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Its not often that you find a company where several employees have worked there for long periods of time. Here at Dick Hannah, that is actually the norm rather than the abnormal. The service department at Honda is one example of employees who have chosen to make Dick Hannah Honda their home. I would like to acknowledge 3 technicians who are all celebrating a long employment anniversary of 20 years with the Hannah family. John Parthenay, Jim Hicks, and Ray Henderson.

This month celebrates 20 years of employment for John Parthenay as a technician at Dick Hannah Honda in Vancouver, WA. John has been a technician for over 25 years starting out at a Buick dealer in Portland, OR after he finished his associates degree, in Automotive, at Clark College.
John and his wife Cris, who have been married for 17 years, are raising their 3 boys in Vancouver, WA. When asked what keeps him working for the same company for so long John said ” It’s a great atmosphere, I’m treated well and I feel free to be myself. It’s a very family environment.”
Jim Hicks, who surprisingly met John while at Clark College together, and Ray also celebrated their 20th year with us in 2009. Jim and Ray both live with their families in Vancouver, WA.
I have definitely enjoyed working with them over the years and wanted to say thank you for your service and the positive attitude you bring to work here it makes for a fun work day.

The new 2010 model Insight is here and not a moment too soon, with the fuel prices starting to climb again we could all use a low fuel cost alternative.  The insight first came out in 2000 but was only out for a few years before Honda stopped production. Honda is always striving to provide great quality vehicles and has many years of being named the greenest automaker four years in a row by the Union of Concerned Scientists from 2004 -2007. Now with a new improved version of the Insight it should give other hybrids stiff competition.   

The Insight is a 5-passenger 4 door hatchback model which uses a battery powered electric motor to assist the gasoline engine but doesn’t run on electricity alone, the vehicle is designed to be power assisted from the IMA battery located beneath the cargo floor. The other new design to the 2010 Insight is the driver-focused fuel economy enhancement system. It’s called Eco Assist and it combines a ECON mode that optimizes fuel economy which changes the background color of the speedometer to reflect your driving style. It also displays a “flower” type design which grows as your fuel economy gets better and shows a medal of sorts when you achieve optimum gas economy. 

For a vehicle that comes in just under 20,000 it’s the most affordable hybrid on the market and as always Honda doesn’t disappoint delivering the high quality it’s known for and sporting a fuel economy of 40mpg city and 43mpg highway. The base model comes equipped with ABS, 6 air bags, automated climate control, am/fm radio with cd player, auto locks and windows. The upgraded version will include cruise control, steering wheel paddle shifters, alloy wheels and stability control. You can even get the EX version which has a navigation system with Bluetooth and Ipod capability.  It has a roomier design than the earlier model and a surprisingly large trunk area. 

If you have been contemplating a hybrid vehicle this one is sure to please and definitely worth a test drive, but be careful you may just fall in love with it and not want to give it up!

The Pacific Northwest is famous for rain (and snow if you make the trek to Mount Hood), and with the temperatures dropping there are a few things to consider pertaining to your vehicle.

Vehicle Maintenance:  Along with the usual checks of tire air pressure and fluids which is done all seasons, when winter comes along it’s a good time to make sure your battery is holding a good charge and your heating/cooling system is in good shape to handle the colder temperatures.

Snow Tires:  Think about purchasing snow tires! Snow tires have unique tread designs and are made up of a special rubber compound to drive in ice and snow. A lot of vehicles have ‘all weather tires’ (they will have a M + S on the side of the tire, which stands for mud and snow) which means they are equipped to drive in different weather conditions, but if you are planning on driving in more than a small amount of snow, winter tires are recommended - they are designed to prevent snow from compacting in the tread and the rubber compound helps the tires to stay flexible.  There are several different options for driving in the snow; whether you go with purchasing a set of snow tires or installing chains its always better to have some form of traction.

Driving in snow and ice conditions:

• Make sure your windshield is clear and your wipers are in good shape.
• Keep your headlights on.
• Leave a few car lengths in between your vehicle and the one in front and drive at a slower pace.
• Brake more gently - never slam on brakes. If you start to skid make sure to steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go and let off the accelerator.  If you have regular brakes pump them, if you have ABS (anti-lock brakes) don’t pump, just apply even pressure.
• If you get stuck, try wiggling the steering wheel side to side to remove the snow.  Its always a good ideal to have an emergency kit in your car in case you get stranded.  Click here to read about creating your own simple emergency kit.

Just remember to take it slow and drive with caution!

Natalie Chambers
Gold Team Service Manager