Counterfeit auto parts have been flooding the market. They can fool even the most experienced eyes because they often carry trademarks and packaging of trusted brands. Instead of meeting an automaker’s official standards, counterfeit parts are often dangerously inferior.

A Growing Problem

The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, part of Immigration and Custom Enforcement, warns: “Law enforcement has identified a trend of counterfeited parts that is growing at an alarming rate.”

According to Bruce Foucart, NIPRCC acting director, “at best these parts will not perform as well as authentic parts. At worst, they can fail catastrophically with potentially fatal consequences.”

Serious Safety Concerns

The results from counterfeit parts can be inconvenient at best, and as bad as catastrophic failure, an accident, or injury. Parts seized by the authorities have included maintenance items such as oil filters, air filters and spark plugs, and can quickly get into dangerous territory. Critical safety equipment including brake components, steering linkages, suspension parts, and engine parts are no place to take risks, and suspect parts have identified in all of those categories. The parts that are specifically designed for your vehicle are important in keeping you and your occupants safe.

How to Protect Yourself

How do you protect your vehicle, yourself, and your loved ones? One of the best ways is to use your dealer’s service department. Not only can you expect the shelves of its parts department to be stocked with the most trustworthy parts, but the factory-trained technicians will know the ins and outs of your specific model. They work on vehicles like yours every single day and know exactly what needs to be done. Having a finely-tuned sense of caution can be helpful, as well. Carefully investigate offers which seem too good to be true.

Considering that your vehicle is something you use almost every day, and you trust it to get you wherever you need to go safely, you need to be vigilant. With the support of your car’s manufacturer, the service department at your dealership is the best way to ensure you’re getting exactly what you paid for. Stop by today to find out if there are any specials going on and make sure your vehicle is being fitted with all the right parts.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta in Union City, GA.

Reigning Hope is a local, non-profit, sponsored organization dedicated to “raining hope” throughout the community. Founded in 2014 at the appeal of the East Point community, the foundation was begun to continue the dreams and legacies of two departed young ladies. Reigning Hope’s mission is to help fellow students by providing them with college scholarships and life enhancing skills beginning with the schools where both girls began their secondary education.

For more information about Reigning Hope, upcoming events or to donate, visit reigninghopeinc.org or their Facebook Page @ReigningHopeInc.

This year INFINITI of South Atlanta and Heritage Volkswagen of Union City were able to donate 100 bikes to the Newnan Chapter of the Metro-Atlanta Boys and Girls Club for our 2019 Bikes for Kids Project. We’d like to thank everyone who was able to make this donation possible. Every donation, big or small, can and will make a difference!

A special Thank You to the following:

ECR Body Shop
Marietta Wrecker
Group Access
Tracey Kinney
John Abate
Johnny Hamer
Newnan Utilities
Heritage Volkswagen of Lithia Springs
Jonathan Nelson
Sean Eason
Casey McGraw
Cynthia Hoskins
Team Velocity Marketing
CSP Up Fitters
Ryan Daniel with Shift Marketing
Sunnyside Glass
EasyCare
Ally Bank
Kaland Chambers
BG Fuel Additives
Ramone Ramos, The Wheel Guy
Stewart Recon

To make a tax deductible donation, click here.

The 2020 INFINITI QX50 has received the 2020 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award in the premium compact crossover/SUVs category, marking the second year in a row the vehicle has won this award. The Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award was awarded after more than 150 new vehicles were test-driven.

Award Recognition

“We are honored to have won the Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award for the second year in the row,” said Jeff Pope, Group Vice President of INFINITI Americas. “This award shows that our planners, designers and engineers understand what consumers want year over year and we are proud to deliver that with the QX50.”

The 2020 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award is based on objective ratings and by distinguishing itself through performance value compared to others in the class. The 2020 QX50 hits all the premium compact SUV high points, with its stylish design and revolutionary VC-Turbo engine to offer both power and efficiency on demand.

2020 QX50 Features

The 2020 QX50 continues the excellence established in the 2019 model with unmistakable INFINITI signature design elements. The addition of new QX50 SENSORY and QX50 AUTOGRAPH grade levels, standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ and a new-generation infotainment system with dual HD displays elevates the 2020 QX50 into a commanding crossover with strong character lines.

The 2020 QX50 also offers a highly flexible interior space with a sliding rear bench, a panoramic moonroof, and driver-centric, asymmetric interior design to enhance the driving experience. The vehicle is powered by INFINITI’s 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine, representing a breakthrough in combustion engine design. The competitively efficient vehicle delivers fuel economy of 26 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 25 mpg combined with all-wheel drive models. The 2020 QX50 is the total package with available technologies such as ProPILOT Assist, Rear Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, High Beam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and ProACTIVE.

Would you try to walk a few miles in the rain wearing just flip flops? How about loafers in the snow? Those are examples of using the wrong equipment for the conditions. If you don’t want to walk to work this winter, it’s time to make sure your car has the right footwear.

Even in regions that don’t see significant snowfall or freezing temperatures, road conditions can turn from clear and dry to dark and treacherous in the span of just an hour – even less in some cases. Nobody wants the stress of getting caught unprepared, and it can put you and your loved ones in danger. What kind of shape are your tires in? If your car has all-season tires, it’s important that those tires have enough tread depth and proper wear. Get a few years and tens of thousands of miles on your tires, and they may not have what it takes to grip when you need it most. Your dealer’s service department knows what to look for and will be able to suggest the best course of action.

Winter Tire Benefits

In other parts of the country, many drivers opt for a full set of winter tires. Winter tires can make all the difference in regions where temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the approximate temperature below which the rubber in regular tires begins to get stiff and lose its ability to grip the road surface. Winter tires are made from special rubber formulations designed to provide maximum traction in even the worst conditions. They stay flexible in colder temperatures for better grip, and the tread design cuts through snow, instead of clogging up and letting you down.

When you consider the difficulty, expense and potential danger of an accident, a set of winter tires seems like an easy choice. Many dealerships make it simple, too. They know exactly what will fit your car and how to install it right. Your dealer can easily change over your tires and wheels for you, and many offer seasonal specials.

This winter, make sure you can stop, steer, and get moving. Get the right equipment for the job. If you live where temps dip below 45 degrees, winter tires are the right equipment for maximum performance. Even if you don’t live where it freezes or snows, make sure your tires are ready for whatever you might encounter. They are, after all, the only thing connecting you to the road.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta in Union City, GA.

The end-of-year holidays are a popular time to volunteer at charities and non-profit organizations. However, many people might not realize that as they help others, they also help themselves.

Volunteering improves physical health

There are many ways that volunteering helps improve mental and physical health, though it may benefit the latter even more. In 2002, doctors studied more than 6,300 retired persons at senior centers and found that those among them who actively volunteered had less than half the risk of dying than those who did not. This is because volunteering-at any age-is associated with lower blood pressure. According to Harvard.edu, high blood pressure is an important indicator of health because it contributes to heart disease, stroke and premature death. As a result, volunteering directly reduces the risk of heart disease and other symptoms of chronic pain.

Volunteering improves mental health

Happiness is hard to measure, but not impossible. Researchers who looked at hormonal and brain activity discovered that being helpful to others generates immense pleasure. In fact, a study reported in Natural Health magazine in 2007 showed that 95 percent of volunteers said they gained a “helper’s high”-a feeling of euphoria and energy-and HelpGuide.org says that volunteering causes the same dopamine rush that one might feel after vigorous exercise. Volunteering can give people a sense of identity and pride, helping improve self-confidence and giving them a more positive outlook on life and their goals. People who volunteer regularly have also been shown to have better thinking skills and find it easier to cope with everyday tasks. Overall, volunteering helps people feel less depressed and angry and makes them more likely to find purpose and meaning in their lives.

Social interaction reduces stress

Volunteering, especially if it involves working with animals, has been repeatedly shown to reduce stress and anxiety. The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can be exceptionally beneficial to one’s psychological wellbeing, as is the building of a meaningful connection with someone through volunteer work, whether they be fellow volunteers or the recipients of help. Perhaps even more positive to one’s mental and physical health is interaction with animals, particularly dogs. Numerous studies have shown that simply petting or hugging an animal can quickly reduce stress, and the American Heart Association has found that pet owners are less likely to be depressed, less likely to experience heart disease and have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Even if you don’t own a pet, that’s a compelling argument to volunteer at an animal shelter.

Volunteering helps improve disabilities

It may seem to people with chronic health conditions or disabilities that volunteering is out of their reach, yet it is just the opposite. HelpGuide.org says that adults with disabilities or health conditions-everything ranging from diabetes and digestive disorders to heart disease and hearing or vision loss-have shown significant health improvements after volunteering. You don’t need to be mobile to get involved with the community: many modern organizations need help with web-based tasks like writing, email and graphic design, and some may allow volunteers to do their part completely remotely.

Volunteering is more powerful than we commonly think. These holidays, help your community by volunteering and you will find that the act of giving is giving you something back in return.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta in Union City, GA.

Earlier this month, INFINITI announced the 2017 INFINITI Q50 has been recognized by TrueCar, Inc.’s data and analytics subsidiary, ALG, with the 2020 ALG Pre-Owned Value Award. The Pre-Owned Value Award (POVA) recognizes three-year-old vehicles that are forecasted to depreciate the least over the subsequent 36 months in the used market.

Based on ALG’s residual value forecast for the 2017 model year, the pre-owned INFINITI Q50 has a higher residual value than other vehicles in the premium midsize market. This is the second year in a row an INFINITI vehicle has won ALG’s premium midsize POVA, with the 2016 INFINITI QX70 securing the award in 2019.

Award Recognition

“We are proud to see that the 2017 Q50 has received the Pre-Owned Value Award,” said Jeff Pope, Group Vice President of INFINITI Americas. “This award showcases the commitment our engineers have to consistently creating long lasting, quality vehicles for our customers while also ensuring that our customers feel they are making a wise investment.”

The 2020 POVA’s are based on ALG’s proprietary forecast model, which uses a variety of macro, industry, segment and vehicle factors to arrive at the most accurate prediction of a vehicle’s future value. 2020 POVA’s are awarded to vehicles with the lowest forecast depreciation from two to five years of age.

About the 2017 INFINITI Q50

The 2017 INFINTI Q50 sports sedan includes INFINITI InTouch Navigation, and combines stylish, purposeful proportions and aggressive stance, providing a powerful statement of the sports performance awaiting the driver. The lean, robust body sides anchor the performance stance with a strong, solid “bone” and arched roofline. The interior environment offers a powerful blend of three-dimensional textures, combining modern luxury and user-focused technology.

More information on the Q50 is available at www.infinitiusa.com.