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Avoid Road Rage With These Tips From Fiore Toyota | Hollidaysburg, PA

Being a safe and smart driver is not always as easy as we think. Sometimes some jerk cuts us off or someone is driving way under the speed limit. While we know this is annoying and can create road rage - we want to help you stay calm behind the wheel so you can get to your destination on time and safely. This week, we have a few tips to help keep your road rage under control and keep you focused on what really matters - the road ahead! So, take a look and come see our team when you’re ready to upgrade into a brand new Toyota! Be aware of rising anger Often times, the most obvious signs of road rage are often physical. These can be anything from tone of voice, language, gestures, or muscle tension. When you catch yourself feeling this way before it worsens, it will prevent anger from turning into aggression/ road rage which will keep you safe and focused on the road ahead of you! Take time to calm down If you feel yourself feeling angry, pull over and take some time to calm down. Whether you choose to pull onto the shoulder or pull off and exit, when it is safe to do so, we recommend taking a few deep breaths, recollect your thoughts, and wait until you are once again ready to return to the road. Be defensive If you ever come across an aggravated driver, it’s a good idea to let that person pass and be on their way. Do not try to tailgate or block traffic, as this could only worsen their behavior and put yourself and other drivers in harm’s way. Don’t take your eyes off the road, keep your distance and be alert of any sudden changes that may occur. Resist retaliation If someone is driving slow or cuts you off, you may want to honk your horn, scream, or use profane gestures. Not only will this make you look silly but it will aggravate the other driver and can lead to potentially dangerous situations. Avoid these gestures, honking, flashing your high beams. Keep calm and drive on - that’s all!

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How Drivers Can Share The Road Safely With Motorcyclists | Hollidaysburg, PA

Can you believe some of the weather we’ve been having lately? Nice sunny days that aren’t too hot! Days like this make everyone want to hit the road for a little adventure! And that means more traffic and unfortunately more threats to drivers road safety! Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users due to their lack of protection and visibility. As a driver, it's crucial to be aware of motorcyclists and take extra precautions to keep them safe. Here are some tips for drivers to keep motorcyclists safe on the roads: Check your blind spots: Before changing lanes or turning, always check your blind spots to ensure there are no motorcyclists in your path. Avoid distractions: Avoid using your phone, eating, or engaging in other distractions while driving, as they can cause you to miss important details, such as a motorcyclist approaching. Anticipate their movements: Motorcycles are more agile than cars and can change direction quickly. As a driver, be prepared for sudden movements and adjust your speed and position accordingly. Use your signals: Use your turn signals and brake lights to indicate your intentions to motorcyclists, allowing them to react and adjust their position on the road. Respect their right-of-way: Motorcyclists have the same rights on the road as all other vehicles, but less protection. Be sure to respect their right-of-way for their safety and yours.

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Fiore Toyota’s Guide To A Successful Trunk-Or-Treat | Hollidaysburg, PA

Trunk-or-treating has become very popular in the last couple of years and we think it’s a great way to keep up the Halloween fun even if you live in a spread out neighborhood or don’t want to take your kids out on the town! Many times trunk-or-treating is set up in a school or other community parking lot and parents gather to get their kids into the spooky spirit! But, if you’re used to the traditional way of trick-or-treating you may feel a little lost! That’s where Fiore Toyota comes in! We’ve put together a guide to help you navigate your next Trunk-or-treat event! Take a look at our guide below and enjoy a safe and fun Halloween! Fiore Toyota’s Trunk-Or-Treat Guide: Make sure your parking brake is on! Safety first! Even when your vehicle is parked, it’s always best to take an extra precaution; especially with hoards of children hopped up on sugar running around! When you decorate your trunk, don’t go overboard. Remember the crowd you're catering to! Don’t go overboard with your decorations and avoid anything too gory or spooky! Not only will all the other kids avoid your car, but you’re bound to get some odd looks from the other parents too! Stick to individually wrapped candies. While candy apples and corn are delicious and fun, many parents worry about their children receiving unsafe candies and it’s more than likely that the parents will have their children throw out any unwrapped treats. Don’t forget your camp chairs! You don’t want to stand the whole time and if you’ve decorated your trunk you don’t want to ruin your overall aesthetic! Plus you never know when the other parents of kids might need to take a load off so be sure to pack your extra seating! EXTRA CANDY. You really don't want to be the parents that run out of candy too fast! Always bring an extra bag along in the back seat in case you need to crack it out!

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Easily Renew Your License Using This Guide From Fiore Toyota | Hollidaysburg, PA

Whether you are thinking about cleaning up the house, getting the kids to and from school, or getting ready for all of the upcoming holidays - you don’t have time to be thinking about renewing your driver’s license. So, to make things easier for you, we have your guide on how to renew, where to renew, and how to pay for that renewal. Take a look below and be sure to check your license to ensure that yours hasn’t expired before you noticed! Once your license is renewed and you’re ready for a new Toyota to complete all your tasks, stop in to see us for a test drive, and let’s get you back on the road! Fiore Toyota’s Guide To Renewing Your License: In-person renewal: Provide your “Invitation to Renew” or a complete Non-Commercial Driver’s License Application for Renewal. Have your photograph taken. Your Social Security Number (SSN). 1 primary document providing your identity (these are a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or current P.A. license.) A form of payment. By mail renewal: Provide your “Invitation to Renew” or a complete Non-Commercial Driver’s License Application for Renewal. Return completed application with payment of money order or check with the correct amount listed on the form. Within 7 to 10 business days, you will receive a camera card from the DMV. Take that card and acceptable identification to a state photo center to have your new digitized license printed. Online renewal: Visit the PennDOT Online Driver’s License/ Photo ID website. Have your driver’s license number ready to enter. Provide your date of birth and the last 4 of your SSN. Pay the renewal fee. You’ll receive your new license in the mail within two weeks.

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Our Tips For Getting Your Car Out Of The Mud | Hollidaysburg, PA

April showers bring May flowers, but they also make for some muddy situations. Dirt roads and grassy fields can become your Toyota’s worst enemy during the rainy season ahead! But, don’t worry, the Fiore Toyota team has got you covered with our tips on how to get your car out of the mud! So, be prepared this muddy March by reading our list below and don’t forget to bring your car into Fiore Toyota’s Service Center for a service appointment to make sure your car is as rain ready as can be! Fiore Toyota’s Tips For Getting Your Car Out Of The Mud: Have Any Passengers Get Out of The Vehicle This’ll hopefully only be a short-lived inconvenience for your passengers and help reduce the weight of your vehicle thereby stopping it from sinking further into the mud. Dig Out The Area In Front Of Your Tires If reducing the weight doesn't help get your car moving, it may be time to get your hands dirty. Scoop the mud out from the area directly in front of your tires to make the rut less steep and enable your car to climb out. Steer Straight And Don't Spin Your Wheels Turn your steering wheel to make sure that your front wheels are pointing straight and slowly press down on the accelerator. Do not press down hard on the accelerator as rapidly spinning wheels will more than likely make you lose traction and sink deeper into the mud. Try To Get Traction A floor mat, piece of cardboard, wooden plank, or even your jacket are all items you can try and slip under your tires to help gain traction. Use A Tow Strap If there is another driver nearby willing to try and tow you out, you can use a tow strap. They should be part of any vehicle emergency kit and are easy to use. Just fix one end of the strap to the towers rear bumper mount or trailer hitch, fix the other end of the strap to your vehicle's front tow hook, put your can in drive and have the tower accelerate slowly until the strap is gaunt. You and the tower can then apply light pressure to both of your accelerators and hopefully ease your way out of the mud. Fiore Toyota hopes our tips were helpful!

Headlights Dim? Don’t Stress

Headlights growing dim? Perhaps with no explanation whatsoever? Well, there is probably a reason and we are here to help. Although the days are getting longer, you need to be paying attention to your headlights so they are in tip-top shape. Below, we have the top reasons why your headlights are going dim, and how to fix them! If only one of your headlights it out, you probably have a burned out bulb. Or another headlight-related component has burned out. Our service department can help diagnose the problem. If neither headlight works, then both bulbs have burned out or your relay/ control switch is malfunctioning. If your headlights work but are dim, a cleaning solution and a clean microfiber cloth could help solve this problem. Once your lights are clean, look over your front end. If the plastic headlight casing is yellow, scratched, or chipped (perhaps all three), ask us about getting your headlights reconditioned. If your headlights dim from time to time or in certain situations, it is likely that your charging system could be causing problems. See Us For All Your Service Needs

Professional Car Wash DIY

So, of course, we know that one of the best parts of spring is the warm air, the rising temperatures, the trees and flowers blooming and the weather just getting much nicer. Of course, there’s another great part of spring - it’s the perfect time to wash your car at home! Take a look at our tips for how to do a professional job of it and make your Toyota look better than ever! For a proper car wash, you’ll need supplies like automotive soap or shampoo, a few microfiber cloths or a microfiber wash mitt, a wheel brush, and a couple of buckets for water, both to soap and rinse. The first thing you should do before you start washing is to make sure your vehicle is in the shade, and then give it a good rinse with the hose before you begin. Get the body of the vehicle AND the undercarriage! There’s a lot of dirt and salt that you might miss by not rinsing properly, so make sure you’re thorough. Next, fill one bucket with soapy water and the other with clean water for rinsing your washing cloths or mitt. Soap up the car, using long straight strokes and going panel by panel. When you’ve washed the whole thing, let the suds hang out for a few minutes while you tackle the wheels, making sure to get between the spokes. The final rinse is next, and you should be equally as thorough with this one as you were with the first so that you are sure to get all the soap off. You should NOT let your car air-dry! Instead, dry the vehicle panel by panel with a dry microfiber cloth. When you let the car air dry, the evaporating water leaves rings and deposits and those are difficult to get off. After this, a nice coat of protectant spray or wax is a good idea if you want to go the extra mile. This preserves the hard work you’ve just done and protects your vehicle against any future damage between now and your next wash. That’s the last of it - step back and take a look. Great job! Start With A Beautiful Slate - A New Toyota!

Check Your Oil Monthly - Here’s How

One of the most important things you can do for your vehicle is check your oil at least once a month. Why, you ask? Well! Because your oil does a lot of work under your hood and checking it can help you make sure that your vehicle is running correctly. If you see something wrong in your oil, it’s pretty much a sure bet that you should be taking your vehicle to the shop pretty soon after. Don’t know how to check it? Check THIS! Open the hood. Prop it so it stays open. Locate the oil dipstick next to the engine. It should have a yellow handle and/or be labeled. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth or paper towel. Dip the stick all the way back in. Pull it out again and look at the oil level. If it’s in the middle of the hatched/indicated area, you’re good. More is better, less is okay, but if you’re lower than the area you need to get your oil topped up and have your system checked for leaks. Look at the oil quality and color. If there are a lot of particles or if the oil looks sludgy, you need to get it changed as soon as possible. Put the dipstick back in. Close your hood. Remember to do this at least once a month and you’ll be golden between your oil changes. Schedule Your Next Oil Change Today

Battery Dying? Do Vehicle CPR

Do you find that your battery keeps dying? We’ve been driving down the street lately and seeing a lot of folks with their vehicle’s nose against another, giving a neighbor a jump. While it’s a nice chance to meet a neighbor, needing a jumpstart is often inconvenient and not something that you want to start your day off with. Here are some reasons your battery might be dying prematurely on you. You could be leaving the lights on unintentionally. This means either the headlights or an overhead light in your vehicle, which drains the battery quickly. This can be the product of either forgetfulness or a malfunction (if your lights are supposed to turn off automatically). Make sure your lights are all turned off when they are supposed to be, and if they are malfunctioning take your vehicle in to the shop to get that fixed. Your battery could just be old. Do you remember the last time your battery was replaced? If not, it’s probably time for that puppy to go to the farm, so to speak. When your battery is too old, it won’t hold a charge. The connections to your battery could be loose or corroded. When this happens, the charging system in your car can’t keep your battery charged while you’re driving. The solution to this is to make sure that the connections to your battery are clean and tight. The cold could be a factor. In colder temperatures, older batteries can malfunction or die… which honestly just means that you need a new battery anyway. Your charging system might just be broken. This could be anything from wiring to belts to parts that need replacement, so as soon as you jump your vehicle, bring it to the shop. Schedule Your Battery Service Today

Prepare For Winter!

Winter is approaching more quickly than I think a lot of us would like, and that means not only getting sweaters, scarves, hats, and gloves out of the closet but also getting our vehicles ready for what the season might have in store. That means ice, snow, freezing rain, and all manner of slushes and road liquids of varying temperatures. How to do this, you may be asking? Well! That is why I am here. Read on, friend, and learn! The first step is making sure that you have a good place to park your vehicle. If you have a garage, make sure it’s clean enough for your car to fit inside comfortably to shelter it from the elements. This is also a great time to do a little organization and waste disposal! Second, check the fluids under your vehicle’s hood. Is your radiator in good shape? Make sure you have the right amount of coolant and start using windshield washer fluid with nontoxic antifreeze in it. On that vein, check on your windshield wipers. Consider investing in wipers specifically for the winter if you typically get bad weather. If not, just make sure that what you have is in good shape and ready to handle the weather. Make sure all of your defrosters work. Turn them on full blast and feel the vent to make sure air is coming out everywhere it should be. If not, bring them in to us to get fixed. Check on your battery. Just because it may look new doesn’t mean that it actually is new. Make sure the connections are tight and not rusted or corroded. If you need to replace your battery soon, might as well do it now! Finally, get your snow tires on if you have them, and if you don’t then make sure your tires are ready for the winter. Consider investing in chains or other traction improving accessories if you know you’ll encounter slick roads. Put all your winter necessities in your trunk and you’re ready to face the season! Get Your Service In Now!

Five Fluids of Destiny

If you’re interested in getting more involved in what’s happening under the hood of your vehicle, a great place to start is definitely the various fluids that call your engine bay home. There are five that we’ll cover in this blog today, but arguably these are the five that you really, really should know. So, without further ado, here are the FIVE FLUIDS OF DESTINY, or even just the five you should know. First, you have your oil. Without oil in your engine - or even sufficient oil - your engine will be running VERY dry and without the cooling and lubricating effects of the oil, your engine might even seize and weld itself together, effectively turning it into a block of metal that is shaped like an engine. To make sure you’re taking care of your oil, check it at least once a month and get regular oil changes. Second is coolant. This does pretty much what it says on the tin, and cools your engine and radiator so they don’t overheat. The reservoir for this fluid is located near the radiator, and is a clear opaque plastic container. You can see the coolant level through the plastic, which is good because the more the reservoir can stay closed, the better. If the level is low, take your vehicle to us so that we can top off that coolant. Next is brake fluid, which is also in a tank marked with minimum and maximum lines. Make sure the level of this fluid is good, because if it’s chronically low your brakes might be wearing down. Regardless, if the fluid level is low you should bring your vehicle in for a brake fluid top-up. Power steering fluid is number four. The reservoir for this fluid is located at the base of your windshield, and is a small tank (opaque, so you can see the level). This fluid makes steering your car easy, and without it your steering mechanism will not operate properly. Make sure the fluid is always between the minimum and maximum levels indicated on the tank. Finally, the fifth fluid - your washer fluid! This one basically everyone knows. If you want to find the tank, look for a large cap with a windshield diagram on it. Pop that open and fill it with fluid that you can buy at basically any gas station. Bam, you did it! Make sure you always have fluid in there, though, because it sucks to get stranded with a dirty windshield and no way to clean it. Service On Any Fluid For Less!

PA Car Buying Basics

When buying a new car, there are things you should always know about the process… like what paperwork you’ll need to have in order to complete the transaction legally. Thankfully, your dealer should take care of all of that for you! But in the spirit of staying well informed, here are the things you need in order to get a new car. First, you should have the Certificate of Title with your name and address as well as current odometer reading on the vehicle you’re buying. Then, you need to transfer the title and register the car by either applying for new registration and license plate, or by transferring the registration and license plate from your old car. To get this paperwork done, you need to go to a PennDOT office and bring: The title certificate, which must be signed by you AND the seller in front of a PennDOT agent. Proof of car insurance. A valid Pennsylvania ID. Application forms, which are available at the PennDOT office: The Application for Pennsylvania Certificate of Title (Form MV-1). The Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration (Form MV-4ST). If you’re not transferring plates, you can get a temporary registration that’s valid for 90 days. This should all be taken care of by your dealer, but before you buy a new car you should definitely make sure that you’re on the same page about paperwork. Good luck! Check Out Our New Specials!

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