What To Do When The Check Engine Light Turns On

It’s going to happen at some point.  We’re not talking about your 10-year high school reunion.  We’re talking about the dreaded check engine light.

If you’re unfamiliar with the mystery behind the check engine light, here is what you need to know.  The check engine light …

• Turns on when your car’s computer senses a problem with the vehicle’s emission system.

• Was mandated in all vehicles after a 1981 Federal Law involving vehicle emissions.

• Causes many headaches for car owners across the country.

If you want to avoid the headaches, here is what you need to keep in mind when the check engine light turns on.

1. If your check engine light turns on, take your vehicle to a mechanic when you have time.  There, they can hook it up to a computer.  The computer will run a diagnostic test to determine the problem.

 

2. If your check engine light is flashing, this means it’s a severe problem and you should take your vehicle immediately to a mechanic.

 

3. The check engine light could mean one of several problems including a cylinder misfire, a knock sensor circuit malfunction, insufficient exhaust gas recirculation, etc.

 

Understanding your vehicle’s check engine light will help alleviate a lot of stress.  Remember, if any repairs need to be done, make sure that you use genuine Toyota parts.  This will help keep your vehicle in good shape and on the road longer.

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What to do if your Clutch Cable goes out

The clutch cable is the cable that runs from the clutch pedal in manual transmission cars to the actual transmission. It is responsible for allowing the driver of any manual car to engage/disengage the clutch at the right time in order to shift gears. While it is one of the most integral parts of operating a manual vehicle, it is one of the most common things to go out while on the road. An incorrectly up-kept vehicle not using Toyota OEM Parts or a badly adjusted clutch could lead to the cable being worn thin and eventually snapping in extreme cases. In such an event, drivers are left completely unable to shift gears, or in many cases, keep the car from dying.

One of the most important things to think about in a situation like this is staying calm. If your clutch cable breaks, your pedal will immediately slam to the floorboard of the drivers seat, and all tension will disappear from the pedal. Because of such a sudden change, it becomes very common in rookie drivers to panic and start swerving or doing other dangerous maneuvers. The best thing to do is stay calm and assess the situation.

If the cable went out while the car was in gear, it is actually possible to drive the vehicle normally until you need to shift. If you find yourself a block from home or an automotive garage, the best thing to do would be to keep the RPM’s of the engine high enough to keep it running and carefully pull into a save area. This takes a lot of concentration and a driver who is very aware of his/her vehicle, so if you don’t feel comfortable with this kind of option then don’t try to push it. The most important part when experiencing vehicle difficulties is getting off the road. Whether you can make it home or to a shop is up to your judgement, but just remember to keep the safety of other drivers on the road in mind.

If your clutch cable goes out while shifting or in neutral, then you will not be able to propel the vehicle for very much further. The best thing to do would be to slowly coast to the side of the road or again, a parking lot/garage, and guide your vehicle to a safe position. The worst thing to do would be to let your vehicle die in the middle of the road, because that can endanger not only you but other drivers.

When things don’t go quite right while driving a vehicle, whether it’s powered by Toyota Parts or not, just remember not to panic. Put on your hazard lights, think through the situation, and make decisions that put safety at the number one priority. If you keep all those things in mind, you will surely be prepared for this and many other situations.

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Toyota and Ford Announce Joint Hybrid and Telematic Projects

Ford has always been a staple in the U.S. automotive market. They obviously started the mobile revolution with the Model T, and have been in constant competition with Toyota for the market share in the U.S. While Toyota has been focusing most on their fuel efficiency and green-house gas consumption, Ford has been moving towards a rougher image that focuses on durability and reliability. Both companies seem to be driving down different business models that end up fairly separate from each other. However, they recently announced that they would be collaborating to move closer towards their own business models, to give buyers a better experience overall.

One of the main goals of the collaboration is to integrate more hybrid technologies into the sport-sedan’s and Trucks of the U.S. market. They are notoriously the most inefficient and gas-guzzling types of vehicles, but not by accident. they are specifically designed to put out as much horsepower as possible, in order to preform special tasks their owners need. By nature, they are hard engineer in a “green” way. This is why the two automotive giants will be working together. Toyota has by far the most experience with Hybrid technologies . “Toyota achieved a breakthrough in these challenges in nineteen ninety-seven (1997),” Takeshi Uchiyamada, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corporation said. “That is when we launched the first-generation Prius as the world’s first mass-production gasoline-electric hybrid… Our collaboration with Ford is a move to make hybrid technology more widely available in sport-utility vehicles and in trucks. Those kinds of models are indispensable to American customers. And providing them with our hybrid technology will help conserve energy and reduce output of greenhouse gas here in the United States. That was our thinking in considering the collaboration.”

Another goal of the joint operation will be to improve the current state of telematics in vehicles and their integration into the infrastructure. The world is stored on the cloud these days, and Toyota believes that vehicles of the future will integrate this technology. Companies have already started this trend: Toyota with their Entune, and Ford with their voice controlled Sync Technology. “By sharing our know-how and experience, we would like to offer even better telematics services going forward,” Uchiyamada said. With increasing technology, however, comes a more important need for plug-in models and rechargeable aspects. “In the future, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles will be connected with home energy systems, and with energy infrastructure. That will help raise overall energy efficiency, and motoring lifestyles will become more rewarding.”

Overall, the two companies are sure to learn from both their radically different business models. While there will definitely be ideas floating between both of them, the Toyota Parts you know and love will still be Toyota Parts. “We are counting on this collaboration  between Toyota and Ford to benefit American society and to open a new page in the history of the world automobile industry. As an engineer, I will be deeply gratified to see us fulfill those aims.”

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5 Signs It’s Time For A New Toyota

Toyota cars and trucks are known for their reliability and longevity.

However, like all vehicles, Toyotas eventually wear out and need to be replaced.  If you’re experiencing any of the signs below, it means it’s time for a new Toyota.

• Sign #1 – The Cost Of Repairs Are Too Much: If you’re consistently paying for repairs, it might be time to retire your Toyota.  Here’s the most important sign: If the repair costs start to cost more than the value of the car, it’s probably not worth repairing.

• Sign #2 – The Car Fails Emissions Test Every Year: If your car won’t pass the emissions test in your community, it may be a sign that it’s time for a new car.  Repairs to pass the emissions test can be expensive.  And if your community has an annual emissions test, you’ll probably want to consider getting a new car.

• Sign #3 – Important Safety Features No Longer Work: If important safety features no longer work, you’ll definitely want to get them repaired.  If the repairs are very expensive, consider getting a new car.

• Sign #4 – Check Engine Light Never Turns Off: If your car’s check engine light is constantly on, even after it’s been serviced, it’s probably time for a new car.

• Sign #5 – It’s Too Expensive To Fill It Up: If your paycheck is going straight to the gas pump, it’s probably time to trade in your old car for a more fuel-efficient vehicle.  Toyota has plenty of great fuel-efficient vehicles, including the popular Toyota Prius.

To help extend the life of your Toyota, be sure that you are using Toyota OEM parts.  For instance if you own a 4Runner, you’ll want to use OEM 4Runner parts.  This will help keep your Toyota in great shape.

How long have you owned your current Toyota?  Leave your comments below.

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2012 Camry Reworks a Proven Classic

The Toyota Camry has become one staple of the modern U.S. automotive market. Every year, it grows in popularity and rank among its competing mid-sized sedans, and this year was no different. According to Toyota in a press release about the newly unveiled 2012 Camry, the company has worldwide sold over 15 million Camry models since it’s introduction in 1983. This year, however, Toyota has completely redesigned the wildly successful automobile. The redesign follows the current business model of Toyota: injecting their luxury and high-end vehicles (made with world renowned Toyota Parts) with a new youthful and intense drive for excellence. They did this through an updated engine, a redesigned exterior, and a surprisingly spacious interior.

The main change in the Toyota line recently has been the look of their vehicles. It seems like ever since the Lexus LFA debut last year, designers and engineers have been drawing from it’s energy and attitude to breath new life into their current products. This trend continues with the 2012 Camry. During the unveiling, Toyota executives spoke about the redesigned exterior. “The first thing you’ll notice about the new Camry is its clean, sophisticated exterior,” Bob Carter the Group Vice President and General Manager of Toyota Division said. “100 percent of the exterior sheet metal is all new. And overall over 90% of the parts in Camry are re-engineered.” It now has very more sharply defined contours along both the front and back bumpers, that all lend to a more dynamic yet flowing look.

The second focus of the 2012 Camry was performance. “Camry’s efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine will meet the needs of a majority of customers,” Carter said. “For great fuel economy the 178-horsepower engine is teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth acceleration with a best-in-class 35 miles per gallon — highway.” He hit on several aspects of the vehicles specifications, and in combination with the separate press release on pressroom.toyota.com, we have learned that the 2012 Camry will also house a “DOHC 3.5-liter V6, available in the SE and XLE grades, delivers 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700 rpm. Enhancements to this engine boost its fuel economy to projected EPA-estimated ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, the best for any current V6 midsize sedan”

It seems like Toyota has once again pushed one of their already very successful automobile lines into the future, and there is no doubt that the 2012 Camry powered by Genuine Toyota Parts will be greeted with enthusiasm from its already huge American fanbase.

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6 Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Tires

An average set of tires can cost anywhere from $300 to $500.  That’s a lot of money.

If you want to extend the life of your tires and save money, you need to follow these six tips below.

1. Ask For Tires With Hard Rubber: Some tires use a soft adhesive compound that helps with handling, but wears down quicker than other types of tires.  When talking with a mechanic, check to make sure that you purchase a set of tires with harder rubber.

2. Check Tire Pressure: This is very important.  Try to check the pressure in your tires at least once a month.  Having your tires inflated to the proper psi will help extend the life of your tires.  According to Drivers Magazine, running your tires at 20 percent below the recommended pressure reduces tire mileage by 16 percent.  This also hurts gas mileage.

3. Rotate Tires: If you want to extend the life of your tires, you need to rotate your tires.  Your front and back tires wear differently.  By rotating them, you help to extend the life of your tires.

4. Slow Down: Speed affects tire wear.  That’s one of the many reasons racing teams burn through so many tires during a race.  Stick to the posted speed limits, and you’ll get more out of your tires.

5. Get Alignments: Making sure that your wheels are properly aligned will ensure that you get more life out of your tires.  If your wheels are not properly aligned, your tires will wear out faster.

6. Read Your Tire Tread: Simply looking at your tires and tread can tell if you need to rotate your tires or if an alignment needs to be done.  This tire tread reader tool is a great resource to help you diagnose your tire problems.
If you follow these six tips, you’ll extend the life of your tires!  How often do you check the pressure in your tires?  Leave your comments below.

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How To Select A Good Repair Shop For Your Toyota

If you’ve just purchased a new Toyota, you’re probably looking for a good repair shop.

Finding a reliable and trustworthy repair shop can be a difficult process.  With so many options, you probably don’t know where to begin.

If you follow these tips below, you’ll have no trouble finding a great repair shop.

• Check Review Websites: If you want to find out what customers think of a repair shop, visit local review websites such as Google Places, Yelp and Citysearch.  These review sites will help you find a good repair shop near your home.  The Mechanic Advisor is another great site to check.

• Check Certifications: Before taking your car or truck to the repair shop, be sure to see if any mechanics on staff hold any certifications.  Toyota has the T-TEN program that helps train excellent technicians.  ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications are another highly regarded certification.

• Check About Parts: When you find a repair shop, check to see what types of parts they use.  You’ll want to make sure that they offer genuine Toyota parts.  That way, if you own a Camry, you’ll know that they’re using quality Toyota Camry parts.  The parts will last longer and your car will run better.

• Talk With The Mechanics: Finally, you’ll want to talk with the mechanics to see if they are the right fit.  Think of it as a job interview process.  Be sure to ask plenty of questions, to gauge their experience and professionalism.

Following these tips will help you find the right repair shop for your Toyota.  Talk with your family and friends to see if they have any recommendations.

How do you find a great repair shop?  Leave your comments below.

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5 Things Worth Knowing About Buying A Car

Purchasing a new car can be a tough process.  You’re spending a lot of money, so you want to make sure that you get the best deal.

To help take some of the pressure off of the process, follow these five tips below.

1. Get A Vehicle History Report: If you’re buying a used car, make sure that you get a vehicle history report such as CARFAX.  This will help give you a complete history of the car that you are planning to purchase.

2. Shop Around For A Good Loan: If you’re looking to get a good car loan, shop around at different banks.  Be sure to carefully compare the interest rates to see where you’ll get the best deal.

3. Don’t Be Afraid To Sleep On It: There’s a lot of pressure to make the right decision when it comes to buying a car.  Don’t be afraid to sleep on it before making the decision.  Be sure to talk with family and friends if you are unsure.

4. Have A Mechanic Look At The Car: Before you buy the car, be sure to have a mechanic thoroughly look over the car before you purchase it.  This will help to identify any unknown problems.

5. There Are Other Cars To Buy: Don’t get too fixated on one vehicle.  This could lead to an irrational purchase.  Always remember that there are plenty of good cars out there to purchase.

Once you get the car, be sure to take great care of it.  This will help to improve the resale value.  Get regular oil changes and use genuine parts.  For example, if you own a Toyota Prius or Toyota Tundra, you would want to use genuine Prius parts or genuine Tundra parts.

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More Info on RAV4 EV

Last year, Toyota surprised many consumers and market analysts by investing in Tesla Motors, a revolutionary electric-only car manufacturer. Toyota recently announced that they would be investing several million within the next couple years in a joint effort between the two companies. The brain child of this cooperation, under cover for several months, was finally announced as the RAV4 Electric Vehicle (EV). It will be one of the first front line, full-sized EV coming out of Toyota to the states, and it has the potential to change a lot of things about the company.

Last year, Toyota sold one of their manufacturing plants for a meager $42 million, and once Tesla went public, Toyota purchased $50 million worth in stocks. This placed Toyota in a prime position to take advantage of the technology Tesla is world renowned for. The Tesla Roadster, their key product, is equipped with enough battery and energy efficient parts to get an estimated 200 miles per charge. It is this potential that Toyota saw in the company, and it is also why Toyota is working with them now.

While most of the RAV4 EV will be powered by Toyota Parts, there will probably be several aspects of the vehicle Tesla-influenced. The battery will most likely be a little tweaked with new specifications to try and mimic the incredible efficiency of the ones in the Roadster. The powertrain is one of the biggest parts of the vehicle that Tesla has contributed, and after $100 million coming from Toyota, Tesla will be producing them all for the RAV4 EV. “The powertrain 1.5 is an improved motor, inverter and gearbox designed to replace our previous two-speed transmission that had many durability, efficiency and cost challenges,” a Tesla Engineering Update said. While it’s not 100% clear if this is the version that will go in the EV, it is reasonable to assume that if it is finished on schedule, this would be the beast behind the RAV4 EV.

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How To Teach Teenagers To Drive Safely

Before you hand your car keys over to your child, here’s an equation that gets just about every parent’s heart pumping: Teenager + Driver’s License + Car = Disaster Waiting To Happen!

To help slow down your heart rate, here are some tips to help teach your teenager how to drive safely.

1. Give Them The Practice That They Need: As a parent, you may be hesitant to let your teenager get behind the wheel of your car.  We’ve all heard the saying … practice makes perfect.  Keep this in mind when your teenager gets their learner’s permit.

2. Set A Good Example: If you want to be a good teacher, you need to set a good example.  When driving, don’t do anything you wouldn’t want your teenager to do.  This includes talking on the cell phone, driving over the speed limit and ignoring traffic laws.

3. Be Patient: We all know that teenagers may not listen and may forget important things.  It’s your job to keep a cool head throughout the learning process.  Don’t get into pointless arguments with your teenager.

4. Buy A Safe Car: If you’re going to purchase a car or truck for your teenager, make sure that it’s a car with great safety features.  There are plenty of good cars on the market that will keep your teenager safe.

5. Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance: A lot of parents forget to teach their teenager how to properly take care of a car.  For example if they own a Toyota Corolla, show them how to get an oil change, purchase Corolla parts and other maintenance issues.

Following these five tips will help you teach your teenager how to drive safely.  For more driving safety and automotive maintenance tips, read other blog postings on the Toyota Parts Center Blog.   On our blog we talk about Toyota parts, maintenance and more!

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7 Stupid Things People Need To Stop Doing Behind The Wheel

We’ve all seen those “crazy” drivers.  They’re swerving all over the place and they’re nearly causing accidents.  In some cases, they’re actually causing accidents.

Here are the top seven stupid things people need to stop doing behind the wheel.  If people stop doing these stupid things, we’ll all be a lot safer.

1. Using Your Cell Phone While Driving: Using your cell phone while driving is dangerous.  Avoid talking while driving as well as texting while driving.

2. Being Tired While Driving: If you’re taking a long road trip, make sure that you take plenty of breaks.  People falling asleep behind the wheel cause lots of accidents and deaths every year.

3. Letting Children Sit In Front Seats: It’s dangerous to let children sit in the front seat of your vehicle.  Air bags can seriously injure children.  Wait at least until the child is 13 years old.

4. Eating While Driving: Sure it makes a mess in your car, but it also can lead to accidents. Eating while driving causes tons of accidents every single year.  Wait until you get home to eat your meal.

5. Using High-beam Lights Under Normal Driving Conditions: It’s unsafe and dangerous to use your high-beam lights under normal driving conditions.  You can blind other drivers by doing this.  Use high-beam lights when there is no on-coming traffic.

6. Personal Grooming: Men, leave the electric razors at home.  Women, leave the makeup in your purse.  Distracted driving leads to accidents.  Give yourself enough time in the morning to get ready.

7. Speeding: Excessive speeding is dangerous to you and other drivers.  Plan your trips out, so you’re not in a hurry.  Also, excessive speeding hurts gas mileage.  Follow the speed limit.

What have you seen people doing behind the wheel?  Leave your comments below.

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Avoid These 5 Costly Mistakes When Buying Auto Insurance

There are several major mistakes that you will want to avoid when purchasing auto insurance.

Avoiding these five costly mistakes will help you save money in the long run, especially if you get into a car accident.

• Mistake 1: Focus Too Much On Price – Don’t get us wrong, price is important.  However, if you focus too much on price, you may not get the coverage that you need.  Listen to the coverage options when speaking to an agent.

• Mistake 2: Forget To Price Shop – Before you buy your insurance, you’ll want to make sure that you have thoroughly compared prices.  There are plenty of good auto insurance comparison websites on the internet.

• Mistake 3: Don’t Check For Discounts – If you want to save money, you need to remember to check to see if you qualify for any discounts.  Many insurance companies offer good driving discounts, multiple car discounts and more.

• Mistake 4: Buying Legal Limit – This is a big mistake.  Sure, you will save money.  But if you get into an accident, and you’re at fault, you’ll have to pay any difference that your policy doesn’t cover.

• Mistake 5: Forgot To List Other Drivers: If other people are going to be driving your car, be sure to have them listed on your insurance policy.  This will properly protect your vehicle in case of an accident.

By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll save money and have the peace of mind that you are properly insured.

Once you purchase the right insurance, be sure to take good care of your car or truck.  If you own a Toyota, you’ll want to use genuine Toyota parts such as Camry parts.  This will help to keep your Toyota on the road longer.

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