How to Extend the Life of Your Toyota Vehicle | Toronto, ON
Toyota vehicles are built to last, but you can do even more to ensure that you’re still driving your car for many more years. Consider these tips for extending the life of your Toyota!
Regular maintenance
The easiest way to keep your Toyota driving for a long time is to stay up to date on its scheduled maintenance recommended in the owner’s manual. This includes a handful of routine services as well as things that are necessary after a certain number of miles driven. Services that you can get done at Downtown Toyota include, but are not limited to:
- Oil changes (with filter replacement)
- Fluid checks for transmission, windshield wiper, coolant, and more
- Brake service for brake pads, brake fluid, and rotor resurfacing
- Check Engine light investigation
Check on the tires
Your Toyota’s tires also need special attention in regards to upkeep and maintenance. Because the tires are what help you grip the road, keeping them in good shape means you’re driving safer. Some things to consider with the tires includes:
- Filling with air to the proper PSI
- Inspecting for bulges, cracks, or excessive wear
- Replacing tires when the tread is low
In addition to maintaining your all-season tires, you can also make the switch to winter tires at Downtown Toyota. Winter tires are specifically made for extremely cold temperatures and have grooves that improve traction. Check out our Tire Centre to see the wide variety of tires we offer!
Routine Cleaning
Did you know that rust can cause irreparable damage to your vehicle? While Toyota models are made with strong materials, a large amount of rust can still eat away at metal in the engine, cause leaks in certain areas, and more. The best way to keep rust at bay is to regularly clean the exterior of your vehicle. Built-up road salt on a car will eventually eat away at the paint, so be sure to stay on top of washing during the winter, too.
While you’re unlikely to find rust in the interior, it’s still important to clean your car’s cabin. Invest in all-weather floor mats to protect the carpeting and be sure to vacuum regularly. Wipe down surfaces to remove dust, dirt, and oil from places like the dashboard and steering wheel. Don’t forget those tiny nooks and crannies like cup holders and behind door handles.
Even if you don’t plan on keeping your Toyota for very long, maintaining its exterior and interior will be beneficial when it’s time to trade it in or sell. The better looking a car is, the more it is likely to be worth when you want to upgrade to another great Toyota vehicle!
Driving habits
Your driving habits play a direct role in how your Toyota performs. If you’re constantly slamming your foot on the gas pedal or taking turns too quickly, you may want to reconsider how you drive for the sake of your Toyota.
Hard braking can cause the brake pads to wear down faster, which opens up the possibility of the rotors getting damaged without you knowing. Not only is this dangerous, but it can be quite costly, as you’ll need to get more repairs done than what is expected.
The same goes for acceleration. Fuel economy is affected by how you drive, and if you are more conservative with speeding up and your overall speed, you have a better chance at achieving peak fuel efficiency. Stop-and-go traffic is sometimes unavoidable — especially here in Toronto — but many of our models come with Stop/Start engines to battle this.
Bring your Toyota to our Service Department at Downtown Toyota in Toronto, Ontario, for a thorough inspection and any necessary repairs. We’ll do our best to help your vehicle last for a long time to come!