Tag Archives: autumn

Traveling This Fall!

By
Posted in Dealer Information, News, Tips

This year’s Road Trip season is extending into the Fall, according to AAA*.  Friday, September 22nd, marks the official end of Summer and the Beginning of Autumn, but American’s don’t seem ready to stop traveling and taking vacations.

Traveling between Labor Day and Thanksgiving has its advantages…

  • You tend to get better value for your money since most vacation destinations are now in their “off-season”.
  • The weather is not too hot and not too cold – its just right!
  • Smaller crowds since its not the peak travel and vacation season.

So your probably wondering where to go… here are a few ideas:

  • Go see the Fall Foilage. Great places to visit are the NorthEast, New England, and the mountains of North Carolina or Colorado.
  • Get to one of the top 5 stateside mainland destinations:
    1. Orlando, Fl
    2. Anaheim, CA
    3. New York City
    4. Las Vegas
    5. Boston

If you decide to take your vehicle and hit the road this Fall, remember your travel safety!  Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Wear a seat belt every single time you’re in the car.
  • Restrain children in age-, height- and weight-appropriate car seats.
  • Don’t drive drunk or drugged; use a designated driver… or Uber or Lyft.
  • Get plenty of sleep before a car trip, and take regular breaks to stave off fatigue.
  • Avoid distracted driving by refraining from using smartphones or other devices while driving.
  • Check your vehicle’s tire pressure, wiper blades, fluid levels, lights and air conditioning before you hit the road.
  • Check for outstanding safety recalls on your car using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle identification number lookup tool.
  • Pack an emergency roadside kit containing a mobile phone and charger, first-aid kit, flashlight, flares, jumper cables, drinking water and blankets.

Beach Auto Brokers has been in business since 1985, Driven by excellence and proudly serving the Hampton Roads community for over 30 years. The Beach Auto Brokers full inventory of vehicles is available for you to look at, test drive, and ask questions about.  And our knowledgeable staff is ready to help you.  And while you’re here, we’ll take a look at your current vehicle and tell you what it’s worth – on the retail market and the trade-in value.

*According to a new survey from roadside-assistance provider AAA, more than a quarter of respondents have at least one more big vacation planned for fall.

AUTUMN IS OFFICIALLY HERE

By
Posted in Dealer Information, News, Tips

AUTUMN VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

The lazy days of summer are over… for many of us, its back to the grind… and for others it never stopped.  The seasons are changing and the temperature is starting to drop.  With the crisp Autumn mornings come a good pumpkin spice latte and some fun festive fall decorations!

While you’re getting ready for the changing seasons, don’t forget that your vehicle needs to make sure it’s ready as well. Different temperatures and weather patterns can affect your vehicle’s abilities, so it’s important that you take this time to get your automobile checked out to ensure it’s safe. When you make a maintenance service appointment, we recommend that you make sure your mechanic checks these items.

  1.  Heaters & Defrosters – Fall morning frosts can come out of nowhere, so it’s important that you make sure your car’s heaters and defrosters are working. There’s nothing more annoying than being right on schedule to get to work on time, only to go outside and see your car’s windshield completely frosted over!
  2.  Windshield Wipers– Check to make sure your vehicle’s windshield wipers are streak and squeak-free now. Typically, drivers discover their wiper blades aren’t good when they really need them in the middle of a thunderstorm – don’t be one of those drivers.
  3.  Tires – Changing temperatures cause your tire pressure to fluctuate. Any time your tires aren’t properly inflated you are losing fuel efficiency and drivability! Check your tire pressure as well as tire tread. Slippery roads only intensify when the temperatures drop, so good tire tread of at least 3/32 inches is necessary.
  4.  Cooling System– While it may seem strange to check your cooling system when winter is coming, your cooling system is still very active when the temperatures drop. Especially make sure to have your mechanic look at your radiator, belts and hoses, as cold temperatures can especially affect these parts.
  5.  Steering and Suspension–Ask your mechanic look over your steering system, suspension and front-end alignment. We recommend getting this done at least once a year, and before winter sets in is a perfect time.
  6.  Oil Change– most vehicles require an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles. Since your automobile is already going to be at the shop getting these other fall car maintenance services performed, there’s a good chance it’s due for an oil change as well! Make it easy on yourself and get this completed now as well, rather than having to make a special trip later.

Beach Auto Brokers has been in business since 1985, Driven by excellence and proudly serving the Hampton Roads community for over 30 years. The Beach Auto Brokers full inventory of vehicles is available for you to look at, test drive, and ask questions about.  And our knowledgeable staff is ready to help you.  And while you’re here, we’ll take a look at your current vehicle and tell you what it’s worth – on the retail market and the trade-in value.