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The kids are out of school, and now it is time for playdates, road trips, bike rides and walks.  Summer break means that more kids will be on the roads, in the pools, headed to camps and sitters, and playing outside. Allentown Toyota has tips to help keep your kids safe on summer break. In the Car The car can be a deadly place for children.  Now that kids are on summer break, a parent or caregiver will be transporting the children around more often.  It is important to maximize a child’s safety when they are in the car. Make sure the child is always properly restrained, always.  There are no exceptions to the car seat and seat belt laws. Use caution when you are driving in neighborhoods where kids live, walk, ride and play. Give pedestrians and bike riders enough room. Always check you blind spots and look behind your car before you back out of the driveway or garage. Drive the speed limit and avoid distractions. Remember, your child is in the car!  Do WHATEVER it takes to remind yourself that your child is in the car.  Some ideas include putting your bag in the back; placing the child’s bag next to you in the front of the car; creating an alert on your phone; sticking a sticker on your steering wheel or car keys; putting one shoe in the back; having someone call to make sure the child has reached his or her destination. Never allow children to play in or around the car. Do not leave kids alone in the car, ever, for any reason. On the Road Remind your child about safety rules when they are walking, riding and playing near the road. Always look both ways before crossing the street. Don’t cross without an adult. Always wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road. Ride with your children. Teach children not to run in or across the street. Remind children not to run into the street to retrieve toys. Teach children to bike with traffic, and walk against traffic.

An epilepsy diagnosis does not have to be the end of your independence.  A seizure disorder and epilepsy can affect many areas of your life, but if you have a plan and control over it, you can safely get behind the wheel and keep your license. Willow Grove area Toyota discusses driving with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Understanding Medical Reporting Medical reporting is a process for medical providers to report medical conditions to the state about a driver’s health and the potential risk it poses on the roadways.  It is important that drivers understand that HIPAA has nothing to do with disclosures to the state that are required by law.  HIPAA does not prevent a medical provider from reporting a medical condition to PennDOT.  Medical providers, who do report mental, physical and vision concerns to the state are immune from criminal and civil liability.  Medical providers who fail to report may be held responsible for a car crash that results in death, injury or the loss of property caused by the patient.  Doctors who fail to comply can also be convicted. Driving with Epilepsy Always discuss your driving with your physician.  To be a safe driver, you must have your disorder under control and monitored by a health professional. You must be seizure free for six months before you are allowed to drive. You may be eligible for a waiver if your seizures occur at night; you experience a prolonged aura that is accompanied by a specific warning, or your seizures were under control but only occurred once you started a new medication or were removed from the previous one. May be eligible to drive if seizures were previously controlled but started up as the result of a temporary illness, disorder or trauma.

One of the most terrifying thoughts is the idea of being stuck in your car when it is submerged in water. There are a number of instances that may result in your vehicle becoming immersed in water.  More than 11,000 accidents involve water, and 300 people a year drown in their own vehicles. Allentown Toyota explains what you should do if your car is submerged in water. Five Tips for Escape Although emergency personnel is trained in rescue operations that involve flooded and sinking cars, life or death also depends on the driver’s response.  Driver should always have a plan for escape. 1. Stay calm Do not panic.  Stay calm because you need a clear head to make life-saving decisions. 2. Unbuckle As soon as you enter the water, take off your seat belt. 3. Begin rolling down the window Once your seatbelt is off, start rolling down the window right away.  Electric windows are designed to withstand water for a little while, but you need to hurry up and get them down.  If the windshield shatters, use the windshield as an escape route. Use any shattered glass as an opportunity for escape. 4. Open the door when submerged If you are unable to open the window, or the glass does not shatter, wait until the water level has risen inside of the vehicle so the pressure equalizes.  You should have the ability to open the door when submerged. 5. Get out Get any children out first and push them through the escape routes.  Once the children are safely out, follow them to the surface of the water.

Imagine getting into your Allentown area Toyota on the hottest day of the year only to find your air conditioner is only blowing even hotter air. Unfortunately, drivers expect cold air in an instant from their vehicles. Normally, the air conditioning system in the latest Toyota models get super cool super-fast when properly taken care of through the year. However, if you have not provided the proper maintenance, your AC may leave you hot under the collar.   Air conditioning systems can fail over time because they become low on refrigerant due to leaks and evaporation. There may also be electrical problems that arise which cause your air conditioning system to no longer work properly. Without proper maintenance these issues can become problematic resulting in the loss of cool air when you need it most.   Schedule a vehicle inspection as soon as possible if it has been longer than a year since your last one. Our Toyota service center near Allentown has the experienced technicians you need to keep your air conditioning system, your engine, and your overall vehicle in the best of shape. If any repairs are needed to fix leaking or damaged parts, we can make the necessary recommendations. If you notice your air conditioning system output is less than ideal, schedule a service appointment where our technicians can evaluate the problem from the start. If you wait too long, the repairs may be more extensive and more costly.   Schedule your next service appointment with our Toyota experts and we’ll set you up with a regular maintenance schedule to ensure all systems including the air conditioner of your Toyota are in great working order.

When you invest your money in a new or used Bethlehem area Toyota, you expect it to be reliable and safe on the road for many more years to come. It’s not an unreasonable expectation but as a vehicle owner you also need to do your part to make sure your Toyota remains in reliable running condition.   There are several main areas you need to be concerned with where car maintenance for your Toyota is concerned. Our Bethlehem area Toyota service center experts recommend regular maintenance of the following: Engine Tune-ups To ensure your engine is running optimally, regular tune ups will help identify electrical problems, dirty filters, and other signs of damage while they are still minor problems. Brake System Brake pads and rotors need to be checked for efficiency and signs of wear and tear. A squealing or grinding noise from the brakes when the vehicle is in motion indicates damage is already being done. Tires Tires need the proper tread depth to maintain traction on the road especially in wet conditions. Tires need to be regularly balanced and rotated to have a good life and need to be replaced when they are worn down or show other signs of damage. Belts and Hoses Belts and hoses can wear out and brake due to the amount of heat generated by the engine. Uneven road surfaces can cause belts and hoses to come loose due to the vibrations of the engines. These items need to be regularly evaluated for damage and replaced when too worn out to be effective. Exhaust System Leaks caused by damage can actually be a serious health hazards. Our Toyota technicians need to evaluate the condition of your vehicle’s exhaust system to ensure dangerous fumes are being properly handled.

Your Willow Grove area Toyota needs extra care during the extreme temperatures of summer. Your car’s battery in particular needs some extra attention because extreme temperatures can have a negative impact on the condition of your battery.   Our Toyota service center near Willow Grove recommends having batteries checked throughout the summer months. The excessively hot temperatures can shorten the expected life of your vehicle’s battery. The heat can also cause fluids needed in the battery to evaporate which can cause damage to the battery. All of these issues can ultimately lead to your vehicle not starting.   Before you experience battery problems during the summer, use preventative measures by visiting our service center for regular engine checks. Our experienced team can check the condition of your battery and run diagnostic tests to ensure everything is working as it should.   If you are having battery troubles, schedule an evaluation appointment with our service center team. We will be glad to check your battery for issues and can make the determination if your battery needs to be replaced. With regularly scheduled maintenance appointments, our team can catch small issues with the battery and other systems in the engine before they become a problem. We can schedule subsequent maintenance appointments to provide follow up care to your battery and overall engine.   Our service center has the replacement batteries, tires, parts and accessories your Toyota needs. We keep in stock the inventory you need to ensure your Toyota is always maintained up to Toyota’s standards.

Every driver wants to save more money on fuel without having to change how much time they spend on the road commuting to work and driving to activities. There are way to reduce the costs of fuel and keep more money in your pocket when it comes to owning an Allentown area Toyota. Our dealership offers five simple tips to help you save more on gas. Change the Air Filters When air filters become clogged they will no longer be able to do their job properly, forcing the engine to work harder. By replacing air filters on a regular basis, you can improve the gas mileage your Allentown PA area Toyota gets by 14%. Have Dirty Spark Plugs Replaced When spark plugs become dirty, they can easily misfire or not work properly. If you replace the plugs on a regular basis, you can add two miles per gallon of gas to your driving schedule at no added cost. Inspect the Gas Cap If your gas cap is loose, improperly replaced, or damaged your fuel will literally waste away. The vapors will leak out of the gas cap so be sure it’s always in good condition and don’t forget to replace it each time you fill up. Focus on Better Driving If you tend to hit the brakes and drive with quick stops and starts, you need to know that you could be decreasing your gas efficiency by 30% or more on the highway. Obey speed limits and don’t drive recklessly. Unload Your Vehicle While we have some items we need to carry around with us, it is important to unload as much stuff as possible from the vehicle you drive to improve your fuel efficiency.

If you have only had your Willow Grove area Toyota vehicle serviced at our dealership, you can trust in the fact that we only use the highest quality parts for your vehicle. If you have had maintenance services or tire services done elsewhere, you need to ensure what was installed on your car is safe and effective.   All systems of your vehicle should be regularly inspected and kept up to date for the safety of you and your passengers. This includes regular oil changes, filter replacements, and tire inspections and rotations. Tires especially need to be well maintained to keep your vehicle safe on the roadways. It is the tires of your vehicle that face the hardships of the roadways and if they are not in good condition they can go flat or blow out altogether.   Our Toyota service center near Willow Grove recommend having tires inspected based on a schedule of how often you drive. The more you drive, the faster your tires can wear down, especially when you drive on difficult terrain. Our tire specialists can analyze your driving habits and create a maintenance and service center to accommodate your vehicle. We will inspect each tire for signs of damage, measure air pressure, and check tread depth.   We will also confirm the age of each tire to make sure they are not outdated. If you purchase tires from a location outside of our dealership, you need to ensure the age of the tire is appropriate for safe driving. Old tires can deteriorate over time even if they are just kept in storage and not used on a vehicle. Old tires can be a driving hazard you don’t want on your Toyota vehicle.

As a vehicle owner, you need to do all you can to ensure your Ardmore area new or pre-owned Toyota is well cared for over the years. Regular maintenance services can help extend the life of your vehicle for as long as possible to ensure you get the most of your investment.   In order to care properly for your vehicle, you should know what it needs and rely on the services and experience of our expert Toyota service center near Ardmore. We will help ensure your vehicle is up to date and running optimally. We also encourage you to get to really know your vehicle as well as we do. The first place to start is with your owner’s manual. We recommend that you read it from start to finish to know what your vehicle needs to go for the long haul.   Maintenance of your vehicle will depend largely on your driving habits. If you drive under normal conditions, you may not need service as often as those who face more severe conditions. Normal conditions typically involve driving on roads that are paved, including highway driving.   Severe conditions are when drivers face city traffic that tends to be stop and go in nature. If you take frequently trips that are less than 10 miles in distance, it can put extra wear and tear on your vehicle. Your vehicle will also wear down when towing a trailer or other items behind or on top of it.   Let our Toyota service center technicians handle all of your maintenance work. We can set you up with your first service appointment and we’ll analyze the condition of your vehicle, your driving habits, and the model vehicle you drive to recommend a future maintenance schedule to keep giving your Toyota what it needs ot be safe and running smoothly.

If you notice fluids leaking from your vehicle, it is imperative you do not ignore the problem. Even if you can’t immediately identify the fluid, you should schedule a repair service appointment at our Willow Grove area Toyota as soon as possible.   Generally, a leak that creates a puddle that is larger than 2-3 inches should be considered a serious problem. This indicates that enough fluid is missing from the engine and needs to be replaced. Engine oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid is certainly a vital part of a functional engine. If you neglect repairs and continue to drive your vehicle without the proper fluids, it could result in the complete destruction of your engine. This is a much more expensive repair than a fluid leak repair might be.   Our expert service technicians at our Toyota service center near Willow Grove can identify the source of the leak and what repairs will be necessary to bring your vehicle back up to safe operation. We have the necessary replacement hoses and other parts necessary for repair that meet the high standards of Toyota right in our service center for your convenience. Ideally, you can help avoid such leaks by having regular maintenance appointments with our service team. We can quickly identify problem areas before they become major problems and make the necessary repairs for much less cost. Our service technicians can recommend a good maintenance schedule based on how you drive and the model Toyota you own.

There are certain on-road emergencies you should never ignore, especially when they concern your Allentown area Toyota brake system. While drivers need to be alert to what is going on while driving on the road, they should also remain attune to what is going on with their vehicle. Pay attention when things don’t seem as they should and be ready to pull over for your own safety.   Whenever you notice something different about your brakes, pull over or don’t drive off in the first place. Find a safe side of the road and stay there until a tow service can get to you. If your brake light alert comes on, slow down immediately and locate an area to safely stop your vehicle. Even if the light is not activated and your brakes don’t feel right, stop the car and call for assistance.   If your brakes have failed or on the verge of failing it will not be safe to operate your vehicle because you may not be able to stop in time or at all. When the brake light is activated, check your emergency brake to ensure it is not engaged but otherwise stop driving immediately.   The best way to ensure brakes remain in good condition is to have regular services scheduled for brake pad replacement at our Allentown area Toyota service center. Our experts have the experience and the replacement parts your vehicle needs to remain safe. We can also check the brake fluid and the entire system to ensure it is working properly.

Spring is a wonderful time to thaw out, enjoy the birds, flowers, and most of all, warm temperatures.  With all of these positives, unfortunately come new dangers when you are on the road. Allentown Toyota is explaining the driving hazards that begin in spring, to keep everyone safer. Construction Now that the snow and ice are melting, it means construction workers are ready to go.  They will be making repairs to road damage that occurred over the winter, as well as other projects they couldn't get to in the cold.  Watch out for more men and women working, slower traffic, and merges.  There can be delays, so plan ahead.  Slow down where you see marked work zones, and be ready to face uneven pavement.  Keep your distance from vehicles like dump trucks that may have to slow down or make sharp turns in front of you. Pedestrians Warm weather means more people on the streets.  Beware of walkers, joggers, bike riders, and roller bladers.  Children may dart out from in between cars so be slow in residential areas.  Be aware or animals like squirrels and deer that love to run into traffic too. Flooding and Rain Snow and ice aren't the only weather related dangers when you're driving.  With the spring comes the potential for pop up storms and flash road flooding.  If you get stuck in a heavy storm, slow down to avoid slipping and hydroplaning.  Avoid driving through puddles because you don't know how deep they are and can do damage to your car.  Watch out for hail too, because it can be slick on roads and may break your windshield.