Archive for the ‘Chrysler’ Category

If you’ve visited the gas station recently, you may have noticed a new fuel label—E85. What is E85? Can your vehicle run on it? We’re here to answer these questions and more.

E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline. The 85 percent ethanol is made from fermented corn or other grain products. Because of this, E85 is fairly easy to find in the Midwest, where the majority of the nation’s corn is grown.

Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz and Honda all make vehicles capable of running on E85.  Vehicles such as the Ford F-150, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango, also known as flexible-fuel vehicles, are able to run on a variety of fuels. They work with 100 percent E85, 100 percent pump gasoline or any combination of ethanol and gasoline. A special computer in each vehicle monitors these fuels and helps the vehicle run efficiently on whichever fuel you choose to fill up with.

E85 has many advantages over gasoline:
• E85 is up to 30 cents cheaper to fill-up with per gallon.
• E85 keeps fuel systems cleaner than gasoline, which results in potentially lower long-term maintenance costs.
• E85 vehicles have lower carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions than gas or diesel vehicles.
• E85 is a renewable resource.
• E85 can help lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

Ready to switch to E85? Check out our lineup of flexible fuel vehicles at www.PerformanceAuto.com.

Distracted driving has become a serious problem in our country, particularly due to the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Institute reports that in 2008, more than 20 percent of all car crashes occurred because of some type of driver distraction.  Furthermore, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety says that drivers who use hand held devices are four times more likely to get into accidents serious enough to injure themselves.

With such staggering statistics, we must do whatever we can to eliminate distractions so drivers can physically and mentally focus on the road.  When drivers engage in distracted driving behaviors, they not only endanger themselves, but they put everyone around them at risk too.  We have always had a moral obligation to put the phones down, but now it’s the law.  Nebraska and Iowa recently passed laws banning texting while driving.

Vehicle manufacturers are also doing what they can to help eliminate driving distractions. 

• Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles feature the UConnect system.  UConnect is an in-vehicle, hands free communication system that allows you to talk on your Bluetooth enabled phone while keeping your hands on the wheel. 
•  Lexus vehicles also give drivers the capability to wirelessly connect their Bluetooth phones to the car via the navigation or audio system. 
• Ford cars feature the Ford Sync system, which allows drivers to make hands-free calls and control music and other functions with simple voice commands.  

While these features drastically reduce visual and manual driving distractions, they can still take your mind off the road.  To eliminate cognitive distractions as well, avoid using cell phones except in case of an emergency.

Many drivers simply do not recognize the dangers faced when they take their eyes and minds off the road and their hands off the wheel.  We are all part of the solution to distracted driving.  When teaching your own children to drive, we cannot expect them to put the phones down unless we do the same.  Set an example for your children and other drivers by putting the phone away while you drive and eliminate distractions behind the wheel.