Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe marks big upgrade over Veracruz
Until its demise following the 2012 model year, the Veracruz represented Hyundai's mainstay transport for people requiring accommodations for up to seven-passengers and their belongings. Its drawbacks, including a hefty 4,300-pound base weight, eventually placed it out of the running.
The Veracruz's capacity, if not its name, has been replaced by the Santa Fe, or at least one version of the Santa Fe. For the 2013 model year Hyundai has seen fit to create both a five-place model, called the Santa Fe Sport, plus an extended-length model with four inches added between the front and rear wheels that can seat six or seven, depending on the configuration. The Santa Fe now closely matches the boxier Veracruz's total cargo capacity, but is lighter by about 320 pounds.
The Santa Fe's trimmer, sleeker design also places it higher on the attractiveness scale. Abandoned is the soap-dish shape that was in evidence with first- and second-generation wagons. Along the sides and rear deck, the sheetmetal is now as taut and crisp as a starched shirt, while the grille copies a familiar style that's common to most of Hyundai's fleet. The Santa Fe's interior reveals that Hyundai is really getting the hang of what constitutes great interior design. From the sculpted dashboard and door panels to the inwardly angled primary gauges, the look is strictly premium, even without the available leather seat coverings or eight-inch touch-screen display.
A second-row bench seat that's included with the base GLS is split 40:20:40 and can be had with optional slide and recline to maximize either passenger comfort or stowage room. Second-row twin-folding high-back bucket seats are standard in the six-passenger Santa Fe Limited.
Both trim levels come with a 3.3-liter V6 that puts out 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. The engine is exclusive to the three-row Santa Fe (the five-passenger Sport comes with four-cylinder power). The V6 is hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift controls.
Fuel consumption is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 25 highway, or 18/24 if all-wheel-drive is selected.
AWD increases the Santa Fe's $29,200 base price by $1,750, but is well worth it for the added control and peace of mind in slippery, muddy conditions. The system has been engineered to shift torque to a single wheel, if necessary, depending on weather and driving conditions.
Additionally the AWD's active cornering control applies light braking to the outside wheels while turning to help stabilize the vehicle's intended trajectory.
Towing capacity for all is rated at 5,000 pounds.
Another Santa Fe feature is the Driver Selectable Steering Mode, which has Comfort, Normal and Sport settings. Selecting Comfort reduces steering effort by 10 percent and aids parking maneuverability. Inversely, the Sport position firms up the steering by the same amount and increases "on-center feel" for better highway control.
The base GLS is fitted with a solid array of content but stops short of going overboard. For that you'll need to move up to the Limited that comes with dual-zone climate control, eight-way power driver's seat, heated second-row seat, power tailgate, rearview camera, push-button start and a 19-inch alloy wheels (18-inchers are standard).
Heading an extensive list of options is a panoramic sunroof, eight-inch touch-screen navigation system, 550-watt 12-speaker premium audio package, heated steering wheel and rear-side-window sunshades.
With its enlarged dimensions, the attractively packaged Santa Fe provides more of everything to more people. Factor in a thrifty V6 and numerous technological improvements and it's a virtual certainty that most Hyundai shoppers will barely miss the Veracruz.
What you should know: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
Type: Four-door, front- /all-wheel-drive wagon
Engine (hp): 3.3-liter DOHC V6 (290)
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Market position: Tall wagons with all-wheel-drive capabilities are key in most automaker's lineups. Six- and seven-passenger models such as the Santa Fe occupy an increasingly important niche within that bracket.
Points: Extended-length Santa Fe complements regular-length five-passenger version; Standard V6 is unique to that model; AWD option a cut above most competitors in sophistication; Fuel economy about average for its class with more gears for automatic transmission likely on the way; Good looks and practical packaging make Santa Fe a solid choice.
Safety: Front airbags; side-impact airbags; side-curtain airbags; front-knee airbag; anti-lock brakes; traction control; stability control.
MPG (city/hwy): 18/25 (FWD)
Base price (incl. destination): $29,200
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
8 Maintenance Tips For a Trouble Free Summer Road Trip
You like to do what you can to stay cool in the summer; the same goes for your car. Over time, coolant begins to break down and no longer provides efficient cooling leading to expensive repairs. To maintain efficiency, get a radiator flush at least once a year. This helps your engine work easier, which increases your fuel efficiency.
2. Change Air Filters
All the air filters in your vehicle should be replaced at least twice a year. This means the one under the hood and any cabin air filters you may have. Replacing the air filters makes sure that not only your engine is getting the proper amount of clean air, but also you and your passengers are breathing clean air. There tends to be many more particles and allergens in the air during summer time, and filtering them out not only keeps your engine running better, but allows you to enjoy cleaner healthier air inside your vehicle.
3. Check the Tires
Summer means storms, and if the tread on your tires are not what they should be, it can lead to unsafe driving situations on wet roads. Checking your tires includes having the correct amount of air pressure. Making sure you have the correct tire pressure is important because you will get the most out of your tank of gas for those summer trips.
4. Replace Wiper Blades
Replacing your windshield wipers can make the difference between being able to see you’re way clearly and being blinded by a sudden summer rain. Winter weather with all the ice and salt quickly deteriorate the rubber blades on your windshield wipers. Replacing them at the start of the summer is the best way to know that if you are caught in a summer rain shower, you will see your way safely.
5. Check Brakes
You want to make sure that your brake system is working the way it should. You should check the system at least twice a year, especially before winter and before summer. Salt and other chemicals used on the roads in the winter can cause excess wear on your brake pads, leaving you with less stopping power. You also want to check your brake fluid. Brake fluid does evaporate through use. The brake system is a closed system and any large drop in fluid level can mean you may have a leak that requires repairs. If there is a significant drop in the amount of fluid you’ll want to take it to your mechanic and have it looked at.
6. Clean the Battery
Salt water splashing up under your car in the winter can cause corrosion on your battery. A buildup of corrosion can lead to a battery that will not keep a charge, leaving you stranded. It is also good for your vehicle’s electrical system to have a battery that is working at full capacity. If your battery looks corroded, a wire brush on the terminals will remove it. You also want to make sure that your cables are connected snugly and that they have no signs of damage. This takes five minutes, and can save you hours of waiting on the side of the road for a tow truck in the hot sun.
7. Check the Lights
You want to make sure that your headlights, as well as the rest of your exterior lights, are working properly. Making sure that all your turn signals and brake lights are working let other drivers know what you are doing, decreasing the chance of an accident. Replacing bulbs if needed is quick and easy, and can keep you from paying tickets, or worse, getting in an accident.
8. Clean the Car – Inside and Out
Keep the outside of your car clean. A clean windshield, inside and outside, means clear visibility. Keeping your lights clear of dirt makes them visible to other drivers. Keep the inside of your car clean of debris. Using your car as a trash can is not only unsanitary but also unsafe. Trash and debris on the floor can blow around and cause a distraction. Worse yet, if any of the debris ends up under your gas or brake pedal it could cause an accident. Summer heat is also not trash friendly; it breeds bacteria. Do yourself and your passengers a favor keep your vehicle clean.
Being safe is the most important key to summer driving. Nothing can ruin a summer road trip than being stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck in the hot summer sun. It is always better to think ahead and prevent problems rather than trying to fix them once they occur. So, maintain your car and enjoy your summer road trip.
Source: CarInsuranceQuotesOnline.com
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Special Coupon Offers for May!
Save money on new tires with this month's
special offer fans! Print out a copy and bring it in to take advantage
of this deal before it expires!Link: http://on.fb.me/ZAuYQn
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