Cold Weather Conditions: 5 Ways to stay safe on winter's wet roads

Winter weather is slowly creeping into the bay area.  While October has survived in the mid 80’s for most of the month, the cooler weather along with impending rain lingers in the coming months ready to pounce on unsuspecting San Franciscans.  Cooler weather, while a familiar friend to the Bay Area native, can bring on unplanned expenses if you are not ready. 

1.       1. There will be rain.  Having grown up in Southern California, I had NO IDEA that it could rain so much in one season.  In Los Angeles, I could experience a full seven days of rain in the entire season and we’d call it “A wet one”.  Here in the bay, experiencing rain for seven days in a row, more than ten times in a season is very normal, and can still be deemed a drought. Learn to love the rain. It’s not going anywhere.  

2.       2. Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency for others.  Being as you know that it rains here in the bay, plan ahead,  and buy yourself a few of the basics.  Owning an umbrella, a pair of wellies, and even a nice warm rain coat with matching scarf and gloves are all good investments.  Keep them in your car for a rainy day, because we all know, you’ll have plenty of them in the days to come!

3.       3. Before the rainy season hits, change your wiper blades and check your tire tread.  While the idea of spending money on tires may seem a bit excessive, the cost of a saved life from quality tread on an oily wet road is worth every penny. Your service advisor at your local service center will be the best person to let you know if your tires are in need of changing, and with seasonal tire savings events happening at your local dealerships, you might even look into the additional full size spare tire for unexpected flats! You can never be too prepared.

4.      4.  Slow Down and leave room.   For all my tailgaters out there, you know who you are, Take it easy on the other drivers.  To avoid loss of traction which could cause hydroplane, slow your roll and give the other drivers some space on those wet roads.  Should you find yourself in a skid situation, avoid slamming on the brakes to help keep control, and continue looking and steer in the direction in which you want the car to go.  Avoid hard braking or turning sharply and, with ample stopping distance, we should all survive another wet winter here in The Bay.

5.       5. Turn your lights on when you turn on your wipers.  The rule of thumb states that you should using your headlights any time you use your wiper blades.  If Karl the Fog is around, be sure to use your low beams; however the use of headlights in rainy weather can help other drivers to see you on the road and allows you to see pedestrians out walking in the rain!

Planning ahead for the wet weather not only keeps you dry, but also ensures a safer commute for everyone out on the roads.  Our goal is to get each one of you home, safe and dry, to your families.  Remember, change your wiper blades, check your tire tread and use your headlights whenever your wipers are in use. Slow down and give your fellow drivers room on the road and let’s enjoy yet another wonderfully wet winter here in the bay! 

For more tips on how to stay safe out on the road, 

check out our tips and tricks using hands free devices with your Lexus! 

http://www.lexusofpleasanton.com/Technology-Support 

The Price of Retention - What it costs to keep a good employee

Residents of the bay area are one group of many facing spikes in the costs of living while trying to get by on pay rates that remain the same.  While financial compensation is a major factor when deciding on a career, as the millennial generation navigates the work force, they are beginning to understand that there are many benefits that can’t be applied in monetary denominations. 

The benefits of cold hard cash are undeniable, however things such as flexible hours, growth opportunities and feeling appreciated by other employees have become major selling points for selecting and staying with a chosen company.  It’s the people that you work with that will make or break job retention.

Take a moment and think about how you came to be at your current company.  What were some of the attributes that you looked for while searching for a job?  And even deeper than that, while searching for that job, what was the motivation behind the search?  Were you trying to put out an immediate fire (i.e.: you needed money to pay bills, rent is looming and you need money to pay it) or were you already employed and looking to better your current situation (i.e.: maybe you aren’t getting along with your co-workers or although it’s a great job you just can’t afford to stay at it due to rising cost of living). 

As an employer, it is important to constantly be evolving.  Changing times mean constantly being aware of your employees needs and attempting to meet them when possible.  Working for Hendrick Automotive Group has given me direct access to a working reverse pyramid management structure that has been successful time and time again. 

The idea behind this working structure is to have leadership at the bottom of the pyramid allowing them to be of service to the people working on the front lines and beyond, while the front line associates and on floor staff are placed at the top, making them the most important to our teams’ success. 

Lead by Rick Hendrick and his management teams across the states, Hendrick Automotive Group has provided a covenant that they have stuck to from the beginning.  

1. We Think Big

2. We Embrace Openness

3. We Develop Solutions

4. We Demand Excellence

5. We Expect Great Things

6. We Execute Brilliantly

7. We Serve With Passion

8. We Communicate Effectively

9. We Cherish and Understand

10. We Always Win

11. We Celebrate Achievements

12. We Learn and Grow

Through monthly team appreciation luncheons, staff outings to baseball games for the Oakland Athletics and The San Francisco Giants, and even an annual trip to the Sonoma Races to celebrate Hendrick Motor Sport with Mr. Rick Hendrick himself, employees are reminded just how valuable they really are to this team. 

In addition to the incredible outings and events hosted by the management, team members are offered full benefits packages that include medical, dental, vision and 401K options.  They are affronted vacation and sick time allowing for them to come to work refreshed and rejuvenated while enjoying a healthy work and home life balance.   

But if you remember, it’s the people that will make or break your decision to stay or leave a company.   So in addition to the incredible benefits packages offered, it’s the people that we bring in that make this company so great.  By using MBS and Wonderlic testing we are able to determine the best communication styles for each team mate, and are able to help determine strengths within people that we are able to apply during the hiring process. 

Being able to approach and work with our team mates in a way that is best matched to their personality types allows for trust and comfort to be built between our staff and management.  This trust enables the company to communicate more effectively and allows everyone to understand how they fit into the big picture for the company’s growth. 

Employees and job hunting hopefuls alike will always have a list of values that they want in a current or future company.  Not all of them are motivated by dollar signs.  As employers, it’s our job to be aware of the rising costs of living, adjust pay scales as needed and provide benefits not found at any other company. Giving your employees and future employees a comfortable and enriching work environment that values their time as much as the companies time, will always result in longevity and harder working employees, happy to further your company’s future results.  

Want to learn more about the Lexus of Pleasanton business culture? Interested in joining our team? 

Click on the link below to take your first step!

https://www.facebook.com/PleasantonAutomallEvents?fref=ts

Going Off The Beaten Path

In the decade following 9/11, The United States as a whole,  has become a little more reserved and hushed as the reality that “anything can happen, at any time.” sinks in one more time.   Everyone had a different experience and a different reaction based on where they were located and how it directly affected their lives.   Similar to the day John F. Kennedy was shot, our generation will remember where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about the attack on the Twin Towers.  For me, I was a sophomore in college.  I had just finished parking my car in the university lot.  The radio was on and every channel I turned to was talking, but as always I wasn’t listening. 

It wasn’t until I walked into my creative writing course and saw my five foot nothing blond haired professor crying at her podium, that I started to listen to what was being said.  At the time, cell phones were still fairly new, and every call was $0.10 per minute, but that day everyone person in that room was on a call.  They were calling friends, family and anyone they loved ensuring they were okay.  Even if they weren’t actually in New York at the time of disaster, the emotional devastation was felt nationwide.  It was the first time, we as Americans, stopped feeling safe and untouchable and became very aware of our own mortality. 

With our moral compasses leading us to live lives out loud and with gusto, there comes the awareness to be present.  While the idea is to be able to slow your mind down enough to appreciate every aspect of every situation, the reality is that if you were only able to accomplish this task even half of the time, your quality of life would exponentially increase.   Being able to separate the sounds and actions occurring around you, allows you to remove the emotional attachment from the situation, letting you experience that moment from different angles you might have missed otherwise. 

The practice of being present begins and ends with a breath, but the action itself is very mental.  It is a conscience effort of doing things differently and shaking things up a bit.  It can be as simple as drying off from a shower in the opposite order, paying attention to the happenings as you walk home, or even driving home a different route than normal.  The idea is to break your day to day habits and really learn to enjoy the adventure of discovering a new way.  The moment something becomes a habit, you stop being aware of it or being mindful of it. By losing the awareness you also lose the beauty and magic offered in each moment that approaches us.  I have a post it on my desk that reads, “Be where you are.  Experience that piece.  Think about something else and you miss it.”

While I am happy to practice awareness while getting dressed in the mornings and even on my afternoon walks, I have found my dependency to SIRI's GPS and in-car navigation isn’t one to be toyed with.  Thankfully I’ve found that most new automobiles are now fully equipped with navigation features allowing me to play with my drive home, without getting completely lost in the process.   The less stressful my drive home can be the better for everyone inside of my car.

In car navigation features are available pre-installed, or if you like to change cars often, a portable form such as the Garman Tracker is handy to have!  With annual updates available for your in-dash GPS at your local dealership, being able to veer off course now and again just became easier!

Take a look at some of the features available in the Lexus Navigation packages!

http://www.lexusofpleasanton.com/How-To-Videos

Creating a Meaningful Maintenance Routine

There are few things that can determine a good or bad day more than my first cup of coffee.  If I am able to enjoy that one cup of coffee before my bouncing bundle of conversation jolts into the land of the living, I know I’ll survive the day.   However if I am blessed with an early riser, my schedule gets thrown to the wind and I become a frantic mess.  It’s never a pretty sight. 

While racing to throw everything I could possibly need into my bag, making sure my child has clothes on and food in her stomach and maneuvering through San Francisco’s illustrious commuting maze, the last thing I want to worry about is a check engine light on my car dashboard.   So when things like little wrenches that light up on my dash, or even worse, letters and numbers that give me no indication of what is actually wrong, my inner control freak flips out just a bit.

Proper maintenance for one’s self has become very trendy these days, thanks to the ever booming yoga and meditation groups, the scary obsessed Cross Fit clans and even the ever growing marathon trends.  Who knew that throwing glitter and bribing people with wine and hot chocolate would promote fitness? Now, what about your vehicles well being?

If you’re anything like me, I had a love hate relationship with my first car.  It wasn’t glamorous, nor was it new.  I drove a 1967 Fleetwood Cadillac handed down to me from my grandfather.  Now as a sweet little 5 foot three inches sixteen year old, this was both AWESOME and terrible all at once.   The car was a tank, and any time I pushed on the gas pedal, I literally watched the gas quickly drop to the letter E. 

The part I never fully understood until now, was how well the car ran.  It was a flawless drive, and although, by the time I got to it, the shocks were much to be desired, the engine was still a beast and purred like the kitten she was the day my grandfather bought her.  I remember watching my grandfather go through his old ledger books marking down oil changes and different services done on the car.   His meticulous efforts to care for that car were the reason I was able to drive it to and from high school 30 years after it was made. 

What does a regular maintenance routine mean? Thankfully, as drivers today, we have the ability of self-alerting vehicles letting us know when and what maintenance are needed for our cars.  There are different symbols and light colors to let us know if the issue is a minor or major concern.  We even have alerts letting us know when the pressure has dropped in our tires. 

The easiest way to get on a regular maintenance routine is to start with purchasing a pre-paid maintenance plan for your vehicle at the time of purchase.  Although it is a large chunk of change up front, it’ ensures that you’ll always have the money to pay for your car’s needs, and knowing you already spent the money makes it more important for you to show up and take advantage of the service appointments. 

The next best way to ensure you stay on track for a regular maintenance routine is to build a relationship with your service advisers!  Most dealerships will offer in house vehicle maintenance, which allows for your car to be serviced with factory parts and factory trained technicians, as well as having an onsite expert ready to answer all your questions and concerns regarding your vehicle.  Creating an ongoing relationship with your service adviser allows for you to have someone you trust “on the inside” working for you to get you back on the road in a safe and well maintained vehicle.

Are you interested in scheduling your vehicle for its next maintenance?

Click on the link below to check available times!

http://www.lexusofpleasanton.com/ServiceApptForm

The Cost of Your Commute

Part of making the choice to live and work in separate cities is committing to the weekly commute.  San Francisco has consistently landed on the top-five lists for the worst traffic and commute, and the stories of hour plus drives to and from work is a very real occurrence.  As the young kids like to say, the struggle is real.  

The average morning drive in the bay area can range anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour and a half each way.  With hiking commutes, people have begun exploring different forms of transportation trying to alleviate the costs.  From local tube transports to hybrid vehicles, San Francisco has been a front runner for commuter convenience. 

Known for its illustrious BART system, San Francisco’s tube takes you from one end of the bay to the other at the cost of a cup of coffee.  In addition The Ferry services, offered from Vallejo, Oakland and Larkspur, Sausalito,  he San Francisco Ferry Building, Fisherman’s Warf and even AT&T Park for the occasional Giants games  give you ample opportunity to arrive to work fairly stress free, having been able to avoid sitting in hours long traffic. 

Not a fan of the public transportation options? I can understand that, I love my car just as much as the next.  In fact, being a Los Angeles transplant, I grew up knowing nothing about public transportation.  Cars were all we knew.  So then how about looking into a hybrid vehicle? 

When driving three hours a day in traffic, gas millage and vehicle wear and tear become major concerns. Having the available hybrid or eco system, allows you to conserve gas when needed.  On average, you can actually save from upwards of $500+ dollars per year, but the cost of the vehicle can be slightly higher than standard engine vehicles. Also if you do your homework, certain green vehicles let you drive in the HOV lanes on highways.  That can definitely help save some time on your drives home, and depending on the actual gas cost savings, hybrids could be a great choice for most!

Now if you are anything like me, I love the idea of the hybrid, I am just not a fan of how they look.  Thankfully in this day and age, hybrid vehicles have jumped on the sexy car bandwagon.  Following suit of the likes of Tesla, Lexus has taken the hybrid engine and placed it inside some of its most popular models including the CT200t and the NX200t.  The CT is a nice sporty hatchback, reminiscent of the Honda Civic Hatchback, but with that much needed very sexy upgrade that includes leather seats, Navigation, and push start engines.  The NX is a smaller SUV that also provides the ECO/Hybrid engine with a luxury upgrade.  Leather seats, surround sound, streaming Pandora and XM radio, and USB ports come standard, making this vehicle ideal for long road trips or even that long drive into the city. 

Now, the self-driven vehicles are still a very new concept, however with Google, Audi and Tesla breaking ground on these cars the concerns regarding safety are currently in discussions.  Although testing has shown that no more accidents have occurred than in stander drivers, the self-driven vehicles are still very much in trial phases.  We might have to wait a few more years before we can let our cars take the wheel. 

For more information on hybrid vehicles or to shop for one of your own, check out the link below!

http://www.lexusofpleasanton.com/VehicleSearchResults?search=new&make=Lexus

10 Things To Do This 4th of July Weekend!

With the 4^th of July holiday upon us, the hunt for the perfect fireworks show begins.  The bay area is home to some of the most spectacular fireworks shows around, but there is so much more to see and do this three-day weekend! With three days away from the office, there is plenty of time to enjoy both the day and night life of the bay area.  From hiking, kayaking, sailing, shopping, and wine tasting to spoken word, concerts, dancing and outdoor festivals, San Francisco isn’t holding anything back this year!

For the adventurist at heart, Point Reyes National Seashore offers kayaking along Tomales Bay.  Sprawling over 70,000 acres and home to the likes of leopard sharks, seals and jelly fish you are in for a memorable ocean environment experience!

For the night-owls that love a bit of city life, come pop by the Holiday Hip Hop Party in San Francisco with Golden Era, at Slate Bar, 2925 16^th St.  This weekly party offers a tribute to classic Hip Hop and a great mix of dope beats. Best part? It’s free before 11pm.

Prefer a more instrumental approach to your music and partying? Check out Rowdy at Red, White and Bluegrass, at The Plough and Stars, 116 Clement St.  Celebrating Independence Day in bluegrass style, enjoys the rustic and mesmerizing sounds of banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass and dobro all while paired with jazzy vocal overtures!

To read more about weekend activities in your area click the link below!

http://www.sfstation.com/guides/10-things-to-do-this-4th-of-july-weekend/

Commuting Comparisons: Compact Vs. SUV

It’s hard to go a day without reading or hearing about the cost of living, rents being raised and the concept of “quality of life”.  Most of us wake up every day with a list of bills and responsibilities that we need to honor and uphold, spending all of our time battling the growing debt we acquire through living beyond our means. 

Personal experiences have placed me on both ends of the spectrum.   I’ve been able to have a lot of money at my disposal, but I’ve also experienced poverty and the reality of living pay check to pay check.  What I learned by being in both situations is this.  You don’t have to over extend yourself and your finances to live a rich and fulfilling life. 

I will admit whole-heartedly that I love nice things. I love expensive, quality pieces that last a lifetime and bring beauty into my environment.  That doesn’t mean that I need to rack up a handful of credit card debt and take out that second or third on my house or condo.  It simply means that I need to budget for the items I know will cost me the most, and find creative alternatives for the “would be nice to have, but I really don’t need” items. 

For me, driving a luxurious car with all the bells and whistles is one of my “MUST HAVE” items.  My job requires me to travel quite a bit, all while lugging around bulky production equipment.  Being in a vehicle that has good gas mileage, full surround sound, navigation and plenty of storage room are my requirements. 

I’ve found that for my in-town events, The Lexus CT200h is my car of choice.  A zippy hybrid with ample storage in the back (the rear hatch door is ideal for easy load/unload accessibility) makes for a fun drive over the bridges and onto the city streets.  The sleek, stylish design keeps me looking sharp as I cruise down the Embarcadero.  But it’s the eco/sport modes that really sell me.  Knowing I get amazing gas mileage without compromising the power and speed I’m so addicted to makes this a millennials dream car.

When I need to go on longer road trip, the all-new 2015 NX200t is my SUV of choice.  As I’ve mentioned before, my road trips require Tetris level packing skills with all the luggage and equipment I need for my job.   I found that the NX offered me the eco/sport mode handling I loved in a compact car, while giving me the ample room to load even the bulkiest of tri-pods and lighting equipment.

Both cars offer me the hybrid engine, power and speed I desire along with room for my crew,  and with the price for each just low enough for me to justify the spend, I come out with money left to take myself out for dinner when my work is done.  Living the big city dream only works when you have the right tools, and for me, the car I drive is a huge part of that. 

To learn more about the CT or the NX, click on the link below!

http://www.lexusofpleasanton.com/NewModelsPage

Start Your Engine, The Weekend is Here!

As the weather becomes warmer, the need to be outdoors gets higher on the priority list.  If you are looking for things to do this weekend, We can help!

Here in the Tri-Valley, we are fortunate to have the best of both worlds.  For the wanderlusts of the world we have oceans and mountains to get lost in.  For the city-folk, we have bay-side restaurants serving champagne and oysters, tech-apps walking you through bridge architecture and car shows introducing you to the future while reminding you of the past.

If you haven't had a chance to experience a car show, prepare yourself.  They come in different shapes and sizes, from a local show featuring under fifty cars to national levels such as the ones you'd find at The Grand Prix or Sonoma Races featuring hundreds of concept cars, race cars and featured models being launched that following year.

Growing up in Southern California, I was raised on The Toyota Grand Prix.   Every April the grumbling of the speeding cars would call to us.  We knew it was coming because the streets off Ocean Blvd. would start getting blocked off and the road mediums began to appear in track formation.  Just as a fun tradition, we would watch a bit of Days of Thunder's opening sequences right before we piled into the car.  With pit-passes strapped around our necks, we bee-lined it into the Long Beach Convention Center where cars and lifestyle would open up before our eyes.

  

Car shows offer the visitor an incredible opportunity to touch, feel and play with all the newest features the automobile industry has to offer.  Bringing together vendors,  dealers and enthusiasts all in one location, car shows are the most direct way to explore everything that makes your car so special.

If this sounds like fun to you, come on out and experience the car shows for yourself!  The Good Guys hosts some of the largest car shows in Northern California and they have one this weekend! To get more information about this or other upcoming car shows click the link below!

https://www.good-guys.com/