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The advent of smartphone technology has brought about a revolution that's changed every aspect of your life. With this sudden influx of convenience, it's only natural that you should think about using your smartphone in even more ways. One of these aspects is driving. With a number of apps, you'll make your drive not only easier, but also less stressful. Here are just a few of the latest apps that will turn your taxing commute into sheer bliss. 1. GasBuddy Have you ever purchased gas only to find another station down the road selling it for a dime cheaper? If so, you aren't alone. Luckily, GasBuddy takes care of this frustrating little problem. Using user-uploaded data, GasBuddy shows a list and map of every gas station in your area. From there, you can sort them by company, proximity, and price. GasBuddy also offers prizes and incentives for users that send their updates, making it a win-win whether you're a contributor or just a user. GasBuddy is a free app, and it's available on both Android and iOS. more 2. Trapster If you have a bit of lead foot, Trapster is a free app that helps you avoid speed traps along your journey. Using your phone's built-in speedometer, it shows you how fast you're going, the actual speed limit, and any places where state troopers and local cops are looking to bust you for speeding. It also has information on red light cameras and speed cameras. For traversing unfamiliar territory, Trapster is a must-have. Currently, it's available for both iOS and Android platforms. 3. greenMeter For drivers willing to fork out the $5.99 for this app, greenMeter is essential in building your driving efficiency. Using an easy-to-read meter, it shows you just how much your acceleration is killing your fuel economy. From there, it shows you your energy cost based on fuel consumption, money, and carbon emissions. This app is only available on iOS-based systems. 4. RepairPal In an ideal world, RepairPal wouldn't have much use, but with some mechanics looking to rip you off, it provides great insight into the world of car repairs. By logging into the app and inputting information about your car, RepairPal provides you with the average cost of the repairs in your area. Once you have a general idea of how much your repair costs, you won't have to worry about getting taken to the cleaners. RepairPal is a free app, and it's available for both Android and iOS. 5. PlugShare PlugShare is perhaps the app of the future when it comes to driving apps, yet it's limited to a small market until electric vehicles become more popular. Even so, PlugShare is a mandatory app for those with an electric car, as it maps more than 40,000 charging stations across the country. If you've ever stressed about your car running out of juice, PlugShare puts your worries to rest. This app is free and available for iOS and Android. Even if you're a bit of a technological laggard, don't get left behind in the driving app world. Instead, download these apps and you'll never get left in the dust. Image via Flickr by JeepersMedia (CC BY 2.0)

There are a number of safety features in newer vehicles designed to help you avoid locking your keys inside. Many have a system that won't allow the doors to lock when the keys are in the ignition. But even with these features, many people still accidentally find themselves outside the car without keys in hand. If you lock your keys in the car, follow these steps to get back on the road. Check Every Door Before you start digging around for tools to break into your car, be sure to check every door on the vehicle. It's possible that one of them is still unlocked, making it easy to climb in and grab the keys. Check the trunk too, because many cars offer access to the cabin through the trunk. Look for a strap or knob that you can pull to release the backseat and create a passageway into the car. But if all doors are locked and you can't get into the trunk, it's time to get resourceful. more Call for Help If you are a member of AAA or have other roadside assistance through your insurance provider, make a quick call to request help. Most roadside assistance providers have access to tools designed for getting into locked cars and can easily unlock the doors without damaging your vehicle. It may take some time for the person to arrive, but it's worth the wait if you don't have any other way to get into your car. Another option is to call a family member or friend who has access to a spare copy of your key. Keep one at home or work or give one to a friend who lives in your area so he or she can bail you out if you lock your keys in the car. Inflate the Area If you're a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional, you might have access to a blood pressure cuff. If not, it may be worth investing in a small inflatable device and keeping it in your purse or briefcase, since it allows you to get into the car without causing any damage. Simply slide the deflated cuff or inflatable through the gap near the window. As you slowly inflate it, it will create a gap that pushes the door away from the frame. From there, use a coat hanger or other long, skinny item to press the unlock button and open the door. Prevention First To prevent locking your keys in the car, make a habit of always checking for them before you press the lock button. If your car has a fob that locks the doors from the outside, only use that to lock the car so you know that you have it in hand. The odds are good that you will most likely lock your keys in your car at some point during your lifetime. But it doesn't have to ruin your whole day, especially if you have the tools available to get them back out. Image via Flickr by JoshBerglund19

You've probably had it happen at one time or another in your life. You stick the key in the ignition, turn it, and nothing happens. Or perhaps you've gone about your regular routine only to see smoke spewing from the engine of your car. Both situations provide a stressful and nerve-racking scenario, as your malfunctioning car costs you time and money. However, if you know exactly what to do when your car breaks down, you can avoid some of the headaches associated with the situation. The next time your car breaks down, follow these steps to avert a total crisis. Get Off the Road If you're lucky when your car breaks down, and I say lucky very loosely, you're already in a parking lot, your driveway, or somewhere out of the way of other motorists. If that isn't the case, you need to get your car off the road as soon as possible. Even if it requires a push or help from some good Samaritans, moving it off the road is just as important for your safety as it is for other drivers. Sometimes, you won't have this option because the car won't start. In this case, stay seated in the car, turn on your hazards, and call AAA or an auto body for help. more Alert Other Drivers When you break down, it's possible that no other people are available to help you. To flag down another driver, try placing a white cloth in your window to attract attention on top of turning on your hazards. Road flares and road cones are another great way to attract the attention of other drivers, even if it's just so they know to avoid your location. In addition, it gets the notice of roadside assistance services or law enforcement, which can help get you the help you need. Make a Phone Call Hopefully, you have a mobile phone to make a call to the proper organization or people. If you don't or if your phone is out of commission, you may have to walk to the nearest store or gas station. Either way, you'll need to call the local highway patrol, roadside assistance, family, friends, or towing company. Even if a towing company is your last resort, they'll often offer you a ride to the auto shop. Avoid Strangers You don't necessarily have to avoid strangers at all costs. Instead, just use common sense. If you're a female by yourself, you probably shouldn't take a ride from someone you don't know even if they seem like a good person. On the flip side, if you're six-and-a-half-feet-tall and 250 pounds, you have a bit more leeway when it comes to hopping into the car of someone lending a helping hand. However, if it's nighttime, you may just want to wait until the proper authorities arrive or a tow truck comes rather than taking your chances elsewhere. By following these steps, you can avoid any other catastrophes that may happen when your car breaks down. From there, get your car to a mechanic, and hopefully, the damage isn't as bad as it may seem. Photo by Percita | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

For the eco-friendly motorist, lowering emissions is a definite concern. While many of these people decide to buy a hybrid or an electric vehicle, others don't have the budget or means to go that route. However, there are several things you can still do to keep your vehicle's emissions at or below an acceptable level. By following a few simple tips, you can feel good knowing that you're saving the environment. 1. Drive Steady If you weren't aware, driving like a maniac isn't just unsafe, but also detrimental in terms of excessive exhaust. Accelerating rapidly or driving at high speeds actually burns through gas more quickly, spewing extra emissions into the air. To combat this problem, try slower acceleration, obey speed limits, and drive smoother in general. If you find yourself driving erratically when you're stressed or angry, pull over until you've got your emotions under control. Not only is it safer, but your wallet and the air will thank you. more 2. Do Proper Maintenance Whether its ignorance, forgetfulness, or something else, many drivers often overlook getting routine maintenance done on a regular basis. However, it's probably one of the most important tasks you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. If oil is left in the engine too long, it builds up sludge, which causes the engine to ignite improperly, as well as burn oil. Once your vehicle starts to burn oil, your car's emissions go up astronomically. In addition, air filters and fuel filters need a change about every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to keep your car running smoothly and preventing unnecessary and excessive exhaust. 3. Get an Emissions Test Numerous states and cities require older vehicles to undergo an emissions test once every year or two. However, newer vehicles, thanks to EPA guidelines, aren't held to the same standard. Nevertheless, if you suspect your car is giving off tons of smoke, it's in your best interest to take it in for an emissions test. Some mechanics or auto shops provide services to test your car as well. It's something that's inexpensive, yet makes a world of difference in the keeping your pollution to a minimum. 4. Keep Your Tires Inflated Keeping your tires inflated isn't only important in lowering emissions, but also maintaining an acceptable safety standard. Under-inflated tires don't grip the road nearly as well, causing the car to slip when turning or swerving to avoid an accident. From a pollution standpoint, under-inflated tires need more energy to move, causing the engine to work harder, and resulting in more emissions. Estimates show that the average driver needlessly burns an extra 144 gallons of gas a year as a result of improperly inflated tires. If you aren't sure how to fill your tires or what pounds per square inch (PSI) to fill them to, consult your vehicle owner's manual. With global warming and greenhouse gases severely impacting ocean levels and temperatures around the globe, it becomes increasingly important for you to become more environmentally responsible. By following these rules, you'll take your first steps towards reducing your carbon footprint, and providing a better tomorrow for everyone to enjoy. Image via Flickr by Adam Swank | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

Now that summer is officially underway many people will hit the highway for a family road trip. We don't want you to find yourself stranded on the side of the road, when you should be enjoying quality time with family, so follow these 5 essential summer road trip car care tips and it'll be smooth sailing to your summer destination! Squealing or vibrating brakes can not only be an annoyance, but that can also mean your braking capabilities are not optimal. Low tread on your tires can be dangerous in wet weather conditions, and no one wants to sit through a road trip without AC! And just like you, your engine needs to stay cool during the hot summer months and long hours on the road. You also want to be prepared in the event of an emergency, having an emergency kit, first aid kit and spare tire in your trunk is essential. Remember that at Priority Toyota Chesapeake, we are here for all of your vehicle service needs. Brakes, tires, AC system checks, engine coolant and much more. Give us a call today at 757-366-5000 and schedule an appointment today. You can also schedule your vehicle maintenance on our website by clicking here. As an added bonus we have a tire special going on right now - buy 3 tires and get the 4th tire for $1. Plus, eligible tires purchased at your Toyota dealership come with 24-month tire road hazard coverage. You just can't beat that. Check out all of our current service and parts specials today! *tire offer: Toyota and Scion vehicles only. Run flat tires excluded. Must present coupon when order is written. Plus tax & shop supplies. Not valid with any other offer Must be installed at time of purchase. Valid only at participating Toyota Tire Center dealers. Buy three tires at the Toyota suggested retail price. Get the fourth for $1.00. Fourth tire must be of equal or lesser value. Prior sales excluded.

There's nothing more important than the safety of your children, so it's only natural that this extends to your car. However, it's more than just getting the best safety features for your car. If you aren't sure where to start, check out a few of these kid-friendly essentials to ensure the safety and comfort of your children. more Diaper Bag Before getting into features that come with the car, don't forget about the necessities. Taking a diaper bag with you on any trip is the first measure to take, as it comes with all the things you need if your child decides to act up or makes a mess. Stock your diaper bag full of diapers, clothes, toys, wet wipes, pacifiers, snacks, and anything else you might need. If all else fails, try keeping an extra emergency diaper bag in the car. Extra Cargo Space As you've assuredly seen on television and in numerous advertising campaigns, having a child pretty much takes care of owning a two-seater sports car or any other sports car for that matter, unless you have the money and means for it. Regardless of your situation, you're going to need a car with a large trunk, a minivan, or an SUV to haul around all the kids' stuff. Remember that strollers, diaper bags, and your own stuff take up a ton of space, and you won't realize it until you've packed it all in. For this reason, hatchbacks are often the preferred choice of new parents. Sunshades Although you could just put some sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses on the child, which makes for a great Facebook photo opportunity, a better way to protect them from sun is buying a sunshade. These handy shades are typically hung from the window either through suction cups or clinging naturally, keeping the sun's harmful rays from becoming overbearing. This is an absolute must if you live in a sunny climate. Music and Videos Thanks to some great technology features, many family-friendly vehicles are now equipped with TV screens in the backseat. Located in either the front headrests or a pull-down version, these are invaluable when you're stressed and your child is being bratty. With this, you can put on their favorite video and keep them quiet until you reach your destination. Music is another distraction to keep your kids in line, so make sure to have their favorites on hand. Active Safety Features As if you don't have enough to worry about already, you still have to focus on driving with your kids in the car. That's where active safety features become invaluable. Features such as blind spot assist, a rearview camera, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning are great ways to make you aware of what's on the road, even if there are a few distractions. You don't have to have all of these in your car to take care of your child, but it's definitely easier. The more of these you have, the easier it is to multitask, and you'll ultimately end up at your destination safe and sound. Image provided by Shutterstock

Let’s face it, when it comes to car servicing and maintenance we don’t always stay as on top of things as we should. We are all guilty of waiting until the last minute to take care of things like oil changes, general checkups, and having our tires balances, rotated, or outright replaced. Unlike other required maintenance, tires are one of the few things that warn you well ahead of time when they need some attention. Here are the warning signs your tires need some serious attention to avoid an accident, poor gas mileage, and extra wear and tear on your vehicle. Tread Wear The easiest way to determine if you need to replace your tires is by checking the tread on them. What makes this so easy is because you can do it with a penny. Quickly check the treads on your tires by placing a penny into the tread with Abe Lincoln’s head facing down. If any of Lincoln’s head is visible, your tread is bordering on being unsafe. If all of Abe’s head is showing, it’s time to get new ones. more Bulges or Cracks When a tire begins to lose pressure or deflate, you’ll notice a slight bulging out on the sides. This lets you know there is either a slow leak, low tire pressure, or needing to take notice of how you drive and the impact that has on your tires. Cracks in the sidewall or anything else that looks weird could be indicative of poor tire quality or rough roads/driving and should be taken in immediately. Vibration Vibration or thumping is never a good sign when driving. Unless you are on a particularly rough stretch of paved road, off-roading, or driving on dirt and gravel there is no good reason why vibration should occur. If vibration is coming from under your seat then your rear tires could be off-balance. If you feel vibration from the steering wheel then you could have issues with your suspension.   Image via Pixabay

Statistics show using mobile devices while driving increases your risks for car accidents by as much as four times. Using phones and other devices while driving puts the driver at risk, as well as everyone on the road around them. Several companies are hoping to reduce the number of distracted driving accidents through the use of apps. Drive First App by Sprint Available for Android phones, Sprint created the Drive First app to disable some of the phone’s features when it detects it is in a moving vehicle. When people call you, the calls will automatically go to voice mail.  Text message alerts will be silent, and the app will automatically respond to anyone who texts with a message that says you’re driving and unavailable. DriveSafe.ly App If you absolutely can’t miss a potential message, the DriveSafe.ly app will read text messages and email messages out loud in real time so you can listen while you’re driving. It is available for Blackberry, iPhone, Android, and Windows phones. FleetSafer App Designed for commercial fleets, the FleetSafer App is available for Windows, Blackberry, and Android. Phones with the software will automatically lock themselves while driving to prevent texts, emails, and phone calls. Auto-reply messages will be sent to any incoming texts and emails to let people know you are unavailable at the moment. Don’t Drive Distracted If you don’t want to go through the trouble of installing an app, you can always get into the habit of turning your phone on silent mode whenever you get behind the wheel.   Image via Pixabay

Some dogs like riding in the car so much that they know how to spell “ride”! Traveling with your dog safely requires a few precautions. Here’s how you can take Fido for an R-I-D-E while keeping both the passengers and the dog safe in the vehicle: Don’t let the dog roam freely. Dogs who can roam around the car are a distraction to the driver. If you get into a car accident, have to slam on your brakes, or corner sharply, the dog can get thrown around and injured. Put your dog in the backseat. Just like children, the backseat is the safest place for your dog because of the front airbags. Dogs are less distracting to the driver when they travel in the backseat, too. Secure pets with a crate or safety latch. Use a crate to keep your dog securely in place, or purchase a pet safety latch designed to work like a seatbelt for dogs. Don’t leave dogs in the car alone. When it’s warm outside, the inside of a car heats up quickly. Dogs quickly become overheated in a car even if the temperature feels comfortable outside. Tips for Keeping Your Dog Comfortable on Road Trips If you’re going for a lengthy ride, bring along a leash so you can stop frequently and take the dog for a walk. Even if your dog doesn’t normally need a leash, you will want to use one while traveling. Traffic and new sights or sounds can spook a dog and the last thing you want is for your dog to run away while you’re parked at a rest stop.   Image via Pixabay

As we put the dog days of summer behind us and head into the fall and winter seasons, it’s time to prepare your car for the colder months. Many car maintenance tasks you can do on your own, but feel free to call our service department and schedule an appointment if you would like us to help you prepare your vehicle. Check Engine Fluids, Belts, and Hoses If your vehicle is due for an oil change, make sure you take care of it. Check transmission fluid to see if you need to add more. Take a look at all of your belts and hoses and see if they are worn and in need of replacement. Check your antifreeze level to see if you need to replace it or add to it. Check the Heater Before it gets cold, make sure your vehicle’s heating system is working properly and that the defroster turns on. You don’t want to wait until it’s cold and you need heat before you learn it’s not working! Fuel More Frequently If you break down in the colder months, you want to have enough fuel to run your vehicle and turn on the heat as needed until help arrives. Don’t run your fuel right down to the fumes when it’s cold – keep it fueled up and ready to go, just in case. Check Tire Pressure Fluctuating temperatures causes the air in your tires to condense or expand. If your vehicle doesn’t give you a tire pressure reading in the dash, make sure you check the tire pressure regularly to see if you need to add air to any of your tires before you drive on them. Image via Pixabay

Your glove compartment is the ideal place to store things you may need while traveling. While tempting, you should not keep your vehicle’s title and registration in the glove compartment. If your car is stolen, the thief will have an easy time selling the vehicle for cash if he or she is in possession of the title. It’s a law to have proof of insurance in almost every state. Put your insurance cards in the glove compartment in case you get pulled over and need to show the officer you have insurance. It’s a good idea to keep your vehicle’s owner manual and maintenance schedule in your glove compartment, too, in case your dashboard starts displaying some interesting symbols and you need to look up what they mean. more If you or your family members have any medical conditions, allergies, or take medications, keeping a list in the glove compartment is important in case you are in a car accident and can’t communicate the information. Make a list of emergency contact numbers. You may have them stored in your cell phone, but you never know if your battery will fail or if you will forget the phone and need to call someone for help. It’s also important in case you are unable to communicate after an accident, and someone else needs to call your family on your behalf. Keeping a small pad of paper and a pencil in the glove compartment is handy, particularly if you get into a car accident and need to exchange insurance information and contact information with the other drivers. If you still have room in your glove compartment, try adding a small flashlight, a few napkins or travel wipes, a few plastic shopping bags in case you need trash bags, and a first aid kit.   Image via Pixabay

Your tires are extremely important to your vehicle.  Not only do they make the car move, but also they affect fuel efficiency and safety.  This is why vehicle owners must take proper care of their tires, or else they could suffer a dangerous blowout, or be spending more money on fuel than needed.  Here are a few tire maintenance tips that we feel every vehicle owner needs to follow in order to keep them rolling in tip-top condition. Rotate the Tires Regularly Your tires should be rotated every 5,000-7,000 miles, or what the owner’s manual recommends. During a rotation, each wheel and tire is removed and the put back in a different position on your vehicle.  This ensures that the tires wear evenly and last longer. more Maintain Proper Pressure In order for your tires to perform optimally, to be safe, and to provide proper fuel economy, they must be inflated to the proper pressure. Every month drivers should check their tires, when the tires are cool, with a pressure gauge. It is difficult to tell by sight if a tire is under- or over-inflated, so a properly working gauge is necessary.  If you’re not sure what the pressure should be, check the owner’s manual.  Sometimes these numbers can be found in the doorjamb, fuel hatch or glove box.  If you have a tire pressure monitoring system in your vehicle, do not ignore any alerts. Avoid Excessive Spinning If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being stuck in the snow, mud, ice or sand, avoid spinning your tires to try and break free. If you get the tires spinning too fast, they could actually explode or shoot out debris that will hurt a bystander.  It will also wear them out tremendously. Instead, use a gentle back and forth rocking motion to free your vehicle, and never exceed 35 mph. Contact our service department if you have any questions or concerns about your vehicle’s tires.   Image via Pixabay