Nicks Car Tips #12 - Driving and Talking

Today, I'd like to talk about how to make your driving simpler and safer. As you've probably noticed in the last few years of driving, there are two types of drivers these days - those who are talking on the cell phone while driving, and those who are dodging them.

It reminds me of a time, years ago, when I was learning to fly airplanes. My flight instructor said that there were 3 priorities when flying - avigate, navigate and communicate. In other words, make sure you're in control of your airplane, make sure you know where you are and where you're heading. And then you can talk about it. It's pretty much the same thing when it comes to driving our cars. It's a good idea to make sure you are in control of your car, and pointing it in the right direction, before taking on a phone call.

There are recent reports that driving while talking on the phone can actually result in worse driving than being drunk. (And I don't want to even think about a drunk driver on the phone!) http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2006/06/29/hscout533489.html

You may also be aware that we have a law going into effect soon, here in California, that is going to require everyone, who is not in an emergency, to have a hands-free way to use their phones while driving. http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/print-version/press-release/3910/

Which all leads to the question - if I am going to use a phone, safely and hands-free while driving, what are my options? If you're considering a new car, all the current new Lexus models are available with Bluetooth technology. (There's today's shameless plug.) Bluetooth allows you to have a wireless relationship between your phone and your car, so you can use the car's speakers and microphone for a safer, hands-free phone conversation.

If you want Bluetooth now, without replacing the car just yet, your current cellular provider may have a hands-free kit available for your current phone. Or you may be able to get an upgrade on your phone that will allow you to take advantage of Bluetooth. I did this last year for both my wife and myself, and we are able to deal with the occasional necessary call much more safely.

Of course, the best option would be to pull over to a safe place before continuing your conversation.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #11 - When am I due for service?

Have you ever wondered, "Just when is my car due for service?" It's not hard to lose track, with all the other demands for our time and attention these days.

In theory, it shouldn't be complicated, because the recommendation for most recent Lexus models is to bring them in every 6 months, or 5000 miles. But, with most things in life, there are exceptions. What about those of us who drive very little - or very much. My recommendation, next time you do bring your car in for service, ask your service advisor, "Based on how many miles I'm driving, and what you're seeing as the condition of my car, when should I bring my car in for service next." He or she may recommend coming in sooner or later than the normal guideline based on your individual situation.

One other thing that can help make it easy, make sure that our service department has all your latest contact information, including cell phones, addresses, and email. We can contact you in any and all of these ways to provide you with service reminders, as well as special offers and discounts. Let us do the leg work for you on helping you schedule taking care of your car.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #10 - Oprah and the Lexus LS460

This tip was originally sent in 2007.

Today's tip comes courtesy of Mrs. Hart, because she keeps an eye on Oprah while I'm at the office. On yesterday's Oprah show, Oprah, with Lexus's Vice President of Sales, Jim Colon, experienced parking the new LS460 with the new Advanced Parking Guidance system, right there on her stage in front of a live studio audience.

Apparently, Oprah is not the most confident of drivers. She says that, other than passing trucks, going over bridges, bumpy roads, or driving at night, she's fine. Oh, and parallel parking is not her thing either. She was delighted when the car did the steering, while she had the security of controlling the brake herself.

You can see more about the segment at http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200702/20070201/slide_20070201_350_107.jhtml. And Mrs. Hart says that, if you visit the site, or request it enough, they might put the actual footage up as streaming video too.

If you would like to experience the new LS460 for yourself, I'm happy to help. You don't even need tickets to Oprah.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #9 - The New EPA numbers

This tip was originally sent out in 2007.

We just received the first glimpse of how the new EPA testing methods are going to affect the mileage estimates for our cars.

As we discussed in an earlier tip, the EPA mileage estimates are a great way to compare one car to another. But, as most people notice, they seem a bit removed from the way most of us drive. So the EPA has been adjusting the testing procedure to help make the EPA numbers more realistic.

We now have the results from one of the first cars to be tested with the new method. We actually are about to receive the first of the 2008 Lexus RX350s. (We've almost sold out of the 2007s that were produced, so here we are, already making a model year change. Pretty wild!) For reference, the 2007 RX350 had EPA ratings of 19 city and 24 highway for the All Wheel Drive model. The new 2008 has ratings that are 2 mpg less, or 17 city and 22 highway. There are corresponding changes for the two wheel drive model also.

Keep in mind, nothing has changed with the engine or transmission. The only thing that has changed is the way it's tested. Now the tests take into account a few more real world factors such as

Faster Speeds and Acceleration

Air Conditioner Use

and Colder Outside Temperatures

So what does this mean for you? As we move forward, the EPA number will not only be a great way to compare cars to each other, but they will be a better way of approximating what you might expect from a car. Of course, no test can accurately reproduce your specific driving style, vehicle and road conditions. So we'll probably always see that classic disclaimer, "Your mileage may vary."

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #8 - No Brakes!

I recently read that, some years ago, a couple of people drove across the country without using their brakes. The brakes were sealed, and it was proven that they were never touched. It must have taken some care and planning, and they must have really had a great feel for anticipating traffic and road conditions.

Imagine being able to plan every stop so just the vehicles inertia and rolling resistance brings you to a smooth stop. Picture having so much room behind the traffic that you don't have to slam on the brakes when you're surprised by someone. How much more efficiently would you use each gallon of gas if you weren't wasting it as heat in your brakes?

Of course, the reality is that, in today's traffic, people cut us off, lights change often, and it's really hard to avoid using our brakes completely. But try going a day or two remembering the ideal - no wasting your gas with your brakes. Make the gas you use take you as far as possible. And you just might find your dollars going farther, and you'll leave some of that traffic stress behind. Just remember to do what you have to if you really do need the brakes. Safety first, then great economy.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #7 - What about that EPA mileage?

I'm trying to think of the last time I came into the office and didn't have someone ask me about the EPA numbers on the sticker. "Will I really get the mileage the EPA says?" people ask, hopefully.

The short answer I usually give is that, what ever your current car's relationship to its EPA number, is likely to be what your relationship to the new car. If you're getting better than the EPA now, you'll likely get better. And if you're getting worse, then again, it will likely be the same.

So then the question becomes, "What do those EPA numbers really mean?" It was a great question, and I decided to dig into for you.There is a great website, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml, that shows exactly what the tests look like, how the testing is done, and much more.

The great thing about it is that all cars are tested the same way. And, even though it may not be anything like the way you drive your car, it's a good way to compare one car to another.

Will you get the EPA mileage? Perhaps, if you're getting it with your current car. Is the EPA mileage a good way to compare cars? Absolutely.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #6 - I should have thought of that

Now here's a really simple idea that I saw the other day, and said to myself, "I should have thought of that!" The next time that you're going to drive around to several errands or locations, drive to the furthest one first, then hit the rest on your way back.

Why? Because driving to the furthest location first will allow the car more time to warm up, so it will be running more efficiently, and have lower emissions. If you go to the nearest location first, the car might not even get to the normal operating temperature. So with one simple step, we can save gas and money, and have cleaner air. And when you finish your last errand, you're almost home. Easy!

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #5 - All that stuff in my car!

When I had my car in for service recently, I decided it was a good time to make sure I didn't have a lot of extra stuff in it. After all, we know that carrying extra weight in our cars lowers our gas mileage. I saw one statistic that for every 100 pounds of unnecessary weight, we might be lowering the miles per gallon by 2% or more. So I was a little surprised when my planned 5 minute job kept going and going. By the time I pulled out the fourth umbrella, 5th hat, and a menu from a couple of years ago, I decided I'd go whole hog. And I pulled absolutely everything out that wasn't screwed down, and started over with just the things I wanted to have in the car.

Now my car does carry 1 (not 3) tire gauges, a tool kit, a first aid kit, fewer than 4 pens, a nice sun shade for the windows, a set of jumper cables, (I'm pleased to report that, over the years, they've only been used to help jump start other peoples' cars, never the Lexus. That's today's shameless plug.) the spare tire, my wife's sunglasses, one Thomas Brothers guide, the current handful of CDs, the owner's manual, registration and insurance information, and not much else at all.

I won't dwell on the many pounds of stuff that I did remove. Suffice it to say that Noah and the animals on the ark would have been pretty comfy with all the clothes, supplies, snacks, and heaven knows what-all that I'm not lugging around in the car anymore. The car does seem more responsive, and I'm definitely getting better mileage than before.

So, even if you're not bringing your car in for service soon, why not take a few minutes to choose consciously what you want to carry in your car, and what's worth the increase in gas mileage. Perhaps you're already much tidier than I was with my car. But, who knows - you may find special treasures that you've been missing for a while!

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #4 - Cruise Control

Cruise Control 201:

Years ago, a friend of mine, Tom, had a Corvette that seldom saw anything less than 80 MPH. We used to say, “Tom doesn’t drive fast. He flies low.” Once when he was pulled over, the Highway Patrolman asked him, “Does this car have cruise control?” When Tom showed him where the cruise control was on the car, the officer said, “Great feature…use it.”

It’s pretty clear that using your cruise control can be a big advantage in avoiding speeding tickets. But it can also save you money every day. There have been a number of tests that show that using the cruise control will also mean that you can use less gas.

Check out this wonderful article on Edmunds.com at http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106842/article.html#test3, which also has a number of other tips on saving gas as well. They actually tested the difference with several different cars between driving with and without the cruise control. And although the savings varied from car to car, there were savings with all of them.

I know it does take some getting used to. And for those of us that spend time in bumper to bumper traffic, it make a little less sense in those situations. But if you stretch the types of situations where you’re willing to use it, you may find that you’ll be more relaxed, able to take a longer view of the traffic around you, and you’ll be keeping more money in your pocket too.

By the way, if you'd like to see some of the latest developments in cruise control technology check out http://www.lexus.com/models/gs_hybrid/demo_popups/drccDemo.html. And if you'd like to see something really wild, check out the the new advanced parking guidance feature in our new LS 460 at http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=116509!

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nicks Car Tips #3 - Front License Plate?

There's no doubt about it - many cars just look better without one of those license plates hanging in the front of the car. And many people really like to drive without one. But what's the real story? Do I really need to install my front license plate?

Unfortunately, the California Vehicle Code is pretty clear when it says:
Display of License Plates

5200. (a) When two license plates are issued by the department for use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear.

Now I'm no lawyer, but if someone from the DMV, the Highway Patrol or your local police department wanted to make an issue of it, if you don't have a front plate on your car, and you were issued one, you would be in violation of the code.

But being the nosy guy I am, I took it a step further. I called the San Francisco office of the California Highway Patrol to understand the situation a bit more. According to the officer I spoke with, there are no exceptions to this code, and a ticket or citation may be issued for the missing plate, even if no other violation is being committed.

It's also important to be aware of who the issuing agency is. If it's the Highway Patrol or local police department, or another law enforcement agency, then the ticket may, or may not, be a "fix-it" ticket. If it is, then you would be required to install the plate, take the car to a local law enforcement office to show them the installed plate, and have them sign off on the violation being corrected. In addition, there may be an administrative fee from the court.

If the ticket is not a "fix-it" ticket, or if it's issued a Department of Traffic and Parking, rather than a law enforcement agency, then there citation is not "correctable", and any fines must be paid. Apparently, a number of jurisdictions here in the Bay Area are actively cracking down on missing plates because it helps with the enforcement of their red light camera programs.

This probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but it is the straight scoop as best as I'm able to determine it for you.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nick's Tips #2 - Which Gas to Use?

Another question I am often asked is about which fuel to use in our Lexus cars. Should we use the 87, 89 or 91 octane? Of course, we'd all like to save money on gas, and not use the more expensive fuel if it's not necessary. And there has been a lot of attention about this in the news and on TV lately.

The engines in our Lexus models have compression ratios that range from 10 to 1, up to 12 to 1, depending on the model. High compression ratios help provide increased performance, but really need the high octane fuel to take advantage of the available power without knocking or pre-detonation which can damage an engine. Many of our Lexus models do have sensors that adjust the engine to avoid that kind of damage, but that does reduce the performance available in those situations.

Our usual recommendation is to use the premium gas for the best performance and the best economy. With some of our engines, you may not have damage to the car using the regular, but you might lose some or all of the financial benefit because you may use more fuel than you would otherwise. And at the same time you would lose the option to take advantage of the full performance of your car should you need it. Your individual driving style and use of the car will make a big difference. If you have any doubts about what's best for your situation, ask your service advisor next time you bring your car in for service.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick

Nick's Tips #1 - How to find the cheapest gas

Here is a great way to find the lowest price on gas in your area. There is a website called Gasbuddy that actually lets regular people like us report and search for the lowest gas price. You can check it out at http://www.gasbuddy.com/. Or to go directly to the prices for here in the Bay Area, you can go to http://www.sanfrangasprices.com/ or http://www.sanjosegasprices.com/ for the South Bay. Judging by the lowest and highest prices at the moment, it could save you as much as 30 cents a gallon. And these days, that can really add up.I hope you find this as useful as I have.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick