Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Lexus lovers! It's been an exciting year for us here, and we can't wait to see what's in store for 2013! Please be safe tonight, and remember to have a designated driver if you're drinking!

What's Your "December To Remember"?

""When the weather gets cold, our family loves to get together to play games. A few days before Christmas, we love to go driving around the area looking at the festive lights. On Christmas eve, we pop some popcorn and share in a family movie. That is fun for all of us despite our ages and we all look forward to the evening together." -Jean

Lexus To The Rescue!

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HO HO…UH OH!  While surfing the internet awaiting their big night out, Santa’s reindeer discovered a last-minute travel deal to spend the holidays in Hawaii and immediately departed for the tropics. In a panic, Santa called Lexus for help.

  “I know Lexus delivers the best customer experience in the industry, so I called to see if they could help me out,” said Santa. “I needed a self-propelled sleigh with every bell and whistle to complete my task of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls around the world.”

  “When we got the call from Santa, we immediately sprang into action,” said Lexus General Manager Mark Templin. “We couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the big guy high and dry. Our elves and engineers are proud to introduce the ‘Lexus Flying Luxury Cruiser,’ or LFLC for short.”

  The new Lexus Flying Luxury Cruiser features:

·         An advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive system with 800 reindeer-power which creates fewer emissions than even a single reindeer. It also features an EV mode to allow Santa to stealthily land on every rooftop

·         Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to make Santa aware of any objects around him (like chimneys) to ensure safe maneuvering

·         Advanced Pre-Collision System to gauge if Santa is approaching an object too quickly in which case it will slow down and stop the Cruiser, helping prevent Grandma from getting run over

·         Lexus Navigation System with e-Destination so Santa can send all the addresses for the nice children to his Cruiser in advance.

·         Lexus Enform® with a Pandora® playlist that includes all Santa’s favorite tunes from “Grinch Live from Whoville,” “Frosty and the Snowmen” and the ever-popular band “Ebenezer and the Scrooges.”

·         A large, red LED and infrared light with stereo cameras for the front of his sleigh so he can see on a foggy night without Rudolph.

 
Of course, the LFLC comes with a lifetime warranty and Lexus’ 24-Hour Roof-side Assistance for Santa and Mrs. Claus’ peace of mind.

  “I can’t thank Lexus enough for making sure all the girls and boys around the world have a great Christmas,” said Santa, with a twinkle in his eye. “You’ll go down in history.”    

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: One indicator or blinker is flashing faster than the other

When you indicate one way and the blinker flashes quicker than when you indicate the other way, it means one of the bulbs has blown. An auto parts store will be able to tell you what sort of bulb you need to replace it with and your manual should show you how to get at the indicator bulbs - they're different on every car.

Your Maintenance Tip Courtesy of Car Bibles

By keeping up with us on our page you are able to take advantage of our numerous pre-owned offers and specials

http://www.lexusofmaplewood.com/VehicleSearchResults?search=

Monday Maintenance: Warming Your Vehicle

It cannot be understated how important it is to warm your car before you drive it. Learn about the importance of warming your vehicle before you drive it with help from an expert in the automotive industry in this free video clip.

 

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Lexus Check in for Charity

Help kids this holiday with your check ins. Boys & Girls Clubs of America will get $10 each time you check in to your favorite places with a goal of giving up to $100,000.

"We Would Not Hesitate To Recommend The Purchase Of A Lexus To Anyone"

"The purchase of our first 2004 Lexus ES300 was due to the time Michelle, your financial manager at the time, spent with us. In the eight years of driving the 2004 back and forth to Arizona, the only repair required was a leak in the oil gasket. We are now the proud owners of a 2012 ES350 that is giving us the same performance. We feel your trained service department is to be complimented for there excellent work. We would not hesitate to recommend the purchase of a Lexus to anyone."

- Wally and Dolores S.

Our Toys For Tots Drive Lasts Until December 18th!

Come drop off your donations at the dealership any time before then. Thank you for partnering with Lexus and Toys for Tots to make this holiday a special one for as many children as possible!

Employee Spotlight: Bill Robins - Lead Technician

Lexus of Maplewood is excited to highlight Bill for our November Employee Spotlight. Bill has been with Lexus of Maplewood for 16 years next month and currently is a Lead Technician in our Service Department. He was one of the first two mechanics working at Lexus of Maplewood when we first opened our doors in 1996.

Bill has a long history of working in the auto industry and before coming to work for Lexus of Maplewood he was at a Lincoln – Mercury dealership for 4 years and 8 years at an independent garage.

At Lexus of Maplewood, Bill leads a team of seven technicians very successfully. As the Service Department Director, I am extremely grateful for Bill’s hard work and dedication to his technicians. He takes the time and effort to help create a positive atmosphere and always supports his team. Bill mentioned that, “one of the favorite parts about my position is mentoring the other technicians and keeping a smooth work flow so everyone feels energized.” Bill brings a lot of experience to our Service Department and has continued to learn and grow with the ever-changing vehicle technology.

Recently, Lexus of Maplewood was honored to recognize Bill’ daughter Ashley, who won a scholarship for College from the Greater Metropolitan Automobile Dealers Association Of Minnesota, Inc. Ashley is a 3^rd year student at the University of Wisconsin – Stout and studying Packaging Design. She is excited about her upcoming internship opportunity in Green Bay, WI and finishing up her final years of College.

Bill also has an older son, Doug, who graduated from Dunwoody College in Computer Technology. He currently is working for Gander Mountain as a Computer IT Representative. Bill and his wife of 26 years, Cindy, are extremely proud of both their children and are glad they have stayed close to home so he can see them often.

Outside of work, Bill and Cindy spend their time riding the Harley Motorcycle on road trips. They try to ride to South Dakota for the Sturgis Bike Rally every other year to enjoy the fun atmosphere and experience. Bill also is a member of an Archery Club and attends league competitions to advance his archery skills. He usually takes his bow hunting throughout the year.

We would like to thank Bill for his 16 years of hard work at Lexus of Maplewood. Also, congratulations to Ashley for receiving the Greater Metropolitan Automobile Dealers Association Of Minnesota, Inc. scholarship.

Photo: Mike Jensen, General Manager with Bill and Ashley

Thank you Bill. Congrats Ashley!

It's The Time Of The Year To Help!

Lexus of Maplewood is proud to be a Toys for Tots drop location for the 5th year in a row. We encourage our customers to bring in unwrapped gifts for children in need.

Look for our General Manager on Kare 11 December 10th during the 10 p.m. News. We are able to promote our location as a Toys for Tots partner.

Toys must be dropped off by December 18th, 2012. Thank you for giving back this holiday season.

Monday Maintenance: The Test Drive

The test drive is one of the most important parts of buying a car. No matter what the car reviews say, if a vehicle doesn't fit you and your lifestyle, you're going to become dissatisfied with it long before that payment book is empty. The test drive is your opportunity to make your own personal assessment in a thorough, hands-on manner. If you're attentive to the details here, you can quickly tell whether or not you and the vehicle are meant for a long-term relationship.

The test drive is your opportunity to make your own personal assessment in a thorough, hands-on manner. When it comes to test driving a vehicle, the more time behind the wheel on various roads, the better. If you can arrange to rent a vehicle that's similar to the one you're considering, it could be worth the cost to be able to spend several days in it. Besides helping you become familiar with the vehicle, a rental car—without the new-car gloss—can also provide a reality check by showing you what yours might be like a year or more down the road. Most often, though, you'll have to make the most of the dealership test-drive. Here are some tips:

Test Drive Tips

• Don't rush. Allow yourself the time to do it properly. A car's true personality (the side you won't find on paper) really only shows up while driving. Also, make sure you can concentrate on the vehicle. If you feel self-conscious or distracted by the salesperson, politely ask him or her if you can drive alone.
• Take another person to the dealership. Your friend can give you a second opinion, take notes while you're driving, or run interference with the salesperson, if necessary.
• Start with the basics. How easy is it to get in and out of the vehicle? Some taller vehicles require a high step-up, which can be awkward for shorter people.
• Does the car fit you? Adjust the seat and steering wheel until you're comfortable. Seats vary quite a bit from one vehicle to the next. A seat that fits one person perfectly may be contoured wrong for someone else. Over the long run, if a seat isn't just right, it can become a real annoyance. Also, can you reach the pedals comfortably without being too close or too far from the steering wheel?
• How's the safety factor? Does the seatbelt fit comfortably across your body, without the shoulder belt cutting into your neck or riding too low? Are the belts adjustable? Is the headrest adjustable? Are there rear headrests?
• Are the controls conveniently located? With all the other distractions of driving, you don't need hard-to-operate controls. Are the dash switches easy to reach and the gauges easy to read? Are commonly used controls positioned high enough so that you don't have to divert your eyes too far from the road?
• Are there places to stow things? Can you fit CDs or cassettes in the center console? Are the cupholders secure and adjustable enough to fit a variety of sizes? Does the rear seat fold down for carrying larger loads in the trunk? On a minivan or sport-utility, can you open and close the rear door or liftgate easily?
• How well can you see in all directions? Are there blind spots that could pose vision problems? Can you see the front of the hood well enough to use it as a gauge when parking? Try pulling into one or more parking spaces to see how easy it is to park.
• Feel free to choose your own driving route so that you can take the car on a variety of road surfaces, from a high-speed highway to a patched-up back road. Is the ride smooth and comfortable or rough and bouncy? If you typically drive on hills, try to include them, too. A car that feels fine on level ground can run out of steam on hills.
• How's the driveability? Is the vehicle easy to steer in a crowded lot without being too vague on the highway? On the road, does the car feel responsive and controlled or sluggish and wallowy? Can you accelerate onto an interstate or freeway comfortably without holding up traffic?
• If you can find an empty stretch of road where you'll be safe, try applying the brakes hard a couple of times. How's the feel of the pedal? Do the brakes respond adequately in proportion to the amount of pressure you apply to the pedal?
• Listen as you drive. How quiet or noisy is the overall experience? Noise typically comes from the engine, wind, and the tires on the road. Also, listen for any squeaks or rattles. There shouldn't be any in a brand new car.
• If you'll be test driving several cars, try to do them in the same day so that your impressions are fresh. When evaluating the differences between vehicles, there's nothing more informative than being able to drive them back to back.

 

Courtesy of Mobil Oil