Fuel Economy Series Part 4

by Tim Joseph

Nempimania: An obsession with getting the best fuel economy possible.

If you’re really feeling it at the pump and have enjoyed out series then quite possibly you have Nempimania. I know I do. I’ve talked a lot about trading your car for one that’s more fuel efficient or how to track your fuel economy. I’ve also told you how much money you can save with Nitrogen and how to calculate that savings. Now I’m going to give you some tips on how to maximize your fuel usage and save money. Imagine if everyone in America reduced their fuel usage by 20%. Most likely it would cause the investors to sell their shares in crude oil and cause the price to fall. I ended up only spending $10 on gas this week compared to $16 last week and $20 the week before. I have cut my gas costs in half. Just by using these techniques.

Observe The Speed Limit – Each 5mph you drive over 60 costs you $0.20 per gallon for gas.
Remove Excess Weight – This affects smaller vehicles more than large vehicles but the general rule of thumb is every extra 100 pounds in your vehicle will cost you 2%. At $4/gallon it costs you $0.08 per gallon.
Avoid Excessive Idling – You get 0 mpg when you idle.
Use Cruise Control – It helps you maintain a constant speed and will save you gas.
Use Overdrive Gears – If you have an automatic transmission, make sure you use the over drive gear.
Keep your Engine Tuned – Engines that are out of tune cost you 4% at the pump
Check and Replace Air Filters – Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your gas mileage by 10%.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated – 1 psi drop costs you 0.4% and it can add up quickly.
Keep Your Oil Changed – Not only will it make you engine run longer but it’ll save you at the pump.

Personally, I have been shifting at 2,000 RPM’s. Also, I’ve been shifting into neutral down hills and when coming to a stop. This will bring your RPM’s down a lot, let your engine run easier and save you a lot of money.

In Part 5 I will highlight Dick Scott’s most fuel efficient vehicles at each of our dealerships. That will close out our Fuel Economy series but whenever we hear of ways that will save you money at the pump, we’ll pass them along.

To get into a more fuel efficient vehicle, please contact:
Dodge – 800-571-6906
Motormall – 800-486-2415
Kia – 800-730-9872
Nissan – 800-504-8536

2008 Kia Sorento Wins Top Award

by Tim Joseph

Recently the 2008 Kia Sorento received top ranking in the AutoPacific 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards in the midsize SUV category.

“Sorento’s recognition by AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards shows that you don’t have to spend a lot to be satisfied with your new vehicle purchase,” said Tom Loveless, vice president, sales of Kia Motors America (KMA). “In these difficult economic times, it is good to know that you can still purchase an SUV with great amenities, options and standard safety features, and be satisfied with your decision.”

The VSA awards are based on survey responces of more than 34,000 people. The respondents purchased their vehicles between September and December 2007 base their answer on 46 46 attributes for importance in the purchase decision and satisfaction after purchase.

You’ll remember that I recently fell in love with a Sorento. It is just one piece of a great lineup that Kia offers. They’re difnately moving forward as a company.

Nissan Scratch Shield

by Tim Joseph

Lets file this one under “This Rocks!”

Have you ever been washing your car and noticed a ton of scratches all over it? I hate when that happens. All the polishing and buffing you have to do to get the paint to look nice. I guess if the car sat inside the house somewhere where nothing touched it this wouldn’t be a problem. Cars are driven on the road and parked in public lots and as much as we love them, they don’t look perfect forever.

Aparently Nissan engineers don’t like their cars being scratched either. They’ve developed a new paint that is more scratch resistant than conventional clearcoats. This helps maintain the showroom look for a longer period of time. On top of that the paint repairs fine scratches by itself. It will have five times less scratches than a vehicle with a conventional clearcoat. The process takes anywhere from one day to one week. Honestly, I won’t mind the wait.

The paint is made with a highly elastic resin combined with a conventional clearcoat which increases the paint’s flexibility. Why didn’t I think of that? This also increases its strength by raising the resin density. See the graphics below-

It is unclear when this technology will be available on your favorite Nissan model. It is already being offered on some Infiniti vehicles. Now if they could only make a metal that repairs itself when it gets dented…

If you’re interested in a new Nissan vehicle, contact Dick Scott Nissan 800-504-8536

Gayot.com Top 10’s

by Tim Joseph

With the price of gas soaring to new heights people must make changes in their lifestyle to compensate. $4 a gallon used to sound like an idol threat but now it’s a reality. Many people have already taken advantage of programs like Chrysler’s $2.99/gallon guarentee. Others are buying smaller, inexpensive, more fuel efficient vehicles. But finding the right small car to trade your nice SUV is for can be a daunting task.

Gayot.com (guy-OH), a dining and travel review website named after Andre Gayot, offers us a little help with their Top 10 Best Small Cars and Top 10 Best Value Automobiles.

The Nissan Versa was present on both lists! Great job Versa! With its high crash test rating, 36 mpg and sub-$13k base price it would look good on anyone’s list.

Kia Rio and Rio5 made the best small car list. Starting at under $11k and producing 32 mpg the Rio keeps a lot more money in your pocket where it belongs.

The Kia Sedona showed up on the best value list. The website describes it as “A powerful, roomy and versatile family hauler with a low, low price.”

We could sit and brag about our vehicles all day long but its more convincing to our customers when other people do the bragging for us.

If you are interested in a Versa, Rio or the $2.99/gallon offer, please call:

Dick Scott Nissan at 800-504-8536
Dick Scott Kia at 800-730-9872
Dick Scott Dodge at 800-571-6906
Dick Scott Motormall at 800-486-2415

JeepSpace.com

by Tim Joseph

Part of the fun of owning a new car, truck or SUV is the looks you get everywhere you go. More specifically, the looks you get from people who drive the same vehicle as you. Recently, Dick Scott dealerships have hosted annual car shows for the Motor City Viper Owners and the Nissan Infinity Owners of Detroit. There is no better feeling that the one you get from talking about your car with other people and having them tell you how much they like it.

Recently I stumbled upon a website that made me raise and eyebrow. It’s JeepSpace.com. A social networking website for Jeep owners. The concept is similar to MySpace.com in that you sign up, post pictures, make friends and even write a blog. The difference, other than it is for Jeep owners, is that you can find Jeep events, read articles about Jeeps and join Jeep clubs. Buying a Jeep is almost like being inducted into a fraternity. Once you are an owner, you’re a member of the club and privy to some great benefits. If you’re a Jeep owner, I encourage you to sign up. If you’re not yet an owner, you should definately take a look at all of the benefits to ownership. JeepSpace.com along with our Dick Scott Difference and Rewards program, could make this the best experience you’ve ever had owning a car.

If you are interested in owning a new Jeep, please contact Dick Scott Motormall at 800-486-2415

Mini Van Crash Test Ratings

Chrysler issued the following press release:

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., The all-new 2008 ChryslerTown & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan earned “good” ratings, the highest ratings available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS),in both frontal offset and side crashworthiness tests.

“Minivans are the one of the safest vehicles on the road and our all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are built withmore than 25 years of proven engineering innovations,” said Larry Lyons,Vice President — Car and Minivan Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “Our Chryslerand Dodge minivans come loaded with standard features including all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags, advance multi-stage front driver andpassenger air bags and an Electronic Stability Program.”

If you are interested in taking a closer look at one of these vehicles, please contact:
Dick Scott Dodge – (734) 451-2110
Dick Scott MotorMall – (517) 223-3721

Motor City Viper Owners Spring Tech Day

Saturday, May 10, 2008, Dick Scott Dodge hosted the Motor City Viper Owners club Spring Tech Day. This is a yearly event at Dick Scott. For more information and pictures please visit their message forum.

Is The Nissan Versa Safe?

by Tim Joseph

A lot of people ask me if the Nissan Versa is safe. This has become an even bigger issue now that Chrysler and Nissan have announced a partnership to build cars for each other. Nissan is going to be developing a small vehicle for Chrysler and Chrysler will develop a large pickup for Nissan. Here is what the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has to say:

The following are in oder, Front, Rear, Side. Good is the highest rating available.
Nissan Versa Good, Good, Good
Toyota Yaris (w/ sidebags) Good, Good, Marginal
Honda Fit Good, Good, Poor
Mini Cooper (tested previously) Good, Acceptable, Marginal
Chevrolet Aveo Acceptable, Marginal, Poor
Scion xB Good, Poor, Marginal
Toyota Yaris (w/o side airbags) Good, Poor, Marginal
Hyundai Accept Acceptable, Poor, Poor

Kia Of The Future

by Tim Joseph

It may be hard to believe but Kia went bankrupt 10 years ago due to the Asian financial crisis. It may be hard to believe because today Kia is so well established and growing by leaps and bounds. In 1998 Kia was sold to Hyundai Motor Company. Back then Kia sold two vehicles, the Sephia and the Sportage. Just a car and an SUV.

Today, Kia has a whole lineup of vehicles including cars of all different prices and styles, SUV’s, crossovers, and a mini van. Not only that but they have been ranked highest in quality and backed by a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Kia’s sales are ever increasing at a time when everyone else’s sales are decreasing. There is a reason. Kia is a high quality vehicle at a very affordable price.

Where will Kia be in the future? Kia recently hired Peter Schreyer—one of the automobile industry’s most celebrated and influential designers—to be their Chief Design Officer. Schreyer is the man behind the Volkswagen New Beetle, the Audi TT and the Lamborghini Murciélago and Gallardo. He is a true innovator and will surely take Kia to the next lever.

Eui Sun Chung, President and CEO of Kia, is excited that Mr. Schreyer has joined Kia, commenting, “As we continue to develop the Kia brand, we must continually enhance our vehicles through world class, innovative advances in product design. Mr. Schreyer’s appointment underlines our commitment to not only meeting but exceeding customers’ expectations.

“Mr. Schreyer’s track record speaks for itself. We are looking forward to laying out a long-term strategy that will center on molding a unique and consistent design lineage for the entire future Kia lineup. We are focused on boosting our competitiveness and image by dramatically upgrading the design element, while adding a strong emotional dimension to the brand.” That “strong emotional dimension,” as Mr. Chung so eloquently puts it? That’s passion.

So if you’re impressed with Kia now compared to 1998, just wait. It will only get better.

If you’re interested in checking out what Kia has to offer, Please contact Dick Scott Kia at (734) 397-9900

Nissan Altima Put To The Test

by Tim Joseph

Let’s face it; we put a lot of blind faith in the vehicles we buy. We don’t know who built it, who tested it, how it was tested, did the engineers really know what they were doing…etc. Nissan has an answer to, at least a couple questions regarding how well made your car really is. Nissanusa.com has posted a series of videos showing you what type of tests they put the Nissan Altima through to unsure you are driving a quality vehicle. Take a look at the Altima tests and I think you’ll agree with me when I say I’m glad I wasn’t the one who tested it!