Fuel Saving Tips

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Volvo Cars

With rising fuel prices, it is important to make your vehicle as efficient on fuel as it can possibly be. Here are some tips to help you save money at the pump. These tips are courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Drive Sensibly

Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

FUEL ECONOMY BENEFIT:	5–33%
EQUIVALENT GASOLINE SAVINGS:	$0.19–$1.28/gallon

Observe the Speed Limit

While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.31 per gallon for gas.

Observing the speed limit is also safer.

FUEL ECONOMY BENEFIT:	7–23%
EQUIVALENT GASOLINE SAVINGS:	$0.27–$0.89/gallon

Remove Excess Weight

Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.

FUEL ECONOMY BENEFIT:	1–2%/100 lbs
EQUIVALENT GASOLINE SAVINGS:	$0.04–$0.08/gallon

Avoid Excessive Idling

Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase starter wear.

FUEL COST SAVINGS:	$0.01–$0.03/min. (AC off)
	$0.02–$0.04/min. (AC on)

Use Cruise Control

Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

Use Overdrive Gears

When you use overdrive gearing, your car’s engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.

Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.87/gallon.

Why Not Volvo?

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Volvo Cars

When you’re in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, it’s easy to become frustrated with the competing advertisements for each brand. If you could take each salesman at his word, you would be led to believe that his car is the safest, quickest, most economical, and best value of all cars available in the world. But you know better than that. While every car may have its positive attributes, only a few can be the best in its class. With that in mind, consider three reasons why you should not buy a Volvo.

If you don’t care about safety …

The founders of Volvo stated, “Cars are driven by people. Therefore, the guiding principle behind everything we make at Volvo is — and must remain — safety.” That motto is still enacted and is evidenced by the numerous “Safety Firsts” and the constant high safety rankings given to Volvo by the IIHS and various other safety institutes. If, however, you aren’t concerned about being protected during an accident, any other car will do.

If you don’t care about comfort …

Someone has said that the world’s most comfortable seats are found in a Volvo. You’ll find that to be true whether you are traveling one mile or a thousand. Volvo has teamed up with chiropractic doctors to find the perfect posture for their seats. That means that you don’t have to stop as often during long trips. But, if you would rather save a little money and have to visit the chiropractor on a regular basis, any other car will do.

If you don’t care about longevity …

Have you heard about Irv Gordon’s world record? He has driven his Volvo over 2.9 million miles! While all Volvos may not last quite that long, statistics say that the average lifespan for a Volvo is 18½ years. That’s quite an accomplishment for any car. But if you would rather drive a car that you will need to replace in a few years, any other car will do.

The truth of the matter is that most people are interested in safety. They want to protect themselves and those who ride with them. Most people are also interested in a comfortable ride. They like feeling refreshed when they leave their car after a long drive. And most people are interested in longevity. They don’t want a car that falls apart after the first few years. And if you are one of the “most people,” perhaps you ought to consider buying a Volvo. If you require the safest, most comfortable, and one of the longest lasting cars in the industry, you will be satisfied with nothing less than a Volvo.

2012 Volvo S80 Overview

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Volvo Cars

The 2012 S80 offers the latest technologies, providing drivers with comfort, safety, and efficiency during every ride.

From the luxurious seats to the quality air, the 2012 Volvo S80 offers comfort to everyone on board. Ergonomically designed seats provide side support and padding to passengers in the front and rear. Passengers in the front and rear can also experience the luxury of heated seats during the cold winter months. The 2012 S80’s Interior Air Quality System keeps harmful gases and unpleasant odors out of the vehicle, ensuring that passengers are breathing clean air.

The 2012 Volvo S80 builds on the safety features of its previous model, which was an IIHS Top Safety Pick in 2011. Similar to technology found in a fighter aircraft, the 2012 S80’s Intelligent Driver Information System constantly analyzes the driving situation. If a dangerous driving situation is detected, the system will delay the use of other technologies. The City Safety Technology on the 2012 Volvo S80 determines whether or not the vehicle is closing-in too fast on another vehicle. If the driver does not brake fast enough, City Safety will automatically hit the brakes to either avoid the collision or decrease the collision impact.

In addition to providing a safe environment for passengers inside, the 2012 Volvo S80 also provides a safer environment to the outside world. To eliminate the amount of environmentally hazardous solvents used, the 2012 S80 uses paint colors that are water-based. To eliminate energy-losses from wind and roll resistance, the S80 is lightweight and uses low friction technology. At the ends of its life, 85% of the vehicle can actually be recycled.

Review: 2012 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Volvo Cars

Leikin Volvo’s own, Andy Rupert, had a chance to take his family on vacation in the 2012 Volvo XC70. He has shared some of his thoughts and photos of the car on his personal blog and here on the Leikin Volvo Blog.

Review: 2012 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD

By: Andy Rupert

One of the perks of working at a dealership is having a demo vehicle to drive. Just before leaving for vacation my demo car was sold to a customer. So, I walked into the Volvo sales manager’s office and asked what I should drive especially since I’d be taking the car on vacation. What a surprise it was to see him looking through new car invoices for my next demo! He ended up having me drive a 2012 Volvo XC70 T6 AWD with the Premium Plus trim level. Really?

This is a very nicely equipped car. The T6 version of the XC70 comes with a 300 hp turbocharged inline six cylinder, a 6-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, and All Wheel Drive. Standard options include City Safety, Volvo Sensus with 7″ color screen, Bluetooth with Audio Streaming, Sirius satellite radio, leather seats, and power glass moonroof. Bump up to the Premier Plus and you get the power tailgate, Keyless Drive, Front & Rear Park Assist, Homelink, and Digital Compass in the rearview mirror. This particular car also came with the Climate Package (heated seats, headlight washers, Rain Sensor) and BLIS (Blindspot Info System) with power retracting side mirrors.

With an MSRP of $44,170, I was a little nervous taking our family on vacation in this vehicle. But the feelings subsided after I installed a sheet over the back seat and another in the cargo area. The first sheet came in handy when one of the kids spilled a drink. But otherwise, everything was fine. The three kids fit comfortably in the back seat and behaved … well, most of the time. A good selection of audio books kept them interested as we did a fair amount of highway traveling.

The first part of the trip took us to the hills of western Pennsylvania. We took the back roads where the speed limit is 55 mph. When we got to the end of that leg, there were two fairly steep hills. As you can imagine, the Volvo had no trouble making it up either one of them. The second leg of the trip took us to central Ohio to visit family and friends. This is when I began to notice the fuel economy. Volvo claims this car should get 17 mpg city and 23 highway. With almost a thousand miles on the car, we were averaging 25 mpg for the entire trip! And that included a trip to Old Man’s Cave in Hocking County and a visit with friends in Orwell, Ohio.

We enjoyed visiting with family and friends but also enjoyed the time in the car. That’s one of the often hidden blessings of driving a Volvo. You don’t have to pull off the road every couple of hours for your body to recover as with some cars. Over the years, Volvo has invested in comfortable seats which keep you feeling refreshed by the time you arrive at your destination no matter how far you had to drive. That’s a good thing to remember when you consider purchasing a less expensive vehicle. It may be a great deal but you may not think so after your next road trip.

Visit www.LeikinVolvo.com for more information about this and other quality cars at Leikin Motor Companies. Also note that all new Volvos come with a 5 years/50,000 miles warranty which includes Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance, Wear & Tear Coverage (complimentary brake pads, rotors, wiper blades, remote batteries, etc.), and Volvo Roadside Assist during the warranty period.

The Red Riding Car

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Volvo Cars

Volvo has introduced its newest S60 commercial. The ad takes a “Little Red Riding Hood” theme. The commercial ends with the narrator mentioning, “the 325-hp Volvo S60 R-Design… All the better to drive you with”. The Volvo website includes a page dedicated to the theme. Check out the video here.

Overview of the 2012 C70 Hardtop Convertible

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Volvo Cars

The 2012 Volvo C70 is a very stylish sporty car that has a unique hardtop convertible. C70 owners can enjoy comfort, safety and practicality year around. This car also includes a smooth and pleasing ride.

The 2012 Volvo C70 has a unique turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that generates 227 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic with manual-shift control transmission is standard. The C70 receives 18 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The 2012 C70 is available in three different trim levels: the T5, T5 Premier Plus and the T5 Platinum. The T5 model comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a power-retractable hardtop, front and rear foglamps, and heated mirrors. The interior includes, the T5 sports keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats, driver memory functions, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a trip computer, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, HD radio, an iPod/USB audio interface and an auxiliary audio jack. The Premier Plus trim has parking sensors, keyless ignition/entry and a compass. The top-of-the-line T5 Platinum adds a navigation system, real-time traffic and a 14-speaker premium surround-sound audio system.

The 2012 Volvo C70 comes standard with antilock disc brakes and brake assist, stability and traction control, front-seat-mounted side airbags, front seat side curtain-style airbags, automatically deploying roll bars and whiplash-reducing active front head restraints. In crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the C70 its highest rating of “Good” for frontal-offset and side impact protection.

Volvo Unveils External Airbag

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Volvo Cars

Volvo has a great reputation for providing the utmost safety for drivers and passengers. Recently, Volvo has even been focusing on the safety of people around the car. Volvo introduced the City Safety System, which automatically stops the vehicle when going up to 19 mph and when the car detects someone or something ahead. There is also an available warning system in Volvo automobiles that automatically slows the car’s speed to 30 MPH when a pedestrian is about to step in front of the car. Volvo V40 Pedestrian Airbag

The newest pedestrian safety featured debuted at the recent Geneva Motor show. The Volvo cars on display contained an external airbag at the base of the windshield. If the vehicle makes contact with a person or object, the airbag deploys and prevents the person’s body directly hitting the hood or windshield.

Thomas Broberg, Volvo’s senior safety advisor said, “We believe this can substantially reduce the number of serious injuries sustained by pedestrians. It was necessary as part of our vision that by 2020 nobody should be killed or injured by a Volvo.” Volvo expects the external airbag will prevent loss of life in 85 percent in crashes where the pedestrian would be killed.

Jeremy Lin to Endorse Volvo

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Volvo Cars

Volvo has just hired NBA player, Jeremy Lin, a new spokesperson for their car brand. Lin is a point guard for the New York Nicks, and has received incredible fame over the last few months. Media has dubbed the sensation “Linsanity” along with coming up with many other puns and nicknames for the young man.

Jeremy Lin was born in Palo-Alto California and a graduate of Harvard University. He is of Taiwanese-American decent, and has an extremely large fan following in Asia. Volvo plans to focus Lin’s endorsements in the U.S. and in China.

Here is Lin in the press conference with Volvo. The company-player collaboration plan to not use the “Linsanity” nickname in any of their campaigns.

Leikin Volvo Announces Special Offer for the 2012 S60

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Volvo Cars

Leikin Volvo is pleased to announce a new sale on a very unique luxury sedan, the 2012 S60. This Volvo includes a choice of two turbocharged engines, smart all wheel-drive system, impressive safety features, and a stylish exterior. At Leikin Volvo, from March 1^st – April 2^nd, competing car owners can receive $1,000 off the purchase or lease of the Volvo S60.

Customers who own or lease an Acura, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, Mercedes, Honda, Nissan, Saab, Toyota or Volkswagen are eligible for the offer with proof of ownership. The customer must provide a copy of either U.S. Registration or U.S. insurance documents showing VIN, name, address and expiration date. A valid U.S. driver’s license is required. Offer ends on April 2, 2012.

Volvo is the fastest growing Luxury import in the U.S., lead by the S60.

2012 Volvo S60 R-Design

Edmunds.com, a popular vehicle review site states, “The 2012 Volvo S60 is a well-balanced and stylish luxury sedan. It’s a solid alternative to other Luxury Sedans”.

The 2012 Volvo S60 T5 includes a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5 cylinder engine and receives 20 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. The T6 has all-wheel drive and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 cylinder that produces 300 hp. The T6 receives 18 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway.

Safety features on the 2012 Volvo S60 include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and whiplash-reducing front head restraints. The city safety feature automatically applies the brakes up to 19 mph if the driver does not react in time to an approaching object. More safety features, including Driver Alert Control and front-mounted cameras to expose blind spots, are optional on the S60.

Volvo SARTRE Research

Posted on February 9, 2012 by LeikinVolvo

SARTRE, Safe Road Trains for the Environment, is a project created by the European Commission. The project aims to encourage a step change in personal transport usage by developing of environmental roadtrains called platoons. SARTRE works by a lead vehicle with a professional driver taking responsibility for a platoon. Following vehicles will enter a semi-autonomous control mode that allows the driver of the following vehicle to do other things that would normally not be possible; for example, operate a phone, reading a book or watching a movie. See how SARTRE works while Volvo is testing it.