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In just over three decades, Acura has grown from the first Japanese luxury car to one of the most revered automakers in the world. The key to their success isn't only design, ingenuity, and customer feedback, but also a proactive approach to research, development, and technology. The 2018 Acura fleet has more high-tech amenities than ever before, making your drive easier, better, and more entertaining. Improved Entertainment and Convenience With AcuraLink AcuraLink is perhaps the most comprehensive infotainment system ever created. Not only does it allow access to music and navigation, but it also has other services you won't find in other luxury vehicles. The latest generation of AcuraLink allows you to connect your Android or iOS-based mobile device for instant access to communication, apps, music and more. Additionally, a personal concierge is available 24 hours a day to book a hotel or flight, set up dinner reservations, or help you navigate a new city. The AcuraLink app is a nice addition to the infotainment system, providing features such as remote start and stop, remote lock and unlock, odometer readings, how much gas is in the tank, and a stolen vehicle locator, all with the touch of a button. more Enhanced Safety With AcuraWatch Safety is always a concern no matter where you're driving, whether it's to protect you from yourself or other drivers. With the AcuraWatch system, you can't ignore the road, but you can mitigate your chances of an accident. This advanced driver-assist safety system uses a mix of cameras, radar, and sensors to detect other motorists, obstacles, and the lines on the road, and alerts you with visual and aural cues. If you fail to steer efficiently or continue to veer or brake, AcuraWatch springs into action, offering steering assist or automatic emergency braking. Highlights of AcuraWatch include: Forward collision warning Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow Lane-keeping assist system with lane departure warning Multi-view rear camera Blind-spot information system With all of these features working in unison, it's no surprise that three of the six Acura models earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, while all models earned a perfect, five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Self-Driving Vehicles Although the technology doesn't hit the Acura RLX until 2020, the automated driving systems developed by Acura are certain to take the world and the industry by storm. As part of an effort to reduce traffic jams, eliminate driver stress, and improve the safety of roads around the country, this autonomous driving technology does the heavy lifting while allowing drivers to work on some of their own projects or unwind behind the wheel. While semi-autonomous driving options are currently hitting showrooms, the fully autonomous idea of Acura circumnavigates the issues of semi-autonomy while also becoming a pioneer in the segment. From safety to driving to entertainment, Acura's technology makes their vehicles a pleasure to drive. Once you get behind the wheel of one, you'll see why this luxury car manufacturer is a cut above the rest. Image via Randolf Lomo | Licensed by CC BY 2.0

The 2018 Acura TLX features all the characteristics that make up a luxuriously comfortable car. These are a few of the most appealing features of the 2018 TLX. Sporty Exterior You are sure to turn heads with the upgraded exterior design of the 2018 Acura TLX. The A-Spec model comes with an entirely updated grille on the front end that gives it an overall sportier look. The bumper is lower to the ground, and the 4-inch exhausts are visible, giving the impression of a sportier ride. The headlights and taillights are also updated with LED lighting for improved visibility. The entire design is completed with 19-inch aluminum wheels. more Intuitive Technology The 2018 TLX includes all the expected latest technological upgrades set on a 7.0-inch on-demand multi-use driver infotainment screen. The response time in the 2018 model is 30 percent faster and more intuitive to the driver's needs. The TLX also comes equipped with AcuraWatch. This safety technology package aims to improve the safety of the roads with advanced driver assist technologies. Luxury Performance What makes the 2018 Acura TLX so unique from other vehicles in its class is the sporty exterior design paired with a quiet and comfortable drive. The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a dual clutch transmission system is both responsive and smooth and results in 206 horsepower with an advanced torque converter. Drivers can also upgrade to the available 3.5-liter V-6 engine that was available on previous TLX models. This option produces 290 horsepower with an intelligent variable valve timing control feature. Adding even more luxury to the TLX drive is the super-handling all-wheel-drive system and the first-ever precision all-wheel steering system. Easily swap between four different drive modes including ECON, normal, sport, and sport plus. Comfortable Interior Both drivers and their passengers will enjoy the interior comfort of the 2018 TLX. Standard on all trim levels is the heated front sport seats, center display screens, and a variety of connectivity features. Easily sync to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for customized music streaming or to handle hands-free tasks. The ambient lighting sets the mood for a relaxing drive. The A-Spec model comes with bright red leather accents, and red LED ambient lighting for a look that is comfortable and sporty. Available comfort upgrades include the heated back seats, a wireless charging system, and a traditional dark wooden interior. Safety You Can Trust The TLX has continually received five-star safety ratings in each category. Standard safety features include the rearview camera system, the blind spot monitors, and even an automatic emergency braking system. The exterior design of the 2018 TLX is also made with an advanced compatibility engineering structure to reduce impact during a collision. Upgraded safety features include the rear cross traffic monitor alert, vehicle stability assist, and front and rear parking sensors. You are sure to swoon at the new features of the 2018 Acura TLX. Come by FOX Acura of El Paso to see this head-turning vehicle in person. Photo by Carsfera | Licensed by CC BY-ND 2.0

Cars are expensive and buying a vehicle online can be tricky. Unfortunately, online scams are becoming more common, and sellers are becoming craftier at conning buyers. According to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker, there were more than 900 auto-related scams reported in the United States and Canada in 2016. Car sale scams can cost you thousands of dollars, so you should be wary when doing business online. Here are three common online car sale scams to look out for. Escrow Scam In this scam, sellers use an unknown escrow service to finish the transaction. The seller sends the buyer a link to wire money to an escrow agent. In return, the escrow agent holds the money until the buyer receives the vehicle. The website may seem secure, but it doesn't belong to a professional affiliation. It belongs to a third party that the seller set up. Once the buyer pays the money, the seller stops communicating with the buyer and never delivers the vehicle. more To combat this scam, buyers should check the URL thoroughly. Real websites use slash marks to separate parts of the URL, while fake ones typically use periods. They should also thoroughly examine the website. If they notice anything that looks unprofessional, such as misspellings or poor grammar, that might signify it's a fake website. Sympathy Scam Considered one of the older tricks to online selling, this scam preys on the sympathy of the buyer. The thief poses as a seller and offers a sad story about why he or she must sell the vehicle quickly. Some common reasons include dealing with an illness, going through a divorce, or being deployed on active military duty. The seller puts pressure on the buyer to make a decision quickly. If the buyer falls for the scam, he or she can end up with a lemon or leave without a vehicle at all. Sight-Unseen Scam Sellers may lure potential buyers in by advertising a desirable car model for sale at a very low price. Sometimes the car is a classic or exotic one listed at a price well below market value. The price may be so low that you wonder if it's too good to be true, and in some cases, it is. In this scam, sellers may duplicate the listings and use trademarked photos to advertise vehicles. The seller might claim that the car is outside of the country, so the buyer can't see the vehicle firsthand. However, the seller claims that he or she can arrange for shipment once the buyer makes a payment. Sometimes these payments are done via wire transfer or bank-to-bank transfer for large sums. Once the seller receives the money, he or she breaks the contract or simply refuses to respond to the buyer. The buyer loses the money. Listening to your gut can help you navigate some common online car sale scams, and knowing what cons are out there can arm you with knowledge about what to be cautious of. You can also eliminate any risk of falling for a scam and buy your next vehicle from FOX Acura of El Paso. Money Image by stevendepolo is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Manual Transmissions Offer Better Gas Mileage This myth persists because it once was true back when automatic transmission were new, but this is no longer the case. Advances in technology, particularly with options like continuously variable transmission (CVT), offer a broader range of gear ratios, which is where manuals once had the edge. Today, automatic vehicles offer the same (or even better) fuel economy than their manual counterparts. Which one you end up buying all depends on your personal preference. more Cranking Up the Air Conditioning is Better Than Cracking the Windows This myth is so commonly held that Mythbusters tackled it on the popular Discovery show. There is some basis in the myth, however, because rolling down the windows causes more wind resistance, making your vehicle less aerodynamic. Still, Mythbusters and other experts have found that cranking up the A/C actually leads to a slight decrease in a vehicle's fuel economy, even though using the air conditioner is generally recommended to help keep drivers alert. You Should Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles The rule that you should get an oil change every 3,000 miles exists because, like most myths, it was once truth. Older cars did require more frequent oil changes, but this simply isn't the case anymore. Many modern cars can actually go as far as 10,000 miles without needing new oil. We don't recommend pushing your car to the limits, however, since engine oil gets grimy over time and will stop lubricating your engine altogether. You're better off checking your owner's manual for your specific model's recommendations and sticking to that recommended schedule. Premium Fuel Makes Your Car Run Better It seems like a no-brainer. More expensive fuel should make your run-of-the-mill SUV run like a high-performance coupe, right? Actually, no. Premium gas isn't any cleaner or purer than regular – it's just less combustible, which is necessary for cars with more powerful engines. Using a higher octane gas for your non-premium car offers no benefit whatsoever, so unless you enjoy wasting money at the pump, stick with regular. Let Your Car Warm Up Before Your Drive In the winter months, it's tempting to let your car idle to allow both the engine and cabin to warm up. Not only does this bad habit waste gas, but it's also bad for your car. Unnecessary idling in cold weather causes your engine's moving parts to wear down faster, resulting in the need for more frequent repairs. With so many car-related myths out there, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. Keep these common car myths in the mind so you can make smarter choices when it comes to car care. Image via Pixabay.com