In This Issue:

An Important Message to Our Customers EPA Changes Fuel Economy Formula Have you lost a pair of brown gloves? Courtesy Shuttle Service 200,000 Miles and Counting Would you like to be notified of new listings...? 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

Hello,

Recently there seems to have been some confusion as to our connection with Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Sales. It has not, and has never been, our intention to confuse Toyota or Lexus owners as to our affiliation.  It should be obvious with your first call or visit that we are not a "Car Dealer".  

Lowell’s is an independent, family-owned repair shop that specializes in the repair and maintenance of Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles.  

We have always tried to maintain a good working relationship with the area dealers.  We buy many parts from them, subscribe to the Toyota Technical Information System (TIS), and when available, attend their training seminars; however, we are not affiliated with them. 

In that spirit, we have made a change.  We’re renaming our Web site chooselowells.com from lowellstoyota.com.  As previously, you can go to our new address to check your maintenance history, make an appointment online, or read past editions of newsletters.  

Lowell 

EPA Changes Fuel Economy Formula Get ready for a new type of sticker shock The Environmental Protection Agency recently released changes to its fuel economy formula that will lead to significantly lower MPG ratings on virtually all vehicles.  The changes are aimed at addressing long-running criticism that the ratings didn't reflect real-world driving.  They'll affect 2008 models that can be sold as early as January 1, although most 2008 cars won't go on sale until next fall. The new EPA-approved tests, done mostly by carmakers, include the previously used tests of city and highway driving, as well as new tests that represent driving at faster speeds, driving with air conditioners on and driving in colder climates.  The agency said it also would revise mpg estimates downward to reflect some driving conditions, such as wind and rough roads, which are hard to duplicate in the lab. How much will MPG ratings change? • The city mpg rating on most vehicles will drop an average of 12 percent, while the highway rating will fall an average 8 percent, the EPA said. • Decreases could run as high as 30 percent in the city and 25 percent on the highway on some models, but the EPA didn't say which ones. • The ratings for high-mileage vehicles, such as hybrids, will drop about 20 to 30 percent in the city rating, and 10 to 20 percent on the highway rating. A 2007 Toyota Prius on sale now gets 55 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, the government says. A 2008 model of the best-selling hybrid probably will get about 44 mpg, according to new fuel-economy stickers that will start showing up as early as this winter.                                                               Back to Contents

 

Have you lost a pair of brown gloves?   Someone left this pair of gloves in our waiting room recently.  They need a good home, so if they look familiar give us a call at (859) 233-1173 or drop us a line.       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 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 or Lexus.  Just give us a call at (859) 233-1173 or email us if you'd like to purchase one.

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

This edition’s recipe is from Dale Lewis.  He and his wife Pat are long-time family friends and customers of ours.  Dale says,
"This is a very simple recipe but it is good.  Mixing this up by hand is best.  If you use a mixer, you will have ground up cherries."

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

Lowell 

Chocolate Cherry Bars

Frosting:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease (not oil) and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan.  In a large bowl, combine cake mix, cherry filling, almond extract, and eggs.  By hand, stir until well mixed.  Pour into prepared pan.  Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

For frosting, combine sugar, margarine (or butter) and milk in a small saucepan.  Heat to boiling.  Boil for one minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in chocolate chips until smooth.  Pour over warm bars.

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

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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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