Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Prius is Winning the Race for Fuel Economy

January was a great month for Toyota. Their Prius model left all other hybrids in the dust even the new Nissan Leaf, which was the closet competitor. Part of their success is attributed to Japan's recovery from the Tsunami. Toyota is back in touch with their suppliers allowing the organization to operate to its full potential.

Americans are jumping on board with going green. Are you part of the movement? Prius drivers tracking their MPG over the course of a year came up with an average of 51.6 MPG. Prius boasts an average of 43 -48 mpg on the window sticker, however depending on your driving habits, people have reached even better MPG. That is hard to walk away from when you are commuting over 40 miles a day.


If you could get to work on approximately $3.69 worth of gas, think of all the "extra" money you could save. Prius has been around for 10 years already which means the technology that is new to most other car manufacturers comes naturally to Prius.


A Prius as with any car model needs to be serviced at regular maintenance intervals. Joel's Automotive specializes in hybrid maintenance and repairs using genuine manufacturers parts at a cost effective price.


Some maintenance expenses you should expect.


Normal maintenance services such as:


  • Engine tune-ups

  • Replacement of fluids and filters

  • Lubrication

  • Cleaning and polishing

  • Replacement of spark plugs and fuses

  • Replacement of worn wiper blades, brake pads/linings and clutch linings

Save Gas in Upland

Keep your engine properly tuned.
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. Visit Joel's Automotive, and have your vehicle checked out.

Remove junk from the trunk.
Added weight in your vehicle affects fuel economy, so take unnecessary items out of your trunk. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.

Commute to work.
Stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours. Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle. Consider telecommuting (working from home) if your employer permits it. Take advantage of car pools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, which are typically less congested, further improving your fuel economy.

Combine trips.
Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel.

Being stranded is not only frustrating, it's dangerous.

If you should become stranded, follow these simple rules:
  • Call for roadside assistance.
  • Stay in your vehicle. That's where you're the safest.
  • Motorists can be injured if they exit their vehicles on busy roads.
  • Emergency crews can find your vehicle a lot easier than they can find you alone.
  • If the temperature is
    below freezing, you can avoid frostbite and hypothermia by staying in the vehicle and out of the snow and wind.
  • Tie a brightly colored cloth to the exterior of the vehicle.
  • Keep the doors locked. If strangers approach, roll the window down just enough to ask them to get help.
At Joel's Automotive your safety is our concern!

Cooling System Maintenance

Over the summer months automotive shops really push cooling system flushes. But why? Many drivers at least once in their life will experience vehicle overheating. Unfortunately as our budgets shrink we start to focus on repairs rather than preventative maintenance.

Preventative maintenance is much cheaper than buying a new car. At Joel's Automotive, we always check your fluid levels when you come in for a service. Sometimes this is not enough. That is why we partnered with BG. Over time coolant is depleted of special ingredients needed to function correctly, and becomes extremely corrosive, literally eating holes in cooling system components.

By-products of corrosion damage, as well as rust and scale, clog the passageways that conduct the water through the radiator and choke off the flow. This may result in an overheated engine that may be damaged beyond repair.

BG Cooling System Service is our solution. This service is around $120.00 and will prevent your vehicle from overheating or foaming. It also controls rust and corrosion while extending the life of your coolant.

Is the summer heat getting to you? come to Joel's Automotive we will have you cooled off in no time.

It's summertime and your vehicle's cooling system has to work harder than ever. California traffic can make matters worse because it is all slow and no go. When you vehicle idles and your air conditioning is running, it's not hard to overheat a car with a weak cooling system.

There are a few reasons as to why your car may be overheating. You may have a debris in your cooling system causing blockage and reducing flow from your radiator. Other common causes include a faulty thermostat or a bad water pump. It's best to take your vehicle to Joel's Automotive in Upland, at the beginning of summer before it overheats just to have it checked out. A BG Cooling System Service is also a great way to keep your vehicle's cooling system functioning like new.

Although there are other causes for vehicle overheating, I have listed a few. Vehicle overheating can cause a great deal of damage to your vehicle which can cause a very expensive repair bill. If you are experiencing trouble be sure to fix your vehicle or take it to a quality mechanic as soon as possible.