Howdy Honda Blog

2013 Honda Civic achieves highest safety ratings among all small cars

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Awards & Accolades, Honda Civic, Honda in the News, Honda Models, Honda Safety, Honda Vehicles on Friday, May 17th, 2013 at 1:06 AM

Our favorite small car, the Honda Civic is leading the small car segment in terms of safety ratings. The Civic received the highest possible rating from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2013 Honda Civic sedan achieved the top 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA for their New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The sedan and coupe also earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, including the top GOOD score in their new small overlap frontal collision test, making the Civic the first and only small car to receive this distinction.

“Car shoppers cannot find a small car with higher overall safety ratings than the 2013 Honda Civic,” said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda. “Safety ratings leadership across product lines is a fundamental part of not only our strategic business plan, but also out philosophy as a company.”

This recent achievement puts Honda in an incredible place in the automotive marketplace. It is the only auto manufacturer with every single one of its tested model year 2013 vehicles earning a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

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How Americans Use Their Cars: Infographic

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Tips and Tricks on Thursday, May 16th, 2013 at 1:16 AM

Thanks to our friends at DriveSteady for this great infographic. Enjoy!

Source:How We Use Our Cars

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Why wheel locks are important: A safety lesson from a dealership in Georgetown TX

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Car Accessories, Honda Safety, Honda Vehicles, Howdy Honda News, Tips and Tricks on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 at 11:44 AM

As you might have heard over the weekend, 192 wheels and tires were stolen from 48 new cars at a Georgetown TX dealer. The theft is valued at a loss of $100,000 for the dealership and police have no information on potential suspects. You can read the news articles here and here.

Why would a group of people (we’re assuming it’s a group of people because the theft was too big for one person to do alone) steal the wheels and tires from 48 new cars? Well, we know there’s a big market for “cheap” wheels and the price of tires has risen dramatically with the increase of petroleum price. But the more important question is HOW did these people achieve this? And, if they were able to do this to 48 cars in a few hours without anyone noticing, how vulnerable am I that this could happen to me?

Although there’s no app for that, there is a solution: wheel locks. Wheel locks protect your wheels and tires from getting stolen. As you know, wheels don’t have alarm systems and they can’t be tracked – once they’re gone, there’s no way of recovering them. Wheel locks prevent this from happening by locking your wheels and tires in place and serving as a security sign (like security system signs on front yards). It also protects you from having to spend $600 on a new set of tires.

At Howdy Honda, we put wheel locks on every vehicle – we want to protect you from having to spend a significant amount of money on new tires and protect ourselves from being in a situation like the dealer in Georgetown. So while wheel locks might seem like added “stuff;” there is a real, useful and smart reason why we do it: safety. It’s much better to spend a little bit extra now, than have to unnecessarily spend 5x, 6x, 7x more on a new set of tires later.

And just like any other Honda accessory, the factory wheel locks are made with a superior quality alloy (which is better than what you’ll find in Pep Boys or any other automotive shop) and they are covered for 3-years/36k miles.

Honda factory wheel locks cost about $60 here at Howdy and you can stop by the dealership to buy them or order Honda parts online.

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What to do if you get caught in a flood inside your car in Texas

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Howdy Honda Safety Tips, Tips and Tricks on Monday, May 13th, 2013 at 1:47 PM

Although it is rare for us in Texas to get rains that result in heaving flooding, we have been (thankfully) experiencing short burst of heavy rain every few weeks or so. Fortunately none of these weather systems have produced significant flooding, but they have produced enough water accumulation in some areas. And just like the old adage says “better be safe than sorry,” we’ve put together a safety reminder list of what to do (and not do) in the case you and your car get caught in a flood.

Do:

Stay calm

Turn the headlights and hazard lights on

Unbuckle your seatbelt

Unlock your doors

Take outer clothing off

Lower your window slowly. Climb out of your car. Reach a higher ground. Call 911

If you can’t lower your window, use the door. The door won’t open until the water pressure has equalized inside and outside of the car, so don’t try to force the door to open. Once the door is open, swim to safety and call 911.

Don’t:

Try to cross or drive on a flooded road. A couple of feet of water is enough to sweep your car.

Don’t try to drive across flowing water.

Don’t panic

Don’t try to save your possessions.

Don’t try to break the window (glass will explode inward of the vehicle)

Don’t stay with your car

Don’t stand on the roof of your car.

Don’t try to return to your car even if it looks like the water is receding

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How to identify break problems on Honda vehicles

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Honda Safety, Honda Vehicles, Howdy Honda Safety Tips, Service Department, Vehicle Maintenance on Friday, May 10th, 2013 at 4:32 PM

Brakes are an incredibly important part of your Honda vehicle. Please make sure yours are working smoothly to ensure the safety of every passenger.

Brake Squeal and Wear Indicator

On Honda cars, all four brakes have audible brake wear indicators. So when your 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. Do note that your brakes may sometimes squeak or squeal when you apply them lightly; don’t confuse this with the brake wear indicators. The brakes will make a very audible “screeching” noise.

Low Brake Fluid & Flushing the Brake Fluid

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

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture. When that moisture finds its way into the braking system, it can corrode metal and seals. Flushing the system with new fluid removes the condensation before extensive damage occurs.

When you’re flushing the system, always use Honda Heavy Brake Fluid DOT 3. If this specific fluid is unavailable, only use DOT 3 or DOT 4 from a sealed container. However, only use these as a temporary solution. The use of any non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and may decrease the life of your brakes.

Honda Genuine Brake Pads

Honda Genuine Brake Rotors function the best with Honda Genuine Brake Pads. Particularly since Honda brake pads are tested extensively on Honda vehicles in the most extreme situations and environments.

Now, it’s not only for this reason that Genuine Honda Brake Pads effectively help prevent premature disc wear and minimize noise. They’re also precisely engineered with state-of-the-art materials that produce superior performance, proper wear, long life, and are specifically designed to dampen noise and reduce vibrations.

Honda Genuine Brake Rotors

Brake rotors are vital to dissipating the heat that comes from the pads every time you use the brakes. Genuine Honda Brake Rotors are built to take that heat time 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.

If your brakes show any of these signs, please contact our Honda Service Center in Austin by calling 512-443-4300.

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2013 CR-Z & Insight a USAA Best Value

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Awards & Accolades, Honda CR-Z, Honda in the News, Honda Models, Honda Vehicles on Monday, May 6th, 2013 at 4:04 PM

2013 Honda Insight

USAA released its 2013 Best Value vehicles last month, naming the top automobiles that offer affordability, reliability, and safety. The 2013 Honda CR-Z and Honda Insight were both rated by USAA as a Best Value. The former was named in the Best Value List for the Coupe category and the Best Value for Teens. The later was named a Best Value for Teens.

The Best Value List presents vehicles that offer the, you guessed it, best overall value among all the vehicles that USAA evaluates as part of its USAA Preferred system. Their proprietary statistical model uses quantitative data to analyze vehicle’s cost, safety and reliability of over 70 automobiles. USAA Preferred vehicles rank in the top 40% of each vehicle category AND are an IIHS’s Top Safety Pick. The top vehicles for each category are included in the Best Value List.

As for the Top 10 for Teens list, USAA also selects USAA Preferred vehicles, but they have to cost less than $25,500 and rank highest in safety, reliability, and insurance costs – important factors for parents of teen drivers.

“This year we raised the bar on the importance of safety standards. Vehicles must earn a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tp qualify as USAA Preferred,” said Steve Thompson, vice president for USAA Car Buying Service. “A USAA Preferred vehicle is a great value financially, and is among the safest vehicles on the road.”

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Honda Smart Home to produce zero-carbon living

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Honda Efficiency, Honda in the News, Honda Technology, Sustainability, Technological breakthroughs, Vehicle Efficiency on Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 at 1:31 AM

Honda Smart Home Rendering

While we were trying to be more eco-friendly by banning the use of plastic bags and buying hybrid cars, Honda was developing a project that will make our efforts seem like child’s play. The Honda Smart Home US concept home is at the vanguard of energy efficiency and environmental consciousness, and gives us a glimpse as to what the future might hold for homeowners.

This past week Honda announced the creation of the Honda Smart Home US (HSH) at the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction site on the campus of University of California, Davis, marking the beginning of the building process. The HSH is a “showcase for environmental innovation and renewable energy enabling technologies that demonstrates Honda’s vision for sustainable, zero-carbon living and personal mobility, including the use of solar power to charge a Honda Fit EV battery,” says a Honda press release.

This sustainable home will feature an array of technologies that will greatly reduce the energy consumed by individual households while fully providing for the needs of an electric vehicle. The home will also offer its occupants control over all the systems in the house, allowing residents to remotely and continually monitor and adjust all aspects of energy use in real time.

So how will the HSH achieve “zero net energy”?

1. A solar power system will be installed to provide the energy for the home and electric vehicle.

2. A Honda Energy Management System will actively manage energy use, allowing the home to maximize its energy efficiency while responding to the needs of the electrical grid. This will minimize the impacts of solar energy generation and electric vehicle charging on the utility grid.

3. UC Davis energy research centers will design efficient, cost effective solutions to major home energy loads like heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems.

4. The electric vehicle charging will be connected directly to the solar system to avoid the CO2 emitted by grid electricity production.

5. The home will feature passive design elements and novel material to further reduce the CO2 emissions from the production of building materials and the construction and operation of the home.

Honda expects the home to be completed by the end of 2013. You can follow the building process through the HSH website.

Although this is years away from being remotely available, I can’t wait to have this type of Honda in Austin!

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Introducing: Text Chat & Live Chat Support

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Howdy Honda News on Monday, April 22nd, 2013 at 4:12 PM

We’re always looking for ways to make it easier for you to reach us no matter where you are and what device you have on hand at the moment. For that reason, we’d like to officially introduce the new Text Chat and Live Chat support service!

Although we’ve had live chat for a while now and it’s pretty self-explanatory, we just started implementing text chat less than a month ago. So, how does it work? When you click on the “Text chat” button, you will be prompted to add your name, phone number and question. When you do, we receive an alert to address your inquiry. Then, you will receive a text with the answer to your question. You can continue chatting with us via text for as long as you need.

If the conversation ends and you have another question later, you can just reply back to the last text sent and we will receive a notification of your chat request. Text chat, as well as live chat, support is available during normal business hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 9:00pm, and Saturdays from 8:30am to 7:00pm. If you request to chat via text outside of those hours, we will text you back with an answer as soon as we open again. We manually handle chat at Howdy so, while we may not be able to answer your question right away when we’re closed, you know you’re talking directly with somebody at Howdy.

Talk to you soon!

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A Honda App that Can Ease Traffic Flow

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Honda Efficiency, Honda in the News, Honda Technology, Technological breakthroughs on Friday, April 12th, 2013 at 1:18 AM

A new smartphone application developed by Honda can help traffic flow by predicting congestion and alerting drivers in order to avoid bottlenecks from happening in the first place. Bottlenecks (named after the curves on Coke glass bottles) are caused by rapid slowdowns on certain spots and create traffic build up, while in front the traffic is relatively free-flowing.

Honda’s app monitors the driver’s acceleration and deceleration pattern over time to predict if a certain pattern (like heavy breaking) could cause a traffic jam. It then coaches the driver to decrease the abrupt acceleration and breaking.

Honda tested the app between September and February on both a single car and as a connected network of cars using the app. On both tests, the app helped delay traffic congestion by an average of three to four minutes and reduce changes in average speed by 60 to 70 percent. An even better result was that fuel economy improved by 20 to 22 percent.

Although the app can’t eliminate traffic altogether, it has the potential to help alleviate and improve traffic flow. The app is not yet available, but Honda said it will eventually embed the system on Honda models.

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“Most Trusted Brand” among New-Car Shoppers in the US

By Howdy Honda | Posted in Awards & Accolades, Honda in the News, Honda Vehicles, New Honda Cars on Wednesday, April 10th, 2013 at 3:31 PM

KBB Brand Image Awards 2013

New-car shoppers have once again spoken in Kelley Blue Book’s 2013 Brand Image Award study and the verdict is clear. Among all of the auto manufacturers, Honda kicks butt. Period.

For the second time, Honda was named “Most Trusted Brand” and, for the third consecutive year, “Best Value Brand.” However, the awards didn’t stop there. Honda also took home top honors by claiming “Best Overall Non-Luxury Brand,” officially making Honda the brand with most awards in the 2013 study.

The Brand Image Awards are based on new-car shopper’s perception data from KBB’s Brand Watch study. The research study annually looks at more than 12,000 in-market new-vehicle shoppers and offers insights into their perceptions of brands. The “Best Overall Non-Luxury Brand” Award is received by the brand who achieves the highest average score across ratings of all non-luxury models and the weight of importance of each of the factors in the study.

The “Must Trusted Brand” Award, on the other hand, has only been won by Honda since its inception two years ago. That speaks to Honda’s reputation for building solid vehicles that instill confidence and trust among car shoppers.

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Howdy Honda Blog

2013 Honda Civic achieves highest safety ratings among all small cars

How Americans Use Their Cars: Infographic

Why wheel locks are important: A safety lesson from a dealership in Georgetown TX

What to do if you get caught in a flood inside your car in Texas

How to identify break problems on Honda vehicles

2013 CR-Z & Insight a USAA Best Value

Honda Smart Home to produce zero-carbon living

Introducing: Text Chat & Live Chat Support

A Honda App that Can Ease Traffic Flow

“Most Trusted Brand” among New-Car Shoppers in the US

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