New Year’s Resolutions For Your Car

2015 is here!!

With the new year, it usually brings colder temperatures and bitter weather (which we addressed in a blog post earlier this week), but it also brings resolutions that you may or may not stick to.

The hard part isn’t making the New Year’s resolutions but sticking to them throughout the year. However, some of you probably didn’t even have time to make resolutions for yourself. Well, have no fear… we’re going to give you a New Year’s Resolution for your car and six easy ways to stick to it!

KEEP YOUR CAR MAINTAINED

We realize this resolution may seem a tad “trivial” compared to the standard “I want to lose weight” or “I want to save more money”, but when you think about it — your car is a big part of your life.

What gets you to work? What gets your kids to school? What gets the pets to the vet or gets you to the grocery store?

So why wouldn’t you want to at least consider giving your vehicle the attention it deserves? With that being said, here are six New Year’s Resolutions you can easily do if you put your mind to it! Good luck.

1. Clean the Inside of Your Car (and keep it clean)

Even if no one ever gets in your car but you, it’s ridiculous to let it get to the point where you can’t tell if the seats are leather or cloth. Pick a decent day, go outside with some cleaner and a vacuum, and get to work.

Vacuum the floor mats and seats, then get some rags and be sure to wipe down all the dust and other garbage that gets on your dashboard. Besides having a clean interior, you’ll get some fresh air, and tiny bit of exercise, and a car that’s ready for someone other than you to get in.

Also, find some sort of trash receptacle in the vehicle, and throw all of your scraps in there instead of the other seat or the floor. Then remember to empty the trash as often as possible… this will ensure your car stays nicer longer.

2. Don’t Ignore Potential Problems

It’s really easy to ignore your car, even when it’s making a noise it’s never made before or doing something different than normal. Make a promise to yourself that you’ll pay more attention to your vehicle when it’s “talking” to you through noises or other ways. If you’re even slightly suspicious what’s going on under the hood, go get it checked out. It’ll give you piece of mind and could save you thousands of dollars later.

3. Service Your Vehicle At Least Twice This Year

You put a lot of time and money into your vehicle already… why disrespect it by letting it go unsupervised for so long? Schedule routine maintenance and make sure a professional gets a chance to check your car out. You never know what they might find and how much money they could save you in the long run. While you may be a little hesitant about getting ripped off because of a “horror story” you heard about a bad mechanic, let me assure you there are more good, honest mechanics than bad ones.

4. Constantly Check & Top Off Fluids

Make sure your wiper fluid is full, coolant is topped off, and your oil looks like oil. The lifeblood of your car won’t change itself, and unless you’re proactive with all of your fluids, your vehicle could lose valuable years.

5. Pamper Your Tires/Wheels

Have you been outside recently? If not, let me just tell you it’s not very warm. In fact, the weather has been downright awful the last few weeks. So let me ask you… do you really want to be on the side of the highway in this weather fixing a tire because of a blowout because you neglected to check on them?

It’s really not that difficult. Stay on top of their maintenance. Keep them filled up, and keep an eye out for bald spots. With temperatures as low as they are, the roads are almost guaranteed to be slick, if not worse.

6. Listen to your Service Advisor

This one is pretty simple, but often overlooked or ignored altogether. Again, it goes back to a bad experience you’ve heard about. Like I said, there are more good mechanics out there than bad. Most of them really do have your (and your car’s) best interest at heart. They’re not going to steer you wrong.

The good ones want to earn (and keep) your business, and the only way to do that is to offer you valuable, truthful advice the first time… knowing full well you’ll be back to see them if treated right. AutoMax Hyundai Norman Service Center has several qualified, certified technicians who can answer all your questions and tell you what you do and don’t need to do. Give them a call to schedule your next service appointment at 405-364-2000.

FAQ: Why Is My Tire Pressure Light On?

As the weather turns for the worse, we’re starting to hear this question a lot… “why does my tire pressure light keep coming on?”

That little yellow/orange light (located somewhere near the speedometer or RPMs) with the exclamation point in the middle lights up when there is a noticed change in tire pressure. This could happen for a number of reasons… the most common of these reasons is a slow leak due to tire malfunction or, more realistically, lower temperatures.

As the temperatures drop, the pressure in your tires drops with it… some more than others. So how can you avoid the hassle of stopping by the gas station every couple of weeks to fill your deflated tire with compressed air?

The answer: Nitrogen.

There are several compelling reasons to use pure nitrogen in your tires. Consider this… air is 78% nitrogen, just under 21% oxygen, and a small percentage of CO2, water vapor and small concentrations of noble gases such as argon and neon (these can be ignored).

Nitrogen is less likely to migrate through tire rubber than is oxygen, which means that your tire pressures will remain more stable over the long term. Race car drivers use nitrogen rather than air because they quickly figured out that tires filled with nitrogen rather than air exhibit less pressure change with temperature swings.

Your car can also benefit from the more stable pressures. Humidity (usually in the form of water) is obviously not a good thing to have in a tire. Water (and water vapor) causes more of a pressure change with temperature swings than dry air and promotes corrosion of the steel/aluminum rim.

AutoMax Hyundai Norman has a new machine that generates pure nitrogen by straining out the oxygen from the shop-compressed air. While not being used, the system automatically goes through several purge cycles unattended.

With nitrogen, your tire pressures will remain more constant, saving you some fuel and tire-maintenance costs, you’ll see less moisture inside your tires (meaning less corrosion on your wheels), and you should start feeling a subtle difference in the ride, handling and braking. The nitrogen will almost immediately bring your tire levels back to the proper numbers.

If you’re interested in this service or would simply like more information, call our service department at 405-364-2000.

AutoMax Norman Receiving Positive Reviews

Before customers were able to leave real time reviews like they do now on websites such as DealerRater, Google Plus and Cars.com, if he/she wanted to let a dealership know about their experience, they would most often write a letter to the Owner, General Manager, Sales Manager and/or Service Manager of the store.

In today’s age of text messaging, email and social media – communicating with another person or business is fairly easy and instant. And that’s how we receive the vast majority of our messages from our customers here at AutoMax Hyundai Norman.

There’s no better way to find out exactly what our customers are thinking and feeling than through these open, instant channels of communication. We might not always like what they have to say, but even a negative review now and then gives us the opportunity to rectify something that we could do better.

Having said that, there are still a few customers who will go out of their way to write or type us a personal message through email or, the old-fashioned way, through the U.S. Postal Service.

We were absolutely thrilled when we received this email (read below) from Junior & Michelle Hohensee from Severn, Maryland about their experience with AutoMax Hyundai Norman and, specifically, Rick Dunn… their Sales Consultant. Rick offered the Hohensee family our Max Value Commitment… NO GAMES! NO GIMMICKS! NO HASSLES!

 

It takes valuable time to construct an email such as this… and the only reason someone would go to these lengths to offer praise through an email like this is if their experience was either really bad or really good. Congratulations to Rick Dunn and the entire AutoMax Hyundai Norman family for making the Hohensee’s car-buying experience a memorable one.

If you’d like to receive this 5-star experience when buying your next new or used car, truck, or SUV, think:

AutoMax Hyundai Norman
551 N. Interstate Dr.
Norman, OK 73069
(405) 364-2000
http://www.automaxhyundainorman.com

AutoMax Hyundai Norman is your #1 New & Used Car Dealer in Oklahoma City & Edmond.

Halloween Week 2014 (Pumpkin Carving Ideas)

Halloween is less than a week away, so if you’re going to start carving those pumpkins for the annual “fright night”, you’d better start thinking about it now!

Is there anything better than a pumpkin-colored car? How about a pumpkin with a simple car inspiration? With Halloween less than a week away, we’ve spent the last few hours searching for some fun pumpkin carving designs with a “car theme”… along with a link to where you can download the printable stencils.

If you have any you’d like to share, please feel free to do so in the comments below (or email automaxhyundainormanok@gmail.com).

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Why choose AutoMax Hyundai Norman for your used car and new Hyundai needs? Watch THIS ONE-MINUTE VIDEO to find out!

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MICHELIN MAN

This one is more of a tire theme than a car theme, but we thought it was appropriate. CLICK HERE for the template (pdf format).

 

CAR & CAMPER

This one will take a little more work, but you’ll be the talk of the town if you can pull it off! Download the patterns; transfer to your pumpkins and cut the opening to the bottom of your finished design.

 

PORSCHE PURIST

Are you a Porsche nut? Want to tell the rest of the world (or at least remind your neighbors) about your passion this Halloween? CLICK HERE for instructions on how to carve/create this difficult-but-rewarding pumpkin.

FULLY “GHAST” CHALLENGER

Want to celebrate Halloween with a unique jack-o-lantern that tells your whole neighborhood, “Hey! I’m a gearhead!”? You could try filling a hollowed pumpkin with gasoline and setting it alight, but we really, really don’t recommend it. Instead, try this juicy little nugget on for size!

JACK NICHOLSON – THE SHINING (BONUS)

There is no template for this one… but I thought it was one of the best I’d seen while browsing. CLICK HERE if you want to see others that were entered in this particular contest.

AutoMax Norman Customers are Happy with their New & Used Car Purchases

Over the past few weeks, we’ve made a conscious effort to post pictures of our many satisfied customers with the car they are purchasing and the sales professional who sold it to them. It’s our way of showing you that our customers are more than just someone who gives us money for a car… they’re part of our AutoMax Family.

Whether purchasing a new Hyundai or a used car, truck or SUV in Oklahoma City, Edmond or Norman, Oklahoma, you can always count on AutoMax Hyundai Norman | 551 N. Interstate Dr. | 405-364-2000

No games, no gimmicks, no hassles… at AutoMax Hyundai of Norman! Just how it should be.

Some of our recent customers are ultra-excited about their new and used car purchases in Oklahoma City, OK.

Best Deals on a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe in Oklahoma City and Edmond, OK

The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe is loaded… and perfect for your growing family. Best of all, it’s backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty! Come test drive your brand new 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe at your #1 Oklahoma City Hyundai Dealer… AutoMax Hyundai Norman on the mile of cars.

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED WITH YOUR NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE

>>> FUEL EFFICIENT 25 MPG Hwy/18 MPG City! <<<

KEY FEATURES INCLUDE
Third Row Seat, Rear Air, Heated Driver Seat, Back-Up Camera, Satellite Radio, iPod/MP3 Input, CD Player, Aluminum Wheels, Heated Seats Rear Spoiler, MP3 Player, Privacy Glass, Keyless Entry, Child Safety Locks.

AutoMax Hyundai Norman
551 N. Interstate Dr.
405-217-3715

Mention you saw this video on YouTube and receive $100 off the purchase of a brand new 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe… only at AutoMax Hyundai Norman.

AutoMax Auto Group Video Bloopers

AutoMax Auto Group Blooper Video… But back by popular demand, here is a 2-minute video blooper reel of our Internet Sales Ladies trying to get their takes done on the video’s we were shooting for the Internet Sales Department for our AutoMax stores.

New Car Overstock Sale | $8 Million In Inventory Must Be Sold

AutoMax Hyundai Norman has been providing quality new and used cars in Oklahoma City and Edmond for decades. We’ve always treated you, our customers, with honesty, integrity and respect… and continue to offer outstanding Hyundai service and the best auto loan rates with Hyundai financing.

Because of this long-standing, positive relationship we’ve had with our customers, Hyundai has flooded us with hundreds of new Hyundai vehicles to start the new year. While that’s a great problem to have… our new car lot is only so big and can only hold so much inventory. We’ve tried to transfer some of the new cars over to our Oklahoma City used car lot, but we’re running out of room over there as well.

Our only solution??? MOVE THESE CARS QUICKLY… and pass the thousands of dollars in savings on to you!!

IT’S OUR NEW CAR OVERSTOCK SALE… happening now at AutoMax Hyundai Norman — 551 N. Interstate Dr., Norman, OK 73069 (405-217-3715).

The new Hyundai line offers something for every taste and every need… so you need to get off the computer, get in your car, and head to Norman to see us in person. Visit with one of our highly trained sales professionals and schedule your test drive of a brand new Hyundai Accent, Azera, Elantra, Equus, Genesis, Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson, and Veloster today!!

Our goal is to make sure that each of our customers receives THE BEST quality service that we have built our name on for several years. We’re rated the #1 Hyundai Dealer in the state of Oklahoma by Dealer Rater for a reason!!

Obviously our new car inventory is massive… and we offer extremely competitive prices because these vehicles must be moved NOW! But that’s not the best part — we make sure to find you the best rates according to your credit score. Bad credit? No problem… we’ll keep looking until we find a lender that’s right for you.

Finally, our state-of-the-art service center will keep your car running as efficiently as possible several years after the date of purchase. We take pride in keeping your car running like new… as close to the same as when it rolled off the showroom floor.

AutoMax Hyundai Norman is here to take care of all your automotive needs. Let us take you through the painless process of purchasing a vehicle with us!

Call 405-217-3715 for more details.

Used Car of the Week | 2006 Infiniti G35 | Oklahoma City, Edmond, OK

“Oklahoma City Hyundai Dealer’s Used Car of the Week”

Each week, AutoMax Hyundai Norman is going to pick a “Used Car of the Week”.

This car will be featured here at the Used Car Blog and at AutoMaxHyundaiNorman.com, and we’ll also be making a special used car video for each unit as well.

This week we’re proud to feature a used 2006 Infiniti G35. This used car is perfect for those wanting to drive a luxury automobile without having to pay a luxury price. And the great part is… it’s under $20,000! So you get the best of both worlds with this used 2006 Infiniti G35 — a sleek, sporty luxury used car with less than 59,000 and at a price you can afford.

USED CAR OKC HIGHLIGHTS | 2006 INFINITI G35

– The exterior color is Diamond Graphite Metallic
– The interior color is Graphite with Leather-Appointed Seat Trim
– The 3.5-liter/V6 engine is powered by 306 horses.
– It averages 19mpg/26mpg in the city/highway.
– Chrome Wheels
– Stability/Traction Control
– Leather/Heated Seats
– Power/Heated Mirrors
– Steering Wheel Audio Controls

Contact one of our Internet Specialists at 405-217-3715 for more details on this Oklahoma City used car of the week, or to schedule a test drive!

10 Maintenance Tips for Your Vehicle in Winter Conditions

Here in the Oklahoma City metro area, winter is definitely the worst time of the year to drive. Not only are the driving conditions hazardous, but the effect it can have on your vehicle is worse then you might realize.

Snow. Rain. Sleet. Freezing cold temperatures. Gusty arctic winds.

What would happen to you if your body was subjected to these treacherous conditions without food and water in your system, without proper vitamin intake, and without being properly clothed??

In essence, you wouldn’t “run efficiently”. You’d be sluggish and, most likely, come down with some sort of sickness. Same goes for your car.

Your vehicle needs to be in tip-top condition to perform at maximum efficiency, especially in these coming adverse conditions. Don’t wait until the dead of winter before you decide your car or truck needs a tune up.

Bring your new Hyundai or used car to our Oklahoma City area Hyundai service center, at AutoMax Hyundai Norman, 551 N. Interstate Dr., on the Mile of Cars in Norman. Or call 405-217-3715 to schedule your service appointment.

Here are the Top 10 things you need to have one of our certified technicians address when servicing your vehicle this fall/winter:

Check Belts & Hoses

– Most regular new and used car tune-ups are performed every 30,000 miles or so. But even if you’re not getting a tune up this winter, it can’t hurt to have one of our Hyundai Service Department certified mechanics take a look at your belts and hoses. Colder temperatures often weaken hoses and belts, and if something cracks or completely breaks while driving, only a tow truck will be able to make your car move… and it will cost a lot more if it gets to that point.

Keep an “Emergency Kit” On Board

– So let’s say one of your belts breaks (because you didn’t have them properly inspected) and you’re out in the middle of nowhere. The simplest thing you can do is prepare for the worst. Before you do anything you’re going to need to make sure you stay warm, so pack an extra coat, gloves, boots, and even an extra blanket.

Make sure you have a spare tire. Keep an extra quart of engine oil on hand. Washer fluid and coolant/anti-freeze can come in handy when you least expect it. An ice scraper is easy to forget, but essential in clearing the windshield and windows. Flashlights and even some flares are also quite helpful when visibility is low.

Check Your Defrosting and Heating Units

– Windshields tend to fog up more in the winter than any other season because cooler moisture from inside the car condenses on the glass. It could come from something as simple as your breathing to water vapor coming in from a leaky window. To counter this, defrosters blow warm, dry air over the glass. Make sure this is working properly before the frosty air blows in. Also make sure you don’t have any air leaks around the doors and windows.

Check/Replace Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid

– New windshield wiper blades can be a driver’s best friend in the winter weather. Imagine if you’re driving at night when a snow/ice storm hits… the freezing rain is starting to stick to your windshield and your “beat up” wiper blades (that you haven’t changed in 16 months) glide OVER the icy substance instead of pushing through it. Now you can’t see anything!! Because they’re made out of the same rubber as your belts and hoses, they’ll crack and split the same way. Replace them every 6-10 months to ensure you’re ready for winter weather.

Keep Fuel Levels As High As Possible

– It’s easy to let your gas level dwindle down between E and 1/4 tank. We all do it. And while it’s still not a healthy habit to get into in any season, it’s could cause major damage in the freezing cold temperatures of winter. Cold air can cause condensation to form on the walls of a gas tank as it begins to get closer to empty, and water eventually drips down into the gas. Since H2O is heavier than gasoline, it works its way into the fuel line where it freezes up and blocks gas flow to the engine. Try to keep your fuel level at least 1/2 full at all times, if possible.

Check Oil Viscosity

– Since oil lubricates the metal surfaces of your engine, you obviously want to make sure it stays as thin as possible. Cold temperatures causes oil to thicken, which affects your engine’s overall performance and can cause it to become too hot. Even if you haven’t reached 3,000 miles on your last oil change, do yourself a favor and tell your AutoMax Hyundai Norman certified technician you want a thinner viscosity oil for the winter months.

Consider Snow Tires (Or at least check the tire pressure often)

– Winter weather brings slippery roads… and that brings dangerous accidents that could have (and should have) been avoided. One way to prevent your car from sliding all over the place is to replace your current tires with some thicker tread snow tires. However, if you choose to stick with your regular tires, double-check the air pressure on each one because tread on a slightly deflated tire will shrink and significantly decrease traction. This increases the likelihood of sliding across icy patches. See your owner’s manual for proper PSI.

You could also keep salt in your car… in case you get stuck in ice or snow. Sprinkle some salt in front of your tires, which will slowly melt the cold substance and give your tires some additional traction.

Also, please remember when skidding on an icy road, DON’T PRESS ON THE BRAKES, no matter what you’re instincts tell you to do. Instead, take your foot off the brake and gas pedal and guide your car by turning your steering wheel in the opposite direction you’re skidding.

Check Your Battery

– The typical car battery lasts for about 3 to 5 years, so as winter approaches it would be a good idea to make sure you know how old your battery is. Winter months are tough on your engine as it is, but because it has to work harder in the arctic air, it puts more pressure on your battery. Make sure battery cables and clamps are checked for corrosion or fraying. The corrosion, caused by battery acid, can be cleaned off with a little baking soda, water and a toothbrush.

Also, check your battery’s fluid level. Batteries are filled with fluid and won’t function properly if fluid levels are low. Just take the cap off the top, fill the cells with distilled water, and put the cap back on. Be sure not to fill the battery cells past the bottom of the cap.

Check Anti-Freeze Levels

– Anti-Freeze/Coolant keeps your engine from getting too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. One of the most important things to remember is to keep equal parts antifreeze and water in your radiator. A 50/50 mix is the norm and will keep fluids from freezing in temperatures down to -34. Many places have a pre-mixed bottle of antifreeze and water, so you don’t have to do any time-consuming measuring. If you fail to pay attention to these fluid levels, your coolant could actually freeze which heats up the engine, causing a blown gasket or two. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that point.

Make Sure Your 4-Wheel Drive Works (Not Applicable to Everyone)

– Unless you’re an off-roading addict, chances are you’ve rarely, if ever, used your 4-wheel drive. That’s why it’s extra important to make sure everything is functioning properly before winter hits. 4WD differs depending on your vehicle, so make sure you check the owner’s manual on how to properly maintain and engage the 4-wheel drive. Remember this, however, while having four wheel drive capabilities can improve traction from an idle position, it doesn’t make your tires grip any better when you hit the brakes.

AutoMax Hyundai Norman sincerely hopes you found at least one of these tips helpful. You can always perform these tasks yourself, or you can call 405-217-3715 to schedule an appointment for your new or used car here at the #1-rated Oklahoma City Hyundai dealership.