How Road Rage Works

Ever wondered about the psychology behind road rage? Read on to find out more!

So what do you think of when you hear the term "road rage"? It's one of those catch phrases everyone has heard, and yet there is no common definition we can all use. Often, people use terms like "road rage" and "aggressive driving" interchangeably.

And while some might say that aggressive driving includes everything from cutting someone off on purpose to tailgating to making obscene gestures andcursing at other drivers, others might claim road rage refers only to incidents where violence erupts between drivers and passengers -- in or around cars. (There are just as many who might reverse those two definitions.) One thing is certain -- road rage is a dangerous phenomenon that can happen to any one of us, either as a perpetrator or a victim.­

Driving a car is stressful -- it's inherently dangerous because even if you're the safest driver in the world, there are a lot different variables that you can't predict, like weather, traffic, accidents, and road work. And what about all those other people on the road? Some of them aren't just bad drivers, they're engaging in risky behavior. Some of them even do things specifically to make you angry or prevent you from getting to where you need to go.

That's the thought progression someone might have just before switching into road-rage mode, leading a driver to make irrational decisions very quickly. All of a sudden, you might be thinking: They need to know that what they're doing is dangerous and stupid, and you should show them. In fact, you should punish them.

There's no denying that driving can be a risky and emotional experience. For many of us, our cars are an extension of our personality, and it might be the most expensive possession we own. When we drive, we're aware that there's potential for injury and property damage. Driving might be an expression of freedom for some, but it's also an activity that tends to increase our stress levels, even if we're not aware of it at the time. Driving is also a communal activity. You might think of driving in terms of your own individual experience. But once you pull into traffic, you've joined a community of other drivers, all of whom have their own goals, fears and driving skills. Psychologists Dr. Leon James and Dr. Diane Nahl say that one factor in road rage is our tendency to concentrate on ourselves while dismissing the communal aspect of driving. It's very easy to perceive another driver's actions in terms of how it affects us, which in turn makes it easy to transition into anger [source: James, Nahl]. Once an expert witness to Congress on traffic psychology, Dr. James, known as "Dr. Driving," believes that the core cause of road rage isn't due to traffic jams or more drivers on the road -- but how our culture views aggressive driving [source: Dr. Driving.org].

In our culture, children learn that the normal rules regarding behavior and civility don't apply when driving a car. They may see their parents engage in competitive-driving behaviors, maneuvering the car with multiple lane changes or traveling at high speeds in a rush to get to a destination. Some popular films and television shows portray aggressive driving as a positive, or at the very least, an exciting activity. To complicate matters, for years pop psychologists suggested that the best way to relieve anger and stress was to vent your frustration, essentially giving into and feeding your negative emotions. However, psychological studies show that venting doesn't help relieve anger at all. In a road rage situation, venting can help escalate an incident into a violent encounter. Americans also tend to view a person who backs away from confrontation as a coward, creating a sense of pressure on a driver to not give up any ground even when no one is judging him. With that in mind, it's no surprise that violent encounters happen occasionally. Almost everyone is predisposed to engaging in irrational behavior while driving -- Dr. James even goes so far as to say that most people are emotionally impaired when they drive [source: James]. The key, psychologists say, is being aware of your emotional state and making the right choices, even when you are tempted to act out emotionally.

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/road-rage1.htm

Check out the Tymeless Hearts Holiday Bazaar November 19th

Come get some great deals on gifts for Christmas! Come see Santa Clause and get your picture made! Baked goods just in time for Thanksgiving! Let your child enjoy making crafts for their gifts! Win a prize while you have fun shopping! Support heart families through Tymeless Hearts, Inc. a 501c3 non profit organization! MSU’s Curris Center 1st Floor Stables,10am - 6pm. For more information call or text 270-293-9536.

Information courtesy of: http://mymurray.com/events/index.htm

Christmas in the Country Bazaar November 5th.

Christmas in the Country Bazaar will be November 5th from 8 am to 11 am in the Stella Community on Hwy 121 N.  Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Candies, Breads, Jams, Jellies, Preserves, Relishes and Attic Treasures will be sold. Be sure to stay for the sausage and country ham biscuits that will be served!

Extended Roadside Assistance On 2012 Camry’s!

Great news for those looking to purchase a 2012 Camry!

The Toyota Camry has been America's best-selling car 13 of the last 14 years, including the last nine years running. To thank its loyal owners for this remarkable achievement, Toyota is now offering for a limited time only a special perk to customers who purchase or lease the all new 2012 Camry: 5 years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

This offer builds on the two years of roadside assistance that comes standard on all eligible new Toyota vehicles as part of the Toyota Care complimentary maintenance plan. As such, the benefits of the coverage are the same including:

• Battery jump starts - A service provider will assist with vehicle jump starts as necessary.

• Tire service - A service provider will come to the vehicle location and replace the tire with the customer's inflated spare.

• Lockout protection - A service provider will come to the vehicle location to unlock doors or assist if the key is lost or broken.

• Towing - A service provider will tow the vehicle to the closest Toyota dealership (or to the closest Toyota dealership of the customer's choice if it is within 25 miles of the vehicle's location.)

These services will be provided for five years from the date of purchase, but only on 2012 Camrys delivered by January 3, 2012. Also, this offer does not apply to 2012 Camrys that are part of a rental or
commercial fleet, or a livery or taxi vehicle. Customers who purchase a 2012 Camry while this promotion is applicable will receive a special version of the Toyota Care Welcome Kit that spells out the details
of this additional coverage. The re-invented 2012 Camry offers a sophisticated new design with a new level of interior refinement, roominess and comfort. In addition to our standard QDR, the 7th-generation Camry features class-leading safety features, driving dynamics, fuel economy and multi-media technology. Now, and for a limited time only, it can boast of one more advantage: further bolstering Toyota customers' peace of mind five years down the road!

Read more: http://www.toyota.com/camry/features.html

A Century of Chevy, From Cheap Date to America’s Sweetheart

How well do you know Chevy?

Its Impalas dropped us off at school. Its pickup trucks hauled our produce on the farm. Its Corvette sustained our sports car fantasies through the boredom of high school algebra class. Earlier than almost any other automotive brand, Chevy created a palette of vehicles that ranged from the small and thrifty to the sleek and sporty to the large and smartly trimmed.
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Once the model line expanded beyond the limited body selections of its first half-century, there was a Chevy for almost everyone. The brand’s broad appeal resulted in a place atop the sales charts starting in the 1930s and continuing nearly uncontested for decades. By the mid-1960s Chevrolet sold nearly three million cars and light-duty trucks a year.
But there’s more to the story than commercial success. Although it occupied the first rung of Alfred P. Sloan’s General Motors hierarchy, a ladder on which customers would move up to more expensive brands as they gained affluence, Chevy developed a following of fans whose devotion lasted a lifetime. After decades of decline, Chevrolet has lately had a resurgence with its Cruze and Malibu sedans, the reinvented Camaro and the Volt, the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid.
The full Chevrolet story has filled volumes. Here are some highlights of the 100-year journey.
EARLY DAYS
IN a fateful twist of Chevrolet history, the man who lent his name to the automaker is largely forgotten.
Louis Chevrolet was the Mario Andretti of his day. He barnstormed the country, consistently beating the likes of Barney Oldfield. He escaped horrible crashes that claimed the lives of lesser and unluckier drivers, and won the admiration of those considering the purchase of a  newfangled horseless carriage.
The Swiss-born Chevrolet was flamboyant, swashbuckling, outspoken and charismatic. He had a bushy mustache, a foppish grin and he chain-smoked smelly yellow French cigarettes.
In 1909, Chevrolet was hired to drive for the Buick racing team. Of course, the entrepreneurial William C. Durant, who founded General Motors, wanted to find a way to leverage Chevrolet’s name to his advantage. At first it was enough that the driver’s prowess  in racing Buicks to victory helped to put that company on its way to sales success.
But Durant, who lost control of G.M. in 1910 after a failed bid to buy Ford, saw a bigger opportunity for Louis Chevrolet than merely selling Buicks. So after acquiring the Little automobile company, Durant sought out the race driver to start yet another auto brand. Louis agreed, and on Nov. 3, 1911, Chevrolet’s formation was announced; Louis designed and engineered the large, powerful 6-cylinder automobile that bore his name.
“It was a marvelous machine — the Model C, as it was called,” said Jay Leno, a collector and admirer of Chevrolets. “It was one of the finest and fastest automobiles of the day. It just didn’t sell well. It was too expensive.”
Pressured by Durant to come up with a lower-price automobile to compete with the Ford Model T, Louis said he did not want his name associated with a cheaper car. By 1914, Louis offered to sell his stock in the company, and Durant readily agreed.
After Louis moved on, Durant began rebadging the smaller, inexpensive Littles as Chevrolets, and they found willling buyers. By 1916, Chevrolet had generated enough profits for Durant to buy back control of G.M., into which he merged Chevrolet.
With the 1918 introduction of the Model D, powered by an 8-cylinder engine, Chevrolet sought to further increase its sales and market share and challenge Ford. But the low-cost 4-cylinder models continued as the big sellers. In 1927, when Ford’s River Rouge plant was shut for a time, Chevrolet briefly took the industry’s sales lead.
For its 1929 models, Chevrolet made a huge gamble. While other carmakers were promoting the use of lightweight aluminum, 8-cylinder motors and the advantage of large displacement, Chevrolet seemingly backtracked, introducing a cast-iron 6-cylinder. As the economy slumped, the engine’s once-derisive nickname — the Stovebolt Six — was transformed into a selling point: “A Six for the Price of a Four.”
And what of Louis Chevrolet? He went on to form two more automobile companies, Cornelian and Frontenac, which made the car in which his brother Gaston won the 1920 Indianapolis 500. After Gaston died in a racing accident, Louis left the auto industry and began designing aircraft engines with his brother Arthur; his “Chevrolair 333” and a brief association with an aviation pioneer, Glenn L. Martin, formed the basis for Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin).
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But Chevrolet, despite his engineering and mechanical genius, never lasted long in any partnership. He died in Detroit, virtually penniless and largely unremembered, on June 6, 1941. He was 62.
— JERRY GARRETT
POPULAR CULTURE
AMERICANS who grew up alongside the Honda Accord or the Hyundai Elantra may not fully appreciate the chromed grip Chevrolet had on popular culture in an age when American wheels ruled the road.
In the 1950s, if you tuned in “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show” on your Magnavox console TV, you heard the host belting out “See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet.” Starting in 1960, on CBS, George Maharis and Martin Milner roamed “Route 66” in a new Corvette, looking for adventure, lending a hand to strangers in need and creating a desirable career goal — having a cool car, but no permanent job or home address — for countless young viewers.
Later in the decade, Chevrolet was a primary sponsor of several of the most popular comedies and dramas on television. Samantha, on “Bewitched,” parked her broom to cruise in a Chevelle. The Cartwrights of “Bonanza” rode horses on the Ponderosa, but during commercial breaks they rounded up Impalas and Chevy IIs.
On the radio, Chevys crowded out the Hot Rod Lincolns and Pink Cadillacs. By 2003, G.M. claimed that some 200 songs had already featured or mentioned Chevrolets. A sign in Detroit boasted, “They don’t write songs about Volvos.”
“Nothing can touch my 409,” the Beach Boys bragged. In the days of surfer rock and street racing, the engine was so famous there was no need to identify the car. Don McLean drove his Chevy to the levee in “American Pie,” and Prince had a thing for a little red Corvette. Bob Seger, whose “Like a Rock” became the Chevy Trucks theme, practiced his night moves “in the back seat of my ’60 Chevy.”
At the movies, the sexiest Chevy, the Corvette, co-starred with hunks like Elvis Presley (“Clambake,” 1967) and Mark Hamill (“Corvette Summer,” 1978). In “Terms of Endearment” (1983), the washed-up astronaut played by Jack Nicholson memorably drove a Corvette with his feet — into the ocean. That same year, in “The Right Stuff,” another space hero said that getting a ’Vette was one of best things about being an astronaut. — JAMES G. COBB
DESIGN
“AN infamous rear end” was Alfred P. Sloan Jr.’s complaint about Chevrolets of the early 1920’s, and when he gained power at General Motors he had the problem fixed. Sloan, who oversaw G.M.’s growth into one of the world’s largest corporations, saw Chevrolet as a way to challenge Henry Ford’s dominant Model T: for just a little more money, Chevy would give  you much more car, along with a bit of style.
By the late ’20s, Chevys wore bright shades of Duco lacquer, a colorful contrast to black-only Fords. And Harley Earl’s styling studios were turning out flourishes that appeared first on Cadillacs, then on Buicks and Oldsmobiles, and, eventually, on Chevrolets, trickling down Sloan’s “ladder of brands” along with engineering innovations.
By 1936, G.M. was able to boast that all of its cars had full stamped-steel bodies — even Chevrolet. Styling changes became frequent and rapid-fire, manufacturing customer discontent by rendering last year’s cars instantly obsolete.
The succession of 1955, ’56 and ’57 Chevrolets — three notably different twists on the same basic car — may be the quintessential example of Detroit’s annual model changes.
The tailfins that first appeared on late 1940s Cadillacs and reached unimagined heights through the ’50s, arrived on the 1955 Chevrolet in muted form. But these were different: less extreme than Cadillac’s, yet more jaunty — like the sails of a fast racing sloop beside a full-rigged clipper.

Read the rest of the article (including the history of Chevy’s marketing, racing and technology) athttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/automobiles/chevrolet-unlikely-cornerstone-for-gm.html

Your Pet Passenger

 

 

Keep your pet safe while driving, not only for your animal’s health and well-being, but for your wallet’s sake as well!

States Cracking Down On Dogs Behind The Wheel

If it's any indication of the danger free-roaming pets face in a vehicle, New Hampshire, the country's only state that does not have a mandatory seat belt law, actually requires dogs to buckle up.

Live free or die, goes the state's motto, but Spike and Spot don't have that liberty. And with due reason. Seven other states, Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Rhode Island require owners to kennel or tether animals because of the severe danger the sudden stops and potential collisions pose to pets. An unrestrained dog can land you with a ticket between $50 and $200.

Animal lovers would almost always rather take their pet with them to run errands or on a road trip than leave them at home or at a pet motel. But for all that love for canines, most drivers have seen "dog people" take things too far, driving with their dogs in their laps or lying around their shoulders like a neck pillow and, yes, sometimes at the wheel.
And it's a double dose of danger: for the distracted driver and the unrestrained animal.

Find out more here: http://autos.aol.com/photos/driving-doggie-style-the-best-vehicles-for-pets/

Breast Cancer Awareness Event Friday At The Murray Room

On Friday, October 21 at 11:00 is the Breast Cancer Awareness Event at The Murray Room (located inside the CFSB Center).  Enjoy a lunch, giveaways, door prizes as well as “Inspirational time” with Mary Beth Hall, author of Lessons From A Bald Chick.

Mary Beth will share her experience with cancer and how learning to laugh at yourself while facing serious treatments and decisions can often be one of the best lessons learned. Find out how to be there for a friend battling cancer and learn ways to hurt yourself through the horribleness of it all and land on your feet. Her story and lessons taught will give you the knowledge to face your giants if cancer affects you or someone you love.

Call 270-762-1831 or 270-762-1382 by October 19th for reservations.

Visit http://myemail.constantcontact.com/What-s-Happening-This-Week-October-17th.html?soid=1011039789858&aid=4fuNmOsNbaw for more information

Chevy Volt Update: Drivers Top 1 Million All-Electric Miles

Great news for Chevy Volt owners.

As demand for the groundbreaking Chevrolet Volt continues to grow, so does the number of owners who are letting Chevy know just how far they can go on a gallon of gas—or no gas at all. In fact, just part way through this summer, Volt owners had already covered more than 1.2 million miles on electricity alone.

They include Kory Levoy, a manufacturing manager from Yorba Linda, Calif., who had been spending $50-$60 every week putting gasoline in his Audi TT roadster. But since buying his new Volt, he has covered 7,500 miles and had to fill up the tank just three times. Today, Levoy—like many other Volt drivers—is averaging 40 miles of driving range on a single charge, allowing him to cover his 25-mile round-trip commute entirely on electricity.

“I was tired of spending roughly $200 plus a month on gas,” said Levoy. “The ability to not even consider finding a gas station or worry about fuel pricing is a phenomenal experience.”

Big-time fuel savings are part of the package for Volt owner Carey Bailer, too. An electrical engineer in Cottage Grove, Ore., Bailey has a 75-mile daily commute that used to cost him about $500 a month in gasoline. Now, driving his new Volt, Bailey has sliced that to just $100 per month—and he expects his fuel costs to come down even further.

“Each day, I use about a quarter of a gallon of gas to get to work, which is hardly anything,” Bailey said . “Being able to charge at work is an added benefit, and I love the fact that I am reducing my carbon footprint by not consuming as much gas.”

And more drivers than ever will soon be able to enjoy those same benefits for themselves: The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is available for ordering right now—in all 50 states across the country.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevy-volt-update-drivers-top-1-million-all-electric-miles/#more-2043

Toyota Plug-in Hybrid vs. Chevrolet Volt

Best combination of plug-in and hybrid technologies AND costing $8,000 less than the Chevy Volt? That would be the Toyota Plug-in Hybrid Prius. Read on for more!

The Toyota Plug-in Hyrbrid Prius just announced by the company will be the first alternative to pure gasoline combustion automotive engines that provides the best of plug-in and hybrid combined in one.

Sure, the Chevrolet Volt is more plug-in than hybrid, and Nissan's Leaf is all plug-in, with zero emissions, but the new Prius will offer the best combination of both technologies -- and it will cost some $8,000 less than the Volt.

The newest version of the Prius, announced late last week from Toyota, will get more fuel efficiency, and longer electric range, while selling at a lower price that competitive pure electric or range-extender vehicles including the Volt and the Leaf. In hybrid mode, the car is estimated to get 49 miles per gallon -- near the same as current Prius models.

Thus, the biggest difference is the extended electric range allowed via plug-in.

Two models will be available, including the Plug-in Hybrid base model for $32,000 MSRP and the Plug-in Hybrid Advanced, with premium features, for $39,525 MSRP. Both models are expected to qualify for the $2,500 federal tax credit.

Initially, Toyota's new hybrid will only be available in 14 states, beginning in October. Those states include: California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. The company will have a national roll out of the new Prius Plug-in hybrid in 2013, the company said.

Toyota's new car promises to become a competitive handful for Chevy's Volt, costing less and effectively mixing both hybrid and plug-in. The Volt, which gets good reviews, runs father on electric power -- some 25 miles or more. And that's one major advantage for the Volt.

But even though the Plug-in Hybrid Prius will only run about 15 miles on just electricity, the electric engine can be charged in three hours while the Volt requires 10 to 12 hours of charging when a standard home connection is used.

Another advantage for Prius is that the car was the first mass produced hybrid to find success in the U.S. -- and the brand already has a long, successful customer following considering Toyota invested almost $1 billion to develop and launch the Prius in the 1990s while U.S. automakers focused on gas-guzzling SUVs.

Nissan is trying to establish its all-electric Leaf in the same way -- leaving out the hybrid while attempting to leapfrog straight to pure plug-in. And while reviews and sales of the Leaf have been good, the fact that the car does not use hybrid technology leaves it out of the competitive race now on between Toyota's Plug-in Hybrid Prius and the Chevrolet Volt.

GM has a lot invested in the Volt, but with a lower price, an established brand and Toyota's leading hybrid technology -- the Plug-in Prius will give the Volt a big run for its money.

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/216185/20110919/toyota-plug-in-hybrid-chevrolet-volt-nissan-leaf.htm

GM Creates The First Front Center Air Bag

Great news for anyone looking for more safety features.

General Motors has just announced its latest safety innovation — the industry’s first front center air bag. This inflatable restraint is designed to protect passengers in the event of a far-side impact.

Available on the 2013 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse crossovers, the airbag will deploy to the right of the driver’s side and provide restraint during passenger-side crashes when the driver is the only front occupant. This airbag will also act as an energy absorbing cushion between driver and front passenger in both driver- and passenger-side crashes.

“The front center air bag is not required by federal regulation, and no other air bag in passenger vehicles today offers the type of restraint and cushioning this air bag is designed to provide for front occupants,” said Scott Thomas, senior staff engineer in GM’s advanced restraint systems.

This type of airbag has been underdevelopment for three years and employed the help of GM’s technology supplier Takata. The restraint has been designed to work in a variety of crashes and occupant positions, and it’s also useful for a range of occupant sizes.

“While no restraint technology can address all body regions or all potential injuries, the front center air bag is designed to work with the other air bags and safety belts in the vehicles to collectively deliver an even more comprehensive occupant restraint system,” said Gay Kent, GM executive director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness. “This technology is a further demonstration of GM’s above-and-beyond commitment to provide continuous occupant protection before, during and after a crash.”

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/gm-creates-the-first-front-center-air-bag/#more-2030

The Cars Thieves Hate Most!

How safe is your vehicle from theft?  Find out which cars thieves hate tangling with the most:

Having seen how car thieves have a special attraction for the Cadillac Escalade, what cars do they hate the most?

Interestingly, it's a mix of cars and midsize SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Equinox, the Highway Loss Data Institute reports. It may not be because it isn't cool to be cruising around in an Audi A6 or an Equinox. Rather, it may be because these vehicles have really good anti-theft mechanisms.

It's clearly not because these vehicles are undesirable. Looking over the list, they are all fairly popular, even if some are niche vehicles.

Read the full list here.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Is One Smooth Ride

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is one smooth ride.

Thanks to painstaking measures employed by GM engineers, the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu sedan is expected to have the best ride and handling in its segment when it’s launched next year.

The Malibu will ride on an award-winning global architecture that’s been tweaked for European-style precision with comfort tailored to North America’s diverse range of driving conditions.

“Our development team has been everywhere with the new Malibu, tuning the ride on rural back roads, suburban boulevards, urban freeways and just about every other type of road imaginable,” said Mark Moussa, global chief engineer. “The result is the most finely tuned Chevrolet mid-size sedan ever, with controlled dynamics in all driving conditions.”

Aside from finely tuning the Malibu’s platform, engineers also incorporated a number of elements to enhance the sedan’s driving dynamics even further including:

• A solid body structure as stiff as any in the global mid-size sedan market
• Proven and refined MacPherson strut front and four-link rear suspensions
• Hydraulic ride bushings and isolated lower A-arms
• A premium, ZF rack-mounted electric power steering gear
• Chassis control technologies include StabiliTrak electronic stability control, with full-function traction control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist system, corner brake control, and hydraulic brake assist

Powering the Malibu is a potent but fuel-efficient Ecotec 2.5-liter engine with direct injection, ensuring the vehicle has the power to match its responsive handling. The Malibu will also be available with GM’s advanced eAssist light-electrification technology, which saves fuel without compromising drive performance. With this system, the Malibu will be able to get 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

“Whatever the surface, you feel connected to the road in the new Malibu, while also being comfortably isolated from the imperfections and noise of the road,” said Moussa. “The feel behind the wheel is like that of premium sedans that cost thousands more, with a great feeling of control at highway speeds and excellent maneuverability at low speeds.”

Past And Present Owners Of Toyota Camry Are Invited To Share Their Stories

Camry owners! Share your personal “Camry Effect.”

Toyota recently launched the “Camry Effect,” an initiative to connect the nearly seven million Camry drivers in the United States through an interactive, online experience. For 30 years, Camry has been a part of many American’s best memories—first dates, road trips, soccer games, job interviews and college days. The Camry Effect provides these Camry owners a platform where they can share these moments, memories and milestones while witnessing their collective impact.

To celebrate America’s best-selling car for nine years running and usher in the all-new, seventh-generation Camry, Toyota wants to hear more about how the car has woven itself into the fabric of American culture. Past and present owners are invited to share their stories at http://www.toyota.com/camryeffect. Once at the site, they can generate a unique Camry Effect based on responses to a series of smart and intuitive, rapid-fire questions. The resulting “Effect” chronicles each owner’s experience with his or her car and showcases dynamic statistics taken from the collective Camry experiences. Fully social, the site connects loyal Camry enthusiasts and allows them to invite friends, tweet their Effect or post their progress on Facebook.

“There are millions of Camry owners out there, but each has a unique and important story to tell. The Camry Effect connects these owners and helps them learn a little more about their individual stories—from favorite part of a road trip to Camry models passed down through generations,” said Kimberley Gardiner, National Digital Marketing & Social Media Manager for Toyota. “The site personalizes the experience of driving a Camry in a fun, engaging way.”

As each Effect grows and becomes more personal, visitors can see the true power in numbers behind the Camry Effect and gain a better understanding of how one car connects millions of people. The site also gives visitors a glimpse into the future of Camry, with details and images of the all-new 2012 model, along with shout-outs and video clips from surprise guests. An experience that continues to evolve with each new Camry moment detailed, this initiative is a fresh way to tell a 30-year heritage story through the people who have lived it.

Read more: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+owners+camry+effect.htm

How are cars becoming more user-friendly?

Are we approaching an era of self-driving cars?

“Fred Flintstone had a car that he had to power with his own feet; by that standard, all of today's cars are pretty easy to use. But cars are becoming even more user-friendly -- so user-friendly, in fact, that they may not even require a user at all. That's because much of the new car technology involves taking over the role of the driver.

For instance, no longer does a driver need to mind the blind spots, as certain cars come with detection systems that will alert the operator to obstacles in other lanes. If a driver should start to drowse off and drift into another lane, the steering wheel will shake or a voice will alert the driver to what's happening. Gone are the days of manually changing the cruise control speed when the car in front of you slows down -- now, adaptive cruise control uses radar to track the speed of that car and adjust the speed on its own. And since cars with adaptive cruise control can sense just how much space separates them from other cars, they can go into panic mode when cars ahead start hitting their brakes.

But you needn't fear a world of self-driving cars just yet. According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, drivers want features that improve safety, but they're not ready to turn over complete control of the road to a machine just yet [source: Adams]. In other words, while drivers may like alerts about a car in their blind spots, they want to be the ones that adjust their cars to account for it. And the same survey found that drivers are willing to keep their eyes on the road despite the goodies that new cars are offering; fancy features like WiFi or temperature-controlled cupholders are at the bottom of drivers' wish lists, perhaps indicating that drivers know they need to focus on driving, not on checking the latest sports scores online.

While today's drivers may be wary of cars that do too much for them, that doesn't mean they don't appreciate a little help and convenience. Keyless ignition systems save drivers the hassle of looking for their keys, new fuel tank caps that don't require a lot of turning can save time at the gas station, and self-repairing paint, which covers a scratch as soon as it occurs, eliminates the ordeal and expense of the body shop.”

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/trends-innovations/cars-more-user-friendly.htm

Ask A Tech At Toyota of Murray/Dwain Taylor Chevrolet

 

Did you know that you can contact our technicians  through this form http://www.toyotaofmurray.com/page/askatech/master/secondary/ for Toyota and for Chevrolet http://dwaintaylorchevrolet.com/page/askatech/master/secondary/ and ask a question about your vehicle? Of course you can always give us a call at 800-884-6535 for Toyota and 800- 835-4142 for Chevrolet. We look forward to hearing from you!

GM Uses Stereo Headphone Technology To Help Fuel Economy

GM uses stereo headphone technology to help fuel economy.

The 2011 Chevy Equinox gets 32 miles per gallon on the highway, four mpg better than segment competitors like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape – all rated at 28 mpg. It achieves this rating by enabling the crossover’s engine to run at a lower RPM. However, this posed a new challenge for noise and vibration engineers.

“There’s a boom, or very low frequency rumble that comes from the engine when it runs in that RPM range,” said Noise and Vibration Development Engineer Jim Vallance. “We knew if we could deaden those booms, we could run the engine at the lower RPM, which would provide a significant boost to fuel economy. So we started kicking around ideas and came up with noise cancellation like you see in some high-end stereo headphones.”

Vallance and his colleagues at GM’s Milford Proving Ground came up with a solution — an Active Noise Cancellation module. This module detects when the engine is running in the 1,000 – 1,500 RPM range and immediately creates a sound-killing countermeasure through the vehicle speakers, essentially eliminating the unwanted sound.

“We take a proactive approach and target only the unwanted sound in the vehicle, which in this case is linked with the engine firing frequency. Then we eliminate it,” said Vallance.

GM’s innovative Active Noise Cancellation system is standard on the Equinox when equipped with a four-cylinder engine.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevy-equinox-employs-sound-strategy-for-more-mpg/#more-1975

The 2012 FJ Cruiser Gets Upgraded

The 2012 FJ Cruiser gets an upgrade.

For 2012, the FJ Cruiser gets a trail-oriented Trail Teams Special Edition Package incorporates a standard Off-Road Package, along with a new Radiant Red color. Roof-mounted off-road lights with an air dam improve long-range visibility and enhance visual appeal. Capability is assured with a cyclone pre-air cleaner that’s effective at trapping sand and dirt that may be kicked up during off-road endeavors. The package beefs up chassis performance with trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers; rear differential lock and the active traction control (A-TRAC) system; engine, fuel tank and transfer cases; skid plates; rock rails; plus Toyota Racing Development (TRD) alloy wheels and BFG All-Terrain tires with wheel locks.

On pavement or off, the 2012 FJ Cruiser offers fully civilized audio and connectivity features. The standard audio system includes an AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, XM Radio, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod connectivity, plus hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology.

Powering the FJ Cruiser is a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 260 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. of peak torque. Not only is it ideal for devouring challenging terrain, but the engine can also pull a trailer up to 5,000 pounds.

As with any Toyota model, the FJ Crusier comes standard with the automaker’s STAR Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology, Toyota’s brake override system. There are even roll-sensing side curtain airbags which can detect a potential rollover and signal the VSC system to help reduce a lateral skid.

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser offers a unique package for outdoor enthusiasts. And, since Toyota dealers offer a catalog of available accessories for the FJ, rest assured that you can tailor it to your specific needs and lifestyle as well. The 2012 FJ Cruiser is on sale now.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-fj-cruiser-balances-ruggedness-with-modern-style/#more-2007

Is texting while driving really worse than drunk driving?

Is texting while driving really worse than drunk driving? That’s the question that  Christopher Neiger from “How Stuff Works” asked. Read more to find out his conclusion. 

Texting, or short message service(SMS), is a quick form of communication that allows users to send 160 characters or less to and from their cell phones and smartphones. A study by the Pew Research group in 2009 and 2010 reported that out of the number of Americans who have cell phones, 58 percent of adults and 66 percent of teens use them to text [source:Motavalli]. With these high percentages of Americans using text messaging every year, many are bringing the habit along with them when they drive. The same Pew study showed that 34 percent of teens who use their phone for texting said they've done it while driving, and 47 percent of adults who texted said they had done it while driving, too [source: Motavalli].

In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that almost 6,000 fatalities and over half of a million injuries were due to accidents caused by drivers who were distracted [source: Motavalli]. The study wasn't focused on texting, but it does show the seriousness of driving while distracted. Like many other driving distractions, texting involves a certain amount of mental attention as well as physical application which may be why 28 states have banned drivers from texting while operating a vehicle [source: Motavalli].

But is there really proof that texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving? Even though research is just now being done to measure the effects of texting while driving, some in the automotive industry and others in research circles say that texting is definitely more dangerous than drunk driving. Mainly because taking a driver's eyes off the road significantly cuts down on his or her ability to react to changes.

In 2009, Car and Driver conducted a driving test with their editor-in-chief and an intern to prove or disprove that texting while driving was more dangerous than drunk driving. The first step of their experiment was to test and measure the reaction times of both drivers while driving sober with no distractions, and then while reading and sending text messages on their cell phones. A light mounted to the front windshield simulated a car braking in front of them [source:Austin].

As they read and sent text messages, their response time was measured based on the time it took between when the brake light came on and when the driver applied the brakes at both 35 miles per hour (56.3 kilometers per hour) and at 70 miles per hour (112.7 kilometers per hour) [source: Chang]. Both drivers had a longer response time while reading and sending the text messages when compared to driving without any distractions. After the initial test, both drivers then consumed alcohol and reached the legal driving limit for intoxication in their state. After running the same test again while driving drunk, response times for both drivers were better when the driver was drunk, compared to when they were reading or sending text messages while sober. Car and Driver writers mentioned that the test was performed on a closed airport runway, with no road signs and no turns. Although this test was performed on a closed course, slow response times due to texting could result in serious consequences in real-world driving situations.

Another test conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory in London took it a step further. It found that drivers who texted had slower response times, were more likely to drift in and out of lanes and even drove worse than those who were driving while high on marijuana [source: Nugent]. The study found that reaction times for those who texted while driving were 35 percent worse than when they drove without any distractions at all. When driving while intoxicated, the reaction time was only 12 percent worse than when the driver was sober and driving without any texting distractions [source: Nugent]. The researchers also found that there was a significant decrease in ability to maintain a safe driving distance between vehicles while texting and steering control dropped by 91 percent compared to driving without distraction [source: Nugent]. One of the study's commissioners eventually concluded that texting while driving is one of the most dangerous things a driver could do while behind the wheel of a car.

Read the full article: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/texting-while-driving-worse-than-drunk-driving.htm

2012 Toyota Tacoma Gets Updated

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma gets updated.

The 2012 Tacoma’s front-end refresh includes a new lower bumper and restyled headlamps. Two hooks are also now included as standard equipment. Under the hood, the Tacoma is available with the same 159-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and 236-hp 4.0-liter V6 as the 2011 model.

For 2012, The TRD Sport Package includes turn signals integrated into the side mirrors as well as chrome five-spoke 18-inch wheels. Inside, HVAC controls and the center stack have been revised and upgraded audio options for all 2012 Tacoma models. Waterproof fabric and all-weather flooring are among the bevy of available options.

As with other new Toyota models, like the 2012 Camry, the updated Tacoma pickup will also be available with the automaker’s Entune infotainment system, which features Bing and Pandora, as well as real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks. There will be a range of free apps available in the spring of next year, including iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com and OpenTable.

  

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/2012-toyota-tacoma-pickup/#more-1988

What cars have the lowest cost of ownership?

What cars have the lowest cost of ownership? Read on to find out!

There's more to the cost of owning a car than just paying the sticker price; in fact, the car with the lower sticker price might just turn out to be more expensive over the long haul. In other words, you might have the cash to buy a car, but not the income to afford to own it. That's the difference between price and total cost of ownership (TCO).

The total cost of ownership (over five years) includes six factors:

• Depreciation accounts for 46 percent of TCO (the average model depreciates 65 percent).
• Fuel costs mount up quickly -- especially for SUVs -- constituting 26 percent.
• Interest varies according to vehicle price, but in a typical case (a five-year loan, 15 percent down, 6.4 percent interest), it accounts for 12 percent of TCO.
• Insurance costs vary according to age, location, driving record, vehicle make and model but on average account for 11 percent.
• Maintenance and repair constitute 4 percent of TCO on average.
• Sales tax costs owners about as much as maintenance and repair, assuming the national average of 4.9 percent.

So which cars have the lowest cost of ownership? It's a complicated question and your circumstances may vary (especially if you include used cars in the mix), but here are some good candidates among 2010 vehicles. The list also indicates the award-winners in their categories for 2010:

Nissan Versa (also best compact car), Toyota Yaris (also best subcompact car), Hyundai Accent, Honda Civic, Scion xD (also best compact wagon), Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius
(also best mid-sized car), Nissan Cube, Chevrolet Aveo5

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/cost-of-car-ownership/what-cars-have-lowest-cost-of-ownership.htm

2012 Toyota Camry Gets More Features

New and exciting changes for the 2012 Camry!

Toyota has officially revealed its updated family sedan this week, showing off its aggressive new lines and exciting new features. Best of all, the 2012 Toyota Camry doesn’t go up in price despite major improvements.

The all-new Camry has been refined and updated to maintain its sales lead over popular midsize sedans from Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia. Toyota promises it’s more sophisticated than the outgoing model, and says it even delivers a quieter ride than before.

“The all-new 2012 Camry blends an evolution of the car’s values – such as comfort, efficiency, reliability and safety – with a more appealing design and engaging driving experience,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager.  “Competition in the midsize sedan segment is the strongest it’s ever been, and the all-new Camry is designed to maintain its long-standing leadership while also broadening its appeal.”

Buyers such as those who are looking for a Toyota Camry in Milwaukee will be able to choose between three powertrain options including a revised 178 horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that will help the Camry achieve 25 mpg in city driving and 35 mpg on the highway. There’s also a powerful 268 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that features better fuel economy than the current V6 — projected EPA-estimated ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway. Lastly, the all-new Camry Hybrid boasts a revised Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, including a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2012 Camry Hybrid LE, with EPA-estimated 43 mpg city/39 mpg highway/41 mpg combined, yields a more-than-30 percent boost in fuel economy in the EPA city and combined driving cycles, compared to the previous generation.

Safety is also one of the 2012 Camry’s strengths. The sedan features 10 standard airbags, along with Toyota’s Star Safety System standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Another available safety system, Safety Connect, can access a call center with a live operator who can dispatch police and emergency vehicles.

Toyota has long dominated the midsize sedan segment, so it truly needed a home run. The 2012 Camry’s bevy of improvements certainly should help it continue to lead this highly competitive segment.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/2012-toyota-camry/

GM’s Humanoid Robot At The International Space Station

Last week, GM’s humanoid robot, Robonaut 2 (R2), was brought to life aboard the International Space Station.

R2 was jointly developed by scientists and engineers from General Motors and NASA. GM was eager to see how this robot would make GM’s plants around the world safer. R2’s hands feature extraordinary dexterity and sensitivity, making it suitable for performing a number of manufacturing-related tasks.

NASA’s use of R2 has helpful GM test it in the real-world. Both teams will share what they’ve learned from R2 to make it even more useful in the future. So far, R2 is performing well in space, and should be a helpful addition to the crew of the International Space Station.

“Everything came alive,” said Nic Radford, Robonaut deputy project manager. “We started getting video out of Robonaut’s eyes. Everything worked exactly as we expected it to. It was a very, very exciting time.”

To read more and see the video visit: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/gms-humanoid-robot-comes-to-life-in-outer-space/#more-1929

Get Ready For The 2012 Transformers Special Edition Bumblebee Camaro Coupe!

Get ready for the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Bumblebee Camaro Coupe!

To celebrate the Camaro’s appearance in this year’s “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” Chevrolet will release an eye-popping 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Coupe that features Bumblee’s aggressive black-and-yellow design scheme.

The Bumblebee bonus package is available on the 2LT and 2SS Camaro Coupe with Rally Yellow paint and offers:

• Black rally stripes stretching over the hood, roof, rear decklid and model-specific high-wing rear spoiler
• 20-inch black-painted wheels with Autobot “Shield” logos and high-performance summer tires
• Black leather interior accents with yellow stitching
• Autobot “Shield” badging on the front quarter panels, with similar embroidered designs stitched in yellow into the front headrests and center console lid
• Two dealer-installed options—bigger 21-inch black-painted wheels and a black ground-effects kit
• All content from the Camaro RS appearance package, including high-intensity discharge headlamps with integrated LED halo rings and unique taillamps

Also significant: To continue building Camaro’s popularity around the world, the new Transformers Special Edition will be sold in Canada, China, Japan, Europe, South America and the Middle East. Available for ordering in the U.S. right now, the Bumblebee Camaro will reach American dealerships in September.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/fans-already-buzzing-about-new-camaro-bumblebee-edition/#more-1920

Toyota To Add A Hybrid Option On All Models

Awesome news for all of you that are interested in buying a Hybrid.  There will be more options than ever in the 2020s when choosing one!

Toyota is preparing to introduce a new plug-in Prius as part of its expanding Prius hybrid lineup. With more hybrids becoming available, it could be only a matter of time before every Toyota model is equipped with a hybrid powertain option.

Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system is already offered on large vehicles, like the Highlander, as well as small vehicles, like the Prius. In both applications, the system improves fuel economy. Other automakers have followed suit, offering the technology on full-size pickup trucks and subcompacts, and everything in between.

The only hindrance to the widespread application of hybrid tech is cost. It’s an expensive program if only 10 percent of consumers order a hybrid vehicle. But automakers are investing in the technology anyway, perhaps as way earn bragging rights. Also, the technology has become increasingly mainstream and is no longer a marvel that’s available on just a few models industry-wide.

As more automakers rollout hybrid models, Toyota doesn’t want rest on its laurels as the hybrid leader. That’s why more hybrids are expected to arrive sooner rather than later.

“We’ve been saying for quite a while that we’re going to hybridize the entire line, and that’s still our intention — by sometime in the 2020s,” said Toyota spokesman John Hanson. “We’ll have hybrid drivetrains either as standard or an option on all our products.”

Not only will Toyota’s lineup boast more hybrids in the near future, but the automaker’s luxury arm, Lexus, is also expected to have more electrified options soon.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-to-add-a-hybrid-option-on-all-models/#more-1943

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Will Be Quieter Than A Mouse

The 2013 Chevy Malibu will be quieter than a mouse thanks to Chevrolet noise engineers. 

Thanks to unrelenting perfection when it came to sound, the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu should be one of the quietest sedans on the market when it arrives in showrooms in early 2012.

“To tune the sound properties to appeal to the widest possible audience, we need to make sure everyone hears the same thing,” said Kara Gordon, Malibu’s lead acoustic engineer.

Gordon and her team used pre-production Malibus with a mannequin-like recording device called an Aachen HEAD, a digital recording tool that closely matches the way humans process sound with both their ears. As the test Malibus were driven on a variety of road surfaces, sound engineers were able to listen to and evaluate the Malibu’s interior noise recordings and find the “sweet spot.”

“The typical acoustic memory of the human ear to discern subtle yet important differences is about 10 seconds – or about the time it takes to go from one vehicle to another. The Aachen HEAD, our Jury Room and high-tech headphones make it possible for us to give our Malibu customers the quietest, most pleasing interior sound quality possible,” said Gordon.

Thanks to Gordon and her team, the next-generation Malibu will be able to prevent tire, wind and road noise from creeping into the cabin. In addition to precision testing, engineers employed features like noise-reducing outside rear view mirrors, laminated side glass and noise-absorption pads throughout the cabin to help reduce noise.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/sound-experts-help-make-2013-chevy-malibu-cabin-ultra-quiet/#more-1890

2012 Toyota Prius v To Get 42 MPG

The 2012 Toyota Prius v is expected to get 44 mpg city/40 mpg highway/42 mpg combined which is better than Toyota expected. Previously, they thought that the Prius v would get 42 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined.

And that’s all the more impressive when you remember that the Prius v also offers more cargo room than crossovers like the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda Element, Nissan Rogue or Ford Escape. That’s not by accident, either.

“Over the 11 years that Prius has been on sale in the U.S, we have listened to our customers,” said Ed Larocque, national marketing manager for Advanced Technology Vehicles for Toyota U.S.A. “Many have told us that, while they love everything about their Prius, they need a vehicle with more space. That’s why we gave Prius v 58 percent more cargo space than the Liftback—to meet the needs of these active, young families. And at 34.3 cubic feet, it has more cargo space than 80 percent of the small SUVs on the road today.”

The Prius v offers plenty of other features, too, including:

• Toyota’s advanced in-car connectivity and infotainment system, Entune
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Remote lock/unlock
• Push-button start
• Advanced Parking Guidance
• A standard backup camera
• Seven airbags
• A Panoramic roof made of lightweight resin

“The Prius v holds a unique position in both the Toyota lineup as well as the industry,” added LaRocque. “It will be unmatched with a blend of size, versatility and fuel efficiency, with better mpg than all SUVs, crossovers and wagons on the market. The ‘v’ will compete in multiple segments—some that offer mpg, some with capacity—but none with the same strong mix of both.”

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-prius-v-gains-2-mpg-before-it-even-goes-on-sale/

OnStar Introduces New Service, Family Link

Pretty cool service. Check out the details below:

OnStar has launched a new optional service called Family Link, linking subscribers to their loved ones when driving an OnStar-equipped vehicle.

This new service enables users to log onto the Family Link website to view a map with their loved one’s exact location at any time (pictured above). Subscribers can set up email or text message notifications to let them know the location of their loved one’s vehicle. They can choose the day, time and frequency of the alerts.

“Our subscribers have asked us for a solution to help them stay connected to their family when they’re on the road,” said OnStar President Linda Marshall. “What parent hasn’t asked their teenaged driver to call or send a text when they arrive somewhere, only to not hear from them? Family Link’s Vehicle Locate feature lets a parent check on their child’s progress or help determine when he/she might be home safe and sound.

The OnStar Family Link service is currently in a pilot phase and is accessible by invitation only. Approximately 10,000 active U.S. OnStar subscribers will be invited to the program.

Subscriber interest and comments from the pilot program’s users will guide decisions for launch and pricing of this service. Regardless, OnStar believes the service will provide greater peace of mind for subscribers while their loved ones are on the road.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/onstar-connects-family-members-while-theyre-on-the-road/

2012 Corvette ZR1 Breaks Record At Nürburgring

The 2012 Corvette ZR1 Breaks Record At Nürburgring. 

After an absence of four years, the Chevrolet Corvette once again returned to Germany’s famed Nürburgring racetrack for performance testing, and once again it came home with a record. Corvette engineer Jim Mero drove a stock 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 through the 12.9 miles and 154 turns of the ’Ring’s Nordschliefe course in a time of just 7:19.63—the fastest confirmed time ever recorded by a stock production vehicle.

But that was just a bonus for the Corvette team, which was at Nürburgring to validate some key performance upgrades on the ZR1 for 2012, including its available Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires. An important factor in helping the Corvette set its new Nürburgring benchmark, these competition-oriented tires are optimized for warm, dry conditions to provide enhanced cornering and handling capabilities. In fact, working in concert with the Corvette’s exclusive torque-management system, the net result for the 2012 model year is an 8 percent gain in maximum lateral acceleration—now increased to more than 1.1g—as well as decreased braking distances.

It’s no wonder the 2012 model year also will bring one more significant addition to the Corvette roster—a seventh trophy for winning its class at the grueling 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/2012-corvette-zr1-makes-record-setting-nurburgring-debut/

The 2012 Chevy Cruze Will Get 39 MPG

The 2012 Chevy Cruze will get 39 MPG highway! Good news for anyone in the current economy.

 

Thanks to a revised axle ratio, the 2012 Cruze Eco with its standard 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine and available six-speed automatic transmission will be able to achieve up to 39 mpg highway, while the standard Cruze with the same powertrain will be able to reach 38 mpg highway.

Said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing: “Fuel economy is the top reason customers buy a compact and the Cruze’s greater efficiency for 2012 makes it all the more attractive.”

But that’s not all that’s new for the new model year. In addition to increasing the Cruze’s fuel economy, Chevy also is increasing its value by incorporating one of 2011’s most popular option packages into the car’s already long list of standard features. The new content includes:

• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• A USB port
• Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
• Cruise control
• A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

And remember, this is on top of standard equipment like air conditioning, remote keyless entry, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system with a three-month complimentary subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, power windows, a fuel-saving rack-mounted electric power steering system and a segment-best 10 air bags.

“Chevrolet is committed to responding to what customers want and making it easier for them,” said Scheidt. “Adding these previously optional features streamlines the ordering process and answers the call of what our customers told us should be standard.”

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze will go on sale later this year.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevy-boosts-cruze-fuel-economy-for-2012/#more-1865

Solar-Powered Charging Stations Coming to 24 U.S. Chevrolet Dealerships

 

Solar-Powered Charging Stations Coming to 24 U.S. Chevrolet Dealerships

Chevrolet is taking sustainability to a whole new level with the installation of solar-powered charging stations at Chevrolet dealerships. These new chargers are to be installed at two dozen U.S. dealerships to generate electricity equivalent to 12 full vehicle charges per day. Excess energy will be used to supplement the dealerships’ daily power needs.

American Chevrolet in Modesto, California, and Al Serra Auto Plaza in Grand Blanc, Michigan, are the first U.S. dealerships to complete their solar charging capability. Each solar canopy generates enough electricity for up to 4,500 charges per vehicle annually.

“The question isn’t whether to install a solar canopy, it’s where and how many,” said Joe Serra, president of Serra Automotive. “It’s a win for us because the electricity generated will help reduce operating costs, and it’s a win for the environment since solar power helps reduce our carbon footprint.”

The installation of solar chargers has been dubbed the Green Zone initiative. The initiative is part of GM Ventures’ recent announcement to invest $7.5 million in Sunlogics, a solar panel manufacturing and development company that will supply the panels and install the dealer charging stations.

“The beauty of this program is that there is no capital cost required from the dealership,” said Dave Halvorson, president of American Chevrolet in Modesto. “Not only do we generate the solar energy to increase our reliance on renewable electricity, but the Green Zone is a billboard of our commitment to the environment.”

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevrolet-harnesses-sun-to-power-dealerships/#more-1859

Chevy Malibu’s Seats Will Keep You Comfortable

 

Chevy Malibu’s Seats Will Keep You Comfortable. 

Chevrolet engineers spent considerable time learning how to keep hindquarters happy. That’s because they wanted to ensure that customers of all shapes and sizes enjoy maximum comfort when sitting in the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

Using high-tech tools and real-world ride evaluations, Malibu engineers created seats that provide the utmost level of seat comfort. They were designed to support people regardless of body type, thanks to innovative digital pressure-mapping technology to scan the rear-end impressions of people.

“This test allows us to understand how far a customer will compress into the seat to ensure the selected seat foam and other materials can support the pressure,” said engineer Daniel Cohen. “We want to find the sweet spot of seat comfort: a seat that is neither too firm nor too soft, but just right.”

Other tools were employed to test the effects of seat force and deflection through various sized buttock-shaped plates. These simulation tools are made of aluminum and can weigh up to 250 pounds. Additionally, volunteers logged hundreds of hours sitting on seat prototypes to ensure the Malibu would be comfortable on extended trips.

 

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevy-malibus-seats-promise-to-keep-bottoms-comfy/#more-1846

10 Most Annoying Things Other Drivers Do

What driving habits annoy you the most?  Tell us!  Or just check out this Top Ten list created by Car Talk radio personalities Click and Clack:

It's a known fact that everyone reading this is an above-average driver — and that each of us always displays deep and abiding civility toward our fellow travelers. So we're sure you won't recognize yourself in any of the items listed below.

But what about all those other jerks on the road?

What things do other drivers do that annoy you most? Here's our list, with an invitation to share your pet peeves below.

Yours in Pounding the Steering Wheel,

Tom and Ray Magliozzi, Car Talk
Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers

1. Talking on a cell phone

When you're talking on your cell phone, you're as likely to cause an accident as when you're legally drunk. Now, what's your excuse? What's more annoying than a driver who's willing to riskyour life so he can pick up his General Tso's chicken without waiting? Even when distracted drivers don't cause a wreck, they weave from lane to lane, create confusion in intersections and generally drive slower than other drivers around them while they're trying to do two things at once, leaving a gang of irate drivers in their wake.

Don't Be a Jerk: Put the phone down while you drive. You know about voice mail, right?

2. Driving too fast for road conditions

Just because a speed limit is 65 mph doesn't mean that's always the right speed. Snow, ice or rain can dramatically reduce your car's braking and handling abilities, as well as limit visibility. The right top speed for those conditions is that at which you feel safe and in control and able to react in time to anything that happens up ahead. That could be 40 mph. Or zero mph.

Drivers who fly past you at 50 mph when conditions call for 15 mph are not just risking their own lives — they might take you with them. If they lose control, they could easily spin into you, knocking you off the road and down an embankment. Or, at the very least, they could cover your windshield with a thick film of slush or rain, leaving you temporarily blinded. Annoying? We'd say so.

Check out the full top ten at Cars.com

Happy 4th of July!

 

I love to see the starry flag
That floats above my head.
I love to see its waving folds
With stripes of white and red.
“Be brave,” say the red stripes.
“Be pure,” say the white.
“Be true,” say the bright stars.
“And stand for the right.”

Author Unknown

Toyota Moves Up 14 Positions In The 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS)

Toyota Moves Up 14 Positions In The 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS)

Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, was honored as the as the highest ranking nameplate in the industry, while the Toyota Division moved up 14 positions to place seventh.

This year’s study revealed that Toyotas had 16 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, enabling the brand to return to the top 10 among all nameplates.  Models that improved their scores from last year’s study included the Corolla, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza, RAV4, and Sequoia.

“We are quite pleased with the quality improvements Toyota and Lexus have made over the last year and Lexus’ highest position overall in the 2011 IQS,” said Jim Lentz, TMS president and chief operating officer. Lentz continued, “We are committed to the quality and dependability of our products.”

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-moves-up-14-positions-in-quality-study/#more-1671

Don’t Forget Dad!

 

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 19th.   What was the best advice you ever received from your Father?  Share it with us!  We’d love to hear it.

Or just enjoy some of these pithy quotes about our favorite dads:

"A new father quickly learns that his child invariably comes to the bathroom at precisely the times when he's in there, as if he needed company. The only way for this father to be certain of bathroom privacy is to shave at the gas station." -- Bill Cosby

"A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again." -- Enid Bagnold

"A father is a guy who has snapshots in his wallet where his money used to be." – Unknown

"My father always told me, 'Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life.' " -- Jim Fox

"A father is a banker provided by nature." -- French Proverb

"My father said, 'Politics asks the question: Is it expedient? Vanity asks: Is it popular? But conscience asks: Is it right?'" -- Dexter Scott King

"When I was a kid, I said to my father one afternoon, 'Daddy, will you take me to the zoo?' He answered, 'If the zoo wants you, let them come and get you.'" -- Jerry Lewis

"Small boy's definition of Father's Day: It's just like Mother's Day only you don't spend so much." – Unknown

"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong." -- Charles Wadsworth

Check out more quotations here. 

2013 Chevy Malibu ECO, “Most Fuel-efficient Mid-size Sedan Chevy Has Ever Built.”

The 2013 Chevy Malibu ECO, “Most Fuel-efficient Mid-size Sedan Chevy Has Ever Built.”

 

The new ’Bu is expected to earn EPA ratings of 26 mpg city and an amazing 38 mpg highway. That’s a better highway fuel-economy performance than offered by some subcompacts—and some hybrids, too.

As just one example of their work, the Malibu ECO will showcase the first use of electronically controlled lower-grille shutters in the mid-size segment. The shutters stay open for improved engine cooling during low speeds or when the car is under a heavy load—such as when it’s traveling uphill—then close at highway speeds to help the Malibu ECO slice through the wind more efficiently.

But the real key here is eAssist, which uses regenerative braking to provide up to 15 kW of electricity to an air-cooled, lithium-ion battery. That electricity then allows a cutting-edge motor-generator to deliver up to 15 extra horsepower to the driver during heavy acceleration. Further enhancing fuel efficiency is an advanced stop/start setup that can shut off the fuel supply and rely on electricity to power the car’s systems during deceleration or when the vehicle is stopped.

““The Malibu ECO is a smart choice for customers who want excellent fuel economy without the price premium of popular hybrid sedans,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “It exemplifies Chevrolet’s drive to use technology that delivers high-value, gas-friendly performance.”

 

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/2013-chevy-malibu-eco-sets-new-fuel-efficiency-benchmark/#more-1643

Purchase A Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet And Get Two Years Of Standard Maintenance

Purchase a Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet and get two years of standard maintenance that includes oil changes. 

This new program, dubbed Owner Care, includes a two-year/30,000-mile standard vehicle maintenance program and will also cover tire rotations, and multi-point vehicle inspections at no charge to the customer.  The Certified Pre-Owned program will continue to offer a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a five-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance and courtesy transportation.

“Customers demand more value for their money, and we have responded,” said Jennifer Costabile, general director of marketing and sales support, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations.  “We believe our enhanced program offers our customers an outstanding experience from the moment they drive their Chevrolet, Buick or GMC Certified Pre-Owned vehicle off of the lot.”

GM is looking to give customers even more value when purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle. Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations, believes this move will ultimately increase the demand for pre-owned GM vehicles.

“One of the most important things we can do is manage the business to help increase the value of Chevrolet, Buick and GMC used vehicles,” Johnson said. “This increased value gives potential new vehicle customers more for their trade-ins, thereby lowering their ownership costs.”

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/certified-pre-owned-gm-vehicles-receive-standard-maintenance/#more-1647

100 Cars For Good Still Going On

The 100 Cars For Good Program is still going on.  Please visit the Toyota Facebook page daily to cast your vote!

Toyota continues to give 100 percent support to its charitable efforts with its ongoing “100 Cars for Good” program, which will give away 100 new Toyota vehicles to 100 U.S. nonprofit organizations this summer—as chosen by visitors to the Toyota Facebook page.

To kick things off, a panel of independent expert judges provided Toyota with a roster of 500 deserving nonprofit groups that could be greatly assisted in their work by the gift of a new vehicle. Now, every day through August 16, the automaker will post the names of five of these finalists on its Facebook page and ask the public to choose which one will earn a vehicle. To help with the voting, each of the nonprofits has created an online profile, many with video clips, explaining how they would use the vehicle to continuing doing good for others.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to shine a light on the outstanding work carried out by each of the 500 finalists,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “The positive impact of these organizations in their respective communities is immeasurable. We encourage the public to learn more about these great nonprofits and actively participate by casting a vote. We wish all of the finalists the best of luck.”

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-100-cars-for-good-vote-early-vote-often/#more-1615

2011 Chevy Volt Named “World Green Car Of The Year”

The 2011 Chevy Volt was named “World Green Car of the Year” at the New York International Auto Show in May.

“The selection of the Volt as the World Green Car is a further proof point of the fuel-efficient technologies that are now being offered by the Chevrolet brand around the world,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “This award, and the others that have preceded it, validate the efforts of the development team to build a truly remarkable vehicle with the potential to transform transportation around the globe.”

And speaking of those other honors, they include being named:

• 2011 North American Car of the Year
• Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year
• Green Car Journal 2011 Green Car of the Year
• One of Car and Driver’s 10Best for 2011
• Automobile Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year

According to the EPA, the Volt achieves the equivalent of 95 mpg city/90 mpg highway/93 mpg combined when relying on its advanced electric propulsion system—capable of providing up to 50 miles of all-electric, no-emissions driving on a single charge—and it gets standout EPA ratings of 35 mpg city/40 mpg highway/37 mpg combined when leveraging its high-efficiency I4 engine—which, if the Volt’s battery runs low, can provide hundreds of extra miles in driving range.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevy-volt-captures-world-green-car-of-the-year-honors/

Happy Memorial Day!

How are you planning to celebrate/ honor Memorial Day weekend?  Is the holiday a chance to barbeque and hang with friends, or is it a more solemn occasion as you remember a loved one?  Share with us!

But no matter how you choose to spend your weekend, we want you to stay safe.  Here are some tips for grill safety this weekend:

• Keep food covered or refrigerated until ready to be cooked.  Cook meat to 170 degrees Farenheit as a minimum. 
• Cooking (by any method) of meats (particularly red meat and chicken) at very high temperatures until surface charring occurs can cause cancer causing substances (Heterocyclic Amines (HCA)) to form.   To avoid this, use marinades and turn frequently.
• Inspect your grill before you ignite to ensure everything is in working order.
• Don't use a grill indoors including garages, overhangs and canopies.
• When using a grill, you should use a 10-foot perimeter from anything combustible, including your house.
• Do not allow children and pets to play near a grill.
• Only use approved ignition fluids – don't use gasoline to ignite a grill.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of sand nearby to douse a grill fire.

These tips are from: http://bbq.about.com/od/grillinghelp/tp/grillsafety.htm

The 10 Most Noteworthy Chevrolet Car Designs Of All Time

Ed Welburn, GM’s global vice president of design, took a look back at the brand’s long history, and here are his picks for the 10 most noteworthy Chevrolet designs of all time:

Chevrolet Classic Six (1912)—Designed by Louis Chevrolet and the very first car to wear the Chevrolet name, the Classic Six was unveiled late in 1911 and went on sale early the following year as one of America’s most powerful and luxurious cars, with the biggest engine Chevy was to offer until 1958.

Chevrolet Deluxe Sport Coupe (1932)—This curvy compact was an early example of Chevrolet’s efforts to design cars that offered contemporary styling and affordable pricing. According to Welburn, “Customers felt they were getting a lot of car for their money, something that still holds true today.”

Chevrolet Suburban (1936)—To come up with the Suburban, Chevy designers mounted a station wagon body on the chassis of a small truck, and the result was what many consider to be the world’s first SUV.

Chevrolet Pick-Up (1948)—Setting the tone for its ongoing commitment to the truck industry, Chevrolet made this pick-up its first vehicle to be fully redesigned after World War II. Said Welburn: “The shape was just beautiful, but it still did its job well.”

Chevrolet Corvette (1953)—Harley Earl’s classic design boasted an early use of fiberglass construction and an unforgettable appearance. It was launched to compete with the sudden flood of European sports cars that started reaching the U.S. market in the post-war years.

Chevrolet Bel Air (1955)—Leveraging what Chevy called its “Motoramic” design language, the Bel Air was a flamboyant performer offered in coupe, convertible and station wagon body styles.

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (1963)—With its hallmark split rear window and electrically operated pop-up headlamps, the Sting Ray was based on a show car designed by Bill Mitchell. “Every Corvette since then has been influenced by it, even the current models,” according to Welburn.

Chevrolet Pick-Up (1967)—Showing off a powerful, more purposeful design for the new model year, the ’67 Chevy pick-up was one of the first to be marketed as a daily driver and not just a work truck.

Chevrolet Pick-Up (1989)—As more and more customers began turning to pick-ups as “lifestyle” choices, Chevy began turning out the rugged 1989 models with features like stacked headlamps and a customer-satisfying “sports” package.

Chevrolet Camaro (2010)—Welburn himself owns a 1969 Camaro, but he put the re-born 2010 version on the list because “It connected with people worldwide. When we introduced the car as a concept, there were grown men and women with tears in their eyes.”

This article can be found at: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevy-celebrates-a-century-of-design-leadership/#more-1570

Consumer Reports Names Prius, Sienna and RAV 4 “Top Picks”

Consumer Reports Names Prius, Sienna and RAV 4 “Top Picks.”  Toyota was the only automaker to have three vehicles make the list.

The automaker led the entire industry with three vehicles on the list, while no other company had more than one. Also notable: The Toyota Corolla was recognized by CR as one of the “Best vehicles under $20,000” and honored as among the vehicles with the lowest five-year ownership costs, along with the Toyota Matrix.

Consumer Reports results are drawn from more than 50 separate tests—in areas like braking, handling, comfort, convenience, safety and fuel economy—as well as approximately 6,000 miles of driving by CR vehicle experts. For more details, see the April issue of Consumer Reports.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-trio-takes-top-pick-honors-from-consumer-reports/#more-1476