 Whether you drive a modest-sized sedan or an SUV, packing your vehicle for a camping trip can create problems as you struggle to fit all the tents, food, flashlights, water, and other essentials—while still having room to fit the kids in the back. Here are a few essential tips from DCH Millburn Audi for packing your vehicle for this kind of trip.
1) Take care of safety first. Make sure there’s a fully-stocked first-aid kit in the car. Check the pressure of the spare tire. Think about keeping an extra can of gasoline in the trunk in case of emergencies.
2) Write a list. Write down absolutely everything you want to pack, and tick it off as you stow it away in your vehicle. If you’ve been sensible and written the list well in advance of the trip, you should find this methodical approach reduces the risk of forgetting any crucial items—though it might seem laborious at first!
3) Plan for the best, but prepare for the worst. If you’re going on a camping trip, you’re probably aiming to go during the summer. Obviously, pack plenty of summer clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and swimwear. However, never rely on Mother Nature when you’re placing yourself entirely at her mercy. Pack some waterproof clothes and thick jumpers, just in case.
4) Remember the journey. If you’re going on a camping trip, you’ll obviously be including bottles of drinking water and books and games to keep any children occupied. But remember that you’ll need these items on the journey! Even though they’re vital, don’t put them in first so they end up covered in tents and fishing rods—instead, keep them up front with the passengers. Anything that you could conceivably need while on the road, keep as cabin luggage in the car. You will probably want to make the odd stop so that everyone can stretch their legs, but having everything to hand gives you much greater flexibility in how often you need to stop driving.
5) Be creative. Optimize the luggage space in your car by thinking outside the box a little. Wear your bulkiest clothes on the days that you’re travelling. Pack items like socks inside spare pairs of shoes. Take a moment to consider which supplies you absolutely have to take with you, and which you can purchase once you’ve reached your campsite. Don’t hesitate to strap bulky equipment to the roof or to think about towing. Even a modest-sized car can transport a huge amount of cargo if you approach the task with a little imagination and flair!
 Many car drivers use their vehicle every day, but from time to time it’s necessary to consider long-term storage. Some people don’t use their car over the winter months or need to leave the country for a while, and this means that it’s time to store away the family auto. If you need to put your car into long-term storage, use the following tips from DCH Millburn Audi to make sure that your vehicle remains in excellent working order.
Find a good place to store the car
You probably won’t want to leave your car exposed to the elements if you’re not going to use it. Find a sheltered place to keep the car like a garage, shed, or outhouse that can protect the vehicle from the rain. Search local ads for reasonably priced accommodation if you don’t have your own garage. If there’s nothing available, invest in a high-quality weatherproof car cover which will at least protect your car from the weather.
Thoroughly clean the car
Dirt and debris on your car may cause damage, so give the car a thorough clean before storing it. Remove bird droppings or tree sap, which can both damage paint work, and get rid of mud or oil from the wheels and fenders. Apply a good quality wax or sealant to the exterior, as this will protect the paint from any dirt or dust that accumulates in storage.
Fill up your gas tank
Some drivers make the mistake of emptying the gas tank when they put their cars into storage. Topping off your gas tank stops moisture from accumulating inside the tank, and will also make sure the seals don’t dry out. Consider adding a fuel stabilizer, which will protect the engine from rust and ensure the fuel doesn’t deteriorate.
Charge the battery
Even though you aren’t going to drive the car for a while, it’s a good idea to make sure the battery charge doesn’t run out. If you can’t get somebody to come and visit the car, charge and disconnect the battery completely. Otherwise, you can buy a trickle charger that plugs into the electricity supply and continuously gently charges the battery.
Inflate your tires
It’s always a good idea to inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. While the car is stationary, the weight of the vehicle pressing on the tires can cause damage, particularly in cold temperatures. Another solution to consider is removing all four wheels and jacking the car up on all four corners. This is hard work, but it’s worth it for cars that will be stored for a month or more.
Protect the car from pests
Cars give rats and mice lots of places to hide and keep warm and these creatures can cause damage if they gnaw at wires. Plug obvious places (like the exhaust pipe) where rodents could get in, and consider laying traps or poison. Make sure you close all the car windows tightly and remove any food or trash from the car that may attract pests.
Don’t cancel your insurance
Your car is a valuable asset. Even though it’s not on the road, it could still suffer damage in storage. If you cancel your insurance, you may have to pay more when you decide to start driving it again. Talk to your insurance company about the options available to you.
It’s important to prepare your car properly for long-term storage. Your vehicle is probably worth a lot of money, so protect your investment and make sure your car is just the way you left it when you come back.
 Have you paid your dues? Audi wants to know.
Audi is inviting people to share their personal stories of triumph via Twitter, Vine, Instagram, or any other social media platform with the hashtag #paidmydues. The winning entires will be recreated by world-class artists during a live event in Santa Monica, California, with the final works auctioned off for charity after.
The crowdsourced creative event, the first of its kind, will be streamed on a live webcast to viewers around the world and hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser. Artists in many different mediums will interpret the submitted stories, including rapper Oddisee, grafitti artist MADSTEEZ, DJ Dam-Funk, comic book creator Jim Mahfood, and comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade, among many others.
The Paid My Dues campaign began in March with the release of the all-new Audi A3 sedan. It highlights notable people who have overcome adversity to attain success, such as comedian Ricky Gervais and photojournalist Lynsey Addario. The idea of paying dues reflects the uncompromising performance and luxury of the A3, while celebrating the “unsung heroes” who have beaten the odds in their own lives.
The A3 sedan is the first in an all-new Audi A3 lineup. It marks the first time that an A-segment vehicle will offer MMI technology, Audi drive select, 4G LTE connectivity and Bang & Olufsen audio. It will be joined later this fall by the Audi A3 Cabriolet, A3 TDI clean diesel sedan, the high-performance S3 sedan and the A3 Sportback e-tron gasoline electric plug-in hybrid in early 2015.
Choose a car that doesn’t compromise — and come see us at DCH Millburn Audi.
 If you’re going to spend a lot of money on a luxury car, it’s important that you look after your investment. Even with a relatively moderate amount of driving, your car’s exterior is going to suffer wear and tear, so you need to do whatever you can to keep it at its best for as long as possible. Keep your paint work in tip-top condition with DCH Millburn Audi‘s simple guide to protecting your car’s exterior.
Buy high-quality cleaning accessories
There’s no point in spending a fortune on a luxury car, and then cleaning it with cheap materials. Talk to your dealer, and invest in high quality cleaning cloths and or washing mitts, which are kind to your paint work. Choose cleaning products that have been designed especially for cars, and never use household detergents in their place. Special cleaning products have a special formula that does not strip wax. They’re also safe to use on other surfaces, such as rubber, vinyl or plastic.
Invest in an auto detailing clay bar
Even with a good wash, you are likely to find deposits on your car’s paint work. These can include bug residue and tree sap, and if you don’t treat them carefully, you can seriously damage your paint work. An auto detailing clay bar is the perfect investment for this job. The clay rubs any contaminants off the surface of the care. You simply spray the surface, and then rub the clay bar along the paint work, where it will pick up anything that sticks out.
Wax the car’s paint work
Protective wax provides a barrier between the paint work and any dirt or grime. Good wax can also help avoid paint chips from debris on the road. There are lots of different types of wax on the market, but many dealers recommend carnauba wax, which produces a deep shine. You will need to re-apply the wax every eight to twelve weeks, but the finish is truly outstanding. Other products include sealants, which offer more protection, but do not have quite such an attractive, shiny finish. Sealant lasts much longer than car wax, however, and you need only apply it once every six months.
Avoid the automatic car wash
An automatic car wash may seem quick and convenient, but it’s unlikely to look after your luxury car. Some car washes may actually damage your car’s paint work, and at a comparably cheap price, they cannot use products that are good for your luxury auto. Washing and detailing your car carefully by hand is always going to give you the best finish and protection. If you don’t have the time (or energy) to clean and finish the car yourself, talk to our service department about a professional finishing service.
It’s important to look after your luxury car, or it won’t retain its luxurious looks for long. A regular, thorough cleaning and finishing routine is important, and it’s worth spending extra to get the right outcome. Talk to the DCH Millburn Audi service department about the options available to you.
 The 2015 Audi A3 sedan was recently named as a 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The IIHS cited the optional front-crash prevention system as the car’s qualification for an advanced rating. It features automatic braking technology and bundles active lane assist, Audi pre-sense front, and adaptive cruise control.
To qualify as a Top Safety Pick, a car must pass all crash tests with a score of “good,” the highest possible designation out of five. These tests include a moderate overlap front test, side test, roof strength test, head restraints test and small overlap front test. The “overlap” tests refer to when the front corner of a car collides with another car or object, with small and moderate representing varying degrees of speed. Dummies in the crash tests indicated low risks of injury to the driver.
The A3 sedan also offers drivers safety features unprecedented in the entry-luxury market, such as a standard pre-sense system which can detect when an emergency maneuver is being made and prepares the car for a possible collision. In addition, it is the only vehicle to offer secondary collision brake assist as a standard feature, which automatically brakes the car after a collision to avoid dangerous swerving. Driver and passenger knee airbags are also available to help prevent knee injuries in even relatively minor collisions.
The A3 arrives this month, so keep an eye on DCH Millburn Audi for more information on how you can take yours home.
 Spring and summer seasons don’t only bring warm weather. In fact, for many of us, the higher temperatures also bring the urge to get on the road and embark on a scenic road trip. If you’re ready to go on the ultimate road trip this year, take a look at DCH Millburn Audi‘s list of some of the longest roads in the world.
The Pan-American Highway. When the road you’re traveling involves an Arctic Circle crossing point and numerous border crossings in Central America, you’ll definitely want to get an oil change or two along the way. The Pan-American Highway is actually a series of highways that connect to form a 30,000-mile continuous road from Circle, Alaska down to Central and South America. Before you gas up the car and head out, keep in mind that you can only drive the road from Alaska to the bottom of Panama before you encounter the Darien Gap, a large swath of undeveloped swampland. At this point you’ll need to find a cargo boat willing to transport your car down into South America. A road trip from Alaska to Panama is still pretty impressive, though.
US Route 20. So maybe you’re not interested in numerous border crossings or venturing into the Arctic Circle. If you’re hankering to travel the longest continuous road in the United States, head to Boston or Newport, Oregon and start driving. At 3,365 miles, US Route 20 passes through 12 states and four time zones. If you’re looking for some stuff to see along the route, check out the location of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates in Freeport, Illinois, the General Knox Trail in New York, where General Knox transported cannons during the American Revolution, and there’ll be plenty of beautiful scenery, including Yellow Stone National Park. And you won’t even need your passport. Other similarly long US highways include US Route 6, Interstate 80, and Interstate 90.
Trans-Siberian Highway. References to Siberia produce a spine-tingling chill to those who grew up during the Cold War – but references to the Trans-Siberian Highway may send a spine-tingling chill to those who don’t enjoy long road trips. A drive on the Trans-Siberian Highway will take you all the way from Moscow to Vladivostock. For those of you not familiar with Russian geography, that’s about 6,000 miles.
Golden Quadrilateral Highway. High school geometry teachers, rejoice! India just gave you another reason to teach students what a quadrilateral is. The Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network is a series of highways that connect India’s four largest cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata—and, as you’ve probably guessed, form a quadrilateral. Each of the highway’s four sections are about a thousand miles long. Of course, unlike the other world’s longest highways, a trip on the Golden Quadrilateral will lead you right back to where you started.
 Get the details on this upcoming model after its Geneva International Motor Show debut
Audi made its presence known at the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show with the redesigned 2015 Audi TT. This stylish new take on the turbocharged sports car embraces the philosophy “less is more”—and it looks set to offer drivers even more to love upon its release. That’s evident in the lower curb weight and economical design, but the only thing that’s “less” when it comes to the TT’s technology is “frustration.”
Each 2015 Audi TT will come with Audi Virtual Cockpit instrumentation and a 12.3-inch color display with high-resolution Multi-Media Interface (MMI) menus. Drivers will have the choice to further customize the new TT with an array of available features, colors, cabin materials, and more. The optional MMI Navigation Plus system features natural voice recognition and MMI Direct Search functionality, while the available 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system is sure to please audiophiles.
While the 2015 Audi TT has the heart of a sports car, this ethos sees its purest expression in the Audi TTS (also making its debut at the show). With a more powerful engine capable of an estimated 310 horsepower and standard quattro AWD, the TTS is a sports-hound’s dream.
We’ll know more about the 2015 Audi TT and TTS closer to release. Until then, keep following DCH Millburn Audi for more information.
Image: Audi of America
Posted in Audi News
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Tagged 2015, audi, tt, tts
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 Just like your home, you can’t avoid maintenance if you want to keep your car looking its best. Since you spend a lot of time in your car, it makes sense to not only wash the exterior but also keep the interior tidy. At least once a year, give your car a thorough spring cleaning with these tips from DCH Millburn Audi.
Start with interior cleaning
Interior maintenance should include the following:
- Remove all trash. Look under the seats and other spots where you know you’ve been throwing “stuff.”
- Vacuum. Always start at the top and work your way down because gravity pulls dirt and pollen towards the floor. You’ll need hand attachments that can get into tiny spaces around the seats. Use a screwdriver or can of compressible air to dig dirt from hard to reach corners.
- Wash floor mats and carpet. Take out removable floor mats and wash them with soap, rinse and dry before replacing. If the carpeting and seats are dirty, use automotive carpet/upholstery cleaner and follow directions for application. Allergy sufferers will want to remove as much pollen as possible. Perform this task on a balmy day and keep the doors open to facilitate speedy drying.
- Clean the dashboard. Use a cleaner recommended for your car’s dashboard surface. Leather, plastic or other synthetics each require the appropriate cleaning method to keep them looking their best.
Wash the exterior including the tires
Take the time to spring clean your car on the outside instead of just running it through an automatic car wash. Either pick a cloudy day or perform this job in a shady spot to avoid streaking that occurs when metal and glass are heated by the sun.
- Chassis underside and tires. Use a strong hose spray or a power wash attachment to get under your car and in the front and back of your tires to remove accumulated dirt and any lingering salt buildup after winter driving.
- Exterior bath. Wash the outside of your car using only products designed for this purpose. Hand dry using soft, preferably natural-fiber cloths that are absorbent and that won’t scratch the paint. Wash and dry every nook and cranny including doorjambs and windows.
- Wash the tires. Tires also require special cleaners to protect the outer layer of rubber. This is also a good time to check the tread thickness and inflation levels on your tires.
- Wax for protection. The extra step of waxing not only gives your car a sparkling shine but also protects the finish that helps maintain resale value. Choose the type of wax that works best for you, either paste, liquid or spray. Though it’s always a good idea to experiment with any new waxing product on an inconspicuous spot first.
Other spring cleaning tips
Check the level of your window wiper fluid and the wipers for damage and/or wear and tear. Do a little spring cleaning under the hood by checking the battery terminals and removing any white build-up. All you’ll need is a damp cloth and toothbrush soaked in a little baking soda and water. (You should always wear eye protection when working inside the engine.)
Browse the aisle of any store that sells automotive products and you’ll be surprised what’s available to help you not only to maintenance your car but to also wash it from the inside out.
 The 84th International Geneva Motor Show is scheduled for March 6th-16th, and DCH Millburn Audi has been eagerly awaiting the show’s official debut of the Audi S3 Cabriolet. Luckily for us–and for other Audi fans around the globe–the automaker has sent out an official press release with high-res imagery that gives us a closer look at what to expect.
The images (kindly collected in a gallery at Autoblog) show off the S3 Cabriolet’s sleek design and performance-minded profile. The roof is said to open or close in 18 seconds at speeds up to 31.07 mph, and features a foam insulating layer to reduce noise.
The 2015 S3 sedan is slated to arrive this summer (shortly after the A3). It remains to be seen if the S3 Cabriolet will make the trip as well, but we’ll be sure to bring you any more information as it’s available.
Image: Audi of America
 Whether booking a business trip or a family vacation, most people enjoy finding great hotel discounts. This often means shopping around, because the exact same hotel room will be sold for many different rates. Fortunately, DCH Millburn Audi has some tips for getting the cheapest hotel rates in town.
Use online travel sites
Thrifty travelers often use online travel sites like Travelocity or Expedia to quickly compare a number of hotel rates in the same area. You may be able to score bigger discounts by booking hotel rooms, flights, and rental cars at the same time. However, before you book at any travel site, take a minute to compare the rate at the hotel’s own website. Some hotels offer their best rates through their own exclusive discounts or travel packages.
Look into the outskirts
When looking for discount lodgings, you can often save money by choosing a hotel further from your vacation or business destination. To decide if a more distant location will work for your travel plans, check to see how difficult it would be to get around the area. If there’s convenient public transit, or even a free hotel shuttle, booking a hotel on the outskirts of town might be a great way to save some money.
Sign up for memberships
Travel memberships with clubs like AAA or Student Advantage can help you qualify for discounts at many hotels around the world. You may also find savings by signing up for a membership with your favorite hotel chain. These hotel programs often let you earn points each time you book a room and then use your accumulated points to save money on future reservations.
Check for local hotels
Large chain hotels may be reassuring, but they aren’t the only game in town. If you don’t have a membership with a favorite chain, consider taking a chance on a local hotel. Many locally-owned hotels offer competitive rates and friendly service, and online reviews take a lot of the risk out of staying at these lesser-known hotels. Look for affordable rates and read the reviews to see what other guests liked—or didn’t—about the hotels.
Book fully refundable rooms
Whenever you are comparing hotels, be sure to check the rules that come with each rate. You might be able to save a few dollars by locking into a non-refundable room, but opting for a fully refundable room gives you the opportunity to cancel if you find a cheaper room closer to your travel dates. It also gives you peace of mind in case something happens and you need to cancel your trip.
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