In This Issue:

Greetings An Important Message to Our Customers Fuel-Saving Myths Courtesy Shuttle Service A Look at Toyota's 2009 Model Changes How about a Lowell's gift certificate? Do you have a question about car repair or maintenance? Lowell's Toyota Tidbits Were you pleased with your recent visit to Lowell's? Share a Recipe Advertisements & Self-Promotions

Greetings, 

Suzanne and I wish to thank you for your continued encouragement and support since our purchase of Lowell’s.  Lowell and Betty have helped us learn a lot about the business over the past three months, and we’ll try to maintain their high quality of service. 

Many of you have asked what changes we will make to the business, and I thought I’d use our first newsletter to outline what will and won’t change.

What Won’t Change

Name:  We are still Lowell’s.  Our full name is Lowell’s Independent Automotive, Inc. – a legally necessary change from Lowell’s Bluegrass Automotive under Lowell and Betty.

People:  We are very pleased to tell you that all of our staff stayed with us during the change in ownership.  So when you come into the shop, you should see all of the same people you have gotten to know over the years. 

Location:  We will remain your “mechanic on Mechanic Street” in the heart of downtown Lexington.

Cars:  We will keep specializing in Toyota-branded vehicles.  Our exclusive focus on Toyota, Lexus, and Scion keeps our expertise high and your costs low.

Prices:  We won’t be raising prices.  Despite the dramatic rise in oil prices, most oil changes at Lowell’s are still a little over or under $20 (with some of the more complex or higher-capacity engines still costing a little more than $30).

Improving: Lowell’s has always tried new ways to be better.  We will continue that innovative approach to what we do.

What Will Change

Cokes: We recently received this letter from our local Coca-Cola bottler.  In light of rising costs across the economy, we’ve decided that we cannot continue to sell Cokes for a dime.  Therefore, as of October 1^st, our prices have moved to 5 cents* per can (still with the limit of 2 cans per customer).  We hope that you understand and support our decision.

* This happens to be the same price as when Coca-Cola was first offered to the public in 1886.  Good to know that at least one thing hasn’t changed in the past 120 years…

Rob & Suzanne

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Fuel-Saving Myths With today's high gas prices, we're all looking to save more money at the pump.  Most of us have read or heard about a tip to save fuel.  Many of them don't work, however.  Below are a few of these from Money magazine. Gas up in the morning Fluids are more dense at lower temperatures, so a gallon of cold gas has more gas molecules.  But the temperature of gasoline as it comes out of the nozzle varies little during the course of the day. Short-stop idling Many drivers advocate letting your car idle at stop lights and in slow traffic.  However, your car generates negative miles per gallon if it's running and not moving forward.  Once your engine is warmed up, it uses no extra fuel to shut down and restart the engine.  So, don't let your car idle, even for 30 seconds. Use premium fuel Newer cars for which premium is "recommended" but not "required" won't suffer with regular fuel.  When engine sensors detect the lower-octane fuel, the system automatically adjusts. Put in an additive If a gas station could add something that really made cars go farther on a gallon of gas, customers would be lined up at the pumps.  So if such an additive did exist, it wouldn't be sold over the Internet one bottle at a time. Avoid the A/C In town this may be a good practice.  But driving at higher speeds with the windows down greatly increases aerodynamic drag, making air conditioning at least as efficient then.                 Back to Contents

  

A Look at Toyota's 2009 Model Changes Listed below are some of the significant updates and changes that Toyota has made in its 2009 models.  This information comes from Toyota's official blog.  You can use this information for a quick summary if you're in the market for a new Toyota, or if you're not, you may find it interesting nonetheless. For the Tundra, two new option packages will be available: TRD Sport and TRD Rock Warrior.  Both packages offer unique new wheels, while TRD Sport gets color-keyed front and rear bumpers and Rock Warrior gets a color-keyed front bumper and a matte-black rear bumper. The Rock Warrior package also gets a special TRD-tuned off-road suspension.  Sounds like the Tundra will be ready for some off-road action. Starting in January, a new 2.7 liter 4 cylinder engine will be available for the two-wheel-drive base model Highlander.  The 187 horsepower engine will beat the V6's fuel efficiency, but will still deliver brisk performance.  This offering solidifies the Highlander as the all-around SUV of choice. The 4Runner gets an equipment upgrade in the new optional SR5 Trail Edition package for the 4WD V6 model.  Equipment includes locking rear differential, Active Traction Control, Bilstein shock absorbers, and 16-inch five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P265/70 R16 tires.  Externally, the package adds a color-keyed grille and door handles, black tubular side step and tubular roof rack, and three colors: Titanium Metallic, Natural White and Shadow Mica.  Inside, the Trail Edition offers water-resistant seats with Charcoal fabric bolsters and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system and detachable TomTom personal navigation device with WMA and MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth and satellite radio capability and iPod connectivity.  Wow! New for this year, all Tacoma models now feature the STAR safety system, which includes an Anti-Lock Brake system, Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control, and Traction Control. Also joining the list of standard equipment are active headrests, rear side-curtain and front seat-mounted side airbags. A new limited-slip differential will help keep things moving in low-traction situations.  These impressive features ought to keep you on the road and moving in a straight line! The RAV4 boasts a new 179 horsepower 2.5 liter engine, that produces more power and offers higher fuel efficiency than the engine it replaces.  This year's model also has an updated look, thanks to new a grille, tail lamps, seat fabric, and other minor modifications.  Even the rear door has been redesigned - without the familiar door-mounted spare tire.  To the right is a picture of the updated RAV4 - looks sharp! Back to Contents

Lowell's Gift Certificates

Are you trying to decide what to get that special someone for a birthday or other special occasion?  How about a gift certificate for repair or maintenance work at Lowell's?  We can print one (or more) out for you, good for any amount you'd like.  They make an ideal gift for a family member or co-worker who drives a Toyota, Lexus, or Scion.  Just give us a call at (859) 233-1173 or email us if you'd like to purchase one.

Share a Recipe
A regular feature in Lowell's Toyota Times

This edition's recipe was sent in by Dale Lewis, a long-time friend and customer of Lowell's.


Sweet Irish Soda Bread

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking power
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
2 cups dark raisins
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1 egg (room temperature)
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Add the butter—cut in with a pastry blender or two knives until it is the consistency of fine meal. Or you can cut the butter into smaller pieces and just use your fingertips and thumbs. 

Add the raisins and caraway seeds (toss with your hands to distribute evenly). 

In a medium bowl, beat the egg with a fork. Stir in the buttermilk and baking soda. 

Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in all the liquid. Stir with a fork until the dough gathers into a thick, damp mass. 

Lightly flour your work surface and scrape your dough onto it. Turn the dough to coat all surfaces with flour. Knead the dough with a few gentle strokes into a ball. Flatten the ball into an 8-inch circle and place it on the center of your baking sheet. With a floured sharp knife, make a ½ inch-deep cross across the top of the dough, marking it into quarters. 

Bake for 45 minutes. Cover the bread loosely with an aluminum foil tent and bake another 8-10 minutes. 

Cool the bread on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store the bread in a plastic bag for 2-3 days at room temperature. 

If you have a recipe you'd like to share, send it to us at lowells@iglou.com.


Rob

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   Don't miss our "MONTHLY SPECIAL" at www.chooselowells.com.
  

“…the place is almost legendary for its customer service”
The Lexington Herald-Leader, July 21, 2008

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Lowell's Toyota Times is published by Lowell's Bluegrass Automotive.  Opened in 1979, Lowell's is the the only independent repair shop in the Bluegrass specializing in the maintenance and repair of Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles.

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