Archive for the ‘Toyota Prius Portland’ Category

Pull into any fuel station and you’re faced with a choice: 87, 89, or 91 octane, regular, premium, or super. But is there any quantifiable difference in how a car performs when filled with one over the others? Does premium gas do anything other than cost more? Experts say, unless your car was built before 1990, probably not in any way that you’re going to notice.

If your car has a computer, technology has improved vehicles to the point where engine knocking—the pre-computer reason for needing higher-octane fuel—has become a non-issue. Censors and other high-tech installations under the hood prevent engine damage by constantly regulating the vehicle. Higher-octane fuel doesn’t change the computer’s abilities or programming.

If you’re not on a racetrack, you’re not going to notice a difference. It may take an extra half-second to go from 0-60 if there’s regular in the tank instead of premium. While that may be important on a race track or in a lab setting when cars are being tested and evaluated for performance, humans can’t tell split-second differences like that and everyday driving conditions rarely (if ever) call for 0-60 in very few seconds.

If you drive a hybrid or other highly efficient vehicle, you’ll achieve high miles-per-gallon so that even a mile or two extra per gallon won’t make a noticeable difference in fuel expenditures. To break down the math, someone driving a 35MPG vehicle 15,000 miles per year would spend the same amount of money buying mid-grade gas to get one mile per gallon more, and that’s if the higher-octane improved fuel efficiency at all.

Check your driver’s manual. Just as it would be disastrous to put diesel in a standard engine (or vice-versa), your car may require higher-grade fuel. If this is the case, then use it. On the other hand, if the manual simply recommends a higher-octane gas, save your money and go with regular instead.

Looking for your own fuel efficent Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!

The Toyota Prius, the best-selling hybrid in America, is now offering a brand new performance package that first made its debut at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. Based off of the PLUS hybrid performance line created by Toyota Racing Development (TRD), the Prius PLUS package offers a dynamic new option previously foreign to hybrid owners. 

The PLUS package adds two compelling features for the growing hybrid segment: performance handling and visually appealing accessories that create a sporty look. Toyota is hoping this will further position the Prius as the ultimate balance between Eco and high-performance technology.

Available in limited quantity, the PLUS package also features a seven-piece aerodynamic kit that results in an aggressive and lower-profile stance. This includes newly-designed front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirts, and rear diffuser – all of which combine to reduce the vehicle’s coefficient of drag while maintaining class-leading fuel economy.

Several new factors contribute to the PLUS package’s improved handling, most notably the track-tuned springs which lower the vehicle 1.1 inches in the front and 1.3 inches in the rear. A liquid metal protective finish, limited edition PLUS logo floor mats, and race-inspired 17 inch alloy wheels round out the exclusive look of the PLUS package.

Looking for your own innovative Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

Here at Gresham Toyota, we strive to deliver the best customer experience possible when assisting you in finding your next vehicle.

We are extremely proud to share this wonderful letter from Colette, a recent customer who was served by salesman Jim Lane.

To Gresham Toyota Management and Jim,

Last night I made a hopeful call to your dealership around 7:30 pm in an effort to determine why my Prius was not working.

After a long day of work and running my grand children to after school sports I was quite frazzled when listening to the radio in my Prius all of the dashboard lights started flashing, then fading and my car died. I had never experienced this in this car before. I was totally stumped. I had only ever looked under the hood once. Then, while juggling hungry children, I frantically tried to read the car manual to decipher what the symbols I saw flashing meant.

As a last ditched effort to decide what to do, tow the car or spend a cold night (windows were down) in the car while waiting for a return phone call from my husband (a message he never received). I called Gresham Toyota. I was greeted with a pleasant voice that told me that the service team had gone home, but that there might be another person who knew about the Prius. She then connected me to my hero of the night, Jim Lane! He first determined that I had most likely run down the batteries and was trying to give me step-by-step instructions over the phone on how to jump the car.

Now picture this, I have three children in the Prius, one baby (1 ½ months old), a four year old, and an eleven year old. The four year old is jumping around trying to kiss the baby, talking loudly in my ear while I am trying to write out the instructions Jim is attempting to give to me. The eleven year old is in and out of the ear (she is a social butterfly) and the baby is getting fussy.

I don’t know if Jim picked up on all this background action as I asked him several times to repeat his instructions, but he came up with a solution, a perfect fit and why I will always come back to Gresham Toyota…. Service above and beyond the call of duty!

He took the time to come to the scene of my potential meltdown and showed me how to jumpstart the car. Simple as that is, I don’t carry jumper cables and I was beyond logical thought processes at that point. He saved my day!

So a big thanks to Jim and all of you at Gresham Toyota! We have many stories of good service at your dealership. This one is at the top!

Please know that we spread the good stories around and when the time comes for us to purchase we will be visiting you!

Thanks again Jim and everyone at Gresham Toyota,

Colette

Colette, it was a pleasure serving you. You can count on this level of service every time you visit us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Looking for your own innovative Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

Continuing with a commitment to develop innovative future vehicles, Toyota has is releasing new additions to the Prius family. Last week’s New York Auto Show set the stage for a reveal of the crossover Prius V and a tri-engine electric plug-in version. As reported in a recent New Jersey Newsroom, each vehicle will compete in different car segments.

The Prius V will be one of the newest additions to the crossover segment and is set to compete with the likes of the Honda Crosstour and Nissan Murano. The roomier Prius V achieves only slightly less gas mileage than the original, with an estimated EPA rating of 42 MPG city and 38 MPH highway. This is an impressive feat for a full-sized family ride. Other features include folding second row seats and an Entune multimedia entertainment system.

Competing in an entirely different niche is the Prius Plug-In Electric vehicle. So far, 160 “test” vehicles are already on the road. The new plug-in goes a step further than the original Prius, allowing the driver to use a third power system. The addition of the third has already proved useful in increasing mileage between power-ups.

We can’t wait to see the latest Prius models hitting the pavement early next year.

Looking for your own innovative Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

The Toyota Ideas For Good campaign has attracted thousands of entries, and now comes the hard part. A panel of independent judges will narrow down the submissions to 25 finalists, and all indications suggest they have their work cut out for them.

Toyota asked contestants to submit ideas for how they would use Prius technology to make a better world. Members of the public are encouraged by the advertising campaign to find new, non-automotive applications for five distinct Toyota technologies to ultimately benefit society. One winner in each of the five technology categories will witness their idea spring into reality. Winners will be determined by a formula based on input from the Toyota panel of gurus and the general public. Additionally, winners will receive their pick of a new Prius, Venza or Highlander Hybrid as a prize.

Check out one of the latest videos where engineers from Deeplocal build a solar-powered relief tent!

Looking for your own innovative Toyota vehicle? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!