41 Innovative Environmental Projects Win Over $1 Million in Funding from Audubon and Toyota
On August 2nd, 2012, Toyota and the National Audubon Society awarded over $1 million in TogetherGreen Innovation Grants funding to 41 innovative environmental projects nationwide. This year’s winning projects involve more than 150 conservation, environmental justice and community organizations working collaboratively on habitat, water and energy conservation. Many of the projects focus on engaging audiences that have traditionally been underrepresented in the conservation movement, from landowners to religious communities to inner-city students.
Click here to read the entire story
Click here to learn more about Together Green
Help with Neighborhood Watch by celebrating National Night Out on August 7th in Suburban Square, Ardmore, PA
The “29th Annual National Night Out” (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2012.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness & generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Make sure you take part in this great event!
For more information, click here.
Safety First: Always Wear Your Seat Belt!
All major vehicle manufacturers spend millions of dollars on the development of safety essentials for their vehicles. And, not surprisingly, quite a bit of attention is paid to the innovation and testing of seat belts. The basic task of seat belts is to keep passengers from hitting objects within the car on a sudden stop or collision, or, even worse, from being ejected.
By now, we have all heard the phrase “Click it or Ticket”, but have you truly taken to heart the importance of your seat belt? Even the very best seat belt design could still require your attention. First and foremost, it’s vital that all your seat belts are in working order. Take note: Do they bind when you try to put them on? Do they take a few tries to get a good click? Is the harness material frayed?
If your seat belts need some work or replacement, take your vehicle to your dealer. They will have all the proper parts that your particular make and model needs. One major function of your car is to keep you safe while you travel, so be sure that your seat belts are in good shape!
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Plant Kaizen (Improvement) Example
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Description
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Benefits
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Industry Challenge Energy Reduction
(From Baseline)
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Lighting efficiency (Bodine Aluminum, Jackson, Tenn.)
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Replacement of lighting in several plant areas with energy efficient florescent lights with sensors
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• Reduce CO2 emissions
• Cost savings
• Reduce energy usage
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13.8%
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Innovative lighting technology
(Toyota Motor Mfg., Alabama)
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Installation of Ultra Constant Discharge lighting in the plant’s parking lot
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• Reduce CO2 emissions
• Cost savings
• Reduce energy usage
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24.1%
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Hot water boiler linkage
(Toyota Motor Mfg. Canada)
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Installation of new controls allowing proper mixture without numerous adjustments
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• Reduce CO2 emissions
• Reduce water usage
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28.5%
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• Reduce energy usage
• Less complexity
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Paint booth
HVAC system
(Toyota Motor Mfg., Indiana)
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Elimination of using outside air to cool/heat paint booth; current air intake is taken directly from plant, making temperature consistent
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• Reduce CO2 emissions
• Reduce energy usage
• Less use of HVAC system, natural gas and electricity during peak times
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36%
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Since 2006, Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing operations have received 18 Energy Star Plant Awards from the U.S. EPA, recognizing each plant’s energy performance over the past year and scoring in the top 25 percent of its industry.
http://bit.ly/MJ2xY7
Driving the SE proved comfortable enough, although ergonomics would be improved by providing the telescoping steering wheel found in most competitors. Instruments and controls were readily accessible, and the seats were supportive.
Click Here for the full Story.
What to Expect at Inspection
If the sticker in your window indicates that it’s time for inspection, it’s time to give your dealer a call and schedule an inspection appointment. Your dealer and their trained technicians know your vehicle inside and out, and will know how to best inspect it to ensure many more years of safe, secure driving. If you’re wondering exactly what your dealer will look at during inspection, review the following list:
- Tires: Your car will be checked to make sure you have matching tires and enough tread life to allow the car to be driven safely, and if your tires fail, it’s a great time to have them replaced!
- Windshield and wipers: Even a minute crack or chip in a windshield can be a big distraction possibly compromise safety. Also, your wipers will be checked for operation, and also the condition of the blades will be checked.
- Brakes: Your brakes, drums, and rotors will be checked for service life, while hoses and break lines are checked for leaks.
- Steering mechanisms: Your steering mechanisms will be checked for safety. Any movement or play in steering components could lead to failure, as ball joints and connecting rods become lose, worn, or bent requiring replacement. A simple tire alignment may be suggested to correct the problem and assist in better gas mileage.
- Lights and signals: Your headlights will not only are checked for operation, but will be reviewed to ensure that they are at the proper illumination level. Also, all other marker lights, emergency flashers, and turn signals will be reviewed for proper operation.
- Basic safety check: Lastly, your dealer will look for leaks and observe conditions of basic components on your car. Your dealer can alert you to anything noticeable that could affect your safety and the operation of the vehicle.
Remember, your dealer will not steer you wrong. Their goal is to keep both you and your car safely on the road for as long as possible.
Enter the Sweepstakes to Win an iPad!
To enter the Sweepstakes, first like our Facebook page and then click on the Sweepstakes tab to enter. Sweepstakes ends August 31, 2012.

Save Money On Your Car With Coupons
If you think that coupons are just for grocery shopping and the department store, think again. You can find great coupon discounts at your local car dealership, too! Don’t believe me? – a quick visit to your dealer’s website or brief phone call to the service department will easily let you know if they are currently offering any coupons or deals on maintenance or repairs.
Find out what papers your dealership advertising in, and check them sporadically for discounts, or ask if they have an email list that you can sign up for. Also, it never hurts to ask if your dealer will honor a competitor’s coupon – and if so, take advantage of it! If you’re able to apply a coupon when your car needs an oil change or a tire rotation, you’ll be amazed at how those saved dollars pile up. Dealers appreciate smart, loyal customers – so ask if they provide loyal user discounts, too! Then, use that saved cash to treat your car to a car wash or some fuzzy dice.
That’s good news for international automakers like Toyota that assemble many of their vehicles in the United States. Last year, Toyota’s U.S. plants assembled more than 70 percent of the vehicles.
Click Here for the full Story.
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. between the ages of 1 and 12.[i]
- Three out of every 4 car seats are not used or installed correctly[ii] and almost 50% of fatally injured children were unrestrained at the time of a crash.[iii]
- In crashes involving fatalities in children under 14, seat belt use is lower among African Americans than among all other race or ethnic groups.[iv]
- Hispanic children are significantly less likely to be buckled up than Non-Hispanic children across all age groups.[v]
- The number of children buckled up nearly tripled among the families who participated in one of Buckle Up for Life’s pilot cities.[vi]






