Archive for the ‘New Suzuki Cars’ Category

While Oregon winters are usually mild, we aren’t strangers to snow, ice, hail, and other cold-weather hazards. Winter driving requires special attention to your vehicle, and winter weather can place any vehicle – or any driver – in an unsafe condition. Here are five tips to see you safely through the winter driving season:

Consider Purchasing Snow Tires While “all-weather” tires can suffice, purchasing high-quality winter tires might be the best thing you can do for your vehicle if you plan on being in the snow often (and you do, don’t you?). New tread patterns that are efficient on both dry pavement and snow have replaced loud, deep-treaded snow tires of the past and are definitely worth considering.

Always keep plenty of gas in the tank. You never know when you will be stuck somewhere in traffic, or stuck on the mountain in the snow. Your gas mileage may drop during winter, because there is more stop-and-go driving, because the roads are slicker, and because your vehicle may operate at a lower temperature. Unless your engine is running rough or the check engine light is on, a small decline in miles per gallon is normal. To keep your miles per gallon at their best, and to drive safely, watch your tire pressure. Most manufacturers do not recommend that you change the inflation during the winter. When in doubt, consult your owners’ manual.

Check Your Tire Pressure Monthly This is crucial throughout the winter months. Cold weather can mean significant drops in your tire pressure and a threat to not only your fuel economy, but also your safety. Establish one day each month to ensure you are keeping up with the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle – doing so can prevent major problems down the road.

Learn how to use your 4-wheel drive or anti-lock brakes ahead of time. Consider practicing in an empty parking lot. This is particularly important when you buy an unfamiliar vehicle. Anti-lock brakes cause a unique shudder and noise from the brake pedal. This is normal. They usually don’t even activate unless you stomp down on the brake pedal hard and fast. Try it. That way it won’t be so scary when you experience this in a panic situation. 4-wheel drive now has several configurations depending on the make and model of the vehicle. If yours is one that you have to activate, learn how yours works before you need it. For most vehicles, it should not be used on dry pavement, which can bind up the drive train.

Don’t pour hot water on a frozen car. It can cause your windshield to crack. Plan a few extra minutes to allow the interior of your car to warm up and defrost the windshield, or place an old rubber mat over your windshield before you go to bed at night.

Looking for your own cold-weather ready new or pre-owned vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

Last year, Suzuki aired (in select markets), a memorable, dialogue-free ad featuring a good-looking man, the all-wheel drive Suzuki Kizashi, and evil snowmen. Evil, red-eyed snowmen who believed—wrongly, of course—that throwing snowballs at the expertly-balanced sedan would somehow throw its driver off-course and…well, we never find out because of course the Kizashi is the victor.

After spending a reported $200,000 to air the “Wicked Winter Weather” ad in 2011, Suzuki has revealed that a 2012 Kizashi ad spot will be aired during Super Bowl XLVI. Like last year’s ad, this year’s will air in select markets. Any other details, however, are being held close to the vest. In a photo released to AutoBlog.com, we see a parka-clad person standing outside an igloo, waving goodbye to another parka-clad person being pulled by a sled dog team. The mountains surrounding the pair are impressive.

We’ll see how impressive the ad is on February 5. In the meantime, if you’re looking for your own Suzuki Kizashi or other quality new or pre-owned vehicle, browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

The Grand Vitara is Suzuki’s contribution to the SUV market. Combining car-like independent suspension and a truck-like body that the editors at MotorTrend call “a handsome hauler,” the 2012 Grand Vitara is sporty and comfortable.

The Ultimate Adventure package comes complete with easy-to-clean synthetic seats (the Limited edition comes with leather seats and a moonroof), a Garmin navigation system with Bluetooth capability, and satellite radio. While some Blackberry smartphones may have difficulty pairing with the Bluetooth and audio systems, the audio system also comes with an auxiliary jack, providing a workaround for those potential issues.

The engine is powerful enough for everyday driving, with 166 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The criticisms provided by the MotorTrend editors are, like many of their criticisms, are not directly applicable to everyday drivers. Downshifting, they say, takes too long and speeds over 70mph require “the driver’s full attention.” Every driver should have full attention on the driving experience, no matter what the speed.

Overall, the Grand Vitara is an affordable and efficient SUV (EPA estimates set expected mpg in the mid-20s). Classic features of the now-discontinued Samurai have been married to updated desires of the modern SUV market.

Looking for your own Suzuki Grand Vitara or other quality new or pre-owned vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

Over 6 million accidents occur on America’s roads and highways every year. They range from minor fender-benders to tragic multiple-vehicle pileups involving fatalities. In the stress of the moment, we often forget what to do. If you are involved in a crash, follow these steps.

Immediately Pull Over to the Right Shoulder If you can move your vehicle, put on your hazard lights and park as far on the right shoulder as possible. If there is no shoulder, the car is drivable, and you are uninjured enough to move it, put on your hazard lights and drive to the nearest safe place to pull over. Do not leave the scene of an accident, even a minor one, unless it would be more dangerous to remain there (such as on a winding back road or in the middle of a busy intersection).

Do a Head-to-Toe Check of all Passengers Is everyone conscious? Is anyone bleeding? Start at the head and work downward toward the toes and outward toward the fingers. Ask about every body part. This is important information to give emergency workers. Keep in mind that adrenaline will delay many physical consequences, such as soft tissue damage. Do not move anyone who is unconscious. Moving someone who has possibly sustained a neck or spinal injury, if you are not a trained paramedic with proper equipment, can cause irreparable harm.

Call 911 Police, ambulance, and possibly fire. Now is not the time to worry about ambulance fees if you’re uninsured. Many hospitals have assistance programs and payment programs, and car insurance includes coverage for harm to passengers involved in accidents. Let the professionals assess the damage.

Call AAA or Roadside Assistance It’s going to take a while for a tow truck to arrive. If you need one, call them as soon as you get off the line with emergency services. By the time you’re done with the police and the other driver(s), the tow truck will have arrived.

If Possible and Safe, Remain in the Vehicle Life is not like the movies and a fender bender isn’t going to make your SUV spontaneously burst into flames. Staying in the car, especially on a busy road or interstate, is generally safer than getting out and standing on the side of the road waiting for police and paramedics and tow trucks to arrive.

Trade Information with the other Driver(s) When the police have arrived, and it’s safe to leave your vehicle, get the other driver’s insurance information, name, driver’s license number, phone number, license plate number, and make and model of their vehicle. Get an incident report number from the responding officer(s). Keep copies of this information to give to your insurance company.

Call Your Insurance Provider The toll-free number is on the back of your insurance card, which should be in your glove box. Report the incident. Give the license plate number, name of the driver, insurance information, and description of the other vehicle. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask them and write down the answers. The stress of the situation will mean you probably won’t remember the details.

Great to look at and fun to drive, Suzuki’s SX4 crossover is efficient, affordable, and sporty. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ranked it a “Top Small Car” in May of 2011, and the editors of Kelly Blue Book gave it a mostly-favorable rating (most of their criticisms are superficial). The safety features in the SX4 – eight airbags, 4-wheels discs with ABS and electronic force distribution, a tire pressure monitoring system – make this an excellent family vehicle.

Other features include 17-inch alloy wheels, XM radio option, and navigation system in the Sport model –  making it a stylish, practical vehicle. While it’s not the most powerful car on the market – horsepower sits around 150 – fuel efficiency averages 31mpg highway and a well-equipped model runs about $17,500, making it an affordable option as well as stylish and safe.

At Gladstone Suzuki, we have a large selection of SX4 Crossover vehicles at great prices. Bring the family and come check one out for yourself!

To find other Suzuki vehicles, browse our new inventory, pre-owned vehicles, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

source: kbb.com