Archive for November, 2009
Honda Helps Out SoCal Drivers with Free Gas
Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by admin.
Drivers in Southern California should be on the lookout for a blue tanker truck from now until Dec. 31. The folks at SoCal Honda will be sending their so-called Honda Helpful teams to dole out free gas to lucky motorists.
Honda Helpful teams are said to have spread out across Southern California communities to perform such random acts of kindness as distributing umbrellas when it’s raining, handing out reusable grocery bags at local grocers and feeding the homeless.
We couldn’t get a straight answer from SoCal Honda if the “Helpful Guys & Girls in Blue” — as their teams are known — will only dole out free gas to Honda owners or if drivers of other brands are eligible. A representative enigmatically told us, “The majority are Honda drivers, but some non-Honda drivers may also get lucky!”
If you live in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County, the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena or Ventura County, keep your eyes peeled for the big blue truck—especially if you’re a Honda owner.
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Review: Lincoln MKT Take Two
Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by admin.
The Lincoln MKT is a Looney Tunes cartoon: based on previously made creations, packaged into something unique. While the animated series started from the Warner Brother’s impressive music library, the MKT comes from an old Volvo S80 platform, sharing a motor with the Mazda6. So both creations are downright looney. Which explains the MKT’s [...]
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Toyota Expands Gas Pedals Recall to 4 Million Vehicles
Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by admin.
Toyota has expanded its initial floormat recall to 4 million vehicles. It will now reconfigure the accelerator pedal to prevent it from getting caught in the floormat, causing unintended acceleration, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The automaker also plans to install a brake-override system on some models; if the brake and accelerator are depressed at the same time, the brake will take precedence.
The recall initially covered the 2007-10 model year Camry, 2005-10 Avalon, 2004-09 Prius cars as well as 2005-10 Tacoma and 2007-10 Tundra trucks. It is also recalling 2007-10 Lexus ES 350, 2006-10 IS 250, and 2006-10 IS 350 models. The increase to 4 million recalled vehicles is to account for those sold since October when the recall was first announced.
Toyota will still replace the floormats, but dealers will also shave three-quarters of an inch from accelerator pedals. By April, Toyota will have replacement pedals of that length.
The automaker will install the break override system on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models, calling it “an extra measure of confidence.”
Toyota said it will begin fixing the recalled vehicles in early 2010, starting by notifying Camry, Avalon, and ES 350 owners. The Japanese press is speculating that this recall will cost Toyota around $5 billion. There’s no official word on the cost from Toyota at this point.
Toyota to Fix 4 Million Gas Pedals (Detroit News)
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Safety Advocates Push for Safer Roads
Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by admin.
Traffic fatalities fell to a 40-year low last year, in a large part thanks to the recession (which led to less driving) and to improvements in vehicle safety. As for road safety, the most obvious improvements include adding rumble strips to warn drivers when they’re nearing the shoulder, caps on the ends of roadside guard rails to prevent cars from ramping off of them and cable guard rails on divided highways to keep cars from crossing the median.
Gerald Donaldson, the research director for Advocates of Highway and Auto Safety told National Public Radio that the biggest hazards are two-lane two-way rural roads, which can be up to eight times more dangerous than an interstate. This is because of hazards that accumulate on the side of these roads—everything from telephone poles to trash.
Another hazard, they say, is trucks. Over 4,000 people were killed in crashes with semi-trucks last year, accounting for 1 out of every 9 traffic deaths. The trucking industry is asking Congress to increase the maximum weight for trucks on federal highways from 80,000 pounds to 97,000. The trucking industry says this will decrease the number of trucks on the road, but safety advocates say they’ll be even heavier road hazards hurtling along.
Critics Say Roads Safer, But Danger Still Lurks (NPR)
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Toyota to Fix Gas Pedals in Tacoma and Tundra Pickups
Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by admin.
Toyota has announced that it will fix the gas pedals in 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to prevent the pedals from becoming stuck against the floor mat and causing unintended acceleration. The recall includes 2005-10 Tacoma and 2007-10 Tundra pickup trucks.
The fix will involve cutting about three-quarters of an inch from the length of the gas pedal. Vehicles with any genuine Toyota or Lexus accessory all-weather floor mat will also be provided with newly-designed replacement driver- and front passenger-side all-weather floor mats.
Toyota Dealers will start fixing pedals in early 2010. Initially, dealers will only reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. Replacement pedals are expected to be available by April 2010. Customers who have their pedals shaved will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire.
In the meantime, owners of the involved vehicles are asked to take out any removable driver's floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat until they are notified of the vehicle-based remedy, as notified in the consumer safety advisory and the interim notice.
Customers with questions are asked to call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1 (800) 331-4331.
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Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by admin.
“SUV Guy” from California went looking for a luxury SUV that could satisfy his many competing automotive demands. For the most part, he found happiness with the redesigned 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. The plush interior and ride quality immediately won him over, but all those amenities and driving capabilities have their cost. Find out what the Range Rover Sport sacrifices, then visit our Reader Review page to submit a review of your own car.
“I have had this car for one month and absolutely love it. The interior is plush and comfortable, and the car rides like a dream. It has tons of power and is great in the rain. The new navigation system and computer interface is much simpler than that of similar cars (BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz).
“I have driven several luxury cars in the past, and this car is among the best. I have not had any of the reputed Land Rover reliability issues, but I have only owned the car for one month. My only complaint is that the gas mileage is terrible, but I knew that when I bought the car. It was between this and the [Porsche] Cayenne, and I am happy that I chose this one.”
2010|Land Rover|Range Rover
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2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Video
Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by admin.
You can count Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder as a fan of the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, despite the disappointing reliability ratings that the CTS sedan gets. The wagon comes loaded with enough cargo space, features and versatile functions to make it worth a look.
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Recall Alert: 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra
Posted on 24. Nov, 2009 by admin.
Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced that Toyota will recall approximately 110,000 Tundra pickup trucks from the 2000 to 2003 model years in 20 cold-weather states and the District of Columbia to fix a frame rust and corrosion problem that could cause the spare tire to fall away from the truck.
Originally, NHTSA's investigation covered only 2000-01 Tundras but during Toyota's investigation of the problem, the number of trucks discovered with the problem grew to include 2002 and 2003 models.
Toyota has just announced the recall, but NHTSA recommends that owners remove the spare tires before taking the trucks to the dealers to be remedied.
In addition, the corrosion may also cause damage to the rear brake lines and lead to brake system failures.
The states in the recall include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. These states typically use chemical de-icers, such as road salts, to treat roadways in winter weather.
According to Toyota's press release, the company will do the following for Tundra owners subject to the recall:
Beginning in Dec. 2009 through early 2010, owners of the involved vehicles will receive a Safety Recall notification via first class mail asking them to take their vehicles to a Toyota dealer for an initial inspection of the rear cross member. During this inspection, the rear cross-member including the surrounding components such as the brake line at the proportioning valve (which is mounted on the cross-member assembly) will also be inspected. Based upon the inspection, Toyota will do one of the following at no charge:
* If there is no significant corrosion of the rear cross-member assembly or the rear brake line at the proportioning valve, owners will be notified of that fact and requested to subsequently bring their vehicle back to the dealership so that a corrosion-resistant compound can be applied to the rear cross-member. Toyota will notify the owner when the corrosion-resistant compound is available.
or
* If significant corrosion is detected such that the rear cross-member can no longer safely support the spare tire and replacement components are available, the cross- member assembly will be replaced. In the event replacement components are not available, a temporary solution, such as the removal of the spare tire and securing it to the truck bed, will be performed until parts are available.
In those relatively rare cases where the rear cross-member is significantly corroded and can no longer safely support the spare tire, but the rear cross-member cannot be replaced due to excessive frame corrosion at the mounting location (e.g., if the side rails are too damaged), Toyota will develop an appropriate remedy for those vehicles on a case-by-case basis.
This inspection will take approximately 20 minutes, depending on dealer scheduling.
Until your vehicle is inspected, you may minimize the risk of the spare tire separating from the rear cross-member by removing it. If you choose to do so, please be sure not to be under the rear cross-member or spare tire carrier during the lowering process. In addition, if placing the spare tire in the truck bed or other area of the vehicle, it should be secured when driving.
Customers with questions are asked to call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1 (800) 331-4331.
Mike Levine, editor PickupTrucks.com
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Toyota To Recall 110,000 2000-03 Tundras for Frame Corrosion
Posted on 24. Nov, 2009 by admin.
Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced that Toyota will recall approximately 110,000 Tundra pickup trucks from the 2000 to 2003 model years in 20 cold-weather states and the District of Columbia to fix a frame rust and corrosion problem that could cause the spare tire to fall away from the truck.
Originally, NHTSA’s investigation covered only 2000-01 Tundras but during Toyota’s investigation of the problem, the number of trucks discovered with the problem grew to include 2002 and 2003 models.
“Through our investigation, we found there was a small quantity of 2002 and 2003 trucks with the issue,” Brian Lyons, Toyota’s Safety and Quality Communications Manager, told PickupTrucks.com this afternoon. “That’s why this recall has expanded to include those additional trucks in the 20 cold-weather states.”
Toyota has just announced the recall, but NHTSA recommends that owners remove the spare tires before taking the trucks to the dealers to be remedied.
In addition, the corrosion may also cause damage to the rear brake lines and lead to brake system failures.
The states in the recall include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. These states typically use chemical de-icers, such as road salts, to treat roadways in winter weather.
According to Toyota’s press release, the company will do the following for Tundra owners subject to the recall:
Beginning in Dec. 2009 through early 2010, owners of the involved vehicles will receive a Safety Recall notification via first class mail asking them to take their vehicles to a Toyota dealer for an initial inspection of the rear cross member. During this inspection, the rear cross-member including the surrounding components such as the brake line at the proportioning valve (which is mounted on the cross-member assembly) will also be inspected. Based upon the inspection, Toyota will do one of the following at no charge:
If there is no significant corrosion of the rear cross-member assembly or the rear brake line at the proportioning valve, owners will be notified of that fact and requested to subsequently bring their vehicle back to the dealership so that a corrosion-resistant compound can be applied to the rear cross-member. Toyota will notify the owner when the corrosion-resistant compound is available.
or
If significant corrosion is detected such that the rear cross-member can no longer safely support the spare tire and replacement components are available, the cross- member assembly will be replaced. In the event replacement components are not available, a temporary solution, such as the removal of the spare tire and securing it to the truck bed, will be performed until parts are available.
In those relatively rare cases where the rear cross-member is significantly corroded and can no longer safely support the spare tire, but the rear cross-member cannot be replaced due to excessive frame corrosion at the mounting location (e.g., if the side rails are too damaged), Toyota will develop an appropriate remedy for those vehicles on a case-by-case basis.
This inspection will take approximately 20 minutes, depending on dealer scheduling.
Until your vehicle is inspected, you may minimize the risk of the spare tire separating from the rear cross-member by removing it. If you choose to do so, please be sure not to be under the rear cross-member or spare tire carrier during the lowering process. In addition, if placing the spare tire in the truck bed or other area of the vehicle, it should be secured when driving.
Customers with questions are asked to call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1 (800) 331-4331.
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5 Pickup Truck Things to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving
Posted on 24. Nov, 2009 by admin.
It’s time to reflect on all the things we should be thankful for, because we live in the best country on the planet and we drive pickup trucks. Here are five things truck owners can be thankful for on Turkey Day. Gobble, gobble.
No. 5: Fuel Prices are Relatively Inexpensive
Just two years ago, it looked like we’d be paying $7 a gallon for fuel by now. Thinking back, it seemed like we wouldn’t be able to afford stuffing and cranberries! Thankfully, regular unleaded is only $2.63 and diesel is only $2.83. Who knows what will happen next year, but for now it doesn’t hurt too much to keep your truck’s fuel gauge (and your stomach) on F.
No. 4: You Can Buy A 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Where else on Earth could you expect to buy a truck as radical as Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor desert runner straight off the showroom floor? Nowhere, except here. OK, maybe Canada too, but there you’d have jump ice floes instead of speeding down sandy washes. And as a Thanksgiving Day bonus, there’s nowhere that turkeys can hide from a Raptor.
No. 3: Loads of Space in Back for Black Friday Shopping
If you’re going shopping the day after Thanksgiving, get in line early and bring your pickup. You’re going to need all the space in your cargo box for the low-price deals on a 60-inch flat screen TV, 8-foot tall reusable plastic Christmas tree and 12-pack of Snuggies. Good luck getting all of those things home in your Prius in a single trip!
No. 2: 2010 Diesel Emissions Standards Are Still a Month Away
You still have about 30 days to go out and buy a new heavy-duty pickup from Ford or GM that doesn’t require urea selective catalytic reduction exhaust aftertreatment. Next year’s emissions hardware could add $2,000 or more to the price tag and will require periodic refills. The only thing we want to think about refilling this Thanksgiving is our plates.
No. 1: You Can Relax and Not Move Anyone with Your Truck
It’s Thanksgiving! Time to relax, spend time with the family and get ready for some awesome football games. If anyone comes asking you to help them move on Thanksgiving, tell them you’re taking the holiday off for some well-deserved R&R.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families from PickupTrucks.com!
