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

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. 

Scion Hako Coupe Concept

Here's the new Scion Hako Coupe concept that made its debut last week at the New York Auto Show.  I think I like it.  What are your thoughts?

March Madness

Take a look at this most hilarious video from Top Gear featuring a self steering BMW 330i...you will laugh and be amazed, I promise.

Keeping Your Vehicle Secure

A recent press conference held by Norfolk Police Chief Bruce P. Marquis and covered by The Virginian-Pilot   touched on some trends in auto theft and vandalism in Hampton Roads. Of course, we know that having a vehicle broken into or stolen is a really lousy thing, just an emotionally and financially draining experience. I thought it was worth passing on a few tips on theft prevention from the police department.

• Never leave keys unattended.
• Store valuables in the trunk. Keep high value items like GPS units, iPods and laptops out of sight. The NPD also recommends storing docking stations because they can indicate that a device is in the glove compartment or console.
• Document serial numbers of portable devices.
• Secure your license plate with theft deterrent screws which you can buy at auto parts stores.
• Lock your doors. Roll up windows and close sunroofs, even if you’re just running inside for a moment (this is one I need help with...I always, always forget the sunroof!).
• If possible, park in well lit areas.