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Just when you thought you had it all...Think Again. The all-new LS F Sport.
The Best Brand and Best Luxury Brand trophies are the most coveted awards handed out at the Best Resale Value Awards presentation held annually in Los Angeles on the eve of the LA Auto Show.
Best Luxury Brand: Lexus
Like the Toyota brand from which it spawned, Lexus is taking home its second big Best Resale Value Award in three years, again topping established automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW for Best Luxury Brand honors. Now into its third decade, the Lexus lineup has grown to include a wide range of vehicles bookended by the sub-$30,000 CT 200h hybrid and the six-figure LF-A supercar – every one of them roaming the earth surrounded by a glowing aura of quality that draws new- and used-car buyers alike. Combined with a renowned dealership experience, buying a Lexus is the beginning of what many owners cite as their most pleasant car ownership experience ever.
The test drive is one of the most important parts of buying a car. No matter what the car reviews say, if a vehicle doesn't fit you and your lifestyle, you're going to become dissatisfied with it long before that payment book is empty. The test drive is your opportunity to make your own personal assessment in a thorough, hands-on manner. If you're attentive to the details here, you can quickly tell whether or not you and the vehicle are meant for a long-term relationship.
The test drive is your opportunity to make your own personal assessment in a thorough, hands-on manner. When it comes to test driving a vehicle, the more time behind the wheel on various roads, the better. If you can arrange to rent a vehicle that's similar to the one you're considering, it could be worth the cost to be able to spend several days in it. Besides helping you become familiar with the vehicle, a rental car—without the new-car gloss—can also provide a reality check by showing you what yours might be like a year or more down the road. Most often, though, you'll have to make the most of the dealership test-drive. Here are some tips:
Test Drive Tips
1. Keep your battery charged. This is especially important if you don’t drive your car that often. If you plan to let a vehicle sit for more than a couple weeks, you should invest in a “trickle charger,” or battery tender, which plugs into a regular household outlet and keeps your battery fully charged, automatically. I have a battery tender for my lawn tractor battery for winter months, and it guarantees a strong start in the spring.
2. Keep at least half a tank of gas in the car. Plenty of reasons not to let your car run on fumes, but one I had never considered before reading this article is that an empty gas tank is more prone to rust. The rust can leach into your fuel and clog filters and fuel lines downstream. Rust could also eventually eat through your gas tank leaving a hole. At today’s gas prices, who can afford for that to happen!
3. Don’t forget the tires. When you fill up your gas tank, or every couple weeks, whichever happens more frequently, be sure to check your tire pressure. If you drive an older vehicle like me you’ll need to pick up a tire gauge. Look at the label inside the door, or in your owner’s manual, to find the correct tire pressure for your specific model. Low tire pressure causes things like uneven wear on your tires and decreased gas mileage.
4. Change the oil. There is some debate in the frugal car owner world on whether or not you should change your oil as often as prescribed by car manufacturers (and those express oil-changing facilities). I’m no expert, but I think you should stay pretty close to the suggested schedule, only deviating a month or two, or a couple hundred miles. Peters agrees with me. Besides, a $30 oil change is much cheaper than a new engine, and if you are ultra frugal, you can even change your own oil!
5. Be kind to your clutch, and your brakes. If you drive a car with a manual transmission you know at some point you will likely have to replace the clutch. But you can extend the life of your clutch, and your brakes, by not riding either one for long periods of time, and by using your accelerator (or not using your accelerator) to coast a bit as traffic ebbs and flows.
Automobiles are becoming more and more expensive these days. In fact, next to buying a home, it is probably the largest single purchase most people will make in a lifetime. Use the steps above to increase the chances your vehicle will last well beyond your car loan, guaranteeing you many years of debt-free driving.
With the sun shining and the air conditioning cranked to the max, it may be hard to imagine how you or your vehicle will feel when it is below freezing. As the seasons change, however, it is time to think about getting ready for rain, snow, and ice because safety on the road becomes even more critical during the winter months. There are also proactive measures that you can take now that will save money while increasing the vehicle’s reliability and value no matter what Mother Nature unleashes.
Reviewing Maintenance Records
If you have not already recorded oil changes, tires, or other vehicle work that was completed during the spring and summer, now is a good time to get your log updated. This will enable you to reflect on the vehicle’s performance over the last few months. You should also review the previous winter’s records to see how the vehicle fared.
Having organized and accurate maintenance records does not just earn you a gold star; it provides the documentation you need to procure a higher sales price when you trade it in or find a private buyer. And even when you still own the vehicle, this record will provide an easy checklist to consult when the weather changes.
If your record keeping leaves a lot to be desired, there are services that you might consider using that provide these helpful reminders and maintain a real-time log on each of your vehicles, which can help you get ready for the winter.
Safety First
Tires are one of the most important places to check on your vehicle in preparation for winter because they will be coming into contact with all sorts of hazardous road conditions. Here are some suggestions:
In terms of safety, it is also important to replace the wiper blades and top up the cold-weather wiper fluid, so that you can keep your windshield free of debris and other things that might inhibit your view while driving. Also remember to test and replace interior and exterior bulbs. Lights are essential when visibility is reduced during blinding rain and snow storms.
Looks Count Too!
Wet weather, snow, salt from the roads, and mud can harm your vehicle’s beautiful paint and, even worse, begin corroding its undercarriage. Here are a few suggestions to prep the exterior of your vehicle:
Despite the bad weather, your vehicle will still want to shine and you want to make sure that you do not have to shell out on a new paint job in a few years.
Performance Boosters
After being run under the hottest conditions, your vehicle must shift gears so that performs well under some of the coldest ones. Your car will need to work harder to get started and maintain optimum performance when temperatures plummet below freezing. There are a number of check-ups to be done under the hood:
Unique Winter Challenges
Winter means unique challenges, so you can plan well for these situations:
Take Care of Your Vehicle and It Will Return the Favor
While there are specific requirements that your unique vehicle may have, the tips mentioned in this article provide an overview of some of the most important maintenance actions to take in the winter months. Taking care of your vehicle now means that it will return the favor by getting you home in the next rain storm or snow flurry. Being careful and proactive about the maintenance of your vehicle will ease your mind as you and your family can safely navigate the harsh weather.
- Roman
Someone sure is proud of their Lexus. What would your add-on of choice be for your luxury car?
Interior
1. Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty surfaces with a
soft cloth damp with warm water.
2.When cleaning carpet and cloth interior, remove dirt and dust using a
vacuum cleaner. Apply a foaming-type carpet cleaner with sponge or
brush, allowing cleaner to work for a few minutes to loosen dirt.
Continue by rubbing carpet and cloth interior in a circular motion.
Wipe off excess with a clean cloth. If any dirt remains, repeat process.
Best results are obtained by keeping carpet and cloth interior as dry
as possible.
3.When cleaning leather, remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
Using a small amount of neutral wool detergent mixed in water, apply to
leather using a sponge, rubbing in a circular motion. Wipe off excess
detergent and let leather dry in an open air location.
Exterior
1.Working from top to bottom, apply lots of low pressure water to vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt or
dust. Wash the vehicle body using a soft sponge or soft cotton cloth with
mild car wash soap. Rinse off with water.
2.Wax vehicle paint if water does not bead on a clean vehicle surface.
Using a soft cotton cloth, apply car wax when the vehicle body is cool.
Wheels
1.Wait for hot wheels to cool before getting wheels wet.
2. Using a soft sponge or soft cotton cloth, apply same mild car wash soap
as used for the paint. Quickly rinse off soap with water. Using a soft
cotton cloth, apply car wax as used for the paint.
To our customers: Our service hours are changing! The service section of our dealership will now be closing at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday will stay the same. Thank you for your patronage!
This video shows you how to use Voice Command to find a destination, use Destination Assist to find a destination, and place hands-free calls. This video applies to 2013 models equipped with navigation, except GX. ES with remote touch controller is shown, IS and LX with touch screen operate similarly.
