Tips & Hints

Vehicle Safety Report (VSR)

We offer a comprehensive visual inspection of your Toyota, FREE of charge. Our Visual Safety Report is an easy, free way to feel confident about your Toyota.

Qualified Toyota technicians will perform 39 checks on everything from the bodywork to the brakes.You'll receive a clear and precise report that highlights anything that needs doing urgently to meet safety and legal requirements. We'll also tell you about any work that may need doing in the future. To arrange your FREE Visual Safety Report, you can Contact Us here

Get Ready for Summer
As temperatures increase, so do the demands made on your vehicle. So make sure your vehicle’s up to summer’s challenge.

Check the vehicle’s air conditioning system.
Check the cooling system -both hoses and radiator- for leaks. Check the coolant recovery reservoir under the hood when the engine is cold. Add coolant, if required. Use the coolant recommended in your owner’s manual. Replace conventional coolant every two years or 30,000 miles or 100,000 if your car has the bright pink Toyota coolant. If you are unsure Contact Us here for more information
In severe summer temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your owner’s manual for the oil viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle.
Check wiper blades. Winter temperatures and ice can cause nicks that decrease performance. Cold temperatures can also make blades brittle.
Remove your snow tires and make sure your summer tires have good, deep treads.
Check the battery and cables. Winter temperatures can reduce the charge.

Maintenance needs vary with different uses and driving conditions. See your owner’s manual for more information.

Oil Level
You’ll get a more accurate dipstick reading by waiting few minutes after turning off the engine, giving the oil time to drain from the crankcase into the oil pan. And make sure the vehicle is on level ground! Read our article on Engine Oil-What Do All the Numbers Mean?

Engine & Overheating
If your engine overheats in summer traffic, turn off the air conditioner and turn the heater and fan to their highest levels. You’ll get warm, but you’ll cool down the engine.

Removing Carpet Stains
Rub stubborn stains with a damp cloth moistened with club soda or glass cleaner. Or try denture cleaner dissolved according to directions on the package. It’s a good idea to do a spot test first.

Top Ten Tips for Better Fuel Economy
Warming up your vehicle in the driveway wastes fuel. Drive slowly for the first few miles instead to bring your engine to optimal driving temperature.

Smooth, gradual acceleration increases mileage; rapid starts waste fuel. Try to maintain a steady rate of speed and take advantage of timed traffic lights.

Watch your speed. For every mile per hour over 50, mileage decreases roughly one percent. When traveling at a steady speed, most vehicles get their best mileage between 35 and 45 mph.

Proper tyre inflation and wheel alignment decrease road resistance and increase mileage. Check tyre pressure monthly and rotate wheels using your vehicles specific maintenance schedule.

A well-maintained vehicle will run properly and use fuel more efficiently.

Use your air conditioning wisely. With the air on, your engine uses more fuel.

Drive less by planning ahead. Try to do all your errands in one trip and plan the most efficient route.

Don’t vent your anger behind the wheel. Aggressive acceleration wastes fuel and can be dangerous as well.

When you see a red light or stop sign ahead, take your foot off the accelerator and let your vehicle coast in gear. This lets momentum get you to the junction.

Shift properly. If you have a manual transmission, shifting into high gear as soon as possible without straining the engine reduces drag and uses less fuel.

Do It Yourself?
Our Service Department is here to help you service and maintain you vehicle to the highest standards, however we do understand some people like to work on the own cars. We can supply the parts required to complete the job, or if you get stuck on doing one particular job, then we can book you car in to our workshops at a time suitable for you. Contact Us if you would like us to help