Carl Black Of Kennesaw News/Events Blog

While there’s little you can do about pollen on the outside of your vehicle, there’s one easy way to take care of things inside. A clean cabin air filter stops pollen, dust, and mold spores from circulating through your vehicle’s HVAC system and your lungs. A dirty cabin air filter smells terrible and is unhealthy for you and any passengers. Over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, which are also the sixth leading cause of chronic disease. Changing your old cabin air filter for a new one is an inexpensive maintenance tip that quickly pays for itself.

Many owners aren’t aware that their vehicle has a cabin air filter, or mistake it for the air filter in the engine bay. Different vehicles recommend different replacement schedules, ranging from every other oil change to once a year. A new air filter breathes fresh air into the cabin, and even improves fuel economy by allowing air to flow without restriction. If you’re having trouble finding your cabin air filter, or need help swapping it out for a new one, ask the experts at Carl Black Automotive.

Like its four-legged namesake, the Chevy Impala can sprint away at a moment’s notice. But unlike its namesake, it doesn’t take millions of years to evolve. In its 10th generation, the 2014 Chevy Impala is completely redesigned both inside and out. Both visually stunning and aerodynamic, the all-new Impala cuts through wind with effortless grace, leaving everyone else in a vortex of dust.

Sculpted body coves along the side of the car and standard 18-inch wheels give the 2014 Impala an aggressive, yet highly refined look. Better yet, available 20-inch wheels truly set the Impala apart from every other full-size sedan. It’s equipped with projector beam headlamps and LED daytime running lights that give the front fascia a distinctive look that turns onlookers into deer in headlights.

Inside the 2014 Impala, drivers and passengers alike immediately find themselves in spacious, quiet comfort. This is Chevrolet’s quietest sedan ever, with a comprehensive package of sound-absorbing and sound-suppressing materials throughout the vehicle, and standard Active Noise Cancellation in every model. It seats five adults and their cargo comfortably, and perforated leather seats offer luxury and comfort. The highly customizable Chevrolet MyLink places a smartphone-inspired interface at your fingertips, displayed on an 8-inch color touch display with hidden storage behind. Personal technologies like a heated steering wheel, passive entry and push-button start, and memory functions for seating and mirrors are also available to ensure the Impala provides the quintessential full sedan driving experience.

Don’t be fooled by the quiet interior, because there’s plenty of power under the engine bay. With three available engines, each matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, you choose exactly how fast you’d like to sprint. For raw power, try the 3.6L V6 rated at 305 horsepower, which takes you from zero to sixty in less than seven seconds. For more efficiency, go with the new ECOTEC 2.5L four cylinder rated at 196 horsepower, or the ECOTEC 2.4L four cylinder with eAssist rated at 182 horsepower, capable of achieving 35 miles per gallon on the highway. Fast enough to lose a hungry pack of lions, stamina enough to cross the Serengeti.
When it comes to Impalas, it’s all about safety in numbers. For 2014, the Chevy Impala features ten standard air bags (the most in the nameplate’s history) and a number of technological safety innovations. The Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert keep you safe during calm and spirited drives alike.
This is the new generation of Impalas—sleeker, faster, and bolder than ever.

The 2014 Buick LaCrosse is sculpted luxury, artistry flowing through every sloping curve and fascia. Signature chrome accents and the waterfall grill are distinctly Buick, but the 2014 LaCrosse brings unprecedented levels of luxury and refinement to the brand.
The available Ultra Luxury Interior Package is offered in four interior color and trim combinations, such as cashmere and cocoa. Real ash wood and semi-aniline leather seats provide superior aesthetics and durability at once. Over contoured edges, the cool blue ambient lighting meets the warm wood tones in the console and doors. The rear seating boasts the same luxury standard, and offers more leg room than the Lexus ES350, Acura TL, and Infiniti G37 sedans.

By utilizing advanced eAssist technology, the 2014 LaCrosse is capable of 36 mpg on the highway, which makes it the most fuel-efficient sedan in its class. eAssist automatically switches seamlessly between gas and battery power while driving, and converts forward momentum into energy while braking. A power flow display shows exactly which systems are engaged when, but the thing you’ll likely notice most is how much less time you’re wasting at the pump.

The redesigned central instrument panel is more concise and features the next-generation IntelliLink system. With an eight-inch color touch screen that allows swipe navigation, it can be customized exactly how you see fit. Store up to 60 favorites, which could be anything from radio stations, phone contacts, vehicle information, or navigation destinations. Bluetooth connectivity and voice commands keep your eyes on the road.

Standard safety technology from front bumper to rear keeps you and your passengers safe in dangerous conditions. HID headlamps are subtle in appearance but powerful in use, increasing visibility at night and during inclement weather. The blind zone alert system uses radar to detect oncoming vehicles, and displays an indicator in your side view mirror so you know they’re coming. StabiliTrak and full-time traction control helps you make sure the vehicle stays in the steered path, even when the road is a less than ideal one. The safety cage has high strength steel for increased crash protection and advanced airbag technology throughout the cabin. The 2013 LaCrosse was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the 2014 is even safer.

The 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 not only provides best-in-class durability and capability, it’s also the clear leader in fuel economy. The EcoTec engine has experience gained from millions of trucks and billions of real-world customer miles. In the GMC Sierra 1500, the 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 engine (preferred by 3 out of 4 GMC owners) achieves 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. That’s 2 mpg higher than a 2013 Ford V8, 3 mpg higher than a Ram V8, and even bests the Ford F-150 EcoBoost V-6.

Direct injection (as opposed to port injection) sprays fuel directly into the combustion chamber, allowing for a higher compression ratio and improving power, efficiency, and reducing emissions all at once. Continuously variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation control how and how many cylinders are used, depending on the load. These fuel saving technologies are seamlessly integrated with the capable powerhouse in the engine bay. With 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm, the 5.3L V-8 offers class-leading towing capacity of 11,500 pounds, even besting Ford’s biggest 6.2L. That’s like towing a trailer with a pair of rhinos, just because you can. Also available are a 4.3L V-6 and 6.2L V-8 for those seeking a more efficiency or power, respectively.

Other improvements from the 2013 edition include DuraLife brake rotors, unique for its Ferritic Nitro-carburizing technology, which significantly reduces rust build up. This technology has been used on GM motors for years, and it’s finally made its way to safe external application. Brakes rotors stay shiny and new, even through their extended lifespan without corrosion. A CornerStep rear bumper allows easy truck bed access, and a 4.2 inch radio display displays artist names and song titles and audio settings. MSRP for the standard GMC Sierra 1500 4.3L model starts at $25,085, with the 5.3L V-8 as an option for $895. Each includes Pro Grade Protection, five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Oh, and the first two years (or 24,000 miles) of scheduled maintenance is on us. GMC is confident in its craftsmanship—you simply won’t find this kind of coverage in the competition.

On paper, the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 can’t be beat. Come see for yourself what it takes to be called professional grade.

EPA fuel economy estimates, light-duty pickups with V-8 and turbocharged V-6 engines.

Maximum available towing ratings, light-duty pickups with V-8 and turbocharged V-6 engines

Tires balder than the Monopoly guy? If you answer yes, it’s time for new tires… or it may not be too much longer before you stop passing “Go”. Worn tires are unsafe, inefficient, and in many cases, illegal to drive. The tread on your tires diverts water away from the tire, preventing your vehicle from hydroplaning off the road. But as the tread wears down, so does its ability to divert water—and they don’t have to necessarily “look bald” before they are unsafe to drive on.

Checking your tires is simple, though there are a few different methods. Look between the tread lines to find a “wear bar”, found between the tread lines of the tire. When the wear bar and tread are flush with one another, it’s time to get your tires replaced. You’ll benefit from a smoother, quieter ride, with confident handling in rain or shine. And while tires can be expensive, they actually save you money in fuel, and you simply can’t put a price on safety.

Worn tires are a danger to yourself and everyone else around you. So please, stop skidding through “Go” and replace those balding tires.

Oh, V-8, it’s been too long. Not since the 1996 Impala has Chevrolet offered a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan. But that doesn’t mean Chevrolet has been sitting idle—no—the Chevy SS brings its racing DNA straight off the track. In its initial run, the newly debuted Chevrolet SS won in the Daytona 500 with Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel. And the showroom version is as close as you can get to its NASCAR cousin within the limits of the law. Or in other words, this is a race car you can actually drive on the street. No helmet required.

The Chevrolet SS is powered by the LS3 V-8, delivering 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The LS3 displaces 6.2 liters (even more than its 5.5L NASCAR counterpart) and responds quickly and accurately to a six-speed automatic transmission, with TAPshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel for manual shifting. With a 0 to 60 mph time around five seconds, this is one of the quickest sedans on the market.

It’s also just as capable handling corners and reigning over four hundred horses to a halt. MacPherson strut front and multilink independent rear suspension geometry, electronic power steering, and large Brembo brakes, ventilated with 355-mm rotors. A near 50/50 weight distribution and low center of gravity allows for a comfortable highway ride and confident cornering alike.

Design cues, both bold and subtle, borrow from the aggressive rear-wheel-drive stance. Obvious cues like forged aluminum 19 inch wheels, with rear tires half an inch wider, meet the power bulge on the aluminum hood, stealthily hinting at the power inside.

As a full-size sedan, the SS offers versatility to match its performance. Additional side bolstering on the driver and passenger seats serve as something of a warning—this is a car that isn’t shy around corners. The interior is spacious, with 42 inches of legroom in the front and 39 inches in the back. Leather is standard, with the prominent SS emblem beautifully stitched into the seats and soft-touch instrument panel.

Like its brethren Chevrolets, the SS includes industry leading technology. It’s the first Chevrolet to offer Automatic Parking Assist, which provides hands-free parking help. While the driver controls the throttle, transmission, and brake, ultrasonic sensors provide the correct steering input in parallel or reverse right-angle parking scenarios. This is in addition to the color in-dash touch display, Bose nine-speaker sound system, push button start, Forward and blind spot collision alerts, and rear-vision camera.

Embracing the spirit of V-8 rear wheel drive sedans of the past, the SS brings Chevrolet back to its roots while racing forward. It goes on sale in fourth quarter 2013.

In the infotainment arms race, there is only one clear leader—IntelliLink, found standard in Buick’s 2013 lineup. Its crystal clear 7-inch color touch display can be customized to show anything from vital engine statistics, album art for the track you’re cruising to, or the smiling face of the person you’re wrapped up in conversation with. IntelliLink brings connectivity to the forefront while helping you stay focused on the road.

From defensive drivers to race car drivers, all agree—you simply can’t beat the control afforded by having two hands on the wheel. So when it comes to controlling all the options the modern vehicle allows the driver, using your voice is the safest (see also: fastest) way to go. And while many cars boast voice recognition, few boast doing it well. IntelliLink’s voice recognition is so accurate it feels more like having a conversation than giving a command. If you’ve ever found yourself furiously repeating the same command over and over, or getting sent to the same sushi restaurant every time you try call your brother, you’d probably agree there isn’t any added safety in screaming at poor voice recognition. IntelliLink gets it right the first time, keeping your hands on the wheel instead of balled up and shaking through the cabin space.

Connecting a smartphone to a vehicle via Bluetooth is supposed to be a pretty straightforward process—just pair and go. If only this were the case. Some vehicles make pairing difficult, buried under settings and options. Or vehicles that connect easily, but can’t or won’t access your contact list automatically. You’re stuck entering them one by one, or more likely, never at all. And even vehicles that manage to download your contacts successfully will oftentimes keep them there, saving all your numbers like a creepy old flame. With IntelliLink, you’re two easy touches away from being synced, and your contacts are downloaded automatically. Disconnect, and your contacts go with you. The way it should be.

Audio connectivity has come a long way since AM radio was first introduced, and IntelliLink elevates the driving-listening experience further than ever before by including personalization features not found in any other infotainment system. The choice of Pandora internet radio (complete with voice recognition), SiriusXM satellite radio, and Stitcher SmartRadio offers a selection complete enough for any and every taste in music. And between streaming over Bluetooth and built-in USB connectivity, if someone has some form of digital music in your vehicle, chances are it’s going to play. All new for 2013 is the option to choose “More Like This” when playing from your device. IntelliLink will automatically create a random playlist based on the song you chose, as what could also be considered your own personal disc jockey. If you think giving your car a name just became that much more appropriate, you’re not alone.

IntelliLink. The luxury of seamless connectivity.

Take a look inside a GMC Sierra to see the heart and soul of a professional-grade performance truck. Everything has a place and purpose, and the driver-oriented instrumentation gives a confident sense of control.

Having a double duty glove box means more than having extra space. It’s a reflection on versatility, a small reminder than every detail is carefully crafted and placed with the driver in mind. The buttons are big enough to be used with work gloves, yet seamlessly arranged in the center stack. Choose from a well-equipped standard set of features, or customize your own truck by adding premium features like dual zone climate control, rear vision camera built in to the rearview mirror, or steering wheel mounted controls. Available options let you build the truck you want, without having to pay for anything you don’t need.

The Denali trim package adds the ultimate in luxury and comfort to the powerfully equipped Sierra, with perforated leather seats, soft touch materials throughout the cabin, brushed metal and wood grain accents, and a heated, leather wrapped steering wheel. A premium sound package provided by Bose features SurroundStage signal processing and AudioPilot noise compensation, which makes everything sound crystal clear when the engine is working hard. And a dynamic 7” color touch navigation display can guide you home, should you ever need it.

Step inside a GMC Sierra, and see the professional-grade soul of a GMC truck.

We’ve all seen it—the car with one (or more) wide, flat tires, plodding along without seeming to care. We’ve all avoided that car, with its unsafe tire pressure and likely unpredictable driver. We shake our heads and pride ourselves on superior car care and maintenance. But don’t be too quick to pat yourself on the shoulder. Low tire pressure isn’t always visible, and you could be sacrificing precious fuel economy and priceless safety if your tires aren’t inflated properly. You too could be plodding along, without any idea because your tires “look” fine. Underinflated tires, even by just a few psi, wear down faster, and we all know a new set of tires usually doesn’t come cheap.

Tire pressure fluctuates, especially during winter months. Cold weather causes tires to become

underinflated, especially if they are filled with oxygen. If your car is equipped with TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system), you may have noticed the indicator on a cold morning, only to see it disappear while you drive. This is due to friction heating the tire, which increases the pressure within. But that doesn’t mean the problem is gone—the next cold morning will be sure to greet you with another TMPS indicator and its accompanying set of beeps and dings. It’s important that you inflate your tires to the correct psi while the tires are cold to ensure the highest level of safety and durability.

As opposed to oxygen, nitrogen gas consists of larger molecules and boasts many benefits for your tire. Seepage where the tire meets the rim is reduced. Cold mornings become less of a problem, and the tire pressure overall remains more stable. That means less time fretting, and more time enjoying the open road. We’re guessing you don’t have many tanks of nitrogen gas lying around, so we’d like to invite you to bring your vehicle in for this month’s special—$20 off a Nitro Fill from the professionals at Carl Black.

Shaking off about 40 years of sand, the prodigious Stingray namesake whips itself onto the seventh generation Corvette in an unprecedented redesign. But this isn’t simply a comeback—no—the Corvette C7 Stingray is more of a rebirth. Is it drastic? Maybe. Necessary? We think so.

Revolutionary? Oh yes.

Throughout the years and various redesigns, the spirit of Ed Cole’s original 1955 Corvette has held strong. American-made V8, front engine, rear drive. Decades of improvements, and a life span that few sports cars can boast of. Yet the spirit of the Corvette is anything but old and tired. The redesigned 2014 Stingray is the fastest, leanest, most competitive Corvette to date. And it’s the standard model. It’s unconventional, it defies tradition… in other words, it’s a Corvette, in the purest sense. Our warning to the super car offerings from elsewhere in the world? Get ready—this might sting a little bit.

Vigorous, flowing lines and angles take the place of the soft sweeping curves of the past generation. These cosmetic changes reflect the improvements the seventh generation Corvette brings in chassis design and aerodynamics. The new laser-welded aluminum frame is 57 percent stiffer and overall much slimmer than the previous generation, which allows for lighter, narrower wheels and tires. The result? A tried and true powerhouse, more nimble than ever. Slimmer tires and all, the Stingray can lay down over 1G of cornering grip in face-melting fashion. And by drawing on years of Corvette Racing data, the 2014 Stingray is the most aerodynamic Corvette to date, taking great strides to reduce high speed lift. With a 50/50 weight distribution, this kind of balance translates to pure confidence behind the wheel.

Under the Stingray’s carbon fiber hood is a 6.2 liter LT1 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. We’re talking sub-4 second 0-60 times here, blissfully achieved with a seven speed manual transmission. Yet all this brawn comes with brain, with direct injection and variable valve timing. Under steady cruising, cylinders automatically deactivate, converting the engine into a 3.1 liter V4 that helps save fuel. Rev matching technology matches the throttle to wheel speed for smooth transitions when the clutch is released. Of course, this can be easily disabled for the heel-toe enthusiasts out there. You know who you are.

As a base model offering, the 2014 Corvette Stingray is poised to whip the international competition in specs at a fraction of the price. Here is a Corvette with the fastest acceleration, the most cornering grip, the best braking performance, and the best fuel economy of any standard Corvette since its inception seven generations ago. It’s not hard to see why every other sports car is bracing for the sting coming in the third quarter of 2013.