Are Your Tires Safe Enough?
Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle since they connect you to the road. Whether you have snow tires for the winter, or you are using all-season tires, it is important to know more about them, and to maintain them properly. Tires should always be properly inflated, have plenty of tread, and be free from signs of damage, weather cracking, or uneven wear.
Snow tires are specifically designed to grip the road in cold, icy conditions. Snow tires achieve superior traction through a more aggressive tread pattern and a softer rubber compound. So why have snow tires? Why not just make all tires have better tread and grip? The answer is that the different rubber compounds work better at different temperatures. The softer rubber compound functions best in colder weather (generally below 45 degrees F), and will actually wear more quickly in warmer weather, whereas summer tires are designed to function best in warmer weather. For this reason, it is important to take your snow tires off once warm spring temperatures arrive to help prolong the life of your snow tires. By contrast, all-season tires are made from a harder rubber compound that can handle the warm summer roads, but do not provide as much traction in the ice and snow.
Regardless of whether you use snow tires or all season tires, it is important to note that not rotating tires can cause them to wear out more than three times as quickly. Tires that are not rotated can wear unevenly, becoming “chopped.” At first, chopped tires will be only a minor nuisance; they will be noisier and less fuel-efficient than tires with even wear. Over time, however, the chop will become so severe that the tires will no longer pass a state safety inspection, even as early as 20,000 miles!
Keeping your tires properly inflated and having them rotated every 5,000 miles or so will help them last longer. In fact, keeping your tires properly inflated has the added benefit of improving your fuel economy. As far as rotating your tires, we offer free tire rotations for the life of every tire we sell.
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Is this the perfect car?
The game-changing, head-turning 2016 Toyota Prius will be available for sale next month, and we are getting pretty excited about it! This is far from a model year change; and it is not just a redesign, either. The all-new 2016 Prius has been completely re-imagined, and will be the very first Toyota product to feature the all Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.
TNGA is a global platform that will be used across the full lineup of Toyota cars and SUV’s in the coming years, beginning with the 2016 Prius. TNGA will increase economies of scale, and simplify ordering and production across Toyota’s line-up. The implementation of TNGA will be staggered over several years; although the Prius debuts in February, the RAV4, Camry, and Avalon will not switch to TNGA until 2018, and the Highlander will follow suit in 2020.
The sleek, futuristic look of the new 2016 Toyota Prius will appeal to a wide audience
Needless to say, the 2016 Prius will be huge launch for Toyota. The Prius continues to raise the bar for fuel economy by delivering an incredible 58 mpg in the optional Eco trim level, and 54 mpg on all other models. And while the all-new Prius still provides the exceptional fuel economy for which it is known, its exterior barely resembles the iconic body style of the outgoing hatchback.
The 2016 Prius has a more modern look, complemented by striking body lines. The hatch has a more refined, tapered look to it, and the creases in the doors and rear fenders are especially eye-catching. Despite the stylish body changes, the 2016 Prius remains aerodynamic and achieves a 0.24 coefficient of drag, allowing it to cut through the wind and boost fuel economy. And with a starting MSRP of $25,260, the 2016 Prius is only $1,000 more than a Camry LE, with 54% better fuel economy! For an additional $500, you can get the Prius Two Eco trim level and snag an extra 4 mpg.
The redesigned hatch offers a more elegant, tapered look than the outgoing 3rd Generation Prius
The interior of the new Prius has even higher-quality materials than before, more comfortable seats, and better visibility. The trunk boasts an impressive 27.4 cubic feet of storage space.
For any technophiles out there, don’t miss out on the optional Advanced Technology Package, which provides dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and much more!
The 2016 Prius boats a ton of the latest and greatest technology
Toyota expects to sell 400,000 RAV4’s next year, of which 50,000 (12.5%) will be Hybrid models. The biggest draw of the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid model line is that it will be an AWD vehicle that gets 34 MPG. Plus, it will be backed by the incredible reputation for quality and reliability that has made the RAV4 so wildly popular. The RAV4 Hybrid is available in two trim levels: XLE AWD and Limited AWD. Both of these vehicles are powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid engine with 194 net horsepower and 206 lb/-ft. of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid has best-in-class combined and best-in-class fuel economy. It also delivers more horsepower, faster acceleration, and better fuel economy than the conventional RAV4 lineup.
The all-new RAV4 Hybrid will feature updated exterior styling, including a new front end from the hood line down, as well as standard roof rails, and front and rear skid plates. The Hybrid Limited trim level will come standard with chrome outside door handles.
When you sit in the RAV4 Hybrid, you will notice the refined cabin, including more soft touch surfaces and improved materials throughout. Thicker padding on the lower dash provides a soft and luxurious tactile experience.
Take this RAV4 for a spin and you will notice that the cabin is quieter than ever thanks to increased sound insulation. In addition to a thicker sound insulation layer, the silencer area has been expanded by 55%. An anti-vibration rubber cushion mounting has been adopted to reduce the drivetrain noise and vibration in the cabin.
As far as technological goodies are concerned, the RAV4 Hybrid boasts such available amenities as a 7-inch touch screen (a 4.2-inch screen comes standard), Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan, and Connected Navigation through Scout GPS link. A Power Tilt and Slide Moonroof comes standard on both the XLE and Limited trim levels.
Toyota Safety Sense is the latest safety technology developed by Toyota and comes standard on both the RAV4 Hybrid XLE and RAV4 Hybrid Limited. Toyota Safety Sense features a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, auto high beams, pedestrian detection, and lane departure alert with steering assist. For additional safety, all RAV4 Hybrid models will come standard with Hill-Start Assist Control and Trailer Sway Control. Front and Rear Park Sonar and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert both come stand on the Hybrid Limited and are each available options on the Hybrid XLE.
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid delivers improved ride and handling, thanks to several adjustments to the suspension and steering. The front suspension features a MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar and hydraulic shock absorbers. The rear suspension is a double-wishbone configuration with coil springs, trailing arms, stabilizer bar, and hydraulic shock absorbers. The steering feel is more direct, thanks to a tapered structure for both the suspension member and surfaces of the steering gear box, which produces more rigidity (and less play) for an enhanced driving feel.
Can this article protect you from buying a lemon?
If you have been looking at pre-owned cars lately, you may have noticed that some of them are designated as being “certified.” A certified pre-owned vehicle is simply one that is part of a certification program, meaning that it has met certain standards for quality. The muddy the waters somewhat, certified pre-owned (CPO) programs can be further divided into “dealer CPO” and “factory CPO” programs. While any car dealer, either franchised or independent can offer a “dealer CPO” program, only a franchised dealer can offer a factory CPO program.
For example, for a used Toyota to become a Toyota certified pre-owned vehicle, it undergoes a 170-point inspection. To be up to standard, a Toyota CPO vehicle cannot be more than six model years old or have more than 75,000 miles on it. Among other items, the tire tread and brake pads must both be 50% or better, and no more than two body panels can have had prior paintwork (even by a professional bodyshop). Because the tires and brakes have a high minimum requirement, many CPO Toyotas actually have new tires and brake pads installed so that they can pass the CPO inspection, providing a higher quality used car to the customer.
Every factory CPO program is a little bit different, but they all have standards published online, and come backed by the manufacturer. By contrast, the “house” certification programs that some independent dealers offer can be a bit more opaque.
Factory-certified pre-owned cars do not just provide peace-of-mind and higher quality, there are other benefits to the CPO program as well, such as better warranties, and sometimes, reduced interest rates. For example, a CPO Toyota comes with the balance of a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a full year of roadside assistance. Additionally, Toyota CPO models are eligible for special financing rates. We have embraced the factory CPO programs for Toyota, Scion, Ford, Lincoln, and Hyundai because we believe that these vehicles deliver the very best value to our customers. By starting with a superior product and being able to offer better warranties and lower interest rates, we hope to take the unknowns out of buying a pre-owned vehicle.
Just In: The 2016 Toyota Tacoma!
It’s here! At long last, the highly-anticipated 2016 Toyota Tacoma 4×4 has arrived at Irwin Toyota! This gorgeous 2016 Tacoma Access Cab 4×4 in Blazing Blue Pearl is powered by the all-new 3.5L V6 engine that cranks out an impressive 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. It is equipped with the SR5 Appearance Package, which includes 16″ alloy wheels and color-keyed over fenders.
For safety and convenience, this Tacoma comes standard with a rear backup camera and the Star Safety System which includes Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, Smart Stop Technology (SST) Driver and Front Passenger Advanced Airbag System Seat-Mounted Side and Side Curtain Airbags.
The exterior of this Tacoma features an all-new grille, projector beam headlights, power side mirrors, 6.1-foot composite bed with a lockable and removable tailgate deck-rail system with adjustable tie-down cleats.
It also has the Tow Package with a Class IV towing receiver hitch, ATF cooler, trailer-sway control, and 4 & 7-Pin connector with converter.
Scion iM and iA Have Great Lease Programs
Scion is pulling out all the stops for the launch of its two newest nameplates, the iM hatchback and iA sedan. Just in time for launch, Scion has announced some very competitive lease programs as well as extremely low interest rates for up to 60 months!
You can lease the Scion iA sedan for only $129 a month for 24 months with $2,999 due at signing, or $169 a month for 36 months with only $1,999 due at signing! If you would prefer to buy this economical sedan rather than lease it, Scion is offering 0.9% APR for up to 60 months, or 1.9% APR for up to 72 months! This is the first time in its history that Scion has offered a subvented rate on a 72-month loan.
If you would prefer the sporty new iM hatchback, then you will love being able to lease it for only $163 per month for 24 months with $2,999 due at signing, or for 36 months at $199 a month with only $1,999 due at signing. You can buy this stylish new offering with a special financing rate of only 1.9% for up to 60 months.
Irwin Scion is pleased to announce that we even have enhanced offers on our existing Scion tC’s. These sporty coupes can be leased for only $147 per month for 24 months with $2,999 due at signing, or $179 per month or 36 months with $1,999 due at signing.
The Scion iM will be a sporty, “hot hatch” that will appeal to a wide audience
2016 Toyota Tacoma Arrives in September
The completely redesigned 2016 Toyota Tacoma in Blazing Blue Pearl
Irwin Toyota is proud to announce that its very first 2016 Toyota Tacoma will be arriving in September! Completely redesigned for the 2016 model year, the Tacoma is going to build on its hard-earned reputation for reliability and longevity, while improving performance and fuel efficiency. Our very first 2016 Tacoma will feature the all-new motor, a 3.5L V6, which will replace the current 4.0L V6. The 3.5L cranks out 270 horsepower, compared to 236 produced by the outgoing 4.0L V6. In addition to producing about 10% more power than the 4.0L motor, the 3.5L will get better fuel economy, and is expected to be closer to the EPA ratings on the current 2.7L I4.
The 2016 Tacoma will feature three new colors: Quicksand, Inferno, and Blazing Blue Pearl. The Tacoma that will be arriving on our lot in September will be Blazing Blue Pearl, the same color found on its big brother, the 2016 Tundra which will be arriving around the same time. In term of a medium-hued Quicksand will replace Pyrite. For those looking for a truck that commands attention, Inferno will be a popular choice. Inferno was initially offered last year exclusively for the TRD Pro line, but due to the overwhelming popularity of the color, Toyota has made Inferno available on both the 2016 Tacoma and the 2016 Tundra.
Our 2016 Tacoma will feature the Off Road Package, which includes Bilstein shocks, locking rear differential, multi-terrain select, hill-start assist, 16” alloy wheels, TRD decals, and more. Inside, this truck will feature high-end amenities like a 7” high-resolution touch screen, Entune premium audio with app suite, Navigation, and push button start.
In terms of fit and finish, the new Tacoma will have a quieter cabin than the outgoing model, thanks to a floor silencer pad, multi-layer acoustic windshield, sound-absorbing headliner, and enhanced seals. In keeping with the new era of social sharing, every single Tacoma will now come standard with a GoPro mount located near the rear-view mirror. So whether you are off-roading, getting a job done, or just going for a scenic drive, you can record and share your Tacoma experience with all your friends.
Be sure to look for the all-new 2016 Toyota Tacoma at Irwin Toyota this September!
2016 Toyota Tundra Arriving in September!
The 2016 Toyota Tundra will be arriving at Irwin Toyota in September! The very first Tundra that we will be an Extended Cab SR5 4×4 powered by the 5.7L V8 and featuring the TRD Off-Road package. It will feature a striking color, named Blazing Blue, which is completely new to the 2016 model year. The blue paint will be nicely set off by the addition of 18-inch split 5-spoke alloy wheels with black accents. The interior will feature such options as Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation. This is a 7-inch high resolution touch screen display with advanced voice recognition, that will feature music streaming via Bluetooth, hands-free phone capability, Connected Navigation Scout GPS Link, integrated back-up camera, and much more!
The TRD Off-Road package provides upgraded 18-inch wheels, trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, engine skid plate, fuel tank skid plate, rear side privacy glass, and a bed side decal. The SR5 Upgrade package adds a larger 38-gallon fuel tank, replaces the front bench seat with bucket seats, adds a floor-mounted shift knob, and adds goodies like an auto-dimming rear mirror with compass, a HomeLink universal transceiver, and an anti-theft system including an engine immobilizer.
As far as the specs go, this 2016 Tundra will deliver 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque thanks to its 5.7L i-FORCE V8 DOHC 32V and 6-speed automatic transmission. It has a 4.30 rear differential, tow mode, heavy duty battery and alternator, and much more!
This gorgeous blue truck is scheduled to be built at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in San Antonio, Texas on August 8, and will arrive in New Hampshire in early September!
Update: First Scion iA due in August
Irwin Toyota Scion is pleased to announce that our very first Scion iA is scheduled to be built on July 16th and will arrive in August! This sporty sub-compact will have Graphite paint with a mid blue and black interior. With an MSRP of $17,570, the iA promises to deliver plenty of bang for the buck! The iA offers a 7-inch color touch-screen display with voice recognition, hands-free phone and music streaming thanks to Bluetooth, push button start, 16-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlamps, power windows, locks, and mirrors with LED turn signals, plus much more and a whole host of safety features! Powered by a 1.5L, 106 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, this sedan is expected to achieve 42 mpg on the highway. Be sure to stay on the lookout for the all-new Scion iA at Irwin Toyota Scion! This sporty little sedan will be here before you know it. And it will be sure to turn some heads when it arrives!
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