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