Don't Drive Hangry

Sometimes when you’re out on the road it’s easy to lose one’s temper. We’ve all experienced the horn blaring, cursing, aggressive driving road rage beast before, whether it was ourselves or someone else with the bad attitude. You can avoid submitting to a cranky temper with these tips:

Sleep. Seriously, sleep. A full night. No excuses. Everyone is a grouch when they don’t get enough sleep, this is just a given.

Plan ahead! It’s okay to leave early. This gives you time to be able to conquer unforeseen road difficulties without the stress.

Treat rude behavior the same way you would in a restaurant. Would you lose your cool over someone cutting you off in line at a bodega?

Probably not – it would be embarrassing. We are isolated in our cars, and feel a false sense of privacy and security while there. The truth is, everyone can see you flipping the bird and just a head’s up – nobody needs to be a lip reader to know what words you’re using.

And of course, don't forget to eat. Hangry is hungry and angry combined - definitely a driving no-no.

Are you maintenance-minded? There are your 4 maintenance musts!

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of summer!  We hope everyone had plenty of fun in the sun– but what about your car?  If the soaring temps took a toll, now’s the time to take care of it!  Here are the most important things to do before we “fall” out of summer.

Check out your headlights!  You might need to replace them with brighter bulbs.  With Daylight Savings Time approaching, being able to see for night driving will become especially important.
Replace your wiper blades.  This is an easy one that many people miss– don’t be one of them!  Wipe summer showers away and get your car ready for more frigid precipitation.
Replace the cabin air filter.  This will improve the function of your A/C as well as your fuel economy.
Make sure you’re up-to-date on scheduled maintenance!  When was your last oil change?  If it’s time for another, give us a call or schedule an appointment online.

Check out the cars at Burning Man!

Burning Man is coming up at the end of the month, and it is known for inspiring the utmost in creativity and other-worldly imagination. As the event inches closer, we have found some cars that have really pushed the limit on what is possible. We’ve put together a few of our favorites, and one that would be a perfect addition to the fun.

1.The Flaming Octopus

2. Snail Force One

3. Victorian Steam Engine

4. You have to get to Burning Man by car, and we think the Toyota Corolla would be the perfect choice. Great gas mileage, plenty of luggage space, and a killer look that will inspire anyone who attends (or gets a ride)! Check it out today!

Buying Your Teen's First Car? Read this First!

If you have a new teen driver in your family, the last thing you should be stressing about is car shopping.  That’s why we’ve made it easy for you with four simple things to keep in mind.
•Don’t let high horsepower vehicles tempt you.  Your teen will be tempted to push speeding past the limits.
•Skip the sports cars.  Bigger, heavier vehicles are ideal for protection during a crash or rollover.
•Electronic stability control is a must.  It works even better than that imaginary brake pedal you keep pressing, trust us.  It will help  your teen maintain control of the vehicle around curves and on slippery roads.
•Pick vehicles with the best safety ratings possible from the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Not Your Mother's Minivan! Check out the New Sienna!

The all-new 2015 Toyota Sienna is remarkable for a lot of reasons.  One of those reasons is the fact that it’s the first-ever Toyota vehicle to be revealed online.  Here are a few more reasons.

ON THE INSIDE
Updated Front Grille
Restyled Tail Lights

ON THE OUTSIDE
Backup Camera (comes standard)
Upgraded Steering Wheel

ON THE SAFE SIDE
Equipped With One Additional Airbag (making a total of 8)

Driving Towards Romance

When is the last time you did something truly romantic? We’re not talking about taking the trash out without her asking – we are talking about a BIG romantic gesture. With the finale of “The Bachelorette” around the corner (admit it – your girlfriend is addicted too), girls have romance on their brains and expectations shoot through the roof. While it is probably not feasible to sweep her off her feet for a weekend trip to Paris, you can definitely put some pep in her step with these sweet and romantic ideas:

Take a drive and go for a picnic at your favorite park. Note: for extra romance, make sure you have a wicker basket, a plaid blanket, a bottle of bubbly, and an awesome playlist for the drive.

Teach her how to drive a manual. Will she stall your car? Probably. Will your transmission be ruined? Probably not. The point is, women know that men love their cars and if you are willing to trust her with your car, you will score big brownie points.

Whisk her away for a weekend getaway. Whether you like to relax or go on adventures, chances are there are some really nice places nearby. Nothing says romance like a quaint bed and breakfast.

Whatever you decide to do, the key is spontaneity. Even if it takes you weeks to plan, keep the element of surprise and be sure to keep it fun!

Awareness Test

Think you are a good driver? Why not watch this video and put your acute skills of observation to the test! Ready, set, go! 

Alright, all done? How did you do? It is hard to be aware of everything even when you are paying attention – so imagine how texting, putting makeup on, or talking on the phone impacts your level of situational awareness!