At some point you are probably going to have to learn how to jump your car. Winter tends to sap a lot of life out of your charge and there’s no doubt that you are going to need a jump at some point. This is probably the most basic maintenance you can do to your car other than pumping up the tires to the proper PSI.
If you’ve never jumped you car before, this is your lesson. If you have, and most of you have, consider this a refresher course. Keep in mind that your battery still holds a charge and deliver a pretty serious shock if you aren’t careful. Personally, electricity scares me a little. I don’t even like testing 9 volt batteries with my tongue. If you need a jump, here are some very important guidelines to follow I’ve collected over my years in the industry and fom articles I’ve read previously.
Here are some rules to obey when jump starting a car:
• Always avoid having any flammable material that can produce sparks around a live battery. Furthermore, no live electric or flammable material should be kept around jumper cables that are in use.
• Remember to never hook a car battery in a position that could be considered a series circuit. If this is done, there is a high possibility your car’s entire electrical system could catch fire, also ruining the starter.
• When jump starting the car, make sure the batteries that are connecting have the same voltage. While most vehicles today use a 12 volt battery, some older models use batteries that have different properties.
• Always ensure that the batteries that are being connected to each other have the same polarity, in that they both have the negative terminal grounded.
• Keep the vehicles a reasonable distance from each other, do not let them touch.
• Make sure vent cap holes are not covered or obstructed by any material.
• Do not smoke while you are jump starting a car and keep lit cigarettes away from the batteries.
• If you are trying to jump start a car in cold weather first make sure that the battery electrolyte is not covered in ice or frost. This is highly likely if your car’s battery has been discharging liquid in cold weather.
• Make sure the electrolyte fluid stays away from your skin. Contact medical care if this fluid makes skin contact.
It is important that you work to make sure you and other parties stay safe when jump starting a car. Always use your hazard lights and make sure you are pulled into a secure location or parking lot. If at all possible, avoid jump starting a car on the side of a busy road or highway in inclement or bad weather. Not only do you increase your chances of doing something wrong because you have to maneuver a car to reach a stalled vehicle, but it is dangerous to be so close to traffic.
There are times when we have to look beyond what we do for a living, such as being your Cincinnati Car dealers, and consider the things that we can do for those who have been born with Cystic Fibrosis. For those of you who are unaware of what Cystic Fibrosis is and how it affects the health of someone who has it, watch the film below. It will answer all of your questions that you may have.
30,000 people nation wide have Cystic Fibrosis, for which there is no cure for. Can you imagine taking 18,000 pills a year to combat the effects of Cystic Fibrosis. The cost for medication, as you can imagine, is astronomical. For now, the only thing we can do is volunteer our time and donate money. That’s why The Superior Automotive Group will be donating $1 per new fan on all of our Facebook pages: Hyundai North, Hyundai South, Superior Acura, Superior Honda, Superior Kia, and Mike Albert. Go ahead and fan all of The Superior Automotive Group Facebook pages and help us help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
Honda is competing with the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf with the Civic GX. It’s new appeal comes from the fact that it runs on Compressed Natural Gas (also known as CNG) and can qualify buyers for $4,000 tax credit because of the lower emissions. According to DriveClean.ca.gov, “Driving a compressed natural gas vehicle reduces smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions as well as our dependence on foreign oil. Although the range between fills is slightly less than their gasoline counterparts, the benefits such as HOV lane access, cheaper fuel and the ability to fuel at home can outweigh this seemingly negative attribute.”
Here’s some quick facts about the model from the Edmunds Daily Blog:
The Civic GX is equipped with a 1.8-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that produces 113 horsepower @ 6300 rpm and 109 lb-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm, and achieves an EPA-estimated2 city/highway fuel economy of 24/36 miles per Gasoline-Gallon Equivalent (GGE). Maximum fuel-tank capacity is 8.0 GGE at 3,600 pounds per square inch. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Built on a high-rigidity, unit-body platform, the Civic is designed to deliver precise and refined handling performance with its fully independent MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension designs. A sweeping roofline and a sleek windshield angle convey an advanced, one-motion profile. The interior focuses on sophisticated styling with a two-tier instrument panel, CNG-optimized fuel gauge, comfortable seating and accommodating storage areas with room for mobile phones, compact discs and more.
A wide array of standard safety technologies includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure; side curtain airbags; driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and dual-stage, multiple-threshold driver’s and front passenger’s front airbags (SRS). Active front-seat head restraints are designed to help reduce the likelihood of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. Additional safety features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution and a pedestrian injury mitigation design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle.
Standard equipment includes 15-inch steel wheels with covers, P195/65R15 tires, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows with auto up/down driver’s window, power door locks, keyless entry, a 160-watt AM/FM Audio System with CD Player (MP3/ Windows Media Audio (WMA) enabled), auxiliary audio input jack, multi-function center console with sliding armrest and progressive blue illumination instrument panel meters.
The Civic GX is the only OEM-built, CNG-powered passenger car assembled3 in America. The Civic GX is built on the same assembly line as the gasoline-powered Civic four-door models at Honda’s Greensburg, Indiana, manufacturing facility.
As an inherently clean-burning fuel, natural gas produces 75 percent fewer smog forming pollutants (oxides of nitrogen) compared to the output of a conventional gasoline engine. Natural gas is also an abundant, domestically sourced fuel that is approximately 30 percent less expensive than gasoline when purchased at a public access refueling station.
The Civic GX is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2 Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. The Civic GX has earned recognition from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the “greenest vehicle of 2010″ for the seventh consecutive year.
It’s safe to say that Honda is definitely keeping up the competition with their “green” technological efforts and it will be interesting to see if this sparks a rise in popularity of CNG fueled cars in the future.
Believe it or not there are a lot of factors that go into getting a top safety pick from IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.) I was actually surprised to see how much goes into it and I found this video to be interesting and informative. So, of course I had to share it with you. I think you would be surprised to find that the IIHS has been around for more than 50 years and it’s true that automakers are making cars much much better than they used to. Automakers and working harder and harder every year on keeping you and your family safe while you are driving. Check out this article from them and watch the video. I think you’ll find it just as interesting as I did!
27 winners of 2010 TOP SAFETY PICK award; new requirement to win is good rating for protection in rollovers
ARLINGTON, VA — Nineteen cars and 8 SUVs earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2010. For the first time, good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover is required to win. TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control, which research shows significantly reduces crash risk. This is the second time the Institute has tightened criteria since announcing the first recipients in 2005.
Full text of release at http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr111809.html
Here are the cars that you can find at your local Superior Automotive Group Dealership that earned a 2010 Top Safety Pick from IIHS.
Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Soul
A new promotional campaign has launched in Australia for the Honda Jazz (Fit) that’s pretty funny. I thought you might like to see some of these cute videos. Here’s what AutoBlog had to say about them. Also if you would like to test drive the new Fit be sure to stop by your local Cincinnati Honda dealer and give it a try!
It’s no secret that the Honda Fit is one of our favorite small cars. It blends nimble handling, good fuel efficiency and an amazing interior package. Few cars with such a small footprint can accommodate four adult passengers and their stuff in such comfort. Now the folks at Honda Australia have launched a new promotional campaign and contest they’ve dubbed Jazz-packing (remember, the Fit is marketed as the Jazz in numerous other global markets).
Just as college students back in the 1960s and 1970s used to stuff phone booths (you do remember what those are, right?) and Volkswagen Beetles, a particularly nerdy looking “scientist” named Rodney oversees the packing of a Honda Jazz with everything from hipsters to ninjas, rappers, and even strongmen and women – you can see all of the clever videos after the jump.
If you’ve got an idea of what to pack in a Jazz and you live in Australia, just upload a photo to the site where visitors can vote and the entries that get the most votes will get produced into a video like the ones you see after the jump. Whoever suggests the most popular entry will win the car used in the making of the ad.
Who’s excited about the new Honda Odyssey? Well I am!! And so is Superior Honda! We just read an article on USA Today and it gets us even more excited! The new Honda Odyssey will have an amazing MPG which could send everyone into a frenzy.
Check this out:
Honda says it recently got the good word from the feds that at least one version of its 2011 Odyssey minivan will be rated a remarkable 28 miles per gallon on the highway, just what Honda had predicted.
That makes the 2011 Odyssey, a major overhaul due in showrooms this fall, three mpg better than the current champ, Kia Sedona, and four mpg better than the four-cylinder version of the 2011 Toyota Sienna, a model Toyota launched to have a lower-price, higher-mpg model. – USA Today
Have you been over to your Cincinnati Honda dealer lately and seen the new cars? I know you want to test drive this new Odyssey, i’ve already shown you how awesome the interior is and all the new features. Well, what do you think? 28 MPG HWY is pretty great for a minivan!
It’s that time of the year when it’s getting a little warm outside. Is your air conditioner is your car working properly? I only ask cause mine was on the fritz last weekend and after a little work I figured out what the problem was. I am now back to driving in my car without sweating! It’s greatness!
Here are a few things that you should look for so you can figure out why your A/C is acting up. Courtesy of macsw.org. No one wants to be without an A/C. Of course if you don’t want to work on your new or used car by yourself we are happy to help you out. Just let us know.
Here’s what to look for:
Note: Always be extremely careful any time you’re under the hood while the engine is running. Stay away from all rotating components with your hands, clothing, and hair, and always wear eye protection around a running engine.
1. Are A/C component mounting bolts in place and tightly secured?
2. Are caps installed on the A/C system service ports? This keeps out dirt, and also provides a seal for refrigerant.
3. With the engine running, does the compressor clutch engage when the A/C is switched on? If it doesn’t, this usually indicates a low (or empty) refrigerant condition, or an electrical problem. Also, listen for rapid clicking or cycling noises at the compressor when the A/C is switched on. If this is happening, it could also indicate low refrigerant or some other problems. Have it checked by your service technician. (Note: Some A/C systems prevent compressor clutch engagement in low temperatures, typically at or below 40° F.)
4. With the engine running and the A/C switched off, listen for knocking or rumbling sounds in the vicinity of the compressor. These could indicate a failing compressor clutch, and/or loose mounting hardware.
5. Check all belts for cracks, wear, and glazing. Have them replaced at the first sign of any of these conditions. Also, check for belts that vibrate while the engine is running and the A/C is on. This may indicate a belt that needs to be tightened, or a defective automatic belt tensioner.
6. Examine all A/C and cooling system hoses for cuts, abrasion, weak spots, and signs of leakage. Leakage from A/C system hoses is often indicated by an accumulation of dirt and oil, particularly at connections and fittings.
7. Make sure the condenser (in front of the radiator) is free of any obstructions, such as leaves or insects. This could reduce airflow, resulting in reduced A/C performance. You can rinse the condenser clean with a garden hose.
Seriously let us know if you need any help with your A/C. We are here for you.
Thanks to Automotive Addicts I was able to come across this story. Could this possibly be the new Honda S2000? What do you think?
Here’s the story:
The rumor mill is spinning fast today as we discover that Honda may be coming out with a successor to the S2000 that will be a mid-engine RWD hybrid.
Reportedly patent filings in Japan by Honda suggest that the automaker is working on a new roadster spun off of the S2000. The patent application states that the car will use “an engine being fitted to a centre frame”. This suggests that the car will be mid-engine and rear wheel drive.
Some may think that this is the answer to when Honda canceled the NSX successor. Hopefully we will see a well balanced (near 50/50 weight distribution) mid-engine sports car that packs a good punch. Potentially it will use some variation of the current CR-Z’s powerplant coupled with an electric motor giving it much more power than the outgoing S2000.
It is speculated that this new vehicle will be released in 2014. Only time will tell. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Your local Cincinnati Honda dealer will keep you posted on any new developments coming out about this Honda S2000. Don’t you worry!
Sometimes you just want to boost the look of your new or used car. But how? Budgets are a little tighter these days than they have been in years passed and if you know what to look for you can improve the look of your car for cheap. Accessories can sometimes be expensive but thanks to Car Accessories Magazine and their tips you can get organized and looking good again in no time at all. It can be expensive to replace the carpet in your new or used car but you can get some really good looking floor mats for cheap. Check out these tips.
A cheap and easy solution to add design and sophistication to your car is by using a few car interior accessories. These products are a practical way to personalize your vehicle for whatever reason you see fit. Since there are many different items on the market, this makes it easy to choose the style and colors you prefer.
For individuals who spend most of their time driving to and from events, it’s no wonder you would prefer your vehicle to be a representation of who you are. Whether it’s driving the kids to soccer practice, commuting to and from the workplace, or simply a run to town, adding these car interior accessories is an inexpensive way to show off your style.
A fun and creative method is seat coverings. Not only do they hide stains, tears, or other damages, but they’re an excellent reason to add a new look. There are many varieties available which makes the possibilities endless. Choose a material and color scheme that works for you and simply apply them to your old seats. Fabrics that are comfortable throughout the year are a great idea. Some are even sold in fade resistant varieties. To prevent conflict, measure your seats ahead of time to figure out which size works best.
The carpeting inside your vehicle can be costly to replace. Floor mats are inexpensive and easy to install than new carpet. This is ideal for those who are working with a set budget. They are available in different colors and materials and offer protection against muddy shoes.
To prevent clutter and an overall messy vehicle, you must be organized. There are many products available to assist you with this goal. To keep CD’s safe, place them in a CD case that is designed for this purpose. A holder that attaches to your visor is idea for those who need an easy reach. To prevent spills from drinks, purchase a drink holder. These are available if you are lacking one in your car.
Catch any trash that adds up on a routine basis by adding a small trashcan. This is a convenient method and can be used to throw away any food containers, drinks, and paper products. Instead of these items ending up on the floor or dashboard, they are stored neatly in the trash.
Use compartment organizers to hold toys, books and games, and other products that you need inside your vehicle. They are sold in a variety of stores and keep items safe. This is a good idea so you can have them on hand when they are needed.
Buy a small book that holds all critical documents such as your car’s registration papers, proof of insurance, etc. These are made especially for these items and will keep them organized. This prevents them being thrown into the glove compartment.
To keep the temperature down and prevent your dashboard and seats from cracking, get shades for your vehicle. This will keep sunlight out and reduce the amount of heat inside. Many different makes and colors are available and sold in stores.
Many items are available to the consumer. In order to get the best deals, shop around and compare deals. This will give you a general idea to what you’re exactly looking for. Car interior accessories are an excellent way to show off your stylish side and practicality.
What do you think of these tips? Do you have any you would like to share? Feel free to send them over.
The Superior Automotive Group and Mike Albert Direct have been serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 1928. We care about you, your cars, your safety, and our community.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask and any suggestions are always welcome at [email protected]
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