4 Tips for a First-Time Toyota Owner

 

Whether you’re a California Toyota owner or a NH Toyota owner, these suggestions are applicable to your new purchase, regardless of where you live. Even if you’re just considering purchasing a new vehicle, these tips will hopefully keep your new ride looking and running as good as new…

This isn’t particularly important to buyers seeking a new car, but it’s especially important to those who are seeking a used vehicle.

 

It’s amazing how many people fail to do a quick background check on their prospective, preowned purchase. Sure, the car may look good as new, and it may be purring like a kitten. That doesn’t mean there isn’t some sinister, more-serious problems lying under the surface.

 

This task is actually extremely easy. Just visit the Toyota website, enter your car’s VIN number, and you’ll be given the vehicle’s maintenance history. These reports only display the work that’s been done at Chevy dealerships, so it could still omit some very important details. Regardless, checking the VIN will at least give you some inkling to how your car was treated by it’s previous owner.

 

Furthermore, you should get the car checked out by a mechanic, regardless of whether you’ve done a VIN-number check or not. The report wouldn’t include any underlying issues that the car’s previous owner failed to fix, and your mechanic should be able to instantly recognize these problems.

 

If the car needs some intensive work, there’s no reason to worry about finances. Toyota parts are common and easy to come across, and they’re typically pretty inexpensive. This is a major reason why Toyota owners hold on their car for so long.

 

Sure, washing your car seems like a pretty insignificant task, but your cleaning strategy could go a long way in preserving the quality of your exterior.

 

For instance, Toyota users should always wash their car from the wheels up. When washing the tires, dirt will inevitably splatter and stick to your car’s surface. If you had already washed the exterior, this could be particularly frustrating. Instead, wash the wheels first, so all the excess dirt can easily be wiped off when you move up to the body.

 

Also, as a general rule of thumb when cleaning any tires, you should be using a solid tire brush. Nothing else will be as effective at removing all that dirt and grime.

 

When it comes to your body, you shouldn’t be using any old soap… and you especially shouldn’t be using house cleaners. Instead, use a mild soap or car shampoo, as these products will protect the paint.

 

When it comes time to dry your car, be careful of using a material that won’t scratch your car or leave gunk all over the place. An old shirt or an old rag may seem like the best idea, but it’s not helping your vehicle. Instead, use a soft, lint-free towel, and this will assure that your body is safe

 

The advertised city/highway gas mileage that accompanies each car commercial is often times the maximum number, but that doesn’t mean it’s unobtainable. There are easy ways to maximize your car’s fuel economy without compromising performance.

 

Your chosen motor oil can have an impact on efficiency, especially if you strayed away from the suggested grade. If the car’s manual suggests 5W-30, then use 5W-30! Using anything else could reduce your gas mileage by up to two percent! The folks at Toyota certainly know what they’re talking about, so trust their judgment on these sort of things.

 

Another tip is to replace your car’s air filter after some time. A car performs best when it can breathe, and this would vicariously impact the fuel economy. According to the Toyota website, a U.S. Department of Energy investigation found that clogged air filters can reduce fuel economy by as much as 14 percent! Besides effecting the miles-per-gallon, it can also improve your vehicle’s acceleration.

 

If a part looks worn out and old, chances are it is… and that means it’s not performing up to it’s best abilities. If you think a particular part needs replacing, don’t hesitate to get a new one. Aging, decaying parts can not only reduce your car’s fuel economy, but it can reduce the car’s overall performance. Also, make sure to check your tires’ pressure every now and then.

 

Finally, the way you drive your car can also effect your car’s fuel economy. Accelerating is the task that wastes the most fuel, followed by speeding. Sticking to the speed limit is important, and if possible, driving at around 60 mph is the best way to go. Stop and starting could be the worse thing you could do, but it’s obviously unavoidable in some situations. If you’re anticipating a stop, begin decelerating early. This way, you car doesn’t need to accelerate from a stop when that light turns green.

 

Since you’ve dedicated all this money to a vehicle you’re (presumably) hoping to drive for a while, why would you skimp out on the interior? Moreover, why would you skimp out on the interior when Toyota offers top-of-the-line technology?

 

After all, you deserve the best driving experience possible. The car’s voice recognition capabilities means you can navigate and talk on the phone without using your hands. The cars are also Bluetooth compatible, and Toyota’s multimedia entertainment system (featuring Entune) will assure that you’ll never be bored during your commute.