Archive for the ‘Tips & Tricks’ Category

Deciding between buying a new car and buying a used car can be tricky. The lower price tags on older vehicles can be tempting, but new vehicles have many advantages over used ones when it comes to economy, power, technology and safety.

Economy

While some older vehicles still do very well with gas mileage, it seems automakers increase fuel economy in their vehicles every year. New transmissions, direct fuel injectors and other improvements use less power and help save gasoline.

Power

New vehicles tend to have more horsepower than the same vehicle from an earlier model year. Advancements in computer-aided design maximize the vehicle’s efficiency and power.
Technology

Each year, it seems automakers add more standard technological gadgets to their vehicles. Bluetooth, iPod integration and other entertainment options are standard in many new vehicles, but they’re options you’ll have to pay for in older vehicles.

Safety

Automakers strive to constantly make their vehicles safer for drivers and passengers. New vehicles are more likely to have more standard airbags and more advanced safety features, such as electronic stability control and standard ABS.

Still not convinced that a new vehicle is the way to go? Other reasons for buying a new vehicle instead of a used one include:

• Better comfort and design: New vehicles generally have quieter interiors and higher quality materials.
• Fewer repairs: New vehicles have less immediate maintenance to worry about than used vehicles. They are also under warranty, so any necessary repairs shouldn’t cost you anything out of pocket.
• Better financing: Finance rates are usually lower on new vehicles than on used ones. Because of this, people with bad or no credit generally have an easier time getting financed for a new vehicle than for a used one.
• Protection: Many automakers offer layoff protection to keep you safe in this tough economy. They will usually let you return the car or make your payments for you if you lose your job. Used vehicles don’t generally offer this protection.

Performance Auto has a wide variety of both new and used vehicles to suit your needs. Once you’ve decided which type of vehicle is right for you, stop in any of our showrooms to see our selection!

Planning a fun and enjoyable road trip starts with choosing the right vehicle to travel in. Performance Auto offers a variety of vehicles perfect for your summer adventure, including these top picks*:

Fiat 500, starting at $15,500

With a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Fiat 500 offers drivers 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The interior offers ample room for two and iPod input to keep you entertained on your journey.

Scion xB, starting at $16,000

The Scion xB’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine gives drivers 22 city and 28 highway miles per gallon. Its spacious interior lets families travel in style without feeling like everyone’s on top of each other.

Ford Mustang, starting at $22,310

A 3.7-liter V6 engine gives the Ford Mustang the power you crave on your road trip and up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway. Excellent handling gives you the performance and power you need on your trip.

Toyota Sienna, starting at $25,060

Drivers are treated to a performance-driven ride and 19 city/24 highway miles per gallon in the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder Toyota Sienna. With spacious seating for up to eight passengers, the Sienna’s a vehicle the whole family can enjoy!

Honda Element, starting at $20,825

Easy cargo loading makes the Honda Element a great pick before you even hit the road. Offering 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway, the Element is equipped with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and plenty of interior space.

Volkswagen Touareg, starting at $44,450

Offering 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway, the VW Touareg’s 3.6-liter V6 engine gives you plenty of get up and go on the highway. Its roomy interior lets you travel in comfort, while the navigation system ensures you arrive at your correct destination every time!

Once you’ve chosen the right road trip vehicle for you, the following tips** can also make your road trip more enjoyable:

• Get your vehicle’s oil changed and all fluids checked before beginning your trip.  Few things ruin a vacation faster than mechanical problems that could have been avoided with routine maintenance.
• If possible, take turns driving. Taking turns driving means that everyone gets a chance to sit back and enjoy the scenery without watching the road, which can make the trip more enjoyable for everyone.
• Bring your own music. Searching for a radio station can be tricky when you’re on the road. Bringing your own music ensures you’ll actually enjoy what you’re listening to on your whole journey.
• Bring your own food and drinks. Bringing some snacks along with you will save you both money and time because you’ll be able to stop less and spend less at pricey gas station convenience stores.
• Plan for unexpected stops. If there’s a certain time you need to arrive at your destination, leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get there.
• Get gas before your gas gauge is on empty. Sometimes the distance between gas stations can be hundreds of miles when you’re traveling in remote areas. Plan your fill-up destinations ahead of time to avoid being stranded on the side of the road.

Most importantly, though, drive safe and have fun. With these great road trip vehicles and tips, your summer vacation can be a blast!

*Based on a list from www.money.cnn.com

**Tips from www.uptake.com

This time of year brings the lovely sights of flowers and sunshine; but as temperatures change, perfect conditions frequently arrive for tornadoes to form, especially in the Midwest and southern regions of the country. We all witnessed the devastating damage to areas of Alabama and Iowa recently, and though tornadoes can strike at a moment’s notice, it’s important to know what actions to take to remain unharmed.

Most people are familiar with indoor protocol when tornadoes arrive, but what if you’re in a car? Cars are one of the least desirable and most dangerous places to get caught in a twister, but here are some tips to help if the event does arise.

Take preemptive measures. Before embarking on a road trip that covers more than 50 miles or so, make sure to check weather reports to see if any dangerous weather is brewing. You can avoid a driving run-in with a tornado by keeping tabs on local weather forecasts.

If you forget, or don’t have access to a weather report, look for visual warning signs like dark skies, large, dark, low-lying clouds, large hail and loud rumbling (like a freight train is coming) – these are all signs that a tornado may be approaching, so find the nearest building while there’s still time to do so.

If you do have the opportunity and time to pull over and make it inside of a building or house, get to the lowest area, like an underground shelter, basement or safe room.

Decipher the direction of the twister. If you’re in the wide open outdoors with no buildings around, look in your rearview mirror and take note of what you see. If the tornado seems to be getting smaller, you are moving away from it, and it is safe to continue to driving. If it remains the same size or gets larger, it is coming in your direction. Pull over immediately.

It is commonly believed that you should drive away from a twister by making turns at right angles from the storm, but this isn’t always the best practice. Tornadoes don’t always travel in straight paths, and you never know if a road will weave or turn, which could send you right into the path of the twister.

Don’t stay in your car! Though it may seem natural to remain inside your vehicle to protect yourself from a tornado, it certainly is not. If you don’t have time to drive away from the twister, the best practice is to quickly get out of your car and seek the lowest area of ground you can find , like a ditch or gully. Then, cover your head and neck with an object or your arms. This method may seem like it puts you in the line of fire, but compared to the inside of your car or under a bridge, it’s truly is the safest procedure. Tornadoes have been known to uplift vehicles, and can also turn pebbles into bullets, with the potential to whiz through your car windows. Furthermore, other debris flying around your car could be deadly. Seeking shelter under a bridge or tunnel is also unwise, as these areas can create funnels and vortexes of wind. Additionally, crawling up under an overpass places you even higher up into the wind and at a higher risk of injury.

Hopefully very few people ever have to utilize tornado safety procedures while driving, but with so many people on the go these days, you can never be too sure.  Every once and again we get reminders from Mother Nature that sometimes she is a force to be reckoned with. We may not be able to prevent these occurrences, but we can definitely try to prepare for them.

We have all heard that every car needs an oil change every 300o miles – but that’s not necessarily true. In fact, oil changes are more important to the life and safety of your car than you’d believe.

Here are a few points about oil changes that aren’t always shed light:

1. Oil is Your Vehicle’s Life Force

Oil is vital for various parts of your car to functioning properly. Engine oil prevents wear, distributes heat from friction, improves sealing and helps keep your engine clean. Lubricants are not only important in your engine, but in other areas of your car, too. The transmission (in automatics) or gear box (in manuals), the brakes, and the hydraulics all require lubricants to avoid damaging friction.

2. Your Usage May Dictate Oil Change Frequency

Main factors to take into account are:

Use – How uch do you drive your car? In what conditions? Are you idling frequently?

Manufacturer Recommendation – ‘Every 3,000 miles’ is a huge generalization. Some cars only require a change every 8,000 miles! Sports cars, SUVs and hybrids all have different needs.

Age of the Car -With a new car, the break-in maintenance and recommended scheduled maintenance is usually explained in its manual. But as your engine gets older, engines tend to burn more oil.

3. Every Car Likes a Unique Flavor

Again, referencing your owner’s manual should tell you what kind of oil your vehicle requires. Different kinds of makes, models and operating systems all function differently and thus, need certain types of engine oil. There are three main types of engine oil: basic conventional oil which is a byproduct of the crude oil refining process, and synthetic oil, which is cleaner, more stable, but more expensive. There is also a synthetic blend, which is a mix of the two.

4. While You’re Checking Under the Hood…

Other maintenance check-ups might as well be done while the hood is popped. Wiper fluid, transmission fluid, air filters, coolant levels and cap security should all be given a quick once-over to make sure they’re in good shape. Though oil changes are the most common item to check off a vehicle “maintenance” checklist, there are a number of parts that should be given regular attention as well. For those drivers that forget to check up on things like this, regular oil changes serve as the perfect reminder to assess other parts of your car.

5. Clean Oil is Key to Saving Gas

Not only does clean oil improve the functionality of your engine, but getting your regular oil changes can save you money at the pump. No matter which type of oil you put in your vehicle,  every oil degrades sooner or later, and sludge slows your engine ability and compromises your gas mileage. Especially with high gas prices these days, staying up-to-date on your oil changes is an easy way to make sure your get the most for your money.

Now that you’re more up to speed on why oil changes are so important, make sure to check with your owners manual, or contact one of our service locations to schedule an appointment. Any of our friendly certified service technicians would be happy to provide helpful, honest and reliable information about your next oil change.