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.

In part 2 of this 3-post blog series, we will check out every angle of the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8.

After it was presented to the world at the 2011 International Auto Show in New York City, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 had everyone talking. Just like the Dodge Charger SRT8, the 300 series is equipped with a jaw-dropping 465-horsepower 6.4 L HEMI V8 engine, a few steps up from the 6.1 L engine in years past. As always, this Chrysler stays true to its original design, with its simple bold lines and extraordinary performance.

Another astonishing feature of the 300 is the wheel-mounted paddle shifters that have been installed, allowing the driver to keep both hands on the wheel at all times without having to manually shift in the center counsel. While the engine fuels a 5-speed automatic transmission, the vehicle comes equipped with the paddle shifters to give the driver full-on shifting capabilities while in “sport” mode.

Just like the complete fleet of SRT vehicles this year, fuel economy was a main goal of engineers as the car was built. It features a specially designed exhaust system that allows the standard Fuel Saver technology to engage over a wider rpm range. Even though it’s nearly 25% more efficient than the last 300 SRT, little torque is sacrificed, as the car still rips from 0 to 60 in only 4 short seconds.

It’s clear that this luxury sedan can kick into high gear, but how does it perform when it comes to stopping? The braking system in the 300 is rather “muscular” for a luxury sedan. Enormous rotors in both the front and rear are clamped down by silver four-piston Brembo calipers – hardware that’s powerful enough to take the car from 0-100-0 in just under 16 seconds.

Moving to the interior cabin of the car, you’ll find even more high tech gadgets that cater to the racer—err, driver. A premium leather interior package includes Nappa leather covered door bolster, armrest and center console armrest, and imported Italian Poltrona Frau “Foligno” leather wrapped upper door trim panels, instrument panel, cluster brow and center console side panels. A new 8.4-inch color touchscreen display comes standard, and offers horsepower output, torque output, 0-60, 60-0, eighth and quarter mile time information, making your bragging points more credible.

As an added bonus, anyone who purchases the Chrysler 300 SRT 8 will receive one day of professional driving instruction from the Richard Petty Racing School. This experience is intended to add to the SRT skill set and provide the owner with a deep understanding and experience of the vehicle.

For more information about the 300 SRT8 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.

Ever since the idea emerged in the late 1980s to engineer specialty high performance cars, Chrysler has continuously rolled out over 25 “racing” style vehicles that possess the power, and prowess, to put auto enthusiasts everywhere into fits of joy throughout the last 20 years.

Many car manufacturers come up with elaborate concept car ideas, but most are just for looking – these SRT vehicles (which stand for Street Racing Technology) please the masses, as they are available for buying, and more importantly, driving.

Once known as the Specialty Vehicle Engineering team (SVE), the newly dubbed Performance Vehicle Operations group (PVO) has produced an entire fleet of decked out cars over the years, ranging from Vipers, to Ram trucks, to Prowlers, to a Crossfire, and even a Dodge Neon.

In this blog series we’ll explore the three of the five SRT 2012 powerhouse cars: the Dodge Charger SRT8,  the Chrysler 300 SRT8 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, all equipped with high-tech engine hardware and performance gear, along with a slightly more “street appropriate” design.

Let’s begin this 3-part blog series with the timeless Dodge Charger.

Though the Charger seems to gain a new layer of muscle with every year’s new design, the SRT team added a little something extra by incorporating fuel efficiency. Combine a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine that produces 465 hp and 465 lb-ft. (which allows a 0-80 mph time of 4.8 seconds) with an adaptive valve exhaust system and fuel saver technology, and you’ve got a deadly street combo. Another way to keep your fuel usage under control is via the “Auto” and “Street” modes the driver is able to select, which also optimize the brakes and handling accordingly.

Working your way out from under the hood, and into the driver’s seat, you’ll find your revved up ride extra comfortable with moisture-sensitive dual zone climate control, and a heating system that provides warmth to the front seats, back seats  and  steering wheel  The accessories continue with a heating  & cooling cup, LED interior lighting seat, and an astounding 19 speaker audio system. It’s always a party on the inside of this ride.

To learn more about specifications and availability of this Dodge Charger SRT8 and others in the fleet, visit 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.

The warm summer months bring flocks of students out of the classroom and into a three-month social paradise. This means more young adults will be connecting with the vast array of digital devices that seem to be advancing exponentially. People never seem to take a break from social engagement via cell phone, PDA, computer, etc., which means it’s usually happening 24/7 – even behind the wheel. Other distractions, such as passengers and music, can make it even more difficult for a teen driver to remained focus on the road.

Performance Auto Group sells and services thousands of cars every year, making distracted driving an important issue for the organization. Our care for customers goes beyond the selling process and onto the road with each driver and family. This is why Performance Auto Group is an ally and advocate for groups like C.A.R., which spread the messages and dangers of distracted driving.

A recent study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance and S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) takes a look into the driving habits of teens, and reveals a high number of “near misses” that these drivers admit they’ve experienced while behind the wheel.  The survey results aren’t only relevant to parents, but to everyone who could potentially be affected, including fellow drivers, bikers and pedestrians.

Over 2,000 teens were surveyed, and an astonishing 92% considered themselves to be “safe drivers” – we would all like to think we are, right? It would feel less than dignified to get behind the wheel everyday in a machine that could cause serious damage, knowing that you are not the most responsible driver. Nonetheless, most of those surveyed believe themselves to be up-to-par.

68% of the 2,294 high school students claimed to have had a “near miss” while driving, with over half of those drivers reporting a near miss on more than one occasion. After asking what caused the situation:

• 34% of the teens attributed the blame to other drivers
• 21% blamed the weather

While other drivers or poor weather may have very well been the case, the details of their activity moments before the “near-miss” reveal a great deal about other possible causes.  Texting, talking to friends in the car, talking on the phone and fiddling with music were the most common activities these drivers were partaking in, with speeding only accounting for a small fraction of the teens’ excuses.

For a more in-depth break down of statistics and to view the full report, you can see it here.

Young adults are clearly social beings, especially in this age where it’s cool to tweet, check-in, “Digg” and update the world on every action you take in a given day. Obviously this activity can endanger the lives of others as well as the driver when done behind the wheel, but the really astonishing thing is that most teens truly believe they’re good drivers, when evidence clearly points to the contrary.

Most teens are reluctant to take responsibility for chores, let alone a near-miss car accident. Thus, they have their own ideas about who or what is at fault for crashes that could-have-been – but what is really to blame when everyone is seen doing it, even parents? No matter your opinion, it’s an important and prevalent issue to be mindful of, especially if you have teen drivers.  Summer  is the deadliest time of year for teenage drivers, according to AAA, since summer months contain seven of the 10 most deadly days of the year for teenage driving. Those seven days occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Luckily there are hundreds of organizations stepping up against distracted driving, like S.A.D.D. and more locally, C.A.R., and there are even programs aimed at preventing teen driver fatalities, such as Ford’s Driving Skills for Life program. Click the links to learn more and to get involved.