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January 30, 2008

VIDEO: MotherProof at OnStar

Mother Proof's Chief Mom Kristin Varela was on hand as a blogger at the 2008 North American International Auto Show and had a chance to check out the OnStar Command Center and chat with Suzanne Johnson, OnStar's marketing manager. Take a look at her video to get a behind-the-scenes look. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Posted by Editor at 2:54 PM
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Photo of the Day: SS Concept

from back in 2003, finally at the Portland show

Today's photo comes from silverxraven.

Be sure to look at all of silverxraven's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 11:21 AM
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January 29, 2008

From the Archive: 1965

By Alicia Dorset
Blog editor

This week's find from the GM Media Archive is a photo of a 1965 Corvette Mako Shark II show car.

Posted by Editor at 9:45 AM
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January 28, 2008

VIDEO: Project Driveway Families Announced

Check out this video from last week's press days at the Washington Auto Show where Project Driveway was launched. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

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Photo of the Day: Corvette ZR1 Reveal

Corvette ZR1 reveal at the 2008 NAIAS in Detroit.

Today's photo comes from ChrisFrez.

Be sure to look at all of ChrisFrez's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 11:04 AM
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January 22, 2008

From the Archive: 1970

By Alicia Dorset
Blog editor

This week's find from the GM Media Archive is a photo of a 1970 Buick GSX.

Thanks to everyone who suggested photos to find and stories to write about on our last archive find. We're working on those requests right now! Make sure to check back to FYI regularly for those posts.

Posted by Editor at 4:29 PM
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January 18, 2008

Institute Tested, Consumer Approved

By Joanne Krell
Director of Communications, Cadillac/HUMMER/Saab

Cadillac has made a lot of news in recent days, with a series of world premieres of new vehicles and the ongoing strength of the new 2008 CTS. Here's an important bit of news that you might have missed on the safety front. The CTS is a Top Safety Pick for 2008 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

This is a major achievement and comes from a trusted authority on automotive safety. The Top Safety Pick award goes only to vehicles that earn the highest rating in IIHS front, rear and side impact crash testing, and also feature electronic stability control to help drivers' ability to avoid crashes. CTS is one of only three luxury cars so honored.

As CTS earns accolades from critics and consumers — in the fourth quarter, sales were up about 60% for the ‘08 model compared to the ’07 model — the car can add Top Safety Pick to its growing list of positive claims. This is another landmark in Cadillac's ongoing renaissance. And as we showed with some of our recent world premieres, there's a lot to be excited about.

Posted by Editor at 12:04 PM
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January 17, 2008

QUESTION: Aftermarket Air Filters

This comment from Wayne was posted to FYI not to long ago on "Looking for Your Input," and we've been working on an answer. Thanks to Kelly Wysocki, Product Communications Manager, GM Full-Size Trucks, for helping us out with this in-depth answer. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

"im an owner of a 2006 silverado and like many today looking for better gas mileage with the gas prices being what they are $$$ everyone tells me that my 2006 silverado has a cold air intake is this true?? if so how would GM`s intake system on my truck go up against K&N air intake?? because i`ve been told by alot of people K&N cold air intake will give me way better performance along with better gas mileage is this true?? please help" -Wayne

From Kelly:

K&N is a brand of air filters. In some cases they sell air cleaner solutions. Per your comment, Wayne, I would be very careful in changing my air cleaner.

• K&N filters are less restrictive, but they achieve this performance by differing filtering strategies (using oil on their filter media). Oil use on your filter element over time could damage your MAF sensing elements and result in service engine soon lights or driveability issues.
• Changes to the air cleaner itself could affect both snow and water ingestion performance, which could damage your engine.

Therefore, I would strongly discourage any changes to the filter element and air cleaner assemble. The fuel economy benefits aren't worth the risk.

K&N is an aftermarket producer of high-efficiency air filters and high-flow air intake systems. Most auto parts stores (Murrays, Pep Boys, etc...) carry their products. Aftermarket air filters will not produce "way better" fuel economy. Furthermore, while some "cold air intake" systems reduce intake restriction, they also tend to generate more intake noise than the production air intake system, and yield little (if any) improvement in fuel economy.

However, maintaining proper tire pressure, and ensuring the air filter is free from debris or significant dust/mud/dirt collection will ensure the vehicle is operating with the best possible fuel economy. Additionally, driving behavior significantly affects fuel economy. Avoiding aggressive accelerations and lifting off of the accelerator pedal earlier when approaching stop signs or red lights can significantly improve observed fuel economy.

Apart from proper maintenance and good driving habits, it's up to the manufacturer of the vehicle to deliver a product with minimal mass, low aerodynamic drag, low tire, brake, driveline, engine and transmission friction, and with an efficient powertrain to maximize fuel economy. Most, if not all of these characteristics cannot be significantly changed by even a skilled customer... especially without voiding their warranty.

We're working hard on answering the questions we get here at FYI, so please keep them coming!

Posted by Editor at 5:04 PM
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Photo of the Day: GMC RTS Articulated Bus Prototype

This is an original photograph of the first 60' RTS Articulated Series 04 bus (the second Artic prototype built). As you can see, the photo is in the Pontiac, Mich. factory, and there's quite a bit of airbrushed paint around the bus itself. This photo (it's large poster-sized) was used to produce sales material for the bus. None were ever sold.

Today's photo comes from EvThoMcC.

Be sure to look at all of EvThoMcC's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 1:43 PM
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January 15, 2008

GM's Alternative Fuel Announcement

If you missed Sunday's press conference at the North American International Auto Show, check it out here on FYI. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Posted by Editor at 3:46 PM
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January 13, 2008

New Photos from NAIAS on Flickr

Chevy General Manager Ed Peper with the 2008 North American Car of the Year, the Chevy Malibu, on Jan. 13.

We've put up lots of photos on Flickr, with more to come, from the North American International Auto Show and the kickoff GM Style event.

-- Laurie Mayers, GM blogs

Posted by Editor at 2:56 PM
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The Next Generation of Ethanol

Press release: GM partners with Coskata to commercialize cellulosic ethanol

By Mary Beth Stanek
Director, Environment and Energy Policy and Commercialization

Ever since we started talking with Coskata Inc. seven months ago about partnering to help get their ethanol-making technology commercialized, I’ve been eager to hear what people would say when they heard some of the numbers around what Coskata says it can do:

• Produce a gallon of ethanol for less than a dollar, half the production cost of making gasoline
• Use less than a third of the water it takes to make ethanol today – and 79 times less than it takes to prepare a single chicken
• Reduce by as much as 84 percent the CO2 emissions compared with gasoline
• Create nearly eight times as much energy created as used

And make ethanol from renewable sources like agricultural waste and anything that has carbon in it. Yes, that includes garbage that goes to landfills today.

The statistics and claims are amazing – and they are backed up by several well-respected analyses. They also knock down nearly every criticism of today’s ethanol. We acknowledge that some of those criticisms have merit, but some have been wildly exaggerated.

This is an exciting time for ethanol. The Coskata technology is ready today – no invention time needed – and their first commercial plant is expected to be up and producing 50 million to 100 million gallons of ethanol a year by the end of 2010 or early 2011.

Let us know what you think.

So not only do we have a new Renewable Fuels Standard that calls for 36 billion gallons of biofuels a year by 2022, we have in our partnership with Coskata a company that thinks it can account for a significant amount of that production through its partnership business model.

GM is not in the fuel business, and we’re not likely to be building any ethanol plants, but we are eager to see Coskata succeed.

Posted by Editor at 11:46 AM
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January 11, 2008

Getting Ready for NAIAS

As we get ready here in Detroit for the North American International Auto Show, make sure to check back to FYI for videos from GM's Style Event, featuring musicians Mary J. Blige and Kid Rock, and band Maroon 5. You'll be able to be embed the clip on your own blog, but make sure to check out GM's Media Online site for instructions and restrictions. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Posted by Editor at 5:42 PM
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GM @ CES

A Report from the Consumer Electronics Show

GM Chairman Rick Wagoner and Consumer Electronics Association President and CEO Gary Shapiro

By Christopher Barger
Director, GM Global Communications Technology

This past week, GM was part of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Our CEO and Chairman Rick Wagoner gave a keynote on Tuesday — the first time an automaker’s chairman ever keynoted at the conference. We announced a new E-Flex concept car that we hope to make reality in the near future, the Cadillac Provoq. And we showed off the self-driving “Boss” Chevy Equinox that won the DARPA challenge.

I was lucky enough to attend CES and host a handful of electronics and automotive bloggers to see GM’s vehicles and meet with some of our executives. I got to see the immediate reactions of tech bloggers like the guys at SlashGear and DailyTech as they rode in the Boss and got to experience riding in a driverless car for the first time. One of the guys got out of the Boss and proclaimed it to be the biggest rush he’d had since jumping out of an airplane!

I also got to experience it myself — and let me tell you, it’s a surreal experience being in that passenger seat and looking over to realize that no one is driving the car you’re in. It’s kind of exhilarating and disconcerting at the same time — but how cool! It was one of the more interesting things I’ve done since coming to GM.

CES itself was particularly interesting — it seems to get bigger and more incredible every year. One of the things I particularly noticed while walking the show floor was a predominant theme of convergence, or the end of the definition of “place.” There doesn’t seem to be much definition anymore between, say, “home” or “office” — services or capabilities are increasingly available wherever you are. Mobility was everywhere — the idea that you can use products or services without being tied anywhere. So much of what I saw was designed for seamless flexibility — use your iPod (for example) in the car, at work, connected to your home network.

For us in the automotive industry, that’s going to mean continuing to incorporate electronics products and devices into vehicles, building technology into our products that allow you to blur those lines of place… consumers appear to increasingly want the same access to information and entertainment and connectivity in their vehicles that they get when online. If you were at the show, you could be forgiven for starting to think of the car almost as much as a personal entertainment center as “merely” a method of transportation or a statement or reflection of personality.

The other thing I noticed was that even though the show was divided into three halls — audio/video, auto technology, and IT/wireless — many of the same products were available or on display in all three halls. There’s just no simple way anymore to divide them up neatly, because really so much technology now bleeds into multiple categories. (We’re back to that theme of convergence again.)

All in all, it was a great week and a very interesting show to be a part of. It was great to see how receptive everyone was to hearing from General Motors, and to get feedback from CES attendees on the work we’re doing. Now it’s on to the North American International Auto Show this week in Detroit – hope to see you there!

If you'd like to see some more photos from CES, make sure to check out our Flickr set.

Posted by Editor at 2:05 PM
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January 8, 2008

From the Archive: 1956

By Alicia Dorset
Blog editor

This week's find from the GM Media Archive is a photo of a 1956 Chevy Truck.

Since it's a new year, we're looking for new requests for things to search for in the archive. Any suggestions?

Posted by Editor at 3:33 PM
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Photo of the Day: Chevy HHR

This is our new vehicle. Only because my wife's mishap with her car. She is alright so it's all good.

Today's photo comes from THEjdawg.

Be sure to look at all of THEjdawg's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 3:28 PM
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January 7, 2008

Photo of the Day: Pontiac GTO 1972

Today's photo comes from Casual Automotive Photo.

Be sure to look at all of Casual Automotive Photo's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 12:07 PM
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January 4, 2008

Answering Your Questions

We receive a lot of good questions in the comments both here on FYI and over on FastLane. Recently we received a lot of questions that seemed like a good fit for our friends over at GM Service Parts & Operations to answer. Here are their answers. If you've got a question you'd like to see GM SPO answer, send them our way. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Q: My car is rear wheel drive with a limited slip differential. Can changing out the rear diff fluid after a few thousand miles help quiet and smooth out the performance of the rear diff?

A: Additives in the fluid can break down over time. Adding or replacing the fluid will also replace these additives, which can improve the differential's performance. Be sure to use only the fluid recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer.

Q: Please let us know the difference between Ceramic brake pads and metallic brake pads - which ones would last longer and which are quieter and stop better?

A: The trend is moving toward using brakes with more ceramic materials, which perform the same as metallic brakes but may be quieter. Some work well; however, some applications will take the vehicle out of compliance with FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards). Be sure to follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for brake pads.

Q: How much effect does changing the screen and flushing all the fluid out make?

A: The benefits of transmission fluid/filter changes and fluid flushes will vary, based on operating conditions and mileage. High temperatures and contaminants can break down the fluid over time, which is why GM recommends a fluid change every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on how the vehicle is driven. Although it's not required, flushing does a more thorough job of replacing all the fluid from the transmission and the converter. It's important to use the vehicle manufacturer's recommended fluid to keep the transmission working as designed.

Q: Are there any real good ways to keep the seals on the pistons from hardening (vulcanizing) or is this inevitable?

A: Today’s automatic transmission have seals and other components engineered for increased service life and it is important to use the recommended fluid to keep the transmission working as designed. High temperatures and contaminants can break down these additives over time. Following the manufacturer schedule for fluid and filter change may help prevent this from occurring.

Q: Are flushes really effective at keeping the internals of an engine clean?

A: The normal oil and filter change, at the proper intervals and using the recommended engine oil, is the most effective way to keep your engine clean. An engine oil flush is not a commonly recommended service, however you check your owner's manual for your manufacturer's recommendations for your vehicle.

Q: Which oil is the best for the cost (we prefer Mobil 1) what do you mechanics suggest?

A: Refer to your owner's manual for your vehicle's recommended engine oil. While synthetic oils tend to last longer and may perform better in extreme conditions, as in a high performance engine, they can be more expensive. Unless the manufacturer specifically recommends synthetic oil, it may not provide significant benefit. Most multi-viscosity oils identified with the American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified starburst and marked as "energy conserving" will perform well, but it's best to always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Q: And when comparing Tremec's manual transmissions to GM's new 6-speed automatic, under similar circumstances, and barring the clutch-disk in the Tremecs, which will last longer?

A: The question depends on the application and driver preference. Both products are validated to perform with durability and reliability by GM Powertrain. The 6-speed automatic (6L80) is rated for maximum engine torque of 439 lb-ft (595 Nm). The Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual transmission is rated for maximum engine torque of 470 lb-ft (637 Nm).

Posted by Editor at 5:31 PM
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Photo of the Day: Chevrolet Opala

Today's photo comes from AlphaNeo.

Be sure to look at all of AlphaNeo's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 5:27 PM
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January 3, 2008

"So You’re a Civilian!"

A Facebook member gets to experience GM’s views on fueling the future

By Mike Zagorsky
Guest Blogger

For the past few years I’ve been following energy topics, oil in particular. I've tried to figure out oil - understand where it's going, where it’s going to come from, and how it will shape the future of our economy. Since then, as I've gained knowledge, the only thing that I've managed to become is more uncertain about the future.

One thing I will admit to is being a self-abashed Facebook addict, (and getting a Blackberry does not help the situation). I ended up taking part in the group Americans For Alternative Energy,” where I discussed my thoughts on the future of energy. And as it turns out, GM was listening. I was then extended an invitation by GM to attend their “Fuel Solutions Drive” in San Diego, where I would have the opportunity to see the different technology GM is working on and talk to engineers actually involved in reducing our dependence on the liquefied remains of phytoplankton.

Touching down in San Diego, I was greeted by the driver and taken to a Chevy Suburban to transport me to the event. I guess someone did not get the memo on what the event was about. Oh the irony. To be fair, it's possible that the Suburban was filled with E85. (In case you’re wondering I went for a job interview with ExxonMobil a year ago and they used a Cadillac Escalade to transport me to the airport).

The event was definitely interesting, given that the rest of the attendees were automotive journalists. I was the odd man out in a group where the common introduction among guests involved the question, “So, who do you write for?” When a GM engineer found out I was just a member of the public and not a journalist, he exclaimed, “Oh, so you’re a civilian!”

For dinner, I had the pleasure of sitting next to Larry Nitz, GM’s executive director of hybrid powertrains, and to be honest I can’t even begin to recall everything we talked about. But overall, he struck me as someone who seemed very optimistic about the future of hybrid drive systems at GM and the Volt (REEV) in particular, which I too am hopeful, but tempered by the tremendous risks GM is taking on the project as indicated by Nitz. In that regard, I actually look forward more to the VUE plug-in hybrid because to me it seems a project subject to less technical risk. Either way, I can’t wait for a five-door REEV or plug-in hybrid (Hint, hint…)

I also had a chance to test drive some of GM’s newest offerings, the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Chevy Malibu hybrid. The Yukon was truly an amazing product; the hybrid drive integration was superb, and considering that it averages only a handful less mpg then what I drive (a MAZDA3), a great work of engineering. I look forward to seeing the mileage numbers that the two-mode hybrid gets in smaller cars, like the Saturn Vue.

I was also intrigued by the Malibu hybrid, not so much by the mileage improvement, which is disappointing, but the potential in the BAS hybrid system towards allowing GM to integrate mild hybrid drive systems quickly into their product line in response to CAFE.

On the hydrogen front, I drove GM’s hydrogen Chevy Equinox, and let me say that car can go! I never really understood the meaning of torque until I floored the Equinox. The acceleration was very impressive and slightly strange in its quietness. The amazing thing is that it only has a 120 hp motor. The GM team made it clear that they were making progress towards reducing the costs of hydrogen, but overall I had a hard time seeing the advantage of developing the needed hydrogen technology and infrastructure over a car like the Volt or plug-in hybrid, which could decrease our liquid fuel requirement to the point where biofuels could account for a large amount of our demand, and do so far quicker and with less technical risk. But considering I can buy neither today, I think its too soon to pick sides just yet.

So overall, what did I think about GM’s efforts? I’m very impressed with the overall cohesion of vision for removing their business from its current leveraged position to petroleum. And judging by the number of times I heard, “I really can’t talk about that” there are some exciting times ahead for GM’s product development in the coming two or three years.

I do look forward to a time when fuel efficiency gets the same treatment by automakers as it does high performance (with shows like SEMA). I would love to see a concept Diesel Plug-in Escalade, not because it’s practice or possible to bring to market for now, but as a “because we can” statement. Lutz is the man behind the Cadillac Sixteen, after all, and this is a domain that I would love to see get equal treatment.

While I don’t agree with all of the decisions GM has made as far its product mix, it’s fun to try and predict where the future is headed for GM. (as opposed to some other automakers).

I would like to thank everyone at GM for inviting me to the event; it was a great experience (except the layover at O’Hare). And just to clarify, General Motors paid my airfare and accommodations for my attendance at the event, nothing was asked from me in exchange, including this post.

Posted by Editor at 10:54 AM
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Photo of the Day: Chevy Coupe

Seen at the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise in Detroit last August.

Today's photo comes from Bill Strong.

Be sure to look at all of Bill Strong's photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 10:17 AM
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January 2, 2008

Photo of the Day: From Florida...

Cadillac Sedan De Ville / Dortmund, Westfalenhalle - 03.09.2006 On tour with GMMF

Today's photo comes from Ozan™.

Be sure to look at all of Ozan™'s photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with "gmfyi."

Posted by Editor at 11:02 AM
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