When it comes to buying a new vehicle there is one important step, test driving. Before you spend a big chunk of change you want to know if this “new ride” is perfect for you, and just because the vehicle looks great in pictures and on paper doesn’t mean it is the right fit for you. This week we have some tips on what to look for or ask when it comes to test driving. You’ll want to test the comfort, design, smoothness of the ride during the test drive. And no matter what anyone one says, go into a test drive with an open mind and allow yourself to form your own opinions.

When you have decided on a vehicle test drive be sure to bring your driver’s license and proof of insurance. In order to take a test drive, we will need to know that you are a licensed and insured driver. Don’t forget these or you may have to wait to take a spin around the block!

Tips:

• Entering the vehicle: Is the vehicle easy to get into? Do you have enough room to enter and exit the vehicle without bumping your head? Can you maneuver easily? – These are important things to note. If you are having a difficult time, you may want to look at a vehicle with a little more space. Sometimes comparing two different sized vehicles can help you decide which is a better option to fit your lifestyle.
• The Ride: How does the vehicle ride? Is it easy to steer? Is there any cabin noise or blind spots that hinder your sight? How does the vehicle brake, do you feel comfortable with the vehicle’s ability to come to a stop? – The ride is one of the most important things to look at during a test drive. You want to feel comfortable and confident in the vehicle you take home, it is important to test for features that will enhance this.
• After The Test Drive: What is the maintenance schedule and how much are those services? Does the vehicle have a warranty? – Asking questions after the test drive will give you a better feel for the vehicle and how much maintenance the vehicle needs and what you may need to pay for. Your salesperson can answer all and any questions that may come up during the car buying process. Don’t be afraid to ask, you need to know all the details about the vehicle that you are purchasing.
• Take Time: There is no rush when it comes to buying a vehicle, our goal is to sell you a vehicle you love for a price your wallet will appreciate! If you need to take a second test drive, by all means, take one! We are here to help you get into the perfect vehicle.

Spring has sprung and summer is just right around the corner. And maybe you skipped that spring cleaning you planned for your vehicle. That’s alright – we’re here with some tips to clean your vehicle and get you in tip-top shape for the upcoming summer heat!

• Start off your cleaning with a clean slate and wash your vehicle! Don’t let all that built up dirt, grime, and pollen affect you any longer. Stop at the carwash or give your vehicle a scrub a dub at home! Either way, show your vehicle some TLC and get it sparkling like new again!
• Empty out your vehicle! Trash or recycle the items that you no longer use or never needed in the first place. Don’t forget about your trunk – your trunk can become a place for unnecessary items to pile up. Once your vehicle is empty, vacuum out your trunk, seats, carpet, and mats.
• Wash, wash, wash – give your carpets and upholstery a scrub down. For your seats, use a microfiber cloth and the correct cleaning solutions to get rid of any stains or built up dirt. Do the same if you have carpet floor mats. If you have all-weather mats, you can spray them off with the hose and scrub with car soap.
• Air vents need love too – take your vacuum to all of your air vents to rid them of any loose dirt particles that have built up. Once you are done, wipe your vents with a wet cloth to get any remaining particles.
• Check your tire pressure! When you are cleaning out your vehicle it is always a good idea to check the tire pressure in all four tires. If your tires need some air, our service department can assist you with that. Or you could also stop at your local gas station to fill up the tires!

Lastly, add an air freshener! Get your car smelling cleaning like a fresh summer breeze with one or a few of these handy little things!

So, you’ve packed the car and the family is ready to hit the road. But, how will you pass the time? We know that those summer road trips can have you feeling antsy and ready to get out an stretch your legs. Avoid saying “are we there, yet” with some of our favorite road trip games!

21 Questions:

• Player one picks a person, place, or thing. All other players take turns asking questions of what player one is thinking about. Whoever guesses what is being thought about gets to start the next round, questions cannot be repeated and have to be answered with a simple, “yes” or “no.”

Alphabetical Categories:

• Players will pick a category like food, musical bands, cereal brands, cars, etc. Beginning with the letter A, players will list the first thing that comes to their mind that starts with the specific letter. Work your way through the alphabet, once you hit Z, start over!

License Plate Game:

• Grab a pad of paper and begin to write down each different license plate you notice along the road. The first player to 50 or the player with the most, wins. If you are playing with young kids who are learning geography, give them a map so they can see where the state falls on the map!

Animal Name Game:

• One player will start by saying an animal, the next player must come up with an animal that starts with the last letter of the previous animal that was named. There is no winner but this game can keep younger passengers occupied for long periods of time plus, it will teach them new animals!

Tic Tac Toe

• You’ll need a piece of paper for this as well, draw out a grid and begin placing Xs and Os within the grid. Whoever gets three across first, wins. This is quick and easy but will keep everyone, who is not driving, occupied.

When it comes to car buying there can be a lot of hard choices to make. One is whether you plan to buy or lease your new vehicle. There are benefits and drawbacks to both sides but what are they? This week’s blog has you covered when it comes to that.

Why lease:

• Little to no down payment

• Cheaper monthly payments

• Service can be included in your contract/ Car is covered under warranty

• Latest vehicles and technology

Why not to lease:

• Mileage restrictions

• Excess wear and tear fees

• No equity in the vehicle

• Good credit is sometimes necessary

Why buy:

• No restrictions, the car is yours to do whatever you want with

• Your credit doesn’t need to be outstanding

• No monthly payments after paying off the loan

• No fees due to excess wear and tear on the vehicle

Why not to buy:

• Hefty down payments or monthly payments

• Depreciation can happen quickly and unexpectedly

• Long-term loans can have you paying for your vehicle for more than you planned

• Service costs come out of your pocket

Whichever option you choose, there will be positives and negatives. It is important to factor in how much you drive on a regular basis and how much your monthly income is. If you tend to drive a lot, buying the vehicle might be better for you in the long run. But, if you don’t and don’t want to spend too much on a new car, leasing is a great option! Our finance team can help you decide further – don’t be scared to ask the questions! It is important you get exactly what you want and need.

Is your lease almost up? Is this the month that you need to trade-in or are looking to upgrade to a new vehicle? Well, if so, you’ve made it to the right place. Fiore Toyota has a great selection of lease specials for the month of May, that will get you excited about your next Toyota.

Get everything you want in a 2018 Toyota Camry LE for just $230 a month.*  With sporty styling, standard Toyota Safety Sense™, and receiving the NHTSA  5-star Overall Safety Rating – the Camry is the perfect sedan, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Okay, okay, maybe you need something to tag along for all your adventures. A vehicle with enough cargo utility room, comfort, and technology for your weekend getaways. The 2018 Toyota RAV4 LE is ready for your road trip. And, at $230 a month, you will be able to take that one extra trip while saving on a great vehicle.*

Keep it wild in a vehicle with exceptional durability, capability, and utility. If those words get you excited, then the 2018 Toyota 4RUNNER SR5 is the right SUV to match your wildness. Get into one of these bad boys for $290 a month on a lease deal.*

Were you built to be the leader in any and every situation you find yourself in? Check out the 2018 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab 6.5’ Bed 4.6L Double Cab. For $299 a month, you will get the payload, handling, and all the capability you’ve been wanting.

*All specials expire on 5/31/2018. See specials page for full details.

When it comes to trading in a vehicle there is a lot of information you should know before heading to the dealership. It is important to know the tricks of the trade and what will be coming your way when you decide to trade-in your old vehicle. This week I have a few key terms to help ensure a smooth trade-in process for you. Take a look below and let us know if you knew these terms!

Value of Your Trade/ Allowance:

The trade-in value is the amount that the dealer is offering to buy your old vehicle, the offer is influenced by a number of factors. Appraisers take into consideration your vehicle’s condition, the year, and how well it runs. Knowing the value of your trade can help you negotiate better when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Once you have agreed to a trade-in value with the dealership, a trade-in allowance should also be established. The allowance is the amount which the dealer is willing to reduce the price of your new vehicle as a result of trading your old one. This can be looked at as a credit from the sale of your old car towards your new one.

Loan Value:

This is the amount that your financing lender is willing to provide toward your new vehicle. Your loan amount depends on numerous factors like your credit score, financial stability, and even unfulfilled loan payments. In some cases, you may have to pay off a current auto loan before a lender offers a new loan.

Retail Value:

This value is dictated by the market, versus trade-in values which are dictated by dealers. The retail value represents the dollar figure that they can (re)sell your used vehicle for. It is key to research the retail value before heading to the dealership. Knowing what your vehicle should retail for can help get you more money towards your trade-in. Some people may find it beneficial to sell the car themselves, this route can sometimes be a long and treacherous uphill battle.

Negative Equity, Upside Down Loans:

It is important to understand the terms of your trade so you avoid being upside down on a loan. Some dealers may offer to pay off the balance of your current vehicle’s loan but be careful to make sure you don’t get into a situation where you owe more on a loan than your car is actually worth. Look at the terms of your loan and make sure a portion of your old loan isn’t “rolling over” onto your new loan.

When it comes to trading in your next car be sure you know these few key terms to help you negotiate confidently! It is important for you to get into a car you love but with the price you want, so take it slow and be sure to get everything you want in your next vehicle.

With spring, finally, here we are ready to get out and enjoy the weather – sunshine beaming through the windows, wind blowing through our hair, and the radio playing our favorite tunes. One thing is inevitable though, those pesky springtime allergies. This week’s blog will give you some tips to help minimize those allergy symptoms and keep you happy and healthy on those road trips you plan to take this summer!  

First things first, it’s important to keep up with regular maintenance – especially when the seasons are changing. This will ensure a smooth, secure and comfortable ride for you along with all your passengers.

‘Tis The De-Clutter Season

Springtime is one of the most popular cleaning seasons – your car should be included in this. Get rid of any trash within your car or items that you don’t need anymore. Vacuum your seats, carpets, and floorboards – this will get rid of dust, dirt, and anything that’s built up over the winter months. Use a cleaner to give your mats a good scrub, floor mats are a breeding ground for mold spores due to moisture from shoes. Invest in plastic floor mats, they are easier to clean and don’t harbor moisture. Dust that dash! Don’t forget about your dashboard – give it a good wipe down with a cleaner and a microfiber cloth. An exterior wash can cut down on pollen that enters your car through air filters.

No One Likes Dirty Filters

Changing air filters is a huge step in ensuring you’re not breathing in pollen, dust, and other irritants while you’re in your vehicle. Your owner’s manual can help you determine when and how often you’ll need to change your air filter. If you can’t determine when you need a new filter, it’s a good idea to change every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Our service department has all the tools to help you switch out your old filter for a new one that will cut down on irritants. To ensure a better breathing environment for you and your passengers, you can invest in special pollen filters.

Not only is it a good idea to change your filter for breathing purposes but it will ensure your HVAC system stays clean and working properly. Not only do you want to avoid inhaling debris, dust, pollen, or harmful contaminants, a clogged filter can create problems for your system which could be a costly repair. Swap out your air filter as recommended.

Take Precautions

You should never drive with your windows down during peak allergy season. However, irritants, pollen, and dust will find their way into your vehicle one way or another if your windows aren’t properly sealed. Be sure to check for cracks or gaps in your windows or that your weather stripping is still intact on your vehicle. During these times, use your air conditioning but keep it on the recirculation setting to ensure that your system isn’t intaking a lot of air from outside.

With spring in full swing, many people are going to be switching their winter tires out for a new or different set. But what do you do with your tires you just took off your car? If you don’t plan on tossing them, do you know how to properly store them so they stay in tip-top shape for the next season? Well, that’s alright, I got you covered in this week’s blog, I have a to-do list to ensure your tires are properly stored for when they are not in use.

1. Clean up your tires, we all enjoy being squeaky clean as do your tires. It’s important to rid each tire of any brake dust or grime that have built up over the winter. Don’t skip on your wheels, they need TLC too. Dry completely once you are finished.

2. Each tire should be placed in its own plastic bag, this bag should be big enough to cover the entire tire. Bags should also be airtight, use a zip tie after removing the air. This will reduce oil evaporation and keep tires lubricated.

3. Heat can cause damage to your tires, be sure to keep them out of extreme heat and/ or direct sunlight. Keep tires in a climate-controlled, dry area. Avoid areas like attics or sheds that are exposed to extreme heat or cold, tires should also be kept away from ozone sources like sump pumps, furnaces, or electric motors.

4. If you have space, store tires vertically rather than stacking them one on top of the other. This will reduce stress amongst your tires and avoid distortion. Keep them off the ground, for example, place them on a piece of clean wood.

5. Lastly, if you are not using a car, remove and store the tires. If your car sits for extended periods of time it can be harmful to your tires.

If you are looking to replace tires and are unsure if your tires are spring-ready, stop by or schedule a service appointment today.

With temperatures warming and April known for its rain showers, muddy roads are something we may encounter this spring. But do you know what to do if your car gets stuck in the mud – I surely don’t. This week’s blog is dedicated to just that. I’m bringing you some tips on what to do if you find yourself stuck, literally and figuratively.  

Staying calm is extremely important and although it may be tempting to hit the gas to try to free your vehicle from the muddy mess, don’t. If you accelerate, your car will only sink deeper into the mud and will make the situation worse. If you by chance have passengers in the vehicle asking them to exit will remove any extra weight and will stop from further sinking.

Move your wheel back and forth, this creates room for the tires to maneuver through the mud and will increase your chances of getting your car out of the mess. Gently, press on the accelerator allowing the weight of the vehicle to get traction. If you have an automatic, put your car in the lowest gear. For standards, use your highest gear and gently release the clutch.

You should begin to switch from drive to reverse, swiftly. This will cause a rocking motion which should help free you from the mud, be sure to only do this a few times because it can cause damage.  If this doesn’t work, digging out mud from around your tires and laying down items like branches, a blanket, even car mats in desperate situations can help your car gain traction. Once you are back inside your car, gently press on the accelerator until the tires have traction and you are able to accelerate out of the mud.

When you’re vehicle is free, don’t forget to pick up any items you may have needed to use for traction. Be careful returning to normal speed, excess mud from tires should be shed at slower speeds to reduce the risk of damage. Give your car a quick look over to ensure there is no damage, brake lines are exceptionally vulnerable and need to be fixed immediately.

Give us a call if you have any questions or need to schedule a service appointment.