How Servicing Your Car Can Extend its Life (Even Further!)

As a car buyer, you’ve experienced the uneasy feeling of maintaining your vehicle.  In most recent years, advances in technology have lessened visits to the service department, but routine service should still not be missed.  Our dealership is a safe haven for your car, catering to its specific needs, like a preventative care center.  One of the main questions you ask when purchasing a new or used vehicle is: How reliable it is? In today’s blog, we provide some tips to maintaining your vehicle and how to extend the already long life of your vehicle.

1.    Read the vehicle manual and schedule maintenance appointments - Keeping up with your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance is key to avoiding costly problems to the cooling system, drivetrain, suspension etc…

2.    Call your dealership and ask questions – We’re here to help.  If you have any service questions feel free to call us with your questions. 

3.    Have your dealership check fluids – Always come in and ask us check the level of antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid regularly. 

4.    Change oil regularly – By changing your oil when your dealership requests it, you can protect your engine.  Every car is different, so call us to get the exact information for your specific vehicle make and model.

5.    Request a fluid flush every two years – By flushing the power steering, brake, and cooling system fluid when it is pertinent, you can cleanse your car’s liquids in one fell swoop.  However, if you have gone more than 50k miles without a change, on many transmissions, it is not the greatest idea to do so.  It can cause breakdown varnish and other solids that have built up in the transmission over time.

6.    Have the tires rotated – Having your tires rotated at your nearest dealership should be second nature.  By doing so, you can avoid uneven wear and tear on the tread, extending the life of your tires.

These are just a few tips to help you maintain your vehicle in your daily commute, feel free to add your comments below!

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Car People Who Know Grub: Quick Thanksgiving Recipes

Everyone is huddled around a long table, the soft scent of cranberry fused with smoked turkey emanates from the small area.  Your plate is already full to the brim with Turkey, doused in gravy and soaked up by a monstrous pile of stuffing.  You look down at your plate and smile.  Yes, this is perfection.  Thanksgiving is the best time of the year.  It’s a celebratory holiday for family, friends and an ice-cold brewski.  In other words, it’s AWESOME.  In today’s blog, we’re showing you that us car people can cook, too!  For those of you on your last minute cooking binge, pay attention!  We’ve got a couple of quick recipes courtesy of the Food Network for you:

Worlds Simplest Thanksgiving Turkey

Time: 3 Hours

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Pull the neck and giblets out of the cavity; ditch the liver and save the rest of the giblets for gravy. Dry the turkey with paper towels, then season inside and out with salt and pepper. Fill the turkey with aromatics like chopped onions, carrots, apples and herbs, then place breast-side up in a roasting pan and brush with melted butter. Tent with foil and roast for 2 hours (for a 10- to 12-pound turkey; add an extra 15 minutes per pound for larger birds). Remove the foil, baste with more melted butter and crank the oven to 425 degrees F. Roast for another hour or until the meat at the thigh registers 165 degrees F. Let rest while you make the gravy.

Pumpkin Pie

Time: 1 Hour 35 min

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
• 1 piece pre-made pie dough
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for 1 hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about 2 pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to color.

For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.

Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream. 

Enjoy!! Happy Thanksgiving!

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Tips on Buying New & Used Cars

Cars are an investment.  We know that car buying is a huge decision, affecting financing, safety, and reliance.  We know that car buying is a difficult.  We’re here to help.  In today’s blog, we've decided to provide the advantages of buying new and used.  The decision really boils down to what you can afford and what option will give you peace of mind in the future. 

Buying New

·      Reduced Maintenance – buying a new vehicle means no worries for a while.  Only the occasional tune-up and oil change are required.

·      Warranty Coverage – the manufacturer covers new vehicles under warranty for at least 3 years, some even longer.  With manufacturer warranties, if something goes wrong it's the responsibility of the dealer and manufacturer to fix it.

·      Peace of Mind – if you do encounter problems with a new vehicle, you have legal recourse through state lemon laws (available in every state). 

·      Roadside Assistance – All mainstream new cars come with free roadside assistance while the vehicle is under warranty.  Also, you could be reimbursed for alternate transportation should something goes wrong.

Buy Used

·      Increased Choice – With used cars, you have a large choice of cars to choose from.  Someone is always selling your dream car in mint condition.

·      Improving Reliability – used vehicles don’t usually have the same warranties as new ones, however the original factory warranty is transferable to a second owner at no charge.

·      Just Like New – According to Edmunds: “Another trend that makes buying used a better option is the proliferation of certified pre-owned programs. The idea started with luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz and has become a popular alternative for car buyers.”

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4 Vehicle Must Haves

There are some basic items that everyone should have in their car.  In 2011, it’s rare that you’ll be found stranded, with the emergence of features that come equipped with every vehicle, but there are some things you GOTTA have in your vehicle.  In today’s blog, we discuss some crucial items for daily commuters.

Jumper Cables – These nifty cables are a lifesaver.  I can’ even count how many times it’s saved me from a stranded situation.  If you forget to turn off your lights, leave your car parked for a long time, or just have an older battery, jumper cables are awesome.  We recommend the AAA Heavy Duty 16′ 6 Gauge Booster Cable.

12-Volt Mini Air Compressor – This small compressor is powered by the vehicle via the cigarette power jack and includes a built-in dial air pressure gauge.  You can use this to top off your tires before a long trip.  This saves money and keeps your vehicle riding great.

Jack Stands – these are very important because they add a safety precaution for when you change your flat tire.  Also, you should only change your flat tire if you’re in a safe location.  Get a set of sturdy jacks that feature pawl-and-tooth design and a one-piece multi-position ductile ratchet bar for extra strength.

First Aid Kit – Be prepared for anything with a fully equipped first-aid kit.  These usually include:  bandages, gloves, butterfly closures, an instant cold pack, tape, antibiotic ointment, cotton tips, burn cream ointment, finger splints, alcohol prep pads, a first aid guide, sting relief prep pads, gauze pads, sterile antiseptic prep pads, scissors, and a roll of gauze.

These items will be helpful, as well as the features readily available for your vehicle.  Feel free to add your own components. 

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The DeLorean is Back From the Future…and it’s ELECTRIC!

“McFly!” The phrase is well known in American society.  A quip that has been instilled in us since the eighties by a burly young man known by one syllable: Biff.  This man, Marty McFly’s arch-nemesis, made his life a living hell in the Back to the Future films by berating him with comments, abuse, and the fondling of his future mom (i.e. see film).  It’s an American classic.  Marty’s vehicle of choice for transcending the time space continuum was a 981 DeLorean DMC-12, a futuristic vehicle with gullwing doors and a fictional “flux capacitor”, the main cog in initiating time travel.  Now, in 2011, the manufacturers over at DeLorean have decided to bring this classic back…as an electric vehicle!  Check it out below:

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On the Go: Quick Breakfast that Works

The morning routine is hectic.  Gone are the relaxing mornings of yesteryear, instead they’ve been replaced by a mad dash to the door and a forgotten lunch on the counter.  Getting ready in the morning can be difficult, especially considering you’ve got your kids to get ready, lunches to be made, washing up, and the other duties that flood your morning routine.  You drive to work everyday with less than enough energy to start a day of productivity.  In today’s blog, we discuss some quick options that can help you refuel in the morning. 

Avoid picking up coffee treats and fast food alternatives on your way to work.  The key to a good breakfast and a healthy lifestyle starts with preparation.  Try homemade peanut butter bars. You can prepare them ahead of time, grabbing them on your path to the door.  You’ll need peanuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, oats, rice cereal and wheat germ.  According to Lauren S. Johnson: “Place them all in a bowl.  Then combine peanut butter, brown sugar and corn syrup (or honey) in a large bowl. Microwave the mixture until it starts bubbling. Then simply add vanilla, stir, and pour the mixture over the dry ingredients until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to a greased pan, press down firmly and let it stand to harden. Once it hardens, simply cut it into little squares and enjoy energizing breakfast bars for a week.”

Another option is to create a smoothie, a great breakfast alternative that’s quick and easy to make.  Take a citrus berry smoothie for instance, these are rich with healthy carbs and powerful antioxidants, just add fresh berries, low-fat yogurt, and orange juice! Viola! It only takes 5 minutes to create!

There are countless options to help you energize in the morning, add your favorite below!

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The Kookiest Auto Races…EVER

We love speed.  The exhilaration we feel when we’re driving with the top down and the landscape is whizzing by is an American pastime, almost a tradition in our culture.  We pack Nascar Speedways to watch speed demons circle a track, drive fast in the HOV lane, and mount up a ridiculous amount of speeding violations on a daily basis.  We’re a speed-based country bent on getting to the next objective…quickly.  As fans of the racing dynamic and the sense of adrenaline we get from it, I’ve decided to pull 3 crazy races into a list (Courtesy of HowStuffWorks.com) on our Blog.  Check them out below:

Red Bull Soapbox Race

It’s all about gravity with this one.  The objective is to create a makeshift vessel that can be propelled with only standard wheels.  The vehicle is engineless, and zooming downhill in this derby and winning could warrant a prize.  The derby oozes creativity, with past entrants being in the shape of a piano, a giant corn on the cob, and…the Golden Gate Bridge.  Now that’s awesome!

24 Hours of LeMons

According to HowStuffWorks.com “While the actual 24 Hours of LeMans sports car race, held annually in the eponymous French city, features real racing cars that have been tuned and engineered within an inch of their lives, the 24 Hours of LeMons race features real, well, lemons.”  If you paid more than $500 for your car, including modifications you won’t be allowed on the track.  Our first car out of high school would have worked perfectly.

Gumball 3000

The Gumball 3000 is a high-end car rally that runs annually between locations since 1999.  The tradition began in London, making its way through Europe, ending in New York City.  Other Gumballs have gone from New York to the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles and from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Cannes Film Festival in the south of France -- not a very long trip until you consider that the route crossed the Mediterranean and passed through North Africa on its way to the finish line.  Have any you would like to add?

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