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If you live in Arkansas, you likely need or have a car to get around. And, while you may be a good driver, not everyone who gets behind the wheel takes it as seriously as you. We know the importance of defensive driving at Chris Crain Hyundai which is why we put together these top five defensive driving tips you need to know before you hit the streets. Tip 1: Always Look Ahead Do we even need to explain this? As the driver, you are responsible not just for yourself, but also everyone else around you. Unfortunately, many drivers get into a habit of only looking at what is directly in front of them and not much further. We recommend you always look as far down the road as possible, so you can safely control the vehicle no matter the situation that arises. Tip 2: Keep a Safe Distance One of the most common reasons people get into accidents is because they were following too close to the vehicle in front of them. It is natural to follow the car directly in front of you, but this can lead to issues very quickly if something were to happen. It is a good rule of thumb to leave at least 3 seconds worth of pace between you and the vehicle in front of you. Tip 3: Have An Escape Plan Unless you have been gifted the ability to see the future, you can never know for sure what is going to happen. While you might be a superb driver, it is impossible to predict what other drivers will do. Always having an escape plan ensures that you and your passengers get away from dangerous situations safely. Think about: where will you go, or what will you do, if someone on the road starts spinning out of control. Tip 4: Reduce Distractions The driver of a vehicle should always have their full attention to driving, however, distractions are bound to come up. There are many different types of distractions: visual, auditory, manual and cognitive. However, any one of these can put you and your passengers in danger. Perhaps the biggest distraction in this modern age- texting. Around 3,000 people die each year from a car crash involving a distracted driver. While not every distraction can be prevented, we recommend you do your best to eliminate as many distractions as possible. Start by putting your phone down or in the glove box while you are behind the wheel. Tip 5: Use Correct Communication Without communication, you’re likely to fail at whatever it is you are attempting to achieve. Driving is no exception. We have all been cut-off by someone who felt like they didn’t need to use their blinker to change lanes- it is infuriating. Turn signals are required on all vehicles, and they are there for a reason. The best way to avoid an unwanted crash is by signaling to other drivers around you when you plan on turning or merging. Chris Crain Hyundai Now that we told you about our top five defensive driving tips- would you still consider yourself a “safe” driver? Keep this advice in mind the next time to get behind the wheel. Even though stopping by our dealership is FUN, you don’t want to be there because of an accident that could have been avoided. And of course, if you are concerned that your car is not up to safety standards- see all of the service options that Chris Crain Hyundai offers by clicking here.

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a routine? Similar to the movie “Groundhog Day,” the busyness of life and work can be overwhelming, and the best cure can be a weekend getaway. Here at Chris Crain Hyundai, we understand that vacations can get expensive- which is why we have created this list of some of the best weekend getaway destinations near Conway. Read on to learn about some of our favorites! Greers Ferry Lake Summertime in Arkansas can be brutal! High temperatures and humidity even make walking outside like hitting a brick wall. Sometimes, the only thing you can do to cool down is hit the water. Just over an hour away from Conway, Greers Ferry Lake is the perfect distance to load up the kids and lake gear to get away for the day. A public access point allows people to soak up the sun on an artificial beach or hit the cliffs which are perfect for diving. We definitely recommend taking the quick trip to Greers Ferry for the perfect lake day with the family. Hot Springs Perhaps one of our favorite places to visit in central Arkansas is Hot Springs! Just an hour drive from Conway, you can get away and still be close to home. Hot Springs National Park is the oldest national park in U.S. history, predating Yellowstone by 40 years. Walk the trails through the downtown park and see the natural hot springs. Hot Springs is also home to Bathhouse Row - consisting of eight victorian style bathhouses that were constructed in the late 1800s. Today, only two of the bathhouses are still in operation, and the others have been restored to preserve their history. If you’re looking to really relax after a long week at work, we recommend soaking in the hot mineral springs. Downtown Little Rock If you’re looking for a day or night out on the town- downtown Little Rock is a great place to go at any time of the day! The River Market’s entertainment district allows the party to continue from one restaurant to another. With an abundance of good places to eat, you’re guaranteed to find a place that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy. Once you’re full, you can walk off those calories in the sculpture garden of the Arkansas River, or take a trip up the old Junction Bridge to get a better view of the cityscape. The city is the perfect escape if you’re looking for a quick getaway trip where you’re not spending hours and hours of time on the road. Be Sure To Call Chris Crain Hyundai If any issues with your vehicle come up when you’re out exploring central Arkansas- be sure to call the Crain service team. Our experienced technicians are standing by waiting to address your needs, whether it be a tire rotation or a check engine light. Contact our service department today to see how we can help.

Buying a new car is a major purchase for most drivers. It’s important to take care of your vehicle so that it stays in good condition, maximizes its resale value, and most importantly, keeps you safe on the road. No matter what kind of Hyundai vehicle you drive, you should maintain it and keep it operating smoothly. There are many ways to help maintain your car, but let’s discuss a few of the best courses of action that you can take with a little help from your friends at Chris Crain Hyundai. Routine oil changes Routine oil changes help extend the life of your engine and, in turn, your car. How often you should have your Hyundai vehicle’s oil changed depends on a few factors, but most mechanics recommend it be done every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. We recommend referring to your owner’s manual to find out the oil change frequency that your vehicle needs. Having a regular oil change maintenance schedule also helps serve as a benchmark for when other maintenance may be needed. Chris Crain Hyundai allows you to conveniently schedule your oil changes (and other vehicle services) through our website here. Check your oil level between changes Your oil is often a good indicator of the engine performance and your vehicle’s overall health.  It only takes a minute to pop the hood and check your oil level, and it could potentially add years of driving to your vehicle. Checking your oil level will vary depending on the age, model, and more of your car, so be sure to follow the recommendations listed in the owner's manual. This YouTube video published by Hyundai USA gives you helpful step-by-step instructions on how to check your engine oil. Check your fluids Fluids play a huge role in almost every facet of your car, and checking and filling automotive fluids on a regular basis is an easy way to help ensure the longevity and reliability of your vehicle. A few of the fluids that should be checked regularly include coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and more. If you would prefer to rely on experienced mechanics to take care of your vehicle’s fluids, our team at Chris Crain Hyundai will be happy to serve you. Maintain your tires Tire maintenance is crucial for the longevity of your tires and more importantly, your safety. Outside of routine maintenance appointments, you should check your tire pressure using a tire pressure gauge at least once a month. Your vehicle's recommended tire pressure can typically be found on a sticker inside the driver's door as well as in the owner’s manual. You should also visit Chris Crain Hyundai, or your mechanic of choice, to have your tires rotated and inspected around every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. It is in your best interest to take care of your Hyundai vehicle. Properly maintaining your car is key to keeping it in top condition and ensuring your safety and the safety of others. For further information or advice about vehicle maintenance, please contact our dealership and we will be happy to assist you. We look forward to helping you maintain your Hyundai vehicle for years to come!

Just a few years ago, hybrid cars were a rare sight on Arkansas roads. If you saw someone driving a hybrid, you might have thought they were weird or maybe even a little crazy. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Year-by-year, hybrids are becoming more popular on Arkansas roads and highways. Why is this? What reasons are there to buy a hybrid? Could you even see yourself buying one someday soon? There are many reasons hybrids are taking up a larger share of the Arkansas market, and, if you read along, you might be purchasing a hybrid vehicle in the near future as well. Less Fuel Consumption Perhaps the biggest reason people buy hybrid vehicles is a financial one. Hybrids consume less fuel than classic gas-powered vehicles, saving you a significant amount of money at the gas pump. For example, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata gets 38 miles per gallon on the highway, while the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets 54 miles per gallon. If gas costs $2.00 per gallon and you drive 20,000 miles per year, then driving a hybrid will save you, on average, $311 per year. These savings add up over time, making up for the slightly higher MSRP hybrids have on the front end. Less Pollution While you might not be terribly concerned about climate change, we can all agree that less air pollution is generally a good thing. Hybrid vehicles emit significantly less pollution than their gas-powered counterparts. It is estimated that hybrid vehicles are 80% cleaner than typical gas vehicles. This means that in driving a hybrid vehicle, you could play a small part in reducing emissions in your area. Minor Differences in Power and Performance Contrary to popular belief, you don’t sacrifice much power or performance when driving a hybrid. Unless you’re trying to race your car, you will hardly notice a difference. With the 2021 Sonata, the base engine produces a maximum of 191 horsepower. On the 2021 Sonata Hybrid, the maximum horsepower is 150. This isn’t really enough for the average driver to notice a difference. Thinking about buying a hybrid? If you are thinking about buying a hybrid, Hyundai produces a number of good hybrid models. Both the Sonata and the Iconiq are available in Hybrid form, and they allow you to enjoy all the benefits of a hybrid without skimping out on performance or luxury. Stop by Chris Crain Hyundai if you’d like to test drive one of these vehicles and see if a hybrid would be the right choice for you.