3 Reasons Not to Neglect Your Toyota Maintenance Checks

The invention of the catalytic converter made it possible for us to reduce the number of harmful emissions we release while still enjoying the benefits of car ownership, and these days the device is an expected inclusion in your fuel system. If your converter has become aged or damaged, you're sure to see some negative side effects. Check this list for the common signs before visiting your Toyota dealer for an upgrade. 3 Signs Your Toyota Needs a New Catalytic Converter 1. Spending Too Much Money on Gas Nobody likes having to spend money at the pump to refill their tank, but it's even worse when you find yourself filling up more and more often while running out of fuel at a faster rate. If your catalytic's filtration layer has become clogged, that's just the situation you could find yourself in. more During normal use, the converter's inner film can become coated in deposits and not allow proper air passage. This results in improper combustion of fuel, meaning some of the gas is wasted each time you press down on the pedal. A quick visit to a dealer can let you know whether it's time to have the device cleaned or replaced. 2. Reduction in Expected Horsepower We like our vehicles to speed up nicely when overtaking in a lane or merging onto the highway, and it's horribly unsatisfying when you're pressing on the gas but getting no reaction from the engine. This is yet another potential result of a clogged converter. As we discussed earlier, when the converter isn't working properly the fuel-to-air ratio isn't able to reach the proper mixture level and gas is wasted. When discussing acceleration, the lack of proper combustion means you will experience a delay between when you wanted to speed up and when it actually happens. 3. Roaring and Rattling A damaged or absent converter can result in all sorts of strange noises from your vehicle. If you're hearing a metallic rattling when you turn the ignition key, and maybe even while you're driving, that could be a sign that an inner component of the catalytic has broken loose and is clanging about from the vibration of the engine. Roaring, on the other hand, only occurs when the device is completely gone. If your converter is missing, the engine will become obnoxiously loud, especially when accelerating. Even when left idle, a vehicle without a catalytic will reach a volume that most find unpleasant. Wanting to keep the air breathable and the environment clean is a no-brainer, and keeping your converter functional is an easy way to ensure you're contributing to the safety of your community. Come to Cloninger Toyota today to have your catalytic assessment and receive an upgrade that brings you all the benefits of a healthy fuel system.

Over their life, your tires are subject to friction, heat, cold, water, and numerous other conditions. Modern tires are more advanced and stronger than ever, but they will still wear out. Worn tires can affect your braking and increase wear on other components. When you need replacements, your friendly Toyota dealer can fit them. These are a few signs that it's time for new tires. Time for New Tires? Visit Your Salisbury Toyota Dealer Today Your Tread Is Low The tread on your tires is the raised pattern section in contact with the surface. Each manufacturer has different patterns for the tread, but all serve the same purpose. The tread's purpose is to provide your tires with a sure grip on the surface. This allows you to drive with the confidence that your Toyota will respond just as it's designed to. more Since the tread is raised its subject to abrasion. As you drive, small sections of the rubber slowly flake off. As the tread wears down, its grip on the surface will become less stable. A reduced tread will also increase your fuel consumption, as a lack of tread creates resistance when you drive. When we replace the worn tires, these problems will disappear. You Have a Slow Leak Tires lose some air pressure each month, and this is normal. The loss is due to the interior pressure of the tires trying to balance with the exterior air pressure. On average, each tire will lose 1 to 3 pounds per square inch (psi) per month. In addition, external temperature changes will also cause your tie pressure to fluctuate. Every 10 F drop in temperature will reduce tire pressure by 2psi. If your tires seem to be losing air faster than this, you could have a slow leak. A nail or other sharp object may have punctured your tire, and the air is slowly leaking out. Sometimes if you examine your tires you'll see a puncture mark. Our technicians can examine your tires and either plug the leak or replace them, depending on the damage. Your Tread Is Separating Your tires are composites, built from a steel belt supported by polymer belts, then covered in a different layer of rubber and vulcanized. Tread separation can occur due to extreme damage to a tire. When this happens, the tread layers with the steel and polymer bands start to separate from the remainder of the tire. Tread separation is easy to see, and it's very dangerous as the tire becomes structurally unstable. If you have a tire or tires that are separating, come and see us ASAP as we need to replace them for you. If you're having a problem with your tires, come see us at Cloninger Toyota.

Your car's engine is a very hot place, and it's filled with components that can be damaged by high temperatures. To keep your engine running efficiently and protect vital parts from damage, your car has a cooling system. The radiator is the most important part of this system, but as with any mechanical component, it can get damaged. As your Toyota dealer, we'd like you to know some signs that you'll need a radiator repair. Do You Need a Radiator Repair at Your Toyota Dealer? Engine Temperature Is Too High Your engine runs hot due to combustion and the constant high-speed movement of countless parts. Your engine's normal operating temperature is between 195F and 220F. Although this sounds hot, it's the right temperature for your engine to operate efficiently. If the heat generated by your engine isn't removed, however, the temperature will rise far above the safe level. This will result in serious engine damage. When your engine temperature rises over 185F, coolant is released to control the engine temperature. This coolant will absorb the heat and carry it to the radiator for cooling. If your engine temperature is rising noticeably, this means there must be a fault in the cooling system. Call our service department, and our highly-trained technicians will investigate and fix the problem. more Damaged Thermostat The thermostat is a small valve with a big function. The thermostat controls the flow of coolant in your engine. Once the engine temperature hits 185F, the thermostat notes the temperature and opens to release coolant. The water pump activates and pumps the coolant through your engine at high speed. As the coolant passes through your engine, it absorbs the engine's heat. When the temperature drops below 185F, the coolant returns to the tank, and the valve closes. If the thermostat fails, it will jam in a closed or open position. If the thermostat jams closed, no coolant will be released regardless of the engine temperature. Your engine temperature will start to rise rapidly and your engine can quickly begin overheating. If the thermostat jams open, coolant will be continually released. The coolant will rapidly reduce your engine temperature, but it will become inefficient. Broken Thermal Switch When coolant is released into your engine, it absorbs the heat and carries it to the radiator. In the radiator, the hot coolant enters rows of thin fin-like tubes. Air blowing in through the radiator grille blows across the tubes and cools the liquid inside them. The faster your car is moving, the faster the airflow through the grille and the quicker the coolant is cooled. When your car is idling, there's very little air movement. To keep your engine from overheating, there's a fan attached to the back of your radiator. This fan will come on and blow over the tubes from behind to cool them. The thermal switch controls the fan, and if it fails the fan won't come on. If your car seems to be running hotter than it should, call us right away at Cloninger Toyota.