2013 Honda Fit is Go

Changes are minor to the Honda Fit for the 2013 model year, as the only update will be a new exterior color—Midnight Plum Pearl. On the other hand, the Fit remains a major value, especially because its starting price also remains unchanged for the 2013 model year. On sale now, the 2013 Honda Fit starts at $15,325, and while the vehicle itself has stayed the same, it is worth pointing out that the Fit’s trophy case has been modified; it had to get a lot bigger to hold last year’s awards, which included:
Top Safety Pick recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Overall victory in the Cars.com/USA TODAY/MotorWeek “$16,000 Subcompact Shootout”
A sixth consecutive spot on Car and Driver’s “10 Best Cars” list
Kudos for best-in-class residual value from ALG
A second-place showing in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2012 Initial Quality Study
Recognition as a “greener choice” in its segment by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
And technically speaking, the Fit does bring one other enhancement for the new model year: An all-electric powertrain. The 2013 Honda Fit EV boasts a record-breaking EPA line of 132 MPGe city/105 MPGe highway/118 MPGe combined. The car can deliver an EPA-certified driving range of 82 miles, too, and can be charged in as little as three hours when using a 240-volt charging unit.
Currently offered with leasing terms of $389 per month for 36 months—the equivalent, says Honda, of a $36,625 MSRP—the all-electric Fit is now available in select markets in Oregon and California.

Fit starting at $15,325.00
Fit Sport starting at $17,060.00
Fit Sport with Navigation starting at $19,690.00
Standard destination fee of $790.00

2013 Honda Fit Delivers Unmatched Combination of Versatility, Efficiency and Fun

The award-winning Honda Fit returns for 2013 with a new exterior color and a host of awards and accolades that reinforce its leadership position in the competitive subcompact-car segment. After receiving extensive updates for 2012 - including an upgraded interior and additional new standard and available features - for 2013 the Fit returns with the introduction of the vibrant new Midnight Plum Pearl exterior paint, replacing the previous Orange Burst Metallic. Starting at only $15,325¹, pricing for the Honda Fit is unchanged for 2013.

A multiple award-winner due to its class-leading safety scores, fuel economy, versatility, residual value and overall excellence, the Honda Fit has built a loyal following over six years and two generations. Now it enters the 2013 model year with more honors, including winning the "$16,000 Subcompact Shootout" competition by Cars.com, USA Today and MotorWeek that evaluated gas mileage, practicality, and user features and comfort.

The 2012 Honda Fit also earned a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), received a 2012 Residual Value Award from ALG, topped J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study℠ (IQS) for 2011 in its segment, and is a six-time Car and Driver magazine "10Best Cars" award winner.

Powertrain
The 1.5-liter, i-VTEC® four-cylinder engine produces 117 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 106 lb-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm, and is tuned to deliver an engaging combination of responsiveness and fuel efficiency. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a five-speed automatic transmission is available. Steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters on Fit Sport models equipped with the available automatic transmission allow for manual gear selection.

When equipped with the available automatic transmission, the Fit has an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 28/35/31 miles per gallon². The Fit Sport with the available automatic transmission has an EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 27/33/30 miles per gallon². All manual transmission-equipped models have an EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 27/33/29 miles per gallon².

Body
A windswept body design, body-color exterior mirrors and racy five-spoke wheel covers (Fit) or 16-inch alloy wheels (Fit Sport) give the Fit an upscale appearance. But it is the Fit's compact size and tight turning diameter (34.4 feet, curb-to-curb) that help it conveniently navigate space-confined urban areas and fit in small parking spaces.
Chassis
A sporty, refined and dynamic driving experience is provided by the front MacPherson strut suspension and an H-shaped torsion beam rear suspension. Fifteen- and 16-inch wheels (Fit and Fit Sport, respectively) feature 175/65 R15 84S (Fit) and 185/55 R16 83H (Fit Sport) tires. The standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) uses 10.3-inch ventilated discs in the front and 7.9-inch drums in the rear.
Interior
Though the Fit has an overall exterior length of just 161.6 inches, a surprisingly roomy and versatile interior provides an impressive 90.8 cubic feet of passenger volume. There's comfortable seating for up to five passengers, and behind the rear seats, there's 20.6 cubic feet of storage space - much more than you'd find in a typical sedan.
For enhanced versatility, the exclusive 60/40 split rear Magic Seat® offers multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations. With its one-motion dive-down functionality, it can fold flat into the floor to provide a maximum 57.3 cu-ft. of rear cargo volume. Compared to any other vehicle in the subcompact class, the five-passenger Fit provides the lowest, flattest cargo floor and the most cargo volume. The Fit's interior thus can easily be converted to tall-object mode or long-object mode based on the shape of the cargo.
Standard comfort and convenience features include air conditioning, cruise control, remote entry, a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, a USB audio interface³, an auxiliary audio input jack, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and a security system.
Safety
All Fit models are equipped with a wide range of standard safety equipment including Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, anti-lock brakes and more. Dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), and side-curtain airbags are also standard equipment for 2013.
Fit Sport
The top-of-the-line Fit Sport adds a host of useful features and amenities, including fog lights, "machined surface" 16-inch alloy wheels, a body-colored underbody kit and rear roofline spoiler, and a chromed exhaust finisher for a high-energy look. A rear stabilizer bar and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (on automatic transmission-equipped models) widen the performance envelope, while a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers and illuminated steering wheel-mounted audio controls get the tunes pumping. Other Fit Sport interior enhancements include upgraded seat fabric, dark metallic dashboard components, chrome accents around the instrument displays, console ambient lighting and floor mats.
The Fit Sport is also available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition⁴, which features a 6.5-inch screen, more than seven-million points of interest and 16 GB of flash memory. Like other Honda navigation systems, this system allows simple, intuitive operation and has an extensive on-board database. When equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition, the Fit Sport also includes Bluetooth®⁵ HandsFreeLink® to help make hands-free telephone calls more convenient. The Navigation System also features Bluetooth® Audio capability with compatible phones and devices.
Manufacturing and Warranty
The Fit is manufactured at Honda's plant in Suzuka, Japan. It is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile Limited Vehicle Warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile Corrosion Limited Warranty.

How to Avoid Leaks in Your Honda's Radiator

For every vehicle that uses combustion engines, this component plays a vital role in keeping the automobile running smoothly. The coolant absorbs the heat from the hot engine, which is passed to this component that uses an electrical or belt driven fan to cool it down. The cooled off coolant is then returned to the engine block. Therefore, a radiator is the heat exchanging system and comprises several folds and various chambers to increase the surface to benefit the effective cooling of the complete system.
The most important cause of leakages from this automobile component is aging and therefore, requires to be repaired immediately. Some of the obvious indications of leakages are lower levels of the coolant and overheating of the engine. If you do not repair the leaking, you will eventually smell burnt coolant from under the vehicle's hood. Moreover, you will find the anti-freezing coolant dripping in to a small puddle beneath your car.
In case you are not able to find the leakages with a simple inspection, you will need to remove the radiator. A pressure test kit is used to fill the specified quantity of air into the part depending on the amount specified near the cap. You must then submerge the component in a tank of water to find the areas from where air bubbles escape. Commonly, bubbles arise from those parts that are leaking and need to be repaired immediately.
To repair smaller leakages, you can pour the leaks additive inside this automotive part by following the instructions provided by the product manufacturer. However, if the vehicle is old, the radiator may be produced with brass and copper and will require a soldering iron to close the leakage. For newer vehicles that use aluminum radiators, it is recommended to use an epoxy gun to seal the leaking areas. After you have repaired the leaks, it is advisable to refill the cooling system with a high quality coolant.
An excellent method to stop the leaking temporarily is to use one or two eggs. The eggs become cooked due to the heated water contained inside the radiator. The pressure will generally result in forcing the cooked eggs inside this vehicle component and curtail the leakage. Many people use black pepper to temporarily fix the leaking. The pepper flows inside the pinhole and will become as hard as a rock and stop the leaking. In case, you are unable to find black pepper, you can use alternatives, such as cornmeal, paprika, and mustard powder. In the event that only one of the hoses is ruptured, you can use duct tape to seal the leaking temporarily until you are able to find a replacement for the defective hose.
When repairing such kinds of leakages in this important automotive component, it is recommended you let the car cool down completely. Overheated parts are known to be very dangerous and there are several instances where people have been seriously injured or have died while opening the caps of a hot radiator. When repairing the leakages in this automobile part, experts advise to keep a close watch on the water level.
Most experts advise vehicle owners to have a basic knowledge on the location and functions of these important vehicle components. This intelligence is very important to enable you to fix up the leakages in a short period of time. Many people are not aware of the above-mentioned temporary techniques to seal the leakages. However, the best method to stop this problem is to use a high quality sealant that is specially manufactured to enable vehicle owners to overcome such problems. The type of sealant used will depend on the model of your vehicle and on the material used to manufacture this automobile part.
All the above-mentioned tips and tricks are beneficial in overcoming leakages in the vehicle's radiator. However, experts advise vehicle owners to take care of their vehicles to increase their useful life and reduce the repair costs. Therefore, getting your vehicle inspected regularly is advisable to prevent leaks in your car's radiator and to avoid any other major problems associated with other components of the vehicles. Checking the coolant level at periodic intervals is advisable because insufficient amount of coolant increase the probability of damaging the automobile components.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7167963

Civic Named Among Best Cars for Teens by AAA

According to John Nielsen, director of Automotive Engineering for AAA: “Teen drivers see their first vehicle as a step toward independence; parents and teens seeing eye-to-eye on the best vehicle can be tough. Safety behind the wheel should be a priority. Finding a reliable vehicle that has top safety features and fits into the budget will make you and your teen’s vehicle ownership more enjoyable.”And that’s especially the case if said vehicle is a Honda Civic, recently chosen by AAA as one of this year’s best cars for teens. The Civic was called a “perennial and parental favorite” by AAA and also was lauded for its handling, maneuverability, fuel efficiency—the Civic HF can attain 41 mpg on the highway—and a robust body structure developed according to Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) guidelines. As is the case with most Honda models, the Civic relies on an ACE design that leverages a network of interconnected structural components to help distribute crash forces away from the cabin.
The Civic also boasts standard passenger-protection features like Honda’s Advanced Vehicle Stability Assist technology with traction control, electronic brake-force distribution and dual-stage airbags, all of which helped the car achieve Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Teen drivers can choose a Civic in both sedan and coupe body styles, with three different powertrains on tap: A standard 140-hp 1.8-liter I4 engine, a hybrid setup that delivers 44 mpg in all EPA testing procedures, and an I4 that’s been tuned to run on clean-burning compressed natural gas.
Take care with the Civic Si, though, since its high-performance engine “may be too powerful for younger drivers.”
The 2012 Honda Civic family is on sale now starting at $15,755.

Honda Reveals Lease Terms for Honda Fit EV

A new era in the U.S. auto industry will kick off on July 20, 2012, when Honda begins leasing the 2013 Fit EV—an all-electric version of the popular Honda Fit subcompact. Honda is taking it slow with the launch, however, and will initially offer the Fit EV only in California and Oregon markets. There, drivers will be able to get a three-year lease on the vehicle for $389 a month, which is equivalent to an MSRP of $36,625 according to Honda.That price of admission will deliver a car that’s capable of 132 MPGe city/105 MPGe highway/118 MPG combined, representing the highest city and combined ratings ever awarded by the EPA. The Fit EV also provides a driving range of about 82 miles while running on electricity alone, and is quick to recharge, too. Drivers can “refuel” the car in under three hours when using a 240-volt charging unit.
“No other automaker on the planet is more deeply committed to produce and deliver more energy-efficient and sustainable transportation solutions than Honda,” said Steven Center, vice president of the American Honda Environmental Business Development Office. “The 2013 Honda Fit EV is the latest example of this commitment.”
However, it’s far from the only one. Other high-efficiency choices from Honda include:
Honda FCX Clarity, relying solely on hydrogen fuel cells for motivation
Honda Civic Natural Gas, the only mass-produced passenger car in America to run on compressed natural gas
Honda CR-Z, delivering an athletic driving experience and hybrid-enhanced EPA marks of up to 35 mpg city/39 mpg highway/37 mpg combined
Honda Insight, an affordable hybrid solution that starts at $18,500 while attaining 41 mpg city/44 mpg highway/42 mpg combined
Honda Civic HF, squeezing 29 mpg city/41 mpg highway/33 mpg combined out of its traditional I4 powertrain
And remember, the redesigned 2013 Honda Accord will debut later this year with a plug-in hybrid version projected to offer an all-electric driving range of 10-15 miles on a single charge, as well as typically hybrid-like fuel-economy ratings beyond that point.

KBB.com: Civic, Accord Among Nation’s Best Sedans under $25K

KBB.com: Civic, Accord Among Nation’s Best Sedans under $25K

Parents’ Best Family Cars Include Civic Hybrid, CR-V and Odyssey

When the staff at Parents magazine was putting together their list of “Best Family Cars for 2012,” they naturally turned to some experts for help. And those experts—from Edmunds.com—turned to Honda for three standout choices for families of all sizes: The Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey.The Civic Hybrid was picked as a “Best Family Car” in the High Mileage category, which is appropriate for a vehicle that has posted marks of 44 mpg in all three EPA driving categories. Parents also noted that it’s “a pleasure to drive and is sleek inside and out.” In addition, while its MSRP starts at a family-friendly $24,200, “the loaded version, with on-board navigation and leather seats, clocks in at under $27,000, making it among the most affordable full-feature hybrids.”

For bigger families, Honda also offers the CR-V as a “Best Family Car” solution from the Crossover class, featuring a cabin that’s “reminiscent of a minivan, with a slew of cup holders and a gear shifter situated on the dashboard.” The best-selling crossover in America is packed with standard features, too, with Parents calling out its “backup camera, a rear armrest to keep warring siblings apart, and rear seats that fold flat with a single touch.” Helpful as well: For the first time ever, the CR-V offers an optional rear-seat entertainment system.
Finally, in addition to the CR-V with its minivan-like interior, an actual minivan from Honda made the roster in the Large Vehicle segment. Regarding the Odyssey, Parents praised its car-like cornering abilities and stable ride, and singled out advantages like its “endless storage compartments and second-row captain’s chairs that slide forward (to get closer to you) and sideways (to put extra real estate between siblings or make room for three car seats in the row)” along with an “optional middle seat in the second row [that] transforms into a cool beverage and snack tray when no one’s using it.”

When it comes to cars, sedans remain the top choice for U.S. buyers, and when it comes to sedans, the top choices include the Honda Civic and Honda Accord. That’s the word from Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com website, which recent added the two Honda vehicles to its roster of the year’s 10 Best Sedans for under $25,000.The Civic was redesigned for the 2012 model year, and KBB.com noted that: “it continues to offer a level of refinement that plants it squarely on top of the hotly contested compact car segment. Priced from $15,995, the Civic sedan comes in five different flavors to appeal to a wide range of customers. The standard Civic sedan delivers a strong mix of value and fuel economy, the Civic HF ups the EPA ante all the way to 41 mpg highway, the Civic Hybrid can reach 44 mpg combined, and the Civic Natural Gas skips gasoline entirely and runs solely on clean-burning compressed natural gas. And for drivers who prefer a more athletic driving experience, Honda offers the 200-hp Civic Si—still capable of 31 mpg on the highway.
The current Accord is in the last few months of its lifecycle, with the new 2013 model launching later this year, but “its reputation for quality and reliability are legend,” according to KBB.com, and it supplies an “uncanny combination of handling and ride that are uncommonly good for a car in its class.” The 2012 Accord also boasts an MSRP of $21,480, which is lower than the starting price of rivals like the Chevrolet Malibu and Toyota Camry. In fact, all four-cylinder Accord models start under KBB.com’s $25,000 ceiling, even the Accord EX with its 190-hp i-VTEC engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, one-touch power moonroof, halogen reflector-style headlights and rear-seat climate vents.

Honda named 'Brand of the Year'

Honda has been recognized as the "Brand of the Year" in the "Full Line Automotive" category

according to the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study. Honda received the highest numerical Equity Score among full line automotive brands included in the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study¹. Harris Poll EquiTrend is an annual brand health assessment from Harris Interactive that surveys thousands of U.S. consumers online about their brand perceptions, measuring key touchstones including familiarity, quality and purchase consideration.

"This study offers strong evidence that the Honda brand continues to be well-regarded by American consumers," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of National Marketing Operations for American Honda. "The combination of strong brand equity and a fresh line-up of new models that resonate with customers will drive strong growth for us this year."