A Great Way to Beat the Traffic

Hello, Fans! In today’s day and age, most commuters spend at least an hour daily sitting in traffic, waiting for a light to change, and agonizing every moment they’re at a standstill.  Traffic has always been a huge part of the daily drive and in most cases, has been an unwelcome addition to the daily routine.  Gone are the days of empty roads and long stretches, especially between the times of 9am and 6pm.  We’ve got news for you!

There’s a new smartphone app (available for iPhone, android and Blackberry devices) that provides real-time traffic information for mobile devices and it’s FREE.  Beat the Traffic allows commuters to instantly view real-time traffic conditions – including accidents; traffic congestion and roadway delays-and adjusts to travel plans if necessary.  This saves you time, fuel and frustration. .  Beat the Traffic has interactive maps and street details to assist you in finding the fastest and safest route to your destination!  Traffic also lets motorists retrieve travel times and live camera views. Even more tools, such as personalized traffic reports and saved routes, are available for a small subscription fee.

Check it out:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beat-the-traffic/id339660839?mt=8

Smartphone App of the Week: CarBUZZ

Ok, so you’re sitting down at the doctor’s office waiting for your appointment.  Your seat is uncomfortable, you have the urge to sneeze and the little boy across the room is eyeing you with an evil disposition.  Thanks to CarBUZZ, an online automotive authority, your troubles are over.  While waiting, you can take advantage of this downtime by downloading the FREE CarBUZZ app for your smartphone.  It’s an amazing way for car enthusiasts to enjoy the latest reviews, editorials, and news from the automotive industry via a mobile medium.  According to CarBuzz:

“Readers will be immersed in a wide variety of articles, providing opinions and reviews on the latest and most exciting vehicles, as well as daily news updates encompassing everything from the automotive world.

CarBuzz is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android powered devices.”

Check it out! http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/carbuzz-958-cars-inside/id387682790?mt=8

Staying AWAKE Behind the Wheel

Hey, Fans.  Here at the dealership, we make your well being a huge factor.  By creating and maintaining a safe environment for you, we give you the chance to feel comfortable in coming to see us for a vehicle.  Any questions regarding vehicle maintenance and safety can be answered quickly and efficiently.  We wish we could be with you every step of the way after your purchase, but we know that most commutes occur alone.  That’s why we’ve compiled some details of staying awake behind the wheel.  We’ve all driven home tired, even when we know we shouldn’t be.  By following these rules, you can avoid turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one. 

1.    Get a Good Night’s Sleep! – Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to good driving habits.  Eight hours is the usual requirement, but almost a third of adults receive less than 6.

2.    Learn and Heed Warning Signs of Fatigue – experiencing wandering thoughts? Yawning repeatedly? Find yourself dosing off periodically?  Take a break and re-adjust yourself.

3.    Drive with a Passenger – if you can, have someone accompany you on the drive home.  That way, you can engage in conversation and avoid dosing off. 

4.    Schedule a Break – on long trips, every 2 hours or every 100 miles, take a break to stretch and catch your bearings before you continue to your destination.

Feel free to add your own tips!

How Servicing Your Car Can Extend its Life (Even Further!)

As a car buyer, you’ve experienced the uneasy feeling of maintaining your vehicle.  In most recent years, advances in technology have lessened visits to the service department, but routine service should still not be missed.  Our dealership is a safe haven for your car, catering to its specific needs, like a preventative care center.  One of the main questions you ask when purchasing a new or used vehicle is: How reliable it is? In today’s blog, we provide some tips to maintaining your vehicle and how to extend the already long life of your vehicle.

1.    Read the vehicle manual and schedule maintenance appointments - Keeping up with your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance is key to avoiding costly problems to the cooling system, drivetrain, suspension etc…

2.    Call your dealership and ask questions – We’re here to help.  If you have any service questions feel free to call us with your questions. 

3.    Have your dealership check fluids – Always come in and ask us check the level of antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid regularly. 

4.    Change oil regularly – By changing your oil when your dealership requests it, you can protect your engine.  Every car is different, so call us to get the exact information for your specific vehicle make and model.

5.    Request a fluid flush every two years – By flushing the power steering, brake, and cooling system fluid when it is pertinent, you can cleanse your car’s liquids in one fell swoop.  However, if you have gone more than 50k miles without a change, on many transmissions, it is not the greatest idea to do so.  It can cause breakdown varnish and other solids that have built up in the transmission over time.

6.    Have the tires rotated – Having your tires rotated at your nearest dealership should be second nature.  By doing so, you can avoid uneven wear and tear on the tread, extending the life of your tires.

These are just a few tips to help you maintain your vehicle in your daily commute, feel free to add your comments below!

# Automotive Advertising

Automotive App: CarZar

If you’re reading our most recent blog post, then you’re most likely a car enthusiast.  You get a rush shifting gears on the Autobahn, I’m sorry, the I-95 whenever you reach speeds in excess of 80 mph.  If you’re in tune with the digital world, then we recommend a cool new smartphone app for your enjoyment.  CarZar, a social media network that puts a spin on the philosophy is for you.  For example, lets say you see a sweet new car on the street that you really admire.  You can snap a photo of that ride and share that ride with fellow car freaks and earn badges like Foursquare for yopur efforts.  You can also gain followers through your contributions like the Twitter platform. 

After you download CarZar and register your info, You can list your favorite car, favorite car and connect your existing social network accounts.  Then, you're free to snap car finds and share them with your friends on the go.  According to Endmunds: “By hitting the camera icon in the upper-right corner of the Spot screen and following the prompts, you can post a photo of your own automotive discoveries and share info on the car and add comments. In addition to linking your CarZar activity to your existing soical networks.”

Check it out: http://itunes.apple.com/app/carzar/id391972871?mt=8