2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

The all-new 2013 Santa Fe Sport will be arriving THIS month at Eckert Hyundai.  This new vehicle refreshes the concept of a crossover: stylish, spacious and comfortable, loaded with luxury and performance features.

More info?  Here's a quick overview of what it has to offer:

• Fluidic Sculpture Design - creates a substantial road presence with distinct character lines
• Two Engines: 190-hp 2.4-liter GDI r-cylinder engine and the 264-hp 2.0-liter Turbo-GDI 4-cylinder engine - both deliver exceptional fuel economy for a CUV
• Standard 6-Speed Automatic: with SHIFTRONIC for a sporty driving experience
• Active ECO System: for improved fuel economy
• Standard Safety Features: Seven airbags, ESC, TCS, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Downhill Brake Control and Hillstart Assist Control
• Driver Selectable Steering Modes (DSSM): Comfort, Normal or Sport provide a customized driving experience
• Blue Link telematics service
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System
• AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 6 Speaker audio system with auxiliary/USB jacks
• Available Proximity Key with Pushbutton Start
• Available Leather Seating Surfaces
• Available Panoramic Sunroof

Back to School

If you live in Texas, your back to school frenzy began with tax free weekend August 17 – 19!

Did you survive the back to school shopping spree?

Now the real work begins, your back to school routine. Are you ready? Traffic congestion will be increasing so give yourself plenty of time to reach each destination successfully. Eckert Hyundai wants to provide you with some back to school tips to save you time and start your school year off right.

A good breakfast is a great way to start the day. If you are stretched for time, try preparing a nutritional breakfast on the go to take with you in your morning commute.Yogurt smoothies are easy to make and convenient to take in the car. Add dried fruit with granola in a lunch baggy and you are ready to go! Here is a link to this and some other great  Breakfast on the go recipes.

Use your Blue link traffic report to keep you informed on potential traffic delays that may cause you to run behind. Use this link to learn more on Blue Link Traffic Report Updates feature.

As you exit your alley or drive way be sure to look for little ones that are walking to school.

Remember to SLOW DOWN in neighborhoods and school zones! You don’t want to start your year off with a traffic ticket or accident.

Take extra time at intersections, medians and curb sides. Remember, little ones are riding bikes or walking and can be unpredictable.

And last, don’t use your cell phone or text while driving! Use your Blue Tooth Text and Phone feature in your car if you really need to make a call or text.

Once you have successfully dropped off children and school supplies, find your car quickly and easily using the Blue Link Remote Horn feature from your cell phone or key fob! Here is a short video to show you how! Blue Link Remote Feature

Happy travels, and welcome back to the school year!

 

To all the Commuters out there, News for you!

This month, since we are all dropping our kids back off at school and real life is setting back in, we focus on the commuters out there.  You loyal workers who park in traffic on whatever Interstate highway you obey each morning between 7am-9am and again, in the evening from 4:30pm-6:30pm.  We know you like to carpool, especially when you have a new car, with fun new toys in it.  You can drive all of your co-workers to work and on a lunch break.  Here are a few new thoughts for you. 

Hyundai's Blue Link: Daily Traffic Report  

You can set up a few routes, and Blue Link will update you each day.  Find the fastest route to work! You can get real-time information for traffic and alternate route guidance based on your surroundings.  Genius!

According to NewCars.com the 2012 Best Compact Commuter:

2012 Hyundai Elantra

Base Price: $15,345
Fuel Economy Ratings: 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined

"The Elantra got a complete makeover in 2011 transforming it from a car that blended in with the pack into one of the most efficient and good-looking cars in its class. It returns for 2012 with the same "fluidic motion" design that many Hyundai's are sharing and more importantly, the same fantastic fuel economy. Another note on that 40 mpg highway: all trims and styles of the Elantra hit that lofty number, while the other cars in this class that hit that magical 40 mpg highway number only do so when equipped with special packages or trims that add a couple thousand dollars onto the base price. That's why the other contenders we considered all start at almost $4,000 more than the Elantra. Inside there is plenty of standard equipment, something true of most Hyundai cars, including power windows/locks, USB/auxiliary audio inputs, and remote keyless entry. The Elantra also offers plenty of interior room (it has more passenger volume than a Nissan Maxima) and some premium options you won't find in the competition, like its class exclusive heated rear seats. All of these factors combined to make the Elantra an easy choice in this category.)" --NewCars.com

Are you Ready for Some Football?

Football Season is coming and since we live in Texas, it only seems appropriate that we write about some tailgating ideas.  Hopefully the weather will cool off and you, your friends, and loyal followers of your favorite team can enjoy barbecue and some wins!

This website is full of tips, recipes and funny videos.  Here are a few of my favorite tips:

• When tailgating in warm weather, make sure your beverages are real cold before placing in a cooler of ice helps to slow the ice melt. It sounds simple but it works, along with freezing some bottles of water to throw in the cooler, too.
• Laminated Check List. Develop your check list and laminate it. On Fri/Sat as you are packing, simply check off the items with a dry erase marker. When all done, wipe it off and you are ready for the next game!
• Always bring your own personal "jumbo" beverage glass with me. When you set your beverage down for any reason, having a distinguishable cup makes it is easy to spot and retrieve. That prevents you from grabbing someone else's cup.
• Line your portable grill with aluminum foil for easy clean-up and disposal of spent charcoal.
• A recipe for "Rick's Awesome Chili" 
• Make hamburgers in advance (make sure they are no thicker than 3/4 inch) and freeze between sheets of wax paper. Put on grill still frozen and cook 3 to 4 minutes each side.

  
  

   

  
  

  Also, while it's still over 100 degrees we hope that you'll consider a Carside Awning.  Here's a link to my favorite one.  I think it would look perfect on the Veracruz, Santa Fe or Tucson.   And if you don't have the perfect tailgating car, come on in and test drive one, before the first kick off, none of this preseason stuff counts!  Have a great Monday!

  
  
   

Eckert Hyundai Backpack Giveaway

Happy Monday and welcome back to an exceptionally hot work week in the DFW area!  Here's something to brighten your day.  Eckert Hyundai is giving away not just one but TWO fully stocked backed packs, full of back-to-school essentials for your children this fall!  One less expense you have to incur during the dreaded back-to-school shopping!  You can pocket that cash for a down payment on a new Hyundai!

Contest Details: 

 

All you have to do is "like" us on Facebook, and comment on your favorite backpack for a chance to win.  

The contest winner will be notified on August 15, via Facebook!  Good Luck!

July: National Grilling Month

Grilled Appetizer Recipe from Mark Eckert

In observance of National Grilling Month, Mark Eckert is sharing one of his favorite recipes.  He makes these grilled appetizers for family get-togethers and has even brought them to work here at Eckert Hyundai.

Grilled Macho Munchies

Ingredients:
2 pounds duck meat or sirloin steak, cubed in bite-size pieces.
2 small cans of whole water chestnuts
1 can of sliced jalapenos
2 packages of bacon, slices halved
Worcestershire sauce
Toothpicks
Ranch dressing
Louisiana Hot Sauce
Spicy Mustard

1) Marinate duck or beef in Worcestershire sauce a Ziploc bag for 2-4 hours.
2) Marinate water chesnuts in Worchestershire sauce in a separate bag or bowl for 2-4 hours.
3) Soak toothpicks in water so they don't burn on the grill.
4) Assemble your bite-size appetizers by threading a piece of meat, a jalapeno, and a water chestnut on each toothpick.  Wrap a half slice of bacon around each piece and secure the bacon ends on the toothpick.
5) Grill.
6) Serve with 3 sauces: ranch dressing mized with Louisiana hot sauce, ranch dressing mixed with spicy mustard, or plain ranch dressing.
* This recipe can also be made with chicken or dove and marinated in Wishbone Italian dressing.

Enjoy!

Hyundai Undead

Hyundai is a sponsor for the popular television series The Walking Dead and has come together with other zombie killers to produce a special Hyundai Elantra Coupe "Zombie Survival" edition.

Hyundai's Zombie Survival Machine showcases tons of world-ending modification:

• a front-end custom zombie plow with spikes
• armored window coverings
• roof hatch to allow passengers to fend off attacking walkers
• trunk stocked with electric & pneumatic weaponry
• front & back end floodlights
• spiked all-terrain tires 
• CB radio system & much more

"Our custom Elantra Coupe Zombie Survival Machine is the ultimate car for The Walking Dead fans and anyone who wants to survive a zombie invasion," Steve Shannon, vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America, said in a prepared statement. "We are excited for fans to come and experience the Elantra Coupe and GT in a unique, post-apocalyptic way."

The heavily customized version of the automaker’s new compact coupe was designed by creator/writer of The Walking Dead TV show and graphic novel series Robert Kirkman, and was fabricated by Design Craft Fabrication in Westminster, California.

We may not have the Zombie Survival Edition of the Hyundai Elantra Coupe but we do have some more normal ones for you to try out!  So come on in to Eckert Hyundai for your very own test drive and imagine fending off zombies in this brand new ride.