September: National Campus Safety Month

In 2010 a special "National Campus Safety Awareness Month Supplement" was released - a special publication designed to encouraged students in US Colleges and Universities stay up to date on federal rules relating to campus emergencies.  These rules and regulations were put into effect in 2008 - mostly in part of the tragic 2007 Virginia Tech Shootings.  The US Government wanted to make sure that campuses are better prepared to respond to any kind of emergency.

Here at Eckert Hyundai we know most of you college students are into safety.  Not only do we want you to stay up to date on your school's safety policies but also stay up to date on your car's safety features.  We want you to know what Hyundai's Bluelink Safety & Assurance Features are to give you (and your mom) some peace of mind. 

• Enhanced Roadside Assistance - automatically transmits your location and vehicle information to a response center for a quicker assistance time
• SOS Emergency - automatically transmits you to a dispatcher for immediate assistance.
• Automatic Collision Notification - in the event of an accident where a minimum of one airbag deploys automatic owner and location information are sent to a response center.  Then an operator will attempt video communication with the car's occupants in order to forward any necessary information to an arriving emergency service vehicle. 
• Stolen Vehicle Recovery, Stolen Vehicle Slowdown and Stolen Vehicle Immobilization - with these you have a better chance of recovering a stolen vehicle.  As soon as your vehicle is stolen and a report has been filed with the Police Department a response center can help locate and recover the car.  Slowdown and Immobilization can further assist in the recovery of the car and even prevent it from starting.
• Alarm & Panic Notification - want someone to always know if you're OK?  Send an email, text or voice mail to a family member or friend with a press of your panic button on your key fob.  Genius!

For Mom & Dad 

• Geo-Fence, Curfew Alert and Speed Alert - keep a close watch on your child and be notified if they pass a certain space parameter, are out past a curfew or go over the speed limit.  

Just a few ideas to help you feel safer this school year!  Read up, study hard and watch where you're going.  

2013 Veloster Turbo

"Under the hood of the front-wheel-drive four-door hatchback is a slightly modified version of the same direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder, now with its intake boosted to 19 ps.  The new rating works out to 201 horsepower and 194 pound-feet of torque -- an impressive output of 125.63 hp per liter (eye-for-eye with the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport)." --Autoblog.com

"Hyundai's big idea is to have their halo car at the bottom, not the top of the line.  I personally adore this idea, as it gives a much bigger range of people the chance to own a marque's most personal and creative effort.  You have to admit, the usual halo car concept is kind of a tease - you go in the Ford dealer to gawk at the GT, and come home in a Taurus?  That's a letdown.  I'd like to see more manufacturers take Hyundai's approach." --Jalopnik.com

Happy Labor Day

"Labor Day is annually held on the first Monday of September. It was originally organized to celebrate various labor associations' strengths of and contributions to the United States economy. It is largely a day of rest in modern times.

The first Labor Day was held in 1882. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers. It became a federal holiday in 1894. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival was to be held to amuse local workers and their families. In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. This is less common now, but is sometimes seen in election years." --Time&Date

The Sales and Service Staff at Eckert Hyundai are taking the day off to spend time enjoying friends and family.  We hope you are doing the same! Happy Labor Day!

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!