No matter what type of vehicle you own, keeping it in tip top condition requires attention to early service, periodic check ups and basic maintenance even if the car or truck seems to be running fine. April is the perfect time to get started, if you haven’t already done so, by taking part in National Car Care Month.
Whether you’ve visited and purchased from new or used car dealerships in Cincinnati, such as Superior Automotive Group, it’s in your best interest to follow the tips provided by the Car Care Council and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation during National Car Care Month.
Consider these tips from the Office of Consumer Affairs.
Have a pre-selected repair shop that you’ve already researched on standby. Don’t wait until the car breaks down to start looking for help.
When visiting the shop, ask about their customer satisfaction policy, type of state-of-the art equipment used, are the technicians certified, is the shop a member of a known trade association such as AAA, do they use brand parts and what is the warranty policy on parts and labor.
Call the Better Business Bureau to ensure the shop has no complaints filed from customers.
According to a survey by the Car Care Council, the list below indicates the most often basic maintenance issues car owners fail to have addressed in a timely manner.
Low or old brake fluid
Air filters full of dirt and debris
Belts needed to be replaced
Coolant levels were too low
Tire pressure was not applicable to what it should be. This could be one out of four or all four were running at low pressure.
Engine oil was either too low or dirty
As you can see from the list, these issues are easily addressed with basic maintenance. Whether you choose to do-it-yourself or take the car in to an auto service expert for a general checkup, just taking care of the above issues can help keep your car running efficiently, safely and smoothly and save money in the long run.
If you’ve been holding off on having your car serviced or checked out; take heed. By finding and correcting an issue before your car breaks down and leaves you stranded can save you money in costly repairs. To avoid unnecessary expense and inconvenience, schedule an appointment today for a service checkup and a look under the hood with one of the qualified service technicians at Superior Automotive specializing in Honda, Acura, Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Car accessories make our lives easier. They give that little bit of extra convenience we are looking for so we can bear the stress we experience from work and school. These accessories can also give a unique appearance to our rides that can make people stare in awe.
When choosing the best accessories for your vehicle, you need to decide what you are looking for and how this accessory will improve your vehicle or your lifestyle. Stay away from those pretty accessories you find at your local retail store that really don’t do anything for your vehicle in the way of appearance or functionality. Also keep in mind that some car accessories can have very hefty price tags.
Best Accessories
The interior speaks of luxury, room and a quiet ride. Interior accessories can include anything from entertainment electronics, car booster seats or safety side air bags. Some of the accessories you can have installed by your Honda or Kia dealer in Cincinnati.
Car Audio System Inputs
Whether you are looking to plug in your iPod or cell phone, such accessories are becoming necessities especially in older vehicle models that don’t have the new infotainment touch screen systems. Today, you can buy integration kits without having to take out your entire audio system.
Also, look into rear DVD systems and MP3 adapters if you have a family that spends a lot of time in the car. Having these can make those trips a lot more pleasant for everyone.
Safety Features
While most safety features are standard, it’s difficult for vehicle manufacturers to include flexible seating and side air bags for children due to their varying sizes because every family has different needs. To make your family safer, you can get built-in car booster seats for your kids so they are elevated to properly wear a seat belt. Also look into getting a vehicle with side air bags to give children the protection they need if ever in a car accident.
Exterior Accessories
Most exterior accessories are wanted by people who love to customize their vehicles. These accessories can involve everything from getting a stylish paint job, tinting your windows or even upgrading your chrome wheels. Discuss with your Cincinnati car dealer about these types of upgrades to see if your dealer can make the modifications at the right price.
Accessories You Will Love
Before getting any type of accessory, take a moment to seriously consider if it is something you want and if it is within your budget. This will allow you to focus on those accessories you need so that you feel as if you made the right decision.
I was just thinking about all of the advancements we’ve been seeing in new Hondas, Hyundais, Acuras and Kias recently. I mean, our livelihood here at Superior is directly related to the growth of our industry. As it stands now, the technology is growing by leaps and bounds, with no foreseeable end in sight. Want to update your Facebook status? Doing it with your phone is old news. Doing it with your car, well that’s a whole different type of chic . Our cars are literally becoming our computers too. So, W=when does science fiction meet science fact, and what does that mean for the modern driver?
It truly is remarkable, but are we moving too fast? Don’t plan on seeing it anytime soon, but one day our “driving” experience may be more like being a passenger in a driver-less pod. The video below makes some good points. Let’s get back to driving.
I am wondering what you think. Do you need all of the information that is now available on your dashboards? At some point the Government may start regulating this. How do you feel about that? Isn’t it your responsibility to drive and be not be distracted by your vehicle? Is the new technology even a distraction to begin with, or just a target for those who are uncomfortable with progress?
You tell me. All I know is that this Cincinnati car dealer likes to drive.
While some parts of the United States were dry as a bone this Summer and Spring, the North and East got some significant rainfall. Catastrophic in some cases causing flooding. While the water will eventually receded, much of the damage the heavy rains have caused will linger for months, or even years. If you are in the market for a used car, you are going to need to know how to spot a vehicle that may have been through a flood.
The fact of the matter is that flood damage can be hard to spot, but it can permeate the vehicle and cause ongoing problems for the rest of the car’s service life. Flooding will also ruin electronics, contaminate lubricants, and threaten mechanical systems, many times without leaving outward signs. It can take months for corrosion to find its way to the car’s computer systems or air-bag controllers.
The really scary part is that flood damaged vehicles can be and often are moved out of states where the damage occurred, and resold in another state. The reason is that some states make it easier to re-title a car that has been written off as a total loss, a process known as title washing. Those cars can end up with a clean bill of health, with no indication they were declared wrecks in an earlier life.
So, how do you spot flood damage? What should you look for? Check out the video below:
From Consumer Reports:
If you’re shopping for a car, make sure to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to see what the laws are regarding re-titling used vehicles. Websites like Carfax can help learn a vehicle’s history, but our experience indicates they don’t always tell the full story. Consider a free VINCheck from the National Insurance Crime Bureau or the federal government’s National Motor Vehicle Title Information Systems database. (Read: “Don’t rely on used-car-history reports.”)
My advice is to have any used car inspected by a trusted mechanic before you buy it. And here are some tips to help you look for telltale signs yourself.
Look under the carpets to see if they are wet, damp, or muddy.
Check the seat-mounting screws to see if there is any evidence that they have been removed. To fully dry the carpets, the seats must be removed–not something that would occur with as a part of normal maintenance.
Inspect the lights. Lights are expensive to replace, and a water line may still show in the housing on the lens or the reflector.
Inspect the car in difficult-to-clean places, such as the gaps between panels in the trunk and under the hood. Water-borne mud and debris may still cling in these places.
Look for mud or debris on the bottom edges of brackets or panels where it couldn’t naturally settle from the air.
Look at the heads of any unpainted, exposed screws under the dashboard; they can show signs of rust.
Check the rubber drain plugs under the car and on the bottoms of doors. If they look as if they have been removed recently, it might have been done to drain floodwater.
If you need to dig deeper, remove a door panel to see if there is a water mark on the inside of it.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you are from an area impacted by a flood and have a car for sale that was not damaged, buyers may still suspect that it was. You may want to consider having a Superior mechanic inspect the car before you sell it so that you can easily show potential buyers with a clean bill of health.
We at the Superior Auto Group found this list compiled on Insurance.com and at first I thought…Oh my. How rude… Ha ha. But after I started reading the article and I got down to the end I totally understood what they were saying. Now this isn’t meant to offend anyone by any means, but if you read the blog and see where it all came from then it makes total sense.
Check it out:
“Professions that demand multi-tasking – being on the phone, moving fast on a tight schedule – are prone to more distractions and, from there, more accidents,” says Sam Belden, insurance.com VP, all joking aside. “On the other hand, though the job of a homemaker demands multi-tasking, young children are often along for any car ride. And when children are involved, people tend to take their time and use greater caution.” Homemakers and athletes also tend to be off the road during rush hour.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Drivers by Profession
1. Attorneys and judges
2. Financial professionals
3. Government employees
4. Bartenders and waiters
5. Business professionals
6. Dog groomers
7. Advertising and marketing professionals
8. Barbers and stylists
9. Coaches
10. Nurses
So see? It makes sense… I’m always on my phone trying to make a deal or send an email. I get it. Do you think you are one of these types? Superior would like to hear your thoughts on this!
After getting a new car in Cincinnati, it can take awhile to adjust to the car’s driving habits including the speed. You may easily find yourself speeding without even knowing it. Next thing you know, you’re seeing red and blues flashing in your rear view. And we all know this feeling… glancing back and forth in your rear view mirror trying to figure out if you are the one being pulled over. Some of you out there may start to panic and get nervous, while others simply become angry that they’ve been caught breaking the law. Either way, it’s pretty safe to say that nobody likes being pulled over. Traffic tickets can be pricey, cause your insurance to rise and add points to your driver’s license in some states.
If you’re hoping to avoid a traffic violation, the best thing to do is be as cooperative with the officer as possible. Being a smart mouth or short with him or her will only make the situation worse. There are some times where an officer will let you off with a warning simply because you were polite and apologetic. On the other hand, you may be getting that ticket no matter what. But wouldn’t you think it’s worth it to always act your best in these situations? I sure do. Here’s a breakdown of what you should do and how you should act when being pulled over.
Once you see the lights behind you, pull over as soon as possible. If you are pulling onto a shoulder, try and get as far away from the lane as possible. The officer will most likely be coming to your side, and it’s best to give him as much room as possible. Once you’ve pulled over, turn the vehicle off and roll down your window. It’s imperative that you do not get out of the vehicle. This is seen as a threat to law enforcement. If you’re wearing sunglasses, a hat or visor, take them off and place them on the dashboard. Then be sure to place your hands on the wheel so the officer can see them. Some people like to have their driver’s license and insurance ready to hand the officer when he walks up. But I’d suggest waiting to look around the car until he directs you to do. If an officer sees you moving around a lot, he may think you are trying to hide something.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cekd0YYiSRM
While talking to the officer, be sure to use your “yes sirs” and “no ma’ams”. Answer each question honestly without any sarcasm. Once you’ve reached this point and are answering questions and remembering your manners, it’s really up to the police officer on whether or not he will give a citation. If you’re lucky, you’ll be let off with a warning and you’ll be able to head off in your pretty new car and go about your day.
This Cincinnati car dealer has heard all of the stories. The Superior Automotive Group knows that having a car accident and having your car broken into are just about two of the worst things that can happen to you and your new car. Sometimes no preventative measure can help either, but with just a little caution and some helpful tips, you can increase the chances of those measures.
Avoiding fender benders. A lot of minor accidents can happen when you’re going into, or leaving, a parking area. That’s just a fact. Excessive speed and distractions around you are usually the culprits. The best tip here is to drive slowly and monitor your surroundings (watching for other cars, people, etc.), and also use your turn signals to alert others to what you’re doing. Pretty simple stuff!
Park with awareness. When parking, especially in bigger lots, try to park as close to the front of the lot as possible, and also in a well-lit area where there might be a lot of people around. This is just a good practice to get into. Criminals and predators alike avoid light and activity. They look for moments of opportunity and parking in a dark corner of a large lot is exactly what they are waiting for. Also, try not to park next to really large vehicles, because this will make visibility harder when you go to leave. Another tip here is to not park next to vans with sliding doors. There could be someone behind that sliding door who is waiting for you to come back to your car. It might sound paranoid, but awareness is crucial to safety.
It was here when I left. Having your car stolen, or broken into is a horrible event, and it feels like a true violation. The first thing to remember is, don’t leave valuables in your car whenever possible. Sometimes you’re going to have to have these items in your car, so if this is the case, just put them in your trunk or hide them. Be careful when putting valuables in your trunk when you’re actually parked in the lot, because someone could be watching you. Lastly, keep all of your doors locked and your windows rolled up, and be very cautions of leaving an extra key in one of those magnetic boxes under your car. Thieves are aware of those.
Just remember when returning to you car, that you are still monitoring your surroundings and have your keys in your hand when you approach the car. If you have some other tips that you find useful, go ahead and post them, the Superior Auto Group of Cincinnati car dealers welcomes any and all advice regarding this subject. You may actually provide information that will really help someone out one day.
The Superior Auto Group reccomends that before you even pick out your new car, ask yourself this question, “Am I going to Buy, or Lease?”
We already know what it means to “buy”. You end up owning the vehicle outright, but should you be leasing instead?
When you lease, you pay an amount that is equal to the depreciation value of the vehicle during the time of the lease. Depreciation is the difference between the value of the car when the lease is signed and its value during the time the customer is driving the vehicle.
What type of leases are available?
There are two kinds of leases: open end and closed end. An open-end lease is mainly used for commercial vehicles. In this case, the lessee takes on all the financial risks of the vehicle because business vehicles usually accumulate more annual miles. The closed-end lease permits the customer to return the vehicle at lease end with no other responsibilities or financial concerns as long…as they have met the conditions on mileage limitations and/or excessive wear and tear.
When You Should Lease
When you want lower payments is the main reason. Nearly every lease agreement will mean lower monthly payments, sometimes as much as 60 percent lower. It also means a new vehicle every two to four years, depending on the terms of your lease. Plus, the fact that you are driving a newer car all the time, the maintenance costs are much less. Finally, you usually pay less sales tax because you are paying tax only on the payments made, not on the entire value of the vehicle.
When Not to Lease
If you think you will have to terminate a lease agreement before the term is up, DO NOT sign a lease contract. You will be smacked with hefty fees for early termination. If you drive great distances regularly…there are mileage limitations on the lease agreement know what they are. If there is uncertainty about staying within those limits, you should probably buy instead. Finally, if you have a tendency to be Fast and Furious with your cars vehicles, it’s best not to lease. There will be extra costs for excessive damage and wear and tear during the lease term.
This is just a basic explanation. Thanks to ehow for the referenced information.
To buy, or lease…that is the question. The Superior Auto Group has the answer!
For those of us who have kids who are new drivers in Cincinnati, we are well aware of the increasing costs in regards to insuring teen drivers. Now I’m past that initial shock as my kids are old enough now to pay for their own insurance, but I do still have nightmares about our car insurance bills.
I found a good article at The New York Times which I’ve taken the liberty of paraphrasing below for your convenience.
A new study from Insurance.com shows how much a parent’s insurance policy can go up when a teenage driver is added.
When a teenager is added to the parent’s policy, according to the study, the annual insurance premium for a one-car family typically increases 44 percent, while for a two-car family it generally jumps about 58 percent and for a three-car family, about 62 percent.
This is because drivers ages 15 to 19 tend to get into more accidents than older drivers and have little driving experience.
So how can parents of teenage drivers reduce the insurance costs? Insurance.com recommended comparing rates from different companies; making sure your teenager is driving a safe car that is inexpensive to insure; and asking for discounts if your child gets good grades in school, takes certain driving classes or drives a vehicle with a monitoring device installed.
The data is based on an analysis of car insurance quotes provided to Insurance.com users for all levels of liability coverage from October 2009 through September 2010. Collision and comprehensive coverage was not included in the analysis.
How much did your insurance jump when your child started driving? How have you lowered the cost, if at all? Leave me a comment or two. Oh, and if you are ever around an Superior Auto Dealership location, let’s talk cars!
“Never buy a car on looks alone…” is some of the wisest advice I heard long ago. A sexy shell may hide a rough ride – or seats that make your back ache after 15 minutes of driving.
Just as you’d (hopefully) take a wider view about the person you’d want to marry, take the time to consider the entire package before determining whether to purchase. Otherwise, the morning after could be a rude awakening! At this new car dealership in Cincinnati, we’ve heard some stories about some bad car purchases just because the car “looked cool”.
Here are a few things to put on your pre-buy checklist:
Seating Position/Comfort
Don’t buy a vehicle without spending some time behind the wheel – and in the seat. Chairs that seem comfortable and supportive in the showroom may feel like you are riding the pine after a few hours. Or they could be too soft, which is another problem. Regardless, the key is to find out what they’re like in real life, day-in and day-out. The only way to do that is to insist on a test drive. A real one, not just a 10 minute spin around the block. Most dealers will accommodate this practical request provided you’re a serious buyer. If not, walk away. It is much better to go on with shopping than to buy a car you’re unsure fits you.
Ride Quality
Like the seats, it’s hard to know whether a given car’s ride quality is too soft, too firm, or just right without a test drive that lasts at least an hour – and takes place on a wide variety of roads, including not-so-great roads with potholes and uneven pavement. If you haven’t gone new car shopping recently, one thing you’ll discover is that “sporty” (read: firmer – often unpleasantly so) ride quality is now the trendy thing. Aggressive, performance-type tires (short, stiff sidewalls and tread patterns designed to produce maximum grip and response to steering inputs) are being fitted to (ostensibly) family-minded and even luxury cars – which are now marketed as luxury-sport cars. High-speed handling maybe outstanding, but the day-to-day ride quality could be harsher than you wish to live with daily. Also, be sure to try the vehicle out on bumpy secondary roads as well as smooth highways. You need to determine how it feels going over less-than-perfect pavement.
If the vehicle offers different suspension levels – a standard version and a “sport” upgrade – try both out. Never buy the sport suspension package just because of the (usually larger) wheels that include they look better than the ones fitted to the standard suspension model. Larger/wider wheels – and tires with shorter/stiffer sidewalls – will almost always give you a firmer – even harsher – ride.
Controls
How easy is it to change the radio station, adjust the climate control system and operate other vehicle controls? In their quest to be “different,” automakers sometimes graft over-complex, hard-to-use controls onto their cars that leave the owner with never-ending hassles. For example, the use of scrolling menus and LCD displays to toggle through vs. an easy knob or button to adjust fan speed. Some such interfaces could be very aggravating – even after you figure out how they work. Sometimes, simpler is better. Make sure you can work all the features of your next car without having to take your eyes off the road or fumble with complicated controls. If the vehicle stresses you out, it’s not the car for you.
Real World Gas Mileage
Don’t assume the fuel economy information listed on the window sticker represent the actual mileage you will get. Particularly if you are looking at the sticker on a hybrid vehicle. The government tests new cars and trucks to get an “average” city/highway fuel economy figure – but the government’s test loop may not reflect the type of driving you do. If, for instance, you drive faster than the testers did your actual fuel economy is probably going to be significantly lower than the government’s rating. You may also frequently carry passengers – or pull a heavy load. These variables will have an effect on fuel efficiency. Never assume that the advertised 18-mpg rating (as an example) is what you will get. Read the fine print. Your mileage will almost certainly will vary. If you are budgeting a certain amount for gas bills each month based on the marketed fuel efficiency, you could find yourself paying more than you anticipated. Again, the test drive provides salvation. Be sure the tank is full before you head out, and top it off just before you take the vehicle back to the dealership. After your afternoon’s drive you’ll be able to figure out just how much fuel the thing is likely to use given the type of driving that you – not government testers – do.
And don’t forget: Hybrids get their top mileage in low-speed, city-type driving, the reverse of standard cars – which do best on the highway. Should you do a great deal of highway/distance driving, a hybrid’s real-world mileage could be very disappointing.
Lifestyle And Family
Unless this car (or truck) is just for you, it’s wise to determine how the members of your family like it – particularly those who will be driving it frequently.
A typical mistake people sometimes make is to buy a vehicle that their wife or husband either dislikes immensely or isn’t comfortable driving. Maybe it’s “too big,” or “too cramped, “hard to get into” or “has terrible blind spots” – ultimately it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that someone else who needs to use the car doesn’t like the car you decided to buy. Years of listening to grumpy complaining could be your punishment. Make certain – especially with SUVs and sporty cars, which can be awkward or uncomfortable for some people to drive – that anyone who will be using the vehicle regularly likes the thing. Or at least, that they don’t despise the thing.
Need any questions answered? Looking for purchase advice? The Superior Automotive Group has all of the answers!
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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