by Paula McCormick, Service Manager 

An emergency can happen at any time and always seem to happen at the worst time.  There are certain items you should have in your car to make sure you are prepared for car-trouble emergencies. Here are a few things to keep in your vehicle's emergency kit that will help give you peace of mind.

 

1)    Flash light and extra batteries: A flash light is a must if you have a breakdown in the dark, need to look under the hood where the sunlight doesn't reach or find a lost toy under a…

Understand the conditions of your warranty

All new and many used vehicles arrive with a warranty covering unexpected repairs. Be sure to understand the duration and covered components of the warranty.

A typical warranty might be written "36months/36,000 miles" meaning that coverage lasts either 36 months from the initial purchase or until the vehicle has 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Why are multiple warranty periods listed?
Depending on what is being repaired, the length of a factory warranty varies. Often a comprehensive  warranty covers everything outside of schedule maintenance. This is generally the shortest warranty period. A…

Whether you are in the market for a new or a pre-owned vehicle, looking at a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle can be a great option.  Here's why:

• Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUV) all come with a 12 month/12,000 mile Comprehensive Warranty (from the date of sale).
• They also include a 84 month/100,000 mile Powertrain Warranty (from date of first use - this is longer than the warranty on a new vehicle)!
• Toyota Certified Warranties are accepted at over 1400 Toyota dealerships in the US and Canada.
• Additionally, Certified vehicles come with roadside assistance for the first…

In the Automotive world often there are words and phrases used by service writers and technicians that might as well be spoken in Martian. And the acronyms are the worst.  So I have come up with a list of the most common acronyms your service writer might use and what they mean in plain English.
 
ABS- Anti Lock Brake System: the computerized braking system that keeps your tires from locking up when you slam on the brakes.  ABS is an important safety mechanism that lets you steer around the obstacles while still braking hard.
 
ATF- Automatic Transmission Fluid:  the specialized lubricant that keeps your automatic transmission shifting smoothly.
 
AWD- All Wheel Drive: a vehicle that has motive power going to all four wheels at the same time.  (Generally, AWD vehicles are always in four-wheel-drive mode, while a typical four-wheel-drive vehicle can be shifted into and out of 4WD).
 
DOHC (also SOHC)- Dual Overhead Cam (or Single Overhead Cam): a description of the cam system used in your engine.  A cam is an egg-shaped lobe on a rotating shaft that pushes valves open and closed in your engine.  Most modern cars use dual cams.
 
ESC- Electric Stability Control (or Electronic Slip Control): one of the latest innovations in safety, ESC is a computerized system on many newer vehicles that helps prevent it from skidding.
 
HVAC - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning: just like in your home, this term refers to your car's heating and A/C system.
 
OBD- On-Board Diagnostics: a computerized system that monitors your car's engine, particularly the emissions system, and alerts you if there is a problem. If the system detects a problem, the CHECK ENGINE light will illuminate. But there's no need to panic, just stop in and we'll check everything out for you.
 
OEM- Original Equipment Manufacturer: a term used to describe the automaker, and more specifically, the manufacturer of the specific parts of a vehicle. Genuine Toyota parts, for example.
 
VVT - Variable Valve Timing: a system inside many modern engines that uses a computer to alter the timing of an engine's valves, increasing horsepower at higher speeds.
 
Remember, if you're ever unclear about an automotive term, just ask. Our service advisors welcome questions.

 Here are a few tips to help you make sure your car is ready for warm weather.  Are your fluids full?  At any time you can drop by our service drive and we will be glad to check them for you, or you can pop the hood and check you reservoirs, like windshield washer fluidmotor oil, power steering?