Carl Black Of Nashville News And 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.

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.

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.

Driving in the rain can be dangerous enough as it is—would you try it with your eyes closed? With old, ineffective windshield wipers, you might as well be. We’ve all seen (and heard) them, the old wiper blades that seem to spread water rather than wipe it away, creating a solid sheath to blind you in the already terrible driving conditions. It seems we usually don’t realize our wipers need replacing until it’s too late, and it’s simply no fun to change a wiper blade in the rain.

In most cases, you should be replacing your windshield wiper blades twice a year. This ensures maximum contact between the blade and your windshield, an ability that degrades over time due to wind and weather. The first time you see the water swish away effortlessly and silently with a brand new wiper blade, you’ll wonder why you waited this long. Think Johnny Nash, because that’s exactly what we’re talking about here.

Replacement is easy. Simply “park” the wiper blade in the upright position, remove the old blade, and replace it with the appropriate size. Or just bring your vehicle in, and we’ll take care of all of that for you. Either way, you’ll be ready for the next rainy day or unfortunate bug that crashes into your now silently-operating windshield.

The 2014 Chevy Silverado. As honest, hardworking, and dependable as always. Now stronger, smarter, and more capable than ever.

This kind of superior truck-maing only comes with 95 years of experience. Innovative technology allows the Chevy Silverado to continue the tradition of being inherited from generation to generation, a durable truck with the right tools for the toughest jobs. The Enhanced Driver Information Center displays vital statistics about your truck, like trailer brake settings and coolant temperature, and can all be activated by controls on the steering wheel (even with work gloves on). Premium materials and fine craftsmanship blend durability and style to make even the hardest day at work a pleasant ride. We’ve revised the suspension and widened the wheels to offer for a smoother ride and more confident handling, added four-wheel-disc brakes, and implemented electric power steering. Oh, and feel free to bring a few guests, coworkers, or family—we’ve optimized the seating to offer maximum leg room in the optional Crew Cab.

The 2014 Chevy Silverado features an all new engine family, EcoTec3, engineered for maximum fuel economy without sacrificing power. This combination of fuel saving technology, with Active Fuel Management, Variable Valve timing, and Direct Injection, is simply not offered in other trucks. The engine makes real-time adjustments while you drive, seamlessly switching to four-cylinder operation during lighter loads, ensuring that no drop of fuel goes to waste. It comes in three configurations: the 4.3L V6, the 5.3L V8, and the 6.2L V8. The 4.3L boasts high torque, perfect for hauling and towing at maximum efficiency, the 5.3L offers balance of efficiency and power, and the 6.2L offers maximum power for the toughest jobs in addition to innovative fuel saving technology, designed to be the most capable engine in any light-duty pickup.

We carried over the same level of customization to the pickup box. Depending on the cab, an 8’ and 5’8” are both available, and a longer 6’6” box is available for the Crew Cab. Each comes with smart loading features, like four standard lower tie downs, four additional available upper tie downs, and bed rail protectors. All boxes are crafted from long-lasting roll-formed steel, making our boxes stronger and lighter than the stamped beds used by the other guys. With added perks like the CornerStep bumper, EZ Lift and Lower tailgate, and under rail LEDS, the Silverado’s pickup box easily outclasses the competition.

While the signature stacked headlamps announce any Silverado’s entry, everything else about the 2014 edition shows it’s done some serious heavy lifting. A taller, dual power dome hood and wraparound bumper and fender flares hint at the power this truck is capable of, and how good it will look doing it. The restyled exterior improves both aesthetics and aerodynamics, reduces wind noise, and works together with improved suspension to offer superior handling in any road condition. You’ll be turning heads from hood to hitch.

Truck owners, we listened. Here is a truck designed to answer your needs with standard features, built by a fellow truck owners and by a name you can trust, Chevrolet.

Don’t get stuck in the cold—bring your vehicle in for a Winter Care Package maintenance today.

Our comprehensive care package will ensure your vehicle is ready for all the challenges winter brings to the road. If you’re already scraping ice off your windshield in the morning, or just hear your neighbor scraping while you rest comfortably under your covers, the time is right to get your vehicle ready for the cold.

We start with a coolant system power flush. Coolant, commonly referred to as antifreeze, absorbs the engine heat created as you zip through town. It travels through the radiator and back through the engine again and again, breaking down over time. It becomes thinner, and can no longer cool the engine or transmission as well as it used to. In addition, it uses up all of its anti-rust agents, allowing corrosion within your engine components. Bring your vehicle in beforehand and you can avoid that whole “signing for an expensive repair bill with frostbitten fingers because your vehicle broke down in the freezing cold” scenario.

Next, we test the battery and electrical system to ensure they are running efficiently. Cold temperatures can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s battery capacity, so it’s important that the battery is in peak condition before winter hits. We’ll clean the battery and terminals meticulously to make sure even the coldest starts are no problem at all. Finally, we perform a system pressure test to check for any leaks that may have formed over time. Getting leaks fixed early, especially before the harsh effects of winter, can help save you from a hefty repair bill.

Take this simple preventive measure, and schedule your vehicle for our Winter Care Package. We’ll help make it a little easier in our special promotion, for a limited time only. Save $$$ (Reg. $$$$) when you schedule your vehicle for a Winter Care Package.

01.13.13 The next generation Corvette is coming.

The new crossed flags emblem marks a new era for Corvette. A modern era, more technical and detailed. We’re counting down the days to January 13, 2013, when we will unveil the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. Each reveal teases a little bit more. Here, a glimpse of the new style. There, a digital instrument panel. It all leads up to 01.13.13.

“We set out to build a world-challenging sports car with refinement, efficiency and driver engagement that is second to none.” –Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer.
“Performance cars are definitely all about form follows function. But I would say beautiful form follows performance driven function.” –Kirk Bennion, Exterior Design Manager
“You feel like the car is doing exactly what you want it to do. You’re just making the car right for the road you’re on. No compromises.” –Alex McDonald, Performance Integration Engineer

Roads will surrender.
Follow the countdown at one13thirteen.com
#one13thirteen