Consider the following tips for getting your car in shape before colder temperatures hit:

* Maximize your visibility. Replace worn wiper blades – generally, they should be replaced every six months – and ensure that your heater and defroster are working properly to aid in window clearing. Before you start driving, always remove all snow and ice from the hood, roof and trunk surfaces of your vehicle, not just the windshield, and defrost all windows.

* Check your tire pressure. Recommended tire pressures for your car can usually be found on the inside of your driver’s-side door frame. Properly inflated tires will help ensure you have the best traction possible on wet or icy roads. Have a professional check the tire pressure often, as tires lose approximately one pound per square inch of pressure for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature drop.

* Prevent fluid freezing. A variety of fluids are needed to keep your car running efficiently, and require different techniques to prevent them from freezing. Fill your windshield washer reservoir with a winter-rated washing solution. Keep your gas tank as full as possible. Have a shop check for your manufacturer’s recommended mix of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your radiator.

* Light the way. Make sure your headlights, taillights and turn signals are all in working order. Clear them of snow each time you drive. If driving in fog, heavy rain or snow, be sure to not overdrive the beams of your headlights. Drive at a speed that keeps you within your field of vision.

* Invest in preventive maintenance. Consult your owner’s manual for recommended preventive maintenance according to the odometer reading you’re approaching. If an oil change is called for, make sure you receive oil with the correct viscosity for your vehicle at this time of year. Oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, and oil that’s too thick won’t do its job properly.

* Examine under the hood. Have a shop take a look at your belts and hoses and test the battery. Battery cables should be properly connected and free of corrosion or harsh wear and tear. If they’re not, fix them now. Ask your local Midas shop for a multi-point visual courtesy check, which will tell you about your car’s condition and help identify whether your vehicle may benefit from winter maintenance services.

* Consider putting on snow tires. If you live in an area that’s prone to heavy snow, particularly if you have hills to navigate, snow tires will give you extra traction and help you avoid sliding or getting stuck.

* Pack an emergency kit in your car. Even the most well-maintained car can get stranded in deep snow or inclement weather. Some things you might want to keep in the car: blankets, first aid kit, windshield scraper, jumper cables, safety goggles, small shovel, bag of sand or cat litter or even tire chains for traction, tool kit, waterproof matches, highway flares, brightly colored cloth or “help” sign, bottled water and energy bars.

* Plan extra driving time. Whether it’s rainy, snowy or icy, your car is at risk of hydroplaning, slipping or sliding if you drive too fast. Allot extra time to get to your destinations during winter months so you don’t have to rush.

“Whether you’re making a short trip to work, or embarking on a long drive home for the holidays, the last thing you want is for your car to fail and leave you stuck,” says Scott Batwinas, Service Director at Lynchburg Nissan Mazda. “Don’t wait to make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving.”

Call our service department to learn more and make an appointment to have your vehicle looked at.
Lynchburg Nissan: 434-385-7733
Lynchburg Mazda: 434-385-7736

Standard equipment on the i SV includes cruise control, power windows and locks, steering wheel audio controls, an anti-theft system, 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, auxiliary audio input and an MP3 compatible stereo. The i Sport adds privacy glass, leather-wrapped steering wheel and wireless cell phone hookup.

The s Touring adds standard 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seats, heated and power seats, driver lumbar, a retractable cargo cover and a Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound premium audio system. The top-of-the-line s Grand Touring trim adds 19-inch alloy wheels, performance tires, HID auto-on headlights, fog lights, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, electroluminescent gauges, navigation system, alarm, sunroof, leather seats with seat memory and rear parking aid.

Options available on most trims include an entertainment system, remote start and back up camera.

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 offers a number of changes and upgrades from previous years. New for 2010 is the introduction of a new base trim, the “i SV”, which comes with a newly offered naturally aspirated engine: a 2.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine offering 161 horsepower. On the outside, the CX-7 is now more pronounced with a revised front fascia, a more aerodynamic roof line design, sleek and sharp lines that go from bumper to bumper, and more powerful and pronounced wheel wells that are accented by a newly designed grille and redesigned rear and trunk. Inside, the 2010 model offers upgraded upholstery materials, a new steering wheel, revised gauges and chrome accents throughout the interior.

Sporty looks, excellent handling and braking, a practical design, excellent scores in federal crash tests

Introduced in 2006, the CX-7 represents Mazda’s first foray into the crossover SUV market and was designed on an original platform. The Mazda CX-7 slots between the smaller Tribute and larger CX-9. Since its debut, the CX-7 has gained in popularity and competes directly with Honda’s CR-V, Toyota’s RAV4 and Nissan’s Murano. With the new choice of two engines and several trims, the CX-7 keeps the Mazda tradition of performance and practicality alive and running. MSRP starts at around $21,000, which is about $2,200 cheaper than the 2009 model. Mileage on the base i SV is estimated at 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

While many Americans have become conditioned to take extra steps to avoid drinking and driving on New Year’s Eve, many fail to recognize the danger that exists throughout the holiday season and the professional football season.

With office holiday parties, holiday get-togethers thrown by friends and family, and a myriad of professional sports events, the opportunities to consume alcohol seem nearly endless this time of the year. Add factors such as poor driving conditions due to winter weather, shorter daytime driving hours and other holiday season driving distractions, and you have all the ingredients of a potential tragedy on the road.

The most important thing to do before going out to a holiday party or meeting friends at a local bar to watch a pro football game is to become familiar with the consequences of drinking and driving in your state. In many states, public safety officials are actively taking a stance against drunk driving through public information campaigns and stepped-up roadside DUI checks, especially during peak times, such as the holiday season.

Here are some additional tips on how to have a safer, DUI-free holiday season:

* Select a designated driver. Make sure to choose someone who promises not to drink and who will make sure that all passengers buckle up.

* Take a cab or public transportation. If you’re traveling alone or with just one other person, consider taking a cab or public transportation to and from your holiday event.

* Hosting the holiday party. If you host a holiday party, either at your home or at your workplace, make sure to offer your guests a cab ride to get home, if they need it. Make sure to also offer non-alcoholic beverages to your guests – as well as food to offset alcohol intake.

* Put down the cell phone. Even if you’ve only had one glass of wine or one beer, alcohol in any quantity can impair. Avoid compounding the situation with distractions such as talking on your cell phone or texting, which takes your eyes off the road.

* If you’re pulled over, remember to treat the officer with respect; otherwise, he or she could use your defiance as evidence against you in a trial. Turn your car off, put your keys on the dashboard, keep your hands on the steering wheel, in full view of the police officer and be prepared to show your driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.

* Think twice about refusing to take a breath test or blood alcohol content test. Some states impose severe consequences if you refuse a blood or breath test, as opposed to taking one and failing.

* Behavior matters. Even if you do test below the legal limit of .08 (standard in many states), an officer who still believes that you have demonstrated behavior that prevents you from safely operating a motor vehicle can arrest you. If you are taken to court, the prosecution will almost always rely on the arresting officer’s testimony about your behavior and operation of the vehicle. This includes swerving your car, having slurred speech and/or bloodshot eyes, a heavy odor of alcohol and your inability to walk straight.

Have fun and be safe, from your friends at Mabry Automotive, Lynchburg Nissan and Lynchburg Mazda

Small stature perfect for urban driving; distinctive styling; zippy performance from turbocharged engine; available all-wheel drive.

The growing crossover segment is creating a competition among auto manufacturers of who could best balance the conflicting components of small yet roomy, powerful yet fuel efficient and sporty yet rugged. Nissan, long famous for both athletic and tough vehicles, seems to have hit all the buttons with the new Juke. The car’s small-car origins mean it is ideal as an around-town cruiser and easy to park, yet its all-wheel drive capabilities will allow you to leave the city behind. Rivals like the Suzuki SX4 can’t match the Lynchburg Nissan Juke for performance, and its distinctive looks mean that it will surely turn heads.

In fact, 24 percent of accidents are weather-related, according to the Federal Highway Administration. The best way to avoid a weather-related accident is to refrain from driving when conditions aren’t ideal. But since that’s not always possible, you should take steps to protect yourself and your vehicle before the weather turns bad.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends taking the following actions before winter hits:

* Get your car serviced to see if you have any major issues that could leave you stranded in bad weather.

* Make sure your battery has enough power to start your car in cold weather.

* Make sure you have the proper amount of coolant to avoid freezing and consult your owner’s manual to see if you should change the coolant/water ratios.

* Fill up on wiper fluid and inspect your windshield wipers.

* Check tires for cracks and worn tread. Make sure your tire pressure is at recommended levels as colder air can cause them to deflate.

* Stock your vehicle with emergency items like a shovel, sand, blankets and jumper cables.

These preparations can also help protect your vehicle from winter wear:

* If you drive a truck, spray-on truck bedliners, such as those offered by LINE-X, can help protect your truck bed from rust and other negative effects of road salt and extreme temperature changes. LINE-X Protective Coatings has also been used to protect many of the nation’s bridges from corrosion, as well as the walls of the Pentagon against blast mitigation, so it has the reputation for standing up to the elements year round. More information can be found at www.LineX.com.

* Wax your car before winter hits. While you might think of waxing as more of a cosmetic treatment, it can also protect your car’s paint from road salt and scratching caused by extra sand on other debris on the road.

* Wash your car frequently in the winter to remove rust-causing agents. Pay special attention to the undercarriage of your vehicle and the wheel wells, as these are often the first areas to rust.

Now that you have all the information to prepare your car for the winter, be sure to drive carefully and pay attention to other drivers – not everyone is as well-prepared for winter driving as you are.

This contest will run all day Nov 24th, 26th and 27th or until all available gift card certificates have been given away. Supply is limited. One winner per household. Employees and their family are not eligible to win.

Gas cards issues in appreciation of your support, no purchase necessary. These cards are issued by Capital Marketing Concepts, which reserves the right to substitute a comparable gift card.

• Only one card certificate per house hold may be redeemed in any calendar month.
• Certificates are completely transferable, but may not be resold under any circumstances. Notice of resell will void the certificate.
• All certificates must be mailed in individual envelopes to ensure quality processing.
• Allow 2-4 weeks for processing

Please see dealer for compete Terms and Conditions or if you have any questions.

The new design language has been labeled ‘Kodo’, the Japanese word for soul of motion. Key design elements include the aluminum signature wing and the sculpted body.

Speaking at the Shinari’s unveiling, Mazda design boss Ikuo Maeda said: “this design will lead to the next generation of Mazda design and will lead to other elements.” Few other details have been revealed, including whether or not Mazda plans to put the Shinari into production.

GOAL:
The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

ACTIVITIES:
The principal Toys for Tots activity which takes place each year is the collection and distribution of toys in the communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located.

If you would like to drop off new, unwrapped toys for children in our community… please stop by our Lynchburg Nissan or Lynchburg Mazda showroom during regular business hours, weekdays 9AM to 8PM or Saturdays 9AM to 6PM and Sundays 11AM to 5PM.