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

Northridge Toyota | Scion Supports The North Valley YMCA

Northridge Toyota | Scion Sponsors North Valley YMCA 28th Annual Booster Club Dinner

Northridge, CA – Northridge Toyota | Scion will have the privilege of being the Platinum Sponsor for the North Valley YMCA 28th Booster Club Dinner. This dinner will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at the Knollwood Country Club and will begin at 5:30pm. Northridge Toyota will be joined by many sponsors in order to support the North Valley YMCA.

As a Platinum Sponsor, Northridge Toyota will be donating a 2016 Toyota Corolla, and has been a Platinum sponsor for almost 5 years. This gives Northridge Toyota an opportunity to continue their goal of giving back to the community, and show how much they appreciate the mission of the North Valley YMCA. Ted Hitchcock, general manager of Northridge Toyota | Scion, has said, “Northridge Toyota | Scion would like to thank the YMCA for inviting us to be a part of such an amazing organization. We recognize how many wonderful programs the North Valley YMCA makes available to all the families and individuals within this great community.”

The Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tempore, Mitchell Englander and the North Valley YMCA will be hosting this affair. By being a sponsor for this event, Northridge Toyota gets to play a part in furthering the North Valley YMCA’s efforts. By raising awareness and hosting numerous events, the North Valley YMCA will be able to continue inspiring youth development, healthy living & social responsibility.

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About the North Valley Family YMCA at Porter Ranch

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The North Valley Family YMCA was founded in 1945 and serves over 40,000 children, adults and seniors each year regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.

About Northridge Toyota | Scion in Northridge

Ted Hitchcock, General Manager, would like to thank you for visiting Northridge Toyota | Scion - serving the San Fernando Valley for over 40 year. Located in the heart of Northridge, CA, and near Los Angeles and surrounding communities, we are conveniently located for prime shopping and eating. Northridge Toyota | Scion now serves the community with a new 75,000 sq foot facility that includes a service center that has almost 50% greater capacity.

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

Contact:
Mark Garland
Digital Marketing Manager
Northridge Toyota | Scion
818.532.3611
mgarland@NorthridgeToyota.com

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

In Honor of National Fall Car Care Month in October Here Are Some Fun Facts | Northridge Toyota

Five Fun Facts About Vehicle Maintenance

Even if you're serious about maintaining your automobile, you'll enjoy these five fun facts about car maintenance.While there are many things you need to do to keep your car running smoothly, these are a few of the tasks associated with basic automobile maintenance:

• Changing the oil and replacing the oil filter
• Rotating and replacing tires
• Checking and replacing wiper blades
• Checking fluid levels
• Checking and replacing brake pads and rotors

While many of these tasks don't seem very exciting, you might be surprised by the following little-known facts about them.

Almost 900 Million Oil Changes Each Year

In 2007, drivers in the United States registered over 254 million passenger vehicles. On average, Americans drive their passenger cars and trucks just over 10,000 miles per year, and they get an oil change every 3,000 miles. That translates to nearly 900 million oil changes!

Different models of cars and trucks take different amounts of oil, but most engines require 5 to 7 quarts. That means that in one year, Americans use at least 1.1 billion gallons of oil in their vehicles. Much of this oil is reused and recycled. 

The First Auto Tires Were Like Bike Tires

Decades ago, drivers had to replace their tires far more frequently than we do today. These days, it's not uncommon to get 50,000 miles or more on a single set of auto tires, but this longevity is due to the advanced technology and materials used to produce modern tires. Radial belts, synthetic and natural rubber components, and body plies, or layers, give today's tires a long lifespan.When inventor Philip Strauss designed the first tire in 1911, the structure of tires was very different. These tires were closer in design to bicycle tires, featuring an inner tube that was inflated to provide a firm base for the outer rubber shell.

Windshield Wipers Were Invented by a Woman

Next time you're driving in a rainstorm, you can thank Mary Anderson, who invented windshield wipers in 1903. Anderson was visiting New York City and noticed that the streetcar driver had to keep his window open in a sleet storm in order to reach his arm out of the car and manually clean his windshield with a squeegee. Anderson received a patent for the windshield wiper, but she couldn't sell the invention to the auto companies, who claimed that the device did not have commercial value. After Anderson's patent ran out in 1920, windshield wipers eventually became a standard feature on automobiles.Today, changing windshield wipers is an important part of automotive maintenance. Wiper blades come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and some are even heated to help keep your windshield clean in icy conditions.

Your Car Uses Six Primary Fluids

Think you can get away with just changing your oil? Think again! Believe it or not, you car actually uses six different fluids:

• Motor oil
• Coolant
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Windshield washer fluid

It's important to replenish and change these fluids according to the car's maintenance schedule, and it's also imperative that you properly dispose of the old fluids. Many of these substances are hazardous to people and animals.

Antilock Brakes Were Invented Over 50 Years Ago

Even though they are a fairly recent safety feature on most passenger cars, antilock brakes have actually been around for half a century. The British company, Road Research Laboratories, created an anti-skid braking system in 1958. The system, called "Maxaret," was used in production in 1966 on the Jensen FF Sports Sedan.

Initially, Maxaret and other antilock braking systems were simply too expensive for automakers, but advances in computerized braking now make it possible to get antilock brakes on almost any new car.
Final Words

While auto maintenance may not be the most scintillating topic of conversation for most people, it's something all vehicle owners have to perform. Next time you're in the waiting room of the car garage, you can entertain the other auto owners with these fun facts about car maintenance.

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

Source: http://cars.lovetoknow.com/Fun_Facts_About_Car_Maintenance

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

Scion Welcomes Two New Members to the Family | Northridge Toyota Scion

Two new vehicles joined the Scion family this month and you can check them out at Northridge Toyota Scion. Drivers will appreciate that both new vehicles offer an athletic, yet efficient driving experience. The 2016 Scion iA and 2016 Scion iM are waiting for you to get behind the wheel and fall in love. 

2016 Scion iA

The striking front hood and large grill are only the most visually striking aspect of the 2016 Scion iA, and they barely hint at the driving experience available at the controls. This sedan is one of the lightest sedans in its class, at just 2,400 pounds and handles like a dream. The suspension smoothly balances comfort and responsiveness to road conditions. The 2016 Scion iA comes standard with 6-speed manual transmission which features a short throw and smooth clutch action. The 6-speed automatic is also available and offers fluid take-off and precise shifts. Minimal engine noise matched with other features puts this sedan solidly in the luxury category.

2016 Scion iM

The 2016 Scion iM comes with a 1.8 L 4-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. Customers have the option of a 6-speed manual transmission with hill start assist to prevent backwards rolling on inclined stops, or to pay a little extra for a continuously variable transmission (CVTi-S) with seven step shifting. The CVTi-S is well-worth the extra, with a combined mileage of 32 mpg and an additional Sport mode which decreases the power steering and optimizes the transmission for a more interactive driving experience.

For more information on the 2016 Scion iA and 2016 Scion iM schedule a test drive online or call us at (818) 812-1177.

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/#sthash.gn9on8pa.dpuf

Northridge Toyota | Scion is getting revved up for the Labor Day Holiday Weekend!

All around we can see our community anticipating a well deserved BBQ.  

At Northridge Toyota Scion we are going to have as much fun as we can.  However we never forget what Labor Day represents – the commitment and the quality of the American Worker.  Now more than ever, we know how hard you are working; please know that we appreciate our community and we appreciate the efforts of the American Worker.  Coast to coast, here and abroad. – if you are vegetarian, we recommend you BBQ Tofu and Vegetables!.

Whether you are looking to buy a car, want to window shop, or just come in and celebrate with us, we are going to have fun for the whole family.  From food  to drink to those blow up bounce contraptions that are fun (adults can play too!).  We are going to have our staff here to welcome everyone.

We are also celebrating the launch of the highly anticipated Scion iA and iM.  As you know, Scion’s come pretty loaded at a set price and are ready to go faster than you can say zero to sixty (corny we know).  Our Scion shipment is set to arrive any day now and we have one of each on the lot to look at. Both are priced super competitive and feature cutting edge technology and will introduce Scion’s first ever four door sedan (iA). Check this link out - http://www.scion.com and learn more at www.nortoy.com | www.northridgescion.com.

So, whatever your interest is in at Northridge Toyota | Scion; used cars, news cars, leasing, buying, visiting, a car enthusiast (like we are); what matters is our Toyota family is looking forward to celebrating.  Please stop by. 

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/#sthash.gn9on8pa.dpuf