Get ready for Tumblr!

This is our last blogger entry! Next week we will be launching our new Tumblr page so be sure to look for us there. We will post our Tumblr page info to Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ soon.

Are you making these car cleaning mistakes?

 
Using Dishwashing Soap.  If you’re constantly struggling with soap scum, take a closer look at the product you’re using!  Be done with Dawn and invest in soap meant for washing cars.
Using the Wrong Cloths. If it’s not microfiber, you’re doing it wrong.
Rolling Down Windows Before They’re Dry.  We’ve got two words for you: water spots.
Over-Washing Your Car.  Yes, there is such a thing.  If you care about preserving your paint job, don’t wash your vehicle obsessively.

Read this if You Need to Catch a 'Brake'

Amid the cacophony of a running car, it can be difficult to tell what sound is coming from where and whether it's a problem. However, the squealing sound from the brakes is very distinct. Here's what it could mean:

If you  hear squeaks once in a while when braking lightly, this is typical and is nothing to cause concern.

If you occasionally hear squeaks when braking for a long distance before coming to a stop, this is also considered normal. High relative humidity can also cause this noise.

However, if you frequently hear a high-pitched screeching when applying the brakes, your brake pads need to be replaced.

Sing it in a Sienna!

The Toyota Sienna (a.k.a. #SwaggerWagon) has a lot going for it but the cherry on top is that the new Sienna has a speaker system which, ostensibly, allows parents to scold their children with ease. However we see so much more potential with this technology! 

1.       Use the loudspeaker to do karaoke - no longer will your rock star dreams leave you confined and singing in the shower.

2.       Pretend you are a commercial airline pilot. Over.

3.       Turn the vehicle into your own personal tour bus when family and friends are in town.

4.       Practice speaking a new language.

5.       Road rage in style – now your voice has more resonance. (Just kidding…don’t do that).

Which Scent-sational Air Freshener is Right for You?

These days there are so many little pine trees in plastic sleeves when you walk into an auto store, it is seriously hard to pick one! Well here is the 411 on Car-Freshener scents and a surefire guide to pick the one that is best for you.

Royal Pine – If you have only seen one little green tree in your life, it was probably this one. It is the classic choice and that says something. It is sort of hard to find fault with this scent and its long history proves that it is a crowd favorite. It is pretty rich and basically smells like Christmas in July. 

New Car: This is always a good scent as it is a compelling mix of many things that are calming and subtle. That being said, it definitely does not smell like a new car. 

Black Ice: This is the overwhelming favorite of the bunch! Look on Amazon to see the top car freshener products – this will definitely be near the top of the list. It smells strong like a man’s cologne.

Leather – This should smell like leather…but it doesn’t. If you want something leathery smelling, New Car is a far better choice.

Blackberry Clove: If you like fruity scents, than this one is the one for you. It smells nice, but it is very strong.

Don't Go 'Nuts' - Cool Ways to Make Your Truck Stand Out

Get Lifted.  Whether you’re rising straight to the top or only going a modest 4 inches, giving your truck a life gives you a whole new way to see the world.
Trick Your Tires.  Whether you’re thinking of semi-truck tires or adding flare with spinning rims, you’ll be rollin’ in style.
Souped-Up Sound.  Amp up your anthems with sub woofers or opt for an entirely new sound system.
Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle.  Enhance your ride with LED lighting to add an extra flash of pizzaz.

The Toyota Camry is Road Royalty!

The Toyota Camry is one of the most popular cars on the road today–and the 2015 model is turning heads wherever it pops up.  So, we wanted to know: would a Toyota by any other name still drive as sweet?
Turns out the name is pretty special!   “Camry” is actually an Anglicized transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri, which means “crown.”  In that case–ready to feel like a king? Swing by and test drive a Camry at Toyota of Washington today! You’ll get behind the wheel knowing you’re the royalty of the road.

Be Cool Honey Bunny, Be Cool

Is your car working hard or working smart? There is such a thing as doing too much! AVOID doing these two things and watch your summer get a whole lot cooler.
NEVER turn your car off without switching the AC off first! Powering off your vehicle while the air is still running creates a small shock in the air conditioning system that can have damaging side effects over time. Ideally, you should switch off the AC a few blocks from your destination. It’s fine to keep the fan running.
NEVER crank your AC from 0 to full blast! We understand that it’s hot outside, but forcing your car to blast all of that energy at once doesn’t make the air cool faster. Start your AC on the lowest setting and work your way towards the smaller temps.

New Grad Needs New Car...Now What?

Establish a Budget

When coming up with a budget for your car, consider all your monthly costs including rent, bills and student loans. This will help you stay within the limits of what you can afford so you don’t get in over your head with payments. Setting realistic goals will help you manage other financial areas, too.


Take your Time

Don’t rush the process. Look at as many cars as you want and take notes (you should be a pro by now!) so you can remember all the important facts. Car and Driver advises you not to purchase your car on the first visit. Take at least a night to think about your decision. You’ll be driving this new car for several years – you should be comfortable and happy with your decision.


Take a Test Drive

During your test drive, be sure to test the brakes and lights while driving on both slow roads and busy freeways. Don’t forget to check out the passenger seats. The more time you spend with a car during a test drive, the more accurate your evaluation will be.

Feature Focus: The 2014 4Runner

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of a new Toyota, here are three reasons why you should take the 2014 4Runner for a test drive:

• A great, new look - The 2014 4Runner SR5’s front end has a bold new style, while maintaining the iconic image that has distinguished 4Runner for years.
• Power to spare - The SUV's standard 4.0-liter V6 engine pumps out 270 horsepower and 278 lb.-ft. of torque.
• Built-in Co-pilot - The available navigation gives you turn-by-turn directions, HD predictive traffic and Doppler weather overlay straight from the high-resolution touch-screen display.

The next time you go out car shopping, be sure to stop by our Toyota dealership and take the 4Runner for a spin!

Thursday Three: Valentine's Gift Ideas

The countdown is on. There are only a few days left until Valentine's Day. If you're one of those significant others who are procrastination pros, don't worry, we're here to help. Here are three great gift ideas for the car enthusiast in your life.

• Fuzzy Dice - A classic choice.
• Steering Wheel Cover - A great way to showcase your personality.
• 3D Race Track Sculptures from Linear Edge - A must-have for any race fan.

These are just a few ideas. If you have some cool suggestions, share them in the comments below. And before you head out for your Valentine's Day festivities, be sure to stay safe on the road and schedule a service appointment online!

Preparing for Your Next Winter Road Trip

As the temperature drops and the snow begins to fall, many of us will be heading out for a winter road trip. Whether it's a day trip to play in the snow or a full-fledged family vacation to a national park, there's plenty of fun travel activities for everyone. But before you head out on the road, it's important to make sure you're prepared. Here are three helpful tips to make sure you stay safe on the road:

• Inspect your tire-tread wear and maintain the proper air pressure indicated in your owner's manual. Also replace worn, old tires and install snow or all-weather tires if driving in snow.
• Check your antifreeze strength in the radiator overflow reservoir with a hydrometer. The antifreeze should be clean, up to the proper level, and strong enough to provide protection at 36 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.
• Be certain your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turning signals work, and replace bulbs as necessary.

It's recommended that you regularly get a full-service tuneup for your vehicle. Before you leave, try to bring your car or truck in for service at least a week or two before your road trip. You can even schedule a service appointment online on our website.

Do You Daydream about a New Car?

A recent study shows that people spend almost half their waking hours daydreaming. After hearing this statistic, we got to thinking, how much of that time is spent daydreaming about new cars?

As many of us drive around town in our used cars, we can't help but think about what life would be like in a new set of wheels. While daydreaming is nice, we're here to turn your dream into a reality.

If you're in the market for a new car, be sure to stop by our South Carolina dealership and take a Toyota for a test drive!

Increased Fuel Efficiency? The Answer is in Your Tires.

As gas prices continue to fluctuate, drivers across the country continue to look for ways to increase their car's fuel efficiency and save gas. While there are several ways to avoid numerous trips to the pump, one of the easiest ways can be found in your tires. More specifically, the tire pressure.

Keeping your tires properly inflated is very important because low pressure increases rolling resistance. Many drivers forget to check and adjust their tire pressure, but it's a good idea to remember and do it once a week. It won't take long before you see an increase in your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

If you need a tire rotation or other maintenance done to your Toyota, be sure to take advantage of our online service specials! 

Feature Focus: Entune Audio Plus

Today's Feature Focus introduces us to the new 2014 4Runner and the Entune™ Audio Plus system. If you're looking for a new SUV, we definitely recommend looking at the Toyota 4Runner.

Every adventure has its own soundtrack. And with the 4Runner's standard Entune™ Audio Plus system, you can rest assure that yours will never skip a beat. Entune comes with: a 6.1-in high-resolution touch-screen display, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, SiriusXM Radio 18, auxiliary audio jack and USB port 19 with iPod® 20 connectivity.

This awesome feature is definitely music to our ears! So if you're in the market for a new Toyota, be sure to visit our South Carolina Automotive Dealership and take one for a test drive.

Have you ever traveled down a haunted highyway?

With Halloween just around the corner, we got to thinking about hauntings on roads across the globe. We've heard about hauntings at various locations like houses and businesses, but rarely have we heard about paranormal occurrences on eerie stretches of highway. Sounds like time for a ghost hunt!

After doing some initial research, we came across Clinton Road in Passaic County, New Jersey. So what is it about this road? It's a question that is on the minds of many. While nobody can seem to answer why weird things happen here, most can attest to what they are seeing.

If you visit the road at midnight, stop by the bridge at Dead Man’s Curve for a game of catch. While you toss pennies into the water below it's said the ghost of a young boy will toss them back. Some have also reported a gray wolf with red eyes stalking drivers from the bushes. Weird lights have also been seen flying in the sky and will draw your attention upward, away from the blood stains on the pavement.

This road is certainly not for the faint of heart. Regardless of your stance on the paranormal, it is a fact that there are definitely many unexplained things occurring on this scary roadway.

While driving on these roads can be a bit unnerving, buying a new car doesn't have to be a frightening experience. Stop by our Toyota dealership and take a new car for a test drive today!

Fall Foliage Road Trip: The Great Smoky Mountains

With the calendar turning to Autumn, now is a great time to head out on a road trip and check out all of the amazing colors of the fall season. There are lush landscapes across the country filled with gorgeous hues of red, orange and yellow, but one of the best environments to experience these awesome fall colors is in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Situated near Gatlinburg, TN, this incredible mountain range is filled with jaw-dropping scenery. The fall colors peak there in mid-October, so now is the best time to visit!

If you're thinking of going out on your own Fall Foliage Road Trip, don't forget to schedule a service appointment with our Toyota dealership to make sure your car is in peak driving condition.

Flashback Friday: Vintage Toyota Edition

Whenever Flashback Friday comes around, we always enjoy scrolling through the interwebs for classic Toyota photos. This week, the picture that grabbed our attention was of this classic 1970s Toyota Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser models have definitely evolved over the years and it's amazing to see just how far the Toyota SUV has come.

If you'd like to take a new Toyota for a test drive, please visit our South Carolina dealership today. We have a number of great models available!

How Does a Gas Nozzle Know When to Shut Off?

Anyone who has filled up a gas tank in a car has thought about this at one point or another. As we patiently wait at the pump for our tanks to be filled, the gas nozzle magically stops before gasoline spills all over the ground. But how does the nozzle know when to stop?

The answer can be found in this cool video by BrainStuff.

After you're finished watching this video be sure to visit our Toyota Center website and take a look at our great selection of vehicles!

Congrats to James Davis on achieving "The Assembly of Champions" for SET!

James Davis from Toyota Center was the only Technician to rank #1 in the region, therefore, he was selected to join "The Assembly of Champions!" He won this by mastering his ASE certification tests, Master Diagnostic Technician test, and CSI scores.

James and his wife will be traveling to Japan and visiting Toyota City and Tokyo with the other 4 winners from the other regions in the country for a special recognition ceremony.

Join us in congratulating James on this huge accomplishment!

If you're looking for a new Toyota, be sure to stop by our West Columbia, SC dealership and take one for a test drive.