Safety Tips to Keep in Mind for the Winter Season in California | Northridge Toyota Scion

Automobile associations, law enforcement groups and other organizations that follow cars and traffic often come out with a set of safety checks for drivers during the winter. The tips have little use for Southern California drivers, who would see a near shutdown of freeways and streets if by some strange weather quirk they had to confront snow.

But mindful that we are not weather-challenged, auto information company Edmunds.com has come out with a set of safety tips for Sun Belt drivers as we head into the rainy season.

Check your tire pressure: Tire pressure is important because traction declines in wet conditions. Also, a properly inflated tire will help protect against wheel damage that might occur as the vehicle drives over potholes. Read your owner's manual to find the correct tire pressure.

Inspect the wipers and check wiper fluid: Visibility is often compromised in the winter by rain and reduced daylight. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year. If your car's blades are older, replace them.

Make sure your four-wheel drive system works: A big selling point for SUVs is that many offer four-wheel drive, which improves traction in snow and other slippery conditions. But many people don't use their 4WD systems very often, especially in places such as Southern California. Make sure the system engages and disengages smoothly, and that there are no strange noises emanating from the drive-train when the system is in use. If there are multiple drivers for your vehicle, make sure each of them knows how to operate the 4WD system.

Check your defoggers: Rain and dampness put windshield defoggers to the test. Make sure they are in working order and that all the drivers of the vehicle know how to operate them.

Keep in mind each of these items will be inspected when you bring your vehicle in for regularly scheduled maintenance. You can schedule an appointment today online. 

Carry an emergency kit: In earthquake-prone Southern California, this is a good idea for winter and the rest of the year. You can purchase a pre-assembled kit or do it yourself. Be sure to include:

• A flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit.
• Jumper cables, a tool kit and tire chains.
• A blanket, warm clothes, hat and gloves.
• Paper towels.
• A bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter. Use this for added traction when a tire is stuck.
• Extra washer fluid.
• Extra food and water.

The Northridge Toyota | Scion mission is to bring knowledgeable car specialists, enthusiasm, value, great inventory, unparalleled customer service, friendly staff, community awareness and simplicity to every customer interaction while making the positive feedback and experience of each guest our primary objective. We offer an amazing array of new Toyota cars, certified pre-owned Toyota’s, and have a huge inventory of pre-owned cars. We specialize in all forms of maintenance, from tires to brakes, including all Toyota Care, Toyota Care Plus, and Toyota ExpressMaintenance. Whether an oil change and tire rotation, or something more, we have a cutting edge facility to help you. Please visit our well stocked parts and accessories department as well as our waiting area with state-of-the-art hot beverage dispensers, numerous flat panel tv’s, free wi-fi and pet waiting area - See more at: http://www.northridgetoyota.com

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/10/winter-driving-tips-warm-weather-states.html

Hello October! | Northridge Toyota

Do you know why October is so much fun? Is it because we have our annual Toyota Clearance Event happening, making room for 2016 models? Is it because today is Columbus Day? Is it because this is a wonderful time to celebrate our native indigenous culture and their contribution and importance in US history, as well as those of Italian immigrants? Is it because Halloween is just around the corner? Is it because we are getting close to Thanksgiving and all the fun winter Holiday’s? Well, the answer is, ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Today we celebrate Columbus Day. This is a day that congress set aside in 1934 to celebrate the discovery of the “New World” – when Columbus arrived in “The Americas”. It also marks the day for many Native Americans as the beginning of a challenging time in their history – which we all honor and respect.

Northridge Toyota wants to celebrate Columbus Day with you, recognize the contribution of all Americans, Italian Americans, Native Americans, and collectively all of us that work every day to make the world a better place. A place where we encourage one of the most exciting things we can do as the human race, “Discovery”.

Discovery is awesome, whether science or the arts; discovering new things is part of the spice of life and what makes every day potentially amazing.

So happy “Columbus Day”, happy “Discovery Day”, and hope your week is off to a great start.

We love this website, so please check this out: http://www.ymcala.org/north-valley.

Lastly, please be on the lookout for our Halloween get together and other community events happening at Northridge Toyota – “Your Neighborhood Toyota Dealership”.

Ted Hitchcock, General Manager, would like to thank you for visiting Northridge Toyota serving the greater Northridge, CA, serving Los Angeles, CA and serving San Fernando Valley, CA area. Our goal is to make your car buying experience memorable with great deals and offers available. Northridge Toyota’s virtual dealership offers a wide variety of new and used cars, Scion, Toyota incentives, service specials, and Scion, Toyota parts savings. Conveniently located in Northridge, CA we are just a short drive from serving Los Angeles, CA and serving San Fernando Valley, CA. - See more at: http://www.northridgetoyota.com

Northridge is the Place to Be | Northridge Toyota Scion

Northridge Toyota and Northridge Scion are so lucky to be in such a wonderful neighborhood.  Just across the street we have the Northridge Fashion Center with their own Macy’s, Sears and JCPenny’s, and so many terrific restaurants.  The architecture is bold and clean, the area full of parking and loaded with stores, and it is amazing how close the mall is to other fantastic restaurants in the area.

We find that so many of our employees end up at the Yard House, or the Macaroni Grill, or Claim Jumper, and the list goes on.  Just down the street we have a Costco that features delicious hot dogs and pizza slices ready to eat (so inexpensive), and we even have an In & Out Hamburger.

One of the special events that the Northridge Fashion Center puts on this season is their Farmers Market.  This is so cool, because vendors come from all over to sell fresh produce, organic honey, nuts and seeds, kettle popcorn, knick knacks, and so much more.  Check this out soon, it’s going to be gone by the end of October, and we’ll have to wait until next March for it to start up again.

We are also excited because the new 2016 Toyota Prius is coming out -  very sleek styling and way too cool features.

Also, please come by often through the end of the year; we are going to have a Toys For Tots, a special Halloween event, and so much more!

We also participate with the North Valley YMCA and the local police department;  there is always information on our Facebook Page, so please be on the lookout for more fun and exciting information to all our other upcoming events at Northridge Toyota.

Ted Hitchcock, General Manager, would like to thank you for visiting Northridge Toyota serving the greater Northridge, CA, serving Los Angeles, CA and serving San Fernando Valley, CA area. Our goal is to make your car buying experience memorable with great deals and offers available. Northridge Toyota’s virtual dealership offers a wide variety of new and used cars, Scion, Toyota incentives, service specials, and Scion, Toyota parts savings. Conveniently located in Northridge, CA we are just a short drive from serving Los Angeles, CA and serving San Fernando Valley, CA. - See more at: http://www.northridgetoyota.com

It's Road Trip Season

Don't Let Your Adventure Break the Bank

In a few weeks, millions of Americans will start hitting the road for their annual summer road trips. Overall, almost 80% of American vacations involve driving rather than flying, according to the U.S. Travel Association. A survey by AAA found that 52% of people said they were more likely to take a long road trip in 2015 because of lower gas prices.

But driving to your next vacation destination comes with costs of its own, including gas, lodging, and wear and tear on your car. While the upfront cost is smaller when getting behind the wheel, minor expenses can add up.

Whether you’re planning a coast-to-coast journey or a quick weekend getaway, you’re probably looking for ways to save on your next road trip. We’ve gathered seven tips that will help you save money on travel this summer so that you can get the most bang for your vacation buck.

1. Get a tune-up

Before you hit the road, make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition. Popular Mechanics advises checking filters, fluid levels, brake linings, coolant, and tire pressure. Properly inflating your tires can improve fuel economy by 3%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, while using the manufacturer-recommended grade of motor oil can improve gas mileage by up to 2%.

2. Pack light

Loading up your car with a lot of baggage means you’ll spend more on gas. Your fuel efficiency falls by 1% for every extra 100 pounds you carry in your car. Putting a cargo box on your car’s roof reduces fuel economy by 6% to 17% when driving on the highway. If you must carry extra cargo, haul it behind your car rather than putting it on the roof.

3. Watch the speedometer

Having a lead foot will cost you. Fuel economy decreases dramatically at speeds above 50 miles per hour, says the U.S. Department of Energy; you’ll pay an extra 17 cents per gallon for every five miles you drive above that speed. Rapid acceleration and braking also reduces your car’s fuel efficiency.

4. Skip the tolls

Tolls are collected on 4,630 miles of highway in 25 states, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. And they won’t just cost you pocket change. Driving 356 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, from the Ohio border to the Delaware River Bridge, will set you back $46.10 if you have a regular passenger car, and more if you’re driving a bigger vehicle like an RV. Picking an alternate route could mean more money in your pocket.

Going far out of your way to skip tolls could end up costing you more in gas and lost time. But for cost-conscious travelers who aren’t in a hurry, it may make sense to choose the scenic route, opting for small back roads rather than major highways.

5. Get a deal on lodging

Everyone has a different strategy when it comes to finding a place to stay on a road trip. Some people create strict itineraries, so they know exactly where they’re going to stay every night. Other people have a more laissez-faire strategy, letting the rhythm of the road dictate where they bed down for the night.

If you prefer the former approach, you have time to shop around and get the best deal on a room. Seat-of-their-pants travelers can use sites like Priceline and Hotwire to get last-minute deals. A membership with AAA can score you big discounts at many hotels, and hotel loyalty programs may earn you discounts and upgrades on rooms. Camping rather than staying in hotels is another way to save.

6. Stock up on snacks

The average American individual or family spends $27.16 per day on food at restaurants when traveling, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Make multiple trips through the drive-through a day, and you could quickly blow your travel budget.

Before you leave, stock up on affordable, healthy snacks so that you’re not tempted to hit McDonald’s. Then, look for parks and nature preserves on your route where you can stop for a picnic, and turn your lunch break into a fun part of the trip. And if you’re staying in hotels, don’t forget to fill up at the free breakfast, if one is offered.

7. Track gas prices

Gas prices have fallen over the past year, which is good news for summer travelers. But a little advance planning can save you even more. Apps like GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest gas station when it’s time to fill up.

Also, remember that gas prices can vary significantly from state to state. If you’re driving through Chicago, fill up in neighboring states like Wisconsin and Indiana, where gas can be 10 or 20 cents cheaper per gallon because of lower local taxes, according to a report by Illinois Policy. On your way to California, top off the tank in Arizona, where the average price of gas is currently 76 cents less than in the Golden State.

Resource: http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/save-money-on-your-summer-road-trip-with-these-7-tips.html/?a=viewall#ixzz3dFOO3oot

Toyota Explains what names like Camry and Yaris mean | Northridge Toyota

By Noah Joseph

Ever wonder where automakers get the names for their cars? You're not alone. The sitcom Seinfeld opened Episode 94 – the one where George Costanza buys a Chrysler LeBaron instead of a Volvo – with a bit about nameplates like Integra, Supra and Impreza. Toyota, clearly, is not exempt from choosing evocative but enigmatic names for its models, and now the Japanese automaker is taking us through the etymology of some of its nameplates.
Names like Supra may require no clarification, but what about Camry? That comes from the Japanese word kanmuri for Crown (which is, incidentally, the name of another Toyota sedan).
Yaris? According to the company, it's "an amalgamation of words from Greek mythology and German. In Greek mythology, 'Charis' was a symbol of beauty and elegance. Toyota swapped the 'Ch' with 'Ya' – German for 'yes' – to symbolize the perceived reaction of European markets to the car's styling."
Uh-huh. By comparison, Corolla couldn't be simpler – its name refers to the innermost ring of pedals around the center of a flower. Previa is derived from the Latin word for providence (as in foresight, not capital city in Rhode Island).

Toyota Camry Dragster takes the phrase 'sleeper' to its logical extreme [w/video] | Northridge Toyota

Sometimes, looks can be deceiving. This is certainly one of those times, as Toyota successfully trolled the entirety of the media corps at the 2014 SEMA Show by rolling an innocent-looking Camry onto the floor... only to lift literally the entirety of its body to reveal an 850-horsepower, tube-framed dragster. Well, we have been asking for a more driver-oriented Toyota.

While it's designed to go fast in a straight line, the origin of the Camry Dragster's parts might be surprising. The 5.7-liter V8 engine, transmission, rear axle and electronics were plucked from the Toyota Tundra pickup. Toyota Racing Development donated a supercharger, while a wet-nitrous-injection system was also tacked on for that little extra something. Those goodies will help propel this anonymous looking monster through the quarter mile in just 9.8 seconds.

"This is the most extreme build we've ever unveiled at SEMA," said Toyota's motorsports chief Steve Appelbaum said in a statement. "The transformation from seemingly stock Camry to full-blown racecar just shocks the senses. Chuck Wade and the team at Motorsports Technical Center did a truly spectacular job executing the vision of this project."

By Brandon TurkusRSS feedGoogle+

Somebody’s Watching You, All Right… Your Teen Driver | Northridge Toyota

• Toyota’s TeenDrive365 Introduces New Resources to Help Parents Become Better
• Driving Role Models for Their Teens
• Based on Toyota Research with the University of Michigan That Shows Parents Are the Number One Influence on How Teens Drive
• Toyota and Discovery Education Team Up to Reward a $15,000 Scholarship to the Winner of TeenDrive365 Video Challenge for the Best Idea to Get People to Drive Safely

 NEW YORK (Nov. 6, 2014) – Put down that cup of coffee when you’re driving, Mom. And forget about checking that text while behind the wheel, Dad. Parents may think their teens aren’t paying attention to them, but the truth is the exact opposite. Safety research by Toyota and the University of Michigan Transportation Institute (UMTRI) reveals that parents are the number one influence on how their teenager will drive.  
 
That’s why Toyota created TeenDrive365 (www.TeenDrive365.com), a comprehensive initiative that offers online tools, expert advice, local events and social media elements to inspire parents and teens to be safe drivers together. TeenDrive365 builds on the programs and resources Toyota has offered for over a decade to help families ‘go safely.’ Since its launch last November, millions of people have engaged with the online and in-person resources that make up theTeenDrive365 program—over 1-million people have visited the web site, more than 22,000 people have taken Toyota’s safe driving pledge and over 10,000 people have interacted withTeenDrive365 at events around the country.
 
Now approaching year two, TeenDrive365 introduces new resources that further emphasize the impact parents have on their teen’s driving and help parents put that knowledge into action. The focus on parents as role models is based on research from a national study from Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) and UMTRI. The study found a significant correlation between how parents and their teens drive, suggesting that parents are the biggest influence on how a teen will behave behind the wheel.
 
“As a mother of a teenager, I often remind myself that the things I do behind the wheel go a long way in setting a powerful example,” said Dr. Tina Sayer, Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center principal engineer and teen safe driving expert. “Experience and education certainly help your teen become a safe and more confident driver, but our research shows us that the biggest factor in how teens will drive is their parents.”
 
TeenDrive365’s new resources, which can be accessed at www.TeenDrive365.com, highlight the critical role parents play in helping keep teens safe behind the wheel and include:

• An online commercial coined “Parents Who Drive Bad Anonymous”, which takes a humorous look at parents’ vices behind the wheel as they commit to being safer drivers for their teens;
• The “Masters of the Wheel” video series, featuring professional race car driving legends discussing the influential role parents play in teen driver safety;
• An enhanced in-car distracted driving simulator with Oculus Rift virtual reality technology, which offers parents and teens the latest, most realistic virtual experience around how common distractions impact their ability to remain safe on the road. This marks the first time the Oculus Rift technology is being used in a driving simulator to educate people about distracted driving. The simulator, which is staged behind the wheel of a real Toyota vehicle, will be available at auto shows around the country;
• An online pledge for parents to promise to set the best example behind the wheel for their teens; and
• More ways parents and teens can share important safety tips on social media, includinganimated GIFs and picture-based riddles, which make learning about driving safety fun while informative. 

 
“We are thrilled that parents and teens responded so positively to TeenDrive365,” said Marjorie Schussel, Corporate Marketing Director for Toyota. “Over the last year, we learned that once parents realize that they are the key to how their teen will drive, they crave support and guidance on how to be better role models. Our new resources are designed with this in mind and empower parents to be the drivers they want their teens to be so they can help keep them safe.” 
 
Created in partnership with agency 360i, TeenDrive365 continues to be Toyota’s largest campaign to address teen safety to date. It is being supported by a comprehensive integrated marketing campaign –that includes targeted media across traditional and online channels, such as national radio, online video, display, mobile and paid social advertising – to raise awareness and drive visitors to the web site. The campaign is further supported by custom content and high-profile sponsorships. It will be promoted across Toyota’s branded social communities, including on Facebook and Twitter.
 
Popular Video Challenge Engages the Creativity and Talent of Teens Nationwide 
 
Today, Toyota, in partnership with Discovery Education, also launched the 2014-2015TeenDrive365 Video Challenge (formerly known as the Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge). Now in its fourth year, the Video Challenge invites teens across the country to create short videos to inspire their friends to drive safely and avoid distractions. 
 
The grand prize winner will receive a $15,000 cash prize and work with a Discovery film crew to reproduce his/her video as a professional, TV-ready PSA. The second place winner will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize along with a trip to attend a taping of a Velocity network show, and the third place winner will receive a $7,500 cash prize. A panel of judges from Discovery Education and Toyota, as well as educators and community leaders, will select the first, second and third place winners. The winners will be chosen based on the creativity, content and presentation of their videos.
 
Additionally, the public will have the opportunity to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. Ten finalists will be chosen and their entries are posted online for public vote. The winner of the public vote will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a trip to see a taping of a Velocity network show. 
 
“With the reduction of safe driving programs at many schools, Toyota’s efforts to empower teens to make the right choices behind the wheel are more important than ever,” said Bill Goodwyn, President and CEO at Discovery Education. “We know that when it comes to the issue of safe driving, teens play a major role in influencing the behavior of their peers. We are proud to partner with Toyota and educators nationwide on this critically important endeavor and know that their work is literally saving lives.”
  
Last year, more than 1,000 videos were submitted by teens from all 50 states. Teens can submit entries today through March 16, 2015. Additional details can be found atwww.TeenDrive365inschool.com.
 
In addition to new resources and the Video Challenge, TeenDrive365 will continue to offer its existing teen driving tools such as:

• “The Cost of Driving Calculator”, which helps parents teach their teens about the financial implications of life behind the wheel;
• Toyota’s Mutual Driving Agreement, which encourages teens and parents to set expectations for safer behaviors while driving;
• Heads Up!, an online driving game, which demonstrates the dangers of multitasking while driving; and
• Safe driving events and resources offered around the country, including behind the wheel defensive driving courses and teen safety clinics in partnership with local Toyota dealerships.

 
TeenDrive365 is just one example of Toyota’s commitment to educate and empower all people on the road to ‘go safely,’ with specialized initiatives for children (Buckle Up For Life), teens (TeenDrive365) and adults (AARP Driver Safety). 
 
Related Links
 
“Parents Who Drive Bad Anonymous” Online Commercial
www.youtube.com/embed/dJ4BVnu-_QE
www.youtube.com/embed/eUTloWTDNB4
 
Animated Safety GIFs
http://safetygifs.tumblr.com/  
 
“Masters of the Wheel” Video Series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-tmJR4ik1w