Blog

Honda is a worldwide brand that strives to support better communities internationally and domestically.  Honda is actively involved in community enrichment such as supporting community events, inspiring young students, providing scholarships, supporting the STEM curriculum, and caring for the environment.  A threat to local and international communities is the effects of climate change, and Honda is doing what it can to reduce its carbon footprint. Flemington area Honda discusses how Honda tackles climate change. Ways Honda Addresses Climate Change Honda has made a commitment to reduce its greenhouse gases from the production of every vehicle to the dealership that help the consumer find the best ride.  A few ways Honda is addressing climate change include: Reduction of CO2 emissions In 2011, Honda pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% in 2020 from their worldwide products: autos, motorcycles, ATVs, and equipment. Green dealers Honda asked more than 1300 dealers in North America to reduce their carbon footprints.  Honda awards dealerships with a leadership award if the site has proved a commitment to going green.  Honda makes recommendations about reducing energy, water, and waste, and the dealership receives points based on its reduction in energy use.  The award is only good for three years before the dealership is evaluated again. Community education Honda is a big supporter of education. The company provides areas with grants, products and volunteers to help clean affected areas or to support field-science research opportunities for students. Green factories and buildings Honda has implemented programs that reduce waste and energy during the manufacturing process.

What would you do with an extra $5,000 in your pocket?  According to the EPA, when you choose a Honda Hybrid, you will save thousands over five years in fuel costs.  The best part about driving a Honda Hybrid is that the vehicle has awesome Honda pricing as well.  Your wallet wants you to test-drive a Honda Hybrid at Clinton area Honda. 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid Edmunds.com readers gave the Honda Civic Hybrid a perfect 5-star consumer rating. A 1.5-liter, inline-4 hybrid engine with a single overhead cam, variable valve timing, and a CVT automatic generate 110 hp at 5500 RPM and 44/47 mpg.  According to the EPA, the annual fuel cost for the Civic Hybrid is only $1,050, which saves consumers $5,250 in fuel costs over five years compared to the cost of the average new car.  Standard features in the Honda Civic Hybrid include a stereo system with six speakers, color touchscreen display, CD player, auxiliary audio input, and Bluetooth®.  Honda also loaded the Civic with a vast collection of safety features, a backup camera, lane departure warning, and a security system. 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid The 2015 Honda Hybrids have arrived.  If you need a sedan that is a little larger, consider the 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid.  The price for the Accord is below $36,000.  The 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring features a 2.0-liter inline-4 hybrid engine and a CVT automatic. The horsepower rating is 196, and the fuel economy rating is 50/45.  The EPA reports that the Honda Accord Hybrid has the potential to save consumers $5,500 in fuel costs over five years.  The Accord is fully loaded with everything you could want in a premium hybrid: heated leather seats, satellite radio, memory seat, Bluetooth®, universal garage door opener, navigation, a backup camera, and a lane departure warning system.

Over the years, EPA standards and industry-led initiatives for fuel economy have made it easier and easier to get more miles per gallon. As technology improves, estimates will continue to rise. Your Clinton Area Honda dealer explains just how technology is creating better fuel efficiency. Variable Valve Timing Valves control the airflow in your engine and cylinders (pistons) lift to create combustion. It used to be that valves would open and cylinders would lift with one set timing. The problem was that your engine needs more air at higher speeds and less air at lower speeds. Variable valve and lift timing adjust to the needs of the engine, using less fuel. Department of Energy Estimate: 5% efficiency improvement Continuously Variable Transmission Traditional engines use a set of gears to create speed from the engine. First gear is meant for acceleration from a stop and sixth gear is meant for high speed travel. Continuously variable transmission uses a pulley system that can create or reduce tension depending on the speed required. The result is an endless number of combinations to make the engine for efficient. Department of Energy Estimate: 6% efficiency improvement Direct Fuel Injection One of the best improvements to fuel economy is far from the newest. Older engines mixed fuel with air before it got into the cylinder. Today, fuel can skip the mix and be sprayed directly into the cylinder on its own. Because it doesn’t need to be mixed beforehand, the fuel use can be much more precise and less wasteful. Department of Energy Estimate: 12% efficiency improvement

There’s nothing we take more seriously than the safety of our children. It’s at the top of most of our research lists and the number one motivator when it comes to buying a new or used car. Your Hackettstown Area Honda dealer wants to review a few guidelines to help keep your little ones safe. Car Seats There is nothing more effective at keeping a child safe than a car seat. It is the very first step in ensuring your child stays safe in the car. It should go without saying that kids should always ride in car seats, but it’s also important to think about where they are. Car seats should always be in the back seat of the car and the child should be facing the rear window. Front seat airbags can be dangerous to kids, especially small ones, and facing the rear helps protect their necks in the event of a forward collision. Preventing Heat Stroke It’s terrible when we hear in the news that a child has died because of being left in the car. Most of us know not to do this, but it’s also important to be aware of your child. Too much sun or a car that’s too hot, even when you’re in it, can prove too much for their systems to cool down. Toys It may be obvious that very small children probably shouldn’t be left alone with very small or very sharp toys, but this is especially important in the car. If a bump at the wrong time from someone following too close can result in injury.

Are you a nervous driver? Do you start to get anxious even before you get behind the wheel? Anxious driving isn’t just a matter of “calming down.” Not everyone understands it, but an anxious driver can’t calm down and the advice tends to make things worse. Well, your Phillipsburg Area Honda dealer has some tips to help diffuse the anxiety bomb. Determine How Serious It Is There are plenty of people who get anxious when it comes to driving in snow or driving at night or driving in the city. If you only experience anxiety around a certain set of circumstances, it can be easy to avoid those situations by taking other modes of transportation or having someone else drive. Passengers If you’re one of those folks who are always wound up no matter where or when you’re driving, it can often start with passengers. Limit the number of people who tend to be in your car whenever possible. Whoever is in your car, make it clear to them that you’re a little bit of a nervous driver. Let them know what works best for you: no radio, windows down, no chitchat. It’s better to be thought rude for a few moments than risk an accident. Timing One of the simplest things to do is to plan a useful schedule. If you can, leave well before or after high traffic times. Look for alternate routes like side roads that might ease your mind, even if they take a little bit longer.

With one of the best records in performance, reliability, and resale value, the Honda Civic has more than earned its place among the titans of smaller, functional vehicles. Your Bridgewater Area Honda dealer has a few models to show you. At least, they have them for now. 2012 Civic LX With a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine, the base model LX still cranks out 140 horsepower and 128 pounds of torque while also getting close to 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The LX comes with a whole host of features: - Cruise control - AM/FM/CD/MP3 player - Auxiliary audio input jack - Front and rear head airbags and front side airbags - Advanced airbag system 2012 Civic EX If you’re interested in a bit more indulgence, keeps the same power and the same mileage (almost 400 miles on a single tank of gas), but adds a few perks for your enjoyment: - Six-speaker audio system with AM/FM/CD/MP3 - Electronic traction and stability control - Microfilter filtration system - Power windows and locks - Sunroof (on certain models) 2012 Civic Coupe EX Finally, if you’re eager for a bit more sport to go along with your responsible side, the Civic Coupe EX has a few surprises in store: - Automatic headlights - Premium sound system with AM/FM/CD/MP3 - Steering wheel integrated controls - Brake assist and pass-through rear seat - Sunroof and moonroof (on certain models)

In a world of hybrid this and eco that, plenty of people feel like they’re not doing enough unless they take the plunge and buy a hybrid or electric vehicle. While technology is sprinting along in that department, conventional cars shouldn’t be forgotten. Your Flemington Area Honda dealer wants to tell you about the incredibly efficient, incredibly versatile 2015 Fit EX. Looks Can Be Deceiving While its small stature might make you think it drives more like a go-cart than a sedan, the Fit starts with a 1.5-liter, four cylinder engine that can deliver 130 horsepower and 114 pounds of torque. With a six-speed transmission and an available continuously variable transmission, the Fit can jump when it needs to but will also give you 38 miles per gallon on the highway and 32 in the city. Size Matters (Kind of) The Fit is undeniably small from the outside. At only 160 inches long and 67 inches in height, it definitely puts the compact in compact car. Except that the EX gives seating for five and over 93 cubic feet of passenger space and over 50 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear fold-flat seat. What Everyone’s Saying - Lawrence Ulrich of The New York Times calls the Fit “an affordable, fun, and ultra-efficient hatchback” with incredible value over the long term. - Car and Driver gives the Fit five out of five stars and Jared Gall notes that nobody offers anything “remotely as useful atop a chassis that offers this much fun.” - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Fit high marks all around and gives it a top safety pick.

As a parent, there’s no shortage of automakers trying to get your attention and your money. But what many of them don’t seem to understand is that the product needs to be superior. Honda has a proven record of excellence and safety and that record continues with the 2015 line-up. Clinton Honda unveils the 2015 Odyssey EX-L. The Driver With a 3.5-liter V6 engine, the driver is in control of 248 horsepower and 250 pounds of torque. That means this ultra-low emissions vehicle has no problem filling and moving 170 cubic feet of space. But the new Odyssey also helps the driver with a few extra sets of eyes: - Lane departure warning - Forward collision warning - Multi-angle rear camera with navigation - Blind spot monitoring The Passengers The story of the Odyssey comes in two parts when it comes to passengers: safety and entertainment. - Dual-stage front airbags - Three rows of side impact airbags in the event of a rollover - Front side airbags with SmartVent - Electronic brake distribution for the anti-lock brake system - Traction and stability to control - With an available rear DVD system, you can keep all your little passengers safe, secure, and maybe even silent. Some Numbers 5: The number of stars out of five that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2015 Odyssey. 28: Miles per gallon the Odyssey produces on the highway. 1: The Odyssey’s ranking in US News and World Report when it comes to minivans.

All motorists at some point will probably be faced with the unexpected and highly annoying occurrence of a flat tire. This can happen for a number of different reasons, and it is always best to make sure that you are prepared for it. Learn the basics of changing a flat tire from your Clinton Honda dealership. Tools Of course you can’t change a flat tire if you don’t have the proper tools on hand that are needed to get the job done. Be sure that you always carry these items in your trunk. Obviously you will need a spare tire, or at least a donut to hold you over. Then you will need something to secure the vehicle with, like some bricks or wedges of wood. The rest of the items include a jack to raise your vehicle up, a wrench, and a screwdriver. Changing the Tire Before you begin, be sure to secure your vehicle with either your bricks or your wedges of wood to block it from rolling. Then you need to raise your vehicle up with your jack. Once your vehicle is in place, remove the wheel cover with your screwdriver. Use your wrench to loosen all of the lug nuts, and then use your hands to actually remove them. Grasp the tire and pull it straight towards you to take it off. Then put your spare tire or donut on and replace the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle back down, tighten everything, and put the wheel cover back on.

Vehicles are built in many different ways to accommodate many different types of people and lifestyles. When you are a family person, there are definitely some things to take into consideration when shopping for a new ride. Our Hackettstown area Honda dealer talks about what makes up a good family vehicle. Safety Safety should always be your number one concern when shopping for something that your family will be traveling in. It’s important that all members of your family are protected, so be sure to check that all rows have airbag protection. Whether you have two or three rows of seating, they should all be equipped with a curtain airbag, which will protect the heads of all passengers. Check the features on everybody’s seatbelts. The front passengers, and sometimes even the rear passengers, should have height-adjustable upper belts. Height-adjustable belts allow you to adjust the belt in accordance to the size of the passenger. The front seatbelts should have pre-tensioners, which are made to retract the belt when needed. Some vehicles will have them in the rear, too. Check out the latch system for any child safety seats that you will need to install. Comfort Of course you want your family to be comfortable. Check out the material of the seating, and other things like the ventilation system and the audio system. If it’s important to you, look for a navigation system and a DVD player. Check for little things like armrests, cup holders, and consoles.

Pretty much no matter where you drive you will be faced with street signs. Each and every street sign is put in place to alert you to or warn you about something, which is why it is so important that you follow them. Our Honda dealer near Phillipsburg is urging you to pay attention to street signs. Warning Signs Warning signs are put in place to warn you about things that could potentially be dangerous and cause you to have an accident if not followed. Some common warning signs will let you know about upcoming intersections, traffic lights, sharp turns, curvy roads, and speed bumps. Others will alert you to school zones, crosswalks, railroads, detours, construction sites, and wild animals. Following these warning signs will not only keep you out of trouble with the law, but they could save your life, and the lives of all others around you. Regulatory Signs Regulatory signs are put in place to give you instructions on things you must or must not do while driving. The most common example of a regulatory sign is a stop sign. Obviously a stop sign is alerting you to stop because either there is traffic that could be coming in the opposite direction, or there are pedestrians that could be crossing. Another very common regulatory sign is a speed limit sign, which will alert you to how fast you are safely and legally allowed to drive. Others include one-way streets, illegal moves, and parking restrictions.

The Honda Accord Hybrid is back in business for 2014, and it is better than ever. It has a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine, a hybrid electric motor, and a continuously variable transmission. It gives you an astounding 50 miles per gallon in the city and 45 miles per gallon on the highway. Your Bridgewater area Honda dealer reviews the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid for you. Popular Features The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid has rear camera parking distance sensors. It has halogen headlights with projector beam lenses, headlight control with dusk sensor, front fog lights, and intermittent windshield wipers. It has front and rear airbags, and height-adjustable head restraints. The front seatbelts are height-adjustable with pre-tensioners, and the rear seatbelts have a 3-point center belt. Ventilation system with micro filter Passenger ventilation controls Dual-zone climate control Tilt telescoping steering wheel Power steering type Card key power locks Cruise control Trip computer Front cup holders The audio system has an AM/FM radio, a CD player that reads MP3 format, and a color screen. It has six speakers, steering wheel mounted remote audio controls, and an element antenna. The driver has a 10-way powered bucket seat, the front passenger has a bucket seat, and the rear passengers have folding seats. Exterior Features The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid has a trunk/hatch spoiler. The bumpers and the power door mirrors are body-colored. It has 17” x 7.5 alloy two-tone wheels and 225/50-17 all-season tires, including low rolling resistance.