2014 August Newsletter
Ralph Honda’s 2nd Annual Car Show
We are having a Castle Nascar at our 2014 Car Show this year! Click the link to see pictures of the car: www.facebook.com/RalphHonda
New Vehicle Special
2014 Honda Civic LX $99 per month lease for 36 months! 4dr, CVT. MSRP: $19,980. Model Code: FB2E5EEW. 36 month closed end lease. $3195 trade or cash down. First payment. $595 acq. Fee. Taxes + DMV fees due at lease signing. 12,000 miles/year. $0.15 overage. To qualified buyers through AHFC. Offer valid through 9/2/14.
5 Signs You Need New Tires
Former race-car driver Johnny Unser reveals the telltale warnings of a worn-out tire. Checking your tires is like going to the dentist, says Johnny Unser, former race-car driver and five-time veteran of the Indy 500. “It’s something we don’t do often enough, that we put off until we absolutely have to.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire failure causes around 11,000 car crashes each year. Both Unser and the NHTSA recommend doing a quick tire inspection once a month. Here’s what to look for:
Bulges, gouges or cracks
When a tire deflates, it bulges at the sides. Unser says this is a sign of low tire pressure or a slow air leak. “If you see cracks in the sidewall, gouges or anything that looks odd, take it in to your dealer and have them look at it.”
Tread wear
The old-school penny test is one way to check your treads: Place a penny into the tread, with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If you can still see the top of his noggin, the tread is dangerously low. Most modern tires, however, have wear bars that go across the groove, and if the tread pattern is worn down to that wear bar, you need to replace your tire,” says Unser.
Tire pressure
Tires deflate at a rate of about one pound per square inch (PSI) per month. “You’re not going to wear your tires down in a month,” Unser says, “but you should check that you have the right inflation pressure.”
Temperature
Tire pressure drops in extreme cold. The challenge in the summer, says Unser, is “excessive heat buildup in the tire.” If you’re heading out on a road trip with an underinflated tire, it will generate more heat and wear our faster.
Vibration
Watch out for vibration or thumping when you’re driving. If it feels like it’s coming from under the seats, the rear tires may be out of balance. Vibration from the steering wheel could indicate suspension issues. Unser says anything less than a smooth ride means you should take your car into the dealer.
When it comes time to replace your tires, Unser recommends doing so in pairs or all four at a time for better performance and traction and ultimately, a safer ride. From a flat tire to a dead battery, be ready for anything with Ralph Honda.
Employee Spotlight
Meet Terry Harrison. Terry grew up in Spencerport and started working at Ralph Pontiac Honda in 1984 as a technician. Terry is a graduate of WEMOCO Automotive Technical School. He was an ASE certified technician & also certified Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet and Honda technician. Terry was promoted to Service Manager in 1998 and has since been promoted to Fixed Operations Director. He holds Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum awards from American Honda. He has been in the automotive business for 40 years.
Terry is also an member of The Budda Club which is a group of men that raise money for local families that have children with medical or financial needs. Terry is married to his wife Barb of 31 years and has two beautiful daughters. He enjoys his vacations in St. Maarten, spending time at his cottage fishing. He also enjoys golfing, trap shooting & riding his Harley Davidson.
Teen Driver In Your Future?
Have a Teen driver in your future? Follow these simple ideas to keep the roads safer for everyone.
Be a Good Parent
Be a safe driver – your teen will notice. Know the law and share driving laws with your teen. Sign a contract with your teen driver. Ride along with your teen – even though they passed a driving test – to make sure they follow the rules of the road and drive safely. Know your teenager’s plans and who they will be riding or driving with. Make sure your teenager knows what to do in the event of a risky driving situation, such as a crash or bad weather.
Upcoming Local Events
Sept 5th-7th Rochester Irish Festival at Camp Eastman. Sept 6th-7th – M&T Bank Clothesline Festival. Sept 6th-7th Rochester Fall Home Show at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Sept 12th-20th Irondequoit Oktoberfest, Fridays-Sundays at Camp Eastman. Sept 7th – Happy Grandparents Day!!!!
Tough Mudder Event
On July 12, 2014, 3 of our technician team members (Justun Osborne, Tom Schwab, & Bert Torres) joined up to compete in the Tough Mudder Event. The event was held at Tall Pines ATV Park in Andover, New York. They had 11 miles to cover, 19 different obstacles and managed it all in 3 hours. Congratulations guys…all that training paid off! Above is a picture of Bert in action at the event!