Rotolo Chevrolet celebrated two milestones on Thursday night. One was the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet itself. The other was the 40th anniversary of the Fontana dealership. City officials, business owners and customers showed up in droves to partake of free hot dogs, lemonade, salad and chips, among other items. A band played classic rock.

Owner Marie Waddingham, daughter of Rotolo's founder, said 480 people confirmed they would attend Thursday's event.

"A lot of our very loyal customers are here," Waddingham said.

In addition to customers and business owners, several members of area Corvette clubs also attended. Members of Corvettes West, Inland Empire Corvette Club and Pomona Valley Corvettes made an appearance, Waddingham said. She said Rotolo's customer loyalty had a great deal to do with the dealership's surviving the slow economy.

The dealership has remained, despite not turning a profit in 2008 and 2009, she said. The car lot has been at its current location next to the 210 Freeway since 2006. "This building is only 5 years old," Waddingham said. "And come hell or high water, I was going to make it work."

Most Popular Sports Car on Facebook and on the Street

For years, following its debut with the 1967 model, the Chevrolet Camaro was a classic American icon. And though production was phased out in 2002, the Camaro has been back with a vengeance since 2010. The new model is popular with baby boomers, who grew up along with the model and share memories of the car’s classic design over the years. The car appeals to a younger crowd as well, many of whom were introduced to the Camaro through the “Transformers” movie series.

With up to 426 horsepower, exceptional cabin comfort and technology, and styling that won the 2010 World Car Design of the Year Award, the Camaro has become America's most popular sports car both in sales numbers, and on Facebook.

Winterize your Vehicle

The time has come to winterize your vehicles. Assuring your car or truck is operating at peak levels provides safer drives in the coming cold and wet weather. Did you know over or under inflated tires can cause a loss of traction because the road surface contact is minimized? This can be far more dangerous on wet surfaces. Worn wiper blade inserts can impair vision while driving. Heater and defroster operation are also very important.

Take advantage of our “Free” Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection.

Make your winter drives safe and comfortable.
Schedule an appointment today.
Jim Schultz
Parts and Service Director

Maintenance: Tire Basics

Air Pressure

As temperatures begin to change in Winter, it is a good idea to make sure that you are on track with tire maintenance. While Southern California does not have drastic changes in temperature, keep in mind that for every 10 degree (Fahrenheit) shift in ambient temperature, your vehicle's tire air pressure will change by approximately 1 psi (pounds per square inch). Since improper tire inflation can cause severe internal tire damage, it is important to know the ideal tire pressure for your vehicle, and check your tire air pressure once per month.

Unsure about your car's ideal tire pressure? Stop by, and we will be happy to help you out.

Tire Rotation and Wheel Alignment

Winter is a great time to have your tires rotated and wheels aligned, especially if you have taken any long-distance trips over the summer or plan on driving far for the holidays. Rotating your tires can help prevent uneven wear and helps your tires last longer. This simple but often neglected step should be performed at least every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

Wheel alignment is equally important to maximizing tire lifespan, and is also necessary for steering component life, vehicle stability, control, handling and braking. Something as simple as hitting a pothole can cause misalignment, so most drivers should have their wheels aligned every 6 to 9 months.

We hope these tips are helpful to you and are available as always to help with any tire-related or other maintenance questions you may have. Stop by anytime!