Posts Tagged ‘Toyota Portland’

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!

Winter driving requires special attention to your vehicle. Rain, snow, and cold weather can place any vehicle – or any driver – in an unsafe condition. Here are a few tips to see you safely through the winter driving season:

Always keep plenty of gas in the tank. You never know when you will be stuck somewhere in traffic, or stuck on the mountain in the snow. Your gas mileage may drop during winter, because there is more stop-and-go driving, because the roads are slicker, and because your vehicle may operate at a lower temperature. Unless your engine is running rough or the check engine light is on, a small decline in miles per gallon is normal. To keep your miles per gallon at their best, and to drive safely, watch your tire pressure. Most manufacturers do not recommend that you change the inflation during the winter. When in doubt, consult your owners’ manual.

Have your windshield washer fluid freeze protection checked regularly. Keep your reservoir full and be sure that your supply includes a chemical to prevent freezing. Driving in intermittent rain and snow can empty your sprayer tank quickly.

Use the “fresh air” mode on your heater control when defogging the window. This draws in outside air and will still be warm with your heater on, but does a better job defogging your windows. Later models automatically do this when in “defrost” mode. If your window is slow to de-fog, keep the heat on, but hit the air conditioning button for a minute or two. It won’t make your car cold – but it will help to more quickly reduce the humidity, and de-fog your window.

Make sure you turn your wipers off before you shut the car off for the night. This will return them to their horizontal position. If you don’t the next morning they may delay your departure, or may require that you drive away with them stuck in a vertical position, obstructing your vision. Never try to force a frozen windshield wiper to move. It may cause damage to the blades, to the linkage or to the wiper motor.

Don’t pour hot water on a frozen car. It can cause your windshield to crack. Plan a few extra minutes to allow the interior of your car to warm up and defrost the windshield – or place an old rubber mat over your windshield before you go to bed at night.

Get your snow tires on your vehicle as soon as permissible. In Oregon, that’s usually around November 1^st. Don’t wait for the crunch of a sudden snowstorm that they didn’t predict on the news.

Learn how to use your 4-wheel drive or anti-lock brakes ahead of time. Consider practicing in an empty parking lot. This is particularly important when you buy an unfamiliar vehicle. Anti-lock brakes cause a unique shudder and noise from the brake pedal. This is normal. They usually don’t even activate unless you stomp down on the brake pedal hard and fast. Try it. That way it won’t be so scary when you experience this in a panic situation. 4-wheel drive now has several configurations depending on the make and model of the vehicle. If yours is one that you have to activate, learn how yours works before you need it. For most vehicles, it should not be used on dry pavement, which can bind up the drive train.

Have a multi-point inspection done on your vehicle every fall. Check tires, engine coolant for freeze protection, belts, hoses, fluids, filters and especially check your battery. The colder it is the less cranking amps it has and the more your engine needs.

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

At Gresham Toyota, we’re thankful to have such great customers. Congratulations to everyone who purchased from us recently! We hope you love your new vehicles!

Thank you for your business! We hope you love your new vehicle!

Petr with his 2011 Sienna! Have fun in your new Swagger Wagon!

Michael & family with his 06 Tundra! Thank you for your business!

Louisa next to her 07 Yaris! Take care!

Doug & Susan with their 2001 Subaru Forester! Thank you guys very much!

Donald with his brand new Tacoma! We hope you love it, Donald!

Brandon & Delana with their 2008 Ford Focus! Thank you both!

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!

We’ve seen the concept, we’ve heard the hype, and the wait is finally over for the most highly anticipated Prius model to date: the Prius Plug-In Hybrid.

Priority registration for the plug-in version of the world’s most popular hybrid vehicle is now running and will end on August 22nd. Those who take advantage of this registration will have the opportunity to order the plug-in hybrid in October, before the rest of the general public has the same opportunity.

What’s so special about the newest Prius to hit the market? Besides being Toyota’s first vehicle to include an exclusive electric option, the plug-in combines proven Prius technology with the new Prius Plug-in EV (Electric Vehicle) mode. The EV mode works under certain conditions up to near freeway speeds for up to 15 miles at a time, and transitions to this mode during optimal driving speeds and conditions. The Prius Plug-in delivers where other exclusively-electric vehicles fail; the range is extended dramatically with the combination of the already fuel-efficient gas-powered engine with new EV technology.

Charging the Prius Plug-in won’t occupy your entire day, either. A full charge only takes about 3 hours using a standard household outlet, and it has the ability to travel up to 475 miles on a single tank.

Priority registration ends August 22nd, so hurry over to the Prius Plug-in website to claim yours before anyone else!

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!

On the hunt for an affordable, pre-owned SUV? We have a great selection of options at Gresham Toyota! Toyota SUVs are known for having some of the most durable and long-lasting engines in the world, and with several models with low miles, we’re sure to find a great value for you!

2003 Toyota RAV4 $12,995

2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 $20,995

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser S $23,500

2007 Toyota Highlander $20,995

2007 Toyota RAV4 $19,995

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!