2014 Acura MDX first drive from Consumer Reports

There is a lot to be said about the Acura MDX since it was first introduced.

As Acura's best selling model, owners have shared with us why they chose the MDX.

1) 3 rows of seating. For up to 7 passengers
2) Roomy - space for both passengers and their gear
3) Good acceleration
4) Good fuel economy - now with variable cylinder management - anticipated class leading fuel economy for the 2014 MDX *
5) Easy to navigate and fun to drive
6) Reliable
7) Good value

What would your reasons be to choose an Acura MDX?



For more details on the 2014 Acura MDX click http://www.acuraofpleasanton.com

* Prelimary EPA mileage estimates determined by Acura. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at this time. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Will AM/FM radios continue into the Future?



Some of you may remember ridng in a car as a kid and the radio was playing. Changing stations meant twisting a knob or pushing stiff plastic buttons to move the "dial" to a station. Everyone in the car was forced to listen to what was playing on the AM or FM station at that time.

Then came eight track tape players and it revolutionized in car entertainment. No longer you forced to listen whatever was on the radio or the off-key sing-alongs with your siblings.

Cassette tape players follow after and then the digital age with compact discs or CDs for higher sound quality.

Remember what it was like to try to skip to the next song?

Technology never sleeps and now there is wired and wireless audio connections to stream from your cell phone or personal music device. Satellite radio so you never have to miss your favorite radio station while driving long distances.

Programming from satellites can offer coverage
that traditional broadcast signals cannot.

For convenience and safety, like those found in many of our Acura vehicles offer hands-free voice commands systems to manage functions such as volume, channel selection, switching from radio to CD or Satellite.

Just press and speak a command.
Many Acura vehicles offer this feature.

The latest with in car technolgy now include features previously only available while at a computer or on a smart phone. Music services, such as Pandora radio and Facebook are now available in many vehicles.

The 2014 Acura RLX now features two display screens,
one for touch controls similar to that on a tablet.

With all these advancements in technology, is traditional AM/FM radio dead? Many experts on boths sides have their view points as there are limitations even with the most modern services since they rely on a good internet connections.

What are your thoughts? Is AM/FM dead? Do you still listen to CDs while driving? Tell us what you think.

Luxury, taken to a whole new level in the 2014 Acura RLX

Starting with a clean slate, Acura designed and developed the 2014 Acura RLX to be the most advanced flagship sedan in Acura history.

Starting with an all new chassis featuring Acura's Precision All-Wheel Steer (PAWS) and using new manufacturing techniques with light weight materials, the 2014 Acura RLX is both beautiful and nimble. Most people will first notice the all new 16 lenses of the LED "Jewel Eye" headlamps. These precisely focused lights are the most efficient headlamps used by Acura. With a lower energy requirement and lighting output that is even whiter, brighter than HID or halogen headlamps.

The RLX is powered by an all new 3.5-liter V6 direct gas injection engine enhanced with Variable Cylinder Management and the Acura i-VTEC^® system. With 310 horsepower and 272 lbs.-ft. of torque while achieving an EPA Fuel Economy Rating of 20/31/24 mpg*. (city/highway/combined). The Variable Cylinder Management which automatically and seamlessly changes the engine to run on six, four or three cylinders in response to driving conditions.

This combined with a 6 speed Sequential SportShift Automatic, the RLX is a equally at home on the highway or driving around town.

*Based on 2014 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle

Acura has long recognized the greatest level of connection any driver has with a vehicle is from the interior and the 2014 Acura RLX was engineered with extensive attention to details. With an available soft, perforated Milano Leather seating covering both front 12-way adjustable seats with 2 driver memory for driver's seat, steering wheel and side mirrors positions.

At 38.8 inches, the 2014 Acura RLX features a class leading rear seat leg room the rivals most competing brand's full size luxury sedans such as the Lexus LS and Audi A8.

Dual screens highlight the available navigation system while providing the user with intuitive interface to directly access over 30 button functions in a mere nine.

 

These are just some of the highlights of the 2014 Acura RLX available now at Acura of Pleasanton. To experience all that this new flagship has to offer, call us at 866-NOW-ACURA (866-669-2287) or Click here

 



Tire Pressure Sensors. why does your Acura have them?

Why does your Acura have this system?

Tire pressure sensors or tire pressure monitoring systems have been required by law on all light vehicles (under 10,000 pounds) manufactured after September 2007. The law was in response to the Firestone tire recall of the mid 1990s. Tire pressure monitoring systems aren't new, the technology first appeared usually in higher priced European luxury models around 1986. It soon after that, the systems started to appear in luxury models across the globe. In addition to the safety aspect of having properly inflated tires, there are also potential fuel savings from lower rolling resistance.

 

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The most common tire pressure sensor is a battery powered DIRECT sensor (meaning it is directly mounted with the wheel and tire). It uses a radio frequency to transmit data to the instrument cluster computer in the vehicles. Usually as long as the tires are within a certain pressure range of each other, the system is set.

 

However, if one or more tires loses or gains more than a certain amount of pressure (about 20 percent to 30 percent of air pressure difference between the others) it will trigger the instrument cluster panel and set off a warning indicator light or a "low tire pressure" light. In some vehicles, there may even be an information center which will display each individual tire's air pressure.

 

 

Located on the driver's side door frame is a label with the manufacturer's recommended tire pressures for front and rear tires. While this is a guideline for air inflation, the system doesn't necessarily fault if the recommended tire pressure varies as long as all the tires have the same amount of air in them. It is important to note that some vehicles that have full-size spare tires may also have a sensor in the spare that is also monitored. Once a low tire or flat tire is detected, the dashboard warning light will illuminate and stay on until the tire has been repaired or replaced. Some tire sensor systems need to be reset after such a situation.

 

The battery powered sensors are somewhat bulky and heavier than a standard valve stem, plus the batteries do exhaust after some time. Improper tire replacement can also damage the TPMS sensor and affect the wheel balance if replacement is not performed by knowledgeable installers such as our factory trained technicians. If damaged, the replacement of the sensor is quite costly.

 

What can you do?

Just like helium balloons, tires loose some air pressure through microscopic pores in the rubber. It is common during winter months when the air temperature drops for tire air pressures to drop. Acura recommends a monthly inspection of all the tire pressures. This is a simple process and only requires an inexpensive tire pressure gauge similar to this:

 

 

 

When performing the tire pressure inspection, it is best when the tires are cold, since driving on them warms up the tire and the air pressure rises slightly. Just twist off the cap on the tire valve stem and press the inlet part onto the exposed tire stem. The gauge will pop out showing the relative tire air pressure.

 

Here at Acura of Pleasanton, we routinely inspect the tire pressures with all in shop services. This not only prevents abnormal wear on the tires but potentially saves fuel and reduces exhaust emissions from a more efficient engine. So everyone benefits from this simple inspection.

 

Feel free to contact your Sales Consultant or any of our Service Advisors if there are any questions regarding tire air pressure check or the TPMS warning light.



Tire Tread Depth - Part worn can be too little

While most owners that come to our dealership, probably won't have to drive in deep snow and ice-covered roads on a daily basis, these two are the most challenging conditions to drive on.



Acura MDX

I
n regards to All-Season, Summer, and Winter type tires, technology have come a long way in the past decade. Tires have gained more traction, reduced road noise, more comfort and durability. However, the basics of traction and handling in snow and ice has not changed.

A tire must have have three fundamental qualities to work in winter conditions. These are an appropriate tread design, pliable tread compound that does not harden in the cold, and sufficient tread depth. With the advances in computer aided designed tread designs and modern rubber chemistry two of the three are usually not up for concern.

Since most Northern California drivers only replace tires when they are worn, which is when the tread depth reach 2/32nd" (or about 1.6mm) It is the tread depth that is often overlooked. Without sufficient tread depth, the tire's traction on snow would be reduced since tires require more depth to compress snow in the grooves to take a "bite"

Ask any of our Service Consultant for tire safety check

At Acura of Pleasanton, your safety is our top priority and we recommend tire replacement based on the expected road conditions. Our Service Consultants may ask questions such as what kind of road conditions that your Acura may see. So even though the tires on your vehicle may appear to have plenty of tread depth, it would not be unusual for us to recommend tire replacement on tires that have 4/32nd" during rainy months and 6/32nd" if driven in snow or icy roads.

Another option some owners who plan to frequent snow or ice covered roads is to purchase a second set of wheels and tires designed for winter use. Be sure to ask our Service Consultant for their recommendation during your visit.

Visit www.acuraofpleasanton.com for our latest Winter service coupons.

ref: Tire Rack Winter Tire article

Valley Christian Arts Night at the Black Hawk Museum

Come follow along for a very special evening earlier this Summer with Valley Christian School of Dublin, CA for their annual Arts Night. This year it was for the first time hosted at the Black Hawk Automobile Museum in Danville, CA.

Acura of Pleasanton was proud to be both a supporter and sponsor for an evening that many students and school staff were proud of.

While being surrounded by one the Worlds largest collection of antique and vintage automobiles, many forms of art expression were on display or performed by the students through out the evening.

A silent auctions for much of the student art collection was held to help raise money and the confidence of the students for their hard work.




For more information about Valley Christian Schools please visit them at http://www.valleychristianschools.org

For more information on Acura vehicles, please visit us at www.acuraofpleasanton.com

Why choose Acura for your accessories?

Thinking about personalizing your Acura with accessories? Watch the video to see the engineering that goes into every part that we offer. Whether it is as simple as an all weather floor mat or as large as a body spoiler. Each and every accessory must meet the highest standards set by Acura.



For more details on what accessories are available for your Acura, contact your sales consultant or our friendly parts department at Acura of Pleasanton.