Toyota Maintenance Tips: Keeping Your Vehicle in Top Shape

When it comes to long-term reliability, Toyota vehicles are hard to beat. Nevertheless, owners must recognize the importance of routine maintenance. Getting your vehicle serviced at the recommended intervals should be a top priority. Here are a few key tips to extend the life of your ride.

Keep Up With Oil Changes

Few maintenance items are more important than an oil change. Getting this service done on time can help your engine last for years to come. To find the correct mileage to bring your vehicle in for an oil change, check the vehicle owner’s manual. You can also contact your local service center.

Regular Air Filter Changes

Make sure to change the air filter. When this part becomes dirty, your vehicle’s performance can suffer dramatically. The engine is also forced to work harder than necessary, which may result in increased wear and decreased fuel efficiency. If your car is beginning to feel sluggish, there’s a good chance the air filter needs to be replaced.

Prevent Engine Overheating

Overheating can ruin an engine within minutes. This is why keeping your vehicle’s cooling system healthy is so critical. Coolant plays an important role in regulating engine temperature even during the peak of winter. You could be dealing with a leak if the coolant level is continuously low. A Toyota technician will need to properly inspect the system. Some common leak sources include cracked hoses, worn water pumps, and bad radiator caps.

Know Your Vehicle’s Maximum Towing Capacity

If you plan to use your Toyota truck or SUV for towing, find out its maximum towing capacity. Attempting to pull a load that’s too heavy can cause several problems. For starters, you could cause transmission overheating. The last thing you want is for this expensive powertrain component to fail. Towing beyond the vehicle’s limits can also overstress the brakes, which is a serious safety hazard. You won’t be able to stop as quickly during emergencies.

Use Genuine OEM Parts

It may be tempting to use cheaper aftermarket parts. Unfortunately, most of these components are inferior in terms of overall quality. They are far more prone to prematurely failing, thus causing you to spend even more money in the long run. To ensure that your vehicle remains dependable, always use genuine OEM Toyota parts. Not only are these parts built to last, but they also come with a legitimate warranty.

Call Us Today

If you want to know more about keeping your Toyota in shape, contact our service department at Peter Boulware Toyota. Our certified Toyota automotive technicians promise to take care of your ride.