How to Get Your Windshield Chip Repaired

Rocks, road debris, hail, ice, and many other objects can cause your windshield to chip or crack.  Although these images may look harmless, left in disrepair, these windshield chips can cause your windshield to crack and become unsafe.

As long as the chip or small crack (less than 6 inches) is not in the direct line of site of the driver (or what is known as the critical area), it may be repairable, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars.  Some insurance companies will actually pay for the repair of windshield chips or small cracks, waiving your deductible.

The windshield repair technician will first drill a small hole into the rock chip.  Then, the technician will apply vacuum pressure onto the hole.  An injection of resin is made into the windshield chip hole.  Once the resin has been injected, the technician cures the resin by utilizing an ultraviolet light.  Once cured, the excess resin is removed from the repair and the windshield in cleaned.  The repaired windshield is no longer in danger of cracking further from this chip.  You may, however, notice some distortion at the point of the repair as the resin will not be perfectly clear, but it is structurally safe. 

Left in disrepair, your windshield chip will develop into a crack and most likely will end up ruining your windshield.  Temperature variations, car washes, or even extreme temperatures can cause your chip to turn into a large un-repairable crack.  The sooner the repair is completed, the better the results will generally be.  Dust, debris and moisture can settle into the crack and cause blemishes or discoloration.

Most people do not realize that the windshield of your car, truck or van is an important structural component of your vehicle.  Therefore, a quality installation is essential to maintain that structural integrity.  Using the most advanced materials, such as a quality adhesive, is a critical element in the windshield installation process.

Car App of the Week: Waze, FREE GPS Application

Life has been made simpler with the emergence of smartphones.  Need to find a great place to eat? There’s an app for that.  Want to set up a reminder to pick milk after work?  There’s an app for that.  Want to begin your plan for world domination by taking over your city with one swift button?  There’s NO app for that, yet…but who knows what's in store for the future!

The iPhone app store has a plethora of GPS apps that range from $.99 to $100, all allowing for a step-by-step guide to get from point A to B.  Our app of the week, Waze, a new navigation system that provides step-by-step directions on a 3-D map, combining crowd-sourced info as well as accurate GPS, is the perfect solution. Also, the app is totally free!  According to 148Apps: “Waze is a free, social, mobile crowd-source navigation and real-time traffic application for iPhone that gives its users a "real-time," live description of the road/driving conditions around them. It's a free, useful, fun application everyone should download and experience!”

Waze features:

• Constantly-updated road map
• Real-time traffic updates
• Automatic rerouting
• Live reports from users on the road
• Turn-by turn directions
• Road tweets – Twitter integration
• Foursquare integration
• Automatically learned frequent routes
• Picture sharing from the road
• User contribution scoreboard

Download ASAP! For more, visit: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/waze/ and http://www.waze.com/download/ to download

How To Efficiently Test-Drive A Vehicle

We have to admit, we love the test drive.  Seeing a potential driver leave our lot, smile intact, back poised, and prepared for the road ahead, makes us feel like an integral part of their life.  Test-driving a car is important because it solidifies your buying decision.  There’s a series of questions potential buyers ask themselves.  At our dealership, we’re here to help.  In today’s blog we’re going to discuss the best ways to test-drive your car and the questions you should ask yourself when you’re driving.  

Most purchasers start their research online.  By checking out our automotive dealership website, you can consider what features you would like your new vehicle to have.  The options are endless, including: color choice, specs, and features.  Also, keep in mind that these are based on your individual preferences and you should never settle for a vehicle you’re not “sold” on.  Once you come into the dealership, it’s time to “feel the wheel.”  You saw what you liked online, and now you want to see if that translates into your true experience.  These are some questions you should ask as you step behind the wheel of your dream car:

Is it easy for me to enter and exit the vehicle without banging my head?

Is the driving position comfortable?  Is my seat positioned too high or low when I’m in the passenger seat?

Are all of the controls easily accessible when I’m in a driving position?

Are the controls easy to use?

Do the gas and brake pedals match my body type and are they adjustable?

Some other tips include checking out the vehicle from a spectator point-of-view.  Listen for the noise level inside the car, as well as the acceleration, braking, cornering, suspension, seat comfort and cargo space.  These are all major factors that can help your buying decision.  Your test-drive is meaningful to us and we want you to enjoy your experience as much as possible.  Happy Shopping!

Navigating a Downpour

Rain is essential.  It helps vegetation flourish, provides nutrients to soil, and is an overall integral part of life here on Earth.  But when it’s hitting your windshield and the pitter-patter of raindrops causes you to clench your teeth, it’s time to take precaution.  Rain can be attributed to thousands of car accidents a year.  Accidents can be preventable by drivers who weather (pun intended) the conditions of the road, using their intuition and defensive driving skills to stay safe during their commute.  When the road is wet, a film is created on the asphalt, causing your tires to lose traction.  Another problem during a downpour is your perception.  You can’t see as far into the distance as normal, so this decreases visibility of other cars and the road itself.

In today’s blog, we discuss some options to driving safely when the roads are wet.

Be careful when it rains after a dry spell.  Engine and oil grease cake up on asphalt over time.  When this is mixed with rainwater, it can cause the road to be extremely slick. 

Allot more time for your commute.  This allows for a steady drive to your destination.  The last thing you want to do is rush, it also compensates for delays, flooding, and unexpected accidents.

No Cruise control!  If you go into a hydroplane, there’s a slight chance your car could accelerate.  Reaction time is crucial and you’ll need your foot close to the pedal at all times.

Turn on your headlights.  This helps you see the road, and also lets motorists see you.  Blasting your high beams however can prove detrimental.  It can obscure your view further, reflecting water droplets in the air. 

Hydroplaning.  The first rule to avoiding the dreaded hydroplane is to avoid braking suddenly or turning the wheel, which can cause your car to spin or skid off of the road.  According to Edmunds: “Release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake, tap the brake pedal (unless you have antilock brakes, in which case you can put your foot down).”

Defog your windows.  Rain causes your windshield to fog up fairly quickly.  Turn on your defrosters and make sure you're A/C is turned on.  Most vehicles climate control systems will automatically engage the A/C when the windshields defrost is selected. 

The Dangers of Texting and Driving (2013 Edition)

You’ve heard it all before.  Texting and driving should not mix.  We’ve all been ridiculed and yelled at for checking our phones in the HOV lane, dashing passed a red light while flicking our phone and having full blown conversations via MMS.  Texting and driving is DEADLY.  This isn’t a filtered blog with soft-spoken words, it’s a PSA for those who drive while browsing and texting on their phones.  We’re providing some scary facts on WHY LOL can lead to RIP.  Please be safe out there, fans! We care about ‘ya!

·      In 2011, at least 23% of auto collisions involved cellphones.  That’s 1.3 million crashes.

·      Five seconds is the average amount of time your attention is taken away from the road.  So, if you’re traveling at 55 mph, this equals driving the length of a football field without looking at the road.

·      77% of young adults are very or somewhat confident that they can safely text while driving.

·      55% of young adults claim it’s easy to text while they drive.

·      Teens who text while driving spend 10% of their driving time outside of their lane

·      48% of young drivers have seen their parents drive while talking on a cell phone.

·      1 in 5 drivers of all ages confess to surfing the web while driving.

·      Texting while driving increases the risk of accident 23.2 times over unimpaired driving.

·      Texting while driving results in longer response times than even drunken driving. While an unimpaired driver can respond quickly to changes in traffic and begin braking within half a second, a legally drunk driver needs four additional feet to begin braking—and a driver who’s texting needs 70.

Drive safely!

What Exactly is the Autobahn?

When Autobahn comes to mind, I can’t help but reference Michael Jackson’s hit “Speed Demon, “ a fast-paced song about the repercussions of speeding down an infinite highway.  THAT is how I picture the Autobahn.  Millions of people have heard references to the famed speedway, but what exactly is it?  Is it a motorway system that lasts an eternity without a speed limit or a racetrack for the fastest cars in the world?  In today’s blog, we break down WHAT the Autobahn is and how you can see it for yourself.

The Autobahn, by definition, is a superhighway or expressway in Germany that stands as one of the last places on earth where you can drive as fast as you want.  The highway is in no means a free-for-all, with some sections of the autobahn having speed limits, though great stretches still remain unrestricted. 

The Autobahn national highway system stretches over 6,800 miles and is designed to connect all of Germany’s major metropolitan areas.  The presumption is that there are unlimited speeds on the entire Autobahn, but many heavily trafficked sections of the freeway have speed limits in the 50 to 75 mph range. The suggested speed for the unlimited sections is 81 mph, though various speedsters and adrenaline seekers routinely break the fold.

So, you must be wondering HOW fast someone has ventured into the record books.  Well, in 1938, driver Rudolf Caracciola set an autobahn speed record of 268.8 mph.  WOW. 

5 Reasons your Grandfather didn't know why you should lease your car

My grandfather was never a fan of purchasing a new car, however he didn’t understand computers either.  I think you would agree that we are a lot smarter than our Grandparents were.  We are in the information phase.  We know more now than ever before so why do so many people insist on purchasing a new car and think like our Grandparents…”Lease Bah! Humbug!  You’ll never own it!” my grandfather would say.  If he were around today I would argue 5 strong points on why a lease is the way to go. 

Reason 1.) You only pay for the ½ of the car you’re using.  The average driver trades in their vehicle within 3 years of using it.  You don’t own the car until it’s paid for.  The bank owns your car for typically 5 years.   So leasing provides you freedom to walk away.

Reason 2.) Walking away is sometimes better! If for whatever happens in the auto industry that makes a vehicle become less of a value than Kelley Blue Book, there is a risk for losing money on a purchased car. If you lease you give up the car after the lease is over without it affecting you. A vehicle aslo depreciates in value the second you drive it off the lot. With a leased car, you aren’t soaking up the negative equity. The moral of the story is “Cars are not investments Grandpa”!

Reason 3.) You can’t put over the mileage on them.  The average commuter only racks up 12K miles per year on their vehicle. The leasing programs tailored the allotted mileage based off the averages.  If you think you might drive more than 12k per month then ask us about other incentives for driving more than 12k.  Most manufactures offer a higher mileage program.

Reason 4.) You are always in warranty and never have to worry about repairs when you lease.  Almost every manufacturers warranty is 3 years of 36k miles whichever comes first.  The lease is in line with the warranty for good reason.  This makes the manufacturer eligible to sell the vehicle again after it passes a 100point inspection.

Reason 5.) You can purchase and sell your leased car.  That’s right you can purchase the car if you decide to keep the vehicle.  If you should decide to purchase your leased car, you will then be buying a used car.  So essentially the manufacturer absorbed the negative equity the car may have had. You can also sell your leased car to someone. Track down the exact dollar amount you'll need to pay to purchase the car at the end of the lease. In many contracts, this means the car's residual value plus a purchase-option fee ranging from $300 to $600.  Call us today and we’ll tell you the rest! 

P.S. Grandpa was smart, but he wasn’t always right! 

2015 NSX is being built right here in the good ole U.S.!

Currently Honda/Acura is seeking a total of 100 skilled technicians and engineers to work at the 184,000 square foot facility in Marysville, Ohio.   These individuals will possess the highest qualifications to assemble and engineer this precision machine.   It’s also nice to know that the NSX will have a come back right here on American soil.

The older model’s production started in Hong Kong  in 1990 and was created up until 2005.  Some of the vehicles were assembled in North America within that time.

 Since that time there have been concept cars that have kept us intrigued.  However, a decision to produce the new model has been made and will roll out in 2015.

The older model NSX machines were somewhat of a collector’s item for sports car enthusiasts.  Only 200 vehicles were built per year on the previous model sports car.  It will be interesting to see how many will be built in two years from now.  

In the next 24 months the highly qualified personnel will perfect what they are considering a driver and car unison experience.  The precision detailed car has a 1000 point focus on allowing the driver and the machine to perform as one. 

The vehicle will continue to be built with the Aluminum V-6 engine. However,

this mean machine will have 2 electric motors that power the front wheels and a separate motor for the dual clutch system.  There is a prediction that the NSX will have approximately 458 horsepower and will be able to hang with the Ferrari crowd.

These units have a base price of $130,000 which is not bad for a High Tech Super car.

Not only is it great to see that the facility will create jobs and careers, they will also be making another high technology super car right here in the good ole U.S.  

To find out more,  contact us at Chevy Chase Acura

Find out what some auto owners are doing by sacrificing thier clunker to creat a healthier environment

Several states, along with auto dealers, have assisted in participating with programs to help clean our air.  Their goals are to rid the environment of high emissions and pollution making this a safer place to live.  In this blog, we at….. provide insight on what some people are doing to not only improve the health of the atmosphere, but to give back to their communities as well.

Since 2008 there have been several new programs that have sprung up to help cut back emissions from older cars.  One program in Colorado is known as the Clear the Air Foundation is a 501c.  They have collected over $168,000 in funds that they are using for scholarships.  The scholarships are donated to students wanting to pursue a career in automotive technology.   They focus on developing the next generation workforce.

Another organization known as Robert R. Morrison Scholarship donates up to $1K for recycled junkers to the donor of their choice.

In Texas, you can still get up to $3500 for your old scrap metal with wheels.  Texas receives air credits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Your car may be considered eligible for a nice incentive during trade in if it’s a 97 or older. 

Countless states and parts of Canada are involved in some type of Cash for Clunkers or other program that offer incentives to help protect our environment. 

Call us today to find out if your car qualifies for one of these programs.  

 Chevy Chase Acura 301-656-9200

Tips on staying safe during a flood

We at Chevy Chase Acura care about the safety of our friends, family and clients.  We wanted to talk about protecting yourself if you should encounter a flood.  It is our hope that this weeks blog gives you some solid insight on what to do if you should find yourself driving in a flooded area.  Remember Safety First! 

Here are some facts that you may not have known about floods:

Driving Flood Facts

§  Call 311 if you are evacuating your home during a flood or receive flood damage

§  Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

§  A foot of water will float many vehicles.

§  Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.

§   More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.

§  The road may be washed out below the water surface.

§  Your car may stall or get stuck in the water, and then get pushed off the road. Once off the road, cars often start to roll, making escape impossible.

Check both home owners and auto insurance policies to ensure that you are covered for any loss or damage.  Not all policies cover flood damage.

Never try to swim to safety if you can find a safe and secure structure that you can be protected until help arrives.

We never can predict the future but we can prevent most accidents.

Please remember to stay safe and if you should have any questions on safety features for your auto don’t hesitate to contact us.      301-656-9200