 As a DCH Auto Group dealer, DCH Toyota of Oxnard is a proud supporter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Therefore, we couldn’t be more excited to share news of the recent SADD National Conference!
Each year, the Student Leadership Council (SLC) successfully curates the SADD National Conference for fellow student leaders — and this year was no exception. After kicking off on June 22 in Orlando, Florida, the annual DCH-sponsored event went off without a hitch for the near 600 students and adults in attendance.
Over the course of four days, participants were treated to fun-filled, albeit enlightening, activities such as youth health-related workshops and exhibitions. Additionally, young adults enjoyed interactive presentations on leadership, advocacy and prevention education from renowned speakers. Students were also able to take advantage of unique networking opportunities with members of other SADD chapters from across the country.
Young adults at the conference were ultimately equipped with profound insight to bring back to their respective chapters, schools and communities. Needless to say, our dealership could not be happier to have played a role in such a dynamic event!
We invite you to learn more about SADD and the 2013 SADD National Conference by visiting SADD’s website at http://sadd.org.
 If you are heading off on a road trip this summer, then you may already know exactly where you would like to go. You may, however, be looking for some inspiration, particularly if this is your first trip, or if you have done the same trip for the last few years. Our team at DCH Toyota of Oxnard believes taking a trip to a water park is a great way to please the entire family, especially the kids. There are countless crowd-pleasing water parks across the nation, and here is some of what the best have to offer.
Schlitterbarn, New Braunfels, Texas
This park is one of three Schlitterbarn parks in Texas and one of four including Kansas’ parks. The park boasts more than 70 acres of beaches and attractions. The park includes a new ride called “The Falls,” which features 3600-feet of whitewater excitement. If guests are worn out by the thrill of the ride but still want more, there is a conveyor belt lift at the end of the ride to take riders all the way back to the beginning. “The Falls” was voted the “World’s Best New Waterpark Ride” by Amusement Today magazine, so it’s easy to see why travelers are clamoring to visit.
Splashin’ Safari Water Park and Holiday World, Indiana
Visitors to Splashin’ Safari can enjoy a host of different rides and attractions. “Mammoth” is the world’s longest water-coaster, extending a total of 1763 feet. Mammoth features six-person rafts, which hurtle up and down the ride propelled by water-based magnetic technology. The water ride formerly the world’s longest is also here (“The Wildebeest”) and so is the world’s tallest water ride, known as “The Pilgrim’s Plunge.” The newest ride for 2013, “Hyena Falls,” has four “in-the-dark” water slides.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando
Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon receives more visitors per year than any other water park. 2 million visitors head here every year to enjoy America’s largest wave pool. There is also a shark reef in the park that offers snorkeling with real sharks, and a new 400-foot “water-coaster” raft ride called “Crush N’ Gusher.” The park caters to all ages, complete with kids’ play areas alongside the more extreme big-kids-only rides.
Aquatica: Sea World’s Water Park, Orlando
Aquatica features 80,000 square feet of man-made beaches, a great attraction for weary parents looking to relax while the kids run wild. There is no shortage of excitement at Aquatica, though. The park’s “Omaka Rocka” half-pipe is a super-fast, 1500-foot slide, and “Dolphin Plunge” includes 250 feet of clear underwater tubes. If you can catch your breath, you could see dolphins and other aquatic life swimming alongside the tube. For a ride that is a little more leisurely, check out “Loggerhead Lane,” a comfortable raft ride that takes you through a world of exotic tropical fish.
These are just four of the most popular water parks in America, and there are many more worth exploring. In any case, it is a good idea to book ahead with a park to save money on tickets, making sure to allow plenty of time during the day to experience all the park has to offer.
 Q: How often should I wash my car?
A: Based on your preference, cleaning the car is either a chore or a pleasure, but most people agree that they love to see their vehicle shiny and clean.
Car detailing experts would recommend that your car is cleaned weekly, but your busy schedule is unlikely to be able to cope with that. Car owners clean their cars at very different intervals. Some will clean the car at regular intervals, whereas others will simply do the job when the car is so dirty they can no longer see the paint work. So, what is the ideal frequency for cleaning the family car? Our team at DCH Toyota of Oxnard believes the answer to that question will vary according to a variety of different factors, such as location, mileage, climate and your purpose for driving.
Location
Where you live has a big impact how often you should wash your car. If it is parked on a busy road, with lots of traffic, then it may pick up a load of dirt from the road. Likewise, if you live in a coastal region, then your car may well regularly be covered in salt spray and debris. If your car is parked under trees then it may become very dirty, very quickly with sap from the trees or bird droppings. If this is the case, then try to wash your car weekly. If you live in a very clean, quiet location, then a monthly clean is probably sufficient.
Mileage
How frequently you drive your car also has affects your car’s spotlessness. As a general principle, the more miles that you drive, the more frequently you will need to clean the car. More highway miles mean more dirt and debris on the paint work. Where you drive your car also has an impact on its otherwise pristine exterior. If you drive through a rural area then you are far more likely to get bugs on the windshield and front grille. In these conditions, you may want to wash your car every other week.
Climate
The climate and air temperature are also important considerations. In very cold climates, snow and grit from the roads can quickly erode and damage your paint work. Conversely, in very hot climates, the problem of erosion can be accelerated, as chemicals in contaminants become more active in hot temperatures. Tree sap, dead bugs and bird droppings can all very quickly cause permanent damage if left on a hot car for an extended period of time. During hot or very cold weather, washing the car weekly is highly recommended.
Purpose
The reason(s) for using your car will also have an effect on the frequency with which you wash it. If your car is used to visit clients or even to drive them around, then it needs to be kept spotlessly clean. If your car is a company vehicle and displays graphics advertising the business, then it too needs to be cleaned almost daily to ensure a professional image. If, perhaps, you use your car for off-road driving in your own time, then you may not be as inclined to clean it so frequently.
Posted in Car Care Tips
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Tagged Lifestyle
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 With the cost of fuel generally on the rise, savvy car drivers are always on the lookout for ways to improve gas mileage. There are many different factors that can influence your fuel efficiency. The car you drive certainly makes a big difference, but so does the way you drive, the road you drive on and even the weather conditions.
During the summer months, your car is likely to endure high temperatures and a lot of sunshine. So what impact will this type of weather have on your fuel efficiency?
As soon as the weather gets hot, most drivers are likely to reach for the air conditioning to cool them down. Many drivers believe that air conditioning may increase the fuel consumption, preferring instead to roll the windows down. By allowing fresh air to keep the car cool, you may believe that you are conserving energy. However, this idea may be untrue.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) conducted a study to see whether it was more fuel efficient to drive with the window down or to have the air conditioning on. What the study found was that when you drive at speeds of more than 55 miles per hour with the windows down, the fuel efficiency can decrease by more than 20 percent. Conversely, by having the air conditioner on and the windows closed, the fuel efficiency decreased by only 10 percent. By keeping the window or windows open, you will interfere with the car’s aerodynamics, causing more drag. This means that the engine has to work harder and consume more fuel to maintain the speed you want.
Therefore, when driving in summer at speeds above 55 miles per hour, it is better to have the windows closed and the air conditioner on. However, this may not be the case if you are simply cruising around town. At lower speeds, the study recommends that you switch the air conditioner off and open the windows. At these speeds, the engine is not producing enough energy to make the air conditioning efficient, so you will actually see better gas mileage if you roll the windows down. This may not be desirable in stationary traffic, but it is important to be aware that if the car is stationary, then fuel efficiency will suffer if you have the air conditioner on.
It is also worth remembering that driving a long distance in a convertible with the top down will drain the fuel faster than with the top up. The sunny weather and blue skies may make the convertible seem like a romantic option, but consider the significant increase that this will create in fuel consumption before you get too carried away.
If you have any questions regarding your fuel efficiency, or if you are in need of a service appointment before hitting the road for your summer vacation, do not hesitate to contact our team at DCH Toyota of Oxnard today!
However reluctantly, you’ve probably started replacing the regular incandescent light bulbs around your house with new compact fluorescents. You know they’re more efficient, but you’ve probably also noticed the light they give off is a little less warm. A similar change is underway in automobile lighting, albeit for different reasons.
The new thing in auto lighting is HID headlights, sometimes referred to as Xenon HIDs or just Xenons. ("Xenon" is pronounced "ˈzē-ˌnän" and is the name of an inert gas. And while we’re being picky, let’s note that engineers would prefer you to call headlights "headlamps". The lamp is the assembly, light is what comes out.)
HID stands for High-Intensity Discharge, and HID headlamps work much the same way as those curly fluorescent bulbs. Instead of electricity heating a thin wire filament, it’s passed through a gas – xenon – that glows brightly, giving off an intense bluish-white light. Compared to traditional headlamps, this offers several benefits.
Benefits of HID headlamps
Quite simply, because they shine brighter, HID headlamps help you to see better in the dark. But it doesn’t end there. Many drivers report that the bluer light makes it easier to pick out details in the road ahead. They also tend to throw more light to the sides, helping you see the curb, and cut-off sharply rather than fading out.
Another advantage, admittedly of more interest to the people designing cars, is that they use less energy. Since that energy is generated by the engine in your car, this leads to an overall improvement in your vehicle’s efficiency.
Buying HID headlamps
The best way to get these brighter headlamps is to buy a new car and pick the upgrade package that includes HID’s. If you do, you might notice that some are described as "Bi-Xenon". That means both high and low beams are xenon.
However, trading in a perfectly good vehicle just to get HID headlamps might seem extreme, in which case the answer is to have them installed on your current vehicle. This process can be difficult, so you’ll want to speak with a trained technician like those at our service department, but it’s less expensive than a new car!
HID headlamps are the new thing in auto lighting. They shine brighter and help the driver see better. Look for them on your next Toyota.
 Q: Can pollen damage my car’s paint job?
A: Everyone at DCH Toyota of Oxnard knows that spring is a glorious season. After all, temperatures rise, flowers bloom, and trees pollinate. That icky yellow substance subsequently wreaks havoc on our sinuses and yes, our cars. Though it may seem as if pollen is only a problem for car paint on a superficial level, it is actually detrimental to your car’s appearance in the long run.
While pollen particles may look like a mere coating of dust on our cars, they are actually harsh and acidic in nature. Simply wiping pollen off your car is not enough, as the particles can scratch your car’s paint. Even worse, when mixed with rain, the adverse effects of pollen are intensified, eventually causing your car’s exterior to rust.
Our team at DCH Toyota of Oxnard is proud to provide high quality detailing services. Contact us today to learn more about pollen’s impact and what you can do to mitigate it.
 Whether your daily commute consists of bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway or a serene drive on the countryside, one thing we all have in common is the desire to save money on gas. Our team at DCH Toyota of Oxnard came up with these helpful tips that can not only save you money at the gas pump, but also reduce your overall fuel consumption.
1) Utilize gas station finder apps
In just one city, gas prices can vary up to 20 cents per gallon. Save time and money with gas-finder applications, such as Fuel Finder or GasBuddy, which allow drivers to find the cheapest gas prices in their area. Not only are such apps user-friendly, many are also available for download at little to no cost.
2) Avoid extra weight
Not surprisingly, heavy loading can negatively affect your car’s overall performance. But did you know that extra weight can also affect your car’s fuel economy? According to the Department of Energy, an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle may reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. Remove excess weight from your car or trunk to save money in the long run.
3) Take a detour
Getting from point A to B isn’t the only benefit of your GPS, as the rerouting technology standard with most systems also saves time – and gas. For instance, while stuck in traffic, the idling and constant braking wastes your car’s fuel. In such driving conditions, it is wise to deviate from your scheduled route and take advantage of your GPS capabilities to avoid wasting your gas and–ultimately–your money.
4) Use air conditioning sparingly
While that cold burst of air from your air conditioning may feel amazing on a hot summer’s day, it is also significantly reducing your fuel economy. If rolling down the windows isn’t your first choice, try utilizing your car’s air conditioning recirculation option to reduce the amount of hot air in your car and considerably save on gas.
5) Drive the speed limit
Not only is speeding dangerous, it is also hazardous to your gas tank — and your wallet. When driving at speeds above 60 miles per hour, your gas mileage rapidly decreases. According to Fueleconomy.gov, each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas.
Here at DCH Toyota of Oxnard, we aim to help you save time and money while driving more efficiently. What are your tips for saving money at the pump?
There is an old adage which posits that your car will lose value from the moment you drive it off the dealer lot and this is true. This loss of value is known as depreciation. However, few car owners really understand how or why their treasured possession can lose value or how this applies to their particular car. We at DCH Toyota of Oxnard hope to change that with this overview.
Depreciation and its rate
In simple terms, depreciation is the loss of value of your car based upon its age and usage. On average, it is generally considered within the automotive world that a car will  depreciate by a rate of around 15-20% per annum. In other words, at the end of the year it will be worth 80% of its original value at the commencement of the year. Therefore, if a car is worth $10,000, at the end of the first year its value would have reduced to $8,000 (10,000 x 80%). At the end of the second year it would be worth $6,400 (8,000 x 80%). However, in practice there are a number of factors that can impact the amount by which a car depreciates.
Maintenance, mileage, and models
The most important factor to consider is that new cars have a much higher rate of depreciation than occurs in subsequent years, which in this case can be as much as 35%. The reason for this is that the purchaser is buying the car at the dealer’s retail price. However, if that person tried to sell the car back to a dealer within days of purchase, they would receive the dealer’s wholesale price.
The second factor that can impact upon a car’s depreciation rate are related to mileage, maintenance and servicing. A car with higher mileage is likely to be worth less because it will have been subject to more wear and tear than a low mileage car. Similarly, a car that has been well maintained and regularly serviced is likely to incur the new owner in lower costs than one which has not been well kept.
Finally, there is a depreciation differential between makes and models of cars. Brands that are less popular will depreciate quicker because there are fewer people interested in buying the car, meaning the owner needs to reduce the price to achieve a sale. Equally, powerful cars that return lower mpg are likely to depreciate quicker, because of the additional cost of fuel.
The car is one of the most expensive purchases a consumer will make. Therefore, to get the best long term value out of this purchase it is important to consider the factors that will affect its loss of value and make sure you take the steps required to maximize its future value.
It’s been a long time coming, and now it’s finally here. DCH Toyota of Oxnard is proud to present our new Toyota Rent-a-Car department. Whether your rental needs are for business or pleasure—or if you want to try a new Toyota before you buy—you’ll find what you’re looking for at DCH Toyota of Oxnard.
“We had been talking about it for some time and everything came together at once: the need, the facility and the manager [Joseph Kraus, spotlighted in this newsletter],” says Steve Chapman, General Manager.
The new department offers only the latest-model Toyota vehicles and is an extension of DCH Toyota of Oxnard’s commitment to outstanding customer service. Every rental comes with complimentary 24-hour Roadside Assistance. “Providing our customers with a quality rental experience and complete satisfaction is our goal,” says manager Joseph Krauss.
We invite you to experience the ease and peace of mind of our new rental program today. To learn more, call us at 805-988-2326 today.
Spring has sprung, which means you’re ready never to see a snow shovel or a wool sweater again. It also means, it’s time for spring cleaning. It’s a lot of work, but we at DCH Toyota of Oxnard think there’s nothing quite like the lightness and renewal that comes from a good spring cleaning. Put on some of your favorite music and get cleaning.
Spring into action
A thorough spring cleaning is a serious undertaking. Make sure you’ve set aside enough time to do the job right. Here are some basic tips you can apply to each room as you go.
Work from top to bottom. Unless you were bitten by a radioactive spider you probably won’t be scrubbing the ceiling, but you should start cleaning each room in your house from the top down. That means dusting ceiling fans and wiping away any dusty cobwebs. While you’re up there, now’s a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
And while they, whoever they are, might not do windows, you should. Nothing makes a bigger difference than clean windows. Wipe them down first. Then use newspaper and a water and vinegar solution to clean them. Drying with newspaper will help minimize streaks. Don’t use towels, they’ll just leave naughty little fibers behind. Don’t forget to clean the screens when you remove them to do the outside.
Be sure to take down all of the window treatments (curtains, blinds, swanky valances) in each room and clean or have them cleaned.
And, bring a donation box with you into each room as you clean so you can toss unwanted items immediately.
In addition to the usual clean routines (dusting, mopping and vacuuming), here are some room-specific jobs you should tackle.
Kitchen
Kitchens take a beating during winter. That means they need extra love when it comes time to clean.
- Change the shelf paper in the cabinets.
- Wipe down those small kitchen appliances you have stuffed in the back of cabinets.
- Clean the fridge. That old jar of olives has to go. Don’t forget to clean on top of the fridge and vacuum the coils if you can reach them.
- Clean the oven and stove. Be sure to follow instructions on how to clean your particular oven and be prepared to find Jimmy Hoffa in your drip pans.
- If you’ve “inherited” more plastic containers than you need, set some aside in your donation box.
- Clean the trash can.
Bonus: Now is the time to clean that utility drawer. How many old sets of keys do you really need?
Bathroom
- Wash the walls. It’s amazing, and frankly, horrifying, what gets stuck on them.
- Clean the air vents and fans.
- Scrub the tub, toilet, shower and sink. You may want to take a long soak in the tub when this is all said and done, so be sure it’s clean.
- Clean the trash can.
Bonus: Clean the medicine cabinet. Ten year old NyQuil is just plain scary.
Bedroom
- Clean the ceiling fan if you have one
- Flip your mattress
- Wash your bedding
- Pull furniture away from the walls and get behind them
- Don’t forget to clean under the bed. You can safely trap and release any wild dust bunnies if necessary.
Bonus: If you have any strength left, tackle the closet. Now is the time to get rid of the clothes you don’t wear and make room for new acquisitions.
A quality spring cleaning is hard work. But, once you’re done, your house sparkles. And, best of all, you don’t have to do it for another year!
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