Read Our Blog!

With all the snow that’s been falling everywhere, the road crews have been busy throwing salt everywhere. In addition to always being available, salt is the most cost-effective de-icer, but it can do a lot of damage when it gets on your vehicle. Our professionals at Honda of Ames want you to be an informed driver who is ready for winter.

As much as some of us hate going through the car wash in the winter, it’s important to wash your car about once a week to keep off the salt. Try to wash your vehicle during the…

We want you to know how to pick out a vehicle that is a safe solution for your family. The team at Honda of Ames wants you to be informed about what is out there before you purchase a car. It is important that you understand what the different vehicle safety ratings mean.

When the NHTSA completes a test on a vehicle, they will share their rating on a scale of one to five stars. They will give a vehicle a certain number of stars based on how well they think it did on the test. The higher the number…

Here at Honda of Ames, we believe in helping our customers and other drivers remain safe during winter months. One way to maximize safety during winter driving is to use the proper types of tires. Among the list of appropriate tires for winter driving conditions include studless and studded winter tires.

For conditions that present serious road icing, studded tires may be the way to go for many drivers. Studded tires offer special openings that provide access for hardened metal studs. These studs can dig into hard ice and provide traction even in extreme conditions.

 

In Ames, safe winter driving habits are essential. At Honda of Ames we like to help our community prepare for winter driving by offering tips for an emergency kit. Emergency preparedness is a great way to make sure that you are ready for most things that can happen while driving in bad weather.

Your kit should include a cell phone charger to stay connected. Blankets, clothing, work gloves, and boots should be in your vehicle for each passenger and yourself. Food and water are critical for survival if you are stranded.

A first aid kit is helpful if someone has…

You've parked your vehicle for several hours in front of your home and when you drive away, you suddenly notice that some sort of fluid is puddled underneath it. Usually, that means your vehicle has a leak somewhere in one of its systems that uses hoses. Here's how to determine what is wrong.

Fluids that can commonly leak from your vehicle include:

• Water
• Motor oil
• Transmission fluid
• Differential fluid
• Coolant
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid

Water coming from your vehicle is nothing to worry about as it comes...

 

As fellow pet owners, we at Honda of Ames want to know that you and your pet are safe when traveling in your vehicle. To help you do this, we have many helpful tips to ensure your travels with your pet are a safe and happy experience. Dogs love traveling with their owners, but unsafe conditions can quickly ruin this experience for you and the dog.

Depending on the type of vehicle, keep your dog confined with a dog harness or crate, and make sure the dog is in the backseat. One bad experience with an airbag could permanently destroy…

With so many important components making our vehicles run, we tend to forget the important role tires play in keeping our vehicle safely on the road. It’s not just enough to buy new tires and assume they’ll last the life of the tire’s warranty. At Honda of Ames, we can offer some helpful tips on how to get the most life out of your tires, which will provide with the best possible ride.

Tire tread and tire pressure are equally important for good tire maintenance. Most new vehicles have a tire monitoring system that alerts you if…

The hatchback is quickly becoming the trendiest car on the roads of Ames thanks in large part to its expert styling combined with the impressive performance features. The immense practicality of this style of vehicle is what makes the hatchback so appealing to consumers all over the world.

Because the rear seats can be folded down entirely in nearly all hatchbacks, it is easy to load and haul cargo. This versatility makes the hatchback an attractive choice for drivers with a sense of adventure. Even though they do not have a locking trunk space compared to their sedan counterparts...

Have you heard of motor oil viscosity ratings but are unsure of what they mean? If so, we can help. At Honda of Ames, we strive to keep you informed about how your vehicle functions, which is why we invite you to read our summary below that explains motor oil viscosity ratings.

The viscosity rating is how well the motor oil can resist flow. For instance, a motor oil with a high viscosity rating is much thicker than a motor oil with a low viscosity rating. The number and W on the bottle is how you determine its viscosity 

Automobiles come with a spare tire. Today, many cars have a compact tire or “donut’’ spare. The difference is important. Full-sized spares look like the regular tires and operate at normal speeds. Temporary spares are smaller than regular tires and usually have limits for speed and distance.

Ames-area drivers know the importance of a good spare tire. When using a donut or temporary spare, the size and capacity is different from a regular tire and requires extra care. Drivers must watch their speeds and not use the tire longer than needed to carry out a repair or full-sized replacement.