Maintaining your Toyota over time is important for several reasons. It keeps the vehicle safe, improves its reliability and performance, saves you money on expensive repairs down the line, and increases its resale value! Here are six tips for keeping your Toyota in top shape.
Get Regular Oil Changes
Maintaining the correct amount of oil in your Toyota’s engine helps keep it lubricated and prevents overheating. Whether you do it yourself or take it in to the dealer, change the oil at the recommended interval in your driver’s manual. You might need to change your oil more frequently if you drive in heavy traffic, dusty conditions, or for short trips that don’t allow the engine to warm up.
Replace the Air Filter
An air filter prevents contaminants and debris from getting into your Toyota’s engine and must be changed periodically. A dirty filter can lower your Toyota‘s fuel efficiency, reduce engine performance, and lead to higher engine emissions. If you need to replace it with a new one, check your owner’s manual or have a vehicle technician show you how to access and inspect it visually. You might need to change it more frequently after long road trips or if you drive in stop-and-go traffic.
Stick to the Recommended Fuel
When filling up with gas, always choose the fuel type with the recommended octane rating for your Toyota. Again, you can find this in the owner’s manual. Using lower-octane fuel can reduce performance and fuel efficiency and cause engine damage. Using higher-octane fuel is likely just a waste of money.
Use Car-Friendly Cleaning Products
When detailing your Toyota, make sure you’re using products that are appropriate for car surfaces. Reach for car wash soaps, waxes, and drying towels that won’t harm your Toyota’s paint job. Clean off potentially harmful blemishes such as insect bodies and bird droppings before they have a chance to damage the paint. Proper cleaning supplies will help keep your car looking as shiny as the day you drove it off the lot!
Take Care of Your Tires
Your tires have more impact on your car’s condition than you might think, so you’ll want to take steps to keep them in top shape. Check the tire pressure regularly — particularly between changes in season or temperature. Under- or overinflated tires can affect fuel economy, comfort, and handling. You can do this with a simple tire pressure tool or through your Toyota’s built-in tire-pressure-monitoring system. Look for the sticker inside the driver’s door to find your tires’ recommended pressure.
Also, have your tires rotated and aligned regularly. This will help them last longer, keep you safe on the road, and contribute to better fuel economy.
Clean Your Wheels
Any time you notice that grimy-looking brake dust starting to gather on your wheels, use water and a soft sponge to clean it off. Brake dust is comprised of iron, carbon, and dirt than can permanently stain your wheels if left on too long.
Keep your Toyota looking and feeling like new with these DIY and regular service tips. Basic maintenance keeps you safe and your car running smoother, and can also improve the vehicle’s resale value!
Image via crash71100 | Licensed under CC0 1.0
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