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There are few things that you could do that would be as good for you as spending some time in nature. City planners understand this and promote the preservation of natural wildlife areas and parks. Virginia is full of parks and forested areas where you can get out and spend some time in the natural Virginia environment. It is a great way to improve your health and add some excitement to your life. Here's a look at how you can walk on the wild side at one of these parks. Dismal Swamp State Park With a name like Dismal Swamp State Park, you would think that it would be a horrible place to spend your time. However, it is anything but dismal. You can explore the park while looking for wildlife or hiking, but the most popular activity is to go canoeing or kayaking on the Dismal Swamp Canal. You will find that you are rarely alone on the canal as most people use canoeing or kayaking as a way to relax and explore the area with relative ease. more You can rent your equipment at the park or bring your own. In the visitor center, you can find exhibits and tours that will teach you more about the area. Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge If you want to spend more time checking out the wildlife in the area, then stop in at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. It is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the area and is nearly 112,000 acres in size. The park is home to many species that would be endangered in the area. You can explore the wildlife refuge by boat or on foot to get a good look at the animals that live there. Oak Grove Lake Park Near the Volvo Parkway, you can find the Oak Grove Lake Park. The park contains a lake and an ampleopen space that is perfect for outdoor activities and parties. It is about 65 acres and has tables and benches for picnics. There is a large trail that stretches about 1.5 miles and loops back to the beginning so that you can get back to where you started easily. Along the trail, you can get a good look at the foliage or stop at any of the six workout stations. Exercising like running, walking, and biking are encouraged on the trail, and many people use it as a means of staying in shape when the weather is nice. Spending time outside can be a lot of fun if you know where to go. Visiting these parks can be more enjoyable when you have a vehicle that can take everything that you need with you. You should visit Priority Toyota of Chesapeake to see if a new vehicle can make a big difference in how you enjoy the great outdoors. There are many 2018 and 2017 models to choose from that are made just for people who like to explore nature.   Image via Pixabay.com

Finally, it is prime beach season again, and it is time to start taking trips around Virginia Beach again. There are plenty of things to do around Virginia Beach regardless of your age. With so many things to do, you can have a full summer just exploring your options. Here is a look at all of the things that you can do including riding the waves at Virginia Beach Virginia Aquarium For anyone that can't get out on the ocean and ride the waves, you can get a good look at what is below the water's surface at the Virginia Aquarium. The Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on most days. The exhibits include in-person exhibitions and educational movies that give you a deeper look at ocean life. If you want to see animals in their natural habitat, you can take the Dolphin Discoveries Boat Tour out onto the water to meet dolphins. more Oceanfront District The Oceanfront District covers a large part of Virginia Beach and there are plenty of beach activities for you to do. The Rudee Inlet is open for a wide variety of water activities. Fishing is a major attraction since you can catch large and small fish most of the year. There are ramps up and down the beach that make it easy to get your boat in and out of the water. You can also charter boats from different vendors for reasonable prices. You can spend the night around the Rudee Inlet as well with a host of dining and lodging options for a watery vacation. Virginia Beach Boardwalk If you want something to do during the day with your whole family, check out the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The Boardwalk has been a major tourist attraction for decades and continues to give you a range of attractions that can be fun for your family. You can find the usual carnival attractions that are usually on a boardwalk, but there are also restaurants and other attractions. You can check out the Virginia Legends Walk, which features exhibits for some of Virginia's most notable people including Thomas Jefferson, Robert E. Lee, and Edgar Allan Poe to name a few. This summer, you should plan a trip to check out the different things that you can do in Virginia Beach. There are things to do for everyone in your family and you can have a great time regardless of when you come over. Before you head out, stop by Priority Toyota of Chesapeake. There are new 2018 models of some of Toyota's best vehicles on the lot, as well as plenty of 2017 models. Even if you want to keep your current car, you can have the service department look it over to make sure that it is in good shape. That way, you won't have to worry about your car making the trip. Stop by and take one for a test drive today--after checking out these fun sites.   Image via Pixabay.com

One of the best ways to learn about something new is to find a place where it is on full display in your area. While there are plenty of places that you can find like that, museums are often the best way for you to learn about a specific topic. They carefully curate exhibits that give you a deeper look into each subject and can show you detailed examples from the past. If you are interested in learning about something new, exploring history, and taking in the culture of an area, check out these three museums near Chesapeake. Hampton Roads Naval Museum Naval history is expansive with a lot to cover in the past and in the present. That is why you may want to take a trip to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the U.S. Navy and the history of ships. The museum hosts social and educational events for the community including local military personnel. The museum is currently planning a Lego Ship Build to recreate the USS Maine entirely from Legos. You can get involved with any of these events by registering online over the phone. more The Hermitage Museum & Gardens You can take a deep dive into art and various crafts at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. It is located at 7637 North Shore Road. The Hermitage focuses on providing a wide selection art exhibits as well as a collection of arts-related classes for you to learn various crafts. The museum includes a visual arts studio where you can check out a range of multimedia exhibits and facilities. If you want to learn more about crafts that involve nature, the museum grounds also house 12 acres of curated gardens. Over the summer, the museum has classes in the visual arts studio. You can learn more about photography, paper arts, painting, and ceramics among other topics. The museum also hosts summer camps for kids in the area that are interested in arts and crafts. The Children's Museum of Virginia If you have kids and you need somewhere to go for vacation, you can check out the Children's Museum of Virginia. This museum is entirely dedicated to the education of children and the exploration of child-related themes. For example, the museum is currently planning an exhibit that explores the history and development of fairy tales. It is a great exhibit for kids, since it's interactive, and can be fun for parents as well to learn more about the stories that they grew up with. Visiting museums can be a lot of fun. Going to museums gives you the opportunity to learn about things beyond our daily lives that would, otherwise, be inaccessible. Although it is an educational experience, you can have a lot of fun as well. This summer, plan to visit as many museums as you can when the driving weather is nice. Make sure that you stop by Priority Toyota of Chesapeake as well to see what new cars are available that can make your museum trips more comfortable.   Image via Flickr by Boris Dzhingarov under use of CC BY 2.0 /Cropped from original

For the last few years, the Toyota RAV4 has become more popular among drivers that prefer SUVs over other car options. The Toyota RAV4 offers a combination of the right features with good performance and affordability. That makes it the right option if you want a smaller SUV for daily driving. If you think you could see yourself with a small SUV instead of a car, here are four things to love about the new 2018 Toyota RAV4. The Adventure Trim Package One of the first things that you'll notice about the 2018 Toyota RAV4 is there is a wide range of packages to choose. The one that stands out the most is the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure package, which gives it a new look and many of the features that you will want for off-road adventures. It comes with rubber floor mats that are weather resistant and easy to clean. The exterior gets a new paint job options with a distinctive hood strip. There is an optional tow package as well that will let you tow up to 3,500 lbs. It has many upgraded components to give you better performance no matter what you come across. more Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) Another standout feature of the RAV4 is the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) package that comes standard on many of Toyota's newer vehicles. It is a collection of safety features such as Toyota's Lane Departure Alert system that also has steering assist, which can help you stay in your lane. You'll also get access to many of Toyota's driverassist technologies like the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which manages your cruise controls speed so that it can react to traffic in your lane and adjust your speed automatically. Driver Modes You'll also like the fact that the RAV4 comes with a drive mode selector that lets you modify its performance. It comes with an Eco mode that improves fuel efficiency while still giving you a comfortable ride and a Sport mode that focuses on higher performance. If you are driving the RAV4 hybrid, there is an EV mode as well that lets you run on battery power as long as there is not a need for the gas engine. Integrated Navigation Another feature that you will like is the integrated navigation options. You can choose from two sound system options for the best quality, and both options come with integrated navigation. You have a choice between two Entune systems with different speaker configurations. The navigation system is easy to use and can easily replace a standalone unit or your cell phone with better results. Toyota's RAV4 is a taking a step forward with a redesigned interior, exterior, and features list. If you are looking for a smaller SUV that can combine the performance of a sedan with the versatility of an SUV, the RAV4 is one of the best choices available. The best way to see if it is a good fit for you is to test drive it yourself. Visit Priority Toyota of Chesapeake to test drive the RAV4 and see how it can change your driving experience for the better.   Image via toyota.com

It is nearly that time of year again, the time where the hot days of summer roll in, and there will be a lot to do in the Chesapeake area. The weather is getting better, and people want to get out of the house to enjoy themselves. There will be plenty of events planned throughout the spring and the summer that you and your whole family can attend. If you will be in the Chesapeake area this summer, here is a look at the three best summer events in the Chesapeake Area. Summer Stars by the Chesapeake Planetarium This summer, the Chesapeake Planetarium will host the “Summer Starts” exhibition, which is a great way to learn more about astronomy. Planetariums offer a unique look at the stars without the need for expensive viewing equipment. Under the guidance of skilled specialists, you can get a detailed look at the changing skies during the summer as well as some of the history, mythology, and discoveries made over the past few centuries. “Summer Stars” is presented every Thursday at 8 p.m. more Food Trucks “On the Square” Throughout the summer, you can find a local food truck rally at Courtyard Square Park in Chesapeake. They are there every first and third Wednesday of the month starting in April until mid-September. The trucks will be available from 4 p.m. until sundown, which gives you plenty of time to stop by and check them out. You'll also find activities and games for kids as well as live entertainment. The Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, and Tourism department is working with several local foundations to support the growing food truck economy in the area, and the results are great food at affordable prices. The lineup of food trucks will change throughout the summer, so you should stop by a few times to see what new options become available. Movies & More Series The Movies & More Series hosted by the city will show movies throughout the summer and fall. Every Saturday at 6 p.m., you can catch a new movie at Western Branch Park. The Astro DJ will lead the party until the sun goes down. On July 21, you can catch the first viewing of Despicable Me 3. Your whole family will have a good time hanging out on the lawn for the pre-party and the movie. You can bring a chair or a blanket to sit on, and the weather will be nice for a night outside with your family. Traveling around the Chesapeake area for fun family events this summer can be a great way to try new things with your family. You will need a vehicle that can easily transport your family and everything that you need. Toyota has plenty of options to choose from like the Toyota RAV4 and the or the 2018 Toyota Camry that give you a reliable and comfortable driving experience. If you're in the market for a new set of wheels, stop by Priority Toyota of Chesapeake. You can test drive many of the new models and see just how a new Toyota can make driving this summer more enjoyable.   Image via Flickr by Bayfordbury Observatory under use of CC BY 2.0 /Cropped from original

One of the most common reasons people end up stuck on the side of the road waiting for emergency roadside assistance is because something happened to their tires. Whether you had a nail in your tire or have a tire blowout, it can be stressful and sometimes frightening. If you notice where the tire wear is on your tire, you might be able to prevent further damage to your vehicle through proactive maintenance, as tire wear patterns happen for a reason. Here are some signs of tire wear to look for so you can hopefully prevent the need for emergency roadside assistance. Scalloped Tires If you see scalloped dips on the surface of your tire's tread, this is a reason to bring your car to the auto shop for proper inspection. This could be a sign of worn suspension, shock absorbers, or unbalanced tires. If left unfixed, this can permanently damage your tire and cause you to drive without the proper suspension you need. more Inner Edge Tread Wear If your tire is only worn on the inner edges, this can often be an easy fix. This means that the inside of your tires is wearing out faster than the rest of your tires. When you bring your car into the shop, the technician will look for the most common reasons why your tires would wear out this way. This includes negative toe and camber. Worn Outer Edges If your tires are mostly worn on the outer edges, this can be a sign of under inflation. Either you aren't keeping your car's tires to the manufacturer's specifications for your vehicle or you keep re-inflating a tire when your tire pressure light comes on without realizing there's a hole in your tire. Depending on the reason behind why your tire is underinflated, the technician will either need to replace or patch the tire. Worn Out Center If your tire is overinflated, you may wear out the center of your tire more quickly than the rest of your tire. Overinflated and underinflated tires mess with your car's fuel economy and performance, as well as the lifespan of your tires. It is worth the time spent checking your tire pressure, especially before going on a long road trip. Some drivers are more prone to overinflated and underinflated tires when the seasons change, since air expands in the heat and condenses in the cold. Feathered Tires If your tires are feathered, with some tread ribs smoother on one side and sharper on the other, it might be time to get an alignment done. If your alignment is off, your tires will experience uneven wear because of where the pressure is incorrectly sitting. A simple alignment might be enough to correct it. Fortunately, most problems that cause your tires to wear unevenly can be fixed quickly and affordably. It is important to pay attention to your tires to see if you can notice any early signs that something is amiss with your car.   Image via Pixabay

Spending a weekend at a bed and breakfast can be relaxing and rejuvenating. You can meet new people, explore an exciting city, and stay in one of a kind accommodations. Here are five Chesapeake area bed and breakfasts worth exploring the next time you want to plan a short weekend near home. The Mermaids' Porch Bed and Breakfast The Mermaids' Porch Bed and Breakfast is located at 497 North Street in Portsmouth. It is a romantic bed and breakfast known for friendly service and a kind Innkeeper's Assistant named Jack, who happens to be a dog. Nestled in historic Old Towne Portsmouth in a Queen Anne Victorian home built in the late 1800s, the atmosphere is homelike yet upscale with a piano and a fireplace in the living room. The bed and breakfast offers room packages and a military discount. more Barclay Cottage Bed and Breakfast Located at 400 16th Street in Virginia Beach, the Barclay Cottage Bed and Breakfast is only a few blocks away from the water. The bed and breakfast prides itself on being relaxing and romantic. Close to many of the area's best attractions, including beaches and museums, the bed and breakfast offers a shuttle service around the area to make it easier to get around. These accommodations tend to fill up for holiday weekends, so if you want to make reservations for a three day weekend, it is best to book your room in advance. Beach Spa Bed & Breakfast The Beach Spa Bed & Breakfast is an optimal place for relaxation. Located at 2420 Arctic Avenue in the popular Virginia Beach area, this bed and breakfast makes it easy to relax with cozy rooms, hundreds of high definition TV channels, and massages. Many guests claim that the breakfast at the Beach Spa Bed & Breakfast with mimosas and several different courses is among the best they have had. Glen Coe Inn The Glen Coe Inn is located at 222 North Street in Portsmouth, just off the Elizabeth River. Its location makes it easy to explore the Old Town Portsmouth area, with its nearby cultural and arts scene. The owner is known to be friendly and easy to talk to, maintaining clean rooms in a historic setting. For some visitors, the best part is that the breakfasts are healthy and fresh, making it easy to eat at least one nutritious meal on vacation. The bed and breakfast is beautifully landscaped, with Scottish influences in the architecture of the home. Despite being in a home built in 1890, the bed and breakfast provide modern amenities, such as high-speed internet access. These bed and breakfasts are just some of the excellent options in the Chesapeake area for you to choose from. Each offers a different and relaxing way to treat yourself and to explore the area. Unlike a hotel where you generally know what to expect, you never know who you'll meet or what breakfast will be prepared at one of these wonderful inns.   Image via Pixabay

Virginia's rich historical past and beautiful scenery offer its residents and visitors unlimited opportunities for discovery. For a taste of history and a glimpse of beauty, check out these tours near Chesapeake. The Battleship Wisconsin Tours Come aboard one of the largest and last battleships built by the U.S. Navy. Named in honor of the 30th state and launched in 1943, the USS Wisconsin departed for the British West Indies in 1944. After its initial training and shakedown cruise out of Trinidad, the ship returned home for repairs and alterations. Since then, it earned five battle stars in WWII and one in the Korean War. Nested in Nauticus since 2000, it is now part of the maritime museum and offers tours to the public. A free self-guided tour of this massive "City at Sea" will take you through the infrastructure of the battleship. You will see its original hotels, restaurants, city government and post office buildings, phone company, law firm, medical offices, churches, banks, and shops. more Today, for an additional $20 fee, Wisconsin is offering tours of previously forbidden areas. The Guided Engine Room Tour will take you seven floors down inside the ship, into the engine room where you will learn how the ship was powered. During the Guided Command and Control Tour, you will visit the captain and admiral's cabins, combat engagement center, flag bridge, navigation bridge, and quartermaster's space. These tours last 60 and 90 minutes respectively. Make sure you are fit enough to climb steep ladders and can tolerate small spaces. Norfolk Helicopter Tours by Hampton Roads Helicopters Adventure seekers can check out aerial tours of Norfolk. The helicopter can take up to four passengers, allowing one person to sit next to the pilot and the others in the rear. During the Christmas season, the Holiday Lights Tour will take you over some of the most beautiful displays of lights in Norfolk. For the most mesmerizing natural sightseeing, pick the Dismal Swamp and Norfolk Tour that will fly you over the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. For an extra shot of adrenaline, ask for a tour with the doors off! These tours last an hour and cost $275 per person, with a discounted rate for each additional passenger. Monticello Wine Trail Tour This luxurious historical tour will take you back in time. It starts early in the morning and leaves from Virginia Beach or Hampton and goes all the way to the Monticello Wine Trail. It's a relaxing day full of live historical entertainment and includes a complimentary breakfast with fruit mimosas and an 18th-century Southern “Midday Fare” luncheon. In the afternoon, you will tour a historic Michie Tavern, the home of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. The tour will also stop at local private vineyards where you will get a taste of unique wines. Many shopping opportunities will be available at every stop along the way. This tour lasts almost 12 hours and costs $250 per person. Whether your style of exploring is active or more leisurely, one of the tours near Chesapeake is sure to fit you well.   Image via Pixabay by pasja1000

The U.S. may not be as ancient as some of the other places in the world, but we still have a rich and fascinating history. If you're a history buff who loves wandering through museums, old buildings, and significant cultural places, you're going to dig Chesapeake, Virginia. We at Priority Toyota Chesapeake are proud of our unique heritage and look forward to sharing it with you. These are three historic places near Chesapeake that are definitely worth a visit. Fort Monroe Casemate Museum Fort Monroe is the biggest and one of the oldest stone forts in the U.S. Originally, it was used to protect the Hampton Roads Waterway from possible attacks from the enemy. Inside the fort is the popular Casemate Museum, which pays tribute to the fort's military history. more Completed in 1834, the museum is home to the room where Jefferson Davis was briefly held as prisoner after the Civil War. One of the most intriguing aspects of the museum is how it honors the “Contraband of War,” which was a military act that granted slaves sanctuary at the fort. This is how Fort Monroe got the nickname of the “Freedom's Fortress.” Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum If you enjoy trains, then the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum is a must-see attraction for you. It has an extensive collection of artifacts from the Seaboard Airline Railroad along with items from the Norfolk Railroad, Virginian Railway, and the Western Railroad. It also contains some fascinating items from the Danville and Atlantic Railroad. You'll see intriguing antiques such as railroad lanterns, bells, tools, dishes and silver items from the fancier dining cars of days gone by, and even old marketing signs and collectibles. Kids of all ages enjoy the many cool model trains on display. Virginia War Museum The importance of our American military history is clear when you visit the Virginia War Museum. Established back in 1923 by the American Legion Post #25, this museum showcases an incredible array of war memorabilia, including uniforms, recruiting posters, guns and other weapons, soldiers' personal items, military vehicles, and more. It covers the years of 1775 all the way to modern times. Have you ever laid eyes on the Berlin Wall? You can see a piece of it at the Virginia War Museum as well as a portion taken from the outer wall of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Not to be forgotten, there is an art gallery that pays tribute to Women at War and highlights the roles of many important women who contributed to American wars. Museums are a great way to learn about our history. They also tend to put our present and future into a different perspective. They remind of where we've been and how we got here. Reminiscing about important aspects of our history makes us feel more grateful for the things we have and the things we've accomplished as a nation. It brings us all closer somehow. That is why we recommend visiting these three historic places near Chesapeake.   Image via Pixabay by tevyaw

The small town of Chincoteague is only seven miles long and three miles wide. That's why its visitors are always amazed at the abundance of activities that this place offers to them. With plenty of fun activities on land and on the water, Chincoteague seems to have it all. The Island City On the Eastern Shore of Virginia is a small island of such beauty that they call it a paradise island. Over a million of people from all over the country travel thousands of miles just for a glimpse of its pristine bountiful nature. Ponies run free here, and dolphins jump on the ocean waves and play with seagulls. Miles and miles of fine white sand cover the island's gorgeous and award-winning beaches. With its unbelievable sunsets, the island is the most tranquil and beautiful escape from a busy life. It is a dream place for all nature-loving and outdoorsy people. more The Wildlife Refuge The island is the gateway to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most visited nature preserves in the United States. The refuge was established in 1943 as a habitat for migratory birds. Today, it covers over 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest and offers a habitat for many wildlife species, like waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, song birds, and plants. The refuge management works tirelessly to protect endangered species and to conserve local wildlife and plants. The Chincoteague Refuge is popular for birdwatching, fishing, hunting, and exploring the wilderness and wildlife. The refuge offers wildlife tours and miles of hiking and biking trails. The Ponies Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is home to the world-famous Chincoteague ponies. To this day, it remains a mystery how the ponies arrived on the island. Most popular and romantic legend of the ponies' origin tells how ponies escaped a sinking Spanish ship, swam to the island, and made the island their home Every summer, thousands of people come to the island to for the annual Pony Swim. This island tradition is accompanied by various activities that last all week long. During this time, the island is busy with festivals, farmer's markets, carnivals, cinema and theater performances, and pony auctions. Dining With the Atlantic Ocean right there, it is no wonder that Chincoteague Island is famous for its fresh seafood. Here, you can even harvest your seafood fare with your own hands. Many restaurants are family-owned and offer elegant waterfront dining along the Chincoteague Bay. Etta's Channel Side Restaurant, for example, overlooks the Assateague Channel and Lighthouse. Most menus feature clams, oysters, scallops, crabs, and fish. For such popular indulgences like finger-picking crab feasts and all-you-can-eat seafood, try Steamers restaurant. Non-seafood entrées feature hand-cut fine steaks and poultry dishes. After dinner, it is highly recommended to go for a real treat at one of Chincoteague Island's fine ice cream parlors like Island Creamery, which bakes its own waffle cones. A full day on Chincoteague Island might prove to be not enough for this small but rich place. After your first glimpse, you might realize how much more you still have to see and do here.   Image via Flickr by grelock under use of CC BY-SA 2.0 /Cropped from original

Everyone knows that it's important to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. After all, it's probably one of your largest investments in your entire lifetime. Unfortunately, as we try to juggle work, family, fitness, and friends along with the plethora of other things we should be doing, regular car maintenance often gets forgotten. Taking good care of your car not only helps it run better and last longer, but it could also save you a great deal of money. We at Priority Toyota Chesapeake want your car to stay in the best possible condition. This is a checklist for keeping your 2018 Toyota Camry, or any other car for that matter, purring like a kitten. Always Get Scheduled Service Checkups The most important thing to remember is to always get scheduled service checkups. Ask the dealership where you purchased your Camry when your scheduled car maintenance services should be, or check the owner's manual. Typically, scheduled maintenance involves inspecting all the systems of your car and replacing any needed parts. Scheduling service through your favorite auto dealership ensures that you always get genuine parts, and professional expertise. You'll also get a documented service history that's helpful for you and for anyone who buys your car in the future. more Get Regular Oil Changes This is one of the simplest — yet most often forgotten — part of good car maintenance that will keep your vehicle running at top performance. Also keep in mind that failing to get the oil changed when you're supposed to could void your manufacturer's warranty.  Keeping your cooling system in good condition is also vital, so you might as well get a system flush the same day as the oil change. The technicians will also check your car's pumps, fluids, hoses, and belts. Replace the Air Filter For older vehicles that have the old-style carbureted engines, replacing the clogged air filters on a regular basis will improve fuel economy and help your engine last longer. Replacing clogged air filters on newer models of automobiles can improve acceleration. Next time you have to really punch it to get around that slow moving truck, you'll be happy to have a clean air filter. Inspect Your Tires Whether you invest in a good tire pressure gauge or use the one at a gas station, it's important to check your tire pressure regularly. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Most tires have a good manufacturer's warranty, so if they start to wear down too fast or show signs of problems, take them back to the place you purchased them. They might still be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Sometimes, trying to remember when to schedule maintenance on your automobile seems like a big hassle. Fortunately, if you're a Toyota owner, you can registering for a Toyota Owner's Account. This helps the experienced technicians at Priority Toyota Chesapeake keep accurate track of your service records. We can even call you to remind you that it's time for schedule service.   Image via toyota.com

Experts say that the Toyota Tacoma is like an edgy teenager, full of energy, adventure, and character, but not quite as sophisticated as its full-sized brother. Its best known for its off-road abilities and trail-ready package, featuring rugged equipment. The Tacoma provides flexibility with multiple powertrain options and various body configurations. It also has a reputation for outstanding safety features, at a practical price. We at Priority Toyota Chesapeake are impressed with the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, and we think you will be too. This is everything you need to know about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma. Trim Options The Tacoma is best when taken on the road less traveled, and the TRD Off-Road model was made for adventurous types like you. With either a five- or six-foot bed, and a double cab, it easily seats four large guys. It's perfect for camping and fishing trips into the mountains. It is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic. Other standard equipment on the TRD Off-Road includes an electronically locking rear differential, tough and smooth off-road shocks, and an intuitive 7.0 infotainment center with touchscreen. more Infotainment Center The 2018 Tacoma has the same infotainment system as it did in the previous year model. The Entune system features navigation, a USB port, one 12-volt outlet, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice commands. Safety Where the 2018 Tacoma really stands out is with its impressive list of safety features. The NHTSA gave it four out five stars for an overall safety rating. It was also rated as good on all crash tests. It has a long list of standard safety features to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. The safety package includes automatic emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and the convenience of automatic high beams. There's still more, such as the lane departure warning alerts, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, which is available only on the Sport model and higher. Exterior Toyota gave the 2018 Tacoma some minor cosmetic updates which vary, depending on the specific trim. The SR and SR5 have stylish new grills. The TRD Sport and TRD OffRoad come with a cool looking mesh grille, while the popular Limited has a new satinchrome looking grill. Toyota also introduced some new paint colors, like Midnight Black, which somehow makes it look even tougher than it already is. The bed of the hearty truck is ready for the worst sort of weather because it's made completely of composite material, which will keep it free of rust. Everyone loves the new 2018 Tacoma, and just one test drive and you'll understand why. We invite you to the dealership to check one out personally. It handles nicely and is everything you expect from a good truck. From the roomy interior to the extraordinary safety features, to the 7.0 infotainment touchscreen, it's a solid truck and a great value. We even have some great financing options available that make it easy to own your very own.   Image via toyota.com