5 Summer Activities

June gloom may be fast approaching, but that does not mean that you should not get prepared for summer. Many schools are finally out of session and the kids and adults alike will be ready to have some fun in the sun. Summer is one of the best times of the year in Southern California because of the easy access we have to beaches and amusement parks. Here are a list of things to do this summer:

Spend a day at the beach!

There is nothing more relaxing sitting on the beach watching the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash with your toes buried in the sand. Take your favorite bathing suit and soak up the sun at any of the local beaches (they all are beautiful). Don't forget to pack sunscreen, food, an umbrella, towels or beach chairs, footballs, or even frisbees. To enhance your experience even more you should invest in a portable speaker so you can play some tunes while relaxing with your family and friends on the shore.

In addition to being lazy in the sand, you can rent a bike and ride along the shore to enjoy the beautiful views that the California coast has to offer. Also, there is plenty of great restaurants in every major beach city, so do your research and find a new restaurant to try.

Make a trip to an amusement park!

Located in Anaheim, Disneyland is the place to be during the summer. The popular family theme park has been delivering magic memories since 1955, and they have shown no signs of slowing down. I recommend getting at least a two day pass so you can conquer both parks and get the most out of your visit, but if you cannot afford such things there are alternatives.

Luckily Southern California is a hotbed for great amusement parks. Knott's Berry Farm is a family friendly amusement parks with more thrills for adults, and it is about 15 minutes away from the Happiest Place on Earth. Knott's provides more thrills with their rollercoasters, but also has plenty of fun things for the little ones to do.

If neither of those are down your alley, you may want to consider making a little bit of a drive to Valencia for Six Flags Magic Mountain. Six Flags has a child friendly sections, but most of the attractions are designed for teenagers and adults to enjoy. Their adrenaline-inducing rollercoasters are high speed and built to the sky. Both Six Flags and Knott's are great, cheaper, alternatives to Disneyland.

Take me out to the ball game!

When you live in Southern California, you are spoiled with all of the potential activities at your disposal. One of the greatest American pastimes is baseball, which really kicks into gear during the summer. You have three choices when deciding where to attend a baseball game. You can go to the historic Chavez to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers or you can take a trip to Orange County to see the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. If you're really feeling spontaneous, you can take a drive down south to watch the San Diego Padres. Any of these choices make for a great date or family activity on a beautiful summer night.

Go on a cruise!

Cruises are great for people who want to disconnect from the world for a few days and just enjoy time away from the real world. Popular cruise lines offer 3-day, 7-day, and even 14-day getaways to popular vacation spots at a reasonable price. The cheapest cruises take you to Mexico and start at just $229, all inclusive. This is a perfect way to travel during the summer without hurting your pocketbook.

Vegas baby!

Las Vegas is one of the biggest summer vacation destinations despite being located dead in the middle of the Nevada desert. It gets extremely hot during the day and does not cool down much at night, but there is nothing that compares to the Vegas atmosphere. There is so much to do in Vegas that you need several days there to get the complete experience.

Hitting a pool party is a must when you go to Vegas in the summer. They are the number one attraction, but you can also opt to go to a nightclub instead. If you're really feeling the Vegas spirit, you can try to conquer both in one day!

Aside from the partying and gambling, Vegas is a great place to watch a show. There are plenty to choose from like Jersey Boys, David Copperfield, or even a number of Cirque du Soleil shows, so choose your show wisely.

We are about a month away from the official start of summer, and it is probably the best time of the year to be in Southern California. These are just a few activities that you can partake in, but use your imagination and think of more fun things to do!

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated for years, but most people do not know the roots or the actual significance of this day. Many people have learned and believed that Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican Independence Day. However, those people have been misinformed. Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican Independence Day. September 16 is actually Mexico's Independence Day (Grito de Delores), but there are plenty of Americans who do not know that. In fact, Cinco de Mayo is not even recognized as a national holiday in Mexico. So what is the significance of Cinco de Mayo?

The significance of Cinco de Mayo dates back to the 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War. The Mexican Army was severely outnumbered by the French, but that did not stop them from trying to protect their land. On May 5, 1862 the Mexican Army defended Puebla Mexico, so Cinco de Mayo commemorates the triumph of the Mexican Army's victory. Cinco de Mayo does not mark Mexico's Independence Day, but rather commemorates Mexico's resistance to French imperialism.

At the time, the French Army was a superpower, so Mexico's victory was extremely unlikely. The French Army had not been defeated in decades and Mexico did not seem to have a chance. However, Mexico did hold off the French in Puebla and that victory is still celebrated annually to this day.

Many Mexican immigrants claim that Cinco de Mayo is more celebrated in the United States than in Mexico. The only place in Mexico that celebrates Cinco de Mayo is Puebla; however the day is still recognized throughout Mexico. So why do we celebrate this seemingly insignificant date to us in the United States?

The outcome of the Battle of Puebla could have potentially influenced the outcome of the American Civil War. The Confederates were expanding west, claiming New Mexico and Arizona and they were heading to California. So what does this have to do with the war in Mexico? Well the French sided with the Confederates in the American Civil War, so Latinos in the United States were fighting a war on two fronts. Some Latinos went back down to Mexico to help fight off the French in Puebla. So had the Battle of Puebla been won by the French, there very well may be a chance that the Confederates could have won the Civil War.

This is why Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Next time someone tells you that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, please educate them on what really happened and why we celebrate by eating tacos and drinking margaritas.

Volvo Replacing Keys With Smartphone App

Beginning in 2017, Volvo plans to do away with the traditional car key and replace it with a smartphone app. Gone would be the fob that locks and unlocks your car door. The traditional key fob will not be necessary for Volvo owners who choose to use their smartphones as their car keys via bluetooth in the future.

The majority of the car owners in the United States has access to smartphones. These mobile devices have taken over our lives and we have become dependent of them. Our phones can do so many functional things that make our lives easier, and Volvo is ready to take the next step by making them function as your car keys.

There are plenty of pros and cons to the idea of the smartphone key, but it appears that Volvo will be headed in that direction regardless. We don't leave the house without our phones, but in 2017 Volvo owners literally cannot leave their house without their phones. This will be convenient in such a way that Volvo owners will not have to carry a key in their pocket, but what happens when their phone dies?

Battery life has always been a hot topic in the smartphone industry. The best smartphones only last for about a day before they need to be recharged. Some phones die faster than others, so what happens when you are stranded somewhere without electricity to charge your phone in order to start your car? What if you're locked out of your car in the snow with a dead phone?

This smartphone app is a brilliant idea, but it also comes with a set of unanswered questions. In the future, we will likely rely on our phones for everything. It will be our key to everything and it will also be our wallet. Battery technology is bound to improve in the coming years, and Volvo is being progressive in making sure they are the mavericks in this new trend.

Prince (1958-2016)

Prince, one of the most polarizing artists in history, passed away in his home on Thursday, April 21, 2016 according to his publicist. Details of Prince's untimely death have not been released, but his fans around the world mourn his loss.

Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up to be a legendary music icon. The man was small in stature, standing at just 5 feet 2 inches, but he was larger than life. Prince is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having won seven Grammy's, an Academy Award, and selling more than 100 million records over the course of his career.

Prince was drawn to music at a young age, using it as refuge from a turbulent life at home. He started his own band in high school, covering songs by the great James Brown, Miles Davis, and Jimi Hendricks. Prince later on released dozens of hits, but his most notable are "When Doves Cry," "Purple Rain," "Little Red Corvette," and "Raspberry Beret."

Prince will always be recognized as one of the most influential artists in history. Those who were lucky enough to see him perform live could appreciate how he commanded the stage and captivated the audience. Prince was a one of a kind artist and he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Apple Car in the Works?

It has been long rumored that Apple will eventually take a leap into the automobile industry. Their top competitor, Google, already has a leg up on the company based in Cupertino, California. Google has been testing software for a driverless car and they will eventually manufacture a car of their own. How long until Apple gets in on the fun?

Everything about an Apple car is pure rumor right now, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk implies that Apple does have plans to get in on the automobile industry:

"I encourage more participation by whoever it is to create electric vehicles," Musk said. "It's quite hard to do, but I think companies like Apple will probably make a compelling electric car. It seems like the obvious thing to do."

Tesla is leading the way in the realm of electric vehicles, with Google and Apple looking to follow their lead. Tesla already has software that will serve as an autopilot feature; a feature that Google desperately wants to replicate.

If Apple does follow suit, it seems that their huge and loyal fanbase will certainly invest in their cars. Apple would produce a gorgeous and efficient car that would remain consistent with the rest of the products that they sell. Anything you'll hear about Apple manufacturing a car right now is rumor, but don't be surprised when they actually do release a car of their own.

The Time Kobe Bryant Leaped Over A Speeding Aston Martin

Kobe Bryant recently played his final game with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. The 20-year NBA legend has had plenty of memories on the court, but one of the most fond memories fans have of him off the court was when he leaped over a speeding Aston Martin in 2008.

Kobe had just finished an NBA season where he was honored with the prestigious Most Valuable Player award and he was gearing up to win a gold medal for Team USA in the Olympic Games in Beijing. As a promotion for his new shoes, Kobe made what appeared to be a homemade Youtube video where he jumps over an Aston Martin.

This was a risky and dangerous video that went viral nearly immediately. This video displayed Kobe's freakish athletic ability by jumping over the luxury car, and earned him respect from millions of fans around the world. Of course, there are doubters who believed the video was fake and attempted to debunk the fact that Kobe actually cleared the speeding Aston Martin, but that is besides the point. Unfortunately for the nonbelievers, the video has never been accurately debunked, so as far as we know, Kobe Bryant jumped over a speeding Aston Martin during the 2008 offseason.

Caring For Your Car

As a car owner, when you get a new car you want it to last forever. Obviously cars are not meant to run forever, but you can extend the lifespan of your beloved vehicles by taking simple steps to maintain performance and longevity. Here are a few suggestions in terms of caring for your car:

Regular Checks:

This may seem obvious to some people, but get to know your car really well and make sure nothing is out of the norm. Once you begin to become familiar with how your car should look and run, you will notice anything wrong with it immediately. So start paying close attention to things like:

• Damage to the body of your car
• Fluids that may be leaking from under your car
• Warning lights on the dashboard

Keeping track of these types of things can help you solve the problem before it becomes more costly and more difficult to fix. As soon as you notice a discrepancy with your car's performance, you should get it fixed immediately.

Under The Hood:

Sometimes we take how well our cars run for granted, and we do not realize that they are complex machines that have a lot of moving parts. If any of these moving parts begins to malfunction, it can compromise the performance of your car. Here are some things you'll want to take an extra close look at under the hood:

• Engine oil level and cleanliness
• Coolant level
• Brake and power steering levels
• Transmission fluids
• Belts

Basic Maintenance:

Most car owners know that it is important to change your brakes and oil every so often, but they are usually unfamiliar with when they should schedule such maintenance. The oil should be changed every 2,000-3,000 miles, and the brakes should be changed before the brake pad becomes bare. You should also switch out your oil filter every 5,000 miles. Other parts that should be monitored and maintained are:

• Air filter
• Headlights, turn signals, brake lights
• Spark plugs and cables
• Engine timing belt
• Windshield wipers

If you treat your car with the respect that it deserves, it will last you a very long time (depending on which brand you buy). A car is a big investment, so maintaining it and making sure everything is all right with it should be a no-brainer.

8 Life Hacks For Your Car!

1. Use nail polish to remove minor scratches and chips!

One of the most disheartening things that can happen with your new car is a scratch or a chip. Going to a body shop to repair this can get pricey, but using the closest color nail polish is a quick and much more affordable solution.

2. Clean foggy headlights with toothpaste!

Driving with foggy headlights can be extremely dangerous. Also, it makes your car look a lot less valuable than it actually is. You can go out and buy new headlights, or you can save a bunch of money by using toothpaste to get brand new looking headlights.

3. Charge multiple devices with a dual-USB through cigarette lighter!

One thing we can't live without nowadays is our mobile devices. Once the battery dies on our device they are rendered useless. Yes, we do have car chargers for that, but what if you need to charge two devices at once? Here is your solution.

4. Hold your car remote to your head to lock and unlock your car from further distances!

This one is strange, but it works like a charm. We don't quite understand the science behind this, but when you hold your car remote close to your head, it gives the remote more range to lock or unlock your vehicle from longer distances!

5. Use a tennis ball to measure where to park in your garage!

Do you have a garage that is extremely packed and are you afraid of hitting something with your car? The solution to this is to park your car and measure your spot by hanging a tennis ball from the ceiling by a string. Now whenever you park in the future, you know to stop when the tennis ball hits your windshield.

6. Protect your car door in your garage by lining your walls with a pool noodle!

Here is another solution for a tight space when parking your car. Instead of risking scratching your car door by hitting it on the wall, line the walls with a soft pool noodle. This will give you peace of mind when opening your car door in your packed garage.

7. Fix car dents with a toilet plunger!

Car dents are disheartening and can be a very expensive fix, but there is a potential alternative to fixing these dents while saving a bunch of money. Using a toilet plunger can potentially fix minor dents. Just use it like you are plunging a toilet.

8. Use seat warmers to keep your pizza warm!

Some people like cold pizza, but for those of us who enjoy our pizza hot, this is a clever hack. If your car has a seat warming feature, turn that thing on and keep your pizza warm on your drive home. If you have a passenger, kick them to the back seat. Pizza should always be the priority.

Uber Vs. Lyft

When you are out on the town and having a few drinks, it is best to leave your car at home and hitch a ride with one of these popular cab services. Uber and Lyft have taken the world by storm and have nearly completely taken over the taxi industry. These two popular cab apps make it easy to order a cab from your phone and they both let you know how much your fare will cost you before you agree to take the ride. They are competing companies, which begs the question: which app is better?

Availability

Availability depends on which city you are currently inhabiting, but overall Uber is more available than Lyft. Uber is available in 58 countries and 300 cities worldwide. Lyft is available in just 65 U.S. cities. For now, it appears that Uber is the winner of this category, but Lyft is growing pretty rapidly.

Price

Both companies offer competitive pricing for their services, but overall Lyft is just a little bit cheaper. Uber also charges surge prices during their busier hours, and those rates can get a bit ridiculous at times. Both companies are quick to respond when you request a ride, both averaging about a four minute response time.

Ways to Ride

Uber offers several different ways to get around when you request their services. You can specifically request: 

• Pool:Your driver will take you and one other passenger where you want to go, but they might pick up another passenger along the way.
• Uber: The car will only seat you and your passengers for the trip (four people total).
• Select: Similar to UberX, but the cars are high end sedans that must have leather seats.
• Black Car: High end town cars and professional drivers.
• SUV: UberX with more seating (up to six).
• LUX: Top of the cars like BMWs, Mercedes, and Porsche.
• Access: Wheelchair accessible service.

Lyft only offers three different ways to ride:

• Line: Similar to Uber Pool. You may or may not be sharing your ride with another passenger or two.
• Lyft: Similar to UberX. Seats four and you’re not sharing the ride with someone else.
• Plus: Vehicles have room for six, leather interior, and access to Spotify Premium in-car so you can listen to whatever you like during your ride.

The Verdict

Both services have their perks and downfall, but the choice is ultimately yours on which service you prefer to use. At the end of the day, as long as you get home safely from your night out, you are the winner.

BMW 9 Series?

BMW is one of the world's leading car manufacturers, and people who own Beamers are obsessive about their beautiful cars. Perhaps the biggest appeal of the BMW is the simplicity within the luxury. There are plenty of models to choose from, ranging from the compact 1 series sedan to the larger 7 series. But BMW is considering adding two models to their lineup: The M7 and a 9 series.

The M7 would be the highest performing BMW on the market, potentially packing 650 hp or more, which would actually make it the highest performing vehicle in its class. Currently the Audi S8 is the top performing vehicle in its class, but a BMW M7 would blow it out of the water. However, BMW wants to compete with Rolls-Royce in terms of luxury, and the M7 would not be able to match the price point of the Rolls-Royce.

In order to compete with Rolls-Royce, BMW is considering manufacturing an even more luxurious car as a 9 series. The 9 series would be sure to be an absolute beauty, but it would be an extremely large sedan. The 9 series would be more focused on comfort than performance, providing even more legroom than that of the current 7 series model.

Apple CarPlay: The Ultimate Copilot

Your future car's dashboard may be getting a welcome addition in the coming years. Apple just announced that they have agreements with several major car companies to feature their newest toy: CarPlay. CarPlay is built in to your car's display and is a safer, easier, way to use your iPhone when you are on the road.

CarPlay is Apple's solution to seamlessly integrate your iPhone with your car's existing screen on the dashboard. All you have to do is plug your phone into the USB port and you are connected to CarPlay. Here is what you can do while you're connected to CarPlay: turn-by-turn navigation with Apple Maps, listen to your music library, make and receive phone calls, dictate messages, and have messages read to you. You can do all this while charging your phone.

Apple recently announced that they have partnered with 40 major players in the automobile industry and have integrated CarPlay into over 100 different models of cars. CarPlay will come standard for all models after 2016, and here is the list of cars that support the software: http://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/available-models/

Okay, so what if you don't have an iPhone? For those android users, there is good news on the horizon. Google is currently working on a similar system that will support Google Maps called Android Auto, but it is still in the works and is not yet as widely available as CarPlay is.

What if you are not ready to buy a new car, but you want access to CarPlay anyway? Good news! Companies like Alpine, JBL, JVC, Kenwood, and Pioneer are launching aftermarket systems that feature CarPlay this year! The JBL Legend CP100 is the most affordable way to add CarPlay to your car, with an MSRP of $399

CarPlay is certainly a step in the right direction to limit mobile phone usage on the road. Texting and driving is becoming the number one killer in America, and this is Apple's innovative solution.

Driverless Cars: The Future?

The future of the cars we love to drive is incredibly exciting, but will we actually be driving in them or riding in them? There is already driverless car technology being tested by Google and Tesla, but those vehicles are not quite yet completely autonomous. They still require a human to command the wheel.

Google began testing their autonomous driving system back in 2011 once legislation allowed them to start testing their technology on the roads. A few of the cars that were used as guinea pigs were the Toyota Pruis, Audi TT, and the Lexus RX450h. After early success testing these vehicles, Google introduced a completely autonomous car that didn't even have a steering wheel, a gas pedal, or a brake pedal.

One of the best parts about driving is being in control of such a powerful machine. You have your hand on the steering wheel, foot on the gas, eyes on the road, and you are just cruising. If we make the shift to completely autonomous cars, that feeling of being in control of your car will be taken away. This is not necessarily a bad thing, because if we can prevent accidents by having autonomous cars on the road, then this is obviously a better alternative that will limit human error.

These driverless cars are still in their very early stages of development and are barely being road tested at a maximum of 25 MPH. We are a long way away from the day where everyone drives an autonomous vehicle, but this is potentially the future of the automobile industry. Are we going to be ready to let go of all control? Will this technology make driving safer and limit car accidents? Only time will tell.

5 Must Have Apps for Car Owners

We live in a world where we are attached to our mobile devices. It is rare when we leave our phone at home and it is usually an accident when we do. Texting and driving is never recommended, but there are several companion apps that will help you out while you're driving. Here are a few of our favorites here at STG Auto Group:

1. iOnRoad - Augmented Reality App

What is better than reality? Virtual reality! This app is perfect for people who struggle with tailgating the car in front of them. iOnRoad essentially keeps an eye on the road for you and it will alert you if it senses the car in front of you slowing down. The app uses your phone's camera to keep an eye on the road for you, so you must mount your phone on your dashboard or windshield in order to use it. As mentioned above, iOnRoad will detect the safety of the distance between you and the car in front of you, but it also detects if you are swerving out of your lane, and will alert you if you are doing so. The app also offers turn-by-turn navigation, monitors your speed, discourages texting and driving, locates your car in parking lots, and it will give you a complete driving analysis after your trip is complete. This app does it all and it is only $0.99 in the app store.

2. Waze - GPS, Maps, & Social Traffic

Nobody likes to sit in traffic, so the people over at Waze created an app that will warn you when you are approaching traffic and will give you alternate routes. This is a genius app that even Google Maps has implemented in their navigation. Waze is essentially a social media where users report accidents and traffic to other users. Not only does Waze give you the ability to report traffic, but you can also be warned about potential police traps so you know when to watch your speed. Waze offers turn-by-turn navigation and gives you an ETA down to the minute, so you can let your friends know when to expect you. Waze does it all and it is the ultimate driving companion. Best of all, it is free in the App Store!

3. Find My Car Smarter

Do you ever forget where you park your car? It can take forever to find it, especially in a huge parking lot. This is the issue that Find My Car Smarter has tackled and solved. Most other car apps require that you open the app and save your location after you park, but what happens if you forget to do that? Find My Car Smarter solves that problem as well; the app always tracks your car via bluetooth! You do need to purchase a beacon for $25 that will always remain in your car, but it is definitely worth the expense. You will never forget where you parked again. The app is free in the App Store, but remember you need to purchase the beacon for $25 for the app to function.

4. Gas Cubby - Fuel Economy & Service Log

How much is it costing you to drive each day? You can finally have the answer when you start using Gas Cubby. Gas Cubby is essentially a log that you can use at your own disposal to keep track of your car's performance. Not only does it measure your gas mileage, but you can keep track of the services performed on your car and alert you when you're due to take your car in for some TLC. I find it useful when friends offer to pay my gas for long trips; in which case I will calculate the cost per mile and give them an accurate price. Just kidding, I'm a good friend and I don't charge my friends for gas, but if that's what you're into, this app is for you! There is a free version in the App Store, but if you prefer to do away with the ads the app will run you for $1.99.

5. Gas Buddy - Find Cheap Gas Prices

Gas prices are always something to complain about. Luckily prices have been low in comparison to previous years, but they are steadily back on the rise. Gas Buddy makes sure you get the best gas prices based on your current location. You will be glad you downloaded this app and your wallet will thank you. Gas Buddy is free in the App Store!

Road Trip Essentials

1. First Aid Kit - If you don't already have a First Aid Kit in your car be sure to take one for your road trip. Accidents happen all the time, it is always good to be prepared for them. Be sure that your First Aid Kit everything from bandages to pain killers. 
2. Maps, Mapquest, Navigation system - If you don't have a built-in navigation system installed then you can always use your smart phone which is a great tool and often most used.But just case your phone doesn't get reception take a road map just in case. Always better to be safe than sorry. 
3. Travel APP- Most of us have smart phones already so all you have to do is search for the best travel apps that will help you for your road trip. One app I do love is the Yelp app, I am able find the nearest restaurants and able to read the reviews to chose the best one. Be sure to add some entertainment apps, such as quizzes, puzzles and games to keep the non-drivers occupied. 
4. Spare keys!- Now this is something you don't want to leave home with out! Triple AAA can always get inside your car if you lock your keys inside your car, but if you lose them that's a whole different story. Personally, I lost my car keys when I was on a road trip, it was a horrible experience and I was 4 hours away from home. Thank goodness I had a friend who was willing to drive half way to give me my spare keys. It was a lesson learned. You could always call a locksmith, but that is going to cost money and time. 
5. Spare Tire - You should already have a spare tire in your trunk, if you don't then you should get one as soon as possible especially for your road trip! If you do have a spare tire make sure it's in condition. The last thing you want is a bad spare tire. 
6. Car Maintenance -  Be sure you check your car before your road trip. Make sure that your oil has been changed and tires have been check. A little tune up before the road trip always helps and will give you peace of mind. 
7. Comfy Clothes - Road trips can take hours, so you want to be sure that your wearing comfy clothes. Also be sure to bring a pillow and blankets for those road trip naps. And don't forget comfy foot wear. 
8. Toiletries - Not every restroom is the same and not all are clean, so be sure to pack lysol, toilet seat covers and hand sanitizer. Pack at least two rolls of toilet paper and wipes, sometimes your pit stop can be hours away. Be sure to pack your portable tooth brush, toothpaste and all the essentials to bath. Keep paper towels in sight, they always come in handy. 
9. Jumper Cables & Car Charger - Even though your car maybe fairly new you still want to pack jumper cables, things happen and you want to be prepared for the unexpected. Or you never know if you might need to help someone else along the way. Also don't forget to pack an extra car charger and an auxiliary cord. The last thing you want is for you phone to die while your listening to music and using maps to get to your destination. Extra charger that way more than one person can charge their phone, we all know that we cannot live with out phone. 
10. Have Fun - Last but not least don't forget to have fun and enjoy your road trip. Things don't always go according to plan so when things don't go according to plan, don't get mad. Simply just brush the negative and focus on the positive. If you keep focusing on the negative more negative things will happen. Don't bring your worries with you, leave them at home. Road trips are a great way for you to reflect about your life, but don't bring your worries with you. Instead reflect on all the positive that has happened in your life. And if you get lost along the way, remember that getting lost is a good way to find yourself. 

5 Simple Ways To Boost Your Fuel Economy

Summer is upon us and that means time for beach trips, road trips, camping and much more! Unfortunately, this also means the rise in gas prices. However, there is a fuel simple ways boost your fuel economy and enjoy those summer activities.

 1. Change Your Oil Regularly

Old engine oil equals lower fuel economy. According to EPA, you can improve your gas mileage by 1%-2% by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in and engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1%-2%. Changing your oil when it's suppose to be changed is not only important for the maintenance of your car, but also boosts your fuel economy. Be sure to use the oil recommended for your vehicle.

2. Stop Carrying Unnecessary Weight

It's time to clean your trunk and get rid of what you don't use or need.  Having unnecessary weight in your vehicle wastes fuel. So get rid of the extra clothes, school books, sporting equipment, etc. The U.S. Department of Energy says to avoid keeping heavy items in your car; an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could increase your gas costs by up to $.0.07 cents per gallon. Remember that the less weight your car carries, the more your gas mileage will improve.


3. Aggressive Driving Equals Lower Fuel Economy

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving, such as speeding, rapid acceleration and hard breaking can lower your gas mileage by up to 33% and your city mileage by 5%!
Most of us become aggressive drivers when we are running late. A great way to avoid aggressive driving is give yourself time. Do what you can the night before, like prepping your lunch or choosing your outfit. These small preparations can make a 30 minute difference.Give yourself cushion and leave 30 minutes prior to your usual time that you leave to work or school. Getting to work 30 minutes early is better than wasting gas just to get there right on time.

4. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Under-inflated tires affects your gas mileage. According to EPA, you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. Be sure to check your tires often and not just when your going on a road trip.

5. Maintain Your Engine Properly Tuned

It is important to properly maintain your vehicle's engine properly tuned not only for longevity and safety purposes, but also improving your gas mileage. As stated by EPA, fixing your car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%.

Remember a little goes a long way. These five simple ways all together will make a difference. So enjoy summer and don't let gas prices stop you from going places.

Five Great Summer Road Trip Destinations

Now that summer is finally here and school is almost out, what better way to spend it than with your family on a road trip. Here are five great destinations to chose from.

Destination #1 Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is the one place that's a must to visit and perfect for a road trip. The Grand Canyon is breathtaking and is an amazing experience to witness in person.  Although it is peak season during summer, there are some cool events to attend during summer. In the month of June, there is the Grand Canyon Star Party ,where you get to enjoy the beautiful night skies of Arizona. In the month of August, there is the Grand Canyon music festival, where you can experience world-class music. A great way to keep cool in the heat is to go river rafting down the Colorado River. It's a great way to see the Grand Canyon at a different level. According to Wilderness River Adventures, rafting down the Colorado River is unimaginable beautiful scenery, the dramatic contrast of calm waters preceding the thrill of whitewater.

                                                                                    Destination #2 Yosemite

Yosemite is wonderful place with it's beautiful waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias and vast wilderness areas. In Yosemite Village are shops, restaurants, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery, offering prints of the photographer's renowned black and white landscapes of the area.Yosemite is great place to camp and explore. It is also a great place to view wild life in their natural habitat. It is definitely a worth while road trip. There are so many activities to do in Yosemite, be sure to plan ahead to make the most out of your trip.



Destination #3 Salvang

Salvang is an interesting place to visit with its Danish-styled town and its European feel. The drive alone to Salvang is beautiful. Salvang has an excellent selection of  restaurants to choose from and bakery's filled yummy danish treats that will make your taste buds go wild. If your a wine lover, Salvang is the place to visit with so many wineries to chose from. Each winery has their own unique way of how they grow their grapes and how they make their wine, you will have a great time touring the different wineries. More of a beer lover than wine lover? Salvang has breweries that you will enjoy with an excellent selection of craft beer.

                                                                                 
                                                                                     Destinations # 4 Red Wood Forest

Visit American History at the Red Wood Forest, where nature is preserved. The Red Wood National and State Park offers more than just the Red Wood Forest. According to the National Park Service you can  discover Howland Hill Road, explore Enderts Beach and Crescent Beach Overlook, Drive to Klmath River Overlook, travel to Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, investigate Davison Road where Rooselvelt elk hang out in Elk Meadow, and be sure to stop at Kuchel Visitor Center one mile south of Orick.
                                                                                             
                                                                                   
Destination # 5 Southwest's Four Corners

Be at four places at once and visit Southwest's four corners. If you take a trip to Southwest's Four Corners, at the intersection you can be at the corners of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado all at once. Now isn't that neat! According to John Rosental from National Geographic, the Four Corners is far too prosaic of a name for the strikingly beautiful territory that respects no man-made boundaries in the southwestern United States. Rosental adds, this landscape took thousands of years to create; you'll never appreciate it at 65 miles (105 kilometers) per hour. He mentions, instead, take two days at least, stopping to walk through the numerous parks, preserves, monuments, and unnamed places whose beauty defies categorization. Begin your voyage in Flagstaff, Arizona, here you will observe exquisite views of the Painted Desert. Next drive through the iconic backdrop of Monument Valley. Last, make your way toward Mexican Water, where the four states intersect.

Once you select a destination, be sure to do research before heading there. Make a list of activities you and your family would like to do. Be sure to get an oil change and check your tires before heading to your destination. Some of these road trips may take hours so be sure to pack plenty of snacks and water. If you are planning on going to the Grand Canyon or Southwest's Four corners be sure to take comfy shoes, sun block, hat, sun glasses and a camel pack or hydration pack to keep you hydrated. Most important thing to do at any of these destinations is to have a good time!

We Sell Experience

At STG Auto Group we don't just sell cars; we sell experience, freedom, luxury, engineering and much more. We have a car for everyone's unique taste, whether your a person who likes the outdoors, has the need for speed or has a family, we have the car for you.

Here at STG, we provide the opportunity to acquire the car of your dreams at low cost. From the moment we purchase our cars there's a lot of care and maintenance that goes into it. Our 180-point inspections and warranties will allow you peace of mind. The reputation of high customer loyalty our and extensive inventory has carried St. George Auto Sales for a over a decade. Known for our integrity and low-pressure environment.

Our online website makes it easy and convenient for you to choose the car you want with out having the to come in. You can even chat online with one of our Sales Representatives about the car you are interested in. You will find our website quite useful.

What's great about STG is that we do Auto Sales, Auto Finance, Auto Insurance and Auto Service all under one roof. We are a one stop shop car dealership that you will love.

Ryan and Tony Bacily started St. George Auto Sales in 1997. Our business is named aftger St. George, which is a Saint in the Romanian army in the Coptic Orthodox Church. St. George is a family owned and operated business.  After 17 years, STG Auto Group is still a family owned and operated business, which continues to grow everyday!  This family owned business welcomes your family with open arms. Come in today, get the car of your dreams and experience with St, George Auto Sales because we want you to experience life to the fullest with the car of your dreams.

Vehicle Spot Light of the Month

For the month of May the car we wanted to high light is the 2015 BMW M4. Now, what's great about STGAutoGroup is that because we have a large inventory and have a wide selection of models, we adopt some of the most unique cars. One car in particular that we have in our inventory is the 2015 BMW M4 Coupe.

Why is this car so special?
For one, the M4 is the newest addition to BMW's line of M performance coupes and according to CarAndDriver it lives up to the legends that preceded it. What's also great about the BMW M4 is that the power comes from a 425-hp twin-turbo inline six-cylinder mated to either a six-speed manual or a paddle-shifted seven-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. Our BMW M4 is paddle-shifted seven-speed automatic. In a mission to shave weight, many of the M4's components are made of carbon fiber-including the drive shaft. As reported by Mike Sutton from CarAndDriver, the new BMW M4 is packed with enough bits and bytes for the M faithful to seriously question what the Ultimate Driving Machine has become.

BMW exceeds efficiency here is the break down according to them.

Let's talk Aerodynamics
Comprehensive coordinated aerodynamic elements optimize driving dynamics and control in M vehicles, especially at high speeds.
According to BMW, the striking front apron visually embodies the M vehicles's specific aerodynamics concept. On the racetrack, large air inlets ensure perfect cooling of the engine, charge air, oil and brakes, as well as cooling of the transmission oil in the M DCT. The two vertical inlets in the Air Curtain and the side M gills with integrated Air Breather behind the wheel arches create an accelerated flow of air around the front wheels.

Brake Energy Regeneration
Every time the brakes are hit, kinetic energy is generated and until recently this energy went unused. Brake Energy Regeneration takes advantage of this long-overlooked potential. It harnesses the coasting energy that is generated whenever the driver brakes or takes his or her foot off the accelerator and turns it into electricity.

Automatic Start/Stop function
The Automatic Start/Stop function switches the engine off when the vehicle comes to a temporary standstill (e.g. at traffic lights or in a traffic jam) to further reduce overall fuel consumption. When the driver presses down on the clutch (manual transmissions) or takes their foot off the brake (M DCT Drivelogic), the engine automatically starts up again in a fraction of a second.


The BMW M4 model is truly a unique model and offers great features. BMW continues to take engineering to the next level. Now come test drive our 2015 BMW M4.

For more information about our 2015 BMW M4 you can check our website and click on view inventory. Website Link STGAutoGroup

Check out this video of the BMW M4 in action on the race track
 BMWM4Action 

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Instant classic: 2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe

Our long-term Jaguar F-Type R coupe is special. We have never known a modern car to be as broadly appealing as this one. It’s beautiful and everyone knows it—people are not shy with praise for it. We took it up to Rare Bird Brew Pub in Traverse City, Mich., for a party and spent much of the night starting that barking, burbling supercharged V8, letting people sit in the leather seats and watching them snap photos.

Where lots of sports cars, especially high-performance versions, can be over styled, the F-Type R is beautifully restrained. That may be part of why it appeals to such a wide range of people. It’s pretty but not showy. Of the sports/performance cars that are said to be styled in homage to their forebears, the F-Type is the most successful. It doesn’t insult the E-Type by aping it entirely or mock it by having come to dwarf it over the years. This car calls the E-Type to mind. Ian Callum and his team noticed the small, wonderful details of the that car and, with the F-Type, named them. 

Our long-termer was given a set of Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero tires, and in the snow with these tires, the Jaguar is a wonder. Five hours on the icy freeway or slogging through unplowed surface streets in deep snow, the Jag was always able, always predictable. One morning, we found the car buried to the top of its decklid in snow. We just slid into the lovely driver’s seat, cleared the windshield and drove out. We wish people who are clamoring for the forthcoming all-wheel-drive F-Type could have seen it. This rear-wheel Jag would not be stopped.

With two quarters now done, we’re definitely going to miss this one when it’s gone. It’s a very special car, and if Jaguar’s plans hold, one that we won’t see again. Next year, all of the V8-powered F-Types will all come equipped with AWD, making this car possibly the last of its kind and a bit of an instant classic. Thankfully, we have six more months with it before we have to give up the keys. 

2015 Ford Mustang RTR Revealed

Pro drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr. is finally ready to drop his racy new Mustang RTR. The car debuts at SEMA and will be available via select Ford dealers, and it looks the business. Frankly, the 2015 Mustang’s biggest issue is that, if anything, it doesn’t look mean enough. Problem solved! The RTR gets new spoilers, splitters, a pretty wicked-looking diffuser, new grilles—with illumination in the upper one, making up for the sadly departed driving lamps—and the best-looking wheels I’ve seen for that car, period. All the appearance stuff is for the Spec 1 cars, which leave out performance mods. The Spec 2 adds an RTR-specific tune, Magnaflows (again, RTR-specific), a revised suspension, a cold-air kit, and an optional blower. Also making its way to SEMA, but not yet revealed, is an even more extreme RTR Spec 5 concept, which takes the formula even further. Stay tuned.