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Several new laws went into effect in Maryland on October 1, 2014.  A couple of those laws will directly impact drivers in Maryland. The first one is referred to as Jake’s Law and it strengthens the penalties for distracted driving.  Anyone who texts or reads messages while driving and causes an accident that kills or seriously injures another will face up to a year in jail plus a $5,000 fine.  That will be in addition to any other violations you may get charged with such as involuntary man slaughter or reckless driving. This law was named after Jake Owen who was killed in a crash in 2011 by a driver who was talking on his cell phone and rear ended the parents’ car, killing the 5 year old boy who was in the back seat.  Its aim is to be an extension of the handheld device law that prohibits talking on your cell phone while driving. No matter how many laws are put into place, there will still be people that think they need to send that last message or make that quick phone call while driving.  Check out this powerful public service announcement regarding texting and driving. The other law concerning drivers in Maryland is an addendum to the Move-Over Law that is already in place.  You already know that you must move over or slow down for emergency vehicles on the side of the road.  That includes police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, etc.  And now you will have to move over for tow trucks as well.  This new law in will require all vehicles to move over into the next lane, or simply slow down if there is no lane to move into.  It's normally a common courtesy, but failure to comply will result in a minimum $100 fine or 1 point on your license. The common denominator between these two new laws is safety.  This is another step toward making our roadways safer here in Maryland and maybe even other states will follow our lead.  In the event you do get in an accident, trust Preston Automotive Towing to come get your vehicle and one of our three auto body shops to make the repairs at the best price around!

It is coming up on a dangerous time of the year for drivers in the Delmarva Region.  October, November, and December are considered Deer mating and hunting season.  This means driving will require a bit more caution in the coming months. Deer accidents can be very destructive and even fatal – not only to the deer obviously – but to the vehicle and its driver and passengers.  As far as the car is concerned, the national cost per claim average is over $3,800.  That is a hefty price to pay, not to mention that your insurance will most likely increase as a result.  And the turnaround time to get your car back in condition is usually an eternity; that is if you in fact if you make it through the accident.  The harsh reality is that thousands of people have died as a result of accidents with deer and other animals. There are certain States in the US with higher odds of hitting a deer than others.  The third part of the Delmarva name, Virginia, came in at number nine on the list.  Fortunately Maryland or Delaware didn’t make the top ten this year, but they have in the past.  In Virginia, however, it was determined that you have a 1 in 88 chance to hit a deer.  The range extends from number one West Virginia, with a 1 in 39 shot, to last place Hawaii, with a 1 in 10,281 shot to hit one. Now there are several precautions you can take to significantly decrease your odds.  First of all, there are Deer Crossing signs posted in high deer-traffic areas.  Now, these signs are in fact to warn drivers, not to tell deer where they can and cannot cross as thought by the woman in this since-gone-viral video. It is also a known fact that deer are most active from 6-9pm especially in the fall and winter months.  So, for safe driving in the dark be sure to use your high beams as this will significantly extend the range of your vision.  And of course not being distracted by things such as your cell phone, food, etc. will diminish your chances of hitting a deer. In the event that you still manage to hit a deer after taking all these precautions, then you can have your choice between three top-notch Preston Automotive Group Body Shops here on the Eastern Shore.  We have shops located in Snow Hill, Cambridge, and of course Preston.  Our technicians are certified in I-Car Gold Standard and will restore your car to its former self.  So if you are the victim of a crash involving a deer, know that our body shops can repair any damage sustained.

Every weekend in October will have something fun to do around the Delmarva area, and Preston Automotive Group is going to be sponsoring just about all of them. Saturday, October 4 th We start off on Saturday, October 4 th.  The first event of the day is The World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics.  This event will take place in Harrington, DE at the Delaware State Fairgrounds from 9am-1pm.  You can register your truck to be in the convoy for $100, but it must be 10-GVW or larger.  Meaning regular pickup trucks are not allowed to participate.  If you don’t have a truck to enter in the World’s Largest Convoy at 10am, you can come to the festival at the Fairgrounds 11:30.  All proceeds from this event will go towards the Special Olympics of Delaware. The second event on the 4 th is Wings & Wheels at Sussex County Airport.  This is a FREE EVENT from 10am-4pm.  Wings & Wheels will feature a ton of neat things including a Vintage Plane Fly In, a US Navy Parachute Team, and a Classic Car Show.  This whole event is a Salute to the WWII Era, so bring the whole family for a free day of fun! Monday, October 6 th The only event that falls on a weekday, the 23 rd Annual Chesapeake College Golf Tournament.  This is a fantastic event that supports the Chesapeake College Scholarships Funds.  It will take place at River House Golf at the Easton Club starting with registration at 9:30am and the shotgun start at 10:30.  As for registration, a team of four people will cost $600 or $175 for individuals, and will include your green fee, lunch on the course, and a buffet dinner.  Preston Automotive is a sponsor and is sure to be a great event. Sunday, October 12 th On this day, come out to Sailwinds Park in Cambridge, MD for some fun from 11am-6pm.  The Hoopers Island Gunbash is a neat event with tons of old and new guns on display.  There will be a cash drawing every hour from 12:30-5:30.  There will also be two separate drawings for ATVs throughout the day.  Tickets are $45 and available in advance at Preston Ford’s Cashier Window.  A ticket gets you admission, food, and drinks. Saturday, October 18 th Bark in the Park put on by the Talbot Humane Society, will take place Oct 18 th at Idlewild Park in Easton, MD.  It will take place from 10am-2pm starting off with a 5K fun run where participants are encouraged to run or walk with their dogs.  Later on in the afternoon there will be a dog show along with kid’s activities, music, and food.  It is free to come with your dog, so come out for a fun afternoon! Sunday, Octob er 19 th The Ridgely Pharmacy & Ice Cream Parlor will be hosting their 4 th Annual Car/Motorcycle Show on Oct 19 th from 9am-4pm.  The event will benefit The Petty Family Foundation and all money raised will be split up between three top notch organizations: The Wounded Warriors, Victory Junction, and Folds of Honor.  The Car/Motorcycle’s will be on display in front of the Pharmacy at 7 West Belle Street in Ridgely.  There will be a 50/50, silent auction, a $500 cash giveaway, and Richard Petty will even be there!  It’s going to be a fun event with over 600 cars and motorcycles expected to be in attendance. Friday, October 24 th Paint the Plex Pink will be on the 24 th and it is all about raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness.  As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so Preston Automotive is gearing up to present a check to a breast cancer organization of their choosing.  This event will feature good food, kid’s activities, a check donation ceremony, and of course the Preston "Drive to Inspire" Pink Truck.  You will be able sign the truck to show your support for Breast Cancer Research.  This event will only be going on between 2 and 4pm, so if you’re going to be home with the kids, make sure you come out for this event. Saturday, October 25 th This date features two events, the first of which being the Cambridge Auto Body “Trunk or Treat.”  This cute twist on the original Trick or Treat showcases some of our cars with their trunks open and candy inside.  Our employees will be there handing out the candy along with representatives from other local businesses.  Kids and their families are encouraged to dress up in their costumes and come to this free event in Cambridge, MD.  It’s a little pre-Halloween fun for the kids giving them a chance to show off their costumes on more than just Halloween Day.  There will be a car show going on as well and that will start at 11am before the Trunk or Treating event from 1-3.  So come out and enjoy the festivities with friends and family. The second event on the 25 th is Tats for Tails.  Black Anchor Tattoo is partnering with the Caroline Humane Society to raise money for animals in their shelters.  It will take place on the 200 Block of Market Street in Denton, MD, and here's how it will work.  From 1-4pm there will be a block party with food, games, and music.  Any tattoo done at Black Anchor Tattoo on the 25th will equal a donation to the Caroline Humane Society from Black Anchor.  People are also encouraged to donate pet supplies to fill the bed of the Preston Pink Truck.  Each donation will enter you for a chance to win prizes donated by Preston Automotive Group! Sunday, November 1 st Although it’s technically not an October event, it goes along with the Halloween theme – Preston Hyundai’s Trunk or Treat.  Kid’s always want more candy after they get home on Halloween Night and sort it out right?  Well this is there chance.  Bring the kids out to Preston Hyundai for another Trunk or Treat event.  Just like the one in Cambridge, we’ll have representatives from other companies, as well as our own employees, giving out candy from the trunks of our cars.  Come out from 1-3 for a fun, candy-filled afternoon.

Anticipation is building for the 2015 Mustangs.  They are set to be released sometime in October and people have been raving about them since they were revealed in December of last year (2013). 2015 Mustang at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway taken by Preston Automotive Group President, Dave Wilson. This sports car is massively better than the one it replaces.  In fact it is even being said that the 2015 Mustang is the best one since – get this – the very first Mustang 50 years ago!  One of the biggest changes that experts love are the updated suspensions, front and rear.  Last year’s version of this car, and every model up until now with the exception of a few years in the middle, was said to have an awfully bouncy rear end.  Even the smallest of bumps in the road made for an uncomfortable ride.  Ford took that pent-up feedback and put an independent rear suspension on it.  Once they did that, they found the front suspension could not work in harmony with the upgraded rear – so they changed the front too. This Mustang comes with a wide range of engine options from a small 2.3-liter 4 cylinder EcoBoost engine to a 5.0L V8 beast in the GT.  The GT gallops with an incredible 435 horses.  Even in the base model you get a fair 300hp.  The interior has been ramped up as well.  You get the classic three-spoke steering wheel, touchscreen display, and aluminum accents on everything.  It gives you a luxurious feel in a true American sports car. Now, there are of course better sports cars on the market.  However, none of those will be able to compare in price to the 2015 Mustang.  Not saying the Mustang will be cheap, but all of those so-called better cars will cost substantially more money.  This totally revamped Mustang easily gets you the most bang for your buck, and we will be getting them at each of our five Preston Maryland and Delaware Ford Dealers in as little as three short weeks!  We’ll have them in Georgetown and Lewes, DE, as well as Pittsville, Denton, and of course Preston.  Please follow us on any one of our Facebook or Google+ pages to keep up to date on their arrivals!

They say change is good right?  Well the same goes for the oil in your vehicle.  The fact is, motor oil is the lifeblood of your engine.  So, the best way to extend the life and fuel economy of your car, truck, or SUV is to have the oil changed regularly. The purpose of motor oil is to lube up the moving parts of the engine while keeping all the seals tight.  However, with the high temperature of the engine, the oil is put under great stress.  The thermal breakdown wears on the oil’s additives and lubrication.  When the lubrication wears down, parts of the engine may start to rub together.  The thermal breakdowns will also cause gaps to form in the various seals; this is where dirt and debris can sneak into the engine.  When you have your oil changed here at any Preston location, you will also get a new oil filter.  The filter works to keep the sludge from getting to your engine.  If it becomes clogged with too much gunk, it will decrease the amount of good oil that reaches your engine. These are all ways that unchanged oil could negatively affect the life of your vehicle.  So basically, the way to prevent all of this is to check your oil often and get it changed regularly.  We make that easy for you here at Preston Nissan and Mazda.  We have a deal so amazing it seems too good to be true – but it’s not!  Our Triple Play Oil Change gets you your first oil change for $19.95, your second for $12.95, and your third one is absolutely free!  The only stipulation is that they all have to be done within a year from your first one.  Which, if you are following the expert recommendations, you should be getting three or four oil changes per year anyway.  So, this deal is saving you money that you would otherwise have to spend no matter what.  Drop your car off today to start taking advantage of this great deal!

The GT-R best embodies Nissan’s philosophy of building uncompromising performance machines.  With power output and handling dynamics rivaling the world’s best, the GT-R remains a genuine high-performing coupe. The 2015 GT-R is offered in four trim levels: Premium, Black Edition, Track Edition, and Nismo.  Every trim level is powered by a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine.  The bottom three levels send 545 horsepower and 463 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels; while the Nismo boasts an even 600 hp and 481 lb-ft. Standard equipment features on the every 2015 GT-R include 20-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, and a 5.5-inch touchscreen monitor.  All levels of this high-performance sport coupe also flaunt a dual-clutch, six-speed automated manual transmission. Here at Preston Nissan we have the 2015 Nissan GT-R Black Edition.  This model adds a carbon-fiber rear wing, red interior trim on everything from the seats to the steering wheel, and Recaro Leather seats to all the other standard features in the paragraph above. Take a look at this video telling you all about the specs of the model we have. This is one of the fastest cars in the world, and we have the only Black Edition on the entire East Coast here at Preston Nissan in Maryland!  Let me tell you, this car is even more impressive in person.  The jet black exterior is complemented nicely by the inlayed greys and carbon fiber elements such as the wing on the back, and the growl it makes during startup is truly remarkable.  In other words, the 2015 Nissan GT-R is an absolute must-drive for any automotive enthusiast. So, come out to Preston Nissan, located in Preston, Maryland at the intersection of Routes 318 and 331, to see this vehicle for yourself.  And even if you need to take a trip to get here I suggest you do so because I’m not kidding when I say that this is the only one – so far – on the entire east coast.

Mazda has recently been churning out great cars, and 2014 was no different.  Therefore, they have been busy all year accepting awards from various publications.  Two of their main sedans really cleaned up this year: The Mazda3 and the Mazda6. Every award that they won they actually shared.  For instance, the Mazda3 won Motor Trend’s “Big Test” Award, Car & Driver’s “10 Best” Award, and Road & Track’s “Best of Everything” Award.  The Mazda6 also won all three of those same awards!  The most recent one was awarded in June; however, that one did not go to both sedans.  The 3 won Automobile Magazine’s “All-Star” Award. The Big Test Award is a comparison award given out by Motor Trend.  It pits similar cars up against each other for multiple tests.  Mazda3 and Mazda6 defeated compact and mid-size sedans such as the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, and Chevy Malibu. Car & Driver has the “10 Best” Award, and that is obviously given to the ten best cars or sometime sets of cars.  In this instance, the 3 and 6 won it together.  To make the list, they both actually bullied their sibling off the list this year – the Miata. The last award they won together was the Best of Everything Award from Road & Track.  This is given out every year, and the 3 won it in the compact category, while the 6 won it in the mid-size category. The final award won by the Mazda3 was the All-Star Award from Automobile Magazine. The stylish 3 breathes new life into the crowded compact-car arena: it drives with even more poise than before, returns superb fuel economy, and has an interior that shames pricier cars. The 3 joins the likes of the Cadillac CTS and the BMW 3 Series with their win in this category. Here at Preston Mazda in Maryland, we have the 2014 Mazda3’s and Mazda6’s in stock if you’d like to come in for a test drive.  Also, for the remainder of September 2014 we are letting you pay what we pay!  That’s right employee pricing is as good as it gets for brand new cars, and until the end of the month every single car on the Preston Autoplex is priced to sell at employee pricing.

Vehicle recalls are something that happen more often than you might think, but owners may not always know their recalled vehicle needs to be repaired.  Just to be clear, I’m not referring to any major recalls like the Toyota sticking gas pedal incident or the Firestone tires on Ford SUV’s because of course those are recalls that everyone hears about on national news.  I’m talking about those smaller recalls that just about every car brand has at one time or another for things such as faulty airbags or switches for example.  So, it is just as important to know about the little recalls as it is to know about the larger ones because they are both threats to your safety.  And now there is any easy way to keep up on those threats with safercar.gov. Safercar.gov is a government website run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA).  This site exists solely to inform consumers on everything to do with vehicle safety.  From recalls, to investigations, even to common complaints – safercar.gov is the catch-all site to ensure you and your family are safe in your vehicle. There are a couple ways to see if your car is on a recall list.  You could search as specifically as the VIN number or as general as the vehicle year, make, and model.  Regardless of how dependable your make of car usually is, everyone should take a look at this site anyway.  It’s fast, simple and you have nothing to lose except about thirty seconds of your time.  However, if you do end up finding something about your car involving a recalled item, then I’ll bet you’ll be glad you checked.  And even more than that, taking a couple seconds to check for your car could save your life or many others. If you got your car, truck, or SUV from Preston Automotive Group and it turns out to have a recall, no matter how small or large, you can be sure that one of our three auto body shops – in Preston, Snow Hill, or Cambridge – will be able to help get you in-and-out and safely back on the road.

With the recent iPhone 6 and 6 Plus reveals, there has been a lot of exciting buzz surrounding Apple. Whether it was the two iPhone’s, the Watch, or CarPlay – Apple was surely the topic of discussion at many water coolers around the world. Apple CarPlay, which was officially announced back in March, is a vehicle-based infotainment system which allows drivers to use a number of iOS features through voice activation. At first glance this is nothing new; however, when you consider all the features it will encompass, you are sure to be impressed – and maybe even a little jealous if you aren’t one of the lucky few who have it already. The various features will include hands free calling, message notifications, maps/navigation, and music streaming. Simply using your voice you will be able to make calls and even respond to text messages. Also, the maps feature is perhaps the nicest and most practical part about the whole thing. You will be able to speak a destination, the microphone will pick it up, and it will immediately pull up available routes just as it would on your phone, but this will be much more convenient and safer for most people. There is a very nice webpage Apple has setup to walk you through all these new features that CarPlay makes available. It will surely be a part of every car brand, – or every brand that’s smart at least – but Apple is only introducing it in a select few brands to start out. At this point in time it’s only available in the latest Ferrari models, and obviously not everyone can afford a Ferrari. However, it will be coming to Preston Hyundai in time for some of the later 2015 models! Among those to be included are the Hyundai Sonata’s. The new 2015 Sonata Eco and Sport Editions will have a 5.5” touchscreen coming standard, and that is what will enable use with Apple CarPlay. With this new technology, the Hyundai Sonata is sure to be one of the most sought after sedans coming off of Preston Automotive lots in 2015. Now, you don’t necessarily need a 2015 Sonata in order to use this new CarPlay technology. Pioneer and Alpine audio systems are making it possible to outfit any automobile with CarPlay. One of these systems – excluding installation – will run about $800. So, if you’re like us and can’t wait for Apple CarPlay, you will have these various options coming up in the near future!

Every model year, Edmunds.com, an automotive review website, sends out a testing team that reviews over 200 new vehicles. They take each vehicle on a standardized road-test loop and on the test track under controlled conditions. After this process is complete, they compile the scores for each car and present each vehicle with the awards they qualify for. Here at the Preston Ford Maryland Dealer we are excited to announce that three of our sedans made the Top Rated List! The 2014 Ford Focus, Fiesta, and Fusion Sedans all received an “A” rating – meaning they qualified for a “Top Rated” award. This award pits vehicles of similar size and price class against each other and only the best come out on top. This year the Focus, Fiesta, and Fusion are joined by the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Rolls-Royce Ghost among others. That is an impressive list to be on, and that is why we’re so excited at Preston Ford. This is also the very first year Edmunds has had this award – another reason why we take such pride in this recognition of the vehicles we sell here at Preston Automotive Group. These are certainly not the only Ford vehicles that won awards though. The 2014 Mustang was named to the Most Popular Entry Sport Car list. The Focus and Fiesta Hatchbacks as well as the Fusion Hybrid were Top Rated Award recipients too. So, Ford, obviously being one of the more established car brands around the world, has struck gold with these three 2014 models in particular. We still have plenty of these 2014 Fords in stock at any of our locations. We have our largest selection of Ford Sedans at the Preston Autoplex. But we surely do have the Focus, Fiesta, and Fusion still stocked in our two Boulevard Ford locations as well as Pittsville Ford and Denton Ford. They will be going quickly in order to make room for the new 2015 models, though, so make sure you get out to one of our many Preston Maryland Ford locations to test drive these Top Rated sedans for yourself!

In 1998, Hyundai Motor America started Hope on Wheels - a non-profit organization committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer.  Since the conception of this idea 16 years ago, Hyundai has raised nearly 90 million dollars.  This year, Preston is one of 820 Hyundai Dealers in the U.S. to be participating in the annual event. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so Preston Automotive Group Owner/President Dave Wilson Sr. has prepared to open up his wallet. Wilson Sr. along with Preston Hyundai will make a donation to the Hope on Wheels program for every Hyundai that is purchased from the Preston lot during the month of September. Not only that, but each of his donations will be matched by Hyundai Motor America! As a result, this is something that Preston Hyundai has been proud to participate in for many years. One of the more ceremonial parts of the Hope on Wheels program are the symbolic handprints. On their website Hope on Wheels states that there is nothing more personal than a handprint.  So, part of this program gives children who are currently battling cancer a chance to have fun and paint their handprint on a White Hyundai Santa Fe. There are several ways that money is being collected.  First and foremost are the donations from dealers matched by Hyundai Motor America. Secondly, there are 5K races setup in select locations around the country where all proceeds will go toward the Hope on Wheels foundation.  There is also branded merchandise with the Hope on Wheels logo for sale on their website.  And of course you could make a donation of any amount by visiting their website as well.  However, if you have been thinking about a new Hyundai then now is the time to buy because Preston Hyundai will only be participating in this program until the end of the month! We encourage you to check out their website and/or video above to find out more about this great foundation.  Also, be sure to use the hashtag #endchildhoodcancer to spread further awareness about this program.  It truly is a wonderful foundation that can have an impact on the lives of thousands of children.  So, make sure to come out to Preston Hyundai to see what we are doing to help this worthy cause with your own eyes.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau announced its Hot Wheels report last week, the bureau’s annual release of the ten most stolen vehicles in the United States. The list features a perfect split between import and domestic automakers, with Honda’s Accord and Civic cars topping the list. Full-size pickups made up a considerable chunk of the list, taking the Nos. 3, 4 and 6 spots. Two other Japanese automakers also made the list with two from Toyota and one from Nissan. The following lists include figures with total thefts based on data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center. NICB’s 2013 Hot Wheels Top-Ten Most Stolen Cars in the U.S. Honda Accord (53,995) Honda Civic (45,001) Chevrolet Pickup, Full Size (27,809) Ford Pickup, Full Size (26,494) Toyota Camry (14,420) Dodge Pickup, Full Size (11,347) Dodge Caravan (10,911) Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee (9,272) Toyota Corolla (9,010) Nissan Altima (8,892) The report also included the top 10 model-year 2013 vehicles stolen in the same year. NICB’s 2013 Hot Wheels Top-Ten Most Stolen MY 2013s in 2013 in the U.S. Nissan Altima (810) Ford Fusion (793) Ford Pickup, Full Size (775) Toyota Corolla (669) Chevrolet Impala (654) Hyundai Elantra (541) Dodge Charger (536) Chevrolet Malibu (529) Chevrolet Cruze (499) Ford Focus (483)