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The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is brimming with high-tech features. While some are available as options, many of these features come standard on every trim, ensuring you get more for your money. Here are just some of the coolest features you can expect from the new Equinox. Teen Driver Technology One of the best things about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is that even the base model L comes with the automaker's Teen Driver system. The built-in feature reminds new drivers how to drive safely, even when you aren't there. Using Teen Driver, you can set a volume limit for the radio, speed alerts, and other visual and audio warnings. In the case of the speed limit function, the system provides warnings when the car is traveling over a predetermined speed. The Teen Driver system is capable of muting the audio system until all front-seat occupants are buckled. It also provides you with an in-vehicle report card that shows how your teen did behind the wheel. This helps you identify potential problem areas so you can coach your teen driver on how to improve. Best of all, Teen Driver automatically turns on any available active safety technologies, such as forward collision alert, side blind zone alert, front automatic braking, and more. Wi-Fi Hotspot Every 2018 Equinox is equipped with OnStar, a subscription-based communications, turn-by-turn navigation, hands-free calling, in-vehicle security, and remote diagnostics system. OnStar itself is certainly nothing new, but the 4G LTE with Wi-Fi feature is, which makes subscribing to this service more tempting than ever. With OnStar 4G LTE, your Equinox becomes your own personal hotspot, allowing you to connect your smartphone, tablet, laptop, and other mobile device to the internet at 4G LTE speeds. Imagine being able to use the system's navigation system while your spouse finishes work on her laptop and the kids are in the back watching videos on their tablets. Plus, if you've purchased the Equinox Premier trim, you can take advantage of the vehicle's wireless device charging. more 360-Degree Camera System If you spring for the Confidence and Convenience II package, your Equinox will come with a 360-degree parking camera system that gives you a clearer perspective of the area around you. This active safety technology gives you a birds-eye view of the environment to assist you in parking the vehicle. You'll still need to use your mirrors and direct vision, of course, but the the camera system can help you navigate those tight spots. The 360-degree camera kicks on when you shift the Equinox into reverse. It uses four cameras mounted around the vehicle, including a rear-vision camera, a forward-facing camera in the grille area, and two side-facing cameras located on each side mirror. In addition to the surround vision turning on in reverse, you can also manually select the front camera view on the center console. There's a lot to love about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, but don't just take our word for it. Stop by Chevrolet of Columbus to experience these features for yourself. Image "Chevrolet Equinox" via Flickr by TuRbO_J used under CC BY 2.0

Whether you're taking a road trip or seeing a new part of town, driving on unfamiliar roads can be nerve-wracking. When you're in an unfamiliar place, consider the following tips to ensure you reach your destination safely. Slow Down Even if you're a speed demon on the highway, you should slow down on unfamiliar roads. Driving too fast can cause you to miss important road signs and landmarks. You could also come up too quickly on a speed bump and spill your beverage all over the interior cabin. No matter what, it's important that you maintain a safe stopping distance that's appropriate to your speed — the faster you drive, the longer the stopping distance. Consider the road's speed limit and maintain it or drive slightly slower so you won't miss anything. Use a Navigation System or Map Unless you've memorized the route ahead of time, having a GPS or handheld map on hand is essential in unfamiliar territory. Modern navigation systems like those found in many Chevrolet models are a great option because they provide turn-by-turn navigation. This feature helps you find out where to make your next turn without taking your eyes off the road. Having a backup printed map is also a smart idea if you're traveling in areas a GPS cannot locate, such as remote terrain. Activate OnStar If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar, now is the time to active it. OnStar provides an array of navigation and emergency services that can help you feel more confident while driving in unknown locations. The service calls for help when you need it, protects against vehicle theft, provides turn-by-turn navigation, and allows you to stay connected on the go with 4G LTE and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Even if you don't normally need OnStar, it's an essential tool for those long road trips where the chances of getting lost are greater than ever. more Listen to a Local Radio Station While you may have trouble switching over from your favorite satellite radio station, tuning into a local radio station can keep you updated on traffic conditions. Before your trip, research major radio stations along the route and note them in your phone or a small notepad. As you move from one city to another, you can switch over to the station with the most relevant traffic updates. Listening to the radio can also reduce stress while driving, so don't be afraid to turn up the volume and sing along! Bring a Friend Although this option isn't always available, the best driving tool to use in unknown territory is a friend who knows the route and can point the way. If neither of you have been on this road before and you don't have a GPS system, have your friend act as the navigator and a second set of eyes. Driving in unfamiliar territory can be intimidating, but it's also likely to create unforgettable memories of adventure. Consider your route ahead of time, take the proper precautions, and drive safely. Image via Wikipedia Commons used under Public Domain

The Chevy Bolt EV is a compact all-electric vehicle with almost double the range of most of its rivals and has a surprising amount of space on the inside. The Bolt EV is an all-new vehicle for 2017, and it comes in two different trims. Here are five things to know about the Chevy Bolt EV. Trim Levels The Bolt EV comes in two different trim levels, starting with the LT. The LT has 17-inch alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights along with xenon headlights. Inside, you'll get cloth seats, automatic climate control, and keyless ignition and entry. A step up to the Premier trim will get you everything from the LT plus cargo roof rails, ambient interior lighting and leather seats. Power Both models have the same 200-horsepower electric motor and a very large 60-kWh battery that sits underneath the floor. A fully charged battery will get you about 238 miles. When you need to charge the battery, a standard 240-volt charge will take about 9.3 hours to bring it to a full charge. For the most part, it is unlikely that you'll run the battery down to empty, so in most cases, it won't take the full nine hours to charge up. Both models also have DC fast-charging capabilities. This allows you to use a Level 3 charging station and fill the battery to 80 percent in just over an hour. Technology You can expect to find some of the latest technology in the Bolt EV. Even the base model LT comes standard with a 10.2-inch touch screen along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has Bluetooth for phone and audio, OnStar, and two USB ports. The Premier trim comes with the same technology and the option to add the Infotainment Package. This includes a seven-speaker Bose stereo system, wireless charging for smartphones, and two additional charge-only USB ports for the back seat. more Safety Systems Both models come standard with a rearview camera, and the Premier comes with a top-down parking camera system along with a camera rearview mirror. The Driver Confidence I package is an option for the LT and adds a blind-spot monitoring system, and rear cross-traffic alert along with rear parking sensors. The Premier offers the option for the Driver Confidence II package with forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning with intervention. This package also adds automatic high beams. Interior The cabin of the Bolt has more space than you would expect a compact to have. The tall profile means there is a good amount of headroom both in the front and the back, and there are plenty of storage spaces and cubbies. In the back, you'll find 16.9 cubic feet of storage space with the seats up, and there is also an option to add a cargo area floor cover to increase the storage capacity. The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV is a great option for those who want an alternative fuel vehicle without any range anxiety. Image via Chevrolet.com

The architecture in Columbus sets the city apart, with both historic and artistic modern buildings and structures. There are a number of enigmatic and practical designs spread all through the city, and anyone with a passion for how buildings are made will find these six places worth a visit. First Christian Church Constructed in 1942, this house of worship is one of the first churches in the United States built with a contemporary style. It features a perfectly rectangular clock tower over a building lined with columns of windows along the sides. The property is also home to Large Arch, a 20-foot-tall abstract sandcast bronze sculpture by Henry Moore. Across the street you'll find the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, a charming brick building with many extended walls that first appear to be columns. Cummins Health Center Designed in 1973, this business was made to offer alternatives to common, industrial health care. The building was made with few interior walls, and much of the outer walls are designed in a special black glass that becomes transparent at night. This structure received an Honor award from the American Institute of Architects in 1976. Bartholomew County Jail Though few would expect it, this penitentiary for Indiana convicts with minimum sentences is downright beautiful. Lovely flower beds surround the jail, which has a criss-cross appearance with lots of white and tan topped by a transparent dome. While you'll never want to see the inside if you can help it, this structure sets an important precedent that care can go into the outward appearance of even the least desirable places to stay. more Inn at Irwin Gardens This Italianate home on stately property was built by Joseph I. Irwin, a Columbus businessman, in 1864. Though still one of the best examples of enduring historic architecture in the city, the Inn at Irwin Gardens also has an intriguing history of changes, since the building was enlarged and redesigned over the following decades. The site also houses a maze garden based on the Casa degli Innamorati. If you're after the most unforgettable hotel for a romantic getaway, look no further. North Christian Church Completed in 1964 by Eero Saarinen, this church has six sides and a sloped roof that joins to a 192-foot spire with a cross coated in gold leaf. The landscape and general site is also quite interesting, including a parking lot with rooms dedicated to sheltering vehicles. The Prall House In 1891, Charles F. Sparell designed this Queen-Ann-style home for dentist Will J. Prall, and it took until 1895 before the work was complete. The high brick chimney sticks out amid the cream-colored exterior and tower bedroom, and the ridges of the home's many roofs are lined with wrought-iron fencing, a fascinating touch that pulls the look together. These places should be a high priority for any Columbus visitor or resident in the architecture industry, or anyone with a general interest in the many ways buildings and properties can be designed, furnished, and landscaped. From churches to Columbus' towering post office, there's a lot to see if you go off your ordinary routine. Image "First Christian Church" via Flickr by hartjeff12 used under CC BY 2.0

Sports car fans know the name Camaro, but if you've never experienced owning one of these bad boys for yourself, 2017 is a great year to try something new. The latest Camaro won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award for 2016 thanks to its stunning performance and specs for its fairly modest price range. These, however, are only the surface-level benefits. Read on to see what makes the Camaro a great choice for sports car fans of all budgets and lifestyles. New Engines The Chevy Camaro makes its return with an all new base engine: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This slight jump in torque over the 2016 model also brings more efficiency, with up to 30 city miles per gallon and 31 mpg highway. Drivers with a need for speed will find the optional 3.6-liter V6 more thrilling, with 335 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque, while higher models can use a 6.2-liter V8 with 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. Then there's the ZL1, with an exclusive engine we'll look at next. ZL1 Top-Class Model The Camaro is terrific for drivers who want a sports car that's not too fancy or overblown, but if you want the best features and numbers in every category, the ZL1 is for you. Newly returned after a hiatus, this top-level trim gives the Camaro a supercharged LT4 6.2-liter V8 engine with 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The ZL1 also offers a 10-speed automatic transmission for buttery-smooth shifting at all speeds, and this setup can shift even faster than many 10-speed automatics on luxury sports cars. Returning Packages Past Camaro generations offered a 1LE handling package that revised almost every cooling and suspension feature of the Camaro for prime track performance. For 2017, the 1LE is back, more advanced than ever, and offered on both V8 and V6 powertrains instead of just the pricier V8. The package adds 20-inch aluminum wheels, FE3 rear cradle mounts, dampers and stabilizer bars, an SS heavy-cornering fuel system, dual-mode exhaust, and much more. If you're looking to get a model with the six-speed transmission, this package is a worthwhile upgrade. Driver Mode Selector One of the coolest parts of driving a sports car this advanced is the ability to switch to different settings at any time, adjusting the handling and other performance factors for snowy or icy roads, long drives, track performance, and more. As an awesome bonus, the Camaro offers an optional interior ambient lighting package, and the color changes automatically depending on the mode you picked, like icy blue for snow and ice driving and deep red for track driving. This isn't even getting into the impressively detailed 50th Anniversary special edition Camaro released for 2017, which is a rare collector's model that shouldn't be passed up. All in all, the Camaro has almost too many things going for it to count, and it's the best possible start to an all-new generation for this timeless coupe and convertible. If you have any questions about the latest Camaro, its many options, or other sporty Chevy models, call or email us today. Image via Flickr by Kai Lehmann used under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original

Chevrolet offers all sorts of accessories for their current and past models, especially for pickups like the Silverado. Each of these items is something you may have never thought to add, but each one has surprising benefits. Sport Bars If you go off-roading regularly, these cool triangular additions contribute to the Silverado's rugged style. These two bars fit at the end of the cab and form a thick triangle to the top of the bed, and are handy for anyone who needs a firm grip while standing in the bed, or a little extra help climbing in from the side. Sport Bars come in a variety of colors and brands, so you can choose whichever ones you like. If you'd like something a little more subtle, bed side rails are also a nice addition that have both practical and visual benefits. Rear Seat Entertainment System If you don't have a higher trim-level Silverado that came with a rear-seat entertainment system, no worries! Summer road trips will be fun for rear-seat passengers with these dual LCD screens mounted into the front seat headrests. Each system also includes wireless headphone sets and a remote control. There are several different color and stitching styles to match every possible interior color and upholstery material. Bed Extender Do you tend to load up your Silverado with four-wheelers and summer fun equipment and find yourself short on bed space? This handy extender is a secure, curved cage wall that sits over a dropped tailgate, adding extra length equivalent to the tailgate's height. Keyless Entry Number Pad The modern keyless entry systems can be a bit unsafe if another driver has managed to steal your key fob. Fortunately, this small and unobtrusive number pad only allows the door to unlock if you have the key fob on your person and can correctly enter the five-digit code. The system uses only five buttons that each hold two digits set diagonally opposite of each other. Trailering Camera System This package by EchoMaster adds cameras to your side mirrors that turn on automatically when you activate your turn signals, providing a clear view of your trailer and rear blind spots from your central infotainment screen. It also includes a rear camera mounted on the top of the rearmost trailer edge, so you have a perfect image of what's directly behind while backing into a boat ramp, parking your trailer for the day, and more. Reflective Emergency Triangle This reflective triangle can be set on the ground and will flash brightly at any light, signaling your location and drawing attention. Whether you've gotten into a bad spot or someone else has, this triangle will help make you visible at night so fellow drivers know to stay away or help as appropriate, and emergency responders can't miss you. Chevrolet is one of the best automakers when it comes to accessories, as their thorough categories cover almost everything you could want, regardless of your specific model. If you have any questions about accessories or Chevy models, we're happy to help, so call today. Image via Chevrolet.com

The verdant landscape of Columbus can be enjoyed in many ways, particularly at one of the city's highly-rated golf courses. Whether you're interested in a long-term membership in a respected institution or just want a nice place to play the occasional game with friends, Columbus has just what you've been looking for. Take a look at each and you'll likely notice one that suits you best. Otter Creek Golf Course This 27-hole PGA championship course is designed to both challenge players and fully display the unimpeded beauty of southern Indiana, and has been one of the highest-rated public courses in the United States since opening in 1964. Otter Creek consists of one 18-hole course suited to experts, with a mix of wide, gently sloping hillsides. The course isn't too gimmicky with traps and obstacles, ensuring the players test their drive and swing to the fullest. There is also a nine-hole section that complements the 18-hole course and is excellent for a shorter game. Harrison Lake Country Club Popular for its fine dining restaurant, tennis courts, pool, card rooms, and banquet hall, Harrison Lake Country Club's main claim to fame is its classic 18-hole course. You'll swing over level terrain and mild inclines with terrific views of the lakeside and forested hills. Before or after the game make sure to stop by the pro shop, which provides various helpful services to members. The country club also holds private golf lessons by Nodjya Cook, a PGA training professional, and other experts, as well as junior golf camps. Greenbelt Golf Course For players interested in something more casual, Greenbelt is a 9-hole course set in less landscaped and more park-like land with very little incline. Repeat visitors praise Greenbelt for the pace of the game, as no hole is too long or too difficult to find after completing the prior hole. While the course is not difficult, it's a great place for first-timers to get the feel of swinging, putting, and more, or a good place for veterans to play casually with inexperienced friends. Rocky Ford Par 3 Golf Course For those unfamiliar, a par three course is generally less difficult than the typical championship 18-hole course, which has an average par of four when factoring each hole together. Though you'll see the occasional sandtrap and water hazard, you won't lose a ball at Rocky Ford Par 3 if you know what you're doing. However, with tees up to 2,100 yards you can expect a more intermediate challenge compared to Greenbelt. Rocky Ford Par 3 also has an 18-hole foot golf course, an extremely fun game that's just like gold, except with soccer balls, 21-inch cups, and no clubs. If you live in Columbus or are visiting the city soon and would like to play a great game of golf, any of these four places will do the job. Visit each one and you'll see photo-worthy nature and sharpen your skills. Image via Flickr by Krzysztof Urbanowicz used under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original

Whether it's a trip to Mars or traveling through time to shake JFK's hand, very few life events can equal the magic of attending the annual Indiana State Fair! There's few things that can compete with the rush of a rollercoaster, Mars food has nothing on corn dogs, and JFK won't score you a gigantic plush panda bear from the Midway. Don't miss this year's Fair! Unforgettable Food State fairs are notorious for indulgent eats, and given Indiana's official theme for 2017 — The Wonderful World of Food — the chow will be off the proverbial hook. The classics will all be present of course, such as smoked and fried turkey legs, freshly dipped corn dogs, and tons of barbecue. For the more extreme eater, grab a bacon cheeseburger on a glazed doughnut bun (not kidding). The less brave should at least sample the grilled mac n' cheese sandwich, slightly less artery-clogging but no less tasty. The deep fryer is well-represented for 2017. The deep-fried offerings include corn on the cob with garlic lime butter and queso fresco, meatballs on a stick, and cheese fresh off the block. Healthy eaters and vegetarians won't risk starving to death at this year's Fair. Grab a black bean and spinach burrito with fresh pico de gallo, for example. The gigantic wok at Island Noodles is a spectacle in itself, but their buckwheat noodles with fresh veggies make it worth the trip. And even vegetarians can enjoy a S'Mores Shake with a genuine s'more garnish. Edible Education Going along with this year's theme, the featured exhibit will be "Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture." Appropriately located in the Harvest Pavilion, it explores the various methods humans have used to shape the world to create the food we enjoy today. The exhibit features interactive digital displays, artifacts, models, and dioramas. This rich and immersive exhibit is sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Free Concerts At the Chevrolet Silverado Stage, check out powerhouse performances by George Thorogood and the Destroyers, High Valley, Montgomery Gentry, Kiefer Sutherland, and Dashboard Confessional. Relive the glory of Motown with Patti LaBelle. Take a trip back in time with a groovy set featuring The Turtles, The Association, The Box Tops, and artists from Three Dog Night and The Archies. Radical Rides About fifty rides are to be found at the Midway. Ride the classics, including the Tilt-a-Whirl, Crazy Mouse Coaster, and giant slide. Hardcore thrill seekers should check out the Skater, Fireball, and FreakOut rides. Tots can enjoy their own dozen rides at Kiddieland. The MetroPCS Family Fun Park has more than petting zoos — you can enjoy the Go-Karts or a pony ride as well. New to the Fair this year is the Subaru Skyride. Similar to a ski lift, this 1,400-foot ride features 90 chairs and soars about 35 feet over Main Street. It's well worth the $5 ticket price, especially after dark. Opening day for the 2017 Indiana State Fair is on Friday, August 4. The fair runs until August 20, giving you plenty of opportunities to hit the party. Nearly a million visitors will share in the experience — make sure you're one of them! Image "Indiana State Fair Midway" via Flickr by xrayspx used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped from original

When you're headed out on that exciting road trip, fun and adventure await you around every curve. However, dangers can lurk there as well. Your dream vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare under the wrong conditions. Fortunately, most road hazards can be avoided, and even inevitable collisions can result in minimal risk and damage so long as you remain vigilant at the wheel. Damaged Roadways Even modern superhighways can have problems. For example, uneven grades or ruts in the pavement can grab your tires and jerk the steering wheel out of your grip. Under the right (or wrong) conditions, potholes can wreak as much chaos as a collision, possibly causing you to lose control of your car. Sinkholes, while rare, have been known to take lives. Keeping a sharp eye on the road is the best way to battle these asphalt demons. Avoid driving at night or on poorly lit highways. When the road surface is wet, be wary of puddles that could be hiding a large and potentially dangerous pothole. Keep your tires properly inflated to minimize tire damage and possible loss of control on rough roads. If you're forced to drive over a pothole, slow down, hold the wheel firmly, and resist the urge to brake when riding directly over it. Animals It's difficult to prepare for animals when driving. An animal can dart into the road ahead of you without warning. The best strategy is to drive at a reasonable speed so you have time to slow down. Swerving to avoid the critter will not only put you at risk of losing control, running off the road, or striking another car, but it also doesn't really work. It will often move just as you approach, getting hit anyway. Applying (not slamming) your brakes is the best option in most cases. Large animals, such as deer, pose a much greater risk. Watch for animal crossing signs — they're posted for a reason. Mating season for deer falls around November and December, so be especially careful this time of year. more Trucks Truck drivers are professionals, which is why over 70 percent of accidents involving large trucks are caused by the other drivers. Serious injury is more likely due to the size and weight of large trucks. Avoid driving in the " No Zone," the areas in which a truck driver can't see you. Never cut off a truck, especially in traffic, since they take longer to slow or stop. Be respectful to truck drivers. When they're merging into traffic, avoid the urge to speed up and pass them. Instead, slow down to make room and give them a few quick flashes of your high beams to let them in. You may even receive a "thank you" flash of their running lights in return. Stay watchful and alert during your road trips! If a collision does occur, don't panic or slam on your brakes. Instead, slow down and stop only when and where it's safe. Your car can be a lot of fun — but never treat it like a toy. Image via Wikipedia Commons by Editor5807 used under CC BY 3.0 / cropped & rotated from original

The Super Sport, or SS, was first offered by Chevrolet as a high-performance option package for the 1961 Impala. In 2014, Chevy released a full-size performance sedan of the same name. Inspired by the Holden Commodore, the new SS featured rear-wheel drive, solid handling, a great price tag, and tons of muscle, making a huge splash in the automotive pool. There are more than a few reasons why you should consider purchasing a 2017 Chevy SS. Breathtaking Performance The 2017 Chevy SS rejects the "smaller engine with a turbocharger tacked on" formula found in many other sport sedans. Instead, the SS embraces the purity of a high-displacement naturally aspirated 6.2-liter block. You can enjoy a whopping 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, not to mention the mighty roar exhaled from its quad-tipped dual-mode exhaust pipes. Change its driving mode to Sport or Performance and you can hear (and feel) its increased aggression levels. The 2017 SS delivers numbers that challenge those of top performance cars around the world. It blasts from zero to 60 in a mere 4.7 seconds, runs the quarter mile in only 13.2 seconds at 108.9 miles per hour, and is a monster on the skidpad. However, power without control is chaos. This is why the SS features superior suspension engineering and stopping power, such as Brembo brakes and Chevy's exclusive Magnetic Ride Control suspension at all four corners. Manual Transmission While the 2017 SS comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission with TAPshift manual shift control, you can also choose a genuine manual transmission. Yes, with a clutch pedal and everything. This is quite a rare find in a sport sedan, and truly unlocks the power and precision of the Chevy SS. more Affordable Acceleration Comparable vehicles (which are also rear-wheel drive and available with a stick shift) include the Cadillac ATS-V, Alfa Romeo 4C, and BMW M5. However, the base price for a 2017 Chevy SS is a mere $46,625, blowing its competitors out of the water. Despite its lower price tag, many critics still favor the Chevy SS for its handling, luxurious interior, and overall performance. For a similar driving experience like that of the SS, a car with a six-figure price tag is definitely not unheard of. This May Be Your Last Chance! Yes, the rumors are true. The Chevy SS is being discontinued, and the 2017 model will be the last in a line of highly successful muscle sedans. This means you may never have another chance to score one of these beauties. Chevrolet dealerships are now offering deep discounts to clear out the last of their 2017 Chevy Super Sports. It's never been a better time to call the Chevy SS your own! The release of the 2017 Chevy SS truly marks the end of an era. For an unparalleled combination of power, tight handling, and luxurious interior design, you can't go wrong with this awesome automobile. Test drive a legend, discover pure driving bliss, and take one home today! Image via Chevrolet.com

If you drive on a regular basis, you'll eventually run into one of the most common automotive situations — a nail, screw, or other poky metal object lodged in your tire. There are several steps you can take to detect and remedy the situation so you're not stuck on the side of a poorly lit roadway, attempting to unbury the spare in your trunk. Look, Listen, Feel Often you'll have a nail and not even know it until you're left stranded. Periodically check your tires for that telltale glint of metal. Run your hand around the surface of the tread to try and feel them out. Next, roll your car forward then repeat the check, in case the offending nail was underneath on your first attempt. Lower your windows while you're driving and you may hear the "tink tink tink" of metal. If the sound speeds up when your car does, it's possibly a nail or a screw hitting the pavement as you drive. Now What? A nail doesn't necessarily mean a flat. If it's a short one, may not have penetrated the inner liner of your tire. It may have gone in sideways and missed the liner completely. It's also likely that your tire formed a seal around the nail so you won't lose any air until it's yanked out. Checking your air pressure regularly can tip you off to unseen objects buried in your tread. Regardless of the symptoms, it's best to take your car to a service center right away. Bring some pliers and pull the nail out yourself while in the parking lot. If there's no hissing sound, hang out for a while (checking air pressure periodically). You may have gotten lucky and can drive on without any issues. If the tire begins losing air, at least you're already at a shop. more Fixing the Tire A repair shop has two options — patch or plug. Patches involve using a burr to roughen the inside surface of the tire and then applying a patch with heavy-duty adhesive. Plugging the tire means inserting a piece of rubber from the outside to halt the air loss. Both methods are imperfect, however. A patch seals the inside, but it doesn't block water that may eventually corrode your steel belts. A plug fixes the outside but may not seal the lining, leading to slow air loss over time. Nowadays, shops will use a plug patch. This clever combination of both methods will seal the tire from the inside and the outside. Keep in mind that a proper tire repair always requires removing the tire from the rim. Depending on your situation, you may or may not need a costly tire replacement. If your replacement doesn't match the tread pattern of your existing tires, handling issues can arise. If your other three tires are still OK but have considerable wear, a brand new one will also throw things off-balance. It's always optimal to replace all four tires at once so their tread depth and patterns will match. However, if you can save a few bucks by having the tire fixed, go for it! Image "Flat Tire" via Flickr by Marufish used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped from original

The use of autonomous cars has long been a dream for both drivers and car manufacturers. That dream is now almost a reality thanks to Chevrolet's plans to produce and test self-driving cars in the coming years. If these tests are successful, consumers across the country will be able to take a leisurely ride in their Chevy vehicle without having to worry about operating their vehicle, making for a unique, relaxing automotive experience. If you're excited by the prospect of owning an autonomous driving vehicle, it's a good idea to learn how Chevrolet plans to build and construct these cutting-edge vehicles. Development One of the primary ways that Chevrolet is planning on producing autonomous vehicles is by partnering with the some of the top universities in the world. In the AutoDrive Challenge, sponsored by General Motors and SAE International, research teams at Virginia Tech, Michigan Tech, Kettering University, University of Toronto, North Carolina A & T University, University of Waterloo, Michigan State University, and Texas A & M University will work towards making the Chevy Bolt EV a completely autonomous vehicle. During the three-year competition, the teams will work on making the Bolt EV meet the qualifications for SAE Level 4 autonomy, which means the vehicle is able to monitor its surroundings and drive itself without human intervention. At the end of the competition, each completed vehicle will be tested in an Urban environment to see if the goal of autonomous driving has finally been achieved. more Manufacturing In addition to their partnership with educational institutions, Chevrolet will also be manufacturing their own vehicles with the final goal being fully autonomous driving. Recently, the Michigan legislature passed rules allowing autonomous cars to be tested in real world environments. GM has jumped on this opportunity with plans to build a fleet of autonomous Chevy Bolts for testing. The plan is for the autonomous Bolt line to be built in a factory in Orion township, which is close to GM's headquarters in Detroit. While the construction of the autonomous Bolt will be very similar to the standard electric version, the vehicles will be equipped with the technology necessary for autonomous driving, including laser sensors, radar, and a variety of cameras. To assist in their goal of being the first auto manufacturer to mass produce self-driving vehicles, GM has purchased Cruise Automation, a company that specializes in autonomous driving technology. Testing The most important part of bringing autonomous-driving vehicles to the market is testing them for safety and efficiency, and Chevrolet plans to test their autonomous Bolt in a variety of ways. First, Chevy plans to test these vehicles in the urban environment of Detroit, close to where the vehicles will actually be produced. Second, GM, has partnered with Lyft, one of the nation's largest ride-sharing services, to test these vehicles on a larger scale. Lyft will use the Bolt EV in its fleet of vehicles in multiple states for the purpose of real world testing. Testing of the Bolt EV will begin in 2018, and is expected to be the largest test of autonomous vehicles by any automaker. Thanks to Chevrolet, the dream of an autonomous car is closer than ever before. Image via Wikipedia Commons by Dllu used under CC BY-SA 4.0