Winter driving technology has come a long way beyond heated seats and power steering wheels. While those improvements are welcome, there are other features that make driving in winter weather safer and less of a hardship. DCH Montclair Acura offers a list of some of the most impressive new driving technologies that can make your winter travel easier.
Accident-preventive anti-lock brakes
Having anti-lock brakes on your car makes sense during any season, but especially for winter driving. An anti-lock brake system keeps your car under control when applying your brakes. This feature stops your car wheels from locking and helps to prevent skidding by shortening stopping distances. Even if you find yourself in a dangerous situation, your anti-lock brakes will allow you to continue steering your car while bringing it to a halt.
Heated side mirrors for safety
When you drive during extreme winter weather conditions, you need to be able to see not only the road in front of you but also the road behind you. Heated side mirrors are a common safety option on many new vehicles. The heating element clears snow, ice, fog and prevents any more build-up as you continue to drive. Certain models connect the heated side mirror function to the rear window defroster, while many others have a dedicated button for this purpose.
Improved windshield technology
Although heated windshields are rare, more common are heated wipers (also called "de-icers") and washers. No matter what this feature is called, the point is that the heating element dislodges frozen wipers to allow them to clear the full arc of your vision through the windshield. Most new cars offer this technology as an added option with its own control button, while others connect the feature to work automatically with standard feature defrosters. Windshield washer fluid is always accessible during freezing temperatures when you have heated nozzles/hoses connected to the washer reservoir.
Remote start feature
This feature is especially attractive for people who hate to get into a cold standing car. When your car has the remote start feature, you can turn the car on automatically without getting inside. The best system will also turn on the heat and activate defrosters and heated seat warming. While this feature isn’t environmentally friendly because it wastes fuel, it is a luxury feature that people choose if they drive in extreme winter weather conditions.
Vision-enhancing adaptive headlights
While standard headlights shine directly ahead in a straightforward way, adoptive headlights react to steering speed and car elevation and adjust automatically to illuminate your road vision ahead. Steer your car left and adaptive headlights will angle to the left as well. These headlights are designed to help not only the driver, but to also other cars driving towards you on the same road. Who hasn’t been blinded by on-coming car headlights? Because adaptive headlights are directed downwards toward the road, headlight glare is reduced.
Want to learn more about the technology features on the latest Acura models? Just visit DCH Montclair Acura today.
One of the things we love most about Acura at DCH Montclair Acura is the brand’s willingness to shake up the luxury mold. This trait is evident in each design to come out of the brand. At the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, Acura offered a look at an even more powerful version of luxury with three stunning sedan concepts.
The three concepts were the result of a collaboration with Southern California aftermarket groups. Evasive Motorsports produced the Acura RLX VIP Sedan, while MAD Industries showcased the RLX Urban Luxury Sedan and Street Performance ILX.
2014 Acura RLX VIP Sedan
Designed to be at home during the daily commute and a night on the town, the RLX VIP Sedan is accented with custom fiber front chin spoiler, bumper vents, and side skirts; a custom Evasive Motorsports exhaust and quad titanium exhaust tips; and luxurious Jordan Brand-inspired custom elephant print neck pillows for the ultimate in VIP comfort.
2014 Acura RLX Urban Luxury Sedan
Bridging the gap between performance luxury and everyday driving needs, the RLX Urban Luxury Sedan is resplendent in brushed black metallic film with gloss black accents and an Acura Genuine Accessory decklid spoiler. Large silver 22-inch Niche wheels and MPG custom satin black caliper covers also accent the exterior, while 3M brushed black metallic film door and trim accents lend the interior a modern look and feel.
Acura Street Performance ILX
The Street Performance ILX boasts a supercharged powertrain courtesy of CT Engineering and an ECU Tune, cranking out 250 wheel horsepower. A prototype SP Elite exhaust adds a distinctive finishing touch to the performance array—but this customized ILX also looks great with an Acura Genuine Accessories aero kit and 19-inch TSW Max wheels.
These custom models aren’t slated for production, but you can check out photos at the Acura Media Newsroom. To see the ultimate in Acura design available now, visit us at DCH Montclair Acura.
Keep your cool and follow these easy steps to make your winter driving simple
How are you preparing for the winter? You’re probably getting yourself some Chap Stick, changing up your wardrobe, and stocking up on hot chocolate and cough drops. Well, your car needs to prepare for the cold too.
We’ll start with the exterior. Much like your chapped lips, your car’s skin takes a beating from the elements when harsh winter weather kicks in. Take some time out of your day to wash and dry your car before the winter season hits. Also, don’t forget that a shady spot or protective rooftop can do your car good.
Moving down the car, make sure your wheels are in tip-top shape. You won’t be walking around barefoot or in sandals once the grounds covered in snow or ice, so why leave your car’s feet unattended? First off, make sure you check your tire pressure. For every 10 degrees the temperature goes down, the pressure decreases by 1-pound. Keep an eye on your wheels to make sure that they have proper pressure levels and to be aware of any signs of wear and tear.
Finally, be prepared! The only thing worse than finding yourself on the side of the road with a dysfunctional car is finding yourself in that same spot without a plan. Some useful items to have on hand are a notepad, flashlight, a snack and water, and a battery-powered cell phone charger. Whether you make your own emergency kit or purchase one at a local department store, make sure you are ready for the worst-case scenario!
We at DCH Montclair Acura want you to be ready for elements this winter season. We hope you take these simple steps to protect you and yours. For more service tips and answers, contact us today.
The day you bring home your new car is well-worth celebrating. The day you trade it in for a new vehicle can be just as exciting, especially if you have maintained your vehicle well over the years. DCH Montclair Acura has the details on why proper maintenance is so important, both during ownership and when trading in.
Cost vs. Benefit. There are two primary reasons individuals don’t get proper maintenance on their vehicles: time and money. Those who don’t have enough time to keep their vehicle maintained will definitely not have enough time to get it repaired down the road. Those who are worried about the cost of maintaining a vehicle need to examine two things: the cost of getting a vehicle repaired due to a lack of maintenance, and the increase in resale value as a result of proper maintenance.
Documentation. So you followed your maintenance log that came with your vehicle, right? Great! You also documented each and every oil change, tune up, tire rotation, windshield wiper switch, and whatever else you could think of documenting, correct? Having this information on hand makes your vehicle much more attractive to buyers. If you tell a prospective buyer that you’ve meticulously maintained your vehicle, he or she will be more likely to believe you if it’s properly documented in a log book, especially when accompanied by receipts. When you service at DCH Montclair Acura, you’ll get a detailed report of exact which services were performed to help you maintain your vehicle’s value.
Recommended maintenance and what to record. If you haven’t kept a log, gather your receipts. If you don’t have receipts, go through credit card statements. Make sure your records are accurate. Here are some of the things you should document:
• Fluid changes
• Tire rotation
• Paint or body shop receipts
• Engine repair paperwork
• Car detailing receipts
• Inspection reports
• Smog certificates
Other recommended maintenance. Obviously, nobody wants to buy a car that doesn’t run well, but in your haste to document and maintain mechanical aspects of the vehicle, don’t neglect to maintain the exterior and interior. Unsightly blemishes on the exterior or a torn, ripped, or dirty interior can distract from your well-organized documentation as well.
Pre-sale preparation. In addition to routine cleaning of the car’s exterior and interior, there are a few things you’re going to want to pay special attention to when preparing a car for resale. Clean the windshields inside and out. Use a high-quality product to return the luster to vinyl surfaces and components on the inside. Vacuum the upholstery and carpets. Wipe down surfaces. If you’ve been doing this all along, you’ll have no problems when it comes to preparing the vehicle. Keep the exterior free of debris and give it a good detailing when preparing it for sale.
There are more factors than routine maintenance when it comes to maintaining a car’s value. Take note, however, that an unmaintained vehicle will fetch less money, regardless of its make or model.
Acura always thrills with its innovative ad spots, and this new video showcasing the 2014 TL Special Edition is no exception. “Special” is the right word for it: with a 280-horsepower VTEC® V6 engine; 10-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels; a color-matched rear spoiler; and Special Edition badging, this is one sport sedan that’s anything but ordinary.
Check out the video above, and visit DCH Montclair Acura to see the 2014 TL-SE in action.
Driving a rental or loaner vehicle can be a fun break from your usual vehicle, even if you have been forced to do it by factors outside your control. If you are driving a car of this sort, however, you should not assume that it is simply a case of taking the keys and cruising away. It’s very important to understand what your obligations and responsibilities are. Remember these tips from DCH Montclair Acura when you get behind the wheel of a rental or loaner vehicle.
Fuel
It is vital that you check your liabilities for gas. In some cases you will be supplied a vehicle with a full tank of gas, and you must return it on that basis. In other cases, the tank will be close to empty, and you will simply have to put in the gas that you need to use. In the case of the former, make sure that you fill the tank up completely or you may be charged a nasty re-fueling fee. In the case of the latter, ensure that you do not put more fuel in the tank than you need or you may be funding the next user’s driving.
Damage report
Make sure that you have checked the car over for damage BEFORE you drive it away. In most cases, you will be issued with a damage report. Check this carefully, and do not be frightened to be too picky. In many cases, you can be held liable for all damage to the vehicle and if it is not on the report when you take the car away, you will be unable to prove that you did not cause the damage.
Emergency cover
Your rental or loaner vehicle will normally be supplied with inclusive emergency breakdown coverage. Ensure that you have all the details to hand that you may need in the event that you need to call for assistance. Check this before you drive off, but if you forget, give the rental company a call from home to clarify the contact details and level of cover that you have. Make sure that you are aware of any additional responsibilities that you may have. You may be asked to give the rental company a call as well as the assistance number, for example.
Mileage limits
You cannot assume that you are able to drive the car for unlimited mileage while it is on loan to you. In some cases, you may be limited to a reasonable mileage limit, after which you will be charged a hefty fee on a mile-by-mile basis. If you are on a mileage-restricted contract, ensure that you confirm the car’s mileage before you leave and that you reset the counter to zero so that you can easily keep tabs on your usage.
Documentation
Keep all the documentation related to your rental or loan vehicle. Do not leave it in the glove box or on the seat in the car. If the car is stolen, you will not have any paperwork related to the car. Make sure that you do not blindly sign every piece of paper put in front of you either. Like any other type of contract, make sure you know what you are signing before you sign it.
Seinfeld wowed Super Bowl viewers in 2012 in a commercial featuring the future Acura NSX, kicking off a unique relationship that continues to show why Acura stands out from the luxury crowd. Acura is now the sole sponsor of Seinfeld’s webseries “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” and the comedian goes into detail about the experience in a recent interview in Bloomberg:
“Acura said, ‘We’re not going to interfere with the show.’ Other people did not say that.”
Seinfeld also says that he regularly communicates with Honda’s U.S. marketing chief, Senior Vice President Mike Accavitti, to share ideas for upcoming episodes. If you haven’t checked out the show yet, now’s the perfect time (you can watch it at http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/). As Acavitti says, “He’s always generating ideas for us, to help him add greater value to our partnership. I can’t go into greater detail, but you’re going to see some stuff this next season.”
Pushing the boundaries of the ordinary is just part of the job for Acura. Visit DCH Montclair Acura to see how you can bring this unique style to your own driving experience.
Fan questions are answered at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
The Acura NSX Supercar recently came to life and blew our minds at Mid-Ohio last August. It has returned at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Showand this time it came with the man who helped create it, Ted Klaus. Klaus is the chief engineer of Acura’s most recent supercar project and agreed to answer some burning questions from Acura fans online. Click play to hear about the hybrid powered SH-AWD Acura system that powers the NSX and learn about how the Acura engineers used original NSX elements to build the new prototype. We won’t see the NSX at DCH Montclair Acura until 2015, but at least we have this to hold us over.
Fans experience the Acura & Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, CA
It was a day these Acura fans will not soon forget. This group of lucky enthusiasts was invited through the Acura Facebook page to come visit the Acura & Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, CA to talk about their Acura experiences and take a walk down Memory Lane with rows upon rows of Acura history. The museum is a collection of benchmark cars that represent the progression of Acura’s success over the years in the U.S. market.
August ended on a particularly bright note for Acura, with the company breaking several Acura monthly sales records and seeing a 9.0 percent sales gain overall. It seems that drivers love the all-new MDX as the redesigned crossover set an all-time record with its best month of sales ever—up 17.1 percent.
The Acura RDX continued its string of success with its 16th straight monthly sales record, up 49.7 percent. Acura also had a 27.3 percent gain in light-truck sales, setting an all-time record for the second straight month.
Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura sales, says, “More luxury SUV shoppers are choosing the Acura brand than ever before.” At DCH Montclair Acura, we think it’s easy to see why. Just visit our dealership today to test drive the new MDX or one of our other new Acura models.
Winter driving technology has come a long way beyond heated seats and power steering wheels. While those improvements are welcome, there are other features that make driving in winter weather safer and less of a hardship. DCH Montclair Acura offers a list of some of the most impressive new driving technologies that can make your winter travel easier.
One of the things we love most about Acura at 
Driving a rental or loaner vehicle can be a fun break from your usual vehicle, even if you have been forced to do it by factors outside your control. If you are driving a car of this sort, however, you should not assume that it is simply a case of taking the keys and cruising away. It’s very important to understand what your obligations and responsibilities are. Remember these tips from 
August ended on a particularly bright note for Acura, with the company breaking several 