While most of
the time your car will be intelligent enough to let you know when it's
time for service, there are instances when you may need to identify
signs a little less obvious than a blinking orange light on the
dashboard.
Here are five more subtle indications that your car needs a trip to the doctor.
1. You notice a sudden drop in gas mileage. This could be a direct cause of a bad fuel injector, dirty fuel filter or a problem with the spark plugs.
2. Strange sounds.
There are many different noises that cars make; some natural while
others not so much. Knocking, thudding, squealing, droning: these are
some common indicators that something is wrong.
3. Leaks.
Automobiles require a litany of fluids to properly function. Not all
leaks will indicate a problem. For example, in the summer when the A/C
is running, water may condense and drip on the ground. The same is true
for exhaust pipes. Oil is one particular fluid that you do not want to
see accumulating on your driveway. A good way to test if it is just
water, or perhaps something else, is to dab a bit of the fluid on your
finger and smell it.
4. Spongy Brakes. Are you having to apply more pressure when braking your vehicle? It may be time for a brake inspection.
5. Smells.
Use all of your senses when operating your vehicle. Burning or metallic
scents coming from the vehicle are good signs of overheating, or brake
issues.
If you think your car is in need of service, schedule an appointment with us online!
Works from Second Lexus Design Award Winners Also Featured
Lexus will hold a special exhibition of works by three world-renowned designers at the Milan Design Week, the foremost international event for the world’s design industry, held in Milan, Italy. The exhibition, entitled Lexus Design Amazing 2014 Milan, will be held at Circolo Filologico Milanese and run from Tuesday, April 8 through Sunday, April 13.
The three global designers highlighted in the exhibition are Italian designer Fabio Novembre, Japanese designer Nao Tamura and the U.S. design team of MIT Media Lab, Tangible Media Group, led by Professor Hiroshi Ishii.
Each piece of work, created especially for the exhibition, aims to provide an unexpected encounter that goes beyond the field of automobiles. Each designer will work under the Lexus brand concept “Amazing in Motion,” challenging themselves to express the concept in a way not yet achieved.
The twelve winning awards from the second Lexus Design Award will also be displayed at the venue. The winners will be announced in late January.
Details of the Lexus Design Award are available at: http://www.lexus-int.com/design/lda.html
Under its Amazing in Motion brand concept, Lexus has been proactively supporting artists through the launch of the Lexus Design Award, Lexus Short Films and now Lexus Design Amazing 2014 Milan .
Overview of Lexus Design Amazing 2014 Milan
Period: April 8th (Tue) – April 13th (Sun)
Venue: Circolo Filologico Milanese (Via Clerici, 10, 20121 Milano, Italy)
Designers: Fabio Novembre, Nao Tamura, MIT Media Lab, Tangible Media Group led by Prof. Hiroshi Ishii
Exhibits: Works from the designers and 12 winning works of Lexus Design Award 2014
(prototypes of two works and panel displays for 10 works)
Organizer: Lexus International
Designer Profiles
Fabio Novembre
Fabio Novembre was born in Lecce in 1966. He graduated in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano in 1992. He studied filmmaking at New York University in 1993. He opened his own studio in 1994. He has been working with leading Italian Design brands. His work has been published all over the world for its visionary approach. http://www.novembre.it
Nao Tamura
Nao Tamura studied communication design at Parsons School of Design in New York. She later founded her studio in Tokyo and is currently based in New York City. As a product of the Tokyo and New York City creative communities, her solutions are equally at ease in the world of 2-D and 3-D with an uncanny ability to find that emotional connection with the audience. Nao defies the kind of categorization that the industry status-quo often insists upon. Her unique solutions are more than simply design and possess a rare balance of innovation and beauty.
Nao Tamura has received a number of prestigious awards, including: the IF Product Design Award, Red Dot Award, Industrial Design Excellence Award (Gold), and Milano Salone Satellite Award (1st prize). http://naotamura.com
MIT Media Lab, Tangible Media Group led by Prof. Hiroshi Ishii
Hiroshi Ishii is a Jerome B. Wiesner Professor of Media Arts and Sciences, at the MIT Media Lab. He directs Tangible Media Group and co-directs Things That Think (TTT) consortium. Hiroshi Ishii's research focuses upon the design of seamless interfaces between humans, digital information, and the physical environment. At the MIT Media Lab, he founded the Tangible Media Group in fall 1995 pursuing a new vision of Human Computer Interaction (HCI): "Tangible Bits" through physical embodiment digital information. In 2012, he presented the new vision "Radical Atoms" to take a leap beyond "Tangible Bits" by assuming a hypothetical generation of materials that can change form and appearance dynamically, becoming as reconfigurable as pixels on a screen.
http://tangible.media.mit.edu/vision/
Global Premiere of RC F Coupe at North American International Auto Show on Jan. 14
Giving new meaning to “back to the grind,” the daily commute is now transformed into a day at the track with the all-new Lexus RC F. The RC F coupe is styled to support the most powerful V8 performance car ever developed by Lexus.
Based on the spectacular all-new RC coupe that was revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show last November, the RC F has wider wheels and tires, an active rear wing, air scoops, cooling ducts and available carbon fiber components, each delivering uncompromising grit to the driving experience.
Design Exterior
The signature Lexus spindle grille, featuring a subtle F-pattern on the lower half, dominates the front of the RC F from the bottom of the hood to the lower lip. The hood is higher than that of the RC to accommodate the larger V8 engine and create the powerful flared profile suited to an F model. Ducts beneath the front bumper, fenders, and strategically-placed aerodynamic stabilizing fins create a stance which further identifies the F model.
Air outlets at the rear of the front fender form the shape of an L when they merge with side sill extensions, while stacked trapezoidal quad-outlet tailpipes at the rear add further aggression. Taking design cues from the Lexus LFA supercar, the RC F features an available speed-sensitive active rear spoiler. It enhances the coupe’s lines at standstill and deploys from the RC F’s deck at approximately 50 mph and retracts when the speed is less than 25 mph. The wing helps the RC F maintain traction and stability at higher speeds.
Three variations of 10-spoke 19-inch forged aluminum wheels are available, including two machine polished designs and one design hand polished by a craftsmen.
Design Interior
The striking cockpit-like interior of Lexus RC F complements the aggressive exterior. Unique components include the meters, steering wheel, seats, ornamentation and pedals. The instrument panel is dominated by a central meter which changes according to the four selectable driving modes. The information, color of the display and size of text can be changed.
Occupant comfort is all important. RC F debuts a Lexus-first elliptical cross-section thick-grip steering wheel with optimum placement of paddle gear shifts. All-new high back seats with an embossed F on the headrests offer the driver and passenger an exceptional performance fit. The seats are available in a selection of five leather trims, each with contrasting stitching.
Outstanding new L-shaped rubber slits in the brake and accelerator pedals combine form and function to provide better foot grip.
The all-new RC F will be revealed at a press conference at the 2014 North American International Motor Show in W-152, formerly known as the Riverview Ballroom, at Cobo Center Jan. 14 at 8:45 am EST. The Lexus press conference will also be streamed live online at www.lexus-int.com/. Follow the hashtag #AsphaltUp for more developments.
