car.

● Park the two cars -- the dead car and the boosting car -- close to one another, making sure that they're not touching each other.

● Make sure both cars' engines are turned off, and both cars are in park.

● Clamp the red jumper cable (i.e. the positive cable) to the dead car's positive battery terminal, which is marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to the booster car's positive battery terminal, also marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the black jumper cable (i.e. the negative cable) to the booster car's negative battery terminal, which is marked with a " - ". Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery.

● Clamp the other end of the black jumper cable to a bare, metal surface on the engine of the dead car. This can be a bolt or a screw. This provides grounding for the jump start [source: Brauer].

● Ensure that the jumper cables are not touching any engine parts.

● Start the booster car's engine and let it idle for a few minutes.

● Start the dead car's engine and let it idle for a few minutes.

● Disconnect the black jumper cable from the once-stalled engine. Then disconnect the black jumper cable from the booster car.

● Remove the red jumper cable from the booster car. Then remove the red jumper cable from the once-stalled car.

Original Article: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/how-to-use-jumper-cables.htm

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2013 Verano Turbo On The Way

The Verano is getting some SERIOUS horsepower thrown its way with the release of the 2013 Verano Turbo.

AutomotiveAddicts released the following info for the Turbo:


Try to wrap your head around this one for a moment: Buick, long the brand of AARP members and those who consider 4:00 p.m. to be too late for dinner, has become the new Pontiac. In terms of sport-themed sedans, Buick already has the Regal Turbo and the Regal GS, and now it’s adding a third forced-induction luxury sedan into the mix with the debut of the 2013 Verano Turbo.

The Verano Turbo gets the same 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo found in the Regal GS and the Regal Turbo. The good news is that the Verano is a smaller and lighter car than the Regal, so the 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque that Buick’s given the Verano Turbo should prove entertaining, If you’re keeping score at home, that’s more horsepower (but the same amount of torque) than the Regal Turbo gets, but it’s nowhere near the Regal GS’ output. Buick may want to attract new buyers, but not by pirating sales from the higher-margin Regal lineup.

Read more: http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/31458/buicks-2013-verano-turbo-priced-from-29990

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Cars, Now The Victims Of Computer Viruses

I bet when all of our grandparents were sitting around and thinking of wild things that would happen in the future there was one thing that wasn't on the list... Computers in your car. The only thing that seems more far fetched than the idea of a computer in a car is that computer getting infected with a virus... But it's happened.

Cars are almost more computer than machine these days, so it's not a leap to think that all those nasty viruses you get on your laptop, phone, or tablet can be translated to infect a car, and one angry mechanic did just that.

This guy did everything from making your car alarm go off without stopping to preventing it from starting at all. HowStuffWorks (the award-winning source of credible, unbiased, and easy-to-understand explanations of how the world actually works) wrote the following:

More than 100 Texas drivers could have been excused for thinking that they had really horrendous luck or -- at least for the more superstitious among them -- that their vehicles were possessed by an evil spirit. That's because in 2010, more than 100 customers of a dealership called Texas Auto Center found their efforts to start their cars fruitless, and even worse, their car alarms blared ceaselessly, stopped only when the batteries were removed from the vehicles [source: Shaer].

What seemed to some to be a rash of coincidence and mechanical failure turned out to be the work of a disgruntled employee-turned-hacker. Omar Ramos-Lopez, who had been laid off by the Texas Auto Center, decided to exact some revenge on his former Austin, Texas employer by hacking into the company's Web-based vehicle immobilization system, typically used to disable the cars of folks who had stopped making mandatory payments [source: Shaer]. Besides creating plenty of mayhem and generating a flood of angry customer complaints, Ramos-Lopez, who was eventually arrested, highlighted some of the vulnerabilities of our increasingly computer-dependent vehicles from a skilled and motivated hacker.

Read More: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-computer-virus.htm

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Tips From Around The Lot - Rust:

Are you experiencing lower MPG's on your routine trips? Has your car started stalling? Have you had to replace multiple fuel pumps?

These are all signs of a rusty gas tank. A rusted gas tank can have all of the symptoms above, and can cause more and more harsh issues the longer you run your car with a rusty tank!

Rusting can also cause issues not only in your gas tank, but in everything it connects to, so be sure to get it replaced or fixed as soon as possible. If this rust spreads it can cause greater and greater issues and can even result in fuel leakage.

To get an estimate on replacing a fuel tank give us a call at: (925) 566-7279 or visit us online at  http://www.lehmers.com/?http://lehmersconcordbuickgmc.cimasystems.biz  today!

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Tips For Long Trips:

Long road trips in your car can be cumbersome... They take not only a toll on your car (As it's doing most of the work) but also you as a driver... So here are a few tips and facts to stay safe!

1) Take a break every two hours!

Did you know this? The mind tends to wander, "Highway fever" can start to take over, you easily lose attention span, and that's how accidents can occur. To reduce this risk it's recommended you take an out of car break to stretch your legs and get fresh air once every two hours. It sounds like a waste of time, but it saves time compared to what you'd spend if an accident were to occur!

2) Sleep during the day

If you're taking a multiple day/night trip make sure when you're resting and sleeping that it's during the day! Studies show that while less places are open at night and that is a disadvantage, that the roads are also much less occupied. Driving at night can mean less waits in traffic jams and less risk of a car to car collision.

3) You may not need a break... but your car does.

Even if you're car is brand new, fluids are topped, and tires are new... extended driving without stopping can have a MAJOR impact on the future condition of your car. Constant stopping heats rotors, constant driving has tire wear, and prolonged engine heat can lead to stretched belts... so even if you don't need to stop, stop every few hours for your cars sake.

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Buick Enclave: Beautiful

This ain't your granddaddy's Buick is a phrase that's been jostled around online for a couple years now with innovations from Buick becoming so prominent. Never has this statement been so true as for the 2012 Buick Enclave and soon the same will be true for the 2013 Enclave headed to dealers later this year.

While Buick has continued to build cars suitable for long travel for many years the 2012 Enclave is the icing on the cake. It comes packed with everything your family needs including All-Wheel-Drive, a 16/22mpg rating, capability to comfortably seat 7 passengers, and more cargo space than you should need even while hauling passengers at full capacity. This is one SUV that's built to go long distances, and do it safely, quietly, and most importantly... luxuriously.

A Reviewer from TheRepublic had the following to say about the 2012 Enclave:


Buick is known for building great road cars. — Road trips imply family or kindred spirits traversing vast landscapes of fruited plain, complete with iced beverages, stuffed luggage bins and headphones on backseat passengers.


To win the hearts and minds of the full-size family, Buick certainly could not cede the seven-passenger market to the likes of Acura, Volvo or Infiniti., much less Chrysler or Ford.


Hence, Buick places its Enclave crossover utility vehicle front and center in the family transit competition...


"...If you're looking for style, luxury, comfort, capacity, safety and a reason to avoid stopping to see the two-headed snake or the world's largest ball of twine, don't go shopping for a seven-seater without first driving the Enclave..."


Read more: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/autos-enclave/autos-enclave

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Responding To Your Check Engine Light

Imagine this: You're driving down the highway, everything seems smooth... No strange noises, smooth ride, then it happens... The check engine light comes on! The Check Engine light has the ability to immediately strike fear in the hearts of drivers everywhere, and leave you wondering how much the problem is going to cost to fix and if you will be able to afford it.

While it is true that sometimes the check engine light can signal a serious issue with your car, it can also signal much more simple issues with a cheap or free fix. These problems can be anything from a cylinder misfire to your gas cap not being on tight enough and everything in between.

So what can you do about it?

DON'T PANIC! If there doesn't appear to be any initial problems that are overly noticeable, see if there's a simple fix. Try checking for a loose gas cap, check all your fluid levels, and if that doesn't appear to fix it, maybe it's time to see someone about doing something a little more serious.

Get a free diagnostic! Often times car part shops such as Advanced Auto will do a free diagnostics check on your engine and can tell you what the issue is. It may be something you can take care of, or you might need to see a mechanic, but it's worth looking into.

If it is something that requires a mechanic we're here for you! With our body shop you can view service specials or schedule an appointment online!

For more info on what it means when your check engine light comes on, click here! 

To take a look at our service department online, click here!

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4th Of July Jubilee!

Next Wednesday marks the Concord 4th of July Jubilee celebration! This years committee has been hard at work preparing the many activities that encompass one of the finest 4th of July Celebrations in Northern California!

Concord’s 4th of July Jubilee provides our community with various activities for all ages.  The planning committee consists of all volunteer individuals from non-profit associations, churches and local businesses giving many hours of time and devotion to the community.

For more info regarding what events will take place and how to participate, visit: http://www.concordjuly4th.com/

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Service Department Tips...

Tips from the experts in the service department:

Tires are essential to keeping you on the road in more ways than you might think... Worn tread can cause hydroplaning and can force you off the road. Wear down a tire enough and you'll begin to expose the inner side-walls making it harder to change, and low grip can lead to sliding on slightly wet roads or roads with even a little amount of rocks and sand.

Inspect your tires for any tread issues, and have the alignment checked by a technician especially before a long road trip.  Your wheels and trim also need attention –


After driving on roads that have been treated throughout the winter, or if you find yourself driving on a slightly dust coated road, it’s a good idea to clean the tires with mild soap and water and dry them with a soft cloth.  Make sure you don’t use an abrasive cleaner on the chrome of your rims!

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2012 Best Car For Your Money

If you're looking for the best car for your money, look no further... AOL Autos has ranked the Enclave at the #1 spot for 2012!

AOL Writes:


The 2012 Buick Enclave combines the smooth ride and responsive handling of a car, with the cargo capability and high seating position of a sport utility vehicle. 


The Enclave is available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and features a contemporary design that incorporates trademark styling cues associated with Buicks of the past.


Read More: http://autos.aol.com/gallery/best-cars-for-the-money-2/

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A New Lease On Luxury

Imagine a lease that includes vehicle maintenance included for 24 months — plus, premium services like OnStar and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. That’s Experience Buick.

Choose Enclave, our 8-passenger luxury SUV, Verano, with its comprehensive list of standard features, or other Buick models and you can experience this special 24-month lease. It’s a simple monthly payment that gives you your kind of convenience, peace of mind, entertainment, and luxury. Consider it a new lease on luxury.

What’s included:

•Vehicle Maintenance

•OnStar
•Sirius XM

Stop in today, or call (855) 228-9303 to experience a new lease on luxury!

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Test Drive: 2012 GMC Acadia Denali AWD

The 2012 Acadia comes with a massive variety of features and luxuries including DVD entertainment with Bose audio, touch screen navigation, AWD, MP3 compatibility, and much more aside from just plain good looks...

..."There's no mistaking GM has a big winner with GMC Acadia. Regardless of trim, you see them everywhere…which is the best measure of success..."

The Daily Review writes:


This week, we're driving GMC's top line 2012 Acadia Denali AWD, the most expensive of the Acadia family. With prices starting at $33,415 in SL front drive dress, Acadia shares mechanicals with siblings Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave in this popular mid-size SUV/Wagon segment.


Available in either a 7- or 8-passenger format, our Denali came standard with just about every convenience and dress-up package available, and then added a $1,890 touch screen navigation, $1,445 DVD rear entertainment system and beautiful white pearl diamond paint for $795 (beautiful).


As mentioned in previous tests, I feel Acadia is the best looking of the "GM bunch," especially with Denali's unique fascia, chrome exhaust tips, 20-inch 2-tone chrome wheels, badging and color matching fender flares. It all adds to the muscular yet welcoming aesthetic touch, finished off with GMC's "big red badge" most prominent on Denali's chrome honeycomb grille.


Read More: http://thedailyreview.com/sports/test-drive-with-greg-zyla-2012-gmc-acadia-denali-awd-1.1321217

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Special Buick Memorial Day Offers On 2012 Models.

To help celebrate Memorial Day weekend, Buick is offering special sales incentives on 2012 models!

Right now you can get the 2012 Buick Enclave and get this lease offer: Low-Mileage Lease for Qualified Lessees - $299/month 24 month lease. $3,199 due at signing (after all offers). Includes security deposit. Tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment extra. Mileage charge of $0.20 /mile over 24,000 miles.

OR

0% APR for 60 months for qualified buyers!

OR

$750 Bonus Cash +$1,500 Consumer Cash $2,250 Total Cash Allowance.

Don't miss out on these great offers! Head over before this Memorial Day to take advantage of these great deals!

For full offer details visit: http://www.buick.com/tools/currentoffers/results.do?zipCode=94520

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2012 GMC Acadia Denali AWD

The GMC Acadia Denali has managed to do one thing since its release... Amaze.

Here is a review of one individual who has been bitten by the same bug other car buyers seemed to have caught when considering the purchase of a new Denali:

Steve Purdy writes:


Three of GM’s most successful products are the trio of full-size, three-row crossovers assembled in the Lansing, MI, Delta Township plant - Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and this week’s tester, GMC Acadia. This one is loaded with the Denali trim level and all-wheel drive. All three are modestly updated this year, but unless you pay attention closely or happen to own one you’ll probably not notice the differences.


Replacing the ultra-practical minivans of yore these crossovers have led sales since their introduction in May of 2007 as 2008 models. In the beginning there were GMC, Buick and Saturn versions. The Chevy Traverse was introduced to the lineup not long before the Saturn brand went away.


Our tester is the top-of-the-line GMC Acadia Denali with a base price of $44,690. The entry level SL comes in at just $33,415 and there are three trim levels in between. All come with the same V6 powertrain, OnStar, Sirus XM radio, Stabilitrak, hill-hold assist, extra power outlets and lots more stuff. The Denali comes with massive 20-inch wheels and tires, HID headlamps, dual chrome exhaust tips and unique facias front and rear with body flares and special color schemes. Our touchscreen navigation with rear camera adds $1,890 and the DVD-based entertainment system with headphones adds another $1,445. Along with the optional White Diamond Tricoat paint for $795 and the $895 destination charge we’re looking at a sticker price of $51,615 for this beauty.


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What Kind Of Car Should You Buy?

Figuring out what car suits you best can be easy if you know what you're looking for, but what if you can't decide? Try asking yourself these questions:

1) How many people are you planning on driving regularly with you? Size matters, so you want to grab one that's big enough for everyone.

2) Where are you doing your driving? The country, the city, the desert, maybe coastal?

3) How far are you planning on going on a regular basis? A short trip only minutes away, do you drive multiple hours, or cross-country often?

4) What's your driving style? Do you want speed, or something a little more laid back and less aggressive?

5) Are children typically with you? If taking a family long distance, dvd players are always a good option and children tend to enjoy more room.

Answer these questions before making your decision to buy a car that's perfect for you! Then visit us at  http://www.lehmers.com/ to find a make and model online!

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2013 Buick Enclave

Buick has brought the Enclave a long way in 5 years: they've given the instrument panel a complete facelift and made room for the IntelliLink touch-screen interface top and center. As in Buick's sedans, a backlit ridge wraps smoothly around from door to door atop the dash, while trims and materials have been vastly improved.

TheCarConnection writes: GM hasn't completely carried over the exterior, though. It gets stronger detailing for 2012, with new LED accent lighting, running lamps, and taillamps, and the grille and front end have been given a look that's more in line with Buick's latest cars like the Verano sedan. New wheel designs as well as sharper exterior trims and new exhaust outlets that are integrated into the rear fascia altogether give the design a little more punch from the outside—even if it is essentially the same sheetmetal.

For more on this article, AND a video, click here!

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Auto review: 2012 Buick Verano a breath of fresh air

The new Verano is exactly what car buyers need... a breath of fresh air. The Verano is a new compact sedan featuring a near-luxury experience in a compact body.

TheRepublic writes:


Most of us pride ourselves on being open-minded, able to accept a new experience without prejudice.


So, if I told you that the new compact 2012 Buick Verano was worth a test drive, would you believe me?


Most likely, no.


To most folks, Buicks are soft-riding geezer-pleasers meant for cruising slowly in the left lane with a driver oblivious to the fact that their left turn signal is flashing.


You’re entitled to your opinion, but it’s as outdated as a VCR.


Despite the presence of such vehicles as the Autobahn-bred Buick Regal, most buyers will bypass Buick in a mistaken belief that they are still geared for the grandparent set.


But the Verano — which means “summer” in Spanish — refutes that notion in a way that Buick’s previous compact — the truly dreadful Skylark, last seen 15 years ago — couldn’t.


Like the Skylarks that preceded it, the Verano shares its underpinnings, mostly with the Chevrolet Cruze. But there’s much greater differentiation than in the past, and goes beyond the Verano’s attractive styling.


To read more on this article, click here!

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We Sell To Businesses!

At Lehmer's Concord Buick GMC we don't just sell to individuals looking to purchase a new car, we also provide services to businesses. We've been serving Bay Area business owners since 1928 and we're still committed to providing excellent customer service to local business owners. 

We care about our customers, that's why Lehmer's commitment to service your business doesn't stop when you drive off with your truck or van. Our technicians have the training, tools and equipment  to service your business vehicle and get you back on the road serving your customers. 

So take a look around our website. Meet the sales staff. Review our inventory  of work-ready trucks and vans, and let us know how we can help your business run smoother. 

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Only 2 More Weeks For Big Savings!

Don't miss out on your chance to snag big savings at Lehmer's Concord Buick GMC!

Right now you can get a special 24 month lease on the 2012 Verano which includes 2 years of scheduled maintenance, 2 year of OnStar directions & Connections,  and 2 years of Sirius XM Radio!

Well-Qualified Lessees can take advantage of a low mileage lease for $0 due at signing and $339/month for 24 months!

Hurry over to our dealership today or visit us here, this offer ends 4/30/12!

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Forbes Names 2012 Enclave Car Of The Week

Forbes chose the 2012 Buick Enclave as it's car of the week this past week. The enclave sports a gracious amount of options such as Navigation, rear seat entertainment, and a second row skylight. In addition the roomy SUV gets a solid 16/22mpg while having a 3.6l V6 and Brake Assist Hill Start.

Forbes writes: 

The Car: 2012 Buick Enclave

Where I drove it: Four out of five boroughs, and Long Island, too.

First Impressions: I’ve watched the “Cars” movie at least 17 times over the past three months. I have a three year old, and this is the only program he wants to see during his allocated television time. I actually don’t mind the Pixar film — there’s enough characterization of each car that keeps the film entertaining. It’s no accident that I when I think Doc Hudson, I think Buick. The Hudson Hornet was also a Detroit made car, and in the movie, Doc is aging race car that still secretly had a dream to be fabulous again. Buick is older than Hudson, it is the oldest American marque, originating in 1899, and in the ‘50s Buick ran drag races like a boss. Like Doc, Buick desperately wants to be king of the hill, and recognized for its stature, and not cast aside as an old fogey. And so we have the reigning Buick boss — the Enclave. This is the last we’ll see of the ’12, as the ’13 Enclave debuts at the New York Auto Show in April.

To read more, click here!

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Buick Lures Buyers with 24 Month Lease

Tired of lease offers that seem to extend forever, and potentially looking for something more short term? Buick is here to help! Buick plans to offer customers a 24-month lease, and they're including all the bells and whistles as well.

USAToday writes:

Buick, easily General Motors' most aggressive brand when it comes to trying to get customers to give it a fresh look, has a new gambit.

To try to land more people in its freshened lineup, Buick is going to offer a 24-month lease with routine maintenance, an OnStar Directions and Connections plan and Sirius XM radio all thrown into the monthly payment.

By shortening the lease term by a year or two less than what is typical, Buick presents a more powerful inducement for customers to give the brand a fresh look.

To read more on the 24-month lease, click here!
Interested in leasing? Click here!

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Buick’s new Encore gets a sibling

Buick’s new Encore gets a European sibling in the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka. What do you think of the European vs. American designs?


CarAndDriver writes:

The synthesis of the Opel and Buick lineups is no longer particularly newsworthy, so it’s no surprise that the Buick Encore compact crossover has spawned a European sibling, the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka. The most prominent difference between the domestic and the Continental models is the grille. The headlight design is different, too, with the Opel getting a unique, sickle-shaped element on the outer part of the units. The Buick also can be spec’d in a monochrome look, while every Mokka we’ve seen wears black bumpers, rockers, and lower-door cladding. Another Buick differentiation: The portholes on its hood, which nod to Buick’s past but do nothing to serve air to the 140-hp, 1.4-liter turbo.

Would you like to see one of these come to the states? Let us know what you think! To read more of this article, click here!

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