We all know how risky texting while driving can be, but it’s not the only kind of distracted driving that can have dangerous consequences.

In response to concerns over the swarm of new technology in today’s cars, the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have released a set of voluntary guidelines for automobile manufacturers to help limit dangerous distracted driving practices.

While these guidelines are directed towards auto manufacturers, we at DCH Academy HOnda think that these recommendations can be useful for drivers, too.

Keep your eyes on the road

The NHTSA suggests that vehicle makers limit the amount of time that drivers have to take their eyes off the road to use certain functions on electronic features. The recommended time limit is two seconds at a time for a total of 12 seconds. To stay safe while driving, try to limit the amount of time you spend fiddling with your car’s gadgets so you can keep your eyes on the road.

Don’t use certain features while your vehicle is in motion

The NHTSA also recommends that automobile makers program certain features to automatically disable when the car is in motion, such as internet browsing functions, video content, and social media. If your current vehicle has these types of features or others that might be too complicated to use while driving, consider pulling over and stopping in a safe place before using them.

The take away for drivers is that while in-vehicle technology can be convenient, it can also pose risks if not used safely. Help decrease your chances of getting in an accident and avoid being a distracted driver by exercising caution when using these features.

If you’d like to learn more about the dangers of distracted driving, the NHTSA has several resources available on their website. And be sure to check out the DCH Academy Honda Facebook page and let us know how you stay safe on the road.

Little League Teams Rebound from Hurricane Sandy with Help from Honda

The Little League Baseball season started swinging on April 20 of this year, and for many of the teams who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy in October of 2012, this was an even bigger accomplishment than usual.

The storm, the second-costliest hurricane in United States history, ravaged the fields, bleachers, and dugouts of many Little League facilities in the northeast. Honda set out to make sure that opening day 2013 would be better than ever.

The automaker, who has sponsored Little League Baseball and Softball for 17 years, organized a $50,000 cash donation to the Staten Island Little League, as well as several fundraising events that raised community awareness and money for the teams.

Events that guests enjoyed on opening day included Car-e-oke, Musical Car Seats, and charades events. Whenever guests participated in these events Honda donated up to $50 to the Staten Island Little League.

These funds will be used to repair ruined fields, twisted bleachers, and flooded dugouts. Ongoing projects will also work to replace damaged scoreboards and field lighting.

We at DCH Academy Honda are proud of the effort that Honda has put forth to support Little League Baseball. Stay tuned to the season as the 32 teams battle for spots in regional, national, and international competitions.

A Closer Look at Why the Accord Plug-In Is Great for You

There are many great things to say about the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In, and many publications and people are trying to say them all at once. This can become a complicated jumble of information, so we at DCH Academy Honda would like to take a moment to clarify, in simple terms, why the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In is the best automotive investment available.

Let’s start with fuel efficiency. Since the Accord Plug-In doesn’t always run on gasoline, the measurement used is miles per gallon equivalent, or MPGe. In the city, you will enjoy the equivalent of 124 miles per gallon of fuel. While on the highway, you will travel 105 miles for each gallon of fuel used.*

These numbers don’t tell the whole story though, because you don’t necessarily have to burn fuel to travel those 105 or 124 miles. If your commute is 10 miles or less, round trip, you can get to and from work every day without using fuel, cruising off the power of your battery that you charge each evening.

To make this remarkable efficiency possible, Honda has implemented a range of technology for your enjoyment. The Accord Plug-In offers three driving options: EV, Hybrid, and Engine. Stay in EV and Hybrid modes to enjoy limited gasoline consumption.

Eco Assist™ will also save you trips to the pump. Push the green ECON button and the engine will program itself to conserve energy. You will also have coaching bars around the speedometer that will train you to drive as efficiently as possible.

The car features passive efficiency technologies as well. The meticulously designed hood, front bumper, and wheels reduce the vehicles drag coefficient, while electric regenerative braking harvests energy each time you slow down, extending your battery’s life. Lastly, tire pressure monitoring system will tell you when you need to refill your tires so that you can keep your fuel economy maximized.

Driving the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In offers more straightforward benefits, too. When you purchase a new Accord Plug-In, you are eligible for a $2,500 federal tax rebate for investing in alternative vehicles. Californians are also eligible for another $2,500 state tax rebate. If you drive in a state that offers it, you will also have HOV Carpool lane access!

We hope that this overview has conveyed some of the key benefits of driving a 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In. If you still need further convincing, visit us at DCH Academy Honda at your next opportunity.

[1] 124 city/105 highway/115 combined miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe) electric rating; 47 city/46 highway/46 combined MPG gasoline only rating. 13 mile maximum EV mode driving range rating. 570 mile combined gas-electric driving range rating. Ratings determined by EPA. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe/MPG and driving range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visithttp://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-PHEV-label.shtml.

Honda wins three big awards in Kelley Blue Book’s 2013 Brand Image Awards study

At DCH Academy Honda, we are proud of the strong reputation that Honda has built over the years. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Honda has won three awards in Kelley Blue Book’s 2013 Brand Image Award study.

Honda was named the ‘Best Value Brand,’ the ‘Most Trusted Brand,’ and the ‘Best Overall Non-Luxury Brand,’ giving it the most awards of any other car brand. This is Honda’s third year in a row winning the ‘Best Value Brand’ award, as well as its second year winning the ‘Most Trusted Brand’ award.

“These awards demonstrate how customers recognize the tremendous quality and value of our products, reflecting the incredible competitive strength of the Honda brand,” said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The winners of the Brand Image Awards are chosen based on results from Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence’s BrandWatch^TM study, which gathers brand perception data from 12,000 new-vehicle shoppers annually on KBB.com.

The ‘Best Value Brand’ award honors automakers that combine affordability, reliability and impressive resale value across their lineup of new vehicles, while the title of ‘Most Trusted Brand’ award is given to brands that build positive reputations with consumers. Honda’s high average score across all categories earned it the biggest award of all, the ‘Best Overall Non-Luxury Brand.’

Come see for yourself what makes Honda such a popular brand with American car buyers. Stop by DCH Academy Honda soon to see our lineup of reliable and affordable vehicles.

The Honda CR-V was launched in 1997 and has gone to be one of the best-selling crossover sports utility vehicles (SUV) on the market and favorite for the DCH Academy Honda team. Following the discontinuation of the Element, the CR-V is now Honda’s entry-level SUV. It continues to garner praise for its simple, attractive styling, excellent safety record, and value.

The 2013 Honda CR-V sees the car continue with its fourth-generation body shape and specification. The grille and bumper were substantially redesigned last year, giving the car a cheerful and rather youthful appeal from the outset. Sleek, sporty styling gives the CR-V a market appeal sure to appeal to a wider range of drivers than ever. 

For 2013, there are three available trims, from the entry-level LX up to the feature-rich EX-L. All trims feature 2.4-liter, i-VTEC^® 4-cylinder engine introduced in 2012, which boasts the most impressive performance and efficiency numbers in the model’s history. With 185 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, the CR-V has plenty of energy, but not at the expense of overall gas efficiency. The EPA estimates 23 mpg* around the city with front-wheel drive, increasing to 31 mpg on the highway.* All-wheel drive models are estimated at a 22/30 mpg city/highway.

Handling on the CR-V is excellent – responsive, sharp and precise. Available real-time all-wheel drive takes this one step further, actively decreasing noise and vibration and working intelligently to decide when the all-wheel drive is required. As the driver, you can have complete peace of mind knowing that the system will automatically detect when the front wheels have insufficient traction and switch to all-wheel drive automatically.

The 2013 Honda CR-V maintains its position on the road with barely any body roll or noise thanks to the highly-tuned suspension. Whether you’re the driver or a passenger, you can expect an impeccably comfortable ride.

The CR-V’s interior is of a high standard, with a clean, smart, and comfortable finish that should delight all your occupants. The intelligent Multi-Information Display (called the i-MID) is standard on all models and offers a host of high-tech features. When connected to a compatible smartphone, for example, you can opt to have your SMS messages displayed on the screen. Bluetooth^® compatibility is standard across all three trims, while a satellite-linked navigation system with voice control is available on the EX-L.

It’s easy to pack up your most important belongings (and then some) for your next trip with the CR-V’s spacious interior, which boasts 70.9 cubic-feet of cargo space if the rear seats are dropped down. That’s easily achieved, too, thanks to the easy fold-down set up.

The Honda brand continues to be closely associated with high standards of safety, and the CR-V is no exception. All trims come with the entire range of active and passive safety features as standard, and it’s an impressive list. The CR-V’s body design is enhanced to offer maximum protection in the event of a collision. There are comprehensive air bags, front and rear, as well as anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist^™, and daytime running lights. The CR-V is even designed in such a way to minimize the risk of injury to a pedestrian in the event of a collision.

The entire range of CR-V trims offers superb value for money. The entry-level LX starts at just $22,795**, increasing to $24,895** for the EX and $27,545** for the EX-L.

Within its class, the CR-V offers one of the best combinations of performance, comfort and safety. Thanks to an eye-catching new look, the 2013 model is another great addition to the CR-V line.

*Based on 2013 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

**MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $830.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.