Holiday Driving Tips

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Right? Right?  Um…hello?  Ok, so maybe once the gifts are wrapped, the food is prepared and Santa has left an abundance of presents and cookie crumbs, then you can take a breather and enjoy the holiday cheer.  These next couple weeks will be hectic, we know.  It’s a great time of the year, but the stress that goes into it can be overwhelming.  There’s hope, however.  In today’s blog, we’re providing some quick tips for navigating your holiday season safely. 

1.)   If you’re going on a road trip, please make sure your car is serviced properly.  Come into our dealership anytime for oil, brake fluid and tire condition checks.

2.)   SLEEP WELL.  Get a good night’s sleep before you venture into the world.

3.)   Plan your route; this will help you in the long run.  Unsafe detours can be dangerous and expensive.

4.)   Bring a paper map.  GPS is the wave of the future, but a paper map can act as backup if you’re GPS malfunctions.

5.)   Buy snacks and drinks before you leave, because stocking up at gas stations can be costly.

6.)   Tell at least 1 family member where you’re headed.  So, if something happens, you have a reliable person to get the message out.

7.)   DO NOT announce on social media that you’re leaving for vacation.  Secure your home and leave at least one light on.  This will detract burglars from your home.

8.)   Leave early.  If the common rush hour time is 9:30, leave a couple hours early to compensate for time.

Do you have any tips to add?  Feel free!  Have a safe drive and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

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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!!!!!!!

This Holiday Season, Give to the Unfortunate with Toys for Tots

It’s the holiday season, and with that said, we’re pumped for the great times with family, the breeze of cool winter weather, and the abundance of gifts we will be able to give and receive.  We’re an automotive dealership and we appreciate every individual that comes in to see us for service, new car purchases, and overall questions about their vehicles.  We appreciate your business and understand that you have a life and family of your own.  However, some of the less fortunate might not have that luxury. 

In today’s blog, we’re taking a road less traveled.  We’re going to talk about how your new, unwrapped gift for a little boy or girl can brighten their holiday season for years to come.  Toys for Tots mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  So, you’re probable asking: “How can I help?”

You can contribute to your local Toys for Tots campaign in several ways. You can donate a toy at one of the area toy drop locations, host a Toys for Tots event at your home, office or other venue and collect toys for Toys for Tots, or volunteer at the local warehouse.

Please select your state and county from this link: http://www.toysfortots.org/donate/toys.aspx and you will be redirected to the Toys for Tots website for your local community. Once there, follow the prompts for your desired action, or select the “Contact Us” option from the menu bar. You should be provided with contact information for the local campaign Coordinator.  It’s that easy!

Our FAVORITE Instagram Photo of the Month

If you're like us, then you have a certain appreciation for the automobile.  It's smooth contour lines, leather seats and the speed and power that comes from a great engine.  As big social media fans, we can also appreciate a vehicle captured in the right light.  In today's blog, we're showcasing our favorite Instagram photo of the month.  A collective effort from our peeps at the dealership.  Check out our favorite below! 

5 Hot US Spots for a Road Trip

5 Hot US Spots for a Road Trip

“America the beautiful” written by Katharine Lee Bates is the soundtrack to planning a road trip, which is an inexpensive alternative to air travel.  Road trips are both enjoyable and historically enlightening.  You would be surprised as to what’s in your backyard.  If you have been thinking of taking a road trip, look no further, we will provide you with several great spots to get some much-needed R & R.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is colder than most vacation spots, but it also offers some of the greatest historical sights in the US.  World-renowned museums, shows, concerts, Red Sox games at World famous Fenway Park, and the Freedom Trail.  If you enjoy the bar scene, you could also enjoy Boston’s plethora of pubs, hangouts, and just spend a day barhopping.  Great food balances out the equation. 

The California Coast

Take a direct ride up the coast from San Diego to San Francisco for a great view and an even more amazing feeling.   You can bask in the sun on any beach that permits, check out the Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego, or the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, the possibilities are as endless as the shoreline. 

New York City

This is hands down one of the places required to visit on your trip (if you haven’t been).  Public transportation to any location is convenient.  The Empire State Building is amazing, Staten Island ferry, Greenwich Village and Soho, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chinatown, and Times Square make New York City a town chock full of the American dream.  Then when you’re too tired to walk and need a seat, watch a Broadway Show you will be amazed at the production value!

Disney World, Florida

Disney is a land of freedom from adulthood, and a child’s paradise.  It has countless rides and amusement parks, colorful characters of our favorite cartoons, delicious food, and Mickey Mouse!  What more could you ask for?

Grand Canyon, Arizona

One of the greatest national wonders in the world, the Grand Canyon is a breathtaking formation of natural beauty.  Views from the South rim, hiking trails, and a rafting tour make The Grand Canyon a stellar vacation spot.  The scene is truly breathtaking.  This should be one location where you should save massive space on your camera memory card.  Say cheese!

Ok, so we’ve provided several spots for your next road trip.  Have you had any road trips experiences you would like to share, or maybe we missed your favorite hot spot?  Feel free to comment below: 

Teenage Driver Tips

Teenage drivers on the road!? That’s a scary thought! It’s even scarier if it’s your kid!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes are the number one cause of death for young people. Teens between the ages of 16 and 20 have the highest traffic fatality and injury rates per 100,000 population, four times higher than that of adults.  Inexperience and lacking skills means that one in five 16-year-old male drivers and about one in ten females will have a crash during their first year of driving. Some of the worst crashes occur at night and with a group of young people in the car. If alcohol or any other kind of impairment is involved, the level of risk is greatly increased.

Here are three tips to help you teach your kids about safety and the rules of the road.

·       “Do as I say. Do as I do.” If you’re telling your child to always wearing a seat belt or to never text and drive, you should practice these rules, too.

·       Enforce Driving Rules: explain what it means to be a safe driver. Having driving rules set for your child to adhere to. The rules should also have consequences if they are not obeyed. If your son doesn’t wear he’s seatbelt, Take away his Xbox, or worse…make him watch Hannah Montana.

·       Teach the traffic safety laws in your state: Many states laws that make it illegal to text and drive.  Driving curfews are also implemented in many states.