In Head-to-head Comparison of Small SUVs Honda Wins

The head-to-head challenge in the Compact SUV Challenge was triple sponsored by Cars.com, USA Today and MotorWeek.  The rules of the challenge: find the best compact SUV for a modest price ($28,000) that's about $5000 less than the average new-car price today, and with a budget friendly EPA mileage rating of at least 26 mpg in combined city-highway driving.

Three days of testing included: A 100-mile drive in and around Baltimore mixing city traffic, rural roads and interstate to judge real-world fuel economy.  A day for the experts to judge all seven SUVs over the same route back-to-back.  A day for the family judges to evaluate and then to drive each on the same route back-to-back.

The winner?  Chosen by a panel of experts--including a family who's actually shopping for a small SUV--the Honda CR-V was selected the winner in all around appeal of its combination of feature and driving feel.

Notable features at this price: All-wheel drive, heated seats, moon roof, remote key.

What the judges liked: Creature comforts: "Love the easy-to-fold seats and low load floor," said Brian Robinson, producer of PBS MotorWeek. "A lot of extra features for the money," said Fred Meier, auto editor at USA Today. The CR-V's continuously variable automatic transmission behaved enough like a conventional automatic that Meier noted, "It could fool you. Nissan and Subaru could learn a thing or two."

Bottom line: "The best blend of good interior room, excellent visibility and a surprisingly rewarding driving experience ... power it to the top of my scorecard," said Bill Jackson, assistant managing editor of Cars.com.

Read the entire article on USA Today.

Looking to buy a new or used car by July 31, 2015?  Get an extra $100 off here.  This offer may be combined with any other discount or sale.

End of May is the Perfect Time to Shop for a New Car

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off for summer.  It's also one of the best times of year to go car shopping.

According to Jill Gonzalez of WalletHub, "The 2016 editions are going to be out mid-July, so [the dealerships] really want to move inventory.  Also, interest rates are very low."

WalletHub crunched the number on financial offerings at over 150 lenders and found interest rates on new cars at their lowest level in three year.  Don't expect that to last long, though.

"We know they're going to be hiking up sometime in the near future," Gonzalez said, "probably three to four months from now."

Of course, the cost of a car hinges on more than just interest rates. After all, you still must pay for insurance.

WalletHub looked int data from the nation's top five auto insurance carriers and found that premiums on cars in the same price range can differ by as much as 39 percent.  A car's price tag doesn't predict how much you'll pay to insure it.

Take a 2015 Toyota Corolla L and a 2015 Honda Accord LX.  The Corolla's sticker price is less than the Accord, but the Corolla will cost $232 more to insure it every year.

To read the rest of this article on KSL go here.

Interested in getting a new or used car at Ken Garff Honda of Orem? Go here to get an extra $100 off coupon that can be combined with any other discount or sale.

10 Cars That Go Over 200,000 Miles | 5 Are Hondas

For its June issue, Consumer Report ran an assessment of vehicles that are most likely to turn over 200,000 miles.  

As the USA Today put it, "With the average amount paid for a new car now firmly above $30,000, it makes sense to hold on to a vehicle as long as possible in order to squeeze every usable mile out of it before it needs to be traded in. But when it come to the long-mileage derby, the car you choose can make a big difference on whether you'll hit the magic 200,000-mile mark."

So which cars will get you to 200,000? Five are Hondas.  Five are Toyotas.  No other cars or brands made the list. 

The most trustworthy Hondas: 

Honda Odyssey

Honda Pilot

Honda Accord sedan

Honda CRV

and, of course, the Honda Civic. 

Read the rest of USA Today's article here.

Noisy Brakes? 5 Tips to Keep Your Brakes Happy and Quiet

Sugar and I were out for a little Sunday drive when we rounded a sharp corner and she started to screech like a caged cat.  It was such a horrible noise, that I stopped right in the middle of what was (luckily!) an almost desereted street. I made a quick phone call to a friend who knows a lot more about cars than I do and he had me drive the short distance to his house.  He heard me coming a half a block away as I slowly inched along.  After surmising I hadn't run over a lawn mower, we took Sugar for a spin around the block.  My friend listened closely and determined I had a rock caught in my brakes.

Neat.

I got lucky and reversing my car eventually flipped the rock out, but if that hadn't worked, I would have hauled Sugar in to my Ken Garff Honda of Orem dealership for a little brake check.  While I was waiting for my car expert to diagnose me, I started doing a little brake homework of my own and learned a few useful tips from Honda about brake care and maintenance.  

Brake Squeal and Wear Indicators

All four brakes have audible brake wear indicators. When the brake pads need replacing, you will hear a distinctive metallic "screeching" sound when you apply the brakes. If you do not have the brake pads replaced, they will begin screeching all the time.

Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them lightly. Do not confuse this with the brake wear indicators. They make a very audible "screeching."

Low Brake fluid

If your brake fluid is low, it may be leaking or your brakes could be worn.

Flushing the Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture. And when that moisture finds its way into your braking system, it can corrode metal and seals.

Flushing the system with new fluid removes the condensation before extensive damage can occur.

When flushing the system, always use Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3. If this specific fluid is not available, you should use only DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid from a sealed container, but only as a temporary replacement. The use of any non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and may decrease the life of the system.

Honda Genuine Brake Pads

It stands to reason that Honda Genuine Brake Rotors function best with Honda Genuine Brake Pads. Particularly since Honda brake pads are extensively tested on Honda vehicles in the most intense braking situations and extreme environments. Made from a balance of hard and soft materials, Honda Brake Pads can effectively help prevent premature disc wear and minimize noise.

• Precisely engineered and manufactured with state-of-the-art materials for superior performance, proper wear and long life.
• Specially designed to dampen noise and reduce vibration.

Includes high-insulating shims and specially formulated grease.

Honda Genuine Brake Rotors

Brake rotors are vital to dissipating the heat that comes from the pads every time you brake. Honda Genuine Brake Rotors are built to take that heat time and again for lasting performance and reliability. They’re made with the optimum mix of materials and compounds to safely withstand long periods of wear and to help prevent overheating and warping.

As always, the helpful Honda Service Center staff can help you determine what will keep your car running smoothly and safely! 

Honda to Donate to Nepal Earthquake Relief Efforts

On April 25, 2015 a magnitude 7.8 earthquake devastated the small country of Nepal. Honda corporation has operations in Nepal consisting of motorcycle, automobile and power equipment distributors and dealers. Because of the connection and in response to this tragedy, Honda will donate approximately $168,000 as well as equipment to support the relief and recovery effort.

Whenever disasters occur, the Honda company closest to the spot assesses the situation and determines how best to respond. In this case, Honda Asia has taken the lead on these efforts.

Honda hopes this contribution will help support the restoration of the devastated infrastructure and assist with recovery for those affected.

While Honda also has operations in India and Bangladesh, no victims or property damage has been reported for Honda operations in the areas of these countries affected by this disaster. 

If you would like to join Honda in donating to relief efforts in Nepal, please donate to the American Red Cross here. 

Beauty, Brawn and Brains | 2016 Honda Pilot

Sometimes you need to haul a bunch of people around.  And sometimes you'd rather not do it in a minivan.

Whether you need more room or just prefer the less mom-ish look of an SUV, the 2016 Pilot, due out this summer, fits the bill.

Photo credit: Motor Trend.com

The all-new, third generation 2016 Honda Pilot will go on sale this summer ready to take the mid-size SUV segment by storm, with more of what active families seek in a three-row SUV – sleek and athletic styling, outstanding power, sophisticated technology and, new for 2016, an all-new Elite model with a panoramic roof.  Not kidding.  Panoramic roof. 

Building on the solid reputation established from the June 2002 introduction of the first generation 2003 model, the 2016 Pilot brings a whole new level of refinement and available content to the segment.

This includes:

• a more powerful engine (direct inject 3.5 SOHC i-VTEC EarthDreams Technology) 
• outstanding dynamic handling 
• upgraded display audio and navigation systems
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control

Pretty much, it's going to rock.  So who wants to test drive one of the new 2016 Honda Pilots? 

Spring Into Car Care

April is National Car Care Month and who doesn't love the purr of well-maintained vehicle? 

Let's take a look the top 10 spring cleaning musts for your Honda! 

1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

2. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.

3. Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.

4. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

5. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

6. Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

7. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.

8. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

9. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

10. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

While some of these you can easily do yourself, the technicians in Orem's Ken Garff Honda Service Department can help you spruce up your car just in time for your first Spring road trip!