Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the team here at O'Hare Hyundai! 2012 was an amazing year, and we can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for us. Please be safe tonight, and have a designated driver if you're going to be drinking!

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe | "Check"

Every parent wants to share their passions with their kids. In the fun and sensible Santa Fe, it's never been easier.

HYUNDAI LAUNCHES NEW INVENTORY SEARCH TOOL ON HYUNDAIUSA.COM

Taking another step towards enhancing the experience for its 3 million visitors per month, HyundaiUSA.com unveiled a brand new, user-friendly shopping tool called Inventory Search. The new tool expands search results to include vehicles in transit to dealerships, not just the vehicles that are already on dealer lots. This extended view of inventory gives customers a much broader selection, helping them find the exact car for which they are looking.

In addition, this new online inventory information tool not only incorporates best practices to improve the customer experience, but also offers a simple, user-friendly purchase inquiry feature called “Find My Vehicle For Me.” This concept offers customers the option of having their local Hyundai dealer locate the car of their choosing on their behalf.

“By bridging the gap between the online and in-dealership shopping experiences, Hyundai hopes to make the car-buying experience simpler and more transparent, thereby making it easier for customers to find the Hyundai of their choice,” said Steve Shannon, vice president, Marketing, Hyundai Motor America.

HIGHLIGHTS OF INVENTORY SEARCH

• Vehicle search by model, model year, trim, exterior color, interior color and package
• Exterior and interior images of each car
• Filtering or sorting by trim, package and MSRP
• Direct connection to local dealerships from the build and price summary page
• Dealer contact info and directions to the nearest dealership
• Opportunity to schedule a test drive and request a quote
• Local offer integration

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: One indicator or blinker is flashing faster than the other

When you indicate one way and the blinker flashes quicker than when you indicate the other way, it means one of the bulbs has blown. An auto parts store will be able to tell you what sort of bulb you need to replace it with and your manual should show you how to get at the indicator bulbs - they're different on every car.

Your Maintenance Tip Courtesy of Car Bibles

All-new 2013 Santa Fe finds robust sales demand while attracting a higher demographic CUV buyer

Hyundai Motor America today released key sales metrics and early buyer demographics from the highly successful launch of its all-new 2013 Santa Fe CUV. Last week, Santa Fe received ALG’s prestigious Highest Residual Value for the Midsize Utility Vehicle segment, establishing market expectations for superior value retention, both off-lease and in the pre-owned vehicle market. Equally impressive, Santa Fe has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick recommendation as well as top-ranked 5-star NHTSA crash ratings, indicating superb crashworthiness in various critical collision categories.

2013 Santa Fe Launch Highlights Industry Accolades ALG Highest Residual Value for Midsize Utility Vehicle segment IIHS Top Safety Pick NHTSA 5-star crash test ratings New, Higher Demographic Santa Fe Buyer Average household income level up 36% above previous model Younger median buyer age, nearly five years below previous model High Turbo model sales mix of 39%, a premium buyer preference Early Launch Sales Metrics Dealer days-to-turn rate: 30 days 49% faster than industry average 59 days for same period Year-over-year sales nearly 15% above previous model

“Santa Fe is enjoying outstanding consumer demand with a new, higher-demographic CUV buyer, higher transaction prices and top-ranked crash safety ratings from the most respected safety agencies,” said Michael O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning for Hyundai Motor America. “Santa Fe dealer inventories are turning at a brisk 30-day pace, and we are very pleased with the new, upmarket class of buyers attracted to its combination of fluidic sculpture design, exceptional value, interior flexibility and outstanding safety credentials.”

Even with Santa Fe’s outstanding safety ratings, curb weights remain class-leading, a benefit of Hyundai’s strategic use of high-tensile steel in specific structural areas of the platform.

CUV	Santa Fe Sport	Edge	Equinox	Journey	Venza	Escape
Base Curb Weight (lbs.)	3,459	4,050	3,777	3,818	3,870	3,502

Early internal Hyundai buyer studies for the 2013 Santa Fe indicate a younger buyer than the previous Santa Fe by nearly five years, with 36 percent higher income. It is also attracting more educated buyers than the compact CUV segment in which it competes.

In terms of in-market shopper demand, Santa Fe has surged over the past few months since the introduction of the new model, according to the marketing analytics firm Kantar Compete. Further, according to TrueCar studies measuring a cross-section of shopper demand on a variety of shopping-oriented websites, Santa Fe demand is up 67 percent over the previous model. Using industry inventory data from Cars.com, Santa Fe has the fastest days-to-turn rate (30 days) in its segment by a large margin.

	Santa Fe Sport	Edge	Equinox	Journey	Venza	Escape
Days-to-turn rate	30	57	72	71	49	34

Santa Fe sales for the early launch period, September through November, are outpacing year-over-year sales for the previous model Santa Fe by nearly 15 percent, even without the benefit of the soon-to-be-released, larger 3-row Santa Fe. The new three-row, seven-passenger Santa Fe configuration made its world debut at last week’s 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, joining the two-row, five-passenger Santa Fe Sport. The new three-row Santa Fe will be on sale early 2013.

Santa Fe Model Line Sales Volume

	Sep.-Nov. 2012	Sep.-Nov. 2011	New Model Sales Increase
SANTA FE	20,154	17,541	14.8%

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

Article and image courtey of Hyundai News.

Monday Maintenance: Warming Your Vehicle

It cannot be understated how important it is to warm your car before you drive it. Learn about the importance of warming your vehicle before you drive it with help from an expert in the automotive industry in this free video clip.

Hyundai Holiday Sales Event

An amazing deal on a brand-new Hyundai? Now that's a gift that's sure to please.

December Coupon

Be sure to take advantage of our savings! Print off this coupon to receive free rotations for life with the purchase of 4 tires. Hurry, this expires December 31st!

New Hyundai design kicks up a storm

There is a storm coming, but don’t panic. It won’t uproot your house, but the redesigned 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will improve your driveway.

Looks

The 2013 Santa Fe has been totally changed with a bold new style called Storm Edge. The smooth flowing sheet metal creates the impression of continuous motion, while the panoramic sunroof allows a tremendous amount of light in the cabin. The body coloured side mirrors feature a thin LED turn signal that helps improve safety, and the headlights are projector style with Xenon HID lamps. Fog lights are integrated into the front bumper and are standard on all models. The other change to the Santa Fe is substantial weight reduction. Hyundai uses 30 per cent more high-tensile steel in the unitized body/frame, lighter seat frames and interior trim and lighter suspension components, among other things.

In The Cab

A 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat with heated and cooled capabilities give this CUV a high level of luxury. The rear seats are also heated and feature a 40/20/40 split. An available 8-inch touch screen navigation system also provides video for the backup camera.

Safety First

Safety features include: seven airbags (dual front, front seat-mounted Side-impact, roof-mounted side-curtain with rollover sensor and driver knee airbag); Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS); four-wheel disc brakes; and Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Further improving driver and passenger safety is the Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and Hill start Assist Control (HAC) systems.

Power

There are two motors to choose from: a 2.4-litre DOHC four cylinder, that puts out 190 horsepower; and a 2.0-litre T-GDI four-cylinder with a turbocharger that packs a punch with 264 horsepower and 269 lbs.-ft of torque. The lone transmission is a six-speed automatic with shiftronic manual mode.

Pump Frequency

2.4-litre FWD 9.5L/ 6.0 L /100 km (city/highway)

2.0-litre FWD 9.8L/ 6.4 L/100 km (city/highway)

Warranty Support

5 year/ 100,000 km Comprehensive

5 year/ 100,000 km Powertrain

8 year/ 130,000 km Major emission

3 year/ unlimited km 24 hour roadside assistance

Roadworthy

I really like the comfort level of this CUV. It handles exceptionally well, is fun to drive and offers lots of room inside. The hill assist control is a nice feature to have, too, as you don’t have to worry about rolling back if the car behind you is right on your bumper.

Verdict

Hyundai has come a long way over the years and is producing some exceptional vehicles at a fair price. This new Santa Fe proves they are not content in just sticking with what works, but rather continuing to improve. No wonder they are number one in customer satisfaction.

Sticker price

2.4-litre FWD $28,384

2.4-litre Premium FWD $30,184

2.4-litre Premium AWD $32,184

2.4-litre Luxury $35,784

2.0-litre Premium FWD $32,384

2.0-litre Premium AWD $34,384

2.0-litre SE $37,184

2.0-litre Limited $40,384

 

Courtesy of The Province

Monday Maintenance: The Test Drive

The test drive is one of the most important parts of buying a car. No matter what the car reviews say, if a vehicle doesn't fit you and your lifestyle, you're going to become dissatisfied with it long before that payment book is empty. The test drive is your opportunity to make your own personal assessment in a thorough, hands-on manner. If you're attentive to the details here, you can quickly tell whether or not you and the vehicle are meant for a long-term relationship.

The test drive is your opportunity to make your own personal assessment in a thorough, hands-on manner. When it comes to test driving a vehicle, the more time behind the wheel on various roads, the better. If you can arrange to rent a vehicle that's similar to the one you're considering, it could be worth the cost to be able to spend several days in it. Besides helping you become familiar with the vehicle, a rental car—without the new-car gloss—can also provide a reality check by showing you what yours might be like a year or more down the road. Most often, though, you'll have to make the most of the dealership test-drive. Here are some tips:

Test Drive Tips

• Don't rush. Allow yourself the time to do it properly. A car's true personality (the side you won't find on paper) really only shows up while driving. Also, make sure you can concentrate on the vehicle. If you feel self-conscious or distracted by the salesperson, politely ask him or her if you can drive alone.
• Take another person to the dealership. Your friend can give you a second opinion, take notes while you're driving, or run interference with the salesperson, if necessary.
• Start with the basics. How easy is it to get in and out of the vehicle? Some taller vehicles require a high step-up, which can be awkward for shorter people.
• Does the car fit you? Adjust the seat and steering wheel until you're comfortable. Seats vary quite a bit from one vehicle to the next. A seat that fits one person perfectly may be contoured wrong for someone else. Over the long run, if a seat isn't just right, it can become a real annoyance. Also, can you reach the pedals comfortably without being too close or too far from the steering wheel?
• How's the safety factor? Does the seatbelt fit comfortably across your body, without the shoulder belt cutting into your neck or riding too low? Are the belts adjustable? Is the headrest adjustable? Are there rear headrests?
• Are the controls conveniently located? With all the other distractions of driving, you don't need hard-to-operate controls. Are the dash switches easy to reach and the gauges easy to read? Are commonly used controls positioned high enough so that you don't have to divert your eyes too far from the road?
• Are there places to stow things? Can you fit CDs or cassettes in the center console? Are the cupholders secure and adjustable enough to fit a variety of sizes? Does the rear seat fold down for carrying larger loads in the trunk? On a minivan or sport-utility, can you open and close the rear door or liftgate easily?
• How well can you see in all directions? Are there blind spots that could pose vision problems? Can you see the front of the hood well enough to use it as a gauge when parking? Try pulling into one or more parking spaces to see how easy it is to park.
• Feel free to choose your own driving route so that you can take the car on a variety of road surfaces, from a high-speed highway to a patched-up back road. Is the ride smooth and comfortable or rough and bouncy? If you typically drive on hills, try to include them, too. A car that feels fine on level ground can run out of steam on hills.
• How's the driveability? Is the vehicle easy to steer in a crowded lot without being too vague on the highway? On the road, does the car feel responsive and controlled or sluggish and wallowy? Can you accelerate onto an interstate or freeway comfortably without holding up traffic?
• If you can find an empty stretch of road where you'll be safe, try applying the brakes hard a couple of times. How's the feel of the pedal? Do the brakes respond adequately in proportion to the amount of pressure you apply to the pedal?
• Listen as you drive. How quiet or noisy is the overall experience? Noise typically comes from the engine, wind, and the tires on the road. Also, listen for any squeaks or rattles. There shouldn't be any in a brand new car.
• If you'll be test driving several cars, try to do them in the same day so that your impressions are fresh. When evaluating the differences between vehicles, there's nothing more informative than being able to drive them back to back.

 

Courtesy of Mobil Oil

Hyundai Elantra | Stay Active

There's lots of reasons why our Elantra is perfect for everyone. Here's just one person's take on it.

2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT NAMED “BEST VALUE” IN POPULAR MECHANICS’ 2013 AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT has been named “Best Value” in this year’s Popular Mechanics’ Auto Excellence Awards. The Elantra GT was recognized for its use of class-leading technologies, use of interior space, and competitive pricing. Popular Mechanics magazine covers how today’s technologies affect the things men are most interested in, including: their homes, consumer electronics, cars, science, computers, sports and current events and explains the way the world works today and into the 21st century.

“Of all the quality compacts currently available, most impressive is the new Elantra GT,” said Popular Mechanics editors. “The GT’s practical, wagon-like hatchback was built primarily for Europe, so it’s shorter than any other Elantra, but packs a substantial 51-cubic-foot cargo hold when the seats are folded down. That’s more than some larger wagons. Yet this hatch also shares some parts with Hyundai’s sporty Veloster coupe, so when the road turns into a twisty ribbon of fun, the GT is a willing partner.”

The Popular Mechanics’ Auto Excellence Awards recognize cars in 10 distinct categories: Car of the Year, Fun to Drive, Performance, Hauling, Luxury, Design, Versatility, Technical Innovation, Value and Fuel Efficiency.

“Elantra GT is a fun-to-drive, functional, five-door compact hatchback,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra GT is one of the latest examples showcasing how Hyundai is redefining the compact car and setting new standards in automotive design, efficiency and functionality.”

Elantra GT’s utilization of space makes the interior feel roomy and comfortable. Under the skin, the Elantra GT shares some chassis tuning and suspension from the Hyundai Veloster, making it a nimble counterpart whether drivers are on city streets or mountain roads. Coupled with class-leading technologies such as Driver Selectable Steering Mode, and impressive standard features like Bluetooth connectivity, the Elantra GT sits at the top of the compact car segment, and with a starting price of $18,395, it delivers this driving experience at thousands less than the competition.

 

Courtesy of Hyundai

Camron Wants You To See How Happy She Is With Her New Car

See the full gallery on Posterous

"First Pleasant Buying Experience I've Had"

"Thank you, Darren, for a wonderful car buying experience. And thanks for hanging in there through all my various visits and questions. I appreciate working with a patient, upbeat and professional salesperson who knew his product very well. I loved the fact there was no pressure, actually that's why I returned to O'Hare Hyundai to purchase my beautiful Tucson. Everything was explained as to how all the "bells and whistles" worked. I would definitely recommend your dealership and especially Darren. First pleasant buying experience I've had. I'm loving my Tucson."

Help Your Odometer Reach 300,000 Miles

Five Maintenance Tips For Getting To 300,000 Miles

1. Keep your battery charged. This is especially important if you don’t drive your car that often. If you plan to let a vehicle sit for more than a couple weeks, you should invest in a “trickle charger,” or battery tender, which plugs into a regular household outlet and keeps your battery fully charged, automatically. I have a battery tender for my lawn tractor battery for winter months, and it guarantees a strong start in the spring.

2. Keep at least half a tank of gas in the car. Plenty of reasons not to let your car run on fumes, but one I had never considered before reading this article is that an empty gas tank is more prone to rust.  The rust can leach into your fuel and clog filters and fuel lines downstream. Rust could also eventually eat through your gas tank leaving a hole.  At today’s gas prices, who can afford for that to happen!

3. Don’t forget the tires. When you fill up your gas tank, or every couple weeks, whichever happens more frequently, be sure to check your tire pressure. If you drive an older vehicle like me you’ll need to pick up a tire gauge. Look at the label inside the door, or in your owner’s manual, to find the correct tire pressure for your specific model. Low tire pressure causes things like uneven wear on your tires and decreased gas mileage.

4. Change the oil. There is some debate in the frugal car owner world on whether or not you should change your oil as often as prescribed by car manufacturers (and those express oil-changing facilities). I’m no expert, but I think you should stay pretty close to the suggested schedule, only deviating a month or two, or a couple hundred miles. Peters agrees with me. Besides, a $30 oil change is much cheaper than a new engine, and if you are ultra frugal, you can even change your own oil!

5. Be kind to your clutch, and your brakes. If you drive a car with a manual transmission you know at some point you will likely have to replace the clutch. But you can extend the life of your clutch, and your brakes, by not riding either one for long periods of time, and by using your accelerator (or not using your accelerator) to coast a bit as traffic ebbs and flows.

Automobiles are becoming more and more expensive these days. In fact, next to buying a home, it is probably the largest single purchase most people will make in a lifetime. Use the steps above to increase the chances your vehicle will last well beyond your car loan, guaranteeing you many years of debt-free driving.

 

Courtesy of Frugal Dad

Hyundai Retains Number 2 Ranking In CarMD's Vehicle Health Index

 Hyundai ranks as the number two brand in terms of vehicle health, according to the second annual CarMD^® Vehicle Health Index^™ Manufacturer & Vehicle Rankings. Additionally, Hyundai has the lowest average repair cost among the Top 10 manufacturers and has five models in the Top 100 vehicles list (2011 Santa Fe, 2010 Genesis, 2010 Sonata, 2009 Sonata and 2009 Santa Fe).

“Hyundai has clearly gone above and beyond to design reliable vehicles to last longer with a lower cost of ownership for the people who drive them,” said Art Jacobsen, vice president, CarMD. “While there are many reliable vehicles to choose from, being included on the CarMD^® Vehicle Health Index^™ Rankings and Lists puts Hyundai among the top 5 percent of all vehicles on the road today.”

“Hyundai’s rise to the top tier of manufacturers can really be traced back to their engineering,” said CarMD.com editors. “Their vehicles are designed with service and maintenance taken into consideration. This leads to lower average repair costs and greatly helps their scoring.”

Hyundai’s Vehicle Health Index score improved from 0.85 to 0.67 this year, the exact score that earned Toyota the No.1-ranked manufacturer spot in 2011. The Index is based on the combined fewest average repair incidents and lowest average repair costs for model year 2002 to 2012.

Based on more than 163,000 specific repairs performed from Sept. 1, 2011 to Sept. 1, 2012, the Index encompasses approximately 136 million vehicles. The CarMD Index ranks the top 10 manufacturers, top 100 vehicles, top three vehicles by category and most prevalent repairs by make.

“Hyundai’s ranking on CarMD’s Vehicle Health Index reinforces the strength of our brand and the reliability of our vehicles,” Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, Customer Satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. “Our dedication to customer service and quality vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance – Hyundai’s commitment to the enduring value of every vehicle we build.”

 

Courtesy of Hyundai

"I look forward to being in the Hyundai Family" says the author of this five-star review!

"Bob was so friendly, not pushy like some sale people I've dealt with before. He understood when I left to go home and think and was shocked when I came back so quickly. The level of service he provided was beyond my expectations. He called me several days later to make sure I was enjoying my new car, which I am.

Gina was so helpful when I dealt her online and thru emails. She kept in communication with me, but respected my boundaries. She was not pushy and did not overload my email box with stuff. She communicated with me respectfully as I made inquiries.

The staff at O'Hare Hyundai was great. I love my new car and I look forward to being in the Hyundai Family."

- Fred

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe | Show Your Loyalty | "The Great Wall"

How do you prove your loyalty? Body paint? Pet pooches? Giant international landmarks?

We have some exceptional used specials in our lot. Come see how easy it is to make the switch.

http://oharehyundai.com/custom/used-car-specials/Des-Plaines-IL-Hyundai-Dealer

Hyundai Moving Ahead with Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Powered Tucson

Hyundai intends to put its fuel-cell Tucson into what its executives call, oxymoronically, “small-scale mass-production.” By 2015 Hyundai says total production will have reached 1000 units, mostly for Europe. The company’s European boss says it could be “up to 10,000 units a year after 2015, mostly for California and Europe, provided the market and infrastructure are up to it.”

The crossover, which will be a lease-only vehicle for selected fleets up to 2015, will be built down the regular Tucson assembly line in Ulsan, Korea. After that it will be made available for private buyers to purchase, at a projected €40,000 ($52,000), although cars are more expensive in general in Europe than the U.S. so Californian buyers would potentially see a lower price.

The modified Hyundai Tucson has a 100kW fuel-cell stack, is capable of 100 mph, and gets to from 0 to 62 mph in 12.5 seconds, the company claims. We tested our long-term all-wheel-drive 2010 Hyundai Tucson, with a 176-hp 2.4-liter I-4 and a six-speed automatic transmission, accelerating from 0-60 mph in 9.0 seconds. The range on a full tank of hydrogen is 367 miles on the European test drive cycle. The tank capacity is 12 pounds of hydrogen, at 700 bar. Refueling takes “a few minutes” according to Hyundai. The 700bar pressure and the refueling nozzle are the global standard for filling stations.

That stack gets its oxygen from ambient rather than compressed air, which Hyundai says will lead to lower parasitic power loss. Also, the passengers will hear less noise because there is no compressor. The stack feeds a lithium-ion buffer battery, the same as the one in the Sonata Hybrid.

Motor Trend has driven a prototype of the vehicle, and it feels like an EV in terms of silence and smoothness. Passenger space is uncompromised versus the gasoline model, and the trunk floor is only a few inches higher.

Hyundai, together with Honda, Daimler, Nissan, and Toyota, is working with European local and city governments to get hydrogen-filling infrastructure in place.

Courtesy of MotorTrend

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Keeping Up Appearances

What's the simplest thing people can do to help maintain their car's value over time? Richard Griot of car care and tool supplier Griot's Garage says, "Keep all of your vehicle's surfaces — the glass, trim, paint and wheels — clean." And we agree.

Your car has many enemies — some visible, some not. Emissions from industrial plants are released into the environment, where they are transformed into nitric or sulfuric acid. When deposited onto your car, in either a wet or a dry state, these contaminants can eat paint and, in extreme cases, metal. When ignored, acid from dead bugs, bird droppings, tree sap and even fallen leaves can do the same. Even something as benign as dust can cause tiny scratches in your car's finish, which can make the vehicle look dull and lifeless.

And the longer offensive contaminants are left on your vehicle, the greater the extent of the damage they can cause to both the car and its perceived value.

So what, you say? A few war wounds are endearing, right? Wrong!

Perception Versus Reality
The reality is that people often value material items based on the way they look. According to the folks at Kelley Blue Book, aesthetics is one of the top considerations when a person buys a car. And since more people are testing the used-car market these days, it is important to keep your car looking its best so it's worth more when you are ready to sell it. A vehicle that has a pitted or stained finish or splotches of rust is a turnoff, and thus is worth less than a car that looks pristine, regardless of how you maintained the vehicle mechanically — sad, but true.

If you currently don't clean your car regularly (at least twice a month), it's not too late to change your ways. Of course, the quickest and easiest way to a sparkling clean car inside and out is to take your four-wheeled friend to a detail shop for the royal treatment. At $75 to $300 or more per visit, using a professional detailer twice a month can get rather pricey. Luckily, there are plenty of do-it-yourself products on the market that you can use to clean your car at home, saving time and money.

To help, we've compiled some advice from car-care professionals on how to properly clean and care for your automobile. Follow these guidelines and your ride will look like you have a detailer on weekly retainer.

ON THE OUTSIDE
Before breaking out the sponges and getting down to business, you'll want to park the vehicle in a shaded spot, preferably in a gravel area where the water can seep, rather than on asphalt that can cause rapid runoff. Direct sunlight can cause some surfaces to dry faster than you may want them to, leaving residue and, thus, unwanted streaks on the finish.

The Basic Wash
Now you're ready to get busy. You'll need a steady supply of water (make sure your hose has a trigger-type nozzle, to conserve water), a soft and dirt-free cloth (or a wash mitt, terry cloth towel or soft-bristle brush) and — last but not least — a proper car-wash soap.

Don't make the mistake of using dishwashing soap or a household cleaner on your car; they contain harsh detergents that can strip wax and damage paint. As Craig Burnett, chemist for Mothers Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners, puts it: "Car-wash products are designed to remove automotive dirt from cars, not grime from clothes or grease from dishes. Don't confuse your kitchen with your garage."

Also, most car-care experts recommend starting at the top of the vehicle and working your way down, focusing on one section at a time. "The bottom of your car, particularly behind the wheel wells, traditionally has heavier accumulations of dirt particles," explains Mike Pennington, director of training for Meguiar's, a leading producer of car-care products. "Washing from the top down minimizes the risk of contaminants in the water or getting caught in the wash mitt or brush, thus minimizing the chances of creating scratches or swirls in the paint as you rub the car clean."

Here's the best game plan:
1. First rinse the entire car with water to remove loose dirt.
2. Wash and rinse the vehicle one section at a time, working from top to bottom, to prevent a section from drying too quickly and leaving deposits or residue.
3. Don't scrub aggressively. Instead, rub the car's surface gently to loosen dirt. Aggressive rubbing can grind dirt right into the finish, leaving scratches and swirls.
4. Rinse the wash mitt or sponge often to prevent accumulated dirt from scratching the paint.
5. After the final rinse, wipe the excess water from the vehicle's surface to prevent water spotting. A soft terry cloth towel or a high-quality chamois are recommended. Keep the towel or chamois clean to help prevent scratching, and wipe the vehicle lightly to soak up water without abrading the vehicle's finish.

Note: If you live in a climate where sand or salt is used on the road surface, be sure to rinse inside the wheel wells, paying special attention to the lower part of the fender, where salt and sand may have accumulated. We recommend using a high-pressure hose for this task.

Wheels and Tires
One of the most dramatic ways to improve the appearance of your vehicle is to keep its tires and wheels (or rims) clean. Address the wheels first.

Have you ever noticed that the front wheels of many cars appear dirtier than the back wheels? This is caused by the accumulation of brake dust shed by disc brakes, which are on the front wheels of virtually all cars these days. A number of car-care products on the market do a good job of removing it. You simply spray the cleaner on and rinse after 30 to 60 seconds.

Be careful, however, to use the right kind of cleaner for your type of wheels. If you don't, the results could be devastating. For instance, a spray-on product designed for premium alloys will begin to strip off a typical wheel's protective varnish if left on too long. It can also damage plastic wheel covers. So read the directions and warnings carefully before you apply any wheel cleaner.

After the rims are spick-and-span, focus your attention on the tires. Many tire dressings simply spray on and require no wiping. They are formulated to produce a clean, slightly glossy look.

Wax On, Wax Off
At least 97 percent of today's vehicles come from the factory with some type of clear-coat finish that contains stabilizers, ultraviolet light blockers and UV light absorbers that help keep a vehicle's paint looking new longer. While they do provide great protection, clear-coats are not a panacea.

"Clear-coats can give drivers a false sense of security by appearing to protect the underlying base coat," says Matthew Broderick, group vice president of marketing at Turtle Wax Inc. "They are fragile and susceptible to scratches, abrasions and swirls that make the paint look dull."

Waxing your vehicle will help remove paint oxidation and surface dirt, while adding another layer of protection against grease and grime. Wax will also improve or remove minor damage such as surface scratches or light contaminants and will provide a high-luster finish.

Most automakers recommend that you wax your vehicle twice a year to protect its clear-coat from damage and maintain the car's color and shine. However, some auto-care suppliers recommend monthly waxing. "Ideally, a vehicle should be waxed three to four times per year," Pennington says, to maximize the protection provided by the wax. "A good strategy is to start right before the winter and get into a three-month cycle."

When waxing your ride:
1. Wash and dry the vehicle before applying any product.
2. The paint surface should be cool and not in direct sunlight. The outside temperature should be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity should be low.
3. Apply the wax in small sections with either a foam pad or small terry cloth towel using overlapping strokes or circular motions.
4. Wait for a section to dry to a haze before wiping the wax off with a terry cloth towel or cloth diaper. Wipe in both directions, turning the towels often. And remember to shake them out often to remove accumulated wax that might scratch the finish.
5. When completely finished, wipe the entire vehicle again, paying particular attention to the edges of trim pieces, doorjambs and moldings where excess wax may have accumulated.

For additional shine between wax jobs, several manufacturers offer spray-and-wipe products to quickly enhance a vehicle's shine.

ON THE INSIDE
Now that you have finished the exterior, it's time to tackle your car's interior.

First, thoroughly vacuum all carpets and upholstery to remove loose, dry dirt. Don't forget to vacuum under the seats.

Specialists recommend using lint-free towels and clean water to clean the dash area and seats. Cotton swabs are helpful for getting dust out of tight spots, and a clean, stiff-bristled brush is indispensable for removing caked-on dirt and grime in carpets and floor mats.

As far as solvents are concerned, Pennington suggests you always use a product that is designed for the surface you want to clean, whether it is leather, vinyl, plastic, wood, simulated wood or upholstery. Each product is specifically formulated for a particular surface and will not work effectively on other surfaces. In fact, the wrong cleaner may even do damage.

Even with right cleaner, don't use too much of it. "The biggest problem with interior cleaning is that many people overuse the cleaning products or saturate the carpet when they shampoo," Pennington says. Also never use a product that leaves a shiny, slick finish on the dashboard or steering wheel. A shiny dash reflects light, which can be a major safety hazard while driving. Same goes for a slippery steering wheel.

Courtesy of MSN Autos

Funny Friday Time

How about some Funny Friday in here?

What do you get when you put a car and a pet together ?
Carpet!

Have any good ones? Share them with us!

2012 SEMA | Hyundai Livestream

What-Were-They-Thinking Wednesday

In this issue of "What were they thinking Wednesday" we inquire as to what this driver is thinking. Help us complete the caption.

Hyundai Donates $500,000 to Red Cross for Sandy Efforts

Hyundai Motor America today announced a $500,000 donation to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy has created enormous loss and challenges for millions in the storm’s wake,” said John Krafcik, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We know how important the relief efforts of the Red Cross are and hope that our donation can make a difference in helping those still recovering from the extraordinary impact of this storm.”

As the Red Cross continues its massive relief operations, Hyundai is also encouraging its employees, dealer network and vendor partners to volunteer or provide additional support.

To learn more about how you can help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, please visit www.redcross.org.

 

Courtesy of Hyundai

Some Tips on Minimizing the Risk of Your Vehicle Being Broken Into or Stolen

Keep it inside a locked garage with an armed guard and Doberman on duty! Or, drive a car that nobody would want to steal.

Seriously, there are some common sense precautions you can use to minimize the risk of your vehicle being stolen or broken into:

Never leave the keys in the ignition, and never leave the engine running while you run into a store or drop something off. You car might not be there when you come back, and you might even be issued a ticket for such stupidity!

Always lock your car, even when running short errands to the grocery store or leaving your car in your own driveway. A car thief will walk right up to an unlocked car in broad daylight, hop in and be gone in 30 seconds. Locking the doors won't prevent him from breaking into or stealing your car, but it will slow him down and may discourage him enough to pick on someone else's car.

Never leave valuables (purses, briefcases, radar detectors, money, portable electronic devices, leather coats, etc.) in plain view. They encourage thieves to break in and help themselves. Either take the valuables with you or lock them out-of-sight in the luggage compartment.

Avoid parking where you have to leave your keys with a valet or parking attendant. It's a simple matter to make a duplicate key and steal your car later. Use self-park facilities where possible.

Park in well-lighted areas, preferably where there are people and/or traffic nearby. This discourages casual thieves from breaking and entering.

If you're installing an expensive stereo system in your vehicle, think hard about getting a "pull-out" unit that can be removed for safe-keeping if you have to park the vehicle outside. Or at least buy a radio that has a theft-deterrent code that makes it inoperable if somebody rips it out of your dash.

 

Courtesy of Yahoo! Autos

Hit the Open Road

Quite an impressive set up here, though the windows might be a little cold during winter.

What would your ultimate road trip machine be?

2012 SEMA | Hyundai "Velocity" Veloster Concept

It's the Veloster you know and love, taken to a whole new level. Check out the "Velocity" concept making its debut at 2012 SEMA.

Have a Great Halloween!

Can you come up with a caption for this picture?

Hyundai, Broadcom to equip vehicles with built-in ethernet

Hyundai is the second manufacturer after BMW – having put its Flexray ethernet system into the X5 – to pledge to install Ethernet technology in its cars. This isn't a ploy to give you yet another place to work on those regional sales spreadsheets, it's about reducing vehicle complexity while making the cars and their systems more efficient. The Korean manufacturer will be doing so in conjunction with Broadcom, the U.S. firm having created the "one pair Ethernet" (OPEN) special interest group that now counts 81 members.

Various in-vehicle electronics use a variety of protocols, primary among them being control area network (CAN), local area network (LAN) and low voltage differential signaling (LVDS). Broadcom wants to integrate those incompatible and highly specialized systems into one Ethernet system – the same plug-and-play one your computer can use all over the world – and in doing so make Ethernet "the backbone of the car."

Developed with BMW and Hyundai, Broadcom's BroadR-Reach standard uses two unshielded cables instead of four, which allows for light and inexpensive wiring that can be fit through a bodyshell's tight spots. Achieving the kind of consolidation ultimately envisioned would bring numerous and wide-ranging advantages like lowering the cost and complexity of electronics, at the same time allowing for greater electronics capabilities inside the car like 360-degree car camera security systems, using the same IP standard familiar around the world, allowing for speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 GBbps for faster and better communication between systems, just for starters. Lighter wiring – and there's a lot of it in a car – also means lighter cars.

That futuristic world is still in the future, though. Automakers are naturally keen to develop Ethernet applications in phases, such as focusing just on infotainment, to make sure it can stand up to the rigors of an automobile's daily life. Hyundai hasn't said which of its products will be the first in line or when that vehicle reach showrooms, but has cited infotainment, lane departure warning, park assist and telematics as the features likely to benefit.

Hyundai, Broadcom to equip vehicles with built-in ethernet

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]Hyundai is the second manufacturer after BMW – having put its Flexray ethernet system into the X5 – to pledge to install Ethernet technology in its cars. This isn't a ploy to give you yet another place to work on those regional sales spreadsheets, it's about reducing vehicle complexity while making the cars and their systems more efficient. The Korean manufacturer will be doing so in conjunction with Broadcom, the U.S. firm having created the "one pair Ethernet" (OPEN) special interest group that now counts 81 members.

Various in-vehicle electronics use a variety of protocols, primary among them being control area network (CAN), local area network (LAN) and low voltage differential signaling (LVDS). Broadcom wants to integrate those incompatible and highly specialized systems into one Ethernet system – the same plug-and-play one your computer can use all over the world – and in doing so make Ethernet "the backbone of the car."

Developed with BMW and Hyundai, Broadcom's BroadR-Reach standard uses two unshielded cables instead of four, which allows for light and inexpensive wiring that can be fit through a bodyshell's tight spots. Achieving the kind of consolidation ultimately envisioned would bring numerous and wide-ranging advantages like lowering the cost and complexity of electronics, at the same time allowing for greater electronics capabilities inside the car like 360-degree car camera security systems, using the same IP standard familiar around the world, allowing for speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 GBbps for faster and better communication between systems, just for starters. Lighter wiring – and there's a lot of it in a car – also means lighter cars.

That futuristic world is still in the future, though. Automakers are naturally keen to develop Ethernet applications in phases, such as focusing just on infotainment, to make sure it can stand up to the rigors of an automobile's daily life. Hyundai hasn't said which of its products will be the first in line or when that vehicle reach showrooms, but has cited infotainment, lane departure warning, park assist and telematics as the features likely to benefit.

 

Courtesy of Auto Blog

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Great Car Battery Maintenance Tips

Owning jumper cables is like owning a truck. When you own a truck, people seem to cozy up to you when they are moving. When you own jumper cables, you're suddenly like Batman but for dead batteries. You might as well give your friends a Jumper Cables Signal that they can point at the cloudy sky in times of crisis. With great power comes great responsibility, I guess. (And now I am mixing metaphors.)

Car batteries are full of toxic chemicals and have to be dealt with specially when they die. The green thing to do is to squeeze as much life out of them as possible and decrease the overall amount of batteries that you are going to need in your lifetime. Here are some tips for that.

1. Park in a Garage

A thoroughly insulated garage will keep your battery warm in the winter. Skip heated garages. They will rust your car.

2. Keep Your Battery Clean

Remove the clamps and clean away grease, dirt and oxidation. A filthy battery connection will weaken the charge.

3.Insulate Your Car Battery

If you don't have an insulated garage, you can always insulate the battery. It's a cheap way to protect the battery.

4. Recharge it with Solar

You can purchase an inexpensive solar charger for your car battery. The charger refills your battery's charge with solar energy. Combo this device with a monitor so you don't overcharge the battery.

5. Add Distilled Water

If you're stretching the life of a conventional battery, you may have to add some water to it. Here is how this is done.

6. Secure the Battery

If your battery is jiggling around, it could tip over. A loose battery bashing against other parts of your engine is bad. Battery acid spilling all over your motor is also bad. Keep the battery tray clean. Make sure the battery sits correctly.

Courtesy of How Stuff Works

It's a very Festive Friday! And it's about time!

What's your costume this year? Ever thought about dressing up your car as well?

2012 SEMA | Hyundai Veloster "Velocity" Concept

Fast just got a whole lot faster. Check out the sleek "Velocity" concept for the Veloster, straight from the minds of Hyundai's own design and engineering teams.

Be Sure To Take Advantage Of Our Savings!

Print off this coupon to receive free wiper blades and a one day car rental. Hurry, this expires October 31st!

Why Hyundai

It’s not just about how we build cars. It’s why.

There’s a reason why Hyundai cars are so frequently praised for their standard safety equipment. There’s a reason why our designers spend so much time driving and testing our vehicles. And there’s a reason why we’ve invested so heavily in processes and equipment that ensure the quality of our cars.

Safety

A number of years back, Hyundai made the decision to invest in safety. Take Electronic Stability Control (ESC). We took note of studies done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which found that ESC reduced crashes and fatalities by as much as 43%. Knowing how many lives could be saved made our goal clear: to make ESC standard on nearly every car we build.

Design

We believe in exterior design. Making it dynamic and fluid and utterly head-turning. But, more important, we believe in ergonomic design—the science of making our cars intuitive and comfortable. And, with the introduction of the Genesis, we’ve taken our study of ergonomics to a whole new level.

Quality

Designing is only half the equation. Which is why Hyundai invests millions of dollars in its assembly plants around the world. The Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama, was built from the ground up to be efficient, quality-focused, and mindful of the people who work there. Every car is put through a series of checks by both uncompromising machines and humans alike, with an eye on making every Hyundai the very best one we can build.

 

Courtesy of Hyundai

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: 9 Ways to Increase Gas Mileage

Improving fuel economy not only saves drivers money, it also benefits the environment by releasing fewer emissions into the air and reduces a nation's dependence on oil and oil imports. Reducing the amount of driving we do - by carpooling, using public transportation and combining trips - has the greatest effect on how much gas each person uses. That said, there are many ways to improve fuel economy when we do drive. These primarily involve driving more efficiently and making sure our cars are properly maintained.

Drive More Efficiently

Our driving habits have a significant impact on fuel efficiency:

1. Go Easy on the Pedals
Speeding, braking and rapid acceleration waste gas. Depending on the type of vehicle, poor driving habits can negatively affect fuel economy between 5% and 33%. Based on the current national average of $3.12 per gallon (for regular gasoline), driving sensibly, and not like a race car driver, can lead to an equivalent gas savings of between 16 cents and $1.03 per gallon.

2. Slow Down
Gas mileage decreases above 60 miles per hour. According to fueleconomy.gov, for every five miles per hour that exceeds 60 mph, drivers pay an equivalent of about 24 cents more for each gallon of gas. While each vehicle has its own optimal speed for fuel efficiency, speeding can result in 7% to 23% reduced fuel economy. Driving at slower speeds can save 21 to 71 cents per gallon.

3. Leave Extras at Home
An additional 100 pounds in your car can reduce gas mileage by up to 2%. The reduction is relative to the vehicle's weight: Smaller vehicles are more affected by increased weight than larger ones. For every 100 pounds in extra weight, plan on spending up to 6 cents more per gallon.

4. Use Cruise Control (When Appropriate)
According to Edmunds.com, using cruise control under appropriate conditions (avoiding use during especially hilly terrain) can improve fuel economy by up to 14%. That's a savings of about 43 cents per gallon.

5. Turn off the Car
Idling gets zero miles per gallon and collectively consumes several billion gallons of fuel per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The California Energy Commission (CEC) advises that vehicles should be turned off if the expected wait will be longer than 10 seconds, since an idling vehicle can burn as much as one gallon of gas each hour. Turning the car off can save about 5 cents per minute.

6. Check Tire Pressure
A little bit of vehicle maintenance can go a long way in improving gas mileage. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 1.25 billion gallons of gasoline - approximately 1% of total consumption - are wasted each year on underinflated tires. Tires can lose about 2 pounds per square inch (psi) per month. Each tire that is underinflated by 10 psi reduces fuel economy by about 3.3%. Four tires that are underinflated by 10 psi, then, would reduce a vehicle's fuel economy by a substantial 10% at an added cost of 31 cents per gallon.

Follow the guidelines in your vehicle's owner's manual (these recommendations also appear on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb) - and not what is stamped onto the tire itself.

7. Replace Spark Plugs
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence indicates that bad spark plugs can decrease fuel economy by up to 30%, and can cost drivers up to about 94 cents per gallon at today's prices. If a car's gas mileage suddenly drops, there's a good chance it's because of misfiring spark plugs.

8. Check Alignment
Misaligned tires drag instead of roll freely. Improper alignment can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 10% - about 31 cents per gallon. In addition, the tires can wear out more quickly. Tires that are out of balance (symptom: vibration in the steering wheel) can cause uneven tire wear, which can result in lower gas mileage. Tires should be balanced and rotated according to the vehicle's owner's manual to improve tire performance and fuel economy.

9. Fill Your Tank Early in the Morning - or Late at Night
Fuel is dispensed by volume. If you fill your tank when it is coolest outside - early in the morning or late at night, and avoid the heat of the day - the fuel will be more dense. As a result, you will get more gas for the same amount of money.

Good for You, Good for the Environment
Reducing the amount of driving we do, whether it's by carpooling or foregoing an unnecessary trip, is perhaps the most effective way to decrease the amount of gas that each person uses and make fill-ups at the gas station last longer. Proactive steps can be taken to improve fuel efficiency by paying attention to and changing gas-guzzling driving habits, and following a vehicle's maintenance schedule. Improved gas mileage is good for you, good for your car and good for the environment.

Friendly, Knowledgeable, Low Pressure: Just a Few Things Our Customers Say About Us!

"Initial contact and test drive was with Tony. He was low pressure, knowledgeable and friendly. Had to leave and absolutely no pressure to keep me there or buy. Very pleasant. Returned later that day, Tony was busy with another customer, so he passed me to Darren. Again, friendly and low pressure. Darren was patient, knowledgeable and down right helpful. Not my typical experience to a dealership. Bought the car that day. Great group of folks."

Football Trick Shots (featuring the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe)

 

The guys at Dude Perfect prove their passion for the sport by hurling footballs at a 40-mph Santa Fe.

Hyundai Equus Honored With the 2012 Motorist Choice Award

IntelliChoice and AutoPacific awarded the Hyundai Equus with the 2012 Motorist Choice Award in the Luxury Lifestyle and High Tech category. IntelliChoice and AutoPacific, both distinguished automotive research companies, annually recognize vehicles that deliver a compelling combination of high consumer satisfaction and lower-than-expected ownership cost over time.

“Hyundai has worked hard to create a vehicle that provides luxury car shoppers with tremendous value and amenities, and as winner in categories for Luxury Lifestyle and High Tech, demonstrates that they've surely succeeded in the mind’s eye of the consumer,” said Dan Hall, vice president, AutoPacific.

Hyundai’s flagship Equus successfully competes with the best sedans in the world, while adding a new level of customer experience to luxury car ownership. Since its introduction, Equus has outpaced its sales and market share expectations. The 2012 Equus features Hyundai’s most powerful engine ever, the new direct injection 5.0-liter Tau V8 engine. The new engine produces 429 horsepower and is mated to a new in-house eight-speed transmission providing Equus drivers more power and refinement.

“With a host of standard features and innovative technology including Hyundai’s most powerful engine, the 2012 Equus offers customers a perfect marriage of luxury and affordability,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “This recognition from IntelliChoice and AutoPacific is proof that our flagship sedan is a true competitor amongst the most sought out luxury sedans in the market.”

Courtesy of Hyundai USA

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Common Maintenance Mistakes

Compared to the family trucksters of a generation ago, modern cars require about as much maintenance as a toaster. This is a real liberation from the oil, lube and tune merry-go-round that ruled not so long ago.

Curiously, many people haven't adjusted their thinking to keep pace with new car maintenance schedules. The preoccupied still run their daily drivers without service until the dash warning lights burn out, while over-achievers fret about running synthetic oil more than 2,500 miles without a change.

Although maintenance intervals are now more widely spaced, even the newest cars require scheduled service to live long, productive lives. Whether yours is the latest model or you paid it off years ago, the trick is giving your car the maintenance it was designed to receive.

Surprisingly, the answer to what maintenance is required is hiding no farther away than the glove box. Every car is supplied with a maintenance schedule — in the owner's manual or in a separate maintenance log book — that details that vehicle's needs. A few minutes assimilating these requirements will help you avoid the following common car-maintenance pitfalls.

Proper Tire Inflation and Rotation
Tires leak naturally and need the occasional check. Figuratively speaking, underinflated tires suck up gasoline. Under- or overinflated tires wear out sooner, and deliver the same emergency maneuver handling as marshmallows. You probably aren't going to check tire pressures monthly, but how about twice a year?

Furthermore, front and rear tires wear differently and should be rotated to even that wear. Your owner's manual will have a recommendation on both pressure and rotation periods.

Wiper Tales
Here's a news flash: It's much easier to avoid hitting things you can see. Simple as it is, that's the concept behind replacing your windshield wipers before they fossilize into noisy uselessness.

Fall is the ideal wiper replacement time: after the blade-baking summer and before the fall and winter nastiness. Depending on location, wiper replacement may be an annual affair in the Southwest to a biannual chore in northern climes.

Tune-Up Anachronism
There are no more "tune-ups." Valves no longer need adjusting, ignition timing is computer controlled and there are no carburetors to fiddle with. About all that's left of the old tune-up drill are the spark plugs. These are often good for 100,000 miles, so don't change parts just to change parts. Instead, save up for those big 60,000- and 120,000-mile services when the timing belt, spark plug wires and coolant are due for replacement.

Octane Overdose
"If some is good, more is better" thinking does not apply to octane. Here the rule is to supply whatever octane the engine is rated for and call it done. Higher-than-required octane does not yield more power or mileage, only oil company profits.

Some engines are rated for premium 91 octane fuel but can burn 87 octane regular, thanks to the magic of knock sensors. In that case, run regular gas if puttering around surface streets, and premium fuel if full-throttle driving is part of your daily repertoire.

Oil Change Timing
Oil changes every 3,000 miles used to be required jobs, just like cleaning the accumulated fuzz from record player needles or defrosting freezers. Today, advances in engine design and lubricants make oil changes something to be done when the schedule calls for it, not when granddad says it's time. Some cars call for 5,000-mile change intervals, some up to 15,000-mile stints. Others have a variable timer. Follow the schedule and use the oil called for by the manufacturer.

Tired Tires
Tires wear out, but they also time out. The tire industry says tires are toast after five years, but they're selling tires. It all depends on heat, sunlight and ozone conditions. There's little argument from any pundits that after seven years those black donuts are dried and better off holding down a farmer's tarp than carrying your family around. If you're not sure how old your tires are, a tire shop can read the date code stamped into the sidewall.

Dirty Air Filter
Semi-clogged air filters hurt fuel economy for the same reason you don't like to run with a potato in your mouth. The question is, when is your filter dirty? Under a Norman Rockwell schedule of small-town errand running and church duty, an air filter might not see much grit. But grimy city surface streets or just looking at a dirt road on a map are often enough to overwhelm air filters. This one is about conditions. If you go near dirt, the air filter may need changing twice as often as the schedule calls for.

Ignoring Your Brakes
Note to the Wandering Unconscious: If you notice anything different about your brakes — sound, feel or response — they are telling you to visit a mechanic. Now.

Tighten Your Gas Cap
Is the Check Engine light on? Then make sure the gas cap is on tightly before calling the dealer. No joke, this is one of the most common ways of setting off your car's diagnostic system, since a loose gas cap defeats the fuel system's venting arrangement.

The Garage Is for Parking
Let's review. Your house is your most valuable investment. Your car is likely your second most valuable investment. If you're paying all that money, then why are you storing empty cardboard boxes, broken skateboards and plastic holiday wreaths in the garage? Pitch that junk and get the car in the garage!

 

Courtesy of MSN

See It To Believe It: Your Driveway. Your New Car. One Click.

Thanks to a little help from Google Street View, now you can find out which Elantra—and which color—looks best in your driveway.

Try out the Driveway Decision Maker for yourself at http://www.PickMyElantra.com.

Hyundai Launches Immersive Digital "Test Driving" Experience

Is your driveway in need of a makeover? The front of your home lacking a little pizzazz? Imagine dressing them up with an award winning Elantra model, with the simple click of a mouse. Hyundai Motor America has made that vision a reality launching its “Driveway Decision Maker.” The innovative tool, http://www.pickmyelantra.com/, allows customers to style and tailor their favorite Elantra model, in the comfort of their home.

A first for U.S. automotive companies, the digital experience allows visitors to “test-drive” the Elantra on a personal level. Available on flash-enabled web browsers, the website taps in to the Google Maps API and prompts visitors to enter their desired street address, color and model of choice. Users then experience a real life view, powered by Google Street View, of their chosen Elantra model – GT, Coupe or Sedan -- driving to the destination. At arrival, users can freely rotate, park in a driveway, tilt and even parallel park. In addition, users can download, save and share with friends on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

“With the two additions to the Elantra family, customers now have the option of choosing between the GT, Coupe and Sedan,” said Steve Shannon, vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “Driveway Decision Maker lets users customize and ‘try-on’ which Elantra fits them best.”

Unveiled earlier this year, the Elantra GT and Coupe expands the Elantra family to reach youthful and sporty buyers. The GT features European driving dynamics and five-door functionality. The Coupe caters to those who enjoy the compact coupe features, with a sporty design. The 2012 North American Car of the Year, Elantra Sedan continues to be one of the hottest selling cars in the country.

 

Courtesy of Hyundai USA

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Are Your Tires Ready For Winter?

We'll keep this simple. If you live in the snowbelt and you're running all-season tires year 'round, you're probably sacrificing a noticeable level of vehicle control and performance when driving on snow and ice. Yes, it's become fashionable in the U.S. to rely on all-season tires in, well, all seasons. When winter rears its ugly head, though, even the best all-season designs won't be able to match a quality winter tire on snow and ice.

The reason is also simple. All-season tires are a compromise: You don't expect them to deliver the same cornering potential on pavement as dedicated performance tires, and likewise, they can't match the slippery-road traction of today's winter tires. "The difference between an all-season tire and a snow tire," notes Matt Edmonds, director of marketing for The Tire Rack, "is the same as between an all-season tire and a performance tire. It's that much better."

More Europeans seem to have gotten the message. According to statistics provided by Goodyear, for instance, about 80 percent of drivers in Scandinavia switched to dedicated winter tires during the "dark months." About half of Austrian and Swiss drivers and nearly one-third of German car owners also mount up winter tires when the weather turns cold.

In terms of sheer traction, studded tires still provide the best grip. Goodyear estimates that a metal-studded tire provides up to 40 percent greater traction on hard-packed snow and ice than all-season tires. However, they also have a definite downside, producing higher noise levels, decreased ride comfort, and reduced traction on both dry and wet (but non-freezing) road surfaces. Plus, they're well known for chewing up asphalt, leading many regional governments to ban their use.

By contrast, a modern studless snow tire can provide up to 20 percent better snow traction than an all-season design, without the significant disadvantages of studs. We've verified this from behind the steering wheel. A well designed winter tire provides a tangible seat-of-the-pants performance advantage over all-season tires in both snow and ice conditions. This includes better initial hookup, shorter braking distances, and cornering that's both more predictable and controllable. This is important, since again according to Goodyear, "The largest group of [winter] accidents results from loss of lateral control of the car on ice and snow."

The key word in snow traction is "bite." The more edges, the better. What you generally get in a good winter tire is an aggressive tread design, deep grooves, sharp corners and edges for digging into snow and gripping ice, and plenty of sipes (the small slits within individual tread blocks). Sipes provide two advantages, they help keep the tread blocks flexible in freezing conditions and provide additional small, but helpful edges.

In the past year, the Rubber Manufacturers Association instituted stricter requirements for tires designated for severe winter conditions. Only tires that meet these requirements can display the letters M and S in some configuration, plus a pictograph of a mountain with a snowflake. If unsure about whether a tire model is rated for severe snow conditions, look for this symbol.

There are plenty of good snow tires on the market. In fact, tire manufacturers often produce a variety of designs to fit different types of vehicles and driving conditions. Dunlop, for instance, produces the SP Winter Sport M2 for T- and H-rated high-performance vehicle fitments, the Graspic HS Q-rated performance radial, the SP Winter Studdable, and the Grandtrek SJ4 studless design for use on SUVs, light trucks, and vans. Pirelli, meanwhile, offers its Winter Ice and Winter Ice Plus models in both a conventional directional tread design, as well as a special asymmetrical pattern designed to use the inner tread area to optimize traction and braking and the outer area for cornering control and directional stability.

It was Bridgestone, however, that really launched the modern era of winter tires when, in 1993, it introduced its innovative Blizzak design with a unique multicell compound. This fall the next-generation Blizzak will hit the market in three new models. The direct replacement for the original Blizzak WS-15 is the WS-50, which has a new tread design and a new Tube Multicell compound claimed to offer better snow and ice traction. In addition, the two-layer tread now has conventional snow-tire compound under the multicell outer layer, instead of the all-season compound previously used.

There are also now two ice-compound versions of the Blizzak. Called The IceGripper and designated MZ-01 and MZ-02, these use a slightly softer Link Multicell compound that provides better handling and braking on ice. The MZ-01 has a larger circumferential groove for better wet performance than the MZ-02. Bridgestone is also now offering the Winter Dueler, a snow tire using Blizzak technology that's targeted for light trucks and sport/utility vehicles.

Meanwhile, Goodyear's latest offering is its Ultra Grip Ice, which combines a directional tread with a special silica tread compound, called IceLoc, to provide up to a claimed 12-percent better ice traction than a conventional snow tire. Like the Blizzak, the Ultra Grip Ice uses a two-layer compound, with its IceLoc compound on the outside and a conventional snow-tire compound underneath. The Ultra Grip also employs a wider, flatter tread, and high-density sipes keep the tread face pliant in freezing temperatures, while helping evacuate the film of water just below the snow.

Michelin's Arctic Alpin brings a whole new concept to the market with over 1700 Torque-Locking Sipes. In contrast to conventional sipes, which descend into the tread block as a straight cut, Michelin's design has a zigzag pattern. This allows the thin blocks of rubber between the sipes to squeeze together and interlock with each other under load, providing more stability to the individual blocks and ribs. The result is that, even on clear roads, the tire still provides good handling and response. With the Arctic Alpin, the winter compounding extends throughout the depth of the tread.

Like the popular Blizzak, Yokohama's Guardex series also employs a micro-pore type compound, but one that runs throughout the tread, not only on the outer layer. In addition, it features nylon "mini-stud" fibers in the tread, which are designed to improve snow traction, wear, and dry-handling capabilities, as well as provide the extra bite of studs, but without the damage.

Yes, the winter tire market is heating up with a variety of good designs to help you get through the slippery stuff. But perhaps the most important thing is that you make the switch to a winter tire at all. The extra performance, control, and safety are waiting to be enjoyed.

10 tips for winter drivingWhile we'd wager that 99.9 percent of our readership can't thread a cross-ice pass through traffic like Wayne Gretzky, we're not so sure about the Great One's credentials for winter driving (more so, say, than any other person growing up in the snowbelt). Still, Goodyear has teamed up with Gretzky to promote the performance advantages of winter tires in a new ad campaign. As part of this, Gretzky and J.O. Hunt, chief engineer for Goodyear tires, offer these 10 tips for winter driving.

1. Slow down. Wet, snowy, or icy roads offer less traction and make it harder to stop and turn.

2. Consider buying a set of winter tires. It's best to replace all four tires with winter tires because differences in tire size and wear can negatively affect a car's handling and stability.

3. Beware of bridges: Because bridges and overpasses are exposed to cold air both above and below, ice can form on them even when the roads on either side are free from ice.

4. If possible, carry a sack of sand or gravel in the trunk. On a rear-drive car, the added weight over the drive wheels will improve traction. And the sand or gravel can be used to help get you out if you become stuck.

5. Avoid sudden inputs on the steering wheel, brakes, or accelerator. Make gradual movements to avoid upsetting the balance of the car.

6. The buildup of ice and mud on wheels and underneath your car can cause your wheels to become unbalanced, which can upset the ride and lead to unnecessary wear of your tires and suspension parts. Wash off any mud or ice as soon as possible.

7. If you're planning a long winter trip, pack extra blankets, water, food, and a few chemical-heating packs in case you get stranded. If you do get stuck, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.

8. Have your cooling system fully checked out, including coolant, hoses, belts, and water pump.

9. Maintain your tires at proper inflation to maximize their contact with the road. Pressure that's too high or low can cause unnecessary tire wear and reduce the size of the contact patch, making it less safe.

10. In snowy conditions, make sure your car's air intake is free from a buildup of snow. Many cars draw air from below the radiator; if this intake becomes clogged with snow, you car could overheat, even on a cold winter day.