One the inside, the conveniences are practically endless. The telescopic steering wheel is leather-wrapped and has integrated audio controls, multi-function display, and Bluetooth controls. The wood grain on the console creates a classy and visually appealing aspect to the interior. The power glass moon roof comes with a sunshade and one touch open/close capability, with jam protection. The list goes on, the rearview mirror is self-dimming, the over-head console features HomeLink safety connect. The HomeLink system can be used to remotely operate garage doors, estate gates, locks, home security and lighting systems, and other convenience and safety devices. Contact a Toyota Dealer sales representative to get your hands on other toys and conveniences found in a Land Cruiser. If you live in or around the St Louis area, you can turn to the professionals at Spirit Toyota for further assistance

If mechanical specifications are a concern for you, here is a bit of information regarding the Land Cruiser. The 6-speed electronic controlled transmission is equipped with uphill and downhill assist, helping this Toyota to be able to tow practically anything you hook up to it, over and through most and terrain. The top-notch suspension helps out here as well. The independent double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar and the four link rear suspension with coil springs provide excellent stability along with a smooth ride to this powerful machine.

Start with the battery.  Sometimes corrosion can build up can prevent ignition. You may want to try and clean off the posts to see if that will correct the issue. Chances are good that your battery is dead, however. If you happen to have a battery tester, you can check the amps coming out of the battery to see if it is weak. You can also test the battery indirectly by jump-starting the vehicle. If it fires right up right away, then chances are your problem is just a dead battery. At this point, you may want to simply swap out the battery and clean off the posts, if you have not already done so.

It is possible that the vehicle inability to turn over is a result of having a faulty ignition switch, to check this, turn the ignition to the on position. If the warning lights don’t come on, then you most likely do have a bad ignition switch. Provided the warning lights do come on, turn the key to the start position. The warning lights should turn off (most cars).

Another potential problem is the starter connection. Corrosion can adversely affect any electrical component. You can test the connection by holding a circuit tester lead on the wire that engages the starter. Have a helper turn the key to test the current. If the starter is getting current and isn’t spinning, then it needs to be replaced. If the starter spins freely when the key is turned, then the problem lies elsewhere and further diagnosis is required.

If you are unable to detect and fix the mechanical failure on your own, you can contact a local service representative for assistance. If you’re vehicle is a Toyota and you reside in or around St. Louis, MO, make an appointment to get you vehicle serviced at a nearby Spirit Toyota dealer location.

A recent poll taken from more than 1000 Prius drivers reported that most owners get from 42-47 mpg overall fuel efficiency, 45 mpg is the most common reported figure for combined city/highway driving.

Depending on what type of driving you are doing, you will get different gas mileage, if you drive in the city with a lot of short distance jaunts with frequent stops between, you may not be getting as high of mileage as when you drive longer distances.

Learn to use what is called a “feather foot” technique in accelerating, meaning that you should use the lightest touch possible on the accelerator to take full advantage of your car’s momentum.  If your Prius has the multi-information screen, set the trip information as your default and watch it as you drive to moniter how much gas you are using when going uphill vs downhill when you accelerate, and then release the gas pedal.  There is quite a range difference. Use the cruise control as often as you can because it is more effective at saving gas than the lightest possible “feather foot.” It isn’t only for highway use. If you’re driving for a few miles in an area without a lot of traffic lights, use the cruise to maintain that ideal 40-mph speed and you should get the best gas mileage possible in your Prius.

Keeping engines properly tuned up, using the right type of motor oil, and properly inflating tires can translate to an 18% improvement in fuel, if all Americans would make the change, approximately 380 million gallons of gas could be saved every day which translates to 1.6 million barrels of oil every day, according to fueleconomy.gov.

If you are interested in test driving a new Prius, or any other Hybrid, see your local St. Louis Toyota Dealer, Sprit Toyota today.

Toyota’s RAV4’s engine is a 2.4-liter four cylinder (with 166 horsepower) or a 3.5-liter six-cylinder   that produces 269 horsepower. It features 73 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third row seats folded.  If you have a small trailer to tow with your dog gear, the tow package is available in a V-6 model and it  will haul up to 3,500 pounds.

The Rav 4 also scored points for getting decent gas mileage with a fuel rating of 21 city driving and 28 on the highway-for the Sport model that was road tested.

But the thing that scored the most points was the safety ratings and convenient tie down hooks to stabilize the dog crates, keep dogs safe in case of an accident.

Other safety features include a weight sensor in the front passenger seat that will automatically turn off the front passenger airbag if your dog is too light. It’s a great feature for dog owners, that way when your human friends ride with you, the weight sensor automatically senses that they are heavy enough and turns the airbag back on.  This could work well for traveling with smaller children as well as having your canine friends in front with you.

The Sports model comes with a moon roof, 6-disk CD changer, adjustable power seats with lumbar support, and a lot of compartments and storage areas for quick access to water bottles, dog treats, and collapsible travel food and water dishes so when you need to make a pit stop for your dog/s, you can quickly gather all of the gear you need.  The Sport model also comes with 4WD to get you through even when bad weather hits, or when you need to go off road.

All in all the Rav 4 was found to be a great little SUV for dogs.  If you and your 4-legged best friend would like to test drive a dog friendly vehicle, stop in at your local St. Louis Toyota dealer, Spirit Toyota and see our line-up of new and used Rav 4’s today.

The 2010 Toyota Corolla starts at an affordable $15,350 and gets an estimated 26/35miles per gallon. T comes with eight standard exterior features and 23 standard interior features. Exterior features include 16 inch steel wheels with P205/55R16 tires with full wheel covers, a blackout front grille, color-keyed outside door handles, as well as, front and rear underbody spoilers, color keyed power remote-controlled outside mirrors, integrated front fog lamps, intermittent windshield wipers, and aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen headlamps. The exterior options include a color-keyed rear deck spoiler, a power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade, and heated outside mirrors.

The interior multi-function display will accurately inform you of outside temperature, fuel economy, driving range, your average speed, and your travel distance since the start of your trip. The instrumentation includes an optitron sport meters with speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature and fuel level gauges, digital odometer and twin tripmeters with outside temperature display. The interior warning lights include airbag, seatbelt, low fuel level, door-ajar, battery, check engine, oil pressure, Electric Power Steering, brake, Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System, vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control.

To achieve a feeling of high-end luxury Toyota decked out the 2010 Corolla with a metallic style interior trim with a leather trimmed steering wheel with audio controls with the option of a leather trimmed shift knob. Toyota did not forget the importance of safety features when it came to the Corolla manufacturing. The 2010 model comes standard with over 20 safety features.
The 2010 Corolla is easily an obvious choice for the economical car owner. It has all the features of safety, luxury and reliability that only Toyota can deliver and a price that can’t be beat.

The option of purchasing a used Toyota may be a far cry for some car buyers, but it can be just as good as purchasing new. For one thing, when you purchase a new vehicle you begin losing exponential value of the vehicle the minute you drive it off the lot. With a used vehicle, it does lose value once you begin driving it, but at a much slower rate than that of a new vehicle.

If buying a used vehicle makes you cringe at what you may be getting yourself into, do some research on what it means to buy a certified used vehicle. A certified used Toyota is quite comparable to a new vehicle. The rigorous certifying process of a pre owned Toyota should be sufficient enough for any car buyer. The fact is, during the certification process the vehicle must undergo a rigorous test of 160 points, not to mention the fact that it has to pass a Carfax report. That being said, if the vehicle doesn’t check out as far as the Carfax vehicle history report, then it doesn’t get certified. It’s Toyota’s way of putting a vehicle to the ultimate test, in order to certify it, and then trusting that process so much, they back it with warranties.

It may not seem ideal, at first, to buy used, but entertaining the idea of a certified pre owned Toyota, you can be sure you’re purchasing an excellent, safe, and reliable vehicle. Toyota does the legwork to ensure all certified vehicles are of excellent quality at an economical price.

The Auto Access seat is a rotating seat with power ascension and descention in order to assist a passenger with getting into and out of the vehicle. The manufacturing takes place at the assembly plant in Indianapolis and will eliminate the need for any outside manufacturing to achieve these modifications.

This will offer a hassle free way to purchase a vehicle that is set to equip and meet the needs of the elderly or other persons who may need additional assistance maneuvering amongst the vehicle. The Auto Access seat offers assistance to the passenger with the touch of a single button. It takes advantage of the spaciousness of the Sienna and the wide opening doors. The seat operates either with the flip of a switch or by wireless remote. The seat rotates a full 90 degrees and can come within 19 inches of the ground, when lowered to full capacity. This will allow for smoother transition from vehicle to ground for the passenger.

Once the passenger has entered the vehicle they will have the ability to utilize the side switches on the seat to adjust the seat recline or slide. It will allow for a 24 degree recline and up to four inches of slide travel. An additional “Auto Recline” feature will allow for safe head clearance upon entry and exiting of the Sienna through the door frame without compromising the third row leg room.

Each vehicle varies in terms of what speed provides the optimum marriage between fuel efficiency and performance. On average, most vehicle traveling at an excess of 55 miles per hour experience a decrease in fuel efficiency. Simply moving from 65 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour can greatly influence your fuel efficiency; as much as 15 percent.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for every 5 miles per hour over 60 miles per hour, you will pay an additional 21 cents per gallon assuming the fuel cost is $3.00 per gallon. With that said, it seems increasing the speed in which you travel is the direct equivalent to throwing money straight out the window; something none of us would do, if asked to at any point in time.

Many drivers would be shocked to find out just how time they’ve saved by going over the speed limit. When traveling at 45 miles per hour, as opposed to 35 miles per hour, on a five mile trip, you save less than two minutes of time. Not to mention, you lose more money than if you had stuck to the designated speed limit.

There are old rules of thumb to remember as well. Take your time driving and don’t be aggressive. Constant swift changes between acceleration and deceleration on your vehicle will take its toll. It forces your car or truck to respond quickly to the change in commands. This takes energy, wasted energy.

Manual Transmission;

1. Usually done with the engine OFF, you may have to get under the car and remove the plug with a wrench.
2. Put your finger into the opening and feel for fluid, if you feel it on the tip of your finger it is probably at an adequate fill level.
3. Note the color, if it is dark or black, consult your owners’ manual to check to see if it is time for a fluid change.
4. NOTE, many new cars have a hydraulic clutch system which needs brake fluid as well as transmission fluid to keep the gears lubricated, check under the hood and look for a plastic reservoir, smaller than the brake fluid reservoir, once you have found it, remove the lid and check the level which should be at least 2/3 full, if not fill it to the line that says “full.” With brake fluid

Radiator/Cooling System;

****Never check your radiator system when the engine is hot

1. Your engine should be cool or lukewarm but not cold when you check the cooling system
2. Locate the radiator cap in the very front and in the center of the radiator, remove it.
3. Look to see if you can visually view the fluid level and if not top it off with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water
4. Check the fluid in the reservoir or overflow plastic container located to the side of the radiator, it has a hose connected the radiator, open the lid and make sure it is about two thirds of the way filled to the top.

Brakes;

The brake fluid should not have a problem with being repeatedly low unless there is a leak because it is a sealed system.

1. Locate the brake fluid reservoir in the engine compartment, check your owners’ manual if you are unsure of where it is located.  Remove the lid and make sure it is at least two thirds full, if not fill to the “full” line with brake fluid.
2. Make sure NOT to get water in the brake system at all costs, it is advisable to check the brake fluid in a garage or someplace that provides protection from rain.

• Checking the Engine
  1. You should drive the car for a while and then allow it to sit for at least five minutes before you perform a check on the oil level.
  2. Locate the dipstick in the front of the engine and then remove it, wipe it clean, re-insert it, and then slowly remove it again to check the oil level
  3. The oil line should be between the two lines on the dipstick, if it is below the lower line, you will need to add oil (usually a quart), but double check the oil level before adding oil, just to be sure that your first observation was accurate
  4. Add a quart, restart the engine to let the oil circulate and then check the oil level again (wait 5 more minutes) if it is still below the bottom line on the dipstick, you may need to add another quart of oil, but be very cautious not to overfill the level above the top line and this could add damage to your engine.
  • Check the Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Fluid;
  1. Make sure to keep your engine running when checking the automatic transmission fluid level, the dipstick is typically located behind the oil dipstick, but it is not as high. If in doubt, check your owner’s manual to be sure.
  2. For safety reasons, you should make sure that when you lean over to grap the dipstick you do not have any lose fitting clothing or neck wear that could get caught in the fan belt.
  3. Remove the dipstick and perform the same procedure as you did checking your oil, the lines on the transmission fluid dipstick are similar to the oil dipstick with 2 lines, a level showing up below the bottom line means the level is too low-this is almost NEVER the case unless you have a leak in the system.
  4. Check the color and consistency of the fluid, if it is very dark or black it may be time to change the transmission fluid. Be sure to refer to your owners’ manual to record time for all regularly scheduled maintenance.