march 2011 auto

| NORTHSHORE AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011

Breaking with the Chevy tradition ofoffering a larger-than-average engine in asmall car, the Cruze offers a pair of fuel-efficient yet peppy small power plants.Whether you get the 1.8-liter non-tur-bocharged inline-4 or the 1.4-liter turbomill, you’ll get class-competitive perform-ance along with the promise of high fueleconomy.

The Cruze’s handling is also notablysharp and its interior is light-years ahead interms of quality and styling. In terms of fea-tures, even the base Cruze LS comes pretty

well equipped, with 10 airbags being onenotable standard equipment highlight. TheCruze is also quite roomy (the EPA actuallyclassifies it as a midsize car), though rearseat comfort is only so-so for taller folks.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a smallsedan that comes in four main trim levels:LS, Eco, LT and LTZ.

The LS includes 16-inch steel wheels,OnStar, a tilt-and-telescoping steering

2011 CHEVY CRUZE

The Economical Chevy Cruzeis now at Mossy of Picayune

SEE CRUZE, PAGE 3

The 2011 Buick Regalproves the old “what’s in aname” adage; the tri-shielddivision has produced a carworthy of consideration bythose who truly enjoy driv-ing.

The 3,600-pound Regalis available with a 2.4-literinline-4 that sports directfuel-injection technologyand high fuel economy (upto 30 mpg highway). A tur-bocharged 2.0-liter enginesporting 220 hp and 258pound-feet of torque is alsooffered and is a much betterchoice. It’s hardly an accel-eration champ either, butits punchy low-end powermakes it seem quicker thanit actually is.

The 2011 Buick Regal isavailable in two trim levels:CXL and CXL Turbo.Standard equipmentincludes 18-inch alloywheels, foglamps, heatedsideview mirrors, keylessentry, dual-zone automaticclimate control, cruise con-trol, full power accessories,OnStar, leather upholstery,

a power driver seat, heatedfront seats, an auto-dim-ming rearview mirror, a tilt-and-telescoping steeringcolumn, a trip computer, a60/40-split rear seatback, aseven-speaker stereo (withCD/MP3 player, satelliteradio, iPod/auxiliary audiojacks and steering-wheel-mounted controls) andBluetooth connectivity.

Opting for the RegalCXL Turbo will add rearparking sensors and a 12-way power-adjustable frontpassenger seat — both ofwhich are available on thestandard Regal CXL as partof the optional Comfort andConvenience package.

Options exclusive to theturbo model include 19-inch wheels, xenon head-lights and an InteractiveDrive Control system withSport, Tour and Standardmodes. Options for eitherRegal include a sunroof, ahard-drive-based naviga-tion system with digitalmusic storage and a nine-speaker Harman Kardonpremium audio system.

The 2011 Buick Regal isoffered with the choice of a2.4-liter four-cylinder thatmakes 182 hp and 172 lb-ftof torque, or a 2.0-liter tur-bocharged variant that pro-duces 220 hp and 258 lb-ftof torque. A six-speed auto-matic (with manual shiftcapability) is standard forboth engines; the turbo isalso offered with a six-speed manual transmission.

The EPA estimates fueleconomy at 19 mpg city/30mpg highway and 23 mpgin combined driving for the2.4-liter engine. The CXLTurbo achieves an estimat-ed 18/28/22.

wheel, air-conditioning, aneight-way (manual)adjustable driver seat, a60/40-split rear seat, a tripcomputer, full power acces-sories and a six-speakerstereo with a CD/MP3 play-er, satellite radio and anauxiliary audio jack. TheEco is equipped similarly tothe LS but is optimized formaximum fuel efficiencywith aerodynamic improve-ments, lightweight alloywheels, low-rolling-resist-ance tires, a smaller fueltank and a few minor fea-ture deletions to furtherreduce weight.

The Cruze LS is poweredby a 1.8-liter inline-4 thatmakes 136 horsepower and123 pound-feet of torque.The Eco, LT and LTZ comewith a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 that generates138 hp and 148 lb-ft oftorque. The LS and Ecocome with a six-speed man-ual transmission while theother trims come standardwith a six-speed automatic(optional on the LS andEco).

The fuel-economy-focused Cruze Eco earns alaudable 28 mpg city/42mpg highway and 33 mpgcombined with the manualtransmission and 26/37/30with the automatic.

SafetyAll 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

models come with stabilitycontrol, antilock brakes,full-length side curtainairbags, front knee airbagsand front and rear side

impact airbags as standard.All trims save the LTZ havea front-disc/rear-drum

brake setup; the LTZupgrades to four-wheel discbrakes.

NORTHSHORE AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011 | PAGE 3

» FROM PAGE 2

The 2011 Chevy Cruzecan be seen at:Mossy of PicayuneHwy. 43 @ I-59, Exit4, Picayune, Miss.

Phone: 800-826-6562Visit www.mossy

superstore.com

CRUZE: At Mossy of Picayune

The elegant Buick Regal is at Brian Harris AutoplexThe 2011 Buick Regal

can be seen at: BrianHarris Autoplex239 Howze BeachRd., Slidell

Phone: 985-643-2277Visit www.brian

harrisautoplex.com

2011 BUICK REGAL

This is one monstertruck, but with style andsubstance to boot. Thecabin is huge, as is thetruck’s bed and overallcapacity.

The truck does drivewell for its size, and it iseasy to keep in its own lane.The heavy-duty suspensiondoes make for some rock-ing-horse ride quality, butit’s relatively well managedfor such a big truck. Thepower from the Duramax isa blast to play around with,especially when the roadsget a little wet and the truckwants to cut loose.

This Silverado is a rollingfortress complete with acommanding view of theroad and a bulging hood.The diesel power is out-standing; anywhere from2,000 rpm to 3,500 rpm canset you sailing. Passing is noproblem, and there’s plentyof torque low in the band.It’s a truck that likes toshow off its power.

The square front endgives it a mean look, and thevents on the hood give anindustrial sort of feel. This

is a true work truck. Thegiant metal (instead ofpainted plastic) frontbumper looks as if it couldtake a couple of shots with-out showing much damage.It has the install setup for aplow, and all the electricalhook-ups are there.

The engine is fearsomewith 700-plus lb-ft oftorque. You could pull aLethal Weapon and yank ahouse off its stilts. It’s allthat power in a semi-incon-spicuous package that Ilike. The dual-rear-wheelversion just seems like afarm implement. I like thefact that you can pullstumps all day, then hit theexpressway and leaveeveryone else in the dust.

The 2011 ChevySilverado can beseen at: Mossy ofPicayuneHwy. 43 @ I-59, Exit4, Picayune, Miss.

Phone: 800-826-6562Visit www.mossy

superstore.com

The Chevy Silverado Crew Cab is available at Mossy of Picayune

2011 CHEVY SILVERADO

(ARA) - Drivers are hold-ing on to their cars longerin these tough economictimes, so AutoZone, thenation’s leading auto partsretailer, is offering tips tohelp motorists get the mostout of their investment.

“Holding off on purchas-ing a new vehicle can be asmart financial decision,especially if drivers proper-ly maintain their vehicles toensure they’re runningsafely and efficiently,” saidSteve Stoll, MerchandisingDirector of AutoZone.“Maintaining and replacingkey components, such asbrakes and batteries, cankeep vehicles on the roadand help prevent costlyrepairs in the future.”

The average length oftime consumers hold on totheir vehicles is more thanfive years, according to arecent automotive industrystudy. Older cars can be safeand dependable, but needongoing maintenance tokeep them running at theirbest. According to theNational Car Council, 80percent of vehicles on theroad are in need of serviceor parts.

Motorists who know thesigns of impending failureand understand the impactextreme weather condi-

tions can have on variouscar components, can planahead for repairs andreplacements instead ofbeing hit by an unexpectedbill down the road, Stollsaid.

“The longer car mainte-nance is delayed, the morecostly it can be,” said Stoll.

Two key components inany vehicle are the brakingsystem and the battery.AutoZone experts offer thefollowing tips to ensurethese vital parts are proper-ly maintained.

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Excessive build-up ofroad salt and brine solu-tions in the winter on brakecomponents is one cause ofbrake failure. These solu-tions can create contamina-tion of exposed brake partsand can cause brake com-ponents to deteriorate pre-maturely. Hazardous roadconditions can also lead toincreased use of AntilockBraking Systems (ABS),which can cause prematurewear of all brake systemcomponents.

As temperatures warmup, motorists should checktheir braking systems touncover any damage that

may have occurred duringthe winter months.

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In general, brakes are themost important safety fea-ture on any vehicle andshould be checked quarter-ly to ensure proper per-formance. Brake pads androtors should also bechecked any time the tiresare removed, such as dur-ing a tire rotation. Otherbrake components such asbrake fluid should bechecked at every oil change.

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A battery’s biggestenemy is heat. High tem-peratures can cause thegrids inside batteries tocorrode and break down.The effects of the corrosionare usually seen when win-ter hits, when the carrequires more electricalpower to start. Driversshould have batteries testedup to twice a year in normalclimates, and more fre-quently in extremely hot orcold climates.

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While batteries can lastmore than five years inideal driving conditions,factors such as tempera-ture, the car’s age andnature of usage can impactthe life of a battery. Manymotorists are unaware thatunder the stress of normalcity driving, the average lifeof a vehicle battery is aboutthree years.

According to theNational Car Care Council,drivers with batteries morethan three years old shouldconsider replacing them,since batteries rarely givewarning signs that they areabout to fail.

PAGE 4 | NORTHSHORE AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011

As drivers hold on to cars longer, small repairsnow can save money, time in the future

(ARA) - With all thepolitical and natural tur-moil currently happeningall over the world, oil prices- and their probableincrease - are again makingheadlines. Across the coun-try, gas prices have made asignificant jump, causingfrustration for drivers whoare already on tight budg-ets.

We’ve learned over thepast decade that gas prices,while always volatile, arecontinuing to trendupward. And as drivershave to face that reality, fueleconomy has becomeincreasingly important.Because it’s not realistic formost people to immediatelybuy more fuel efficient cars,the search is on for ways toget better gas mileage fromexisting vehicles.

Even the U.S. govern-ment is responding, launch-ing www.fueleconomy.gov,which gives tips on how toimprove fuel economy.

The most important stepyou can take to get the bestgas mileage from your car isto keep your engine proper-ly maintained. Check yourowner’s manual to find outwhat needs to be done andhow often, and be sure tocheck fluid levels frequent-ly to ensure that everythingis in good working order.According to the FederalTrade Commission, keep-ing your engine properlymaintained can increasegas mileage by as much as 4percent.

Another important partof maintaining your vehiclefor good gas mileage is pay-ing attention to your tires. Ifyour tires are under-inflat-ed, you could be wasting alot of the money that youpay at the pump. Keep yourtires inflated at the poundsper square inch (PSI) levelrecommended in yourowner’s manual - the infor-mation is also occasionallyprinted in the door frame orglove compartment of yourcar. Fueleconomy.gov rec-ommends using this figure,as opposed to the maxi-mum PSI listed on the tireitself. The site also suggeststhat properly inflated tirescan help improve mileageby up to 3.3 percent. Youshould also keep your tiresin good alignment, as thatcan also have a positiveeffect on fuel economy too.

You already know thatregular oil changes are anessential part of keepingyour car running well, butoil could have an effect onyour fuel mileage as well.Using your manufacturer’srecommended grade ofmotor oil can improve yourcar’s fuel economy, accord-ing to the U.S. Departmentof Energy (DOE) andEnvironmental ProtectionAgency (EPA). When takingyour car in for it’s regularoil change, confirm with

your mechanic that theright grade is being used.

While you might lookforward to buying a fuel

efficient car in the future,for the time being it’simportant to get the bestmileage out of the vehicle

that you currently drive.Follow these maintenancetips and you’ll be on yourway to better fuel savings.

The 2011 ChevroletCamaro Convertible is outfrom under the covers,ready for its world debut.It’s precisely what you’dexpect, since the car hasbeen out as an almost iden-tical concept for aboutthree years now, but thereare a few surprises.

The convertible isoffered in similar modelconfigurations as theCamaro coupe. The stan-dard model has a 312 horse-power and 278 pound-feet

of torque 3.2-liter directinjection V-6 engine deliv-ering 17 mpg in the city andup to 29 mpg on the high-way. The SS model features

the 6.2-liter V-8 engine pro-ducing 426 horsepower and420 pound-feet of torque.

A six-speed manualtransmission is standard,with a six-speed automaticremaining as an option.Note that automatic SSmodels get a slightly lesspowerful V-8 engine, withoutput coming in at 400horsepower and 410pound-feet of torque.

The price is $30,000,including an $850 destina-tion charge. Nine produc-

tion exterior colors areavailable, with the soft-toproof offered in black or tan.The top is made of thick,durable canvas and it fea-tures acoustical headlinermaterial that provides aquiet, coupe-like ride whenup. It also incorporates aglass rear window and rearwindow defogger, andretracts in about 20 sec-onds.

Rear parking assist isstandard on all convertiblemodels.


The 2011 Chevy Camarocan be seen at: LevisChevrolet Cadillac316 E. Howzee BeachRoad, Slidell

Phone: 985-643-1800Visit www.levischevy

cadillac.com

2011 CHEVY CAMARO

Levis Chevrolet Cadillac is theplace for the 2011 Chevy Camaro

Maintain cars for better gas mileage

(ARA) - If the worldwere a perfect place, rushhour traffic reports in largecities would be non- exis-tent. All drivers would fol-

low the rules of the roadand crashes would neverhappen. And the only carmaintenance anyone wouldneed to get would be to

keep the oil changed andthe tires rotated.

But the world isn’t per-fect, and unfortunatelysome drivers deliberately

break the rules of the roadin an attempt to create aninsurance scam. Here aresome of the types of fraudhappening on the road, andways you may be able toavoid them:

• Forcing a rear-end col-lision. On multi-lane roadsand highways, scammerswill pull in front of anunsuspecting driver and hitthe brakes. If the followingdriver isn’t able to reactquickly enough, he verylikely will rear-end the firstcar, and the scammer willnot only collect the autoinsurance payment for“repairs” to the vehicle, butalso potentially fakeinjuries. One way to avoid acrash like this is to drivedefensively - keeping gooddistance between your carand vehicles in front of you.Also, pay attention to otherdrivers on the road in caseyou need to suddenly hitthe brakes. If you areinvolved in a rear-end colli-sion, try to get witnessstatements from other driv-ers. Their statements mighthelp determine if therereally was a reason for thefront vehicle to stop sud-denly.

• Additional damageappearing after the crash.Sometimes the crash isn’treally a scam, but the result-ing claims are. In this case, ascammer will create addi-tional damage to the carafter the crash, for a higherpayout from your autoinsurance company.

If you are involved in acrash, use a camera or yourcell phone camera to docu-ment the damage to bothvehicles at the scene.

Write down what areasof both vehicles are dam-aged, and ask the otherdriver to initial the docu-ment before you leave thescene.

Having an official policereport logged of the crashmay also help prevent thisscam from happening.

• The “friendly” wave.Every driver has probablyexperienced or even giventhe friendly wave at leastonce. Two cars are at anintersection, one driverwaves the other driver toproceed, and everyone getsthrough the intersectionand on with their travels.But some scammers havegiven another driver the“friendly” wave, only tothen deliberately crash intohim in the middle of theintersection.

When it comes time forthe claim to be made, thefirst driver will deny everwaving at the second vehi-cle.

Practicing defensivedriving may help you toavoid a crash like this, espe-cially if you are able to keepan eye on all other vehicleswhile proceeding throughan intersection.

According to BryanArnett, Mitsubishi’sManager of ProductStrategy, the Outlanderbrand is set to expand in thecoming years. In addition tothe four trim levels –topped off by the surpris-ingly entertaining GT –there’s room to fill aboveand below.

The styling is just asaggressive as its larger sib-ling, complete with

Mitsubishi’s “jet-fightergrille” and square hatch.The Outlander’s slab sideshave been augmented withsubtle upswept swage linethat runs aft of the frontwheels and terminatesabove the rear fender flares.With the wheels (16-inch-ers standard, 18-inch hoopson the SE) pushed to theouter edges of the Sport-specific body work and aclass-leading 0.32 cD, thesmaller Outlander comesacross as more athletic thanits brethren. And with thewheelbase intact, a minimalreduction in both width(less than an inch) andheight (almost two inches)pays dividends inside.

The tilt and telescopingleather steering wheel ispleasing to the touch, theswitchgear and stalks aboveaverage, while the climatecontrols are blissfully sim-ple in both design and exe-cution.

The dual gauges arebisected by a multi-infor-mation display, all of whichremains clear and readableno matter the lighting. Thestandard stereo is an ode tosimplicity, while the

optional sat-nav/rear-viewcamera and 710-watt, nine-speaker Rockford-Fosgatestereo brings the noise anddoes its part to upgrade thedash.

The same MiVEC-equipped 2.0-liter four-cylinder (4B11) foundthroughout the Lancer line-

up is bolted into the Sport,churning out 148 horse-power at 6,000 RPM and145 pound-feet of torque at4,200 RPM. While that’snot much for a crossover,bear in mind that the Sportloses around 400 poundsfrom the standard Out-lander, and when equipped

with the Sportronic CVT,Mitsu says the Sport shoulddeliver an estimated 31 mpgon the highway.

For the price and the seg-ment, it packs all thebaubles you’d expect, plussomething that setsMitsubishi apart – its all-wheel drive system.


The 2011 MitsubishiOutlander Sport canbe seen at: SlidellMitsubishi312 E. Howzee BeachRoad, Slidell


cadillac.com

Slidell Mitsubishi is where theOutlander Sport can be driven

2011 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT

Avoid car crash insurance scams


The 2011 ChevroletCruze promises mid-sizespace in a compact package,as well as near-hybrid fueleconomy.

The 2011 ChevroletCruze replaces Cobalt asthe compact car fromGeneral Motors’ volumedivision. Cruze is a 4-doorsedan that comes in LS, LT,LTZ, and fuel-economy-oriented Eco trim levels. LTmodels are subdivided into1LT and 2LT. The LS has a136-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. The 1LT,2LT, LTZ, and Eco use a138-horsepower tur-bocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylin-der engine. A 6-speed man-

ual transmission is stan-dard on the LS and Eco. A6-speed automatic isoptional on those modelsand standard on the LT andLTZ. Available safety fea-tures include ABS, tractioncontrol, antiskid system,curtain-side airbags, front-and rear-side airbags, and

front-knee airbags. CruzeEco models have ultra-low-rolling-resistance tires andother aerodynamic tweaksdesigned to increase fueleconomy.

Available on the LT andLTZ is an RS AppearancePackage, which includesfog lights and specific exte-rior trim. Leather uphol-stery, heated front seats,remote engine start, and awireless cell-phone link arestandard on the 2LT andLTZ.

A sport suspension isstandard on LTZ.

Rear-obstacle detectionis optional on the LT andstandard on the LTZ.

Traction control system,smooth responsive han-dling, StabiliTrak Elec-tronic Stability ControlSystem, remote keylessentry, full size spare tire,power passenger side mir-ror -those are just some ofthe features that makeSilverado the most depend-able, longest-lasting full-size pickups on the road.

Available heated, lea-ther-appointed front seats,MP3 playback(19), XMSatellite radio, driver lum-bar support, 60/40 benchseats, and cruise control aresome of the creature com-forts you’ll find insideSilverado. Some are stan-dard, some are optional - allare part of the Silveradoexperience.

Every proven Vortec V8engine available onSilverado is capable of gen-erating over 300 horsepow-er and 300 lb.-ft. of torque.

Or step up to the avail-able Vortec 6.2L V8 thatgenerates 403 horses and417 lb.-ft. of torque.

Not surprisingly, all thatpower is complemented by

a lot of payload capability:1,980 lbs. (7) for Crew Caband 1,925 lbs. (7) forExtended Cab models withthe available MAXTrailering Pack.

With the available MAXTrailering Pack, ExtendedCab models can tow 10,700lbs. (4) and Crew Cab mod-els can pull 10,600 lbs. (4)The package includes:

• A strong, 9.5-inch rearaxle that helps carry or pullthe biggest loads

• The Vortec 6.2L V8engine with 403 horsepow-er and 417 lb.-ft. of torque

• GM segment-exclusiveautomatic locking rear dif-ferential for more grip and

less slip when you need itmost.

Chevrolet Wi-Fi byAutonet Mobile (12) turnsSilverado into a mobilehotspot:

• Available dealer-

installed GM-licensedaccessory provides multi-ple users with full Internetaccess inside the vehicleand up to a 150-foot radiusaround the vehicle

• Internet connection

can support several devicesat once

• For work site use,offers immediate access toonline ordering sites,municipal sites with permitand building code informa-

tion, and more• For families on the go,

passengers can connectwith friends on social sites,stream videos on long trips,or find maps and researchfishing and camping sites.

What Makes a Silverado a Silverado?Find out at Levis Chevrolet Cadillac

The 2011 ChevySilverado can beseen at: LevisChevrolet Cadillac316 E. Howzee BeachRoad, Slidell


cadillac.com

2011 CHEVY SILVERADO

The economical Chevy Cruze is at Levis Chevrolet CadillacThe 2011 Chevy Cruze

can be seen at: LevisChevrolet Cadillac316 E. Howzee BeachRoad, Slidell


cadillac.com

2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE

(ARA) - Accidents canhappen when you leastexpect them - even minorfender-benders can cause alot of anxiety - so it’s impor-tant to know the correctsteps to take.

Traffic crashes costAmerican motorists morethan $160 billion a yearaccording to MSN.com. Ifyou find yourself involvedin an accident, the firstthing to remember is toremain calm. Next, consid-er these steps:

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It’s important to makesure everyone in your vehi-cle, as well as in other vehi-cles involved in the acci-dent, is OK. If someone is

injured or if a car is leakingfuel, call 911 immediately.

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Your car may be blockingtraffic, or there may bedebris on the road thatcould hinder passing traf-fic. Having your hazardlights blinking will bringawareness to other driversso they can negotiatearound the crash site. Oncepolice arrive, they mayrequest you to move yourvehicle to the side of theroad and out of traffic.

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you should calmly call thepolice to report the acci-dent. The police can help

file an accident report.They will ask you for proofof your family auto insur-ance policy.

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mend recording your ownaccount of the sceneincluding taking notes andphotos, according toCNN.com. Keep a dispos-able camera in the glovebox or use your cell phonecamera.

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It’s a good thing to have acurrent auto insurance cardwith your informationavailable because you willexchange this informationwith the other driver as

well as the police. It’s smartto always keep your policycard in your purse or walletas well as in your vehicle.Also take down the otherdriver’s full name, licenseplate number, driver’slicense number, addressand phone contact.

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Call your insurance com-pany to report exactly whathappened. They will workwith you through all thepaperwork and help you getyour car fixed. Take notesof who you spoke with asworking with the same per-son can help streamline theprocess.

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After your car is fixedand the car accident is wellbehind you, think about

what happened and howyou might avoid it in thefuture.

(ARA) - Rememberwhen $4 seemed like anoutrageous amount tospend on a gallon of gaso-line? Now that numberdoesn’t seem so far-fetched.While you can’t do any-thing to control the unrestin the Middle East or oil rigexplosions that could leadto gas prices spiking at amoment’s notice, there area few things you can do tohelp ease the pain of highgas prices.

While buying a morefuel-efficient car might bean option for some, newand used cars that get moremiles per gallon tend to bemore in demand - and moreexpensive - when gas pricesare high. If a new car isn’tan option for you, imple-menting the followingchanges can help ensurethat you get the most fromthe fuel in your gas tank:

• Keep the gas you buy inyour car. When gas pricesare low, stealing gas wouldlikely be more trouble thanit’s worth, but when pricesare high, it’s not uncommonfor thieves to siphon gasfrom vehicles, especiallythose with larger tanks.Adding a locking gas capcan be done for much lessthan the cost of a tank ofgas. In addition to prevent-ing theft, locking fuel tankcaps can also prevent any-

one from tampering withyour gas tank.

• Keep your tank full.While you’re looking toreduce the amount of gaso-line you are using, con-stantly running your carwith the tank close toempty can wear down yourfuel pump. “The gasoline inthe tank keeps the fuelpump cool. Take away thegas and the fuel pump runshot and has a shorter life,”says Tom Taylor, engineerand vice president ofRockAuto.com. If you havean older car that has accu-mulated dirt and rust at thebottom of the tank, keepinga full tank can help yourfuel burn cleaner.

• Keep your car in shape.Keeping your engine prop-erly tuned improves fuelefficiency by an average of 4percent and repairing amajor issue like a faultyoxygen sensor couldimprove efficiency by up to40 percent, according theU.S. Department of Energy.The RockAuto.com partscatalog has oxygen sensorsfrom $10 to more than $100depending on the car,” saysTaylor. Especially if you’re ado-it-yourselfer, you couldquickly recoup the cost ofan oxygen sensor or otherrepair after as little as onetank of gas throughimproved fuel economy.

• Keep your tires inflat-ed properly. Keeping yourtires at the optimal level notonly keeps you safer, butcan improve your gasmileage by up to 3.3 per-cent, according to theDepartment of Energy.Your owner’s manualshould tell you the properpsi (pounds per square

inch) levels for your vehi-cle.

• Drive for optimal gasmileage. How you drive canaffect how much gas youuse. Most cars run at peakefficiency at around 60mph, with fuel economydecreasing sharply whentraveling faster. Aggressivedriving with rapid accelera-

tion and slowing will alsohave a negative effect onyour fuel economy.

• Reduce weight anddrag. Getting rid of itemssuch as roof equipmentwhen they aren’t beingused can help your carbecome more aerodynamicand run more efficiently.Keeping unnecessary items

in your car, especially ifthey are heavy, can alsomake your car work harderand use more fuel than itneeds to. By adding up thesmall savings gained byeach of these tips, you canreally notice a difference onhow much you are payingat the pump, especially overa long period of time.


How to spend less on fuel when gas prices rise

Driving smart: Steps to take after a car accident

Spacious, comfortableand easy to drive, the 2011Toyota RAV4 is a top pickfor a small-to-midsizecrossover SUV, especially ifyou want a V6 or a usablekid-size third-row seat.

It has superb power yetgreat fuel economy fromoptional V6; huge cargospace with flat load floorand low load height; com-fortable ride; responsivehandling.

One of the RAV4’sstrengths is its ability toeffortlessly make the transi-tion from an accommodat-ing family runabout to apack mule. There are usefulstorage spaces throughoutthe interior and the rearseats flip down to create acargo hold more capaciousthan even the midsize FordEdge. Passenger space isalso pretty good, with anoptional third-row seatcapable of accommodatinga pair of kids. Add in theaforementioned powerfulyet thrifty V6 and you can

see why the RAV4 has beena favorite

The 2011 Toyota RAV4comes standard with a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine thatdelivers 179 hp and 172pound-feet of torque. Afour-speed automatic trans-mission is standard. Fueleconomy for this modelwith front-wheel drive is 22mpg city/28 mpg highwayand 24 mpg combined, and21/27/24 with 4WD.

Every RAV4 trim levelcan be matched with eitherfront-wheel or four-wheeldrive. In 4WD models,power is sent to the frontwheels until tire slippage is

detected and then power isalso directed to the rearwheels. The torque splitcan be manually locked at50 percent front/50 percentrear for driving in poortraction conditions, such asgravel or snow. With theoptional tow package, theRAV4 V6 can pull as muchas 3,500 pounds.

In crash tests conductedby the National HighwayTraffic Safety Adminis-tration, the RAV4 earns aperfect five stars for driverprotection in frontalimpacts and four stars forfront passenger protection.It earns five stars for front-and rear-occupant protec-tion in side impacts.

The RAV4 also performswell in Insurance Institutefor Highway Safety tests,earning the top rating of“Good” in both the frontal-offset and side-impactcrash tests. It achieves thesecond-best rating of“Acceptable” in the roofstrength test.


The 2011 Toyota Tundrahas dared to tread on sacredterritory, namely thedomestic full-size pickupmarket, and done so withsurprising success. TheTundra matches or beatsmost of its domestic full-size competition when itcomes to size, performanceand price. The U.S.-builtTundra features standardside airbags, trailer swaycontrol and electronic sta-bility control and is the firstfull-sized pickup to earnthe Insurance Institute forHighway Safety’s TopSafety Pick award.

If you haul a lot of stuffand/or people, the Tundrais up for the job. Dependingupon configuration, thepayload can exceed one tonand towing capacity canreach 10,400 pounds.Pulling that load can be theavailable 5.7-liter V8 with401 pound-feet of torque.

For 2011, the Tundra’sbase 4.0-liter V6 receivesdual variable valve timingfor more power and betterfuel economy (horsepowerincreases from 236 to 270),while trailer sway control ismade standard on all mod-els. Toyota has streamlined

the Tundra lineup down tothe 28 most popular config-urations.

From the driver’s seat,there’s no mistaking the2011 Toyota Tundra is avery big vehicle.

The tall seating positionmakes it easy to see thehighway ahead, but its con-siderable size means theTundra may require someconcentration to keep itcorrectly positioned onnarrow roads and in crowd-ed parking lots. The avail-able sonar warning systemand backup camera will bewelcome when parking,maneuvering off-road orconnecting to a trailer. TheTundra offers excellentsteering feel and a betterhighway ride than some ofits competitors. This isthanks in part to its frame,

which has a stiff fully-boxed front section, partial-ly-boxed C-channel under

the passenger compart-ment and more flexibleopen C-channel below the

bed. The optional 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 willeasily and comfortably

accelerate an unloadedTundra into fast-movingtraffic.

The best-selling car inAmerica for eight straightyears, the customer for aToyota Camry will find asoftly-tuned, comfortablecommuter car. Americanshave known exactly what toexpect from the ToyotaCamry for years. It’s been areliable, comfortable com-muter for millions, whichhelped it conquer the mar-ket as the best-selling car inthe U.S. for nearly a decade.

In 2010, it won the U.S.News Best Midsize Car for

the Money Award for thesecond year in a row.

The Camry offers a spa-cious, comfortable interiorand is tuned for a smoothride.

For Toyota loyalists, the2011 Toyota Camry mayrepresent a great buyingopportunity, especiallysince Toyota has been dis-counting the Camry withheavy incentives in recentmonths.

The best-selling 2011 ToyotaCamry is at Toyota of Slidell

The 2011 Toyota Camrycan be seen at:Toyota of Slidell300 Howze BeachRoad, Slidell

Phone: 888-577-0443Visit www.ltoyotaof

slidell.com

2011 TOYOTA CAMRY

The practicalRav4 is yours atToyota of Slidell

2011 TOYOTA RAV4

The tough Tundra is only at Toyota of Slidell

The 2011 Toyota Rav4can be seen at:Toyota of Slidell300 Howze BeachRoad, Slidell


slidell.com

2011 TOYOTA TUNDRA

The 2011 Toyota Tundracan be seen at:Toyota of Slidell300 Howze BeachRoad, Slidell


slidell.com

The Optima is a sharp-looking car. Designed byKia’s studios in Germanyand California, it’s longerand wider than before, los-ing more than an inch offront and rear overhangversus its predecessor.Whatan improvement: The newOptima sports a clean,assertive profile. Its belt linerises simply, with noswooping curves or suddenkinks; the furrowed expres-sion recalls many mid-decade Acuras. Kia hasfound a corporate faceworth sticking to, and itdoesn’t matter so much thatit’s derivative — almosteverything is these days.

Stick-shift LX modelshave 16-inch steel wheelswith plastic covers; othercars get alloy wheels — 16-inchers on LX automaticsand 17s on all EX models.One upscale touch: Allmodels have body-coloredside mirrors with integratedturn signals. EX cars addchrome door handles. TheOptima SX gets a range ofexterior appointments:xenon headlights, LED tail-lights, a small rear spoiler,various ground effects and18-inch wheels. Thatdescription may soundgaudy, but the SX is tasteful-ly done.

Kia offers LX and EXtrims with a 200-horsepow-er, direct-injection four-cylinder. Come December, a274-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder will be optional in

the EX and standard on thetop-dog Optima SX. Alas, Ididn’t drive the turbo, justthe normally aspirated EXmodels equipped with theOptima’s staple transmis-sion, a six-speed automatic.It’s a capable pairing: Theengine lacks the low-endoomph to come out of a cor-ner in a high gear and accel-erate uphill, but the trans-mission kicks down soonenough to get you back upto speed.

On the highway, the carmoves competently:Squeeze the acceleratortwo-thirds of the way down,give the automatic a beat tofetch 4th gear, and theOptima turns 60 mph into80 mph with surprisingvigor. It’s no V-6 imperson-ator, but it represents a sortof halfway compromise thatmost owners should be ableto live with — and appreci-ate, given the drivetrain’simpressive 24/34 mpgcity/highway EPA rating.Stick-shift models get aslightly better 24/35 mpg,while the turbo gets animpressive 22/34 mpg.


The 2011 KiaOptima is ready at Lakeshore Kia

2011 KIA OPTIMA

The 2011 Kia Optimacan be seen at:Lakeshore Kia330 E. Howzee BeachRoad, Slidell

Phone: 985-641-9595Visit www.lakeshore

kia.com

The Toyota Corolla isone of the best known andbest loved cars in America.It’s not a stellar beauty, noris it lightening fast; it does-n’t even have a third-rowseat or all-wheel drive.What the Corolla does havecollectively is millions oftrouble-free miles, millionsmore loyal fans and a resalerecord that has the compe-tition green with envy. Notwanting to mess with suc-cess, the 2011 Corollaarrives with some minorcosmetic changes and morestandard equipment. Still,the small-car market hasheated up dramaticallysince the Corolla firstappeared, and it – alongwith long-time rival the

Honda Civic – must now dobattle with newer, sleekerand better-equipped carssuch as the new HyundaiElantra, Chevrolet Cruzeand Kia Forte. Along withits new styling, the Corollawill rely on its time-testedstrengths, a formula thatcombines great fuel econo-my, a pleasant ownership

experience and a no-non-sense design. If you’re look-ing for a car that is as mod-est in appearance and per-formance as it is affordable,the 2011 Toyota Corolla willprobably fit nicely into yourlife (and your garage). . Thebottom line is this: TheCorolla is a good, solid com-muter car geared towardthose whose automotivechoices are made with amore pragmatic viewpoint.

For 2011, the Corollareceives new front and rearfascias, an upgraded interi-or, standard Smart Stoptechnology (a brake-over-ride system) and the ToyotaCare ComplimentaryMaintenance Program asstandard.

2011 TOYOTA CAROLLA

The popular 2011Toyota Corolla is at

Toyota of SlidellThe 2011 Toyota

Caroilla can be seenat: Toyota of Slidell300 Howze BeachRoad, Slidell


slidell.com

march 2011 auto

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