Do your keys weigh too much?

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Here is a maintenance tip to help prevent an unnecessary trip to the Service Department 

Look Familiar?!

Everyday we see key chains loaded up with everything from the obvious handful of keys, to knives, pictures frames, flashlights, bottle-openers, knick-knacks and everything in between. Although key chains are a great way to organize all the little things you need in day-to-day life,  adding too much to yours could damage your ignition and prevent you from starting your car. 

How much is too much? Probably less than you might think.  3 Lbs is often the weight ignitions are designed to bear without undue wear.

Why is weight bad for your ignition? The extra weight will put additional stress on the tumblers, particularly as the car bounces and shakes down the road, causing them to wear irregularly and prematurely fail. A worn tumbler does not engage the locking mechanism properly, meaning your key will no longer be able to turn the lock.

To extend the life of your ignition system, drive with only the ignition key hanging off of your switch.

You should separate your car key(s) from the remaining clump, leaving just the car key and key fob to place as little load as possible on the ignition. A key ring like the one above, makes this simple.

Your car will thank you for following this advice (as well as your nerves and checkbook).

GM Vehicles get new OnStar Buttons for 2013

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GM redesigns OnStar buttons in 2013 vehicles

 

DETROIT – With all the new features inside 2013 General Motors models, new OnStar buttons may not be the first thing drivers notice. However, the first OnStar redesign of what customers have seen in years will reflect more than just new logos.

Previous OnStar Buttons

Voice Command Button
The button previously dubbed the “Hands-Free Calling button” – a white phone with a circle around it or a plain white dot– is now the “Voice Command button,” featuring a general speech icon. The new button allows for more than just placing or receiving hands-free phone calls. It allows drivers to access a saved route; check Hands-Free Calling minutes or access OnStar Virtual Advisor, which includes saved MapQuest directions or traffic, weather and stock updates. And it will still allow a driver to place or receive a phone call.
 
The Voice Command button also better integrates with infotainment systems like Chevrolet MyLink, Cadillac CUE and Buick/GMC IntelliLink.

Infotainment System

 
Emergency Button
The Emergency button, previously represented by a white cross embedded in a red circle, is now the internationally recognized “SOS” symbol, reflective of OnStar’s upcoming expansion into new global markets.
 
OnStar Button
The blue OnStar button, which serves as the emblem for the 16-year-old telematics company, switched to the company’s new logo which was introduced in late 2010. Some GM models and OnStar FMV already use the new logo.
 

The new OnStar buttons will be rolled out on most 2013 GM models with some based on vehicle program timing.

“While the new buttons are cool, it’s what’s behind the button that is most impressive. The buttons were changed for a few different reasons, but one was to better reflect the software updates that have gone into this current generation of OnStar.” said Douglas McKibbon, engineering group manager, in a statement.

 
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology. Available on more than 40 MY 2012 GM models globally, OnStar is now also available for installation on most other vehicles on the road through a new retail product called OnStar FMV (For My Vehicle). The OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App is a recipient of the 2011 Edison Award for Best New Product in the Remote Driving Aids segment. OnStar safely connects its more than six million customers, in the U.S., Canada and China, in ways never thought possible. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

We are Open July 4th with all vehicles priced to sell!

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ALL FITZGERALD SALES DEPARTMENTS ARE OPEN JULY 4, 2012 UNTIL 5PM!

Don't miss out on the huge discounts!

Hispanic Child Safety Seat Event

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                            Certified child safety seat technician prepares to install a child safety seat

Fitzgerald Auto Malls held their third Hispanic Child Safety Seat event at the Gaithersburg dealerships on Saturday,  June 9th, in an effort to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities that occur to children every year as result of child safety seat misuse. The focus of the event was to educate the community on the importance of child passenger safety and to inform them about the serious risks and dangers associated with incorrectly installed child seats.

In partnership with Amerigroup and Univision TV, Fitzgerald Auto Malls reached out to Hispanic and Latino families within the local community to teach them about child passenger safety. Amerigroup donated 100 car and booster seats to the event, to which 30 of the seats were given to needy families chosen by CASA of Maryland, while the rest went to the winners of the Univision TV outreach contest.

Certified technicians were on-site inspecting child seats and showing parents and caregivers the proper way to install them. This gave families the opportunity to ask questions and become more involved in keeping their children safe when riding in a vehicle.

Fitzgerald Auto Malls celebrated the installation of their 40,000th child safety seat in May 2011 (42,000 seats 6/15/2012), which was the single largest number of inspections by a dealership group in America. It is the first private organization to achieve this record number of inspections within a single program. “Fitzgerald Auto Malls is very proud of this accomplishment and we are proud to support the communities we serve.

  

Fitzgerald’s Child Seat Inspection Program works to help save lives by proactively teaching the local community about the life-threatening dangers posed by incorrectly installed child safety seats. Child safety seat inspections are held on the third Thursday of every month, from March to December. Information about upcoming event dates and locations can be found online at www.FitzMall.com.

We would like to thank all of the Certified Technicians, Associates and Dealership Personnel including Pa. & Lexington Park Dealerships who all worked very hard to help save the lives of our communities children! 

  

 

Jack Fitzgerald, founder and CEO of Fitzgerald Auto Malls, interviewed by Univision TV

Arvin Aleman (left) secured properly in his child safety seat next to Jeffrey Aleman (right) at the Fitzgerald Child Safety Seat Check event

2014 Chevrolet SS is Official!

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GM announced today that for the first time in 17 years, Chevrolet will offer a Rear Wheel Drive 4 Door Sedan in the US.

The limited production version of the new Chevy SS will be labeled a 2014, but will should arrive at our stores in late 2013.

Chevrolet was America’s best-selling performance car brand in 2011 with Camaro and Corvette accounting for one out of every three sports cars sold in the United States.  The addition of the SS should strengthen Chevrolet’s position as a leading performance brand.

Barko De Mayo 2012

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Worman's Mill Residents attended a pet friendly expo that included a Police K9 demonstration last Saturday, May 5, 2012. (The Fitzgerald Red Cadillac was the jewel among the crowd.)

Checklist for your Spring Car Check-up

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Spring Cleaning? Don't Forget Your Car!

Winter can be tough on lots of things, including cars and trucks. Cold temperatures, snow and ice, road salt and pothole-causing freeze-thaw cycles put car batteries, tires, brakes and suspensions to the test.  According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration vehicle crashes due to neglected maintenance cause more than 2,600 deaths a year.
  

Spring is the time to rid vehicles of winter's effects in time for summer travel.  

Regular vehicle maintenance and inspections can help improve a vehicle's fuel efficiency, achieve peak performance and even help avoid major repairs down the road.

You will want to have these items checkedto ensure your vehicle is ready to roll: