5 Tips For Giving Your Toyota a Long Life Inside and Out

For decades, drivers have opted to stay loyal to the Toyota brand because of its legendary reliability: these are cars that, properly cared for, can last for a very long time. The key to maximizing the life span of your Toyota relies, however, on the properly-cared-for part. While Toyotas are great cars that can run perfectly for many years, they require regular maintenance, just like any other vehicle.

Your first step, of course, is to schedule service at Beaverton Toyota to regularly maintain your vehicle. There’s more you can do, though, to ensure your Toyota has a long life. Follow these tips to keep your car in tip-top shape both inside and out.

1. Keep Up With Your Oil Changes

As long as you’ve been a car owner, you’ve known that regular oil changes are a part of the deal. However, even though you’re aware of their importance, you may not have stopped to consider the why of the matter. What does the oil do in your car? Why is it so critical that it’s changed regularly? Is it okay to delay oil changes if you just don’t have the time?

The motor oil that you put into your vehicle’s engine actually has several critical jobs. The first and most obvious is that it serves as a lubricant for the many moving parts in the engine, including valves, pistons, and cylinders. By lubricating these elements, it reduces heat buildup caused by friction. It also absorbs heat energy in its own right, helping to prevent the vehicle’s systems from overheating.

Over time, the oil in your vehicle will become dirty, as it carries away chemical deposits and helps to keep your engine clean. Eventually, it will become depleted. This is why regular oil changes are necessary. Fail to do so, and the oil that’s in there will turn into sludge, ultimately causing the car to seize up, blow a gasket, or fail catastrophically in some other way. Change the oil in your car regularly to avoid this and extend your car’s life.

2. Protect Your Car From the Sun

The ultraviolet radiation of the sun will eventually do a number on your vehicle, both inside and out. Over time, sunlight causes paint molecules to break apart, making the vehicle seem to age prematurely and appear worn out ahead of its time. Darker colors absorb more UV light than lighter ones do, meaning that darker paint jobs will begin to wear out faster. Regardless of the color, however, eventually, the result will be the same.

This is true of the interior of the car as well: ultraviolet radiation will eventually wear out the upholstery. There are several preventative measures you can take to slow the damage. The first is to simply avoid parking in the sunlight whenever possible. If you are at home during the day, park your vehicle in the garage or carport or in the shade of a tree. Even better, you can opt to purchase a car cover if your vehicle will remain parked outdoors for longer periods of time.

3. Check the Tires Often

The health of your tires has a direct effect on the fuel efficiency—not to mention safety—of your Toyota. Periodically check to make sure that the tires are maintaining the correct pressure and add a little more air if they seem low. You’ll also want to check the tire treads periodically. You can do this by placing a penny in the top of the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then your tires are wearing out and should be replaced.

Having your tires rotated periodically by the Beaverton Toyota service department will slow the wear and tear that naturally occurs over time. Don’t delay replacing the tires when necessary, though—the safety of the vehicle and its occupants depends on them.

4. Vacuum Regularly

Over the years, the inside of your car will take a beating, as dirt, sand, and mud are tracked inside, not to mention snow and slush during the winter months. Most cars have also seen their share of spilled drinks and food particles, in addition to all the usual dirt and grime. Avoid some of this wear and tear by placing mats down on the car floor. These can absorb most of the detritus that gets tracked inside. When the mats become dirty, they can easily be taken outside and cleaned.

It’s also important to vacuum the inside of your vehicle regularly. Many types of dirt and liquids can have a corrosive effect on the upholstery and shouldn’t be left for any length of time. Take a few extra minutes to wipe down the dashboard and clean the inside windows as well.

5. Have a Great Place to Take Your Car in for Maintenance

Of course, maintenance is more than just an occasional oil change. Even though you will work to care for each of the individual elements of your vehicle, over time they will wear out and need to be fixed or replaced. Sometimes, the repairs that are necessary will be obvious and sometimes they won’t. It’s crucial to have a great mechanic that you trust to keep your car in tip-top condition.

By far the best option is to look for a place with a great rewards program like CLEAR Care, which is available at Beaverton Toyota. As you spend money on maintenance, you’ll earn rewards points, which can then be put toward your next service visit. For example, spend $500 on maintenance, and you’ll receive $25 in rewards points. With these, you’ll be able to save money on the regular maintenance that your car requires anyway. Essentially, it’s a program that pays you to care for your vehicle.

Tags: Clean Car, Oil Changes, Tire Care, Tire Maintenance
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