Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

No Shortage of Halloween Spirit at Checkered Flag

The scariest thing happening near Checkered Flag today is the road work on Va Beach Blvd.  Yikes.  Anyhow, this morning I set out on a quest to find some Halloween spirit at Checkered Flag and I was not let down.

Bill Foster at Honda Sales donned these very realistic horns.  A colleague of his insinuated that he actually is in costume the other 364 days a year and only today is showing his true colors...spooky.

Honda's John Peterson played it a little more low key, but still gets points for managing to find two orange things in his closet!

Eleanor Miravete at Checkered Flag's Operations Center is nuts for Halloween!!!!!!!  That's really all we have to say.

Toyota sales expert Bill Peterson shows off a downright frightening tie!

Toyota's Jim McNutt insisted that he ought to get "mad points" for his ensemble.  I told him that if he could get away with wearing the same thing tomorrow then it didn't count.  He disagreed.  Happy Halloween, Jim.

Dalena Kleinow, Hyundai/VW title clerk and expectant mom has my vote for best costume.  Despite the fact that it's creative and original, Dalena didn't accost me or kick me out when I asked if I could put "Go Buckeyes" in the caption.  Go Blue, Dalena.   

Let Cooler Temps Inspire You

That crispness that you’ve been feeling in the air for the last couple of days can only mean one thing...winter’s on its way! Actually, winter won’t officially arrive until December 22 this year, but now is a great time to start thinking about getting your vehicle ready for the colder temps. Checkered Flag BMW Shop Supervisor Roger Smith, who over the years has worked at several Checkered Flag locations, confided, "Every service department everywhere will see an increase in dropped batteries and other weather related problems with the first cold snap." The reason is that people tend to be much more vigilant about vehicle maintenance in the warmer months when they are preparing for summer vacations and when spending a Saturday morning outside under the hood doesn’t require a parka and long underwear. The holiday season keeps folks busy and regular maintenance can fall by the wayside. All the more reason to start preparing for old man winter TODAY. Here are a few tips from Roger and the service experts at Checkered Flag...

Check Your Tire Pressure

The Checkered Blog will beat this drum forever! Correct tire inflation keeps you (and everyone else on the road) safer. Your owner’s manual will indicate the proper tire pressure for your vehicle. Remember: Air is gaseous and gas contracts when it cools. For every 10 degree drop in air temp, your tire pressure will decrease 1 PSI. You should check your tire pressure at least once a month and any time there is a sudden change in temperature. Proper pressure ensures better traction in wet or icy conditions. Roger advises me that the ideal time to check tire pressure is when the car is cold. You won’t get an accurate reading if it’s been running.

Check Your Battery

Batteries are put under a lot of stress in the winter. There is a much heavier drain on your battery and starter when it’s cold outside (as much as 50% more than in warm temps!). That, coupled with the fact that we spend much more time driving with the lights on in the winter, is a recipe for a dead battery. Roger suggests that even those with the new "maintenance free" batteries perform periodic visual inspections to make sure that the battery has a good charge. Also, make sure that all connection points are free of dirt and debris.

Change Your Oil

This tip has multiple implications. Changing your oil according to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual ensures less wear and tear on your engine. Seasonally changing the type of oil you use can optimize winter driving performance. Cold temps thicken oil. Oil that’s too thick won’t properly lubricate the engine. Oil that’s too thin won’t do you much good either. Again, check your owner’s manual to find the right kind of oil for your car and climate.

Have Your Belts and Hose(s) Inspected

Because, if you want to dress up like an elf...haha...just kidding. It's true that the belts and hoses under your hood are made to withstand harsh temps but it’s best to have them periodically checked anyway. Cold weather makes plastic and rubber more brittle.

Check your windshield wipers and your wiper fluid

I don’t need an expert for this one. Picture driving through blizzard conditions outside Philadelphia. It’s Christmas Eve. Wipers are junky and the wiper fluid is inexplicably mostly water. Which is frozen. Frozen water=ice. Not very helpful. Makes me happy that I’m still alive to share this unfortunate experience with you so that you will not make a similar mistake.

So, that’s the short skinny on winter maintenance. Roger wisely reminded me of the old adage, "An ounce of prevention...". These quick procedures can save you a load of trouble in the coming months. And, if you take care of it now, you’ll have one less thing to do over the busy holiday season! As always, call Checkered Flag or email us at The Checkered Blog if you have any questions about getting your vehicle ready for winter.

Checkered Blog Captures Int'l Web Honors

It's an exciting day for all of us with the Checkered Blog ... we've just learned that the Checkered Blog has been honored for excellence in web communications in the international Spotlight Awards competition held each year by the League of American Communications Professionals.  Other winners include Sony Electronics and Wells Fargo & Co.  The competition received more than 900 entries in its various categories from across the United States and six other countries, so winning really means a lot.  Now, we just have to figure out exactly how we are going to celebrate ...

More Cappucino Choices Than Ever at CF BMW

If you've noticed that customers and staff at Checkered Flag BMW have an extra spring in their step these days, it's not your imagination... coffee consumption is on the rise at the dealership since the arrival of its new state-of-the-art cappucino machine.  In the photo here, you see Checkered Flag IT specialist Tammie Werbiskis preparing a cup to her liking.

The new java-maker replaces the machine that was installed when Checkered Flag BMW opened at its current location nearly four years ago.  Dealership general manager John Hall says the old machine had given good and faithful service, but it had lately become unreliable ... it was probably just plain worn out from brewing thousands of cups of coffee over the years.  The new machine offers more types of coffee and reports are that the coffee is even more delicious now.  One thing that hasn't changed -- it's free!  So ... do stop in and try it for yourself ...

Meet Checkered Flag Toyota Customer Magdalee Rooney!

This busy mom recently bought a 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid from Checkered Flag Toyota...

CB: Do you think of your car as a guy or a gal?

MR:  A gal, because it's mine!

CB:  What's the longest you have kept a car?

MR:  I kept my 2002 Camry for 5 years and put 56K miles on it!

CB:  What's your dream car?

MR:  (laughing) A Rolls Royce

CB:  What's the best thing about your new ride?

MR:  Gas mileage

CB:  What's the worst thing that has been spilled in your car?

MR:  Grape juice by the kids.

CB:  What's the messiest food to eat in the car?

MR:  Chicken McNuggets with sweet and sour sauce...also by the kids.

CB:  Do you have a favorite place in Hampton Roads for a scenic drive?

MR:  Monitor Merrimac bridge/tunnel.

CB:  What's the fastest drive-thru in Hampton Roads?

MR:  Navy Federal Credit Union on Hampton Blvd. by the base.

An Odd Coupling

Here’s an informative article in BusinessWeek discussing new developments at VW and Porsche. Many of you may not know that the Volkswagen brand actually has Porsche roots. That’s right, Ferdinand Porsche designed the vehicle that would eventually become the VW bug. This part of VW’s history is interesting (and historically relevant), not least because this week a European court handed down a ruling that would allow Porsche to greatly increase its stake in VW, which is now Europe’s largest automaker. Porsche already owns over 30% of VW, but an arcane German law commonly known as "the Volkswagen law" protected the company from takeovers and prevented Porsche from exercising its full voting rights. The recent ruling paves the way for Porsche to increase its shares, fully exercise its voting rights and literally takeover the company.

No worries here, though. The change will likely have no effect on current owners or potential buyers.

Checkered Flag on HamptonRoads.tv

HamotonRoads.tv recently stopped by Checkered Flag to shoot some video for a story that they posted on their website today. The video features The Virginian-Pilot's automotive editor, Larry Printz, explaining why a vehicle's service engine light comes on, what to do when it does and what the service techs do when the vehicle gets to the shop.  Click here to watch.

Take A Look: Here's How smart center Virginia Beach Will Look

smart center Virginia Beach is moving quickly toward reality ... the dealership will be located at 5193 Virginia Beach Blvd., where Sofa's Etc. used to stand. Construction has been underway for several weeks and the walls should start going up within the next few days.  Work is expected to be done by the last week of February; smarts are scheduled to be available for purchase in the first quarter of 2008.

Checkered Flag is smart's area dealer candidate and Checkered Flag senior vice president Steve Snyder says the company is investing nearly $3 million in the facility.  Among its many distinctive features will be a figure-eight test track in the parking lot -- that's where you will be able to experience just how tight smart's turning radius is.

This rendering shows you how the exterior of smart center Virginia Beach will look.  In coming days, we will post a rendering of the interior, so stay tuned ... BTW, you can learn more about the smart microcar and make a refundable $99 reservation for one by visiting smart USA's web site.

US smart Models: First Test Drive Impresses

If you've been wondering what the US smart models will be like, we have the scoop for you!

Checkered Flag's Alex Snyder got a first-time, hands-on look at the smart fortwo models designed for the United States earlier this week.  Checkered Flag is the dealer candidate for smart center Virginia Beach and Alex attended a smart USA management launch event in Detroit, where he had the opportunity to drive the smart passion. 

If you drove a smart in Virginia Beach during smart's summer road show event here, what you were driving was a European model.  There's been a lot of anticipation about exactly how the U.S. smarts will drive and feel and Alex, lucky guy, is the first person at Checkered Flag to find out.  Alex came back from the event last night and when I caught up with him this morning, he said he's really impressed.

"There is plenty of get-up-and-go and the handling is fantastic for such a short wheelbase,"  Alex said. He drove the passion on a closed track and it happened to be raining at the time.  "It was the perfect opportunity to push the car harder than I ever would on a public road and during rainy conditions.  I found that it is easy to control and well-planted.  When you make a quick U-turn or 360, you realize how stable it is.  Speaking of U-turns, you don't need to turn the steering wheel all the way to make one; the turning radius is amazing.  While it's a microcar and I was really pushing it hard, I never felt my safety was at risk. This is going to be a blast to own."

Alex told me that he foresees smart "communities" quickly developing that are based on the fun and the environmentalism of the brand.  "I think friendships will be created through this, and likely some kind of universal 'hello' exchange for the road will evolve, much like you see with Jeep owners."

smart is expected to average 40 MPG; it's a gas-powered vehicle with a tank that holds 8.7 gallons.  Pricing starts at $11,590 for the smart pure, which is the entry-level model; at $13,590 for the passion, a well-equipped coupe; and $16,590 for the passion cabriolet, a well-equipped convertible.  If you are interested in a smart, you may make a $99 refundable reservation for the vehicle on smart USA's web site.

Meantime, keep visiting the Checkered Blog.  We're going to be posting much more information on smart in coming days and weeks -- everything from an environmental tour of smart production to its history.  On Monday, we will give you details on the smart center Virginia Beach facility (including a rendering of what it's going to look like, the precise location, the construction timetable, and more!), so make sure you check it out!

More pictures can be found on the continuation page...

Car-Shopping in Your PJs; at CF, It's the New Way

Car-shopping in your pajamas? You can do that at Checkered Flag now, if you're so inclined.

No, the Checkered Flag folks aren't suggesting you turn up at the dealership in a bathrobe and slippers (although it's a free country and they're pretty laid back, so if you really wanted to do that, it probably would be okay.) 

What I'm talking about here is the new Make My Deal feature on CheckeredFlag.com ... it allows you not only to search Checkered Flag's inventory via the internet ... once you've chosen your vehicle, you can "eNegotiate" and lock in your price by making a $150 reservation with your credit card.  Then you simply go to the dealership within the next day to complete the transaction.  If it turns out you decide you don't wish to purchase the vehicle after all, no problem ... your credit card will not be charged for that reservation fee.

So, you see, you can do all of this from anywhere you wish, even from home in your pajamas (although, truthfully, it really would be a good idea to change into regular clothes before you head to Checkered Flag to complete the purchase.)

The people at Checkered Flag tell me that the concept behind this program is twofold:  It gives you another option for how you shop and purchase at Checkered Flag ... and it saves you time.  Flexibility and time-savings matter more than ever to consumers.

FYI: Right now, this program is available on new cars only, but it will soon encompass used cars, too.

So, pour yourself another cup of joe, put on your comfy PJs, and look for your next car at CheckeredFlag.com .... and while you're there ... check out Win Flagman in his pajamas, black-and-white checkered, of course ...