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According to CarMD's 2013 Vehicle Health Index, the cost for car repairs has increased 10 percent this year. Putting off car repairs is a bad idea because unfixed problems often lead to repairs that are more expensive. If the check engine light comes on in your car, take the car to a qualified mechanic immediately. Here are the top eight most frequent reasons for the check engine light activation. 1. Oxygen sensor failing Oxygen sensors keep engines performing at peak efficiency levels, and they manage emissions. O2 sensors monitor gasses leaving the engine. Engines need exact ratios of fuel and air for the most efficient operation. Malfunctions can drop your fuel economy by up to 40 percent. Engine performance is also negatively affected. 2. Ignition coil problems Ignition coils take electric current from the battery and ignite the spark plugs. Without properly functioning coils and spark plugs, the electric current powering your car's engine are disrupted. All the parts in the car's electrical system take a lot of wear and tear from the electricity passing through them. 3. Spark plugs and spark plug wires Along with the ignition coils, spark plugs and wires are critical components of the vehicle electrical system. Symptoms of problems with plugs and wires include rough engine idling, engine misses or pings, erratic engine power including power losses and power surges. When engines misfire, fuel economy drops. Ignoring spark plug and plug wire problems can permanently damage the car's catalytic converter, leading to very expensive repairs. 4. Mass airflow sensor malfunctions The mass airflow sensor, or MAF, measures the air coming into the engine and calculating how much fuel to add to the mix. This data goes to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). Without correct information from the MAF, the ECU cannot correctly balance or deliver the right amount of fuel to your engine. The result is very poor engine performance and 10 to 25 percent decreases in fuel efficiency. Replace this critical component immediately if it begins to fail. 5. Faulty vacuum hose or evaporative emission control system The evaporative emission control system (EVAP) of a car keeps gasoline vapors from the fuel system and gas tank from release into the air. Leaking vacuum hoses and vents, defective valves and faulty gas caps all contribute to EVAP system problems. 6. Exhaust gas recirculation valve and ports are dirty The exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) controls your car's emissions and helps cars run more efficiently. Rough idling, engine hesitation and misfires can indicate an EGR problem. Worsening performance and fuel economy often result from EGR problems. Often the components of the EGR system are dirty or clogged. 7. Catalytic converter failures Catalytic converters are often the most expensive mechanical repairs made to vehicles. As a part of the exhaust system, it converts dangerous chemicals in car exhaust into less harmful compounds to release into the air. Catalytic converters should last for the lifetime of the car. Most problems with catalytic converters come from underlying problems such as those that occur with bad spark plugs or ignition coil problems. 8. Dead battery and charging system problems Most cars have computer systems that monitor voltage in the electrical and battery systems. The computers activate the check engine light when anything appears amiss in the charging system of the car. High temperatures in the engine compartment contribute to rapid aging of batteries.

Max Paul’s Ardmore Toyota has a tremendous Technology team and the best news of all is they will help you with all your Toyota Technology questions even if you purchased your Toyota elsewhere. Questions about Entune App Suite, Safety Connect, Navigation, Bluetooth are all fair game for the team of Technology Geniuses at Ardmore Toyota. Click here to learn more about the Technology Genius Team: https://www.ardmoretoyota.com/technology_genius.html [gallery columns="2"]

On Monday December 2 nd, 2013, Radnor High School students were greeted by a smashed car outside the school’s main entrance to reinforce the dangers of distracted driving during the school’s Driver Safety Week, Monday, Dec. 2 through Friday, Dec. 6. The damaged vehicle, which was involved in an actual “using a cell phone while driving accident,” was loaned to the Radnor Police Department by Ardmore Toyota and will be displayed throughout Radnor Township over the next three weeks to promote safe driving.   Max Paul’s Ardmore Toyota (along with Ardmore Auto Body, Paul Bros, Auto Body & Central City Toyota) participated in a Press Conference outside of Radnor High School. The Press Conference was attended by members of the Radnor School District (Dean of Students Brett Thomas), Radnor Township (Elaine Schaefer, President of Radnor Township Board of Commissioners), and Radnor Police Department (Lt. Chris Flanagan). Ardmore Toyota was represented by Ryan Pesin. Here is the story from the December 3 rd Edition of the Delco Times: http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20131203/radnor-high-students-get-stark-reminder-of-dangers-of-texting-driving [gallery columns="2"]

If you’re looking for the car that is considered the best overall value among all models, Consumer Reports says look no further than the Toyota Prius, The Detroit News reports today.  Consumer Reports awarded the Best New-Car Value honor to Prius for the second straight year and lauds it as having “outstanding reliability and the lowest estimated five-year ownership costs at 47 cents per mile.”   The automaker also has top models in three of the 10 categories on the best-value list.  In addition to taking the top overall ranking, Prius took first place in the compact/subcompact category.  The Avalon Hybrid Limited scored highest among large cars. [gallery columns="2"]

On Tuesday December 3 rd, 2013 Ardmore Toyota & Central City Toyota made a donation to the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Foundation in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Located just down the street from Ardmore Toyota on Lancaster Ave. in Haverford. Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) is dedicated to assisting people, whether they are newly diagnosed, in treatment, recently completed treatment, are years beyond or are living with metastatic breast cancer. They are also there for the family members, caregivers, friends and healthcare providers to provide breast cancer information and support. Want to donate to LBBC? Click Here: http://www.lbbc.org/Donate Thank you to Jean, Sandy, Brittaney and the entire staff at LBBC. [gallery columns="1"]

Kelly Blue Book’s editors awarded Toyota the 2014 Best Brand prize as part of the online publication’s ( www.kbb.com) 2014 Best Resale Value Awards.  These awards recognize vehicles that show less depreciation during the first 5 years of ownership, and thus can represent wiser financial choices for consumer purchase.  Based on Kelly Blue Book’s calculations, on average, a 2014 vehicle will lose 39.7% of its value after five years.  The Kelly Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards recognize overall brand value and model-year vehicle category winners.  In helping Toyota garner top honors with the 2014 Best Brand award, Toyota’s trucks made a strong showing while helping the brand earn awards in six vehicle-segment categories. Click here for the full story

Ardmore Toyota & Central City Toyota helped as official pickup centers for the annual MANNA Pie in the Sky fundraiser November 26th and 27th, 2013. Every pie sold through the Pie in the Sky fundraiser will allow MANNA to provide a client with a full Thanksgiving dinner for four people. As the largest fundraiser of the year, the goal of this event is to sell 8,000 pies and raise more than $200,000 for the organization. Especially for people at acute nutritional risk due to life-threatening illness, MANNA prepares and delivers delicious nourishing meals and counsel, empowering individuals to battle illness and improve their quality of life. We had over 200 pies picked up at our two dealerships. Ardmore & Central City Toyota thank all the guests who picked up their pies at our dealerships. Thanks for your support! Visit www.mannapa.org or www.mannapies.org for more information!

In Hollywood, they say it’s all about the residuals.  If you own a Toyota, the same might be said for the car in your driveway. On the eve of Tinsel Town’s automotive event of the season, Toyota models were awarded 8 Residual Value Awards from ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data.   Avalon – Fullsize Car Prius C – Alternative Fuel Vehicle Highlander – Midsize Utility Vehicle - 3-Row Sequoia – Fullsize Utility Vehicle FJ Cruiser – Off Road Utility Vehicle Tacoma – Midsize Pickup Land Cruiser – Premium Fullsize Utility Vehicle Click here for the full story

The first year a teenager gets their driver’s license will be one of the most dangerous of their lives and while cars today are safer than ever, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. On Monday November 18th, 2013, Toyota launched TeenDrive365 a driving safety platform to help families navigate the critical first year of a teen’s independent driving. Click Here to learn more.

On behalf of Ardmore Toyota Service Director Josh Fletcher, Central City Toyota Service Director, Jamie Haberle and everyone who was a part of the Celebration, we would like to thank all the new owners who visited on November 14 th for the New Owner Celebration. #NewOwnerCelebration #Toyota #Ardmore   The New Owner Celebration is a special event for customers who purchased or leased a New Toyota from Ardmore Toyota. You can learn about optimizing fuel exonomy, making the most of your vehicles technology & safety features, vehicle maintenance and more from our Toyota factory trained technicians, Service Directors and our exclusive Technology Geniuses. We offer two convenient locations of Ardmore Toyota & Central City Toyota for all of your vehicles maintenance and service needs.   Want to find out more about our New Owner Celebration? Email us at events@ardmoretoyota.com

The 2014 Toyota Sienna has received a 5-Star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the highest rating given by the agency.  NHTSA measures frontal, side and rollover crashworthiness as part of its New Car Assessment Program. Click here for the full story

In its annual ranking of the “50 World’s Most Innovative Companies,” Boston Consulting Group placed Toyota in the Top 5 Most Innovative Companies and the highest automotive brand.   This year, for the first time, more auto manufacturers than technology companies are in the top 20.  The report cites the automotive surge is based on manufacturers: •           trying to meet increased fuel-efficiency standards •           striving to make vehicles safer •           and improving in-car entertainment and communication systems Click Here for the full story