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Showing posts from 2014

Toyota Class Aims To Reduce Driver Distraction

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The Toyota Motor Corporation is committed to reducing the number of teen driver fatalities due to distracted driving, through education of teens and parents about the risks. Toyota will be offering their free advanced teen driving skills programs, called Toyota Driving Expectations. On an annual basis, there are a total of 1.6 million crashes caused by cell phone use and texting while driving. Since the Toyota Driving Expectations programs began Toyota has been able to reach 16, 000 teens and parents and given them critical defensive driving skills regarding the risks and consequences of distracted driving. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, within the United States, the crash rate per mile driven is four times higher for 16- 19 year olds, over older drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009 more than 5, 000 people were killed on United States roadways, and an estimated 448, 000 were injured in collisions due to distract

Buying a Used Toyota in Today’s Economy

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Most would agree, its safe to say we as a nation are edging our way out of the recession.  This comes as great news to many people in the market for a Used Toyota in St. Louis and still needing finance.  Due to financial concerns, many lenders have been forced to tighten up their standards for lending.  But in a small piece of news that is starting to bring a glimmer of hope,  Ally Financial Inc., the auto lender that received a $17.2 billion government bailout, reported a $384 million profit for the third quarter after posting a loss a year earlier according to Automotive News. The article goes on to state, “Earnings compared with a loss of $898 million in the second quarter and a loss of $210 million a year earlier, the Detroit company and former General Motors finance arm said today in a statement, “The U.S. auto-finance franchise continued to produce strong and consistent results despite a highly competitive market, with earning assets up 21 percent and net financing revenue up 22

Choosing Insurance Coverage

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If you have recently purchased a new or used car, you are probably also shopping around for car insurance.   Understanding insurance coverage and how premiums are determined can be tricky.  We have provided some tips and information for you to consider in your process of purchasing insurance for your new vehicle. Know your state minimum requirements:  Remember these are minimum requirements. In the state of Illinois for example, the minimum requirement for Bodily Injury Liability is $20,000/$40,000.  This means in the event of an accident involving bodily injury, your insurance would cover no more than $20,000 towards the injury or death of an individual and no more than $40,000 regardless of how many people are injured.  Damages in this category may include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering compensation.  As you can imagine, these fees could escalate quickly leaving you in a bind if you are only carrying the minimum state coverage. Make sure that your coverage levels p

Toyota Offers New Grants

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This month, Toyota USA Foundation announced that they will “add more than $1.3 million new grants to support innovative K-12 math, science, engineering and environmental science education programs, with a focus on programs that serve diverse and under served communities.”  When you add these new grants with Toyota’s current giving, they are contributing more than $5 million to people, communities, and organizations all over the country.  Even more astonishing, over the last 20 years, Toyota has contributed an estimated $600 million to nonprofits across America. Toyota places great value on diversity and many of their giving campaigns highlight this important cause.  Through their giving, they hope to strengthen communities, provide aid to classrooms, and increase the learning opportunities of all children regardless of race or socioeconomic status.  Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of national Philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation at Toyota Motor North America commented

The 2010 Used Toyota Venza

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Weiss Toyota Dealer,  home of a great lineup of used and certified pre owned cars, trucks, and SUVs in St. Louis, is pleased to announce that automobile industry reviewers are praising the 2010 Toyota Venza, Toyota’s Camry-based crossover, for maintaining all the comforts of a sedan and the performance of an SUV. The absence of the third row seating option gives the Venza an edge over competitors in the cargo space category. On the outside Venza’s sleek exterior lines set it apart from others in this crossover class. Test drivers say the 2010 Toyota Venza is a dependable, well-built crossover SUV that can be driven every day and maintains great fuel economy.” U.S. News awards the 2010 Toyota Venza its 2010 Best Midsize Crossover for the Money. The 2010 Toyota Venza advantage: Spacious cabin and cargo area Car-like handling and excellent fuel economy Sleek non-SUV-like exterior styling Well equipped in one universal trim New for 2010 are the Bluetooth capability and  USB port included a

The Toyota Corolla: Longest Lasting Car on the Road

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Every buyer wants a car that they know has been around for a long time, earned a great reputation, and will be sure to continue to be around for many years to come.  There is one car that comes to mind that fits the bill in all of those categories… the Toyota Corolla! The Toyota Corolla has become a staple in American vehicle history.   On Toyota’s facebook page, they encourage followers and Toyota owners to post pictures of their beloved Toyota cars and trucks.  One particular post caught my attention more than any other. Follower Laura Garrahan posted a picture of her standing in front of her 1983 Corolla.  Following this picture was another photo of her odometer reading 505,254 miles and counting!  Her comment read, “This is my car Sam.  He has OVER HALF A MILLION MILES and still going strong.  Just rolled over another thousand today.  I love my 1983 Toyota Corolla!” There are many Corollas in this same condition on the roads today.  Many times in today’s industries you hear people

Toyota is “Making Life Easier”

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Toyota is known worldwide for their ability to make great, dependable cars.   That is something that the automaker is proud to be known for, but more importantly, Toyota appreciates the opportunity to give back to the community as much as possible.  This type of giving back is done through many different programs that Toyota offers to communities and schools.  Most recently, Toyota’s press room announced their expansion of a scholarship program they offer through the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and other non-for-profit partners across the country.  Toyota plans to award $1 million in scholarships during 2013 through these programs. Toyota awards these scholarships allowing “economically disadvantaged youth to pursue their higher education goals by providing up to $20,000 for university, college, trade or vocational school tuition and fees.”  Toyota hopes that by expanding their “Making Life Easier” scholarship to $1 million that they will be able to reach even more students across

Toyota Wishes You Happy Holidays and Safe Travels

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The holidays are in full swing and Christmas is just around the corner.  You probably have a trip or two planned to visit family over this holiday season.  Whether you are traveling across the state or just across town, there are some very important safety concerns to keep in mind.  One of these very real concerns includes the danger of drunk drivers.  David Strickland, administrator for the NHTSA comments on the upcoming travel season saying, “Ultimately, personal responsibility is critical to improving roadway safety and we urge all motorists to be responsible this holiday season and never, ever drive drunk.” The NHTSA isn’t just talking about awareness, they have just kicked off a campaign for this year’s “winter holiday enforcement crackdown.”  Backed by more than $7 million in advertising, the NHTSA hopes to bring a heightened sense of awareness to this very real and tragic issue during the Christmas season in a campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”  MADD also contribu

More on Saving Fuel for Holiday Travels

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In the last article we gave you some helpful fuel saving tips for your holiday travels.  The first two tips given in the previous article are the most fuel saving tips you can take into consideration, however there are a few other tips that will help you save money that are worth the time and effort of carrying out. After extensive testing performed by Edmunds.com, it was concluded that simply using your cruise control whenever possible can save you up to 14 percent!  If you car, truck, SUV or minivan is equipped with cruise control then use it whenever you can to avoid sudden and unnecessary accelerations.  Cruise control helps you to maintain consistency on the pedal and avoid “nervous surging.”  You pay more attention to the bigger picture down the road rather than just reacting to every little thing that happens in the moment. Next, and the last of our fuel saving tips is to avoid excessive idling.  This is a tip that can save you 19 percent in your pursuit to fuel efficiency.  The

Buyers Less Likely to Pay New Car Prices

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For many dealerships across the nation it has become quite difficult to stock the lot. Due to the high demand for used cars, these inventories may be a bit lighter than usual. In addition, many manufacturers have been manufacturing new cars more on an as needed basis. As a result, dealerships look a bit light in this area of inventory as well. Even though your local dealerships may look like they have light inventory it is actually the perfect time to purchase a used car. It is also a great time to trade in your used car, as many dealers are willing to pay top dollar for trade- in’s in order to beef up their used car inventory. It seems many dealerships are still trying to stock their lots with used cars. You will find the most affordable used Toyota cars at the Weiss Toyota dealership in Saint Louis MO. Many dealers, however, are having trouble keeping used cars on the lot. Buyers are demanding affordable pricing and are less willing to pay full price for a brand new car. Buyers are m

Toyota Offers Best Automotive Value

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When it comes to car buying, everyone is looking for the best deal. However, sometimes the best deal doesn't necessarily mean the lowest sticker price. There are many other factors to consider when trying to get a great deal on a vehicle purchase. You will need to take into consideration the sticker price, of course, the cost of maintenance and repairs, the fuel efficiency, the cost of insurance, and the vehicle’s ability to retain its value. While these are important points to consider, don’t leave out the fact that the car must feel comfortable to you as well. The Toyota Motor Corporation has made it fairly easy for buyers to find a good deal when they choose to shop at a Toyota dealer. All the Toyota cars Saint Louis are widely known for their affordability, their fuel efficiency, their low cost of ownership and their ability to retain their value well. Choosing one of the popular Toyota cars will always get you a great deal. In addition the Toyota Motor Corporation has several

Moving Forward with Toyota

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The Toyota Motor Corporation has been in a constant state of recovery following the devastating earthquake and tsunami events in Japan. The disasters rocked the country and forced Toyota to begin rebuilding immediately. They originally expected to be at 100 percent recovery in production by the winter of this year. However, in true Toyota fashion, they came in ahead of schedule. Many of the American made vehicles are back to 100 percent production, able to get all the parts necessary for development from Japan. As a result, it is expected that the month of October will be a lucrative month for the brand. Wholesale orders for the Toyota Motor Corporation are back to normal and business is finally moving in a completely positive direction. Many of the new Toyota cars St. Louis and trucks, which were difficult to acquire, will now be readily available at your local Toyota dealership. Toyota was able to achieve the recovery without having to raise the prices on their vehicles. When you vis

Your Certified Toyota Will Always Run Efficiently

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When it comes to fuel mileage and fuel economy, most drivers would like to think they are getting every last ounce of efficiency effort out of their vehicle. However, it just so happens that a fair amount of a vehicle’s fuel efficiency is left up to the driver. Certain driving habits can and will affect your efficiency. However, what some consider to be helping their fuel efficiency may not be affecting their efficiency at all. It can be difficult to know, without a little research, just which factors are contributing to your fuel efficiency. The Toyota Motor Corporation is well known for their ability to develop some of the most fuel efficient models on the market. In fact, many of the pre owned certified Toyota cars, trucks, and hybrids, as well as used Toyota cars are far more efficient than some newer models. While many believe that as a vehicle ages it will naturally lose its fuel efficiency capabilities. However, this is simply not true. If a vehicle does lose fuel efficiency i

Toyota Cars Perfect for Older Drivers

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As we age our priorities of vehicle features may begin to shift. Typically we begin looking for vehicles which provide ample comfort while being a wise investment of money. It becomes less about how a vehicle looks and more about a vehicle’s capabilities. With age, our needs change as well. So begins the search for the perfect vehicle. While most drivers are looking for a great deal, many of them refuse to let go of the fact that a vehicle must be able to achieve a certain level of power, no matter what the effect on efficiency seems to be. However, later on in life, the tables turn, and it is easy to give up a little bit of vehicle power for even more efficiency. Those drivers looking for highly efficient vehicles should seriously consider Toyota cars. For instance, a used or new Toyota Camry car has been known for decades, to be able to achieve a lofty fuel efficiency goal. Just the same are several other new and used Toyota cars Saint Louis MO. In fact, all Toyota cars are known

2014 Toyota Prius Hatchback Deals!

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Weiss is proud to offer the largest inventory of new Toyota cars near Washington, MO!  Stop by Weiss Toyota today to take a look at our selection of 2014 Prius Hatchbacks.  The standard features of the Toyota Prius One include 1.8L I-4 98hp engine, 2-speed CVT transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags, driver knee airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic air conditioning, 15" aluminum wheels, ABS and driveline traction control, electronic stability, power mirrors. Trims 2014 Toyota Prius Hatchback Three Front-wheel Drive 2014 Toyota Prius Hatchback One Front-wheel Drive 2014 Toyota Prius Hatchback Two Front-wheel Drive 2014 Toyota Prius Hatchback Five Front-wheel Drive 2014 Toyota Prius Hatchback Four Front-wheel Drive Weiss is currently offering the following deals on 2014 Toyota Prius Hatchback: *Finance Offers Manufacturer Offers Get 0% APR financing for 60 months on a new 2014 Prius plus $

More on MPGe

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If you didn’t catch our last article on how the EPA calculates MPGe for electric cars, you may want to read that one first.  With the help of Edmunds.com, we are informing our readers on this new way of calculating how much energy is used to travel miles down the road.  In our last article, we gave you the formula; however Edmunds says this number doesn’t tell you much in relation to fuel economy.  Specifically, they state, “The mpg-e rating is really only useful for comparing the relative energy consumption of gasoline (or hybrid) cars with that of electric cars and it is far more pertinent for electric car owners focused on cost to consider the kilowatt-hours-per-100-miles rating (kWh/100m).  This is the number that will help you determine the level of efficiency of the vehicle.  Essentially, this is the new EV mpg standard so it is one that you will surely want to familiarize yourself with if you plan on shopping the electric car segment any time soon. Also important to consider i

Time To Winterize

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If you haven’t already done so, it is not too late to winterize your vehicle. Even though we are in the swings of winter storms it is better late than never when it comes to vehicle winterization. Your Toyota Camry will be much better equipped to keep you and your passengers safe if it is well prepared to handle all that Mother Nature has to offer during the winter season. First check the condition of your tires. Your tires provide the front line protection from slipping and sliding all over the roads. Make sure the tire pressure correct. If you find that your tires have lost s significant amount of tread it may be time to have them replaced. If you’re unsure, consider taking your Toyota Camry to your local Toyota service center to be evaluated. Inspect all of the belts and hoses to make sure there are no tears or breaks in any of the lines. Check and fill any seo website analyzer fluid, including the wiper fluid. Your antifreeze may need to be filled and checked throughout the dur

Start Saving On Insurance

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The amount you pay for auto insurance can vary from another driver by hundreds of dollars. Here are several factors taken into consideration when calculating your insurance premium. If you feel you are overpaying for your insurance, don’t feel like you’re stuck. Consider all of your insurance options in order to save money. Prices and premiums vary from one establishment to another. Just because you’ve always had auto insurance from a certain provider doesn’t mean you are getting the best deal. Obtain quotes from other providers. This will give you a better idea of whether or not you are overpaying or not. Consider the cost of insurance before you purchase a vehicle. Certain vehicles will cost you much more to insure in comparison to others. For instance, a certified Toyota St. Louis vehicle is known for its safety and reliability. Therefore it will cost much less to insure than a vehicle known for speed, or one with lower safety ratings. Choosing a safer vehicle will always be more c

Extended Warranties and Maintenance

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Your personal vehicle is an investment of your hard earned money. In order to get a decent return on your vehicle when you’re ready to sell or trade in you must invest in the proper care and maintenance of that vehicle. Each new and used car will require a certain level of maintenance in order to remain functioning at its highest potential. Typically speaking older vehicles may require a bit more care and maintenance than newer cars on the market. Each time you buy a new car or a St Louis certified Toyota car from the Weiss Toyota dealer in MO you will get complimentary warranty coverage. This coverage is designed to give you great peace of mind and encourage the proper care and maintenance of your car. Rather than performing maintenance only when a dashboard light illuminates or other noticeable problems arise, become familiar with the maintenance schedule found in the owner’s manual. This schedule will provide a specific timeline for most maintenance tasks. Adhering to this schedule

Used 2008 Toyota Corolla

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Weiss Toyota Dealer, home of a wide selection of new and used Toyota Corolla Cars in St. Louis is pleased to announce that the 2008 Toyota Corolla has reviewers praising the dependability of the Corolla, and the affordable base price. Toyota Corolla delivers a smooth, driving performance, and receives outstanding fuel economy ratings. The 2008 Toyota Corolla rates high in its class”, the Washington Post recommends the Corolla because “through all of its model changes, the Corolla remained true to the notion of impeccable automotive quality delivered at reasonable cost.” The New York Times evaluation of the Toyota Corolla reports that, “Toyotas have been so reliable, American manufacturers have been forced to improve the quality of their offerings.” Car and Driver magazine says the 2008 Toyota Corolla has a “stalwart reputation that we like, this is a carefully executed solution to your transportation problem.” Automobile reviewers continue to recognize the 2008 Toyota Corolla for hold

Before You Tow

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There are many reasons to purchase a vehicle such as, a Toyota Sienna or Tacoma. However, when you purchase one of these vehicles know that you then have towing power. Yes you can tow smaller loads with more traditional vehicles, however, the larger the vehicle, the more towing power. It is with these larger vehicles you gain the capability to tow items such as trailers, boats, or campers. Towing smaller items may require you to adjust your driving technique a bit. Towing larger loads, such as, boats, trailers, or campers will force you to adjust your driving technique as it completely changes the dynamic of your vehicle. First and foremost, be sure you vehicle is equipped with the correct hitch. You may be able to install a hitch mount yourself. However, it may be best to leave this task to the professionals. Schedule an appointment with your local Toyota service department to have them install a hitch mount. Secondly, never tow a load that exceeds the towing capacity of your vehicle.

Begin Stocking Your Garage

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Having the ability and skills to perform vehicle maintenance is an excellent way to, not only, save money on maintenance and repairs on your certified Toyota , but may allow you to make a decent living. Many owners take pride in knowing how to properly change their oil, rotate their tires, and maintain their fluids. However, anything beyond those types of maintenance tasks require a higher level of automotive skill. Whether you are new driver or a bit more experienced, it is never too late to begin stocking your automotive maintenance and repair garage. Over time you will learn which tools become a staple of the garage, and which tools you use less frequently. For instance, there are several basic tools which are considered to be need by every mechanic. These include screwdrivers, hex keys, open end wrenches, an oil filter wrench, ratchet driver, cutting pliers, extensions, a socket set, a torque wrench, penetrating oil, a florescent or LED work light, an owner’s repair manual, convent

A Certified Toyota Eliminates Worry

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There are several benefits from buying used Toyota cars or certified Toyota cars . A certified Toyota comes with many of the same warranties as a new Toyota vehicle, but the financial benefits of buying a used Toyota car. All Toyota vehicles are known for their affordability, safety and reliability. In fact, many of the Toyota vehicles, purchased 15 to 20 years ago are still safely navigating the roadways. The Toyota Motor Company stands behind their vehicles and are completely confident in the reliability and safety of all their models. Certified vehicle sales have been on the rise since the recent crash of the economy. This is mainly due to the great amount of value you get when you purchase a certified Toyota model. Certified Toyotas are competitively and affordable. Due to the warranty coverage that comes with a certified Toyota, buyers have great peace of mind in the investment of their hard earned money. One of the facets of the certifying process is a full vehicle history report

Online Tire Buying

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Check For Tire Specials It is the time of year when many car owners are preparing for the winter season. Tire maintenance, repair, and replacement are some of the greatest facets of preparing for winter. Even the safest and most reliable St. Louis Toyota cars require strict tire maintenance and care. When it comes to tire care, it seems, each car owner has their own version of the correct way to maintain tires. However, adhering to your vehicles’ owner’s manual is your best bet when it comes to maintaining your tires. If you think your tires may not be well enough to make it through the winter season, you’re better off to have them replaced before the harsh weather hits. There are several options when it comes to tire replacement. Buying tires through an online vendor is gaining in its popularity. You also have the option of purchasing tires through your Toyota dealer or an alternate tire provider. It basically comes down to which option will best fit your needs. Online tire buying ca

Tire Pressure Directly Effects Efficiency

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Lets Us Check Your Tires There are many factors taken into consideration when it comes to fuel efficiency. Many would agree, and it has been proven, that Toyota cars are known for their ability to achieve the highest in fuel efficiency. Their Prius is the most popular hybrid model on the market. However, their sedan models are some of the most efficient on the market. In order to properly calculate fuel efficiency all factors must be taken into account. There are several owner habits which could drastically reduce the efficiency of a vehicle. For instance, aggressive driving can reduce engine efficiency. Just as well, poor vehicle maintenance can greatly reduce efficiency. Even having extra items in the vehicle can drive down efficiency efforts. However, a commonly overlooked factor is the vehicle’s tire pressure. Properly inflated tires are a must for several reasons. Tires that are under inflated cause added stress to the steering and suspension of a vehicle, force the engine to work

Tire Shopping 101

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Check For Specials All vehicles, including Toyota cars , will need ongoing maintenance. Tire care and maintenance is included. Most drivers are knowledgeable about the most prevalent maintenance tasks such as having the oil changed every 3,000 miles or having the vehicle detailed on a regular basis. However tire care and maintenance should be as frequent as oil changes. Failing to maintain your tires can put you at risk of an auto collision or blowout. It is your responsibility, as the driver, to maintain your tires or have them maintained on a regular basis. Many drivers will shop a chosen tire retailer when they are ready to purchase tires. However, there is information you should know prior to going into the tire retailer. Knowing the size of tires you need, will make the transaction go much more smoothly. You can obtain this information from the owner’s manual or on the tire placard located on the driver’s door jamb, glove box door, or fuel hatch. The information will also be locat

Toyota Corolla…Built in the U.S.A.

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If you are in the market for a car that is known to last years beyond its competitors and that also is built in the U.S.A., look no further. Approximately six months ago, Toyota opened the doors to its newest plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi. After the announcement of future plans for this plant in 2007, Toyota has received huge accolades for their commitment to boost America’s economy while providing them with higher revenues on their most popular models of cars. The reality is that Toyota profits more from manufacturing their top selling cars in the U.S. than they do in Japan…and as Americans we don’t have any problems benefiting from their profits. The Mississippi plant manufactures new Toyota Corolla cars in a 1,700 acre plant that employs nearly 2,000 workers every day. That is something that is to be celebrated. With the state of Mississippi still building its communities back up after Hurricane Katrina, employing 2,000 people in the state is a big deal and one that they are ve

Black Box Mandate in New Cars

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News broadcasts have reported about the NHTSA and their announcement that they plan to mandate event data recorders to be installed in new cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans.  In usual media fashion, some of the details got lost in translation and this created quite the unnecessary stir among opposition.  Car and Driver Magazine recently reported some of the truths behind the rumors and we have provided those here for you. First, Car and Driver pointed out that this is not NEW news.  In fact, they specifically reported that the NHTSA has been talking about this kind of mandate since 2006.  The most current reports about this from the NHTSA is that they hope to put the ruling into effect by 2014.  Next, there have been talks that the White House “signed off” on the NHTSA’s proposal.  In an article in a Detroit newspaper, this notion was promoted as if it was done with ease and without the proper chain of command in place.  This is not so.  The proposed regulation has been cleared by the

Car and Driver 10 Best Cars of 2013

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Every year Toyota and Scion go the extra mile to please buyers.  This is done by engineering and manufacturing the safest and more appealing cars on the market.  Throw in the fact that they are affordable and you have a match made in heaven for most buyers.  One of the ways that any manufacturer can gauge how their new cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs are being received by the public is by popular awards given by the best automotive researchers in the auto industry. Car and Driver Magazine released their list of the 10 best cars of 2013.  Toyota’s press room is happy to announce that “the Scion FR-S earned recognition from Car and Driver, the world’s largest automotive publication, as part of its ‘10 Best Cars of 2013’.”  The highlighted vehicles all fall below $80,000 in price and will be available on dealer lots for the 2013 buying year.  Scion’s vice president Doug Murtha responded about the success of the vehicle stating, “Making the Car and Driver 10 Best list in its first year i

Pairing Guide For Toyota Entune

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Weiss Toyota Scion website has downloadable pairing guides and how to videos to get you on your way with Toyota Entune. Just Click Here Pairing your phone is the first step in connecting with your Toyota for hands-free calling and for audio streaming via Bluetooth. Once you have Bluetooth® enabled on your phone and ready to pair, you will need to initiate Bluetooth® on your Entune head unit. Please follow the instructions below to pair your Bluetooth enabled phone to your Entune system. Toyota Entune  is a fully integrated multimedia navigation system using a connected mobile phone to access the internet. Additional information such as traffic, weather, sports scores, stocks and fuel prices can be accessed without a smartphone, but instead via subscription from SiriusXM. The system utilizes mobile apps to provide the driver with information from  Bing (search engine) ,  OpenTable  and  movietickets.com , along with weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks,

Toyota Corolla…The Car for the Next Generation

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As a teenager in the market for your first car, your wish list probably includes features such as: sporty, looks expensive, and comes with a great sound-system.  As a parent, your realistic wish list may look more like this: practical, affordable, reliable, and above all…safe.  There are many features of the 2012 Toyota Corolla that will meet the expectations of both interested parties. The Toyota Corolla is a front-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door car that carries an estimated fuel economy of 30 mpg.  Parents, as you hand over the wallet for gas to support your teens cruising habits, you can feel better about the mpg the Corolla will get them along the way.  As far as a sound system goes, the Corolla comes equipped with an AM/FM stereo, a CD player with MP3/WMA capability, satellite radio capability, aux audio input, auto sound leveling, CD-text display, and 4 speakers.  Teen drivers, in other words, it has everything you need to plug in your MP3s and listen to the music you enjoy whi

Toyota Partnership Raises Awareness of Distracted Driving

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Weiss Toyota is pleased to share this Toyota news! Visit Weiss Toyota today to test drive a Toyota Corolla in St. Louis ! Weiss Toyota is the premier Toyota dealer in St. Louis, offering the best selection of new and used Corollas in the metro area. Call, click or stop by to select your new Toyota today! Toyota has announced a new partnership with Teen Vogue, called “Arrive in Style.” From the Toyota Press Room: “In conjunction with Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, Teen Vogue and Toyota announced today “Arrive in Style,” a safe driving campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving among teenage girls and inspire them to make a mutual commitment with their mothers to drive safely. While cars today are safer than ever, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. In 2010 seven teens between the ages of 16 and 19 died every day on average from motor vehicle injuries. “We are thrilled to partner with Toyota on this important initiative. Wh

Toyota Best Brand Award

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When you are shopping for a vehicle, you are probably the most concerned about a few different attributes: safety, reliability, and resale value.  Resale value goes beyond just choosing a vehicle that will be worth more money down the road when you want to sell it.  I had a minivan with 160,000 miles on it and it was 12 years old.  One day it was innocently sitting in front of my house and a diesel truck smashed into it and totaled it.  Luckily, I was driving a van with high resale value, and despite its age and mileage, I still was given $7000 for it from the insurance company.  Any other brand would have been pennies in comparison.  This gave me a good amount of money to start with in my search for a new vehicle. Every year kbb.com chooses the best brand in the automotive industry for the best resale value award.  As you can imagine, this is an important award to win for any auto maker.  They also have a top 10 list of individual vehicles that stand out the most in this area.  This y

Driver Monitoring Devices

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Adding your teenage driver to your auto insurance plan will certainly raise the cost. In fact, your teen happens to be a boy you may be in for the biggest price hike of all. It’s no secret that teen drivers cost more to insure; boys costing more than girls. This is simply due to the fact that they have the least driving experience and because of that are at the highest risk for being involved in an auto accident. In this day and age of highly sophisticated technology there are devices which track vehicle information as your teen is driving. These devices will transmit data from the vehicle to a computer viewable by the parent at an alternate location. There are also devices which will set limitations on the vehicle such as, the volume of the radio, the top speed of the car, etc. These have all been designed to encourage teens to travel safely and minimize distractions while driving. If your teen begins their driving career with a clean record and continues to do so over a period of tim

Teen Distracted Driver Study Results

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Toyota Motor Sales, USA recently partnered with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute to conduct research on teens and distracted driving.  The study focused on parents of teens and teens between the ages of 16 and 18.  Participants were either interviewed about their driving habits via telephone survey or in live interviews conducted with parents and teens from the same household.  Researchers have made preliminary conclusions that include the importance of parents teaching teens safe driving habit by example.  Dr. Ray Bingham, Research Professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and Head of the Young Driver Behavior and Injury Prevention Group, made this comment regarding the study’s findings, “Children look to their parents for a model of what is acceptable. Parents should know that every time they get behind the wheel with their child in the car they are providing a visible example that their child is likely to follow.” Noted fin

Safety Technology Makes US Roads Safer

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic death fatality numbers continue to go down thanks to advancements in safety technology.  The statistics speak for themselves with the number of deaths decreasing by 1.9% from 2011 to 2012, resulting in the lowest numbers in six decades.  Safety technology advancements that are noted as contributing include side-impact airbags, stability control, and seat belt usage. According to NBCNews.com: “The latest numbers show how the tireless work of our safety agencies and partners, coupled with significant advances in technology and continued public education, can really make a difference on our roadways,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “As we look to the future, it will be more important than ever to build on this progress by continuing to tackle head-on issues like seat belt use, drunk driving, and driver distraction.” Some interesting statistics include: An estimated 2,200 lives have been saved over the

From Recession to Recovery…Continued

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In continuation from our blog on recovery in the auto industry… Further surprise is shown when taking a closer look at the four states that have recovered to 2007  levels. In North Dakota, Alaska, Texas, and Louisiana employment recovery is attributed to an energy boom. Louisiana also had a low starting point due to Hurricane Katrina. Surpassing its 2007 auto sales by the end of 2011 was North Dakota. Ranked in the top ten and very close to breaking even in their auto sales was Alaska. Of the top four employment recovery states, only these two were on the top ten list for auto recovery. A key fact is highlighted in these inconsistencies concerning the employment recovery measured by job number. This fact being, all jobs are not created equal. The new or existing job must supply enough income to motivate the consumer to spend the money on a car. If the job does not feature adequate income then a key element is lacking. Despite their strong employment recoveries, Texas and Louisiana have

Preparing for College Graduation

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If you are planning to be a college graduate in the spring, you are probably already counting down the days until you are free and ready to start the next chapter of your life.  We probably don’t have to remind you that you only have about six months to make some pretty major decisions regarding your future.  While you probably already know what your career plans are, you may not have thought through all of the details quite yet.  For most college grads who are setting out with a new career, you will also likely be considering your first major purchase in life.  For many, this will be the purchase of a new vehicle.  Whether you are in the market for a new or a used car, truck or SUV, you will find the smartest choice is by first shopping at your local Weiss Toyota dealership.  Here, you will find the most fuel efficient, most affordable, and most reliable cars in the market.  You have spent years studying to make the grade…luckily there is a payoff.  Toyota has spent decades engineerin

Get Your Used Toyota Cars Ready For Weather

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If you are in the market for a new or used Toyota car or truck or if you already own a Toyota, we want you to be ready for the upcoming winter months!  Toyota vehicles are engineered with safety and reliability in mind so we have taken care of the hard part.  Even with the best efforts to keep you safe, it is important to do your part to maintain that level of safety on the roads by taking a few easy precautionary measures.  If you own a used Toyota car in St. Louis , you should consider taking these steps to get ready for winter: Make sure your routine maintenance is up-to-date. Get your oil changed and ask your technician what oil is best to use in your car during the colder winter months. Get new windshield wipers.  The last thing you want to do is get caught in a snow storm with inadequate wipers and find yourself unable to see the road ahead. Get your tires checked out.  Make sure the tread is still going strong and that the air pressure is holding as it should.  Consider purchasi