 Buying a car for the very first time can seem like a daunting, overwhelming task. Luckily, with the right information and research, you can break down the process into a few straightforward steps. At DCH Kay Honda, we’ve created a list of simple tricks and tips on what car to buy, how to buy it, and where to buy it.
10. Establish a realistic budget
This budget is based on what you can afford per month. The ideal is to pay with cash, but finance options and loans are more frequently used. Firstly, examine your cost of living in major areas, such as housing, food, health insurance, etc. Once you have calculated those costs, your remaining budget can be spent on a car payment, fuel, car insurance, and mechanical maintenance.
9. Know what you can spend monthly
A general guideline is that your monthly car payment should not be more than 20% of your take-home pay. Make sure to note that your level of financial debt is different from your monthly commitment. Your other costs-of-living should always be taken into consideration when making your final car budget, be it long-term or monthly payments. It is also very important to know your credit history before beginning this process. Having a personal copy of your credit report can be extremely helpful, and you can buy single reports or package deals from large national credit bureaus, such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
8. Establish your transportation needs
Given the cost of fuel, insurance and — in many cities — monthly parking, don’t buy what you don’t need. Do you have a large family or lead a carpool? A minivan, wagon, or SUV may be the right choice for you. Is good gas mileage or four-wheel drive a necessity in your daily life? Focus on what will be useful in the long run. You also should decide if you want to buy a new car or look into used automobile options. Both options have benefits and drawbacks, so it comes down to your transportation needs and your budget.
7. Identify and prioritize your wants
Spend some time considering what your priorities are for your new car. For example, do you want to focus on easy maintenance, advanced safety features, excellent gas mileage, or a good price? Your first automobile purchase doesn’t need to be your be-all/end-all dream car, but it should be a choice that you will be happy with in the future.
6. Do your research
Take advantage of the numerous online resources available to you before buying your new car. If possible, try to find out what the dealer price is and negotiate up from that figure. It is much better to do it that way as opposed to starting with the sticker price and working down. You should read car reviews in magazines and online to gain a better understanding of the car that you are interested in purchasing.
5. Locate a convenient dealership
Once you have done your research, compare dealer locations, prices, and showroom environments. Try to stay away from dealerships where two-thirds of the sales staff are sitting or standing at the front entrance. Rely on your own research and don’t fall for advertising. Remember that competition will get you the best price. Know what other dealers are charging for the same car ahead of time and use that knowledge to your advantage.
4. Ask to see service records and vehicle history reports
This is incredibly important if you are planning to buy a used car. You can access vehicle history reports by the vehicle identification number (VIN) and even by the license plate. These reports can reveal whether it has a salvage title, which means it has been declared a total loss by the insurance company, or if the odometer has been rolled back. Before you buy a used car, have it inspected by a trusted mechanic or request a mobile inspection.
3. Take a test drive
Nothing is more important in your decision process than how you feel behind the wheel. Test-driving a car not only tells you if this is the right car for you but also if this particular car is in good condition, especially when taking used cars into consideration. Take at least half an hour, and try stop-and-go routes, freeway merging, and interstate speeds. Simulate the conditions of your normal driving patterns and pay attention to how well the car meets your daily driving requirements.
2. Know your finances before buying a car
Have your own financing and loan approvals ready before you go into a dealership to purchase a new car. Talk with your credit union, bank or insurance provider (many have the capability and desire to finance your car purchase), and line up your financing in advance. Know your credit history and remember that it is illegal for anyone to run a credit check on you without your permission.
1. Negotiate and secure the deal
Make a low opening offer that is close to the dealer price and work your way up from there. Decide ahead of time how high you will negotiate, and leave when you have reached your limit. Choose a dealer that doesn’t try to tack on unnecessary additional fees. For example, a car that needs to be ordered from the factory should not cost more than the cars in the lot. Leave the dealership if you get hungry or tired. You can always come back another day, and it is important that you are thinking clearly and rationally while negotiating and purchasing a car. Lastly, close the deal and enjoy your first car!
Most of us would prefer not to have to parallel park, but for entertainer Flula Borg, it’s not just a part of life–it’s a sport. Flula hosted the 2014 Parallel Parking World Championship, which featured a star showing from the 2015 Honda Fit. See the highlights for yourself in the video above.
The Fit makes parallel parking a snap thanks to a multiangle rearview camera. Visit DCH Kay Honda to try it for yourself–and the next time you pull in between that lamppost and those traffic cones in your new Fit, you’re sure to feel like a winner.
 When you think of gadgets, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of cars, smartphones, GPS devices, or pedometers: all the devices that connect you with the rest of the world while also making your life easier. The trend for the future, though, may redefine our traditional associations with tech. Innovators are investing millions in gadgets we may not even realize are there: wearable technology. Beyond watches and glasses, check out some of the coolest concepts for wearable tech we’ve come across so far. How many would you wear?
Hardworking Headphones
Have you ever taken out your headphones at the gym or before a run, only to find the cords in a hopelessly tangled mess that makes you question whether or not you want to work out in the first place? Enter, The Dash: wireless in-ear headphones that are also a 4GB MP3 player, microphone, Bluetooth headset, fitness tracker, and heart rate monitor. Oh, and they’re also waterproof, so you can swim too. The good news: these things are awesome. The bad news: you no longer have an excuse to put off that workout.
Lose-able Luggage
Lost luggage. It’s even the savviest of travelers’ worst nightmare. You wait and wait at baggage claim only to find that of all the hundreds of suitcases on your flight to Tahiti, yours ended up in Nebraska. And of course no flights go out today, or tomorrow, so you’ll have to go without a change of clothes for a few days. But, what if your luggage was smart enough to let you know it was lost? This “smart luggage” would not only give you a heads up if its GPS tracking chips sensed it was going off course, but it would contact your airline and initiate the delivery process to your home or hotel when found. You can’t technically “wear” luggage, but it’s still pretty cool.
Capable Contacts
What if your contacts could measure your glucose levels using your tears? Google is developing smart technology embedded in contact lenses that could completely change the way diabetics manage their disease. If research is successful, instead of a painful finger prick, wearers could be alerted with tiny LED lights of shifting glucose levels. The research for these contacts is still in the early stages, but it sure is exciting.
Revolutionary Ring
Remember those dreams you had as a kid of becoming a wizard and waving your magic wand to control the world around you with magic? No? Just us? Well, whether you’re a wizard wannabe or not, this Bluetooth ring is the closest thing to a real life magic wand we’ve ever seen. With just a flick of the wrist, or rather, a twitch of a finger, advanced gesture sensors will be able to read your commands and surf the web, answer a phone call, take a selfie, write a text, or whatever else you need to do. Magic.
It looks like for now we’ll just have to make do with our luggage that can’t talk and our rings that can’t do magic, but the future is sure to bring a veritable wardrobe of wearable technology. We’re excited to see what’s next!
Honda has always been an innovative company that is not afraid to do what’s right. While new Honda models continue to be safer and more fun to drive than ever, the automaker is also working toward a goal of zero emissions by the year 2022. It is the latest in the company’s ongoing efforts to combat pollution and climate change. Keep reading for details from DCH Kay Honda
As represented in Honda’s film “Never Ending Race,” it all started back in the 1950s when Los Angeles was covered in an increasingly unhealthy layer of smog. It was a result of a quick population increase coupled with the rise of gas-powered vehicles. With vehicle emissions containing high levels of lead and other toxic chemicals, LA quickly became a dangerous place to live. By the 1970s working or playing outside during the summer was a serious health hazard.
As the pollution in LA became unbearable, California created the very first regulations governing clean air in 1962. Rather than fighting it, Honda bravely embraced the challenge, quickly solidifying itself as a leader in clean driving technology. The very first step was the creation of the groundbreaking PCV valve with CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) technology. Honda was also the first automaker to mass-produce a non-catalytic I.C.E. with low emissions, which appeared in the Honda Civic.
We’re proud to support a brand that is in the forefront of creating a sustainable future. Our team cannot wait to see what Honda innovation is up next. If you’re ready to go green with Honda, contact us today, and click here to watch Honda’s “Never Ending Race.”
 Car manufacturers have invested heavily in the use of new and improved materials to help reduce the risk of damage to your car from rust. Where decades ago rust was a very common problem, modern cars are rather more resilient, but if you drive an older car, or if you want to keep your new car in great condition for as long as possible, then you should never ignore the threat of rust. The good news is that there are plenty of things that you can do to prevent rust on your car. Here are five of them from DCH Kay Honda.
Protect the Undercarriage
Your car’s undercarriage is very vulnerable to damage, and there are a number of critical mechanical components to protect. As the undercarriage is not something most drivers ever really look at, it is easy to neglect it. This could be a costly mistake. Invest in an undercarriage sealant to help protect mechanical parts from damage. There are a number of products that you can apply yourself, but working on the undercarriage is potentially dangerous if you are not properly equipped, so you may want to ask our service department for help.
Check Your Paint Job
Rust is a problem that gets progressively worse, and the longer you leave a rust problem, the harder and more expensive it will be to fix. Learn about the parts of your car that are the most vulnerable. Paint work is constantly exposed to the elements, and the early signs of rust appear as bumps and lumps under the paint work. Treat these areas promptly. There are a variety of ways to do this. Removing the affected metal is one possibility. Rust convertors halt the rusting process, but may not always be effective. Talk to our service department if you spot the early signs of rust and need further advice.
Use a Rust Preventative
There are a variety of rust preventative products available to consumers, many of which can easily be applied at home. A rust preventative can, for example, be sprayed onto or into a part of the car that is otherwise very difficult to access. This will help slow down the formation of any rust, and will also halt the spread of existing rust. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely when using these products.
Wax On, Wax Off
Look after your paint work to ensure that it stays in great condition. This is not just about cleaning and polishing the paint work. Over time, your paint work will wear and become more susceptible to rust if you are unable to protect the finish. A wax layer, with sealant, adds an additional physical barrier between the paint work and the elements. This prevents damage to the bodywork, which might otherwise expose the metal underneath the paint and allow rust to form. You can apply wax and sealant at home.
Keep it Clean
The simplest thing you can do to protect your car from rust is keep it clean. Deposits of mud, salt, and other dirt can all corrode your paint work surprisingly quickly. Regular car washing reduces the amount of time it takes to get the vehicle clean on an ongoing basis. Do not forget the undercarriage and other hard-to-reach places too, but do not use a jet spray underneath the car as this could damage vital parts. It may be a good idea to ask our service department to help if you are unsure.
 Summer is winding down, and you want to go on vacation, but the travel costs would break your budget. How about a staycation? Plan a stay-at-home vacation and avoid the hassle and cost of travel. Here are some suggestions from DCH Kay Honda for how to make the most of your stay-at-home vacation:
- Become a tourist in your own town. Do those things that your friends and relatives do when they come to town. If you don’t have friends or relatives (that visit), look in the newspaper, on the internet, or in those free magazines they have at the grocery store.
- Dress like a tourist. Get out the video camera. Take pictures wherever you go. Eat crappy food. Ask people for directions. Don’t bring a map. Pull three or four u-turns to get where you need to go.
- Decorate your house. The dollar store has really cheesy decorations. Buy them. Hang them up.
- Get together with the family. If they don’t shoot you for telling them you’re doing a stay-at-home vacation instead of a trip to Tahiti, choose at least one fun idea for each day along with a few backups.
- Go to parks, lakes, mountains, or any other outdoor recreational area. One of the main purposes of a vacation is to spend quality time with the people you care about. A day at the park, assuming it’s not hailing, is inexpensive and fun. Be sure to bring plenty of outdoor games, food, and the family pet.
- Hanging at home can be fun. Set up a tent in the back yard. Play football with the kids. Jump on the bed. Take a nap. Take a nap while jumping on the bed.
- Visit relatives. You’ve been putting off that visit to Aunt Gertie for 13 years. Your kids really want to meet her, and now would be the perfect time. You can also spend a day with relatives you see frequently. Plan a barbecue or a day at the beach with them.
- Hire a babysitter and take a kid-cation.
- Dine out. You saved a bundle you could have spent on a hotel and transportation. Use some of it to eat out. Let each family member choose a restaurant each night. If dining out is too expensive, cook special meals at home.
- Hire someone to clean your house. Pretend you’re at a fancy (or not so fancy) hotel and have a maid clean up midweek. Hire a neighbor kid to mow the lawn and take out the trash.
- Visit museums, zoos, aquariums, water parks, baseball games, city festivals, and family fun centers. In short, do all those things you do on vacation that you could do at home but usually don’t.
Finally, here’s the most important part of a stay-cation: don’t work. Turn off the cell phone. Disconnect the lap top. Don’t answer the phone. After all, you’re on vacation.
 It’s always a fun idea to pack up and hit the open road with friends, family (both four-legged and two). But before you go planning your next adventure, make sure your vehicle’s tires are up to the task. After all, an unexpected pit stop on the side of the road is the fasted route to a vacation meltdown.
Thankfully, at DCH Kay Honda we’re here to help. To ensure your summer road trip is a resounding success, be sure to follow these helpful tips and stop by our friendly and oh-so-convenient service center.
There are a wide range of tires for your car, and choosing the right one is not always as easy as you might imagine. Your car’s tires have a critical role to play in ensuring that your vehicle remains safely on the road, and that you can brake effectively when you need to. When choosing your tires, always consider the following factors.
Your make and model. It might seem obvious, but you should always ensure that you choose a tire that is suitable for the make and model of car that you drive. For example, from one production year to the next, subtle changes to the car’s build are often made, even if the basic body shape remains the same. Make sure you take this into account. Consult your dealership to find out which tires are suitable for the make and model of car that you drive, according to size, speed rating and load carrying capacity.
Your driving needs. Everybody has different needs from a car. Some people just want a car to get them around town. Other drivers are looking for a family vehicle that can be used for vacations or days out. Some drivers will be looking for a car with off-road capabilities. The type of driving that you do has an impact on the sort of tires that you buy for your car, and it’s worth remembering that if you do different types of driving, you may require different types of tire too. A tire that can withstand the rigors of driving off-road, for example, will be very different than one required solely for use on the highway.
Your driving locations. Where you do your driving also makes a big difference to the type of tire that you use. If you drive in a cold climate where the roads are very treacherous, then you would almost certainly want heavy-duty winter tires. If you do a lot of long-distance driving, then you might want to opt for luxury tires, which maximize comfort and safety. If you do off-road driving or live in a rural location, you may want hardier, more durable tires.
Your driving style. How you drive your car also makes a difference. If you drive relatively sedately and tend not to be demanding of the vehicle, then standard all-season tires are likely to give you everything that you need. If you drive a faster vehicle, or if you generally look for more oomph from your car, then performance tires may give you the edge that you want. Performance tires are normally made from a type of rubber that gives better traction and reduces braking distances.
The tires you buy for your car will have a significant bearing on the performance that you can expect from the vehicle. Before you make a decision on which ones to buy based solely on price tag, consider these additional factors and let our service department experts help you choose the best tires for your car and driving style.
 Clipping coupons makes sense: who doesn’t want to save a little money? But when the hobby becomes an obsession it inconveniences and annoys others. Ever waited in line behind an “extreme couponer”?
The same goes for saving gas. Modifying driving habits to get a few more miles from every gallon makes good sense, but taken to extremes, or “hypermiling,” risks incurring road-rage and can even be dangerous.
Hypermilers are committed to minimizing their consumption of gasoline. While some of their methods demand extreme dedication, others can, and indeed should, be adopted by all motorists. Here’s a short list of ideas from DCH Kay Honda. For more visit What is hypermiling?.
Easily adopted methods
Minimize weight
Weight takes energy to move, so empty the trunk and glovebox of everything unnecessary. Hypermilers will take out the car’s handbook, spare wheel, jack, and perhaps even the back seat.
Keep the vehicle well maintained
An engine in good condition wastes less energy, so stay on top of oil changes and other maintenance. It’s also a good idea to keep tires aligned and remove roof racks and crossbars when not needed to reduce drag.
Moderate maximum speeds
Aerodynamic drag rises in proportion to the square of speed, so pushing a car through the air at 80 mph takes a lot more fuel than sticking to 75. And dropping 5 mph will have a negligible effect on total journey time.
Reduce braking by planning ahead
Brakes convert energy into heat, so if the lights 200 yards ahead turn red, lift off the gas immediately. True hypermilers will go so far as using pedestrian crossing signals to anticipate light changes and slowing down to suit.
Accelerate gently
Being first to the next red light is seriously wasteful, but moving too slow risks making drivers behind you seriously frustrated. Leisurely acceleration is the most efficient way to move off, but just be careful not to be too leisurely.
Minimize idling
Shut off the engine during prolonged stops. Even doing this for just a minute saves gas. (Some new vehicles have ‘Auto start/stop’ which performs this function.)
Use cruise control on the highway
Speed tends to creep up on a long highway drive, and cruise control prevents this, (which helps avoid tickets too!)
Gas-saving ideas not for the novice
Coasting
In a vehicle with a stick shift, slipping it into neutral or holding down the clutch disengages the engine and reduces drag. It offers some benefit on downhill grades, but must never be taken to the extreme of turning off the engine: this cuts power to steering and brakes, making it hard to control the vehicle.
Don’t use cruise control
Cruise keeps the vehicle at a constant speed. The dedicated hypermiler adopts a different technique, letting the vehicle gain speed on down grades and using that momentum to climb the next hill. Warning: this is pretty much guaranteed to irritate other road users!
Slip-streaming (a.k.a. “tailgating”)
When a vehicle moves down the highway, it leaves a hole in the air behind it. Only the most obsessive hypermilers exploit this, driving very close behind large trucks, which, while effective in reducing fuel consumption, is also very dangerous.
Hypermiling contests
Hypermilers eager to pit their skills against those of others enter contests. Held in many locations around the country, competitors follow a set course while trying to use as little gas as possible. Technically challenging, but perhaps lacking the excitement of other motor sport events?
Like coupon-clipping, driving carefully to minimize gas consumption makes good economic sense. However, taking it to the extreme, as hypermilers do, takes significant commitment and a willingness to irritate others. So, proceed with caution, gas-savers, and find a happy medium.
 Setting off fireworks on the Fourth of July is as American as apple pie, backyard barbecues, and small-town parades. Since this tradition was initiated in 1777, Americans have used fireworks every year to celebrate our nation’s independence. Before you participate in all the explosive fun this year, take a look at these firework safety tips from DCH Kay Honda so you can celebrate the America with fire, as safely as possible.
Common sense
Common sense is first and foremost the best way to ensure maximum firework safety. The National Council on Firework Safety recommends that parents closely supervise teenagers and older children if they are using fireworks. Young children should not be allowed to access or handle fireworks, and parents should keep them at a safe viewing distance at all times. Needless to say, fireworks should always be used outdoors, and preferably away from flammable objects or yard decorations. Additionally, alcohol and fireworks do not mix and should not be used together as this significantly increases the likelihood of misuse and injury to yourself and others.
Safety tips
Preparation for emergencies is also extremely important to keep in mind while celebrating the Fourth of July, including these from the Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Information Center. Always have water ready when lighting fireworks, and remember to soak used fireworks in water before disposing of them in an outdoor trashcan. Never relight or pick up fireworks that are not fully lit. If a firework does not light, wait twenty minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water. Always read the caution label on a firework before lighting it, and obey all local firework laws. Wear safety glasses while igniting fireworks. Light only one firework item at a time and back up to a safe distance until the device is fully spent.
Sparklers and miscellaneous fireworks
Always remain standing while using sparklers and do not move rapidly or wave sparklers around while they are still lit. Keep sparklers away from people and flammable surfaces, and never hold or light more than one sparkler at a time. Avoid using homemade fireworks or illegal explosives, as they can be extremely unpredictable and dangerous. Luckily, sparklers are a fun, relatively safe way of celebrating Independence Day. Keep these firework safety tips in mind while celebrating this summer and have a wonderful Fourth of July!
 Dehydration is a real threat, especially on hot days or during rigorous exercise. Neglecting its signs can prove fatal. DCH Kay Honda has some tips for how to prevent parching.
Common Signs of Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when bodily fluids decrease, usually through sweating, to a point where the body is unable to function at life-sustaining levels. Although it most often occurs during periods of intense exercise or heat, dehydration occurs frequently with diarrhea or vomiting. Common signs of dehydration include thirst, cracked lips, dizziness, dry or sticky mouth, nausea, headaches and dark colored urine. Take action immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Water, Water, Everywhere
Preventing dehydration is simple: drink water. Nutritionists recommend eight 8-ounce cups of water daily, more on hot days or during physical activity. Drink at least two cups of water before engaging in physical activities, especially on hot, humid days. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty– by then it may be too late. Always have water nearby during the summer– keep a jug in your car or at work. Those who exercise regularly should plan their activities to have easy access to water.
Children and Sports
Dehydration occurs more in children and adolescents than adults, mainly because of exercise. Children should drink at least 16-20 ounces of water before an athletic activity and two 8-ounce cups of water every 20-30 minutes during the activity, followed by two 8-ounce cups of water following the activity. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, increase endurance and replace electrolytes that water alone doesn’t.
Proper Attire
If it’s a hot, humid day and you’re wearing a parka, jeans, and fur-lined boots, it doesn’t matter how much water you drink– it won’t be enough. Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing on hot days. If you’re at the beach all day, bring an umbrella or a sun hat. Proper clothing becomes twice as important when you’re exercising.
Rest
Overexertion is another major cause of dehydration. If you start feeling dizzy during exercise, stop, drink water and rest. Neophyte exercise enthusiasts fall victim to dehydration by not properly building up their endurance. When starting any exercise program, establish good habits when it comes to staying hydrated.
Things to Avoid
It’s tough to avoid gulping down several dozen alcoholic beverages during the outdoor Willie Nelson concert in 100 degree summer heat. It might even be tough to avoid reaching for that Diet Coke during a pick-up basketball game. But beware, beverages containing alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, causing the loss of fluids more rapidly than necessary. Water and sports drinks like Gatorade are the only things you should drink in the heat or while exercising.
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