Coming Soon: The 2015 Nissan Murano
The all-new 2015 Nissan Murano will be coming in late 2014. The Nissan Murano was first introduced in 2002 and was a true original. There wasn’t really anything else like it on the road. It introduced a great combination of utility and style and was on the forefront of the automotive segment. The 2015 Murano is said to redefine the crossover segment once again.
In 2013 Nissan introduced the Resonance Concept at the Detroit Auto Show. This concept vehicle was said to be the next generation of the Murano and the future of the crossover. Now two years later this concept is becoming a reality as Nissan is introducing the 2015 Murano.
The Murano will have a floating roof appearance. This gives the 2015 Murano a lower, lighter profile, which is in contrast of the traditional SUV. The pillar less effect carries through the interior giving it an open feeling. The taillights on the Murano have been completely redesigned. They give the Murano a sleek, symmetrical profile. The boomerang taillights are another new Nissan design feature. The grille has also been redesigned. The futuristic styling showcases the new Nissan design cues. The Murano is also equipped with boomerang shaped headlights which integrate with the aerodynamic profile.
The interior of the Murano is nothing short of impressive. The available power panoramic moonroof reaches over both rows of seats. This means that even passengers in the back seats have a clearview of the sky and can experience and open natural atmosphere rarely found in the back seat! The Murano also has NASA inspired zero gravity seats. These seats replicate the weightlessness of space to the driver a natural and neutral seating position. There is also the available heating and cooling seats up front and the available heated seats for the back seat passengers. The new expanded center console adds distance between the front seats so that more interaction can happen between the front and back seats. The console has an available 8-inch touch screen display as well as two USB ports. There is one for the front seats and one for the back seats, this allows everyone to plug in their phones, play music and even project on the 8 inch display screen. Nissan has also equipped the Murano with ambient lighting. When the sun goes down the light casts a warm glow throughout the cabin adding even more to the premium interior cabin.
Stay tuned for updates on when Preston Nissan will be getting their first 2015 Nissan Murano on Facebook or right here on the blog!
The 2015 Ford Edge was just revealed!
The 2015 Ford Edge was just recently revealed in Europe. The Ford Edge is a midsize crossover vehicle which many have come to love. The Preston Automotive Group has always been a huge fan of the Ford Edge and it has always been a top seller at our dealerships. Preston Ford still currently has a huge inventory of the 2014 Ford Edge!
The Edge was first introduced in 2006 for North America. The 2015 Ford Edge Is 3.9 inches longer at 188.1 inches overall versus the previous models. There was also a one-inch increase in wheelbase to 112.2 inches. The cargo capacity in the Edge is also up seven cubic feet with a longer load floor! New coil springs and an advanced antiroll bar system result in 20 percent more roll stiffness than the previous model and the greater use of high strength steel helps increase stiffness and improve the noise and vibration.
The most noticeable thing about the all-new 2015 Ford Edge is the sheetmetal. The exterior shows a significant change from the previous crossover model. The back of the Edge might have the most drastic change to the style of the vehicle. The body spanning taillight is very similar to that of the all-new Lincoln MKC which is making its way on the dealers’ lots soon. Inside the vehicle the changes are a little less dramatic. The interior will stay familiar to the recent model of the Edge. The center stack has received a slight redo. The cabin focuses on material quality and makes healthy improvements over the current model of the Edge.
The Edge comes equipped with a black grille, black 21 inch wheels and the new 2.7 liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. The Edge is the first Ford to have an EcoBoost base engine. Ford has stated that the engine is virtually new, with the addition of a twin scroll turbo to minimize lag. A stop/start system is also optional with the 2.0 liter engine.
Ford has also expanded Sync with MyFord Touch availability across Edge trim levels. The Edge will also be the first of the Ford products to offer an adaptive steering system. This will be available as standard equipment on the Sport and come at an extra-cost on the Titanium model. Adaptive Steering essentially varies the steering ratio constantly. This means adjusting the vehicles speed in order to provide the appropriate level of turn-in for the required situation. At lower speeds; such as pulling into a parking space the new system makes the vehicle more agile and easier to turn as it dials more steering into the road wheel. When on the highway the system further optimizes steering response enabling the Edge to react more smoothly and precisely to driver input. This helps to make any drive more enjoyable.
There is going to be a plethora of technology options which are both standard and optional on the Ford Edge. The Active Grill Shutters will be available on select models to help counter air resistance. There will also be adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support. This uses radar to help detect moving vehicles directly ahead and change the cruising speed if necessary. The Auto Start-Stop Technology turns the engine off to save fuel when the vehicle is stopped, the engine is then restarted within milliseconds of when the brake is released. There is also a new 180 degree front camera with a washer featured for the first time on a Ford vehicle! The side parking sensors use sensors and algorithms that measure speed and steering wheel angle to warn drivers of obstacles on either side of the vehicle during parking or low speed maneuvers. The new inflatable rear safety belts are an excellent new safety feature. This is an advanced restraint system that combines attributes of safety belt and airbag technologies. This is designed to reduce head, neck and chest injuries for the rear seat passengers.
The 2015 Ford Edge will be available in four different trim levels, these will include SE, SEL, Sport and the top of the line Titanium. The 2015 Edge is a great move forward in material and visual quality.
What you Should Know about Vehicle Recalls
There have recently been an abundance of vehicle recalls on many models. You should know what to do in the case where your vehicle is recalled, or is recalled for a safety recall. Recalls are happening more and more often. In the year 2013 there were 632 recalls which impacted 22 million vehicles according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In the year 2014 there have already been more than 120 recalls affecting nearly 13 million cars. This means this year is on pace to break the previous record which was set ten years ago.
Recalls are issued because the defect or possible defect might make the vehicle unsafe. For any recall, defective parts are placed at no cost to the owner. Engineering errors which can be both large and small can cause significant defect that can compromise the driver’s safety and require a recall. These types of errors are usually on specific models produced during a specific period of time at the manufacturing plant.
The most common defects include:
- Wiring or leaks that cause fire
- Accelerators that break suddenly
- Ineffective steering parts that may cause a loss of control
- Air bags that deploy late
- Faulty seat belts that break
An official safety recall notice is sent to vehicle owners at risk. These owners are typically identified through DMV records. The notice explains the following things; the safety hazards that may result from the defect, how to fix the defect and eliminate the safety hazard, when the defect repair will be available and how long it will take to be completed, and who to contact in the case of difficulty.
Remember that recalls are meant to protect you! This doesn’t mean you purchased a lousy vehicle. New vehicles are made with millions of moving parts and mistakes are bound to happen. Even for the biggest automotive manufacturers, these recalls are meant to fix the wrong doings! Ignoring a recall is not a good idea, as soon as you are notified you should try to get the recall fixed!
The 2014 Hyundai Tucson is a Must See
The 2014 Hyundai Tucson is a great competitor among compact SUVs. U.S. News names the 2014 Hyundai Tucson as number 10 in affordable Compact SUVs. The Tucson has seating for five and a six speed automatic transmission with a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine which comes standard. A new feature for 2014 is Bluetooth. The Tucson offers spacious room for the driver and the passengers. The Tucson has 101.9 cubic feet of space so that everyone can stretch out while riding in the Tucson.
The 2014 Hyundai Tucson has a great turning radius. This makes it easier when a driver is maneuvering through narrow streets or making U-turns. The Tucson’s turning radius is 34.7 feet. With the purchase of a Tucson the customer gets a better set of wheels than other competitors at no extra charge. Standard with the Tucson are 17-inch alloy wheels. The Tucson also offers an available panoramic sunroof. Some of the Tucson’s competitors don’t even offer a sunroof.
The interior received a refresh for 2014. The cabins layout is very functional and the materials that make up the interior are high quality. The front seats have plenty of room. The driver’s seat can be configured 6 different ways and on the Limited it can be configured 8 different ways. There are also available leather heated seats with dual automatic climate control. This maximizes comfort no matter how long or short the drive is. The second row is also very spacious. There are new features to the second row such as a new two-stage reclining rear seat as well as available rear seat heating and air conditioning vents. The second row seats can be folded flat for extra cargo space in case the owner is hauling a lot of items.
The 2014 Hyundai Tucson has phenomenal technology which helps the driver get where they are going. It has optional touchscreen display, rearview camera and navigation options. The touchscreen display is a new 4.3 inch color screen with a rearview camera option. There is also an available navigation system which features a 7-inch touchscreen with rearview camera and HD Radio technology. There is also NavTraffic with real time road conditions that help the driver avoid traffic and gives them alternative routes. The driver can also easily connect with Blue Link. Blue Link Technology is designed to make everyday life a little easier. It can be connected to through a smartphone, web application, or an in-car system to locate gas stations, find a shortcut, and learn about mechanical issues, call for help and much more. Another great feature now available on the Tucson is the proximity key. Many vehicles now have this great feature. The customer can approach their Tucson with the proximity key in their pocket, purse or briefcase and press a button to unlock or lock the vehicle. Once inside the vehicle the customer can start the engine by button their foot on the break and pressing the start engine button.
Preston Hyundai is thrilled to offer Maryland and Delaware such a great selection of the 2014 Hyundai Tucson. They find it hard to keep the Tucson on their lot being as it is such a great choice for a compact SUV. Not only does Preston Hyundai have a great selection of the Tucson to offer Delaware and Maryland but they also have a great selection of all Hyundai vehicles.
The Importance of Getting An Oil Change
As much as vehicles cost it is important to keep them in the best shape possible. That is why Preston Automotive Group offers high quality oil changes and service repairs. Engine oil provides three key functions in the engine. It first helps keep the engine components working smoothly together. Inside the engine there are thousands of controlled detonations happening every minute, it can be extremely hot and oil helps draw heat away from the combustion chamber. It also helps prevent carbon and varnishes from accumulating in the engine. Oil also helps to keep the vehicles engine clean. The oil within the engine is constantly cleaning as it lubricates picking up and holding dirt. Oil is similar to a sponge. A sponge has the ability to pick up and hold fluids, dirt, etc. When a sponge becomes saturated it cannot hold fluid any longer. These same things apply to motor oil. When oil becomes saturated with contaminants and can’t hold any more than the excess falls out of suspension and can form deposits in the engine. Regular oil changes will remove suspended contaminates before they can form. This helps the engine run cleaner and much smoother.
It is also important to know what oil to use. There are many different types of oil and it should be fairly easy to determine which kind a vehicle takes. The owner’s manual will usually contain this information. There are two different types of oil; synthetic and conventional oil.
Oil changes are often recommended when a certain mileage or time limit is reached. The most common interval is 3,000-5,000 miles or three months.
The changing of oil is a simple process of draining the old dirt oil from a car and replacing it with a new supply. When a customer comes to any of the Preston Automotive Groups Service Departments to request an oil change they will also receive a check on the all-around vehicle. The first thing that is checked of course the oil level. Then after the oil is changed they service technician’s top off the windshield washer solvent. They also check the power steering fluid as well as the transmission fluid and the brake fluid. The tire pressure is also checked and if the tires need air then they are filled. Lastly, they service technicians visually inspect the whole vehicle and make sure everything is working properly. Oil level, top of washer solvent, check power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, tire pressure, visual inspection of whole car. Mike Snyder, a Master Certified Mazda technician at Preston Mazda said “changing your oil is cheap insurance, it is around $30 whereas a new engine job would be around $9000”.
The Service Centers with Preston Automotive Group are open Monday through Friday from 7:30-5:00 and on Saturdays are open from 8:00-5:00. At Preston there are many professionally trained technicians who are very well knowledgeable on all models of vehicle. The Master Certified Technicians have been working on vehicles for many years.
Tips to Keep your Tires Cool This Summer
The summer heat is upon us and as it arrives everyone will try to keep cool. Just as heat will have an impact on people it will also have an impact on car reliability and safety. You can easily reduce the risk of tire blowouts if you follow some of these simple maintenance tips. Something as little as having your tires properly inflated will go a long way in helping to avoid failures! Hot weather causes heat build up and weakens the tire, potentially leading to abrupt failure. On a 90-degree day surface temperatures can easily hit 150-degrees.
First you should check the inflation pressure in each tire, including the spare tire. You should do these when the tires are cold or have been sitting for more than three hours
You should also inflate the tires to the recommended setting outlined on the tire information placard found most often on the driver’s door jamb and or the vehicle owner’s manual.
Check your tires monthly. Tires can typically lose up to 1 psi per month. The pressure in the tire drops about 1 psi for every 10-degree drop in the air temperature.
You should invest in a good tire gauge. It is even a good idea to also buy a portable compressor that works off of the cars power outlet.
Tires also lose air to common punctures. If you find you are always adding air to your tire than you might have a slow leak in your tire. Have this checked at your local service garage which includes the many service departments with the Preston Automotive Group.
If you want to reset your keyless entry keypad from the original factory setting then you will find there are just a few straightforward steps! The SecuriCode keyless entry keypad is located on the driver’s door and it allows you to enter a code in order to unlock your vehicle.
Before you even begin you should read the locks and security information which is located in your owner’s manual. You will also need to find the original five digit security code which is printed on the owner’s wallet card in the glove compartment.
1. The first step to programming your keyless entry keypad is to enter the factory set code, which again is located on the owner’s wallet card.
2. Now within five seconds of entering the factory code you should press the 1-2 button on the keypad.
3. It is now time for you to enter the five digit code that you would like to use. Each number must be entered within five seconds of the previous one!
4. If your Ford is equipped with the memory recall feature then press the 1-2 button to store Driver 1 settings and 3-4 to store Driver 2 settings.
5. The doors should lock then unlock, this will confirm that your personal entry code has been programmed.
Now your door will be programmed to the key code you want which will make it easier to remember!
Survive the Potholes this Spring and Summer
This winter brought on a lot of snow, sleet and ice. With these types of conditions the roads worsen, not just when this bad weather is happening but after the bad weather has cleared. The brutal winter has created crater sized potholes that weren’t seen before winter came around. Driving into a pothole puts enormous strain on your tires, wheels, and suspension. The speed you are going and the depth of the road all play a part in the severity of the damage that can be done. Potholes are caused when relentless freezing and thawing of water under the pavement weakens the road and causes large cracks which when combined with the weight of a vehicle driving over eventually turn into potholes.
Any direct hit in a pothole could bring about instant air loss in your tire and this will require your tire to be replaced.
There are different ways to survive these pothole infested roads!
- Slow down and pay attention to road conditions. Some potholes might appear smaller than they are if they are filled with water. You should also keep an eye on the distance between you and the car in front of you. This will give them time to react as well as you if there is a pothole ahead.
- If the impact of the pothole is inevitable try to at least partly slow down and drive straight into the pothole. Turning into the pothole could create more sidewall damage. Also make sure that you have a firm grip on the steering wheel to avoid losing control.
- After encountering a pothole be sure to stop or pull over and check your car for visible signs or wheel or tire damage. Keep in mind that if the front tire hit the pothole than the back tire more than likely did as well.
- Keep tires inflated to the recommended inflation pressure. This is one of the best guards for minimizing pothole damage. Most cars are now equipped with a inflation pressure monitor. Under or overinflated tires can affect a tires resistance to pothole damage.
- A great way of avoiding potholes is to take roads that you know well. When you take the roads you are familiar with then you will know exactly where the potholes are. Also try to drive on well-lit roads when driving at night so that you can see any potholes.
The potholes can damage much more than just your tires, these include:
- Tire puncture, damage or wear
- Wheel rim damage
- Premature wear on shocks and struts
- Suspension damage, including broken components
- Steering system misalignment
- Exhaust system damage
- Engine Damage
National Donut Day at the Preston Autoplex
Friday June 6th was National Donut Day. National Donut Day is the first Friday in the month of June every year. It first started in 1938 when a young military doctor was sent to a military base. On his way to the base he stopped by a bakery and picked up 8 dozen donuts. When he arrived at the base he began helping wounded soldiers and would give them a donut. This is how National Donut Day first came about. In honor of National Donut Day everyone at the Preston Autoplex got to enjoy fresh donuts from Bay Country Bakery. To add to the excitement we decided to have a donut eating contest in our BlackFrog building. There were three contestants and they had to eat four donuts as fast as they could. Whoever finished first won and took home the title of “Fastest Donut Eater”.
The contests were Brent “Krispy Dream” Durham, April “Dunkin’ Yourself Green, and Ricky “Hostess with the Mostess” Lynn. They three of them sat down for a pre-contest interview. David Wilson Jr. was kind enough to interview each one and ask them how they were going to eat the four donuts the quickest. There were four different types of donuts they had to eat. They could eat these four donuts in any order they wished. The donuts were glazed, powdered, sprinkled, and marble frosting. All three had different approaches as to which donut they would eat first. Here is the footage from the actual contest.
The winner was Brent “Krispy Dream” Durham. He ate the donuts in 3 minutes and 22 seconds! The second to finish was Ricky “Hostess with the Mostess” Lynn who didn’t fall far behind Brent. He was only a bite or two behind Brent but couldn’t manage to out eat him. In last place was April, who David says “hasn’t shown up to the competition yet”.
Stay tuned for our next eating contest here at the Autoplex which will be on July 6th. July 6th is National Fried Chicken Day, be sure to watch out for our footage on who wins the National Fried Chicken Eating Contest!
The 2015 Ford Focus
For the year 2015 the Ford Focus is going to take on a new striking look from both the inside and the outside. The exterior of the Focus commands attention from every angle while still showcasing an elegant profile with nice flowing lines. The focus is also outfitted with stylish wheels. You can choose from a wide range of designs available on the S, SE and Titanium.
With the 2015 Ford Focus there will be a SE EcoBoost Package, this will come with a 1.0L Ecoboost engine, an engine that packs enough punch to handle wherever you go driving! The Focus Elcectric is powered completely by a rechargeable state of the art lithium battery. This means you never have to stop for gas or even an oil change. Being 100% Electric also means that there is zero CO2 emissions! The standard 2.0L Ti-VCT I-4 engine is flex fuel capable so you can use unleaded or E85 or a combination of the two.
On the interior you will find it to be just as impressive as the exterior. The inside has a center stack that will be re imagined. The technology is inspiring and there is a new lineup of available seats on the S, SE, and Titanium trims. There is also a new SE Appearance Package. It includes features such as leather-trimmed seats with an eight way power seat, LED signature lighting, and new 17 inch aluminum wheels.
The 2015 Ford Focus will also get new technology! Standard features will include the communications system that helps you stay connected and a rear view camera that helps you see what’s behind your vehicle. The voice activated technology, SYNC, comes standard on all models. There is also the available Blind Spot Information System which uses rear radar sensors to warn you of cars approaching from either side. Cross traffic alert can help warn you of other vehicles you can’t see when you’re slowly backing out of a parking space. The rear view camera gets a picture of what is behind you. All you have to do is put your vehicle in reverse and the standard rear view camera will automatically display an image of what is behind you while you are backing up.
The Ford Focus is also smart! The available SecuriCode keyless entry keypad lets you conveniently unlock your vehicle without a key or push button remote. MyKey encourages responsible driving by others when they are behind the wheel of your Focus by allowing you to limit top speeds, decrease audio volume and more. Grabbing a cold steering wheel in the winter is not pleasant! Now the Focus will offer an available heated steering wheel. This will make those unbearably cold days a little better!
The 2015 Ford Focus will be in showroom in early 2015. Stay updated on Facebook and our blog for more information about when the Ford Focus might be at the Preston Autoplex! Preston Ford is looking forward to having this excellent car on their showroom floor!
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