Tips for maximizing the performance of your Toyota are listed below, including tips on maximizing your mileage, removing tars and bugs, washing your Toyota, cleaning wheels and tires, and protecting your Toyota against outside elements.  Please contact our dealership with any questions or to schedule service or purchase any of the Toyota products mentioned below.

Maximizing the Performance and Experience

Your Toyota is designed to be reliable and provide long-lasting vehicle performance. However, there are things you can do to make your Toyota perform even better, especially in light of rising gas prices.

Maximize Your Mileage

• When you drive a little faster, you burn considerably more fuel. Slow down and increase your Toyota’s fuel efficiency.
• Once you’re out on the highway at cruising speed, use your vehicle’s cruise control. You’ll burn less fuel if you do.
• Slow down for hills. Maintaining your speed up a hill means opening your vehicle’s throttle, which burns more gas. On down hills, use gravity to help increase speed and improve fuel economy.
• Accelerate only when you have to, and only as much as you need to. Avoid jackrabbit starts, bring your Toyota to speed with a light right foot, and maintain smooth progress on the road.
• For slowing down or stopping, get off the gas as soon as you can. Use your brakes when you need to, but allow the other forces working on your vehicle to help slow you down.
• Whenever you can, keep your windows closed to decrease drag. For climate control, use your vehicle’s air conditioning. It’s the lesser of two evils.
• Rooftop containers have extremely negative effects on a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Remove them when not in use.

Enhance Your Ownership Experience

• The most important thing you can do to keep your vehicle running well is to change the engine oil on schedule. And remember to use the proper grade motor oil and a genuine Toyota oil filter.
• Make sure to replace worn out wiper blades to ensure a clear view of the road under all conditions.
• Being able to stop your vehicle is a critical part of driving. Inspect your brakes at regular intervals according to your Toyota's recommended maintenance schedules.
• Your battery should be checked periodically to ensure you've got the power necessary to start your Toyota under any circumstance.
• Keep an eye on tire pressure - losing just a few pounds of pressure in your tires can hurt fuel economy and shorten tire life significantly.
• Be aware that the stop-and-go nature of urban and suburban driving is harder on your vehicle than steady long-distance driving.
• Read your owner's manual. It will tell you everything you need to know about your vehicle including maintenance intervals.

Tar and Bug Removal

Routinely washing your Toyota is the best thing that you can do to maintain your vehicle's original shine and finish.

Before you wash your vehicle, quickly inspect for tar and bug stains. Removing these contaminates helps maintain your Toyota's pristine finish.

Removing tar and bug stains will also remove the wax from your vehicle's surface. So after washing, reapply wax as needed.

Toyota Bug & Tar Remover is a highly effective combination of solvents and safe for all Toyota paint finishes.

Washing Your Toyota

Here are a few tips to keep your Toyota looking new:

• Use a quality car wash soap. NEVER USE DISH DETERGENT to wash your car - it can strip off wax and damage the finish. Car-wash-specific soaps are specially formulated to dissolve dirt without compromising your vehicle's finish.
• Wash in the shade. This helps keep your car cool while you work, reducing the possibility of water spots.
• Rinse the vehicle first, then wash from the top down and rinse often.
• Use a clean 100% terrycloth towel for washing and drying.

·         Use care when selecting a cleaning product. Many solvents commonly used to remove road grime, tar, asphalt, and bug residues can seriously damage your vehicle. Avoid gasoline, alcohol, acetone, or other solvents not specifically designed to protect your vehicle's finish.

·         This is not the same as "washing" your car. A car wash gets rid of loose dirt, road grime and bird droppings, but some contaminates get so bonded to the surface of your vehicle that a slight abrasive is needed. Cleaning the paint also helps remove oxidation, smoothes the surface and restores the surface shine.

For carpet and upholstery stains, including crayon, oil, grease and lipstick, choose Toyota Fabric Spot Remover. It's easy, convenient and dries quickly after use. Toyota Liquid Car Wash is the best product for keeping your Toyota clean. Toyota Cleaner & Polish is the smart choice to protect your Toyota against the elements.

Cleaning Wheels and Tires

Cleaning the wheels and tires regularly is just as important as washing the exterior of your Toyota. And not just for appearance sake, but for protection too. Brake dust can pit and damage the surface of the rims if left to sit for an extended period of time.

When you wash your vehicle, clean the wheels first. Make sure that you do not use any of the rags, sponges, brushes, or even the bucket that you used on your wheels to clean any other part of the vehicle. Brake dust and other contaminates can scratch your vehicle's finish.

Toyota Wheel Cleaner is safe and effective for chrome and alloy wheels, as well as plastic and rubber components.  Also, don't forget to put the finishing touch on your tires with Spray-n-go Toyota Tire Shine.

Protection from the Outside Elements

As temperatures warm up, make sure that your Toyota is ready for road trips and fun in the sun with these summer maintenance tips:

• Check your tires. Summer heat can increase the pressure in your tires. Perform regular air-pressure checks and adjustments to help minimize tire wear, and increase your gas mileage. Don't forget to also check your spare and make sure that all of your tires are in good condition.
• Park in the shade. Whenever possible, park in a garage or someplace out of the direct sun. This will help the interior of your Toyota stay cool. When parking outside, use a windshield shade to help protect the interior against the sun's damaging rays.
• Follow the recommended maintenance intervals listed in your Toyota owner's manual. Proper service will help extend the life of your Toyota and preserve its value. Routine maintenance, such as regularly replacing your air and oil filters, will also help maximize the efficiency of your Toyota and improve gas mileage.
• Replace windshield wiper blades and washer fluid as needed. Visibility is critical all year round and the hot sun can deteriorate the wiper blades performance. Be prepared for the dust, insects and showers of summer with new blades and plenty of washer fluid.
• Clean out your trunk. One easy way to increase your fuel economy is by removing unnecessary cargo. Give your Toyota a little spring-cleaning. Less weight will get you more mpg.

Regardless of whether your vehicle's seats are leather or cloth, the number one enemy of the interior is the sun's ultraviolet rays. Use an inexpensive windshield sunshade daily to protect your Toyota's interior against the fading of cloth and drying of leather and vinyl. Window tinting also helps minimize the damaging effects of the sun.

To add extra protection, use Toyota Vinyl & Leather Protectant and apply at regular intervals.

Clean the paint and polish. Revitalize the finish of your Toyota after the long, harsh winter months. Toyota recommends Toyota Cleaner & Polish to help remove oxidation, smooth the surface and restore the surface shine.

Check your vehicle's Scheduled Maintenance Guide.