Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Windshield Wipers

Ah, windshield wipers. Like so many indispensable things in life, we tend not to appreciate them until they’re gone. But what if all drivers had a basic understanding of the wonderful world of wipers, enabling them to identify problems early and choose replacements wisely? We like that idea. Accordingly, we’ve put together a crash course that should bring your knowledge up to speed. Your automotive windows to the world require dependable wipers, so let’s learn more about these unsung heroes.
 

Wiper Maintenance
The most important thing you can do for your current wipers is check their performance on a regular basis. Are they skipping or squeaking and leaving streaks on the windshield? Do you consistently notice rivulets that evade their sweep? Do they leave a film of moisture on the glass instead of wiping it clean and clear? If so, try cleaning the blades with a shop towel or sponge, and see if that helps. Remember, all it takes is one rainstorm or blizzard to turn worn-down wipers into serious safety hazards. You need to be able to depend on your wipers in the worst conditions, and that starts with being mindful of how they’re working every time you switch them on. By the way, don’t forget about your rear wiper, if you have one; it’s there for a reason, and it can be just as important as the ones in front.

 

Now, suppose you live in a temperate climate with little precipitation—or perhaps there are lingering signs of the dry season. You should still perform periodic inspections of your wiper blades, regardless of the weather. Is the rubber deteriorating? Can you see spidery cracks forming on the surface? If so, test your wipers immediately by spraying windshield-washer fluid and wiping it off, following the guidelines above for evaluating their performance. Even if your blades look great, it’s not a bad idea to do the spray-and-wipe test every week or two. You don’t want to wait for your wipers to go to pot before replacing them, so stay ahead of the curve and monitor their status year-round.

 

Buying New Wipers
Fortunately, wipers generally aren’t very expensive, so the “Better safe than sorry” approach won’t hurt your wallet here. As such, we recommend replacing your wipers if you have any reason to believe that they’re not up to snuff. Here are some general guidelines for the wiper-shopping process.

 

The first rule is to buy the entire assemblies, not just the blades themselves. Yes, it’s typically possible to keep your old assemblies, yank out the old blades, and shoehorn in new ones—and you don’t want to do that. Like we said, wipers are pretty affordable, so do your car a favor and start with a fresh set. We should add that there’s a new one-piece wiper design called “beam blade” that seamlessly integrates assembly and blade, so if you’ve got that kind, blade-only replacement isn’t even an option.

 

Second, make sure you’re getting the correct wiper specification for your car. Like most auto parts, wipers come in different shapes and sizes. It may sound trivial, but we’ve heard stories of mismatched wipers flying off their mounts at the worst possible time. Although your mechanic or auto-parts advisor should know what your car needs, it’s always a good idea to consult your owner’s manual as well, just to be safe.

 

Finally, don’t skimp on quality. Generic-brand wipers are cheaper, of course, but they can wear out in as little as a month or two of consistent use. If your manufacturer recommends a particular brand—German automakers often prefer Bosch wipers, for example—we say go for it. Otherwise, ask your trusted mechanic who knows your make and model inside and out. Don’t pay later to replace cheap wipers; pay now for a high-quality set, and you’ll reap the benefits down the road.

 

Courtesy of DriverSide.com

 

Toyota RAV4 EV Charge-to-Charge Tour Day 6

Day Six: The #RAV4 EV Charge-to-Charge Tour captures the space shuttle Endeavor over Alameda, CA and features a conversation with the innovators at Makani Power.

Toyota beefs up green vehicles

Toyota Motor Corp. is boosting its green vehicle lineup, with plans for 21 new hybrids in the next three years, a new electric car later this year and a fuel cell vehicle by 2015 in response to growing demand for fuel efficient and environmentally friendly driving.

Toyota said Monday it will offer an electric compact called eQ, based on its iQ model, in Japan and the U.S. in December though the number of the vehicles made will be extremely limited — about 100 for special fleet use, according to the company. The car, which will be called the iQ EV in the U.S, isl pricey at 3.6 million yen ($45,000) and has a limited cruise range of 100 kilometers (62 miles).

In the U.S., an electric version of the Rav-4 sport utility model, which Toyota worked on with U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors, goes on sale this month.

The fuel cell vehicle, which runs on hydrogen to produce electricity, will be offered from 2015. Details for that model were not released.

Like other Japanese automakers, Toyota is gearing up for expansion after getting battered the last few years by the financial crisis and disasters in northeastern Japan and Thailand that disrupted production.

The manufacturer is also counting on its reputation for green technology that it has built with its hit Prius, the world’s leading gas-electric hybrid, to woo buyers and fix its brand battered by the massive recall scandal in the U.S. a few years ago.

But rivals are working on green offerings, too, such as Nissan Motor Co. focusing on its Leaf electric car. Another challenge is that customers in emerging markets, which are driving growth in demand for autos, are still not as interested in hybrids and other fancy — and expensive — technology.

Takeshi Uchiyamada, the executive overseeing technology and new model development at Toyota, said the long-term potential for fuel cells was great, compared to electric cars, because of greater cruise range and shorter charging time. He said tens of thousands of fuel cell vehicles were likely to get sold in the 2020s.

A good compromise at the moment is the plug-in hybrid, which works as an electric vehicle until the battery runs down, and then switches to its hybrid motor, so there’s less chance of being stranded than with a standard electric car. Toyota has sold 15,600 of its plug-in vehicle since launching it earlier this year.

Uchiyamada said the positive reception for new technology, such as the hybrid, surprised Toyota, underlining the deep interest the public has in reducing emissions and protecting the environment.

Although annual hybrid sales were tiny when the Prius first went on sale in 1997, such sales have grown to more than one million a year worldwide, comprising 10 percent of Toyota’s global sales.

In Japan, where green subsidies have been a big plus in recent years, hybrids make up nearly half Toyota’s sales, Uchiyamada, the engineer known as “the father of the Prius,” said.

“The public’s consciousness is a lot higher than we ever imagined,” he said.

 

Courtesy of The Washington Post

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Fall Car Care

Just as we all change our clocks to “fall back,” and check the batteries in our smoke detectors, Fall is a good time to ensure our vehicles will carry us safely and dependably through another winter.

Here are the main things that are good to check this time of year:

Oil – Are you on track with your vehicle’s recommended oil change schedule? The cooler weather conditions can mean longer running times for a car’s engine due to prolonged idling while waiting for the vehicle to ‘warm up.’ Let’s face it, who likes sitting in a cold car?

Coolant – does your engine cooling system need to be checked? Many newer cars have lifetime fluid systems, but if you’ve had to have any repairs done that required “breaking the seal” you should have your system checked periodically to be sure all is well.

Windshield Washers – do you have plenty of fresh washer fluid to handle the season’s heavier usage, and are your wiper blades up to the demands of daily use? This is something you can check for yourself if you wish.
To check the condition of your washer fluid, simply remove the cap from the washer fluid reservoir and look down into it. If the fluid is cloudy or has visible debris in it, you will want to change it out right away. If it is transparent and the proper color just fill to the recommended level with the manufacturer approved fluid.
To check your wiper blades, examine for visible dry rot, cracks, splits or potential tears. Change if needed.

Tires – do your tires have good tread depth, and are they free of signs of wear? The wet conditions this time of year require good tires for maximum traction on wet roads. Since many signs of wear aren’t easily visible on a car parked in a garage or driveway, we’d be happy to check your tires for you.

Shocks and Struts – in addition to good tires, healthy shocks and struts are needed to maximize traction neccessary for safe driving in our soggy season.

Brakes – do you know if your braking system is ready for the abundant Eugene sunshine? Does your car take a little longer to stop? Do you feel a slight pull to one side or a wobble in your seat or steering wheel when you brake suddenly? Do you hear any squeal or squeak when braking?
Sometimes the squeak is due to the accumulation of brake pad ‘dust.’ This is normal for many vehicles. Just hose out your wheels as thoroughly as you can. (It’s best to allow to dry before driving.) If that remedies the squeak, good. If not, or you have any questions about your braking system’s performance, just bring your vehicle in and we’ll be happy to check things out for you.

Battery – more batteries fail in cold weather than any other time of year. It takes more power to start a cold engine, and cold also decreases the available cranking power the battery has available. Batteries don’t always die slowly. They can fail without warning, too. One customer’s car started normally one morning, then five hours later, the battery was completely dead. No lights were left on, etc. The battery, still under warranty, simply died.

Seals, Hoses and Belts – these are things that are usually tough to check yourself. An obvious sign of failing seals, hoses or belts is a leak or a squeak (in the case of a worn belt), but not always. A broken seal, hose or belt usually means you are stuck wherever you are when it happens. So, to prevent being stranded on a wet road a seasonal inspection of your belts, hoses and seals can help make sure you make it through the winter problem-free.

Headlights – are they pointing straight ahead like the should, and are they as bright as they ought to be? Do you have any dimmed or burned out bulbs? Is there condensation inside the headlamp housing? These are all indicators that your headlamps could need a little work to perform at their peak. After all, you’ll be depending on them more during the wetter, darker days and nights ahead."

 

Courtesy of AbsoluteAuto.org

Toyota Care: Caring For You And Your Car

We at Toyota are committed to safety and dependability, and proper vehicle maintenance is important to both. That's why we include a complimentary worry-free maintenance plan and roadside assistance with the purchase or lease of every new Toyota.

Come in for a test drive today!

Our certified pre-owned vehicles will be sure to make both your need for speed and your wallet smile!

Charitable Endeavors Stand To Benefit From Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge

Winning the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge (www.ToyotaRacingDreamBuild.com) — a vehicle-modification build competition pitting four legendary racers and their dream cars against each other — will earn the champion more than bragging rights. Toyota will award a check for $50,000 to the winner’s designated charity. In addition, second, third and fourth place will receive $25k, $15k and $10k, respectively. The four contenders, who are racing against the clock to complete their vehicle in just a few short weeks, are: NASCAR Chase for the Championship contender Clint Bowyer, who is building an ultra-high-tech Prius in hopes of benefitting the Emporia Community Foundation; NHRA Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown and his drag-race-inspired Sequoia, whose victory could assist Racers for Christ; NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch, who hopes his stylish road-race Camry will secure a donation to the Kyle Busch Foundation; and NHRA Nitro Funny Car phenom Alexis DeJoria, who is transforming a Tundra into an all-out desert racer on behalf of Safety Harbor Kids.

Fans will determine by online voting which of the four modified Toyota vehicles will win the challenge—along with $50,000 to the winning driver’s charity of choice. Here are their choices:

The mission of the Emporia Community Foundation (www.emporiacf.org) is to improve the quality of life in Emporia, Kan.,Clint Bowyer’s home town, and the surrounding communities. ECF is a collection of funds and resources donated by caring citizens, including Bowyer himself, who have chosen to make their community a better place to live and work, now and in the future.

The foundation has contributed to projects and services focused on education, children, elder care, recreation and social care.

Racers for Christ (www.teamrfc.org) — part of the Christian Motorsports
International, Inc., family of ministries and often called “Team RFC” — was established in 1971 as a fellowship for Christians in the sport of motor racing. Its members conduct non-denominational chapel services at more than 2,000 local and professional racing events nationwide every year. Recognizing that, for many people involved in motorsports, consistent participation in a local church body is difficult, Team RFC provides the same kind of pastoral support motorsports enthusiasts and professionals (like Antron Brown) would receive from a home church, including communion, weddings, baptisms, hospital visits, memorial services and more.

The mission of Kyle Busch’s eponymous Kyle Busch Foundation (www.kylebuschfoundation.org) is to empower young men and women by fostering life experiences and helping them achieve their goals. Through special events, the foundation supports programs focused on teens and young adults, the terminally ill, safe driving and recreation. Charities that KBF supports include B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe), Young Life, Speedway Children’s Charities, Make a Wish, the NASCAR Foundation, Wave Warriors Surf Camp and more.

Safety Harbor Kids (http://safetyharborkids.org/Contact), the chosen charity of Alexis DeJoria, was formed in 2007 for the purpose of enriching the lives of orphans, foster children and homeless children through education. It currently serves more than 2,000 needy children in over 15 group homes and shelters in and around Los Angeles. Its goal is to build a College, Career and the Arts Education Center where at-risk children can acquire the resources they need to get ahead in life. At each special event held by Safety Harbor Kids, mentors assist children with personal growth, motivation, career development, music and art — and in so doing create a safety net to catch the children as they grow up and leave institutional life.

The $50,000 check that will go to one of these four worthwhile causes is representative of Toyota’s own commitment to charitable endeavors. Since 1991, Toyota (www.toyota.com/about/philanthropy) has contributed about half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs in the U.S. alone.

The company emphasizes environmental stewardship, education, safety and the needs of local communities.

In 2008, Toyota launched TogetherGreen, a $20 million, five-year alliance with Audubon to fund conservation efforts, train environmental leaders and offer volunteer opportunities to benefit the environment.

The Toyota U.S.A. Foundation’s $100 million endowment supports K-12 efforts in math, science and environmental studies.

Toyota Driving Expectations (TDE) is a free program for teen drivers and their parents whose goal is to proactively take America’s driving youth through a safe driving experience.

In addition, Toyota supports initiatives in other areas of need, such as food, housing and the arts, in a variety of diverse communities.

Voting for the winner of the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge will open on Oct. 20 and will continue through Oct. 29. Fans will be able to vote once per day on Facebook. The final vehicle builds will be unveiled—and the winning driver and charity announced — during Toyota’s press conference at the SEMA show in Las Vegas on Oct. 30. Clearly, there will be more than one deserving winner—which is exactly what Toyota wants.

 

Courtesy of Paddocktalk.com