For Immediate Release
May 24, 2016
Contact Information

Alva Adams-Mason
Toyota Motor North America
310-468-7334

Tracey Bowen
PRecise Communications for Toyota
404-983-3727

(BPRW) TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT"¦ AT THE PUMP"¦ THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Automotive expert Jeff Fortson and Toyota Help drivers save money on gas for the long-weekend holiday road trip

(Black PR Wire) TORRANCE, Calif. (May 24, 2016) – Memorial Day weekend is approaching and it’s time to hit the road. Toyota has teamed up with automotive industry expert Jeff Fortson to help make holiday travel more fuel-efficient.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average price of gas is approximately $2.29 per gallon, a slight increase compared to last month. This increase is expected to continue as demand for gas holds steady with over 38 million drivers projected to travel this holiday weekend.

“Drivers can take simple steps to help them get the most gas mileage on their trips this Memorial Day weekend,” says Fortson, founder and editor of JeffCars.com, a site dedicated to auto education and car-buying clinics.“Taking heed to these tips will not only lead to fuel savings but will help provide a little extra money once you arrive at your destination.”

Toyota and Fortson offer six fuel-efficiency tips designed to help protect your pocket at the pump before you start a memorable road trip with family and friends.

• Use the cruise control (and the optional radar-activated cruise control system) for holiday road trips. Both systems minimize sudden acceleration and de-acceleration. According to fueleconomy.gov, speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can decrease gas mileage by 33 percent.

• Be sure to check and properly inflate each tire, including the spare before you set out on a trip. Gas mileage can be improved if tires have adequate pressure. Some vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitor system which alerts youwhenit detects tire pressure is critically low. If the car isn’t equipped with this system, a tire gauge can be purchased atthe local parts store and the service department can check the air pressure.

• Rent a fuel-efficient vehicle. If you are renting a car, you may want to consider a hybrid vehicle, such as Prius or Prius V.

• Use the factory installed navigation system or favorite app from your smart phone. These navigation systems will alert drivers of traffic congestion and provide you with the shortest route to your destination.

• Always pack smart. Just like flying, you should only take necessary items for a road trip. Avoid using the roof rack, if possible, because it reduces the aerodynamics and decreases fuel efficiency.

• Watch the A/C. It is recommended that you use the air conditioner when driving highway speeds. When driving in stop-and-go traffic, turn the air conditioner off and allow air to circulate through the vehicle.

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About JeffCars.com
JeffCars.com is owned and operated by Jeff Fortson, an Atlanta-based auto analyst. The site is an educational car-buying clinic for women and minorities, and is housed within the Library of Congress. Fortson’s automotive contributions and articles have appeared in the Washington Post, Black Enterprise, Essence, Jet, BlackAmericanWeb.com, Ebony.com, BET.com and AOL’s BlackVoices.com. In 2009, Essence magazine recognized Fortson as being “A Top Guru for Sound Car-Buying Advice.” He is also host of the Phoenix-based weekly radio show “Auto Trends with JeffCars.com” on 1280-AM KXEG (1280kxeg.com). Follow him Twitter/JeffCars or visit www.JeffCars.com.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world’s top automaker and creator of the Prius and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we’ve built more than 30 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 44,000 people (more than 34,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.5 million in the U.S.) in 2015 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company’s extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.