Maintenance Tips: Engine Fluids, Spark Plugs and Hoses

We have great suggestions on making sure your engine is running perfectly. Check out this week's maintenance tips!

1. Heavier is not always better

Use the oil viscosity grade that’s recommended in your owner’s manual for the temperature range you expect for the coming season. Lighter grades (lower viscosity, such as SAE 5W-30), often specified for today’s smaller car engines, will deliver easier starts and better engine protection in winter and improved gas mileage throughout the year, thanks to less internal engine friction. Do not use a heavy grade of oil in cold winter climes or you will risk damage to your engine.

2. Maintain your transmission
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter after the first 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and after every 25,000 miles (40,000 km) or two years thereafter, or as recommended in your owner’s manual. If you use your vehicle for towing, change the fluid and filter every year. For manual transmissions, change the lubricant (motor oil or gear oil, depending on the car) after the first 5,000 miles and after every 50,000 (80,000 km) thereafter. Use synthetic motor oil or gear lube for longer transmission life unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise.

3. Consider adding oil coolers

If you plan to do a lot of towing and your vehicle is not already equipped with coolers, consider having them added. Aftermarket engine oil and transmission fluid coolers are simple, low-cost addons that operate on the same principle as your car’s radiator. The fluid flows through them, and many small fins absorb and dissipate heat. Cooler operating temperatures of engine oil and transmission fluid can add significantly to the life of your engine and transmission.

4. Spark plugs do need changing

The advent of electronic ignition and on-board computers has eliminated the need for regular tune-ups, but you still need to change your spark plugs. Many manufacturers recommend changing plugs every 30,000 or 40,000 miles (48,000 or 64,000 km) to ensure good fuel mileage and engine performance. Some new cars come with long-life plugs (sometimes called double platinum plugs) that can last for 100,000 miles (160,000 km). If your car isn’t so equipped, make the switch after 30,000 miles. The extra cost is only a few dollars per spark plug. While you’re at it, change your spark plug wires as well. Their typical life is 50,000 miles (80,000 km). Deteriorated wires can cause those high-tech new spark plugs to foul.

5. Avoid hose hassles

Check the hoses under your hood every month or two to avoid the hassle of a broken hose while you’re on the road. With the car cool and off, squeeze the hoses. If they are hard or make a crunching sound, replace them. Ditto if they are extremely soft or sticky.With the car warm but off, examine hoses for bulges and collapsed sections. If you find any, the hose walls are weak, and it’s time to replace the hose. Never drive with a ruptured coolant hose, or you are liable to overheat the engine and damage it. Other hoses are crucial to operation of your power brakes and cruise-control systems.

Maintenance Tips: Six keys to great tires

Your tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Keeping them in good shape is essential. Take a look at these six tips on tire maintenance.

1. Keep the caps on

You step out into driveway ready to start your morning commute only to discover a flat tire. How in the heck did that happen overnight? If the tire valve is missing its cap, the culprit might be a leaky valve. Those little caps keep out dirt and moisture that can cause leaks, so be sure to keep caps on all your tire valves. Another tip: When you replace tires, remind the tire shop that you expect new valves with the tires.

2. Maintain proper inflation

Under-inflated tires are a tire salesman’s best friend. They create excessive heat and stress that can lead to tire failure. If you want to get every last mile out of your tires, get yourself a tire pressure gauge and use it at least once a month (more in hot weather) to keep your tires inflated to the recommendation in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Check tires when they are cold (driven for less than one mile) for an accurate reading.

3. Beware the wet thumb

If you top off your tires at a service station, check to see if there’s moisture coming from the air pump. Simply depress the pin inside the inflator valve with your thumbnail. If your thumb gets wet, advise the station manager that his tanks need to be drained and go to a different station. Moisture, trapped inside a tire, can cause pressure variations and corrode rims.

4. Check for uneven wear

Check tires for uneven wear. If you’ve maintained tire inflation properly, uneven wear may indicate the need for a wheel realignment. It can also mean improperly operating brakes or shocks, a bent wheel, internal tire damage, or worn bushings.

5 Check tread for safety

Most states require tires to be replaced when they have worn down to 1/16-inch (1.5 mm) of remaining tire depth. Tires sold in North America are required to have “wear bars” molded into them to make it easy to see when tire replacement is legally required. However, if you’ll be driving in the rain, you should change your tires when there is 1/8-inch (3 mm) of tread left. Otherwise, water may not escape from under your tires fast enough and you risk hydroplaning — a dangerous situation in which your car loses traction and literally floats on the water. Stick an American quarter between the treads in several places. If part of Washington’s head is always covered, you have enough tread to drive in the rain. If you drive in snow, you’ll need at least 3/16-inch (5 mm) of tread to get adequate traction. Stick an American penny between the treads. If the top of the Lincoln Memorial is always covered, you’re ready for winter driving.

6. Rotate your tires

Rotating your tires helps to distribute tire wear evenly and ensures that you’ll get the maximum road life out of them. The first rotation is especially important.Your owner’s manual should specify both rotation period and pattern. If not, rotate your tires every 6,000 to 7,500 miles (9,700 to 12,000 km) — your tire dealer should know the correct pattern of tire rotation.

Maintenance Tip: Ink Removal

It can be very frustrating when you leave a pen in your pocket and write on new leather seats. To remove ink from leather, dampen a Q-tip with cuticle remover and lightly rub the surface. The ink will be gone in seconds. Just remember to try a spot under the seat first, to make sure the dye in your leather is color-fast and won't bleed.

Crown of Flowers

Symbolizing Japan's significant motorization blossom, the Toyota Corolla was introduced in 1966. Born with a name that meant 'Crown of Flowers', the Toyota Corolla went on to become one of the most popular family vehicles and still holds that title today.

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Toyota Leads All Automakers in 2012 U.S. Patents Issued

The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued more patents to Toyota’s innovative designers and engineers in 2012 than to any other automaker, according to a recently-released survey by the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO).  The 1,491 patents issued to Toyota companies demonstrate Toyota’s commitment to ever better cars that achieve new environmental, safety and technological advancements.

“Since the days of Toyota’s founding, innovation has been a cornerstone of Toyota’s success,” said Kristen Tabar, vice president, electrical systems engineering, Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. (TEMA).  “We’re driven to listen to our customers and develop new ways to improve their experience.”

Toyota companies received thirty percent more patents in 2012 than the previous year, illustrating the company’s increasing success in fostering ingenuity and keeping a keen focus on the customer.
Whether it’s creating “smart materials” that can help cars resist insect splatter or improving vehicle communication systems, Toyota leads the way in anticipating and engineering the cars of tomorrow for today.

The Toyota Technical Center, located in Ann Arbor and Saline, Michigan, recently held their annual patent awards ceremony to honor last year’s patent recipients. Two team members each received their 20^th patent in 2012, Minjuan Zhang, manager, Toyota Research Institute NA (TRINA) and Charan Lota, manager, electronic systems at Toyota Technical Center (TTC).

“Toyota is a great place to be an inventor,” said Ms. Zhang.  “Everyone here is passionate about improving the customer’s experience and it shows in the product.”

“You can tell a lot about a company by the new ideas they generate,” said Mr. Lota.  “And, what these patents show about Toyota is that we are never going to stop trying to make better cars.”

Courtesy of Toyota

Summer Car Care Tips

 

Cars are more likely to overheat in the summer. But it’s not just the hot temperatures that cause overheating. Heavy driving can also cause your engine to overheat. Prepare for hot days and long trips by giving your car a thorough systems check. An oil check is a good place to start. If the oil is a dark color or there's a lot of dirt and grime present, it’s time for an oil change and filter replacement. Many technicians recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles, though some manuals extend that to 7,500 miles. Check your owner's manual for guidance.

Courtesy of Ameriprise

4th of July Road Trip Tips

Taking a road trip this 4th of July? According to AAA, 84% of Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend. Although this is a slight decline from the 41.1 million people that traveled in 2012, roads will still be crowded. Here are Central Collision Center’s tips to make your road trip easier:


1. Prepare your vehicle ahead of time.
There’s nothing worse than having car troubles in an unfamiliar area. Be proactive and do a routine maintenance check before you hit the road. Things to check: tire pressure, washer fluid, wiper blades, oil and lights (headlights, taillights and turn signal).

2. Plan your stops.
Instead of stopping at the first gas station you see, use the free app GasBuddy to plan your stops for gas. GasBuddy finds the cheapest gas near you. The app can also find the cheapest gas by city or zip code. Bonus: you earn rewards for reporting gas prices.

3. Prepare snacks ahead of time.
Bring a variety of snacks to eliminate unnecessary stops and unhealthy purchases. Pack snacks that will travel well and will please all of your travelers. Some healthy suggestions include granola bars, pre-cut vegetables and hummus, string cheese and trail mix. Granola bars, hummus and nuts are packed with protein, which will keep your travelers fuller longer.

4. Clean as you go.
Don’t wait until you’re packing up to come home to clean your car out. Make cleaning easy by giving each row of seats its own garbage can. Place a small garbage or grocery bag in a plastic tupperware container to make mini garbage cans. The container traps smells and is easy to empty each time you stop for gas.

5. Bring in-car entertainment.
Keeping children entertained is key to a successful road trip. Instead of relying on iPads and other electronics, create interactive games. For example, give each of your children a map to decorate as you travel. Each child can draw his or her favorite site for each state. At the end of the trip, each child's map will be different. Bonus: the maps make great keepsakes and cute additions to photo albums of the trip.

Courtesy of Chicago Tribune

Meals Per Hour

Toyota will donate ONE meal for EVERY view of this video to the Food Bank of New York City, to help residents of Far Rockaways, Queens who were severely affected by Hurricane Sandy.

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Maintenance Tip: Adhesive Removal

• If those tattered old bumper stickers on your car make you feel more nauseated than nostalgic, it’s time to break out the vinegar. Saturate the top and sides of the sticker with undiluted distilled vinegar and wait 10-15 minutes for the vinegar to soak through. Then use an expired credit card (or one of those promotional plastic cards that come in the mail) to scrape it off. Use more full-strength vinegar to get rid of any remaining gluey residue. Use the same technique to detach those cute decals your youngster used to decorate the back windshield.
• When your windshield actually gets blurrier after you turn on your wipers during a rainstorm, it usually means that your wiper blades are dirty. To make them as good as new, dampen a cloth or rag with some full-strength white vinegar and run it down the full length of each blade once or twice.

Courtesy of RD.com

Summer Kick-Off: 2013 Toyota Tundra

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Toyota 100 Cars for Good: Camp Casey

In 2011, Toyota gave 100 cars to deserving nonprofits across the U.S. and let the voting public decide who got them. Learn how Camp Casey won the hearts of the public.

Tire Care Special

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2014 Toyota Corolla Sheds Demure Image With Daring Redesign

True to its word, Toyota has transformed the Corolla.

For 2014, the popular compact sedan gets expressive new styling inspired by the Corolla Furia Concept that Toyota unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January. And some of what lies beneath the flashy body is also impressively different.

The Japanese automaker listened to consumer feedback when rethinking the design of its 2014 Toyota Corolla. The intent is to attract younger buyers, who put a high priority on style, as well as efficiency and function.

The new Corolla, which goes on sale this fall, is bigger than the car it replaces, making it roomier inside. Though less than an inch wider and taller, it is nearly four inches longer. The front and rear wheels have been stretched apart to give the car a more aggressive stance. The corners of the Corolla have also been tapered to help make the car look leaner and meaner than before. 

Among the plethora of features on the 2014 Toyota Corolla, two stand out as particularly interesting: Headlights that use light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, and a new continuously variable transmission that mimics a conventional seven-speed automatic.

LED headlights, prized for their energy efficiency and compactness, are found mostly on luxury cars. In less expensive vehicles, they are usually only used in daytime running lights, turn signals and taillights. The 2014 Corolla is the first compact car in its segment to use them for the low beams in the headlights, too.

Just as unique is a new continuously variable transmission. This type of transmission is becoming increasingly popular among automakers because it’s lighter, smaller and more efficient than a conventional automatic transmission. Continuously variable transmissions eschew fixed gears for a pulley system with an infinitely variable ratio.

Toyota’s new twist is that it has baked in seven fixed ratios so the transmission will always feel like it’s shifting gears, just like a conventional automatic does. This is opposed to just winding up seamlessly as the car accelerates with no sense of gear changes, which Toyota says some drivers find annoying or disconcerting. The new transmission has an Eco mode to enhance fuel economy and a Sport mode for better acceleration and throttle response.

This is the first time Toyota will offer a continuously variable transmission in the United States. It will be an option on the new Corolla. A conventional six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic will be standard, depending on the model. The six-speed manual has one more gear than last year’s stick shift. The four-speed automatic carries over unchanged from the outgoing Corolla.

Like the exterior, the interior gets a whole new look that is sportier and feels more premium in its design and materials. Even base models will be loaded with creature comforts, from standard Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones to pollen filters (a feature people with allergies will no doubt appreciate).

Toyota went out of its way to improve rear-seat comfort in the Corolla by expanding legroom, beefing up seat cushions and making the floor flatter by rerouting the exhaust pipes underneath it. More sound insulation throughout the cabin also makes the interior quieter.

The base engine on the new Corolla carries over from the 2013 model. It is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 132 horsepower and 128 pounds-feet of torque in the L, LE and S trims. A new LE Eco model gets an enhanced four-cylinder with added Valvematic technology that boosts efficiency and increases horsepower to 140 hp. Torque in the Eco engine, however, drops slightly to 126 lb-ft.

The redesign also makes the car more aerodynamic to improve fuel efficiency. Special flat covers on the underside of all 2014 Corollas help smooth airflow. The Eco model boasts even more aerodynamic enhancements, including a small spoiler on the rear edge of the trunk and special wheels with low-roll-resistance tires. Toyota expects the 2014 Corolla LE Eco to achieve 40 miles per gallon or more on the highway. Official mileage estimates have not been announced.

The new Corolla uses lighter, high-strength steel to save weight, and added reinforcements to make the body stiffer for a better ride. Toyota paid particular attention to the steering and suspension to make the car feel sportier. One of the knocks against the current Corolla is that it’s as boring to drive as it is to look at. The 2014 Corolla will be a different story, with sharper reflexes and better steering feel, Toyota says.

Though Toyota just unveiled the newly redesigned Corolla on Thursday in Santa Monica, Calif., it hinted at the changes before, with the Furia concept that made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The overall shape of the 2014 Corolla and the angular body panels echo the Furia. The last time the Corolla had a makeover was in 2009.

Official pricing and full specs will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date this fall. But it’s clear the 2014 Corolla represents a big change for Toyota—bigger, perhaps, than the recently redesigned Avalon, Camry and RAV4. 

As one of the automaker’s best sellers, and a cornerstone of its reputation for superior function, efficiency and reliability, it’s important that Toyota get this one right. The company is counting on the 2014 Corolla to invigorate its image and attract new customers without alienating existing ones.

Courtesy of Forbes

Toyota Maintenance Made Interesting: Tires — Giant Tire

Picking the right tire is an important step to protecting your vehicle. The Toyota Service Center will give you the tire your vehicle was intended to have - preserving original ride and performance.

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Toyota Sees Best Month in Nearly Four Years

 
Toyota’s 207,952 May sales marks the auto maker’s best monthly tally in the U.S. since the “Cash for Clunkers” month of August 2009, WardsAuto data shows.

As has been the case for much of the year, light trucks powered the Toyota brand’s growth in May, up 3.2%. Car sales rose a more modest 1.3%.

The aging FJ Cruiser posted the biggest year-on-year jump in the auto maker’s light-truck portfolio, up 30.0%, with the Tacoma compact pickup following with a 20.0% hike.

The Tacoma and large Tundra, up 13.5% in May, gave Toyota its best pickup month since August 2008, Bill Fay, group vice president-Toyota Div., tells media during a conference call today.

The new-for-’13 RAV4 continues to boost that model’s fortunes. The 20,780 RAV4s sold in May represented the cross/utility vehicle’s best month in three years, Fay says.

Sales of the gas-engine RAV4 rose 7.5% last month; the California-only RAV4 EV registered 84 deliveries.

On the car side, increased demand for the Avalon large sedan and Prius liftback, V and C models offset declines in the Camry lineup.

The hybrid Camry slipped 3.1%, while sales of the conventionally powered Camry fell 0.6% from like-2012.

Despite those dips, Fay says Camry has reestablished itself as the segment leader, reclaiming the No.1 spot in the midsize car segment in the U.S. after seeing the Nissan Altima and Honda Accord jump ahead earlier in the year.

Selling 40,000 units “of anything is really good activity there,” he says of Camry’s 39,216 May volume.

Corolla sales slipped 11.8% as that model winds down its lifecycle. Toyota will introduce the next-generation ’14 Corolla on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Lexus tallied 22,229 units, but cars were the positive performers for that brand. Deliveries of the ES 350 rose 51.7% from May 2012, and both LS variants, the LS 460 and LS 600h hybrid, gained over year-ago.

Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president, says the ES 300h hybrid model has been a key driver of growth for that nameplate, with 25% of total ES sales in May the hybrid.

The LS’s performance was driven by the new F Sport grade introduced with the ’13 model year.
The Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback, which posted declining sales in recent months, recorded a 4.8% gain in May.

All Lexus utility vehicles were down, including the brand’s top-selling RX, which Bracken blames on strong year-ago comparisons.

At Scion, the FR-S continues to support the flagging brand. Of the 6,586 Scions sold last month, 1,937 were the sports car, the second-best tally yet for the model. The tiny iQ took the biggest plunge of any of the brand’s models, down 41.4%.

Fay sees only positive momentum for Toyota and the U.S. new-vehicle market for the remainder of the year, with consumer confidence at a 5-year high and gas prices relatively steady.
“We’re very optimistic, very bullish looking ahead,” he says.

The auto maker will continue 0% financing and/or low lease deals on most of its prominent nameplates, although it is transitioning away from a national marketing program to a more regionally based one for June.

Courtesy of WARDSAuto

Under Pressure? It’s National Tire Safety Week

Tires are the critical connection between your car and the road in all sorts of driving conditions. To maximize tire life and safety, check the condition and inflation pressure regularly and have the tires rotated and balanced, says the Car Care Council.

“Your car’s tires affect its ride, handling, traction and safety, so this National Tire Safety Week be sure to do your PART and check the Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

Pressure: Correct tire pressure is good to your wallet and the environment as properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by three percent. Underinflated tires are under stress and wear uneven, causing them to be replaced sooner.

Alignment: If your car is shaking or pulling to one side it could be a sign of an alignment issue. Because uneven or accelerated tire wear may indicate an alignment problem, it’s a good idea to have your car’s alignment checked at least once a year.

Rotation: Unless your car manual has a specific recommendation, the Car Care Council recommends having tires rotated every 6,000 miles to promote uniform tire wear. Unbalanced wheels can cause rapid wear of shock absorbers and struts, and wheel balance can change as a result of normal tire wear. Rotating the tires to keep their sizes equal is critical on full-size four-wheel drive vehicles as a difference of only 1/4 inch between the outside circumference of the front and rear tires can cause expensive damage. Replacing all four tires at the same time, rather than just the front or rear tires, is highly recommended for these vehicles. 

Tread: Use the penny test and visually inspect tires for sign of uneven wear. If the tread depth falls below the minimum legal requirement or the sidewalls become severely cracked or punctured, tire replacement may be necessary.

Courtesy of Car Care Council

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Toyota’s electric race car gets ready to hit the track and defend its title at Pikes Peak Hill Climb

 

Toyota is taking the all-electric TMG EV P002 racing car back to Pikes Peak, to defend its title in the world famous hill climb. With its enormous wings and heavy-duty roll bars, the P002 is not your average EV. Powered by a 42 kWh lithium-ceramic battery pack, the P002 has a top speed of 143-mph.

Toyota is certainly serious about taking its electric vehicle know-how to the track. Having already established an EV track record at the treacherous Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany, Toyota is heading back to the annual Pikes Peak Hill Climb, to defend its title in that high-altitude test of man and machine. 

The TMG EV P001 single-seat racing car set the benchmark time in the electric vehicle class last year at Pikes Peak, with a time of 10 minutes 53 seconds. Back with an updated model, the P002, Toyota intends to maintain its dominance and, more than likely, break the existing class record.

To do that, Toyota’s engineers have substantially increased power and downforce. At Pikes Peak, where race cars are right on the edge (of a cliff!), ultimate horsepower and top speed are less important than traction and a punch of acceleration out of tight corners.

Toyota Racing Development USA, which is based in Salisbury, North Carolina, has reduced weight of the P002 and tripled the levels of aero grip compared to the previous P001. Attention has also been paid to the electric powertrain, which now delivers the equivalent of 536-hp and a mammoth 885 lb.-ft. of torque. A new ceramic braking system has also been added to the P002.

Courtesy of NY Daily News

Preserve your car during long-term storage

If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.

• Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
• Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
• Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
• Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
• Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
• Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
• Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.

Courtesy of Reader's Digest

Parts/Service Special: Brake Service Special

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Toyota to raise board compensation 28% as earnings increase

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to increase compensation and bonuses for board members as it forecasts profit and sales will climb to the highest level in six years.


Toyota plans to pay 1.1 billion yen ($10.8 million) in compensation and 428 million yen in bonuses to directors, as well as audit and supervisory board members, for the year ended March 2013, the company said in a notice sent to shareholders.

The total is 28 percent higher than a year earlier.

The Japanese carmaker, which retook its global sales crown from General Motors Co. and Volkswagen AG last year, projects net income to increase 42 percent to 1.37 trillion yen in the year ending March 2014. The company earlier this month reported its biggest annual profit in five years, and in March approved the biggest bonus for workers since 2008.

The amount to be paid to directors will be decided at Toyota’s June 14 shareholders’ meeting.

Courtesy of Auto News

Toyota Time Sales Event

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Keep your cabin clean and pollutant free!

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Keep Your Toyota A Toyota - The Obvious Choice - Housekeeper

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No ordinary Camry: 1967 Toyota 2000GT sells for $1.16 million at auction

Would you pay nearly $1.2 million for a Toyota?

Someone at RM Auctions did, setting an auction sale record for a car from an Asian manufacturer. However, this wasn’t your grandmother’s Camry.

This pale yellow coupe is a 1967 2000GT, Toyota’s first sports car and the great-grandparent of the 560 horsepower, $388,475 Lexus LFA.

If a supercar from the company known for the dowdy Camry and Lexus RX seems like a stretch today, imagine what it was like in 1965, when Toyota unveiled the 2000GT at the Tokyo Motor Show, surrounded by cars that pretty much were toys in comparison.

Nothing like the 2000GT had ever come out of Japan, whose cars had the reputation Korean cars of the 1980s and 1990s had: basic, cheap and maybe a bit suspect.

Taking a quantum leap forward, Toyota married a sleek body (that bore more than a passing resemblance to the Jaguar E-Type) with a 150 hp, Yamaha-designed 2.0-liter straight six and then-innovative features like disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering.

A roadster version also starred in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

The 2000GT had a reported top speed of over 135 mph (pretty good for the ‘60s) and, like any good supercar, it was as exclusive as it was fast.

Only 351 2000GTs were built, costing approximately $7,250 each. A period Jaguar E-Type stickered for $5,580.

On top of that, the 2000GT sold at RM was one of just 62 left-hand drive versions made. Rarity is a great way to drive up a collector car’s selling price, but this 2000GT’s selling price is still surprising.
There are many 1960s Japanese cars that can be called “collectable,” but they don’t usually attract the same insane bids as vintage contemporaries from the United States or Europe.

Courtesy of Digital Trends

Have you redeemed your PensPoints yet?

 

Round 2 is TONIGHT! Have you redeemed your PensPoints yet? That's OK, they are still available right here at Toyota of Washington. LIKE if you have already redeemed your points! SHARE with your friends who haven't! Let's go Pens! http://on.fb.me/10Fjp78

Maintenance Tip: Prevent Leaky Mirrors

Leaky mirrors: Even after a careful car wash, it can be very irritating when your side mirrors leak water all over the doors and leave water spots. To prevent this, after washing and drying your car, fold up a paper towel six times into a wedge shape and slide it in around the perimeter of the mirror between the glass and the plastic housing. This will soak up the water.

Courtesy of USA Today

Maintenance Tip: Seat/Carpet Stain Removal

Seat & carpet stain removal: Never scrub a stain in a side-to-side motion, it just pushes the contamination into the carpet fiber. Instead, tamp it! Tamping is a technique that breaks up the stain without abrading the fabric, perfect for durable, tightly woven fabrics like automotive carpet and upholstery. Quickly and repeatedly rap (strike) a stain with a tamping brush (available at most big-box stores) until the stain is removed. You'll know you are using too much pressure if the bristles on the brush bend.

Courtesy of USA Today

Community Involvement

Washington Auto Mall proudly supports Chartiers-Houston High School Varsity Softball Booster Club, Peters Township School District, and Washington County Community Foundation. Inspiring your engagement with our local communities. Together we can make a difference.

Toyota in Action: Hurricane Sandy Recovery Efforts Continue

Recovery efforts continue post Hurricane Sandy and Toyota has been there every step of the way.

Pennsylvania State Safety Inspection

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First Look: 2014 Toyota 4Runner — Same Great SUV, Plenty More Features and Refinement

Real SUVs are a dying breed. Gas is expensive, and while people still like the rugged style and utility of an SUV, they can find much of it in a crossover without such a penalty in fuel economy.
But for some, a proper SUV is the only way to go, rugged and able to go nearly anywhere. For 48,755 customers last year, the Toyota 4Runner was the way to go, with a truck-like “ladder” frame, a low-range transfer case with four-wheel drive available, and amenities galore. Now, there’s the 2014 Toyota 4Runner, the automaker is revising its SUV with more features, more capabilities, and a revised look and feel, in and out, that should help it carry on as one of the few SUVs left that can literally and figuratively more than tow its own weight.

What’s New

The first thing you should notice is the 2014 Toyota 4Runner’s new headlights, grille, and front bumper, giving it an even more butch, squared-off look. Smoked headlights, clear-lens tail lights, new 17-inch wheels on SR5 and Trail models (the 20-inch wheels from last year’s Limited will carry over), and a standard roof rack on all trim levels complete the refreshed style on the outside, highlighted by eight paint colors–four of which are new.

Inside, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 and Trail both add soft-touch door trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped shifter handle as standard equipment. The SR5 adds a standard eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Trail models come with Toyota’s CRAWL function as standard, which acts as a cruise control for off-road driving. All you have to do is set its speed, usually only a few miles per hour, and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Customers opting for leather seats will be greeted with better-quality hides that Toyota says are near-Lexus in quality.
Additionally, much of Toyota’s latest features for the 2014 4Runner include standard Entune Audio Plus, an update on the company’s infotainment system. Limited models have Entune Premium, equipped with a 15-speaker JBL audio system and a navigation system. For all models, the radio antenna has been integrated into its glass instead of having a pole antenna, and each model also comes with Party Mode in its audio settings that pumps up the bass and shifts the sound to the rear of the 4Runner for tailgating.

Engine and Drivetrain

Carrying over from the 2013 Toyota 4runner is the SUV’s 4.0-liter V-6, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to either the rear wheels or all four when optioned, allowing the 2014 Toyota 4Runner to two up to 5,000 pounds, which is fine since all 4Runners come with an integrated tow hitch and wiring. Trail and Limited models have a part-time low-range transfer case as standard. Limited models have an active X-REAS suspension that helps smooth out the ride, which is likely made harsher by those big, heavy 20-inch wheels.

Perhaps, the 4Runner’s biggest letdown is that it still has a five-speed automatic transmission, which is a ratio short of much of the competition; the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is getting an eight-speed automatic. Still, the 4Runner is able to achieve 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive models achieve one fewer mpg on the highway. That’s not terrible for a heavy two- to three-row SUV, but it could afford to be better.

Our Thoughts

There are some automakers that don’t sell 49,000 vehicles in a year. For Toyota, a company that sells 400,000 Camrys each year, the 4Runner is chump change. Still, it’s in an important segment that most automakers have outright abandoned in the U.S. Toyota has stuck with it, refining its midsize SUV, and made it into one of the go-to options for someone in need of a go-to mudslinger, whether an avid camper, a park ranger, someone who has a cabin, or someone who simply has a need for something a little more outdoorsy.

As one of the few credible competitors left for the V-6 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner comes back refined where it needed it most: Its interior. And it comes back better-looking and just as capable as ever.

Courtesy of Automotive.com