Honda Accord Project Vehicle Program

Reaching out to the enthusiast community, Honda invited two independent vehicle tuners to build and display their Accord concepts at the SEMA Show. Tuners were asked to push the limits of performance and style with their builds, and the vehicles on display demonstrate the personalized potential of the Accord Coupe and Sedan.

Honda invited the tuners to tell the stories of their cars, and those details are provided below.

All modification information listed was provided by the vehicle builders and has not been confirmed by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The modifications to these vehicles may void the manufacturer's warranty, may not be legal for street driving in all 50 states and have not been specifically suggested, recommended or approved by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Company Name: Bisimoto Engineering

Name of Vehicle: Bisimoto 2013 Honda Accord Coupe "Grand Touring"

Vehicle Description:
Bisimoto Engineering is known worldwide for awe-inspiring street, show and race vehicles.  With no fear of the unknown, Bisimoto is always on the cutting edge of automotive technology.  The Bisimoto 2013 Accord Coupe Grand Touring was no exception with luxurious Euro-inspired chassis elements, and modifications.  This ninth-generation coupe retains the eco friendly attributes of the Earth Dreams concept, while Bisimoto engine and exhaust enhancements increase the V-6 power output to an amazing 401hp.

Powertrain Modifications:
Nitrous Express (NX) wet shot chemical supercharger system
NGK Iridium spark plugs
PurOl "Elite Series" Synthetic Motor Oils
Bisimoto Cat-back exhaust system
Burns Stainless mufflers
Bisimoto 360 degree Oil Cap

Chassis/Suspension Modifications:
JNF Chromoly roll cage
Progress coil suspension and sway bar
Buddy Club P1 Racing II Plus 19x9.5 aluminum wheels
Falken Azenis FK453 245/40ZR-19 tires
Buddy club P1 Racing lug nuts
Buddy Club Racing Spec Monoblock Calipers
Buddy Club Racing Spec Brake Rotors

Exterior Modifications: 
Gatorwrap custom laminated body wrap
Bisimoto Accord GT Decal Pack kit
Bisimoto Accord GT Ghost Emblem Kit
Denmatic design scheme
Honda Factory Performance® (HFP®) side skirts, rear and front fascia kit
Carbon Creations GT Concept 2 Wing

Interior Modifications:
Bisimotowerks GT3 racing seats
Bisimotowerks Leather wrapped, hand stitched roll cage
Bisimoto reservoir socks
G&J braided lines

______________________________________________________________________

Company Name: DSO Eyewear / MAD Industries

Name of Vehicle:  2013 Honda Accord Sedan by DSO Eyewear/MAD Industries

Vehicle Description:
This 2013 Honda Accord by DSO Eyewear / MAD Industries showcases the Accord's aggressive new design.  Dressed in striking White Orchid Pearl accented by a Matte Blue Metallic Wrap by 3M Scotchprint, it catches the eye from every angle.

The cockpit artfully blends a DSO/MAD Industries luxurious appointed Suedezkin covered custom interior, Katzkin Tuscany leather and perforated raven inserts seats detailed in Bone Suedezkin. 

Eibach Pro- Kit Performance springs set the stance on 20" TSW Mallory Alloy wheels wrapped with Falken AZENIS FK 453 High Performance tires.

Base Vehicle:
2013 Honda Accord EX Sedan
185-hp (SAE Net), 2.4-Liter, 16-Valve, DOHC i-VTEC® 4-Cylinder Engine with Direct Injection
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Sport Mode
Honda LaneWatch™ Blind Spot Display with camera in passenger mirror

Genuine Honda Accessories:
Aerodynamic styling created by X-Package with a sporty, low-profile custom look
LED Illuminated Stainless door sill trim

Powertrain Modifications:
K&N high-performance air filter
AMSOIL dominator motor oils
Odyssey extreme battery
Dual Exhaust System from 2013 Accord Sport model

Chassis Modifications:
Eibach: Pro-Kit Performance Springs front and rear, Lowers vehicle 1.0" – 1.5" with Progressive Spring Design for Excellent Ride Quality
MGP: Custom Satin Black Caliper Covers provides an excellent brake appearance upgrade

Wheel & Tires:
Falken Tire: AZENIS FK 453 255/354ZR20 the Ultimate Performance Tire
TSW Wheels: Mallory Alloys Matte Black Wheels 20"x 8.5"

Exterior Modifications:
3M 1080 Scotchprint Wrap Film: Matte Blue Metallic Personalized Vehicle Graphics
Sticky Fingers Design: installed the Matte Scotchprint wrap
BASF RM Onyx HD waterborne: DC5800 Clear coat
PIAA: 9006 (low beam), 9005 Extreme White Bulbs (high beam),
H11 fog lamp, bulbs Tera LED Dome Light Bulbs

Interior Modifications
Katzkin Leather Interiors: Midnight Tuscany Leather with Raven Black Perforated Suedezkin inserts appointed with Cream Bone Accent Suedezkin seat insert with matching contrast stitching that sets a luxury upgrade to the seats. Interior appointed items were covered in Bone Suedezkin with Tuscany accents in door panels inserts. The complete Headliner, pillars, package tray were covered in Bone and Raven Black Suedezkin
3M Wraps Interior Parts: selected interior parts in matching 3M Scotchprint Wrap Film to tie in the exterior theme.
Lighting Audio: Competition Grade Audio – System specs LA-4100 4 Channel Amplifier provides 800 watts of RMS power drives a set of LA-1654 series full-range separates, driving the base is a LA- 400 Mono Amplifier to a set of LA-S410 10" Shallow Sub Woofers are hidden. Lightning Audio Premium Speaker wire.

Miscellaneous Modifications:
SRP Racing pedals: Billet aluminium anodized racing pedals
Escort Inside: 9500IX Radar-Laser-Safety Camera- Detector
Coverking: Stain Stretch custom interior car cover
Signature Wheel and Tire: Provided mounting and balancing
Enfotrace: GPS Tracking System keeps tabs of the location in real-time online via interactive tracking system
Mothers: Polishes – Waxes – Cleaners

Source: Honda Media Newsroom

Monday Maintenance Tip: Identify the Issue Before You Pay for Repairs or DIY

Unless you're a gearhead or an ace mechanic, you probably can't diagnose common automotive problems on your own. But bringing your car in for repairs whenever it misbehaves is inconvenient and expensive. Wouldn't it be easier if you could troubleshoot car problems before you pay for service? The fix might turn out to be something simple that doesn't even require a shop visit.

That's where Edmunds can help. Our editors and car-savvy readers offer a wealth of automotive information on the many hiccups and breakdowns that affect different models. Although identifying the cause of a rattle or squeak may seem like panning for gold, a few choice nuggets of owner info could save you substantial amounts of time and money, and help you better describe a vehicle's trouble to a service advisor or mechanic.

Defining the Problem

Does your vehicle's misery have company? The Edmunds features below will help you troubleshoot car problems by reading the experiences of other drivers and owners.

• Look at our Long-Term Road Tests to see if we've had your model in our fleet. If so, read what our editors said while putting the car through its paces. Whatever problems a particular model or brand tends to have, chances are our editors will have discovered it.

Example: Our testing director's daughter burned her legs on a Mini Cooper S tailpipe because it extended too far out from the back of the car. That problem was shared by all Coopers with the same design.

• Check for Recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle. Recalls are government-mandated, relate to safety and emissions issues, and have no end date. TSBs cover other types of issues, are voluntarily sent to dealers by automakers and are generally good during warranty only. Auto repairs on recalls and TSBs are usually done free of charge. But don't expect the automaker to notify you about TSBs. Unlike recalls, which are infrequent on a particular model, TSBs can number in the dozens, but it's often worth the time spent searching.

Examples: Anyone searching under "2007 Mini Cooper" will discover a government recall for the exhaust pipe issue mentioned above. But even minor problems, like engine rattles and overheated footwells, were listed as Mini Cooper TSBs that dealers would fix — if consumers knew enough to ask.

• In Consumer Ratings and Reviews, owners frequently post entries when something goes wrong with their cars, and they'll often document their attempts at repair. Input your year, make and model (and style/trim if needed) to see only entries related to your vehicle. Or search under other years or models as well.

You've Got Questions, We've Got AnswersSometimes you need a more personal approach. That's where Edmunds' social media is at its best, allowing you to start or join a conversation, or ask a direct question.

• On Edmunds Answers (below), readers ask automotive questions, and other readers and Edmunds staffers answer those questions directly. You can ask a new question or search previously asked questions in the Maintenance and Repair category to find others who've had issues similar to yours.
• Ask questions on our Facebook page and on Twitter. Other vehicle owners, Edmunds staff, dealers, and even manufacturers are available to help answer your inquiries.
• CarSpace Forums offer a great deal of information from experts and fellow owners. Use the make/model pull-down menus to find the discussions related to your vehicle. Then search within these discussions for the main issue or faulty part causing the problem — such as "steering and suspension" or "dimming lights" — to quickly locate other owners with an answer about this issue. Or you can look under the Maintenance & Repair Forum. You can join an existing discussion or start one of your own.

Example: When the transmission died on one of our editors' personal vehicles (a 2002 Honda Odyssey), we discovered through the Forums that those transmissions were failure-prone. Armed with that information, we were able to get a dealer service center to replace it free of charge, even though the van was a few months past its warranty.

Other Resources

Although Edmunds has most of the bases covered, you may not always find what you're looking for on our site. If that happens, try the following.

• Auto Zone's troubleshooting guide. It's comprehensive, well executed and fun to use.
• eHow.com's category on Diagnosing Car Problems allows you to search under text, videos or both, with topics like "Troubleshooting Electric Motor Starters" and "Clutch Replacement Signs." Master mechanics and other professionals contribute most of the information.
• If you think your car's problem may affect its safety, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's consumer site, SaferCar.gov can help. Use this site to learn if there's a potential safety problem before a recall is issued by searching "Early Warning Reports" and "Defect Investigations" for your vehicle. You can also use the site to file a complaint about a vehicle, component, child seat or tire.

Once you identify potential sources for your vehicle's problem, print out the information and bring it with you to a mechanic who knows your make very well. The Edmunds community can assist here, too: Our Dealer Ratings and Reviews and Auto Repair Shop Directory can help you to choose the best local repair shop for your needs.

Source: Edmunds

From Start to Finish - How Accords are Built

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Car Tip of the Week: Calling Roadside Assistance

When you're broken down by the side of the road, your motor club card suddenly becomes your most precious possession. But with roadside assistance programs being pushed by credit card and cell phone companies — to name just a few recent entries to this field — how do you choose from the glut of plans available?

Before trouble strikes, it's important to choose a roadside assistance provider that meets your needs. Experts suggest weighing your options. "Be sure it covers the person, not the vehicle," says Doug McLendon, director of roadside programs for AAA, the largest auto club in the country. "Look for a flexible plan that offers benefits to suit your personal needs and won't leave you with out-of-pocket expenses after a breakdown."

According to Better World Club President Mitch Rofsky, "You definitely want to ask about the turnaround time for a service call," referring to the wait time for help to arrive. "Then, consider the extra benefits of each program, like discounts and travel information."

Taking the time to review all the details of your roadside assistance program (or programs) can pay off when you're stranded and need to decide quickly who to call. Auto clubs vary widely in costs and benefits. Dividing roadside assistance programs into three categories — freebies, add-ons and stand-alones — may help to simplify the choice.

Freebies

Roadside assistance usually gets tucked into the package for free when you buy a new or certified pre-owned car. Edmunds.com editors have compiled a list of roadside assistance coverage for new cars based on manufacturer. Each automaker sets its own limits on how long the free service will last by mileage or age of vehicle. Some used car deals also include roadside assistance plans, but they may require a separate inspection. Generally, a tow provided through one of these plans will take your car to the nearest dealership, which implies higher-priced parts and labor, unless the faulty parts are under warranty.

OnStar, included free for one year on all new GM vehicles, streamlines roadside assistance. Wireless and GPS technology installed in the vehicles connects drivers with a call center that dispatches towing and other emergency services and can remotely unlock doors and help locate stolen cars. After the grace period, OnStar costs $200 or more annually, depending on the level of coverage. If your new car is your only vehicle and you don't pile on the miles, the more conventional three-to-seven-year roadside assistance package that comes with the car may be all you need.

The free roadside assistance programs offered through cell phone plans or credit card agreements need closer scrutiny. Two major carriers have faced lawsuits from customers who claim they were being billed for what they thought were free roadside assistance plans. Some cell phone-based plans require that the call for assistance be made from the phone that includes the plan.

What appear to be free roadside assistance programs offered through some credit card companies can turn out to be glorified dispatch services. The tow truck arrives and the technician provides whatever service is required, but later, charges for that service appear on the credit card account.

Add-On Plans

A growing number of businesses and organizations, from Sam's Club to the AARP, offer roadside assistance plans for a small charge added to other membership or service fees. These add-on plans are usually contracted out to national roadside assistance providers such as Road America, and the level of dependability is comparable.

However, the benefits are not necessarily the same. For instance, the roadside assistance plan obtained through a personal Allstate insurance policy covers only the insured vehicle, while a plan offered by Allstate Motor Club covers the cardholder (plus an additional driver) in any car being driven by either of them. Also look carefully at the number of miles allowed for each tow and the number of people covered in these plans to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.

Some insurance companies treat roadside assistance service calls made through their add-on plans like accident claims. Too many requests for help with a lockout could result in higher premiums. If the service calls are reported to ChoicePoint, the insurance industry record-keeper, your eligibility for coverage may be jeopardized.

Stand-Alone Plans

Families, especially ones with teen drivers, usually spend enough time on the road to take advantage of the services offered by stand-alone roadside assistance providers such as the companies mentioned below. No two auto clubs are the same, and most offer two or more levels of membership.

To compound the confusion, many auto clubs sprinkle in benefits of little or no value, running the gamut from paying for ambulance transport (usually covered by health insurance) to providing reward money for help in the conviction of car thieves. Lodging discounts and travel advice at some clubs amount to the same kind of information you'd find at Travelocity or Mapquest. Consider how often you'll really need a guaranteed arrest bond for a traffic violation.

Ask Questions

Five key questions to ask when comparing roadside assistance plans are:

• What is the cost of a basic membership?
• How many people are covered in the basic membership?
• How many tows per person are allowed each year?
• What is the average response time per service call?
• What percentage of service calls will require reimbursement and what percentage will be completely covered by the membership? (Motor clubs usually don't have this information readily at hand, but you can use this rule of thumb: The more detailed the information in the members' handbook about how to request a reimbursement, the more likely you will be reimbursed rather than towed without paying up front.)

Reap Benefits

Once you've decided on a plan, familiarize yourself with all its benefits so you can use them when the opportunity arises. AAA, actually an affiliation of more than 75 regional auto clubs, gives you the choice of a tow to the nearest repair facility no matter how far, or to a location of your choice within a specified number of miles (depending on the level of membership you choose). In addition to its long-standing rating system for lodging, AAA also inspects auto repair companies and will arbitrate complaints made by members about any certified service facility. A mobile battery testing and replacement service provides on-the-scene maintenance or installation for AAA members.

Better World Club is one of the fastest-growing auto clubs. It features environmentally friendly options like bicycle roadside assistance and discounts on hybrid car rentals as well as traditional motor club services. BWC members can also support ecological change with carbon offsets, payments that support renewable energy production or programs that work to counteract emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide.

It's also important to be aware of situations that your plan doesn't cover, such as a vehicle disabled in a flood or one stranded on a highway like the New Jersey Turnpike, where local governments prohibit all but certain licensed towing companies. Keep a roadside emergency kit on board as well as some spare change in case your cell phone connection cuts out.

Plowing through all the options for roadside assistance may seem as appealing as running on fumes through rush-hour traffic. But once you know how and when you're covered, you can usually recoup the cost of your plan the first time you call for help.

Source: Edmunds

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Monday Maintenance Tip: Online Tire-Buying

Some people might assume that buying tires online and having them shipped to you is too expensive, time-consuming and cumbersome. So they continue to schlep down to the corner tire store, or buy from a chain store and wind up paying more than is necessary.

However, thanks to easy-to-navigate Web sites, consumers can provide their car's year, make and model and quickly be shown a wide selection of tires that fit their vehicle. The choices are easily sorted based on the driving requirements, prices or other factors. The tires are then "drop-shipped" to a local tire store for installation at an additional cost. Consumers we have talked with have been amazed at how smoothly the online tire-buying process works. In fact, one shopper called it, "One of my best online-shopping experiences."

Advantages of Online Tire-Buying

The Internet route offers the following advantages over the traditional tire-buying experience:

• Online tire prices are lower, particularly when compared to inflated costs at dealerships.
• Consumer reviews help buyers make informed decisions.
• Buyers avoid aggressive "upselling" found in many brick-and-mortar stores.
• Some online tire-buying Web sites, such as Tirerack.com offer their own independent tire tests.
• There is no state sales tax on most Internet purchases (depending on the laws in your state).
• One can find an excellent selection of hard-to-find performance and specialty tires.

Disadvantages of Online Tire-Buying

Purchasing tires over the Internet does have a few drawbacks. Here are a few things to know before proceeding:

• The purchase requires advance planning and takes days.
• Buyers can't inspect the actual tires before purchasing.
• A trusted local installer still needs to be located.
• Some buyers prefer the face-to-face interaction with an expert.
• Shipping costs are high, particularly for overnight delivery.

Navigating Your Way to a Good Deal

The process starts with choosing the right tires for your needs. With some 160 different brands in the marketplace, the choice can be overwhelming. Many people are confused by what has been called sidewall graffiti, the hieroglyphic-like information about size, speed and load rating. In most cases, all you need to know is the year, make and model of your car. If you have put aftermarket wheels on the vehicle, you might need to know your wheel size before proceeding.

Nearly all online tire-buying sites allow you to view the list of tires using different sorting methods. If you have a brand preference, such as Michelin, you can sort the list so you can look at all those tires first. You can also cross-shop other brands by reading reviews from people who have bought these brands. While consumer reviews are important, it's also a good idea to read the opinions of experts who have a greater depth of comparative knowledge.

If you don't know a lot about tires, an easy way to make a decision is to look at the provided star ratings and the price range you have in mind to find the best intersection of these two factors. However, while most people like to save money, it's also important to make tire safety a priority.

Sorting Through Price

In tire stores you are likely to be quoted a per-tire price, so you have to do the math on the fly. On the Internet, the computer totals the cost of the four tires and gives you a better idea of whether this will fit into your budget. Keep in mind that while you are likely to be paying a hefty shipping price, you will probably not be charged sales tax by the company unless they have an office or warehouse in your state.

If you want to do a cost comparison to traditional tire-buying, keep these factors in mind:

• Cost of the tires
• Shipping cost
• Savings from not paying sales tax, depending upon the merchant and where you live
• Cost of installation
• Disposal fees and excise taxes

Getting Your Tires Mounted and Balanced

In addition to the tire cost, you will also have to pay to have the tires mounted and balanced. Tirerack.com has a list of local installers arranged by ZIP code, so when you order you can have the tires shipped directly to the store. When the tires arrive, the installer calls you to bring the car down to have the job completed.

It's a good idea to read reviews of the installer ahead of time, and call and confirm the price for the work you need done. You will have to buy valve stems from the installer, have the tires mounted and balanced and have the old tires disposed of. The cost for all this ranges from $15 to $20 per tire depending on tire size and type.

Give the Online Route a Try

If you can save $15 per tire, that's a total savings of $60, not to mention you'll avoid some of the pricy extras many chain tire stores push on unwary customers. So give this new shopping experience a test-drive next time the tread is wearing thin on your tires. Like many other consumers, you might be so satisfied you'll never go back to the old way of doing things.

Source: Edmunds

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High-Tech and Stylish—the All-New 2013 Honda Accord Sedan

Monday Maintenance Tip: The High Cost of Losing Your Keys

Our car keys have an uncanny ability to get lost inside coat pockets or underneath couch cushions — or to disappear altogether. Prior to the 1990s, this wasn't a big deal. You could get a spare key at any hardware store or locksmith shop, not to mention at the car dealership, of course. But because it was easy to copy a key, it was also easy for a thief to steal your car. These days, advances in key technology have made vehicles more difficult to steal, but the price has been costlier key replacements.

Here's a rundown of what you'll face in the way of cost if you have to replace your key, along with some alternatives that could lower the bill. The prices quoted here are for Santa Monica, California, and West Los Angeles, an area where an hour of labor at an auto dealership can cost more than $100. Labor costs in your region may vary.

Basic Keys and Fob
A basic car key, which was common up until the mid-to late-1990s, has no security feature other than its unique cut. The shank, which is the long metal part of the key, has cuts and grooves like a house key. It's easy to copy these keys. A locksmith doesn't need any extra equipment: He can use the same machine he uses to cut other keys.

A basic key will cost about $3 at a locksmith. The only benefit of having the job done at the dealership would be to get the automaker's branding on the head of the key. A Honda dealership near the Edmunds office charges about $12 for a basic key.

On most modern cars, an electronic key fob (also known as a remote or transmitter) is an integral part of the key set. At the dealership, the cost of replacing an electronic fob can range from $50-$90, depending on the automaker or complexity of the design. All fobs need to be programmed. Some dealerships will do it for free, while others will charge a half hour to an hour of labor.

There is a way around this fee, however. Most fobs can be programmed with a specific combination of button presses on the remote and key turns in the ignition. Some owner's manuals will show you how to do it, and you can also find this information online.

Finally, there are aftermarket fobs that you can purchase online or from a locksmith. Like most aftermarket products, the quality will vary, but they are a less expensive alternative if you've lost your fob.

Transponder Keys
After the mid- to late-1990s, manufacturers began placing a transponder chip in the plastic head of the key. The chip emits a signal to a receiver in the ignition. If this "immobilizer" detects the wrong signal — meaning that the wrong key is in the ignition — the vehicle will not start.

A transponder key's shank is either a basic key or a laser-cut key (more on laser-cut keys later). The major difference between a basic key and a transponder key is that the chip in the transponder key must be programmed before it can start the vehicle. All dealerships have the machines necessary to program the key. Some might program it for free, but others will charge up to an hour of labor. Most auto locksmiths should also have these machines.

In some vehicles, the transponder key and the fob are an all-in-one unit. This adds to the price of the key and makes it more difficult to get a spare anywhere but at the dealership.

We checked the price of a basic transponder key on a late-model Ford F-150. The dealership quoted $160 for the key and an additional $75 for the fob. If you go to a locksmith, expect to pay roughly $20-$30 less.

A potential low-cost alternative for access to your car is to order a basic key without the transmitter. This key will do everything but start the engine and can come in handy if you ever leave your keys inside the vehicle.

If you're the type who frequently loses keys, you might be able to save money on the programming by creating a third key to have as a spare. If you already have two keys, a number of vehicle brands will allow you to program a third key on your own. You can have a locksmith cut this "emergency" key and then you follow the procedure for programming, which can frequently be found in your owner's manual. If the manual doesn't show you how, try searching online for the procedure. Try "How to program a (insert your year, make, model) key" as your search terms.

Our searches found a method that is said to work on many domestic vehicles. Insert one of your two working keys and turn the ignition to the "on" position for at least three seconds (the car does not need to be started), then repeat the process with the second key. Now insert the new third key and again turn it to the "on" position for another few seconds. This should program the extra key. Before you try this method and spend money on a key, however, we suggest you check with the dealership or your local automotive locksmith to see if the process is one that will reliably work with your car.

Laser-Cut Keys
You can tell a laser-cut key apart from a basic key because the shank is slightly thicker and has fewer carved-out grooves. Laser-cut keys are often referred to as sidewinder keys, due to the distinctive winding cut on the shank. The machines needed to cut these keys are significantly more expensive than a standard key-cutting machine and are not as likely to be found at every locksmith or hardware store.

Laser-cut keys also have built-in transponder chips and they need to be programmed at the dealership or by a locksmith, preferably one who is a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA). You can search for a certified locksmith near you by visiting the AOLA Web site.

All-in-one laser-cut keys are becoming more popular, but as we mentioned, these keys are more expensive and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Including labor, these can range from $150-$250, which is the price of a laser-cut key for a Honda Insight, for example.

Switchblade Key
Switchblade keys have shanks that fold into the fob when they're not in use and pop out with the press of a button. They can have a basic cut or a laser cut. One small advantage of the switchblade key is that its components can be purchased separately. If for some reason your key is damaged and no longer works, you can buy the shank separately for roughly $60-$80. But the more likely scenario is that you've lost your key, in which case you'll need both it and the fob into which it folds. This can cost between $200 and $300, once you factor in programming of both components.

Smart Keys
Smart keys aren't keys in the traditional sense. They are fobs that are either inserted in the dash or, in the more advanced systems, they stay in your pocket or purse. The driver turns the car on and off with the press of a button.

A smart key's main form of security is its ability to use rolling security codes. The system randomizes the correct code and prevents thieves from hacking it through the use of a device called a code grabber. The vehicle's computer recognizes the code emitted by the smart key and verifies it before starting the engine. Mercedes-Benz was one of the first automakers to utilize this technology, and even coined the term "SmartKey." Every vehicle in its lineup now uses the SmartKey. And only dealers can replace them.

"The German brands use proprietary technology," says Mike Howell, owner of Santa Monica Lock & Safe Co. "We're not able to copy those."

Smart keys aren't just limited to German automakers. Nearly every car brand has a smart key bundled in its high-tech packages. Nissan, for example, makes it available on a number of models ranging from the Altima to the 370Z.

With a smart key, there's no avoiding the dealership for a replacement. And while it's handy to carry smart keys in your purse or pocket, these are the very places you will feel the pain when you lose them. The cost of replacing and reprogramming a smart key can range from $220 on a Nissan Altima up to $400 on an Acura RL.

Better Safe Than Sorry
There's no denying that modern keys are expensive. And so the best defense against losing them is a good offense. It is better to get a spare key now, on your terms, than to stress out and spend the money in what might be an emergency. You can take advantage of the cost-cutting methods here and avoid the labor charges by programming the key yourself.

Finally, if you are someone who is tempting fate by only having one set of keys, consider this: If you lose all the keys to your car, you will need to get it towed to a dealership and it can potentially cost you close to $1,000 to replace the locks on your car.

Source: Edmunds

Another excellent job done by the team at Russell & Smith Honda earning this 5-star review!

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Advancing the Standard—the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan LX

Another 5-star review earned by the team at Russell & Smith Honda!

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Car Tip of the Week: To Save Money on Gas, Stop Buying Premium

The average national retail price of premium self-serve gasoline currently tops $4.018 a gallon, and may well keep climbing. Drivers who are pumping premium are undoubtedly asking themselves if they can safely switch to regular grade, which is about 20 cents a gallon cheaper. In many cases, the answer is yes.

In today's automobiles, advances in engine technology mean that even if the owner's manual recommends premium gasoline, the car will typically run on regular without knocking. Its performance will suffer only slightly: Perhaps it might be a half-second slower from zero to 60 mph. The key for drivers is to know whether premium gasoline is merely recommended or if it's required.

Edmunds has compiled two lists: "premium recommended" and "premium required" for vehicles from the 2008-2012 model years (with a few 2013 model-year vehicles). If your vehicle is on the "premium recommended" list, you're OK to switch to regular unleaded gasoline. If, on the other hand, your car is on the "premium required" list, then you should run premium fuel. You can confirm our information by checking your owner's manual — always a good idea.

If you're still in doubt about switching to a lower-octane fuel, here's a deeper explanation of why the change is unlikely to hurt your car.

In the bad old days, engines could not adjust to fuels with varying octane ratings. Use the wrong fuel and the engine would knock audibly as the fuel combustion became uncontrolled. Knock is an engine phenomenon that can damage internal engine components over time.

Today, engine control systems can compensate for low octane by monitoring knock activity and adjusting ignition advance to quell the knock. This sophisticated electronic capability effectively tunes the engine on the fly and gives drivers more flexibility in the grade of fuels that they can safely use.

Compared to premium gasoline, lower-octane fuels don't allow the engine to run as much ignition advance during situations where lots of throttle might be used. More ignition advance allows the engine to make more power, and accelerate faster, during these conditions. Since the engine doesn't make quite as much power with lower-octane fuels, this translates into slower acceleration in cars for which premium fuel is recommended. The performance loss is especially noticeable in turbocharged gasoline engines.

The performance loss, however, is something you will only notice if you have a heavy foot and accelerate rapidly both from a dead stop and while changing lanes at highway speeds. But if you accelerate moderately, the loss of power is less noticeable, regardless of whether you use premium or regular-grade fuel.

Edmunds has noted, however, at least one case in which a car with a small turbocharged engine got better fuel economy when running on premium. The car in question was a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ and, perhaps befitting a car that's marketed as a money-saver, the owner's manual only calls for regular unleaded gasoline. Edmunds director of vehicle testing, Dan Edmunds, documented the performance of regular vs. premium for fuel economy in our Long Term Road Test Blog. One factor affecting the outcome of the experiment might have been that the testing was conducted in extreme hot-weather conditions.

If you want to see if you can save money by using premium in a car that doesn't require it, conduct your own test project. Fill up on regular gasoline. Record the trip mileage, gallons used, fuel price and octane rating in a notebook or in an app such as Road Trip or on site such as Fuelly. If your car has an onboard fuel economy meter, make sure you reset it when filling up. Then switch to premium fuel, do the same number of fill-ups and check the result.

That's the drill for a premium-recommended car — you can stay with premium, or step down to regular unleaded if you want to. It's a different story for a car whose engine requires premium fuel. The car will still run on regular fuel in a pinch — but you shouldn't make a habit out of it. The fuel's lower octane can result in elevated exhaust-gas temperatures and possible knocking, both of which can adversely affect the long term engine's health. Running regular-grade fuel in a car that requires premium might sound like a good way to shave a car's running costs, but the short-term savings won't come close to offsetting the cost of repairs to a damaged engine.

For those driving "recommended premium" cars, however, it's just a matter of driving moderately and avoiding acceleration with a wide-open throttle. Do that and you might never feel the difference between using premium and regular grade gasoline — and neither will your car.

Source: Edmunds.com

Great job to the team at Russell & Smith Honda for earning another excellent review!

" We would recommend this dealership to our family and friends..." - annejeff

2013 Honda Ridgeline Arrives with Standard Rearview Camera and Unmatched Combination of Practicality, Efficiency and Value

After receiving an extensive mid-cycle refresh for 2012, including a new high-value Sport trim level, new front styling and improved fuel efficiency, the Honda Ridgeline returns for 2013 with a rearview camera now standard on all trim levels. The 2013 Honda Ridgeline represents an exclusive and innovative approach in the half-ton pickup truck segment, prioritizing its construction and features based on the capabilities that recreational truck buyers need and use the most. The 2013 Ridgeline goes on sale today and pricing is unchanged for 2013, starting at $29,350¹.

The Honda Ridgeline features a closed-box, uni-body structure and an independent front and rear suspension for a unique combination of capability, interior spaciousness and comfortable ride performance. It also delivers a wide range of conventional pickup capabilities, with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds and a half-ton payload rating, all while offering unique features like a large In-Bed Trunk® with dual-action tailgate for easy access.
Four distinctive Ridgeline models are available, including the Ridgeline RT, Ridgeline Sport, Ridgeline RTS and top-of-the-line Ridgeline RTL, which is available with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™². The 2013 Ridgeline earns an EPA fuel economy rating of 15/21/17 city/highway/combined³ mpg.

Ridgeline RT features include:
Unique 17-inch steel wheels, integrated trailer hitch, pre-wiring for 7-pin trailer wiring, keyless entry, power windows and door locks, power sliding rear window, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, trip computer with instantaneous and average fuel economy, 6-speaker 100-watt audio system with CD player and MP3/WMA playback capability, rearview camera, and 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with under-seat storage.

Ridgeline Sport features include (adds to Ridgeline RT):
Exclusive black 18-inch aluminum wheels, exclusive black honeycomb grille with black surround, black headlight and brake light housings, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, auxiliary audio input jack, all-weather floor mats and rear privacy glass.

Ridgeline RTS features include (adds to Ridgeline RT):
Exclusive 17-inch aluminum wheels, painted inner grille surfaces, body-color painted door handles, 7-pin trailer wiring connector, 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, 7-speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer, 6-disc in-dash CD system, steering wheel-mounted controls, auxiliary audio input jack, exterior temperature indicator, all-weather floor mats and privacy glass.

Ridgeline RTL features include (adds to Ridgeline RTS):
Exclusive 18-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, power moonroof, heated side mirrors, leather-trimmed interior with heated front seats, XM Radio⁴, HomeLink® remote system, ambient console lighting, 115-volt power outlet and carpeted floor mats.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™² with Voice Recognition and Zagat Survey® restaurant information is available on the Ridgeline RTL. It includes XM® Radio⁴, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and a multi-information display. The navigation system includes a rearview camera display, thus eliminating this display in the rearview mirror.

Powertrain
The Ridgeline's all-aluminum, 60-degree, SOHC 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine produces 250 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 247 lb-ft. of torque at 4,300 rpm. Variable valve timing enhances low-rpm torque while extending high-rpm horsepower for a broad power band.  The 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission features Grade Logic Control to help maintain the most appropriate gear when going uphill or downhill to avoid gear "hunting."

A fully automatic Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel drive system (VTM-4®) provides confident operation in rain, snow, ice, sand and mud, while also improving on-road and towing performance by distributing torque to all four wheels as needed. The system operates predominately in front-wheel-drive during dry-pavement cruising conditions and continuously proportions torque to the rear wheels during acceleration and low traction situations. The VTM-4 lock button located on the instrument panel allows the driver to temporarily hold engagement of both rear wheels to aid traction while in gears "1" and "2" at speeds of up to 18 mph.

Standard towing equipment includes an integrated tow hitch, transmission and oil coolers, heavy duty brakes, dual radiator fans and a wiring harness for a 7-pin trailer hook up (pre-wiring only on RT and Sport).

Body
The unit-body architecture is designed for vastly superior rigidity compared to traditional body-on-frame designs and provides the foundation for the Ridgeline's spacious interior cabin and bed, safety performance and class-leading ride and handling performance. Its modern and athletic design incorporates a solid, one-piece appearance with no separation between the bed and the cab. The windshield wipers have a heated wiper zone to enhance wiper performance in winter driving conditions and minimize ice scraping, while large side mirrors compliment rear vision while towing.

A 5-foot-long composite cargo bed with eight tie-down locations provides a payload rating of 1,100 pounds, while four cargo area lights illuminate both the bed and the in-bed trunk. A dual-action tailgate opens down for traditional access to the cargo area or to the side for ease-of-access to the 8.5 cubic-foot In-Bed Trunk®. The Ridgeline is available with a wide variety of accessories and can conveniently accommodate motorcycles or ATVs. The cargo area measures 49.5 inches wide between the wheel wells, 20.7 inches deep and 60.0 inches long (79.0 inches with the load-supporting tailgate in the down position).

Chassis
A MacPherson strut front suspension and fully independent multi-link rear suspension with trailing arms provide a smooth ride and responsive handling. A heavy-duty braking system includes 12.6-inch front and 13.1-inch rear 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. The Ridgeline RT has 17x7.5-inch steel wheels and P245/65 R17 all-season tires, while the Ridgeline RTS upgrades to 17x7.5-inch aluminum wheels. Ridgeline Sport and Ridgeline RTL models are uniquely equipped with 18x7.5-inch aluminum wheels and all-season P245/60 R18 tires.

Interior
The interior takes advantage of Honda's uni-body packaging efficiency to deliver full-size interior space dimensions while maintaining garage-friendly, mid-size exterior dimensions. The driving position provides ergonomically comfortable access to large and easy-to-use controls.

Between the front seats, a large multi-function console features a sliding armrest and sliding lower tray – each with a hidden storage area. Other console storage areas accommodate large and small items like mobile phones, beverage holders, compact discs and portable digital music players.

The 60/40 lift-up rear seats feature a storage area underneath that is large enough to accommodate a golf bag. Plus, the rear seating area can quickly convert for cargo duty by lifting the seats up to create enough room for a full-size mountain bike with the front wheel removed. The rear seat incorporates three LATCH positions for compatible child safety seats.

Safety
All Ridgelines are equipped with standard safety features including dual-stage, multiple-threshold driver's and front passenger's SRS airbags, front side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, front-seat active head restraints, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), a tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

Awards and Accolades
The 2012 Ridgeline received the highest possible TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning the highest-possible score of GOOD in all four IIHS ratings, including the rigorous roof-strength test. In addition, in J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) for 2011, the Ridgeline earned the highest initial quality score in the midsize pickup segment.

Warranty
The 2013 Honda Ridgeline is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile new-car limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.

Source: Honda Media

Monday Maintenance Tip: Preserve door and window seals

Wipe a rubber protectant (such as Armor-All) or silicone on door and window weatherstripping to keep it in good condition. Don’t use an oilbased product, such as WD-40, because the oil will damage the rubber. Regular cleaning and treatment of your car’s weatherstripping will also lessen the likelihood of your door sticking to its rubber seal in cold weather, a common cause of damage to the rubber.

Source: Reader's Digest

The Honda Graduate Program is here!

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With the Honda Graduate Program all that hard work has paid off. Get exclusive financing rates on select models as a reward for earning your college degree. Check out the details and benefits by clicking here: http://www.hondafinancialservices.com/finance/college-grad-program

New deals have arrived with the month of October at Russell & Smith Honda!

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Check out these excellent reviews of Russell & Smith Honda!

"The staff at Russell & Smith Honda is very professional, efficient, and has wonderful people skills. We would recommend them and will return to purchase another vehicle in the very near future..." - 3531macy