[Infographic] Car Insurance Rates and Average Price of Car Insurance

Is it pouring outside? Did you just start a road trip? Running late for an office meeting? Well, you’ll probably get a flat tire – at least that’s what it seems like. Though flat tires always seem to occur at the most inconvenient times, a frustrating situation can go from bad to worse if you lack a solution to your deflated donut predicament.

For your safety (and sanity) it’s important to know the general procedure of changing a tire. Vehicle makes and models will obviously differ in tire-changing tools, but there are fundamental guidelines that everyone can follow.

My tip: Avoid this dreaded situation all together by checking the pressure of your tires every now and then. Things like nails, glass and shards of metal are sometimes harder to prepare for, however…

First things first – pull over to a safe location. “What was that? Did I hit a squirrel? Did my tire fall off?” No. When your steering starts to pull to one side and the ride gets bumpy, you’ve got a flat. Pull over to a safe (and ironically, flat) location, void of heavy traffic. You will need room to move around the car.

Prolonging the distance driven with a flat could cause further damage to your wheel, the hub and even the axle.

Grab your gear. After getting out, assessing the damage and probably spouting profanities under your breath, get to business. When you purchase your car, you should become familiar with the location of your spare and the tools that come along with it. You can usually find them around the trunk area. For most cars it’s under the trunk floor, but for SUVs, trucks and minivans, the tire’s usually mounted on/in the tailgate or underneath the car. Be sure to check your owner’s manual to be sure. The tire tool trifecta includes the spare, a jack and a lug wrench. You will need all of them. No more, no less.

Loosen the Lug Nuts.  Loosening these small-but-mighty metal guys can drive you…nuts.  It’s true.  Some mechanics tighten them too much, leaving you stressing and sweating when you are faced with a flat. The lug wrench should suffice, but a little extra elbow grease might be necessary. The key word in this step is “loosen” – don’t remove completely. That would make the next step much more difficult.

A word to the wise: lefty loosey, righty tighty…that means counterclockwise.

Jack it up. Use the provided jack and place it underneath the car next to the deflated tire. Find the “jack spot” (usually marked with two indentations) and use that as a location for the best leverage. The jack that comes with your car should get the job done. You only need to raise it high enough to allow the wheel to spin freely.

Remove and replace the dud. Once the bad tire is raised, completely remove the lugs by hand. Be sure to set them somewhere flat and in eyes’-sight so they don’t roll away. Remove the bad tire and set it back in the place of the spare. Affix the spare tire to the wheel studs, and screw on the lugs once again, beginning by hand and finishing the job with the lug wrench. A key note – you don’t want the lugs super tight. A “snug” lug is a safe lug.

Lower the wheel and clean up. Lower the vehicle back down completely with the jack and replace the tools where you found them. Make sure you didn’t overlook any small parts. When you get back on the road, be cautious – usually there is a maximum speed for spares. It’s usually written on the inside of the tire wall. Take a look at that before your drag race to the closest service shop.

You did it. It’s like it never even happened, right? Oh wait, there’s grease on your work shirt…

While we hope you never run into such an unfortunate dilemma, we are here to help if you do. Performance Auto and its 12 dealerships will gladly and efficiently take care of your tire troubles. As a sign of our dedication we’d like to offer you the following tire discount for the entire month of August, valid at any one of our dealerships in Omaha, Lincoln or Kansas City:

Print out this page with the coupon to receive the deal. Only one per customer, please.

Visit our dealership locator to find the shop closest to you.

While super sporty high-performance vehicles often steal the spotlight in the auto world, meticulously designed, highly efficient vehicles deserve their day in the sun, too. Years of engineering allow these vehicles to save consumers money while simultaneously protecting the future of our planet.

Performance Auto Group in Omaha, Neb. proudly carries seven of the top hybrids in America, according to a July report from environmental group, the US Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The longstanding hybrid leader, Toyota Prius, once again outscored the rest of the pack, remaining the top dog in this category since its first-generation introduction in 2001.

Let’s take a look at the features that give these vehicles a green advantage:

2011 Toyota Prius
•    50 mpg in combined city/highway driving
•    Light-weight, best aerodynamics of any production vehicle in the world
•    Re-designed powertrain allows for all-electric gas-free driving
•    Electric water pump, optimized regenerative brake system, exhaust gas recovery

2011 Honda Civic
•    41 mpg in combined city/highway driving
•    1.3 liter iVTEC 4-cylinder engine and a 20-hp electric motor
•    Ability to self-de-activate all cylinders and cruise under electric motor power alone
•    Contemporary look and decent  “gasoline-like” performance not altered by hybrid anatomy

Honda Insight
•    41 mpg in combined city/highway driving
•    Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system: electric motor works with gasoline engine to supply additional power and torque in Assist mode
•    ECON Button alters particular vehicle systems to minimize overall energy use
•    Eco Guide displays data about your braking and acceleration to help you drive more efficiently

2011 Ford Fusion
•    39 mpg in combined city/highway driving
•    Gas-electric powertrain provides extraordinary fuel-economy and flawless operation
•    Signature Ford SYNC system provides instant access to directions, music, hands-free phone and traffic information
•    SmartGauge LCD Panel with EcoGuide coaches drivers to maximize fuel efficiency

2011 Honda CR-Z
•    37 mpg in combined city/highway driving
•    Parallel hybrid/ sixth generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA)
•    i-VTEC System that controls variable valve timing and lift, improving fuel economy and reducing exhaust emissions
•    Crisp, precise steering, good acceleration, subtle engine sound and nearly 25 cubic feet of cargo area – large for a compact

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
•    33 mpg in combined city/highway driving
•    2.4 liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain and an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT)
•    Perfect combination of excellent fuel economy and comfortable midsize-sedan characteristics
•    Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) certification

2011 Ford Escape 
•    32 mpg in combined city/highway driving
•    AWD version offers 30 city/27 highway – most efficient hybrid SUV on the market
•    MyKey system allows owners to limit a vehicle’s top speed and audio volume—a feature useful for parents
•    Electric air conditioning unit allows A/C use without having to turn on the gas engine

All of the listed vehicles are located locally at a Performance Auto dealership. View our locations find a dealership near you.

Summer’s soaring temperatures can make driving a miserable experience if your vehicle’s air conditioner isn’t working correctly – especially if you live in or around the Midwest.  Before you get caught in a “hot” air conditioning dilemma, use these tips to make sure your vehicle’s A/C brings its “A” game to the summer heat battle.

Leave it to the professionals-

If you haven’t done so already, take your vehicle to have the A/C checked and serviced. These systems are complicated and it’s best to leave it to the professionals. (See the end of this post for a dealership discount offer*) During your A/C checkup, qualified technicians should check the temperature of the air coming from your vents. A system is considered “functional” if it can produce air inside your vehicle that is 50°F lower than the outside temperature.

The most likely source of trouble in your system…

The most common problem in A/C systems is a low level of refrigerant, which is usually caused by a small leak. This is why technicians also look for any leaks in your A/C system. If any problems are found during your vehicle’s A/C checkup, service individuals examine the refrigerant pressure in the system, repair any leaks and refill the refrigerant to the proper level. A regular A/C tune-up usually involves checking the vehicle’s belt, as well. When they’re done, you get to drive home in a nice, cool vehicle!

If any problems are found during your vehicle’s A/C checkup, service individuals examine the refrigerant pressure in the system, repair any leaks and refill the refrigerant to the proper level. When they’re done, you get to drive home in a nice, cool, refreshed ride!

You can’t afford to ignore!

Between your vehicle’s scheduled A/C checkups, you can use the following tips to keep your A/C running smoothly, and avoid costly repairs in the long run:

• In the winter months, turn on and run your A/C for at least 10 minutes once every month to prevent the hoses from hardening.
• Check the condenser. Clean off any dirt and debris that may be blocking airflow through it.
• Check the belt. Look for any wear and make sure it’s nice and tight.
• Check the air filter. Replace it if it’s dirty.
• Check the A/C operation when your vehicle is on:
  1. Listen for strange noises.
  2. Pay attention to whether or not the air is cold.
  3. Feel to see if the air is coming from the correct vents.

Performance Auto group has many certified technicians waiting to give your car an A/C pick-me-up. Visit out dealership locator to see which of our 13 locations is nearest to you!
*Currently, Performance Toyota of Lincoln has a complimentary A/C service check-up for all Toyota vehicles. Learn by viewing their Parts & Service Specials.

Information from www.carenginemaintenance.jimdo.com, www.cheap-auto-insurance-quotes.com and www.imakenews.com/lexusofomaha.

In this last post of the three-part SRT-focused survey, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will sit in the spotlight…even though it truly shines for itself.

Nothing in life is perfect, but the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 8 comes pretty darn close. Most commonly known for their rugged, adventurous flare, rarely would you hear commentary on the racing capabilities of such a SUV. Well folks, don’t limit this Jeep to its traditional off-roading category just yet.  A 6.4 Liter HEMI V8 engine, 465 horsepower and 465 lb-ft. of torque make this Grand Cherokee the most powerful Jeep ever offered.

Don’t let the size and stature of this Jeep fool you — 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds will certainly smoke all other vehicles of similar size. The top speed is limited to 155 mph, unlike its brethren Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8 , which both top out at 175 mph. The Grand Cherokee SRT 8allows for the transmission, or driver, to be in control, with paddle-shifters mounted on the steering wheel for driver convenience.

Following suit with the rest of  the SRT family this year, the car’s active valve exhaust system allows for standard Fuel Saver Technology, adding to its already-long list of perks — it allows the car to engage over a wider rpm range,  resulting in an estimated 13-percent improvement in highway fuel efficiency and a 450-mile range.

The car’s sporty image is boosted with the addition of Pirelli P Zero run flat tires and an enormous 4 inch exhaust pipe, giving this puppy a growl. On the dash you’ll find a Performance Page screen, which tracks your speed and agility, storing information so you can attempt to “score higher” than your last performance.

Perhaps one of the most distinguishing features of this model is the Selec-Track traction-enhancing system, featuring five separate driving modes (Auto, Sport, Snow, Tow and Track) which optimize the traction and control for any given situation. The Selec-Track system also manages a new adaptive damping suspension, giving this Jeep an extraordinary handling system.
This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what makes this Jeep special. It’s truly a standout, for Jeep enthusiasts and muscle car aficionados alike.

For more information about the Grand Cherokee SRT and other SRT models, visit the official SRT page at http://drivesrt.com/. Baxter Chrysler Jeep Dodge is the #2 volume SRT dealer in the country year to date.  The Challenger SRT 392’s are already in stock and the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT models will be hitting the ground in September/October 2011 (all incoming units are already sold) and the new 2013 Viper will be available around July 2012.