About Me

San Antonio, Texas, United States
The Ancira Auto Group in San Antonio, Texas is seen by most as a dealership, a business enterprise.... Yet when you get to know the people that work there, you soon see that the 14 Ancira Auto Group dealerships are communities of people who are committed to their customers and believe in the products and services they provide. With so much happening online that involves consumer uploaded content and various social networks, the employees of the Ancira Auto Group wanted to create an open online community and social network for Ancira customers, employees, suppliers and people who work for our partners at Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Nissan, Kia, Mercury, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Smart, Volkswagen and our Recreational Vehicle (RV) manufacturers to share their experiences, collective wisdom, insights and information about how to better enjoy the ownership of the cars, trucks, SUVs and RVs that Ancira Auto Group dealerships sell and service...

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Did You Say "Hot Rod" or "Hot Dog"?

Coming Soon to a Supermarket Near You!

Hot Dog! What a car! Who is having the most fun here? The driver or everyone gawking on the street?

Consider Donating Your Old Car to Charity

Thinking of buying a new car or truck?

Ancira Auto Group in San Antonio, Texas can help you.

Thinking your old car or truck isn’t worth much as a trade in?

If you expect to get very little money for your trade-in, consider donating your old car to a charity instead.

There are benefits in doing so. In many cases, you may get a tax credit for it. In every case, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that some less fortunate person now has the car he/she needs to get around.

Here are several well-known charities that accept car donations. There may be many more.

Salvation Army:

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf

For detailed information on how to donate your vehicle, call 1-800-SA-TRUCK or visit:

http://satruck.org/donation-value-guide/automobiles


American Cancer Society: Cars For A Cure Program

For detailed information, visit:

https://www.cancer.org/Involved/Donate/OtherWaystoGive/cars-for-a-c...

If you need assistance or would like clarification of this process, please call 888-227-5500 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST or send an e-mail to Betty A Coco, Director - National Cars For A Cure, at betty.coco@cancer.org.



American Heart Association:

1–888–242–2271

According to the web site: Whether your vehicle is a late model sedan, a classic collectable, an unfinished project, or an old clunker gathering dust in the driveway, your contribution turns any vehicle into a valuable donation for the American Heart Association.

For more information, visit:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Giving/ForIndividuals/OtherWaystoGive...

and https://www.auto-donation.com/used-car-donation-donate.aspx?charCod...


National Kidney Foundation: 1–800–488–2277 or visit:

http://www.kidney.org/support/kidneycars/index.cfm


In Massachusetts only, Special Olympics: 1–800–590–1600 or visit:

www.specialolympicsma.org and http://www.recycleforgold.org/

Tips for Purchasing and Adapting a Vehicle for Disabled Drivers

So many U.S. Veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with disabilities. It’s extremely important for them, as well as for others with disabilities, to be able to easily purchase and maintain vehicles with adaptive devices.

Ancira Auto Group in San Antonio, Texas, can assist you in your shopping and purchasing process.

Here are some basic steps to facilitate your goal of getting the right vehicle for you:

Evaluate Your Needs

1. Consult with your physician to make sure you are physically and psychologically prepared to drive. Being evaluated too soon after an injury or other trauma may indicate the need for adaptive equipment you will not need in the future.

2. Find a qualified evaluator. The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) www.aded.net maintains a database of certified driver rehabilitation specialists throughout the country. Your insurance company may pay for the evaluation. Find out if you need a physician’s prescription or other documentation to receive benefits.

3. Review the evaluator’s report containing specific recommendations on driving requirements or restrictions, and a complete list of recommended vehicle modifications.

Investigate Cost Saving Opportunities

A vehicle with adaptive equipment can range between $20,000 to $80,000, so, it pays to investigate public and private opportunities for financial assistance:

• Your state’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Nonprofit associations that advocate for individuals with disabilities.
• Your private health insurance or workers’ compensation.
• Car and truck manufacturers with rebate or reimbursement plans for modified vehicles. (Check with dealers in your area.)
• Tax credits
o Some states waive the sales tax for adaptive devices if you have a doctor’s prescription for their use.
o You may be able to claim medical deductions on your federal income tax return.

Licensing Requirements

Check with your state’s registry of motor vehicles. You cannot be denied the opportunity to apply for a permit or license because you have a disability. However, you may receive a restricted license, based on your use of adaptive devices.

Select the Right Vehicle

Selecting a vehicle for modification requires collaboration among you, your evaluator, and a qualified vehicle modification dealer. Although the purchase or lease of a vehicle is your responsibility, making sure the vehicle can be properly modified is the responsibility of the vehicle modification dealer. Be aware that you will need insurance while your vehicle is being modified, even though it is off the road.

The following questions can help with new vehicle selection and/or modifying a vehicle you already own:

• Does the necessary adaptive equipment require a van, or will another passenger vehicle suffice?
• Can the vehicle accommodate the equipment that needs to be installed?
• Will there be enough space to accommodate your family or other passengers once the vehicle is modified?
• Is there adequate parking space at home and at work for the vehicle and for loading/unloading a wheelchair?
• Is there adequate parking space to maneuver if you use a walker?
• What additional options are necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle?

If a third party is paying for the vehicle, adaptive devices, or modification costs, find out if there are any limitations or restrictions on what is covered.

Note: Always get a written statement on what a funding agency will pay before making your purchase.

Choose a Qualified Dealer to Modify Your Vehicle

Even a half inch change in the lowering of a van floor can affect a driver’s ability to use equipment or to have an unobstructed view of the road. So, take time to find a qualified dealer to modify your vehicle.

Begin with a phone inquiry and ask these questions:

• Is the dealer a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) or another organization that has vehicle conversion standards?
• Do they work with evaluators?
• Will they look at your vehicle before you purchase it elsewhere?
• Do they require a prescription from a physician or other driver evaluation specialist?
• How long will it take before they can start work on your vehicle?
• Do they provide training on how to use the adaptive equipment?
• What type of training has the staff received?
• What type of warranty do they provide on their work?
• Do they provide ongoing service and maintenance?
• Do they stock replacement parts?
• How much will the modification cost?
• Will they accept third party payment?
• How long will it take to modify the vehicle?
• Can the equipment be transferred to a new vehicle in the future?
• Will they need to modify existing safety features to install the adaptive equipment?

While your vehicle is being modified, you will, most likely, need to be available for fittings. This avoids additional waiting time for adjustments once the equipment is fully installed. Without proper fittings you may have problems with the safe operation of the vehicle and have to go back for adjustments.

Note: Some State Agencies specify the dealer you must use if you want reimbursement.

Training on the Use of New Equipment

Both new and experienced drivers need training on how to safely use new adaptive equipment. Your equipment dealer and evaluator should provide information and off-road instruction. You will also need to practice driving under the instruction of a qualified driving instructor until you both feel comfortable with your skills. Bring a family member or other significant person who drives to all your training sessions. It’s important to have someone else who can drive your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Some state vocational rehabilitation departments pay for driver training under specified circumstances. At a minimum, their staff can help you locate a qualified instructor. If your evaluator does not provide on-the-road instruction, ask him or her for a recommendation. You can also inquire at your local motor vehicle administration office.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Regular maintenance may be mandatory for compliance with the terms of your warranty. Some warranties specify a time period during which adaptive equipment must be inspected. These “check ups” for equipment may differ from those for your vehicle. Make sure you or your modifier submits all warranty cards for all equipment to ensure coverage and so manufacturers can contact you in case of a recall.

For more information visit:

http://www.nmeda.org/

http://www.amputee-coalition.org/nllic_topic/0706_driving.html

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/adaptive/brochure/brochure.html

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Ancira Wants You To Know About The Birthday Register Website!

Want free birthday gifts? This is your site! Why not celebrate your birthday with a gift certificate from your local merchant. You will receive gifts such as a free
dinner, round of golf, movie, car wash and much more.

It’s as easy as this.

Choose 1 gift from each category until you reach 5. Then enter your information and you’re done! Your information is private and will never leave the site. This site
benefits the birthday person and merchants. What better way for local merchants
to receive new visitors! Also, nothing is better than making a person happy on
their special day.

Halloween is almost here!! What are you dressing up as?

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Ancira Enterprises Named Largest Minority-Owned Business in San Antonio

Teamwork, like this, is an everyday occurrence at Ancira

The San Antonio Business Journal has named Ancira Enterprises, Inc., the largest San Antonio Minority-Owned Business, as ranked by 2009 local gross revenues.

Ancira Enterprises operates 11 automobile dealerships in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, Alvarado, Floresville and Boerne, Texas. It employs over 500 people. Its gross local revenues for 2009 were $375 million.

Listed in second, third, fourth and fifth places respectively are: The Alamo Travel Group, LP; Thos. S. Byrne Ltd. General Contractor/Construction; M2Technology, an IT solution provider; and Journeyman Construction.

April Ancira, Vice President of Ancira Auto Group, says the secret to the company’s success lies in top management’s ability to pick great employees and foster teamwork. It lies in the enthusiasm and hard work that everyone at Ancira puts into their jobs.

“We’ve been in business since 1972 and my Dad, Ernesto Ancira, Jr., has worked hard, set an example and surrounded himself with really good people. He has hired the right person to do each job.”

“People servicing other people -- that’s what business is all about,” says April. “He recruited the best to take care of our customers.”

“Finding good people is really tough,” she adds. “You need to find the ones that mirror your level of integrity and the way you want to take care of other folks. It’s probably the toughest job that any manager has and our entire management team at all 11 sites has done a really good job of it.”

Besides Ernesto and April, Ernesto’s brother Gilbert Ancira, Internet Director in Ancira’s Internet Department, is also a family member in the business.

The trio treat their staff like family. “We’ve stayed really family-oriented in that if there’s an issue, there’s not a lot of red tape you have to go through to resolve it. Management has an open door policy.”

“Our orientation at Ancira Auto is: Let’s take care of our customers, our employees and our community. It’s just the way we handle things from a family-owned business perspective. It’s a philosophy like that that has made my Dad so successful and the company successful.”

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Record-Breaking Decline in U.S. Traffic Fatalities

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says “Today’s numbers reflect the tangible benefits of record seat belt use and strong anti-drunk driving enforcement campaigns.”

Photo Courtesy of NHTSA

U.S. highway deaths fell to 33,808 for 2009 -- the lowest number since 1950.

The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred even while estimated vehicle miles traveled in 2009 increased by 0.2 percent over 2008 levels.

In Texas, total fatalities were 3071 in 2009, compared with 3476 in 2008. Alcohol-related fatalities were 1235 in 2009, compared with 1310 in 2008.

To see a chart on a state by state basis, visit:

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811363.pdf


and scroll down to Table #8.


U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood released the updated 2009 fatality and injury data in a press release September 9.

According to the press release:

2009 saw the lowest fatality and injury rates ever recorded: 1.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009, compared to 1.26 deaths for 2008.

Fatalities declined in all categories of vehicles including motorcycles, which saw fatalities fall by 850 from 2008, breaking an 11-year cycle of annual increases.

“At the Department of Transportation, we are laser-focused on our top priority: safety,” said Secretary LaHood. “Today’s announcement shows that America’s roads are the safest they’ve ever been. But they must be safer. And we will not rest until they are.”

As part of the Department’s campaign to reduce traffic fatalities, Secretary LaHood is holding a National Distracted Driving Summit this week in Washington, D.C. The Secretary is bringing together leading transportation officials, safety advocates, law enforcement, industry representatives, researchers and victims affected by distraction-related crashes to address challenges and identify opportunities for national anti-distracted driving efforts. This follows the first summit Secretary LaHood held in the Fall of 2009 that sparked a national conversation about texting and talking on cell phones while driving.

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study based on 2006 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 3 and 34.

In addition to the record-breaking drop in fatalities, the number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2009 declined for a 10th straight year in a row, falling an estimated 5.5 percent from 2008, according to NHTSA data released.

Alcohol impaired driving fatalities declined by 7.4 percent in 2009 – 10,839 compared to 11,711 reported in 2008. Overall, 33 states and Puerto Rico experienced a decline in the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009 compared to 2008.

“Today’s numbers reflect the tangible benefits of record seat belt use and strong anti-drunk driving enforcement campaigns,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “But we are still losing more than 30,000 lives a year on our highways, and about a third of these involve drunk driving. We will continue to work with our state partners to strictly enforce both seat belt use and anti-drunk driving laws across this nation, every day and every night.”

Forty-one states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico all had reductions in fatalities, led by Florida (with 422 fewer fatalities) and Texas (with 405 fewer fatalities).

For more information about this and other national highway news, visit:

www.nhtsa.gov

and

http://www.nhtsa.gov/PR/DOT-165-10

Proper Use of Seatbelts and Air Bags Protect Pregnant Drivers and their Unborn Children

Wearing a seat-belt properly is extremely important for pregnant drivers

One of the leading causes of death to unborn children is the death of pregnant women in automobile crashes, according to Edmunds.com.

Researchers estimate the number of deaths in the U.S. is approximately 400 each year.

That said, there isn’t definitive data, and the number of deaths could be even higher. Federal car crash databases don't regularly mention whether drivers or occupants involved in crashes were pregnant, and death certificates of fetuses don't always cite whether the mother-to-be was in a car crash.

Some studies show that seatbelts and airbags can pose risks to a fetus, but only if the seatbelt is worn incorrectly or the pregnant driver is positioned too close to the steering wheel when the airbag deploys.

Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women wear a three-point safety belt and not disconnect the air bag.

If the seatbelt is worn incorrectly, the steering wheel or dashboard may injure a pregnant woman. If the pregnant woman sits too close to the airbag, it will hit with too much force, when it deploys in an accident.

To reduce these risks, pregnant women should do the following:

For pregnant passengers sitting in the front seat:

• Move the front seat as far back as possible.
• On a three-point safety belt, always position the lap belt portion as low on the abdomen as possible. The shoulder belt should be routed over the sternum.
• Leave the air bag operational.

For pregnant drivers:

• On a three-point safety belt, always position the lap belt portion as low on the abdomen as possible. The shoulder belt should be routed over the sternum.
• Leave the air bag operational.
• Drive a vehicle that allows the most clearance between the steering wheel and abdomen.
• Remove or adjust coats to make sure they do not interfere with low placement of the lap belt.
• Minimize driving in hazardous conditions, such as in bad weather or on icy roads.
• Position the steering wheel to maximize abdomen-to-wheel clearance, while aiming it more toward the chest than the head.
• When possible, ride as a passenger rather than drive to avoid potential contact with the steering wheel.

Car manufacturers have been making it easier for everyone to wear belts properly. Since the 1998 model year, cars with upper seatbelts that come out of the B-pillar (on the side of the car) are also required to have adjustable anchors. This helps everyone, from the tallest to the shortest — to the most pregnant — driver and passenger to keep belts from cutting into their necks or riding across their chests.

Current car designs facilitate comfortable positioning of the steering wheel, enabling even pregnant women to adjust the steering wheel in a way that keeps them from sitting too close to the air bag.

Adjustable steering wheels, particularly ones that telescope in and out, can be especially helpful for drivers of varying sizes — and stages of pregnancy. Even lower-end models often have manual devices that can help point the center of the steering wheel away from the abdomen and toward the chest.

Adjustable pedals, now available in many models, can help shorter pregnant women drive more easily without sitting too close to the airbag.

For more information on this subject, visit:

http://www.familycar.com/articles/laurenfix/drivingwhilepregnent.htm

http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1589_1711_4587-49794--,00....

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/womenfamilies/articles/122967/article...

http://pregnantdriver.lboro.ac.uk/

To see if Texas uses primary or secondary enforcement to enforce its seat belt laws, visit:

http://www.iihs.org/laws/SafetyBeltUse.aspx

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Do YOU have what it takes to be the next Ancira star??? visit http://bit.ly/b5SGjl to find out how you can be featured in Ancira TV commercials!

National Child Passenger Safety Week - Sept. 19 to 25

By Maureen Condon

Buckle Up for Safety!
Photo Courtesy of the National Centers for Disease Control

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declared Sept. 19 to 25 National Child Passenger Safety Week.

NHTSA estimates that nearly 3 out of 4 parents do not properly use child automotive safety restraints.

The NHTSA has a web site with a locator that lets you enter your state or your zip code to find the child safety seat inspection stations nearest you.

At these stations, certified technicians will inspect your child safety seat and show you how to correctly install and use it. At some stations, an appointment is necessary. At others, you can walk right in and ask for help.

Some stations have Spanish-speaking technicians to assist you, and you can specify this when searching for an inspection station near you.


For Texas residents, visit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/Index.cfm



Enter Texas or your zip code, and you will get a listing of the designated child safety seat inspection stations near you.



For more information, visit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS

For the link to find the inspection stations, visit:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/Index.cfm

You Can't Miss This Sign!

This 50-foot-tall sign for Wilkin's Oklahoma Truck Supply, along Interstate 35, south of Tonkawa, OK is eye-catching to say the least.

It gives a whole new meaning to rigging your truck!

And, itís just impossible to pass on the highway... without a friendly salute with your horn!

Finding the Best Car to Fit Your Lifestyle in the San Antonio Area

By Maureen Condon

Is Your lifestyle family-oriented? sports-oriented?

It’s always helpful to consult the experts, online or in person, before buying a new car.

Typically, you check what the experts have to say about safety ratings, price, maintenance costs, and warranties -- all the standard measurements.

But how about checking in with the experts to see what’s the best car for your lifestyle?

• Do you use your car mostly for family travel and errands in your San Antonio area?

• Do you use your car mostly for sports and fun outdoors? Are you an off roader, a weekend athlete, a sun lover or just a person who wants to have fun driving?

• Are you mostly concerned with commuting issues – like safety features, gas mileage, reliability and driving comfort -- because you spend so many of your non-working hours commuting?

• Are you a construction worker, electrician, plumber or other on-the-go type of worker who needs reliable transportation that can double as a staging area for your job?

• Are you the boss in the corner office who needs to look the part, especially when pulling into the company parking lot?

• Are you more concerned about the environment and your impact on it, than anything else?

Whatever your lifestyle and concerns, now there’s an easy way to consult the experts on this topic. Visit: http://www.cars.com/go/criteriaSearch/lifestyles.jsp

Click on the lifestyle that best matches your own, and you’ll get a complete rundown on makes and models that are best suited to you.

Monday, September 13, 2010

We're looking for the Next Ancira Star!

Do you think you have what it takes to be the Next Ancira Star? Submit a short 30-60 second home made commercial of you, your pet, the in-laws or your kiddos in a fun and creative way! Show us why YOU should be a star!!

The winner will be chosen by Ancira Auto Group and will be featured on Ancira TV commercials. The Runner up will receive a Flip Video Camera.

The contest will run through October 31, 2010, and the winner will be announced online on November 15, 2010.

For more information, visit www.anciracommunity.com

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

The Devil is in the Details – Tips on finding a detailer and checking out pricing in the San Antonio area…

There are more than 50,000 automotive detailing operations in the U.S. and Canada.

Auto detailing services are offered at car washes, specialty stores and auto body repair shops with car washes generally offering consumers the lowest prices.

Sizable businesses that specialize in auto detailing typically serve car owners who are selling a vehicle, car enthusiasts or luxury vehicle owners, and fleet or government contracts.

According to Consumers' Checkbook, more and more mobile detailing operators are serving individual customers -- going to their homes or businesses with a truck, trailer and mounted water tank.

In short, detailing operations, large, small and mobile, are everywhere in Texas and a lot of people are spending good money to get their cars detailed.

Typically, auto detailing includes a thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of the automobile, inside and out. That usually means a touchless or hand wash, wax, tire cleaning, vacuuming of the interior, and wipe-down or polish of all interior surfaces, such as the dashboard, windows, mirrors and trim.

But detailing can be expanded to include any or all of the following:

• Washing Door Jambs, Wheels, and Wheel Wells.
• Clay Bar Treatment -- the safest and most effective way to clean car paint. Detailing clay bars clean paint below the surface – gripping contaminants that have penetrated the clear coat.
• Floor mat Shampooing.
• Air Purging – Using ozone generators to remove smoke odors, stale pet odors, mildew and odors caused by leaky interiors.
• Cleaning Headliners and Trunks. (My young niece once had grand time writing on my car’s headliner with a tube of lipstick – who would have thought?)
• Cleaning Plastic Interior Panels.
• Carpet Shampooing.
• Interior Door Panel Cleaning.
• Leather Seat Cleaning.
• Cleaning Steering Wheel, Vents and Gauges.
• Road Tar Removal.
• Dressing (deep cleaning) Rubber and Plastic.
• Polishing and Waxing in One Step.
• Wax Removal and Surface Inspection.
• Chrome Trim Cleaning and Polishing.
• Window Cleaning: The Two Towel Method.


What’s the Best Way to Choose a Detailer?

Detailing is a largely unregulated industry. Anyone can hang up a shingle and there will always be detailers who have not been properly trained or certified in the art of detailing. Unsuspecting customers can sometimes be lulled into thinking they just had their vehicle professionally detailed when, in reality, they just paid a premium for an elaborate car wash.

It’s always best to select a detailer after getting a recommendation from a friend, but suppose you don’t know anyone who has used a detailer in the San Antonio area recently?

Check for recommendations and customer reviews on subscriber websites like Angie's List or free websites such as CitySearch and Yelp. Or better still, ask your Ancira Auto Group for a referral. And, as with most businesses, it's a good idea to see whether a particular detailing company has a history of consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

Detailing: Luxury or Investment?

Now, let’s look at your reason for having your car detailed in the first place. Is it a luxury or an investment? Is it for your personal satisfaction? Are you preparing a classic car for a car show? Do you just want to preserve your car to improve its resale value down the road? Are you on your way to trade it in?

Your answer to these questions will determine whether you just need a quick, inexpensive once over, or THE WORKS!

Professional Pricing is Key

Once you’ve done your homework and narrowed down your list of potential detailers, pricing is the next factor to consider. How can you tell if the prices you are being quoted for the basic service and for each add-on item are fair? Choosing even one add-on can sometimes double the cost.

Does the detailer you are considering have a professional looking price list, or are you standing in the street negotiating a price?

It’s a good sign if your auto detailer has a professional looking price list -- one with different price breakouts for different sizes and types of vehicles, and with individual add-on items’ prices listed separately.
An SUV will take longer (cost more) to detail than a sedan – because there’s more surface area all around – body, interior, tire size, etc., And, it may get more wear and tear.

Most car trunks will usually just need a good vacuuming, but because in an SUV what would be considered the trunk might be used as play space for the kids, or for seating space, more cleaning may be required – say to scrape up embedded gum or mashed in French fries. A car with a serious soda stain on the upholstery will take longer (cost more) to clean than one without such a stain.

So, with all these variations to consider, it’s extremely important to ask your detailer upfront what services you are getting and what each individual item will cost, so your bill doesn’t come as a shocker.

A quick walk around with the detailer and a firm and mutual understanding of the price based on the size and condition of your particular car and any special add-ons you require, can be very reassuring.

To get an idea about what the average detailing costs, visit:
http://www.costhelper.com/cost/cars/car-detailing.html

Additional Considerations

If you decide to use a mobile detailer -- their rates are usually lower than one with the overhead of a stationary operation -- you may want to check out whether the company is environmentally sound, as well. Find out if the company you are interested in uses products and practices that are eco-friendly. How this detailer disposes of waste water in your driveway, in your neighborhood, or at your place of business is especially important.


Plus, Florida, Texas, California and other coastal states have special restrictions on runoff water.

Don’t forget to look for coupons before you go to the detailer: Sources such as Entertainment and ValPak may offer discounts specific to your area.

And remember, detailing for vintage or classic cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs, motor homes and trailers all incur their own variety of additional charges.

Here are some sites you may find interesting:

For do-it-yourself detailing help, visit: http://www.web-cars.com/detail/

For a look at how the industry views itself, visit:
http://automotivedetailing.com/assets/articles_htm/what_is_detailing.htm

And, finally, here’s a forum on auto detailing:
http://www.detailcity.org/forums/

Share with us your experiences and advice on detailing by visiting Ancira Auto Group's community forum and starting a conversation.

Old Woodies – A Site for San Antonio Area Car Lovers’ Sore Eyes

What’s a Woodie? Would you like to impress your friends in the San Antonio area with your knowledge of a fascinating niche in automotive history?

You don’t have to leave Texas to do so.

You can learn everything you’ve ever wanted to learn about Woodies by visiting one of the most visually fascinating sites I’ve discovered on the web.

But, before you go there, there are a few basic things that every San Antonio area resident should know about Woodies.

A Woodie is type of car, usually called a station wagon in the U.S. and Canada, or an estate car in England, in which some portion, usually the rear portion, of the car's bodywork is made of wood. This humble definition belies a world of intricate automotive art that has evolved from the beginning of the twentieth century.

This evolution is captured and preserved, on this web site, in photographs, illustrations and cartoons that cover: North American, British, French and so called “World” Woodies from roughly 1910 to 1959 – an era when Woodies flourished.

Besides beautiful renditions of Woodie Cars, the site also has photos and illustrations of Woodie trucks, buses, and Jeeps, plus military, phantom, wicker and weird Woodies.

You can also see “House” Woodies – the rudimentary version of today’s RVs (recreational vehicles) or mobile homes and Woodie Trailers – so much more elegant that today’s U-Hauls.

But a picture is worth a thousand words, and I won’t delay you any further. Visit Old Woodies:

http://www.oldwoodies.com/index.htm

Then click on Gallery, and, I promise, you won’t want to leave the site for hours.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Ancira Auto Group is proud to announce that Ancira Buick GMC is the winner of the 2009 Mark of Excellence Award!


This award is based on overall customer satisfaction, total sales, as well as sales and service certified training. Only the top ten percent of all Buick GMC dealers receive this award, and only 4 of these prestigious awards were handed out in Texas for 2009.

We are very proud of this recognition and would like to congratulate Ancira Buick GMC for receiving this prestigious award! Way to go guys! Keep up the great work!

Congratulation on a Job Well Done, Howard!

Howard went above and beyond to help a customer. Read the amazing story of how he helped a family and saved their vacation!

Mr. Ernesto Ancira

On Friday morning, Aug 6th, our family packed into our 2006 Class C
Motorhome to head down to Port Aransas. Approx 1 mile from our home
here by Huebner and I-10, the temperature gauge alarm went off indicating we
were overheating. We pulled off, opened the hood, and saw the coolant was
pouring out.

Aside from being surprised, we stood there in disbelief. Why? We had
taken our motorhome in to have it serviced at Ancira (Boerne) a few weeks
prior and one of the items we had done was a "coolant system flush." For the
record, in the 3 years we've owned it, we have never had it serviced
anywhere else.

We called Jeff George (service advisor) - he remembered us and dispatched a tow truck to our location. Within an hour, our motorhome was on its way to Ancira (Boerne). In the meantime, we walked home disappointed, somewhat angry, and hot - temperatures were already in the 90s.

That afternoon, Mr. Howard Tate (Service Manager) contacted us and told
us he had been informed about our situation and that he would be following
the troubleshooting on our motorhome. He was lalready aware we had taken it
in a few weeks before for the service. We told him one of our biggest
concerns was that the engine might have suffered internal damage (warped or
cracked heads) from the overheating although we did pull over right away when
the instrumentation alarm came on.

Throughout that afternoon, Mr. Tate contacted us 3 times to give us a
status --- the most noticeable being that a water hose clamp (clip) had not
been securely fastened and that the thermostat was staying in the closed
position. We told him not to rush --- that our trip to the Coast was cancelled due to this misfortune and we wanted to be sure it was looked
at with great care & detail.

At approx 4:45 that afternoon, Mr. Tate contacted us to let us know that
they were road-testing the motorhome --- just to be sure they took it
out some 20 miles to make sure there wasn't anything they had missed. He
gave us the option of picking it up or he would have someone deliver it. We
didn't expect to have the problem corrected so soon so we decided we would pick it up and take a late trip down to the coast.

Mr. Ancira, we didn't know what to expect when we got to the dealership.
In today's service-indusry environment, it just always seems that nobody
wants to take accountability for their actions or stand behind their work.
Honestly, we thought Ancira (Boerne) might try to pass blame on
something beyond their control. We were wrong!

Upon arriving at your Boerne dealership (at appoxt 5:45), Mr. Tate met
us, apologized for the mishap, explained what had happened, and took
responsibility by incurring all the costs. He didn't try to sugar-coat
it and took the necessary steps to ensure that the situation was remedied,
not only to our satisfaction, but to his. It's obvious that the Ancira
reputation means a lot Mr. Tate. Mr. Tate also provided us with a few
perks, i.e., top off the gas tank, wash/detail the outside, and a coupon for a future lube, oil, and filter change. That was very generous. We told
him we were going to head out to the Coast that evening to try and salvage
the weekend but would need to stop by the house and load up again.

Mr. Ancira, we're sorry to be so long-winded but, as impressive as Mr.
Tate's actions were as described above, it was the following "little
things" that left us the most appreciative.

We left the dealership around 6:00 --- at approx 6:45, Mr. Tate calls us
to make sure we had gotten home without any problems. - Wow! This is a
Friday evening and everybody wants to get home to their families.

The "icing" on the cake came the next day. We get a call from Mr. Tate
on Saturday morning to make sure we had gotten to the Coast without any
problems. That was the clincher! He didn't have to do that but it is
that "over and above" show of concern that turned a bad situation into one
with a happy ending.

Mr. Ancira, if your managers across the entire Ancira enterprise are as
responsible and caring as Mr. Howard Tate is, you can be assured your
living legacy is in good hands for both the short and long terms. We will
always be Ancira Customers and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Ancira to anyone. For the record, we own an 04 Nissan Titan and my husband has Ancira
Nissan take care of all his service/repair.

Please give Mr. Tate our "thanks" and warmest appreciation.

Sincerely,
Debra Harter and Jay Garcia

P.S. Not any less important - we also wanted to let you know that Mr.
Jeff George (service advisor) was entering the hospital the afternoon that
our motorhome was taken in. He's a good man! We keep him in our prayers
and ask that you please let him know we appreciate him dropping what he was
doing that Friday morning and getting that tow truck out to us quickly.
Hope he is doing well.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Love CARS? We may have a JOB 4 U!

Submit your interest via the Employment Opportunities link at www.ancira.com. Whether you're seeking a job as Entry Level Service Porter, Certified Master Technician, Automotive Billing or Title Clerk, Automotive or RV Sales Professional, Certified Automotive Refinisher -- or something in between -- we may be looking for YOU! Fair Pay. Good Benefits. GREAT Workplace!

Happy Tuesday! What are your plans for Labor Day weekend?

Monday, August 30, 2010

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Love CARS? We may have a JOB 4 U!

Submit your interest via the Employment Opportunities link at www.ancira.com. Whether you're seeking a job as Entry Level Service Porter, Certified Master Technician, Automotive Billing or Title Clerk, Automotive or RV Sales Professional, Certified Automotive Refinisher -- or something in between -- we may be looking for YOU!
Fair Pay. Good Benefits. GREAT Workplace!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A Look Into the Future - Cars to Dream About!







Essence of Bicycle?



Do you have days when you just want to look into the future? Well, here’s your chance, of sorts!

Imagine yourself driving to work in one of these babies!

This one seater, pictured above, is bound to attract attention. I call it “Essence of Bicycle.” Don’t you agree it has that feel? It’s such a standout, you’d better stick to the speed limit. Actually, if you drive this you’re going to get pulled over no matter what speed you are driving. What law enforcement agent could resist?




The Janus Effect?

This concept car I call the two-faced Janus effect. Seriously, it looks like it could be facing in either direction. The car seat of course is a dead giveaway as to what’s the front – so long as the car is parked. But just imagine going 80 miles per hour – forward or backward, and I’d defy you to tell me what’s the front and what’s the back.





Comfort Optional? Or not.

This one I’m calling “Comfort Optional” - It looks like two hard plastic seats under a bump-your-head roof. I’ll take my “Model T” any day.





A Fly Went By?

This one I call – with a nod to children’s book author Mike McClintock – “A Fly Went By.” If you haven’t read the book, you shouldn’t drive this car.




The name: “Luna Module Vehicle” just seems to fit this car. In fact, it’s an open and shut case.




So, when you are having one of those days, and you want to look into the future, think about these cars and don’t go there!

Seriously, if you really want to learn more about these concept cars, visit:

http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/?p=6434



Discounts and Freebies Mean More Money to Spend on Your Summer Driving Vacation





It’s summer time and you’ve got vacation on your mind. It’s time to be budget minded!

The more you save on each individual vacation expense, the more you have to spend on yet another vacation item or experience.

Here are a few ways you can save while you spend for fun.

Before you leave on your vacation, check out the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) list of discounts for its members for theme parks and other venues.

Just Google AAA and you’ll be brought to the web site of the regional AAA office nearest you. Click on the button: Visit AAA.com and you’ll be brought to a page that lists discounts by category: dining, hotels, travel, entertainment, theme parks, etc.

http://www.aaa.com/aaa/sem/sem.htm?redirectto=http://www.aaa.com/?area=JoinSEM&skin=JoinSEM&gcid=S15141x073&keyword=exact_aaa

Click sequentially on all categories of interest to you and see how much you can save!

For example, the link for southern N.E. theme parks is:

http://www.web.aaasne.com/sne/membership/tickets.php#parks


U.S. National Parks Discounts


If anyone in your travelling party is 62 or older, he or she qualifies for a Senior Citizens Pass to all 58 National Parks. With this pass, 4 adults and any children under 16 years of age in the car can get into the park for free. There is a onetime charge of $10 for the pass and it’s good for life. The pass can only be obtained in person -- at any of the parks -- and proof of age/ID needs to be presented. A U.S. driver’s license will do nicely.

http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm

The Senior Pass also provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for park facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction.

State Tourism Office Discounts


Many state tourism web sites offer special discounts to all sorts of experiences and destinations.
For example, Massachusetts offers $99 packages which represent a savings of at least 20% off normal prices for adventure packages, boat rentals, family theme park tickets, etc.

http://www.massvacation.com/mass99/d.php

Or Go West and find your discounts in Arizona:

http://www.arizonaguide.com/

Whatever your destination, it’s easy to save money so you can have more fun, by planning and shopping ahead online. Know about any discounts? Share them here in the comments!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Ancira Auto Group Witnesses Rio Grande Flood





Ancira Auto Group is one of many businesses shocked by the down poor of rain in the Ancira Eagle Pass location. According to weather officials, the rain never let up for numerous days straight, causing the Rio Grande River to rapidly rise.


This type of rainfall hasn’t been this devastating since 1950. The Rio Grande River began rising so high that alligators were starting to become visibly apparent.





Luckily, businesses didn’t close, however they felt the impact of the flood. Locals were staying indoors, hoping to avoid an evacuation. According to David Cruz at
Ancira Auto Group, an area of Elm Creek was evacuated. For the majority,

residents stayed put and hoped for the rainfall to subside. According to Cruz,

it has. Fortunately, no major damage was done but the scare of such a serious

flood was enough to worry the state of Texas.




“A lot of people were so ahead of the game. Once the river starts to rise, people start taking notice,” Cruz said.


Although most homes survived the flood, vendors near the bridge were greatly affected by the rising river. Vendor stands, selling all types of products from sunglasses to hair products to jewelry, were ruined.






It's a Happening! CarFit Helps Senior Drivers Improve Comfort and Safety



Are you 60 something and not entirely happy with the way your car “fits” you?

Help is at hand, in the form of a CarFit event, where you can spend a very productive 20 to 30 minutes and come away with a list of improvements you can make to your car that will increase your driving comfort and safety.

CarFit is a nationally recognized educational program designed to help senior drivers assess their current vehicles to see how well they “fit” their driving needs, and determine what actions need to be taken to improve this fit.

A proper fit greatly improves not only the comfort and safety of the senior driver on the road, but also the safety of any other drivers they may interact with.

CarFit was developed by the American Society on Aging (ASA) in collaboration with The American Automobile Association (AAA), the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

CarFit aims to reduce senior crashes and the death and injuries that may result, by reviewing each of the following criteria:

1. Safety belt use 2. Steering wheel tilt 3. Head restraint setting 4. Positioning to air bag 5. Line of sight over steering wheel 6. Positioning to gas pedal 7. Positioning of brake pedals 8. Mirror adjustment 9. Neck Mobility 10. Operation of parking brake 11. Operation of ignition key 12. Operation of other vehicle controls



CarFit can also provide valuable information to seniors that have difficulty:
- Reaching the shoulder harness and buckling/unbuckling the seat belt - Getting into and out of their vehicle easily - Turning their head to look over their shoulder while changing lanes - Sitting comfortably, without knee, back, hip, neck or shoulder stiffness or pain.


At a CarFit event, a team of trained technicians and/or health professionals work with each participant to ensure they "fit" their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety.

In a recent evaluation of 300 seniors...

...over one-third (37%) had at least one critical safety issue/need addressed ...one in ten (10%) were seated too close to the steering wheel ...approximately 20% did not have a line of sight at least 3" over the steering wheel
To learn more about CarFit, visit:
http://www.car-fit.org/
For a US Map of Car-Fit Events, visit:

http://www.car-fit.org/carfit/EventMap
To register for a CarFit Event, visit:

http://www.car-fit.org/index.php?/carfit/RegisterCarFit

Auto Art - Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder!


Carhenge

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So, artists have created beauty -- or what, in some eyes, passes for it -- out of many unusual palettes of materials…automobiles included.

I’ve seen the real Stonehenge, and this automotive replica isn’t bad! What do you think?

Carhenge, located near Alliance, Nebraska, consists of dozens of old make and model cars half-buried, upright, in the ground, or welded to the tops of other cars.

Built by Artist Jim Reinders, it was dedicated at the June 1987 summer solstice. In 2006, a visitor center was constructed to service the site.



Carhenge - Does anyone think they can use this configuration to tell the time of day?

The field around Carhenge is a car art reserve.

Notable art objects include: a car-part dinosaur; a pioneer's covered station wagon; “The Four Seasons” – this one is really a stretch; and a half-buried Yugo “gravestone,” proclaiming the death of the foreign car in America.

They got that wrong!





Dinosaur Power? A takeoff on cars and horsepower?





The Pioneers wouldn't have gone too far in this Covered Wagon! Way too easy to break an axle!




The Four Seasons - But which car for which season? OK, White for Winter. Yellow for Fall - think Aspen leaves? Maybe Pink for Spring, and Green for summer or vice versa? You guess!




Yugo Gravestone

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Checking your Tires for Wear & Proper Inflation Saves Lives, Money and Gasoline, Plus Reduces Greenhouse Gases!


Do your tires look like this?



Didn’t we all learn how to check our tires in driver’s ed?

Yes, but…a refresher course is always useful.

Here’s the latest information and techniques on checking your tires for wear and proper inflation. Reading this could save you:

From a nasty blowout on the highway and all the danger to life and limb (plus all the aggravation) that goes with that.
Money -- Underinflated tires increase tire wear, which could burn through a set of tires a whole year early.
Gasoline (therefore more money!) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 5 million gallons of fuel per day are wasted due to low tire pressure. That's approaching 2 billion gallons per year, just because people don't take the time to inflate their tires properly.
From needless pollution - Saving on 2 billion gallons of fuel per year also reduces greenhouse gas emission from burning that fuel. So, you can help yourself and your planet at the same time!


Make it a monthly habit to check your tires for wear. Also check your tires before and after long trips. What you find will tell you whether you need to buy new tires, have your wheels balanced and/or aligned, or change the way you drive altogether.

There are dozens of informative web sites that give detailed directions on how to check your tires’ tread and inflation and then interpret the results. Here are just a few.

Dummies.com has a great reference table for things that could be wrong with your tires – listing the clue, the culprit and the remedy for just about every conceivable problem.

Visit: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/checking-your-tires-for-wear.html
eHow.com outlines how to check the tread on your tires:

• Buy a depth gauge available at auto parts stores.
• Place the pointed end of the depth gauge between two treads and allow the wide cylinder to rest on top of the tread.
• Read the measurement on the shaft of the gauge--measurements are clearly marked along the side. This is the thickness from the top of the tread to the bare tire.
• Measure the tread closest to the inside edge (nearest the car). Write that measurement down.
• Measure the tread in the center of the tire and write it down.
• Measure the tread closest to you, on the outside edge, and write that measurement down.
• Look at the three measurements. If they differ, you might need to rotate your tire to even out the wear. If the tire tread depth is below 3/32 inches at any point, the tire needs to be replaced.





Even better, here are two good videos explaining how to check and interpret tire wear. http://www.ehow.com/video_7682_interpret-tire-wear.html http://www.ehow.com/video_4757150_interpret-tire-wear.html

Remember this: Check the tire pressure when the tires are cold. Tires heat up as they drive. They take about a half hour to cool down. Or you can just check the tires first thing in the morning.

Edmunds.com also details how to check your tires visit:
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/125093/article.html

Only in Your Dreams: Moving Melodies – A Veritable 4-Wheel Boom Box!


Is it a Car? Is it a Stereo on wheels? Is it a Boom Box with a gas pedal?


If you are a car audio enthusiast, then this is the car for you.

However, beware of the state police. They just might have to give you a ticket for a rock ‘n rolling violation, for not being able to see out of your rear window, for distracting other drivers, etc. etc.!

Yes, this is definitely one for the do-it-yourselfers! Retro-fit your car like this, and you might even be able to register a patent, and start your own factory, and crank these beauties out.

Think of the market! You could sell this type of vehicle to any candidate you don’t support in your local elections. They could broadcast their campaign commercials to entire neighborhoods. You could watch the tomatoes start flying!

You could sell this car to the kids down the street so they can advertise their rock band, and tell them to drive far, far away (to broaden their notoriety).

Or, imaging driving your kids to school behind this going at full blast playing hip hop? Try having a conversation.

Well, as they say, you get the picture.

To read a little more about this beauty, visit this link and scroll way down the page:

http://www.cartuningcentral.com/tag/car-audio

Creative Decorations for the Wedding Getaway Car!


His and Her Wedding Getaway Cars

June is the month of weddings, so here are some ideas and tools for decorating the bride and groom’s wedding getaway car – without doing any permanent damage to the car or your friendship with the bride and groom!
White glass markers. These markers (which can be removed with soap and water) are like small brushes that allow the user to write out slogans and draw pictures on the glass of any car.


A Corsage for the Getaway Car Door Handle
Silk, Plastic or Fresh Flowers: Depending on your budget and your taste, decorating the inside and outside of the wedding getaway car with these is fun and easy. Just make sure your happy couple doesn’t have allergies, if you go the fresh flower route.

“Just Married” Temporary License Plates engraved with the couple’s names and the date of their wedding. If your state does not allow anything but the license plate on the front and back of the car, you can prop up this temporary license plate on the back seat or adhere it to the side of the car. Just don’t block the driver’s 360 degree view of the road.

Computer Generated Home Made Paper Banners – Secured with clear, easy to remove tape, so they don’t blow off and cause an accident by blinding the car behind the newlyweds. Use your imagination here and keep the theme in tune with the theme of the wedding.
Soft, Light-weight Toys that can be securely taped to the outside of the car, or placed in the back seat. Teddy bears, bunny rabbits – each with a humorous or tender message tied to it.

Big Paper Cutouts of Hearts securely taped to the trunk.

And, there’s that old standby – beer cans and balloons tied to the car with strings.

Of course, when your getaway car is a truck, you can be very creative:


A unique wedding getaway vehicle, decorated with flair..... and it could be used to haul away all the wedding presents too!


I’m challenging everyone who reads this blog to come up with something unique, and share it with us in the comments.

Here are some resources, but you’ll have to add your own personal touch:

http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/weddingsdecorat_sipz.htm
http://www.groomgroove.com/groomville/decorate_wedding-cars-ribbon.php
http://www.squidoo.com/weddingcardecoration
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/how-to-decorate-your-wedding-car-941670.html
http://www.ehow.com/way_5194467_funny-ways-decorate-wedding-car.html

And just for fun, here’s an article about the origin of 8 common wedding traditions. Who knew? http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15969

Great Summer Driving Vacations: The National Forest Scenic Byways!


Lassen Scenic Byway - California

Winding through both Lassen National Forest and Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Lassen Scenic Byway is one of the most scenic drives in California. The 185-mile loop can be traveled in only a day, but it's best to take the time to appreciate its beauty and diversity by making frequent stops to hike, take photos, fish, camp, and just enjoy the fascinating nature that surrounds you.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2195/


Talimena Scenic Drive –Arkansas/Oklahoma

One breathtaking panorama follows another as this National Forest Scenic Byway winds along forested mountain tops between Mena, Arkansas and Talihina, Oklahoma. Visit Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas and the Talimena State Park in Oklahoma as well as the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area which surrounds the byway in Oklahoma.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2485/


Apache Trail Historic Road - Arizona

This historic road covers some of the most rugged terrain in Arizona. The land surrounding the road rises steeply to the north to form the Four Peaks Wilderness Area and to the south to form the Superstition Wilderness Area. Steep-sided canyons, rock outcroppings and magnificent geologic formations are all along the road.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2058/


Seward Highway - Alaska

Seward Highway showcases the natural beauty of south central Alaska between Anchorage and Seward. From jagged peaks and alpine meadows to breathtaking fjords and crystal lakes, find a concentrated series of diverse landscapes and experiences. See sights such as Beluga whales or dog teams in the winter.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/10390/


Mount Evans Scenic Byway - Colorado

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway climbs more than 7,000 feet in just 28 miles, reaching an altitude of 14,264 feet. The upper section of this road is the highest paved highway in North America. At the summit you'll enjoy the big picture—the entire Front Range and Continental Divide sprawls at your feet. This highest of Rocky Mountain highs brings you to the rarefied world above timberline.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2112/


Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway - Florida

The Appalachee Scenic Byway traverses the western end of the Apalachicola National Forest. The flat, grassy savannahs are home to a wide variety of wildflowers such as orchids, sudews, and carnivorous pitcher plants. The byway passes through forests of oak, cypress, and long leaf pine, and is home to several varieties of wildlife, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/55330/


Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route - Illinois

Here, the Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers meet to form a 35,000-acre floodplain. The Mississippi, a working river, is also an environmental treasure. Historic 18th Century river towns, islands, bars, points and bends create beautiful scenery beneath limestone bluffs that are covered by forests extending over nearly 20,000 acres.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/10393/


Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway - Maine

Wind through the mountains and lakes of western Maine on the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. Step back in time and treat yourself to spectacular scenery, outstanding recreational opportunities, abundant wildlife, local museums, and quaint New England villages.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/13830/



North Shore Scenic Drive - Minnesota

This byway follows the majestic shoreline of Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake. Experience some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The drive provides access to eight state parks and the Superior National Forest and offers unlimited opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/11185/

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway - Oregon

Journey from river's edge to mountain-top and down to valley floor. Savor panoramic views of rugged basalt cliffs and fertile fields, rimmed by snow-tipped peaks. Tour foundries, galleries and museums. Touch the weathered track of the historic Oregon Trail. Watch the majestic Snake River tumble through North America's deepest canyon.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2145/

To learn about all of America’s Scenic Byways, visit:
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/other/usfs

JOIN ANCIRA IN WRITING LETTERS TO OUR TROOPS!

The Ancira Auto Group is participating in the "Letters For Lyrics" campaign and you can too! "Letters For Lyrics" is a campaign courtesy of Ram Trucks and the Zac Brown Band, whose goal is to send one million letters to our troops. All you have to do is write a letter to a soldier and drop it off at the Ancira Chrysler dealership. The Ancira Auto Group will collect your letters and mail them to the Troops for you! By writing a letter and dropping it off at the Ancira Chrysler dealership, not only will you show our Troops support, but you will also receive a FREE copy of the Breaking
Southern Ground
CD. This exlusive compilation, not available in stores, features Southern Ground Artisits Levi Lowrey, Nic Cowan, Sonia Leigh, and the Zac Brown Band! Visit Ancira and drop your letter off today!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Show Us Your Ride and Win!

Want to win a vacation to Las Vegas, Orlando or San Diego or to over 30 other locations in the U.S. and $1,000? Here's your chance! During the month of June & July, 2010, the AnciraCommunity.com is sponsoring the "Show Us Your Ride" contest! To enter, simply take a picture or video of your ride (Car, Truck, or RV) and post it on our community site. Show us your ride in a cool vacation spot, off-road, custom paint job or “whip”, stereo system, its unique work load, "pimped out" modifications, what you love most about it, or a cool picture or video of you and your ride! The entrant who submits the picture or video that gets the most ratings will be selected as the Grand Prize Winner and will be awarded a vacation for two at their choice of the best resort destinations in North America from Las Vegas to Orlando or choose from over 30 other vacation destinations. The Grand Prize winner will also receive a $1,000 American Express gift card to use towards any additional expenses. The Runner-Up Winner will receive a Flip video camera with accessories!

Here's how it works. Upload your picture to Ancira Vacation Giveaway Picture Upload Page upload your home-made video (self produced original, less than 100MB in file size and less than 5 minutes long) to Ancira Vacation Giveaway Video Upload Page. Add a catchy headline, a description of what is going on in the picture or video, and your name in the "Tags" line. You can even email your picture or video from a smart phone HERE. It's as simple as that!...but you’ll want to use the "Share" buttons to post your picture or video description to Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, YouTube, Flickr or your favorite blog so your friends, family, and coworkers can view your work of art...HOWEVER; THEY MUST RATE IT AT WWW.ANCIRACOMMUNITY.COM to be eligible to WIN! The entrant with the most ratings will win! In the event of a tie, the picture or video with the highest average rating wins the Grand Prize! Please keep in mind that the Ancira Community is a family oriented site. Be funny, creative and remember to HAVE FUN!

Upload your picture or video today and start sharing them with your family, friends, and coworkers for a chance to win AnciraCommunity.com's vacation and $1,000 American Express Gift Card!

RULES:

It’s easy to win, here’s what you have to do:

  1. Take a photo or short video of you and your ride, whip, hooptie or RV and tell us what you do with it, what’s awesome about it and why yours is the best!*
  2. Sign in (or become a member of) AnciraCommunity.com – IT’S FREE!
  3. Upload your photo/video to your profile.
    1. You may also email it to HERE
      with the Subject line reading “Hottest Ride” and let us know what your username is so we can tag it to you.
    2. Tell your friends to sign in and RATE your photo/video, that’s how we’ll determine the winner!†
    3. That’s it!!!
    4. *Employees, vendors & suppliers are not eligible to enter.

      †Must be a resident of Texas and 21 years of age or older to enter.


      Contest ends on July 18, 2010 @ 11:59 CST, so be sure you register

      and TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO RATE YOUR PHOTO/VIDEO!



      Please read the TERMS & CONDITIONS for full contest rules.

      For more information please contact Greg Palomino at 210.846.8900 or gpalomino@cre8ad8.com; event managed by CRE8AD8 LLC.