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We know you want to take advantage of all the fancy bells and whistles on your new vehicle! That's why we sat down with one of our Certified Salespeople from each of our dealerships to show you how to pair your phone to bluetooth and gain access to such features as hands-free calling, messaging, music streaming, and more!  Check 'em out! Toyota - How to Pair Your Phone to the Entune Digital Information System on your Toyota See more about Milton Ruben Toyotas on our YouTube Channel. Mopar - How to Pair Your Phone to the UConnect Digital Information System on your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram vehicle See more about our Mopar products on our YouTube Channel. Chevy - How to Pair Your Phone to the Chevy MyLink Digital Information System on your Chevrolet vehicle See more about our Chevy products on our YouTube Channel. To stay up to date on our How To videos and get the most out of your Toyota, Scion, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or Chevrolet vehicle, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google!   If you have other Auto How-To questions, check out our How To channel on youtube! Videos and post by Milton Ruben Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

For whatever reason, we like to pressure ourselves every year in the hunt for the perfect Valentine's Gift for your special someone, and we frequently will break the bank doing it.  This year, skip the cookie calories, the chocolate sugar rush, the blinding bling, and the flower allergic reactions and get your special someone (or thing) something truly special - a car part or accessory!  We have a few ideas for every budget to get those creative motors rolling and help cupid string a heart arrow on his bow to let love fly with these fun suggestions from our Parts Department! For The "Truck Guy or Gal:" $$$ - Big trucks are a signature of the South! Help your honey get up there with a lift kit! $$ - Who doesn't love to get a little mud on the tires? The problem comes when the mud gets INSIDE the truck! For those love and muddin' moments, we suggest Weather Tech mats! Laser defined and built to precision for your exact model, Weather Tech mats protect the upholstery of your vehicle from becoming the collateral damage. $ - Express yourself and protect your hitch with a custom hitch cover flaunting your team, military branch, or alma mater! For the Jeep Head: $$$ - All Jeeple take pride in the tracks they leave - and Jeep's latest project is to let you leave those tracks right on the hood of your Jeep! Pre-order a custom trail map hood for your honey's Jeep to express the love of where they've been, and where you're going together. (Cue "Awe"s - and yes, you can use that on the card when you deliver your awesome gift!) $$ - The beautiful part of being a Jeep owner is that you get to personalize your vehicle. A custom wheel cover on your baby's Wrangler can add just a little extra touch to the personal Jeep! For the Muscle Maniac: $$$ - Performance Packages or Brembo brakes - if you've got the cash and you want to spend it on your sweetheart, you will send their heart a revving with one of these powerful modifications! (But check to make sure they don't already have one!) $$ - Take a page from my book - I gifted my then boyfriend, now fiance with custom color protective mats for his muscle car that match the obnoxious orange he holds so dear! Now his muscle car is show-ready! $ - Can't afford a whole shifter? How about a custom shift knob? From the freaky to the humorous to the classic, shift knobs vary in cost from $12 - hundreds, and make the perfect "I care" gesture. For The SuperMom: $$$ - Oh honey. In this case, it's time to invest in some serious "thank you" bling - she deserves it! $$ - We're going back to Weather Tech mats again! They come right out and can be hosed down! Seriously - hosed down! Easiest clean up post soccer game/ celebratory drive through ice cream in the car ever! $ - We have two options for this category - a cargo net, for all of the piles of the kid's stuff that flies everywhere in the trunk, and rain guards (aka: window visors) to protect upholstery from the rain when the kids forget to roll up that cracked window in the summer. There you have it! Gift ideas for every car person in your life to fit every budget! Just call or visit our parts department to learn how to access these gifts for your sweetheart! To stay in touch with other fun tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google! This post was written by Milton Ruben Superstore Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Last year, we welcomed a lovely young lady named Emma Kate Few to our dealership floor to open another one of our favorite community charity drives - a Soles for Souls shoe drive! Emma Kate, 16, has been a local spokesperson for the National Non-profit organization Soles for Souls for the past 4 years, and we hosted her here for the first time last February.  We are so excited to embark on a new drive with her again this year, collecting shoes for the needy both locally and worldwide!   Soles for Souls was originally a disaster relief aid founded after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  It has since grown into a global effort to fight poverty and disease in third world countries by providing shoes and establishing micro-enterprise businesses to boost the economy.  But Soles for Souls also serves at home as well, continuing to provide shoes for victims of natural disasters in addition to orphanages and the homeless.  It is a wonderful cause that we are proud to be a part of! We know our customers are ready for some early spring cleaning (or Masters' guest prep!), so we even set a goal of 1,000 pairs of shoes to collect, with the hopes of assisting Soles for Souls in this year's Pair it Forward campaign to reach 1,000,000 shoes!  So let's step up and Pair it Forward, CSRA! What We Will Accept: Shoes, of any variety, size, shape, or condition! Where: All three of our buildings have a box to collect in, as well as our Chrysler Dodg When: Now - March 13th Get Steppin'! To keep up with our progress in the Soles for Souls Shoe Drive, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google! Graphics and post by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Let's be honest - SUVs are fun! Between the family-size seating and expansive cargo storage space of a minivan, the tow capacity of a pick-up truck, and the power of higher vantage points, it's hard to argue that they aren't the versatile solution to a "we need more space" dilemma. But since the transition from the fashionable station wagon to the minivan to the "new-age" family SUV in mid-80s and early 90s, there seemed to be only two sizes - big and bigger.  This created a whole new bout of mental conflicts of reason: "I don't want to drive a tank." "We need to save on gas money." "Do we really need something THAT big??" Then came the late 2000's, when the birth of smaller SUVs and crossovers gave us some fresh options.  The Cherokee and the Durango from Jeep and Dodge, the RAV4 from Toyota, and now, the brand new 2015 Trax from Chevrolet. A sleek body style creates curves that not only look great, but also ease into making the most of the internal space without creating bulk that becomes too difficult to park in tight spaces. An ergonomic interior design, again, makes the most of space with 15 storage compartments (some trim levels even offer a drawer under the passenger front seat), as well as ensuring all controls are within reach of driver and passenger. A 60/40 split rear seat  flattens completely to provide 8 seating arrangement options with an ultimate possibility to open into 48 cubic feet of cargo space. A 1.4L engine is turbocharged to get the most of out it's capacity, and yields up to 34 mpg on the highway. Standard rear vision cameras, ten airbags, and OnStar provides safety for you and whatever you're carrying in that 48 cubic feet. And let's not forget it's a Chevy - which means you'll get the all new 4G LTE Wi-Fi, exclusive to Chevrolet products, to surf the net or stream Pandora if you so choose, as well as Chevrolet Complete Care, 2 years or 24,000 miles of included Scheduled Maintenance and 5 years or 100,000 miles of Roadside Assistance with Courtesy Transportation. The 2015 Chevrolet Trax may be small, but its bite can be intoxicating.  The new compact SUV that can realize all of your SUV dreams without inducing that mental conflict of reason. See what we have in stock. To keep up with more vehicle news at Milton Ruben Automotive Superstore in Augusta, GA, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google! This post was written by Milton Ruben Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Everyone has seen the viral advertisements from Toyota about the new 2015 "Swagger Wagon."  We have all laughed at the truth in the ad about parenthood and being "cool" enough to embarrass your kids sufficiently, partying hard until 9pm, and sneaking sips of apple juice from the toddler's sippy cup.  Let's be honest, we love those ads.  It has been connecting parents everywhere to the beautiful chaos that is having kids, commiserating in the joyful, crazy lives we lead day in and day out, so much so that finding the humor in it is just as beautiful as your kid saying "I love you," through choking sobs while you're trying to scrub a mystery substance scented with banana and mud off of their face.  "Messy but great," right? Well, the 2015 Toyota Sienna acknowledges the messiness of parenthood, and offers you a sweet window of hope in the form of a minivan that is anything but a compromise.  Allow us to elaborate in these 15 things we love about the new 2015 Toyota Sienna! Driver Easy Speak The Sienna sees your screaming and raises you a speaker system that will transfer your voice to the rear seat.  By touching a button on the screen of the new dash, you can project your voice through the speaker system to your passengers, helping you maintain control of your adorable hooligans! Smart Key System Who hasn't had that moment of baby on the hip, purse on your shoulder, and key that has sunk to the bottom of the diaper bag in pouring down rain and frigid winds?  You no longer have to dig around in the diaper bag with your one free hand and miraculously juggle child, purse, and bag around to open the door and lock baby into the car seat.  You can just touch the door, and the vehicle will sense the proximity of the key, and unlock for you.  I'm pretty sure a mom of two toddlers thought up this one! Sliding Center Console Speaking of toddlers... as they outgrow those car seats, and their hands are still only so big, spills in the car are an accepted reality of parenthood.  But we can minimize those spills with an extended sliding center console, putting cup holders within reach of those little hands. Dual View Blu Ray No more arguments over Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Frozen on the next long holiday drive - you can have both in the 2015 Toyota Sienna XLE Premium with the Dual Screen on the Blu Ray.  It even comes with head phones so you can rock out to Kenny G (just kidding) and don't have to hear Let It Go for the fifty millionth time. Recline and Relax Again, as the kids get older - there are advantages.  Teen driver can help with the road trip while you kick back, prop your tired feet up on the ottoman (yes, ottoman), recline a tad bit, and take a nice snoozer in the 2015 Toyota Sienna Limited.  Toyotas are a long-term investment, so let's think long-term! Easy Access Kids climbing around on your upholstery  in their dirty shoes are a thing of the past - finally!  Second row seating slides all the way forward, with backs of the chairs closing in for easier access to third row seating. Power Lift Gate Another battle of arms full vs. access won!  Your smart key has a button, the lift gate has a button, your driver's seat has a button - there are multiple ways to conquer  the "You forgot to close the trunk!" debacle with the Power Lift Gate! Split N' Stow Seating I remember as a kid, watching Dad haul the seats out of the back of our minivan before a ski trip.  Those things looked heavy, and we always ended up with the seats in our dining room for a few days until Dad regained the strength to reinstall the suckers.  No worries for my generation of parents! Not only do our minivans have a bucket in the rear to store third row seats, but several trim levels even have electronic buttons - no hauling necessary! Convertible Cargo With those seats stowed in their buckets, you can convert 39 cubic feet of storage into up to 150 cubic feet of cargo area. Soft Touch Leather That sticky squeaking is soooo last decade! Our soft touch leather offers the luxury of leather with the comfort of quality fabric. (And I hear it's easy to clean to boot!) Available Dual Moonroof Be it for a little extra light for Abbey to teach Aiden how to read, or to watch the stars as they fall asleep, the dual moonroof is a luxury we love in the new Sienna! Seats Up To 8 With convertible seating and an extra option to insert a center seat on the second row, there's no way you can't take on the U-8 soccer team's spontaneous victory pizza lunch! Toyota Care There is so much that can be said for Toyota Care, that we could go on all day.  But the basics is that Toyota is here to take care of you, with a warranty and service coverage that covers the first two years of your new Sienna! New Wraparound Dash By far our favorite new feature in the new 2015 Toyota Sienna is the dash.  Designed with safety in mind, Toyota created an easy one touch system, and re-organized it to be closer to the driver, easier to reach, and thus easier for you to stay focused on the road. Safety Features With 8 standard airbags (up to 12), a 24/7 emergency response center called Safety Connect, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, standard back up camera, blind spot monitoring, parking assist, and so much more, the 2015 Toyota Sienna is built to get you and your family from Place A to Place B as efficiently and as safely as possible. The 2015 Toyota Sienna "Swagger Wagon" truly is the minivan that doesn't compromise, for those who live lives all about compromise.  Live a little, gain some swagger, and check out the new 2015 Toyota Sienna at http://www.miltonrubentoyota.com.   For more information on the latest vehicles, offers, and events at Milton Ruben Toyota, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Post, Photos, GIFs, and Graphics by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

The Holiday Season is coming to a close the same way it does every year - with a ball dropping and everyone scribbling (or typing) away at some new resolutions for a brighter 2015.  We know how hard it can be to keep those resolutions when Farmhaus comes out with a delicious new burger or fashions up an incredible sounding milkshake - and we can't help you with keeping off the pounds.  But we can help you with a few others. 1. Stop Texting And Driving A majority of our new vehicles have a digital information center specifically garnered to what was most important to customers.  Equipped with bluetooth and voice to text, these info systems will not only sync with your phone to read received text messages, but will send a reply at your command. 2. No Fender Benders Again, our new vehicles were made with technology that we couldn't even dream of fifteen years ago - including back-up cameras, blind spot notification, cross traffic warnings, and lane departure warnings.  You will know if someone is sneaking up behind and you will be beeped at if you're getting distracted, for a safer 2015. 3. Save Money On Gas Gas prices are dropping, and that's been pretty exciting, but you can still save even more at the pump with our fuel efficient ecos and hybrids! 4. Make Informed Decisions With how hectic life gets, its understandable that we might fly off the handle and make a spontaneous choice now and again.  But you don't have to go in to our dealership blind - we have walk around videos of almost every car on our lot, showing you the best features and details of each car so you can be a little more informed when you come in. 5. Get a Better Education While we might not be able to help you directly with this, we do have a recent college grad discount, not to mention our DriveBaby Photo Contest, which rewards a $1k scholarship to the Grand Prize Winner. 6. Take Care of Yourself We won't even address how frequently our customers have said buying here was a " stress-free experience."  But we will let you know that you can get half of your car-shopping experience taken care of before even changing out of your pajamas on a long weekend with our helpful Internet Sales Team. 7. Manage Debt We frequently refer to ourselves as an "auto mall" because that's what we are.  We sell literally hundreds of cars every month, and we want to keep doing that.  With our superb Finance Managers, incredible stock, and informed sales teams, we are confident that whatever situation you're facing, we can help. Don't take on 2015 alone when studies show New Years Resolutions are better kept with help!  Call us today to find out how we can help you with one of your resolutions this year!   For more tips and news from Milton Ruben Superstore, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google!   This post was written by Milton Ruben Superstore Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

We know you are all prepping for the Holiday in the last available moments before Christmas in upon us - last minute shopping, packing, and travel plans.  We hope our Thanksgiving post about preparing for a safe road trip has been helpful in mapping out the routes!  And we want to continue helping ease the chaos of holiday travel with a few ideas to calm the kids on your next trip to Grandma's house. QUIET TIME ACTIVITIES Pack some in-car games to keep the kids distracted.  Plan a new game for each leg of the trip and reward the kids when they've completed each game with a snack or small toy from the closest dollar shop.  Thankfully, there are a lot of resources out there with ideas for in-car activities, and some have even put together printables to make it easier for you! FREE Printable Road Trip Activity Links: License Plate Numbers and other games, Fast Food I Spy, Travel Bingo O r if your family is a little more tech-savvy, you can download an interactive game of Bingo to your mobile devices and play as a family for a couple of bucks. Of course, there is always the handy DVD player if you have one.  Some of our newer models come with multiple screens and multiple players, as well as headphones so you don't have to listen to Frozen for the seven hundredth time. QUALITY TIME ACTIVITIES Play the group road trip games you remember as a child - 20 questions, the A-Z game (find a word in a sign or billboard that starts with the letter "A", then find one that starts with "B" and so on.  The first to finish wins!), or the States game (whoever finds the most states on passing license plates in a ten-minute period wins!), or a number of other Road Trip Time Passers. If you've found an online game you and your kids love playing together, you can hook up to your in-car WiFi and play away! PACK A SNACK KIT It's one of two terrible things to hear on highway 720 in the middle of nowhere - "Mom, I'm huuuuungryyyyy..."  Luckily, some absolutely brilliant moms have come up with some incredibly genius solutions to the road trip snack time crisis.  (As for the "I haf to use the bafroom..." we wish you luck.  And possibly a detail coupon.) Did you know that a tackle box gives you a waterproof, compartmentalized carrier for snacks?  Or that a mostly empty peanut butter container is the perfect vehicle for a few stalks of celery?  A writeable CD container holds onto a bagel sandwich pretty nicely without it falling apart.  Clean coffee creamer containers keep and distribute pretzels and cheerios fairly easily, and are small enough to slip into a diaper bag.  Be creative! And use Stow-N'-Go to keep things that are not being used out of the way during snack time! STOCK YOUR EMERGENCY KIT It is essential that everyone have an emergency kit in their vehicle.  You never know what could occur on that backroad you're using to avoid the traffic on I-20.  And you never know how long it will take for first responders to get there (remember that traffic, now).  Gauze, burn aid, band-aids, neosporin, water, aspirin, gatorade, blankets, flares and glow sticks, a flashlight, batteries, etc.  You can purchase one that is pre-made or you can put one together yourself.  But you should have one in your vehicle at all times. PACK A SICK KIT Motion sickness is something a significant portion of people suffer from.  It can really make a road trip miserable for those of us with the green gills.  Prep ahead of time so you're ready to ease your little one's pain when it sets in.  Here's a handy infographic we found with some great ideas for your Car Sick Kit. If this doesn't work, it definitely does make one consider WeatherTech Mats, doesn't it? So easy to clean, and it's not just for mud, folks. MAKE TIME FOR PIE This one was too cute to pass up!  Not only is it an excuse to stop and rest, allowing the driver a minute to readjust, letting everyone stretch their legs and backs, but it's also a great excuse to eat desserts.  If you're going on a long road trip, and you'll be making several stops for meals and gas, pick up a dessert at a local eatery while you're there.  Everyone can keep a score card and rate who had the best desserts, and then you'll know where you need to stop next time! This is kind of a way to tie it all together in both a tip and an overall perspective.  Traveling with kids can be a real challenge - especially if they're active and antsy (I feel your pain, kids.  Sitting still stinks.), but it's also a captive audience.  It's an opportunity where all of you are in one place at one time, with one goal.   Cherish the little moments with your little ones, create some memories, and make the most of it.  These are the times that fly by in the blink of an eye, but you can make it fun while it lasts!  We hope some of these tips will help making that happen.   Safe Travels and Happy Holidays!   For more tips and news from Milton Ruben Superstore, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google! This post was written by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

You accidentally hit "off" instead of "snooze" on the alarm.  The shower water took forever to warm up, the shirt you planned to wear is actually still crumpled at the bottom of the dirty clothes pile, you're out of coffee, and the kids are still in their pajamas when you need to be walking out of the door.  As if all of this isn't enough, it's also winter, and the South finally decided to express it with a nice layer of frost over your car. Hopefully you read this post, and you have plenty of options in your arsenal to ensure that ice doesn't slow you down on your already-late-for-everything day.  No matter what your budget, location, or car knowledge, it is possible for your vehicle to be completely defrosted and safe to drive by the time the toddler is hooked into her car seat and the teenager is bugging you for driving lessons.  In fact, you can put that kid to work by demonstrating these tips, they're so easy! COVER IT UP On an otherwise dry evening, frost and ice forms from the dew that settles and freezes as temperatures plummet overnight.  You can have that dew settle on something else rather than your windows by simply inserting a barrier. You can purchase a commercial tarp or cover for $15-$50 at most vehicle maintenance shops, but they don't tend to stay stocked down here, so you can try your own as well.  Blankets, towels, folded sheets, even newspapers can help keep your windshields free of Frozen! (We can't say the same about the DVD player in the back.) WATER Be careful with this one, folks.  If you decide to pour a bucket of water over your windshield to help melt the ice, make sure you're in the right conditions to do so.  For one, don't use cold water - that might just freeze over the frost and give you a thicker layer of ice to chip through.  Don't use boiling or hot water either - the extreme temperature changes could have a significantly negative impact on the glass.  As in, a shattering experience.  IF you decide to use water (since it's easily accessible to everyone), use lukewarm water and very quickly wipe down the windshield after dispensing a bucket over it.  And if it's less than 25F out, just toss this idea altogether and watch the icicles form as the water hits the frigid air. CONCOCTIONS Some brilliant people who probably grew up in Minnesota or Michigan invented this spectacular stuff that squirts out of a bottle and literally MELTS ice!  You can sometimes buy this inexpensive commercial concoction where you get the rest of your maintenance materials, but you might have better lucky ordering online or having your cousin in Minnesota sending you a bottle.  Or you could just make your own by filling a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and adding a few squirts of dish soap (mix well, don't shake).  Also known as hand sanitizer. SURROUND THE ICE If you're anything like me, you're number one concern when you leave the house is to get to the car as quickly as possible, climb inside, crank the heat, and try not to think to hard about going back in for a pair of gloves.  Lucky for you, there is an option to help that defroster move along a little.  Turn the heat all the way up, the defroster all the way on (don't forget the rear defroster if you have it), and place your hand on the top of the window.  This could leave a hand print on the glass (which can be cleaned up later with some window cleaner), but the warmth of your hand will act as a second defroster, sending heat through the glass and melting the ice at the top, while the car helps melt from the bottom, doubling the speed and keeping you inside the car. REMOTE START If you've ever wondered "Why would I ever need to start the car before I'm in it?" this is the answer to that question.  If the weatherman is calling for frost, turn the temperature gauges to heat and defrost before you go in for the night.  The next morning, you can turn the engine on while you're still zipping up the kid's coats and distributing lunch boxes.  By the time you get everyone buckled in and ready to go, so is the vehicle. HOW NOT TO DE-ICE YOUR WINDSHIELD With Cold or Boiling Water Cold water could freeze over the top of your windshield, especially if it's particularly cold out.  Boiling water could shatter your windshield from the excessive temperature difference. With Salt Water Up North, they use Road Salt to melt ice and snow and make the roads easier to navigate, right? So it would only make sense to use that, right? Wrong.  Salt is bad for your car.  There's really no getting around that.  It causes corrosion, rust, and creates damage that can only be replaced - not undone.  This is why people from the frigid areas of the country tend to keep their nice vehicles cooped up in the garage during their Great White Winters. With a Credit Card Often used as an ice scraper for those that can't find theirs, Credit Cards offer a stiff, flat edge to get under the ice and chip away at it. Not only is this time-consuming, but you could scratch the glass by wearing down the curved edges of the card into a sharper, knife-like blade and cutting into the windshield.  Dropping it in drifts of slush and ice is also pretty easy, and would mean you have a long morning of calling to cancel said card and re-order another. You're going to need that Credit Card to buy a cup of hot cocoa once you're done freezing your hands off chipping away at ice. Not Do It Frost and ice are significant visual blocks.  Don't put yourself and your passengers in danger because you're in a hurry.  Be safe, be responsible, and use one of these easy tips to de-ice your car. OTHER HELPFUL TIPS Clear the grill of any ice or snow to make sure ventilation to the engine prevents overheating Vinegar could prevent frost from forming When you frost is coming, lift your windshield wipers off of the windshield and cover them with socks to prevent ice from damaging the rubber Ask your Service Advisor for advice   For more helpful tips on car safety, maintenance, and news, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and Google. This post was written by Milton Ruben Superstore Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

For us Southerners, the "nip" in the air at 62 degrees is about as wintery as we like it.  We prefer plastic snow flakes over the frozen H20 variety, and have no problem with our Christmas lights not getting covered in drifts of white blankets.  Quite frankly, that stuff makes it difficult to drive to football games, not to mention cause bread and milk to go missing for days at a time.  We are just not equipped for what the rest of our great nation defines as "winter." We are, however, very well prepared for the cheer when we don't have to deal with all of that icy freezing temperature nonsense.  'Tis the season of giving, and with our Christmas trees up and glowing, our charity drives in full swing, and end of the year sales posters plastering our windows, nothing brightens up our day like hosting a good gift-giving operation! Every year, we have a collection of customers who give the best gift you can give - a new ride!  This year, it started a little early, with a pre-Thanksgiving Christmas gift to High School Senior Joey Thornton. Joey's parents hunted through our pre-owned lot for the perfect truck to gift to their son with Internet Sales Representative Larry Shuler.  Considering Joey's plans to attend Georgia Tech next fall, they wanted to ensure the vehicle was in good shape, and would safely transport their second eldest back and forth to school.  When Larry showed them the 2004 Ford Explorer Adrenaline with hard bed cover and only 44,000 miles, they knew they'd found it.  Thus began the elaborate plan to surprise Joey with his first vehicle - and the whole family showed up to see his face!  Financed with the help of Grandma and Grandpa Thornton, we detailed the truck, equipped it with some new tires, assessed the trade-in, and placed the perfect giant bow on the hood. It was difficult for the family to hide behind our tinted windows and watch Joey arrive with his girlfriend and father in the trade-in, bubbling with excitement, cam corder charged and held at the ready.  We watched through the window as Joey's dad gestured at the truck, parked front and center, golden blow catching a soft breeze. Joey assessed the vehicle, and family burst through the doors.  Surprise and confusion clouded the 18-year-old's face as he took in his mom, younger sisters, older brother, Milton Ruben employees, cameras, and keys extended toward him. Realization dawned with a "what?!" as the keys were placed into his palm. With a dozen sales representatives, finance managers, and sales managers looking on, smiling with joy, Joey climbed into his new truck, Internet Sales Representative Larry Shuler pointing out features here and there. Employees slowly dispersed to tend to their jobs, a little brighter at seeing a family so happy, as the Thorntons gathered for a photo-op, discussing celebratory dinner plans. Nothing makes us happier than making our customers happy - especially in this time of year.  We would love to make your gifting experience special, so allow us to help!  Our certified Sales Teams will make sure you choose the perfect car for your loved one, and will go above and beyond to ensure the gift is delivered for supreme reaction that you and your loved ones will remember for years to come.   Call us at 706-868-0588 to start your gifting process, or check out our online inventory and chat with a certified sales person at www.drivebaby.com.   Happy Holidays! To stay up to date on more gift-giving at Milton Ruben this Holiday Season, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and Google. This post, including photos, was created by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

We all watch the news, right? We're seeing from the Aiken Standard and Augusta Chronicle, from the local networks on Riverwatch Parkway as well - the temperature is dropping, houses are catching fire, and families are struggling.  It's not the kind of news we are happy to hear.  It's heart-breaking to see so many in our community fighting to survive! That's why we decided to double our ante this year for our Holiday Drives.  We want to band together, as a business, as employers, and as an influential part of the CSRA, to join the cause - help eradicate hunger this holiday season, and try to ensure that every child gets to experience the magic and innocence of the Holiday Season.  We have joined Golden Harvest Food bank and the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys For Tots organizations to bring a little cheer to our community members who may not be having such a Happy Holiday, and a little warmth and spirit to our dealership home. Bring in a non-perishable food item and deposit it in our canisters to help serve a meal to those that are hungry.  Choose a toy to give to our boxes for children who would otherwise not get any gifts this year.  Join us, Augusta, Aiken, Fort Gordon, Thomson, Grovetown, Martinez, Evans, Hepzibah, Waynesboro, and all of the CSRA, in a community effort to light up this Holiday Season. The Toys for Tots collection box next to our Toyota Parts Counter in the Toyota Service Lounge Click Here to Learn a Little Bit About Toys For Tots. If you can't make it into any of our showrooms to make a donation, please consider going to their website.  They have a collection of charming greeting cards to send to a person of your choice in thanks of your donation, and can make a lovely gift. Click Here to Learn a Little Bit About Golden Harvest Food Bank. Online donations are accepted, and if you can't make it into our Toyota Service Lounge, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Service Cashiers Desk, or Chevrolet Showroom to contribute a few cans, please consider giving a few dollars through their wonderful website. The Golden Harvest Food Bank Collection Bin next to the Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Cashier Counter.   However you choose to participate this year, we are so grateful to be a part of such of a wonderful community! Thank you and have a Happy Holiday Season! To stay updated on our pursuit of community involvement, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Instagram! This post was written by Milton Ruben Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

It's that time of the year! Can you smell it? Time for gas prices to escalate, drivers to get aggressive and impatient, roads to get hazardous, and the kids to get impossibly rowdy! The holiday season is upon us! Now before you jump on the bah hum bug bandwagon too quickly, you should know there are a lot of ways you can prepare for the impending road trip to grandmother's house and avoid events that are going to raise your blood pressure higher than mistletoe.  To prevent any mishaps that could extend your trip or cause delays, we've put together a list of ways you can prepare your vehicle for the road trip ahead. Keep It Clean Get a complete detail done on you vehicle - particularly the interior.  Nobody likes to be in a vehicle for long periods of time to begin with, much less one with funky smells, mystery stains, and the Krystal wrapper from lunch one day last week.  And once the car is clean, keep it that way.  You can refashion a plastic re-usable cereal container with a small trash bag for a portable (and close-able) trash can.  You can also stuff old grocery bags into an empty kleenex box to fill with fast food wrappers and toss each time you stop for fuel up.  Both are a convenient size to stick on a floor board, in a console, or under a seat. Check Your Tires This may be one of the most important safety tips you'll ever get.  Particularly if you're traveling North, where snow and ice may challenge your tread, it is vital for your tires to be in good shape.  Use a Tire Pressure Monitor or Gauge to check the air in your tires.  You can fill up your tires for a dollar at most gas stations, or ask your service advisor about Nitrogen.  (Nitrogen filled tires keep pressure longer, helping you maintain optimal gas mileage and overall health of the tire.)  You can use the coin test to check tread.  If they're low, you're going to need to get them replaced before the trip.  Bad tread and low tire pressure can not only affect the efficiency of fuel, but it can also decrease stopping speed of your vehicle and endanger your family.  Don't forget to check the spare! Inspect Engine/ Top Off Fluids Pop the hood and carefully inspect all of the wires and hoses on the engine of your vehicle.  If any are frayed or damaged, you may want to get them replaced before head out.  And while you're under there, check your fluids: brake, transmission, coollant, windshield wiper, etc.  Top off any that are low, and consider whether or not your windshield will need wiper fluid that is made for lower temperatures. Depending on how far you plan on driving, it may be reasonable to go ahead and get your oil changed and a new oil filter installed. Check Your Lights Get a friend, spouse, neighbor, stranger, or kid to help you check your headlights and brake lights to ensure they are bright and clear on each side.  If you can't get help, carefully park near a wall at night and check the reflections on the wall.  You can keep your lights bright by cleaning off the lamps with toothpaste! Of course, all of the above tips can be done here at Milton Ruben Superstore by your Certified Technicians.  In fact, let your Service Advisor know that you're traveling, and they'll make sure your vehicle gets a thorough inspection to ensure the safety and comfort of your family on the road. Make your appointment here! Make sure you check for any specials or deals! Map It Out Preplan your route with your GPS, Navigation System, or map.  If you're as obsessed with the Food Network as I am, you can plan out pit stops for food through TVFoodMaps.com, which will show you restaurants and diners featured on the Food Network along your desired route.  There are also plenty of websites such as FuelMyRoute.com that help you identify the most affordable fuel options.  Make a list of destination addresses and keep them handy for reference.  Many navigation systems will now allow you to plan your route with "via points," so you can let technology do the work for you once you hit "go!" Traffic Happens Program local traffic stations of cities you'll be driving through so you can be aware of any possible delays before you get there.  Of course, if you're not willing to compromise your presets on satellite radio, many modern navigation systems will forewarn you and even offer alternate routes in the case of construction or other delays! Don't Text And Drive Of course, it's tempting to read the incoming stream of plans from your family members as they ask you to report every leg of your trip on the half hour.  We know.  But it's not worth the danger you put yourself, your family, and others on the road to take your eyes away from the prize and get distracted.  Luckily, modern technology in most of our Application Suite Centers will allow you to connect your phone to bluetooth and have your vehicle read the text messages to you!  Thank goodness for manufacturers who understand reality!     There you have it!  Be sure to check out our post on traveling safely with your pets, and stay tuned for more posts on preparing for holiday road trips by following us on Facebook and Twitter! This post was written by Milton Ruben Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Recalls are confusing stuff.  What do you have to do? What does it mean? What part could do what to where? That letter that arrives from the manufacturer is long, wordy, and who has time to google every other word to figure out what its trying to say? Like we said, figuring out what to do with a recall can seem like complicated stuff.  We understand how frustrating the process can be when you aren't sure what to expect or you're worried your vehicle might not be safe if you don't helo-vac your it to our Service Lane for repairs ASAP.  And we want to settle your mind.  So we started a Recall Video Series, so you'll know what to do with your recall, what to expect when you bring your recall to the service lane, and whether or not you should be worried. CHRYSLER, INC. RECALL P14: BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to call your Service Advisor!   And stay tuned for more updates on our Recall Video Series on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google!