Keep Your Honda Car in Top Shape This Summer with These Essential Tips

With summer comes the season of sunbathing, balmy breezes, and sun-drenched road trips! Summer is all about fun but the warmer months can be harsh on your car. The high temperatures can take a toll on your Honda's most important systems. However, here is a list of the most essential tips to care for your car this summer.

1. Cooling System

The cooling system goes an extra mile in the warmer days to prevent overheating of the engine. Along with checking the level of coolant fluid in the system, you must also go the extra mile and get the coolant reservoir and hoses checked at a car service station in Dallas. Keep an eye out for leaks, especially at joints and connection points.

2. Oil and Oil Filter

Before embarking on a road trip across town, make sure of making a Honda service appointment, TX and getting your oil and oil filter changed. This particularly important if your oil change was a while ago. A clean filter means better filtration of harmful debris, which in turn means cleaner oil and a healthier and happier engine!

3. Essential Fluids

Regular wear and tear can lead to low transmission fluid, steering fluid, brake fluid, and even windshield wiper fluid, hence get your car service done before low fluids become a serious problem.

4. Tires

Tires also needs special care during the hot days as high temperatures create extra burden on them. You should check tire condition and inflation pressure on a monthly basis. Maintain the tire pressure according to standards mentioned in your Honda manual.

5. Battery

High temperatures may cause oxidation of battery components, resulting in battery failure. Make a Honda service appointment and get your battery checked! Have the electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate, to get the most life out of a battery. Also, make sure to keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt can become a conductor and drain battery power, hence, keeping it clean is crucial.

6. Brakes

If your Honda's brakes are making eerie noises or demanding extra pressure, they could be signs that new pads and fine tuning of the system is required. At the end of the day, is there anything more important than efficient brakes?

You can be sure of what tricks your car might play, but, you can definitely avoid breakdowns this summer by taking being responsible and taking preventive steps. Take your Honda to your trusted Dallas auto dealer and make your summer trip an unforgettable adventure.

The 2018 Honda Accord Bags The North American Car of The Year

Honda makes great cars; car buyers and auto critics alike will agree to this fact. The number of accolades that Honda wins, further highlights this fact. 2018 has particularly been special for Honda as its Accord, a midsize sedan bagged the prestigious North American Car of the Year, knocking out competitors like the mush sought after Nissan Altima. This is the third win in a row for Honda, with the Civic taking Car of the year in 2016 and the Ridgeline winning Truck of the year in 2017.

The 2018 new Honda Accord underwent a drastic revision last year, and probably, these revisions were the star performers behind the win. The Accord has been in the market since decades, however the latest revision sort of turned the tables. According to sales tracker Autodata, Honda sold 322,655 Accords last year despites the general decline in car sales. Apparently, the features and Honda new car offers, TX, have a major role to play.

The revised New Honda Accord features, a luxurious interior with lots of nice interior appointments and the largest trunk in the segment. Accord is faster, more efficient and comfortable than Honda’s past iterations. The new Accord also attracted attention for its new engine. The V6 engine is replaced by a turbo charged, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine which delivers 33 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Though the midsize sedan segment is being hard pressed by the SUV and Crossover segment, Honda has managed to add some excitement and thrill in this shrinking segment.

To quote the North American Car of the Year juror Chris Paukert, "Honda seems to have executed some sort of magic trick not only is this 10th generation Accord far sleeker and more decisively styled than its predecessor, it’s somehow roomier inside, too. Even in low-end trims, it drives well and offers a strong amount of standard equipment."

The 2018 Honda Accord at a glance

• Standard features include Dual Zone automatic climate control, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning and automatic braking.
• LED headlights and allow wheels which provide the greatest amount of functionality while also providing attractive detailing to this impressive model.
• 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space and 60/40 split rear seats, exposing the largest cargo space in the segment.
• Two engine options: 1.5L and 2.0L engines as well as a next generation hybrid option.
• Head up display with all the latest infotainment features which also include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The price of the 2018 Honda Accord starts at $23,750 and is backed with some great Honda new car offers. Visit your nearest Honda dealer in Texas to witness the 2018 North American Car of the Year.

The Honda Insight is Back and This Time it’s a Sedan!

Going way back in 1999, The Honda Insight was the first vehicle to feature the manufacturer’s Motor Assist System. You may recall the Insight making a debate as a sedan. You may also recall the second-generation sedan which arrived in the market as a five-door hatchback. The latest, third generation 2019 Honda Insight Hybrid made an appearance in the Detroit auto show with a new design and a new drivetrain.

Exterior

The third generation Honda Insight’s styling features are similar to that of the other Honda S edans. It looks pretty familiar, especially when compared to the Honda Accord and Clarity, which are the current unswerving head turners in the market. The striking similarities are the angular headlamps, the large grille that’s narrower at the bottom and the aggressive bumper vents. the grille also has a unique design with the "flying wing" insert placed at the top and running into the headlamps. The Honda Insight stands out among its peers for its muscular fenders and a rear and swoopy beltline. The exterior boasts a sleek design, bold stance highlighted by LED headlights and taillights, sharp lines and a long roofline which adds to its confident demeanor. 

Powertrain

Powering the 2019 Honda Insight Hybrid will be a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine coupled with an electric motor, producing around 150 HP of power together. In most driving conditions, power will be derived from the electric motor alone, using the engine as a generator.  As for fuel economy, Honda anticipates a combined mileage of 50 mpg.

Interior and Technology

The newest Honda Insight is a luxurious and spacious five door sedan with leather seating, plenty of interior space and legroom and 60/40 split folding rear seats. The 8-inch infotainment display is housed just below the center AC vents on the dashboard, with more controls underneath. The configuration is clean and it also features a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster display for the driver.  This newest Honda will also have premium tech features. The innovative features will include customizable app tiles and home screen shortcuts for the infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a Wi-Fi enabled over-the-air system updates, further enhancing the Insight’s worthiness over its hybrid competitors.

Safety wise, this Insight will also include premium safety features like the Honda Lane Watch and Honda sensing suite of advanced driver assistance technologies. As standard equipment, this Insight will also collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control and the new traffic sign recognition.

Honda has established itself as an automaker with one of the most diverse collections of hybrid cars, backed with some great Honda new car deals. In terms of price, the Insight is forecasted to be positioned below the Accord Hybrid and Clarity. This Insight is expected to reach the car dealers in Dallas, TX by late 2018.

The 2018 Honda Clarity - The Luxurious Hybrid Plug-In..!

With the debut of the Honda Clarity Plug-in, the Clarity now is now complete. Following the launch of the battery electric and fuel cell variants, the 2018 Clarity Plug-in is here to deepen Honda’s roots in the electric car biosphere.

Vehicle Overview

The Honda Clarity comes in three variants - 2018 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell hydrogen car, 2018 Honda Clarity Electric, and 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid sedans. The Clarity is similar in size to the Accord Hybrid, and the pricing of the PHEV is close to what one would pay for the top-level Accord Touring. But, the Honda Financial services, TX are always there to help you finance your purchase.

Here’s an outline of how the Clarity works – In typical conditions, the Clarity PHEV runs on its electric motor powered by a 17-kWh lithium-ion battery. Eventually, as the battery's charge is consumed, the Clarity's non-turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine takes over. 

All the three Clarity vehicles look identical, but their power trains are different which gives each Clarity a different driving feel and performance. However, the PHEV version is expected to attract car buyers the most.  It has an electric motor which produces 181 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque. The gasoline engine is used primarily to recharge the electric engine once it is consumed. However, at higher speeds, the engine can join the electric motor for driving the wheels directly as a parallel hybrid. When both the engines work together, they take the car’s power to 212 hp.

This Honda new,TX car takes around two and a half hours to fully charge the Clarity with a 240 volt tap and from a standard 120 volt-plug, it takes around 12 hours. With it battery full, the Clarity can travel for 48 miles on electricity before it fires up the gasoline engine, extending the total EPA estimate to 340 miles.

Modes and driving performance

 The Clarity offers a choice of four driving modes – Econ, normal and Sport and HV. Each mode progressively delivering more acceleration and pedal response. The fourth mode of this Honda new Clarity has a different task of running the engine to charge the battery. This mode charges the battery up to 58 percent while driving.  It has a regenerative braking system with four settings with braking pedals located to the right and left of the steering wheel.

On the road, the Clarity’s suspension is incredibly smooth. Though the whole plug-in hybrid concept may sound complex, it is simple when you get behind the wheel. You can simply get in and drive it like any other car. Owing to its multilink independent rear suspension, the ride quality is very refined and its steering perfectly cuts corners. Isolation from engine noise is impressive, making it a quite car both around town and the highway.

Interior and features

 The cabin with its sophisticated leather outfitting, shows signs of finesse and the interior is roomier than a typical hybrid, and also has a much larger trunk size. Highlighting features include heated heats, dual zone automatic climate control and a host of driver assistance features. The Clarity is backed by an array of other standard features from Honda’s wheelbase, including the Sensing Suite, Smart entry, Homelink, and an 8-inch hi-res infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car, with all its new-age features, reasonably affordable price tag, and Honda financial services, is indeed a good value for money. 

 

In a nutshell, the Honda Clarity is a luxurious cruiser with a refreshing design which doesn’t constantly remind you that you’re driving an electric car. Anyone looking for a hybrid that doesn’t skimp on comfort, should definitely consider test driving this car at the car dealerships in Dallas, TX.

Should You Still Visit a Honda Dealership for Servicing After Your Warranty is Over?

When your Honda car is still covered by the warranty, then getting your car serviced from a random service center other than a Honda service center in Dallas, TX, is out of question. However, once the Honda car is out of warranty, then many vehicle owners stop going to the dealership to get their vehicles serviced. The most frequent reasons given by them is the cost of servicing and the presence of a service center in almost every street.

 

Such service centers thrive on vehicle owner’s desire to quickly get in and out, so they can continue with their day’s work without much delay. And as far as the price of servicing is considered, Honda dealerships work hard to keep their prices on maintenance services competitive so as to cater to the needs of every Honda owner. So, should you visit a Honda dealership to get work performed on your or are the independent repair shops nearby sufficient?

There are several reasons why you should visit a Honda service center to get your vehicle serviced based on the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. The top reasons being;

1. Trained Technicians

Today's vehicles are more technically advanced and consist of complex mechanisms to control vehicle functions. Technicians at Honda dealerships are factory trained and certified. They possess both technical and mechanical skills and use sophisticated testing and repair equipment to solve your vehicle’s problem. In order to get Honda certification, technicians have to pass through a rigorous training program which equips with the necessary knowledge to work on past and current models of Honda car, SUV’s and trucks. Hence, if you want to get your Honda SUV serviced near TX, a Honda dealership should be your best bet.

2. Genuine Honda parts

Honda dealerships use only genuine Honda parts. There are many replica parts available in the market, sold under the name of "Quality Replacement Parts", "LKQ" or "Genuine Imitation Parts". These refurbished replacement parts are usually reverse engineered and only the genuine Honda parts are made using the same blueprints and match as assigned by the manufacturer. So, if you want to get your Honda SUV serviced using genuine Honda parts, visit a Honda dealership for a reliable repair.

3. Specialized Equipment

When it comes to repairing cars or for that matter any machine, using the right tool for the job is of utmost importance. Since cars these days are more technically advanced, some of the tools required to repair these advanced machines are available only to Honda dealers. These include, special service tools required for special repairs. Hence, making certain special repairs and maintenance operations are possible only by the technicians at the Honda dealerships.

4. Recall or Service Bulletin

A recall is proof of a car manufacturer's commitment in providing you with an excellent quality vehicle. When there is a shortcoming, they make it a point to repair it free of cost for you. At the Honda dealership, your vehicle’s VIN number will be used to check if there’s a recall or service bulletin on your car. These repairs are free of cost for the vehicle owner, provided that the car has been repaired by a Honda dealer and not an independent repair shop.

5. Recorded Maintenance History

If you get your vehicle repaired from different independent repair shops, it is very likely that you'll not be able to keep a track on your maintenance history resulting in an incomplete service history required to re-sell your car. On the other hand, if all repair operations are performed by a single car dealership in Dallas, TX, the dealer can provide you with a detailed history of all the services performed.

The Real Difference Between Factory Certified and Dealer Certified Used Car

For many people, certified used cars have become better alternatives to new cars. CPO cars are popular because they eliminate the risk of buying a used car, are comparatively cheaper and represent similar quality as that of a new car.

To be labelled as a CPO, a Honda used car should meet specific mileage and age requirements, after which it must go through a thorough inspection at the dealership. If it successfully meets the test standards, it gets an extended warranty and a higher price tag than a non-CPO model. For many paying this extra money for a CPO is worth it, because of the peace of mind and extended assistance it brings along with it.

Factory Certified vs Dealer Certified Used car

To be certified by a manufacturer, the car has to undergo rigorous inspection and reconditioning process. Only after the car meets all the standards prescribed by the manufacturer, it is backed with a manufacturer's warranty. This warranty is equivalent to the original factory warranty, implying that you can take your Honda used car to any franchised Honda dealership if you face issues.

For many dealers, selling a CPO vehicle is a profit-making undertaking. People are willing to pay more and the used cars for sale need very little reconditioning. Dealers simply add an extended warranty to a used car and label its as certified. Such a so called certified car is directly connected to the dealership which has labeled it as certified i.e. if the dealership shuts down, the certification becomes loses importance.

Often dealers also buy used cars from the used cars for sale by some other dealership, give it a third-party warranty and sell it as CPO. The cardinal rule is that: only a franchised dealer can sell the manufacturer'sCPO vehicle and the warranty of such a CPO used car is not restricted to a certain dealership. A dealer certified used car does not meet the manufacturer's criteria for inspection and also, they do not quality for additional perks that a manufacturer's warranty includes, such as road assistance.

How to avoid CPO scams

Visit a franchised dealership: If you want to buy a Honda CPO, then you must go to a franchised Honda dealership. A genuine CPO vehicle will have the manufacturer'sCPO logo.

Make a thorough personal check: Even though CPO vehicles are meticulously inspected, buying them blindly could still be hasty. Take a look around and personally check for issues. You can also consider getting it checked by your chosen mechanic. He may identify issues which may have gone unidentified in the inspection.

See what the warranty covers: Different manufacturers have different clauses included in their warranty. A manufacturer'sCPO will come with a limited warranty or a limited warranty with a powertrain warranty. Honda for instance, provides a 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty, or extend any existing new-car warranty for 12 months or 12,000 miles.

The CPO buying process isn't absolutely hassle-free. However, buying a certified Honda used car poses lower risk than buying any used car. Expert technicians have meticulously inspected them and all the troubling issues have been resolved. They are backed with the manufacturer's warranty hence, you can be assured that if your car faces issues in the future, assistance from the manufacturer will be provided to you at the dealership level. You will not get all these benefits if you opt for a non-CPO car or a used car which has been carelessly certified by a profit oriented dealer.

The Honda CR-V is Back with More Versatility and Reliability!

The SUV Crossover segment is a popular one nowadays, but the Honda CR-V has been making noise in the auto market ever since it was launched in 1997. Even twenty years after its debut, Honda's midrange utility vehicle is still going strong. Over the years it has won several accolades, including the status of the top-selling Crossover in America, the "Must Test Drive" award by Autotrader and the "Best New Car for Teens" by UV News World Report. The all-new 2018 Honda CR-V is further enhancing the CR-V's reputation of being a versatile and reliable utility Crossover.

What's new in the 2018 Honda CR-V?
Following a full redesign and reengineering of the 2017 model, the new cars for sale of the 2018 model boast new style, more space and more technology. This is for the first time that the CR-V has debuted with a turbo charged engine. The 2018 CR-V comes loaded with many new features, some of which include automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control and a driver- attention monitor. It features hi-tech equipment, better fuel economy and an elite cargo space. Inside, the CR-V is much roomier, with some much-needed infotainment add-ons. The exterior is bold, sleek and has a more confident and sporty stance. The 2018 Honda CR-V gives you all the reasons to book a Honda test drive ASAP.

Trim Levels and Engines
The 2018 Honda CR-V comes in four trim levels - LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. The turbo charged engine is available in the new cars for saleof EX, EX-L and Touring trim levels. The base CR-V LX retains the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder while the higher trims get a turbo charged 1.5-liter inline-four engine making 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. The CR-V uses a CVT, which delivers lively acceleration and impressive fuel economy.

Interior and Exterior
When you go for a Honda test drive, you will surely be mesmerized by the scintillating and functional interior of the 2018 CR-V. The interior is spacious and comfortable and made up of the best quality materials. It includes a versatile center console, a dashboard made up of soft touch materials, supportive and nicely sculpted seats and adaptive climate control. The formidable stance, bold front end, muscular haunches and rear end styling, all together give a much-needed makeover to the 2017 CR-V.

Technology
All trim levels of the 2018 Honda CR-V come standard with Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist traction control, anti-lock braking system, and electronic brake distribution. Along with the standard features, this CR-V has automatic high beams, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and automatic brake hold.

The standard infotainment features include a five-inch screen, a four-speaker stereo system with USB inputs and Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera. The higher trims have seven-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push button start, text support, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2018 Honda CR-V is a fun to drive Crossover with features usually found in cars that are a lot more expensive. The safety features defend its attractiveness to families looking for a reliable ride and the driving performance is smooth and thrilling at the same time. This CR-V, with this contemporary styling and engaging driving dynamics, is once again ready to take over the market. Book your CR-V today at Texas area Honda dealers.