Is your car ready for Winter?

 

1.  Check your battery.  Getting stranded in the cold with a dead battery is no one's idea of a good time.  If you have a maintenance-free battery, there should be a window on the top of the battery that tells you the state of it's charge.  If it's not, check the fluid levels, and top off with distilled water as necessary.  if you're not sure how to check your battery, most any auto parts store will be able to check it for you.

2.  Check your tires.  While a dead battery can leave you stranded, balding tires on snowy and icy roads can lead to a much more dangerous situation.  If you live in an area that gets a significant amount of snow, you may want to consider snow tires.

3.  Check your wiper blades.  Going cheap on your wiper blades or ignoring them can lead to very unpleasant driving in the winter.  Bad wipers can't do an adequate job of keeping the snow and ice off of your windshield, no matter how high you have the defrosters blasting.

4.  Check your fluids.  Check your owner's manual, but for most vehicles, the cooling system should be flushed every two years.  If your vehicle is overdue, prior to winter setting in is as good of a time as any to have it taken care of.  Also, refer to your owner's manual to find what type and what mixture of anti-freeze you should be using.  You will also want to keep your windshield washer fluid full, using a fluid that is designed for not freezing in the cold weather.  If you get stuck behind a truck throwing dirty snow at your windshield, you will be glad you did.  As always, change your oil regularly.

5.  Keep your vehicle supplied.  Normal emergency materials are key for the winter.  If you do get stranded on the road, you want other driver's to be able to see you.  Roadside flares are not excessive to keep on hand.  Keeping extra warm cloths, gloves, and a blanket or two are always good ideas as well.  Be sure to have lock de-icer on hand- and keep in mind that it doesn't always help to have it in the car.  Some in your house, and some at work are a great idea. 

6.  Care for the interior of your car.  In and out of the snow, ice, and salt can be particularly rough on your carpets.  Be sure to have at least an inexpensive set of floor mats for your car.  Better yet are the kind that can hold the water and keep it away from your carpets completely.

7.  Let your car warm up (and revving your engine doesn't really help).  Keep in mind, though, thieves are excellent at watching for cars that are running but unattended.  Have an extra door key that you keep on you and lock the doors while it is warming up, even if you are at home. 

8.  Be safe.  Allow extra time to get where you are going, leave plenty of space between you and the driver in front, and use good common sense.  It's better to arrive a few minutes late than not at all. 

2016 Toyota Prius

The new 2016 Toyota Prius

     The 2016 Toyota Prius made its debut in Las Vegas, and it's almost impossible to find anything the car and the tourist destination have in common. One is obsessed with saving you money, while the other, well, not so much. There is, however, a number the two share: 3.5 million. That's how many people visit Vegas per month on average, and that's how many Priuses Toyota has sold globally since launching the hybrid almost two decades ago.  The Prius is still the best-selling hybrid out there, but competition is getting fierce. The current Prius is already efficient with an EPA rating of 51/50/48 mpg, but Toyota promises the fourth-generation 2016 Prius will be even more.

 

   Toyota did say the new Prius will be at least 10 percent more efficient, which means it should return around 55 mpg combined. Toyota did say the new Prius will be at least 10 percent more efficient, which means it should return around 55 mpg combined. The final result is what Toyota describes as "easy on the eyes." The dramatic boomerang-style taillights are reminiscent of the ones found on the hydrogen-powered Mirai, while blacked-out C-pillars give the Prius the "floating roof" effect that seems to be gaining steam nowadays. The headlights also get the boomerang treatment, contrasting with the relatively simple grille that likely benefits aerodynamics.

  

 

   Inside, the Prius retains its center-mounted instrument panel with a redesign and sharper display screen. The center stack features a simple tiered layout for the infotainment system, climate controls, and the gear selector and drive mode buttons. Materials appear to be improved, and Toyota says the cabin will be quieter. Another significant tech upgrade is the available Toyota Safety Sense system. The package includes automatic high-beams, a pre-collision system, a lane departure alert system with steering assist, and a radar-based adaptive cruise control system.





While you're waiting for the new Toyota Prius to hit dealerships, shop our current Prius inventory at www.smarttoyotaquadcities.com or visit our showroom located at 1501 E. 53rd St. Davenport, IA 52807 where you can speak with one of our Toyota Certified Sales Consultants. We look forward to hearing from you.



The new Toyota Tacoma

   It has been more than a decade since we’ve seen any major updates to the Toyota Tacoma, and that’s because it works. For 2016, Toyota is looking to modernize its midsize truck without upsetting its rugged simplicity. All-new, hot-stamped body panels reduce weight and look more aggressive. The interior has softer-touch materials and a new dash layout to accommodate a new array of electronic aids. The biggest change, however, is that the 4.0L V-6 has been replaced with an Atkinson-cycle 3.5L V-6 with port and direct fuel injection for better efficiency and more power. This new motor sounds complicated and will have to prove itself worthy of the Tacoma’s reputation for indestructability, yet it is necessary to stay competitive with the rejuvenated Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Unlike the GM twins, Toyota will still offer a manual transmission on four-wheel-drive models.



Shop our current Toyota Tacoma models at www.smarttoyotaofquadcities.com or visit our showroom located at 1501 E. 53rd St.Davenport, IA 52807 and speak with a member of our Certified Toyota Sales Team. We look forward to serving you!