 For the first-time driver, selecting the right car can be a difficult decision. While there may be a temptation to choose an older sports model or a larger, more powerful car, such as an SUV, this fails to take into account more important practicalities. Of these, cost, reliability, and—most significantly—safety are among the main considerations that need to be taken into account. Our team at DCH Kay Honda has details on other factors, as well.
Cost and reliability
It is true that the cost of purchasing an older car will be less than newer models, and this is especially the case with powerful sports cars, larger sedans, and SUVs. However, there are other costs that will add to the initial investment.
Insurance is the first element of added cost. Car insurance is based upon a number of factors. These include driver age, experience, and statistical data related to the likelihood of their being involved in accidents and causing injury to others. Due to lack of experience, the first-time driver represents a higher risk. This risk, which increases with more powerful and larger cars, is reflected in increased insurance premiums.
The second cost is related to maintenance and reliability. Larger and more powerful cars lose resale value much faster than more popular small and mid-range cars. Equally, sports and larger cars attract higher running costs than small and medium models, due to the increased price of replacement parts. Furthermore, due to increased wear and tear, maintenance costs will be higher with older cars. Therefore, as noted in an article by Cars.com, “if an inexpensive older car breaks down frequently, it’s not really an inexpensive car.”
Safety
Safety is not only important to protect the new driver from harm, but also to protect passengers and other road users. Smaller sports cars can increase the temptation to speed and offer less crash protection. SUVs also have a tendency to increase aggressive and overconfident driving, and at the same time are more prone to rollover. Moreover, older cars are less likely to have safety features, such as ABS braking, traction and stability control, and airbag protection.
The most practical and sensible choice of car
Based upon the above overview, the best car for a first-time driver is likely to be a small- or medium-range sedan no older than five years. Although the initial price may be higher, insurance costs will be lower because these models attract a lower risk element. Maintenance costs are also likely to be lower, mainly because the cost of parts will be less and in some cases the car is likely to have a remaining warranty period, as Cars.com states. In addition, because of their popularity, small and medium sedans tend to lose less value.
Regarding safety, cars within these groups and age range are more likely to have enhanced safety technology. These include stability control and ABS braking systems, which reduce the likelihood of skidding and loss of control, as well as internal airbags that provide greater protection for occupants. These systems are important for new drivers as they develop their driving and vehicle handling skills.
Summary
First-time drivers will do well with a reliable, cost-efficient car that requires low maintenance and includes as many safety features as possible. The small or medium sedan aged five years or less comes with these attributes, making them the best cars for a first time driver.
 You spend a lot of money buying or leasing your car, so it only makes sense to ensure that it retains the best possible retail price so when it comes time to sell your car you get the best possible price for it. Here’s a handy guide of five things from DCH Kay Honda that you should not do to maintain the value of your car.
Service and maintenance
The one thing that a prospective car buyer is looking for is peace of mind, and that is where a service history comes in. Don’t get your car serviced at a budget store and throw away any receipts or records. If you have a new car, ensure that the official dealer carries out all servicing operations. Each car comes with a service book, which will be marked and stamped by the dealer. It is vitally important that you keep these records, as it shows that the people that best know your car have serviced it, repaired it when necessary, and fixed items under recall notices. If you have a used car without a history, start one now. The best option is still to return to a dealer that sells and knows these vehicles from top to bottom.
Paint care
Don’t neglect your car’s paintwork. Modern day paints are pretty robust and it takes a lot to damage the paint job. The paint is usually several layers of primer, color, and a top layer of clear coat. It is this clear coat that protects the paint underneath, and it is this that you should in turn protect with a good quality wax. Don’t buy discount car care products, but rather the best you can afford. These usually consist of a series of treatments including washes, waxes, polishes, and extra protective layers. The key to cleaning car paintwork properly is to always use the least abrasive method of cleaning. Do not use brushes, but rather softer cloths to clean your car.
Insurance
Don’t forget insurance. Always get insurance for your car. Not only does this help in the case of a major accident, it also means that any damage will be fixed properly, usually by the car dealer or a reputable bodywork shop. Again, a record should be kept of any such repairs, as nothing eases a buyer’s mind as a complete as possible history of what the car has gone through.
Smoking
Don’t ever smoke in your car if you value its resale. The smell of the smoke gets into any fabric surface, including the headlining, seats, and carpets and is virtually impossible to remove. By smoking in a car, you are reducing the amount of people who would buy your car to those who smoke themselves. Even then, the smell may offend even them.
Cleaning inside the car
Never let trash build up in your car. Unless the floor of your car is made up of entirely plastic or waterproof rubber, you need to take care of the carpet. Always use car mats to avoid grinding fragments of stuff into the car’s carpet, and generally treat the inside of your car like you would treat your home. Also, many car carpets are synthetic, so when vacuuming make sure you don’t move the vacuum head too fast or too hard against the carpet, as the resulting friction can actually melt the fibers together, producing an ugly mark.
 If you play these songs this Valentine’s Day and don’t get everything you were hoping for, it’s not the music’s fault. Here are recommendations from DCH Kay Honda for music to play during the car ride to and from your dinner date!
- “All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You” by Heart. Let’s not beat around the bush. This might be a little too brazen for a first date. If your spouse thinks it’s a joke and bursts out laughing, you may want to work on the romance the other 364 days of the year.
- “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” by Bryan Adams. A Valentine’s Day without Bryan Adams? For shame! If you can’t afford to take your special someone to a nice restaurant, or if you already spent most of your money on champagne, take her to Taco Bell and serenade her with Bryan Adams while standing on one of those plastic swivel chairs. It’ll be a Valentine’s Day you’ll never forget.
- “Canon in D” by Pachelbel. Who needs words? This romantic classic will provide the necessary aura for what often happens on Valentine’s Day.
- “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel. If, in fact, you love her just the way she is or just the way he is, don’t change to another song. If you’re kind of tired of that special someone and are thinking about a divorce if things don’t change, stick with Bryan Adams.
- “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston. The ambiguity of the title gives you an escape if, in fact, your date doesn’t care for all that love you’ve been saving.
- “All out of Love” by Air Supply. In Australia, it’s illegal not to play Air Supply on Valentine’s Day. Don’t be confused by the title. What Air Supply is saying is that they’re all out of love and lost without you. They’re not all out of love because you’ve drained every last ounce of decency and kindness from their collective body.
- “Dangerously In Love” by Destiny’s Child. The song’s title implies recklessness, and some like a little recklessness on Valentine’s Day.
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. Make sure your Valentine’s Day lover understands that it is he or she you can’t help falling in love with; otherwise, you may have a lot of explaining to do.
- “Love For All Seasons” by Christina Aguilera. Your lover may suspect you’re being nice because it’s Valentine’s Day, or that you have some romantic ulterior motives. Emphasize your sincerity by letting that special someone know your love is for all seasons.
- “Power of Love” by Huey Lewis. There would be no Valentine’s Day without the power of love. Celebrate it.
You’ll probably want to listen to these songs in advance before your date arrives…just in case.
 All right, it’s the New Year and time to make your car look like new again. The first step is pretty obvious – clean it. Don’t go through an automated carwash if you want the best results though, as even the most advanced car washes can leave dirty spots on the outside of your car, and some can even damage the paint surface on your car. Read on for more details from DCH Kay Honda.
But first, a description of the paint on your car. It’s made up of several layers of paint, usually a primer, one or more layers of color paint, and a clear coat on top of it all to protect the color paint. The scratches that build up in car paint are often only damage to the clear coat and it is this that you want to repair. Buy a reputable brand of cleaning products – they usually come as a multiple step system, but this is what you essentially want. First item necessary is a good detergent. Don’t use dishwashing liquid or household cleaners, as they can strip layers of wax and clear coat off. Next, you will want to use a good quality wax. This not only protects the clear coat, it fills in the scratches in the clear coat itself. Apply a layer of polish for the final gloss. At all stages use a new, clean cloth – never brushes or sponges. The idea to keeping care of your paint is using the least aggressive way of cleaning it.
Larger scratches and paint damage, such as the result from getting into a scrape with another car or a pole can often be buffed out using a cutting wax. This has tiny abrasive particles in it that strip contamination off the car. Even when it looks like your paint has been badly scratched, it is often the case that whatever the car has contacted has left some if it’s paint on top of your paint, and with a cutting wax it can quite literally be wiped away.
On the inside of your car it’s always a good idea to have a set of good quality floor mats. These not only cover the carpet under the mat and keep dirt off it, but it also means you don’t need to be too aggressive when cleaning the carpet itself. Most cars have synthetic carpets, and if you move the head of a vacuum cleaner over it too fast and with too much pressure, the friction can actually cause enough heat to melt the fibers together and cause a big scratch-like mark.
Dust builds up on the dashboard and center console, and this can be removed by simply running a damp cloth over the surfaces. As long as the cloth is damp and not actually wet the electronics in your car should not be affected. If you want to go further there are plenty of interior cleaners and polishes that can give a glossy effect, but always try the new formula on a piece of trim you don’t normally see so you can gauge whether you want your entire dashboard to look like that.
If your car has leather upholstery, you can go with a high quality leather cleaner. This not only cleans the leather, but like the polish on the outside of the car, it protects the leather from certain damage. Again, be careful in choosing a cleaner as some can make the leather extremely slippery.
Alternately, find a detailing company with a good name and reputation and have them do it all for you. Completely cleaning a car can take a long time, and that’s why there are many professionals around to do the job for you.
 New Year is a time when we vow to make a fresh start. And often that includes taking better care of ourselves. But how about taking better care of your car? Here are five resolutions from DCH Kay Honda to consider:
1. Wash it once a week
Keeping the paint in good condition is not just a matter of pride; it actually protects the value of your investment! Road grime, tree sap, and deposits from feathered friends contain contaminants that eat into paint, dulling a bright finish and helping corrosion get started. Not everyone has the time or a place to hand-wash their car, so go to a car wash and pay for the better service that includes the underside. Even if you don’t live in the snow belt, keeping this clean helps prevent rust.
2. Clean the inside
Do friends and family wrinkle their noses at the left-over fast food boxes in your car or truck? Do they wipe their hands on their pants after closing the door? You probably keep your lounge clean and tidy, so why not your car too? Make it a rule for the first Saturday of each month to vacuum the interior and get rid of the junk. Buy a tub of automotive interior wipes and go over all the surfaces – you’ll be surprised at how fast they gather dust – and clean the window glass. You’ll see out better, the windows will mist up less, people will want to ride in your car, and by keeping excess weight off, you’ll even save a little gas!
3. Get the oil changed
The engine is your car’s heart, but it asks for very little. Just treat it to a regular oil change and it will reward you with years of loyal service.
How regular is regular? That depends on your vehicle and the type of driving you do. Some light an indicator when the oil needs changing – resolve not to ignore it! For others, ask the dealership what they recommend – it could be 3,000, 5,000, or even 7,500 miles – then mark on your calendar, organizer, or planner when you need to get fresh oil.
4. Check the lights and tire pressures
Resolve to do this every week. You don’t want to drive around without lights, and you certainly don’t want under-inflated tires.
Check brake lights by backing up to a garage door or wall and tapping the pedal while looking in the mirror. If you don’t see the red glow from each light ask a friend to watch while you work the pedal. If there’s a problem get it fixed promptly!
Tire pressures should be checked when the tires are cold. The best way is to buy a gauge and do a check before you get in and start driving. Perhaps you could do it before heading off to the car wash on Saturday morning! And don’t forget the spare if you have one.
5. Stay current with servicing
Modern vehicles are extremely reliable, but there are things that need inspecting and replacing at regular intervals. Staying on top of servicing helps ensure your vehicle will provide reliable service for years to come. Ask your local service department what is recommended, and heed their advice.
The New Year is a time for fresh starts. Spend more time looking after your car, and it will be cleaner, more reliable, and even safer. That has to be a resolution worth sticking to!
 We at DCH Kay Honda wish you a smooth and enjoyable driving experience each time you sit behind the wheel of your vehicle. However, we recognize that equipment can occasionally malfunction, and if such an event were to occur, we want you to be prepared to deal with the situation. Here’s how we recommend that you react if your gas pedal sticks.
Stay Calm
Your adrenal glands will kick into action if your vehicle accelerates without your consent, so firstly remember to not panic. Take a deep breath and exhale—then assess the situation.
Attempt to Stop Your Car
Shift your vehicle into neutral, remembering to utilize the clutch if you drive a manual. Maneuver your car toward a shoulder or a safe place on the side of the road. Push the brake as firmly as possible, potentially using both feet if the pedal is stubborn.
Power Down
If your car is equipped with a push-button start, depress the button for at least 3 seconds to disable the vehicle. If your car does not have this button, turn the keys and turn off the engine if your situation has not slowed down. Be careful that you are oriented toward a safe spot since turning off the engine will deactivate assisted steering.
Call for Help
If this dangerous situation has transpired, your vehicle is in need of attention before you next drive it. Call our dealership—we will be happy to assist you.
 Car maintenance becomes even more crucial during winter. Here are some maintenance tips from DCH Kay Honda to help you avoid winter mishaps.
Regular, routine maintenance. Some drivers falsely assume that once the heat of summer has ended, there’s less of a need for routine maintenance. Cold weather can wreak havoc on a car’s engine. Make sure you stay up-to-date on your car’s maintenance. Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual and be sure to bring it into the dealer for regular tune-ups and oil changes. You’ll also want to change air, fuel, positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, and other filters to help your engine run more efficiently. And by the way, idling your car to “warm up” the engine often does more damage than good.
Proactive care. The winter’s nice for sitting around a warm house, cozying up to loved ones, and watching holiday reruns. You may even fool yourself into thinking you don’t need to be concerned with your vehicle’s hard starting, rough idling, stalling, or diminished power. It’ll “fix itself,” you rationalize…until it doesn’t fix itself. Get your car checked at the first sign of a problem or you might end up cozying up in the front seat of a tow truck with a complete stranger.
Winter precautions. Driving in the winter is tough enough. Driving with a dead battery is even tougher. Get your battery checked before you end up begging someone for a jump-start in a blizzard. It’s also tough driving as you shiver. Make sure the heater works. And while you’re at it, get the defroster checked because it’s really difficult to drive when you can’t see the road, which is why you may want to invest in some windshield wipers, too.
More winter precautions. Seeing the road is important. Being seen while you’re on the road is also important. Make sure your lights are functioning properly. Replace burnt-out bulbs immediately. That includes head lights, blinkers, brake lights, and any other illuminating indicator of your presence.
The exhaust system. Get the exhaust system checked. Winter driving often means driving with all the windows up for long periods. Exhaust fumes in your vehicle can be deadly. For your next tune-up, have the exhaust system inspected while on a lift. Be sure to inspect the trunk and floor boards for leaks.
Beyond car maintenance. Bringing your car in for winter maintenance should prevent common winter service mishaps, but that’s no reason to get over confident. You’d be wise to put a winter safety emergency kit in the vehicle. A kit should include extra boots, gloves, hats, and blankets. If you live in a snowy area, keep snow chains and some kitty litter in the trunk. And don’t forget a flash light, some extra batteries, and a snack.
Keep in mind that the need for maintenance increases as winter approaches. The service department at the dealership where you bought your vehicle can provide specific tips for your vehicle, in addition to the general tips here. Happy driving!
 You’re familiar with those perspiration-like beads that form on the outside of a cold beer bottle. That’s moisture condensing out of the atmosphere. The drips can be irritating, but they won’t ruin your day. But when condensation occurs in your car’s fuel tank the impact can be far more serious. Read on to learn how to avoid this mishap from our team at DCH Kay Honda.
Gasoline and water don’t mix. Usually the water sinks to the bottom, from where it can get drawn in to the engine. And as water doesn’t burn, your engine is going to cough and splutter. That’s not the end though. Where there’s water, corrosion isn’t far behind, and a fuel tank with water in it can start to rust from the inside, as can the fuel lines.
Throw in freezing temperatures and the problems multiply. When water in fuel lines turns to ice the engine will be starved of gasoline and you won’t be going anywhere until things warm up.
There are three main ways water gets into the fuel tank: it was in the gas station’s storage tanks, it got past a badly fitted gas cap (perhaps when using a car wash or during a rainstorm,) and condensation. The first you can avoid by patronizing gas stations that do a high volume of business. (Rapid turnover keeps the tanks filled with gasoline.) The second is just common sense, and as for avoiding condensation… well here are some suggestions.
Condensation comes from water vapor in the air. The amount of vapor air can hold is closely related to its temperature: warm, moist air holds more than cold, dry air. Armed with this knowledge you’ll see that the keys to reducing condensation are to minimize both the amount of air in the tank and the temperature range it sees.
Keeping the fuel tank full is perhaps the easiest step. The less air inside, the less water vapor there will be to condense out when the temperature drops. As for minimizing temperatures, if a temperature-controlled garage is out of the question, the next best thing is to limit exposure to extremes.
If the car is garaged, avoid leaving the door open on frigid winter days as cold air will quickly chill the air in the tank. And conversely, don’t let the garage get too hot in summertime as a cool night will lead to moisture in the air in the tank condensing out. Insulation in the garage roof space will help, and you could try cracking the door open a touch too.
But what if, despite your best efforts, you think water has found a way into your fuel tank? Bring your car or truck into our dealership. We’ll be happy to determine if water really is the cause of your problems.
The survivors of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines are in desperate need of help. DCH Auto Group has responded to this urgent call for aid by making a donation to the International Red Cross.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to anyone who has been affected by the terrible typhoon,” said George Liang, President of DCH Auto Group. “Our donation to the International Red Cross, helping the victims of this improbable disaster, is an extension of DCH Auto Group’s unyielding embrace of the tenants of corporate citizenship.”
Headquartered in South Amboy, New Jersey, DCH Auto Group owns and operates a wide array of car dealerships – including Acura, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Nissan, Scion, and Toyota – located in Southern California, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. DCH Auto group is a firm believer in good corporate citizenship and working to improve the lives of others in each community DCH does business. Each of DCH Auto Group’s 27 dealerships regularly works with local charities and non-profit groups, including local high school chapters of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).
All of us at DCH Kay Honda, along with our fellow DCH Auto Group team members, extend our thoughts and prayers for the people of the Philippines.
 Q. If I have a window chip repaired, could it still develop into a full blown crack?
A. Nothing lasts forever, including windshield repair. Because no two cracks or dings are alike, there’s no hard and fast rule about how long a repair will last. Read on for a detailed explanation of what to do if and when your windshield cracks from our service team at DCH Kay Honda.
The size, severity and location of the crack, as well as the quality of the repair, all play a role in the life of the repair. There’s no guarantee that that three-inch crack won’t spread.
Many repairs are as strong as the original glass, but you just won’t know until it fails. Making sure you go to a reputable shop will help you get the highest quality repair job– your dealer is a good choice if you have a new car. Over-the-counter kits are a bit dicey.
If the worst should happen and you need to replace your windshield, make sure you get OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) glass. OEM glass is made to the same specifications as your original windshield. Aftermarket glass is often cheaper, but, unfortunately, you get what you pay for. Inferior quality glass can be a poor fit causing whistling and leaks and, worse yet, it can pose a safety risk. This is one area where spending a little more is definitely worth it.
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