When winter rolls around, getting winter tires from your Honda dealership is often necessary to keep you and your family as safe as possible. These tires are better able to handle cold weather and difficult road conditions than your regular ones. Let's take a look at exactly what they do and who'll need to outfit their wheels in cold-weather tires every winter. more When Is It Time to Visit the Honda Dealership for New Tires in Winter? It's time for cold-weather tires when the temperatures regularly start dropping below 40°F. Anyone who'll be staying in Indianapolis, or any part of Indiana, for the majority of winter needs tires that are made specifically to deal with these low temperatures. If you forgo getting these tires, then you will be able to drive, but you won't be particularly safe when the roads are covered in slush and the temperatures are very low. We suggest visiting the dealer before the coldest months hit so you can get your cold-whether tires fitted in time for the harsher parts of winter. What Do Winter Tires Do? They Stay Supple Summer and all-season tires are made differently from winter ones. Summer and all-season tires harden up in winter, but that's not something that happens to tires specifically made to be used in cold weather. You need your tires to be supple enough to grip the road, and regular tires just won't have the level of suppleness required to tackle the winter months. They Eject Slush and Water Roads can become laden with slush in winter, and they tend to be very wet even when there's no slush present. You need tires with enough sipes to easily eject this slush and moisture. Tires made for cold weather have more sipes than all-season and summer tires. The extra sipes also help eject snow if you travel to snowier areas this winter. They Make Handling Safer and Easier Because cold-whether tires remain supple and don't lose much traction on slippery roads, they handle much better in cold weather than all-season and summer tires. You'll have a lot more control when braking and cornering, which is vital so you can stay as safe as possible and make driving as easy as it can be. What About All-Weather Tires for Winter? Most drivers tend to have summer or all-season tires on their cars for most of the year. However, if you have all-weather tires, then you may wonder if they'll suffice in winter so you won't need to get tires made specifically for the chilly months. While these all-whether tires can work in mild winter conditions, they're generally not suitable for winters in Indianapolis, where the weather is routinely below 40°F and drops below freezing regularly. Come to Ed Martin Honda so we can find the perfect cold-whether tires for your vehicle. We'll fit them and maintain them for you over the winter months.

One of the best ways to show your Honda some love is by keeping up with regular oil changes. But how often should you be doing this, and why is it so important to take time to visit the Honda dealership for an oil service? more The Magic Number for Oil Changes Thanks to advances in automotive technology and high-quality lubricants, most Hondas can happily zoom around for 5,000 to 7,500 miles before needing fresh oil. But here's a pro tip: always check your Honda's manual for specific recommendations for your model. Why Oil Is So Important Think of engine oil as the lifeblood of your Honda. It silently lubricates the engine's moving parts, reduces friction, and even helps disperse excess heat. Over time, though, this oil gets worn out: it breaks down as it gets contaminated with dirt and debris from the engine. When this happens, it's less effective at its job, which means your engine will work harder, get hotter, and start to wear out faster. Signs It's Time to Visit the Honda Dealership The Oil Light Comes On Modern Hondas come equipped with maintenance lights on the dashboard that tell you when it's time to change the oil. If this light flickers on, your car is politely requesting some attention. The Dipstick Test Reveals Dirty Oil Old-school but effective, checking your oil with the dipstick can give you a good idea of its condition. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, dip it back in, and check the level and color of your oil. If the oil is dark, sludgy, or below the minimum mark, it's a clear distress call from your engine. Rumbling and Grumbling from the Engine If your engine starts to sound like it's complaining, with knocking, rumbling, or tapping, it might be struggling due to low or old oil. The lubrication oil provides to the engine helps it to run more quietly, so a noisy engine probably doesn't have the oil it needs. Oil Smell in the Cabin If you get a whiff of oil inside your car, don't just ignore it. It could be a sign of an oil leak or that your engine is overheating. Either way, it's a call to action, and you should take your car for a check-up right away. Sticking to a regular schedule helps ensure your Honda is doing well without waiting for something to go wrong first. If you're clocking up the miles or noticing any of these signs, it might be time to book a date with the technicians at the dealership. Remember, a little bit of care goes a long way toward maintaining the joy of driving your beloved Honda. Call Ed Martin Honda to schedule your next oil service.

The powerful new Honda Pilot is ideal for adventurous excursions out of the city. With better-than-average fuel economy and a spacious interior, you can explore the beauty of nature in stylish comfort. Get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and head down the road to the most beautiful state parks close to Indianapolis, IN. more 1. Brown County State Park Take a 57.3-mile drive to Nashville to explore the magnificent Brown County State Park at 1801 Indiana 46 East, Indiana's largest park nicknamed the "Little Smokies" because of its close resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains. The breathtaking park stretches over 16,000 acres of rugged terrain created by the most recent ice ages. Take a scenic 20 miles drive on tree-lined roads or explore the jagged hills, ridges, and ravines on more than 70 miles of trails. See the rare and endangered yellowwood tree, climb the Fire Tower for panoramic views of the hills o' Brown, take a dip in the Water Park pool, and watch spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The park has a scenic modern family campground with electric and non-electric RV and tent campsites and the Abe Martin Lodge nestled between the hills with comfortable rooms and cabins. 2. McCormick's Creek State Park The breathtaking McCormick's Creek State Park, Indiana's oldest state park, is at 250 McCormick Creek Park Road in Spencer, 60 miles from Indianapolis. The park is known for its spectacular limestone canyon, crystal clear creek, and beautiful waterfalls. Hike, mountain bike, and horseback ride down winding trails through the large timbers of the McCormick's Cove Nature Preserve and the indigenous flora of the Wolf Cave Nature Preserve, Follow the trails deep into the forest carpeted with wildflowers past tumble waterfalls along the White River into the canyon. Learn more about the park's history, fauna, and flora at the Nature Center and attend one of the annual cultural events at the amphitheater. Stay over at the campground with electric and primitive campsites, or get comfortable at the historic Canyon Inn, relax in the cozy lobby, and watch the birds from the porch. 3. Turkey Run State Park Turkey Run State Park at 8121 Park Road in Marshall is well worth the 69-mile drive to hike down scenic trails to marvel at the natural geologic wonders in the park. Here you will find deep sandstone ravines, beautiful mature sycamore and black walnut forests, and enjoy picturesque views along Sugar Creek. Stroll over a suspension bridge, cool off in the pool, and enjoy picnics in the shade of the trees. You can pitch your tent at the scenic campground at campsites with electricity or treat yourself and spend a few nights at the fabulous Turkey Run Inn right in the middle of the park and taste the delicious cuisine at the Narrows Restaurant. Escape from it all and discover the beauty of Indiana in the most beautiful places in the state. Before you go, drive to Ed Martin Honda today for a closer look at the new 2022 Honda Pilot, the ideal SUV to explore nature. image courtesy of pexels.com