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Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day? Learn more about Memorial Day by clicking here!

When your car squeaks, groans or squeals, it's asking for help. Ignoring those noises can cost big bucks later, so it's best to check them now and fix any problems while they're still small. Here are three common car noises, the problems they signal and what it could cost to fix them: THE SQUEAK: If you hear a high-pitched squeak when you hit the brakes, your brake pads may need replacing. Pads clamp onto discs called rotors to stop the car. Repeated clamping wears down the soft metallic compound they're made of. That can expose t he rotor to the metal brake pad frame. Normally, pads last anywhere from 9,000 to 40,000 miles, but when they wear down, you'll have to buy new ones and repair the rotors by having a mechanic "machine" or shave off metal to create a better braking surface. That all costs around $200 per axle depending on the car. If you ignore a squeak for too long, you'll hear grinding. "If you don't get it fixed, it could damage the rotors to the point where you'd have to replace those rather than just machine them, said Michael Calkins, who oversees certification of car repair garages for AAA. New rotors and pads can cost more than $400 per axle depending on the car. If the squeaking stops after you brake a few times, it's probably just rust on the rotors, a common problem that isn't serious. A squeak also can happen if the rotors move the pads around. For $50 or less, a mechanic can install clips or silicone to hold the pads in place. THE SQUEAL: A high-pitched squeal when you start the car, or a squeak every few seconds while it's running, may mean a belt is loose or needs to be replaced. Belts turn water pumps, air conditioning compressors and alternators that recharge the battery. A loose belt can be tightened by a mechanic for $20 to $50. Replacing a worn-out belt or the pulleys that hold it in place costs around $200. Ignoring the noise will hurt your wallet. A worn belt can break and damage the engine. Belts should be checked twice a year and replaced at around 60,000 miles, mechanics say. THE GROAN: A low-pitched groan can mean problems with your bearings, which cut friction between fixed and moving parts throughout your car. The problematic bearing could be in the wheels, water pump or alternator.  On a front-wheel-drive car, it can also signal that something is wrong with the joints that turn the wheels. Catch them early and the problems are a couple hundred dollars. But if an alternator bearing fails, that can lead to a chain of damaging events, including a disabled water pump, which would stop pumping coolant into your engine. The resulting damage could cost you thousands of dollars to fix. It's a good idea to have a mechanic listen to your car at least every six months. "It'll complain to you audibly when it needs certain things," said Calkins.

It’s a good day when your car starts. It’s a better day when it stops. Your brakes work hard for you, but they’re not one-size-fits-all.  Brake pads are made of many different materials and come in “grades” specially fitted to your car in order to provide you with a sensitive and comfortable range of stopping ability. The most common brakes are called Disk Brakes. The pads squeeze disk rotors to slow and stop the car. Pads are made to be slightly softer then the disk so they wear away first. Therefore, aftermarket brake pads may adversely affect your car’s ability to stop. A “general” mixture of pad materials, not tailored for your car’s size and weight, can cause lock-up, grabbing, or lack of sensitivity. Keep your car starting—and stopping. Visit your dealer mechanic for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brake pads and all other components.

Are you the parent of a teen driver? Will you be the parent of a teen driver soon? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you will want to read this article from The Philadelphia Inquirer, issued on May 13, 2011.

Toyota has 4 of the 10 Cheapest Cars to Maintain! “Smaller is better when picking a car, based purely on upkeep, according to Vincentric, a research firm in Bingham Farms, Michigan, that calculates ownership costs for every vehicle on the market. Just look at the top 10 vehicles from the 2011 model year with the lowest maintenance and repair costs on the list: Six of them are small by U.S. standards…” click here to read the full article and find out about the 4 Toyota Cars on the list!

“Toyota has suffered a few blows recently - from the massive vehicle recall, to the production-halting natural disasters in Japan. The company has managed to stay afloat thanks to a culture of responsibility within the organization,” says one researcher. Click here to read the entire article and watch the interview with Jeffrey Liker on his book titled: "Toyota Under Fire: How Toyota Faced the Challenges of the Recall and the Recession to Come Out Stronger…"

Everybody wants to think they’ve made a great car purchase, one that will hold its value three to five years down the road, especially if it’s a family car. Kiplinger used data from Kelley Blue Book, specifically new vehicle data from 12/28/10, and resale values from January and February 2011. To win the best resale award, a vehicle had to be selected as one of the top 25 in its category, and no model could be selected if another trim of the same model won in a previous category. The Toyota built, 2011 Scion xB has the highest resale value among cars under $20,000! The safe, affordable and unique small car is a Kiplinger winner in its category for three-year resale value of 57 percent, clearly way ahead of the rest in its class. Kiplinger cites the Scion xB’s low insurance costs, 22 cubic-foot cargo space and good fuel economy as additional pluses.

All those price options at the gas pump can be confusing. Gas is gas, right?  Why pay significantly more for “high test” when your car will run on the cheap stuff? It comes down to quality and octane. A gallon of gas contains a certain amount of energy; higher quality gas provides more miles per gallon. Octane is a measurement of how much pressure gas can handle before exploding. A can running on low-octane fuel can cause gas to explode before the spark plugs fire, causing engine damage, hurting efficiency, and costing you money. While filling up with “high test” might hurt your wallet now, it can make your life easier in the long run. Consult your owner’s manual or dealer mechanic to determine the best gas for your car. And if you find yourself getting excellent mileage, keep going back to your last gas station. Their clean, high-octane gas is keeping your car healthy.

Toyota Motor Corp. has regained its position as the world's most valuable auto brand despite the carmaker's massive recall campaign. Click here for the entire story! Worthy Brands World's most valuable car brands in $ billion; rank in top 100; % change 1. Toyota $24.2 -- 27 --11% 2. BMW $22.4 -- 30 -- 3% 3. Mercedes $15.3 -- 50 -- 12% 4. Honda $14.2 -- 56 -- -1% 5. Porsche $12.4 --66 -- -3% 6. Nissan $10.1 -- 88 -- 17% 7 VW $7.4 -- * -- 6% 8. Ford $7.4 -- * --5% 9. Audi $3.8 -- * -- 5% 10. Lexus $3.7 -- * --new * Did not qualify for the top 100 Source: Millward Brown

On April 14, 2011, Ardmore Toyota had students from Harriton High School, of the Lower Merion School District, come and visit the dealership. The students spent the afternoon learning about the automotive business for their class, which focuses on real world situations and budgeting for different everyday needs. The students learned whether they were better off leasing or buying a car, why it was valuable to put an extended warranty on a car and the importance of car insurance and GAP (Guaranteed Auto Protection) in the event of an accident. In addition, the students learned about maintenance on the car and the costs involved with oil changes, tire replacements and much more. The students were given a full tour of the entire dealership and came away amazed at the size of the dealership, and the organizational setup for everything; from sales to service and parts. The day ended with lunch for all the students and a final picture of the students who participated in the event. We look forward to having the students of Harriton High School return again to learn more about the automotive business.

Come to Ardmore Toyota in Ardmore, Pennsylvania for an amazing deal offered by Toyota. College Graduates Offered Additional $1,000 on Select New Toyota and Scion Vehicles With Graduation Just Around the Corner, for Many, Now Is the Time to Buy http://pressroom.toyota.com/release/toyota+financial+services+college+graduates+may+2011.htm Whether you go to: Temple University Villanova University Drexel University University of Penn St. Joseph's University Penn State University Cabrini College Haverford College Bryn Mawr College OR ANY OTHER COLLEGE or UNIVERSITY!!!

When: May 6th, 7th, & 9th Where: Central City Toyota at 48th & Chestnut What: Over five lots of cars with over 250 to select from If you’re interested in purchasing a pre-owned vehicle at reduced prices, please join us on May 6 th, 7 th, & 9 th, at our Central City Toyota location to view five lots of cars with over 250 to select from.  We’re offering 2.9% on all Certified Toyota models and $1000 over KBB, less reconditioning and mileage adjustments. Three days only!  Don’t miss out on this amazing event!