There you are driving down the highway with your friends and you’re looking at the sunshine and blue skies and can’t wait to make it to the beach, or the hike , or wherever your adventure takes you and then all of a sudden you hear a pop and just like that you watch your summer road trip deflate as fast as your tire is! Now you’re freaking out because it’s really hot without the AC and no one knows how to change a tire, and did you mention it’s really freakin’ HOT! Stay calm, it’s going to be okay. In fact, I am going to give you a couple of pointers that will have you back on the road in no time!

Make sure before you leave for a long trip that you have a spare tire that is inflated to proper air pressure. This will save you from having to inflate the tire on the spot or have your car towed in general.

1. The first step is to pull over and find a safe stop to change the tire:

• Once you’ve realized your tire is flat do not abruptly stop, reduce speed and scan the surroundings I get it the highway isn’t the safest place to change a tire and you don’t really have a lot of options, I get it! Never attempt to change your tire on a narrow shoulder near oncoming traffic. Keep moving (slowly) until you find a safer spot.

2. Turn on your hazard lights:

• Turn on your “flashers” which will help other drivers see you on the side of the road, which help avoid an accident!

3. Apply the parking brake:

• Once you’ve completely stopped moving, apply the parking brake. This will help minimize the possibility of your vehicle rolling when replacing the tire.

4. Apply the wheel wedge:

• Wheel wedges go in front of or behind the tires to further ensure the vehicle doesn’t roll while you fix the flat tire. If you’re changing a rear tire, place these in front of the front tires. If your flat tire is at the front, put the wheel wedges behind the rear tires.

5. Remove the hubcap:

• If your vehicle has a hubcap covering the lug nuts, it’s easier to remove the hubcap before lifting the vehicle with the jack. If your lug nuts are exposed, you can skip this step.

6. Loosen Lugnuts:

• Using a wrench twist the lug nuts counterclockwise until the become loose enough to twist off

7. Place the jack under the vehicle:

• The right place for the jack is usually beneath the vehicle frame alongside the tire that’s flat. Many vehicle frames have molded plastic on the bottom with a cleared area of exposed metal specifically for the jack. To safely lift and avoid damage to the vehicle, follow the instructions for jack placement in your vehicle owner’s manual.

8. Raise the jack:

• With the jack correctly placed raise the car six inches off the ground. Never put any part of your body under the car!

9. Unscrew the lug nuts:    

• Take the lug nuts all the way off

10. Remove the tire
11. Mount the new tire
12. Tighten the lug nuts by hand
13. Lower the vehicle

• Use the jack to lower the vehicle so that the spare tire is resting on the ground but the full weight of the vehicle isn’t fully on the tire. At this point, you should tighten the lug nuts with the wrench, turning clockwise, as much as you can.  Push down on the lug wrench with the full weight of your body.

14. Lower the vehicle completely
15. Replace the hubcap
16. Once you’re back home, take your tire to a technician to see how bad the damage is

Getting a flat tire can be a real bummer but don’t let it ruin the day. It’s always a good idea to be prepared so like I said before it is important to make sure that you have all the equipment you would need to replace the tire before leaving for vacation! Make sure to ALWAYS have a jack, wrench, and a spare tire. In addition, it might be a good idea to have an air pressure reader and inflater.

No matter how much or little time you spend behind the wheel, there is a very good chance you have experienced a form of road rage at one point in time. Whether you tend to lose your temper regularly or once in a while, road rage can lead to dangerous traffic situations. We want to ensure the safety of drivers each time they head out on the road. This week we are dedicating our blog to preventing road rage and tips that can help you stay calm behind the wheel.

Method 1: Staying calm when you experience road rage

• When you recognize your rising anger, it is important to stay calm. Take a few deep breaths, try to clear your mind, and remember driving while angry can put yourself and others at a heightened risk. Listening to calming music can also help you stay calm and resist the urge to retaliate against other drivers. Keep your distance from the vehicle who may have cut you off or otherwise made a road error. Tailgating will increase your chances of an accident.

Method 2: Stay safe when other drivers are aggressive

• In the event of an aggressive driver, stay calm. Do not let their actions affect your driving, keep your emotions in check, and allow them to pass by. Avoid making eye contact and when they do pass, drive defensively to ensure your own safety. Keep your eyes on the road, don’t tailgate, and stay a safe distance behind the car in front of you. Remember your priorities, it is important to get home to your family safely. Don’t entertain aggressive drivers.

Method 3: Preventing your own personal road rage

• Before heading out, check your own mood. If you feel angry, give yourself a few moments to calm down – a short walk or deep breathing can help in these types of situations. Always drive when you are well rested to avoid agitation on the road. In many cases, road rage occurs when one driver is overly tired, late or even hungry. Give yourself a little extra time to get to your destination, stay well-rested, and keep a snack in your vehicle to keep hangry to a minimum.

We hope you find these methods useful and will begin using them in the future!

Part of buying a new vehicle is deciding to buy or lease and which option makes more sense for your life. For some people the answer is easy but for others, it can be a never-ending battle when it comes to making this choice. But don’t stress – we have a helpful guide that can help you decide which option would be a better fit for your lifestyle and your wallet. Take a look below and visit us for a test drive today!

Why you should lease:

• Lower monthly payments: leasing a new vehicle will allow you to get into that new car while not having to pay an arm and a leg for a down payment. You may even be able to upgrade to a higher trim level or add on a few advanced options all while staying within your budget.

• Small down payment: when it comes to leasing a new vehicle, often times there is a required small down payment or none at all depending on the deal that you agree upon. Plus, if you have a trade-in, this could be your down payment and will keep you from shelling out a lot of cash from your pocket.

• Latest models & technology: one of the benefits of leasing a vehicle is having the latest models and upgraded technology features when they hit the lot. It today’s industry, cars are always evolving and coming out with better and more efficient features. If you are someone who loves have the latest and greatest – leasing is probably for you.

• Selling your trade-in isn’t a worry: when you lease, you won’t have to worry about selling your vehicle. Simply, drop your vehicle at the dealership and be on your way. It is seriously that easy. But we know once you lease a Toyota, you’ll want to lease more and more for years to come. So, drop your old one off and pick up your new one in an easy breezy process.

Why you should buy:

• Monthly payment are a goner: once you successfully pay off your vehicle, you no longer have a monthly payment. You’ll only have to worry about paying for fuel, car services, and insurance. If you are the kind of driver who likes to own a vehicle until the wheels fall off – buying is the right option for you.

• No mileage restrictions: when you opt to buy a vehicle, you are free to drive here, there, everywhere without anyone holding mileage restrictions over your head. If you drive more than the average person or live somewhere where you do a lot of driving, buying your next vehicle is probably the smarter choice!

• Customize your ride: if you like to customize your ride from top to bottom, buying is most definitely the best choice. You have the ability to add whatever you like without having to pay any customization or excess wear fees.

Credit is a-okay: when buying your vehicle your credit doesn’t need to be outstanding. Many people might have this problem and feel like they are trapped. Explore all your options and see where your interest rates may fall.  

Are you planning on teaching your teen how to drive this Summer? Great! We know this can be an exciting yet frightening time for everyone involved. But, we have dedicated this week’s blog to tips for new teen drivers! Or maybe they’re some tips that you can begin practicing in your everyday travels. Regardless, our tips can be applied to anyone driving routine and will make the roadway safer for everyone. Check them out below and let us know which ones work best for you!

# 1: Minimize distractions – these can be anything from other passengers to the radio to your cell phone. Keep these to a minimum and never do anything that will take your attention from the roadway. You should give 100 percent of your attention to driving whenever you slip behind the wheel. Driving solo can reduce the risk of a collision and will minimize distractions when a teen is behind the wheel.

#2: Turn off your cell phone – cell phones have only caused problems when you’re behind the wheel, even if it is hands-free. Turn it off, stow it and give all your attention to the road. Your phone can become very distracting and will only put you in danger when you are behind the wheel. NO texting, NO calls, NOTHING stow it and don’t put yourself or others at risk.

#3: Obey the rules – pay attention to road signs, speed limits, and other rules of the road. These rules/ laws are designed to keep you and other drivers safe each time you set out for a journey. Set yourself up for success and practice the rules of the road.

#4: Defense driving is helpful – always be aware of your surroundings and stay at least one car length away from the car you are following. This will act as a buffer zone and will give you enough time to react in the event of a collision or other roadway conditions. *Some insurance agencies will offer discounts if you participate in their defensive driving course to improve your driving skills.*

It is important to teach your teen these safe driving tips to ensure they are sculpted into a safe driver, even when you are not in the vehicle with them.

Summertime is almost here, like seriously, it is right around the corner. And what better way to kick off summer than a little DIY interior detailing for your VW that you love oh so much! Maybe you forgot to do the whole spring clean thing or you’re not sure entirely where to start – well, we got your back. Our blog this week is dedicated to detailing the interior of your vehicle. Check out our guide below!

• Get rid of any dirt, debris, or dust that has built up, using a vacuum and baby wipes, clean out your vents, wipe down your dash, seats, center console, and doors with a microfiber cloth and a cleaning solution. Vacuum your floor mats and the crevices in your seats – things tend to build up here. *Expert tip! Try using Q-Tips for the nooks and crannies.
• Carpets get real dirty, give them a wash-down. Floor mats are known for harboring moisture, dirt, mud, and all other nasties. Once you remove your mats, wash them using a foaming carpet cleaner. Work the foam over the carpet using a back-and-forth motion. When you decide your carpets are clean, twist a microfiber cloth into the carpets to remove any leftover foam, allow your mats to dry and finish off with another quick vacuum.
• Clean those windows!!!! Take glass cleaner and a plush microfiber cloth and give your windows a bath. Front, back, Windshield – make sure to show TLC to all of your windows. Clean your windows using a straight-line stroke,  no circles. You may want to pass over your windows a few times for a perfectly clean look. If there are any leftover streaks, use a microfiber cloth to remove them.
• Seats need love too! In order to clean your vehicle’s seats, you will need an all-purpose concentrate. Try looking for one that is pre-mixed with water and comes in a spray bottle. When you’re ready, spray a generous amount of cleaner onto your seat and using a microfiber cloth, wipe in circular motions to loosen debris. If you have tough, pesky stains – spray the clean again and gently scrub the surface with an all-purpose scrubbing pad and wipe clean with the microfiber cloth.

And there you have it! A guide to detailing your vehicle’s interior – let us know what tips and tricks have worked for you.

We know you carry more than precious cargo inside your Volkswagen – this week we have listed out some of the most important do’s when it comes to traveling with children who ride in a car seat. Check them out below and start practicing if you don’t already!

Do Tips:

• Make sure the harness-retainer clip is level with your child’s armpits. If they are in the wrong place, the straps could end up sliding off.
• Take your car-seat to a local inspection site so a professional can ensure the installation is correct.
• Choose a car-seat with a five-point harness.
• If you have a forward-facing seat, place the harness straps on your child’s shoulders to ensure the most protection in the event of a collision.
• If your child has outgrown a car-seat, try using a high-back booster seat. Studies have shown these are safer than backless ones in the event of side-impact collisions.
• Tighten the harness straps so they are tight enough for you to only fit one finger underneath.
• Safety-belts should be tightened enough so the seat is only able to wiggle less than one inch from side to side.

Did we leave out any tips that you find helpful? Let us know! We would love to hear from you.

Source: https://www.parents.com/baby/safety/car/car-seats-dos-donts/

When it comes to owning a vehicle there are a few things that you should know. One of those being how to change your car’s battery. If you don’t know how don’t stress. We got your back – this week’s blog has all the information on how to change out the old and bring in the new!

A few things you’ll need:

• A new battery
• Wrench
• Corrosion cleaning solution & wire brush
• Blanket or old towel

Park your vehicle on a flat surface with your parking brake on. To avoid burning yourself, give your vehicle time to cool down before popping open the hood. When you’re ready, pop open your hood and place your blanket or towel across the fender of the vehicle. This will keep battery corrosion leakage from leaking onto your engine or front fender.

Locate your battery and decipher which is the positive and negative port. Start with the negative terminal, use your wrench to loosen bolts just enough to allow you to remove the cable. Remove the negative cable and pull away from the terminal. Do the same with the positive terminals. Once both cables are removed, unclamp the battery from the holder. Wiggle your battery free and remove from the holder.

Once your battery is free, look at the holder and cables. If there is any corrosion, clean it off with your cleaning solution and wire brush. Let everything dry completely before connecting your new battery.

When everything has dried, place your new battery back into the holder and secure it with the clamp. Like we disconnected, we are going to reconnect the cables and bolts – this time, the positive terminal will go first. Attach the cable and tighten the bolt. Repeat with your negative terminal.

Badda bing, badda boom! You are finished! It is time to close up shop and give that baby a go! Test to make sure that your vehicle starts. If not, make sure all the cables are properly tightened and your cables are clean. If you continue to have problems, contact our service department here.