Are Aftermarket Parts Safe For Your Toyota?

This is a loaded, but important question.

There are plenty of aftermarket parts and accessories for your Toyota.  But are they better than Toyota OEM parts and accessories?  More importantly, are they safe?

The answer is complicated.

There are plenty of aftermarket parts that are perfectly fine for your Toyota.  Many of the parts do an adequate job.  However, do the parts allow your Toyota to run at its best?  In many cases the answer is no.

This is because the engineers who designed the Toyota vehicles did not make the aftermarket parts.  There have been instances where aftermarket parts do not properly fit a vehicle.  With OEM parts, you don’t have to worry about this because the manufacturer made them.

This is not to say that all aftermarket parts are bad.

But why should you take the risk, when there are so many OEM parts available on the internet at comparable prices?

When it comes to your Toyota, it’s better to play it safe and go with the OEM parts.  They may sometimes cost a little more, but it’s worth the investment.  Your vehicle will run better and be on the road longer.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for Toyota Camry parts or Toyota Tundra parts, go with the OEM parts.

What type of parts do you buy for your Toyota?  Leave your comments below.  We would love to hear your opinions on this issue.

Related posts:

1. 7 Winter Driving Tips To Keep You Safe
2. The Truth About OEM Parts
3. Signs That It’s Time To Tell Your Car To Shove It

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

Our Favorite Toyota Super Bowl Commercials

With the Super Bowl this weekend, we thought we’d share some of our favorite Toyota Super Bowl commercials.

You’ll see the new “reinvented” Camry, Eli Manning and angry badgers in these commercials. Sit back and enjoy the commercials.

2012 Super Bowl Commercial

This one involves a funny take on the all-new “reinvented” Toyota Camry.

Eli Manning Toyota Commercial

If you’re rooting for Eli Manning and the Giants, you’ll want to check out this commercial. Eli recreates “The Catch” with a Toyota dealer.

2009 Super Bowl Commercial

This Toyota Super Bowl commercial features a Corolla, badgers and a cannon. What else do you need for a great commercial? How about some genuine Toyota Parts? Okay, that was a shameless plug.

These are a few of our favorite Super Bowl commercials! What are your favorite commercials? Leave your comments below.

Related posts:

1. The Best Toyota Vehicles For Large Families
2. The Best Features In The 2012 Camry
3. The Best Forums To Talk About Your Toyota

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

How to Decide Which Prius is Right for You

The Toyota Prius sure has changed since it first went on sale in 1997.

Toyota has sold millions of these hybrid vehicles and has introduced several model variations.  These models include:

• The Prius 3^rd Generation – This is your standard Prius that we all know and love.  It gets 51/48 mpg.

• The Prius Plug-In – This Prius is a cross between a hybrid and a plug-in car.  It gets 87 mpg in electric mode and 49 mpg in hybrid mode.

• The Prius v – This hybrid offers a little more space than the standard size Prius.  It’s a little longer and wider than a standard Prius.  It gets 44/40 mpg.  You can call it the family sized Prius car.

• The Prius c – This is a compact hybrid.  It’s not on sale in the United States yet.  It’s expected to hit U.S. dealerships within the next year.

So how do you decide which Prius is right for you?  Answering these questions will help you decide.

• What is my budget? – This is a very important question to ask yourself.  Base prices for the 3^rd Generation Prius start at $23,000.  Whereas base prices for the Prius Plug-In start at $32,000.

• How Much Space Do I Need? – The Prius v provides the most space, while the Prius c has the least amount of space.  The standard Prius 3^rd Generation has an adequate amount of space for small families.

• How Much Do I Drive? – Answering this question will help you determine which trim and accessory options you’ll want for your Prius.  Also be sure to consider your budget.

Following these steps will help you find the right Prius.  Once you get your Prius, be sure to use genuine Toyota parts.  You can find genuine Toyota Prius parts online at great prices.

Related posts:

1. Is A Plug-In Car Right For You?
2. Detroit Auto Show Gives Light to Future of Prius Brand 
3. 2011 Toyota Prius Ships to Select Cities and Businesses

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

The Best Car Accessories To Keep You Warm This Winter

If there’s one thing that people hate about winter it’s being cold.

Whether it’s scraping ice of your windshield or waiting for the heater in your car to warm up, no one likes freezing in their car.

To make your winter driving experience more bearable, here are a few accessories that will help keep you warm this winter.

• Remote Starter – A remote starter can come in handy on those cold winter days.  With a remote starter, you can start up your vehicle from the comforts of your home.  This is a great way to warm up your car on those cold days.

• Seat Warmers – These are a must for any vehicle.  In the old days, you could only get seat warmers in luxury vehicles.  Now, you can get them in just about any car.  If you’re looking to upgrade the seats in your Toyota, you’ll want to talk to someone that specializes in Toyota OEM parts.  They’ll be able to tell you if it’s possible to install in your Toyota.

• Heavy Duty Floor Mats – Heavy duty floor mats keep your car nice and dry, and in the process, keep your feet warm.  If you get a lot of snow in your area, you may want to consider a set of heavy duty floor mats for your Toyota.

• Heated Wiper Blades – These are great time saver, so you don’t have to freeze while scraping ice off your windshield.  You’ll keep your hands dry and warm with heated wiper blades for your car or truck.

All of these accessories will help keep you warm this winter.  What winter accessories do you have in your vehicle? Leave your comments below.

Related posts:

1. The Best Accessories For Your Toyota Sienna
2. The Top 10 Toyota SUV Accessories
3. How To Prepare Your Toyota For Winter

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

How To Select The Right Snow Tires

Finding the right set of snow tires can be a difficult process, especially if it’s your first time.

To help you find the right snow tires for your Toyota, we recommend that you follow the tips below.

• Read Your Owner’s Manual – Reading your owner’s manual will help ensure that you get the right size tires for your vehicle.  You’ll find the right size tires for your Toyota in it.

• Know Your State Laws – State have different laws involving snow tires.  If you’re thinking about getting studded tires, make sure they are not illegal in your state.  You can find great information about snow tires in your state here.

• Look at Tread Patterns – You’ll really want to take a look at the tread patterns of the tires.  You’ll be able to tell the difference between all-season tires and snow tires.  Snow tires really grab hold of the road during the winter months.  All-season tires have some trouble doing this.

• Ask About Tire Storage – Some places will store your regular set of tires during the winter months.  This is a great option.  That way, you don’t have to worry about lugging different sets of tires to the tire shop.

• Shop Around – Visit a few stores to examine their selection.  You may want to visit several stores that sell genuine Toyota parts.  Many times they sell quality tires and are very knowledgeable about the best tires for your Toyota.

• Review Online Forums – There are plenty of great online forums for Toyota owners.  Some of our favorites include: Toyota Nation, ToyotaOwners.net and ToyotaFans.net.  These are great places to ask questions about snow tires.

Following these tips will help you find the right set of snow tires for winter!  Do you have snow tires on your vehicle?  What brand of tires do you prefer?  Leave your comments below.

Related posts:

1. The Best Forums To Talk About Your Toyota
2. How To Tell It’s Time For New Tires
3. How To Prepare Your Toyota For Winter

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

The Best Toyota Vehicles For Large Families

When it comes to finding the right vehicle for your family, Toyota has plenty of options.

Here are some of our favorite Toyota vehicles that are great for families.  These vehicles are great for carpooling, family vacations and more!

Toyota Sienna – The Toyota Sienna is one of the best-selling minivans on the market today.  It has won the Motor Trend Minivan Comparison Test and has some of the best steering and handling.

The Toyota Sienna comes with some great accessories including rear-seat entertainment.  Also, Toyota Sienna parts are easy to find.  You can learn more about the Sienna by watching this video.

Toyota Land Cruiser – The Toyota Land Cruiser has plenty of space for long road trips with the family.  When it comes to Toyota SUVs, the Land Cruiser has everything in it.  Options include:

• Voice Activated Touch Screen DVD Navigation System
• Six Disc CD/DVD Changer
• XM Radio
• iPod Connectivity

These are just a few of the features available in the Land Cruiser.

Toyota 4Runner – The Toyota 4Runner is a great option for families looking for an SUV at a great price.  The 4Runner is one of Toyota’s most popular SUVs.  They’re very reliable, and it’s very easy to find Toyota 4Runner parts.

In this video, you can see how you can pair your smartphone with the 4Runner navigation system.

These are just a few options.  What Toyotas do you think make the best family vehicles?  Leave your comments below.

Related posts:

1. The Best Features In The 2012 Camry
2. The Best Forums To Talk About Your Toyota
3. The Best Accessories For Your Toyota Sienna

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

How To Find Cheap Toyota OEM Parts

There’s a myth about Toyota OEM parts that needs to be corrected.

Many people think that OEM parts are too expensive for their car or truck.  This is NOT true. In many cases, you can find genuine Toyota parts at nearly the same price as generic Toyota parts.

All it takes is a little online research.

To find cheap Toyota OEM parts, you need to search online sites like Google or Bing.  Thanks to the internet, there is more competition for Toyota parts straight from the manufacturer.

It’s not like the old days where you had to buy parts from the dealer near your home.  This means a great savings for you.  Most importantly, you’re getting better quality parts.

If you want to find cheap Toyota OEM parts, we recommend taking the following steps:

• Step 1: Search the Internet – Doing a simple Google search will help you dig up tons of Toyota parts dealers across the country.  Just enter a search term such as “Toyota OEM parts” or even a specific model such as “Toyota Sienna parts.”

• Step 2: Compare Prices – As you visit the different sites, be sure to see how parts prices compare.  Remember to also look at shipping charges.  Some may offer certain shipping deals at different times throughout the year.

• Step 3: Follow on Social Media – Some parts stores have profiles on Facebook and other social media sites.  Become a fan on these types of sites.  A lot of times they’ll offer special discounts.

Following these three steps will help you to find the best prices on genuine Toyota parts.  To find great Toyota OEM parts, visit Toyota Parts Center.  There, you’ll find lots of quality Toyota parts.

Related posts:

1. How To Use Facebook To Find A New Car
2. The Truth About OEM Parts
3. How To Select A Good Repair Shop For Your Toyota

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

The Best Features In The 2012 Camry

There’s been a lot of buzz about the new 2012 Camry and the noise is well merited.

The new 2012 Toyota Camry has been redesigned and there are a lot of great features.  If you haven’t seen the new Camry, watch the video below:

Now that you know what the 2012 Camry looks like, here are some things that we like about it.

• Great Engine – You have the option of a 2.5 liter four-cylinder or a 268-horsepower 3.5 liter V6.  The Camry gets an estimated 25/35 miles per gallon.  Not bad!

• Great Options and Accessories – The new Camry is packed full of technology.  Remote keyless entry, Bluetooth controls, touchscreen options and steering wheel mounted audio are just some of the great optional features and accessories.

• No. 1 in Safety – The 2012 Camry has lots of great safety features including a blind spot monitoring system as well as the industry leading front and rear side airbags, stability control and more.

• Apps in Your Camry – If you like the apps on your smartphone, you now can have them in your Toyota.  Entune is an integrated system that includes many of popular apps such as Pandora music and Bing internet search.

These are some of our favorite features in the new 2012 Camry.  What do you think of the new, redesigned Camry?  Leave your comments below. When looking for Toyota Camry parts be sure to use Toyota OEM parts.

Related posts:

1. 2012 Toyota Tacoma is, you guessed it, “Refreshed”
2. 2012 Camry Reworks a Proven Classic
3. Camry Hybrid Rose:a Brilliant Compliment to the Vehicle

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

The Best Forums To Talk About Your Toyota

Online forums are a great place to talk about your Toyota with other owners and enthusiasts.

If you have questions about a repair or need a recommendation about genuine Toyota parts or accessories, online forums are the place to do it.  Here is a list of some of our favorite Toyota forums.

• Camry Forums – This is one of the better Camry forums on the internet.  If you’ve got questions about your Camry, there are plenty of Camry owners on this forum to help you.

• PriusChat – This is the top online resource for Prius owners.  There is a lot of great information on the Prius.  There are thousands of informative posts owners.  It’s definitely worth checking out.

• Toyota Nation Forum – This is the No. 1 Toyota forum on Google.  Toyota Nation Forum covers all things Toyota.  There is a wealth of information on this site.  It’s got pictures, repair tips and more!

• Tacoma World Forum – If you want to talk about the Toyota Tacoma, this is the best place to do it.  This forum is dedicated to the Toyota Tacoma.  It has a great Tacoma photo gallery.

• Toyota 4Runner Forum – Got questions about your Toyota 4Runner?  You’ll want to visit the Toyota 4Runner Forum.  This forum is highly organized and has a lot of excellent discussion topics.

• Toyota Owners Forum – This forum doesn’t have as many users as some of the others, but it has great information for all Toyota owners.  You’ll find some great discussions on Toyota Tundra parts, repairs and more!

Where do you get your information about Toyota?  Share your comments below.

Related posts:

1. How To Select A Good Repair Shop For Your Toyota
2. Use IH8MUD.com to Find Out Anything You Want to Know About Your Car or Truck
3. Edmunds.com – A Great Place for Car Buyers, Owners or Enthusiasts!

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

The Best Accessories For Your Toyota Sienna

If you’re looking for a great family vehicle, you can’t go wrong with the Toyota Sienna.

It’s won Motor Trend’s Minivan Comparison Test and has some of the best power, handling and steering.  There are also a lot of great Toyota Sienna parts and accessories.

If you’re looking for some great accessories for your Toyota Sienna, here are some of our favorites.

1. Rear Seat Entertainment – Keep your kids as well as adult travelers occupied with videos and video games with the rear seat entertainment system.  The video monitors mount to the back of the front passenger and driver seats.
2. Cargo Organizers – Keep things neat with the innovative Toyota cargo organizer for the Sienna.  The Sienna accessory features bins that allow you to keep things neatly organized.
3. Remote Engine Start – This is great for those cold winter days when you don’t want to go outside.  Start your Sienna from the comforts of your home with the remote engine start.
4. Roof Rack – This is perhaps one of the most overlooked Toyota Sienna accessories.  A roof rack comes in handy for those long road trips and ski and sled trips during the winter.
5. All Weather Floor Mats – Another accessory option you may want to consider is all weather floor mats.  These mats will keep your interior protected during winter as well as after soccer practice.  They’re a good investment.

These are some of our favorite Toyota Sienna accessories.  When buying parts and accessories, go with Toyota OEM parts.  They’re better quality and match the look of your minivan.  Do you own a Toyota Sienna?  What do you think of it?

Related posts:

1. Great Interior Accessories And Items For Your Toyota
2. The Top 5 Vehicle Accessories For Any Football Fan
3. A Preview of Popular Aftermarket Accessories for Toyota

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

7 Winter Driving Tips To Keep You Safe

Winter is one of the most dangerous times to drive.  That’s according to Forbes Magazine.

To help keep you safe, follow these winter driving safety tips.

1. Drive the Speed Limit – Take it slow during the winter.  According to the NHTSA, speeding is a factor in 30 percent of all traffic accidents.
2. Drive During the Day – It’s harder to see slick and icy patches at night.  The NHTSA says 49 percent of fatal crashes happen at night.
3. Completely De-ice Your Car – Remove all snow and ice from your vehicle.  It will improve visibility and keep you safe.
4. Repair Your Vehicle – Winter is not the time to put off major repairs.  You never know when you might get stranded on the side of the road.  Use quality Toyota Tundra parts or quality Toyota Camry parts if you own either of those vehicles.
5. Pay Attention to the Road – You should never drive distracted.  During the winter, you should pay extra attention to this rule.  Don’t text while driving.  Keep the cell phone in your pocket.
6. Keep Safe Distances – In the winter, try to keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.  For winter driving, AAA recommends an 8 to 10 second stopping distance.
7. Watch the Weather – Check the weather on TV or online before you go out.  If it looks bad and it’s dark outside, postpone the trip until the weather conditions are better.  It’s not worth the risk.

Following these seven tips will help protect you during the winter.  Have you ever been in a car accident during the winter?  What happened?  Leave your comments below.

Related posts:

1. The Top 5 Teenage Driving Mistakes
2. Registration open for Toyota’s Free Safe Driving Program
3. Summer Driving Tips That Will Keep Your Family Safe

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun

Understanding Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Your vehicle identification number, also known as your VIN, is something you may have to dig up from time to time.  It’s a 17-digit unique serial number that identifies your vehicle.

You may need it if you’re buying car insurance or if you’re buying Toyota Tundra parts or other genuine Toyota parts.

How to Find Your VIN

Your VIN can be in one of several places.  Look for your VIN on:

• The driver’s side of your dash
• The inside of your driver’s side door

Additionally, you may want to check your vehicle registration as well as the vehicle title and registration.

What Does the VIN Mean?

Those 17-digits actually mean something.  This blog had a great diagram of a Toyota VIN.  You can see the VIN underlined in red below.

Here’s our translation of this VIN.

• Digit #1 – This represents the country where the vehicle was manufactured.  1, 4 and 5 represent the United States.  2 is Canada.  3 is Mexico.  J is Japan.  K is Korea.  S is England.  W is Germany.

• Digit #2 – This tells you who actually manufactured the vehicle.  T would be Toyota.  A would be Audi.  B would be BMW.  It goes on like this.

• Digit #3 – This digit will tell you the type of vehicle.

• Digits #4-9 – These give background information about the vehicle such as body type, transmission type, etc.

• Digits #10-17 – These cover model years as well as the manufacturing plant location.

This is everything you need to know about your VIN.  Take a look at your VIN and unlock its secrets.

Related posts:

1. How To Eliminate Awful Smells From Your Vehicle
2. The Top 5 Vehicle Accessories For Any Football Fan
3. Camry Hybrid Rose:a Brilliant Compliment to the Vehicle

Toyota Parts Blog

Toyota Fun