Winter Weather Preparedness

The cold winter months are upon us! That means getting your car ready for the harsh climate that comes along with it! We want to keep you as prepared as possible for any unfortunate scenario that might occur in the tough winter winds, so here are some things to look over before starting the car:

1. Keep an Emergency Kit inside your car- This kit can include an array of items: jumper cables, crackers, hand-warmers, water, blankets, tools and flashlight. You never know when the weather will leave you stuck on the side of the road.

2. Replace your windshield wipers and wiper fluid- When it starts to snow, and snow hard, you are going to want windshield wipers that last. When an unexpected storm hits, the last thing you want is a broken wiper blade or one that doesn't work at all!

3. Always keep the tank full- We know this can be difficult, and sometimes we let our cars run on fumes until we absoluteley need to fill up. While this typically isn't good any time of the year, it can be especially detrimental in the winter months. Freezing and shifting temperatures can cause condensation to form on the walls of a gas tank near empty, causing water to drip down into the gas. It will eventually sink to the bottom, since water is heavier than gas. Water can find its way into the fuel lines and freeze up, causing a blockage in gas flow to the engine. Avoid the worst-case scenario all together and keep your tank moderately full.  

4. Keep the right amount of anti-freeze in your radiator- It is important to keep the right balance of anti-frees and water in your radiator to prevent engine freezing and corrosion. The typical standard is 50:50 ratio of water to anti-freeze.

5.Consider snow tires- Tires made for the winter months versus the warmer months vary greatly. Snow tires can help with greater traction and control when driving through a storm, as opposed to your standard summer tires that typically have lost traction.

Drive safe and let us take a look at your vehicle before you set out in the harsh Kansas City winter weather- Schedule a service appointment with our team today!

Consumer Reports Puts Lexus on Top

For yet another consecutive year, Lexus and Toyota have come out on top in the rankings of most reliable cars you can buy (and by a pretty impressive margin). Some of the best cars that Consumer Reports noted as being in the top included the Scion xB, the Lexus CT 200h and the Lexus ES 300h. In the SUV category the Toyota Highlander and the Lexus RX took two of the top spots. Of the 1,078,364 vehicles included in the survey, 10 models of the Lexus came out on top and 24 models of Toyota followed suit. The Lexus IS 350 sedan was the top rated luxury compact car in its class. In hybrid and electric cars, the Lexus CT 200h led its category followed by the Lexus ES 300h. The Lexus LS and Lexus ES were the top two rated in luxury midsize/large vehicles and the Lexus RX, RX hybrid and GX took the top three spots in luxury midsize/large SUVs. Lexus only continues to move up and onward in its constant pursuit of perfection. 

Future Vision of Lexus

The Lexus USA international dealer's meeting just took place in Los Angeles in addition to celebrating their 25th birthday! The blog, Toyota's Drivers Seat, posted a recap on the meeting and stated the following:

"There were enticing previews of commercials for the RC and NX, coming to Lexus showrooms within the next two months. There was Akio Toyoda inspiring the crowd with his passionate message. There were plenty of light-hearted moments. But the overall message was clear: Be proud of what Lexus has done in the last 25 years, push to make the next 25 years even better."

In the meeting, Akio Toyoda highlighted the fact that instead of an anniversary, he considered this a "rebirth" of the company. Toyoda stated he saw this anniversary as an opportunity to say, "'Ok, now what?’ Or perhaps more importantly, ‘What if?’ What if we really go after the competition? What if we exceed every customer expectation and then some?"

In addition to Toyoda's heartfelt speech, he congratulated dealers on their sales of 4.8 million vehicles over the last 25 years. After Toyoda, Peggy Turner (VP of customer service) took the stage and turned the conversation to the new face of the customer. Turner highlighted that, "Women, diverse markets and young drivers" will be next to share in the Lexus vision. The meeting closed with a statement by Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Jeff Bracken, who stated “We’re not just making and selling cars. What Lexus has done over the last 25 years, what we will do over the next 25, is going to be reflected in the world our children and our children’s children inherit. And we intend to leave a legacy that leads to a better world.” Keep an eye out for Lexus to diversify their reach in the luxury market, and keep your expectations high.

A Little Royals History

We thought what better time to take a look back into some Kansas City Royals history than during the cusp of the World Series! The Royals got their start back in 1968 when MLB desired expansion to 24 teams total. The Royals played their first game in 1969 under the owner Ewing M. Kauffman. By 1971, the Royals achieved their first winning season and was renowned as the team to have achieved the most rapid success at the time! In 1977 the Royals won a grand total of 102 games and established a new team record. On October 27th, 1985, the KC Royals celebrated their very first World Series title with an 11-0 defeat over the St. Louis Cardinals at the Royals Stadium. In 1993, the team's beloved player George Brett retired from play, but was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame later in 1999! The 2000's were years wrought with struggle for our boys in blue, with year after year of losses. 

Fast forward to the year, oh I don't know, 2014: Our beloved Kansas City Royals have brought the entire town together in more ways than one! The Royals have progressed into the World Series for the first time since 1985. We could not be more proud of these boys and win or lose, we will never forget how much unity this royal blue team has brought our wonderful city. 

Breast Cancer Events in K

                   

The iconic Kansas City fountains spewing water in the shade of pink is a reminder to the city that Breast Cancer Awareness month is more than just spreading the word. It is about engaging yourself and other you love to become proactive in the race for a cure! The Susan G. Komen foundation of greater Kansas City has a calendar full of special occasions to help you engage even more in the cause! 

Wednesday, October 15th @ 11:30 AM : #NBCAM Webinar

Join Michelle Smekins, a Naturopathic Oncology Provider with Cancer Treatment Centers of America, in an online presentation of neuropathic medicine. In addition, she will address topics such as breast cancer risk-reduction and the side effects of management through supplements, minerals and lifestyle. 

Friday, October 17th @ 8:00 AM: National Mammogram Day

Don your finest ink attire and hashtag #Every1KC to show your support on national mammogram day! Post your pictures to Facebook and twitter white tagging us to show your pink pride and get your friends to join the fun!

Thursday, October 23rd @ 5:30 PM: Pink in the Park (Park Place) 

 Grab the girls and make a day out of shopping, wining and dining in one of the most momentous shopping districts in Kansas City! (Check out http://www.komenkansascity.org/kansascity-events/) to get more details). 

Wednesday, October 29th @ 6:00 PM 2015 Komen Kansas City Volunteer Launch (O'Neill Honda) 

It's a night to celebrate our accomplishments over the past year as well as to get recommitted to efforts for 2015 and beyond. Are you already a volunteer? Bring a friend and introduce them to the world of Komen Kansas City! Join us!

Breast Cancer Detection Tips

1.7 million new cases of breast cancer are identified in worldwide each year. Statistically, 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime and breast cancer is known to be the 2nd leading cause of death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Knowing how to properly detect breast cancer early is one of the most detrimental steps in identifying whether or not you may be at risk. Here are some steps to take when determining whether or not you may be a carrier:

Screening exams: Screenings such as mammograms can be an impactful way of detecting breast cancer in its early stages, when it is most easily cured. Women ages 40 and older should have yearly screenings and should continue to do so as long as they are in good health.

Breast Self Exam (BSE): Self-exams can also play a role in determining whether or not you may have breast cancer. This is typically recommended for women age 20-30. Women who choose to do BSE should have their BSE technique reviewed during their physical exam by a health professional. 

MRI: In some cases, with women who have higher risks of breast cancer, an MRI in addition to a mammogram may be necessary to detect breast cancer. This includes women with a family history of breast cancer or who have had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between the ages of 10 and 30. 

It is most important to consult your healthcare professional regarding what detection methods may be best for you. There is one thing that can be universally expressed among physicians everywhere: don’t wait. If you have not employed any of these methods in your past, see your doctor to plan a regimen that works for you!

Seize the Moment

If ever there were a perfect time to reward yourself with the Lexus of your dreams, now is the time to Seize the Moment! Hendrick Lexus Kansas City is sponsoring our Seize the Moment sales event, and we would hate to see such outstanding offers go unnoticed! This Certified Pre-owned sales event offers 0.9% APR for 48 months on all of our CPO models. With model years ranging from 2008 to 2014, it's hard not to find something you'll fall in love with (and a price tag to match!) Whether you've had your eye on a pearly white Lexus CT, a Black Onyx Lexus GX or a Silver Metallic Lexus GS, we know we have something on the lot that you'll fall in love with!

Take advantage of these deals before someone else does (sale ends November 3rd)!
Click here to see what future Lexus you could picture yourself loving!