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Do you know what preparation steps you should take when planning a long distance road trip? For safe travels you need to make sure your car is ready for the drive. Here is a checklist of items to consider from your Bethlehem Toyota dealer. Maintenance And Repairs Before leaving on a road trip it is wise to get all of your car’s maintenance and repair needs taken care of. Well in advance of your leave date make an appointment to have any needed repairs done and general maintenance completed. Get your car’s oil changed, tires rotated, dirty air filters replaced, check your windshield wipers and have the battery checked. Prep Your Car Getting your car ready also includes some prep work on your part. Clean out your vehicle and check to ensure you have a fully stocked emergency road kit and a first aid kit on board. You should also check your vehicle registration, insurance policy and road side assistance plan and make sure they are all up to date. Plan Your Drive Take the time to plan out your route before leaving home. Even if you plan to use a navigation system it is still important to know what roads you will be traveling on. Pick up maps for the states you will be traveling through and familiarize yourself with them. Pack Items You Will Need Finally, make a packing list of items you will need to pack for your trip. Update your iPod with song lists and pack drinks and snacks. You should also make sure you have sunglasses for driving.

Your Allentown Toyota dealer knows that that safety is a top priority in a new car purchase. The Toyota brand is known for manufacturing some of the safest vehicles on the road way. Their 2015 lineup includes multiple safety award winning vehicle options, all loaded with the latest safety technology. Here is a look at the Toyota cars, SUV’s and minivan that have been recognized with top safety ratings and awards. Seven Toyota models earned Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Here is a look at what vehicles made the list. Top Safety Pick+ Awards: Toyota Prius for small car Toyota Camry for midsize car Toyota Prius v for midsize car Toyota Highlander for midsize SUV Toyota Sienna for minivan Toy Safety Pick Awards: Toyota Avalon for large family car Toyota RAV4 for small SUV Seven Toyota models earned an overall 5 star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here is a look at what models received this prestigious crash test rating. Toyota Scion Toyota Venza Toyota Avalon Toyota Camry Toyota Corolla Toyota Highlander Toyota Sienna To test drive one of these top safety rated vehicles stop into your Allentown Toyota dealership today. Great financing and lease rates are available now so don’t delay. Our sales team is waiting to guide and assist you in buying your next Toyota.

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.

Now that 2015 is in full swing, you can find some of the most popular and reliable vehicles from 2014. Buying now means you get a car with low miles, certification protection, and 1-owner peace of mind. Ask the Emmaus area Toyota team about pre-owned 2014 Toyota cars. 2014 Toyota Corolla The pre-owned 2014 Toyota Corolla sedans on the lot are both priced below $20K. The 2014 Toyota Corolla L has fewer than 9,000 miles on it and a price tag around $17K. The 2014 Toyota Corolla S has a little over 10,000 miles on the engine and a 20K internet price. Kelley Blue Book awarded the Corolla with a 2014 5-Year Cost to Own Award and a 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick Award. Toyota equipped the popular sedan with a 1.8-liter inline-4 that produces 132 hp at 6000 RPM and 128 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 RPM. The estimated fuel economy rating for the L (6-speed manual) is 28/37 mpg. The Corolla S trim level has a CVT automatic and averages an estimated 29/37 mpg. Features installed on the Corolla include an audio system, premium cloth upholstery, 15-inch wheels with all-season tires, CD player, four speakers, climate control, LED headlights, and Toyota’s Star Safety System™. 2014 Scion tC 10 Series The CARFAX 1-owner, certified coupe has fewer than 11,000 miles on the engine and an internet price below 20K. In 2014, the 2014 Scion tC earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Award. The rambunctious 2.5-liter inline-4 that rustles up 180 hp at 6000 RPM and 173 lb.-ft. of torque at 4100 RPM. The Scion is loaded with many comfort and driving features: 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, Pioneer audio system, MP3 player, cruise control, leather-trimmed steering wheel, sports seats in the front, electric glass roof, eight speakers, 10 th -Anniversary upgrades, and digital radio.

You would have a hard time finding a flaw with the massively beautiful Sequoia SUV. Families can travel is style, while towing big toys and hauling all the gear needed for fun. The auto market is congested with large SUVs, small SUVs, and crossovers, so how do you make the right decision for your budget, drive, and cargo needs? Do a little research before you commit. The 2015 Toyota Sequoia at Macungie area Toyota is top 10 SUV with the most space, according to Autobytel. The 2015 Toyota Sequoia for Towing, Hauling and Comfort The Toyota Sequoia is fittingly named after a massive tree, and the SUV is built as solid as its namesake is. Growling under the hood is a 381-hp 5.7-liter V8 that is ready to get to work. Kelley Blue Book ranked the 2015 Toyota Sequoia #1 in its class for horsepower. The max towing capacity for the RWD sequoia is 7400 lbs. and the max payload is 1370 lbs. The Sequoia is equipped with Trailer-Sway Control, TOW/HAUL mode, trailer hitch, trailer wiring, and Electronically Modulated Air Suspension (Platinum model). The fuel economy rating is 13/17 mpg.   The 8-passenger SUV is spacious and comfortable. Standard interior features include fabric-trimmed front seats with adjustable seating, and 40/20/40 split seating in the second row for access to the third row. The first row offers 42.5 inches of legroom, and 40.9 inches of leg space is provided in the back. The max cargo space is the 2015 Toyota Sequoia is 18.9 cubic feet when all the seats are in place, with easy access via a power retracting liftgate window. A roof rack on top of the SUV provides additional cargo space.

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.

There are hundreds of vehicles on the market. From subcompact cars to massive SUVs and spacious minivans, how can you possibly choose the right one?  If you have a family, there are many things to consider.  Where do you turn for help? Autobytel named the 2015 Toyota Prius at Bethlehem area Toyota one of the 10 Best Family Cars of 2015. Why the 2015 Toyota Prius? Toyota is one of the most reliable, affordable and versatile brands on the American automotive market. The company designs vehicles that are built to last, and the Toyota Prius is one of the popular choices. So what makes the 2015 Toyota Prius a top choice for families? Price The starting MSRP for the Toyota Prius is only $24,200. The available trim levels include the Two, Three, Persona Series, Four, and Five. Toyota offers full service for 24,000 or 25 months; Basic and Paint Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles; Powertrain and Corrosion Warranty for 60 months or 60,000 miles; Roadside Assistance for 24 months or 25,000 miles. Performance and fuel economy KBB ranked the Toyota Prius #1 in its class for fuel economy. The Prius has a 1.8-liter inline-4 and an electric motor; the combination nets 134 hp. The estimated fuel economy rating for the Prius is 51/48 mpg. Safety The Toyota Prius is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award winner and it earned an overall 4-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Features and amenities The 5-passenger hybrid comes standard with a touchscreen display, backup camera, Bluetooth®, AM/FM radio, USB ports, auxiliary audio input, Smart Key System, push-button start, 12-V power outlets, and Toyota’s Star Safety System™. Reliability According HIS Automotive driven by Polk, 95% of all Toyota Prius vehicles sold in the last decade are still on the road today.

If you are the proud owner of a minivan or you are in the market for one, safety is on your mind. At the end of 2014, the IIHS released the crash test results of the most popular minivans in the American auto market, and the results revealed a fatal flaw in the small overlap front test. The Toyota Sienna was the exception. The 2015 Toyota Sienna at Allentown area Toyota is the only minivan to earn a 2015 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award. How to Qualify for a TSP Award In 2014, not many vehicles earned Top Safety Pick Awards from the IIHS, so when 2015 came around, the industry had stepped up its game and put safety first. The 2015 Toyota Sienna is a model that excelled in crash testing, which earned the family van the only Top Safety Pick+ Award in its class.  To qualify for Top Safety Pick+ status, the Toyota Sienna earned the following: Acceptable rating in the small overlap front scenario Good score for the protection of the seat and head restraints Good grade in moderate overlap front scenario Good rating for its roof strength Good rating in side tests Advanced rating for the front-crash prevention system Safety Synopsis Toyota ensures that all of its vehicles are loaded with the best safety features, despite the sticker price in the window. The Toyota Sienna is designed with the comprehensive Star Safety System™, LATCH car seat system, automatic locking seatbelts, a pre-collision system, head restraint technology, crumple zone design, daytime running lights, and tire pressure monitoring. Eight airbags come standard throughout the cabin.

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.

The 2015 Toyota Venza is here at our Bethlehem area Toyota dealership so get ready to schedule a test drive. The Venza is a wagon-style vehicle with a nice wide frame and good ground clearance to help you venture outside of the highway. See the Venza in person today by scheduling a convenient time to test drive it on the road.   The Toyota Venza for 2015 is known for its comfortable interior space and rugged abilities. It is a great alternative for a larger sport utility vehicle. On the road, the Venza is smooth. The optional V6 engine is a better choice for those that need more power. Fuel economy on both engines choices is also good.   The cabin area of the Venza is certainly spacious. Two rows of seats are comfortable to sit on even for long periods of time. Leg room, headroom, and hip room are also very notable, especially for taller adult passengers. Rear seats fold flat to extend already generous amounts of cargo room.   Standard features in the base model Venza include a rearview camera system, dual zone automatic climate control, an audio system with six speakers, CD player, auxiliary and USB inputs, and a 3.5 inch LCD display screen. Fabric seats come standard but leather upholstery is available in upper level trims. All 2015 Venza model wagons feature Toyota’s Star Safety System with traction and stability controls, anti-lock brakes, Brake Assist, and seven cabin airbags.   If you are in the market for a roomy, capable vehicle, consider the many benefits of owning a Toyota Venza from our Bethlehem area new and used Toyota dealership. We can even help in-house with financing if you are interested in riding home in your brand new Toyota Venza today.