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

Cars Take Over Paris

Here's a little trivia question for you...When was the very first automobile show held? The answer: 1898 in Paris, France. A hundred and ten years later, automobile enthusiasts from all over the world are still converging in the City of Lights, this time for the 2008 Paris Auto Show.

As expected, the show will spotlight a swarm of new production and concept vehicles. It'll be a mixture of small efficient gas-sippers and powerful speedsters. Regrettably, a trip to Paris wasn't viable (may be next year...it doesn't hurt to wish, right?). Luckily though, the photos flooding in from the show are still quite exciting. A few of the standouts are (in order of appearance): Toyota iQ, Audi S4, MINI Crossover, BMW 7-Series, VW GTI, Jaguar XKR-S, Porsche Targa, and Hyundai i20.

If you'd like to find more about these showstoppers, I recommend checking out Edmunds Inside Line site. They've got awesome galleries.

 

 

 

 

Keys to Not Getting Locked Out

Today's blog post came about from events that took place over the weekend. A good friend of mine locked himself out his car Saturday night. After a few minutes of pacing back and forth and scratching his head, he realized a call home would remedy the problem. After a spare was driven to him by a not entirely amused sibling, my friend was back on the road. 

Getting locked out of the car happens quite often. Every year, AAA helps millions of drivers back into their vehicles. Understandably, this situation can be frustrating, and if the car's running, or a child is seated inside, it could also potentially be very serious.

If it's a real emergency like a child trapped inside, you can call the local police or fire department. FYI: If you live in Hampton Roads and you find yourself locked out (unless it's an emergency) the best thing to do is call a locksmith instead of phoning the police. An article in the Virginian Pilot noted that police officers will generally no longer open locked vehicles because of the potential costs that can occur. Traditionally, officers would use tools like "slim jims" to help motorists back into their cars, but these methods have the risk of causing costly damages to newer cars whose doors are packed wires and electronics. Visit here to read the article. 

Ultimately, the best way to avoid locking yourself out of a car is to plan ahead. Here are a couple tips that are sure to work:

Keep spares accessible: Getting spare keys made is fairly inexpensive and easy. Give the spare keys to a family member or a friend. It might also be a good idea to place a spare in a magnetic key case, which can be hidden somewhere on the surface of your car.

Change your behavior: Just like buckling on your seat belt every time you get behind the wheel, get in the habit of checking for your keys each time you exit the car. Making sure you have the keys in hand, instead of assuming they're in a purse or in a pocket, could prevent you from being locked out. Also, avoid setting your keys down on a seat or in the trunk. 

Check with your insurance company:  Some insurance companies offer some type of lock-out coverage in their policies.

Sign up for a lock-out service: Membership to AAA or some other automotive assistance service could cover you in these situations. Even if you never lock your keys in your car, these services usually offer other types of roadside assistance.

Get Ready, Hanna's Rolling into Town

We've got Tropical Storm Hanna headed our way, so if you haven't already, it'd be wise (and highly advised) to start preparing now. Everyone knows to stock up on non-perishable foods and to board up their homes when rough conditions are nearing, but you should also keep your car in mind. Just like houses, cars are significant purchases. Flying debris and flood waters can cause major damage, so here are a few suggestions on how to keep you and your car safe during the storm.

Keep updated and supplied: Get a hurricane kit together for your car with essentials like food, water, and medical supplies. Flashlights, a radio, and plenty of batteries will come in handy too. It's a very good idea to keep a full tank of gas.  After a hurricane, it might be difficult to find a working gas station because of power outages, so fill up beforehand. Watch for warnings and evacuation alerts. If they recommend evacuating do so. Make sure you're familiar with evacuation routes. Here's a map of the 2008 Hurricane Evacuation Routes provided by The Virginian Pilot. 

Shelter your car from debris: As of 11 a.m. ET today, Hanna carried maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. Forecasters predict that her winds will strengthen by Saturday. Powerful winds like that could do quite a number on your car. Keep your car covered, preferably in a garage. If you don't have a garage, make sure you park your car away from any trees, telephone poles, signs, or anything that could potentially fall.

Move to higher ground: If you live in an area that's susceptible to flooding, move your car to higher ground. Flood waters can cause exterior damage, but it can also wreak havoc on the inner mechanics of your car. High water levels can corrode your electrical system or cause engine failure, which could prove to be very costly. After the storm hits, you may want to have a professional mechanic inspect the car. This will also help with filing any insurance claims.

Never Drive through Disaster: Driving through flood waters is possibly one of the most dangerous actions you can take. Aside from the mechanical damage it can cause to your car, more concerning is that it can prove to be deadly. According to the National Weather Service, each year more deaths occur because of floods than any other storm related hazard. If you come to a flooded roadway, it's best to turn around. Don't underestimate the depth and strength of the water. Also, you should never try to take shelter in your car during a hurricane. Cars can easily be swept away by floods.

These tips may seem obvious, but preparing for a hurricane can be a stressful time, and it's easy to overlook them. There are a ton of resources out there on hurricane preparation. The Ready Virginia Hurricane Preparedness is very useful. Also, this Interactive Storm Tracker found on The Virginian Pilot website is a nifty tool. With it you can keep a close eye on Hanna and the other storms brewing in the Atlantic. Stay safe out, there Hampton Roads!

Keeping Your Car Safe from Mother Nature

There's a couple tropical storms brewing in the Atlantic right now, but luckily it looks like Hampton Roads won't be affected much at all. But with hurricane season fully underway (lasting from June 1 to November 30), it's never too early to start preparing. Everyone knows to stock up on non-perishable foods and to board up their homes when there's a hurricane nearing, but you should also keep your car in mind. Flying debris and flood waters can cause major damage, so here are a few suggestions on how to keep you and your car safe during a storm.

Keep updated and supplied: Thanks to savvy weather technology, we usually have a few days notice before a hurricane makes landfall. Watch for warnings and evacuation alerts. If they recommend evacuating, it's probably in your best interest to do so. Also it's a very good idea to keep a full tank of gas and emergency supplies in your car.  After a hurricane, it might be difficult to find a working gas station because of power outages, so fill up beforehand. Also, make sure you're familiar with evacuation routes.

Shelter your car from debris: Hurricane winds can reach up 150 miles an hour and strong winds like that could do quite a number on your car. Keep your car covered, preferably in a garage. If you don't have a garage, make sure you park your car away from any trees, telephone poles, signs, or anything that could potentially fall.

Move to higher ground: If you live in an area that's susceptible to flooding, move your car to higher ground. Floods waters can cause exterior damage, but more concerning is the havoc it can cause on the inner mechanics of your car. High water levels can corrode your electrical system or cause engine failure, which could prove to be very costly. After the storm hits, you may want to have a professional mechanic inspect the car. This will also help with filing any insurance claims. Also, you should never try to take shelter in your car during a hurricane. Cars can easily be swept away by floods.

These tips may seem obvious, but preparing for a hurricane can be a stressful time, and it's easy to overlook them. There are a ton of resources out there on hurricane preparation. The American Red Cross website is a great one to check out for tips. The Ready Virginia Hurricane Preparedness website is also a very useful. There you can download a Virginia 2008 Hurricane Guide. Remember, it's always better to prepare ahead of time. Don't wait til the last minute.

Show Some "TLC" to Your Car

The weekend has arrived, and I bet you are looking forward to a few days of relaxation. Although, if you are like me, you will probably find yourself spending some of this weekend doing chores you neglected during the work week, like cleaning your car. Admittedly, I have been putting the task off for about 2 weeks now, so my car deserves some much needed attention.

I have a friend who works incredibly hard to keep his car immaculate and is very good at it. He bought his car 3 years ago, and it still looks and smells brand new! While cleaning a car seems pretty straight forward, it does require a bit of foresight if you want it done right. For those of you who are envious of my friend, myself included, here are a few of the best tips I have seen on keeping your vehicle looking like it was just driven off the dealership lot.

Outside Looks are Important: When it comes to vehicles, giving a little more attention to exterior appearances is not considered in the least bit vain. Regularly washing your car helps protect it from dirt, salt, and other harmful debris picked up from everyday driving. Remember to dry thoroughly to prevent water spots. Simple enough right? Well according to the Car Care Council, a good number of car owners harm their vehicles with improper washing. About a third of car owners use damaging non-automotive products, such as dish detergent which can strip away paint and finishes. Waxing your car at least twice a year is also recommended. It not only keeps your car shiny, but provides a layer of protection from sunlight and acid rain.

What is on the Inside Matters too: Washing the outside of your car is only half the job. Cleaning the interior is just as important. From commuting to work to running household errands, we spend a great deal of time inside our cars. Undoubtedly, our cars suffer from coffee spills or an accumulation of trash. Keep a good sized trash bag around to contain the mess. Also some say that white toothpaste can help with stains on car upholstery. Try it out. Having a small vacuum with a hose attachment on hand is also a good idea. Regularly vacuuming the floors and the upholstery will keep your interior looking new. And here is a useful tip from yours truly...before vacuuming sprinkle some carpet deodorizer or even baking soda. It will keep your car smelling fresh.

Following a few of these simple tips will help keep your car looking newer longer. But if you are determined on doing the least amount of cleaning possible this weekend, luckily for you, Checkered Flag offers professional detailing to serve your needs. Give them a call at 757-490-0111. Whichever way you chose to do it, cars are substantial investments, so giving some extra time benefits you in the long run. Until next time, Happy Cleaning this weekend!

Road Trippin'

The unofficial start of the summer season is here! Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a time where Americans load up their vehicles and embark on adventures across the country. This year is a little different of course. With high gas prices tagging along on family vacations, many Americans are expected to stay home this weekend. A good number of Virginians however are not putting the brakes on their travel plans. AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts that 694,000 Virginians will be on the road for the holiday. So for those adventure seekers out there who are determined to hit the roads anyway, here are a few tips to ensure a fun and safe trip.

Spend some quality time with your vehicle: It might sound like a big no-brainer, but it is worth saying. There is nothing like an unexpected breakdown to stall your vacation. Check your tires for proper inflation and any uneven tread. Make sure your car is hydrated with plenty of antifreeze, engine oil, brake and transmission fluids. Taking a few minutes to inspect your car before a trip is not only safe and responsible but could save you from costly headaches.

Pack smart: Even if you have the trunk space, try not to overload your vehicle. The holiday weekend is only a few days so you will not need two weeks worth of stuff. Remember to bring important items that will come in handy in case of an emergency like a first aid kit. Also if you are traveling with kids, bring along enough supplies to keep them occupied during the long drives. Your sanity will thank you for it.

Be patient and enjoy yourself: Traveling can be stressful and unpredictable, but remember you are on vacation, so relax a bit. Prepare yourself for traffic setbacks ahead of time. You can visit the VDOT website for the latest road conditions. Lastly, take time to not only enjoy yourself, but also to remember the holiday.

For more road trip preparation tips visit the BeCarCareAware website.

The Checkered Blog wishes you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Check back with us over the weekend for information on Memorial Day events happening throughout Hampton Roads.

Here's Max!

As I blogged last week, Volkswagen is introducing their new spokes-vehicle, a talking Bug named Max, to America.  Here's a link to the first video.  Cute.  Funny.  German.  And Heidi's not too bad either.

Fastest Production Car? The Caparo T1

I can say that I've never been asked this question, but I definitely know the answer now.  How do you turn a F1 car into a street car?  Allow me to introduce you to the Caparo T1:

You're probably wondering why Checkered Flag is talking about a car that will never exist in its line-up.  Weeeeell this might be a far-fetched run-on thought process, but Caparo supplies body structures for some of the Tata cars, and Tata Motors is about to be the new parent of Jaguar, so the Caparo is going to be a cousin to Jag!  With that technicality out of the way (and terrible use of grammar), let's get back to this little monster....you can decide whether this could be an exciting relationship for Jaguar.

The Caparo is a British-engineered car created by two engineers who were responsible for much of the McLaren F1's design and development.  Due to a combination of carbon fiber and a specialized honeycombing of aluminum being the materials of the car, the T1 weighs in at 1,036 lbs. (a smart car weighs about 1,600 lbs....and a smart car doesn't even have 100 horse power).   The T1 has a 3.5L V8 producing over 500 horse power.  Keep in mind, this is a race-tuned motor able to run on race gas - this is a very different animal than your every day car.  According to Jeremy Clarkson, of Top Gear (in the video below), he says it has twice the power to weight ratio of a Bugatti Veyron (the Veyron has over 1,000 hp and costs over $1,000,000).  At the same time the Caparo has a price tag of just over $300,000, so it is much more "affordable" - ha ha.  I do know which one I'd rather have on a rainy day though.  It is better to see it in action - here is Top Gear's testing of it:

As someone who loves performance cars, I look forward to Tata's and Caparo's relationship possibly finding its way into future Jaguars....although this could be a far-fetched wish.  However, knowing Tata has a passion for Jag, that future is bright!

-research on this project was done using LeftLane News and Top Gear.   

Not Your Mother's Diesel

We do our best to be apolitical at The Checkered Blog. Politics, it’s just not our thing. Our "thing" of course is Checkered Flag and cars and our customers and community and subjects peripherally related to those things. I can’t help but think of certain hotly contested political contests though, when I listen to the current debate between the "Diesel" people and the "Hybrid" people. Both are advocating change, but with radically different strategies. Hybrid proponents have long had a leg up on diesel advocates due to the wild success of the Toyota Prius and the fact that most people remember diesels as loud, smelly 1970's cars and trucks that pollute. All of that is about to change we think, as more European manufacturers are attempting to test out American waters with advanced "clean" diesel systems.

I recently spoke with John Hall, general manager of Checkered Flag BMW, and he informed me that they are expecting two new diesels in the fall, the 335d and X5 xDrive 35d. Keep in mind, BMW hasn’t sold diesels in the U.S. since the 1970's! In Europe however, they account for a growing majority of the company’s sales. In order for the vehicles to meet EPA standards here, BMW created the Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance using a special ammonia based solution (AdBlue) that is injected into the exhaust converting some of the nitrous oxide into water vapor. There is also a fancy filter that further reduces emissions. The "straight talk" from BMW is that the 335d will come with a twin-turbo 3.0 liter inline six capable of 265hp. The ability to go 0-60mph in about 6 seconds and get quite respectable mpg (estimates are 23city/33highway) will surely pique some interest. And, the best part is that the 335d also delivers...wait for it...425 lb-ft of torque. This means that you’ll feel every bit of acceleration, but smoothly because you won’t have to shift gears as often.

The Checkered Blog isn’t inclined to take sides in this debate and we believe that consumers, who "vote" with their wallets, will ultimately decide the outcome and/or the power balance between hybrids and clean diesel. We will say, however, that it seems that having more choice is always a good thing!

Get Ready to Meet Max.

The more things change, the more they stay the same is how the saying goes. Volkswagen is going back to its roots as "The People’s Car"...sort of. Beginning in late April or early May, we consumers will be introduced to a fresh ad campaign featuring VW’s new spokesperson...er, spokes-vehicle(?), Max. The word on the street is that Max is a talking 1964 VW bug who will co-star with "Project Runway" host and supermodel Heidi Klum as well as her singer husband, Seal, in commercials to launch the new-to-the-U.S. VW Tiguan SUV. We couldn’t find any early visuals of Max or the ads, but as soon as we do, we’ll post them on The Checkered Blog.

Whenever I think of talking Bugs, I think of "Herbie The Love Bug" but I am willing to give these new ads a chance because, frankly, I think recent V-dub commercials have left something to be desired. Those "crash" commercials were downright scary. The VW brand seems to me to be about having fun and being young, or at least acting like you are, as well as having a reliable, safe, hip European car and that hasn’t really come across in recent ads.