10 Tips for Winter Driving (brought to you by Goodyear) 
While we'd wager that 99.9 percent of our readership can't thread a cross-ice pass through traffic like Wayne Gretzky, we're not so sure about the Great One's credentials for winter driving (more so, say, than any other person growing up in the snow-belt . Still, Goodyear has teamed up with Gretzky to promote the performance advantages of winter tires in a new ad campaign. As part of this, Gretzky and J.O. Hunt, chief engineer for Goodyear tires, offer these 10 tips for winter driving.

1. Slow down. Wet, snowy, or icy roads offer less traction and make it harder to stop and turn.
2. Consider buying a set of winter tires. It's best to replace all four tires with winter tires because differences in tire size and wear can negatively affect a car's handling and stability.
3. Beware of bridges: Because bridges and overpasses are exposed to cold air both above and below, ice can form on them even when the roads on either side are free from ice.
4. If possible, carry a sack of sand or gravel in the trunk. On a rear-drive car, the added weight over the drive wheels will improve traction. And the sand or gravel can be used to help get you out if you become stuck.
5. Avoid sudden inputs on the steering wheel, brakes, or accelerator. Make gradual movements to avoid upsetting the balance of the car
6. The buildup of ice and mud on wheels and underneath your car can cause your wheels to become unbalanced, which can upset the ride and lead to unnecessary wear of your tires and suspension parts. Wash off any mud or ice as soon as possible.
7. If you're planning a long winter trip, pack extra blankets, water, food, and a few chemical-heating packs in case you get stranded. If you do get stuck, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.
8. Have your cooling system fully checked out, including coolant, hoses, belts, and water pump.
9. Maintain your tires at proper inflation to maximize their contact with the road. Pressure that's too high or low can cause unnecessary tire wear and reduce the size of the contact patch, making it less safe.
10. In snowy conditions, make sure your car's air intake is free from a buildup of snow. Many cars draw air from below the radiator; if this intake becomes clogged with snow, you car could overheat, even on a cold winter day.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/womt/112_0001_are_your_tires_ready_for_winter/viewall.html#ixzz28jJfIi66

TOP 10 THINGS TO KEEP IN YOUR CAR

Hope for the best and plan for the worst. The simple saying with complex details is so often thought of relative to your career or finances, and rightly so, though it shouldn’t be overlooked in regard to your car. Even if you keep some travel-size supplies aboard for emergency grooming purposes, don’t overlook things for the car itself. Your cell phone is a must, but alone it can’t bail you out of every sticky situation. On the other hand, it doesn’t make sense to stash a few hundred pounds of provisions for everyday driving or even road trips. Strike a sensible balance with our top 10 things to keep in your car.

No.10 Tire gauge


A minute of your time every week can save hours if ever stranded, and it’s as easy as keeping a tire gauge in your car. It’s fundamentally simple and obvious that a small patch of tire at each corner is your only connection to the road. What’s less realized is how critical proper inflation is to car safety and tire wear. Take a huge step toward preventing nastiness by using a tire gauge (digital is best and still reasonably priced) when tires are cold -- before you drive. The ideal pressure will be indicated not on the tire itself but the driver’s doorjamb and in your owner’s manual.

No.9 Oil


Even if your car runs perfectly fine, doesn’t smoke , and you don’t have to top off the oil every time you gas up, keep a quart or two of oil ready. You won’t be able to forgo checking the dipstick often, the way you normally should. Instead, this emergency supply can be added roadside and allow you to limp your car to a safer place should the unforeseen happen. It‘s even more critical if yours is one of the many new cars requiring a specific kind of oil.

No.8 Cell-phone charger


Some newer cars have phone docking and charging capability as standard features, which we hope to see more manufacturers offer. If this isn’t built in on your car, have a basic charger on hand, and use it often. If your car quits and you have to deal with a dead car battery, you might not have the ability to charge a drained phone.

No.7 Flashlight


Yes, there is an iPhone app for a flashlight, and it can be extremely handy to have when the situation is inconvenient but not necessarily dire. It still doesn’t hold a candle to a proper flashlight, since it’s another big battery drain that was never really intended for use around a hot engine or poking around under a vehicle. Drop it once, game over. A good flashlight can withstand that and more while letting off more light.

No.6 Flat tire fixer


To save on expenses, space or weight, several new cars don’t have spare tires. They rely on either run-flats or sealant in a can. The latter isn’t bad to have regardless of how your car’s equipped, since even spares lose air when they’re left unchecked or can fail once in use. The products can be found with various brand names, but they more or less have the same functions of sealing and inflating. Certainly a convenience and potentially a must-have when the surface isn’t stable enough for a car jack or there isn’t the time and space to safely change your tire with traffic whizzing by just inches away. Just be sure the one you're buying is compatible with your tire type and won’t damage your tire pressure monitoring system once equipped.

No.5 Booster cables


Here’s another no-brainer for readers in cold climates who winterize their cars annually, but even desert dwellers need a boost now and then. As with some other things to keep in your car, check your owner’s manual to confirm the type of cables or booster system you can safely use. The traditional four-clamp setup may not be an option, or there may be specific points in your engine bay to serve as connectors, as opposed to the battery posts themselves. Just understand that a jump start is rarely the end of your problems; if you need it once, you’ll probably need it again unless other issues are addressed.

No.4 GPS and map


If your car doesn’t have a built-in navigation system, keep a portable GPS with you. Just don’t rule out having a map onboard. As good as factory and portable GPS units are, they still sometimes flake out or can’t grab a signal. Besides, if your car’s out of power, you’re out of luck. Even if your phone has the capability, signal strength could again pose an issue. With a map, your biggest problem is folding the thing properly, which really is just another lost art anyway.

No.3 Basic first-aid kit


With roadside surgeries at an all-time low, you don’t have to keep an elaborate arsenal of medical gear in your trunk, but, until help arrives, a small kit of the essentials can make a big difference. Things like bandages, burn cream, antibacterial ointment, and pain reliever aren't just things you will need for a family vacation. A poncho’s helpful too, functional as a makeshift blanket or to keep you dry when you’re stuck in the rain. Finally, a small extinguisher designed for automotive use keeps minor electrical and engine fires from getting out of hand.

No.2 Food and water


This isn’t just for Snowbelt readers. Food and water are things to keep in your car wherever you live or travel. Nothing elaborate here -- you’re not hauling around four-course meals for five. The idea is that you’ll have the bare minimum to keep you going when help could be many hours away or the weather extreme. Compact, healthy foods with long shelf lives, like energy or protein bars, are great choices. Have a few bottles of water, and replace them all from time to time.

No.1 Insurance information and vehicle registration


Any meeting of metal is never good, but being able to contact your insurance carrier and exchange information helps. As for registration, it seems fundamental to have proof that you, your car and its license plates all belong together. Some guys get lazy and fail to put their registration in the glove box, while others have purposely taken it out to minimize the threat of identify theft. The latter could be a legit concern, but chances are your state laws require it.

LEXUS LS 400 VS. AUDI A8 - IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU!

Almost 2 decades ago Lexus' flagship model, the LS400, was released as Toyota's new Champion Vehicle. After a review of its performance, any early dismissal of the brand was soon silenced. Though the Lexus brand's roots are not in years of experienced racing, Lexus vehicles run better and cost less then it's competitors, like Audi.

Today, we are going to do a brief evaluation of the Lexus LS460 compared to Audi A8. After an initial look, it's clear that both cars perform well, but the interior and ride quality of the Audi, in particular, does not live up to the grandeur the performance promises. Both cars have quite the sticker price. The A8 starts at $72,900, and the LS460 begins at $71,000. But, for the price, it's been said that no other luxury car offers more for your money than the Lexus LS460.



In summation, the Audi A8 is a good ride, but it compromises some luxury for performance. On the other hand, for a high-achiever (or should we say over-achiever) in capability, luxury, engineering, reliability, and value the Lexus LS460 is at the forefront of the market. There is no doubt; this vehicle was designed to conquer and there is no doubt, it does.

GET THE FULL STORY AT ASKMEN.COM

ALL NEW 2013 LEXUS ES COMING SOON!

The all-new 2013 Lexus ES is much more than meets the eye. Here are eight videos showcasing some of the leading technologies that are making heads turn in the luxury vehicle market. 
 

                                          SNEAK PEEK AT THE ALL-NEW ES 350
 
 

                                          2013 LEXUS ES BODY AERODYNAMICS

 

                                          2013 LEXUS ES BODY RIDIGITY
 

                                          2013 LEXUS ES PRISTINE PRODUCTION DETAILS
 
 

                                          2013 LEXUS ES SAFETY: BLIND SPOT MONITOR
 
 

                                          2013 LEXUS ES SAFETY: LANE DEPARTURE ALERT
 
 

                                          2013 LEXUS ES SAFETY: VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL
 
 

                                          2013 LEXUS ES SAFETY: REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT

Lexus Once Again Leads Auto Brands in Perceived Quality

With a long-held reputation for superior vehicle quality, it may come as no surprise that Lexus was once again at the top of ALG’s recent Perceived Quality Study (PQS). However, the Spring 2012 PQS indicates that the luxury automaker is actually increasing its perception lead over competitors as it revamps its offerings at Lexus dealers.

Based off of surveys of more than 3,000 U.S. consumers, the semi-annual PQS rates the perceived quality of each auto brand on a scale of zero to 100. Lexus received a score of 85.4 in the Spring 2012 report, which was an improvement of 2.4 points from last spring’s report and enough to again top all auto brands in the study. The luxury make also increased its lead over its closest luxury competitor, Mercedes-Benz, by 2.2 points compared to the Spring 2011 PQS.






It is very impressive that Lexus is seeing a spike in perceived quality even as it introduces more daring designs across its lineup. The new 2013 GS 350 is great example of that - sales have completely exceeded our expectations. Customers love the new technology and it continues to bring in new customers that have never sat in the driver's seat of a Lexus.


Lexus is in the process of coming out with nine new or redesigned models, and the next car to take on its sportier family style will be the all-new 2013 Lexus ES coming in mid-August. Wearing the brand’s new signature spindle grille, the 2013 ES sedan receives a lower profile and sleeker design lines aimed at attracting younger buyers. Meanwhile, suspension revisions and a quicker steering-gear ratio allow for improved straight-line stability and ride comfort, as well as more responsive handling.






For its more eco-conscious buyers, Lexus will also be offering a hybrid ES for the first time. The 2013 Lexus ES 300h will feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated with two electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery to net a manufacturer-estimated 40 mpg in the city. Along with the strictly gas-powered 2013 ES 350, the ES 300h will let drivers tailor their ride between higher performance and better fuel efficiency with a Drive Mode selector.






Even with a new generation on the way, the current Lexus ES continues to be a popular item in the showroom. As Lexus’ best-selling car, the ES moved 2,937 units in the United States in May, a 22-percent increase compared to the same month last year. Still, it was sales of the new 2013 Lexus GS that saw the most impressive boost, rising 552 percent last month compared to May 2011.




We are very excited for the future!

2013 Lexus GS WINS AGAIN!

The 2013 Lexus GS climate control system has been named the Interior Innovation of the Year by the Automotive Interiors Expo Awards:

 “The Lexus GS features a Denso climate control system that moisturises those inside the vehicle! The industry has already had purified and scented air-con systems, but the Japanese OEM takes things to a new level by using nanotechnology that purifies the air coming out of the vents in order to moisturise the hair and skin of the occupants.


”This air cleaning technology releases negatively charged water-wrapped ions into the cabin, which purify the air and eliminate odour in the cabin. They also deodorise the vehicle seats and roof lining, and have a moisturizing effect on skin and hair — definitely a technology well-deserving of an award.


This was the first ever Automotive Interiors Expo Awards, with a judging panel made up of leading European journalists.






Courtesy of Lexus Enthusiast

Around the Globe: Inside 10 of London's Secret Gardens

Who doesn't love a beautiful garden? Conde' Nast Traveler takes us on a gorgeous pictorial tour of  London's Open Garden Squares Weekend, June 9 and 10, one ticket bought access to more than 200 gardens, 120 of which are private. Here’s a peek at some of our favorites.

In Notting Hill, Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant climbed over the fence to enter Rosmead, but visitors on Sunday can stroll right in. (Photo: Sarah Jackson)

The private garden of the 600-year-old Draper’s Company has raised beds and five mulberry trees. (Photo: Drew Bennellick)

Belgravia’s Eaton Square is one of London’s most exclusive addresses (Neville Chamberlain lived at number 37, Vivien Leigh at number 54). But it welcomes the common people on Sunday with Caribbean food, a steel band, and a Punch & Judy show. (Photo: Gavin Gardiner)

Hampstead’s 17th-century Fenton House is a National Trust property that's open to the public, with formal gardens and an orchard growing 30 varieties of English apples. (Photo: Sarah Jackson)

Southwark’s Garden Barge Square is made up of verdant barges floating in the Thames; it offers great views of Tower Bridge. (Photo: Drew Bennellick)

Built in 1938 atop a department store, the elaborate Roof Gardens now belong to Virgin’s Richard Branson. It has three themed sections: the Tudor Courtyard, English Woodland, and Alhambra-inspired Spanish Garden. Four flamingos roam the premises. (Photo: Courtesy of The Roof Gardens)

A small black gate in Little Venice opens to Crescent Garden, one of the city’s largest private squares, where wide lawns beckon lucky children. (Photo: Sarah Jackson)

Plants and produce will be for sale at Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments this weekend. These 406 plots sit on an Anglo-Saxon site enclosed by the giant moat around the palace. (Photo: Gavin Gardiner)

One of the city’s four Inns of Court—like colleges for barristers—the Inner Temple has a beautiful three-acre garden, open daily to the public. Parts date to the times of the Knights Templar; Dickens and Thackeray lived here too. Just off Fleet Street, it’s a hidden respite from the crowds. (Photo: Barbara Neumann)






 
 
 

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, built on a disused railway line, opened in 2010 to give Hackney much-needed green space. Its acclaimed eco-conscious design includes butterfly bushes, tomato plots, and a wooden pavilion for neighborhood activities. (Photo: Sarah Blee)