US 27 Showroom

Monday, December 10, 2012

6 Technologies That Will Make Your Next Vehicle Safer

Vehicles have been changing in so many ways over the last few years. Fuel economy is improving, design is changing, and cars are becoming safer. A lot of the safety has to do with new technology being implemented in vehicles. I came across this article describing six different technologies that are making vehicles safer to drive and thought I’d summarize it a little bit for you. You can read the entire article here.

  1. Back-Up Camera

Put the car in reverse and the screen in your dash or on the review mirror will switch to show you what is behind you. I mentioned earlier that design of vehicles is changing as cars become sleeker looking. This design makes it harder to see when backing up which makes a back-up camera almost a necessity. In fact, the US government is considering mandating that all vehicles come with a back-up camera so keep an eye on that.

  1. Back-Up Camera Intervention

The 2013 Infiniti JX is the only vehicle available right now that takes the capabilities of the back-up camera further by being able to stop the vehicle if there is something behind you.

  1. Texting Discouragement

Most states have passed a ban on texting while driving but many people still text while driving today. Now there is technology, found in Fords, which will read your text messages to you. There are automated responses, such as “call me back later”, that you can use to respond without having to look at your phone.

  1. Lane Keeping and Intervention

Lane keeping intervention can help keep you in your current lane. It is similar to blind spot detection. This technology can be found in Infiniti or Mercedes Benz vehicles.

  1. Pre-Collision Alerts

This technology uses radars that can alert you if you are about to crash and even apply the brake for you. This type of technology is becoming more affordable and common as it can be found on vehicles such as the Subaru Legacy, Chevrolet Equinox, and Honda Accord.

  1. Substance Abuse Detection

Vehicles having the capability to tell if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and prevent you from driving the vehicle might not be available right now but something along these lines could happen down the road even if it is just a warning to notify a passenger that the driver is too intoxicated to drive. This one will likely be a hot button for politicians to debate. 

Friday, December 7, 2012

Scion xB Maintenance Required Indicator Light Reset Procedure


Have you ever wondered how to reset the maintenance required indicator light in your first generation Scion xB?  Here is a video and step by step instructions in case you're changing your own oil or for some reason your service department overlooked it.
  1. Insert key and turn ignition switch to the "On" position
  2. Make sure the odometer is not set in either trip mode
  3. Press and hold the trip meter reset button
  4. Continue holding the button while performing all of the following
  5. Turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position
  6. Turn the ignition switch back the "On" position
  7. Wait for the odometer to count down to "000000"
  8. After the odometer switches back to displaying the mileage, release the reset button
Once you've performed these steps, your maintenance required indicator light will have turned off.  The next time you need service, bring it to Custom Car Care in Decatur, IN near Fort Wayne and we'll take care of this reset for you.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Self Driving Cars now legal in California


Autonomous (self-driving) cars are now legal on the road in California. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the autonomous-driving vehicle bill into law on Tuesday. Google has been testing a small fleet of autonomous vehicles over the last few years. They believe it will increase fuel efficiency, decrease traffic accidents & deaths, and eventually open the road to those who can't get a driver's license, such as the legally blind. 

For more information click on the links below.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Check Out Our Videos!

We have recently started to do some walkaround videos of our inventory. This is just another way for customers to get an accurate idea of the vehicle they are interested in. We have placed the videos we have already created in this blog post but keep an eye on our YouTube channel as we create more. If you have any requests do not hesitate to let us know!


Thursday, August 9, 2012

New Website!

We have a brand new website! It is the same domain name but a totally different look and feel to it. Check it out and let us know what you think! http://www.customcarcaredecatur.com/

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Real Car Owners Providing Real Information

The internet has allow car shoppers to research everything about their potential purchase from price, specs, options, fuel economy, reliability, availability, etc. This has been wonderful for consumers to have all of this information at their disposal. However, not all of this information can be seen as true. Websites often feature information from industry professionals and not those who drive the cars everyday.

True Delta is a website that features reviews from real car owners. Their headline reads "real car owners driving real car information". If you are shopping for a used car we highly recommend you checkout this website before making your purchase.

http://www.truedelta.com/

Friday, July 27, 2012

2011 Chevy Impala LT

Used Chevy Impala Fort Wayne IndianaToday we wanted to dedicate a blog post to this 2011 Chevy Impala LT. This Impala is white with black leather interior. Those are the easiest exterior and interior colors to keep clean. Not only is white easy to keep clean but it is the safest color of a car you can drive. White is easier than any other color on a car to see on the road.

With just over 11K miles on this car it still has plenty of life left in it. There is still the balance of factory warranty. However, you pay almost half of what this car would have cost if it was brand new with zero miles on it. Why pay thousands more then you have to?

This Impala was made with lots of wonderful features. The driver and front passenger seats are powered. This allows you to easily adjust your seat until you get it just in the right spot. There is also dual climate control so both the driver and front passenger can customize the climate in the car to be at just the right spot for themselves. There are steering radio controls right on the steering wheel to allow the driver to easily control the radio. For best sound quality this car has the bose sound system. A couple other nice features are the sun roof and heated seats. As you can see this Impala has so many great features and we have only listed a few of them.

We always try to have a good supply of Impala in stock. We like to keep these in stock because of the value this Impala offers. It is large enough to be ideal for road trips and has a powerful 3.5 V6 engine that still delivers 30 MPG or more. Not only is that engine fuel efficient but it has proven to be reliable. If you ever need to replace any parts on this Impala the cost are not nearly as much as what they are for import cars. They are easy and cost effective to maintain.

We have 60 pictures of this Impala on our website. We have two locations within walking distance of each other. You can view directions and hours on our website. If you need financing you can apply online so that you save time by doing that ahead of time. 



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Monday, July 16, 2012

What A Crazy Day!

Last Thursday we had some unusual excitement at our dealership. A semi driver was looking for Wal-Mart and his GPS sent him to the old location, right behind us in what is now Rural King. The driver missed what he thought was the entrance to Wal-Mart and pulled into Pizza Hut, right next to our US 27 showroom, thinking he could get to Wal-Mart from there. As he pulled into Pizza Hut and attempted to drive where his GPS was instructing him he took down electrical wires and two utility poles.

Emergency crews quickly responded. It was probably a half hour after the accident occurred that smoke started to appear from our storage building (due to electrical wires being down/out of place) behind our US 27 showroom. Luckily the fire department was still on the scene and they were able to get the fire under control before it did any major damage.

Utility crews worked hard to get power restored. We had power back and were almost back to normal Friday morning. We can't thank the utility workers and the Decatur Fire Department enough for all of their hard work in preventing this accident from causing even more damage. Below are some pictures from that day.







Friday, June 22, 2012

What Car Colors Attract The Most Bird Poop?

A recent study has found that red cars attract the most bird droppings. Red cars accounted for 18% of the cars receiving bird droppings. Blue cars had the second highest rate at 14%. Green cars had the lowest of any of the colors.

Not every driver removes the bird poop immediately. Many wait until their next car wash. It is not a good idea to wait. Bird droppings should be removed from your car's paint right away. It is suggested that you use a moist cloth. If the droppings are dry, place a moist cloth over it for ten minutes so that it becomes soft. Don't forget to wash your hands either as bird droppings can contain harbour diseases.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Drive Safe In Construction Zones


Now that the weather is getting warmer you have probably had to drive in at least one construction zone this spring so far. It can be time consuming (& frustrating) to drive in them. Keep these tips in mind to make driving in construction zones a less of a hassle.

Pay attention to the news. You can often read or hear about road construction/closings by reading your local newspaper, watching the local news station, or listening to a local radio station. If you know that there will be construction/road closed a head of time you can plan your commute a different route to avoid those areas. Some good sources include the Decatur Daily Democrat, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, News Channel 15, News Channel 21 & 33, 92.7 WZBD Adams County Radio, US 93.3, Magic 95.1, 97.3 WMEE, K 105, and Hot 107.9 among others.

Slow down as you drive through construction zones. This sounds obvious yet it is common to see people speed through construction zones. While it can be annoying to slow down these reduced speed limits are in place for a reason. Construction zones are dangerous and the danger greatly increases with more speed. For your safety and the safety of the construction zone workers please slow down.

Increase the following distance between yourself and other vehicles. You have to expect the unexpected when driving all the time but especially in construction zones. In order to give you more time to react and avoid an accident you just maintain more distance than usual between yourself and the next car.

We hope you keep these things in mind as you are driving in construction zones this summer. Keep yourself and the construction workers safe!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Bring Pierre Home

Pierre is an orphan living at Mission of Hope Orphanage in Haiti. He is approximately 4-5 years old. Pierre has special needs and is believed to have Cerebral Palsy. Pierre desperately needs medial attention as well as physical, speech, and occupational therapy to reach his full potential.

You can help out in a couple of different ways on Saturday March 10th.

From 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (or whenever we are done!) we will be offering oil changes with the help of Napa Auto parts and Oil Distributing. It will be an oil change, filter, and fluids check. The cost is $15 (free to donate more!) and all proceeds go to benefit Pierre. Call 260-724-2210 to set up your time. Ask for service!

At 5:30 there will be live music and a hog roast at the Bridge Community Church in Decatur. The cost is $10 for adults and kids 8 and under free. Live music by Lost Vegas and The Rocky Evans Band! Pre-sale tickets are available or you can pay at the door. For more info please call Rocky Evans 260-223-5003 or Lily Evans 260-223-4810. You can also find more info on Facebook.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The 10 Most Expensive Car Repairs According to MSN Autos

I came across this article and thought it was a good one to share! 

By Claire Martin of MSN Autos, MSN.com

By Claire Martin of MSN Autos
Like real estate and relationships, cars require upkeep. If you neglect tochange the oil, ignore thecheck-engine light or skip routine servicing, you're setting yourself up for a rude — and expensive — awakening. According to Art Jacobsen, vice president ofCarMD.com, which publishes an online database of the most common and expensive check-engine-related automotive repairs, the key is to diagnose your car's problems early: "You've got to tackle it; address it when it's small, before it escalates." Here are the 10 most expensive vehicle repairs and what you can do to avoid them. 
10. Replace Turbocharger/Supercharger AssembliesTurbochargers and superchargers help force air through the engine, allowing it to use more fuel, generate a bigger explosion in the cylinder and increase power. These devices typically operate at high rotational speeds, which make them vulnerable to damage and susceptible to heat. When they go bad, it can cost about $1,600 to replace them, with related repairs spiking the price by $700 to $3,000. If you're lucky enough to have a turbocharger or supercharger, you'll need to take care of it. "Make sure you have the right amount of oil in these units," Jacobsen says, noting that too much can be just as bad as, if not worse than, not enough. 
9. Replace Torque Converter AssemblyThe torque converter assembly is a hydraulic coupling between the engine and the transmission. It's similar to a clutch in that it allows you to come to a stop in an automatic-transmission vehicle without stalling the engine. But when the torque converter overheats, it can spring leaks and its parts can warp, and a busted torque converter may prevent you from starting — or more disastrously, stopping — your car. One way to avoid overheating this part, and incurring roughly $1,800 in repairs, is to not rev the engine while you have your foot on the brake. 
8. Replace Catalytic ConverterCatalytic converters, which detoxify exhaust emissions, are important when you're getting a smog check and if you care about your car's impact on the environment. Most are built to last for 15 to 20 years, and before they go kaput, there are plenty of warning signs. Two culprits are busted oxygen sensors and misfires, which happen when fuel catches fire as it passes through the engine. When a catalytic converter fails, it's pricey: Repairs can cost up to $2,692. It's the parts that are expensive, not the labor. "They contain platinum, palladium and rhodium — three of the most precious metals known to man," Jacobsen says. 
7. Replace Hybrid BatteryA hybrid battery is often bundled with an integrated motor-assist battery, which charges it. Change one and you have to change both — to the tune of about $2,700. Because the technology is fairly new, it can be difficult to troubleshoot hybrid engines. "Hybrids are great, but when something goes wrong, you better have your checkbook ready," Jacobsen says. That's because there are a limited number of mechanics servicing hybrids and because parts are scarce. Hot weather in the South and Southwest taxes these batteries. To avoid repairs, you're best off driving them in mild climates. 
6. Replace Injection PumpA clogged injection pump, the device that delivers fuel into the engine's cylinders, is a relatively common problem for drivers, and the repair costs can vary widely. A Honda fuel pump might run a couple of hundred dollars and be straightforward to change. But in trucks and SUVs, the repair can cost upward of $2,900 because it's labor-intensive, requiring the mechanic to put the vehicle on a hoist and disassemble its rear. If you follow your vehicle's scheduled maintenance program and change the fuel filters regularly, your fuel pump should stay clog-free. 
5. Replace Camshaft. Camshafts operate the valves within a vehicle's engine, pressing down and forcing them open. The system controls how your engine takes in air. Normal wear and tear — buildup on valves that comes from not changing your oil often enough or using low-quality fuel — is frequently the culprit behind camshaft failure. Maintenance on camshafts is simple: Change your oil often and get your valves adjusted. But camshaft replacement is hard work, which means you can shell out anywhere from $1,600 to $3,100 for a new one. "It's expensive because it's very labor-intensive," Jacobsen says. 
4. Replace Cylinder Head Assembly and Spark PlugsSpark-plug trouble usually causes misfires in your engine, which if neglected can also heat up the cylinder. How will you know if your engine is susceptible? A flashing check-engine light. "When it's flashing, that's a misfire, and you're doing mechanical damage to your vehicle if you keep driving it," Jacobsen says. The damage is usually to the catalytic converter or the cylinder, the replacement for which costs about $3,500. "You need to get it addressed," Jacobsen says. And look after it immediately. "It's not a question of if but when you'll do damage to your car," he says. 
3. Replace Transmission AssemblyThe transmission takes the power from the engine and makes the wheels go — an important role, and according to Jacobsen, many transmissions are neglected. "A lot of people overlook the transmission and take care of the engine," he says. "But if your transmission isn't working, you're not going anywhere." Replacing it runs as much as $3,600, if not more. Luckily, automakers are often aware of their vehicles' transmission weaknesses, and by keeping tabs on your car's technical service bulletins (available from the dealer or through the CarMD website), you can find out when to come in for what may end up being free transmission work. 
2. Replace Hybrid Inverter Assembly"You can't run down to your local Firestone and get an inverter," Jacobsen says. They're just not very prevalent, because hybrids themselves are still fairly scarce on the roads compared with their gasoline-only counterparts. The inverter, which changes direct-current power to alternating-current, doesn't fail frequently, but when it does, it can cost $4,000 to $7,400 for a new one, depending on the vehicle. Unfortunately, inverter failure isn't preventable beyond paying close attention to your check-engine light and heeding its warning. "I usually caution friends not to get an additional warranty, but with hybrids I would strongly consider doing it," Jacobsen says.  
1. Repair/Replace CylinderSmaller problems like misfires can lead to bigger issues down the line. The biggest of all is cylinder failure. "The temperatures can get too hot in the cylinder when the proper mixture of air, fuel and spark are not there," Jacobsen says. The parts are pricey, but Jacobsen says the labor is the real killer, because the mechanic has to disassemble the engine. The fix, which can cost upward of $8,000, leads many car owners to scrap the vehicle altogether. But cylinder failure is rare, and it typically happens only after continued neglect. "There are typically many warning signs," Jacobsen says.
Claire Martin has written for The New York TimesLos Angeles Times, and Outside magazine. She's the former deputy editor of Men's Journal and currently lives in Los Angeles, where she covers technology, travel and food. 

Meet Corey Oetting

Corey is from Decatur. He graduated from Bellmont High School in 2005. While at Bellmont he played basketball and baseball. He then attended Manchester College where he graduated with a degree in marketing and played baseball. He has also played baseball for the Decatur Dirty Birds.

After college he began selling cars in Fort Wayne. He decided to move back to Decatur and joined us at Custom Car Care in November of 2011. One of his favorite parts about his job is that he gets to meet new people on a daily basis and that he can help people through the stressful process of buying a vehicle. 

When he is not at work you can find him relaxing with friends and family or watching and playing sports of course!