12 Days of Ron Lewis Christmas

For the 12 days of Christmas, Ron Lewis Automotive gave to me...

12 Chevys Cruzing
11 Dodge Challengers
10 Red Vipers
9 F-150s
8 Chrysler 300s
7 Ford Explorers
6 RAM Trucks
5 Unbeatable Deals!
4x4 Wranglers
3 Kia Sorentos
2 Body Shops
And a 100,000 Mile Warranty!!!!!

A sincere thank you to all of our customers this year and we look forward to continuing to serve your automotive needs in 2013!

Congratulations, Morrow Ford!

Morrow Ford recently won Best Car Dealer in the 2012 Best of the Valley Readers Choice Awards! Thanks to everyone who voted. Here’s what the Times says about the award:

The Times’ readers gave us their opinions for our 2012 Best of the Valley Readers Choice Awards. Readers reviewed businesses, everything from the best bakery to the best window installer. Then, the readers picked their favorites. The Times thanks all readers who returned ballots, and we congratulate the winners for their hard work in making the Beaver Valley such a great place to live.

Ron Lewis Automotive Group’s Holiday “Red Ribbon” Delivery Service

Our team will deliver your vehicle purchase to the location/person of your choice, your vehicle will be topped with a giant red bow and an “elf” will hand deliver the keys! Red Ribbon delivery is available from December 1st through December 31st, 2012 during regular business hours; (Excludes December 24th and 25th) within a 25 mile radius of the dealership.

Contact dealership General Manager for more information

Thank You

November has gone by so quickly!  Thank you for visiting the Ron Lewis Automotive Group online.  Lots of news from "Around the Lots" this month:

 

• We'll soon be announcing the local winner of our Jeep Grand Cherokee "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" contest.  After all of the paperwork is cleared, we should have the news out on Facebook this week!
• In time for the Thanksgiving holiday, Kia has just released Special Financing Rates on the 2012 Kia Optima (as low as 0% up to 60 months); 2013 Optima (as low as 0.9% up to 60 months); and on the 2013 Kia Sorento (as low as 0% up to 60 months) for qualified buyers.  Brenda Anthony, our Internet Sales Manager at Morrow Kia, can answer any questions you have about these great rates!
• Have you seen it?  Have you experienced it? Just dreaming about it?  Cranberry Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is now a proud dealer of the Dodge SRT Viper!  Come see us today about placing your order for a new 2013 SRT® Viper. Pricing and options are now available and official.  Be sure to visit the Viper Visualizer at driveSRT.com/viper or stop in and our Viper specialists can help you customize your own.  Curious?  Call my brother-in-law, Jobie Glessner, directly at our Cranberry Township dealership, 724.452.4040.  
• Diesel trucks have been very popular at our Waynesburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram location.  Right now we have over 80 in stock, both new and pre-owned, with many options, model years, and price points.  Check out our diesel truck inventory and remember, we'll bring any truck to the location that's best for you.  
• Our "Toys for Tots" Drive is underway at each of our Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram locations.  Stop by to drop off unwrapped toys in our showrooms in Cranberry, Pleasant Hills and Waynesburg.  Now through December 31st, when you purchase a 2012 or 2013 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, or Dodge Journey from one of our dealerships, a $100 donation will be made to Toys for Tots!  
• A thank you and shout out to our recent customers who drove hours out of state from Michigan and Virginia to select Morrow Chevrolet Kia as their dealership of choice.  Thank you very much for your business!  We are glad your online shopping led you to us!

 

We realize you have your choice of Ford, Chevrolet, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram and pre-owned vehicle dealers in the Greater Pittsburgh area, and beyond.  That spirit of competition motivates us to make your automotive search, purchase, and/or service experience stand out from the rest. Whether you are purchasing for a first-time driver, seeking a family-friendly vehicle, work truck, or a fun luxury car to add to your collection, we're committed to working with you to find the best new or pre-owned vehicle to fit your lifestyle and budget.

We're here to serve all of your automotive needs. Let us know how we can assist you today!

From all of us at the Ron Lewis Automotive Group,

Drive safely and Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,
Gwen

Gwen Lewis
Founding Director of Online Operations
Ron Lewis Automotive Group

Jeep Wrangler Review from USA Today

The country's most popular newspaper reviews one of our most iconic sports utility vehicles:

bit.ly/TY5x5A

 

"A V6 engine comes standard across the Wrangler lineup, and whether you’re tackling rush hour or the Rubicon trail, test drivers say the Wrangler offers plenty of power for the task at hand. The two-door Wrangler gets an EPA-estimated 17/21 mpg city/highway, which is low in comparison with most compact SUVs. However, the Wrangler’s fuel economy is a close match for trail-ready rivals like the Toyota FJ Cruiser. While the 2013 Wrangler’s suspension system excels off pavement, reviewers note that its rugged, purpose-built design means that you shouldn’t expect a car-like ride. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice a car-like ride, critics generally maintain that the Wrangler is still fun to drive, despite its trucky ride."

Courtesy of USAToday.com

People Already Camped Out for Black Friday

CBS Local covers the true die-hards who are already camped out in preparation for Friday:

bit.ly/TY3Rci

"PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Black Friday is still slightly less than a week away, but some locals are already camping out for deals.

One group of about a half-dozen people – and a dog — is already camped out at the Best Buy in Pleasant Hills.

“It’s exciting,” said Jesse Bredholt from West Mifflin"

Courtesy of pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

How Car Manufacturers Are Dealing With the Blind Spot

How do different car manufacturers try to make the blind spot less dangerous? Check out this article from Howstuffworks.com to read about how different manufacturers are trying to make this problem less dangerous: bit.ly/UKCukR

 

 

"The blind spot is one of the most significant flaws in automotive design. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 800,000 blind-spot-related accidents every year and about 300 of them result in fatalities. You can't avoid what you can't see, and the blind spot keeps you from seeing things that you desperately need to avoid. If you make a lane change while there's a car lurking invisibly just off your rear bumper, you'll probably be able to catch the error in time to prevent it. But you might also hit the other car or force it off the road (because the driver of that other car can see you, and will wildly attempt to avoid you), and at worst you could trigger a multiple pile-up of cars urgently trying to get themselves out of the way of your boneheaded maneuver.

But there must be something that can be done to prevent blind-spot accidents, right? In fact, there are several things that can be done, and over the last few years major car companies have come up with several ways of letting you know when it's safe to change lanes, alerting you to the presence of cars in your blind spot. Some of these ways are high-tech and rely on the latest in radar and camera detection technology. Others are low tech and rely on something as simple as an improved rear-view mirror."

 

Courtesy of Howstuffworks.com

Why Late Mergers Make Us Angry

Ever wonder why you get so mad when somebody merges late? Take a look at this article from Howstuffworks.com to understand the psychology of driving: bit.ly/Q2eeii

 

 

 

"Vanderbilt suggests that a driver's merging style reveals his personality. There's an old cliché in driving studies," he says: "'A man drives as he lives.'" New York Times columnist Cynthia Gorney boiled the debate down to two main driving personalities: "lineuppers," who take their turn, and "sidezoomers," who race to the head of the line and dart into an opening at the last second. This is maddening to the well-behaved lineuppers. In fact, a Minnesota Department of Transportation study revealed that 15 percent of drivers actually admitted to straddling lanes to block late mergers in construction zones.

Gorney finds her description of sidezoomers gets a spirited response from everyone she questions. "When I raised [this] with my father, who is 83, he startled me by suggesting a longer label that included more bad words than I believe I have ever heard him use at one time." She even found a University of Washington engineer who had his own name for the two main merging personality types: cheaters and vigilantes.

Leon James, a.k.a. "Dr. Driving," whose Web site has a string of articles under the heading "The Great Merging Debate," says merging areas are especially challenging because there are basically two styles of merging that are often incompatible. When early mergers see the late mergers zip by, "most drivers feel irritated, some angry and roadrageous," he says. Trying to block them is "dangerous, illegal and begging for a confrontation.""

 

Courtesy of Howstuffworks.com

 

How Proving Grounds Work

Ever heard of automotive proving grounds? Take a look at this article form Howstuffworks.com to see why car companies need their test tracks:

bit.ly/Qb7fTP

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automotive-proving-ground.htm 

 

 

"Where do manufacturers test their cars to be sure they work as advertised? Almost every major auto manufacturer has an automotive proving ground, a place where they can take cars and put them through paces, testing them rigorously against extreme and varying conditions at different speeds with varying passenger loads. These proving grounds have a long history, dating back the better part of a century. Some of the most colorful episodes in automotive history have taken place at these test beds of automotive technology, but most of us will never know about them.

 

So, where exactly are these proving grounds and what do the automakers do there? This isn't exactly a secret. Nonetheless, most manufacturers don't go out of the way to let people know what goes on in their private testing facilities. Volkswagen even likes to think that its test track is secret (but we know better). In the rest of this article, we'll look at the history of automotive proving grounds and just what it is that companies from GM to Fiat do there."

 

Courtesy of Howstuffworks.com

5 Ways to Avoid Getting Pulled Over

After accidents, getting pulled over is the next thing that can keep you from getting where you need to go. Check out this article from Edmunds.com on how to avoid getting pulled over: bit.ly/VDTCz3

 

 

"3. Hazardous driving. This is a catch-all category for common violations that each of our experts noted. Wiles ticks off his favorites without hesitation: stop sign and stoplight violations, improper lane changes, illegal U-turns, failures to yield and unsafe speeds. CHP officer McElroy says he sees people who apparently have forgotten they're driving cars: They're busy shaving, eating and even changing clothes. And what exactly is the violation you're committing when you're changing clothes in a car? "Unsafe speed," he says. "There is no safe speed for pulling a shirt off over your head while driving."

4. Equipment violations. Everyone knows the movie scene where a cop smashes a taillight to justify a traffic stop. But in real life, there's little need for that, our experts say. People commit a multitude of code violations all on their own. Leading the list are heavily tinted windows, burned-out headlights, broken windshields, expired tags, the lack of a front license plate (in California and some other states) and loud exhaust modifications.

5. Following too closely and improper lane changes. This one was a tie. Both of these violations are forms of hazardous driving that our police sources specifically called out. McElroy says that on the freeways of Los Angeles, following too closely can easily cause accidents by shortening a driver's reaction time. Combine that with cell phone use or texting and it is a recipe for disaster, he says."

 

Courtesy of Edmunds.com

What Will Highways Look Like in 50 Years?

On your morning commute, do you ever wonder how your drive could be different? HowStuffWorks.com takes a look into the foreseeable future to describe what the highways of tomorrow could look like: bit.lyTfqDhz

 

"Safety measures in highways will help prevent crashes by detecting car position, speed and momentum. When conditions change suddenly on the road, the system will override a car's manual control system. It will mean we'll surrender some of our freedom to a larger system but it will also lead to fewer accidents and traffic jams.

Perhaps we'll even reach a point where our cars will interface with the highways so that we can relinquish control completely if we choose. I know there are millions of people who love to drive and I doubt we'll reach the point where it will be mandatory to give up all control. But at the same time, I can't wait for the day when I just tell my car where I want to go and then let it do all the work for me."

Courtesy of Howstuffworks.com

Around the Ron Lewis Lots in October

Thank you for visiting the Ron Lewis Automotive Group online! Here's our news from "Around the Lots" this October:

• We are hiring! We're seeking automotive technicians for positions across our dealership group and would like to talk to you whether you have years of experience, or are an apprentice. Emailaharding@ronlewisautomotive.com if you are interested.
• Who doesn't want a great deal? This month Chrysler is extending "Ram Power Days" and its "Jeep Celebration Event."  This means great incentives on the 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Hemi (say that 10 times fast).  With 3x the inventory, we have the best selection of Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram vehicles in Western Pennsylvania!
• Don't miss our new Service and Parts coupons now posted that are redeemable at each one of our locations in Pleasant Hills, Cranberry, Waynesburg and Beaver Falls. Click here for more details.  Now's the time to think about "winterizing" your vehicle before the really cold weather hits.
• What's your favorite car or truck color? I vote for my "Dozer" colored Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.   Annual rankings">Annual rankings on the most popular vehicle colors were just released by PPG Industries, Inc, the automotive paint supplier to General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and others. White is the reigning most popular vehicle color, with Silver ranking second.  So maybe "Dozer" isn't in the top 10 list, but I'm liking how the color "pops!"

• This month we'll be finishing the Jeep Grand Cherokee "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" vacation package giveaway on our  Facebook">Facebook page. Take a look at the vacation packages being offered and enter to win!
• Speaking of Facebook, we're celebrating now that we've crossed the 500 fan mark and our $500 Apple Gift Cardwinner has been announced! We're already on the way to 600 and will give another one away with the 1,000^th fan. Thank you for your interest and involvement on our page! We're always looking at ways we can bring you up-to-date car and truck news as well as coupons, free tickets, and dealership event information.

At each Ron Lewis Automotive Group dealership, we strive to make your automotive search, purchase, and/or service experience truly exceptional. Whether you are a first-time driver, seeking a family-friendly vehicle, work truck, or a fun luxury car to add to your collection, we're committed to working with you to find the best vehicle to fit your lifestyle and budget.
We want you to have an exceptional experience at our dealerships that you'll want to tell your family and friends about. We consider all customer feedback an opportunity to give our staff credit where credit is due, or as an opportunity to continually improve our dealerships.

We're here to serve all of your automotive needs.  Let us know how we can assist you today!
Sincerely,
Gwen
Gwen Lewis
Founding Director of Online Operations
Ron Lewis Automotive Group

The Parent-Teen Driving Agreement

Are you the parent of a Teen Driver? Have them sign the Parent-Teen Driving Agreement! It encourages your teens to follow the rules of the road, stay focused on driving, respect laws about drunk driving as well as agree to certain restrictions and penalties set by parents. Find the agreement here.

How Much Is It To Charge Your Volt?

A huge debate in the hybrid and electric markets are if the cost of fuel outweighs the cost of electricity to charge a hybrid or electric car.

GM and OnStar is about to remove all doubt with an EcoHub app.

Detroit news writes:


General Motors Co.'s OnStar subsidiary is testing an app with Chevrolet Volt owners that can tell them how much it costs to charge the Volt's battery and compare the Volt's energy use to energy used in their home over certain time periods.

The new EcoHub app is being tested by residents living in the Pecan Street Inc. smart-grid research project in Austin, Texas' sustainable Mueller community. The area has the highest residential concentration of Chevy Volt owners. In July, OnStar said there were 55.

OnStar hopes eventually to make the app available to all Chevy Volt owners.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121005/AUTO0103/210050395#ixzz28RgG5XmC.

Checking Your Engine Oil

One of the most important things you can do to keep your car running like new is to regularly check the oil, but do you know how?

Check engine oil regularly, especially if you notice that the oil level drops between the oil changes. Engine oil cools down and lubricates the engine. Driving with very low oil level can cause engine problems.

Park your vehicle on a level ground. Set the parking brake. Make sure the transmission is in "Park". Stop the engine. Wait for a minute or two to let engine oil drain into the oil pan. Pull the engine oil dipstick. If you don't know where it’s located, check your owner's manual, usually it has a bright handle saying "Engine Oil".

Wipe the dipstick off. Insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the oil level.

The oil level should be between the "Low" and "Full" marks. In this photo the level is OK and oil looks clean.

Check the oil condition: If it's way too black, as in the left photo, it's definitely time to change it. If it's brown, but still clean and transparent, as in the right photo, it's OK. If engine oil is of the "coffee with milk" color it means that engine coolant mixes with oil. This is a sign of some internal engine problem, such as, for example, a leakinghead gasket - have your car checked out.
If oil looks clean, but the level is low, you can just top it up.

To top off engine oil use a recommended type of oil; for example, if your owner's manual or the oil filler cap indicates SAE 5W-20, use SAE 5W-20 oil. If your engine needs synthetic oil, use only synthetic oil. You can find the recommended oil type for your car in your owner's manual.

How to top off engine oil:
Add a little amount of oil into the oil filler neck. Wait for a minute to let oil to flow into the oil pan. Check the oil level again with the dipstick. If it's still low, add some more. But don't overfill it. Don't forget to install the dipstick back and close the oil filler cap when you finished.

To view a full slide of detailed step by step photos visit: http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simple.html

Morrow Chevrolet Kia One Day Only Sale!

Join Morrow Chevrolet Kia for their really big one day new and used car sale THIS Saturday, September 22 from 9am-5pm.

If you or anyone in your family is in the market for a new vehicle come in and see what great savings you can receive this Saturday between 9-5.

Please contact Gus Matthews on our Internet Hotline at 724-561-5064, or at morrowkiasales@ronlewisautomotive.com to schedule your no-obligation appointment.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,
Gus

Cut Your Risk Of An Accident:

Safety is always a concern while driving, especially if you're a "family-hauler". Fortunately Women-Drivers has some tips that can help you avoid a collision, and keep you on the road:

There are an estimated 250 million vehicles on U.S. roads today. This is a recipe for more traffic jams and longer commutes which can lead to shorter tempers. Read the following tips and live by them – they will make a difference to your well-being while in the car, as well as others who are on the road with you.

-Be cognizant: When driving, remain aware of others around you. Do not get sucked into a situation that can lead to unsafe behavior or triggering an emotional dispute with another driver.

-Be generous: When in traffic and someone wants to cut in front of you, let them. You getting to your exit, through the tunnel or to the toll gate one car length behind, will not greatly impact your arrival time at all. It will, however, insure your getting there safely.

Did You Know?
Listening to soft or quiet music, intentional breathing, hands-free driving and leaving on time all make a difference in reducing stress while driving in heavy traffic which allows you to maintain good judgement while on the road.

-Be spacious: Do not tailgate. Leave plenty or room between you and the car ahead of you – even if the driver behind you is tailgating.

-Be consistent: When driving in a highly trafficked area, attempt to maintain the car at a steady speed. Do not drive at inconsistent speeds to pass someone unsafely or to ‘get away’ from another vehicle.

-Be present: Phone calls, incoming texts, makeup or children can all be a distraction to you. All of these can impact your driving. Stay present to your driving responsibility as well as the driving responses of others.

-Be schooled: For many adult drivers, the last time they took a drivers education class was when they got their driver’s license. How many years ago was that? Through local continuing adult refresher classes, enroll yourself in a program to see what is new as well as get a refresher on some things you may have forgotten.


View Tips Page: http://carclique.net/post/monroevillechryslerjeep/embed/safety/40/13

The Ford F-250: The Ability To Save Lives

Ford does its best to produce a quality product, especially when it comes to our trucks. The F250 incorporates, not only style, but high tow capacity, groundbreaking technology and safety. This same technology and safety saved one Ford drivers life...

I just purchased a 2012 F250 and was told that the electronic braking system was smart enough to work with the trailer brakes to counteract sway conditions. I thought, “That’s pretty cool!”. With only a few hundred miles on the truck, I towed a trailer down to Flagstaff and then loaded it up with 12,000 lbs of commercial tires to bring back up to Utah (8-9 hour drive). The tongue weight was so much that I had to adjust my hitch to the highest position to keep it from hitting the ground. (I know – this isn’t an optimal setup)

The problem was that the trailer’s brakes were non-functioning and the anti-sway bar was broken and therefore we didn’t take it with us. I thought that if I just kept my speed down and kept plenty of distance between me and the car ahead, that I’d be fine.

The 6.7L engine was great at pulling the load and didn’t have much trouble, even up some tough hills. What I soon found out was that my problems wouldn’t materialize until I was going downhill...

Read more: http://social.ford.com/your-stories/trucks/superduty/f250-testimonial/

Green Trips For Your Eco-Friendly Chevy

Do you love adventure? The outdoors? How about staying in exotic hotels, or how about saving money while driving your eco-friendly Chevrolet? If so, there's good news for you!

Chevrolet has detailed a route for their eco-friendly cars that is designed to "Put your gas-guzzling friends to shame".

Chevy's website states:

By Joy Lanzendorfer
It’s no wonder that more people are choosing eco road trips these days for their family vacations. If you travel in a fuel-efficient car like the Malibu Eco or crossover like the Equinox† to see natural beauty and eat local fare, you’ll not only come home with an enhanced appreciation for our planet’s resources; you’ll also likely have more money left in your bank account. Here are three routes to consider when making your plans:
Eastern Washington—Spokane to Seattle (470 miles)

Interstate 90 out of Seattle may be a commuter highway, but it’s also full of natural sites. From Spokane, drive 2.5 hours west until you reach Ginkgo Petrified Forest where you can hike through 10,000-year-old petrified ginkgo trees. The nearby town of Ellensburg, with its quaint historic downtown, is a great place to stop for lunch before continuing on to Snoqualmie Falls  a 268-foot waterfall that was featured on the TV show Twin Peaks. Finally, check into Treehouse Point and spend the night suspended above ground in your own tree house. The next day, backtrack to Mt. Rainier. With an elevation of 14,400 feet, this sleeping volcano offers visitors hiking, camping and everything in between. After a day at the mountain, take Route 167 to Seattle.

View more: http://www.chevrolet.com/culture/article/eco-road-trips.html

Keeping Up On Brake Pads

Are you the "Get your hands dirty and do it yourself" kind of person? Well, if you are and you are into your own vehicle maintenance don't forget to check your brakes. Weak brakes can lead to collisions so we want to show you how to check them to keep them in top notch shape!

HSW has a fantastic step by step tutorial:

Fix my brakes for me, I need help!

Washing your car can be a pain in the rear. Especially when you get to the wheels. But once done, there's something gratifying about driving around in your gleaming ride. Then it never fails. The next day you look at your front wheels and notice they're all dirty again. What's going on?

What you're seeing is all the brake dust from your front brake pads. The fine powder is created from the rotor wearing away the brake lining. When you step on the brake pedal, it's this wearing process on the brake material that creates the necessary friction to stop the vehicle.

Brakes are designed to wear out. But sometimes we may go too long between brake jobs and run into additional costs we could have avoided had we checked the brake pads regularly. If the pads wear too far, the metal backing on the brake pad comes in contact with the brake rotor. Once you make metal to metal contact, you've not only damaged the rotor, but put yourself in a dangerous situation. And, you've added a good bit of money to the costs you're facing for new brakes.

This article will give you the insight you need to inspect your brake pads so you can avoid a major brake problem both mechanically and financially. Let's start with how to determine brake wear.

Continue Reading?

Walk To End Alzheimer's [Greene County]

The Greene County Walk To End Alzheimer’s is next Saturday, August 11. Registration is from 8-10:00 am, warm-up from 8:30-9:45 am and the main event shotgun starts at 10:00 am.

Dinner to follow  at 1:00 pm

This event is located at Hunting Hills Sporting Clays, 181 Hunting Hills Road, Dilliner, PA 15237 (Lodge) - (Phone 724-324-2738) for driving directions go to www.huntinghillsPA.com

Deadline for registration is TODAY [Aug. 3rd]. Team shooting packages: $325. Cost per person $70. Drawing and awards will follow the 1:00 meal.

Jeep Fest 2012

Join us for our Jeep Fest this upcoming Aug 11-12 at the Butler Fair Grounds! We will have a tent set up featuring Jeeps various models and even a few specialty lifted Jeeps!

Last year we had over 50,000 attendees from all around the country and this year we’re expecting a big turn out too! 

Stop by and see specialty personalized Jeeps at our Show & Shine and experience Jeeps wild side driving on the trail!

Attendees will also have access to Jeep shirts and hats and rumor has it we’re having a special giveaway… but we’re not saying what! Stop in, have fun, and drive! It’s a Jeep thing…

The Chrysler Town & Country

The Town & Country underwent a substantial transformation in 2011, with new front and rear styling, a new engine and suspension, and a vastly improved interior. One of the oldest nameplates in production, the Town & Country name has long evoked fine living, from the jaunty convertibles with real wood body trim in the 1940s and 1950s to the yacht-sized wagons last seen in 1977 to the woody-effect K-car wagons and convertibles of the 1980s. Reborn as a luxury minivan in the 1990s, this is the status the Town & Country holds today, and it retains the class to itself.

So when we found out Sassy Moms in the City had an opportunity to drive a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country for a week, we were excited to hear her reaction.

After a detailed instruction demo by Chrysler’s local team, my head was spinning. How did they manage to include so many features into one vehicle? It’s been over 10 years since I’ve actually shopped for a car and unfortunately my husband’s company car, never includes any cool or intuitive features. Hey, it’s free so I can’t complain.

The technology in the Town & Country is beyond amazing.  DVD players are one thing but the ability to accommodate 7 people, hands-free entry, power sliding doors and tailgate, stow n’ go seating (both the 2nd and 3rd rows fold down) and a hi-tech media center are just a few features that made me realize it could be time for us to purchase a second car.

Read more: http://sassymomsinthecity.com/2012/07/01/chrysler-town-country-review-in-the-city/?ism=KMJul1012Facebook1

Ask Art: Cool Down Your Vehicle

Time for another "Ask Art" -- Q & A with Art Harding, Service Director at Morrow Ford/Morrow Chevrolet Kia.  Art is available to answer your vehicle service/care questions...Feel free to post yours! 

Q:  What's the fastest way to cool down my vehicle on a hot day? 

Art's A:  A good air conditioning tip is to crack your window open when you first get in your car and then turn on your a/ c on the "recirculation" setting. This will push out the hot air and cool the cabin faster. Also, don't run the blower on the highest setting, drop it back one. That way the air doesn't blow over the evaporator coil as fast and the air gets cooler. -Hope this helps...Art. 

When Do You Fill Your Tank?

How long do you wait to fill up your gas tank? Do you consistently keep it full, half empty, riding close to the 'E' mark?

One blogger writes about what she thinks the advantages and disadvantages are of different fuel levels.

Kristy Welsh writes:

There has recently been a lot of talk on how you can get better gas mileage by driving when your tank is half full to empty or making sure you fill up when your tank is half full. Which is correct – or does either method hold any water?

The fill ‘er up when it’s half full foks proclaim that if you leave the gas tank empty, the gas will be evaporating in the empty space of the tank. Gas tanks are designed to force out all those gas fumes from the tank into the atmosphere and this gas is wasted. Yes, it’s true, but how much gas are you actually losing? To tackle this one, I woke up the engineering part of my brain (I used to be one) and looked at a paper published by the Environmental Protection Agency and their analysis of gasoline storage tanks and the evaporation rates.

At 60 degrees Fahrenheit, a gallon of vehicular gasoline weighs about 6.15 pounds. In the above paper on page 87 (if you want to chew through it), they go over what the gasoline vapor losses are for large storage tanks. For a 8400 gallon tank the total loss is 48 lbs (or about 8 gallons) a year.

Read more: http://www.creditinfocenter.com/wordpress/2008/07/24/increase-mileage-gas-tank-full-or-half-empty/

Military Appreciation Day at PNC Park

July 4th is Military appreciation day at PNC Park! Head over and watch the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Astros!

Individuals are eligible to receive up to four tickets per Military I.D. in advance of the July 4th game by going directly to the PNC Park Ticket Windows between now and the July 4th game.


For more information, please contact Chaz Kellem at 412.325.4731 or at chaz.kellem@pirates.com.

Men and women who serve and have served our country will be honored on the field before the game.


For more info visit:
http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pit/ticketing/military_appreciation.jsp

Have An Ugly Car?

Do You Have The Ugliest Car in America? You could win an all-expenses-paid trip to the year’s most exclusive automotive event, the Monterey Classic Car Week in California’s tony Pebble Beach!

We’ve all seen the rusted out, dinged up lemons, paint peeling, bumpers missing and bumpers hanging on with a bungee cord.  But which of these is really America’s ugliest automobile?  That’s what the folks from Hagerty Insurance want to find out – and the winner among those losers could be in for a sweet surprise as part of the second annual “Search for America’s Sweetest Lemons.”

The winning car will come along for the ride, there to be celebrated alongside rarities like a Bugatti Royale and some equally rare gems.  Appropriately, the winner of the Sweetest Lemons contest

“We believe all cars are beautiful and deserve to be celebrated,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “This is an opportunity to showcase these eccentric, quirky and weird vehicles. Many cars that were once viewed as hopeless now enjoy an enthusiastic, cult-like following.”

Whether the winners of the contest will develop their own cult – complete with car groupies or not – remains to be seen, but there’s a growing counter-culture following for truly awful automobiles, as demonstrated by the growing success of what is now the Tour of Lemons.

will serve as Grand Marshal of the Concours d’LeMons, now being renamed Hagerty’s Tour of Lemons.

The event is a mock race that requires entrants to come up with the cheapest, rudest and crudest junkers they can find.  Simply having the car survive the race is generally considered a certain degree of victory.

Anyone who wants to risk going up against America’s other great lemons can submit a photo of their car and a brief description of why it deserves to be christened “America’s Sweetest Lemon.”  Submissions can be sent to SweetestLemon@Hagerty.com by Sunday, July 8. The top ten candidates will be posted for public voting from July 11 – 20 at the Hagerty website.


Read more: http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/14/12221249-the-search-is-on-for-americas-ugliest-car?lite

Dodge Durango: A Best Family Car

This is an SUV that certainly has it all, and at the top of the list… Family Safety and entertainment.
The Durango gets an impressive 23mpg on the highway despite its large size, but that’s not where the car shines, here’s what parents.com has to say about the new Durango:

Despite its muscle-car exterior and high-performance 290 horsepower V-6 engine, the redesigned Durango is actually a plush, cavernous, family-friendly vehicle. It has a roomy second row that seats three kids comfortably, and the three-zone climate system lets them choose their own temp and air flow. The front center console is large enough to contain a diaper bag, and there are bins and storage nooks to accommodate every doo-dad imaginable. 


Options include voice-activated radio controls and a swanky rear-seat entertainment system to keep your little passengers occupied. But Dodge hasn't abandoned this model's SUV heritage entirely: There's an optional V-8 engine (which starts at around $36,000) in case you plan to tow a boat or a trailer.

New Trend Signals Trouble for Drivers!

A dangerous new trend signals trouble for drivers.

A study conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers made a rather surprising claim when presented last week in Dayton, Ohio: Turn signal neglect is causing millions of crashes per year and may be more dangerous than distracted driving.

SAE observed a total of 12,000 lane-changing and turning vehicles and concluded 25 percent of drivers neglected to signal when turning and a whopping 48 percent neglected to do so when changing lanes.

Applying these percentages to U.S. drivers as a whole translates to 750 billion instances of turn signal neglect per year – or more than 2 billion instances per day, according to the study.

The study estimated that approximately 2 million crashes per year are a direct result of this issue.
By comparison, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that about 950,000 crashes are the direct result of distracted driving (driving while texting, talking on the phone, eating, putting on makeup, etc.).

"This is a first-of-its-kind report on a subject that amazingly, has never been studied," said Richard Ponziana, president of RLP Engineering and author of the report. "The turn signal is one of the very original automotive crash prevention devices and this simple driver-to-driver communication device remains extremely effective, but only when it is accurately displayed as required by law."

Read more:  http://autos.aol.com/article/turn-signal-neglect-study/

The Latest News from “Around the Lots” This June

Welcome to the Ron Lewis Automotive Group online –  Here is the latest news from “Around the Lots” this June…

•On Friday, June 8, The Ron Lewis Automotive Group will be the "Hole-in-One Sponsor" for the 12th Annual CCBC Foundation Golf Outing at Black Hawk Golf Course -- visit www.ccbc.edu/foundation for more information...The action will take place at the 11th hole!

•A great opportunity for small business owners in Greene County -- Did you know that Waynesburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is the only BusinessLink automotive dealer in the area? -- See how you can save for your business.  Chris Peterson is our BusinessLink liasion, cpeterson@ronlewisautomotive.com.

•Help Wanted!  We are actively seeking automotive technicians to join our organization -- From experienced to the novice, we are interested in meeting you --Keep in mind that each of our Ron Lewis Automotive Group dealerships offer a "technical apprentice program" that we sponsor in conjunction with our manufacturers.  Students are paid employees of the dealership and graduate with an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology after approximately 2 years.   It's a win-win opportunity -- Contact Art Harding, aharding@ronlewisautomotive.com to apply!

•In Morrow Kia news -- More accolades for Kia...The 2012 Kia Optima And Sorento Named Among Best Family Cars Of 2012 By Edmunds.com And Parents Magazine - Here's a link to our Walkaround Video of the Kia Optima for a 360 look...

•And speaking of kudos, Ford was just named manufacturer of choice by KBB.com in categories such as:  2012 Most Family-Friendly Brand, 2012 Most Rugged Truck Brand, 2012 Best Exterior/Interior Design Brand-Non-Luxury, based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence's Brand Watch study.  And boy do we have the selection of new Fords...Click here for Morrow Ford's new inventory!

•Thanks to everyone who participated in Waynesburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram's Third Annual Jeep "Go Topless" Event -- It was a great day filled with family fun -- Check out our event snapshot video just posted on YouTube: Jeep "Go Topless" Event Spotlight...  

•Reminder on our Referral Program -- Current customers -- Refer a friend and receive a $100 cash award with their purchase.  Ask us for details!

•Sales events will be going on at Morrow Chevrolet Kia, Cranberry Pre-Owned and Waynesburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram this month...Like us on Facebook and stay up to date on offers, upcoming events, and vehicle tips!

We are striving to make your automotive search, purchase, or service experience truly exceptional -- We value our customers' feedback and constantly work to improve our dealerships.  Please let us know how we can help you – our “eTeam” is always ready for your Internet hotline call, email or text...


Sincerely,

Gwen
Founding Director of Online Operations
Ron Lewis Automotive Group

Pleasant Hills Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - Member Since 1978
Morrow Ford - Beaver Falls - Member Since 1986
Morrow Chevrolet Kia - Beaver Falls - Member Since 1992
Cranberry Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - Member Since 2005
Waynesburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - Member Since 2008
Cranberry Pre-Owned - Member Since 2012

Great Deals at Waynesburg and Cranberry CDJR!

This week we have some fantastic deals at Waynesburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Cranberry Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram!

Waynesburg CDJR is offering an oil change special! Right now you can get 4 oil changes for only $74.95! See Dwayne Gohacki – Service director – for details! This includes authentic Mopar oil AND filter! Just print the coupon from here: http://www.waynesburgchryslerjeepdodge.com/specials/index.htm

Right now at Cranberry CDJR if you are a new college graduate you can get $500 college bonus cash with the purchase of a new vehicle! http://www.cranberrychryslerjeepdodge.net/new-inventory/index.htm?reset=InventoryListing&invType=new

Spring Cleaning Tip #5: Belts and Battery

Belts and hoses can be a bit more tricky to check. Having them in good
working order will help keep your engine operating at peak performance. We
recommend professional belt inspection 1x/month, and/or before a long road
trip. While you’re in for a belt check, if you can’t remember the last
time your battery was checked, take the time for the evaluation. With the
electronic and technology features in recent model vehicles, the battery
plays a very important role in keeping the vehicle’s components and sensors
functioning well. This is a 1x/year check-up.

On a final note – As we get more sunny days, you might feel the urge to
wash your car in the driveway – Or even put the whole family to work. A
few tips on this – You don’t want to use any cleaners with harsh solvents –
This includes dish soap or glass cleaners. Your best bet is to have some
commercial car wash on hand. (This is available at our dealership, as
well as most home improvement stores.)

If you’d like help with any of these items, please contact us at our
Service Departments. We also have hours on Saturdays and have 30-minute
Quick Lubes available. We will also provide you a complimentary hand-wash
of your vehicle with any Service appointment. -- A real treat (or gift) is
a full vehicle detail, which will make your current vehicle feel like new
again. Let us know how we can help!

Happy Spring and Safe Travels!

Art Harding
Service Director – Morrow Ford and Morrow Chevrolet Kia, Beaver Falls, PA
724.843.1000 or aharding@ronlewisautomotive.com

Spring Cleaning Tip #4 The Underbody

Even with a mild winter like Western Pennsylvania had, it’s a good idea to clean the underbody of your vehicle from any mud or debris that might have collected over the winter months.

You can avoid corrosion and rust on the underbody by cleaning out the dirt from the frame with plain water. If reaching this area is too difficult a task, we can help you at the dealership with our underbody washing system. 

Tri-County Oil and Gas Expo

Tri-County Oil and Gas Expo

Place:

Washington County Fairgrounds (Note: No booth number available yet, as it’s first come, first serve.)

Overview: 


The Tri-County Oil and Gas Expo Committee is pleased again to host a Business to Business Expo on May 19, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington County Fairgrounds, Washington, PA.

Why we’re going to this:

Did you know Waynesburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is Greene County's only BusinessLink dealership? Click here for more information about the BusinessLink program for small business owners...

Benefits:

• No cost participation
• Next-Bay Service
• Loaner Vehicles
• Free Shuttle Service
• Dedicated Account Manager
• Financing Expertise
• Extended Service Hours
• Upfitter and Bailment Pool Connections
• Commercial Vehicles in Stock
• Unrestricted Service


Eligibility:


Enrolling in BusinessLink is easy.
All you have to do is provide your local BusinessLink dealer with just one of the following:
• Business or nonprofit tax ID number
• Business incorporation documents
• State, county or municipal business certificate or business license number
• Federal or state income tax return showing operation as a business entity

Contact:  Chris Peterson – Cell:  724.683.7442

Spring Cleaning Tip #3

Trim, Wheels and Tires

Inspect your tires for any tread issues, and have the alignment checked by a technician especially before a long road trip. Your wheels and trim also need attention – 


After driving on roads that have been treated throughout the winter, it’s a good idea to clean the tires with mild soap and water and dry them with a soft cloth. Make sure you don’t use an abrasive cleaner on the chrome!

Spring Cleaning for your Vehicle Tip #2 of 5

Check Your Filters 


If your engine’s air filter is dirty, it can reduce your gas mileage and
increase emissions – a “lose/lose” situation! When you check your engine’s
air filter, you should be able to see bright light through it, such as
sunlight.

Don’t forget the cabin air filter too –When your cabin air filter is
clean, it will increase the air quality in your vehicle, the ventilation
functionality in your HVAC system, which is especially important if you or
your passengers are allergy sufferers.

Note: This is a fairly easy task for the “do it yourself-er” – For
others who don’t feel comfortable opening up the hood, we offer filter
checks for free. Just let us know if you need help or would like us to
show you where to find these filters.

Spring Cleaning for your Vehicle

Over the next few weeks, we'll be posting Art Harding's "Top Five"
suggestions for Spring Cleaning your vehicle-- We hope you find them
helpful!

1. Check Your Fluids

Get this one out of the way first. Did you use a lot of washer fluid this
season? And how is your oil level? To check these levels, go under the
hood when the vehicle’s engine is off and cool, and when your vehicle is
parked on level ground. For the oil, remove the oil dipstick and wipe it
off with a rag. You’ll see markings for “full” or “add”. Reinsert the
dipstick and remove it again and read the level. Make sure you don’t
overfill either the oil or the washer fluid.

Chrysler to Present Hybrid Van Model

Chrysler Corp has set out to test 4 Hybrid models one of which will be the popular Town & Country model. 

The WindsorStar writes:

Chrysler is investing $15.8 million into the project and the U.S. Department of Energy is contributing $10 million.

Only 25 test vehicles will be created, according to Abdullah A. Bazzi, senior manager of electrified powertrain programs for Chrysler Group.

"This Town and Country minivan is the only minivan to boast a plug-in hybrid powertrain in combination with flex fuel capability," Bazzi said. "We're pleased to have four of these 25 vehicles being tested right here in Chrysler's backyard where they can get real-world use and be evaluated promptly."

Auburn Hills will use the Chrysler-owned vehicles for testing purposes to evaluate everyday city and highway driving. Staff selected to evaluate the vehicles will regularly report all driving and charging experiences back to Chrysler.

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/cars/Hybrid+minivans+testing/6471481/story.html#ixzz1sQCI7NIg

Find The Lowest Possible Gas Price

Do you want to find the lowest gas prices around, how about the closest gas station to your area? GasBuddy.com can help you out! Simply visit gasbuddy.com or pittsburghgasprices.com (if you're in the area) and instantly you'll have access to dozens of the cheapest and closest fueling stations.

Gas buddy will even help you plan the cost of a trip and has a fuel log-book so you can see how much you've been spending. In addition they offer tons of money saving tips, and give away FREE prizes!

If you live in the Pittsburgh area simply click here to get started, otherwise, click here!

Local Easter Events Around Pittsburgh

Easter Sunday is almost here and if you're still looking for great ways to spend the Holiday with your family and friends check out these sources:

TribLive (Full Calendar of Events)

FREE EVENTS:

78th Annual Northside Easter Sunrise Service

Easter Parade for Dogs

Easter Sunday Services

Easter Sunday @ Cafe Fusion (New Wine Harvest Church)

Free Doggy Easter Treat Hunt

Life Church Pittsburgh's Annual Egg Hunt

Priced Events:

Pancake Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt

"Eggstravagant" Easter Buffet

Opening Reception for "Varuzhan Yepremyan: Love In Bloom"

Introducing Timeline

Introducing the new Ron Lewis Automotive GroupTimeline Facebook Page! Timeline will officially start pushing its way to all profiles on March 30th, if you're still new to timeline and would like to learn more, check out this link: http://www.facebook.com/about/timeline

The introduction of Timeline opens the door for us to do very exciting things on our page for customers. It allows us to easily display new photos, track important events, and introduce sales and specials in a fun and interactive way!

Be sure to "Like" our Facebook page to stay up to date as we update our other dealership pages as well!