Five Habits that will Ruin your Vehicle | Maita Honda

Avoiding these habits can go a long way in preventing an expensive repair bill.

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule. While neglecting your car may seem harmless in the short term, regular neglect and mistreatment will add up and will reduce your car’s lifespan. To keep your car running longer and stronger, avoid these five harmful habits.

1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car’s longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner’s manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.

2. Ignoring dash warning lights

When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it’s important to address the problem immediately. If you don’t know what the light means, check your owner’s manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line.

3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it’s important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This “jerky” shifting places excess strain on the transmission’s internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

4. Jerky driving

We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won’t destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems.

5. Putting off tire replacement

Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you’re driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.

New Honda Civic Natural Gas goes on sale end of November | Maita Honda

For folks who prefer to put natural gas directly into their vehicle rather than converting it to electricity first, CNG vehicles offer a cleaner alternative to gasoline power while still using a traditional powertrain. If you're looking for a sedan that runs on CNG, your current options are pretty limited - especially in the US - and you'll almost certainly be taking a look at Honda. The 2015 Honda Civic Natural Gas goes on sale starting November 19 in 37 states.

The new CNG-powered Civic sedan has a base MSRP of $26,740 (not including $790 destination fee). Opt for the Leather Navi trim, and you're still looking at a starting price below $30,000 (before destination), at $29,390. It comes equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen audio display, rearview camera and LaneWatch display as standard features. It's built at Honda's Greensburg, IN manufacturing facility.

The 2015 Civic Natural Gas can only be had with the five-speed automatic transmission. Its fuel economy is rated at a gasoline gallon equivalent of 27 miles per gallon in the city/38 highway/31 combined. It's not quite as impressive as the Civic Hybrid's 44/47/45 rating, but you will be burning natural gas, which burns cleaner and can be sourced from North America, if you're into that sort of thing. Furthermore, the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy called the Civic Natural Gas one of its top 10 greenest vehicles of 2014, and Kelley Blue Book as one of its 10 Best Green Cars. 

Honda Named Most Trusted Brand & Overall Brand by KBB.com | Maita Honda

Honda has been named the “Most Trusted Brand” three straight years and “Best Overall Brand” for a second consecutive year.

“A brand is really built over the long haul through consumers’ experiences with its products, and Honda is committed to delivering class-leading vehicles that provide lasting enjoyment and value to our customers,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda automobile division for American Honda. “Honda simply embraces the challenge of being a brand that people can trust.”

Once again, new-car shoppers have recognized the Honda brand as “Most Trusted Brand” and “Best Overall Brand” for Kelley Blue Book’s 2014 Brand Image Awards. KBB’s 2014 Image Awards are based on consumer data derived from the Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence Brand Watch study. Brand Watch is an online brand and model study that taps into over 12,000 in-market-new-vehicle shoppers every year onKBB.com. This in-depth study offers an observation on how shoppers perceive certain factors driving their auto purchase decisions, and captures brand loyalty and familiarity data among shoppers. Honda secured the highest average score across all non-luxury models for the “Best Overall Non-Luxury Brand” title.

“The fact that Honda has again won the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards as Best Overall Brand and Most Trusted Brand comes as no surprise,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “Our experience has indicated that consumers continue to both respect Honda vehicles and be enthusiastic about them. Honda’s reputation for quality, reliability and fun-to-drive continues to resonate with buyers of all ages.”

We aim to match match these standards as your trusted Honda dealer. Rest assured that with Maita Honda we will work to help you find the vehicle you want, paired with the service and attention you deserve. Browse NEW Honda inventory here and schedule your test drive today!

2015 Honda Accord: Car Seat Check

By Matt Schmitz | October 28, 2014 |via Cars.com

Beyond some safety and convenience features being made more widely available in the lineup, the affordable and reliably comfortable Honda Accord has scarcely changed for the 2015 model year. By and large, that's a good thing, at least where it concerns child-safety seats. The five-seat midsize family sedan's scores in our latest Car Seat Check were identical to those of the 2014 version, which got dinged for front-passenger legroom with the infant seat, and floppy seat belt bases.

How many car seats fit in the second row? Two

More Car Seat Checks

What We Like

• The Accord has two sets of Latch anchors in the outboard seats, three tether anchors on the rear shelf under hinged plastic overs and removable head restraints.
• All of our seats, including the rear-facing infant, booster, and rear- and forward-facing convertible seats, installed easily, with the latter three fitting well without needing to move the front passenger seat forward.

What We Don't

• When installing the infant seat, we had to move the front passenger seat up so far that the 5-foot-8 tester did not have sufficient legroom.
• The seat belts are on floppy bases and can fall behind the booster seat, which will make it difficult for children to buckle themselves in.

Grading Scale

A: Plenty of room for the car seat and the child; doesn't impact driver or front-passenger legroom. Easy to find and connect to Latch and tether anchors. No fit issues involving head restraint or seat contouring. Easy access to the third row.

B: Plenty of room. One fit or connection issue. Some problems accessing third row when available.

C: Marginal room. Two fit or connection issues. Difficult to access third row when available.

D: Insufficient room. Two or more fit or connection issues.

F: Does not fit or is unsafe.

About Cars.com's Car Seat Checks

Editors Jennifer Newman and Matt Schmitz are certified child safety seat installation technicians. Editor Jennifer Geiger is working on renewing her certification.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide Classic Connect 30 infant-safety seat, a Britax Marathon convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver's seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.

We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row's middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there's a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. To learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks, go here.

Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.

Cars.com photos by Evan Sears

Honda Claims Top Pick spots with Consumer Reports

This year, 3 Honda vehicles, the Accord, CR-V and the Odyssey made it to the top of the Consumer Reports list. The 2013 redesign of the Accord helped it score top marks with the magazine while improved reliability gave the Honda Odyssey an opportunity to clinch the Top Pick spot. The super-practical and reliable Honda CR-V floated to the top in the Small SUV category.  Visit Maita Honda today to test drive.  You can see all our new Honda inventory at MaitaHonda.net 

"This year's list has received an overhaul led by Honda's return. After several years marked by some so-so product, its comeback is led by the Accord's redesign and the well-rounded performance and reliability of CR-V and Odyssey," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports' automotive editor. 

Consumer Reports' Top Picks are the best all-around models in their categories and they must meet CR's stringent criteria in 3 areas: road test, reliability and safety. They must rank at or near the top of their category on overall road test scores. 

Here's what Consumer Reports had to say about the Accord, Odyssey and CR-V:

MIDSIZED SEDAN: Honda Accord ($23,270 to $30,860).  Honda nailed it with this redesign – it's roomy, nice to drive, well equipped and very fuel efficient.    The basic four-cylinder Accord is among our top Rated family sedans. It rides and handles well, has a roomy and well-finished interior, and gets and impressive 30 mpg overall with its unobtrusive CVT. The 3.5-liter V6 is lively and refined, and the six-speed automatic gets a very good 26 mpg overall, which is as good as the tiny Honda Fit. Higher-trim models have advanced safety features seldom found in this category; all models come with a standard back-up camera.  A Plug-in version is available in some states, and has a claimed electric range of 13 miles. Reliability has been average or better for all versions of late. 

MINIVAN: Honda Odyssey This versatile hauler combines clever and generous packaging with responsive handling and a supple ride. Its vigorous 3.5-liter V6 and smooth six-speed automatic returned an excellent 21 mpg overall in our tests. The Odyssey can seat eight with ease, with varying configurations for cargo and passenger needs. Easy access, excellent child-seat accommodations, and abundant cabin storage add to the family-friendly quotient. Among our few gripes is the tediously complicated dual touch-screen infotainment system. In addition, fit and finish and some material selection is not what one would expect at this price point, and AWD isn't available. 

SMALL SUV: Honda CR-V  The CR-V is one of the more sensible and competitively priced small SUVs. Its 185-hp four-cylinder is smooth and responsive, and returned a commendable 23 mpg overall in our tests. For 2015 the Honda gets a mild freshening, including a continuously variable transmission and the availability of some active safety features. Handling is responsive in ordinary driving, but it doesn't shine at the limits, and the steering is a bit vague. Braking is excellent, and while the ride is absorbent and composed, road noise is pronounced. The rear seats are roomy, and lowering them is a breeze. The view back is hurt by small rear windows, but the standard rear-view camera helps. 

Honda Launches the Restyled and Significantly Upgraded 2015 CR-V | Maita Honda

The new 2015 Honda CR-V receives the most significant mid-model cycle refresh in its history, with a new direct-injected Earth Dreams Technology™ i-VTEC® engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT), a new suite of Honda Sensing™ safety and driver assistive features, significantly enhanced exterior and interior styling, a long list of new standard and available features and a new premium Touring trim.

New for the 2015 CR-V:

• More efficient direct-injected engine with torque up 11 percent
• New seamless and sporty CVT for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency
• Bold new exterior design plus chassis, braking system and sound isolation improvements
• New standard features include a center console armrest, sliding sunvisors and rear console ventilation ducts
• New available features include a power tailgate, 10-way power and heated driver's seat with memory, LED daytime running lights, and Display Audio
• Available Honda Sensing™ suite of advanced safety and driver assistive features that includes Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)4, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)5, Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS)6, Lane Departure Warning (LDW)7 and Honda LaneWatch™8

The CR-V is notably enhanced with multiple functionality upgrades, including a new configurable center console, new rear console heat/air ventilation ducts, and an available 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio telematics interface. A redesigned high-quality and high-tech interior further increases the CR-V's sophistication. Exterior design changes, including re-styled front and rear bodywork, mirrors and wheels, lend the CR-V a bolder, sportier appearance with unique Honda style.
For 2015, the CR-V includes a longer list of standard features on all trims. The CR-V EX, for example, adds 7-inch Display Audio, a 10-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, Honda LaneWatch™, Smart Entry/Push-Button Start and LED daytime running lights.

A new top-of-the-line Touring trim includes the first Honda application of two advanced driver-assistive technologies, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and the first CR-V adoption of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). These systems, plus Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Honda LaneWatch™ are part of the new Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies that, together with other high-end features, such as a power tailgate, bring a new level of sophistication to America's top-selling SUV1.

2015 Honda Pilot Safety Features

Thanks to its outstanding crash test safety ratings and advanced engineering, the 2015 Honda Pilot is one of the safest sport utility vehicles currently on the market. Available right here in Boulder at Fisher Honda, one of the most notable things about this car are the 2015 Honda Pilot safety features! Let’s explore what these features are capable of and what they have to offer for passengers.

Honda Pilot Body Design

Built using the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) structure, the 2015 Honda Pilot was designed to effectively distribute crash energy throughout the front end of the vehicle by crumpling in all the right areas. This helps to prevent occupants from absorbing said energy and reduces the overall risk of injury. The ACE structure also helps avoid transferring that crash energy to other vehicles in the event of a multi-car collision.

Vehicle Stability Control

In order to help the driver maintain full control of the 2015 Honda Pilot, this vehicle comes equipped with a standard vehicle stability assist system and traction control. If there is an under or oversteer situation detected, this system will actively engage to help you return to your intended course and avoid a potentially hazardous situation. The traction control aspect is incredibly helpful during slippery road conditions as well.

Three Rows of Side Curtain Airbags

Standard for all three rows of seats, the 2015 Honda Pilot safety features includes side curtain airbags with a built-in rollover sensor. No matter what sort of accident situation occurs with this vehicle, these side curtain airbags are designed to provide optimum protection for all passengers, even in the event of a rollover.

Backup Camera

For added visibility when reversing out of a tight parking spot, the 2015 Honda Pilot is outfitted with a standard rearview backup camera. The image from this camera is displayed in high resolution on the standard 8-inch infotainment screen and features guidelines to help you determine the distance an object is from the back of the new Honda Pilot. This will help you avoid making contact with other vehicles as well.

The 2015 Honda Pilot Safety Features are Top-Notch

To explore the all-new Honda Pilot and the safety features it has to offer at your local Boulder Honda dealer, contact Maita Honda at 6025 Arapahoe Road in Boulder to take one out for a test drive!

The 2014 Honda Civic’s MPG Ratings Set the Bar High

It’s no secret that Honda is a world leader in environmentally responsible vehicles. For more than three decades, Honda has risen to every environmental challenge, including being the first manufacturer to offer production vehicles with an ultra-low-emission vehicle rating (UL EV). The 2014 Honda Civic is proud to continue worthy legacy, with money-saving mpg ratings of 30 mpg city/39 mpg highway* and a host of options that make it a natural choice for environmentally conscious car buyers.

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Honda’s new CVT provides an exceptional driving experience by allowing the engine to operate at the most efficient RPM, maximizing efficiency under all driving conditions.  This allows you to make the best use of 2014 Honda Civic’s power plant without wasting much fuel.

SOHC i-VTEC Engine

The 1.8 L single overhead camshaft, aluminum alloy, i-VTEC four-cylinder engine uses new technology to produce a whopping 143 hp while still achieving excellent fuel efficiency. Its Partial Zero Emission Vehicle Rating (PZEV) means that you don’t have to sacrifice power for mpg.

Eco-Assist to Help Manage Your Driving Efficiency

The 2014 Honda Civic’s mpg boost comes partially from Eco-assist: a dashboard indicator that lets you know when your driving is at its most fuel-efficient. Keeping the indicators in the green allows you to go farther on a tank of gas. With Eco-assist, Honda does the thinking for you, letting you concentrate on the road instead.

The Econ Button Makes Saving Energy Effortless

The Econ button, big and green on your dashboard, takes the Civic from standard to Econ mode. In Econ mode, the Civic’s engine and other energy consuming systems are automatically configured to operate at their highest efficiency. When you’re ready for a greater boost from your engine, simply turn-off the Econ feature and return to regular mode.

See the 2014 Honda Civic in Action

Honda has done everything to make your responsibility to the environment as a driver as casual as it is impactful. See for yourself how intuitive eco-conscious driving can be. Contact Maita Honda to test drive the 2014 Honda Civic, or simply drop by our dealership at 6100 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights, CA. One of our skilled associates would be happy to introduce you to Honda’s line of compact, eco-smart vehicles today!

*30 city/39 highway/33 combined mpg rating for CVT models. Based on 2014 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Find Out What Type of Brakes Your Car Has and How To Maintain them

Learn how to maintain the brakes on your car and stay safe

 

Find Out What Kind of Brakes You Have

For the past few decades there have been only 2 predominant types of brakes, disc brakes and drum brakes. They work in essentially the same way, and symptoms of a worn system are often identical.

Drum Brakes

Drum brakes predate disc brakes by many years, but they are still a reliable and affordable braking technology. However, because drum brakes do not dissipate heat as well as disc brakes, they are often only found on the rear two wheels of vehicles. Drum brakes essentially consist of two rounded brake shoes housed inside a round drum that spins with the wheels of a vehicle. When the brake pedal is applied, fluid pushes the two brake pads out against the drum where they create friction and slow the vehicle.

Disc Brakes

A car’s disc brakes work much like those of a motorcycle or bicycle. A caliper that houses two brake pads is mounted over a thin disc shaped rotor. The rotor spins with the wheels while the brake caliper remains stationary. When the brake pedal is applied, the two brake pads in the caliper squeeze the rotor to create friction and slow the vehicle. Check out the two diagrams from CarBibles below to see the difference between drum and disc brakes visually.

Maintaining Your Car’s Brakes

Fortunately, drum and disc brake systems should go many thousands of miles without any trouble. Keep an eye on brake fluid and inspect your brake pads every 12,000 miles or so. If the pads are less than 1/8 inch thick consider replacing them. Otherwise, just keep an eye out for unusual behavior that could indicate a problem.

A Worn Disc Rotor

Detecting a Problem With Your Brakes

The importance of your brakes cannot be overstated, if you experience these symptoms have your brakes inspected.

•  Strange sounds when braking
• Your car “pulls” to the left or right when driving
• Vibrations when applying the brakes
• A “mushy” or inconsistent brake pedal
• Noticeable grooves in the rotors
• Strange smells

Have Maita Honda Inspect Your Car’s Brakes

Hopefully you aren’t experiencing any of these warning signs of brake problems, but if you are, do something about it as soon as possible. Brake problems don’t fix themselves, and letting these problems persist could lead to an accident. Let the mechanics you trust at Maita diagnose your brake troubles and drive safely.