Vehicles are about more than just performance. After all, who doesn’t like to feel as though they are riding around in serious style? But when it comes to unique car customizations, there are endless options out there beyond simple car painting. You can do just about anything you could dream up with your vehicle. If you’re into getting a little more color into your vehicle’s world, you’ve got a few options, and with the constantly evolving world of automotive tech, some of them are pretty exciting.
Wrap
You’ve probably seen the vehicles driving around with elaborate graphics and brand design on them, right? Well, the good news here is that a lot of those cars are simply featuring a wrap, which is something that anyone can order if they want. Do your research on some of the best vendors near you, and dream up a colorful combination of things to put on your vehicle in a slightly less permanent way. Though it’s not an easy process, wraps can be removed with a heat source, a little experience, and a lot of patience. The removal process is much easier if you’ve chosen a professional and reputable company to create and apply the wrap in the first place, so choosing a good company is key.
LED Interior Lights
Maybe you’re looking for something a little less gimmicky without giving up the wow factor. Installing colored LED lights on your vehicle’s interior is a great option. You can even install LED kits that allow you to change the color when you’re ready for a change. This particular mod can be the one that keeps on giving, making you feel like you’re stepping into a new car every time you change the colors.
Color-Changing Paint
As far as exciting and colorful mods on the block, color-changing paint is the fairly new kid, and it has a lot of people excited. The technology is still emerging and will likely be refined, but there are a couple of ways you can go about achieving this look if it’s something you’re interested in. There are paints that change color at a specific temperature, and there are also paint technologies like ChromaFlair that allow the color of the vehicle to change depending on the way the light hits it and at which angle you are viewing the car from.
Like we said, there are countless ways to modify your vehicle to make it look exactly how you want, inside and out. If you’re looking for a colorful option or one that has people turning their heads whenever you drive by, these are worth looking into. What are your favorite vehicle modifications?
Road trip season is just around the corner, and with good road trips come good road trip playlists! But let’s get real, not all playlists are created equal, and if you’ve ever been on the listening end of a poorly constructed playlist on a long road trip, you know the consequences can be miserable. So how do you make sure your playlist will keep you and your car guests happy, dancing, singing along, and most importantly – keep the driver awake at the wheel? Here are a few of our keys to creating the perfect playlist for even your longest road trip.
Variety
It’s the spice of life, right? You never want too much of the same thing on your road trip playlists. Shake it up with different genres, or different artists within the same genre and pick from a wide range of song types to keep things interesting, your ears happy, and the whole car pleased with the ambiance you’re creating. Also worth considering is the makeup of who will be accompanying you on the road trip. Taking into account your guests’ musical preferences can help add more variety to the list and ensure that everyone gets to hear at least one of their favorite tunes while you’re on the road.
Solid Jams
Isn’t half the fun of curating the perfect playlist getting to rock out? Solid jams are the ones that everyone knows all the words to. You know, like…Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” for example, or Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” These are also known as the classics and are an absolute staple to a long road trip playlist. Sometimes there’s just nothing better than throwing it back and rocking out when you’re driving on a seemingly endless highway (may we also suggest AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” if you’re having to drive through Nebraska….) and are miles and miles away from the nearest rest stop.
High Energy
This goes back to our whole “no falling asleep at the wheel” rule, but keeping the energy up in your playlist keeps the energy up on the road. And when the Red Bull wears off and your eyes start to feel a little heavy, a perfectly timed high-energy anthem can bring you right back to the land of the living – and the stoked – to be headed wherever you’re headed.
Occasional Chill-Out
We know, we know, Barney Stinson says a good mix should be all rise, but we subscribe to the more common belief that a truly exceptional mix should rise and fall. After all, if you’re listening to a lot of music that lies within the same tempo range, there’s a chance your ears – and thus your brain – could tire of it eventually, leading to more fatigue, which is the exact opposite of the point. Throwing in some chill-out tracks help keep your playlist balanced and give your ears time to chill, chat, or just enjoy the dulcet tones of your favorite singer-songwriters without being overwhelmed by jams and high-energy hits.
Stay in Your Vocal Range
What is the point of a road trip playlist if you can’t belt. it. out?! There isn’t really one, we would argue, as half the sheer joy of a road trip is, indeed, scream-singing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs. It helps, in order to truly maximize that “I sound better in the car” paradox that exists in the car and the shower, to have a bulk of the songs on your playlist be within your vocal range. Now, we’re not saying you can’t push your limits – after all, having a variety of musical keys helps keep the flow of the playlist interesting and unique, but if you’re anything like us and love to pretend you’re getting that golden ticket on American Idol in your car, you’re gonna want some tunes you can feel totally comfortable singing your heart out to.
The bottom line with road trip playlists is this: keep it fun, keep it interesting, and keep it exciting. Test your musical boundaries and throw some new bands or genres on there to expand your horizons, but stick to what you know you love for the bulk of it. And most of all – jam out and drive on!
There’s nothing like stepping onto the floor of CES and stepping immediately into the future. And that’s exactly what happened this January in Vegas. The far-out, futuristic tech was all over the place, promising the vehicles of the future to be a lot more Jetson-like than we’ve seen in recent years. But some of the coolest pieces that will likely be making their way into the mainstream over the coming years? Here are some of our favorites.
Alexa Voice Integration
Alexa seems to be making her way into all the facets of our lives these days, and now being on the road is no exception. BMW, Ford, and Hyundai already have Alexa integration in some of their newer models, and now Toyota and Lexus are hopping on the personal home assistant bandwagon. This integration means that on your way home from work you can adjust your thermostat, turn lights on or off, preheat the oven and more before you even pull into the garage. Talk about making life easier.
Biometric Security
There have been tons of advancements in car-key technology, from keyless entry to remote start and so on, but with recent advancements in biometric security measures, your next car key may very well be your eyes. One of the wildest pieces of technology at the event this year was a vehicle that scans irises before turning the vehicle on. James Bond spy tech look out, we’re coming for you! This added level of security means a vehicle won’t turn on if you’re not an authorized driver, but it also leads to a level of convenience you might not have considered before. By adding retina scans, your vehicle could soon have the ability to adjust everything automatically for each individual driver. Seat, steering wheel, and mirror position could adjust when it detects which authorized driver is behind the wheel.
Artificial Intelligence
Though there’s no timeline for when this tech might actually hit cars beyond the conceptual phase, Toyota went next-level with an artificial intelligence experience that aims to get you more involved with where you’re driving, even on long trips. The AI talks with drivers about nearby landmarks, activities, and restaurants, etc. creating an immersive experience. Toyota plans to demo some version of this car timed with the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.
Self-Driving
Ok, ok, so this isn’t a new concept, we know. But the pace at which it’s making its way to mainstream in small ways is worth noting. Varying driver-assist features like lane departure adjustments and automatic braking are fast becoming standard in so many vehicles. It’s just the beginnings of the automated car future that we’re likely heading toward.
The long and short of it is this – there’s a lot to get excited about in the automotive space these days. An industry that has always done it’s best to innovate but has stayed pretty much the same for a long time now is finally seeing massive, booming innovations in technology and we are so excited to see what comes of all these futuristic concepts.
It’s pretty much the height of ski and snowboard season here in Colorado, and while there wasn’t much snow at the beginning of the season, the mountains are pretty solidly covered now, beckoning ski and boarder bums from all around the state to try their hand at a fresh pow day in style. Getting all your equipment up to the resorts with you isn’t always the easiest task, so we’ve compiled some of the best ski racks and snowboard racks to help you find the right fit for you and make your trips to and from the mountains this winter that much easier.
Thule Ski and Snowboard Racks
This is a classic favorite and considered among the best ski racks for good reason. Thule makes products that last, and do a ridiculously good job of holding your equipment safely and in style. With solutions like their popular universal flattop 6-rack that allows you to affordably (and reliably) hold up to 6 pairs of skis, leaving you plenty of room in the car for any other supplies you might need. From ski racks to board racks to boxes and more, Thule is one of the most trusted names for those who love the outdoors in Colorado.
Yakima Ski Racks
Right up there with Thule, you’ve probably seen Yakima countless times in the parking lot at the resorts. Yakima has some of the best cargo boxes on the market, specifically designed to fit skis, snowboards, and allow space for all the extras (like poles, botos, and snow-covered clothing you don’t want dripping all over the seat on the drive home). Their trusty racks, boxes, and more come in a wide range so you can find the perfect fit for your family or friends.
Inno Ski Racks
One of our favorite products from Inno is the dual-angle ski-rack that works with vehicles without crossbars. This particular rack mounts to the sidebars only so there’s no crossbars needed. Plus, the angle of the rack adjusts to accommodate bigger bindings. Inno makes a number of great products with flexibility and usability in mind, so if you’re on the market for a unique solution to your skiing and snowboarding rack woes, they might be the perfect fit for you.
Rhino-Rack Ski Racks
One of the coolest 2-board or skis solutions out there, Rhino-Rack’s 2-Ski/Board Rack is perfect for those lovebirds who like to hit the slopes together all the time. It’s a smaller rack and if you’re planning on expanding your crew anytime soon it might not be the best forever-solution, but it’s hard to beat the price and convenience. Plus, the buttons are so easy to press you don’t even need to take your gloves off, and who doesn’t love saving a few extra seconds in the race to the chairlift?
We steered away from specific product recommendations in this list only because depending on your vehicle, your sport of choice, and your family size, your needs might be totally different. But these 4 companies offer some of the best and easiest-to-use rack systems out there so you can rest assured that they won’t mess up your car or your gear – talk about a win-win!
Lastly, we all know that getting up to fresh powder can be treacherous. Stay safe getting up there and if you happen to need auto body repair or dent repair (yes, dents happen when removing skis), we have your back. Call 303-344-2212 or contact us online.
There are a lot of features in every car that helps make it safer without our even knowing half the time. With winter on the horizon, a lot of drivers’ minds turn to what can keep them safe when the roads get slick. 4-wheel drive and winter tires are a couple of the more well-known ones, but Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and traction control are two important safety features that most cars come equipped with that work hard to keep you as safe as possible in low-traction conditions. But what the heck are they, and how do they really work? As your auto body repair shop, we decided to take a closer look.
What Is ESC
ESC is a computerized technology that detects loss of steering control and works to reduce traction loss. When ESC detects an issue, it will apply the brakes individually to help “steer” the car where the driver intends it to go. The technology isn’t intended to improve a vehicle’s cornering performance, simply to decrease loss of control.
Is it Important?
ESC is an extremely important safety feature. In fact, according to safety experts, ESC is the most important factor since the seatbelt in preventing auto accident fatalities. It’s so effective that the government stepped in to mandate stability control be included in all vehicles after 2012. In some cases, ESC may even cut power in order to steer the car in an intended direction when traction loss is severe, but for the most part the goal is to slow spinning tires in order to give them a better chance at “grabbing” ground or “biting” into a surface to help your vehicle regain traction.
What’s the Difference between ESC and Traction Control?
Though they serve similar functions and have similar approaches to your safety and accident-avoidance, ESC and traction control are actually different systems within your vehicle. Traction control uses the brake systems in your car to force power to a wheel that needs it. It’s the thing that sounds like a ratchet when it’s activated and you’re slipping and sliding. Whereas stability control uses the brakes to actually control the direction of your vehicle.
If you’re driving a 2012 or newer, your vehicle definitely has these systems in place, automatically working to keep you and those around you safe on the road. If you’re driving a car that was made before 2012, you very well may still have these systems, but it’s a good idea to check and see if a) you have them and b) if they are activated. If, despite these safety features, you find yourself in an accident and need auto body repair, we’re here to help with fair prices and expert staff. Give us a call at 303-344-2212.
Football season is underway once again and with it comes all the frantic tracking of your fantasy team players, your favorite teams, and as many games as you can possibly cram into your week. But what about when you’re on the road and your ultimate rival teams are going head to head? You can’t miss it, but it’s also illegal to be watching those games on your phone if you’re behind the wheel. So how do follow sports in car and while the go? Here are a few of our favorite options.
XM Radio
One of the best, easiest, and most customizable options for keeping tabs on your teams while you drive is XM radio. There are endless combinations of channels you can put together to make sure you never miss a game, but NFL radio is probably one of the most popular choices for football fans out there. MLB radio is a great option for those baseball fans trying to catch all the post-season action before it’s gone, too. If there’s a sport you’re trying to keep up with, you can bet XM radio has a channel dedicated to it.
Local Sports Radio
If XM radio isn’t in your budget and you aren’t into all that newfangled car technology, that doesn’t mean you can’t still keep up with your favorite teams. Just about every area you’ll drive through is likely to have a sports station. You can look into what those stations might be before you hit the road or you can just scan through the stations as you drive. You’re bound to stumble upon some highlights or maybe even the most exciting moment of the game you’ve been dying to hear about. It’s a little more russian roulette than some of the options, but for the frantic sports fan, it’s still a way to keep tapped into the sports information highway while you’re on the, well, real highway.
Integrated bluetooth apps
With the increased technology available in most cars, you might even have the ability to ask your dashboard what the scores are without having to lift a finger. If you’re driving a newer vehicle, it’s worth looking into what apps might integrate with your car to help keep you in the know no matter when you’re traveling.
Just because you’re on the road doesn’t have to mean you miss your favorite sports moments or any of the action. While you’re cheering on your favorite teams and players, don’t forget to keep your eyes on the road and stay safe. After all, as much as we love all you of, we really don’t want to have see you for any auto body repair.
Those shiny new 2018 models are just around the corner and car aficionados everywhere have some pretty cool things to look forward to. Though the range of new vehicles coming out is vast, here are some key 2018 vehicle trends that have people’s eyebrows raised in intrigue, and with good reason.
More Horsepower
Drivers with a need for some serious oomph will be all-too-pleased with some of automotive’s recent upgrades in the 2018 lineup. For example, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, a limited-production model, comes equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that can pull as much as 840 horsepower, making this puppy a street-legal drag racer if ever we’ve seen one.
Superfast
What’s power without speed? There are some models making their debut in the upcoming year that top out at super-illegal speeds, but if a trip to the Autobahn (or racetrack) is in your future, you might get to make the most of picks like the Ferrari 812 Superfast, a sleek car with a top speed of 211 mph – without any turbo or supercharging.
Emphasis on Sports Cars
In case you couldn’t sense the trend in the 2018 vehicle trends, there’s a lot of sports cars making their way into the new car lineup. While there are still plenty of options available for everyone else, this is shaping up to be a great year for sports car enthusiasts the world over. There’s the top-performing Lamborghini Huracan Performante, the Lexus LC, Honda Civic Type R, and many more, all making their mark on the sports car world with increased power, performance, and added features to boot!
Increased Eco-Friendly Features
As vehicle tech continues to advance, so does the performance of eco-friendly choices like the Nissan Leaf, among others. More and more, electric car options are rocking seriously increased ranges (in the case of the leaf, boasting an excess of 200 miles before recharging is needed). It’s exciting to see this space getting more robust and more capable, a trend that’s only expected to continue into 2018 and beyond.
Semi-Autonomous Drives
The long-awaited Tesla Model 3 makes its debut for 2018 and is already making waves, too. The less expensive and smaller model has been anticipated for some time and looks to deliver on all the hype it’s created. Perhaps one of the biggest things to note about this one is Tesla’s Autopilot system, providing a semi-autonomous ride for drivers. Remember when self-driving cars were just a far off future idea akin to jetpacks and hoverboards? Well, welcome to the future, everybody.
How to Use This Information
Car tech is constantly shifting and advancing in so many different ways. Whether it’s in-car tech or finding ways to provide more power, more speed, and greater performance in unexpectedly small packages, there’s a lot to look for when you want the best of the best. But no matter how decked out your vehicle might be, there are those unfortunate times you could use auto body repair. That’s where we come in. Give us a call at 303-344-2212 or contact us online.
In Colorado, enjoying the summer is all about being outside. Heading to the mountains or cruising through town, windows down and warm summer air flowing through your car as the sunlight beams down is one of the best parts of living in this beautiful state. So when you want to take your summertime enjoyment to the next level, a convertible seems like the obvious choice. However, finding a convertible that can look great driving downtown AND get you to the mountains without any trouble isn’t the easiest thing.
If you’re looking for a perfect Colorado convertible that is perfect for those our summers, as your Denver auto repair experts, we’ve got you covered. Consider these reliable Colorado convertibles that will let you go top-down and up high without thinking twice.
1. 2016 Jeep Wrangler
Though Jeep Wrangler may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think convertible, there’s no denying that the 2016 Wrangler with its open-air capabilities and rugged handling make it the perfect choice for the mountaineering Coloradan. The hard-top convertible is a great choice for those who want to spend every weekend and day off at higher elevations while still enjoying the freedom of the convertible experience.
2. 2015 Infiniti Q60
This sleek convertible might be a little on the heavier side, but its 330-horsepower, v6 engine does a good job of being able to handle the added weight. The Infiniti Q60 has a gorgeous frame and will serve you well if you prefer to stay around the front range. It might not be the best choice for your wild mountain adventures, but for the city-dweller with a desire for a reliable car with a top-down option, this is a great choice. Just think how slick you’d look rolling into RiNo in one of these.
3. 2015 Lexus IS C
This is a discontinued model for Lexus, but if you can get your hands on one, it’s a perfect choice for Colorado summers. With the option of a 306 horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine, the Lexus IS C can get you where you need to go in style. And whether you’re heading to Boulder for some nearby hiking or cruising through Denver for happy hour, you can soak up the sun and feel the wind in your hair with the drop-top and four available trim levels, plus the track-ready F SPORT option. If you’re in the market for a solid convertible with a lot of options, this is your choice.
4. 2016 BMW 435i
A little pricier than some of the other choices on this list, the 2016 BMW 435i makes up for the increase in price with some serious power. Featuring a 6-cylinder engine that boasts the power to get you up into the mountains in serious style, the suspension and steering are also exceptional, making those winding mountain roads a breeze. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more luxurious way to see the beauty the Rocky Mountains have to offer than with this convertible.
How To Use This Information
These are just some Colorado convertibles to help you enjoy your Colorado Summer to the fullest. And, if you have need of a little paint touch up or even auto body repair, we’ll have your back for all you need to keep you on the road and that wind in your hair. Give us a call at 303-344-2212 or visit us online to see what we can do for you today.
With automobile technology getting more advanced by the day, it’s really no surprise that the advancements are impressive for the technical experience both inside the car and out. Inside your vehicle you have smart driving systems, increased bluetooth connectivity, and ease of use tools that enhance your driving experience. Externally, however, there are also a whole host of improvements and technological advancements that make your life as an automobile owner much easier.
As your Denver car refinishing experts, we know that some of the biggest advancements in external vehicle technology come in the form of car paint tech. We’re not talking about custom LED messages that slide across the side of your vehicle – at least not yet. But there have been plenty of advancements in car paint tech in recent years that truly take a weight off your shoulders.
Self-Cleaning Paint
You know how every time you think about taking your car through the car wash, it suddenly feels like the last thing you want to do? Well, with Nissan’s latest car paint tech, those begrudging trips to the car wash may be a thing of the past. According to Huffington Post, the new paint coat developed by Nissan, is capable of warding off waters and oils as well as “mud, rain, and everyday dirt.” Now that’s the kind of paint technology we can get behind.
Scratch-Resistant Paint
Another breakthrough from Nissan came in 2008 when the automotive company started to roll out vehicles featuring their “Scratch Shield” paint, and its tech is truly impressive. Simply by driving your vehicle as you would normally, you’re helping repair any surface scratches you may have procured on the road. According to Huffington Post the paint “contains a synthetic resin that, when activated by daytime heat and sunlight, flows into surface wounds, repairing the damage in anywhere from a day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch.”
Sunlight-Resistant Paint
Many of the paints that are on the market today for vehicles have an amazing ability to avoid sun damage with UV-resistant coating. This kind of car paint tech keeps the paint from breaking down or oxidizing with UV rays and prevents it from etching due to bird droppings, etc. for much longer than your average paint coat.
As automotive technology continues to increase with each passing year, it will be interesting to see what the car paint tech world brings us next. Paint that changes colors in different temperatures? Paint that is resistant to hail damage (wouldn’t that be nice)? There’s a world of possibilities and with each new advancement, your options as a vehicle owner get better every time.
How to Use This Information
Choosing the right paint for your vehicle is a careful balance of performance, color, and technological add-ons. If you’re curious about these different paint technologies and want to see what’s available to you, give us a call at 303-344-2212 or visit us online. We’d love to help you choose a paint that suits your needs for a price that won’t break the bank.
As technology increases in pretty much every sector of our lives, it’s hard not to notice one of the biggest places increased tech is coming into play – on our daily commute, errand-running, and long road trips. Our cars are one of the places that are growing the fastest in terms of new tech and ability to connect. From vehicles that serve as wifi hotspots to apps that let you have everything you need at your fingertips (without looking down at a phone screen) there’s no denying it – the future of driving is here with the connected car. But what does that mean for you and your vehicle? As your auto body shop, we thought we would take a look at all this fun tech.
Smart Tech Cars Take On a Whole New Meaning
We’re not talking driverless cars here (although maybe soon we will be), but the term “smart car” means something entirely different now than it did 5 or 10 years ago. Nowadays, our cars are practically supercomputers of their own. Most of us are familiar with auto collision warning technology, a connected car, on the other hand, can access weather reports, get directions, see what’s going on in traffic, listen to your favorite playlists and more all from voice-activated systems or a couple of touches on your car’s steering wheel.
Being this connected makes our car travel a whole different experience, and getting the most out of what auto tech has to offer takes sorting through a lot of different apps, gadgets, and gizmos to find what’s best for your traveling needs.
Car Technology to Know
Many vehicles are now equipped with built-in systems that allow for some connectedness right out the gate. For example, the Nissan Connect system allows you to access music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more from your favorite apps by connecting with Apple CarPlay. See our Auto Trends and Technology for more articles on auto tech.
Manufacturers are moving increasingly in the direction of allowing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration to allow for the customization you already have set on your phone to translate to your driving experience.
Even if you’re not connected through one of those, most newer vehicles feature Bluetooth connection and have a certain number of apps available on your car’s dashboard like Pandora, Spotify, weather and more.
More and more third party apps and devices are working to make your vehicle experience exceptional like Viper SmartStart, which is arguably the most impressive remote start option on the market, or Zubie, which is a device that allows you to turn your vehicle into a moving wifi hotspot.
Whatever your technological desires, there’s probably an app or device to help your car meet your wildest connectivity dreams.
Why Smart Cars Matter
As smartphones continue to rule our portable tech and communication lives, distracted driving is a very real danger almost everywhere you go. The beauty of a connected car is that it allows you to enjoy the same convenience of using a smartphone without having to look down at the screen or take your eyes off the road at all. Especially with voice activation, you can ask your car to do the tech heavy lifting for you, get you where you need to go, call who you need to call, and pull up your favorite music without ever looking anywhere but on the road in front of you.
How to Use this Information
Even though auto tech is going a long way toward helping keep us safer on the roads, accidents still happen. Never forget to stay alert and use your senses while driving, and follow the rules of the road you’re on. If you find yourself in an accident or in need of repairs, don’t hesitate to call us at 303-344-2212 or contact us online.
