Tag Archives: Hamilton Auto Blog

Child-Focused Safety Features For The Interior Of Your Vehicle – Part 1

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car safety

Most family-friendly vehicles come with a long list of child-focused safety features, but what do they all mean? We have put together a short list of vehicle safety features that you might want to consider when purchasing a child-friendly vehicle. A lot of the features listed below do come standard, but what roll do they play in your family’s traveling safety?

3-point belts: A 3-point belt is a ‘Y’-shaped arrangement, similar to the separate lap and sash belts, but unitized. Like the separate lap-and-sash belt, in a collision, the 3-point belt spreads out the energy of the moving body over the chest, pelvis, and shoulders.

Safety belt pre-tensioners: Reduces slack that may exist in a seatbelt system at the moment of a collision.

Shoulder belt height adjusters: Simply aligns the seat belt comfortably away from the neck of the passengers when properly positioning the height of the seat belt.

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Top Tethers for Children) Rear Seats: Also known in Canada as, LUAS (Lower Universal Anchorage System). LATCH is a way to secure a child safety seat to the vehicle using straps from the child safety seat that connect to special metal anchors in the vehicle. LATCH consists of lower anchors and top tethers, which are built-in to your vehicle, and connecting hooks that are built-in to your car seat. Lower anchors are used instead of the vehicle’s safety belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle. Tethers are used in addition to the lower anchors or the vehicle’s safety belt to secure a forward-facing child safety seat to the vehicle.

Vehicle LATCH Anchors:
Lower Anchors: These are a pair of metal “u-shaped” bars that are often hidden in the crack of the vehicle’s seat.

Tether Anchors: These are metal rings that are found behind each rear vehicle seat.

OnStar In-Vehicle Communications and Assistance Service – Subscription-based communication that provides customers with peace of mind through auto security and safety features -these include:

Automatic Crash Response
Emergency Services
Crisis Assist
Stolen Vehicle Assistance
Remote Door Unlock
Roadside Assistance
Remote Horn and Lights
Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Hands-Free Calling
Vehicle Diagnostics

Sliding rear seat: The rear seats have the ability to slide back and forth to give more leg room or more rear cargo space.

Tinted glass: Solar-absorbing tinted windows that are UV-filtered to limit children’s sun exposure.

Driver and Front Passenger Frontal Air Bags: Front air bags that help restrain the driver and front passenger in moderate to severe front impact crashes. Dual-depth units automatically adjust the deployment of the air bags based on the severity of the collision, the seat position and other factors.

Airbag Deactivation: The purpose of the switch in the OFF position is to disable a frontal air bag in order to transport occupants who are at increased risk for air bag-related injury due to age, size, or medical condition.

Head Curtain Side Impact Airbags: Seat-mounted and head curtain air bags help provide additional protection in moderate to severe side impact crashes.

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System): ABS helps the driver maintain proper vehicle steering control during hard braking, even on slick surfaces. ABS is standard equipment on most GM and Honda vehicles.

Hill Start Assist: This system prevents the car from rolling when trying to pull away on an upward or downward incline. The system engages automatically when the vehicle is at a complete stop on an incline. It then acts to hold the car stationary for two seconds after the brake is released giving the driver time to apply the throttle.

Some other convenient features to consider when buying a vehicle with children are: Steering wheel mounted audio controls, DVD entertainment with headphones, auxiliary audio input jack, USB ports, flat-folding rear seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, remote start, cargo area security net, halogen headlamps, fog lights, cup holders, extra lighting, keyless entry, Bluetooth and a large storage area.
We hope you enjoy all the excitement that comes with selecting a new vehicle for you and your family. Remember to ask your sales associate what features are standard and which are optional when you are selecting a vehicle. Give yourself peace of mind and leave our dealerships knowing your family is safe and secure.
Coming soon- PART 2: Child focused safety features for the exterior of your vehicle.

photo credit: http://www.mymetroparents.com

2015 Honda HR-V Compact SUV

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Spring has finally arrived…and we are already excited for the winter? I know, right now you’re saying we’re crazy, but it’s only because we are excited about a new sub-compact vehicle that Honda is set to launch next winter. The 2015 Honda HR-V will be joining the all-new 2015 Fit this winter as Honda expands its small car line-up. This new vehicle will be positioned below the CR-V in both price point and size.
HR-V-Front-3_4
Like the all-new Honda Fit, the HR-V is sharp looking and takes on a character of its own. Its unique centre tank layout will make it extra spacious for passengers and more versatile for the owner. Standard on the new SUV is the exclusive “Honda Magic Seat”, which will give you the option for multiple seat configurations and the capability to fold the second row seating completely flat. Dave Gardner, vice- president of sales and marketing for Honda Canada Inc. said, “both the Fit and the HR-V demonstrate how great things can come in small packages, and no one does this better than Honda.” With all the HR-V has to offer, we couldn’t agree with him more!

The HR-V will appeal to first time car buyers and those individuals who are loyal to the Honda brand. We at Image Honda can’t wait for it to arrive on our showroom floor and we are even more excited to let you experience all it has to offer. Make sure to follow us at Hamilton Auto Blog for the latest on the HR-V and everything Honda. As always, if you are interested in any of the vehicles in our award winning line up, please visit us at www.imagehonda.com or call us at 905-561-4100 today!

Reason`s Why You Need to Consider the 2014 Buick LaCrosse

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Buick has long been associated with luxury, reliability, affordability and style. It is precisely these traits that have made Buick the oldest American brand of automobile. We have seen many models come and go throughout the years, but the LaCrosse has always proved to be a favorite.

Image

This year, Buick has updated the flagship LaCrosse, giving it a slightly new look and adding some luxurious features. The basic frame of the car remains the same, however, there were modifications made to the suspension.

In terms of styling, the front features a new waterfall grille and an update to the rear end. The 2014 LaCrosse also features new wheel designs that are sure to garner attention. The inside of the vehicle takes on a new look and feel with numerous revisions such as: new 8 inch reconfigurable TFT screen and restyled centre stack. Newly available is the option to purchase the New Ultra Luxury Package. The package provides you with semi-analine leather upholstered seats, arm rest and door panels. This leather is the same leather that is used in Aston Martin vehicles.

New and exciting to the 2014 LaCrosse are the Xenon High-Intensity Discharge Headlights that wrap around redesigned LEF Taillights linked with chrome moulding for added style.

When it comes to safety, the 2014 LaCrosse provides you with a number of options to keep you informed and alert no matter the situation. The available options include:

Forward Collision Alert: Senses when you are approaching a vehicle too quickly, alerting you with audio and visual warnings.
Adaptive Cruise Control System: Helps the driver to maintain a safe following distance.
Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Change Alert: This feature will alert you with a prompt, which is visible in your rear-view mirror. It also alerts you when a vehicle has entered your blind spot or is quickly approaching in the lane beside you.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: This alert shows a view of the area behind the car on the colour touch screen. It also notifies you when an object or person is about to cross the rear of the car from either side.

With all the 2014 Buick LaCrosse has to offer, it’s no wonder we’re selling so many. The luxury and affordability of this vehicle outweighs all others in its class. Come and see us at Queenston on the Mountain today and take advantage of our loyalty programs and current offers. We would be happy to schedule you a test drive in the 2014 Buick LaCrosse. Visit us at www.queenstononthemountain.com or call us at 905-528-7001.

How To: Changing Your Wiper Blades

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There is nothing worse than getting to your car in the morning when you are late for work, only to find your windshield frozen over.  Often times, people will run their blades over the frozen windshield in order to clear it. This severely reduces the life span of your wiper blades. Wiper blades frequently get neglected on most cars and yet, they are constantly used and exposed to harsh conditions.  We recommend that you change your blades at least once a year, preferably every 6 months.

If your wipers are rattling, streaking or simply not cleaning your window, it is time to replace them.  This also goes for wipers that are cracked, torn, nicked or damaged.  Winter especially can have an effect on your blades with cold/freezing temperatures, causing them to crack and split.  If you are unsure whether or not it is time for a change, perform a simple check with your washer fluid.

Changing your wiper blade yourself, believe it or not, is one of the easiest maintenance jobs that can be performed on your vehicle.  I discovered this myself last week when I realized it was time for new blades, and had our friendly service advisors show me how.

Please watch our quick “How To” video on changing your wiper blades – you’ll be happy you did!

If you are in need of new wiper blades, please call our service centres and we will be happy to assist you! www.queenstonchev.com

Best Truck in Canada – 2014 GMC Sierra AJAC Winner

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We’ve been bragging about this truck from the beginning, but now we can officially say the 2014 GMC Sierra is the “Best New Pickup” in Canada, voted by the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada (AJAC). The all-new Sierra is the most powerful and technologically advanced truck in GM’s 111-year history.2014 gmc sierra

Last October in Niagara Falls, 147 vehicles were tested and evaluated by 80 journalists who voted on the vehicles, combined with objective data.  Each journalist drove each categories’ vehicles back-to-back in the same day, under same conditions on closed roads to ensure fairness.

Rob Assimakopoulos, General Director of Marketing and Communications for GMC in Canada, said the following about the distinction, “With the importance of the pickup truck segment in Canada, we thank AJAC and its membership for this significant award recognizing the GMC Sierra as the best new pickup in the country.  The Sierra is the definition of GMC’s Professional Grade mantra, featuring the most advanced engines in a pickup with a unique combination of technologies delivering legendary GMC capability.”

We know how great the Sierra is and we encourage you to visit us at Queenston on the Mountain and experience its power and comfort for yourself.  Right now, until December 9th, take advantage of our 0% On Everything Event and drive home your new Sierra today!

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Reveal

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We all know this has been a big year for Chevrolet and their entire full-sized truck line.  With the reengineering of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, we saw a lot of big changes and truly got a sense of what Chevy meant when they said “finding new roads”.  Well, on November 20th at 12:30pm ET at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Chevrolet will be revealing the final piece to Chevrolet’s pick-up truck portfolio with the reveal of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado.

Re-defining what a midsize pick-up is, the new Colorado has been designed to be the “most capable, most versatile and technologically advanced midsize truck in the market”

We are inviting you to join us on our AutoHwy Facebook page on November 20th at 12:30pm for the LIVE reveal in Los Angeles!

2015 Colorado reveal

As always, we encourage you to contact us if you are interested in any of the vehicles in our award winning line-up by visiting us at Queenston on the Mountain or Queenston on Centennial.  For the latest and up to date information make sure to follow us at Hamilton Auto Blog.

Getting Your Little Monsters Ready For Halloween?

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Halloween is an exciting time for kids of all ages, but the rules of the road can be easily forgotten!  We want to take this time to remind everyone to be extra alert while driving on the road and keep in mind that the most active times for trick-or-treaters are between 6pm – 9pm. Here are a few friendly road safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Stay below the speed limit in subdivisions and leave extra time while traveling to your desired destination.
  • Remember using your cellphone without a hands-free device is not only unsafe and distracting – it’s illegal.
  • Pay close attention when pulling in and out of driveways to ensure all the ghosts and ghouls are well out of the way.
  • Yield for pedestrians, they may cross the street anywhere and this can be unpredictable.
  • Use your mirrors, turning signals and hazard lights – communicate with the other drivers on the road by using eye contact.

We at Image Honda, Queenston on Centennial and Queenston on the Mountain would like to wish everyone a safe Halloween full of tricks and treats!

car freshener costume

Why You Should Consider Leasing…

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Do you love the feeling of getting into a new car, experiencing new technology, knowing that you are in the safest of vehicles?  Then leasing might be right for you.  Unlike finance, where you pay for the entire value of the vehicle, leasing provides you with the option to only pay for a portion of the vehicle known as the residual value (value you expect to use over a set period of time), plus a borrowing charge and applicable taxes.  Leasing also provides you with flexibility, especially when it comes to the end of term process.  You, as the customer, are given the option to purchase and keep, purchase and sell, or drop off the keys and shop for a new vehicle.

There are many benefits to leasing that people are unaware of:

  • You only have to pay for the portion of the vehicle that you intend to use
  • You only have to pay tax on your monthly payments
  • Lease terms are shorter than typical finance terms, which allows you to drive a new vehicle more often
  • You don’t have a trade in obligation
  • With leasing you can drive upgraded models with more features for a lower monthly payment then if you were to finance.  Your payment is often lower because you are only paying for the depreciation of the vehicle over your lease term
  • If you lease, often times you can deduct payments from your taxes if you use your car for business more than 50% of the time – please see your accountant for details
  • Leasing often provides you with the option for better products and lower interest rates.
  • Peace of mind since most leases will fall within the factory warranty period

At Queenston, we provide you with both GM and in house lease programs to accomodate you, no matter your circumstance.  Combined with an award winning product line-up and outstanding GM program lease offers, there really is no better time to consider leasing your vehicle.
Chevy Buick GMC

General Motors has won 8 best vehicle awards in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, with all GM brands ranking above the industry average this year!  Topping the chart at number 2 is GMC, followed by Chevrolet, who jumped 10 spots from last year to land at number 5.  Cadillac tied for 13th and Buick came in at 15.  What is even more exciting is that GMC and Chevrolet are the only two non-luxury brands to make the top 5.  Click here to read more about the Survey

Consumer Reports has named the 2014 Chevrolet Impala as Best New Sedan, which has also received a five star safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. 

The 2013 Chevrolet Trax has been recognized by Vincentric as a “Consumer Best Value in Canada” in the Compact Sport Utility Vehicle segment. The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and High Country and the GMC Sierra produce the most power and torque of any light duty pick-ups currently on the market.  Lastly, just announced, the 2013 Buick Encore has been recognized by Vincentric as “Consumer Best Value in Canada” in the Premium Compact Crossover Segment.  These awards are only a few and we encourage you to visit our dealerships (Queenston on Centennial and Queenston on the Mountain) for more information or visit Hamilton Auto Blog for the latest updates.

This recognition combined with outstanding fuel economies, state of the art technologies like MyLink, voice recognition, Stabilitrak, Lane Departure Warnings, Forward Collision Warnings, Park Assist and additional airbags that come standard on most models, make the 2014 GM line-up one of the best ever!

If you are interested in leasing, we encourage you to visit our website for the latest Sign and Drive Event – we’ll make your first payment for you!  Visit Queenston on Centennial and Queenston on the Mountain today and get into the vehicle of your dreams!

The Chevrolet Hockey Helmet Program Is Back At Queenston!

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Safe and Fun Hockey 2013

The Chevrolet Hockey Helmet Program is back in conjunction with Chevrolet’s Safe & Fun Hockey.  This program was created in 1999 for today’s youth to adopt proactive attitudes toward safety, as well as foster a healthy and positive attitude toward “competition, teamwork, fair game and grace under pressure” in hockey.

Through an ongoing partnership with Hockey Canada, in the last 2 years, Chevrolet handed out over 25,000 free hockey helmets to parents of 5 year olds in Canada.  This year, all players born in 2008 who register with Hockey Canada are eligible to receive a free Bauer Hockey Helmet.  It is important to note that parents must register their child to receive this offer.  coaches, managers or other team officials may not do so.  What is required?

  • A printout of the registration form; click here to register
  • Your child’s birth certificate/passport or other provincial/federal documentation that states his/her age.
  • Proof of registration with a Canadian Minor Hockey Association in this current hockey season.

If you meet the above requirements, all you have to do is drop by one of our two dealerships’ Queenston on the Mountain or Queenston on Centennial.  Present us with the appropriate documents for verification purposes and we will present you with a voucher to redeem for your child’s helmet at your local Forzani store (SportChek, Sport Mart, Hockey Experts, Intersport or Sports Experts).  In your package, you will also receive information and hockey-related items from Chevrolet Safe and Fun Hockey, Hockey Canada, Forzani and Bauer.

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding this outstanding program from Chevrolet, please contact us by visiting our webpage http://www.queenstonchev.com

By: Amy Cochren

Credit:
Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey http://www.safeandfunhockey.ca/en/helmet

Cruising For A Cause

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This past Thursday our Manager suggested we all take part in A&W’s “Cruising for a Cause” to support Multiple Sclerosis Society. For every Teen Burger sold at selected A&W locations,  $1 was donated to MS! Thanks to the support of A&W and the generous individuals of local communities, a record-breaking $1.25 million dollars was raised, beating last year’s program.

What a great way to give back and enjoy the taste of a good burger!

If your office enjoys a weekly lunch out, please take advantage of the great donation opportunities in your area. It means a lot to these hard working organizations and the people they support.

Happy Friday everyone!

www.hamiltoncares.ca

By: Pamala Bowen