In recent years, a great deal has changed in terms of automotive safety. Each day seems to bring new advancements in radar and computer technology to make cars smarter and safer. So how does this affect the more “concrete”? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has some changes in store and your Flemington Area Honda dealer tells you all about them.
Distracted Driving
The first phase of distracted driving is in effect almost everywhere. This is where the texting while driving laws came from as well as the hands-free device mandates. What’s coming in phase two will affect personal consumer electronics and users. It will mean requiring more capacity for hands-free and safer use.
Crash Avoidance
Several studies are finding that crash avoidance technology like automatic stopping saves real lives. While it will take a long time for regulations to be fully incorporated, the NHTSA has already hinted that it will make automatic or “driverless” technologies mandatory in newer models. This will primarily focus on warnings for ordinary hazards like blind spots and backing up, but will also be looking at vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology that allows cars to recognize one another over a larger infrastructure.
Enforcement
Because of the sharp increase in recalls in the last few years, the NHTSA is likely to step up its enforcement dramatically. The agency will be taking harder looks at companies and policies alike. They’ll also be auditing the effectiveness of early detection methods at manufacturers and, most likely, increasing the number of penalties as well as their gravity.
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As spring slowly approaches, several auto manufacturers have hinted at overhauling tried and true models. Recently, Honda has teased their fans with a new look for the Ridgeline. The benefit for the buyer? Dealers are extra motivated to make room for new year models. That’s the case with your Clinton Area Honda dealer and the 2015 Ridgeline SE.
Under the Hood
The Ridgeline begins with a 3.5-liter V6 engine with overhead cams, multi-point fuel injection, and variable valve timing. That means that it offers 250 horsepower and 247 pounds of torque at the same time that it offers an EPA-estimated 21 miles per gallon on the highway.
What It Can Do
With a five-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, there’s not much the Ridgeline can’t handle. In addition to being able to take on a payload of nearly 1,500 pounds and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Ridgeline seats a five-man crew in its roomy cab.
Safety Above All
In addition to four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes that help control anything you’re hauling, the Ridgeline also comes with intelligent airbags that adapt to crash conditions to minimize injury. These are supported by side and curtain airbags to protect the entire cabin. Finally, a rear-view camera with parking sensors just makes your job that much easier.
Life’s Little Extras
Leather interior, sunroof, heated front seats, and a seven-speaker audio system with subwoofer are just the start. The Ridgeline SE also comes with on-board navigation with map and voice.
Hackettstown Area Honda Dealer remind drivers that when you are behind the wheel of a car, chances are you are probably sharing the road. Typically driver’s expect to see other cars on the road, however things can bet a little confusing when bicyclists are in the road way. Here are some important tips on how to share the roadway safely with bicyclists.
Share The Road Safely With Pedestrians and Bicyclists
First, don’t assume that bicyclists on the road are fully aware that you are behind them or passing them. It can be aggravating when you are stuck behind someone on a bicycle, but the fact is that they have a right to be there. So channel your inner patience and stick it out. It’s important for everyone to remain safe.
Practice Defensive Driving
Second, by practicing defensive driving you will be able to confront almost any problem on the road with ease, even problems involving bicyclists or pedestrians. Practice going a safe speed and be aware of your surroundings. While bicyclists should wear reflective gear it is never a guarantee. So include bicycle safety in your checklist when you get behind the wheel.
Have Patience and Compassion
Third, try to put yourself in their shoes. By having a little bit of compassion we can easily act nice to each other when sharing the road. It can be hard for driver’s to see around their entire vehicle, so keep that in mind when passing a bicyclists.
It can be hard to share the road when it comes to non-vehicles. Sometimes as driver’s we begin to feel entitled to the road way, but the truth is that we much all share and be safe. By practicing bicycle safety everyone can share the road happily.
When it comes to buying a vehicle, Honda Near Bridgewater submits that leasing can be a great options. There are several different ways to buy a car. One way is to pay cash upfront for the vehicle. Not many people can afford to do this, so the most common option is to take out a car loan and make monthly payments. Usually car loans are for three to five years. Another popular option is to lease the vehicle instead of buy it.
What Is A Lease And Why Might I Want It?
What is a lease exactly? Leasing is very similar to financing a car, however instead of financing the full price of the car the buyer is only financing a percentage of what the car is worth. This is because once the term of your lease is up, you return the car to the dealership.
Getting More For Less
One of the main reasons why people choose to lease is because you can typically afford to drive a nicer vehicle than you would if you were buying the car. Payments on a lease are lower, since you are only financing a portion of the car’s worth.
Since only new cars are leased, the car is usually under a great warranty. Any repairs are covered by the warranty on the car. Also, many leases include maintenance to the vehicle such as oil changes and tire rotations.
Drivers should keep in mind that when a car is leased you have a cap on many miles you can put on the car. People who drive far distances may want to consider another option. For those who are not driving far distances, a lease may be perfect for them.
Often times parents are children are on the go, and Phillipsburg Area Honda warns that we can easily forget the hazards that loom right inside our own vehicles. Be sure to take some time and review what could be dangerous to your children while driving.
Utilize What Comes With Your Car
Many cars come equipped with child safety features. It is up to us to use them. The number one safety feature is child safety locks. These are located on the doors themselves. When you open the door look along the frame to indicate where the child safety switch is. Once activated your child will not be able to open the door from the inside.
Be Proactive With Child Safety Features
Another safety feature is the child safety locks on the window. This feature is typically located in the driver’s seat. Often times there is a button next to the window controls which allows you to activate the child safety features for the windows. When this is activated, the driver is the only one in the vehicle who can raise and lower the windows. This keeps children from accidentally closing themselves in the window or throwing things out of the window.
Keep Your Keys Close
Be sure to never hand your child the keys to your car. One parent recently reported letting her child play with her keys as she walked around the car to enter in the driver’s side. Before she made it the child had accidentally hit the lock button. In this instance the child was locked inside the car and the parent had to call for assistance. Depending on the weather this could be a very dangerous situation.
The FCX Clarity is a zero emissions car offered by Honda that runs on fuel cells electricity and is available at Fleminton Area Honda. What does this mean exactly? Most electric cars need to be plugged in and charged so that they can be driven, but this is not the case with the FCX Clarity. Honda has done some serious work when it comes to revolutionizing the way that drivers can go green.
The Future of Driving
When it comes to the FCX Clarity, the car uses hydrogen to activate fuel cells which generate their own electricity. Ion batteries to store the electricity. Drivers can go about 240 miles before the car needs to refuel. But how does someone refuel a car like this?
All New Technology
The vehicles uses hydrogen gas, so when you are in need of a refuel you can easily stop in to a local station have the hydrogen tank refilled. Honda is currently hoping to be able to provide driver’s the option to purchase a Home Energy Station where they can refuel right in their own garage. Not only could this Home Energy Station work to fuel your car, it may even be integrated in to the home and provide heat and electricity for your house.
Honda has some big plans for the future of driving. The FCX Clarity is one of the first cars that buys can purchase today that integrate this new technology. The vehicle is intentionally very light to maximize the number of miles you can go before needing to refuel.
Honda Near Bridgewater has stepped up to the plate more than any other company when it comes to vehicles that run on alternate sources of energy. Their fleet is diverse and impressive. Here is a short run down of what we have to offer:
The Accord Comes in Two Green Options
- 2015 Accord Hybrid: This vehicle starts out at $29,305 and drivers can expect to get about 50 miles to the gallon if they are doing city driving.
- 2014 Accord Plug In: This car starts out a bit more expensive at almost $40,000 for a base model. The car does hold about 12 gallons of fuel so that you can drive this as a hybrid, electric only or gas only. Drivers can go about 570 miles before refueling when using the car as a hybrid.
Sporty Hybrid Vehicles
- 2015 CRZ Sport Hybrid: This is a sleek and sporty hybrid option that offers the functionality of a sports car with the benefits of green driving. This car starts out at only $20,145
- 2014 Insight Hybrid: This is Honda’s most affordable hybrid vehicle, with base models prices at $18,725. Driver’s get around 44 miles to the gallon when driving on the highway.
- 2015 Civic Hybrid: Honda has converted their bestselling sedan in to a green friendly option with prices starting at $24, 735.
- 2015 Civic Natural Gas: This vehicle uses a fuel source new to cars – natural gas. Honda’s website offers a finder feature which helps driver’s locate stations offering this new fuel.
Stop in today to test drive these green friendly options!
Clinton Honda has two amazing all-star sedan vehicles they are excited to showcase. The Accord and the Civic are both award winning vehicles who have stood the test of time. If you are in the market for a coupe or sedan it is likely that you have considered one or both of these vehicles. Here are some key things to consider when looking in to buying a 2015 Honda Civic or 2015 Honda Accord.
Amazingly Efficient: 2015 Honda Civic
The 2015 Honda Civic can easily seat five passengers. When it comes to options the Civic is almost unparalleled. The 2015 Civic comes in multiple trim options as well as a hybrid version and a model that runs on natural gas. It is available in 2 door or four door and starts as low as $18,290. The Honda Civic has great estimated miles per gallon at 30-39.
Modest and Roomy: 2015 Honda Accord
The 2015 Honda Accord may not come in as many trim options, however they do have something for any need. In 2015 Honda is offering the coupe as well as the sedan, but they are also offering the green friendly Hybrid and the all-electric version of the Accord called the Plug In.
The Accord is a fairly pricier vehicle, with base models starting around $24,665. All four Accord options seat 5 people, and boast a bit more trunk space than the Civic. When it comes to gas mileage the Accord performs slightly below the Civic at 27/36 estimated average mile per gallon.
Depending on your needs, both of these sedans are excellent options. Coupled with Honda’s excellent reputation you are guaranteed to leave the lot with a smile on your face.
Take the Road Less Traveled in a Rugged 2014 Honda Ridgeline SE from Clinton area Honda Dealership
It is comforting to know that the company making some of the most reliable cars in the industry, with high resale values and exceptional safety ratings, also designs pickups. Honda has a vehicle for everyone, and the Honda Ridgeline is a perfect example of the company’s accommodating styles. Take the road less traveled in a rugged 2014 Honda Ridgeline SE from Clinton area Honda dealership. Discover why KBB readers awarded the pickup with a 9.2 out of 10 consumer rating.
Power and Agility in the 2014 Honda Ridgeline SE
The crew cab pickup has a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 4-wheel-drive drivetrain. The power rating for the Honda Ridgeline SE is 250 hp at 5700 RPM with 247 lb.-ft. of torque at 4300 RPM. The estimated fuel economy rating is 15/21 mpg. The max towing capacity for the Honda pickup is 5,000 lbs. with a max 1475 payload capacity. The Honda Ridgeline has a 5-speed manual transmission, single overhead cam, and variable valve timing.
Are Pickups Safe?
The 2014 Honda Ridgeline is loaded with a plethora of safety and security features. Standard safety equipment includes a series of airbags, stability control, traction control, ABS, brakeforce distribution, child seat anchors, emergency brake assist, running lights and fog lights, an anti-theft alarm, and ventilated disc brakes in the front. According to the IIHS, the 2014 Honda Ridgeline earned good ratings in all four crashworthiness tests conducted on the pickup. When the NHTSA performed rollover simulations with the Honda Ridgeline, the pickup earned four stars for safety.
Does the Ridgeline have the Installed Options I Need?
The 2014 Honda Ridgeline has all of the amenities and creature comforts you expect in sedans and SUVs. Honda outfitted the 4×4 pickup with comfortable leather seating, a 7-speaker stereo system with subwoofer, an internal HD navigation system, color screen, satellite radio, AM/FM radio, 6-CD player, electric sunroof, and a rearview camera with distance sensors.
Hackettstown area Honda Explains Regenerative Brakes
Relatively new technology that has emerged in the auto industry is regenerative brakes. With traditional braking, a lot of power is required to stop a vehicle. Energy is used to stop the vehicle, but it is heated and ultimately wasted once braking is completed. The issue of wasted energy has been one that has captured the imagination of many engineers. Now, braking power is used more efficiently in hybrid and electric vehicles. Hackettstown area Honda explains regenerative brakes.
What is Regenerative Braking?
Regenerative braking is a system that recaptures and reutilizes the kinetic energy that is traditionally lost during normal braking. Regenerative braking is designed to store energy in a storage battery so that the car can draw on it later to repower the motor when the car is strictly on the electrical power source. So, while an electric car is at a red light or sitting in traffic, braking power is being recouped as reusable energy.
How Does Regenerative Braking Work?
First, the cars are still equipped with traditional, friction braking systems for high-speed braking scenarios such as driving on the highway. Regenerative braking is more effective in stop-and-go driving scenarios. When the driver puts his/her foot on the brakes, the electric motor works in reverse to slow down the vehicle. The backwards motion recharges the car’s hybrid battery system. The car’s motor is able to operate backwards because the car’s momentum is recycled as mechanical energy that puts the motor into reverse. The recaptured energy in the car’s batteries is used to provide power for acceleration after stopping.
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