Honda on Grand

Civic Sedan for Play and Work

2010-06-09T18:25:00.001-07:00

The Civic sedan has been and continues to be a favorite car on the Honda lineup. Every year this gets improvements to its technology and practicality. In this blog I'm going to highlight some of the things that stuck out to me.

Sitting in the car I feel like everything is at arms length. It is easy to feel comfortable and familiar with the buttons and their locations. Being six feet tall I felt more than comfortable in the front seat of the Civic. I had tons of headroom and legroom with comfortable resting places for my arms.

The driver and passenger are surrounded by compartments that are perfect for wallets, cellphones, pens, change and anything else.

I found this slot perfect for my wallet, so I could get it out of my back pocket for going in a fast food drive-through or whatever.

Driving this car is fun around the city. Its small size and responsive steering and quick throttle allow this car to be easily manageable in traffic in Chicago or parallel parking. Its also gets 34mpg so those with short commutes will save money.

The cabin is surprisingly quiet at low speeds and minor bumps in the roads are ironed out by the suspension.

This car is great for a first time buyer and someone living in the city.

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About Us

2010-05-22T09:38:00.002-07:00

Honda on Grand in Elmhurst serving Lombard, Addison, Naperville in Illinois

We are one of the prominent Chicago Honda dealerships. A full-fledged Illinois Honda dealership, we specializes in new Honda sales, certified used car sales, Honda service, genuine Honda parts and Honda car loan. For all your Honda requirements in Chicago, Lombard, Addison, Naperville and nearby areas, Honda on Grand in

Elmhurst is an ideal choice.

We stock an large array of top-class Honda models inc

luding the Honda Accord Coupe, Honda Accord Crosstour, Honda Accord Sedan, Honda Civic Coupe, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Civic Sedan, Honda Civic SI, Honda Civic SI Sedan, Honda CRV, Honda Element, Honda Fit and the Honda Insight. Check these out in our virtual showroom, read their comprehensive reviews and also get an instant quote on your favorite brand new Honda online from our website.

We have vast collection of used cars in impeccable condition, Honda on Grand in Elmhurst is a perfect destination for Chicago used cars buyers in and around Lombard, Addison, Naperville, Aurora. We offer top-quality used cars across the world’s most revered automotive brands including Toyota, Chevrolet, Acura, Nissan and of course Honda. Your search for a quality used car in Chicago fruitfully ends at Honda on Grand in Elmhurst.

With highly experienced and skilled technicians on board, we ensure your Honda keeps running much longer with impeccable service. Whether you are in need of genuine Honda parts/accessories or want to schedule a service appointment or need a car loan you can do so online, without any hassle!

HondaonGrand.com

Honda Accessories

2010-05-21T10:41:00.001-07:00

If you are looking to add uniqueness to your car accessories are the way to go.

Searching online or going to a local store looking for the best price is a good idea however, this can lead to problems in the future. The best way to accessorize your Honda is to do it through the dealership.

Dealer Installed Accessories come with a guarantee as dependable as your Honda itself. All Honda Accessories are tested in severe conditions to improve their durability and reliability just like Honda cars are. When you purchase a vehicle with Honda accessories you are purchasing a product that has been created to perfectly match the vehicle it was designed for.

The same applies to the electronic add-ons, Honda makes every single one of their cars prewired for Honda Electric Systems Accessories, like CD products, MP3 players and Security Systems.

Don't forget that with Honda Accessories you also get a warranty and financing options. Every Honda Accessory carries a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty when you buy them with your new car. Take advantage of financing your accessories with your new Honda.

Non-Honda parts and accessories are not warranted by American Honda, so if you purchases a non-Honda part it would not be serviceable at Honda Dealers.

HondaonGrand.com

The RidgeLine

2010-05-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

The Ridgeline brings the Hard Edge to Honda.

The 2010 Ridgeline is a tough, durable, powerful, comfortable and practical road going, off road truck. It is capable of going off road and hauling vehicles or supplies while keeping the passengers comfortable and safe. Traction Control and a Tire pressure monitor are all standard on the 2010 Ridgeline. This is the first 4-door pickup to receive 5-stars from the government in both frontal and side impact tests.

First thing you notice when you get in the car is the amount of storage space. The armrest storage compartment is enormous. You will also notice a shelf above the glove box with a power outlet. Storage space is the name of the game for this truck.

In the driver seat you will find all the buttons easy to access. Some buttons may surprise you to where they are, but once you discover them you will like

their new position. For example the washer fluid button is located on the end of the windshield wiper controls, its not a movement of the controls that controls them. Certain buttons are also larger and have rubbery grips that are easier to manipulate with gloves on.

The Ridgeline is actually the 2009 SCORE International Stock Mini Class Champion.

Driven by Gavin Skilton, the Ridgeline successuflly won four races. They had to make several modifications to make the truck ready for the brutal course but Gavin was surprised about how well it came built:

"It's strong enough that the roll-cage will be there just for safety, and not to hold the unibody together," Gavin Stated

"The Ridgeline has unique features that set it apart from the others," Gavin stated.

"It's the only truck racing in the desert with unit-body construction, VTM-

4 and 4-wheel independent suspension."

The Ridgeline is a great truck and would be a great choice for the person who likes the outdoors and isn't afraid of getting dirty sometimes.

HondaonGrand.com

Information researched from:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/featuredvehicles/129_0605_desert_race__honda_ridgelin/index.html

FC Sport Concept

2010-05-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

The FC Sport Concept is what sports coupes will be like in the future.

This three seater concept uses the same Hydrogen fuel cell technology that can be found in the FCX Clarity (which is already on the road). The FC Sport shows the flexibility of hydrogen fuel cell by using it in a super car and not only in a family sedan.

All the parts were designed with weight saving and performance in mind. With a powertrain that already offers zero emissions, Honda could focus on weight saving and balance in the FC Sport. An electric motor sits just in front of the rear-axle and a battery pack sits low in the center of the vehicle.

Because of the innovative design of the car there is extra space to offer three passengers, with seating arrangements just like in the legendary Mclaren F1 Supercar. The driver sits in middle while the other two passengers sit on the sides.

This car will change the way people think about performance vehicles. The FC Sport displays performance, style and speed without contributing to the environmental crisis.

HondaonGrand.com

*All information and photos were taken from the following websites:

http://jalopnik.com/5093386/honda-fc-sport-hydrogen-sports-car-concept-of-the-future

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z16229/honda-fc-sport-concept.aspx

http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/hondafctopla08/1004731464/

Accord Coupe vs. Accord Sedan

2010-05-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

The Accord is one of Honda's most popular cars. It has proven to be one of the most reliable, affordable and practical cars on the road year after year.

The Accord Sedan is a great choice for anyone buying a car, but lets not forget the Accord Coupe. In this blog post we are going to compare the 2010 Accord Coupe and Sedan. Both are excellent cars and both offer different driving experiences. Both of these cars are marvelous to drive and each has their own personality.

The Accord Coupe offers the same amount of practicality as is larger sibling but with its 3.4 Liter V-6 it adds more excitement to driving. More aggressive styling on the inside and out are only cues to the performance under the hood.

The Accord Coupe EX-L wants you to accelerate quickly. When passing, downshifts are quick and precise. When you accelerate hard you will hear the deep bellow of the V6.

The steering offers a lot a feel in the corners. But at the same time it is still calm and collected during casual driving.

In normal driving the Coupe calms down and it feels more like the Sedan. The ride is smooth and the seats are extremely comfortable. Around the city or on the freeway the car is easily manageable and the performance is easy to access.

Interior space is much larger than one would expect to find in a sports coupe. But there is as much space in the front seats as the Accord Sedan and the Coupe adds a sporty flavor.

The added sportiness does not compromise practicality, safety and cargo space are still excellent. In the rear seat of the Coupe there are side curtain airbags, providing confidence to taller passengers.

Cargo space in the Coupe is also very similar to the Sedan.

The Sedan adds only 2.1 cubic feet of more trunk space compared to the Coupe.

In conclusion, the Honda Accord Coupe is a great alternative to the Accord Sedan if you are looking for the perfect balance of driving excitement and everyday practical use.

HondaonGrand.com

Your Music and Phone Love your Honda

2010-04-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

Honda's Navigation System offers a lot of great and practical features that will keep you safe while driving.

In this blog we will explain some of the functions and their benefits.

The Bluetooth feature on the navigation system allows you to connect your Bluetooth enabled phone to the car.

When you do this you will be able to make/receive calls with your steering wheel without having to touch your phone.

After I paired my phone with the Navigation system I just dialed the number in the system and the car took care of the rest.

For added safety you can just push a button on the steering wheel and say the number you wish to call or the persons name as it appears in your phonebook and the car will dial it for you.

Just like you would do at home on a computer you can search names and places using the cars directory. This way you don't have to pull up a map or call information for help.

In addition to giving you restaurants, Honda's Navigation offers Zagat Ratings. Zagat is a company that gives reviews for thousands of restaurants around the nation. So while you are on the go you could find a really good place to eat.

You can also enter in addresses into the navigation system, such as your work, home or friends addresses, this way the system can find you the fastest way to get there while avoiding all the traffic.

The trip computer is great because it doesn't only tell you how far you have gone, but it calculates your average MPG and speed.

The music capability is great too. With Honda's system you may connect your iPod/iPhone or other USB device. You can control what songs you hear using the buttons in the car while it charges your device in the armrest.

HondaonGrand.com

The Crosstour

2010-04-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

Think of the New Crosstour as a combination of the Honda Pilot and Honda Accord.

It's a great solution for people who want S.U.V size and capability while keeping Accord drivability and comfort.

On the road the Crosstour feels solid and offers accurate steering. That squishy feeling in turns that you can get from taller cars doesn't exist here. The car doesn't sacrifice ride for responsiveness either, it's more comfortable than the Pilot and still offers all the same equipment including 4-Wheel-Drive.

The interior space is great. It offers a surprising amount of space for the driver and passengers. The rear comfort is better than most cars with great leg room and plenty of lean to the back seats. On a long road trip it would be a great place to be.

The trunk space is excellent, with an effortless flick of a switch the rear seats will fall completely flat exposing 51.3 square feet of cargo space.

With the rear seats up you will have 25.7 square feet of cargo space.

Under the trunk floor you will find 3 storage areas, one of which is removable, which are perfect if you have dirty shoes or anything that you don't want to mess up your interior.

The removable tops that cover these storage areas can be flipped over to show the durable and washable side.

In summary, if you're looking for a vehicle that will keep you comfortable, give you lots of space for passengers and luggage, and 4WD the Crosstour is a great choice for you.

HondaonGrand.com

J.D. Power awards 3 Honda Cars

2010-04-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

J.D. Power and Associates named the 2007 Honda CR-V, Ridgeline and Fit as their

"most-dependable vehicles" in their segments.

J.D. Power and Associates does a study on the most common problem areas in cars that have been on the road for three years. Each one of their 100 test vehicles is owned and has been driven thousands of miles.

Overall Quality is determined by comparing the number of cars to the number of problems that arise.

The scoring format looks like this: xxxPP100. The first number reflects of the amount of problems that were discovered and the second represents the amount of vehicles tested.
The average score for cars is 155pp100. Lower numbers in the first section reflect higher quality.

Here Proxy-Connection: keep-alive
Cache-Control: max-age=0

e the scores for the CR-V, Ridgeline and Fit:

CR-V scored 113pp100
Fit scored 137pp100
Ridgeline scored 109pp100

Make sure you visit our website Facebook and Twitter pages for Deals and Specials!

HondaonGrand.com

all information was gathered from Hondanews.com article

FCX Clarity

2010-04-23T15:50:00.001-07:00

The Car of the Future

For the past few years changes in the environment and the limit of natural resources has forced many car companies to re-evaluate the way the propel their cars. The current standard for fuel efficiency has been either small car with a small engine or a hybrid car that doesn't perform as well as its gas version.

In 2009 Honda introduced the FCX Clarity, a revolutionary car that produces no greenhouse gases while still providing the same performance and practicality of a normal family sedan.

The most remarkable part of this car is its unique power supply. The car produces power by combining Hydrogen (stored in an on board tank) with Oxygen from the air to create electricity which powers the motor. The only thing that comes out of the exhaust is water, H2O.

Here are the steps that the car takes to power you forward:

Hydrogen is pumped out of the tank
The Hydrogen then travels through the V-Flow fuel cell stack and a catalyst splits the Hydrogen into protons and electrons.
The electrons are then channeled through circuits to create electricity to power the motor
Oxygen then enters and recombines with the electrons and protons and creates water

Currently the FXC Clarity is only offered as a lease in Southern California. Hydrogen fueling stations need to expand more before the car can be sold elsewhere.

HondaonGrand.com

content from Honda.com
images from autoblog.com

Honda Insight Honored with Top Safety Pick Award

2010-04-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

The reason people get hybrid cars is because they want to help the environment and get great MPG at the same time. But some people may be reluctant of getting a hybrid car because they're concerned that its smaller size would be less safe.

We want to remind people that the Honda Insight, the most affordable hybrid on the market, received the TOP SAFETY PICK award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2009.

This award recognizes cars that do the best job at protecting occupants in front, side and rear collisions.

Honda is dedicated to safety, and the Research and Development department in Raymond, Ohio is one of the most sophisticated to date. It offers the worlds first pitching crash test simulator. Which can simulate pitch movements during any kind of collision, allowing for more real-world depictions of accidents for better improvements in safety.

Honda Research and Development

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Honda Fit Practicality

2010-04-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Honda Fit is a great choice for people who are interested in getting fuel efficiency and cargo space in an affordable package.

57.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down
33 MPG Highway
$14,900 starting price

Automobile Magazine used a Honda Fit as an everyday car for a year.

They said:

"no one thought twice about taking the Fit on runs to Ikea or loading it up with hockey bags and heading off to the ice rink."

"when it comes to transporting people and cargo, the Fit is at absolutely no disadvantage compared with most bigger cars."

It's remarkable that a car this size is capable of having so much practical space. The rear seats are really light so putting them up and down is easy. If you are someone who may need an affordable and reliable car to move luggage around then the Honda Fit may be your solution.

HondaonGrand.com

Eco Assist

2010-04-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

Green Car Journal picked the Honda Insight as a "Top 5 for 2010"

"It's stylish, offers five passenger seating, and has the smallest price tag of any hybrid on the market."

-Green Car Journal

The Honda Insight offers a unique system that helps drivers get the most mileage out of their car by regulating engine systems. It's called Eco Assist. The car and the driver must work together for a Hybrid to get the maximum mileage. That is why when the Econ button is pushed the on board computer gives the driver real time feedback on how efficiently he or she is driving.

The Econ assist will help drivers make the right choice with their driving allowing them to get the most mileage out of the Insight.

This system comes standard on all Insight trim levels.

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Fuel Efficiency

2010-04-07T19:14:00.000-07:00

Fuel efficiency can save us all money. Here are a bunch of good tips to help getting the most miles out of your car. But first we would like to talk about a few Honda cars that received excellent marks in a recent mpg (miles per gallon) test by Consumer Reports Ma gazine.

We are proud to say that the Honda Insight, Civic Hybrid, Civic EX, Civic SI, Fit and Odyssey were all named "Best in Fuel Economy" in their respective categories. Consumer Reports found that in their Small Cars category Honda cars filled 3 of the 6 cars. The category also included the Toyota Corolla LE, Mazda3 i Touring and the Kia Forte EX.

Things to look out for that could hurt your MPG

1. Inspect your tires

Make sure that your tire pressure is between the recommended levels. Low tire pressure can increase road friction forcing the engine to work harder reducing gas mileage. Check for cracks, cuts or bulges in the sidewalls for they are signs that the tires may need replacing.

2. Inspect your engine fluids

Engine coolant and transmission fluids are vital to allowing various parts to move. If parts don't move properly the engine will work harder, which will reduce mpg. Make sure that you check your check the transmission fluid via the dipstick. If the fluid feels gritty or has a distinct smell it could be a sign of engine damage.

3. Check and replace vital engine parts

Timing belts and hoses are some of the most important parts of a car engine. Make sure they are not too worn out or loose to ensure engine efficiency. Tears or breaks in these parts could lead to expensive repairs.

Driving techniques for better MPG

1. Reduce speed

More speed = more power, more power =more gas. Reducing your speed from 75 to 55 mph could improve your mileage by up 10 mpg.

2. Drive Smoothly

Hard acceleration and hard braking greatly reduces fuel efficiency. This is common driving for city drivers, stop and goes between street lights and stop signs are hard on engines and brakes. The hardest work for our engines is the quick accelerations from zero, this is when our cars use the most amount of fuel for the least amount of distance traveled. So try to stay as much as you can at a constant speed around town and on the freeways.

3. Drive Thoughtfully

Try to combine errands and only use the car when you need to. Don't drive to a restaurant that doesn't have a lot of parking and spend time driving around looking for a spot. Try to avoid driving the car when its cold and avoid idling when possible.

4. Lose the weight

The heavier the car, the more the engine has to work to pull it along. Thats why larger trucks and SUVs get less mpg than smaller cars. Try and get rid of stuff thats weighing down your trunk or your back seat.

5. Aerodynamics

You may also want to remove the roof rack when it's not in use. Having a large object on the roof will not only add weight but its shape will slow down the car due to aerodynamic drag. The less drag your car has going through the air the better the gas mileage. Closing your windows during highway driving will also help allow the car to go through the air smoother. That loud roaring noise you hear from the windows is the air hitting the pillars and inside of the car instead of flowing smoothly around the car.

We hope these tips will help you with your MPG.

HondaonGrand.com

*all data was found from Consumer Reports Magazine

What You Get from HondaonGrand.com

2010-04-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

Going to a dealership to walk around a car is a thing of the past. Now you can check out the car you are interested in from the comfort of your home. Honda on Grand's new Virtual Brochure allows you to do a bunch of cool things online.

1. Select a car you are interested in

2. Change its color

3. Explore the interior and exterior with a panoramic visual feature

4. Contact a Sales Team member about your inquire

*If you find a car you like make sure you contact our sales staff.

HondaonGrand.com

CR-Z Hybrid

2010-03-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

*CR-Z concept from 2008 Chicago Auto Show

In the Summer of 2010 the Honda CR-Z Hybrid will arrive to our showroom floor.

We are extremely excited to have this car, it is the natural progression that Honda foresees with sports cars. The combination of performance technology with hybrid technology. It will have a 1.5 liter i-VTEC® engine pushing out about 122 hp @ 6000 rpm along side electric motors.

There are three driving modes for the car; "Sport", "Normal" and "Econ". Each mode can be selected by the driver depending on what he or she wants from the car.

Select:

Sport Mode for the quickest response from the engine and the most res ponsive handling.
Econ Mode for the most fuel efficient drive regulated by the on board computers and electric motors (same system found on the Honda Insight)
Normal Driving (initiated at start) for default setting for steering, engine response, motor assist and air conditioning

We are really excited for this car, and we will have a lot more information in the next couple of weeks. Look here for updates on the new CR-Z!

Hondaongrand.com

The NEW Odyssey

2010-02-20T07:36:00.000-08:00

Honda announced the redesign of the Odyssey at the Chicago Auto Show. With it's lower stance, wider body and generally more aggressive appearance the 2011 will definitely attract a larger market to the minivan.

The Reason for the re-design is to capture a large market of people who wanted the practicality of a minivan but didn't want that image.

Catalin Matel, the senior designer of the 2011 Odyssey, said that his team wants to:

"Redefine the Minivan"

Honda set out to achieve customer goals of better styling and appearance without sacrificing the things that have kept the Honda Odyssey #1 in its class for the past three years.

Those improvements include:

Better Fuel Efficiency
Better Handling
Improved seating capacity (3 seats in middle row)

Changes that created these improvements were made the same way racing car teams improve their lap times. This is done by reducing wind resistance, lowing the center of gravity and modifying the on board computers. That is why Honda angled the A and B pillars, lowered the car's suspension and gave it a wider body.

Sleeker designs give a look which is more athletic and similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class than the traditional Honda minivan. The current Odyssey does 17 mpg city and 25 mpg hwy, Honda says that this new one will do 19 city and 28 hwy.

The new 2011 Honda Odyssey is rumored to hit our showroom floor between August and October.

Hondaongrand.com

WELCOME!

2010-02-13T19:31:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Welcome to Honda on Grand's brand new weekly blog. Here you will find general Honda news, our dealership specials and even some of our own car reviews.

We understand that buying a car can be a very complicated and intimidating process, but we promise that once you read this blog you will feel more comfortable and confident with buying a new car from Honda on Grand.

This blog will also allow you the opportunity to comment and offer feedback on your experience with us.

We want this to be the most interactive experience it can be, so feel free to offer your suggestions.

We hope you enjoy!