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Spring is the perfect time to renew, refresh, and clean. Make your vehicle feel new again by adding it to your spring cleaning checklist. There are plenty of easy and inexpensive ways to clean out and organize your car. Clean the Exterior Say goodbye to the dirt, grime, debris, and salt that winter brought to your vehicle by giving your car a thorough exterior washing. Use a pressure washer to remove dirt and debris that can scratch the surface, and then clean with a product formulated specifically for washing your car's surface. Once it's been thoroughly washed and dried, apply a wax or paint-protecting product to help repel more dust and keep your car beautiful throughout the spring months. Vacuum and Clean Mats Gravel, dirt, and more can accumulate on the floors of your vehicle, so spring is a great time to refresh them. If you have all-weather or other water-resistant floor mats, remove them completely and clean them with warm water and a gentle scrub brush. Hose them off and allow them to dry while you thoroughly vacuum the interior seats and floors. Get into cracks and crevices as well as you can. Replace mats once they are dry. Clean Leather or Upholstery If you have leather seating, use a conditioning leather cleaner to thoroughly clean seats and other leather areas. If you have cloth seats, you can use an upholstery spot cleaner to clean any spots that might have become dirty or stained over the winter. Rinse the area to prevent dirt from collecting on the soap residue. Clean Other Interior Surfaces Wipe down other interior surfaces using a cleanser specifically for your interior — or another mild cleanser diluted with water. Rinse and dry when done. Use window cleaner to add a shine to the interior glass. Don't forget to check the trunk for forgotten belongings, and clean that area, too. Don't Forget Maintenance Don't neglect proper maintenance just because the warmer weather is around the bend. Check standard maintenance items like fluid levels, tire pressure, and wiper blades, then look for any problems like loose hoses or leaks. Organize Essentials on Backs of Seats There are many things you may need to have on hand for everyday life or for travel, but they can quickly clutter up your vehicle. Place hanging shower or shoe pockets on the backs of sets to easily organize essentials like sanitizer, a first aid kit, tissues, spare phone chargers, restaurant coupons, and anything else you normally need. Use Everyday Items to Help You Organize You don't have to spend money on fancy organizers to get your car in shape for spring. Cover a plastic gum dispenser container with pretty or fabric and use it as an easy-to-dispense change holder. Keep plastic bags organized and handy for trash by stashing them in an empty tissue box. A plastic shower caddy can be used to organize items like kids toys and snacks or oil and other fluids. Take the time to spring clean your car and reorganize the interior. You spend a lot of time in your car, so why not make it peaceful, clean, and less cluttered? You'll drive happier after a good cleaning. Image via Pixabay

Winter time, especially in the more northern states like Pennsylvania, can be tough on cars. As a caring car owner, you're probably looking for ways to protect your beloved vehicle throughout these harsher months, so that you can cruise right on into the spring without a hitch. Your wheels and tires should be a part of your winter maintenance list, so here's how you can keep them protected this season. Wax Your Wheels Regularly Road salt, dirt, and grime can cling to your chrome wheels and cause them to erode and rust. Much like the body of your car, your wheels can be waxed to protect against this specific type of damage. Use a chrome-friendly product to coat your wheels in wax when they are clean. After you've applied the wax, you'll find that dirt and salt can be rinsed right off your wheels. more Just be sure to wax and clean your wheels regularly, as even dried salt can cause continued damage to this part of your car. High-pressure hoses can be used to blast away this grime, providing your wheels with the ultimate protection. Have Your Tires Aligned Disguised potholes, snow piles, and other winter hazards can cause the alignment of your tires to get out of whack. When this happens, your car can tend to lean or pull to one side, thus causing the tires on one side of your car to wear faster than the others. In order to prevent this from happening, you can have your tires aligned by a professional. You'll find that your car is better balanced, and you can drive that much more safely this winter. Keep Your Tire Pressure In-Check Lower temperatures can cause the air pressure in your tires to go down. Not only does this decrease the fuel efficiency of your car, but it can also cause your tires to wear faster as they have more contact with the road. Most cars have electronic tire pressure displays, which makes the task of keeping your tire pressure in check that much easier. However, an old fashioned tire pressure gauge can always help you determine whether or not your tires have enough air in them. Double-check the suggested tire pressure of your vehicle by locating this information on the inside of your driver door panel or in your car's manual. Use the Appropriate Tires for the Season It can be difficult to protect all-season tires from winter weather simply because they are not built specifically for that type of driving condition. Secure your car with the appropriate winter or snow tires, and keep a set of tire chains in your vehicle just in case. Doing so will better protect the longevity of your tires as well as increase your own safety. With these tips, you should be able to protect your wheels and tires from the unforgiving winter weather. When the weather starts to warm back up, have your winter tires changed out for your summer or all-season set. Also be sure to visit your local mechanic to ensure your car is safe to drive after enduring the snow season. Image via Pixabay

Whether you lease or outright own your Toyota, chances are, you want to keep your beloved car looking good throughout the wintery season. The cold weather and all that comes with it can be harsh on many aspects of the vehicle, including the paint job. The following tips can help you protect your Toyota's finish in the winter, so that your car can keep looking as good as new. Protecting Against Road Salt When there's snow and ice, there's also road salt. This substance can be your paint job's worst enemy, as it tends to cling to the car and doesn't seem to ever go away. In order to protect your vehicle from road salt, add a layer of polymer wax to your car's exterior the next time you have it washed. more This extra layer provides a shield between your Toyota's paint job and that pesky road salt. Be advised to still keep your car clean throughout the winter, which you'll find much easier when you've used wax. The Benefits of Pressure Washing Every so often, you can consider pressure washing your vehicle during the winter. Yes, the wax will protect against salt and grime, but that doesn't mean these substances won't cake onto your vehicle. Pressure washing will blast away this dirt, warding off rust and erosion in even the most hard-to-reach places, such as your car's undercarriage and wheel wells. After pressure washing, of course, be sure to add a new layer of wax for continued protection. Dry Your Car Thoroughly It would be difficult to keep your Toyota dry after every snowfall, but you should dry the exterior thoroughly after washing. Otherwise, that hard water will sit on the surface of your vehicle, which could be bad for your paint job as it could leave behind water spots. Use rags that are 100 percent cotton or sheepskin, as materials like microfiber and polyester can actually scratch your car. Be Careful When Removing Snow and Ice Clearing ice off of your windshield and blankets of snow off of your car every morning can become tedious, but it is important to your paint job that you do so carefully. Consider using soft bristled brushes or even foam brushes to remove snow and avoid scratching your car. Proceed with caution when using an ice scraper on your windows, as well. You wouldn't want to slip and scratch your car's exterior. The Wonders of Spot Cleaning After a long or particularly rough drive, don't be afraid to spot clean your vehicle. Wash away road salt near your wheels, wipe off spots that are caked in icy mud, so on and so forth. After spot cleaning, you can use a spray-on wax to protect these same areas. Once the snow clears once and for all, and the weather starts to warm back up, consider having your vehicle detailed by a professional. This will ensure that there are no remaining deposits of grime from the winter that will silently erode away your car's finish. You can drive on into spring in a flawless Toyota. Image via Pixabay

Replacing tires can seem like a cumbersome and expensive event, costing car owners hundreds of dollars. It is even worse when it is an unexpected expense. It is never recommended to wait until the last minute to get new tires and drivers should most certainly avoid driving around with a donut for more than 70 miles. The harsh weather of the winter increases the wear and tear on car tires, making it even more important to monitor their ability to withstand the season. Many people may put it off, but here are a few reasons why purchasing tires designed for winter weather might be advantageous. Quick Brake The winter terrain is not to be taken lightly. Along with winter comes the potential for more ice, and in some regions, many inches of snow. Winter tires will help drivers to navigate among rough terrain and keep them safe. The unique tread is designed to enable vehicles to stop safely while driving down slippery roads. The tires themselves may cost a little more, but it is well worth it. more Get a Grip Winter tires are also made with a special rubber that allows them to grip the road more efficiently. According to Auto Blog, this flexible rubber maintains its agility on the road. While other tires may harden as a result of the cold weather, these tires become more formless to fit the landscape. This is also an important safety feature. Be Prepared Certain regions are more likely to have winters with large amounts of snow and ice. These are the areas where winter tires have the most impact. Drivers who frequent the roads daily during the winter months can minimize their risk by making a small investment. Top of the line tires may be purchased for $160 to $200 per tire. Although this amount seems substantial, the benefit of being prepared far outweighs the potential for car damage or replacement. Multiple Uses The greatest thing about winter tires is that they can be removed and replaced. Many buyers mount winter tires around September and store them after the winter season has ended. The reason for this is the fact that many cars exceed their tread capabilities during the winter months. This leaves way for many risky road trips. Smart drivers can minimize this risk and improve safety by deciding to replace their tires throughout the year. This may seem like an unnecessary task, but it will help to prevent the stress that comes along with filing insurance claims and paying deductibles. Option or Necessity When all of the pros and cons are considered, it is easy to decide that winter tires are a necessity. It is worth the extra expense each year and should be a part of the car maintenance budget. This will allow families to enjoy the good things about the winter like holiday shopping, family dinners, and vacation travel. The car will be able to safely maneuver through any kind of weather, and the ability to feel safe and sound during the most exciting time of the year is indeed priceless.   image via Pixabay

Living in the Northern Hemisphere often means frigid winters, snow, sleet, and ice, which is not ideal for motor vehicles. There's the misery of waking up to a car covered in ice and snow and the grit, grime, and debris that finds its way both inside and outside of the car. The bigger problem, however, is the salt used on roads, which is highly corrosive to cars. Keeping a clean car during winter helps protect your vehicle's interior and exterior. Prepare BEFORE Winter The best time to start winterizing your car is during fall. Start waxing your car before winter strikes. Wax is a good way to protect the paintwork, as it helps water, ice, and snow slide off easily. A good way to check if your car is waxed well enough is to see if water "beads up" when washing the car. The best option in paint protection is a good-quality paint sealant. There are some excellent sealants out there that will protect your car for four to six months. more Wash Your Car Frequently Nobody is jumping up and down for joy at the thought of braving the freezing cold outside to wash their car. But did you know that washing your car is more important during winter than any other time of the year? That's because of what we mentioned earlier — salt. Salt is bad news for the metal of cars, as it leads to rust that not only looks ugly but will also lower the value of your car. Driving on salted roads means you will get some of it sticking to your car. This is the reason keeping your car clean during winter, especially the undercarriage which picks up most of the salt, will help protect it. Use Rubber Car Mats This is one of the simplest tips to implement. All that snow and slush on your boots ends up in your car. It melts, leaving puddles of water that soak into material car mats and also seep down to the floor of the car. Again, this is a surefire way to end up with corroded floors. A rubber mat catches the water better and dries a lot faster than a material mat. Parking Inside or Outside — Which Is Best? This is debatable. You may think that parking inside is best. After all, parking in a garage keeps your car cleaner for longer, and there's no hassle of scraping off ice and snow every time you head out. On the flip side, many experts say that when all that salty snow and ice melts, it creates the ideal environment for salt to eat at your car. Parking it outside keeps the ice and snow frozen, which actually slows down the corrosion. The alternative is to buy a good-quality car cover, which means you can park it outside and help protect it from the elements. Of course, if you really want to avoid car hassles during winter, don't drive it. But as this is a car and not a bear, it's highly unlikely your car will hibernate during winter. So just take some steps to keep it clean and protected, and you'll drive your way through winter with ease. Image via Pixabay

With so many innovative safety features available in newer cars, you may not realize that there is one crucial system in every vehicle that keeps you and your passengers safe. The brakes allow you to slow down and stop, so if any part of the braking system isn't in good condition, you put yourself at serious risk. Watch for these warning signs that will let you know when it's time to replace your brakes. Listen for Strange Sounds One of the first indicators that your brakes are going out is a squeaking or grinding sound. This means that the metal shim, also referred to as the indicator, is emitting the audible warning that the brake pads are wearing thin. The pad should be at least ¼-inch in thickness to properly allow your vehicle to stop. more One thing to consider is that if you have recently parked your car outside during a rainstorm or other onslaught of water, the moisture can cause the brake pads to squeak for a few stops until the top layer of rust has worn off. If the squeaking or grinding sound stops after you have been driving for several minutes, your brake pads are probably fine. Vibration When you apply the brakes, your car should ease to a stop smoothly. If the steering wheel vibrates when you brake, it's crucial to take your car in for an inspection. If the rotors are worn down, which is typically a result of continuing to drive on worn out brake pads, this problem causes excessive vibration. You might notice that it feels similar to how the vehicle feels when you have to stop very suddenly in a car that has antilock brakes. A mechanic can grind down the rotors in your vehicle to create a smooth surface again and replace the brake pads to protect them from further damage. Pulling to One Side When your car pulls either to the right or left when you're driving in a straight line, this is also a possible indicator of a problem with your brakes. It could also mean that you need your alignment repaired, but if that doesn't fix the issue, have a mechanic check out the brakes. The linings of your brakes might be wearing unevenly due to damage internally, or you could have some type of foreign object lodged within the reservoir of brake fluid. Your mechanic can make an adjustment to the brakes so they'll wear evenly, if that's the problem, or drain and replace the brake fluid. Decreased Pedal Response When you press on the brake pedal, it should immediately engage the system and stop your car. If the pedal feels spongy or slow to respond, take the car in for repair immediately. You could have air in the brake lines that decreases the system's ability to safely stop your car. This can also signal a low supply of brake fluid. No matter what the problem is that is causing one of these signals, you should never keep driving a car that is having brake problems. Image via Pixabay

Summer is time for family fun, long road trips and get-away destinations. If you're driving to get to where you need to go, be sure that your children are strapped in right for a safe and fun adventure, especially since a staggering three out of four car seats are incorrectly installed. Here are our top tips for keeping kids safe on those long summer road trips: http://toyota.us/1OPpp6I

We’ve all been there, you’re driving down a rocky road, and a small stone is kicked up and kits your windshield. Often, these small rocks don’t do any damage – they just give us a fright – but today was not your day. In the blink of any eye, a star shaped crack appears in your windshield. It looks small now, but an unattended start-shaped blemish can, over time, develop into a big crack that reaches across the length of your windshield. Not only is a crack distracting to the eye, but it is also dangerous, as it compromises the strength and integrity of your protective windshield. Though there are countless companies can fill and repair the “star”, it’s best to visit your dealer. They will do a thorough assessment of the damage and fix it properly, while ensuring that your windshield is returned to its pre-damaged state. Plus, if your windshield should need to be replaced, your dealer can order the proper replacement for your specific make and model.

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!

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.

Though the car batteries of today are “maintenance free” car batteries, it does not mean that they will last forever. Just like all other aspects of your car, it’s important to ask your dealer to review your battery from time to time to ensure that your vehicle will continue to start reliably. By asking your dealer to occasionally give your battery a check-up, you’ll ensure that you never find yourself stuck without starting power. Though our car batteries are not something we think of as often as our tires or our brakes, they are definitely a feature worth considering and servicing to maintain a reliable, safe car.

When you purchase a car, it’s not to merely get you from one place to another. We also turn to our cars for comfort, and at times, even entertainment. As we cruise in our vehicles, we relax into our plush seats, often with a beverage in the cup holder, and our favorite music playing over the speakers. As you enjoy all the aspects of your vehicle, it’s important to never overlook safety – another important element we always consider when purchasing a car. Whenever you drive, make certain that your mirrors are adjusted so that you can always see any vehicles that may be behind you or to your sides, and also make sure that the music is never so loud that you cannot hear emergency vehicles or other warnings, such as a honking horn. Also, though you may be tempted to do so, do not multitask while driving – don’t play with the radio while you’re drinking your coffee! Your vehicle is meant to be both enjoyed, and respected -- so, always make it a top priority keep yourself safe, while you cruise around town!