What’s that Pinging Sound?

by Mike Hastings on January 26, 2012

Do you sometimes hear a pinging sound similar to a rattling spray paint can during hard acceleration or other driving conditions? If so, you’ll want to have your vehicle inspected immediately. 

That sound could be fro a condition known as detonation or spark knock, and it could be very harmful to your engine. There are a number of conditions that can cause detonation, but the longevity of your engine is at risk if the problem is not corrected. In some cases, a higher octane gasoline, such as 89 or 91-Octane can temporarily alleviate the condition; but if the engine previously ran find on regular unleaded, head for the closest Executive Auto Group vehicle repair center in CT as soon as possible for an inspection. You obviously want to avoid costly auto repairs.

There is an Executive Auto Group vehicle repair center near you. Visit Liberty Mazda or Liberty Honda in Hartford, Executive Honda, Executive KIA, Executive Dodge JEEP RAM or the all new Fiat by Executive in Walling ford and Acura by Executive, Executive JEEP or Executive Nissan in North Haven.

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2012 Dodge Challenger at Dealers in CT

by Mike Hastings on January 24, 2012

CT Dodge Challenger

Congratulations to the 2012 Dodge Challenger, the winner of Cars.com‘s Shoppers’ Choice Award.

The Challenger was selected as the winner based on shoppers’ actions on the Cars.com site that indicated interest in new vehicles, including searching for vehicles, sending inquiries to Dodge dealers in CT on availability and most importantly, filling out a positive review of their vehicle. The final winner was determined through a voting competition on the Cars.com Facebook page. 2012 dodge charger

The 2012 Dodge Challenger beat out 9 other vehicles to take the title including the 2012 Honda Accord and Honda Pilot, 2012 Kia Soul and the 2012 Ram 1500 to name just a few.

“The Shopper’s Choice Award winner is an extremely valuable award for the Dodge Challenger because car buyers love hearing car recommendations from other people like them,” said Jason Fontaine, GM at Executive Dodge Jeep in Wallinford CT. “If you’re shopping for a comfortable, spacious affordable sports car, but also want a healthy dose of muscle-car flair, the 2012 Dodge Challenger is the only game in town, and if you’re looking for Dodge specials the Executive Auto Group‘s Wallingford Dodge dealer is the only game in Connecticut.”

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Brakes Squeal or Shake and Shudder When Step on Pedal?

by Mike Hastings on January 19, 2012

Brakes Shake When you Step on the Pedal?

Brake Rotor Technical Expert

If the front end of your vehicle vibrates when you step on the the brake pedal it is clearly a brake repair trouble signs. “The disc rotors could be warped,” according to Gary Gargano of Acura auto repair New Haven adding, “which can create an uneven surface as the brake pads try to ‘grab’ them when stopping.” Regardless of the cause, shaking and shuddering under braking can affect braking performance and the condition should be examined immediately. We offer free brake inspections, and having your vehicle checked out at the first sign of trouble can help to avoid costly auto repairs.”

Brakes Squealing? 

“Even if you heard that squealing sound for a while, but it went away that does not mean your brakes are OK,” said Frank Gargano a vehicle repair specialist offering Car Service in New Haven. The squeaking or squealing noise from your brakes is  most frequently caused by wear indicators built into the disc brake pads as they rub against the brake rotor. That means that there is only about 1/16″ of pad material left. ‘Burning’ through the wear indicators so they no longer make noise (because they’re worn away) means you have even less than 1/16″ of brake pad material to stop your vehicle. This is time to have your vehicle inspected immediately.”

If you notice any brake repair warning signs or if you have any other concern about your brakes, contact one of the Executive Auto Group’s auto repair center in CT closest to you at Liberty Mazda or Liberty Honda in Hartford, Executive Honda, Executive KIA, Executive Dodge JEEP RAM or The all new CT Fiat service in Wallingford or Acura by Executive, Executive JEEP or Executive Nissan in North Haven.

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Vehicle Heater Core

by Mike Hastings on January 17, 2012

Heater Blowing Cold Air?

During the winter you trust that when you turn that climate control knob to the red zone, warm air will flow from the vents. And while you understandably take your heater for granted, you may not know that warmth comes from the hot coolant that circulates through the engine and radiator. In fact, the “heater core” inside the dashboard that is responsible for interior warmth and windshield defrosting is itself a small radiator. It’s true!

Behind the heater controls, buried deep inside the dashboard, is a small radiator just like the larger one in the front of your engine. The circulating coolant is hot and the climate control system’s fan blows the heated air around the heater core through the vents and defrosting system.

There are signs the heater core in your vehicle may need to be inspected or replaced, and they include:

An absence of or noticeably reduced heat blowing through the vents

A sweet odor inside the vehicle, sort of like maple syrup

A fine, slightly oily mist appears on the windshield when the defroster is on

A damp spot on the floor, typically under the dashboard

So unless you like wearing three sets of mittens on your drive to work, don’t wait for the coldest day of the year to have your heater core inspected.

The Executive Auto Group has an auto repair facility near you. Visit Liberty Mazda or Liberty Honda in the Hartford area, Executive Honda, Executive KIA, Executive Dodge JEEP RAM or The all new Fiat by Executive in Walling ford and Acura by Executive, Executive JEEP or Executive Nissan in North Haven.

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Interstate Highways – By the Numbers

by Mike Hastings on January 12, 2012

  • 46,700:  The approximate number of Interstate highway miles in the United States
  • 3,233:     The number of Interstate highway miles in Texas, the most of all 50 states
  • 3,100:     The approximate mileage on I-90 between Boston and Seattle – the longest roadway in the Interstate system
  • 1956:      The year President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act, ushering in the age  of the super-highway in America
  • 70:          As in I-70, the first Interstate in the country with the first mile constructed in Kansas
  • 41:           The number of Interstate miles in Delaware, the state with the fewest
  • 1.06:       The mileage of I-375 in Detroit – the shortest official Interstate in the country

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FREE Brake Inspections at 8 CT Auto Repair Shops

by Mike Hastings on January 10, 2012

Ever since hydraulic brakes were introduced in the 1930′s, vehicles have primarily used a variation of that design to provide stopping power.

Basically, when you press the brake pedal fluid is forced through the brake lines that run to each wheel. The pressure of the fluid forces brake pads against a brake rotor, causing friction that slows the wheel and, consequently, the vehicle. On  vehicles with rear drum brakes, the fluid forces the shoes against a drum, but the effect is the same – friction slows the turning of the wheel. Al Ford of Wallingford Jeep service explains, “If your car was built after 1977 or so, it likely has front disc brakes while the rear brakes may be either disc or drum. Because friction is created whenever you step on the brake pedal, the parts involved with creating that stopping power wear over time. Ensuring your vehicle has adequate friction components is essential to safe breaking performance.”

There are a number of brake repair trouble signs to According to Perry Guttman, service manager at a Hartford Honda Auto Repair dealership “Maintaining and replacing worn brake parts as needed cannot be ignored, because the longer you drive with worn or inadequate brakes, the worse the performance will get – and it’s likely it will be more expensive when you finally take action.”

Why is it more expensive to repair your brakes when a problem develops? “It’s not always more expensive,” says Howard Brod of Hartford Mazda service adding,” but as the pads wear beyond their usable life, they can dig into the disc rotors or drums, damaging them enough to cause the need for these parts to be replaced, in addition to the shoes or pads.” New Haven Honda service manager Todd Dibiasi explains “Severely worn brake pads can require more work to remove them form the calipers and may require the calipers to also be replaced.” With regular inspections, you may only have to make periodic pad or shoe replacements, which is typically much less expensive than replacing the pads, rotors and calipers’ said Julie Engfer of  Connecticut Fiat Service.

For your FREE brake inspection visit the Executive Auto Group auto repair center near you at Liberty Mazda or Liberty Honda in Hartford, Executive Honda, Executive KIA, Executive Dodge JEEP RAM or the all new Fiat by Executive in Walling ford and Acura by Executive, Executive JEEP or Executive Nissan in North Haven.

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2012 Honda Fit “Best Small Car Value” says Consumer Reports

by Mike Hastings on January 5, 2012

Honda Fit -- Consumer Reports Top Pick Budget Car -- Excellent fuel economy, fun to drive & electronic stability control comes standard

Honda Takes First Prize in Field of 200 Vehicles

2012 Honda’s at dealerships in CT stocking to meet high demand from Consumer Reports most coveted award.

For the second year in a row the 2012 Honda Fit, which you can lease or purchase at dealerships in CT, is named the best value choice in small cars, according to Consumer Reports. Even more impressive is the fact that the Fit was judged best overall value from a field of more than 200 competitors!

When it comes to small cars, “A low price doesn’t necessarily make a car a good value. A cheap vehicle can wind up costing you more money over time or can be disappointing down the road, ” says Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports adding, “real value is what you get for your money” with the 2012 Honda Fit.

In addition to actual road tests and its own projected reliability, Consumer Reports tested SUV’s trucks and cars and calculated the cost of ownership over five years. Scores were based on six primary areas to find this year’s best value vehicles including:

[click to continue…]

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Cold Weather Vehicle Tips

by Mike Hastings on January 1, 2012

Executive Auto Group‘s Tips to get your vehicle ready for cold weather:

Did you see your breath this morning? There’s no denying it, winter is here. Even in this mild winter weather we wake up to frost now and then, so it’s a season that affects all of us – and all of our vehicles.

Cold weather can kill off an already weak battery, reduce tire pressure and more. The Car Care Counsel estimates that 8 of 10 vehicles on the road today are in need of repair.  A thorough inspection at your trusted auto repair shop will help you get your vehicle ready for winter. Your certified technician will check the following:

Tires:  Doesn’t the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light just drive you crazy with the change of seasons? Because cold air is denser than warm air you lose tire pressure in your vehicle’s tires in the winter. Your tires literally connect your car to the road so your tire pressure is a safety issue. Have your tire pressure checked regularly throughout the winter and for better fuel mileage, consider replacing air with Nitrogen. Nitrogen extends tire life, improves tire performance, decreases gas consumption and will make that pesky TPMS warning light go away once and for all. Further, just in case it does actually snow this year, you should have your tires inspected to make sure they have adequate tread to push through the white stuff. And for owners of vehicles with rear wheel drive, you may want to consider snow tires.

Check Your Battery: Your vehicle’s battery care or replacement is critical as the temperature drops. Cold weather can severely affect the cranking power of a battery. Along with the battery itself, the cables, wires and terminals around the battery will be checked for corrosion, fraying and cracks.

Check Your Engine Coolant: The coolant/antifreeze in your vehicle should provide freeze-free protection for even the most extreme temperatures in Connecticut. Your certified mechanic will test the fluid to determine the threshold of protection. If the protection level is insufficient we’ll add, replace, or flush your cooling system to ensure that it’s suitable for CT weather. 

Belts and Hoses: Old, frayed and cracked belts and hoses are more susceptible to failure in cold temperatures as they experience greater extremes – from sub-zero on cold morning start-ups to high heat as the engine warms. Your certified technician will inspect and replace them when necessary.

Engine Oil:  Your Car’s Lifeblood  Some vehicles engines, particularly older used cars in CT, benefit from using less viscous (thinned) oil during the winter, such as 5W30 instead of 10W30. Reference your owner’s manual or consult with your certified technician before making this change.

Keep Your Vehicle Clean:  Keep your car washed regularly through the winter – especially when there’s salt on the road. Road salt is extremely corrosive to brakes, the undercarriage and even to the body of your vehicle. A trip through the car wash every couple of weeks will extend the life of your vehicle and just so you know, the Executive Auto Group of dealerships offer a complimentary car wash with every vehicle service.

One Final Tip: Consider the 7 steps to avoid costly auto repairs and when it comes to auto repair – done right the first time is the only way to go.

If you mention this post to your Service Advisor at time of writeup, but before the end of this month, ask for your complimentary oil and filter change at the Executive Auto Group vehicle repair center near you. Visit Liberty Mazda or Liberty Honda in the Hartford area, Executive Honda, Executive KIA, Executive Dodge JEEP RAM or The all new Fiat by Executive in Walling ford and Acura by Executive, Executive JEEP or Executive Nissan in North Haven.

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Nissan Leaf Wins Car of the Year Award

by Mike Hastings on December 15, 2011

The Nissan Leaf, the authentic all-electric car that took home the Car of the Year Award at the recent Tokyo auto show.

Charging the Nissan Leaf

That honor is only the most recent award for this 5-seater hatchback with futuristic styling that makes “green” glamorous.  And the Nissan Leaf at Dealers in CT also delivers the equivalent of 99 miles per gallon, at the operating cost of 2-to-5 cents per electric mile.

Four years in development and on the road since 2010, the Nissan Leaf also won the World Car of the Year and the European Car of the Year Awards.  The 2012 models are available, for purchase or lease, at Executive Nissan, North Haven, Connecticut. You can also test drive the Nissan Leaf at Executive Nissan in North Haven.

The Nissan Leaf has pulled in front of all the green cars,  both totally electric and hybrid, because it doesn’t compromise design, fast start, handling, interior comfort, or your pocketbook for protecting the environment.  The Nissan Leaf:

  • Has the distinct look of a European roaster
  • Goes 0-to-60 in 10 seconds with a 80 kW AC synchronous 107 horsepower motor
  • Hugs the road like a mid-sized
  • Accommodates 5 adults and lots of stuff easily put in through the hatchback
  • And gives you a $7,500 federal tax break.

Also, there’s not a single phony eco feature in its 3,000+ pounds. Nissan Leaf powers its wheels with electric motors, not with engine torque.  The eco friendly Leaf produces zero emissions and the inside seating is made from recycled plastic bottles and appliances.

Nissan Leaf Battery Technology

Energy is stored in a 24-kilowatt-hour lithium battery pack.  You charge it like you do your wireless phone, smart or dumb.  Each charge provides about 100 miles of road travel.  Some communities already provide fast-charge service stations which do the job in about 30 minutes.  If your town doesn’t, you can consider buying your own recharger, for a tad over $1,000.  Do that and you can pre-heat or pre-cool the Nissan Leaf while you’re recharging.

Not long ago Nissan had over 13,000 orders for it’s new electric car, but that backlog has been filled. You can now buy the Nissan Leaf from stewards of the planet earth and all its resources, Executive Nissan in North Haven, Connecticut where we invite you in for a test drive.

Post researched and created for the Executive Auto Group by guest blogger Jane Genova

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2012 Nissan Quest at Executive Nissan according to Mrs. Santa Claus

by Mike Hastings on December 13, 2011

“Safety first is what the 2012 Nissan Quest is about. I’m a parent just like you. Roomy the 2012 Nissan Quest is too – enough for 7 + stuff. But just because we’re parents we don’t have to give up on style and sporty performance .”

 That’s what Mrs. Santa Claus has to say about the 2012 Nissan Quest at Executive Nissan North Haven, CT.

Seating for 7 & Hidden Storage in the Rear

A mom herself, Mrs. Claus hammers the safety features.  Her favorite is the rear view monitor behind the second seat that shows the face of your child seated in the rear.  There’s the one-touch sliding doors so no one’s fingers get caught.  The signal light blinks if it’s not okay to change lanes and over sized mirrors catch what’s going on behind your minivan.  No guessing on tire pressure with the unique way of monitoring.  At the ideal pressure, your horn honks.  There are 6 airbags.

Then there’s the safety of others.  The Blind Spot Warning lights up if someone is there.

Another kind of safety system is, of course, what keeps the little ones amused while riding. That includes the overhead video games and computers along with the DVD rear entertainment system with theater seating.

Roomy is 2 rows which become a user-friendly 3 + hidden storage space. The entire interior is a combination of practical and elegant.  Sleek curves find their way to meet up in the roof of the Nissan Quest.  Nissan Quest engineers created the design for you, the adults.

In the driver’s seat your experience of the road is this: you’re in command.  The feel is sporty. Fantasies of being NASCAR racers?  They do happen.  After all, there’s the 3.5L V-6 engine.  It goes from 0 to 60 in 7.8 seconds.  Routine errands along with long trips, they’ll re-charge you.  And the family.

Following the total redesign in the 2011 Nissan Quest, in 2012 Nissan again takes the Quest to a new level for family and here are more details than you probably want to know.  What you really want to do is to come by Executive Jeep Nissan at 900 Universal Drive North, North Haven.

It’s your special holiday gift to the family.  Bon Voyage.

Post researched and created for the Executive Auto Group by guest blogger Jane Genova

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