Archive for the ‘Suzuki’ Category

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.

Long gone are the days of children sleeping in the back window of the Oldsmobile on road trips, or hopping between front seat and back while zooming down the highway. Even in the years since safety seats for children were first made mandatory, the requirements have changed dramatically, and each state has its own regulations. To keep your smallest passengers as safe as possible, here are some basic car seat safety guidelines from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Be Sure the Seat is Installed Properly They may not seem complicated, but proper installation is crucial to the optimal performance in the unfortunate event of an accident. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which sometimes means choosing between belt or LATCH installation (it may seem safer to use both, but some seats aren’t made to be installed that way). Car seat installation inspection clinics are available in every state.

Hand-Me-Downs Aren’t Always Great Replace any seat that’s been in an accident, including minor crashes if there is structural damage to the vehicle. Don’t use a seat that is more than six years old or only has a three-point harness. See photo above for an example of a five-point harness, which is required for children who aren’t yet big enough for belt-positioning boosters.

Keep Children Rear-Facing as Long as Possible Most convertible or 3-in-1 style seats have a higher height and weight limit for keeping a child rear-facing than infant “bucket” seats. At a bare minimum, children should remain rear-facing until they are one year old and weigh 20 pounds. If your child hasn’t reached the seat’s maximum for height and weight, but his or her legs are long, teach your child to sit cross-legged. Kids are flexible and sitting that way is a lot more comfortable than it would be for an adult.

Use a Five-Point Harness as long as Possible Once your child is old enough and big enough to face forward, a five-point harness is the safest option (and mandatory in many states). Many manufacturers make five-point seats that can accommodate children up to 80 pounds, and a few are rated up to 100 pounds. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations and limits, and buy the highest-rated seat your budget will allow, especially if your child is taller or heavier than average.

Booster Seats for the Under-Sized Crowd Until children can wear a shoulder harness safely and properly—when it’s across their shoulders and thighs, not their neck and belly—they belong in a belt-positioning booster seat. Many states have age, height, or weight requirements that children must reach before they can ditch the booster.

Backseat for Safety The American Academy of Pediatrics and NHTSA both recommend that children younger than 13 should ride in the backseat if possible, in addition to always wearing a properly fitting seatbelt. This may spark protest in the pre-teen crowd, but safety should always come before riding shotgun.

Looking for your own safe, reliable family vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned vehicles, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

Car and Driver Magazine Wraps up Kizashi Test Drive Over 10 months and 42,000 miles later, after initial skepticism, the auto magazine’s editors call the Kizashi “the best Suzuki sedan [they’ve] ever seen, bar none.”

Suzuki Makes a Strong (and Cute) Showing at the Tokyo Motor Show Three concept cars – the Q, the Regina, and the Swift EV Hybrid, debuted in Japan last month.

MotorcycleUSA.com Contributing Editor Frank Melling Discusses His Experience with the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 After riding the bike (both in touring and racing) with his wife Carol for three years, Melling remains pleased with the bike’s smooth ride and impressive fuel economy.

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

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