Toyota’s Compact SUV

Lately I’ve noticed the hot car on our lot is the Toyota RAV 4. We have been selling them faster than we get them in. Could it be its fuel economy of 22/28 and it’s an SUV?

The RAV4 began sales in North America in 1996 and was designed for consumers wanting the benefits of an SUV such as increased cargo, room, higher visibility and the option of four wheel drive and better fuel economy. The name stands for “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive”, although not all RAV4s have four-wheel drive, this is an option.

1st generation 1994-2000

Based on the Corolla platform, and being offered in both two and four doors, the vehicle was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive as well as either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. In 1997, it was named Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine. In 1998, Toyota decided to restyle a bit and added a soft-top two door model. Then in 1999, the two-door hardtop was dropped, leaving just the 4-door and soft-top models.

RAV4 EV

And believe it or not, there was an all-electric variant of the RAV4. This was produced from 1997-2003 for fleet lease. This zero emission model was only offered to the public for sale for seven months in 2002, in very small quantities in California. So you might see one on the road someday, but they are few and far between. They are powered by a NiMH battery pack that can store 27kW h and can go up to 190km between charges. A total of 1,484 units were leased and/or sold in California and as of mid-2012, there were almost 500 units still in use.

Second generation 2000-2005

In the middle of 2000, two models went on sale – the base Edge and upmarket Cruiser both in 3 and 5 door configurations. The Edge model had unpainted bumpers and moldings, mirrors and door handles, and featured steel rims. The Cruiser model gained body-coloured or painted bumpers and moldings, mirrors and door handles, alloy wheels and ABS brakes. Both models had a brand new 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine with improved power and torque as well as fuel consumption. All-wheel drive was a feature and options available were ABS (on the Edge) and air conditioning on all models.

The second generation RAV4 was offered in a number of trim levels. The generation also continued on the Corolla platform, but the American model was now only available in a four-door configuration. If you happen to look for a used RAV4 of this era, you can find options such as anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, a/c, height adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, six speaker CD stereo, power windows, mirrors, and seats. If you add the sports package, you would expect options of a mesh grille, hood scoop, color-keyed door handles, a roof rack, silver sport pedals, heated mirrors, gray painted bumpers and fender flares and sport fabric seats.

There was a styling update in late 2003 for the 2004 model RAV4s. This improved the equipment and in some markets, a new engine. Here in the United States, the safety structure was improved and Vehicle Stability Control was made standard. The 2.0L engine was no more and upgraded to the new 2.4L engine and fuel economy was improved by over 2%. The base Edge was renamed to the CV and air conditioning became standard in the vehicle. It also received painted bumpers in either silver or body-coloured shades, depending on the body colour. It also gained a subtle facelift, mostly consisting of a new front bumper with circular fog lights and white turn signals instead of the orange lights.

In 2005, Toyota added a “CV Sport” model to the lineup, which added a non-functional hood scoop, giving the RAV a more aggressive appearance. The model was short lived, about a year and was only introduced to help sales until the newer model arrived in early 2006.

Third generation 2005-2012

2010 RAV4 Limited – 3rd Generation

The Toyota RAV4 received a complete makeover for 2006, using an all-new platform. The new RAV4 uses an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

It is also the first generation of RAV4 to be offered in regular and extended versions. The extended-length RAV4 is larger by 21% in interior volume from the last generation and now has an available third-row seat for two small children. It is still available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive in the United States.

In 2008, for the 2009 models, the RAV was given a refresh. It featured a number of changes, including an all-new 4 cylinder engine, redesigned front and rear end, Limited received a different front grille and bumper cover, Sport received a bigger spoiler and red badging along with an option on the V6 to have a rear door instead of the mounted spare tire. There were new features/options that included turn signals on mirrors, backup camera, satellite navigation, smart keyless entry, push button starter, etc. Most of the interior remained the same.

Fourth generation 2012-TBD

The fourth generation Toyota RAV4 will be in production in the third quarter of 2012. The new RAV4 will be based on the Camry platform.

Now that you know a little history of the vehicle, if you are interested in reviews or the specifications, check out Consumer Reports. They are a great resource and if you would like to test drive one or have any questions about anything else, give us a call.

Moores Automotive
1246 Hartford Turnpike
Vernon, CT 06066
Phone: (860) 872-2024
www.mooresautomotive.com

Hybrid Cars and Their Benefits

Some people think hybrids are complicated machines, however those that choose a hybrid vehicle over a gas powered one do so for two reasons: to reduce tailpipe emissions and to improve mileage.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a type of pollution a car produces. According to scientists, it is contributed to global warming; however the US government doesn’t regulate it. Since it isn’t regulated, the vehicles do not have a device for removing CO2 from the exhaust. A car that burns twice as much fuel, adds twice as much CO2 into the atmosphere.

Auto makers in the United States have a strong incentive to improve mileage. They are required by law to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The current standards require that the average mileage of all the new cars sold by an auto maker should be 27.5 mpg. This means if an auto maker sells a hybrid with 60 mpg, it can sell four large luxury cars only getting 20 mpg.

Mileage Tips:

Drive slower – The aerodynamic drag on the car increases dramatically the faster you drive. For example, the drag force at 70 mph (113 kph) is about double that at 50 mph (81 kph). So, keeping your speed down can increase your mileage significantly.

Maintain a constant speed – Each time you speed up the car, you use energy, some of which is wasted when you slow the car down again. By maintaining a constant speed, you will make the most efficient use of your fuel.

Avoid abrupt stops – When you stop your car, the electric motor in the hybrid acts like a generator and takes some of the energy out of the car while slowing it down. If you give the electric motor more time to slow the vehicle, it can recover more of the energy. If you stop quickly, the brakes on the car will do most of the work of slowing the car down, and that energy will be wasted. The same reasoning applies to gasoline-powered cars: Abrupt stops waste a lot of energy.

2013 Toyota Prius C Hybrid

If you aren’t sure if a hybrid is right for you, or what a good model is, do some research. You can never go wrong with research and information is always a good thing. Consumer Reports is a great resource, they break it down by price, mileage, comfort, etc.

Once you have made up your mind to go hybrid and would like to test drive one, or perhaps you already own one and would like more information or just have some questions, stop by a trusted dealership and they should be able to help you out.

I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way.

Moore’s Automotive
1246 Hartford Turnpike
Vernon, CT 06066
Ph: (860) 872-2024
www.mooresautomotive.com

Summer and Your Car’s A/C

Have you ever driven your car on a hot summer day and wondered why the air conditioner suddenly decided to stop working? The most common cause for a malfunctioning air conditioner unit is a low level of refrigerant. This could be caused by a leak somewhere in the system. Since modern air conditioning units are complicated creatures, it’s best to have a professional check it out. 

A lot has changed sinced 1994, when the Federal government outlawed the use of a refrigerant called
R-12 or as we know it, Freon. In the past, if our vehicle wasn’t blowing cool air, we’d drive to a nearby service shop and they would refill the Freon and we’d be on our merry way. Today, it’s a little more complicated than that. Freon has been entering the atmosphere every year, therefore destroying the ozone layer. Lots of people needed Freon refills because they had a leak in their system, therefore millions of pounds of Freon were entering the atmosphere every year.

If your car was built before 1994, then you will need a licensed professional to check out the system to see if you have a leak and take care of any repair work and that can dispose of any needed Freon properly . In some states, it is illegal to refill a leaky system with R-12. Even older cars can be retrofitted to use the newer, safer type of refrigerant called R-134a.

To help better understand the air conditioning unit in your vehicle, let’s help you become familiar with the system. The automobile AC unit is basically a refrigerator in a weird layout. It’s designed to move heat from one section (inside your vehicle) to some other place (the outdoors). We hope this article will give you some basic understanding so you can pinpoint where the problem is coming from so you can explain to your service shop and have a better understanding as to what needs to be repaired when they have a diagnosis for you.

Now, get familiar with the parts to your a/c unit:

• The compressor: compresses and circulates refrigerant in the system
• The refrigerant: (on modern cars, usually a substance called R-134a, older cars have r-12 freon which is becoming increasingly more expensive and hard to find, and also requires a license to handle) which carries the heat
• The condenser: Changes the phase of the refrigerant from gas to liquid and expels heat removed from the car
• The expansion valve: Somewhat of a nozzle and functions to simultaneously drop the pressure of the refrigerant liquid, meter its flow and atomize it
• The evaporator: Transfers heat to the refrigerant from the air blown across it, cooling your car
• The receiver/dryer: Functions as a filter for the refrigerant/oil, removing moisture and other contaminants

The compressor puts the refrigerant under pressure and sends it to the condensing coils. In most cars, these coils are in front of the radiator. Compressing a gas is very hot, which makes the extra heat picked up in the evaporator expelled to the air flowing across it from outside the car. When the refrigerant is cooled to its saturation temperature, it will change phase from a gas back into a liquid (this gives off a bundle of heat known as the “latent heat of vaporization”). The liquid then passes through the expansion valve to the evaporator, the coils inside of your car, where it loses pressure that was added to it in the compressor. This causes some of the liquid to change to a low-pressure gas as it cools the remaining liquid. This two-phase mixture enters the evaporator, and the liquid portion of the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air across the coil and evaporates. Your car’s blower circulates air across the cold evaporator and into the interior. The refrigerant goes back through the cycle again and again.  

Leaks are easy to spot, but not easy to fix without pulling things apart. And if there is a bad enough leak, the system will have no pressure in it at all. Find the low-side valve and with a gauge, check the PSI level. DO NOT use anything else to poke in the valve, as this is ILLEGAL. It is called venting.

Start the car, turn on the AC and look under the hood. The AC compressor is generally a pump-like thing off to one side with large rubber and steel hoses going to it. Often, it has one or two things that look like valve stems from a bike tire on it. The pulley on the front of the compressor exists as an outer pulley and an inner hub which turns when an electric clutch is engaged. If the AC is on and the blower is on, but the pulley is not turning, then the compressor’s clutch is not engaging. A few examples of causes for this would be: a bad fuse, a wiring problem, broken AC switch in the dash, system could be low on refrigerant, or a possibility of other issues.

If the system cools, but not very much, it could be low pressure and you can top off with refrigerant. Most auto-supply stores will have a kit you can buy to refill a system , complete with instructions. Be sure not to overfill! Adding more than recommended will actually decrease performance and not increase performance.

Again, this article is just a brief overview to help you understand the components of the a/c unit in your automobile and possibilities of why it may not work properly. If you have any questions, please make an appointment or stop in at your auto repair shop. I hope this helps you feel more comfortable speaking with your shop about any work that you may need done to your system. You can always give us a call as well to answer any questions you may have.

 

Moore’s Automotive
1246 Hartford Turnpike
Vernon, CT 06066
Ph: (860) 872-2024
www.mooresautomotive.com

Used Car vs. New Car

A lot more people are keeping their cars longer and putting their money into maintaining their vehicles instead of purchasing a new one.  Here is some information on both used and new vehicles if you are thinking that it might be time to get another vehicle and where do I turn – to that brand new car or a pre-owned low mileage option.

Here’s a fact that I’m not sure you have thought about before. New cars start to lose their value as soon as you drive them off the lot. About 40% of that value within the first three years at which the depreciation starts to slow down.

With a used car, the previous owner has already absorbed the highest portion of the depreciation cycle. Therefore, you are buying at the beginning of the low-cost part of the car ownership cycle, and almost all of the costs of owning and maintaining the car will be reduced.

Here are some of the benefits:

• Lower purchase price
• Lower depreciation
• Lower sales tax
• Lower insurance premiums
• Lower financing costs (less interest paid and fees)

Here are some of the downfalls:

• Unwarrantied repairs
• Reduced reliability
• Major maintenance costs ex. Brakes, tires, battery, etc.
• New cars have more safety equipment

Buying used may overall work financially, but remember a good used car for a good price from a reputable dealership is an even better move.  And this could be challenging. Here are some things to consider:

• Decide what type of vehicle you want
• Find some alternatives to your top choice
• Learn the value of used cars
• Evaluate the condition

Some of this type of research can be done by visiting www.consumerreports.com and subscribing to their online articles or purchasing a copy of one of their magazines that information about New and Used vehicles in it. You can also visit www.kbb.com for information on reasonable prices for new or used vehicles.

With a new car, you get that new car smell, the feeling of “Ahhh, I have a new car”, and overall you feel great because you in something brand new that no one else has touched. Let’s break it down for you:

Here are some of the benefits:

• Less maintenance
• Advanced safety features and technology
• Incentive program
• No previous owner, approx. no miles

 

Here are some of the downfalls:

• Higher insurance premiums
• Higher sales tax
• Higher financing costs (more interest paid and fees)
• If a brand new model, there may be bugs that need to be ironed out
• A big expense

After you have decided you want to purchase a new vehicle, make sure you know what your vehicle is worth so you don’t overpay. Know the invoice pricing and make sure you get a good deal for the vehicle you choose and its specifications.

Then once you’ve narrowed your vehicle down to a few options, know their incentives and financing options that are available to you. And the better your credit, the better rate you should be given.  Once you have been given this information, you can run numbers to see what the better option is financially.

So let’s wrap this up! Used Car or New Car? Well, the choice is really yours and what you can afford and are comfortable with.  A used car is appearing to be the better value more and more as time goes on. A dealership that you can trust will benefit you in the long run.  I recommend talking to your friends and family to see if they know or recommend anyone that they trust. I hope this helps with giving you some guidelines and facts for what is a plus and what is a minus for each in helping you decide what will be best for you and your situation. Remember, you earned your money and this is a large purchase. Sometimes a little research goes a long way.

www.mooresautomotive.com

Hello world!

Welcome to Moore’s Automotive. For over 30 years we have been serving our customers in the greater Vernon area. We are your one stop for Pre-Owned Automobile Sales, Service, Collision Repair, and State Inspections. Our ASE Certified Technicians work on all makes and models.

We offer a wide array of services, including brakes, exhaust, check engine light diagnostics, transmission services, emissions inspections, suspensions, air conditioning, tires, etc.   Our state-of-the-art equipment and certified technicians make us prepared to solve even the most complex issues.  By having Moore’s perform your vehicle’s maintenance instead of the dealer, you will get the same level of service and save money.

For your convenience, we offer:

• Saturday hours (8:00AM to 1:00PM)
• Courtesy rides (within 15 minutes)
• Loaner vehicles when available
• While-you-wait lube services
• Computerized diagnostics
• After hours secure drop off

Please give us a call at 860-872-2024 or visit us at 1246 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon CT 06066 or visit us on the web at www.mooresautomotive.com