As 2009 gets underway there are many changes that have taken place already.   

Our nations 43^rd President was sworn into office on January 20^th.  The Pittsburgh Steelers were crowned Champions of the National Football League on February 1^st.  Puxatony Phil emerged to see his shadow on February 2^nd, predicting six more weeks of winter for 2009.   

With so many changes occurring, it’s good to know one thing never changes: Great Prices and Great People are always here at Honda of Wesley Chapel to help serve you.  Our professionally trained and dedicated sales staff are here for you seven days a week to help you decide if the time is right to trade in and trade up to a newer vehicle.  Or, stop in and let our ASE Certified and Honda trained service technicians keep your vehicle running like the day you drove it off the lot.  We’ll give you a fair and honest estimate for whatever work you need done. Our service department is open six days a week with extended service hours to help fit into your busy schedule. 

As the year continues we’re guaranteed to see more changes, and as President of Honda of Wesley Chapel I guarantee we’ll be here to meet all your changing needs as well.  Stop in and let us know how we can help you today. 

Thank you,

George Ernst
President, Honda of Wesley Chapel

If you are in the market for a newer vehicle, you can’t afford to miss what’s going on at Honda of Wesley Chapel right now.  Truckloads of surplus, quality pre-owned vehicles have been delivered and priced to move quickly.  These vehicles are top of the line previous rentals, off lease program cars, dealer demonstrators, executive fleet vehicles and repossessed vehicles that will be sold for as little as fifteen cents on the dollar.  That’s a savings of up to 85%!

Honda of Wesley Chapel can also get you financed regardless of your past history.  As one of the Bay Area’s top Honda dealers, Honda of Wesley Chapel has millions of dollars of unrestricted cash to lend and intend to finance everyone.  Even if other dealers have turned you down in the past, Honda of Wesley Chapel may have your answer.

Great prices, great people and great service, that’s Honda of Wesley Chapel.

The trend of trading in a vehicle only two or three years after purchase has begun to fade as consumers look for ways in which to tighten their monthly budgets.   

There are several simple car care steps that you can take to help ensure that your current vehicle will be on the road for many years to come. 

Read your manual.  This simple step is often overlooked the most.  Your vehicle manual contains important information from how often to change your oil to what grade of gas runs best through your vehicle.  Reading through your manual and heeding any tips/tricks it contains can keep extend the life of your vehicle up to two years. 

Change your oil.   Engine oil is the most essential fluid to change regularly if you plan to keep your car for a long time.  Check your vehicle manual for the recommended schedule. Many manufacturers recommend 3,000 miles or three months.  If you typically drive short trips, 30 minutes or less, you may want to consider changing the oil more frequently, because the oil doesn’t circulate long enough to clean the engine and engine components, causing greater wear and tear. 

Change your fluid.  There are four major fluids in your vehicle; motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid.  Many people forget about these fluids until they are on the ground below and it’s too late.  Once a month check under the hood to monitor that these fluids are at their appropriate levels to avoid any costly and unnecessary breakdowns.  Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended schedule to change these fluids as well.  

Check your tire pressure and alignment.  Many people don’t pay much attention to their tires unless there is a significant and noticeable problem.  By keeping your tires properly inflated, you not only increase your fuel economy but also extend the life of your tires by allowing them to wear more evenly.  Under inflation is one of the most common and avoidable causes of tire failure.  Similarly, wheels that are out of alignment can cause improper tire wear and serious steering problems if left unchecked.  Check tire pressure once a month to ensure proper inflation and help keep your tires lasting as long as possible.  Generally, wheels should be aligned every 7,500 miles, although there are several other indications that your vehicle is in need of an alignment, such as pulling in one direction on a level road.   

You can always call our friendly and knowledgeable staff at 813-929-7200 to discuss any issues you may have with your vehicle.

It’s no secret that stress has negative effects on your health. But did you know that chronic stress more than doubles the risk of having a heart attack? These are odds that you may want to consider. Luckily, reducing stress will not only improve your attitude but it might just save your life.

The following simple stress-reducing pointers can be easily incorporated into your everyday life.

Sleep: Don’t skimp on sleep! One of the easiest ways to manage stress is getting a good night’s sleep.

Relax: It’s not always easy to relax when your blood is boiling. If you have a hard time cooling off try these easy relaxation practices: breathe deeply and slowly for at least a minute; take a midday nap; spend some time with your pet; and laugh!

Exercise: Studies have shown that exercising is a surefire way to relieve stress. Try starting off with just 15 minutes a day, five days a week.

As it’s still early in the year, reflecting back on 2008 may benefit your budget. Do you see areas that could have been managed better? Was money wasted on unnecessary items? Did money just seem to disappear? Since the answer to these questions is often unanimously “yes!” this month’s money saving tips revolve around impulse buying.

Imprudent spending is easy to control. Simply use tools that help you be more cautious about hasty spending.

Credit cards are often the gateway to spontaneous spending. Try leaving your credit cards at home. Better yet, save them for emergencies.

Planning your purchases will also help you avoid unexpected spending. Try buying a magazine or newspaper subscription instead of purchasing them individually. Think about meals you would like to make during the week, grocery shop for those items, and then bring your lunch to work. Planning ahead will save you money.

Give yourself a cash allowance when you get paid. Plan your budget so you have enough cash to get you through to the next paycheck. Knowing that you have just enough cash for the necessities will lead to contentious spending.

Do you have trouble remembering where you left your keys, the names of people you’ve met, or even what you wore to work yesterday? You’re not alone! One of the most common complaints among the middle aged is forgetfulness. If your memory could use a boost, try this mental fitness routine and get your brain back in shape.

Start mental exercising: Stimulate your brain by solving novel problems like brainteasers, crossword puzzles, and word puzzles. Make sure the puzzles are challenging, but also enjoyable. As you keep getting better continue to challenge yourself.

Nourish your brain: Put your brain on a diet by feeding it healthy food. Beneficial fats (olive oil, fish, and walnuts) are excellent for your brain. Foods high in antioxidants, vitamins C and E, leafy vegetables, and fruits will also increase mental abilities.

Get into a routine: Creating daily habits like putting your keys and glasses in same location everyday will get you into the practice of remembering things.

You are recycling, reusing plastic bags, and switching to fluorescent light bulbs. But it’s 2009 and you’re ready to pitch in even more to help our environment. The good news is that going-and staying-greener is easier than ever.

Label Shop: Buying products that are environmentally friendly is as easy as looking at the label. If you’re in the market for electronics look for the Energy Star logo. Shopping for a new computer? Look for the EPEAT label. And, you can find the Forestry Stewardship Council seal on paper and wood furniture products.

Recycle Electronics: Take your recycling one-step further. Don’t throw away your old cell phones, VHS players, or other electronic products. Services now specialize in buying old electronics. You might even make some cash for your useless goods.

Say No to Plastic Bottles: Get into the habit of using a reusable water bottle. Choose a bottle that is made out of aluminum or plastic that is BPA-free. This will result in less plastic in landfills and more money in your wallet!

At this year’s Detroit auto show, an evident trend could be seen among almost all of the automakers-electric cars. It makes sense as the need for alternative-fuel technology is growing. And automotive companies are keeping up with the technology of the future.

Electricity is thought to be the propulsion system of the future. Companies from Ford to General Motors have plans to mass-produce an electric car within the next three years. This means by the year 2012, 20% of cars in the United States will be electric!

Of course the question remains, which auto company will dominate this market? Smart Car has already introduced a two-seater vehicle. But these cars will not rule the road since they are not realistic for families of four or five. This is a challenge that automakers are facing head on: Ford, Toyota, and Nissan are among the few that plan to unveil an electric sedan.

This burgeoning movement may be just what the automotive industry needs to recover from its current struggle. And the fact that we will reduce our dependence of foreign oil doesn’t hurt either.

The automotive industry’s introduction of exciting electric cars may have you wondering what to do with the old gas-guzzler in your driveway. You’re not alone in this predicament, in fact, congress is currently mulling over a proposal to pay people for their clunkers. 

The new program is aptly called, “Cash for Clunkers”. Under legislation, turning in your clunker could earn you up to $4,500! The program is designed as an incentive for drivers to scrap gas-gobbling vehicles for new fuel-efficient cars.

If you’re not in the market for a new car, you can still turn in the eyesore that’s been sitting in your garage. In return, you can receive vouchers for rides on public transportation like buses and trains.

Do you find yourself making too many trips to the coffee pot for a refill throughout the day? Or perhaps your eyelids settle at half-mast while staring at your computer? For various reasons, staying awake-and alert-at work can sometimes be easier than it sounds. 

The key to staying alert is to keep your brain stimulated. Try these tips to help you get through a day after little hours of sleep.

Ration caffeine: There is no doubt that caffeine can give you a boost. But overloading on coffee, tea, or soda can result in an inevitable crash. Try pacing your caffeine intake throughout the day to avoid counterproductive effects.

Don’t overindulge: Snacking on healthy food throughout the day can keep your energy level on full. Heavy foods that make you full will drain your energy and induce sleep.

Stay sunny: Bright light energizes you. If you don’t work near a window, take a walk outside for a dose of natural sunlight. If the weather is dreary, add another lamp to your workspace.

Get moving: If your schedule allows, move away from your desk to stretch and walk. Get your blood flowing to beat feeling sluggish. While walking outside, quicken your pace to invigorate and awaken your senses.