Bloopers Reel!

If you have been to a park around the CSRA lately chances are you have seen a painted rock tucked away under a bush or at the top of a slide. It’s a phenomenon that has taken over the Augusta area and we LOVE IT! Rock painting has given kids a new activity to do with their friends and family that gets them outside. It’s a simple activity that is putting smiles on faces all over town. If you aren’t familiar with the “game” kids paint rocks with bright colors or short messages and then hide them for other people to find. When you find a rock you can post it on social media, replace the rock with your own painted rock, or re-hide it somewhere else. It’s so simple and yet so much fun! Milton Ruben has decided to get in on the action! Beginning Tomorrow, July 18th, you will find Drive Baby rocks popping up at the parks around town. We have painted 9 rocks and hid them in parks around town from Grovetown all the way to North Augusta. Only 1 rock per park. These painted rocks can be turned in, by children ages 12 years and younger, to Milton Ruben for a fun prize! Here on our lot we have 3 buildings, we have 3 rocks for each building. The back of your rock will tell you which building to go to to receive your prize. Simply visit the sales desk and one of our awesome Sales Managers will be there to greet you. We are looking forward to joining in on this fun activity and we can’t wait to meet everyone! Be sure to pose for a picture with your rock and don’t forget the hashtag #DriveBabyRocks. See you out there!

Routine maintenance and being proactive about your vehicle is important at any point in the year, but we always like to focus on keeping your car healthy at the beginning of the summer. With the brutal heat, and likely road trip or two planned, your car works hard throughout the most-relaxed season. Of course, our team of certified prof essionals is always willing to inspect your vehicle, and Multi-Point Inspections (offered with every service) cover many of the suggestions below. But, just to be aware of common summer problems, here are a few things to think about as the temperatures rise: Certified Technician Dennis Miller repairs the air conditioning in a 2013 Dodge Durango. How to Prepare for the Weather In the South, it’s hard to imagine surviving without air conditioning in your home and in your vehicle. However, it’s also difficult to think about your air conditioning until you need it, and chances are, it went through a period of time with little use in your vehicle. Make sure that when you turn your air conditioning on, it blows cold air without any unusual smells or noises. Under the hood, inspect your air conditioning for any damaged belts or fins. Speaking of cooling, it’s also important to to keep your engine cool to prevent the vehicle from overheating. Check that there are no leaks in your radiator, and that you have proper levels of (clear, not cloudy) coolant. While we’re all hoping for a sunny summer, now is also the time for thunderstorms. You may have used your wiper fluid to de-ice your windshield in the winter, so check to see if you still have enough. If your wiper blades are streaking the windshield or peeling in any way, it’s time to replace them. Certified Technician Juan Castillo works to rebuild the engine in a 2012 Scion iQ. How to Prepare for a Road Trip To ensure safety, we recommend a full inspection before embarking on a long or challenging road trip. While it’s always a good idea to have a professional check the battery, engine and any lights that have come to life on the dashboard, there are a few things you can do yourself before entering our Service Lane. Inspect your tires for tread and cuts, and check that the air pressure is in accordance with the numbers listed on the driver’s side door. Be sure to do the same for the spare tire, and check that the jack is still in working order. Pay attention if your brakes are starting to take longer to work, or if you notice noises or pulsations of any kind. A minor brake problem can soon be detrimental, so keep up to date with the state of your brake pads and fluid. If your vacation includes towing of any kind, double check the hitch. Ensure that the safety chains are in order, and that the brakes and lights are working on any trailer you may use. Abide by your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight (GVW), and take special care when packing for proper load distribution.

Don’t get us wrong. Every vehicle that drives off our lot is special, because we know just how life-changing it can be to an individual. And we know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some of our employees get excited about a truck they have to climb to get into, while others drool over the latest hybrid technology. This difference of opinions has prompted heated "car-talk" for decades. But vehicles that commemorate a significant milestone will always hold a unique place in our hearts. Maybe they remind us how far the auto industry has come. Maybe they bring back memories of our first car. Or perhaps they just make us excited to see what’s next. Either way, 2017 is a wonderful year for special Anniversary Editions for several of our brands. Here’s a spotlight of a few of them: 2017 Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition The most popular car in the world turned 50 this year and it looks like Toyota threw a black tie soiree. The Special Edition oozes sophistication, from its special badging to its 17-inch alloy wheels. The car comes in Black Cherry Pearl, Blizzard Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic, and features Black Cherry contrast accents throughout the interior to add a stylish touch of luxury. 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 50th Anniversary Edition The legendary Camaro also turns 50 this year, and, to honor it, Chevy released anniversary editions in both coupe and convertible 2LT and 2SS models to celebrate the classic style AND performance of the vehicle. It’s built to move, but once it slows down, check out the distinct Nightfall Gray Metallic color with special 50th Anniversary stripes, badges, and grille. And, when you’re not driving, relive history with the web page Chevy put together highlighting the six generations of the Camaro. 2017 Jeep Wrangler 75th Edition The Jeep Wrangler technically turned 75 last year, but that hasn’t stopped Jeep from continuing the celebration into 2017. Available in the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, the 75th Anniversary Editions, in a nod to their predecessors in WWII, include a bronze interior and exterior and premium wheels, as well as the special badges that prominently feature 1941, the year of the first Wrangler.