Maintenance Tip Monday: How To Prepare Your Toyota For Winter

Before you know it, it will be December.  And in many parts of the country, there will be snow and ice! Is your car ready for winter? If it’s not, be sure to follow these five car care tips for winter!

1. Replace Wipers – Visibility is very important during the winter months.  Be sure your Toyota’s windshield wipers are in good working order.  Also check to make sure that the windshield washer reservoir is filled.

2. Check Your Tires – Make sure that the tire pressure and tire tread is at proper levels.  It’s important to have a good set of tires on your Toyota during the winter months.  You may want to even consider snow tires.

3. Perform A Maintenance Inspection – Before winter, be sure to check the battery and any belts and hoses.  If you have any major repairs, try to get them done before the winter months.  Be sure to use quality Toyota parts and Toyota accessories.

4. Check Coolant – You’ll want to make sure that your engine coolant is a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze.  You can check this by getting an antifreeze tester at any auto parts store.

5. Have A Car Kit – For emergencies, you’ll want to keep a warm blanket, gloves and a hat in your vehicle.  You’ll also want to consider these items in your car emergency kit: a shovel, flashlight, jumper cables and a first aid kit.  Also be sure to have a great ice scraper in your vehicle.
Following these tips will help get your Toyota ready for the winter months!  What types of winter preparations do you make?  Leave your comments below!

***Courtesy of Toyotapartsblog.com 

Kudos team on earning this five-star review!

"We went to Toyota of Puyallup and found the exact car that is perfect for me." - Renee B.

Ring in the new year with a great deal on a redesigned 2013 RAV4 LE!

Check out the complete offer by visiting our Google Plus page: http://bit.ly/14GlUcW

Toyota teases "compact, fun" i-Road EV ahead of Geneva Motor Show

An intriguing overhead image released by Toyota last week suggests the motor company may unveil an unusual electric concept vehicle, dubbed i-Road, at the 83rd Geneva Motor Show in March.

Details are thin on the ground at this stage, but the press release offers one or two clues as to what we can expect. "The Toyota i-Road has been conceived as a compact, fun and emissions-free personal mobility concept, designed to offer quick and efficient urban transport for two people," it said.

What can be gleaned from this tiddiest of tidbits? Not much, except to say that "emissions free" strongly implies an electric (or, er, clockwork) vehicle. And though dimensions aren't given the tease screams "compact vehicle." Unless that's a vinyl turntable, the apparently central steering column suggests the quoted two seats will be arranged one behind the other.

It's all but impossible to tell from the single overhead image, but the i-Road appears to have a certain vintage hot rod aesthetic. Time will tell. If a teaser of a concept vehicle counts for anything, it at least illustrates that not all inner-city EVs need be satsuma shaped.

According to the same release, Toyota will also show an open-top take on its FT-86 concept. Toyota says that the concept Toyota FT-86 Open will be used to gauge public opinion, though a prototype is apparently already in development.

Toyota says that it will also seize the opportunity to unveil the Auris Touring Sports estate while its fourth-gen RAV4 SUV will make its first European motor show appearance.

-Courtesy of Gizmag

2013 Toyota RAV4 -- Puppy

The totally redesigned RAV4 is finally here. Watch these hilarious videos to learn how to stop your wife from buying another SUV that is not the new RAV4.

Maintenance Tip Monday: 3 Simple Maintenance Tips for the Most Fuel Efficient Cars

Today’s vehicles are pretty easy to take care of and maintain. Put some air in the tires, get regular oil changes and tune ups and you’re good to go. Both of those tasks also go pretty far in creating a more fuel efficient car. But if you really want to maximize your dollars at the gas pump, here are three lesser-known maintenance tips that people tend to overlook:

1. Use the right oil. Whether you take your car for an oil change, or you change it yourself, be sure it’s getting the grade of motor oil recommended in your owner’s manual. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by one to two percent. Choosing a motor oil with additives that reduce friction also creates a more fuel efficient car. Just look for the American Petroleum Institute’s ( API) "Energy Conserving" symbol on the bottle.

2. Let your car breathe. A recent study conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy found that a clogged air filter can reduce gas mileage in older cars with carbureted engines by as much as 14 percent. While replacing clogged air filters on newer cars doesn’t necessarily improve MPG significantly, it can improve acceleration time.

3. Don’t scrimp on parts. When it comes to your engine, something as simple as spark plugs make a big difference. A dirty, worn out or inferior spark plug can cause inconsistent firing, which may result in reduced performance and a less fuel efficient car. Choose parts designed specifically for your vehicle’s engine that are approved by the manufacturer.

But having the most fuel efficient car isn’t all about the maintenance. Your driving habits can also help. Planning ahead and combining trips can go a long way in saving you money at the pump. Also, be sure to avoid aggressive tactics like speeding and stop-and-go driving, which reduce fuel efficiency.

***Courtesy of Toyota.com

Toyota Game Day Teaser "I Wish" Starring Kaley Cuoco!