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.

Parts/Service Special: Battery Check

Car batteries are susceptible to erosion during hot summer months. Bring your Toyota down to our Service Department and we'd be happy to perform a FREE TrueStart Express Battery Check! View/Print offer: http://bit.ly/121lQAM

Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship

Major golf returns to the city of champions with the Constellation Senior Players Championship.

The winner gains entry into the following season's The Players Championship on the PGA Tour.

Visit Constellation Senior Players Championship online here: http://bit.ly/136LUlm

Visit Constellation Senior Players Championship on Facebook here: http://on.fb.me/136M642

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

Kick off your summer with an all-new 2013 Toyota Tundra! View Inventory: http://bit.ly/19Zmrf7

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

Summer heat can take a toll on your tires. Prepare your Toyota for summer with our Tire Care Special! View/print coupon: http://bit.ly/11MH9Wu

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.

Parts/Service Special: Father's Day is just around the corner!

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 16th. Forgot a gift? No worries! Check out our Parts and Service Specials for the ultimate last-minute gift ideas: http://bit.ly/14xppni

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

Pre-Vacation Service Special

Prepare your Toyota for your upcoming road trip with this service special! http://bit.ly/1bewFod

Keep Your Toyota A Toyota - The Obvious Choice - Accountant

See how our team of hyper-caring experts can keep your Toyota exactly the way it was meant to be.

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