How to Simplify Your Driving Life

Resolutions do not only pertain to yourself, but also concern your vehicle. This year, take the time to not only think about how you can better yourself, but also how to can make your vehicle more efficient, clean, and running steady. Here a few useful tips to help your vehicle and to bring in the New Year.

1.     Take the time to organize

By keeping your vehicle clean you will be able to keep organized and will help to start the New Year off on the right foot.

2.     Be a more cautious driver

We all know to well when we are driving that there are many other motorists who are not as careful. Take the time to take a second look and slow down when driving.

3.     Ease on the road rage

Everyone wants to start the New Year off on the right foot, but screaming at the vehicle in front of you is not always the best way to begin. Take a depth breath and take the time to look at your actions before you cause an accident.

4.     Check your tire pressure

Take the time to check the air pressure in your tires cannot only help to save on gas mileage, but also can prevent serious issues such as a blowout.

5.     Schedule for regular checkups

Taking your vehicle into the shop can help prevent further issues and will keep your car running smoothly throughout the entire year.

By taking the time to follow these small resolutions throughout the year, will help keep your vehicle and you happy throughout the New Year.

Uncommon Car Facts: 2013 Edition

Hey, Fans! A new year means new beginnings for us.  We’re rearing up for another great year in the Automotive world, and wanted to have some fun with our blog.  Every year, we showcase the coolest car facts (not to be confused with Car Fax) this side of the Northern Hemisphere.  If you have facts that you would like to add, feel free!  We welcome any and all feedback from our readers.  

• Rear view mirrors were first attached to cars in the year 1916.
• The world’s longest skid marks are 950 feet long.
• The Carburetor and the clutch mechanism were invented by women in the year 1923.
• The world’s first license plates were issued by the French police in the year 1893. They were called number plates then.
• The Tata Nano is the cheapest car in the world. ($2500 US)
• The world’s first car accident took place in 1769. The car is still preserved at a museum in Paris.
• The average length of electrical wires in every car is about 3000 feet.
• A driver spends about an average of two weeks of his life waiting for the traffic light to change color.
• Japan produces the most number of cars in the world.
• Airbags take only 40 milliseconds to open in case of an accident.
• The first cars had levers instead of a steering wheel!

We’re looking for more facts to expand our list!!!

In 2012, we're revamping our Facts sheet for the New Year, check out our newest unknown car facts here:

Safe Driving Tips in Your Land Rover for Memorial Weekend

It’s an exciting and hectic time.  If you’ve been running around frantically, searching for the best gift, buying decorations, or trying to balance work and home life lately, you’re not alone.  The holidays are a time of love, compassion and the occasional MAYHEM.  While you’re out and about this time of year, take precaution.  Traffic is heavy this time of year and its important to still keep your driving skills up to par.  Here are some tips on maintaining your safety this holiday season.

Vehicle Maintenance

Get a tune up and make sure your car is prepared for travel if you’re taking a road trip.  This is CRUCIAL, especially regarding winter driving conditions.

Restrain Yourself Properly

This should be the norm.  Remember, the rear seat is the safest place for any children to ride.

Stay Alert and Energized

Take plenty of breaks and don’t push to meet unrealistic schedules like finishing all of your holiday shopping in a few hours.  If you feel yourself getting tired, pull over into a rest area or business, and get out and stretch.  If that doesn’t work, find a place to rest.  These crashes most often occur during the late night/early morning hours and the late afternoon hours to drivers who are sleepy.

Keep Speed Down

Hey, Ricky Bobby, give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic around you.  Let impatient and aggressive drivers pass you.

Choose a Designated Driver

There will be tons of intoxicated drivers on the roadways.  If you absolutely have to drive during this time of year always have a designated driver.

So, do you have any tips?  Feel free to comment below!

The Top Car Technologies Voted By Car Buyers

A J.D. Power Report discussed car buyers’ favorite technological advances when it comes to their vehicles.  We all play victim to the vast power and influence of electronics.  From the DVR recorder in our homes we use to record shows like Desperate Housewives and Top Gear, to the iPad that sits on our lap at the dinner table, we’re all connected in one way or the other.  At the dealership, we love new technology.  So, according to J.D. Power and Associates, these are the top 10 technologies car buyers’ need:

• Run-flat tires – these tires protect you from a flat by providing an additional 50 miles at 50 mph to get to a gas station after your tire pops.
• Navigation Systems – an in-dash navigation system is a great tool for finding your away around.  Use this to find local restaurants, navigate a new city, and in some cases, avoid traffic.
• Premium Surround Sound System – everyone can appreciate a great sound system.  How else can you listen to Michael Jackson’s Thriller at full blast?
• Back-up Assist – SUVs are especially avid at including these.  Back-up assist acts as a rear-view camera that boosts your visibility when backing up.  Great for avoiding objects like bicycles and other vehicles.
• Heated/Cooled Seats – These seats have small “pinholes” that emit cool (or hot) air to flow from a fan or air condition unit embedded in the seats.
• Keyless Entry System – Keyless entry is easy because the small keyless sensor stays in your pocket or purse, allowing you to start your car remotely.  By being in close proximity you can unlock dorrs and push a button on the dash to start your engine. 

These are just a few of the tech that people need to have, for the full list visit http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-tech.pg,0,5168532.photogallery

Top 10 Car Safety Tips For Kids

Keeping your loved ones safe is your top priority.  You work hard on a daily basis to maintain a lifestyle that is both beneficial and prosperous to your children.  This also carries into your lifestyle.  Keeping your loved ones safe is also OUR top priority.  In today’s blog, we provide great tips for keeping your children safe while you’re navigating dangerous roads.

• Use a forward-facing car seat correctly and until the harness no longer fits (convertible or combo seat) in a back seat every time your toddler rides in a car. Many harnesses today serve kids to 50, 60, 80 or even 100 pounds.
•  Use the right car seat with a harness for your toddler’s weight and height. Toddlers are weighed and measured at every doctor visit, so be sure to keep track.
• Put harnesses through the slots so they are even with or above the forward-facing child’s shoulders. Some seats require use of the top slots when the seat is forward-facing, so check instructions.
• Be sure the buckled harness is tight, so you cannot pinch extra webbing at the shoulder.
• Adjust the chest clip to armpit level.
• ·      Use the car’s safety belt or LATCH system to lock the car seat into the car. Do not use both at the same time.  Be sure to use the top tether
• ·      Your car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back. Grab the car seat at the safety belt path or LATCH path to test it.
• ·      Use a top tether if your vehicle and car seat are both so equipped. Tethers limit the forward motion of your child’s head in a crash.
• ·      Have your car seat checked by a currently certified child passenger safety technician to make sure it’s properly installed.
• ·      Do not allow children to play with unused seat belts. Treat them as you would any rope or cord.
• ·      Be sure all occupants wear seat belts correctly every time. Children learn from adult role models.
• ·      If you have a heavier or taller child, find a car seat with a harness that fits larger children. Some seats hold children up to 80 or even 100 pounds.

Tips on Buying a Car For Your College-Bound Teenager

With the new school in full swing your teenager or college-bound student may be asking you for a car. Selecting the right vehicle can become quite challenging, especially when their preferences can be quite different from yours. The automotive repair experts at Shade Tree Garage, in Morristown, New Jersey, have created a list of tips to keep in mind when purchasing a new vehicle for your teenage driver.

Dan O’Connor, Service Advisor at Shade Tree Garage says, “When purchasing a vehicle for your teenager, you’ll want to look at safety, affordability and reliability. If you evaluate each of these areas carefully, you will be confident you’re getting the best vehicle you can for the money you want to spend.” Here’s O’Connor’s list of tips.

1. Safety - According to AAA, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. “Because safety is of primary importance, it’s critical to choose a vehicle that has the latest safety features designed to prevent crashes and minimize injury,” states O’Connor. Any vehicle considered should include features like anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, electronic stability control, adjustable/locking head restraints, and airbags.

2. Affordability - Insurance costs, fuel and maintenance will all affect the affordability of a car. According to O’Connor, “A lot of times a car might look great and be in your price range, but the owner is selling it right at the time it will need a lot of maintenance work done, like new brakes, tires, or the major service. Quality automotive repair shops, like Shade Tree Garage, can perform a pre-purchase inspection to let you know if the vehicle is safe, reliable and priced right.”

3. Reliability - Of course you want to know the vehicle won’t break down the first time your teen takes it out on the road. It’s a good idea to order the vehicle’s CarFax report. You should also determine if there’s a warranty for the vehicle. Again, you may want to have an automotive repair expert perform a pre-purchase inspection. In doing so, you’ll know the vehicle you are thinking of purchasing is roadworthy, mechanically-sound and equipped with operational safety components.

Staying AWAKE Behind the Wheel

Hey, Fans.  Here at the dealership, we make your well being a huge factor.  By creating and maintaining a safe environment for you, we give you the chance to feel comfortable in coming to see us for a vehicle.  Any questions regarding vehicle maintenance and safety can be answered quickly and efficiently.  We wish we could be with you every step of the way after your purchase, but we know that most commutes occur alone.  That’s why we’ve compiled some details of staying awake behind the wheel.  We’ve all driven home tired, even when we know we shouldn’t be.  By following these rules, you can avoid turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep! – Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to good driving habits.  Eight hours is the usual requirement, but almost a third of adults receive less than 6.

Learn and Heed Warning Signs of Fatigue – experiencing wandering thoughts? Yawning repeatedly? Find yourself dosing off periodically?  Take a break and re-adjust yourself.

Drive with a Passenger – if you can, have someone accompany you on the drive home.  That way, you can engage in conversation and avoid dosing off. 

Schedule a Break – on long trips, every 2 hours or every 100 miles, take a break to stretch and catch your bearings before you continue to your destination.

Feel free to add your own tips!

We’ve all driven home tired, even when we know we shouldn’t be.  By following these rules, you can avoid turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one. 

Dealership Dictionary Vol. 1

Hey Fans! There are a lot of acronyms, sayings, and verbiage used in the auto industry nowadays.  Sometimes, the savvy buyers can pinpoint exactly what they mean.  On the other hand, buyers may be confused as to what these certain words mean.  In today’s blog, we’re providing a quick list to reference before you come in to see us.  We’ll be happy to elaborate!

APR – Annual Percentage Rate: this is a ruler used in comparing the various ways of computing interest or finance charges for all loans

Cap Cost Reduction – refers to any cash the leaseholder may pay upfront, this can include a down payment, trade-in credit, or rebate.

Dealer Trade – This is when a dealer will exchange one of his cars with another dealer to meet a customer’s likes or requirements in color, or model.

Free & Clear – A customer’s trade-in, which has no liens on it.

House Financing – This is a customer’s purchase, which is financed through the dealership

MSRP – Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of a vehicle.

These are just a few terms that we use in order to make your experience simple, easy, and effective.  For details, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Have you ever been confused by acronyms like APR or MSRP?  In today's blog, we provide insight on these terms: