Honda Joins EPRI, Utilities and Automakers to Help Create an Open Grid Integration Platform for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

Honda has joined a group of eight major automakers and 15 utilities organized by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to demonstrate a standards-based, open grid integration platform for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The open platform will simplify and streamline V2G communications, enabling PEVs to provide grid services and increasing the overall value proposition of plug-in vehicles.

There are more than 3,300 utilities in North America and various global automakers providing plug-in vehicles. Collaboration of this nature is necessary to maximize the potential of vehicle-grid integration.

"This project is an important step in enabling plug-in vehicles to reach their potential as a valuable distributed resource that can increase grid stability, improve power quality and reduce demand peaks," said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. "Honda is participating in several projects aimed at accelerating vehicle-to-grid integration, which has the potential to reduce the total cost of owning a plug-in vehicle while enabling higher concentrations of renewable energy."

Honda has steadily advanced and expanded its knowledge of V2G systems through its participation in several projects. Leveraging IBM's cloud-based PEV Enablement platform, Honda demonstrated a PEV's ability to receive and respond to charge instructions based on grid conditions and the vehicle's battery state. Phase II of the project expanded the use of this network to schedule charge times based on the needs of the driver and preferred rate structures, including the use of renewable energy sources for charging.

Five Simple Ways to Improve Gas Mileage

1. Run several errands in one trip. Pick up the dry cleaning, dog food and groceries in one trip. Even better, do it on your way to or from work.

2. Reduce Weight. Less weight in your car means that the engine won’t have to work as hard. Eliminate unnecessary cargo, especially during your daily commute because those miles add up quick.

3. Keep your tires inflated to manufacturer standards. This one is easy and makes a huge difference. Low inflated tires will have a drastic effect on the fuel mileage your car gets.

4. Don’t speed! While each car has a different optimal speed to fuel mileage ratio, a good rule to keep in mind is that, on average, every 5 mph over 50 mph that you travel costs an extra 25 cents/gallon.

5. Use cruise control and overdrive. Most modern car’s cruise control uses a computer to achieve the best possible fuel economy. Using overdrive, especially on the freeway, engages a higher gear ratio, effectively reducing the amount of work your car’s engine is exerting.

We hope these five tips can help save you some money. If you have any other tricks that you like to implement, be sure to let us know!

Apple CarPlay: Full iOS Integration Coming This Year!

Apple has officially announced CarPlay, an in-car system that is destined to take over your dashboard. CarPlay is being dubbed as “the smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone in the car” and “will be available in select cars shipping in 2014.”

CarPlay will have an interface similar to iOS 7 and heavily integrate Siri to allow iPhone users with iOS 7 to make and receive calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages “with just a word or a touch.” Users access CarPlay by pressing the dashboard display, or through the embedded voice control button on the steering wheel. Apple noted in the press release that “when incoming messages or notifications arrive, Siri provides an eyes-free experience by responding to requests through voice commands, by reading drivers’ messages and letting them dictate responses or simply make a call.”

Source: mobilesyrup.com

Five Less Obvious Signs That Your Car Is In Need of Service

While most of the time your car will be intelligent enough to let you know when it's time for service, there are instances when you may need to identify signs a little less obvious than a blinking orange light on the dashboard.

Here are five more subtle indications that your car needs a trip to the doctor.

1. You notice a sudden drop in gas mileage. This could be a direct cause of a bad fuel injector, dirty fuel filter or a problem with the spark plugs.

2. Strange sounds. There are many different noises that cars make; some natural while others not so much. Knocking, thudding, squealing, droning: these are some common indicators that something is wrong. 

3.  Leaks. Automobiles require a litany of fluids to properly function. Not all leaks will indicate a problem. For example, in the summer when the A/C is running, water may condense and drip on the ground. The same is true for exhaust pipes. Oil is one particular fluid that you do not want to see accumulating on your driveway. A good way to test if it is just water, or perhaps something else, is to dab a bit of the fluid on your finger and smell it. 

4. Spongy Brakes. Are you having to apply more pressure when braking your vehicle? It may be time for a brake inspection. 

5. Smells. Use all of your senses when operating your vehicle. Burning or metallic scents coming from the vehicle are good signs of overheating, or brake issues.

If you think your car is in need of service, schedule an appointment with us online!

Honda Developing Technology to Make Pedestrians Safer

In the U.S. almost 4,500 pedestrians are killed in collisions with cars and just under 70,000 are sent to the hospital each year. Honda has made it a priority to improve these numbers. 

Honda Motor Corp accepted this challenge and has devised a system aimed at providing a solution to the problem.

"The system consists of a millimeter wave radar scanner and a high-resolution camera, which work together to spot passengers and apply the breaks if necessary, and if it is safe to do so.  What's particularly impressive about Honda's claims is it says it can bring a vehicle hurdling towards a pedestrian to a dead stop in most cases at speeds up to 60 kph (via dailytech.com)." 

Initially, this feature will be sold as an add-on. The first car to come equipped with the system will be the 2015 Honda Legend, or the rebranded Acura RLX in the U.S. 

Honda hopes that the implementation of this safety system will boost safety-ratings in 2015.

The entire Honda fleet should receive the upgrade as early as 2016 or as late as 2017.

Honda Gives Us “One More Thing to Love about Today” in New Campaign

 
To bring attention to the significantly enhanced 2014 Civic Coupe and Si Coupe, Honda is launching an uplifting multiplatform campaign—"One More Thing to Love about Today." The work features blues rock band Vintage Trouble and pop culture favorites Adventure Time, Nyan Cat and other Internet sensations. 

To contrast the typical negative news cycle, the new Civic campaign features a collection of inspiring print, digital and TV spots, speaking to the optimism of today's youth.

Take a look at the video:

 

Honda Had Highest Fleet Fuel Economy and Largest Fuel Economy Gain Among Major Full-Line Automakers for Model Year 2012 in New EPA Report

American Honda had the highest fleet-average fuel economy, largest year-over-year fuel economy increase and lowest CO2 emissions of any full-line automaker in the U.S. for model year 2012, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its just-released fuel-economy trends report, "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2013."

Among major automakers selling cars, trucks and luxury vehicles in the U.S., American Honda -- including both the Honda and Acura automobile brands -- achieved the highest fleet-average fuel economy of 26.6 miles per gallon for 2012, representing a 9.7 percent, or 2.5 mpg, increase over 2011 results.

Moreover, while achieving top-level fuel economy performance, American Honda also is leading in the area of automobile safety with seven models that achieve a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – the 2013 Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe, the 2013 Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe, the 2014 Odyssey minivan, and the 2013 Acura TL performance-luxury sedan, the most of any automaker.

Last month, the 2014 Accord was chosen as the 2013 "Green Car of the Year" by the editor's of Green Car Journal. At 50 mpg, the 2014 Accord Hybrid has the highest EPA city fuel-economy rating of any five-passenger sedan sold in America.

5 Engine Oil Myths

We all know that our cars need engine oil in order to operate smoothly. The role of engine oil is to keep the moving parts of the engine lubricated, to protect them against rust corrosion, and -- with modern detergent oil additives -- to keep them free of sludge and general engine gunk.
But most of us also know some things about engine oil that aren't actually true. For instance, isn't it always necessary to change your oil every 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers)? And when the color of your oil starts becoming dark, doesn't that mean that it's about to fill your engine with harmful sludge?

Well, no. These ideas are myths and over the next few pages we'll debunk them, along with a few other engine oil "facts" that don't happen to be true. A little knowledge isn't necessarily a dangerous thing, but a little knowledge that doesn't happen to be true could quite possibly ruin your engine, or at least cost you a lot of unnecessary expense.

Click here to get the truth behind the 5 Engine Oil Myths from HowStuffWorks.com.

From One Second To The Next A Film By Werner Herzog

Shows the Consequences of Texting While Driving

This past August, legendary filmmaker and historian Werner Herzog released "From One Second to the Next", a short, but poignant look into the consequences of texting while driving.

The film is a PSA sponsored by four major phone companies-- AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, who originally approached Herzog to make the film in an effort to combat a growing cultural phenomenon where texting-related accidents are becoming increasingly all too common.

For Herzog, it's a sharp turn outside the norm from his usual works, which often focus on themes of isolation and wilderness, as can be seen in films like "Grizzly Man" and "Encounters At the End of the World". Nonetheless, "From One Second to the Next" is as much an accomplishment in cinema as it is an important message that should be adopted by anyone who gets behind a wheel.

Watch "From One Second to the Next" here

What The Halloween Candy You Give You Says About You

Every Halloween millions of Americans purchase their favorite candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters as they make their way around the neighborhood Halloween night. But, does the type of candy you give out say something specific about you as a person or your personality? Check out the infographic below to see what exactly each candy option says about you. Let us know if you agree in the comments section!

Car Tip of the Week: Check the tread on your tires using only a penny.

You can use nothing but a penny from your pocket to determine if the tires on your vehicle are both LEGAL and SAFE to drive on! Almost every state mandates that all passenger car tires meet a minimum tire tread depth of 2/32" measured from the top of the tread wear indicator to the top of the tread. You can locate the tread wear indicator as it appears in the tread grooves as a small bump. It just so happens that the lettering on a penny that is right over Abe Lincoln's head is exactly 2/32". If you place the penny on top of the tread wear indicator and the letters over Lincoln’s head are visible, that indicates your tires have inadequate tread and it’s time for a new set. The good news is that you used nothing but a penny to prevent a potentially devastating event and ensure the safety of yourself, as well as everyone else on the road around you.

2015 Honda Civic Type R to sire next-gen CR-Z?

There's a rumor out of Australia claiming the next Honda CR-Z will be based on the forthcoming 276-horsepower, turbocharged Civic Type R.Get the full details from Auto Blog.

105-Year-Old Facebook User Gifted New Car Anonymously!

California's oldest driver, 105-year-old Edythe Kirchmaier, received a big surprise when she was gifted a brand new car from an anonymous fan. Check out the full story now.

Great Find: 2012 Honda Ridgeline RTL 4WD Truck Crew Cab

Looking for a new car or in need of an upgrade? This brand new 2012 Honda Ridgeline Truck is just the thing for you. Stocked with 4WD, it makes any day mother nature throws your way, good or bad, easy to conquer! Don't just take my word for it, stop by Paragon Honda today to test drive this beast.

Visit Paragon Honda inventory page for more information or contact our sales department at (877) 358-8711.

The meaning behind the "Civic."

According to Webster’s dictionary, the word “civic” means “of or relating to a citizen, a city, citizenship or civil affairs.” And so it was that the Honda Civic made its world debut in 1972, a year of great advancement in motorization in Japan. As its name suggests, the Civic incorporated Honda’s wish to create “a car for all people, a car for the world.” Ever since, the Civic has embodied Honda’s challenging spirit, always ahead of the pack and always delivering new levels of value. Now, 33 years since its launch, the Civic is sold in approximately 160 nations and regions worldwide. The Civic is truly a car for the global citizen and continues to earn the support and love of people around the world.
 

Courtesy of Honda Worldwide

Click here to check out our amazing selection of Civics and other Hondas!

This Honda will meet your efficiency and pocket book needs "according"ly!

With an EPA estimated 26/35 MPG and an estimated monthly payment of $421, this 2013 Accord EX Coupe is a guaranteed money saver!  Shop wisely and come by Paragon Honda to take a test drive today. 

Click here for more information, or call our sales department at (877) 358-8711!

Is your car in need of a check-up?

Approximately 77% of cars on the road need servicing or new parts.  It's important to periodically get your car checked to ensure there is nothing vital that needs to be addressed.  Take the time to come by Paragon Honda soon and make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape!

Click here to schedule a service appointment with us.

Thank you very much for the wonderful review, AJ!

(5) Star Review on Yelp

• "Overall I am one very satisfied and proud owner at this time." -AJ S.

A very big thank you to the author of this wonderful review! Keep up the great work, Anthony!

(5) Star Review on DealerRater

• "I even moved an hour away and still drive all the way to Queens because I wont take my car anywhere else." -Clauderella

Thank you very much for the great review, Andrea!

(5) Star Review on Cars.com

• "Thanks to sales person Mr. Ruisdael Cordero for making my entire evening at Paragon Honda an awesome experience." -Andrea S.