Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! Remember to have a designated driver with you tonight if you are drinking; be safe, have fun, and we'll see you all in 2013!

At Honda We Believe Things Can Always Be Better

Introducing the best Honda Civic yet, designed by people who are always wondering how to make things better. Discover the changes here http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-sedan/

Honda 'Follow Your Dreams' Float to Lead 2013 Rose Parade

The Honda 2013 Rose Parade float entry, "Follow Your Dreams," will be the first float in the 124th Rose Parade, themed "Oh, the Places You'll Go!™," on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The float's design captures the theme through its imaginative depiction of innovative Honda technologies and Dr. Seuss-inspired features. This marks the 52nd year Honda has collaborated with the Tournament of Roses and its third year as presenting sponsor. The all-new 2013 Honda Accord Sedan will be the parade's official pace car and the all-new 2013 Honda Accord Coupe will serve as the sound car.

"The world of endless possibilities that awaits us all is creatively displayed on the Honda float, and it truly captures the spirit of the 124th Rose Parade theme, 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!,'" said Tournament of Roses president Sally M. Bixby. "'Follow Your Dreams' is a wonderful first float for the Parade on Jan. 1."

Parade-watchers will witness a 100-foot-long whimsical festival of dreams, imagination and youth that will include three world-champion athletes riding on the float: U.S. sprinter Carmelita Jeter, and from the summer's "Fierce Five" gymnastics team, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross.

The float has three islands featuring fantastical elements that could intersect in the inventiveness of a dream. On the middle island, a creative structure that emulates a castle, complete with an eclectic form of architecture for each roof, wall and staircase, is the centerpiece. A double-propeller helicopter-like apparatus with landing gear already extended is flying over a gateway that leads to a 16-foot-high working slide – the first working slide to be featured in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The slide is symbolic of the journey where dreams take you. Each rider of the slide will find this gateway as their starting point.

The slide connects the middle island to the front island of the float that features a mobile with a periscope that has moving legs. The HondaJet also is seen flying above colorful island trees.

A bridge extends from the center to the rear portion of the float with a sailboat traveling underneath and an American flag serving as a banner. The third island is topped with an airship complete with circular nose, exposed engine and an intertwined exhaust system. To the rear of a second smaller castle on the last island, ASIMO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, is being lifted by colorful balloons. On the other side, a hot air balloon also can be seen floating toward the stars.

For the third straight year, Honda's float will be propelled by a specially configured hybrid, low-emission engine to help the float function more efficiently and reduce its carbon footprint.

"Honda believes in The Power of Dreams, and their ability to empower us to help make society a better place," said Stephan Morikawa, assistant vice president of American Honda Corporate Community Relations. "The Rose Parade is an opportunity to showcase innovative Honda technologies and to wish a happy New Year to everyone watching along the Parade route and on television."

The Honda float features more than 5,000 roses, 11,000 carnations and 2,500 gerberas. A variety of flowers, plants and seeds will be used, including lavender dendrobs, pink pincushion protea, white queen Anne's lace, dark blue iris, light pink carnations, orange roses, yellow button mums, bronze fine cut strawflower, purple fine cut statice, red hanging amaranth, Kermit green mums, brown flax seed, green ground parsley flakes, black onion seed, green ground split pea, shiny grey silverleaf, red large kidney beans and cream corn husk, among many others. All of these natural materials will later be ground up for mulch after the conclusion of the parade activities.

Honda first collaborated with the Tournament of Roses in 1961 to provide two-wheeled vehicles for 1962 Parade operations. Honda has been a float participant in the Rose Parade since 1977 and has provided the official Tournament of Roses vehicle since 1994. Honda continues to supply two-wheeled vehicles and also provides side-by-side (multi-utility) vehicles for Parade operations.

As presenting sponsor, the Honda float is annually the first in the Parade and showcases the theme. As a result, it will not be considered a commercial entry and will not compete during the judging process. Prior to becoming presenting sponsor in 2011, Honda floats won awards in 15 of the previous 16 years.

 

Article Courtesy of Honda News

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Preserve your car during long-term storage

Not going to use your car for more than a month? Make sure you store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return by placing a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip courtesy of Reader's Digest.

2013 Civic Sedan Demo Video

All-new front and rear styling and a host of high-tech features mark the debut of the 2013 Civic. Listen to the music you want, when you want, with Pandora® compatibility[1]. And get text messages on the go with SMS text function[2]. See the Civic in action, and then learn more at http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-sedan.

[1] Pandora, the Pandora logo and the Pandora trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pandora Media, Inc. Used with permission. Compatible with select smartphones. See: www.pandora.com/everywhere/mobile. Not all devices compatible with USB connection. Your wireless carrier's rate plans apply.

[2] Compatible with select phones with Bluetooth®. Your wireless carrier's rate plans apply. State or local laws may limit use of texting feature. Only use texting feature when conditions allow you to do so safely.

[3] Civic EX-L Sedan starting at $18,165, shown at $23,765.

[4] 28 city/39 hwy mpg rating for 5AT models. Based on 2013 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

 

Monday Maintenance: Car Engine Tune Up

Tuning up a car engine can involve inspecting the automatic transmission fluid, the brakes, the brake pads, the drive belts, the evaporative emission system, the fuel tank, the fuel filter, the fuel lines and many other components. Compose a checklist of parts to check during a tune-up with tips from an auto repair shop manager in this free video on car maintenance.

Honda's 1 Millionth U.S. Export

Twenty-five years after the first U.S.-made Honda automobile was exported to overseas markets, associates at the company's Marysville Auto Plant marked production of the 1 millionth Honda automobile to be exported from the U.S.

The export milestone, a silver 2013 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan, that rolled off the assembly line in Marysville, Ohio, embarks on a more than 8,000-mile journey across the United States to Port Hueneme in Southern California, and then across the Pacific Ocean to Seoul, South Korea.

Honda currently exports automobiles to more than 40 countries (Honda does not include shipments from the U.S. to Canada as exports), with total exports expected to reach nearly 100,000 Honda and Acura vehicles from the U.S. in 2012.

December Coupon

Be sure to take advantage of our savings! Print off this coupon to receive 10% off service. Hurry, this expires December 31st!

Honda's revamped Civic 'looks like a new car'

Honda Motor Co. debuted a vastly redesigned 2013 Civic compact at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Thursday, a revamp the company hopes will win back disappointed customers after a botched 2012 next-generation launch.

"People say something went wrong, but it's still the best selling car in America, so we feel like it was good," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and motor sports for American Honda Motor Co. "This one is even better."

The new Civic has a better interior and smoother exterior styling that includes an open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent and a sportier, black honeycomb mesh grille. The car looks lower and longer, and St. Cyr promises it handles better. Complaints about excess cabin noise also have been addressed, he said.

The redesign just 18 months after its latest refresh is highly unusual, but St. Cyr said it is an example of how Honda can and will respond.

The changes also arrive in time for Civic's 40th anniversary in the United States next year.

"This was in the works before the last model was released," St. Cyr said.

Pricing for the new vehicle is $160 more than the current model.

Honda, in its current Civic, opted to scale down content in the car, trying to hedge against a sluggish economy. But other automakers doubled down and actually offered more content. Consumer Reports panned the current Civic, calling it a "step back" for Honda.

Still, Civic sales through October have risen more than 38 percent, but that's compared with a production-constrained 2011.

"It is way more than a refresh," Jesse Toprak, auto analyst at TrueCar.com, told The News prior to the auto show. "It looks like a new car."

John Mandel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., told journalists gathered for the new Civic's unveiling, "Honda is the most trusted brand in America. We remain committed to the values that earn that reputation."

 

Courtesy of Detroit Free Press

 

Monday Maintenance: Tips For Storing Your Car Properly

Long term car storage requires a few precautionary steps to ensure the vehicle emerges from storage in tiptop shape. Depending on the length of time a car will be stored, rust, fuel breakdown and other forms of corrosion can take their toll on a vehicle improperly prepared for its period of non-use. The last thing a car owner wants is to retrieve a vehicle from storage only to find it unsuitable for driving due to a dead battery, bad gas in the fuel tank or problems with the crankcase. Avoid these and other problems by taking the proper steps to store a car. 

1. Cover the Vehicle

While it is important to tend to the internal systems of a car when storing it, making sure the exterior of the car stays in good condition is just as vital. When storing a vehicle, cover it. This can be accomplished in several ways. Ideally, a car can sit in a ventilated garage, out of the elements but not entirely sealed off. Other options include a rentable storage unit or a portable garage which consists of a metal frame and a nylon tarp. It is best for a stored car to be indoors, but if this is not possible, cover it at the very least with a breathable canvas car cover crafted with multiple layers for adequate moisture protection. 

2. Fuel System

Given enough time and non-use, gasoline in a car's fuel tank will start to break down and gum up in places, preventing the car from starting. To avoid this, fill up the gas tank before storing a vehicle. Add to the tank a fuel stabilizer designed to prevent hardening. After driving the car for a few miles to work the stabilizer through the system, it's safe to store. Don't store a car with an empty tank, because moisture could creep inside and form rust. 

3. Oil Change

Before storing a vehicle, change both the oil and the oil filter. Old, used oil left to sit inside an engine for a long time may eventually cause corrosion on vital parts. Damage from moisture and acidic substances is possible if the oil is not changed before storage. As with the fuel stabilizer, drive the vehicle for several miles after changing the oil to fully circulate it through the system. 

4. Spark Plugs

Remove all of the spark plugs from the engine block and give them a quick cleaning or replace them if they are black and greasy at the contact point. Into the cylinder pour a small amount of new motor oil, about a teaspoon. Doing this helps to prevent rust from forming in the cylinders. Replace the spark plugs once each cylinder has been lubricated. 

5. Battery

Disconnect the battery from the car. If the top of it is corroded, clean it off using a simple mixture of water and baking soda. Over time the battery will lose its charge, even when disconnected. For best results, attach the battery to a trickle charger to maintain its charge. 

The last thing to do before storing a car is to top off all other fluids including transmission and brake fluids. If these basic steps are followed, upon returning the vehicle to the road, the car should be just as it was before storage.

 

Courtesy of Autos.com