Entune gets an upgrade: what to expect

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Toyota recently announced an upgrade coming to their Entune multimedia system, which current (and future) users are sure to appreciate. If you've never heard of Entune, it's Toyota's way of decking out your car with technology and entertainment. Originally available in 2011 in certain Toyota vehicles, Entune can now be equipped in most Toyotas, and offers a touchscreen display built into your stereo system, with the ability to quickly access a suite of useful applications (such as Bing, Pandora, iHeartRadio, etc). In addition, there are several different systems available, with premium versions offering features like navigation and the ability to play DVD's while the car is parked.

If you currently have a Toyota with Entune, the big news is that it will no longer require a subscription, effective immediately! For future Toyota owners, the upgraded version of Entune will be available starting with the 2014 Tundra (and then make it's way into the next versions of the Sequoia, 4Runner, Tacoma, RAV4, Highlander, Corolla, and Camry). This upgrade will include new features such as:

• Enhanced voice recognition
• Improved navigation capabilities, such as Tollbooth Guidance and Speed Limit Display
• Save up to 2,500 contacts in phone storage, now with image display as well (previously 1,000)
• New Yelp and Facebook Places apps available
• Ability to customize homescreen in certain sections
• Customize arrangement of apps and audio menu screens
• Cache radio feature that lets you "pause" live radio, up to 20 minutes.
• Color touchscreens with up to 8'' display screen size

To see full details of all the changes coming to Entune, you can visit the official Toyota site here. Which new feature is your favorite?

Introducing: the Lou Fusz Car Pass

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One of the things that makes owning a car from Lou Fusz unique from other dealerships is the free membership into our AutoAwards program, which gives you perks and freebies, such as the ability to earn points for every dollar you spend towards service. Those points can then be redeemed and used towards the purchase of a future car, saving up to $1000 off the price! AutoAwards members also get a key tag that can be shown for a discount at many businesses and restaurants all around St. Louis (which will sound familiar if you remember our recent "Blindfold Taste Test" moment). It's like having one of those entertainment books, except you don't have to carry coupons around with you! Last but not least, as you accumulate AutoAwards points, you earn service gift cards when you hit certain milestones.

Those are all some pretty cool benefits, just for owning a car from Fusz! We could stop there and call it a day, but we wanted to take things a step further, to offer a benefits program that is, in our own words, "truly exceptional!" With that, we're excited to announce the Car Pass program, an upgrade to your AutoAwards membership that can be purchased at the dealership any time. What is the Lou Fusz Car Pass, exactly? It's our way of giving owners the VIP treatment with peace of mind and convenience!  

With Car Pass, you get all of the benefits of AutoAwards, as well as:

• 3 years of complimentary oil changes, including synthetic oil.
• Free Missouri state inspections and emissions testing
• Free Windshield sealant and chip repair if your window gets damaged.
• 1 free paintless dent repair every year, up to the size of a dime.
• Priority service scheduling-you'll get moved to the "front of the line" any time you reserve a service appointment!
• Additional trade in bonus. Selling your old car? We'll give you an extra $500 for being a Car Pass member!

Want to learn more? Visit our website or call us and talk to an associate to see how you can get enrolled.

Which Car Pass benefit do you like the most?

How highway driving can affect your gas mileage per gallon

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What could be better than hitting the pedal on the highway and feeling that burst of speed as you cruise down the open road? It's one of life's simple pleasures that we all love to indulge in, usually forgetting about the fuel efficiency hit our cars take every time we do it. If your car has a display setting for showing your MPG (which many newer Toyota/Scion vehicles such as the Camry, Prius, and FR-S do) you can see that when you floor the gas pedal, the difference is dramatic. Your average mileage drops faster than a cliff diver in Acapulco plunging 136 feet into the Pacific Ocean!

How is your MPG affected when you drive for extended periods of time at certain speeds, though? A new Consumer Reports study took several vehicles (including a Toyota RAV4 and a Ford Fusion) and put them to the test, driving at 55, 65, and 75 miles per hour. They found that the vehicles exceeded their MPG when driven at 55 miles per hour, which many experts agree is the "sweet spot" for getting the best highway efficiency out of your car. For example, a 2013 Toyota RAV4 with two-wheel drive is rated by the EPA to get 31 highway MPG, but in the Consumer Reports test it actually achieved 37 MPG when driving at a speed of 55 miles per hour! 

At higher speeds, fuel efficiency dropped considerably, and the RAV4 only got around 27 miles to the gallon. On an average 200 mile trip, that means you would shave an hour of drive time by traveling at 75 instead of 55, though you will be burning an extra two gallons of gas and have a higher likelihood of getting into an accident. In these situations, you have to ask yourself: is the time saved worth it? 

On road trips with long open stretches of highway and few other drivers around, I like to cruise at slightly higher speeds, around 75 (especially if I can turn a 5 hour trip into a 4 hour one). However, for daily driving, I much prefer to keep my speed lower to maximize my mileage per gallon, as I know it adds up over the course of a year. 

How about you? What is your speed preference when it comes to road trips vs every day driving?