The 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco

As Linda and I are in the midst of updating our text Auto Upkeep, I like to go to new car dealerships and learn about the latest technology. Aiden (my 23 month old son) and I went on an adventure to a local Chevrolet dealer – Reliable Chevrolet – while Linda continues to update the 3rd edition of Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair in Adobe InDesign (this edition will be in full color!). I was pleased to find a very pleasant and helpful sales staff that took the time to tell me about the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco. Derek in sales and leasing was an encyclopedia full of information about all the neat tech features and technological advancements that make the 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco achieve 37 mpg on the highway. Some of the features Aiden and I found very interesting:

• eAssist Technology – This is what I call a mild hybrid. It has a 115 volt lithium-ion battery that works with a 15kW electric motor generator (think of this as a big alternator that can also act as an electric motor to give the Malibu Eco an electrical “boost” when needed). It also takes advantage of start-stop technology so you won’t be wasting gas at stoplights or while decelerating. And even when you are braking towards that stoplight, you will be recapturing normally lost energy through the vehicle’s regenerative braking system.
• Safety – As a dad of a young son, safety is paramount. The Malibu comes with, count them, EIGHT air-bags standard. Combine this with the high-strength steel in the designed crush zone, you can feel assured you made the right choice for your family. And if you get in an accident you have OnStar with Automatic Crash Response free for the first six months of ownership.
• Electric Power Steering – Instead of an inefficient hydraulic power steering pump, the Malibu Eco utilizes an electric rack and pinion system. This gives you ultra response handling and makes it possible to have power steering when the engine shuts down by design when decelerating and stopping.
• Seamless Technology – The seven-inch full color touch screen (also works with voice commands) provides a portal for your smartphone using Chevy’s MyLink. And don’t forget to plug your phone into the standard USB port.
• 2.4 liter Dual Overhead Cam Direct Injected 182 horsepower Engine – If you don’t know much about direct injection, be sure to consider it for your next new vehicle. Direct injection sprays a fuel mist directly into the combustion chamber instead of the old standard of first mixing it with the air in the intake manifold and entering the combustion chamber as an air-fuel mixture. In non-technical terms, direct injection is more efficient, putting more of your hard earned dollars that you spend on fuel to the pavement to move the vehicle.

Aiden and I were pleased with the features and technology of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco. If you erased Chevy off your list when considering a new vehicle, take out your pen and put it back on – give the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco a look if you are in the market for a mid-sized car. If you live in Southwest Missouri, consider stopping by and talking with the friendly sales staff at Reliable Chevrolet in Springfield.

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Michael Gray

Mike has roots in the automotive service industry. He began diagnosing and fixing cars at a young age in his family’s service station. He has worked in automotive parts supply stores, towing companies, and service facilities. After graduating from St. Cloud State University (MN) with a Bachelor’s degree, he implemented and taught a basic car care program at the high school level. During work on his Master’s degree at Illinois State University (IL), he was a curriculum specialist on a National Science Foundation project where he co-authored ten integrated mathematics, science, and technology books designed for team teaching. Mike has also supervised teachers in Career and Technology Education as a school system administrator.

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