Top 10 Auto Myths Revealed

The editors of MSN Autos have created a list of the Top 10 most popular auto myths. In the following article they address them.

 

Myth 1: Red cars get more speeding tickets. 

Debunked: While they're radiant and retina-shocking, red cars are not more likely to get a speeding ticket, according to the Insurance Information Institute and Insurance Trade Association. This myth is based on an optical illusion: a red car looks as if it is going faster than it is because red is an aggressive color. But a radar gun is color-blind. The only way to avoid a speeding ticket is not to speed. If you have no self-control (we don't either), here are a couple of nifty tips to avoid being nailed by Smokey on your next trip: (1) Travel in a pack of cars to avoid being singled out — let a rabbit speed ahead of you and get the ticket instead; (2) Stay in the right lane whenever possible, because many officers look to the fast lane for speeders.

Myth 2: Driving with the windows open to stay cool saves gas.

Debunked: According to Ford's Driving Skills for Life Web site, the power-robbing effect of air-conditioning compressors is less hurtful than the aerodynamic drag created by speeding down the road with the windows open, especially at highway speeds. Running the air conditioner will sacrifice a few ponies, but the turbulence caused by open windows will require more horsepower, and thus cause the vehicle to consume more fuel to maintain a steady speed. Ford's Web site recommends using the recirculation feature because it is more efficient to cool already cool air from the cabin than outside air. Another nifty tip is to run the vent/fan setting once the cabin cools down.

Myth 3: Letting an engine idle saves fuel.

Debunked: This one may have rung true when carburetors ruled the roost, but not now that fuel injection is the norm. Start-up in most modern vehicles is lean and efficient, and the longer the interval between shutdown and start-up, the greater the fuel savings. Engine-off strategies are prevalent in hybrids for a reason: they improve mileage. Even the all-gasoline 2012 Maserati Quattroporte will be using start-stop technology to improve its fuel efficiency.

Myth 4: Hybrid batteries won’t last.

Debunked: Doubters were quick to question the longevity of hybrid battery cells and cite their substantial replacement cost to scare people away from these green machines. Check the warranty card. Manufacturers are offering warranties that start at 80,000 miles and go up from there. Furthermore, the federal government tested battery packs up to 160,000 miles and experienced no issues. Hybrid taxicabs have reported 200,000-plus miles without the need for a battery replacement.

Read the full list of myths at: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/listarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=1155168

The Toyota USA Foundation Grants $5.2 Million For Education Programs

The Toyota USA Foundation grants $5.2 million for eight  education programs  across the U.S.

The Toyota USA Foundation—a charitable endowment that supports K-12 programs in the fields of math, science and environmental education—recently announced it had contributed $5.2 million in grants to eight different organizations from across the country.

Among the recipients:

• The Breakthrough Collaborative of San Francisco received $225,000 for its efforts to help students find success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classes.
• The College Entrance Examination Board (The College Board), in New York City, was granted $350,000 to support Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities for high-need students.
• Earning $129,000 was the Fremont (Calif.) Education Foundation, which will use the grant for a program to link high school graduation to college enrollment, as well as to support local math education.
• Groundwork Inc. received $375,000 for its Middle Ground program, designed to help elementary-school children succeed in the transition to middle school in the Brooklyn, N.Y., area.
• In Plane Ridge, S.D., the Red Cloud Indian School accepted a Toyota USA Foundation grant for $420,000, to be used to update its science equipment, curriculum and facilities.
• Granted $300,000, SAE International, located in Warrendale, Pa., will use the money to continue its ongoing “A World in Motion” program for STEM education.
• The Nature Conservancy, based in Arlington, Va., was the recipient of $3.1 million in Toyota USA Foundation grants, which will go to expanding its Leadership for Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF) program.
• Thomas More College of Crestview Hills, Ky., was the recipient of a $360,000 grant that will go to enhancing partnerships with local schools to improve student success in STEM courses and recruit more students into these majors in college.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-grants-5-2-million-to-u-s-educational-programs/#more-1375

Vincentric Names 10 Toyota Models “Best Value In America”

Vicentric names 10 Toyota models as “Best value in America.”  These models include the Toyota 4Runner, Avalon, Camry Hybrid, FJ Cruiser, Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser, Prius, Tacoma and Venza.

Vincentric’s “Best Value in America” Awards are based on a comprehensive range of cost-of-ownership measures including depreciation, fuel, insurance, opportunity cost, financing, maintenance, taxes, state fees and repairs, with all vehicles evaluated across all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C.

“Vincentric’s 2011 Best Value in America Awards use cost-of-ownership to provide an independent benchmark that helps consumers understand which vehicles provide the best value in their segment,” said David Wurster, president of Vincentric.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/ten-toyota-models-top-vincentrics-best-value-rankings/

Toyota resumes vehicle production at all Japan plants

Car production resumes in Japan for Toyota. However, because of shortages of parts, the factories will only run at half capacity until April 27th. Beginning May 10th through June 3rd, production will resume at about half of what was previously produced.

The world's No. 1 automaker said it was still struggling to secure around 150 types of auto parts. The magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami destroyed parts factories in northeastern Japan, causing severe shortages of components.

The twin disasters forced Toyota to shut down all output in Japan except at three plants, which have been running at limited capacity since late March and early April to produce hot-selling Prius, Lexus and Corolla cars.

It remains unclear when Toyota will return to full production in Japan, Toyota spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said. Last month's disasters have caused Toyota a production loss of 260,000 cars, she said.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42642080/ns/business-autos/

Toyota sells 1 million Prius in the U.S.

 

Over the past 11 years, Toyota has reached 1 million Prius sales in the U.S.

 

“Since the Prius went on sale eleven years ago not a year has gone by when it hasn’t been the number one selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. “Prius has become synonymous with the word hybrid and as we see fuel prices starting to rise again, it has accounted for more than 60 percent of hybrid passenger car sales so far this year.”

As gas prices climb past $4.00 in many parts of the country, more American consumers are expected to look for fuel-efficient transportation. As such, Toyota should continue to see healthy demand for this model. And, as consumers continue to embrace the standard Prius, Toyota is preparing to launch a Prius MPV and a plug-in hybrid variant.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-sells-one-millionth-prius-hybrid-in-u-s/#more-1308

Toyota named to “Best For Commuters” List

Toyota Camry Hybrid, Corolla and Prius all top Forbes “Best for Commuters List.”

 

The list represents the 11 vehicles from among Consumer Reports’ “Recommended Picks” that best cater to the needs of commuters by having the optimum combination of highway fuel efficiency (as reported by CR testing), front legroom and front headroom.

Corolla—Significantly refreshed for the 2011 model year, the Corolla provides a surprisingly high level of content despite its modest MSRP, as well as front head- and leg-room measurements of 38.8 inches and 41.7 inches, and EPA ratings of up to 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined. And that latter performance was notably improved on in CR testing, which delivered a mark of 40 mpg highway.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-trio-tops-forbes-best-for-commuters-list/#more-1283

Toyota Entune Winner at CES

 

The Entune Application lets users access Pandora radio, Bing as well as Sports, Traffic, Weather and Fuel Prices!

Toyota’s cutting-edge in-vehicle infotainment system—Entune—is set to debut later this year, but it’s already winning high praise from industry experts. In fact, it took home a “Best of CES” honor in the Car Tech category, along with the Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award, at the recent International CES event, the world’s largest consumer electronics show.

Entune is a comprehensive in-vehicle resource for Toyota customers, delivering on-the-go access to some of the country’s most popular mobile apps, including Bing, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable.com and Pandora Internet radio, all controlled by Toyota’s advanced voice-recognition functionality and ergonomically designed, highly intuitive manual controls. And because Entune can be upgraded wirelessly, Toyota can ensure drivers enjoy the latest applications on the market without needing new hardware.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-entune-multimedia-system-is-multi-award-winner-at-ces/#more-1272