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Flipping through the ads that dominate the Sunday paper last weekend was a myriad of brightly colored keds, flip flops, and heels for back to school shoe sales (since when do kids wear heels to school??).  The fashionistas of late don't seem to put much thought into things like arch support or tread traction for the longevity of your kid's knees. But we do. Well, for your car baby anyway.  If you've been considering a purchase of new tires for your vehicle, there are a number of elements to consider.  Tire manufacturers say there are 19-25 varying components that measure in to what frequently seems to simply be circles of rubber.  When it really comes down to it, according to our tire experts, there are four key components you really need to consider: ride quality, tread life, weather conditions, and speed rating.  We address the basics of sizes and a brief overview of those four key components in a past blog, Feet First: The Basics of Buying Tires.  But now we would like to dive a little deeper into ride quality and discuss how you can decrease the richter scale you may be experiencing on your commute. 1. Ride Quality is how minimized the road irregularities are to the vehicle's passengers. “Ride Quality is usually the number one concern for our customers,” says Lisa Randall, one of our Toyota Parts tire experts. Owners of family vehicles tend to prefer a smoother ride to not jostle the little ones, so they would require a larger, thicker tire to absorb any bumps in the road.  Those who drive performance vehicles, however, may like a tire with a lower profile.  The latter have thicker sidewalls and improved handling, but are more susceptible to taking the hit each time they roll over road damage.  Unfortunately, this component relates to that old children's song: "The toe bone is connected to the foot bone," ankle bone, leg bone, etc.  If the comfort of the ride feels like an old wooden roller coaster with questionable safety inspection certifications, the under belly of your beloved carriage might be taking a beating.  Each vehicle has tire size suggestions based on the needs of the alignment and suspension of the car.  Wandering outside of that suggestion could result in harm to your car - and could void your warranty. A small sedan wouldn't need low-profile performance tires or high-series off-road tires. With 55 series rating, this tire is more mid-series than high or low. In this infographic of size markings on the sidewall of a tire, you can see where I've marked the ratio between sidewall thickness (or height) and width in green.  It's a percentage of the relationship (ie: the sidewall height is 55 percent of the tire's width), and is called the tire's "series" or "profile." A sporty tire with shorter sidewalls would be considered a lower-series tire. Off-road tires tend to be higher-series tires, designed to absorb the impact of a rough road or track. (Read about how different tires perform in inclement weather here.) If you're hoping to get the best ride quality possible, there are other parts of the car that can help. Read about those relationships here. Since a lot of these factors are difficult to measure, consulting an expert is really the best bet here. To stay updated as more portions of our Feet First series is published, Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter! This post was written by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Have you ever had those terrible aches and pains in your knees and back that seem to have no cause whatsoever? (Stop it, you are not getting old!) Then you go to the doctor and he tells you to take better care of your feet.  What? My feet? Congrats! We just found yet another way that your car directly reflects you - its "feet" impacts an enormous amount of its performance.  Tires are the root of safety in your vehicle, the hidden crutch for your failing fuel economy, the terror behind your testy alignment.  Any automotive technician will tell you - having tires that fit your car, life, and environment is vital to keep your vehicle healthy and you safe. This is the part where I remind you of that documentary that popped up after Top Gear - that one with diagrams floating across the screen and some deep, throaty James Earl Jones wannabe saying words that sounded like English but had far too many syllables.  The components that go into the quality of tires are extensive, confusing, and far more complicated than we'd like.  This is why we hired professionals in our parts departments to help you.  And right now, we're going to lay out the basics so it's not all mumbo-jumbo the next time you purchase new "shoes" for your ride. Every brand likes to decorate their handiwork - and tires are no different.  On the side of your tires, manufacturers stamp their brand, the model of tire, and the specs of the tire in an alphanumerical code.  Here's the breakdown of that code: Here's an example of reading a portion of the metric sizing on your sidewall. This tire is fitted on a large truck. Another example of metic sizing code on the sidewall of a tire. This one also includes the Load Rate and Speed Rating. It's fitted on a luxury sedan.   Each portion of the code points to a different component of the tire that defines its size, performance, rating, etc. Tire manufacturers say there are 19-25 varying components that measure in to what frequently seems to simply be circles of rubber.  According to our tire experts, there are four components that really top the charts when you're considering purchase: ride quality, tread life, weather conditions, and speed rating. 1. Ride Quality is how much of the bumps and divets of the road gets absorbed into the tires, providing you with a smoother ride. (Read more about Ride Quality.) 2. Tread Life is the longevity of the tire before it starts to crack or "bald." See more about tread life gradings here. (Learn how to tell what your tires are ready for.) 3. Weather conditions define what kind of environment tires have to survive and perform in. 4. Speed Rating defines the amount of heat or friction a tire can endure. See a chart explaining speed rating here. Each of these factors impact the life, safety, and performance of how a tire interacts with your car, and breaking down the formula isn't always easy.  This is why we are breaking it down for you in a series of posts - stay tuned for more of Feet First: The Basics of Buying Tires! Of course, if you're not a math person, our Parts experts are always happy to crunch the numbers!

It takes twenty minutes for you to realize anything else exists when you get home from work every evening because you are too busy being worshipped by that whole body wiggling and spinning in awkward momentum with it’s tail - also known as the tornado.  PetsMart cashiers know you by name when they ask how little Roscoe liked that Hide-A-Treat ball you picked up for him on his birthday last month, and they laugh knowingly as you explain the adorable demon destroyed that “indestructible” toy like it was a cotton swab.  That little fuzz ball just might be the love of your life (sorry, honey).  So these canine-friendly car safety concerns spamming your news feed lately might be making you lose a little sleep (amidst those soft puppy snores coming from the corner of the bed - again, sorry, honey). Admittedly, one of the reasons I chose to write this blog was so I could find a ton of adorable puppies in cars. Allow us to help!  Pick up several canine-friendly safety tips for the road from our own list:   1.  No Shot Gun for Shotsie! - Vehicle airbag safety systems were created to keep humans safe, not dogs.  When they deploy, it could be at speeds high enough to literally end your pooch.  It’s hard to make road trips without him happily hanging his head out the window and lapping up the passing air, but it’s for the best that they be enjoying the view in the back seat. Pet seat belts are available to secure your pet in the back seat, where they are safe from the force deploying air bags in the case of an accident. 2.  Secure Sable - Familiar with the chaotic traffic of Atlanta? All of that speed-up, quickly slow-down, swerve to avoid that lovely gentleman that just cut you off from three lanes over?  That kind of motion can do some severe damage to anything that isn’t tied down - especially a small body that isn’t sure whether they should sit, stand, or run around the car in circles barking at every passing pick-up.  Investing in a pet carrier, pet seat belt, or car barrier is worth the life of your lab, and will help prevent you from being distracted. (Check out how to use a harness with a seat belt.) Pet car barriers can help keep your pets safe from getting tossed around in the car. 3.  Distract Doby - Everyone is a safer driver when their patience hasn’t been thinned by a very vocal dog warning other cars in traffic that these four wheels are his territory. Bringing long-lasting chew toys are a great way to calm down your canine and distract them from passing prey.  A lot of experts specifically recommend a hollowed-rubber toy stuffed with cheese, peanut butter, or other treats your pet enjoys.  Put that persistence to work elsewhere! This method of securing your puppy doesn't look according to American Humane Society's suggestion... 4.  Drug Dottie - My poor Shadow, a beagle-aussie mix, was a terrible road trip buddy.  The little thing got so car sick and anxious he would shriek, whine, and well - it was rarely a pleasant trip.  Our veterinarian recommended children’s motion sickness meds, hidden in a teaspoon of peanut butter.  Shadow was a little groggy, but he kept a little more hair, and we kept a little more sanity.  Check with your vet to get suggestions on what to use for your pup’s car sickness or anxiety, especially on long trips. Some vendors sell water bottles that can be attached to a door handle and used like a hamster or guinea pig would. 5.  Gear Up for … What’s a dog name that starts with G? … Some amenities are a necessary evil.  You may feel comfortable with the 82-degree AC, but it’s likely Rover is already a little anxious, shedding, panting, and sweating.  Pets frequently overheat themselves under stress, so it’s an absolute necessity that they have water available.  Smaller pets can be trained to drink water from larger bottles similar to those used for hamsters and guinea pigs (in my experience, the cheaper they are, they more they leak).  Some genius extraordinaire out there also figured out how to develop a spill-proof water bowl, so there are definitely options available. It took far too long to come up with the concept of a multi-layered spill-proof bowl. Do they have these for kids too? 6. Never, Ever, under ANY circumstance, leave your pet in the car alone.  On a hot day in Georgia, it takes less than ten minutes for a vehicle to reach 120F with the windows partially open (ask our sales people).  That’s a death sentence to your beloved.  It’s also a felony.  Obviously you wouldn’t want to leave your car running without you in it either, so finding another solution is truly a necessity. If you need to run in somewhere and there’s no one to keep the pup company, you could simply explain the situation to the patron.  Since the passing of the animal cruelty act, a lot of businesses ( ours, for example) are understanding and will find some way to help you get what you need without abandoning your animal. In Georgia, when heat rarely ventilates due to the humidity, even leaving windows open partially could still endanger the life of your dog. Summer road trips don’t have to mean a kennel for your canine - you can easily find ways to safely travel with your best friend!  Please remember to keep them hydrated, and as always, enjoy it!   To keep getting Car Safety Tips, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

GROVETOWN, GA - Milton Ruben Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram presented a $780 check to Bakers Place Elementary as a donation from Chrysler brand’s Drive for the Kids® program this morning.  The fundraising event was held on Saturday, May 3, 2014, in conjunction with the school’s Spring Carnival. Pictured: (from left to right) Fourth grade teacher Jennifer Turner, who organized the Drive for the Kids® program with Chrysler, Leeann Fleischauer, Principal of Baker Place Elementary, and David Percival, Sales Manager of Milton Ruben Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. “We were excited to get involved with Drive for the Kids® because it gives us a chance to give back to the community,” said David Percival, Milton Ruben Chrysler Sales Manager.  “We’ve really been making an effort this year to participate more in local events.  Plus, it gave Augusta area parents a chance to test out our minivan.  A lot of them were surprised it has so much power.” Participants earned a $10 contribution to the school on their behalf from the Chrysler brand by taking a brief test drive in a 2014 model Town & Country minivan - highest ranked in loyalty 12 years in a row - as well as a 2014 Chrysler 300, both made available for test drives thanks to Milton Ruben Chrysler. At the conclusion of the 2014 program, the school with the highest number of test drives in each one of the five geographic regions (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Central, and West) will win an additional $5,000, for a total of $25,000 in additional funding from Chrysler through the Drive for the Kids® program. Since 1993, when Chrysler introduced Drive for the Kids®, Chrysler dealers have worked with parents and educators in communities across the nation.  Chrysler has contributed over $5 million directly to local schools for student needs, from playgrounds and field trips, to reading programs and new computers.  Chrysler is proud of this tradition of community involvement. Milton Ruben’s continued community efforts include their February involvement in Soles 4 Souls, a shoe drive for the needy; #LoveAugusta, a social media project highlighting the beauty of Augusta, GA; and their ongoing Drive Baby™ Contest, the search to identify a face of Milton Ruben. For more information, visit www.drive4kids.com and www.miltonruben.com. See more Chrysler Town & Country vehicles in our online inventory!

The month long Tire Savings Event has started at Milton Ruben Toyota! During the month of October, you can get your fourth tire for a dollar when you buy the other three*! Even if you don't have a Toyota or Scion, you can take advantage of this event! Hurry in to Milton Ruben Toyota of Augusta and get the right tire at the right price! To schedule an appointment, call (706) 868-5454, visit online at http://www.DriveBaby.com or visit us in person at 3510 Washington Road in Augusta, GA! ♦Restrictions apply. See participating Toyota dealer for details. OEM, OEA and WIN replacement tires only. Not valid on run-flat tires. Tires must be dealer-installed. Three tires at regular price, fourth tire one dollar. Fourth tire must be of equal or lesser value. Excludes mounting & balancing, sales tax, shop supplies, tire disposal, & other applicable taxes. Excludes previous purchases. Toyota & Scion vehicles only. May not be combined with other coupons or offers. Offer only available at participating Toyota dealers 10/1/13 – 10/31/13. *For Toyota Models Only. Present coupon at purchase. Not valid with other coupons. No cash value. 1 coupon per customer. Fees, tax & shop supplies not included. **Toyota dealers will match any competitor’s price on tires. Must bring proof of competitor pricing at the time of purchase and the price must be current within the last 30 days. Competitor must be within 50 miles of dealership. Customer must present competitor’s written valid coupon, advertisement or repair estimate prior to vehicle repair. Excludes Internet sales and prices. May not be combined with other coupons or offers. See dealer for details. Expires 10/31/2013. ††Lifetime Tire Rotations for life of tires when you purchase 4 tires. Rotation every 5,000 miles at selling dealer and not transferable to another owner, vehicle, or dealer. Toyota models only. Life of the tire means more than 2/32 of an inch remaining tread groove depth or six (6) years from the date of original tire purchase, whichever comes first. See dealer for details. Offer expires 10/31/2013. †Coverage for 24 months from date of purchase OR when the tire’s remaining tread depth is 3/32 of an inch or less, whichever first occurs. See dealer for details. Offer expires 10/31/2013.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has received more awards over its lifetime than any other SUV, and you can find it at the Milton Ruben Superstore. With over 70 available safety and security features, the 2014 Grand Cherokee comes standard with advanced, multistage driver and front-passenger airbags and supplemental side-curtain airbags. Standard crush zones in the front of the vehicle and side guard door beams (integrated into the design) also help absorb excess energy and decrease its transfer to occupants. For a more intimate view of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, come visit us at the Milton Ruben Superstore on Washington Road in beautiful Augusta, Georgia. If you can't make it to us, give us a call at 1-888-516-3797 or visit us online at http://www.DriveBaby.com.

At Milton Ruben Preowned of Augusta, we're all about a great deal on your vehicle purchase, but more importantly we want to make sure that what you're driving is safe. We meticulously inspect every preowned vehicle that comes through our doors. From the front bumper to the rear, there isn't a spot that's over looked. Here's a glimpse at just some of the things we check off of our list before you even see the vehicle! So if you're looking for a reliable preowned vehicle, come visit us at Milton Ruben Preowned of Augusta or check us out online at http://www.drivebaby.com.

Today, we are going to delve into the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. The ECOTECH 1.4L turbocharged engine holds the performance standards high, while the optimized aerodynamics and over 100 pounds less weight bolsters the fuel economy. The car is lowered, has a smaller 10.5 gallon gas tank, and a simplified rear suspension. It has an active front fascia, which has slats that close in higher speeds to reduce drag. Chevy also made the forged alloy wheels standard on this model. The 42 mpg highway gives the Chevrolet Cruze Eco the best highway mileage of any gasoline engine in America. Both the manual and automatic Eco models feature a clutch-based, variable-displacement A/C compressor for reduced parasitic loss when the air isn’t on. It has a higher beltline and a chiseled front end, giving a deliciously masculine feel. Regardless of the higher beltline, the car remains easy to see out of in all directions. The 2013 Cruze Eco has a five-star crash test rating all around, and all of the standard safety features we have come to expect, such as automatic crash response and traction control. You can also opt for a few other safety features like heated side mirrors and a back up camera. To learn more about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, take a test drive, or talk about financing options, call Milton Ruben Superstore at (706) 868-5454 or visit the Milton Ruben website at www.drivebaby.com.

The innovative HawkEye Elite, by Hunter Engineering, is here, at Milton Ruben Chevrolet. The system 's three interchangeable sets of arms grip the tire, rather than your expensive rims. There is also a protective rubber ring at the point of contact with the rims to ensure no damage. The entire target assembly is lightweight, easily installed and handled. The target has a polymer construction and no electronics, allowing for resistance against breakage and very little maintenance required. The sensors and console together use high resolution cameras and intel processors to instantly update the adjustment readings. Enjoy our walk through video with Aaron Thompson, then come check it out for yourself at Milton Ruben Chevrolet.

Peering into the future of automotive technology, we take a look at the features that are likely to be big sellers. Safety will always be a top concern to consumers, and car companies will continue to develop technology to help reduce accidents. Fuel-efficiency will be a concern for both consumers and automakers, as fuel costs and government regulations continue to change. Here's a list of ten features you can expect consumers to be willing to pay for by 2020: 1. Collision Mitigation Systems: Radars sense when you are driving too fast or too close, and the vehicle warns the driver with auditory or visible cues. The brakes may be "precharged" with extra stopping power, and the seat belts may tighten. 2. Rearview Cameras: Rearview cameras are likely to become standard equipment, thanks to a proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that would require all light passenger vehicles to have the technology by 2014. 3. Pedestrian Detection and Night Vision: System can bring the vehicle to a full stop if it detects a pedestrian. Night-vision systems detect infrared light or amplify available light to help you see a person who is out of range of your headlights. 4. Adaptive Cruise Control: Radar keeps you at a safe distance from the car in front while cruising at highway speeds, so that you don't have to constantly hit the brakes and reset your cruise control. 5. Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications: Transmits your vehicle's location and recognizes other vehicles surrounding you. It can warn you of an oncoming car when you want to pass a vehicle, warn you of a vehicle about to go through a red light, and let you know if there's a traffic jam. 6. In-car Communications: Navigation, music, phone, and apps like Facebook and Twitter. Tech is here to stay. 7. In-car WiFi: Surfing the web via voice commands. 8. Fuel Consumption Reduction Tech: Regenerative brakes to recharge the battery when you step on the brake pedal, and a system to turn off the engine and restart it when you take your foot off the brake (similar to today's hybrids). 9. Advanced Engines: Hybrids, mild hybrids, turbocharging and direct injection. Plus transmissions with more gears. 10. Lightweight Materials: Carbon fiber is likely to replace some of the steel and aluminum components. A lighter vehicle increases fuel efficiency. Come see the latest technological advances from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chevrolet, Toyota and Scion at Milton Ruben Superstore in Augusta, GA. Visit our online inventory at www.DriveBaby.com!

Is your car road ready? Milton Ruben Superstore shows you how to put air in your tires, check tire pressure, check your engine fluids, check tire tread depth, and what to do when the engine light comes on, using short informative videos. Tire Air Pressure Next to the brakes, the tires are the most important safety features on the vehicle. Incorrect tire pressure will compromise stability, braking and cornering and can possibly lead to tire failure — and a serious accident. Incorrect tire pressure also will affect your comfort, fuel economy and tire life. Guest Relations Manager Bob Holloway talks about how to check your tire air pressure, using a 2011 Camry to demonstrate: How to Put Air in Your Tires Now that you have checked your tire pressure, you will need to know how to properly put air in your tires. Here, Bob demonstrates adding and releasing air using a tire pressure gage: Checking Your Tire Tread Depth Proper tread depth prevents hydroplaning and helps with optimal traction on the road. Bob gives an easy tip to make sure your tires are road ready: Checking the Engine Fluids A peek under the hood may seem like a complicated mess of hoses, wires, blocks and belts. While some vehicle maintenance should generally be left to the professionals, there are a few things that you can easily take care of yourself. In this video, Bob talks about checking your fluids: brake fluid, engine oil, coolant or antifreeze, and power steering fluid. The Engine Light Is On! Possibly the most misunderstood indicator on the dashboard, the "check engine" light can mean many different things, from a loose gas cap to a misfiring engine. If your light comes on, you don't need to pull over and call a tow truck, but you should get the car checked out as soon as possible. Ignore the warning, and you could end up damaging expensive components. It also can be a sign that your car is getting poor fuel economy and emitting higher levels of pollutants. Bob discusses what to do when your engine light comes on: The Milton Ruben Service Department wishes you all safe travels. Should you need to get your new or used vehicle serviced, schedule an appointment through www.DriveBaby.com or by calling us at 866.344.0962.We can service all makes or models of vehicles, and look forward to earning your business.

Prom season is here. Milton Ruben Superstore would like to encourage all students to ask responsibly. Don't drink and drive, and don't ride with anyone who has too much to drink. Take the lead: Don't ever let your friends drive drunk. Take their keys, have them stay the night, have them ride home with someone else, call a cab, or do whatever else is necessary - but don't let them drive! Wishing all CSRA students a memorable and exciting Prom! Milton Ruben Superstore is located at 3514 Washington Rd. in Augusta, GA. Check out our inventory online at www.DriveBaby.com.