What to do: Car Accident

Oh no, terrible feelings are usually tied to car accidents.  Our minds just don't think clearly when we are squished into another car.  And it just feels like no car accident comes at the right time.

I have researched this brain tangling problem & come up with some helpful tips.

• This seems trivial but try to think clearly.  Take a few deep breaths and wrap your brain around what happened before hopping out of your car and being confronted with the opposing driver.
• Determine the extent of damage or injuries:  anyone need immediate medical attention?
• Try to file an accident report with the police. Even if it's just a fender bender & do not leave the scene until police file full report.  Please note:  if in Texas the police will not come to the scene if both cars are drivable and no one is injured, unless they see it happen (which happened to me)
• Something I wish I had done: gotten the police officers names, district numbers and badge numbers.  They told me the other driver was at fault but couldn't file a report and then left...guess who ended up paying: me

• Get the facts:  write down your interpretation of what happened at the accident.  Then get names, addresses, phone numbers of EVERYONE involved in the accident (passengers, drivers, passerby-ers that stopped), description of cars and license plate numbers, insurance company (make sure their insurance is not expired), company number and VIN # of car(s) involved.
• Call your insurance agent as soon as possible, even at the scene.  There is usually a 1-800 number you can call 24/7.  

Sometimes people are hoping that the insurance companies will pay top dollar to help repair their car.  This, sadly, is usually not the case.  Total Loss has a slim-to-none  likelihood of happening to you.  The definition of a totaled car is when the cost to fix is more than the value of their car.  To consider the value of your car your insurance company will asses pre-loss condition + options (stereos, Ltd edition, sunroof, etc) + mileage.  

Here are some useful websites for your review: Texas Drivers Handbook & Car Accident Checklist

If you're car isn't totally paid off yet, this is where Gap Insurance comes in handy.

Long awaited arrival: Veloster

It's here!  We couldn't be more excited.  Finally this car has come to fruition after months of waiting.

 

driver side : one door

passenger side : 2 doors

push start engine, xm radio & blue link

back up camera : this might be my favorite feature

stylized front with panoramic sunroof

Alright, come on in and schedule your test drive at Eckert Hyundai!

Hyundai Veloster

Drooling yet?  I am. 

Our brand new 2012 Hyundai Veloster comes out soon!  We will be getting a few of these before you know it.

For now, can I tell you my favorite parts?  (are you sitting?)

• Secret door - I know, everyone loves a good secret.  This is not a suicide door, these doors are set up just like a normal sedan.  But they are only on one side.  No more awkward exits for your friends that sacrificially sit in the back seat.  Everyone will want to ride with you and it's ok because you have...

• 40 MPG on the Highway!  This is one of Hyundai's 4 cars with 40 MPG on the highway.  I love choices, don't you?
• Lately I feel like I have been doing double takes at hatchbacks.  The extra room would sure be nice when we take trips.  Well, not only do you get the vanity of a sports car, but you get the practicality of a hatchback.  Without really acting like you have a practical bone in your body. 
• Panoramic Sunroof Please.  Really get a tan, see the stars or daydream stoplights. 
• Best-in-Class Interior for "compact sporty car segment."  Another step in the right direction of practicality. 
• Blue Link.

So come check the Hyundai Veloster out at Eckert Hyundai.  You'll never want to leave.

Blue Link Favorites

Some time ago I wrote a post about Blue Link, Hyundai's new "easy-to-use system, which provides owners and drivers with the information and connectivity they need for a richer, more convenient, and more secure driving experience...offering over 30 different features aimed towards...simplifiying your life."  Thursday, March 3, when I wrote the article we didn't even have cars that offered this feature.

Lucky for you, now we do.  The 2012 Hyundai Sonata, 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and 2012 Hyundai Veloster.  Sadly we do not have the last two in our lot yet.  But they'll be rolling in soon.  And you can bet your bottom dollar we are excited.   We do have the 2012 Sonata, quite a few.

So for now, I feel compelled to share with you my favorite features of Blue Link.  But for more information I HIGHLY suggest you check out this website.   Then look at Eckert Hyundai & see which of your favorite cars have Blue Link, and check often for updates!  Happy Labor Day!

Daily Route Guidance 

:  allows you to pre-design several different routes to your regular designations, you can  avoid traffic congestion on all of your pre-selected routes to get you where you need to go safely AND on time.

 POI Web Search

 

:  allows you to search for points of interests, business and addresses without stopping to ask for directions!

Eco-Coach

   :monitors your vehicle's mileage and emissions on a continual and historical basis and offers recommendations to help promote better fuel efficiency.  

Veracruz, not the city.

"This is my third SUV. I've owned the Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia. I'm much happier with the Veracruz! I just made a trip to Oklahoma City from St Louis. I averaged 22.5 mpg. A lot better than the Sequoia's average 15 mpg! The ride is smooth and quiet. My friend came along and brought a mobility scooter. It fit in the back perfect, plus left enough room for luggage. It took awhile for the car to cool down in the 95 degree heat of Ok City, but the a/c is very good. I can't make up anyone's mind about a Korean automobile, but I'm very happy with the Veracruz. Best of luck to any of you considering an SUV." --Happy Veracruz Owner, Edumunds.com

"If you want a loaded-up, smooth riding midsize family SUV, it's harder to find to find one at a better price than the Veracruz." --more happy customers, Business Week


"From the soft-touch materials to the superb fit and finish, the new Veracruz seven-seat crossover has an interior that feels expensive and luxurious like no other
Hyundai cabin ever has." -- Automobile Magazine.


So, don't take my word for it. But anytime we ever play that game,
"what-car-would-you-like-to-own-the-most,"
I choose this one. It has wonderful seating, compares to the likes of a Lexus in terms of look and feel, but the price won't leave you wishing you had saved for your kid's college fund instead of blowing it on a car. So, that's a plus.

Come on in and look at this puppy, because you know, with Labor Day coming, cars are on the brain.

in·dulge: Genesis Sedan

in·dulge

[in-duhlj]-verb1. to yield to an inclination or desire; to allow oneself to follow one's will'2. to yield to, satisfy or gratify3. to yield to the wishes or whims of

ll (usually followed by in)

Dear friends, today I spent some quality time deep in the Genesis sedan. I kid you not, when I push started the car with the proximity key, classical music came on. Seriously? This car is smooth from head to toe, inside and outside. The car I drove was a delicious creamy white, waiting just outside the door for me. I slid onto the leather seats and was greeted with extreme luxury. Everything whipped itself into shape for my long legs and we were ready to go. With the opening of the sunroof I was in love. I have always wanted a car with a sunroof. And a rear shaded window. And leather heated seats, and navigation. Yikes! The list goes on.

Not to mention this month there are great specials, like low leases and 0% APR financing and $1,500 with a trade in. Jeez, what more do we need to do?

Maintenance managed

Recently I got back from a 2 week trip (supervising college students rehab homes in New Orleans) and my Hyundai Sonata was dead as a door nail. Found a friendly neighbor to help jump start our car....to no avail. Faulty cables was the problem because when neighbor #2 came out later with cables, Sonata came bolting back to life. Good thing, because we needed groceries.

I really dislike anything revolving around the realm of maintenance or service of my car. I feel uneducated. So today, I did some research and am here to help you and me not feel dumb.

First of all, maintenance will always pay off in the long run. We can help you catch small problems before they come wildly expensive, I'm-going-on-a-roadtrip-tomorrow problems. Been there. Let us help.

Ok, but here are a few things that will need to be checked up.

1. Motor oil (duh). Actually when I went to college, I didn't know you were supposed to get oil changes...in a nut shell, your oil degrades overtime and can easily become contaminated with debris. Everyone needs oil changes and usually if you get one, the service center will let you know when to come back, follow their rules.

2. Air filters. I feel like the people at Jiffy Lube always tell me I need to change my filter. While the service men at Eckert Hyundai never say that...unless I do (one time in 2 years). It's just like the air filter in your home it must be replaced so that your car can breath freely and generate power in the way it was designed to do.

3. TIRES. Ask to get your tires rotated every other oil change, or so. This can save you from having to buy new tires. Which are quite the investment. And will help you from sliding around like an ice skater in the rain.

4. Brakes: you can't a price tag on stopping, trust me. So you might consider trusting the noises that come out of your car to remind you to get your brakes changed. If they erode too far, metal on metal will start scratching, which is less than pleasant.

5. Wiper Blades: The wiper blades offered for Hyundai's here at Eckert Hyundai have a sticker on them that fade with time, when the blade sticker turns red, it's time for new wipers. Not that you cant tell from the way they no longer get water off of your windshield.

the information on this article was obtained from vehiclemd.com and go.drive magazine.