Back-to-School Tips for Happy Carpooling

If you're a carpooling parent, we salute you. Here are some reminders for having a happy and safe school year:

1. Buckle up! Set a good example by making sure you always wear your seat belt.
2. About those seat belts - one child per restraint. No sharing!
3. Keep a roster of contact information for the each child's parents.
4. You should already have a first-aid kit in your car, so keep it well-stocked for any accidents.

Maintaining Your Mazda

We know you don’t have all day to wait for your car to be serviced. That’s why our Express Service Center is designed to provide efficient service for people on the go. Even the most reliable cars need to be maintained, and we're here to help with these express services:

• Factory-scheduled Maintenance
• Oil Change 
• Filter Change
• Tire Rotation
• Engine Air-Filter Replacement
• Cabin Air-Filter Replacement
• Wiper Blades
• Battery Service
• Free Multi-point Inspection Full Circle Report Card

While you're here, we want you to relax. But don't get too comfortable; we'll have your car ready in no time. 
 
Schedule your express service appointment here.

What Not to Leave in Your Car

During these hot summer months, we know you won't leave your kids and pets in the vehicle. But in addition to your precious cargo, there are other things that can be damaged if left in your in car as the temperature rises.

Aerosol cans: Yep, your back-up hairspray or air freshener may come in handy when you're on the go, but they can explode when temperatures reach 120 degrees.

Medicine: Heat alters the composition of your meds, so be sure to take them with you.

Electronics: Keeping your GPS in your car makes sense because that's where you'll need it, but heat can destroy your gadgets quickly. Don't forget to remove your GPS as well as any electronics such as mp3 players, phones and video games.

Crayons: Don't waste all that money you just spent on back-to-school supplies. Make sure your kids take their crayons with them, or they will melt and make a mess.

Plastic bottles: If you're prone to leaving your water bottle in the car, you may be ingesting chemicals from the bottle that have been released by heat. Take your bottle with you, but if you forget, just recycle it.

Another great way to keep you and your family safe on the road is maintaining your Mazda - and we're here to help! Visit our website to make a service appointment today.

How to Stay Healthy This Summer

You can't enjoy this if you're sick!

We believe a healthy summer is a happy summer, but with vacations and BBQs keeping us busy, we sometimes forget to stay on top of our own health. Here are a few reminders to stave off sickness for the rest of the summer:

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat fruit with high-water content such as watermelon, grapes and cucumbers.

Stay covered. Wear protective clothing outdoors such as a hat, sunglasses and sheer cover-ups. Sunscreen should also be re-applied often.

Stay fit. Exercise at least 30 minutes every morning during the coolest part of the day. Work in some good cardio to keep you and your heart healthy.

Stay relaxed. Planning activities and staying flexible in your routine can be stressful. Set aside time each day for yourself so you can catch up on your reading, take a nap or go for a leisurely stroll.

Of course, your Mazda needs to stay healthy, too! Make an appointment with our service center to keep your vehicle in shape.

The worst advice you'll hear today

What’s wrong with this picture?



While this might be a nice bit of wisdom when it comes to dealing with life’s problems, it is most certainly not sound driving advice.  Looking in your rear-view mirror is one of the most important things to do while you’re out on the road– and it’s possible you’ve been doing it wrong this whole time.

We’re talking about what’s on the side.  What do you see when you look in your side mirrors?  More than likely, your answer is “the back of my car” or at maybe “the rear passenger door handle.”  Let’s take a moment to think about this…do you really need to see your own car while you’re driving?  Eliminate blind spots and avoid potential accidents by adjusting your side mirrors so that you don’t see your car at all.

Lights in the rear view flashing red and blue: What to do

The best chance you have at not getting a ticket is to be polite.  Getting pulled over is a stressful event, but it's important not to panic.  As soon as panic sets in, people incriminate themselves inadvertently by volunteering information or becoming argumentative. Remember: police officers mean it when they tell you anything you say can and will be used against you in court!

How not to get pulled over on your way home tonight: 3 No-Brainers

1. Have situational awareness.  If traffic begins to slow, don't take it as your cue to weave in and out of lanes like a speed demon.  Chances are, there's a good reason it's coming to a halt.

2. Big Brother is everywhere, and he's waiting for you to slip up.  When you hit the road, do so with the knowledge that you are being watched.  From speed traps to red light cameras to that police car parked at the bottom of the hill, all eyes are on you.  Drive accordingly.

3. Leave the glitz and glamor to the movie stars.  Try not to call any extra attention to yourself.  A bright red sports coupe with a vanity plate and a bunch of bumper stickers is far more likely to get caught speeding than the understated beige minivan next to it.

Love Riding With The Top Down? You Can Thank Mazda For That.

Cruising with the top down this summer?  While you’re enjoying that breeze, just keep in mind that the design you love today had some very cool beginnings.  Back in 1988, Mazda engineer Takaharu Kobayakawa showed up to his favorite ski resort in the RX-7 Convertible with its top down.  Crazy, right?  Surprisingly, no.  We’d call it smart.  With its heater vents carefully aimed, this pivotal moment led to his invention of the wind blocker.

The design has been imitated by almost all convertible manufacturers since.

Strip your headlights down to the nitty gritty and hit the road lookin pretty!

1.       Clear headlights of every bit of excess grime you are able to and outline each headlight with tape.  This protects your paint job while you’re cleaning.

2.       It is likely that any product you try will require sanding of some sort—so be detailed, meticulous, and careful during this process.  After wards, the headlight should be rough and dull, yet clear of any yellowing.

3.       Polish them up!  This will rid your headlights of the small scratches caused by the sandpaper.  It will also rid them of the dull look and make them clear again.

4.       Since you’ve removed any protective layer that was on your headlights originally during the sanding process, it’s important that you apply a sealant with UV protection.  If possible, choose one with promised extended protection.

If you’re in the dark about the best UV sealant to use, check out what Popular Mechanics says on the issue.

Offline & on time: 4 ways the Google Maps update will improve your life

The newest update for Google Maps just became available and we have to say, we're impressed!  Here are the key improvements you'll notice when you hit the road:

-Never miss another exit. Updates for the app include even more detailed directions, even down to which lane you should be in before your next move.

-Weigh your options.  If you frequently use services like Uber, this update allows you to compare your route with public transportation, walking, biking, etc.

Offline is no longer off-limits!  If you bring up your route ahead of time, you can save the map in an offline version, give it a personalized name, and access it with or without a connection.

-Remember "that one place" you went to "that one time."  Save locations you've visited so you can easily find them the next time you're on the lookout.

Some other key features: Now you can filter your searches by business hours--so you'll be able to view which places are open, and always get there on time.  If you can't get there right now, you can do the next best thing: bring it to life in the palm of your hand with Google Street View.  Check out local public transit options while you're at it. 

Find even more information about the update here.

Parking Lot Safety 101: Stranger Danger

If you spend any time behind the wheel by yourself, you should know parking lot safety 101.  Because getting home safe is the goal regardless of your age, gender, or experience. 

Don't talk to strangers! 

This one is common sense and you've likely known it since childhood.  Regardless of your opinion regarding charity and handouts, your solitary stroll through the parking lot is not the time to lend a dollar, cigarette, or handful of change (whatever it may be) to a stranger.

Becoming a better driver really is as simple as 1, 2, 3.

 

 

Chances are you probably consider yourself to be a pretty safe driver.  After all, it’s something you do practically every day, right?  Between commuting to and from work, picking up the kids from school, and running errands, you’d have to be a skilled motorist.  We certainly hope so! But it never hurts to brush up on your know-how.  

 

Tip of the day: Keep your distance.

THINK IN THREES!  You should stay...

 

3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you for speeds of 35 – 55 MPH in fair weather, 

 

6 seconds for more than 55 MPH or in rain, and 

 

9 seconds for heavy snowstorms or low visibility.

 

 

Tell us how YOU stay safe on the road!  Join the conversation on our Facebook page.

Planning to emBARK on a road trip with your four-legged friend this summer? Read this first.

Maybe it's just a few errands.  Five minutes at the post office, maybe ten at the bank.  Keep in mind that "just a few errands" is vastly different in dog years!  This infographic is helpful when preparing your canine for the road ahead: