Those road tests are still just one person’s opinion, though. And when it comes to choosing a new vehicle, there is really only one opinion that matters: your own.

You can form your own opinion by performing your own road tests. Just stop by NYE Automotive Group and take a vehicle out for a test drive. Driving a vehicle can tell you things about it that you cannot find out any other way, such as:

• How the vehicle feels. It is like trying on a pair of shoes: what is comfortable for one person may not be a good fit for another.
• How it responds to your driving habits. For some people, power and acceleration are a big deal. Other, gentler drivers may discover that a more fuel-efficient vehicle still provides all the power they would ever ask for.
• How it handles your roads. When test driving a car, take it on the kinds of roads you normally drive on, whether that be highway miles, stop-and-go city streets or bumpy country lanes.
• Visibility. Though extremely important, you cannot judge how well you can see out of a vehicle until you get into the vehicle.
• Noise. Whether from the engine or the road, you want to make note of the noise level. Any annoyances on the test drive are only likely to get worse if you use the vehicle for your daily transportation.
• Controls. Are the gauges easy to see? Are the various levers and buttons laid out in a way that feels comfortable and makes sense?

To schedule a road test, contact us at NYE Automotive Group. Whether you live in Madison County, Syracuse, Utica or anywhere in central New York, our selection and service will make it well worth your drive.

Choosing the right tires requires looking at five critical factors:

• Size. Tires have to fit both the width and height of the wheel, as well as the diameter that your car’s speedometer and wheel wells are designed to work with. Tire size is given in a format similar to 225/55/R16, where the first number is the width (in millimeters), the second is the sidewall height (as a percentage of the width) and the final number is the diameter of the wheel opening (in inches).
• Load rating. Each tire can safely carry only a certain amount of weight, and you obviously want a set of tires that can support the weight of your vehicle. The maximum number of pounds a tire is rated for is either explicitly stated on the tire or given as a load index that must be looked up on a chart.
• Speed rating. A tire’s speed rating is listed as a letter that comes right after the load index and also must be looked up on a chart. Besides being safer at higher speeds, higher speed ratings provide better traction—but also reduce tread life.
• Tread life. Don’t like buying new tires? Then choose a set that will last a long time. Look for the “tread wear” number; choose tires with a higher number for longer tread life.
• Tread pattern. Each tread pattern is designed to work best in certain conditions, such as snow or wet weather. Consider where and how you normally drive to choose the best tread design for your needs. You might consider getting one set of tires for winter and another for summer, if you want the best traction possible.

If you have questions about buying new tires, or about the weight and size requirements of your vehicle, contact the experts at NYE Automotive Group.

Now, though, many hybrid vehicles are more than just practical; they can be practically stylish. They look more and more like non-hybrid vehicles. In fact, the most distinguishing feature of this new crop of hybrids is that they don’t really have distinguishing features; visually, they are so much like non-hybrid vehicles that you have to look closely to realize the difference.

Some of the hybrids that don’t really look like hybrids include:

• The Lincoln MKZ, which receives more attention for its looks than for the fact that it’s a hybrid luxury vehicle.
• The stylish Buick LaCrosse, which will incorporate hybrid technology starting with the 2012 model year, boosting fuel economy by more than 25 percent.
• The Ford Fusion Hybrid, which looks the same as a regular Fusion, except for the 41 mpg printed on the window sticker.
• The Ford Escape Hybrid, which is the most fuel-efficient SUV you can buy.
• The Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which remains a highly practical SUV, with seating for up to seven and all-wheel-drive traction for our central New York snow. Yet it provides all that in a hybrid package.
• The Toyota Camry Hybrid, which is new for 2012 with updated styling and improved performance. The new version somehow manages to increase horsepower and torque while also improving gas mileage (up to 43 mpg) and reducing the sticker price.
• The GMC Yukon Hybrid, which still has all the capacity and power of the non-hybrid Yukon, but with significantly better fuel economy in stop-and-go city driving.
• The GMC Sierra Hybrid, which is one of only two hybrid pickups on the market.

You can also keep an eye out for the Ford C-MAX hybrid vehicle, a new design coming out next year.

Seeing is believing, so come take a look at these new-look hybrid vehicles yourself at Oneida’s NYE Automotive Group. Whatever your practical needs may be, we can help you find an attractive, fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle to match.

We’re talking about managing the air pressure in your tires.

Your vehicle’s tires are designed to work with a specific air pressure. If you do not manage tire pressure, one or more of the tires can become over- or underinflated. Both errors reduce the amount of tread that is firmly in contact with the road. This reduces traction, which means you will not be able to accelerate, stop or steer as quickly.

In addition:

• Overinflated tires don’t flex at all, so you will feel more bumps in the road. So will the tires, which are more likely to be damaged by potholes or rocks.
• Underinflated tires reduce fuel economy, costing you more at the pump.

To manage tire pressure properly, you need to first know what the recommended pressure is for your vehicle. You can usually find this listed on a placard in the driver’s side doorjamb. The tires themselves will have a tire pressure printed on the sidewall, but this is the maximum pressure they can handle; it is likely not the ideal pressure for your vehicle.

You can then manage tire pressure by regularly checking each tire with an inexpensive tire gauge. Air expands as it gets hotter, which means you will want to check the pressure before driving, when the tires are coolest. It also means you will naturally have to manage tire pressure throughout the year, as our cold New York winters will cause your tires to seemingly deflate, even without a leak.

For more information about managing tire pressure, contact us at NYE Automotive Group. We’ll be happy to help.

At one time, it seemed like every car on the road was a family vehicle, in that they were large enough to haul you, your kids and your pet whale. That trend reversed as cars became much smaller, and it seemed like the number of vehicle options for families shrank along with it. Today, though, there is a wider variety of vehicle options for families than ever before, with a vehicle type to suit pretty much every need.

These new vehicle options for families include:

• Crossovers. Crossover vehicles could be thought of as the modern, cooler descendants of the old family station wagons. Crossovers combine much of the seating and cargo space of an SUV with the lighter chassis and smoother handling of a sedan. Examples range from the wagon-like Ford Edge to the SUV-styled Toyota RAV4 and the slightly more van-like Lincoln MKX.
• SUVs. For the most capacity to haul both people and cargo, SUVs such as the GMC Yukon XL or the Toyota Sequoia are hard to top.
• Vans. The Toyota Sienna minivan can seat up to eight people. And yes, you can still get full-size vans if even eight seats are not enough.
• Hybrids. Though thought of as small vehicles, hybrids are getting into the family act. The new Prius V gives families a larger option when it comes to true hybrids, and several larger vehicles are incorporating hybrid technologies.
• Sedans. Yes, the truly family-size sedan does still exist. Check out the Toyota Avalon, Buick Lucerne or Lincoln MKS.

To see these new vehicle options for families and try one on for size, visit us at NYE Automotive Group.

Now if only you could find the thing.

Owner’s manuals do have a tendency to go the way of Jimmy Hoffa, the city of Atlantis and the passengers of Oceanic Airlines flight 815. If your vehicle’s manual has gone mysteriously missing, don’t worry: you can get an online owner’s manual for most vehicles and you can usually do so for free.

To help you find the online owner’s manual for your vehicle, here are links and instructions for the models we carry at NYE Automotive Group:

• Ford or Lincoln: For model years 1996 and newer, you can find Ford and Lincoln owner’s manuals online at the Ford Fleet website.
• Buick or GMC: You can find online owner’s manuals for any GM vehicle manufactured since 1993 at the GM.com Owner Center. It does require you to sign in using a Yahoo ID; if you don’t have a Yahoo ID, you can register for free. You then tell the site which vehicle you have and click on the “Manuals” tab. If your vehicle is from before 2010, there is an easy shortcut: check out this list of Buick or GMC online owner’s manuals.
• Toyota: Toyota owners can get manuals for models from 1996 to the present by registering (for free) at Toyota.com and clicking on “Owner’s Manuals.”
• Scion: Scion owner’s manuals are conveniently listed on one page, with no registration required.

If your vehicle is older than the mid-1990s (when the Internet became popular), it likely will not have an online owner’s manual, so you may have to buy a paper copy. Or simply contact us at NYE Automotive Group. Our experts would be happy to answer whatever questions you may have about your Ford, Lincoln, Buick, GMC, Toyota or Scion vehicle.

Why the bad rap? Obviously, a lot of people have had bad experiences at car dealerships with workers who are willing to do or say almost anything in order to make a quick sale. This lack of concern for what is actually good for the customer does not rate them very highly in the service department. It also does not lead to long-term success, as an unsatisfied customer is not likely to come back a second time.

Not every car dealership works that way, though. And you do have a choice; no dealer has a monopoly on any given car model. So when it comes to picking a dealership, what you are really choosing is the type of service experience you will encounter.

At NYE Automotive Group, we strive to provide impeccable service to our customers. It starts with our wide selection of vehicles. With six car manufacturers represented on a single lot, we offer the convenience of one-stop shopping, saving you time and hassle. The wide selection also means that we can do a better job of finding and recommending the best vehicle for your needs.

Our focus on customer service does not end when you drive your vehicle off the lot. We are also your source for all your automotive maintenance needs. Our service department lives up to its moniker and will steer you straight when it comes to any necessary maintenance or repairs.

From sales and rentals, to our parts and service departments, our goal is for every customer to leave satisfied, and therefore come back as a repeat customer. That is what has allowed NYE Automotive Group to remain in business and continue to grow for well over 40 years. Come visit us yourself to find out why so many people travel from all over the central New York region to do business with a car dealership they can trust.

The key to getting the best deal, therefore, is to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing. Sell when fewer people are selling, and buy when fewer people are buying.

That is one of the reasons why our country’s current economic doldrums make this a great time to buy a vehicle. Nationwide, fewer people have been shopping for new vehicles, making this a buyer’s market.

There are several factors working in favor of car buyers right now:

• Lower prices. With inflation, it is generally safe to assume that the prices of all items will increase a little each year. In this buyer’s market, that is not necessarily the case. For example, Toyota has announced that the prices on many 2012 models will be lower than the 2011 prices.
• Cheaper financing. The Federal Reserve typically lowers interest rates during a recession to stimulate the economy. This can lead to super-low finance rates on new vehicles—sometimes as low as zero percent.
• Manufacturer incentives. To boost sales during slow times, car manufacturers will often offer rebates and other incentives that favor the buyer.
• Better trade-in value. Because of the recession, more people are holding on to their used cars instead of trading them in. Plus, three years ago, the number of new vehicle leases plunged by more than half; that means there are now fewer lease return vehicles on used-car lots. This smaller supply of used vehicles means you can often get more money for your trade-in.
• Better fuel economy. On average, newer vehicles get better gas mileage than older vehicles. With today’s gas and diesel prices, upgrading your fuel economy by getting a newer vehicle can provide big savings over the long run.

To take advantage of the savings afforded by the current buyer’s market, come visit us at NYE Automotive Group.

There is actually a third option available that combines many of the benefits of buying a new vehicle with the cost-saving advantages of buying used. The Toyota Certified Used Vehicle program allows you to get a used vehicle that is essentially just like new — and even has a warranty to back up that claim.

When you buy a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle, you are getting a vehicle that has passed a 160-point inspection and reconditioning process. Our factory-trained technicians have gone over every tiny detail to make sure that the vehicle is still as good as new. Because of the confidence that we have in the quality of these Certified Used Vehicles, we are able to treat them more like new cars than used. For instance, Toyota Certified Used Vehicles come with:

• Transferable warranties. A Certified Used Vehicle carries a comprehensive warranty for the first 12 months or 12,000 miles after you buy the car and an overall 7-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. The warranties are transferable, meaning that you can sell the vehicle during the warranty period, and the remainder of the warranty will still apply to the new owner.
• Roadside assistance. If you get a flat tire, lock the keys in the car, run out of gas or need a jump start or tow within the first year of owning the vehicle, you’ll have free roadside assistance there to help you out.
• A free CARFAX Vehicle History Report, and a clean one at that, so you know that the vehicle has not been in any accidents that necessitated big repairs.
• Standard new-car financing and lease rates, to keep your monthly payments low.

For all of the details on the Toyota Certified Used Vehicle program, feel free to contact us at NYE Automotive Group. Our central New York location has a number of Toyota Certified Used Vehicles that you can check out online, though you really need to stop by and see them in person to appreciate the excellent condition they are in. Visit our Oneida showroom to test drive one today.

Some people see the process of choosing a new vehicle as a chore that can steal time away from their weekends or days off. You can do some research and comparison online, but most people want to see and test drive the different options before making a decision.

And that means traveling to dealer after dealer across central New York to try models from different manufacturers. You can save a lot of time by going to only one dealership, but that usually means you are locked into getting a vehicle from just that one manufacturer. You then run the risk of missing out on a vehicle from another brand that might be better suited to your tastes, needs and budget.

There is one car dealership in Oneida that solves this problem, saving you time and money. The NYE Automotive Group carries a full line of new vehicles from six different automotive brands. Looking for a new GM vehicle? Ford? Toyota? You can find and drive them all at our car dealership on Oneida’s Genesee Street.

We may not carry every single vehicle on the planet, but we are sure to have one that is right for you. For example, if you are looking for a full-size pickup truck, at NYE Automotive Group you have your choice of the Ford F-Series, Toyota Tacoma or GMC Sierra. You can compare the economical Scion tC and Ford Fiesta side-by-side, or see whether a Lincoln MKZ or a Buick LaCrosse is more your style.

Our team will be happy to help you compare and can remain focused on helping you find the best vehicle rather than convincing you that one manufacturer is better than the competition.

So for central New Yorkers looking to save time and money with a one-stop car dealership, Oneida has what you need: the NYE Automotive Group.