Why, An Oil Change?

Automotive Maintenance - Why, An Oil Change?
         
The OnStar program notifies, an email tells, a light or buzzer sounds...What do you have to do now? Why do all of these things keep telling you to do maintenance on your vehicle?
Why all the questions...What is the answer.

There are different opinions shared about why notifications are sent out. Truth is you need them. 

          Vehicles need maintenance to stay running, to safe guard from little minor worn out parts from turning into:

Our Service Team at Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC

1. Blown up on the side of the road
2. It won't start!
3. It's making a funny noise and
4. I smell something burning.

• Keeping your vehicle in good order leads to peace of mind when you are driving. You have confidence that you can get from point A to point B without problems.

• Keeping your vehicle up on maintenance also means that when you go to sell  or trade it in, you have built up value in your vehicle, giving the new owner confidence that the vehicle has been cared for, and is less likely to be a problem to them. 

• Maintenance also leads to better gas mileage and lower cost expenditures when it does come to repairing your vehicle.

• If you keep your tires rotated on a regular basis, you can identify problems with your suspension, correct alignments and save wear on your treads, and that is money in the bank.

• Keeping your oil changed, saves wear and tear on your engine. Bad maintenance leads to blown up motors.

• Changing air filters, Engine or Cabin, allows  for better air flow. In the engine it helps save you gas. In the Cabin it allows the Air Conditioner to work more efficiently.

• Checking your car battery can save you from being stranded. Winter is hard on batteries and if yours has lost some of its power, you better be prepared.

• Owners manuals are there to help you understand your vehicle, from the location of a button, how to use it, to what maintenance you need to do.

              Yes, we have many more important things to do with our time and our days.The oil change will get done eventually.
 Have you thought about - What are you going to do when you don't have wheels?
 Have you thought about - What to do when you can't afford to repair your vehicle because you didn't do preventive maintenance?

             Why do we put out Service Specials all the time? Because we want you to get the maintenance done. We want to help you be safe and have peace of mind when you are driving.

Check out our service specials on our websites, or get a mobile service special on your phone with our Biggs Cadillac App.

Our Service Bays are clean and protected from the elements.

http://www.biggsautos.com/biggs_service_specials.html
http://www.biggscadillac.com/Specials/auto-service

Our Service Technicians go through training year round and every year they are re-trained on the latest and tested on what they know. All Technicians are GM and ASE Trained  and Certified.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring 

Blogs That Follow

Renting a Vehicle, does your Insurance Policy cover it?

Renting a Vehicle, does your Insurance Policy cover it? 

 People rent vehicles for different reasons including: 

•  A business trip, 
• To take a vacation, 
•  For alternate transportation when their vehicle is being repaired. 

When renting a vehicle, one of the most important things to make sure of is, if your insurance transfers to the vehicle that you rent.
To find this out, you can check a few places:

• Your actual policy document, 
• Your agent 
• The insurance company directly. 

You may want to contact your insurance company to find out if your policy will cover a temporary rental vehicle. 
 Ask the following questions, this will help you avoid some of the possible issues. 

• Does my insurance policy cover a rental vehicle? If so, how long will it cover the rented vehicle? Most insurance companies will cover rentals only for a specific time frame. Every Insurance company policy is different. 

• What type of vehicle can you rent? Some policies will not allow for luxury, exotic or custom vehicles. 

• Who is covered to drive the rental vehicle? Make sure you know who can drive and who is not covered to drive. This is important because some policies limit who is covered. 

• What do I do in case of an accident? 

• Who am I speaking with? Write down to whom you have spoken with and what they said to do if an accident happens. This could be important if information you received was not correct. Make a note of what department or extension they are at since some employees do interpret policies incorrectly and if they are incorrect and something happens, you want to be sure that you record who gave you the erroneous information.   

• Will I be liable for a deductible should I need to file a claim? If you have collision coverage, some policies will, and others will not, charge a deductible for this type of loss. 

Other Information you need to know: 
Does the credit card that you rented the vehicle with provide additional coverage? Find out. Some cards provide free damage coverage for vehicles rented up to a maximum of 30 days when using their card. Check with your credit card company to see if this is offered.
  
Warning: Make sure to read the fine print because each company has different requirements for the coverage. Some will only cover you for the amount not covered by your auto insurance policy, and others will cover you as a primary and do not require any concurrent coverage. 

Mistakes to avoid: 

• When you rent a vehicle, your coverage will usually only provide temporary coverage for a rental vehicle. 

•  It is usually up to 30 days, once you have rented a vehicle over 30 days, an insurance company does not consider it a temporary vehicle and it must be added onto the policy for coverage to continue. 

• Your policy will only cover you for the amount of coverage listed on the policy for up to 30 days. 

•  If you have a vehicle listed on the policy where you purchased liability and property damage, the insurance company will only cover you for liability and property damage. 

• Make sure you obtain some type of insurance that will cover any damages that you may cause to the vehicle; whether through the rental companies damage waiver or by using a credit card that provides (collision) damage coverage.   

 

If you have further questions, be sure to check with your insurance company, they can provide the best information regarding what your policy will or will not cover. The last thing you want to do is have an accident without valid insurance coverage. 

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring

For the best in Collision Repair Go to:  
Biggs Collision Repair Center, 1197 Hwy 17 South, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 
252.338.2131
http://www.biggsautos.com/elizabeth_city_nc_body_shop.html
We look forward to helping you get your car back on the road.
"We don't just repair it quickly, We repair it right."  


  Reliable Auto Insurance Coverage
www.auto-insurance-coverage.biz helps you to find more suitable and cheaper policies than other Auto Insurance Coverage. Compare best rated policy quotes to make wise decision.
http://www.auto-insurance-coverage.biz

Automobile Accidents - Information for Insurance Claims

Automobile Accidents – Information needed for Insurance Claims


Okay – you have just been in an accident. Now  what?
After the initial shock of, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!
You need to gather some information. This will help expedite your claim.

Download the Free E Booklet Today. Keep a Copy for Accident and Car Rental Coverage for Insurance Claims, with Checklists handy.

           
          Get complete information from the other party(s) involved.
These means copying down their address, driver’s license number(s), date of birth, and get their phone number.  You also want to get their insurance information including, the company, policy number, agent if there is one, the policy begin and expiration date and the insurance companies phone number. You need as much info as possible to give to your insurance company; this will help get your claim resolved as fast as possible.

             Who saw the accident happen? See if you can get information from anyone who saw the accident. This can help the insurance companies determine who is liable for the accident.

             Have the Police been called? Make sure to get the name and badge number of the officer and a report number. They will usually give you a business card. It may take your insurance company up to 3 months to get a police report. Tip: Get a copy of the police report for yourself. Sometimes issues will come up and you may need it. Do not rely on the insurance company to keep a copy.

             Get the vehicle(s) year, make and model, the license plate number, and VIN number for each vehicle involved in the accident.

             Where were you when the accident happened? Gather as much information as to traffic, speeds, road condition, any traffic signs or signals. Better yet, Get a Picture. Take photos of the cars, and the roads or area surrounding the accident. Write down the intersection or street that the accident happened on. If you can get the other party in the photo, it could help if either insurance company needs help identifying the other party involved.

              Note how many people were in each of the vehicles involved. Once you know, make a brief note of their description or name including: ethnicity, gender, weight, height, etc. This will help if you are the victim of a staged accident or other type of insurance fraud since people sometimes mysteriously are reported as an occupant of the vehicle when they were not even there. This is not common, but if it ever does happen, this will help you avoid being a victim.

               How damaged were the vehicles right after the accident? Was it drivable? How bad is it damaged? Check to see if you can tell if some damage was already there not related to this accident. If there was additional damage on the vehicle not related to this accident, be sure to tell your insurance company, so that you don’t end up paying for something you did not cause.

                Where do I go to get my vehicle repaired? Your Insurance Company may have a Body Shop that they work with in your area. If you know of a Body Shop that you want to use, have that information handy. Be sure to ask about the Body Shop’s warranties and what exactly do they cover. Make sure that you understand your deductibles, and if they apply to this situation.

                 Record all the information and keep it in a safe place. This will help if there is a problem with the claim. When you report the accident, be sure to write down who you spoke with, your claim number, and what if any promises were made.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring

Buy Auto Insurance Policies
Find quick and easy Auto insurance policies online now. We can help you find and buy the best Auto insurance quotes among multiple choices.
http://www.auto-insurance-policies.us

Driver Safety - Technology - Cadillac

Technology has come a long way in a short amount of time. Remember (some of us) back in the day, watching or reading Sci-Fi movies and  books, where all kinds of crazy electronic gadgets were being used. Star Trek (debuted in 1966) , 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Nineteen Eighty-Four (a novel by George Orwell published in 1949), and even the Jetsons ( an animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera, originally airing in prime-time from 1962–1963). Who would have ever thought that what once was Science Fiction has become reality. It is all simply amazing.
The innovative technology behind Cadillac's newer breed of automobiles is a confirmation that our world as we view it is still being redesigned. Cadillac has been paying attention, and has made great observations as to what has needed to be improved on. What is and what will be required to maintain our safety when we are riding and driving on the roadways.
 “Super Cruise,” Cadillac’s semi-autonomous technology is capable of fully automatic steering, braking and lane-centering under certain driving conditions.
Many of the building block technologies for Super Cruise, (a self-driving car should be available by mid decade) are already available on the all-new 2013 Cadillac XTS and ATS luxury sedans, as part of the available Driver Assist Package. It is the first Cadillac system to use sensor fusion to provide 360 degrees of crash risk detection and enhanced driver assist features, including:

• Rear Automatic Braking
• Full-Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control 
• Intelligent Brake Assist 
• Forward Collision Alert 
• Safety Alert Seat 
• Automatic Collision Preparation 
• Lane Departure Warning 
• Side Blind Zone Alert 
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert 
• Adaptive Forward Lighting 
• Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines 
• Head Up Display 

With all of these new technologies in place, there still needs to be some serious road testing, to be sure that all the systems are working properly.  The latest testing ground.....The Brooklyn Bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge’s intricate metal design and traffic volume allowed General Motors engineers to refine the radar sensors so they can tell the difference between stationary objects like guard rails and bridge structure from vehicle traffic. More than 120,000 vehicles, 4,000 pedestrians and 3,100 bicyclists cross the Brooklyn Bridge every day. Making it an ideal testing ground. "Metal structures can “confuse” some types of radar into detecting a vehicle or obstacle is approaching, causing an unnecessary warning or action from the safety systems,” said Jim Nickolaou.

About 2,000 scenarios were identified to test the sensors and radars, things such as weather, traffic volume, lighting, and radar reflections, all of which can impact radar systems or other sensors in the car. All this information was collected to anticipate a range of real-world conditions, which was needed to refine the development of the Sensor Fusion software, which is the link between driver safety and Cadillac's innovative technology.

Cadillac has been a leader in developing technology since 1902 and continues it's legacy. The future is here!
No, we are not at The Jetsons level yet... but we are getting closer with each passing year.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring.

Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC has been in the business of selling and servicing automobiles for 30 years. We are proud to be apart of this industry and take great pride in putting "Customer Satisfaction" as the number one priority.

What is a QR Code?

“What is this odd looking thing that seems to be showing up everywhere? I’ve seen it on Billboards and in Ads and a whole bunch of other places. What is this?”  

“It’s a QR Code.” 

 “A what?… What does that mean…?”

Let me explain… Q is short for Quick, R is short for Response, Therefore QR Code.

           In today’s society, most people want information immediately, and a QR Code has turned out to be an easy way to achieve that. QR Codes were invented and Trademarked in Japan by Toyota in 1994 to track vehicles during the manufacturing process, and have been actively used for over 10 years.

               The reason that we ( John Q Public) had not seen much of them around until recently, is that a QR Code reader, when they were first developed, had a cost of about $4000.00 each. Therefore it was not economically feasible back then to use the QR Codes in the manner that they are used today. With the development of the ISO technology…and smart phones a whole new way of transferring information has opened up.

                 “Unlike the old bar code that was designed to be mechanically scanned by a narrow beam of light, the QR code is detected as a 2-dimensional digital image by a semiconductor image sensor and is then digitally analyzed by a programmed processor. The processor locates the three distinctive squares at the corners of the image, and normalizes image size, orientation, and angle of viewing, with the aid of a smaller square near the fourth corner. The small dots are then converted to binary numbers and validity checked with an error-correcting code.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code

                 QR Codes can take you to a website, a phone number, a video, and more. They can be add to any print advertising, flyers, posters, invites, TV ads, cookies, shirts, drink bottles, etc. containing:

• Product information
• Contact information
• A Special Offer 
• Event 
• A coupon
• Twitter, Facebook, MySpace IDs
• A link to a YouTube video
• Ingredient content

                 They are easily configured and easily read. If you have Internet access and a smart phone, you can do it. With Internet access you can search for a QR Code Generator, plug in the information you want and a code is generated. Different Generators offer variables like size of QR Code, Color, etc. With a smart phone you can download a QR Code Reader. There are several on the market for both  iPhone, and Android phones. If you are unsure of which one to use, just ask someone with a smart phone. QR Droid is what I use on my smart phone.

               
               

                   At Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC, we use QR codes to offer Coupons, You Tube Videos, allow easier access to web pages, service specials, and will soon be putting them on our vehicles to allow automotive shoppers and our sales staff quick access to a vehicles information, which can then be stored for future referencing or forwarded (sent) to someone who may be inquiring about said vehicle. 

                   What a great way to get all the information you need with just a simple click and touch of a phone screen!

                     I believe QR Codes will only gain in popularity in the near future, until the next Newer and Greater invention comes along. We are living in a digital world today and there is no escaping it.

Embrace the change? It could be easier than you think, informative, and enjoyable.

Keep it between the lines,

Happy Motoring.

Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen remodelling, Kitchen remodeling quotes, small kitchen remodeling
Choose the best kitchen remodelling rate instantly that suits your budget with the help of our online kitchen remodelling facility.
http://www.kitchen-remodel-designs.com

2013 GMC Sierra Bi-Fuel option

2013 GMC Sierra Bi-Fuel option

Are you looking for the alternative answer for your Gas consumption in the full size pick-up?  There are higher mpg ratings on Cars and SUV's, but have you really noticed any significantly higher mileage ratings for full size trucks or any alternatives?  Truck owners need something more substantial. Here it is.... GMC has the answer. Bi-Fuel trucks. With prices at the pump continuing to creep upward, people are looking for ways to cut fuel costs, and natural gas is emerging as an attractive option. General Motors has just announced pricing for its Sierra HD pickups with the bi-fuel (gasoline and compressed natural gas) option, adding $11,000 to the cost of the base truck.

While that is not a trivial sum, GM notes that fueling up with CNG can save $5000 to $10,000 over a three-year period, depending on driving habits and fuel use. CNG has maintained a significantly lower retail price than either gasoline or diesel. The current average price of CNG is equivalent to $1.89 per gallon of gasoline. There is a case to be made for the flexibility. The pickups, which run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline, have a Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that seamlessly transitions between the two fuel systems. A single light-weight Type 3 tank in the bed maximizes available payload and bed space, offering more usable space than competitors.
A pricing comparison:The Duramax diesel option is $8395 with the mandatory Allison six-speed automatic. Nationwide diesel fuel prices have averaged more than $4 a gallon since last year.

The Sierra 2500 HD offer customers fueling flexibility with a combined CNG and gasoline range of more than 650 miles - the longest range available in the bi-fuel truck market.

The pickups, which provide more options than any on the market, will be available in standard and long-box, two-or-four-wheel drive in the extended cab models, offering customization for specific

needs.

The bi-fuel trucks are covered by GM's standard three-year/36,000-mile new vehicle and five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and meet all EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission certification requirements. The trucks are built in Fort Wayne, Ind., and outfitted with the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system at a Tier One supplier for final delivery.

Gm has announced that ordering is now available for the Bi-Fuel option. Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC is here to help you with your options. 

http://www.cngnow.com/stations/Pages/information.aspx

"Natural-gas vehicles are an immediate solution to the nation's energy security needs," said the U.S. Department of Energy on its Web site. "Most of the natural gas consumed in the United States is produced domestically and by politically stable countries — and an extensive natural-gas infrastructure exits."

 Although the public CNG refueling infrastructure is limited, retail buyers can have a small pump installed at home, while fleet operators often have commercial refueling stations installed on their lots. CNG-powered vehicles boast lower emissions than their gasoline and diesel counterparts, and nearly all of the gas used in the United States is sourced from North America.

To read more information about CNG, where to find it, and more:

http://www.cngnow.com/Pages/information.aspx
 UPDATE 11/15/2012:The 2013 Bi-Fuel trucks are in production now at the   Fort Wayne, Ind., GM Plant.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring


We Truly Go the Extra Mile at
Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC Trucks - www.biggscadillac.com

Buy furnitureonline at amazingly low price

Enjoy a wide variety of traditional and modern living room furniture with Houston furniture stores. Here, you can get affordable furniture in every style and finish to suit your needs and style.
http://www.houston-furniture-stores.com

GMC Conversion Vans at Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC

Have you ever wondered, What is a Conversion Van?

           A Conversion Van is taking a stock, empty, bare interior Van that is customized to your specific likes and needs, be it to accommodate a handicapped individual with a lift gate or special needs equipment, to an outfitted unit suitable for camping, or something that is just plain comfortable for travel. Maybe you love to go the the races or to sports events, but want something that you can relax in at whatever time you feel the need. We have Conversion Vans here at Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC. 

            What is the advantage of a Conversion Van versus a Motor Home?

There is the initial investment. A Conversion Van is much less expensive than a Motor Home.

The gas mileage is better( 13 city, 17 hwy), so is the ease of parking a Van. You can fit into any parking spot. 

         Why purchase a Conversion Van?

A conversion van may be the best vehicle for you. They are roomy and that can be just what you need for a long road trip, or when you have a large family. Just think of all the possibilities for your family enjoying the American landscape in your new conversion van. The conversion van offers plenty of room for families with children and offers space for each child to have a place to play, game, watch TV or watch a DVD in the back of the van.
Thinking about taking a family trip with grandma? Or wondering how your whole family will be entertained when you take a trip in your new conversion van? No problem! Your new conversion van is very comfortable and grandma will have no problem finding a place that is right for her. Temperature control is out of sight. Grandma can be warm in her seat with extra heating and your wife can have plenty of cooling, so she doesn’t get too hot where she is sitting.

            The Conversion Vans that we have in stock are GMC Savana Vans equipped for the comfort of traveling. The first thing is the van roof is raised to a "High Top" which makes the inside much easier to move around in.They are stocked with a  26" flat screen TV with DVD, 4 Captains Chairs for comfort,  double doors on both sides for ease of entry, vertical shades on all of the side and rear doors for privacy,  grab handles at the side doors for help getting in and out if needed, leather seating for that luxurious feel, running boards on both sides, power bi-fold bed with an added back, connectors for gaming, special lighting, rear heat and A/C, and much more.

Next time you are looking for something that is the Right Fit - Try looking at a Conversion Van from Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC

You will see the difference, we truly go the extra mile.

Keep it between the lines,

Happy Motoring