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One topic that is currently trending in the automotive industry is electric vehicles (EVs). As the world becomes more focused on reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate change, EVs have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional gas-powered vehicles. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key trends and developments in the EV market, including the growth in demand for EVs, advances in EV technology, and the challenges that still need to be addressed. Demand for Electric Vehicles One of the most notable trends in the EV market is the rapid growth in demand for these vehicles. Sales of EVs have soared, and this trend is expected to continue as more people become aware of the environmental benefits of driving an EV. According to a recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global EV sales reached a record high in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report predicts that the number of EVs on the world's roads will increase from 11 million in 2020 to 145 million by 2030. Advances in Electric Vehicles Technology Another trend in the EV market is the rapid pace of technological advancement. As automakers invest more in EV technology, we are seeing major improvements in areas like battery range, charging speed, and overall performance. For example, the Tesla Model S Plaid is now the fastest production car in the world, with a top speed of 200 mph and a zero-to-60 mph time of less than two seconds. And the new Ford F-150 Lightning, an all-electric version of America's best-selling truck, promises a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge. Challenges Facing the EV Market Despite the many benefits of EVs, there are still a number of challenges that need to be addressed in order to accelerate the transition to a fully electric transportation system. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of charging infrastructure, especially in rural areas and low-income neighborhoods. Another challenge is the high cost of EVs, which can make them less accessible to many consumers. However, as more automakers enter the EV market and competition increases, we can expect to see prices come down over time. Conclusion Overall, the trend toward electric vehicles is a positive one, as it offers a sustainable alternative to gas-powered vehicles and helps to reduce carbon emissions. As demand for EVs continues to grow and technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more exciting developments in the EV market in the coming years. However, addressing the challenges facing the EV market will be crucial to ensuring a smooth transition to a more sustainable transportation system.

The burning question when thinking about a Truck Bed Cover is why? Let us tell you why having one is more than for just its simplistic reason to cover the bed. Hard Folding Tonneau cover available at Dale Howard Auto Center in Iowa Falls Security Never worry again about your possessions stolen or damaged from the bed of the truck. Having the security of a cover keeps your mind at peace knowing that no one can see in or easily access your things. We all get busy at times and have things slip our minds. Never worry again about getting the possessions in the bed of your truck wet when running into unanticipated weather. Check out our Parts Sale page to save up to $900 on your next truck bed cover! Utilization of a Truck Bed Cover Get more out of your vehicle when you put a bed cover on. Tired of putting leaves, landscaping, hunting, farming, and other related equipment in the truck while always looking over your shoulder so it doesn't fly out? When you add a cover you can lock down and get more out of the work side of your truck. No more driving slowly to get to your destination because you're worried about losing something in the bed of the truck going down the road. Soft Bed Cover for a Ranger Save Fuel with a Truck Bed Cover According to the writers at Sawtooth, the answer is yes! According to them and their studies having a truck bed cover can save you 1.8% per tank of gas. That may not seem like a lot but when you add it up over an entire year it turns out to be significant savings. The reason behind that is with the box open, it creates a pocket of wind that pushes on the tailgate causing a drag on the truck. Covering up the pocket, allows the air to flow right off the end of the truck and minimizes the drag of the truck. Additional Information Here are additional details in regards to applying a cover from Grace Mohan at Sawtooth.

Dodge is releasing a brand new model to its lineup of American made vehicles. The Dodge Hornet is a hybrid vehicle that will be starting production in October of 2022 for GT and GT Plus models. There will also be a R/T and R/T Plus production starting in the Spring of 2023. If you want to get your hands on one of these new vehicles contact us at 641-648-4691! The All-New Dodge Hornet coming out in 2023 New Colors for the Dodge Hornet The Dodge Hornet has a multi colored options for the exterior color of the vehicle. These color are Hot Tamale (Red), Q Ball (White), Blue Bayou (Blue), Gray Cray (Gray), Blue Steele (Darker Blue), 8 Ball (Black), Acapulco Gold (Orange/Yellow/Gold). Engine Specs The Dodge Hornet is a hybrid vehicle and comes in the trim packages of GT, GT Plus, R/T, and R/T Plus. The motor has 265+hp for the GT version and 285+hp from the R/T version. 175hp coming from a 1.3 T4 Engine and 121 hp from an P4 Rear Electric Induction motor. Both of those numbers come from the peak power of the engines. Price This is Dodge's version of the best SUV offered under $30,000. The base model starts in at $29,995 for the Base GT Model and can get up to $44,995 for the R/T Plus trim. There are many different options with different packages to select to improve your driving experience. Packages The packages that come on this vehicle are the Blacktop Package, Track Package, Plus CPOS, and the Tech Package. The standard equipment in the vehicle is AWD, 12.3-inch Digital Cluster, 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 Radio, Koni Suspension, Dual Zone HVAC, and ADAS(Advanced Driver Assist System). More Info on the Dodge Hornet Please give us a call or visit our website for more information on the Dodge Hornet! Our phone number is 641-648-4691. Email us with any questions or visit our website. We also respond on social media through our Facebook page if you wish to connect in that channel.

It is National Dog Month in August! Dale Howard Auto Center is offering a Pet Package this month. Not only just in this month, but pet accessories are always available to purchase! The Pet Package We are offering a Pet Package exclusively just for this month only. Do not miss out on the opportunity to take advantage of that! This package is going to include 3 items that can be bought together or separately. Option 1 The first item on the list is a Pet Seat Cover. This particular seat cover is priced for a Ford F-150 SueprCrew Cab, which runs at $169.95. The price may vary depending on the vehicle that you own or plan on using the seat cover for. This is a great item to give you pet the most comfortable ride while also protecting your seat against any potential harm from your pets nails, dirt, or protecting it against hair. Seat Pet Protector to stop your pets from damaging your vehicle. Option 2 The second item is a Pet Partition. The partition hooks on the driver and passenger seat with a couple of easy to use hooks. This allows for your pet to remain in the basckseat and stop them from trying to sit with you while you're driving. So not only does it keep them and you safe, it is only $59.95! Pet Partition made to keep your bet in the back seat of the vehicle. Option 3 The last item in the Pet Package is the Pet Safety Harness. If driving around with your furry friend in the backseat makes you uncomfortable about them jumping out or getting hurt in case of an accident, well then this is for you! This particular item is basically a seat belt for your pet. All you have to do is clip it to them and then to the backseat and this way, they will be safe in case of an emergency. It also works to ensure they remain wherever you need them to be within the vehicle. You can purchase this item also for $59.95! Pet Safety harness designed to keep you pet locked down and strapped in with some movement available to them. Additional information You can feel free to give us a call at 641-648-4694 and ask about the Pet Package. Our Parts team will be more than happy to assist you. Also, all of these items are from the weather tech website and we can help purchase any of the items you find. Feel free to ask one our staff members in the Parts Department about Pet Accessories for your vehicle! Ask Us Anything!

Its Safety month! We want to ensure that not only your vehicle itself is safe, but your tiny passengers inside the vehicle are safe too. We brought in a Certified Carseat Technician to demonstrate the proper way to install a carseat. The video link will be below in the blog. First Step First, you need to understand the child's age and weight? Depending on the age of the child will depend on a forward or backward facing carseat. Since this was a forward facing seat, set the proper balance of the carseat with the vehicle seat.  To measure this, there are two levels on each side of the seat to let you know the proper angle. Opening the carseat and fastening the seat belt There is a latch/lever on the front of the seat that will raise the seat. This allows the seat belt of the vehicle to be latched underneath. Once it has been lifted, slip the belt through the two slots in the back of the seat and latch the safety belt. Once the belt is latched, push the seat down and pull tight on the belt. Make sure the belt is pulled all of the way out so it ratchets up so it remains tight. Attaching the clip and Tightening the Tether Go to the back of the seat and latch the clip to the bottom of the seat and pull tight on the tether until the car seat is snug to the backrest. Once it is clipped to the back of the seat and pulled tightly, you are ready to strap your child in! Strapping in the child Start by buckling up the buckles by the child legs. Once buckled, slip the child's arms through the shoulder straps and move the chest piece to arm pit level. Once the chest piece is in position, pull the strap down by the child's legs tight so that the strap on the shoulders becomes tight. YouTube Video Carseat Installation Video

We do have tires for sale at our dealership. We take full advantage of the Low Price Tire Guarantee program provided by Ford. There are an abundant of great tires all at different prices! Make sure to contact us at 641-648-4695 and as about our Tire Program! Brands of Tires for Sale One of the most common questions asked about our tire program is what brand of tires are included? The tires included in the promotion are: Goodyear Dunlop Michelin Continental Pirelli Bridgestone Firestone Yokohama Hankook Toyo Nitto As you can see there are a wide variety of tires within this program! We offer the best brands in the tires business to give customers the best options possible with their next tire purchase! Cost of Tires for Sale? Well, that all varies depending on the vehicle that you own. But, what we can tell you is that there is a tire provided for the specifics that you need. Cost, Warranty, Time, Sizes, you name it and there is a tire for it! When you get a quote from us the price you see on the quote is for everything included! That includes, tax, mounting, disposal, etc. Rebate for Tires When you buy four select tires, get a $100 rebate by mail or earn 40,000 FordPass Rewards bonus Points (up to $200 value). On top of that you earn 10 points for every $1 spent on Ford Service! This is a great way to save you money the next time you need tires! Best Tire Brands for 2023 Our tires for sale are top notch that we offer. Check out the Top Tire Brands of 2023 and find out for yourself! If you have any questions give us a call at 641-648-4691 or email us! We want to be able to answer all of your questions as it can be overwhelming to purchase tires for your vehicle.

Our dealership offers detail cleaning services. We have a separate building dedicated to cleaning not only our vehicles, but yours too! Check out the information below to find out more on what those services have to offer! Courtesy Wash Services - $30 This is our cheapest option but there is a wide variety of services. With the courtesy wash services include, Exterior wash, cleaning of all windows, vacuum, and clean the door jams. It is done by our crew who specializes in cleaning vehicles at a high level! We will make sure your vehicle looks brand new! Interior Only Services - $100 This package is meant for cleaning just the interior of your vehicle. Meaning, our crew will spend their time cleaning every nook and crack in the vehicle! This package includes, clean and shine all plastic and leather, vacuum, windows and mirrors, shampoo and extract, floor mats, and stain removal! The inside of your vehicle will be spotless in the inside and restored to brand new! This is a floor mat that was dirty and we took a photo halfway through cleaning it. We will also get stains like this out of your carpet! This is a photo of the process of putting the cleaned mats and seats back in the vehicle. Full Detail Services - $200 The Full Detail Package is our most prestigious package as you get the most value provided for your vehicle. This service includes all of the services in the first two packages plus, we will wax your vehicle too! When this package is finished it will bring the brand new look back to your vehicle! It will look the same as the day it was when it arrived at the dealership! Before After This is how we can make your tires and rims look brand new! Contact Us If you would like to schedule one of these services please give us a call at 641-648-4695 or email us!

Have you ever wondered how to change the battery in your vehicles key fob? Check out this blog and find out how EASY it is to change your key fob battery. Find a small screwdriver, a new battery, and the key fob. We have instructional videos on our YouTube channel too! We provide this service! Give us a call at 641-648-4695, we would love to help! Take apart the key fob Most keys have a detachable key hidden in plain sight. Look for the different colored portion of the fob. Pull on the release button to release the key. For example, in the picture below it is the silver part of the key that will remove from the fab. On the bottom of the key fob the silver/gray part if the fob has a removeable key. This is what t should look like when the key is removed. As you can see there is a little release button on the back side of the key fob. Pry apart the key fob The next step will be to remove the front and back plate off. The latches are tight together to insure a solid connection. This is where you will need a small screw driver, or an item small enough to get inside the fob like in the image. As you can see the fab is getting pried apart by the small screwdriver. Note: The first time the battery is changed is difficult to open the fob. Work around the fob gently inserting the screwdriver and lifting up until it comes apart. Once, it is in two pieces, a front and back, its time to change the battery! Changing the key fob battery Now that it is open, take note of how the battery looks! The battery needs to be replace with the proper side in place to ensure it will work. It is just like any other battery, it just appears different. Make sure the positive and negative are facing in the correct direction. This is what the battery should look like, or to some type of variant, depending on what year the key fob was made. Put it back together Aligning the front and back together is a crucial step because you will need to PUSH HARD!! A clicking noise happens when it is tightly together again. Test it by pushing the lock and/or unlock to make sure the fob works properly! Don't forget to put the manual key back in and it is all good to go! YouTube Channel We provide our customers and the users of YouTube with informational and instructional videos for vehicles! Make sure to go watch the videos if you need a visual reference! Make sure to subscribe to our channel to not miss out on any informational content that could help you in the future! Contact Us Feel free to reach out to us at 641-648-4691 or email us!

We want to remind our customers of issues that can happen with the winter season in regards to vehicles. The Winter can bring different elements into play while driving. The cold temperatures, black ice, and inclement weather are all problems that can be dangerous to drive in. Check out our 5 top recommend services for winter driving! The 5 Services There are 5 services that are the most important to us to share moving into the winter season. Tires Brakes Battery Wipers Headlights Tires It is very important to have the best tread possible going into the winter season of snow and ice. Low temperatures bring ice and snow, which means slick roads. Having bald tires is going to make for a very dangerous situations when driving. To self-check the tires, all you need is a penny. Place the penny in-between the treads on the tire with Lincoln's head pointing towards the ground. If more than 2/3rds of the Lincoln's head is showing, it is time for new tires. Each color represents the thickness of the tire. Red is really bad, yellow replace soon, and green is good. Our service department sells tires, so even if you're unsure about your tire situation after the test, we can check them out for you! Snow tires on the your vehicle will make a drastic difference for the upcoming winter driving season! Brakes Brakes are just as important no matter what season it is. In the winter they become more important. It is not just the brakes themselves but even the ABS (Automatic Braking System). How should you check to make sure the brakes on a vehicle are good? The first sign would be hearing or feeling bad brakes. Obviously, if there is an unusual sound coming from the vehicle while braking you should get it checked out. When they squeak that means there could be moisture on the pads which is harmless. If it is a constant squeak it could be a foreign object such as, rocks, twigs, and other debris. The Service Department can also help you with any potential brake problems! Batteries in Winter Driving The cold weather will put a vehicles battery to the test. As it gets colder, the battery in a car becomes less and less powerful. The battery can take a 30-60% loss of power due to the extreme freezing conditions. This is important when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. A tip for the winter time is to make sure that there is a battery charger/jump starting cables in the trunk of the vehicle! It also would be a good idea to put food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Yes, that is right! We also can help you with replacing, charging, or jumping your vehicles battery! Wipers in Winter Driving Windshield wipers are important because, well, if you can't see while driving, that's a problem. Not only is it important to have properly working windshield wipers, but the winter can do a lot of damage to them too. Everyone has had a frosted over windshield, that when they turn on the wipers it sounds like rumble strips on the windshield. Over the course of months that will slowly deteriorate them, and they will need replacing. Here is when you should consider new windshield wipers. Talk with our part department to get you some new wipers for your vehicle! Headlights During Winter Driving The new LED headlights actually leave behind moisture on the lens since the heat from the lamp is warmer inside the lens then the outside chill. This could cause them to freeze over or make them foggy while driving! That goes for the older style of lightbulb. The new LED/Halogen bulbs do not get that warm, so remove any leftover precipitation to ensure that your light is not obstructed. Contact Us & More Information Give us a call at 641-648-4691 if you have any questions or email us! Find out more information from the United States Department of Transportation.

The all new 2022 Chevy Silverado lineup is changing inside and out. They have engineered new and improving parts to make their trucks better than before. 2022 Chevy Silverado Exterior The exterior has some changes to its exterior look for the 2022 Chevy Silverado. For models LT and higher, they have programmed daytime running lamps to have a sequence when getting in the vehicle. They have also given the fog lamps a more contemporary look. An improved Chevy Colorado ZR2 is advancing by the front bumper to a 31 degree angle for maximum clearance. They also created a grill that allows for more air flow and for increased engine cooling. 2022 Chevy Silverado Interior The interior has some big changes made to it. The LT Silverado trim and above now comes equipped with a electronic gear shifter, a 13.4 inch diagonal touch screen monitor in the center dash making it one of the widest screens in a truck, and a 12.3 inch diagonal electronic display cluster! They also have brought a new display sequence when entering the vehicle to increase User Experience. 2022 Chevy Silverado Technology As we keep advancing in the automotive industry, the technology keep improving. The new technology in the 2022 Silverado includes, advanced Trailering systems, a hands-free driving experience, and safety assist features. The trailering systems has a checklist that allows the user to properly hook up a trailer, many different enhanced camera views, and blind spot recognition that includes areas next to the trailer. 2022 Chevy Silverado Engine The engines included in the Chevy truck line are 3.0L I-6 Turbo-Diesel/10 Speed, 2.7L High-Output/8 Speed, 5.3L V-8/8 Speed, 5.3L V-8/10 Speed, and the 6.2L V-8/10 Speed. The biggest improvement is to the 2.7L High-Output engine. The improvement came from the crank that they stiffened by 30%. That includes steel compression ring supported by cast in place ring carrier to help this engine have a lot of torque at low RPMs. They also added 1 KG of aluminum to the block making it tougher and more durable for the user's needs. If you want to find out more on this truck you can watch the video on everything new to the Chevy truck lineup! If you are interested in a new 2022 truck you can give us a call at 641-648-4691! Contact Us If you have any questions in regards to the all new 2022 Chevy Silverado give us a call at 641-648-4691 or email us!

We want to make sure every kid that rides a bus makes it to and from school safely. School Buses will be back on the road so here is what you need to if you ever come across one. "the school bus routine" by woodleywonderworks is licensed under CC BY 2.0 School Buses on a 2 Lane Highway If you approach School Buses with the flashing stop sign out must stop! This is true for 90% of the situations that the average driver encounters. It does not matter if the vehicle is passing in the other lane or approaching the bus from behind. If the stop light is out that means there are children boarding or departing so they will be walking near the front of the bus. 2-Lane Highway with a Center Turn Lane If the two lane highway has a center turn lane every vehicle approaching must stop. There is still a risk that the child needs to get across that road, or make mistakenly walk the wrong way off the bus. So make sure you stop whether approaching from behind or passing by it in the other lane. 4-Lane Highway When it comes to 4 lane highways, it is different. The 4-lane highway with or without a center lane applies the same rules. If approaching the bus from the rear, you have to stop. If you are heading in the opposite direction of the bus in a 4-Lane highway you are able to continue your travel. School bus drivers have rules for letting the kids of the bus on 4-Lane highways so if you're coming up to the bus from the front you are able to continue travel. More Information and Details If there is more desire to learn more about these situations, visit the Iowa DOT page. The website has a visual that will help better understand what to do in these situations. They also have a lot of interesting facts and details on how school buses are advancing in safety. If you wish to learn more check out the Safety Technology Page!

A 3rd row Jeep Grand Cherokee? Yes, that is the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L with 3rd row seats. These all new Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles are stunning. Consumers interested in 3rd row vehicles should really consider looking at one of these! They come equipped with the latest technology and safety features to improve the driving experience. Jeep Grand Cherokee L Features This vehicle is loaded with all different features. Some returning features and other new features such as the front and inside cameras. Here are some of the cool features offered: Night Vision Camera FamCam (Camera inside the vehicle) Intersection Collision Assist Audible and Visual warnings 3rd row seating Full Speed Collision Warning Cameras scan for pedestrians 2nd row climate control Massage front seats Day and Night lighting inside the vehicle Pricing As with many other makes and models the price range will vary based on the package. Build & Price the vehicle that fits every need and give us a call with those aspects! We can order vehicles and have them brought right here to our lot! These vehicles start on the low end around the $38,000 mark and can reach up to $70,000 fully loaded. Availability We are able to order these vehicles! Just check out the build & price link above then give that info to us. We might have some in stock so check out our inventory selection on our website.