Car accidents are unfortunate, but are seemingly experienced by everyone at some point in life no matter how careful of a driver you are. That’s because while you are being careful there is bound to be someone else out there who is not paying attention to the road. So, we’ve put together a list of steps to remember if you ever get in an accident.
First, you should check for injuries. If you are not sure, then call 911 for an ambulance just to be on the safe side. Don’t move anyone who might have a neck or spine injury. And if you are forced to stay in your car as a result of an injury then keep your seatbelt on because another car may not see your car if it is stuck in the roadway and cause further damage to you and the car.
Once you have determined that there are no serious injuries and if it is safe to do so take pictures of the accident scene from several different angles. These will come in handy if you end up having to go to court to prove you’re not at fault.
As soon as possible, though, you’re going to want to move your vehicle from the roadway. This is to prevent further damage to your car, other driver’s cars and roadway backups. Bottom line, if there is a shoulder area, parking lot or other safe spot in which you can pull over, then do so.
Whether you can or cannot move your vehicle to safety, you should turn your hazard lights on. We know that the normal person may not carry around flares or cones in their car but if you do have them then they are a good idea to use in order to warn other drivers of what is ahead.
Unless it is just a very minor accident, the police should be called. Insurance companies like to see police reports when they are trying to piece together each drivers account of the incident.
You also should be getting the following information from all other involved drivers: names, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurance information, and the year, make, model and color of their vehicle(s).
Even if you think it isn’t necessary, you should also get contact information of any witnesses to the accident. The insurance company won’t take testimony from anyone that was inside either of the cars involved in the collision. And plenty of drivers have gotten screwed over because they had no witnesses to prove it wasn’t their fault. So, #1 take away from all this: get contact info from witnesses if there are any.
One of the final steps is to report the accident to your insurance company. The faster your create a claim the faster it can get resolved. If there is body damage that you wish to have fixed, whether it will be covered or not, one of our three Preston Auto Group Body Shops will work with you or your insurance company to get you a quick estimate and get you back out on the road as soon as possible. You can even get an estimate without bringing your car into our shop by using your smartphone. We have an app that can be used on desktop or mobile where you can upload pictures of the damage and get an estimate back right over the phone! Check out our Ribbit Quick Estimate App by clicking the link!
Hopefully you are never involved in an auto accident, but if you are and you remember all of these steps, then you should be able to handle it quickly and efficiently without any hassle.
Paint the Plex Pink 2015
Paint the Plex Pink will be held on October 17th and it is all about raising Awareness for Breast Cancer. As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so Preston Automotive is gearing up for a fun month and exciting day. Our sales consultants are wearing pink all month, so we encourage those of you coming to the event to do the same!
The Paint the Plex Pink event will feature good food, kid’s activities, games, music, a special appearance by the Preston Frog, and of course the Preston “Drive to Inspire” Pink F-250 Truck. You will be able sign the truck to show your support for Breast Cancer Research. This event will only be going on between 1 and 4pm on Saturday the 17th, so if you’re going to be home with the kids, make sure you come out for this FREE event!
Two years ago we had a fantastic turn out and we hope to replicate that this year. Some of the guys shaved their heads to show they were United for a Cure with those who had lost their hair due to the chemotherapy treatments associated with breast cancer. You certainly don’t have to do something that extreme, but just coming out for an hour or two will show just how much you care about this horrible disease – breast cancer. We look forward to seeing you at Paint the Plex Pink 2015!
Preston Automotive Group Trunk or Treat Events
You’re almost out of time to figure out what your kids are being for Halloween! The Preston Automotive Group, along with local businesses, present Trunk or Treat 2015. Two of our locations will be hosting Trunk or Treat Events this October. First is Preston Hyundai’s Trunk or Treat on October 24th from 1-3pm. This is where the tradition first started and it has gotten better each and every year since then. If you can’t make it on that date (or if your kids just want double the candy), then be sure to be at Cambridge Auto Body on Halloween Day, October 31st from 11-1pm.
At Preston Hyundai we will have the showroom decorated for Halloween, complete with skeletons, sales consultants in costumes and candy — tons of candy! We have invited local businesses to decorate our cars and SUVs and hand out candy out of the trunks of our cars in the spirit of Halloween. So, each business will have representatives handing out candy and freebies! We will also have prizes for the best costume as well as a special appearance by the Preston Frog! And if you can only make it to the Cambridge Auto Body Trunk or Treat then it will still be a good warm up for the kids being the day of Halloween. This way the kids can get more use out of that expensive costume you bought them!
We are ready to have a fun couple days of Trunk or Treating at Preston Hyundai and Cambridge Auto Body and we hope you will join us! It’s totally free and the kids will have a blast. So we’ll see you in Preston or Cambridge on the 24th and/or the 31st, respectively. Happy Halloween!
King of the Plex SUV Comparison
The King of the Plex has been going on all month long and the SUVs think they have a chance to be Kings — or Queens if you will. We compared the three top import SUVs on the Preston Autoplex in our latest episode of the King of the Plex. From Hyundai we had the 2016 Santa Fe, from Mazda we had the 2016 CX-5 and from Nissan we looked at the 2015 Murano. Which one would win your comparison test? Come see them all and make your decision!
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Sport comes standard with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 190 horsepower. Need even more than that? Then you’re going to have to move up to the larger Santa Fe SE or Limited. They are both powered by a 3.3L V6 that produces 290 horsepower and can tow up to 5,000 pounds! The Sport edition seats 5 and the larger SE and Limited seat 6 to 7 people.
The interiors of both are exquisite. The available panoramic sunroof is huge and dwarfs all other sunroofs in its class. Offered as an option by most competitors, Hillstart Assist Control comes standard on the Santa Fe. This will minimize the amount of backward roll when stopped on steep hills. Equipped with Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care, you are instantly connected with help after an accident, or with the push of a button you can connect with an agent who can send assistance and stay on the line until help arrives.
Did we mention America’s Best Warranty? How could we forget about our 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty — easily the best offering over Mazda and Nissan.
2016 Mazda CX-5
The CX-5: Officially the first 2016 model year vehicle sold in the United States. It started making its way onto lots back in early 2015 and hasn’t looked back. This 2016 SUV, or Sport Utility Vehicle, has received an A rating from Edmunds among many other awards from various automotive magazines and safety administrations.
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport comes with a choice of two powertrains: A 2.0L 4-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual tranny, or a 2.5L 4-cylinder with a six-speed automatic tranny. New options this year include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, LED headlights and more! There have been other improvements made to ensure the 2016 CX-5 dominates the SUV class.
The CX-5 interior is attractive, modern and functional. The 7-inch touchscreen and multifunction control knob make it one of the best systems out there. Some other features on the 2016 Mazda CX-5 are available on the Grand Touring with the i-Active Sense package. Those include adaptive cruise control — which will match your speed to that of the car in front of you — Smart Brake Support, lane departure warning and automatic high beam control.
2015 Nissan Murano
The Nissan Murano has been completely redesigned for the 2015 model year. That means a new front fascia, new interior stylings and more!
The 2015 Nissan Murano is offered in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. Powering the 2015 Nissan Murano is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 260 horsepower. With either configuration, all-wheel or front-wheel drive, you will get 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, which is better than what you’d get from most other competing SUVs!
On the inside there have been some serious adjustments made. The seats might not be the first thing you notice when you hop in the Murano, but they will leave a lasting impression. Nissan calls them “Zero Gravity” seats because they are designed to contour to the position the body assumes in zero gravity. The Panoramic Moonroof is also an exceptional part of this new style Murano.
If you liked any of these SUVs please call us at the Preston Autoplex at 410-673-7171. You can of course view our entire import inventory online at prestonmotor.com too!
2016 Nissan Titan: The 2016 Nissan Titan Diesel is on the way, and it’s already being considered the next generation of pickup trucks. The Nissan Titan is currently selling as many units in a month as other half-ton competitors sell in a single day or weekend. With only 7,175 trucks sold through July, Titan held only 0.59 percent of the US full-size truck market, according to automotive news. Why is that important? Because, 30-40 percent of truck buyers return to buy a new model from their favorite brand. Nissan is looking to hop on that train with the new 2016 Nissan Titans. The Cummins powered 2016 Titan XD is the first of a family of all new trucks with heavy-duty attitude and a full-size sense.
The 2015 model is available in a 5.6-Liter V8, and at 15 MPG combined is not a particularly fuel-efficient one. The new 2016 Titan has a mass gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500, which makes it exempt from EPA fuel economy testing. Nissan will not disclose its EPA but expects the V8 to surpass fuel economy of it competitors gasoline V8 engines, even when unloaded. The first Launch will be a long-wheelbase crew XD crew cab model, sporting a new look and fitted with a Cummins turbo diesel V8 engine.
The 2016 Titan XD will use a fortified version of the beefy, fully boxed frame that carries the current Titan. There will be two frame sizes, with the larger of the two being the XD. Three Configurations will be available on this monster heavy duty truck, the king, crew, and standard. Five trim levels and three different bed lengths make for a Titan for every need!
The 2016 Nissan Titan is expected to hit the market in the upcoming weeks ahead. If you would like a call when this Diesel Titan hits the grounds, please give Sales Manager at Preston Nissan, Keith Biggar Jr a call to be added to this exclusive list of Titan Lovers! He can be contacted at 410-673-7171.
( So would you rather have a slice of bread or a 2016 Nissan Titan? ) Thought, so!
2015 Sonata vs. 2015 Altima vs. 2016 Mazda6
The King of the Plex competition pits Preston Hyundai, Preston Mazda and Preston Nissan against each other in a little friendly competition during the month of September! While Preston Ford begins their quest to be a Top 100 Ford Dealer again, Preston Hyundai, Nissan and Mazda will be challenging each other to see which dealership can have the most new car sales.
Preston Hyundai and the 2015 Sonata
The redesigned 2015 Hyundai Sonata is available at Preston Hyundai, which is part of the Preston Automotive Group in Preston, Maryland. The new Hyundai Sonata has already won several accolades including the United States News 2015 Best Midsize Car for Families and the Best Midsize Car for the Money.
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is available in five trim levels: SE, Sport, Limited, Eco and Sport 2.0T. Average MPG ranges from 31-37 for the whole Hyundai Sonata line. The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is also the first vehicle to feature Android Auto. This system brings Google Voice, Google Search, text and call via voice commands right to your dashboard! The Sonata also comes with a class exclusive hands-free smart trunk meaning that it will automatically open if it senses the key fob behind it for more than three seconds.
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is one vehicle that everyone should have the pleasure of test driving for themselves. The pleasant, hushed ride as well as the luxurious design are just added features in purchasing a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Stop by and help us become King of the Plex!
Preston Nissan and the 2015 Altima
There’s no better way to say it: The 2015 Nissan Altima is a “just right” sedan for anybody in the market. It has raked in several awards including a 2015 IIHS Top Safety Pick, Best Sedan Under $25,000 by KBB and a 2015 Most Popular Midsize Car by Edmunds.
The 2015 Altima at Preston Nissan in Hurlock, MD, comes in two main configurations: 2.5 or 3.5. Those numbers obviously correlate with the engine size, but even on the 3.5L V6 you get best in class fuel economy. You can even get this amazing sedan in three different trim levels: S, SV and SL.
The Technology package is perhaps the most exciting with the addition of the 7” touchscreen, automatic temperature-sensing climate/defrosting functions, as well as upgraded safety features. The 2015 Nissan Altima received a perfect 5/5 stars for crash protection – both frontal and total side impact safety. All models come with anti-lock brakes – which stopped the 3.5s from 60 mph over 10 feet shorter than the class average – stability and traction control, and front and side curtain airbags. We think this sedan, which has been around for over 20 years, can speak for itself. So, stop down to take a test drive and help us become King of the Plex!
Preston Mazda and the 2016 Mazda6
In the midsize sedan segment, the 2016 Mazda6 can go tire-to-tire against any of the others. In terms of drivability, cabin refinement and fuel economy, the 2016 Mazda6 is top notch. The Mazda6 is a perennial Car and Driver 10 Best (along with the Mazda3) and IIHS Top Safety Pick.
The 2016 model has one engine choice and that is the 2.5-liter four-cylinder. It produces 184 horsepower and can be paired with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. In Edmunds testing, an automatic Mazda6 went from 0-60 in a mere 7.6 seconds, which is faster than anyone in the midsize class.
The cockpit of this car features all sorts of technology. Not only is there a 7-inch touchscreen available, but it will actually protrude up out of the dash. Another feature they’ve created is the heads up display for your MPH. In essence, a mirror will pop up above the steering wheel and reflect your MPH into your field of view.
This is the only 2016 Midsize Sedan that any of our three import automakers carry, so come down to Preston Mazda and test drive this sporty family sedan and help us become the King of the Plex!
2016 Ford GT Ordering Process
If you’re excited about the 2016 Ford GT, then hold on to your seat because we just received news about the ordering process! The application process will begin in early 2016. Specific details about the process will be released closer to that date, but Raj Nair, Ford’s Global Director of Product Development, has said that anyone will be able to apply. They will however give priority to loyal Ford customers including current Ford GT owners.
If you are one of those people that are in the market for one of the 2016 Ford GT’s, know these facts: They will be priced to compete with exotic sports cars including Lamborghini, Ferrari and McLaren. They will be producing them in Markham, Ontario, and will only be able to churn out about 250 per year. So yeah, this supercar is going to be super exclusive. You will be able to purchase the 2016 GT from any Ford GT Certified Dealership of your choice. Preston Ford of Maryland and Delaware will certainly be one of the few Ford GT Certified Dealers in the country. So, when it comes time to purchase, make sure you choose Preston Automotive Group.
Since this car will be made with limited-production, high-cost materials, the service centers at the GT Certified Dealerships will also have to be specially certified. No need to worry about that either; we can assure you that our Service Department will be 100% GT Certified. The certification will allow us to work on all parts of the unique, mid-engined car including the carbon fiber body panels and passenger cell. This supercar will boast a 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine outputting over 600 horsepower.
Subscribe to our blog as well as our social media pages for more updates on the 2016 Ford GT. Hopefully you are just as excited as we are!
Apple Manufacturing a Self-Driving Car?
Apple is working on designs for a car that will drive itself. Local officials say engineers for the mega-giant Apple recently investigated GoMentum Station Automotive testing facility that’s used as a testing ground for self-driving cars and the other high-tech vehicles. The station located in the San Fransisco City of Concord once was a naval base until around 1994.
Of course, we all know that Apple is best known for the every so popular iPhones and Mac computers. But, could we get to know this tech company as an automotive company? Only time will tell.
GoMentum Station has been used as a vehicle test facility for many automakers. It is a very secure facility that doesn’t offer access to the public. GoMentum is about 40 miles North of Silicon Valley.
Concord Naval Weapon Station, California.
Self-driving cars may still sound like the stuff of science fiction, but Russ Rader, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety senior VP of communications, told Investopedia in 2014 the technology has been creeping into car manufacturing models for several years now.
“Its got all the infrastructure of a city,” Jack Hall, the program manager at GoMentum Station. “There are buildings, streets and intersections, but no people.”
The 5,000-acre site has 20 miles of paved roads, including overpasses, tunnels and railroad crossings, according to the agency’s website, which calls it “the largest secure test facility in the world.”
Apple is believed to have paired with Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) as a potential partner, likely that FCA would provide the car body and some or all of the powertrain.
Project Titan is what Apple executive’s had been calling it, and the project is all but confirmed. It has also been reported that Googles’s self-driving car software and systems will most likely be ready to market by 2017. So even if the project is further along than previously thought, it seems highly unlikely that Apple will beat Google in the race for the 1st self-driving car.
Bringing My Car to College: Yes or No?
It’s that time of year again: back to school. Some are back already and some have a couple more weeks of summer vacation left. But there’s one main consideration that you have to think about: Should I bring my car to college? Of course everyone would like to have a car on campus, but is it allowed or is it practical? We’ll help you see the pro’s and con’s of whether or not you should bring your car with you.
First of all, are you even allowed to have one on campus? That will depend on where you’re attending. Some will flat out not allow freshman or upperclassmen to bring a car with them. Others will allow it, but students will be required to purchase a parking pass. Typically information like this can be found on the college or university’s website, so you will want to make sure you know their policy before you get there for move-in.
Cost is another important thing to think about. Many college students are on an Easy Mac and Ramen-Noodle type of budget, so gas, repairs, parking permits, and other costs are out of the question. If this is the case then maybe you should leave the car at home. If you are going to bring it make sure you have some money saved up for these unexpected costs which include parking tickets don’t forget.
Find out about alternative transportation options too. Many campuses will have a school-operated shuttle system. They even get creative with the names too. For instance, the University of Miami has the Hurry ‘Canes shuttles, and students at UCLA can take the BruinBus. These options can be particularly helpful in urban settings such as D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia or New York City.
So you have to weigh your options to see if it would in fact be worth it to bring your car to college. If you need it to get you to-and-from a job or your parents house, then by all means take it. But we suggest that you enjoy your college days without one of the major responsibilities of adulthood: Car ownership.
Ford’s Free Ride Sales Event Kicks Off Early
Ford has surprised everyone, even its dealerships, by putting out their Labor Day message early! They are dubbing it the Free Ride Sales Event. Dave Wilson Jr. said, “This is going to be one of the biggest announcements from Ford that I have ever heard.” Turns out he was right! This sales event brings with it 0% financing for 72 months on ALL 2015 model year cars, SUVs and trucks! It even includes 2016 model year Fusions as well as 2014 model year F-150, Focus and Transit Connect. On top of that is the $1,000 Labor Day Bonus Cash! This extra incentive is available on any 2015 car or SUV, 2016 Fusion, and remaining 2014 F-150, Focus and Transit Connect.
Let’s start off with all the 2015’s that you can get for 0% for 72 months. The redesigned 2015 F-150s have not had much in terms of rebates and incentives since they came out earlier this year. So, for customers to be able to get a new, military-grade aluminum F-150 with no interest for six years — well you could say it’s a huge deal. This sale also includes 0% for 72 months on every 2015 model year vehicle like the popular Focus, fuel efficient Fiesta, adventurous Escape and more! The $1,000 Labor Day Bonus Cash is what sweetens the pot for the cars and SUVs (excluding 2015 model year trucks).
Ford Motor Company has also included leftover 2014 model year vehicles such as the F-150, Focus and Transit Connect in this Free Ride Sales Event. Those vehicles will get the 0% for 72 months as we’ve said, but they will also come with $1,000 Labor Day Bonus Cash. Even the couple-month-old 2016 Ford Fusion will have both of those incentives attached too.
This is a very strong sales event. We would like everyone to know that these are the best incentives we’ve seen in a long time. Be sure to stop in to any of our Maryland and Delaware Ford Dealerships to get your new vehicle before the Free Ride Sales Event ends on September 8th! We have Boulevard Ford Lincoln of Georgetown and Lewes in Delaware, as well as Preston Ford, Denton Ford and Pittsville Ford in Maryland. With over 1,200 new Fords in our group-wide inventory, we have the perfect vehicle for you! Call us at our autoplex location for more information or browse around our website www.prestonmotor.com.
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