Recent Grads, We Are Here to Help!

You’ve entered the “real world”—graduated from college, starting out on your first job, the only thing missing is your brand-new car. If this sounds like you, Honda of El Cerrito has great news for you! Honda Financial makes it easy for recent grads to establish credit and to buy their first Honda. And Honda of El Cerrito wants to help graduates join the Honda family for life.

Here are some of the details about the College Graduate Program from Honda.

BENEFITS

• Flexible and competitive financing, lease and purchase-plan packages on any new or Honda Certified Used Car


• Deferred first-payment option for 90 days, with 60 days of no interest*

*Available only on traditional financing.

ELIGIBILITY

• 5% minimum down payment


• No adverse credit history


• Verifiable proof of employment or a firm commitment from an employer with a start date no more than 120 days from the date of the finance contract


• Graduate with a master's, bachelor's or associate degree from a U.S. accredited college or registered nursing school


• Have graduated in the past two years or will graduate in the next four months


• Provide Honda of El Cerrito with the credit and document requirements.

What will Honda of El Cerrito do for you after you purchase?

1)  Go over your new or Certified Pre-Owned Honda and all of its components.

2)  Bring you into the Honda family and help you schedule your first service visit.

3)  Give you the customer service that you expect.

Staff Spotlight: Meet Albert Guzman, Decade Team Member

Last month, we introduced you to the first of our four staff members who make up our Decade Team, loyal employees who have been with Honda of El Cerrito for 10 years or more. Over the years, these four employees have truly exemplified what it means to be great team members, and we are so grateful for their tremendous service!

This month, we are pleased to introduce you to our second Decade Team member, Albert Guzman. Albert has been working as one of our sales representatives for the past ten years, and Honda of El Cerrito is the first and only dealership he’s worked with. Albert is a natural with our customers, and he says that his favorite part of the job is helping customers solve their transportation needs. The nicest thing a customer has ever said to him is “I’m going to send you my mother.”

When he isn’t at work, this Watsonville, California, native enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering at his son’s school, watching movies, and eating Japanese food. Thanks so much, Albert, for your incredible loyalty, dedication, and hard work! We wouldn’t be where we are today without you!

10 Cool Things About the 2012 Honda Civic

It’s hard to believe that Honda’s compact Civic has been in production since 1972. Forty years later, the car is still going strong and ranks as one of the best-selling cars of all time. With unrelenting sales in the US, it’s plain to see that the Civic is held dear by many American buyers. The 2012 Civic is the ninth generation of the car, and sees a new body shape, along with a new specification. With this kind of motoring heritage, the Civic boasts more than enough features to make it a really cool car. Here are ten of Honda of El Cerrito’s favorites.

1. The Honda Civic has developed a strong reputation for safety over the last forty years, and the 2012 model is no exception. The 2012 Civic features six airbags, as well as antilock brakes with brake assist (ABS), vehicle stability assist with traction control (VSA), and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to help keep occupants safe.

2. The innovative Drive-by-Wire throttle system uses smart electronics to connect the throttle pedal to the throttle butterfly valve in the intake manifold, thus allowing the engine response to be optimized to suit the driving conditions and to better match your expectations.

3. The Civic features an Intelligent Multi-Information Display, abbreviated to i-MID for those that don’t have time to waste on so many syllables. The high-resolution, full-color LCD i-MID screen allows the driver to manage various commands while keeping his or her hands on the wheel, and displays all the information that he or she will need on the road, like gas mileage and air temperature. For extra personalization, can even customize the i-MID’s wallpaper by uploading your own images. How cool is that?

4. With so many things to concentrate on behind the wheel, drivers need all the help that they can get, and Eco Assist is a great ’at-a-glance’ feature, which aids drivers in establishing the best fuel economy. There are blue and green bars on either side of the speedometer display. As long as the bars stay green, you can rest assured that you are optimizing fuel economy. Simple.

5. Conventional cabin space in the compact class is fairly fixed, but with the Civic there is a new element of versatility. The EX features a 60/40 rear seat back, which can be folded down to create much more room for luggage or other cargo. Despite the car’s smaller roots, this gives the 2012 Civic plenty of options for interior configuration and a much bigger feel inside when you need it.

6. Satellite navigation is always a useful tool to have at the driver’s disposal, particularly on long journeys, but it’s also important that the he or she is not distracted. Honda’s Satellite-Linked Navigation System comes with voice recognition and is capable of understanding spoken numbers, street names, and cities, as well as 600 standard voice commands.

7. The Civic Hybrid is powered by the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), which combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. The combination delivers an impressive 44 miles per gallon whether you’re driving in the city or on the highway.

8. The Si model comes with more power, delivering 201 horsepower at 7000 revs – over 60 horsepower more than the basic sedan. That means the driver needs more support to maintain a safe, comfortable driving position. High bolsters on the driver’s seat combine with cool, textured aluminum pedals for maximum grip.

9. For the absolute peak in environmentally-friendly vehicles, the Natural Gas Civic beats them all. Powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) this car produces nearly zero emissions. That gives it such strong credentials that in some US states, it entitles the driver to use a dedicated lane.

10. The HF sedan is the aerodynamic surprise of all the Civic trims. With a lowered ride, special underbody panels that stop the wind causing problems, a unique decklid spoiler, and specially-designed wheels, the HF delivers the best gas mileage of all the gasoline-powered models (41 miles per gallon on the highway.)

Motivating Your Family to Help You During the Holidays

At Honda of El Cerrito, we know the holidays are far too stressful for far too many people. Getting your family to pitch in during the holidays can keep the season fun, relaxing, and maybe even enjoyable! Here are some tips for motivating your family to help you out.

Make a plan. It’s a lot easier to motivate others to help if you have a plan, and the plan that includes them. As the holiday season approaches, make a calendar of important events and activities, and a list of things you need to do in preparation for those events. Once your list is complete, ask family members which ones they would like to do. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Have realistic expectations. Don’t expect your four-year old to cook the turkey this year or your teenage son to suddenly love grocery shopping. Play to your family’s strengths.

Use the holiday magic words. "Please" and "Thank You" are called the magic words for a reason. If you’re not an habitual user of these two words, start today and watch holiday magic unfold before your very eyes.

Plan fun family activities. In addition to making Jack a dull boy, all work and no play makes your family members resent you. Participating in fun holiday activities will make family members more likely to participate in not-so-fun holiday activities, or, better yet, it might make the not-so-fun activities fun.

Give praise. Children and adults crave positive recognition. If you want an action repeated, praise it liberally.

Be positive. It’s easy to give praise when you have a positive attitude. It’s very hard to motivate family members to help during the holidays if you’re complaining about how stressful the holidays are, how nothing gets done right, and how much there is to do.

Give family members autonomy along with responsibility. If you’re willing to delegate responsibility, you must also be willing to allow family members to make decisions. If, for example, you assign your teenage son to pick up Christmas lights, don’t scold him when he gets multicolored ones instead of white ones.

Ease up. Trying to do too much during the holidays leads to burnout and a lack of holiday fulfillment. It, therefore, behooves the holiday leader to take a break and give family members a break, too.

Keep the family healthy. Contrary to popular belief, eating 16 servings of holiday candy daily will negatively affect your health. Not exercising during the holiday season has the same unhealthy effect as not exercising in February. Not being healthy negatively affects one’s willingness to participate in holiday help. Make sure that some vegetables get eaten during the holiday season, and keep the family running strong.

Shining the spotlight on Benito Santiago

Meet Benito C. Santiago, a Journeyman Technician and Team Leader here at Honda of El Cerrito. Benito has worked with us for the past 13 years and currently resides in San Leandro, California. Benito works alongside his brother, Mel, in our service department.

When it comes to working at Honda of El Cerrito, Benito says the best part of the job is working with great employees, like his brother, and assisting all of our valued customers. When he isn't working, Benito enjoys working on his 1971 Camaro, going on bike rides with his son, camping, and eating good food with his friends and family! All of us enjoy working with these two brothers, and we look forward to helping your get to know our team better so you can enjoy your experience at Honda of El Cerrito even more.

The Honda Mile Makers Club

At Honda of El Cerrito, we’ve come to understand that if you ask a random stranger the first word that comes to mind when you say “Honda,” more than likely the word you would hear is “reliability.” The 15-year-old Civic you see commuting to work every day is just one example of the durability and superb craftsmanship that Honda engineers put into each vehicle. Hondas are built so that you, the driver, can rest assured that your Honda will take you anywhere you want to go, every time.

To commemorate the durability and pride that Honda owners share, Honda has introduced the Honda Mile Makers Club, which is open to any owner with over 100,000 miles on their Honda’s odometer. There are five categories based on mileage, ranging from the bronze level at 100,000 miles, to the almighty diamond level. The diamond level, anything over 1,000,000 miles, has yet to be claimed, but many owners are closing in with over 700,000, 800,000, and even 900,000 miles on their Hondas.

By creating the Mile Makers Club, Honda has created a social club in which owners can share the friendship brought to them by being part of the Honda family, while also showing the friendship owners have with their cars, as well as the dedication it takes to get that far. With over 800 members and counting, now just might be the perfect time to join the Honda family. Maybe you can even shoot for the diamond level! Go to the Honda Mile Makers website to sign up or stop by Honda of El Cerrito to learn more.

Service Payment Plans Now Available

At Honda of El Cerrito, we’re committed to giving your vehicle the best possible service. As part of that commitment, we are proud to now offer special Service Payment Plans that can be purchased with 0% interest. These plans allow you to purchase additional services on top of your warranty to ensure that when your vehicle needs repairs, they’re covered. We’re the only dealership in the area that offers this unique service, and we’re now offering it with 0% interest for the first 18 months. Contact our service department online or at 888-532-9121 for more details.

Delicious Grilled Pizza

Tired of the same old delivery or frozen pizzas? This easy-to-make grilled pizza from Honda of El Cerrito is the perfect alternative. Made with ingredients you probably have lying around your house and cooked to perfection on your basic outdoor grill, this pizza makes an exceptional summer menu item.

If you are not ready to try your hand at making the dough or sauce, simply follow the latter stages of this recipe using store-bought dough and marinara sauce.

Grilled Pizza

Prep time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Cooking time: up to 10 minutes

Servings: 1

Pizza Dough Ingredients:

• 6 ounces all-purpose flour


• 1 teaspoon dried active yeast


• 4 ounces warm water


• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil


• Salt

Sauce Ingredients:

• 8-ounce can of chopped tomatoes


• 1 garlic clove


• Pinch of dried basil


• Salt and pepper

Directions:

Pour the tomatoes for the sauce into a small saucepan. Peel the garlic clove and grate it into the tomatoes. Add the basil and season with salt and pepper.

Place on medium heat to achieve a simmer. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until a thick sauce is formed. Remove from the heat, cover, and allow to cool.

While the tomato sauce is simmering, add the flour, yeast, and salt to a large bowl. Stir to combine and make a small well in the center. Pour in the warm water and olive oil and stir well.

Lightly flour your hands and use them to combine the ingredients before lifting the dough to a floured work area. Knead the dough for five to seven minutes. (When two fingers are pressed into the dough, it should immediately spring back to its former shape.)

Shape the dough in to a ball and place it in a clean bowl, lightly greased with olive oil. Cover and leave in a warm place for around an hour, until the dough has approximately doubled in size. Transfer the risen dough to a floured surface and knead it briefly to knock the air out of it.

NOTE: If you are using a ready-made pizza dough, begin following the directions listed below. If not, proceed with the same steps.

Roll out the dough with a lightly floured rolling pin to a thickness of about a quarter of an inch. Don’t worry about getting the perfect shape—a slightly irregular crust will only add charm to this delicious, homemade pizza!

Pizza grilling requires careful monitoring--use your best judgment when it comes to cooking time, which can be anywhere up to 10 minutes.

It’s a good idea to start the grilling process by very lightly brushing the raw dough with olive oil and grilling it over medium heat on both sides for 30 seconds to a minute. Use a large spoon to spread a thin layer of the cooled tomato sauce on one side of the pizza, leaving a border of around half an inch for a crust to form.

Toppings for the pizza should require minimum cooking time to prevent the crust from overcooking while the toppings remain underdone. Sliced tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, and strips of roasted bell peppers are all delicious options.

Finish the pizza with some finely chopped mozzarella, combined with some grated cheddar cheese. Putting the lid down on your grill will help the heat to build up and melt the cheese over the topping before the base overcooks.

A pizza of this size makes the perfect meal for one, but you may want to serve portions of it to your guests, as part of a typically varied grilled meal.

Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella Basil and Pesto Panini Recipe

Tired of eating the same boring sandwich for lunch every day? Try Honda of El Cerrito's tasty recipe for our Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, and Pesto Panini. For a truly Mediterranean feel, try serving it with a salad of fresh tomato, cucumber, kalamata olives, and arugula.

Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, and Pesto Panini

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 3 to 5 minutes

Serves one

Ingredients

2 1-inch thick slices of bread
1 large tomato
2 tablespoons of your favorite pesto
3 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon chopped basil leaves plus extra for garnish
Salt and black pepper

Directions

Sandwich presses are all different, and it may be necessary to preheat yours, prior to starting to assemble your panini.

Begin by spreading the pesto on your bread. You may not require the full two tablespoons but ensure each slice of bread is spread evenly, on one side only.

Slice your tomato as thinly as possible and lay it on the bottom slice of bread. Overlap the slices, each one covering about half of its predecessor, to ensure a thick and even distribution of flavor and texture.

It is important to use buffalo mozzarella or another type of fresh mozzarella that is soft and sold in brine. Slice the mozzarella finely and either lay it on top of the tomato, or intersperse slices of tomato and mozzarella for what the best effect--overlapping three quarters of the way over each previous slice. Season at this stage with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Scatter the basil over the tomato and mozzarella before placing the top on your panini and lightly pressing down. Place your panini in your sandwich press and cook for three to five minutes, as per your preference.

When your panini is done, remove it from the sandwich press to a plate. Scatter a little more fresh basil over the top as a garnish and serve hot with your chosen salad or other accompaniment.

What are Some Tips to Get Better Gas Mileage?

Meet Mel Santiago, a Journeyman Service Advisor here at Honda of El Cerrito. Mel hails from Richmond, California, and has been working with us for the past 12 years.

When it comes to working at Honda of El Cerrito, Mel loves the fact that he is able to work in a family-type environment; Mel works alongside his brother, Benito, and the two work hard to provide every client with an exceptional service experience.

When he isn't working, Mel enjoys camping, BBQs with friends and family, and watching the 49ers win games!

As gas prices continue to rise, we asked Mel for tips on getting the most gas mileage out of any vehicle.

Take it away, Mel!

1. Be sure that you are using the correct size tire for your vehicle. If you aren't sure, check the decal that's placed in the driver door jamb. The vehicle manufacturer will have posted the correct tire size and air pressure settings on this decal.

2. Once you have set your tire pressure to the manufacture specifications, be sure to check the tire pressure regularly.

3. Perform oil and filter services at the manufacture-recommended intervals and be sure to use a proper weight oil. If you aren't sure, check your owner's manual.

4. Inspect your vehicle's air filter at every oil change and replace it when necessary.

5. And, of course, schedule your service appointments at Honda of El Cerrito for all your service needs! Our service professionals will take care of your vehicle to maintain its peak performance and fuel economy.

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What is Honda Certified?

Honda has one of the most extensive used-car warranties in the business which means that every Honda Certified Used Car that you purchase from us at Honda of El Cerrito comes with peace of mind. The Honda Certified Used Car warranty covers major engine and transmission components, and Honda will repair or replace any covered part that is defective in material or workmanship under normal use.

The warranty has a $0 deductible and covers your engine, drive system, and transmission for seven years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). Your steering, suspension, electrical system, air conditioning, heating and cooling, fuel system, and many more systems are covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles.

So why should you choose a Honda Certified Used Car from us? To be a Certified Used car, the vehicle must be well maintained, be less than six years old, and have a maximum of 80,000 miles. The certification process includes an exhaustive 150-point mechanical and appearance inspection, up-to-date scheduled maintenance services, and an inspection by service technicians of all major vehicle systems. Visit us today or browse the Honda of El Cerrito Honda Certified Used Car Inventory to find the car that’s right for you!

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Make the Most of the Last Days of Summer!

As summer winds to an end and thoughts turn to back-to-school plans, make the time to squeeze in a few more sun-drenched memories. It’s a great time to catch up with family and friends, and exchange summer vacation stories. Plus, it will be easier to transition to the school season if you feel like you’ve made the most of the last days of summer vacation.

Before summer ends, take the time to try out a few of these seasonal activities:

1.       Have friends over for a barbecue. — Nothing says summer like a late afternoon barbecue with family and friends. To save on costs, make the side dishes and ask everyone to bring their own hamburgers and hot dogs to throw on the grill. Be sure to stock up on s’mores supplies for dessert!

2.       Go to an outdoor concert or performance.  El Cerrito, San Francisco, and the rest of the Bay Area have lots of outdoor performing arts venues and summer theatres, and some even have free summer concert series! Take in one last show under the stars before summer ends.

3.       Lounge by the pool or at the beach. Whether you spent most of the summer poolside, or only managed sporadic trips, one last day at the pool or beach is a great way to relax. Set aside a good part of the day and enjoy the sunshine, but don’t forget the sunscreen!

 

We at Honda of El Cerrito hope you make the most of these last days of summer!

 

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Three Great Service Specials for August!

At Honda of El Cerrito, we work hard to ensure that you get the best deals year round, but we love to give you discounts to make these deals even sweeter. This month we have 3 great deals for all of your service needs!

• Come in for $10 off a Lube, Oil and Filter Change. For only $29.95, you will get up to 5 quarts of oil (additional charge for synthetic oil, hybrids not included) and a courtesy car wash. We will also provide a free multi-point inspection, top off your under-hood fluids, and reset your tire PSI.


• Summer is still going strong so be sure to take advantage of our “Beat the Heat A/C Service Special.” For only $149.95 (normally $179.95), we will get your air conditioning running in peak condition. This deal includes 2 pounds of Freon.


• With our Fluid Exchange Special, the more you buy the more you save! With this deal you will receive 5% off any single service, 10% off any 2 services, and 15% off any three combined services. Services include Brake, Power Steering, Coolant, and Transmission Fluid replacements.

 

All of these deals expire August 31^st, 2011. Be sure to print the coupons from the Honda of El Cerrito Newsletter website to receive these discounts!

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Meet Roy Owens and his Honda with 427,937 miles!

At Honda of El Cerrito, we pride ourselves on providing some of the best service in the area. Last month, Roy Owens of Oakland, California, chose Honda of El Cerrito as his new service home for his green 1992 Honda EX. And this Honda has an amazing 427,937 miles on it!

As you may have read in last month's newsletter, we recently hired Burt Gallegus as our new Fixed Operations Manager. Mr. Owens has known Burt since 1990 and has always depended on him whenever his car needed servicing. So, when Burt came to our dealership, Mr. Owens followed him.

Mr. Owens said, "I've known Burt for 21 years, and I trust him and the quality of his service, so when he left his old dealership for Honda of El Cerrito, I found out where he went and followed him. It's hard to find people who take care of your car the way they would their own car, but I definitely found that here."

As you can see, Mr. Owens' Honda still looks great! Mr. Owens and his girlfriend, Margaret, are also pictured here with Burt and Honda of El Cerrito General Manager Scott Bisbee.

Mr. Owens bought his 1992 Honda EX in 1996 when it had 60,000 miles on it. Over the years, he has racked up over 350,000 miles (or nearly 25,000 miles per year!). Most of the miles came from his 40-mile roundtrip commute to work and frequent visits to his sister Ilean in Sacramento, but he also ventured out on several road trips to Las Vegas, Texas, and Louisiana which added up the miles over the years.

When we asked Margaret how she liked the Honda, she replied, "I love it--I'm a Honda Girl! My first car was a Honda Prelude, and out of all the cars I've had, Honda has always been my favorite."

Despite the extra mileage, Mr. Owens says his Honda still runs as good as new.

"Well, I treat my car like I treat my body. If you take care of it, you'll get good service from it!," he said. This advice has clearly paid off, as Mr. Owens' Honda still has its original engine, transmission, and air-conditioning!

Mr. Owens also offered other advice to Honda owners: "I only take my Honda to authorized dealerships for service. At the authorized dealerships, they keep records of every single service they do. If someone ever wanted to purchase my Honda, they could go to the dealership and look at the records for all 400,000-plus miles on my vehicle. And they'd know everything ever done to it." However, please note that Mr. Owens has no intention of selling his Honda anytime soon.

"I'll come back to my car while I'm out shopping, and someone will have left a note on my car asking if I'm interested in selling my Honda." But, the answer is no.

Mr. Owens is a California native who has lived in the Bay Area his whole life. He graduated from Oakland High School and attended Heald Business College before joining the California Army National Guard during the Vietnam War. After he got out, he worked at AC Transit from 1971 until his retirement as a Supervisor in the Human Resources and Training Department in July 2010. Mr. Owens is an avid bowler (usually within the 180 to 190 range—though he recently bowled a 279!), an amateur photographer, a lover of fantasy football and the outdoors, and, of course, he is a big fan of driving around in his Honda.

"I trust Honda of El Cerrito," Mr. Owens said. "They make me feel special; they make me want to come back to have my car serviced. Other dealerships just don't provide the same experience. At Honda of El Cerrito, the first question is not 'how are you paying for this?', like it so often is at other dealerships or service centers. Instead, you walk in, and they have big smiles on their faces, and they ask you how you are. It's just a better experience overall."

Honda of El Cerrito feels incredibly lucky for the opportunity to take care of Mr. Roy Owens' Honda, and we thank him for putting his trust in our service department.

For more pictures of Roy Owens and his 1992 Honda EX, visit our Flickr page.

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We want your used car! It’s probably worth more than you think…

Value your trade online using our Black Book application, and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $500 Apple Store gift card. If more than 100 people enter we will give away TWO $500 Apple Store gift cards!

At Honda of El Cerrito we want to make sure you get the best value for your trade-in. Our partnership with Black Book, an independent service that dealers use to price trades, ensures that you will get the most for your trade-in.

Click here for the rules.

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We're Improving Our Level of Customer Service!

As we told you here on the blog back in June, Honda of El Cerrito has recently hired a new Fixed Operations Manager, Burt Gallegus. We have always prided ourselves on great customer service, but, under Burt's management and leadership, we are taking it to a whole new level!

First and foremost, we've taken note of our customers' issues reaching their particular advisor on the phone. To ensure that every customer has direct access to their advisor, we've given each of our advisors a cell phone with a specific number. Now, we are instantly available to you, and we look forward to hearing for you.

In addition to this step, we are committed to taking the initiative to find ways to do our work better, smarter, and faster. We'd like to encourage our customers to contact us to discuss your experience at Honda of El Cerrito. Our job doesn't mean much if you're not satisfied. We genuinely desire our customers to know that we value and care about them. That is why we commit ourselves everyday to exceeding your expectations. Let us know how Honda of El Cerrito can help!

Vote for “The Sounds of Civic” Today!

On May 16, 2011, Honda kicked off “The Sounds of Civic,” a social media contest that is designed to celebrate the all-new, ninth generation Civic. Facebook fans can submit and vote for original songs inspired by the 2012 Honda Civic. The first round of voting has already finished and the second round ends July 17th so vote for your favorite if you haven’t already!

When the final votes are tallied on July 18, the top eight finalists will each receive $2,500 in music gear from Sam Ash Music Stores. The top vote getter among the finalists will be awarded a brand new 2012 Civic and have the opportunity to perform live on a 2011 Honda Civic Tour date in Los Angeles!

Vote for your favorite today by visiting the Sounds of Civic Facebook page.

Summer Service Specials

Summertime, sweet summertime is almost here! The kids are in the last days of school, the weather is warming up, and vacation plans are in the works. Before you head out on your summer road trip, make sure that your vehicle is primed for the adventure.

Honda of El Cerrito is offering several Summer Road Readiness Service Specials to help you get rolling this summer. Make sure your air conditioning is running in peak condition for these hot summer months for only $139.95, a savings of $40! If you have a cracked windshield that’s impairing your vision, come have it repaired for only $39.95, a $15 savings!

Concerned that your tire tread is wearing thin? Come get your car ready to roll with one of our excellent specials on new tires. While you’re at our service center, be sure to take advantage of our free battery test to ensure that it won’t die when you are in the middle of nowhere!

As always, safe travels to you and happy summer!

Honda of El Cerrito Celebrates Flag Day

Sandwiched between two well-known American holidays—Memorial Day at the end of May and Independence Day on July 4^th—June 14^th (otherwise known as Flag Day) often passes us by without a second thought. However, Flag Day is an important holiday, a part of America’s historic past that demonstrates the dedication of citizens to our great country.

Today, Flag Day commemorates the day that the Continental Congress first adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official American flag—June 14, 1777. As the story goes, the holiday was first celebrated on June 14, 1885. On this day, Bernard Cigrand, a school teacher in Wisconsin, placed a flag on his desk and asked his students to write essays on the American flag and its significance. Cigrand devoted the rest of his life to bringing about national recognition and the observance of Flag Day.

On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson called for a nation-wide observance of Flay Day—a huge achievement for Cigrand. Years later, President Truman signed a congressional act to officially designate June 14^th as National Flag Day.

This Flag Day, don’t forget to take a moment to honor our flag and all that it stands for. We at Honda of El Cerrito will be doing the same.

5 Things to Remember When Jump Starting Your Car

The moment you realize that your car won’t start can be a stressful time. A million things start racing through your head--the places you need to be, things you need to be doing and, of course, how you have no time for car trouble.

Here are five things to get you out of this mess in a low-stress manner:

1. Always carry jumper cables in your trunk! The thicker the jumper cable—the stronger the connection you can form between two cars. Don’t depend on someone else for jumper cables—have your own. You can buy sturdy ones for around $40. It’s worth the investment.

2.  Find a “Buddy” Car: When jump starting your car, you need to find a car that is bigger than yours, that can park close to yours, and that has enough battery energy to jump-start your car. But don’t be picky if someone is nice enough to stop alongside the road and help you.

3.  Check the battery: Are liquids coming out? Is it cracked? Is there corrosion? And, for that matter, do you know where your battery is?  If the battery is cracked or leaking, STOP and call a tow truck. For corrosion, wipe it away with a cloth rag. If you can’t locate your battery, check your car manual.

4.  Me Plus You, You Minus Me: First—be sure that both cars are turned off, as well as their accessories—radios, lights, and wipers. Then, to connect the cables, first connect the positive cable, often red, to the positive end of the battery in the car with the dead battery, then connect the other end of the positive cable to the positive end of the battery in the buddy car (Me Plus You). Next, connect the negative cable, often black, to the negative post of the battery in the buddy car. Then, connect the second end of the negative cable to shiny, non-painted metal part of the engine on the dead car (You Minus Me). Do not connect the second negative cable directly to the negative end of your dead battery, or it might explode.

5.   Start your engines: Turn your buddy car on! Once you have let the buddy car run for a few minutes, turn the car off, and try your car. If it works, let it run for a few minutes and then disconnect the cables (in the opposite order: so, Me Minus You, You Plus Me). If it doesn’t work, turn the buddy car back on and let it run about 5 more minutes. After a few tries, it’s time to make the call to a local tow truck.