Brakes, Safety/Car tips

Signs You Need New Brakes

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Once you take every safety system into account, the braking system likely tops the list. Although new technology has made driving much safer, many of the systems, particularly those involving collision avoidance, are useless without a proper functioning braking system. Take care of your brakes to ensure all your systems are good to go on the road. Here are some of the most obvious and common signs you need new brakes from us here at Krause Toyota.

Signs You Need New Brakes

1.Squealing – A hard-to-miss sign that your brake pads need to be replaced, a high-pitched squeal is caused by metal hitting metal. In this case, the built-in indicator strips in the worn brake pads are hitting the rotors, causing the annoying squealing sound. If you hear this, you should take your car in for service as soon as possible to have the pads replaced.

2. Pulling – If your car pulls to either side when braking, odds are the brake lines are wearing unevenly or there’s something in the brake fluid that shouldn’t be there. Take your vehicle to a dealership for a quick fix before it becomes an expensive repair.

3. Sight – One of the best ways to see if you need new brakes is to literally see them. Look through the wheel spokes and you’ll likely see the brake pad pushed against the rotor. If the pad has more than a quarter-inch on it, there’s no need to worry just yet. If there is less than that, though, make a service appointment in the near future for a new set of brake pads.

Toyota

Toyota Leads Automotive Innovation

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One of Toyota’s main goals is to engineer and create new ideas for the vehicles of tomorrow. In fact, Toyota is a recognized leader in automotive innovation and has been issued more patents than any other automaker for the second year in a row.

Toyota Lead Automotive Innovation - Toyota Mirai
Toyota Lead Automotive Innovation – Toyota Mirai

In 2015, the United State Patent and Trademark Office issued 1,636 patents to Toyota. In addition, over the past eight years, Toyota has been awarded more patents than any other vehicle producer.

The Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) tracks patents each year and for 2015, Toyota was the only automaker included in the IPO’s top 20 list. This puts Toyota together with companies like Microsoft, Apple, IBM, and Google.

“As companies in the automotive industry transform themselves into broader mobility providers, no auto company better demonstrates innovation and technology for the future than Toyota,” said Jeff Makarewicz, senior vice president, Toyota Technical Center (TTC), Toyota’s North American research & development headquarters, in a statement.

Some of Toyota’s most recent patents include technology that helps autonomous vehicles detect and safely react to emergency vehicles, creating artificial skin for use on mannequins during pedestrian safety tests, and creating fabrics that actually clean themselves.

Here at Krause Toyota, we are proud to be part of such an innovative company and can’t wait to see what Toyota has in store for the future.

Toyota

Toyota Earns Spot on List of World’s 50 Smartest Companies

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There is no shortage of brains at Toyota and this is evident by its placement on the MIT Technology Review’s list of the World’s 50 Smartest Companies.

“We’re very grateful to be recognized by MIT…” said Jim Lentz, chief executive officer of Toyota Motor North America, in a statement. “Toyota’s scientists are committed to innovation and leading the way to a future of mobility that is cleaner, safer, and provides freedom of mobility for all.  In the spirit of kaizen, Toyota is committed to improving every day in the service of our customers and society.”

Toyota was ranked 17th on the list and was one of only two automakers to earn a spot. It even ranked higher than global tech giants like Intel, Microsoft, and IBM. To earn a place on the list, editors look at companies that “best combine innovative technology with an effective business model.”

2016 Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Mirai
Toyota earned high marks from MIT Technology Review for the release of the hydrogen-powered Mirai

Editors praised Toyota for its new Toyota Research Institute, which will focus on robotics, artificial intelligence, and the future of mobility. Toyota also earned high marks for the release of the hydrogen-powered Mirai along with Toyota’s dedication to building a strong network of hydrogen refueling stations.

Come visit us today at Krause Toyota to see the intelligent Toyota lineup that includes the Prius family, powerful Tundra, and stunning Avalon. Who knows, you might just feel smarter once you start driving one.

Safety/Car tips

How to Pack Your Car for a Road Trip

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Now that the summer is here, you probably have a road trip or two planned for your family. However, in order to have a successful road trip, one thing you need to do is make sure everything is packed away properly. Here are a few tips on how to pack your car for a road trip.

 

    • Have everyone in the family, pack a small bag with things they would like to do while in the car—books, tablets, handheld games, drawing pads, etc.

    • Snacks play a pivotal role in having a successful road trip. Pack plenty of easy-to-eat snacks that won’t make a big mess. Bring along a reusable water bottle for each person. You’ll want napkins and wet wipes to clean up any messes. Keep snacks and drinks in the center of the vehicle so all passengers can reach them.

    • When packing the trunk or cargo area, make sure the heaviest items are on the bottom. Then, of course, the lightest items go on the top.

      • Make sure you don’t pack your cargo area too high and impede your view out of the rear window. You also don’t want items to fall over and hit any backseat passengers.

  • If you’ll be stopping overnight before you reach your final destination, pack an overnight bag with a change of clothes and basic necessities. This way you won’t have to unpack the whole car.

 

 

Now that you know what to pack, make sure your car is road trip ready. Bring it in to Krause Toyota for a quick pre-trip check up.

Safety/Car tips

Tips for Keeping Your Car Cool in Summer

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Tips for Keeping Your Car Cool in SummerIt isn’t even summer yet and the heat is already getting into cars, making them generally miserable to drive until they cool down. It’s never too early to start following these tips for keeping your car cool in summer.

Parking your car in the shade is one of the best ways to keep your car from getting too hot, especially in a garage, if you have one. Also consider leaving the windows down on sunny days with little chance of rain, if you feel comfortable with it. Invest in a reflective sun shade to put in your windshield.

To cool your car off quickly, put your fan on high and close the upper vents so only the vents by your feet are putting out air. This forces the hot air up through the open windows. Once the hot air is out, you can open the vents again.

A good way to keep your seats cool, especially when you have dark leather or vinyl seats, is to throw a damp towel over them. This will absorb the heat from the sun and keep your legs from getting burned when you sit down.

Safety/Car tips

Keep These Tips in Mind When Driving in the Rain

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Driving in the Rain

Spring is officially upon us, and you know what that means: rain. So much rain. The old adage “April showers bring May flowers” warns us of the impending storms. So what’s a driver to do?

 

Prepare yourself for spring weather by checking out these tips for driving in the rain:

  • If possible, try to avoid driving in the rain, and keep in mind that the most dangerous time to drive is right after it starts raining.
  • Never use cruise control when it’s raining and try not to drive through small puddles, in an attempt to avoid hydroplaning.
  • Never, ever attempt to drive through large puddles, as merely a foot or two of water can make your vehicle lose touch with the ground.
  • Be sure that your vehicle has a well-stocked first aid kit prepared, in the event of an accident.
  • Lastly, leave much more room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you than you normally would.

Do you have any other rainy weather tips? Stay safe this spring, and to start your season out with a new vehicle, visit us at Krause Toyota.

Prius, Toyota

Toyota Hosts 2017 Prius Prime Reveal at New York Auto Show, Gets Record Fuel Economy

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At the New York International Auto Show, Toyota wasn’t content to just release a few updated models and ideas. Additionally, the automaker hosted the reveal of the all-new 2017 Prius Prime, previewing an upcoming hybrid vehicle said to get up to 120 mpg.

Compared to the previous Prius model, these fuel economy stats represent an improvement of 26%. And in fact, according to the EPA, the average Prius model already gets about 54 combined mpg, making the Prius Prime that much more astounding.

Additionally, the Prius Prime will be able to drive about 22 miles on a charge alone before it needs to switch to gasoline. Plus, the electricity can be re-charged as quickly as in 5.5 hours with a 120-v outlet.

A Toyota executive said at the reveal that the 22-mile range is enough for about 50% of Americans to get from work to home, without needing to waste even the tiniest bit of gasoline.

To learn more or to check out the current Toyota models, visit us anytime at Krause Toyota.

Allentown

Things to Do in Allentown, Pennsylvania

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We at Krause Toyota know how great Allentown, Pennsylvania is. It is filled with many fun things to do for the whole family! Not sure where to start? Here are three very different ideas for possible things to do in Allentown:

 

Dorney Park in Allentown, PA
By Retromoderns

Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom – This is a premier amusement park in the Lehigh Valley, with both the traditional amusement rides and a water park. There are many exciting roller coasters, thrill rides, and of course water rides.

 

America on Wheels Museum in Allentown, PA
By Alphageekpa at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

America on Wheels Museum – This is a great museum with both permanent and touring exhibits. There are many subjects on display, such as different types of wheels, pedal cars, fire engines, and more. There is also a 1950s themed café and gift shop.

Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania
By Alphageekpa at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

 

Allentown Art Museum – A smaller museum, but home to an amazing collection of fine Renaissance and European art. There are many other interesting art exhibits, including a rotating temporary exhibition.

 

Of course, there are many other favorites such as baseball games at Coca-Cola Park or the PPL Center where different events occur on a regular basis. We at Krause Toyota encourage you to get out and explore all that Allentown has to offer!

Concepts, Toyota

Meet the New Toyota C-HR Concept

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Toyota’s next crossover was set to debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, but images were leaked online prior to the official premier. The pictures show the production version of the Toyota C-HR Concept. This vehicle was first shown at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. We at Krause Toyota are excited by the potential production of this thrilling crossover.

Toyota C-HR Concept
Toyota C-HR Concept at 2016 CAS

The vehicle exterior has bold lines across the body and is built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA). This is the same architecture which the new Prius built upon. The crossover also appears to have angular headlamps with a sleek grille, which is similar to the RAV4. The impression is of a futuristic crossover, with a sloping coupe-like roofline, boomerang-shaped LED taillights, and a raised stance.

There will be a gasoline-hybrid powertrain coupled with a Continuously Variable Transmission, although there may be other engine options available at a later date.

Europeans will have first dibs on the new Toyota CH-R. Once on the market, this crossover will be placed below the RAV4 in the Toyota lineup. More details will emerge as time goes on, and hopefully we will see the new CH-R in the states.

Toyota

How Hybrids Work: Eco-Friendly Technology Explained

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Toyota is known for its innovative technologies and eco-friendly designs, including hybrid and alternative-fuel systems. In fact, the Toyota Prius was the first commercially-available hybrid on the market. Nonetheless, hybrid models still might puzzle some drivers.

how hybrids work

According to fueleconomy.gov, hybrids combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor system in order to optimize fuel economy and lower emissions. This can also increase performance, and the technology is now used for a range of applications, from power tools to commercial transport.

Most hybrids come with a small gas engine and an electric motor. The motor can be charged by an outlet (plug-in hybrid) or through the gas engine and a generator. The electricity is mostly used to supplement the power of the engine, using it for passing, accelerating, or at low speeds. Energy is stored in a battery system, and can also be generated by Regenerative Braking Technology, a system that uses the friction of the brakes to create energy.

Another cool system is Automatic Start/Shutoff, a system that automatically shuts off the engine when you come to a full stop, and that restarts when the accelerator is pressed. This limits the amount of time you spend idling, essentially getting 0 mpg.

Toyota hybrid models include the Prius, Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid, Prius c, and Prius v models. For more info, stop by Krause Toyota.

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