Advantages of going Green with Automobiles

Today more companies are deciding to make the transition to produce electrical and hybrid version of their vehicles. Many people are also jumping on the bandwagon of not only saving money for themselves, but lessening the carbon footprint they are leaving behind. Here’s a look as to why making the switch to an eco-friendly automobile could be a smart choice.

Financially:

·      If you buy a new eco-friendly car, you may be eligible for as much as $3,000 as a tax credit. However, this does not necessarily apply to every brand and type of hybrid vehicle.

·      Your insurance company may offer lower rates on some eco friendly automobiles.

·      Your wallet will be thanking you. By switching to an electric powered or hybrid vehicle you will be saving and spending half as much on fuel or none at all.

Environmentally:

·      By eliminating the use of fuel it will lead to less pollution and will reduce harmful effects on the environment.

·      Using less or no oil at all limits the amount of carbon emissions that are released into the air and helps to have a lesser a chance of polluting water and land sources.

Car costs:

·      Most of the green vehicles are more fuel efficient in comparison to standard gas powered vehicles. By making the switch you will be sure to see a major improvement in your gas mileage.

·      Not only will you be saving on the road, but also limiting the amount of time your car needs to be spend in the shop.  Eco friendly vehicles are built differently in regards to handling and operating causing less maintenance.    

Making the switch seems like a smart choice to and beneficial financially and environmentally in the long run.

Quick Car Maintenance Tips!

Who really “enjoys” visiting the mechanic, besides the part-time grease monkey who loves working on his souped-up coupe?  That’s right, NO ONE.  It’s a draining expense that is required to get you from point a to point b.  However, car maintenance is a vital tool in maintaining the life of your car.  In today’s blog, we provide some quick tips to give your vehicle a long prosperous life and avoid the junkyard. 

Octane Overdose

Applying octane to your vehicle can be a sticky situation.  Some is good, but more is troublesome.  Higher-than-required octane does not yield more power, it just gives more funds to oil companies.  Some engines are rated for premium 91 octane but can burn 87 octane regular.  So, run regular gas if you drive nominal or normal speeds and premium if you’re a speed demon. 

Oil Change Timing

Every 3,000 miles.  It’s been instilled in you since you started driving hot wheel cars in elementary school.  Today, engine design has made that number obsolete.  Some cars call for 5,000-mile change intervals, some up to 15,000-mile stints. Others have a variable timer. Follow the schedule and use the oil called for by the manufacturer.

Dead Tires

Tires wear out and they also die out.  A useless tire is extremely dangerous.  Heat, sunlight and ozone conditions all contribute to the wear and tear of your tires.  The tire industry says that tires last about 5 years but it really depends on so much more.  The industry agreement is about 7 years, but you can check with your mechanic to see how old your tires are.  They’ll be able to see the time stamp code in the sidewall.

Got your own tip you want to ad?  Feel free!

The Best Automotive Instagram Profiles of 2013

Are you on Instagram?  Yes?  Maybe? No?  Well, for the 100+ million users Instagram has siphoning through its content on a daily basis, you’ve most likely heard of it.  Instagram is a fast, beautiful and fun way to share your life with family and friends via a picture or video.  You’re also able to add filters to your content to transform the look.  In today’s blog, we’re listing the TOP automotive Instagram users.  These individuals eat, sleep and breathe gasoline.  They’re tuned into the latest trends in automotive and provide a bird’s eye view of the automotive landscape.  Check it out:

Vossen Wheels - @vossen

Vossen is the quintessential wheel shop.  They create gorgeous photos with different makes and models accented by their beautiful rims.  It also reveals a unique lifestyle by Vossen employees as they create dynamic videos, prank each other and reveal their undying passion for the automotive industry.

Dave Nickerson - @davenickerson2

Dave Nickerson is a professional photographer of everything automotive.  He’s also an auto aficionado with a passion for high-end cars.  He captures the beauty of vehicles in still shots taken with his iPhone, revealing behind the scene shots from countless photo shoots.

Ken Block - @kblock43

Ken Block is a legend in the automotive competitive circuit.  He’s known for events like the X Games, WRC, Rally America and more. 

Auto Kings - @autokings

Autokings is a crowd-sourced Instagram profile with a wide range of vehicles.  Manufacturers range from Ferrari, to Honda to Jeep with a feeling of random automotive bliss.

Do you have any to add?  Feel free in the comments below!

Top Reasons Drivers Are Pulled Over

Picture driving down the interstate with your top down while the wind is hitting you at a perfect angle, throwing a soothing, cool air through your flowing hair. Then, out of the blue, you hear a clearly distinct cop car sound-off behind you, causing you to jump out of your comfort zone into an all out panic.  You’ve been here before; you sift into low gear and head for the median, realizing you were going over the speed limit.  It’s happened to ALL of us.  Yes, including us at the dealership.  In today’s blog, we're discussing the top reasons why people are pulled over by the cops.  Feel free to share your comments below.

1.    Speeding – this entry is the most predictable, and the most common.  The faster you drive, the shorter your reaction time and control.  Braking distances also increase as speed builds, and it takes about 120 feet for a vehicle to stop when it’s traveling 60 mph.  Our advice? STOP driving so fast!

2.    Illegal Phone Use – Talking and texting on the phone while you’re driving is extremely dangerous to your safety and the safety of those around you. Although just a couple of states have banned phone use in the car, more than 30 have banned texting behind the wheel.  “I’ll just send a quick text.” Is the usual response, but individuals should drive as if their life depends on it.  "The really horrific stories about texting make the news," a traffic expert says, "But we see accidents and even just fender-benders from it every day."

3.    Hazardous Driving – these practices include stop sign and stoplight violations, illegal U-turn’s improper lane changes, failures to yield and unsafe speeds.  This also includes shaving, eating and even changing clothes.  We can’t imagine trying to pull off a shirt while having one foot on the gas pedal!

4.    Equipment Violations – Individuals who have heavily tinted windows, burned-out headlights, broken windshields, expired tags and loud exhaust modifications are prone to the bait of State police officers.  Always check your equipment to make sure that it meets road standards.

5.    Following Too Closely/Improper Lane Changes – Police are on high alert for these current violations.  On the freeway especially, it’s important to keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you.  Add this to cellphone use and you’re brewing a recipe for disaster.  Driving too close equates to a slower reaction time.  So keep at least three car lengths away, that should give you more than enough time to react

An improper lane change is another phrase for “cutting someone off” by changing lanes without looking or indicating.  A failure to signal can add fuel to the fire, but it won’t initiate a traffic stop—just because the failure to signal is SO common.  However, speedily changing lanes without indication that you’re doing so can result in an accident and subsequent ticket. 

So, Fans please practice safe driving habits and feel free to Comment below!

Best Instagram Photos of 2013

Once in a while, we like to take our favorite Instagram photos and showcase them to the world.  Photography is art and in the development of art, we admire the Instagram users that showcase their talent in the form of Automotive greatness.  So, without further adieu, we give you our favorite photos of 2013:

What Exactly is the Autobahn?

When Autobahn comes to mind, I can’t help but reference Michael Jackson’s hit “Speed Demon, “ a fast-paced song about the repercussions of speeding down an infinite highway.  THAT is how I picture the Autobahn.  Millions of people have heard references to the famed speedway, but what exactly is it?  Is it a motorway system that lasts an eternity without a speed limit or a racetrack for the fastest cars in the world?  In today’s blog, we break down WHAT the Autobahn is and how you can see it for yourself.

The Autobahn, by definition, is a superhighway or expressway in Germany that stands as one of the last places on earth where you can drive as fast as you want.  The highway is in no means a free-for-all, with some sections of the autobahn having speed limits, though great stretches still remain unrestricted. 

The Autobahn national highway system stretches over 6,800 miles and is designed to connect all of Germany’s major metropolitan areas.  The presumption is that there are unlimited speeds on the entire Autobahn, but many heavily trafficked sections of the freeway have speed limits in the 50 to 75 mph range. The suggested speed for the unlimited sections is 81 mph, though various speedsters and adrenaline seekers routinely break the fold.

So, you must be wondering HOW fast someone has ventured into the record books.  Well, in 1938, driver Rudolf Caracciola set an autobahn speed record of 268.8 mph.  WOW.  

Learn How to Tie a Christmas Tree to a Car

Happy Holidays! As the weather shifts, relatives arrive in town, and the Christmas list continues to grow, the holidays spark a certain cheer in every one of us.  Whether you’re celebrating Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, or the neighborhood festivities, the holidays are a time of family, friends and….STRESS.  Lets be honest, the shopping season is booming, you’ve got TONS of gifts to pick up and you STILL haven’t had time to create that “pine smell” with a fresh Christmas tree in your living room.  Well, we’re here to help.  In today’s blog post, we’re going to show you HOW to tie a Christmas tree to your car.  

So, make sure you have heavy gloves, a warm jacket and plastic sheeting. First, put on your gear and shake your new tree.  This will loosen any foreign objects, as well as loose branches.  Place a sheet of plastic over the roof of your car to protect the paint and finish.  Now, lift the tree and place it on the roof.  Have a partner if your tree is larger than 6 feet.  Next, wind the rope or bungee cord all around  - over the tree, then under and back over the tree until it is secure.  Tie the rope or cord securely. Pull on the tree and make sure it’s tightly tied.  Ta da! An additional tip: bring your own rope or bungee cord when you buy your tree and always face the tree with the trunk end forward! (this will prevent wind breaking off branches while you’re driving.

Happy Holidays!!!!!!!