Greetings everyone,
Last
year Betty and I vacationed in beautiful Vermont.
We are fairly active people, so we planned our trip around a five-day
bike tour. We decided to drive the
980 miles in Betty’s 2001 RAV4.
Our drive was going smoothly as
we listened to a mystery book on tape, until about 700 miles from
Lexington. For no apparent reason, the check engine light came on.
I have always advised our
customers that the check engine light is no big deal, and usually indicates a
malfunction in the emission system; it is no cause for immediate concern.
Not taking my advice, I immediately started to worry about whether the
engine was going to blow up, how this break down was going to affect our
vacation, and if our car was going to quit running and leave us stranded 700
miles from home. I regained my
composure quickly, not letting on to Betty how worried I was. I did not
want to mention it to her, because I've heard her counsel customers not to worry
about that light coming on unless the car was not running smoothly. So, I
knew I would not get any sympathy from her.
We motored on to our destination safely, bicycled hilly Vermont in the rain for five days, and then got back in the car. Lo and behold, there was that stupid light again! We decided we would have it checked at our shop when we returned, and not worry about it in the meantime. That’s easier said than done - we did worry.
We made it back safely, determined a module needed to be reprogrammed, and all was well with that #*^$@! light finally off.
I’m relating this story to tell you we will not be so casual if you happen to call to tell us your check engine light is on. I realize now how aggravating, annoying, and worrisome that light is.
Just for fun Clay Drysdale,
our newsletter creator, added a surprise to this edition. It’s something simple, yet unexpected, found within these
pages. He
decided to make a contest out of it (and also to make sure that at least
SOMEBODY reads the newsletter!!). To
the first five people who email and tell
us what the surprise is, we'll send a prize as listed below.
Need a hint? OK. When you find some of Mr. Drysdale’s
friends, you are there. Good luck!!
1st place - coupon for a free gas fill up
2nd
place - coupon for a free lube, oil, and filter
service (includes a complimentary inspection)
3rd, 4th, 5th
places - coupon
good for $10 off any repair
Lowell
An Important Message to Our Customers...
Lowell’s can perform all preventive and factory scheduled
maintenance on your Toyota or Lexus, whether it’s brand new, mature, has 5000
or 500,000 miles.
Our extensive inventory of parts and years of Toyota and
Lexus experience will keep your new car warranty (and all extended warranties)
intact, no matter where you bought your car.
To protect your warranty, all required service we perform will be noted in your maintenance book and recorded in our database for permanent record.
Cruise
Control in the Rain? Definitely not!!
The story below was relayed to Lowell's by one of our customers
A 36-year-old woman had
an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car.
She was traveling in Texas, between Gladewater and Kilgore. It was
raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane and
literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but quite stunned
at the sudden occurrence!
When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened, he told her
something that every driver should know: never
drive in the rain with your cruise control on.
She had thought she was being cautious by 
setting the cruise control and
maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain. But the officer told her that
if the cruise control is on and the car begins to hydroplane (when the tires
lose contact with the pavement, leaving the driver with little or no control
over the car) it will accelerate very quickly.
He estimated her car was actually traveling through the air 10 to 15
miles per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.
Many parents tell their
teenagers to set the cruise control and drive at a safe speed, but they probably
don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.
The patrolman said he believes the following warning should be listed on the
driver’s sun-visor on every vehicle: “NEVER
USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY.”
Back to Contents
Do
you Want the Right to Choose Who Works on
Your Car?
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to
Repair Act will help ensure you maintain this right...
Most of us probably realize that
maintaining and repairing cars today is tougher than ever.
It seems that each model year comes with newer and better bells and
whistles, much of it mandated by the Federal government to help reduce
emissions.
The problem is that, as technology increases, many vehicle manufacturers are limiting availability to the tools and information needed to repair these complicated vehicle systems. This, unfortunately, means that the consumer is increasingly required to return to the dealer for repair, instead of taking his vehicle to the shop of his choice.
While dealers are
certainly qualified to repair vehicles, if allowed access to the proper
resources, independent shops are as well-qualified to perform repairs and
maintenance as the dealer. Many consumers (most of you reading this, included) would
rather patronize an independent shop. 
Here is where H.R. 2735 comes in. This legislation would authorize the Federal Trade Commission to pass regulations that would keep access to critical information and equipment open to independent repair shops. These regulations, in turn, would help keep car repairs accessible and affordable for all.
If you would like to read more about this proposed legislation, and/or make your voice heard, click here.
Get
Ready for a Hybrid Camry!
It was recently reported that Toyota most likely will sell a hybrid version of
the Camry by 2006. If so, this move would shift hybrid cars from
their niche position into the mainstream car market. A Japanese newspaper further reported that Toyota's target will be to sell 100,000 hybrid
Camrys,
mainly in North America. Currently, Toyota sells over 400,000 Camrys per
year in the U.S., making it the #1 seller in its class.
The new version of
Lowell's Toyota Times is great and very informative. Keep up the good
work. I
have appreciated you taking good care of all my Toyotas over the
past 20 years or so. I know I am
in good hands with Lowell's Bluegrass
Automotive. Again, many thanks to you and all your employees.
M.M., Lexington
M.M.,
Thanks for all your business over the years. We hope to be around for
another 20 years to make sure your Toyotas are running smoothly!
Do
you have a question about car
maintenance?
We love to hear from all our good friends and customers
who enjoy reading Lowell’s Toyota Times.
If you have a question about anything related to your Toyota or Lexus,
feel free to give us a call at (859) 233-1173, or drop us a line at lowells@iglou.com.
Basic
Rules
for Driving in Lexington
Your mother may not have taught you
these...
Turn signals are just
clues as to your next move in road battle, so never use them.
The faster you drive
through a red light, the less chance you have of getting hit.
Never get in the way
of a car that needs extensive bodywork.
Braking is to be done
as hard and as late as possible to ensure that your antilock braking system
kicks in to give you a nice relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal
pulsates.
Never pass on the left when you can pass on the
right, especially on New Circle Road. It's a good way to scare people as
they’re merging from the on ramp.
Speed limits are
arbitrary figures to make Lexington look as if it conforms to other state and federal regulations;
these
are
given only as suggestions.
Learn to swerve
abruptly. Lexington is the home of high-speed slalom driving, thanks to the LFUCG, who put potholes
in
key locations to test drivers' reflexes and keep them on their toes.
It is traditional in
Lexington to honk your horn at cars that don't move the instant the light
changes. The state is founded
upon such traditions.
If you make eye contact with another driver, you revoke your right of way.
Awards &
Honors
Better Business Bureau Integrity Award in 1991.
Voted "Best in the Bluegrass" in ACE magazine poll in 1997, 1999, 2001,
2002, and 2003.
Featured on a television special for employing women in a traditionally male
environment.
Featured on Hometown Heroes for work done in the community.
Be sure to check out our "MONTHLY SPECIAL" at www.chooselowells.com.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
"Lowell's Toyota Times" is published by Lowell's Bluegrass
Automotive. Opening in 1979, Lowell's is the the only independent repair
shop in the Bluegrass specializing in the maintenance and repair of Toyota and
Lexus vehicles.
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