Check Out These May Cincinnati Events

May events are flocking to Cincinnati, Ohio as people are sure to catch their favorite comedy routine or musical act hit the stage for a night of great entertainment. Whether you live in Cincinnati or you are only passing through to purchase a new vehicle at a  car dealership in Cincinnati, you can stop in at one of these events to have a fun time.

May Events

May 5th: Public Library’s Comic Con

Get your comic books out and ready to the Comic Con held at the public library. You can check out the exhibits, trade comic books, engage in photo ops and listen to discussion panels featuring illustrators and writers. The Comic Con will be on May 5th from 1pm to 5pm at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Visit here for more information or call 513-369-6900.

May 5th: Limp Bizkit

Rock out to your favorite rock and rap band, Limp Bizkit as they take the stage by storm. Sing to your favorite songs on Sunday, May 5th at 8pm as this popular music group will be playing at Bogarts. Get your ticketsnow before they run out of seats.

May 9th: Lyle Lovett

Country-rock enthusiasts will be looking forward to seeing Lyle Lovett play his unique blend of music when he visits Cincinnati this May. Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group will be at the Taft Theater on Thursday, May 9th at 8pm. Findyour tickets today.

May 11th: Tracy Morgan

Have a bunch of laughs as you watch Tracy Morgan on stage as his improv show is sure to leave your sides hurting with laughter. He will be heading to Cincinnati on Saturday, May 11th at Bogarts as you can still get tickets for his 7pm show. Don’t miss out on seeing this favorite TV personality as you can get more information here.

May 15th: Sunset Boulevard

As the weather starts heating up outside, find a place to cool down while watching a great theater performance as you catch Sunset Boulevard on stage. You can watch this performance on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:30pm at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. It will be a great performance as a silent movie star tries to regain her fame and time on the big screen as it leads to tragic results. Find out more information about Sunset Boulevard as well as tickets here.

Have A Great Time In Cincinnati

Don’t miss out on the wonderful events Cincinnati will host this May. Get you vehicle tuned up at your Cincinnati used car dealership so you can drive to your favorite concert event or comedy act.

The New 2014 Kia Optima

If you like cars that are compact, but can still deliver real power when you need it, then chances are that you’ve already at least test-driven a Kia at some time in the past, and the Kia Optima is one of the funnest cars from the Korean car maker to drive. The Kia Optima has already won dozens of awards in the industry and earned them several times over with its tight control, durability, performance and comfort, all for a reasonable cost.

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So anyone who loves Kia should know that the new 2014 Kia Optima recently debuted at the New York Auto Show where it was met by those in attendance with a mix of excitement, surprise and trepidation.

The stylish new ride was presented for all to see in a midsize sedan style. The Kia Optima became Kia’s top selling car in 2011 when the redesign combined a great look with fuel efficiency and a low price. In the early 2000′s, during the SUV boom, the Optima flew in the face of convention and proved almost prophetic, given how gas prices would rise in the coming years.

Though largely a facelift, the new Optima nevertheless features some new features that prove more fundamental than fashionable. For instance, the car now comes with a UVO infotainment system. This will provide hours of entertainment and all the info that you need when it comes to those long road trips.

The front end will feature some pretty cool looking LED headlights while removing the gray plastic trim which some drivers didn’t really like seeing on their lighter-colored Kias.  A backup camera will make it safer than ever to back out of your driveway, while a whole slew of new safety features and interior changes will make the ride smoother, safer and more comfortable than ever.

The new Optima combines the brand’s trademark fuel efficiency with attention to detail and a more stylish design than ever.

What Will You Dangle from Your Rear View Mirror?

There are a lot of fun things out there that you can dangle from your interior rear-view mirror, but some choices are better than others. Here we’ll look at the aesthetic and practical reasons to hang whatever you like from the mirror on your windshield.

Fuzzy Dice

Fuzzy dice are a classic. How’d they catch on? Who knows. Kind of weird when you think about it, right? Why are the dice so big and fuzzy? In any event, fuzzy dice are fun, but they can prove a distraction. If you always find yourself eyeing them while driving around, then you may want to consider getting a smaller pair or replacing them with something else.

Air Fresheners

Air fresheners come in just about every scent imaginable and you should be able to pick one up at the new car dealerships in Cincinnati. From pine to peppermint to pepperoni pizza. Air fresheners can make your car smell fresh or like some fond childhood memory. Some people prefer to scent their car with fine cigars or a girlfriend’s perfume/boyfriend’s cologne, but the classic air-freshener is a great way to do it in a classic, iconic sort of way.

Beads, Tassles and Chains

Anything ropey, stringy or just really long and dangly can add a festive look to your car, just make sure that it’s not going to whip around and hit you in the face on those tight corners. Give your dangler a test drive in a parking lot and see how it reacts. If it flies around wildly then it may be a liability when you’re out on the road.

Finding the decor to suit your car and your personality shouldn’t be difficult, it’s just a matter of finding what works for you. Whether that means a pleasant little scented pine tree or a Halloween decoration you bought last October, it’s all about finding something you like, and that doesn’t distract you from the road. No matter how cool your rear-view hanger may look, driving safe should take precedence.

There’s No Place Like Home. Cincinnati Reds Opening Day is Almost Here!

Some consider it the official start of spring. It is baseball’s opening day and believe it or not, it is quickly approaching. For those at our Superior auto dealerships in Cincinnati, it can’t get here fast enough. The disappointing end to last season along with a persistent winter has us all ready for the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd. A filled Great American Ballpark will be a welcomed sight for all.

Opening Day is special throughout all of baseball, but nowhere is it as special as here in Cincinnati. It is special in part because the Reds have not hosted opening day only 4 times in their lengthy history. For 2013, the Reds will again be opening at home. This time opening day has a new twist as the Reds and Los Angeles Angels will meet in the first inter-league opening day game in baseball history. There are those who anticipate the season could end with this very same matchup as both teams could make it to the World Series. That would also be history.

This year’s opener will take place on Monday April 1st, following the traditional opening day parade. The parade steps off at noon and will feature former Reds star George Foster. First pitch is scheduled at 4:10pm. The Angels bring superstar Albert Pujols to Cincinnati along with former Red Josh Hamilton.

The Reds have locked in some key players and the 2013 season is as anticipated as any other. Off-season acquisitions that included outfielder Shin Soo Choo have ramped it up even more. It should be a fun year down by the riverfront and we hope to see you there.

If baseball has you thinking springtime, it may also have you thinking about getting a new car. We invite you out to Superior Acura, Superior Hyundai North or South, and Superior Kia. If you are thinking pre-owned, the place for used cars in Cincinnati is Mike Albert Direct.

Yes, warmer weather will eventually arrive for good. The smell of hot dogs and freshly mowed grass is almost upon us. The sound of cheering crowds and vendors hawking peanuts and popcorn is just days away. It is opening day in Cincinnati, Ohio and there is no place like home.

Keep Your Kids Safe on the Road

Those of us at the Superior Auto Group would like to take some time to discuss how you can keep your kids safe on the road. Road safety isn’t just about paying attention to the road; you should also know how to buckle your child in correctly, know the safety features of your vehicle, and be able to have a safety plan in place if you do have an accident.

For instance, did you know that nearly 3 out of 4 car seats are put into place incorrectly? Safercar.gov reports that vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children between 1 and 13, so it’s worth making sure to place your children in car seats and belts correctly. The NHTSA has provided booklets that can help parents keep their children safe, which you can find here at Safercar.gov

You may want to consider the car you’re purchasing as well as its safety rating. Child safety scores report how safe the car is in a crash, as well as the way the design of the car impacts child safety. Some of the things that can impact the safety include:

  • Automatic locks
  • Push down and pull-up window switches
  • Advanced airbags
  • Anti-pinch windows
  • Side-impact air bags

Each of these can help prevent injury during accidents or while driving. For instance, the automatic locks engage when the car is at a certain speed, maybe 10 or 20 mph, and they help prevent ejection from the car and promote the integrity of the car’s body in case of an accident. Anti-pinch windows recognize when there is something in the way of it closing, so your child’s fingers or arms won’t accidentally get pinched during drives.

Advanced airbags can be turned on or off and may be able to be altered for the weight of a passenger, which makes it easier to keep your small child safe in case of an accident.

New Car Vs Used Car: Which Is Best For You?

It’s time to get a car as your old clunker has breathed its last exhaust fumes. As you head out to your Cincinnati car dealer, one question on your mind is whether you should buy a new car or a used car.

This eternal debate plagues almost every car buyer. In the end, choosing the right vehicle for yourself will be based on a number of different factors.

Budget: It goes without saying that you should buy a vehicle that fits into your budget and financing loan. Most people on tight budgets go for used cars since they are normally cheaper than new. But, nowadays, don’t be surprised if you find a new car that is actually cheaper than some used cars. If you are looking at average-sized used cars, check out the new subcompacts as you can find a small car costing $10,000 less than a larger used model.

Safety: New technologies and stringent vehicle safety laws have ensured that new vehicles are equipped with the latest safety features. If you are worried about keeping your family safe behind the wheel, go for a new car. If your budget only allows for a used car, pick one that is less than 5 years old so you will still have some of the same important safety features.

Maintenance: If you are the type of person who doesn’t mind getting under the hood and puttering around to fix your vehicle when something minor happens, then go for a used car that you can customize to your preferences. But if you aren’t car-savvy and don’t want to spend time sitting at a mechanic’s shop, go for the new car that will require less maintenance except for the regular service tune-up.

Warranties: Most warranties cover new vehicles for up to three years, and extended warranties will cover a few extra years or miles driven. You’ll also have the luxury of protection for certain parts and maintenance for new cars. If you choose to purchase a used vehicle, you may be able to get the original warranty if buying a certified pre-owned or you may get a lesser warranty and add to it. It’s better to go through used car dealerships in Cincinnati to have a better chance of getting some type of warranty versus just buying a car directly from the owner.

In the end, both a new car and used car will get you to your destination if you shop around and find the best vehicle for your budget. Keep your options open and select the vehicle that has the features you want.

 

Fix the Scratch In Your New Or Used Car

Older cars that have gone through their paces and racked up the miles are bound to get a few dents and scratches. That is the way of life. What really sucks is when you get your brand new vehicle from your Acura, Kia, or Hyundai dealer, park it at the local grocery store and it gets scratched from a negligent shopper who bangs their shopping cart against your vehicle. You’ve owned it less than an hour and already the paint is scratched!

Before you have a meltdown try to remember that you can get the scratched fixed and have your vehicle looking as good as new again. Also, you may not have to pay a lot of money to remove the scratch.

Determine If It Really Is A Scratch

Scratches can be tricky. Sometimes what may look like a scratch, is actually paint transfered from another object. This is caused when the other object marks the paint surface by leaving behind paint or other materials.

If this is the case, then the mark is simply sitting on top of your car’s paint. You can use adhesive remover or acetone thinner to remove the mark. Then buff and wax the area.

Determine The Extent Of The Scratch

The extent of damage the scratch caused to the surface of your car will determine what methods to use to fix it. Your car has several different layers to the surface: a clearcoat, the actual paint, the primer, and the metal surface. The lighter the scratch, the easier it is to fix.

If you made someone mad and they went berzerk with their keys on your car, scratching a large amount of your car and deep into the surface, take your vehicle to one of the new car dealerships in Cincinnati to have the scratch fixed professionally. If it’s small, you can try to tackle it yourself.

Fixing Scratches

Wash and dry the area of the scratch. Use a fingernail to feel how deep the scratch goes. If it barely penetrates the clearcoat, you can place a glaze or polish to the surface for a quick fix. Anything deeper will require wet sanding of the area.

Use an ultra-fine sandpaper from 1,500- grit up to 3,000-grit. Sand the scratch only until reaching the appropriate depth where the scratch didn’t penetrate. If the scratch reached the paint and primer, you will have to apply primer, allow the primer to dry, then repaint the scratch and add the clearcoat. You have to let each layer application dry fully before adding the next layer.

Once the clearcoat dries, sand the surface so the new paint blends in with the car’s paint finish. Wash your vehicle, buff dry and wax your car.

If you run in to any problems with a scratch bring your car into one of our Cincinnati car service shops and let our experts do the work for you.

Ohio Roadside Attractions You Don’t Want To Miss

When you are looking for a new or used cars in Cincinnati, you may spot something along the roadside that deserves a closer look. Dotted all along the highways of Ohio are wondrous roadside attractions that appeal to travelers on vacation or just the local passer-by driving to a new location. Take a look at the following roadside attractions you’ll find in this state.

World’s Largest Horseshoe Crab

Be careful the next time you call someone a big crab. They may take you to actually see how large a crab can be. In Blanchester, you will find the world’s largest horseshoe crab. Affectionately nicknamed “Crabby,” the horseshoe crab is 28 feet wide and 68 feet long as weddings and movies have been performed under the enormous shell. Currently the horseshoe crab attraction is owned by the Freedom Worship Baptist Church who took the donated crab when the nautical museum that was going to display it went bankrupt.

Armstrong Air And Space Museum

Boldly go where only a few men have dared to go. If you love everything about outer space, then visit the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum located in Wapakoneta. You’ll probably spot the glowing planetarium dome as you are driving by and wonder if aliens have landed. Look around the museum dedicated to space travel as it honors the space missions of our heroic astronauts.

Pumpkin Water Tower

If you blink too fast, you might actually miss it. Located in Circleville, the Pumpkin Capital of the World, it took 13 hundred gallons of paint to decorate the water tower into a gigantic pumpkin with a stem. Check out this giant gourd as you are driving to your Cincinnati car dealer. The dealers will probably be amazed to hear about your roadside travels.

World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock

You won’t be going bonkers when you see the robotic milkmaids and the giant cuckoo clock bird popping out of the large clock. Drive out to the Amish country in Walnut Creek and you’ll spot the cuckoo clock on top of an Amish restaurant and cheese shop. Your family will delight in the clock as you won’t want to leave.

Statue Of Mary

Some roadside attractions can be missed if you aren’t looking for them. In Windsor, you can find a 55-foot tall statue of Mary sitting in the parking lot of the Servants of Mary Center of Peace. Holding illuminating beads, Mary stands perched on angel wings while sitting on a cloud.

Find These Great Attractions In Ohio

Ohio isn’t just an ordinary state to pass through as you travel to other destinations. It holds mysteries and wonders along its roadsides if you take the moment to look for them.

How To Change A Flat Tire

Imagine you are driving along the open road, when all of a sudden you hear a strange noise, and your car starts shaking and just feels weird. You pull over and discover that you have a flat tire. But you don’t know how to change it, so you have to wait hours for a friend or roadside assistance to come help you. Or maybe get up to go to work or school in the morning and discover that your tire has gone flat again. This time you have to take the bus, because you still don’t know how to change a flat tire. Wouldn’t you rather learn how to change a flat?

Get Your Tools Together

In order to change a flat tire, you need a jack, a spare tire, a pump to inflate the tire, and the proper lug wrench. If it is dark, you may need a flashlight. New cars come with all of these, but they may be missing or in the wrong place. Go check now.

Find A Safe Spot

If you are in your driveway or garage, simply make sure you have enough space. If you are on the highway, pull over to a flat, level place on the side of the road. If you pull onto an incline, you will not be able to jack up the car. Turn on your hazard lights (the ones that blink red) to let other drivers know you are stopped.

Loosen The Lug Nuts

If you need to, remove the hubcap first. Not all cars have one, so you may be able to skip this step. You can then begin to loosen the lug nuts with the right lug wrench. If you have the one that came with your car this should be easy to figure out. Do not take the nuts comepletely off.

Jack Up Your Car

Following the manufacturers directions, place the jack directly under the car. Turn the crank until its under a sturdy part of the frame. Check to make sure it is in the right place, and then continue to jack up the car until it is about six inches off the ground.

Remove the Old Tire and Replace It

If the car is properly off the ground and the lug nuts are sufficently loosened this should be easy. Before you put the new tire on, make sure it is properly inflated. Then you can easily put the tire on. Re-tighten the lug nuts. Then lower your car, by lowering the jack using the reverse motion you used to raise it.

Now you know how to change your tire. Congratulate yourself.

What To Do When The Check Engine Light Comes On

The check engine light tells the driver that there is something wrong with the emissions system. It does not have anything to do with the mechanical operation of the engine. A check engine light means that any one of the sensors is either bad or is giving the computer an erroneous reading. A Cincinnati Acura, Hyundai, Honda or Kia dealer uses computers to query the vehicle’s computer. The vehicle’s computer sends the codes to the dealer’s diagnostic computer so that the dealer can figure out the problem.

Keep in mind that the sensors use wiring, so just because a code points to a specific sensor, it doesn’t mean that the sensor is bad – it could mean the wiring to or from the sensor is bad, which is rare; or it could mean that the sensor is giving erroneous readings because of the malfunction of another part in the vehicle.

When the engine light comes on, that means the vehicle’s computer – the PCM or ECM – has stored a code. The code could be a hard or a soft code. A soft code will turn the check engine light on and off. A hard code will not allow the check engine light to go out until the code is cleared by a diagnostic computer. If the problem is not repaired, but the code is erased, the computer will reset the code and turn the check engine light on once again.

Actions to Take When the Check Engine Light Comes On

The check engine light should always come on for a few seconds when you start the vehicle. This is to alert you that the light is working. If the light does not go out, take notice of any irregularities with the way your vehicle is running. Check to see if black smoke is pouring out of the exhaust. Check to see if the vehicle runs rough or if it doesn’t seem to have enough power to get out of its own way.

If your vehicle is drivable, take it to your Cincinnati car dealer to have it checked. The dealer will be able to tell you what is wrong and will be able to repair the problem.

When certain sensor s malfunction or are caused to throw a code because of another problem, the vehicle may go into “limp home mode.” This means that the vehicle will get you a short distance so you are not stranded. It may not start once you shut it off. If the vehicle is not running smoothly, it is best to not take a chance and to call a tow truck to get you to a certified car technician for repairs.