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Harsh climates can take a toll on your car’s performance, and that’s why conscientious Honda service becomes essential during winter. In fact, your vehicle may even need a few different fluid mixtures to be ready for wintertime. Here’s what you need to know and how Clinton Honda can help with expert Honda maintenance. more Oil Changes in Wintertime A steady supply of fresh, clean oil helps lubricate your engine’s moving parts, and since oil degrades over time, you should seek a professional oil change at least once every six months. However, oil flow can slow or even freeze in icy temperatures. That’s why many technicians recommend that you switch to a thinner, low-viscosity oil formulation in wintertime. Antifreeze for Cold Climates Your engine uses liquid-based coolant to maintain a consistent internal temperature. While most of us call it “antifreeze,” the fact is that there’s a different winter formulation that prevents freezing in the cold. Drivers can purchase concentrated antifreeze fluid, which needs to be diluted with water, or a coolant solution, which is already diluted. Our Honda parts department will help you choose the best for your car. Winter Wiper Fluids Wiper fluid keeps you safe on the road by clearing debris – like snow and road salt – from the windshield, maintaining visibility. The winter formulation is designed to stay liquid at lower temperatures. If the temperature drops sufficiently that it freezes, don’t panic; it’ll thaw once the engine has been running for a bit. Get Great Honda Service in Annandale, NJ If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your Honda vehicle in the winter, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with Clinton Honda. The state-of-the-art service center at our Annandale, NJ, Honda dealership is staffed by helpful professionals who are happy to answer all your questions. We can also locate genuine OEM Honda parts made for your car. Visit us today!

The battery is one of the most vital components of your Honda vehicle, and this is true whether you drive a car with a traditional gas-powered engine or you’ve chosen an electric or hybrid vehicle. But what happens if your battery needs to be replaced? That’s where the Honda battery warranty comes in. Here’s what you need to know about your Honda battery warranty and how Clinton Honda can help with Honda parts and service. more Wet Cell Batteries You will find wet cell batteries in every vehicle on the road today from the biggest semi truck to SUVs and hybrids to the latest EVs. Honda wet cell batteries in new cars are covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, while replacement batteries are warrantied for 100 months. Remember that wet cell batteries are consumable parts, so their replacement is considered normal wear and tear; they’re only covered for defects rather than routine replacement. Hybrid and EV Battery Coverage Rather than simply powering accessories and the starter, the lithium-ion batteries in hybrids and EVs must power the electric motor and various internal systems. Like wet-cell batteries, lithium-ion batteries will experience some degree of self-discharge. However, you’re still covered for premature capacity loss for eight years or 100,000 miles. Honda hybrid models’ coverage also includes a Hybrid Powertrain Warranty and a High Voltage Battery Capacity Warranty. Your Honda dealer or a technician can detail those warranties’ terms and conditions. Get Replacement Honda Batteries in Annandale, NJ If you need a replacement Honda battery, Clinton Honda can help. Our Annandale Honda dealership can locate genuine OEM Honda parts, and replacement batteries purchased from an authorized service center are covered by a 100-month warranty. Visit us today to find out how we can serve you!

If you’re interested in bringing home a Honda Prologue, you might be wondering how much Honda service EV models need. Clinton Honda is here to help. Learn about EV ownership and care and how Honda service differs for EV models with help from our expert technicians. more Your Service Needs Are Fewer For the most part, EV models simply need less service than vehicles with internal combustion engines. That’s because they have fewer parts and systems that must be inspected or repaired and fewer fluids that must be regularly checked and filled. Reducing service needs and costs is one of the most significant benefits of transitioning to an electric vehicle. You’ll Need More Battery Service One of the parts that will need more regular battery service is the battery. That’s because EV models are very dependent on the battery to run and because the batteries in EV models are much larger than the batteries in vehicles with internal combustion engines. You’ll want to schedule regular battery inspections for your EV to ensure the battery can get you where you’re going in safety. You’ll Need Brake Service Another way that EV models reduce their environmental impact and reserve energy is through regenerative braking. It captures the energy produced during the braking process and sends it back to the battery for future use. While this helps to reduce pressure on the brakes, it also requires a more complex braking system, which should be inspected regularly. Schedule Honda EV Service in Annadale, NJ Whether you’re looking for Honda service you can trust or the chance to get behind the wheel of an EV model, Clinton Honda is here to help. Visit our dealership to take the first drive in a new Honda Prologue today and to keep it running right for many more rides to come.

Getting ready to head back to school is a busy time, whether it involves returning to college or gearing up for another busy year of after-school activities and hurried mornings. To help you have a smooth transition, simply follow a few simple steps and you and your car are ready to hit the road. Check the Tires Before you head back to school, take a look at your tires. Invest in a tire gauge, and check all four tires to make sure they have the correct pressure. You can find the manufacturer's suggested pressure number on the inside of the driver's door or in the owner's manual. Improper tire pressure can cause you to get fewer miles per gallon. It can also increase overall wear and tear, and you may need to purchase new tires sooner. One way to determine if you need new tires is by doing the penny test. Take a penny with the head side facing you, and turn it so Abe Lincoln is upside down. Insert the penny into the tire's groove, and if you can see any of his head, you need new tires. This means you're losing tread. Do this test monthly. Look Under the Hood Make a point to regularly check all the fluids under the hood. If you're not sure where to find everything, the owner's manual states where all the fluids can be found. This includes coolant; transmission, windshield wiper, brake and power steering fluids; and oil. Clean fluids help your car run more efficiently and extend its life. If you can't remember the last time you changed your wiper blades, you should think about replacing them. The blades usually last about a year. A car battery usually lasts four to five years, depending on temperature and usage. If your battery shows signs of reduced performance, consider testing it with a voltmeter. For instance, if it takes several tries to start your car or if the electrical components don't work properly, you might need a new battery. Be Prepared It's a smart idea to keep basic safety equipment in the back of your vehicle. This includes items specifically for the car, such as jumper cables and washer fluid. You could also invest in a car first-aid kit, which usually includes sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, and gloves. If you live in an area that gets snow and cold temperatures, you should also have a shovel, ice scrapers, and blankets available. Get Organized Once the craziness of school officially kicks in, you might need help keeping your car organized. If you have younger children, you might have sports equipment, books, or toys that have found a home in your trunk. To keep them from rolling around, pick up some storage containers or bags. Just make sure you keep enough room for your emergency items. If you need more assistance in getting your car ready for back-to-school season, contact the professionals at Clinton Honda. They can help you with maintenance and provide additional tips. Image via eflon | Licensed by CC BY 2.0

Is the interior of your car full of candy wrappers from the last weekend at the theme park, cookie crumbs from last week's road trip, and enough sand to build a private beach on the back seat? We have five foolproof tips for detailing your car that will help you clean it in no time. Vacuum the Interior Thoroughly Vacuuming the interior of the vehicle is something car owners do often. So what do we mean by vacuuming thoroughly? First, take all floor mats out of the car. Then vacuum from the top (yes, there's dirt up there, too) to the bottom without missing a single spot. That includes that little shelf on the back, the seats and under them (make sure you slide them forward to get to those hard spots), the dashboard, and the trunk. Wash the Floor Mats After Vacuuming Them In most cases, removing the floor mats, vacuuming them, and putting them back is enough. But after a two-week vacation at the beach, for example, you're still wondering where all that sand is coming from. Remove the mats and shake them or whack them on the ground or against a wall to get rid of the major dust particles. Then vacuum on both sides to make sure you removed the smaller grains. Finally, hand wash them and hang them to dry. more Get Spotless Mirrors and Windows There is no magic trick to cleaning mirrors and windows, but there are a few tools that help you get the job done. All you need is a microfiber cloth and a glass cleaner product, preferably in a spray bottle. Remember to roll down your car windows to clean that top part everyone forgets about. Brush Air Conditioning Vents Anything with tiny parts that need cleaning gets pushed way down to the bottom of the priority list. Air conditioning vents are one of those things. But if you have the right tools, you can get it done in the blink of an eye. Using a brush with long bristles to clean the vent should be enough. To make sure you really got rid of all dust particles, use a compressed air can. Caring for Tough-to-Clean Areas The door panels, the dashboard, and the front panel are some of the toughest areas to clean in your car. In some vehicles, they are made of different materials, and some of them have a mix of materials in the same area, so using cleaning products is not always the best solution. Cup holders, for example, gather a lot of dust and waste. To clean these surfaces, start by vacuuming. Then dust with a soft cloth and only use a chemical cleaning product that you're sure won't damage the surface. It's best to use just water or a mix of water and mild soap. Thoroughly detailing the interior of your car is not as hard as you think, so long as you have the right tools and these tips at hand. Image via Marco Verch | Licensed by CC BY 2.0

We hate to be a Debbie Downer, but winter is almost here. While you may still be enjoying the crisp weather and fun fall activities, it’s important you take some time to inspect your vehicle before the colder weather officially arrives. In honor of Fall Car Care Month, Clinton Honda has put together a step-by-step guide to make sure your vehicle is working properly. Check out the tips below! Check the wipers and lighting Check all fluids Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system Check the tires Inspect the steering and suspension system Check the brake system Inspect the exhaust system Check the hoses and belts Check engine performance Check the battery If you need any help inspecting your vehicle, schedule an appointment at our Service Department! We’ll help you make sure you’re ready to take on anything this winter. Council, Car Care. "October Is Fall Car Care Month: 10 Steps to Keep Your Car Up and Running." October Is Fall Car Care Month: 10 Steps to Keep Your Car Up and Running. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2016. <http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/october-is-fall-car-care-month-10-steps-to-keep-your-car-up-and-running-300151716.html>.