Keep Your Eyes on the Road and Hands on the Steering Wheel | Mark Mitsubishi Scottsdale

The dangers of distracted driving affect thousands of lives each year. Are you taking the proper steps to ensure a safe driving experience for you, your passengers and others on the road?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the numbers are all too real, with 3,154 people killed in 2013 in vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. While many states have adopted laws to crack down on phone usage behind the wheel, real change starts at home, with drivers pledging to adopt simple safety measures and ensuring family members also make the commitment.

As advocates for safe driving everywhere, the car experts at Edmunds.com offer these tips for safe travels behind the wheel:

Limit the distractions: While it's always a good idea to have a phone with you in case of a breakdown or other auto emergency, keep distractions out of sight while driving. Switch your phone to silent, put it in airplane mode or turn it off completely before you enter your vehicle. Placing your phone in the glovebox, the backseat or the trunk (or even just in a bag) can also stop the temptation of answering your calls or texts, so you can focus on the road instead.

Just drive: Many other activities can also be distracting in the car, such as eating, drinking, managing your entertainment or even putting on makeup. Make sure your car is used only for getting you from Point A to Point B. Save the other activities for your destination.

Make it a family priority: Discuss the responsibilities that come with driving a vehicle and the hazards that accompany distracted driving. Set rules for your whole family so teen drivers know that you, too, are engaged in creating a safe zone in your own vehicle. Be a good role model even before your children are old enough to drive so they witness only good habits.

Set a reminder for safety: Place a sticky note on your phone or a photo of a loved one in a non-obstructive location in your car to remind you of your commitment to safe driving.

Don't be a passive passenger: Spreading the message about safe driving doesn't stop when you're in the passenger seat. If you're in a car with driver who is using a phone, ask that it be put away — for everyone's safety.

Become an advocate for safe driving. Tell your family, friends, neighbors and everyone you know about the dangers of distracted driving.And remember that safer roads start with smart, focused driving.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/steer-clear-of-distracted-driving.html

Be Careful on the Roads During Wet Weather | Mark Mitsubishi Scottsdale

Here are some tips you’ll want to follow the next time you’re caught driving in the rain. 

Safety starts before you drive, and your goal should be to see and be seen. Replace windshield wiper inserts that leave streaks or don’t clear the glass in a single swipe. Make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are properly functioning so other drivers will see you during downpours. Turn on your headlights whenever you drive.

Proper tire tread depth and inflation are imperative to maintaining good traction on wet roadways. Check tread depth with a quarter inserted upside down into the tire groove. If you can see above Washington’s head, start shopping for new tires. Check each tire’s pressure, including the spare, at least once a month… and be sure to check the pressure when the tires are cold.

Avoid Cruise Control

Most modern cars feature cruise control. This feature works great in dry conditions, but when used in wet conditions, the chance of losing control of the vehicle can increase. To prevent loss of traction, the driver may need to reduce the car’s speed by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be accomplished when cruise control is engaged.

When driving in wet-weather conditions, it is important to concentrate fully on every aspect of driving. Avoiding cruise control will allow the driver more options to choose from when responding to a potential loss-of-traction situation, thus maximizing your safety.

Slow Down and Leave Room

Slowing down during wet weather driving can be critical to reducing a car’s chance of hydroplaning, when the tires rise up on a film of water. With as little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber meeting the road. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. At speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway.

To reduce chances of hydroplaning, drivers should slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you. Also, it’s important for motorists to allow ample stopping distance between cars by increasing the following distance of the vehicle in front of them and beginning to slow down to stop for intersections, turns and other traffic early.

Responding to a Skid

Even careful drivers can experience skids. If a driver feels their car begin to skid, it’s important to not panic and follow these basic steps:

• Continue to look and steer in the direction in which the driver wants the car to go.
• Avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.

If you feel the car begin to skid, continue to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Don’t panic, and avoid slamming on the brakes to maintain control.

Overall you want to be extra cautious in wet weather. Slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and allow ample stopping distance between you and the cars in front of you. Also, do these things one-at-a-time. Brake, then turn, then accelerate.

Sources: http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/roadway-safety/wet-weather-driving-tips/#.Vo7amvkrKCg

New Sleek Design and Increased Performance for the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage | Mark Mitsubishi Scottsdale

The new Mitsubishi Mirage enters the 2017 model year with a new exterior design, improved performance and enhanced interior appeal. Despite all that is new for Mirage in 2017, a few things didn't change at all—Mirage still offers outstanding fuel economy, attractive pricing and industry leading new vehicle and powertrain warranties.

Mirage receives a fresh new look with redesigned hood, grille, front and rear bumper, fog and headlamps, rear spoiler and wheels. The exterior styling was given purpose, with an aerodynamic design to improve fuel-efficiency and a simple, restrained form to help reduce weight, creating a car in which form and function come together. The new styling enhancements made to the 2017 Mirage give it a sleek, clean look and reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) to 0.27.

Inside, Mirage receives a design update with new seat fabrics, gauge cluster, steering wheel and shift panel. In addition, a new available 300-watt Rockford-Fosgate™ audio system with EcoPunch™ is available with Smartphone Link Display Audio, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ the first Mitsubishi model to feature this popular infotainment system in the States.

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage comes equipped with the following standard features:

Interior

• New front and rear seat materials
• 4-way adjustable driver's and front passenger seat
• New steering wheel with decorative bezel
• New panel design for air conditioning
• 4-speaker, 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system
• Keyless entry with panic feature
• New illuminated semi high-contrast combination gauge cluster (speedometer/tachometer) (SE/GT)
• High-gloss, piano-black shift panel (SE/GT)

Exterior

• New front fascia with chrome upper/lower grille
• New hood design
• LED tail lamps
• Rear spoiler
• Color-keyed front and rear bumpers, folding side-view mirrors, door handles and tailgate handle
• New 14-inch alloy wheel design; 15-inch alloy wheels (SE/GT)
• HID automatic on/off headlights (SE/GT)
• Beveled fog lamps (SE/GT)
• Colors: Wine Red, Sunrise Orange, Sapphire Blue, Infra Red, Pearl White, Mystic Black, Starlight Silver, Mercury Gray

Safety

• Advanced seven (7) air bag SRS system including driver's side knee air bag, dual-stage front air bags with occupant seat position sensors, front seat mounted side-impact air bags and front and rear curtain side air bags
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Engine immobilizer anti-theft security alarm system
• Mitsubishi Motors' patented Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) safety cell body construction

Warranty

• Fully transferable 5-year/60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty
• 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty
• 7-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion perforation limited warranty
• 5-year/unlimited mile roadside assistance

New Sleek Exterior

With its refreshed design for 2017, the Mirage features a more unique appearance with higher-quality materials. The entire front fascia has been updated to give it a bold new signature design. The new hood, wheels and rear bumper and taillights round out the new exterior design.

Two new paint colors are available: Wine Red and Sunrise Orange.

Upgraded Interior
Several enhancements were made to the Mirage to give it a more sophisticated quality. All models feature a new redesigned steering wheel, shift panel and air conditioning panel. Additionally, the front and rear seats get new materials. Standard on SE and GT models is a new illuminated semi high-contrast combination meter.

Purposefully Aerodynamic
The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage's outstanding efficiency is the result of a number of key design elements engineered into the vehicle. The fascia bumper features a chiseled crease for a very smooth airflow. The front tire air dam is optimized, and a rear tire air dam is added, to reduce drag resistance. The shape of the rear bumper is optimized for better air flow, while the angle of the rear spoiler has been changed to reduce lift, while the side surface is changed to reduce drag. These aero enhancements help the 2017 Mirage achieve a very low coefficient of drag at only 0.27 (Cd).

Mirage also features high-tensile steel to key sections of its body and chassis, which gives the vehicle a very low curb weight of less than one ton (1,973 lbs.) while possessing excellent structural rigidity.

Added Horsepower and Increased Brake Size
The 2017 Mirage continues to utilize a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder DOHC engine featuring the latest version of Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) variable valve-timing system that maximizes fuel efficiency and power output while greatly minimizing exhaust emissions.

With the addition of a roller-type camshaft, Mirage increases its horsepower to 78 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 74 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm.

Mirage's handling and brakes are improved for 2017 as well. Optimizing the spring rate and damping the force of the shock absorbers while adding front stiffener achieve the handling and stability improvements. In addition, bigger diameter brakes are used in the front (discs), and rear (drums).

Exemplary Safety Features and Vehicle Warranty
Every 2017 Mirage comes equipped with a wide array of safety features and technologies. These include a seven (7) air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) comprised of dual front air bags, dual front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, dual side-impact curtain air bags, and a driver's knee air bag; 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS); and Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL). Mirage models equipped with the continuously-variable transmission-equipped (CVT) also include Hill Start Assist (HSA).

Additional protection is provided to the vehicle's occupants by Mitsubishi Motors' patented high-tech Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) impact-absorbing safety cell technology. In the event of a collision, the RISE system's energy-absorbing body structure helps to dissipate kinetic energy away from the driver and passengers.

Mirage boasts Mitsubishi's industry leading powertrain and new vehicle warranty: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty; 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty; 7-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty; and 5-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance program.

Call us at (480) 428-2780 or contact us if you would like to know when the 2017 Mirage starts arriving. 

Travel Safely this Holiday Season | Mark Mitsubishi Scottsdale

With low gas prices expected for the upcoming holiday, you should expect heavy traffic throughout the state during the holidays. Make sure you take proper precautions if taking to the busy roadways. Taking the proper precautions and practicing safe driving habits saves lives.

Before setting out on the road remember to bring plenty of water. Check the condition of your tires for sufficient tread. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Be sure to check your gauges.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has developed a list of several of the top causes of traffic collisions.

Attentiveness/Fatigue – Make sure you are well rested before setting out on the road. Sleep deprived drivers pose a significant danger on Arizona highways. Reaction times are adversely affected when drivers are not alert. Get plenty of rest before you begin your journey. A number of fatal collisions investigated by DPS involved fatigued drivers. Don’t be one of them.

Impaired Driving – If you are planning on drinking this holiday weekend make sure you have a designated driver or plans to call a cab. Once you start drinking your ability to make sound decisions decreases with each drink. Impaired driving extends beyond just the consumption of alcohol. Never use illegal drugs or drive while taking prescription drugs that may impair your driving ability.

Buckle Up – A seatbelt will ensure that you stop with your car. Without it, you may end up being thrown from the vehicle if you are involved in a collision.

Speeding – Speeding greatly increases the chances of a collision and reduces the amount of time to avoid one. Following the speed limits will decrease the chances of serious injury or death in a collisions.

Make sure your car is in tip top shape for the holiday weekend. Schedule an appointment online today or call (480) 725-2109

Now You Have to Get the Perfect Christmas Tree Home | Mark Mitsubishi Scottsdale

Every year you envision a picture perfect Christmas tree in the corner of your living room. Here are some tips to get the tree from purchase point to home safely.

1. Be Prepared

Before you head out to the tree lot, make sure you have the following ingredients to maximize your holiday cheer, which is directly proportionate to how many pine needles stab your arms.

• Work gloves
• An old blanket or tarp
• Rachet-style tie-downs

2. The Perfect Tree (for Hauling)

Sure, that nine foot fir looks fantastic on the lot, and it may even fit inside your living room with a bit of trimming, but will it fit on the roof of your SUV? Can you lift it on your own back at home? Be sure that you’re picking out a tree that is not only free of bare spots, but will also realistically fit on top of your vehicle without extending too far past the bumper. Even if the family falls in love with a giant, they’re probably going to disappear when it’s time to strap it to the car, so make sure you can handle it.

3. The Right Roof for the Job

For hauling your evergreen a great distance, you’re going to want to have a roof rack to help anchor the tree on the top of the car. If you don’t have a roof rack, bribe a your truck-owning friend with promises of eggnog back home.

4. Keep it Under Wraps

Most Christmas trees will come netted (if you buy them from a lot, anyway; they tend not to come netted in nature), so be sure to leave them that way so that carrying it is more manageable.

5. Cover up Your Car

To avoid paint scratches, lay your tarp or blanket out on the roof of the car before mounting the tree up there. Spread it out to cover the entire top to also protect from pieces that fly off in transport. If you’re hauling in the back of your SUV or minivan, lay down a blanket or tarp to protect your interior from sap stains. Doesn’t your car look cozy?

6. Stump Forward

As This Old House points out, you’ll want to have the stump facing the front of the vehicle to help avoid damage to the branches. The best way to transport a tree is to cover it completely to keep the wind from drying it out, so if you have a second tarp handy, roll the tree up in it before hauling it onto the roof.

7. Tie it Down

If your tree is indeed going on the roof, The Globe and Mail recommends against bungee cords, instead recommending ratchet-style tie-downs. Before you leave the lot, make sure to give the tree a firm tug to ensure that it’s not going anywhere. Tie a piece of orange ribbon on the end of the tree if it is hanging out past the bumper.

8. Take it Slow

Once you get driving, take it slow and put on your hazard lights. Highways are not your friend when you have a potential eight feet of flying, piney, green death on top of your vehicle. Back at home, wrap the tree in the tarp laid on the roof to keep needles from getting all over the house. From there, we’ll leave you with some tips on caring for your Christmas tree through the season.

http://thenewswheel.com/tips-transport-christmas-tree-holiday-season/

Safety Tips for Nighttime Driving | Mark Mitsubishi Scottsdale

We won't start seeing more Daylight than darkness until December 22, so keep in mind these night time driving tips to keep you safe.

Drive more slowly at night because you cannot see as far ahead and you will have less time to stop for a hazard. Make sure you can stop within the distance lighted by your headlights.

Use your low-beam headlights at night when it rains. Do not drive using only your parking lights.

Use your high-beam headlights whenever possible in open country or dark city streets, as long as it is not illegal. Do not blind other drivers with your high-beam headlights. Dim your lights when necessary. 

If another driver does not dim his or her lights:

• Do not look directly into the oncoming headlights.
• Look toward the right edge of your lane
• Watch the oncoming vehicle out of the corner of your eye
• Do not try to "get back" at the other driver by keeping your bright lights on. If you do, both of you may be blinded.

When you drive at night, remember:

• Pedestrians and bicyclist are much harder to see at night; stay alert6 for them
• Motorcycles are also harder to see at night because most have only one taillight.
• Highway construction can take place at night. Reduce your speed in highway construction zones.
• When you leave a brightly-lit place, drive slowly until your eyes adjust to the darkness.
• Drive as fa the the right as possible, when a vehicle with one light drives toward you. It could be a bicyclist or motorcyclist, but it could also be a vehicle with a missing headlight.

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Following an exciting 2015 release, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander turns up the style dial and adds a plethora of convenience and safety features, all tightly bundled inside one of the most stylish bodies on the road. Let’s take a look at exactly what is making the Outlander so much better for 2016.

A New Level of Customization

Yes, getting yourself from points A to B seamlessly is the need driving your purchase decision, and the Outlander most certainly does that. The difference here, however, is that Outlander will do it in an incredibly stylish manner. New to 2016 is the Designer Collection, bringing you the ability to dress up your Outlander with a two-tone paint scheme and other unique elements. Additional rooftop color selections have arrived and allow wheels are now standard. Level up with the Designer Collection, which also brings 18-inch alloy wheels with black spokes and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob. In the mood for a dash of luxury? Opt for the option package which brings premium Nappa leather seating surfaces and door armrest accents.

A Smarter, Safer Outlander

The state of technology changes at a rapid pace, and some cars companies find it difficult to keep up. That’s not the case for the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. No, Sir. Not one bit. With the premium package, you’re getting Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems (LDWS). The camera-based LDWS helps monitor the Outlander’s position and provides visual and auditory warnings to the driver when the vehicle drifts a little too close to the lane markers. Stay on-course with the navigation system, and treat your ears to the upgraded Infinity audio system.

That’s it, right?

Wrong. But don’t feel bad! Outlander is the gift that keeps giving. Is it a little cold outside? Make it seem warmer by changing the string-LED surround mood lighting to a warm shade of red, and make it actually warm with heated seats for you AND your passengers. Little toasty out there? No worries, your seats are ventilated. To top it off, the driver’s seat is adjustable in 10 different ways.

Take Outlander for a spin!

We’ve got an Outlander with your name on it at Mark Mitsubishi Scottsdale. To get a test drive arranged, give us a call, send us an email, visit us on Facebook, or just walk in!