Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
How to pack smart for a road trip
Going to take a road trip? Fantastic.
Before you hit the road it's key to plan -- carefully and thoroughly. Things like a true budget is vital, although a special “indulge” is permissible (but keep it sensible).
Also important is what you take, as you don't want to have to buy what you forget at home. How you pack it in your vehicle (car, truck van, mini-bus, you name it) is vital. The good news is whether it is a trip alone or with many there is a packing format.
Here are some tips I have learned along the way:
Bag It
Individual bags are packed or perhaps you choose individual plastic boxes with an individual small duffle bag for daily “things”. Daily items such as tooth brush, tooth paste, etc. Label each “container’ with masking tape. You remember today, tomorrow but not in a few days. Put each person’s bags and items in separate piles by the door. Departure time is close! When you pack the car, keep in individual piles rather than just tossing into a heap. Packing space is never enough.
Access to the Vitals
Easy access, a separate bag/box with medical supplies is important, ie: band-aids, Neosporin, bug spray, sun screen, scissors, tweezers, Pepto Bismol, Milk Magnesia. You know the things that you don’t need daily but when you do they are worth a king’s ransom.
Front Seaters
A couple of large towels- under front seats, back seats - will have multi purposes: as a blanket, cover for items in car, beach, and such.
In front, thermos bag for those “I’m hungry” snacks (15 minutes after lunch), bottled water and soft drinks. Frozen ice paks are good if feasible. Real ice can get a little messy, but it can work. Plastic bags of several sizes can be so helpful especially the middle size for unexpected tummy happenings. A roll of paper towels – in front area will be used more than you expect. Always in your pocket, have a few folded paper towels. Never can tell, but the multi-use Duck tape if needed can be a treasure. A zillion good places to store it -even with medical supplies. Pillows-placed conveniently are a very useful must-haves.
Secret Space
There is a nice amount of space under the seats, so use it. Tightly rolled rain parkas, flashlight, and such can fit nicely. Another nice space is [usually] in the door which is perfect for umbrella, hand sanitizer, napkins, etc.
A large plastic pill bottle- preferably with dark sides – is perfect for coins, be they for tolls, newspapers, etc. Lottery! In a semi clandestine area, like taped under glove compartment, but not so hidden it can be seen if looked for – an emergency card with contact numbers [written with a permanent ink pen] just in case.
If you have OnStar or a GPS, of course, they have their perches, but real maps, should be marked and folded BEFORE leaving for easy reading –not by the driver while driving. NO!
If your vehicle has a middle console, this can be a perfect place for more items: Cell phone car charger, reservation confirmation data with phone numbers, small amount of monies [just in case], camera, and such.
The pockets in back of seats are useful for toys, books, pencils and such, especially the individual spiral notebooks [I recommend] that each has for their road trip memories. These will become keepsakes, even if they are a little hard to decipher.
There is a lot of useable space and if you use it wisely and carefully you will be surprise how much you can fit in the nooks and crannies of a vehicle. Speaking of “space” don’t squish passengers, or parcels.
Keep a List
As you carefully and excitedly pack your car, consider making an inventory or directory of boxes/bags and such. So helpful. Take a picture of what your car looks like packed as you start your trip and then what it looks like when you return home.
No matter how or what you pack, road trips are wonderful, therapeutic, rejuvenating, rewarding, surprisingly special. Enjoy.
Stay safe. Plan another.
Courtesy of Fox News
Before you hit the road it's key to plan -- carefully and thoroughly. Things like a true budget is vital, although a special “indulge” is permissible (but keep it sensible).
Also important is what you take, as you don't want to have to buy what you forget at home. How you pack it in your vehicle (car, truck van, mini-bus, you name it) is vital. The good news is whether it is a trip alone or with many there is a packing format.
Here are some tips I have learned along the way:
Bag It
Individual bags are packed or perhaps you choose individual plastic boxes with an individual small duffle bag for daily “things”. Daily items such as tooth brush, tooth paste, etc. Label each “container’ with masking tape. You remember today, tomorrow but not in a few days. Put each person’s bags and items in separate piles by the door. Departure time is close! When you pack the car, keep in individual piles rather than just tossing into a heap. Packing space is never enough.
Access to the Vitals
Easy access, a separate bag/box with medical supplies is important, ie: band-aids, Neosporin, bug spray, sun screen, scissors, tweezers, Pepto Bismol, Milk Magnesia. You know the things that you don’t need daily but when you do they are worth a king’s ransom.
Front Seaters
A couple of large towels- under front seats, back seats - will have multi purposes: as a blanket, cover for items in car, beach, and such.
In front, thermos bag for those “I’m hungry” snacks (15 minutes after lunch), bottled water and soft drinks. Frozen ice paks are good if feasible. Real ice can get a little messy, but it can work. Plastic bags of several sizes can be so helpful especially the middle size for unexpected tummy happenings. A roll of paper towels – in front area will be used more than you expect. Always in your pocket, have a few folded paper towels. Never can tell, but the multi-use Duck tape if needed can be a treasure. A zillion good places to store it -even with medical supplies. Pillows-placed conveniently are a very useful must-haves.
Secret Space
There is a nice amount of space under the seats, so use it. Tightly rolled rain parkas, flashlight, and such can fit nicely. Another nice space is [usually] in the door which is perfect for umbrella, hand sanitizer, napkins, etc.
A large plastic pill bottle- preferably with dark sides – is perfect for coins, be they for tolls, newspapers, etc. Lottery! In a semi clandestine area, like taped under glove compartment, but not so hidden it can be seen if looked for – an emergency card with contact numbers [written with a permanent ink pen] just in case.
If you have OnStar or a GPS, of course, they have their perches, but real maps, should be marked and folded BEFORE leaving for easy reading –not by the driver while driving. NO!
If your vehicle has a middle console, this can be a perfect place for more items: Cell phone car charger, reservation confirmation data with phone numbers, small amount of monies [just in case], camera, and such.
The pockets in back of seats are useful for toys, books, pencils and such, especially the individual spiral notebooks [I recommend] that each has for their road trip memories. These will become keepsakes, even if they are a little hard to decipher.
There is a lot of useable space and if you use it wisely and carefully you will be surprise how much you can fit in the nooks and crannies of a vehicle. Speaking of “space” don’t squish passengers, or parcels.
Keep a List
As you carefully and excitedly pack your car, consider making an inventory or directory of boxes/bags and such. So helpful. Take a picture of what your car looks like packed as you start your trip and then what it looks like when you return home.
No matter how or what you pack, road trips are wonderful, therapeutic, rejuvenating, rewarding, surprisingly special. Enjoy.
Stay safe. Plan another.
Courtesy of Fox News
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Cadillac CTS Adds Colorful Limited Edition Models
A pair of new performance-inspired, limited-edition models featuring custom paint will join the Cadillac CTS Coupe and V-Series product lines this year.
The Silver Frost Edition will be a special run of 100 CTS-V Coupes featuring a special low-gloss matte paint finish.
The Stealth Blue Edition is a vibrant new color in a more traditional metallic finish and will appear on the CTS Coupe and the high-performance CTS-V in Coupe, Sedan and Wagon body styles.
“Some color hues, such as blues, greys and reds easily identify with performance and velocity,” said Michelle Killen, lead creative designer for exterior paints. “Both Stealth Blue and Silver Frost are very expressive but still true to the luxury and exclusivity that a Cadillac represents, which were driving factors in the creation of the color.”
Silver Frost
The Silver Frost matte paint will be on collector-edition vehicles available through select Cadillac dealers across the country beginning in March.
In addition to the 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine delivering 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque, the Silver Frost CTS-V will offer optional features such as:
Yellow or red Brembo brake calipers
High polished or satin graphite wheels
Suede-covered steering wheel and shift knob
The desired finish on the Silver Frost CTS-V coupe was achieved by applying a “30-gloss” clear coat to the paint, as opposed to the “80-gloss” found in standard paint finishes. The paint will still emit a low “sparkle” when certain lights reflect off it, but the finish will be distinctly “matte.”
The paint texture will also be noticeably different to the touch as the finish will be slightly less smooth. This is a desirable trait for fans of matte paint finishes. The paint is engineered to be as durable as normal paint but requires special attention for cleaning. The vehicle should be hand washed only.
“We’ve spent a significant amount of time developing these colors so that owners don’t have to deviate too much from their normal maintenance routines yet still have a distinct and dramatic finish to their performance vehicle,” Killen said.
Stealth Blue
The Stealth Blue will have a limited production run starting in March and will be available on the CTS coupe and all CTS-V models. CTS coupe, V coupe and sedan models will also offer an optional “Twilight Blue” leather interior package to go with the blue-grey exterior paint finish.
Stealth Blue CTS models can also be equipped with multiple performance-inspired details such as:
Satin graphite wheels with silver calipers
Dark finish grille
Recaro performance seats
A full list of options and combinations will be available at Cadillac.com and customers will have the ability to order the Stealth Blue option through dealers.
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.
Courtesy of Cadillac Media
Courtesy of Cadillac Media
Friday, February 15, 2013
Presidents' Day Sale
Happy Friday fans! Be sure to stop by Williamson Automotive to check out our Presidents' Day Sale going on this weekend. Drive the all new 2013 Cadillac ATS or CTS only $299 per month! Or the new 2013 SRX for only $369 per month. Drive in luxury... drive a Williamson Cadillac.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Cadillac ELR Undergoes Winter Chassis Testing
Fresh off its award-winning world debut at the North American International Auto Show, the Cadillac ELR is undergoing the real-world extreme testing required to take the extended-range electric luxury coupe from auto show stage to Cadillac showrooms in early 2014.
Engineers last week completed winter weather chassis testing on pre-production ELR models in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, evaluating the car’s handling in winter weather conditions.
More than four inches of fresh snowfall during testing helped the team validate final specifications on the ELR’s steering, tires, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control and Continuous Damping Control suspension that adjusts damping every two milliseconds to maintain optimal control over varying road conditions.
Combined with the HiPer Strut front suspension and watts link rear suspension, the ELR is designed to provide owners with a sporty, yet confident handling character.
“Being able to test the ELR in extreme road conditions, like those we experienced here in the U.P., allows us to provide a ride-and-handling character unlike any EV on the market today,” said Chris Thomason, ELR chief engineer. “During this latest test, the ELR continued to perform beyond our expectations.”
The ELR, which won the Eyes on Design Award for best production vehicle at the Detroit auto show, is based on the Cadillac Converj Concept. The ELR’s exterior establishes a new, progressive proportion for the brand.
Courtesy of Cadillac Media
Engineers last week completed winter weather chassis testing on pre-production ELR models in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, evaluating the car’s handling in winter weather conditions.
More than four inches of fresh snowfall during testing helped the team validate final specifications on the ELR’s steering, tires, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control and Continuous Damping Control suspension that adjusts damping every two milliseconds to maintain optimal control over varying road conditions.
Combined with the HiPer Strut front suspension and watts link rear suspension, the ELR is designed to provide owners with a sporty, yet confident handling character.
“Being able to test the ELR in extreme road conditions, like those we experienced here in the U.P., allows us to provide a ride-and-handling character unlike any EV on the market today,” said Chris Thomason, ELR chief engineer. “During this latest test, the ELR continued to perform beyond our expectations.”
The ELR, which won the Eyes on Design Award for best production vehicle at the Detroit auto show, is based on the Cadillac Converj Concept. The ELR’s exterior establishes a new, progressive proportion for the brand.
Courtesy of Cadillac Media
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Cadillac ATS Drives U.S. Sales, Market Share Growth
Cadillac estimates that it gained approximately three percentage points of share in the U.S. luxury market in January, more than any major luxury brand.
“The award-winning ATS and the consistently strong SRX crossover drove a surge in demand this month,” said Chase Hawkins, vice president of Cadillac sales. “When you look inside the numbers, we’re even more encouraged to see our products building momentum, drawing new luxury consumers and expanding our brand.”
Ninety-four percent of Cadillac sales in January were retail, the highest since 1990. Growth was strong in the crucial East and West coast markets. Retail sales increased 41 percent in California and 42 percent in New York.
The new ATS gained on its European rivals in January. Market share in its segment nearly doubled in January compared to the previous month, to an estimated 12.5 percent.
ATS has a crucial goal of attracting new buyers to Cadillac. In January, 56 percent of ATS buyers came from competitors, or did not trade in any other car. One-fifth of ATS buyers are under the age of 35, twice the rate of Cadillac in general.
SRX had its best January ever, gaining more than four points of market share to claim the No. 2 position among midsize luxury crossovers and SUVs. The 2013 model year SRX included design and technology updates inside and out, helping drive strong consumer demand.
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.
Courtesy of Cadillac Media
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