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When you buy or lease a new Toyota you automatically get a no-cost maintenance plan that covers you for two years or 25,000 miles – whichever comes first. You also get 24-hour roadside assistance for your first two years of Toyota ownership or leasing, regardless of how many miles you drive during that time frame. Proper Vehicle Maintenance Increases Safety and Dependability Maintaining a vehicle is necessary to ensuring your safety and the dependability of your vehicle over time. Toyota offers the ToyotaCare program to help you maintain your vehicle. ToyotaCare 24-Hour Roadside Assistance For your first two years of ownership or when leasing a new Toyota you’re covered under ToyotaCare’s 24 hour roadside assistance. ToyotaCare roadside assistance covers: Towing Dead battery jump starts Lockout protection Winching Fuel delivery Flat tire assistance ToyotaCare Factory Maintenance Coverage When you bring your Toyota in for service we’ll keep a history of your maintenance visits and also send you reminders when you’re due for factory scheduled maintenance. ToyotaCare scheduled factory maintenance covers: Oil and filter changes Tire rotations Inspect and adjust all fluid levels Multi-point vehicle inspection

When we buy our new vehicles, one of the features that drives us to certain models is the fuel economy rating. If you drive a Toyota, you are getting some of the best range in the industry. Have you noticed you can’t drive as far as you could just a few months ago? Bennett Toyota technicians answer common questions about fuel economy range. Will Premium Improve Fuel Economy? Premium fuel has a higher octane rating, which makes the car more resistant to preignition. Preignition is a problem most common with high performance cars, not your every-day commuter. High-octane fuel will only cost you more money per gallon; it won’t allow you to drive further. Why is My Gas Mileage Dropping? If you are noticing a dip in mileage, answer a few questions to identify the problem: Do you speed? Yep, one of the biggest reasons for poor fuel economy is a lead foot. Follow the posted speed limit signs, don’t drive aggressively, and quit stopping abruptly. Are your tires properly inflated? Get out the air pressure gauge and check the pressure. You can find the recommended air pressure in your owner’s manual or inside the driver’s side doorjamb. Are any of your dash lights on? If so, you need to head to the shop right away. The Toyota technicians will hook up your car and run the codes to see what the problem is. Fuel Economy Myths If your fuel economy is dropping, don’t believe common fuel economy myths: Your car needs to be warmed up in the morning Gas from no-name stations is bad Filling up when it’s cold outside improves mileage The air filter is dirty (this is only true for older carbureted engines)

The crisp in the air means one thing: fall is here. We are thrilled to see the leaves change, the holiday coffee blends, and the cooler temps. Not to mention the football games on nearly every day. Fall is also a time to brush up on maintenance and service to prepare your car for the cooler temperatures. This fall, head over to Bennett Toyota service department for fall maintenance. Fall Car Care Tasks The following tasks are a few of the most important to avoid a breakdown or accident: Improve visibility Visibility is critical during all seasons. To improve visibility, inspect all the lights around your car, inspect the rubber on your windshield wipers, top off the windshield wiper fluid with a cold-weather blend, and if your lenses are scratched and cloudy, have the lenses polished. Stay warm Now is the time to inspect the heater before the cold really takes hold. Test the heater and the defroster. If you have heated seats, test the seats and make sure the fuses are still in good shape. Protect the paint Many drivers choose to wash and wax their cars in the fall. During fall, the sap falls, leaves fall, and more debris is on the road. Change the oil Oil is essential for your car’s optimal performance. Bring your car in for an oil and filter change. While you are here, we will inspect the hoses and belts, and top off the other fluids in your car. Inspect tires and brakes This fall, take your car in for a tire rotation. While at the shop, the technicians will inspect the tire tread and look at your brakes.

One way to keep ownership costs low is to have your Toyota serviced and maintained regularly. Toyota provides a recommendation schedule in the owner’s manual, and when the time approaches, the service team at Bennett Toyota will give you a call to schedule an appointment. Another way to reduce ownership costs is to avoid paying any money for the maintenance appointments. Toyota allows you to do so. Keep more cash in your pocket with the new ToyotaCare no-cost maintenance plan. What is ToyotaCare? As we said before, it is a free no-cost maintenance plan. Toyota extends the service to every new Toyota that drives off the lot. The plan covers you for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. In addition to regular service, the plan offers free roadside assistance for two years, regardless of the number of miles on the vehicle. What is included in the Service Plan? When you take your car in to the shop, ToyotaCare covers a regular oil change, a multi-point inspection, tire rotation, and fluid level inspection, which includes a top-off if necessary. The recommended Toyota maintenance schedule is as follows: Tires, fluids and inspection at six months or 5,000 miles All four services at 1 year or 10,000 miles Tires, fluids, and inspection at 18 months or 15,000 miles All four services at 2 years or 20,000 miles Tires, fluids, and inspection at 25,000 miles What is Covered with the Roadside Assistance Plan? Toyota’s Roadside Assistance begins on the day you purchase the vehicle. The service provides owners with fuel delivery, lockout services, tire change (with your own factory spare), towing and winching services. Roadside Assistance does not provide you with a brand new battery, replacement parts, new keys, or new tires. If the car does need to be towed, all service and parts will be taken care of by the service team, and the appropriate charges may apply. How to Schedule an Appointment To schedule an appointment, fill out an online form, use your Toyota owner’s app, stop by the dealership, or give us a call.

We still love playing the mud. Just because we have grown out of Tonka trucks and holes in the knees of our jeans, it doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy a good mud puddle every now and then. If you like to go outdoors, you will encounter mounds of mud as well. We want to help you drive in the mud and recover if things get a little mushy. Toyota near Emmaus has tips for driving in the mud. Don’t Get Stuck Practice mud-smart driving to prevent your vehicle from becoming stuck in the muck: Do not try to baja through the mud in a 2-wheel-drive vehicle. If you are purposely driving in the mud or traveling off the beaten path, use 4-wheel drive. When you enter the mud, you should be in 4-low. Engage 4WD before you get in so you don’t have to stop and engage it later. You might not recover. Do not play in the mud or go off-road without telling someone where you are going, or better yet, without someone with you. If you get stuck, you will need someone to help you get out or get help. Reduce your wheels’ tire pressure if you plan to drive in muddy conditions. Do not gun-it, but don’t stop either. You need to keep the drive slow, controlled and steady. Too much throttle with dig a rut and you will get stick. When you go through other people’s lines, avoid ruts. If you are with a crew, watch others go through first before you trudge through. Let the others stuck first or forge a path. When you proceed through, keep the wheels as straight as possible. What to do if you are Stuck For goodness sakes, get off the throttle, man! Aggressive, panicked acceleration will get just dig a deeper hole. You WILL NOT get traction this way. Try these tips: Try to proceed slowly. If you cannot proceed forward, try backing up. If you are using a manual transmission, shift into a higher gear and slowly ease off the clutch. Automatic drivers should put the car in the lowest gear before trying to creep out. Use a board, branches, blanket underneath the tires to improve traction. Get dry dirt or rocks from the side of the road and place it under the tires to improve traction. If all else fails, call your buddy with a bigger truck and a winch.

Rest areas are a staple along US highways and are life savers when you need to stretch your legs, use the restroom or grab a snack. Unfortunately crimes like theft, car-jacking, drug dealing and more have taken place in these areas, causing many people to worry when they are making a pit stop. Allentown Toyota has tips for choosing a safe rest stop so you don't encounter any dangerous situations on the road. Be Alert When you pull into a rest stop, be aware of your surroundings. Make a mental note of the name of the stop, or maybe the nearest mile marker. This way if an emergency arises, you can tell your location to the police. Stay away from people who look like they're lingering around the bathrooms and parking lots, because they may be looking to rob someone or worse. Never park next to a big truck, because they can block your view of the parking lot. Safe rest areas will be designed in a rectangle shape with hardly any walls or shrubbery that people can hide behind. Go to the Light When areas are well-lit, it can be a major deterrent for criminals. Not only should the building be well-lit, but the parking lot as well. When it is night time, stay away from the outskirts of the area, like woods, picnic tables or trails. This is where a lot of illegal activity takes place. Choose a Busy Place Rest stop crimes often take place after dark, especially if it is empty and desolate. If you are traveling in the evening, especially alone, and need to stop, choose a buy place. Look for stops that have a fast-food restaurant inside that is well-staffed.

Summer vacation is almost upon us, which means you’re probably already planning some fun trips with your family. Whether you’re planning to drive across town or you’re planning to drive across the country, it’s a good idea to take the necessary steps to get good and ready for the fun times that lie ahead. Get summer road trip ready with some tips from your Toyota dealer near Emmaus. Maintenance Before any trip it is a good idea to get your vehicle serviced. This would include checking out the tires, the battery, all fluids, all belts and hoses, the windshield wipers, and the air conditioner. You will have peace of mind that your family will be safe and happy once you get all of these things taken care of. Of course if you have any known issues with anything you should get those taken care of as well. Emergency Kit Before any trip is a good time to update and replenish your vehicle’s emergency kit. A good emergency kit should consist of things like jumper cables, extra fluids, a spare tire, tools, a flashlight, road flares, and a fire extinguisher. You should have extra clothing and warm items like gloves, socks, and a blanket. First aid kits are very important, too, and should include things like bandages, creams, ointments, and pain medicine. Keep a supply of water, non-perishable food items, wet wipes, and paper towels. Carry a car charger for your cell phone.

Ice has been a huge problem this year. We get rain and snow, accompanied by arctic air. The plunging mercury contributes to dangerous accidents and car trouble, but you can take steps to ease your pain. Whitehall area Toyota discusses common ice complaints in the winter. Frozen Car Talk about one of the most frustrating problems during winter. You are likely to discover your car-icicle when you are headed off to work or to take the kids to school. If your car is frozen solid, consider a few remedies for thawing out. If your lock is frozen, try pushing a straw into the keyhole. Blow into the end of the straw to direct warm air to the frozen mechanism. Make sure all of your lights and accessories are off before starting your car. Once the car is on, turn on both the front and rear defrosters, and the headlights melt the ice on the glass and lamp lenses. An issue you may come across is a frozen battery. If your car’s battery is frozen, remove it from the engine compartment and take it inside or into a warm garage so it can thaw out. If the car has a block heater, plug the car in for two or three hours. If all the doors are frozen shut, try gaining access through the trunk or back hatch. You may be able to use your ice scraper to chip away the ice around the seals. You may be able to pour warm water on the door handle and around the door to melt the ice. Do not allow the warm water to touch the glass. NEVER use boiling water on your car. Frozen Roads Icy roads are extremely dangerous. Before freezing weather strikes, make sure your tires are in good shape, your car in up to date on service, and the gas tank is full. Never hit the road without wearing your seatbelt. Now, for the icy roads, keep this in mind: If you can, stay off the roads until the weather improves. Pay close attention to the weather. Reduce you speed so that you can maintain control and you can stop. When you are driving, take it easy on the gas and the brake. If your car begins to slide, turn into the direction that the back of the car sliding.

This is an expensive and devastating problem to have. Sometimes, once you notice coolant in the engine it is already too late for quick, inexpensive repairs. If you notice a coolant or oil anomaly, contact the dealership right away. Whitehall area Toyota looks at coolant in your engine’s oil. Is There Coolant in my Engine’s Oil? Coolant in the oil can be difficult to detect. You will hear that moisture in the oil will give the oil a brown-milk substance, but is not always the case. In fact, engine oils on the market today are loaded with special detergents and dispersants, which permit the coolant to mix with the oil, essentially undetected until it is too late. What are the Symptoms of Coolant in the Oil? One of the telltale signs of a failure is the loss of coolant, without the presence of a leak. Modern engine systems are designed to contain the coolant, so if you see a drop, it is a cause for alarm. Test to be Certain You can test the oil at home, but an analysis at the dealership is more thorough and effective. Drop an oil sample on the exhaust manifold, looking for sizzle instead of smoke, OR Allow some oil to drain into a clear, glass jar or another clear container.  Look for separation or the presence of water, OR Place a drop of oil on to the back of a white business card. Clean oil will disperse and fade relatively evenly. If glycol is present, the oil on the card will remain as a dark blot in the center because the oil is not dispersing. How Does Coolant Get Into the Engine Oil? The coolant can mix with the engine oil a few different ways. The most common cause of engine seeping into the engine oil is a failed head gasket. A few other causes of the intrusion is a warped or cracked cylinder head, and leaky intake gaskets, and failure from the head bolts because they are either stripped or sealed improperly. The service team can do an accurate diagnosis. If you service the system you assume is the culprit, you may be neglecting the real cause of the leak. The mistake can be costly and devastating.

Many times when your Allentown area pre-owned Toyota is in need of maintenance or repairs, it will start giving off some signals to get your attention outside of the electronic alarms and notifications. For instance, when brake pads wear thin you’ll likely hear a high-pitched squeal or when your wheel alignment is off, you’ll notice your vehicle pulling to one side of the road as you drive.   When it comes to your shocks, there are some warning signs to pay attention to during your ride. Shock absorbers are used to help absorb the impact your vehicle sustains when you go over uneven or bumpy surfaces. The shocks help protect the passengers in the vehicle from being bounced around in the cabin.   When your shocks need attention, you may notice that bumps in the road feel stronger than normal. You may bottom out when driving over dips or speed bumps in the road. You may also notice your car making noise when driving over bumpy surfaces. If you suspect your shocks are no longer working properly, don’t delay in scheduling a service appointment with our Toyota service center near Allentown.   Our experienced Toyota mechanics can analyze the condition of your shocks and make suggestions about whether they need to be replaced due to damage, wear and tear, or leaks. While shocks tend to last for several years, it depends on how often you drive and where you drive. Our technicians can help determine a good schedule of maintenance based on these factors to make sure your Toyota shocks are in good shape at all times.

There are some drivers that would rather lose a body part than apply a bumper sticker to the paint of their vehicle and there are other drivers that enjoy expressing themselves through the many novelty stickers and decals available on the market. However, if you have fallen out of love with a sticker still pasted on your Emmaus area Toyota, there are simple ways to help remove them without damaging your finish.   Here are the simple steps to remove those outdated political stickers and silly sayings:   Gently wet the sticker with hot water to soak the paper.   Use a hair dryer on a hot setting to blow hot air onto the outside edges of the sticker.   Use a credit card to get under the edges of the sticker, working it lose as you go. You may need to rewet the paper and apply additional heat as you go along.   If the sticker is on the window of your vehicle, a sharp razor blade used at an angle will work effectively. DO NOT use a razor blade on the painted areas of your vehicle.   Invest in a vehicle-safe sap remover/cleaner to remove the residual mess from the bumper sticker.   Re-wash the area with a car detergent and soft, lint-free cloth then wipe dry.   If you have damage from the sticker or overall your finish looks less than perfect, contact our Toyota service center near Emmaus for an appointment with our body shop experts. There are several services to consider if you’d like to restore the condition of your favorite Toyota.

It’s obviously important to be in total control when behind the wheel of your Macungie area Toyota but if you have been neglecting your regular wheel inspections, you may find staying in control isn’t easy.   Consider how many times you encounter rough, uneven road surfaces, potholes, and other precarious driving situations. Even regular driving practices can cause your wheels to fall out of proper alignment. When wheels are not properly aligned you’ll notice that your vehicle will pull to one side of the road or the other as you drive, making it more difficult to drive.   There is no set schedule for wheel alignment services because your wheels will be affected by a variety of factors including how often you drive, how fast you drive, and where you drive. Ideally, you need to set up regular vehicle inspections for your overall vehicle, your engine, and your tires to make sure things are working as they should and are in good condition. If you notice your car is pulling to one side of the road during your drive, don’t delay in having an inspection appointment set up.   When vehicles are not properly aligned, it can be hard to stay on the road properly. Steering may be affected and if you have to make any sudden moves while driving, misaligned wheels can lead to bigger problems. Let our tire experts at our Toyota service center near Macungie handle all of your tire service and replacement needs. Our experienced mechanics have the necessary tools to check your alignment and make sure your wheels are in good condition for your driving safety.