Adopt A Senior Pet Month

November is known for Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. What a lot of people don’t know is that it is also adopt a senior pet month.

As Christmas creeps up day by day a lot of families drop off older dogs during the last few weeks of November to make room for the newly purchased Christmas puppies. Puppies are great but there is a lot of benefits to adopting a senior dog such as:

• Grown-up pets don’t require the constant monitoring and training that puppies and kittens do.
• Many are already house trained and don’t have rambunctious puppy/kitten energy.
• Since senior pets are fully grown, you’ll be immediately aware of important information like personality type and grooming requirements, making it easier to choose the perfect pet for your family.
• Senior dogs often know they have been saved and are extremely grateful.
• Fast Learners. Who said you can’t teach an old dog (or cat) new tricks clearly never had an adult pet. Animals, especially dogs, are masters at pleasing their masters. They learn quickly because it’s to their benefit to do so.

It is a sad fact that senior pets are often the last to be adopted from shelters, putting them at an increased risk for euthanasia. While there may be some extra visits to the vet to ensure that the senior is in good health, it is worth the time and money. Senior pets deserve to live out their lives in a loving home. You can be a hero just by adopting a gentle soul and showing them the love they deserve.

One of the most satisfying and touching aspects of adopting an older pet is that they tend to be

“My face may be white but my heart is pure gold. There’s no shame in growing old. “

very grateful to be back in a home. Many older pets who have ended up in shelters have gone from a “safe and happy home with beloved humans” to “loud and noisy shelter with many strangers” literally overnight, and watching them deal with these bewildering circumstances is very difficult. No matter how loving and caring the shelter staff and volunteers, it’s still not a real home. When you adopt a senior pet, you’re not only welcoming a lifetime of love into your home, you’re also saving a precious life.

Even if you aren’t adopting a pet remember that local animal shelters are always in need of donations. Blankets, dog/puppy food, cat/kitten food, bowls, even just volunteering your time can make a huge impact on a furry friends life!

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is mostly known for back to school and football, but what most people don’t know is that it is also childhood cancer awareness month.

Holley cook is a Local 5 year old in Yakima Wa. who was diagnosed with with A.L.L. Leukemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). She enjoys spending time with her dad fishing and hunting, playing dress up with her sister (Hailey), and cuddling on the couch watching movies with her mom.

Since her diagnosis she has made great strides towards the road of recovery. She no longer has a feeding tube or a port for her Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy. She was able to go to Disney Land (Funded by the Make a Wish Foundation), as well as meet the Seattle Seahawks! She has been fighting for two years now but did have a relapse which she is currently fighting.

She has recently been able to go back to school which is difficult for her since she still has to travel to Seattle Children’s Hospital for doctors appointments at least once a month depending on her health.

Holley enjoys helping people which is why with the help of her mom and KIMA News she is accepting donations of items to give to other children in the hospital where she gets treatment.

A wish list of items are listed on the KIMA link below.

https://kimatv.com/news/local/local-5-year-old-battles-cancer-school-collecting-donations-for-child-cancer-patients

If you would like to follow Holley’s Journey there will be a link to her Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/Holley19/

Wags to Riches Annual BBQ and Brew!

Wags to Riches Animal Rescue is hosting their 9th annual BBQ and Brew fundraiser! This non-profit organization is responsible for decreasing the number of abused, homeless, forgotten, neglected, exploited and abandoned animals of the Yakima Valley. They are also responsible for the adoptions of so many of these animals to loving and forever homes. And the best part? They are all VOLUNTEER RAN!!!

The BBQ and Brew event will be held on July 22nd at 5:00 PM at the Selah Civic Center. The event will be serving dinner and dessert catered by L&L Catering, beer will be provided by the Hop Nation Brewing Company, and wine is being provided by Bonair Winery. Tickets for individuals are on sale! They are $25.00 a person in advance or $30.00 a person at the door. All of the proceeds will be donated to the event. At the event, there will be a couple of different events going on. There is both a silent AND live auction. During the live auction you will be given a pawdle (paddle) to bid with, and again, all proceeds to towards saving the animals!  There will also be a key note speaker as well as item raffles and 50/50 raffles!

    If you are interested in attending this amazing event, you can buy tickets by calling (509)453-4155 or email wagstickets@gmail.com. Tickets are also available at K9 Country Club, Summitview Cowiche Vet Clinic, and Tieton Drive Animal Clinic! And if you are not able to attend the event, but are still wanting to donate, you are more than welcome to donate at http://wagstorichesanimalrescue.org/donate.htm where there are many different options for donating to this amazing organization!

Little Known Facts to Help Boost Your Fuel Economy

The road trip season is upon us! Everyone is packing up and hitting the open road for summer!

Although, ideally an electric or hybrid vehicle would be convenient for this long drives, the reality is, they are not convenient for families or large loads of gear needing to be packed along. Having said that, with a “soccer mom” SUV, it can be a little bit more of a challenge to get the most out of your miles.

Have no fear, this post discusses 6 different little known tricks and tips to boost your fuel economy and reap the benefits of your vehicle’s MPG!

1. Quit Loading Dead Weight

This is referring to all of the extra, and pointless, junk you load into your vehicle for the road trip. Are you really going to need all of those pairs of shoes for sitting in the car? Or your kids’ soccer bags, even though the season ended?

Getting rid of this excess weight can really help your engine burn less fuel, or at least burn it slower, increasing your fuel economy.

2. Ensure the Oil is not Old

Many people do not realize it, but the age and quality of your engine oil does have a direct correlation to your vehicle’s fuel economy.

By keeping up with your oil maintenance on your vehicle, it ensures that the vital functions not only keep the car running smoothly, but also makes sure that they are running efficiently.

3. Cruise Control IS NOT Your Friend

Contrary to popular belief, cruise control does not actually help your vehicle’s fuel economy. While the theory makes sense as to the system helping your MPG, it does not consider the changes in the terrain your are driving on.

If you don’t believe me, try it! Set your cruise control on the highway and go over rolling hills, like the Yakima Canyon. You will notice how hard your vehicle runs and how much your car works to accelerate up the hill.

If the roads being driven on your completely flat with no traffic, then cruise control would be perfect. But the fact of the matter is that on most road trips, that is not the case. Keeping your vehicle off of cruise controls enables you to have more control over how the roads are handled!

4. Avoid Traffic (As Best You Can)

I know this is easier said than done for a lot of people, but taking the extra 5 mile drive home on the back roads to avoid the pile up on the highway will actually be your car’s best friend!

Another way to help with this is to download different GPS apps. One of the most popular apps is called “Waze”. This app gives real time traffic and construction updates, as well as alters the route of your driving if an incident comes up that would slow you down.

Give it a try next time you are trying to save at the pump!

5. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

This may be common knowledge, but for those that don’t know, under-inflated tires can exponentially lower your vehicle’s fuel economy. But low MPG isn’t the only consequence or low air pressure. It can also cause poor handling and premature wear.

It is as easy as stopping by your local gas station to check your air pressure in your tires before hitting the road!

6. Break Those Bad Habits!

We all know people have bad driving habits. I, myself, am guilty of this too! Personally, my bad habit is accelerating too quickly, which causes my car to burn through fuel quicker. Changing this habit can drastically enhance my fuel economy.

Fun fact: Aggressive driving, such as speeding and accelerating too fast, can drop your MPG by a whopping 33%!!!

So next time you feel like you are in a hurry or have a need for speed, remember that the more consistent your driving becomes, the more your wallet will thank you at the pump!

 

 

Taking a Road Trip? Here are Some Tips!

One of the biggest activities during the summer months is road tripping. Whether you are moving, visiting friends and family, or just exploring the country, it is crucial to be sure that your car is up for the job! Because if you take care of your car before the trip, it will take care of you while your out on the road! A simple pre-trip vehicle checkup could make all the difference during your journey. For those of you that don’t know the proper steps to preparing your car, here is a list of some nifty tips and tricks to getting your car ready for the big voyage!

One of the easiest ways to assure yourself that your car is ready is to bring it in to a mechanic so that they can preform a FULL safety inspection to your vehicle. Now, I cannot stress this enough: DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO GET YOUR CAR INSPECTED!! If the mechanic finds an issue with your car during the inspection then you will be very grateful that you did not wait until the last minute to bring it in. Because if you did wait until last minute, and their were issues with the vehicle, it could take days for the vehicle to get fixed. This could be because the mechanic is busy and there are other cars that came before yours, or the mechanic had to order parts and get them shipped to the shop, which could take a couple days.

In short: have you mechanic inspect your car a week or two before your trip in case there are issues that need addressed.  

When getting your vehicle inspected, here is a list of everything your mechanic should cover:

1. The mechanic should always check the fluids of your vehicle. The fluids that should be examined include the oil, transmission, antifreeze, power steering, brake, and windshield washer. And if any fluids are low, be sure that your mechanic tops them off, and remember to bring extra with you in case you need to top it off on your trip.
2. Verify the efficiency level of your windshield wipers, brakes and tires to be positive that they will not bring you complications on your trip. Do the wipers clear the windshield well enough while you are driving through rough weather? Are the brakes worn down, squeaky when you drive, or not a strong as they once were? Do the tires have enough tread on them? Are they the correct kind of tires for the type of driving you will be doing? If any of your answers to these questions are negative, be sure to get the problems fixed before it is too late and you are stranded on the road with a blown tire.
3. Inspect your vehicle to see if all of the lights are working on your vehicle. This includes headlights, taillights, break lights, turn signals, and brights. If any lights are out or dim, change them before your trip.
4. Confirm that your vehicle is not due for a tune up. How old is the battery? How long has the timing belt been on? Be certain that these aspects of your car are up to date for your trip. Typically the battery will last 3-5 years and the timing belt will usually last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

As long as you follow the guidelines and check list above, you should have no problem on the road, which will make your journey that much more enjoyable! My last tip for you is to always prepare for the worst during a road trip. Your car could be in perfect condition before you leave, but that doesn’t always guarantee that you won’t experience problems on the road. A great item to have on hand during your voyage is an emergency roadside survival kit. These kits, much like a first aid kit for your car, can come in handy if an issue occurs on the road!

Don’t Know About Our Mercedes Specials? Read Me!

Many people who are in the market for a car don’t realize all of the different amazing specials and incentives they have at their fingertips! Whether you are searching for a new or pre-owned car, there are numerous opportunities for you to get your dream car without drying out your wallet!

Specifically, for Steve Hahn’s Mercedes-Benz of Yakima, Our services offered for Mercedes cars are a huge money saver because Mercedes can be a little pricey to service and maintain depending on the work being done. The services we offer are meant to save you a chunk of change, while also keeping you, and your Mercedes happy and healthy!

The two specials for Mercedes going on right now are 10% Savings on Brake Repairs and three different Transmission Service Specials depending on the year, make and model of your car. The best way to find out which price applies to your vehicle is to call our service department and speak to one of our service providers.

Here is the link to our service coupons page to find out more information on the amazing benefits each offers: http://www.stevehahnmercedesbenz.com/car-coupons-yakima-wa

 

Steve Hahn’s Kia Extensive Incentive Programs

One worry many customers have when they are thinking of buying a new car is not getting a good enough deal through the dealerships. Well we are here to put that worry to rest! At Steve Hahn’s Kia in Yakima we offer numerous incentives for all models of Kias that are sure to meet the needs of our customers who are in the market to purchase a new car. There are incentives for practically anyone who is looking to buy or lease, and the incentives that each customer is eligible for could potentially be combinable. The most attractive part of all of our different incentives it to fit the specific needs and wants of our customers to ensure the happiness for all.

The incentives range in detail and savings amount and really depends on your lifestyle, credit, and what you are looking to buy or lease. Here is a list of the many different types of incentives we offer here at Steve Hahn’s:

 

1. Multiple Different Premium Lease Offers
2. College Graduate Specialty Incentive Program
3. Military Specialty Incentive Program
4. Bonus Cash
5. Low APR Financing Offers
6. Uber Driver Partner Incentive Program
7. Customer Cash
8. Owner Loyalty Cash
9. Retail Bonus Cash

Each incentive differs from each other and gives different values depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle. Although, I think we can all agree that the list of incentives our customers have to choose from is extremely extensive and impressive! If you are curious about any of the incentives mentioned above, feel free to visit our Specials Page on our website to search through the years, makes, models, and incentives that would interest you!

Trucks Plus USA April Specials!

During the month of April, Trucks Plus USA in Union Gap, is having various specials and sales! The lot features multiple mid-size and full size trucks, as well as SUVs, crossovers and cars! Many people do not know just how extensive the inventory at Trucks Plus truly is. We are constantly getting new inventory  in as well in order to meet the different needs of all of our customers. Need a 2-door work truck? We got you covered! Need a full size, fully loaded truck for towing? No problem! Looking for something a little smaller for going up in the hills without breaking the bank at the gas station? Look no further! Not looking for a truck, but instead an SUV for hauling around the kids?  Come on in! No matter what kind of vehicle you are in the market for, Trucks Plus has the car for you!

Our website at http://www.trucksplususa.com also features all of our cars, trucks, and SUVs in stock, with information about the year, make, model, mileage, transmission, engine type,  Carfax information, as well as specs on the interior, exterior, safety features, and mechanical aspects of all of the vehicles.

 

Through the end of April, Trucks Plus is featuring large sales on all of our inventory. On top of these sale prices, we are also offering $500 more on the trade-in value of your current vehicle. If you are not planning on trading in your current vehicle, don’t worry! We are also giving an extra $500 off the sale price of a newly purchased vehicle! Our sales staff are devoted to getting our customers the best deal possible for the exact vehicle they are in the market for. We ensure that we will be patient and focused when finding our customers their new vehicles, because after all, the purchase of a new vehicle is nothing to rush! Don’t believe me? Read our amazing reviews on our Facebook page or stop by this week to experience for yourself our terrific salesmen and hopefully, drive off with a new car!

Multiple Incentives for One Car? Sign Me Up!

So many dealerships that advertise their incentives for new cars usually only offer one of two incentives to choose from. You will always hear the deals on the radio or on TV and think how great the deal is because they are practically screaming at you through the speakers. But in reality, most of the incentives offered by other dealerships are not favored by a lot of customers buying new cars. Everyone lives different lives and prefers different ways of buying large purchases, like a new car. And the fact of the matter is that only offering one of two incentives makes it hard to make all different kinds of customers happy.

But guess what?!? At Steve Hahn’s Volkswagen, we offer not one, not two, but FOUR different incentives to choose from for the majority of our models! That means that we can meet the customer’s needs, on the customer’s terms! And the best part? We are willing to discover all of the incentives you are eligible for in order to save you the most money and have you driving your new car home in no time!

For example, at Steve Hahn’s we have four different incentives for our customers to be eligible for when buying a new Volkswagen Jetta. These incentives include: Low APR Financing for 60 months*, a $1,000 Loyalty Bonus for Returning Volkswagen owners toward the purchase or lease of select new 2017 Jetta models*, The College Graduate Program Discount, for  qualified recent graduates that can get a $500 Contract Bonus when purchasing or leasing a new, unused Volkswagen vehicle through Volkswagen Credit, and Low Monthly Payment Offers for a 36 Month Lease*. As I mentioned before, incentives vary by vehicle.

The fact that Steve Hahn’s offers such great incentives that differentiate from each other and could possibly be combined is one of the factors that sets us apart from the other dealerships in the Yakima area.

*All offers end May 1st, 2017

National Car Care Month! Why April?

For those of you that don’t know, April is National Car Care Month. There are actually two months that are recognized for this, with the Fall Car Care Month being in October. The purpose of this month is to remind drivers to service their cars and take care of any issues that may have occurred during the cold winter months.

So, the question is, why April? Well as the harsh winters around the nation come to an end, it is very important and a very popular time for drivers to get their cars ready for spring driving, and more importantly, SUMMER ROAD TRIPS!

But what are the most popular and important services to get done on your car? One of the most common services is changing your tires, whether it is taking off your snow tires, or putting all new tires on after they were beat up during the winter. This is an extremely important maintenance step because spring can bring wet, slick roads that can be a nightmare if your car does not have the appropriate tires for the weather.

A few other important car care services to get done are replacing your windshield wipers, and checking the efficiency of your brakes. Your car’s windshield wipers can become very worn down and torn up by the rough weather winter brings, from snow and ice to the salt that covers the roads. Being sure that your windshield wipers are efficient enough during the spring is very important because if they aren’t then you may not have clear enough vision while driving in the awful “spring showers”. Also, during the months of snowy, icy weather, your car’s brakes can take quite a beating from having to slam on your brakes or constantly use them on the dangerous roads. Making sure your brakes haven’t worn down too much is very critical because, although most people don’t realize it, the slick, wet roads that spring time brings can be just as dangerous as the icy roads during winter.

So remember, before April ends, be sure to bring your car in to your preferred mechanic to ensure that it is all ready for the ever-changing spring weather!