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If you notice leaks or wind noise, it may be time to replace the weather stripping, and your dealership can help. Hatfield Toyota offers advice about replacing your vehicle’s weather stripping. What is Weather Stripping? Weather stripping is a rubber insulator that is found all over your vehicle.  When the stripping goes bad, you will notice leaks, rattling and drafts.  If you are trying to identify specifically where the stripping is bad, you will need to inspect the entire vehicle.  Look for puddled water, wet spots and air noises. Types of Weather Stripping You will find weather stripping sold two different ways, just as your car’s other parts are sold: manufacturer and aftermarket. The type and age of car will determine what types of seals are available: Door seal Vertical seal Roof-rail seal Window sweeps Trunk seal Windshield seal U-jamb seal Convertible seals A-pillar seals Header seal (on the windshield; it is not an exhaust seal) How to Replace the Weather Stripping When you identify the damage, determine what type of seal is sold for your vehicle.  Before you start tearing the car apart, make sure the new parts match the existing ones. Remove screws and clips that hold the stripping in (set them aside and mark them) Strip away the old seal and use an adhesive remover to get rid of the remaining residue. Wash the area with a mild cleanser and dry it completely with a towel. Apply the new adhesive before gently setting the weather stripping in place.  Make sure it is properly aligned before securing it in place. Press the weather stripping in place before replacing the screws and clips.

If you happen to find yourself in a car accident, big or small, Toyota Dealer near Philadelphia says that if you prepare yourself it can help you to avoid mistakes. First, ensure that everyone in your car is not injured. To err on the side of caution, your very first move should always be to pick up the phone and call 9-1-1. Report that there is an accident as soon as possible, even if it is a small fender bender. Know Where Your Information Is You must have an updated copy of your insurance card in your vehicle and any registration information, if it is needed. Making sure that you have your updated car insurance card is extremely important. Many times, the card can expire and we forget to replace it. Get An Accident Report Be sure that you make an accident report. No matter what. Often times in a small fender bender one of the parties will try to offer to handle things outside of the insurance company. This is usually because they are at fault and they don't want their insurance premium to increase.   Once you leave the scene of the accident there is nothing that will prevent them from disappearing. This could leave you with a costly repair that you now have to pay for. Many times you can get a copy of the report right there which you can use to speed up your claim process with your insurance company.

When problems pop up while you are driving, it can be extremely upsetting and Toyota Dealership near Philadelphia has some expert advice on how to prepare. The worst time to find out that your car is experiencing issues is after it is too late and you are broken down and stranded. Taking time out to prepare will be your saving grace if you are plagued by a surprise issue on the road. Flat Tire Problems If you do not have road side assistance, having a flat tire can be a real nightmare. The very first thing to do is pop open your trunk and take a look at the flat tire kit that comes with your car. Many times, the car jack that is included can be hard to use, or impossible to use. Invest in a car jack that functions with ease. Make sure your spare tire is in good shape. You may want to do a practice run if you have never changed a tire to make sure that you have the process down pat. Dead Car Battery The average life of a car battery is four years, but that doesn't mean that you are in clear. Many times we accidentally leave on an interior light which causes our battery to drain. If this happens while you are out of the house, you may be stranded. Keep a good set of jumper cables and some road flares in your car just in case this happens to you!

Here is some excellent advice from your Pennsylvania Toyota Dealership when it comes to how you can avoid warranty scams. When it comes time to buy your used car it can be confusing when it comes time to choose your warranty. Extended warranties can be confusing, and often times you can sign on the dotted line without getting the full scoop. Extended Warranty Tips At first it may seem like a sure thing to pick the cheapest warranty plan. Be sure that you are paying for coverage that you see as valuable. Since warranty language can be tricky and hard to understand, ask lots of questions. Many times, extremely cheap plans will end up offering you almost no coverage. Be sure that the company you buy the warranty from is reputable. Buying a warranty from the dealership directly can often be your safest choice. Why do you Need an Extended Warranty? Many times when you are buying a used car the factory warranty period has expired and your vehicle is no longer covered. This is the most common reason to purchase an extended warranty. If the car you are purchasing still has factory coverage, than an extended warranty may not be for you. If you plan on selling the car, you may want to ensure that the car has an extended warranty, which may help keep the value of the car. This is another good reason to purchase an extended warranty.

Never underestimate the power of a test drive at Toyota dealer in the Trenton area. The test drive is one of the most important factors in determining if your new, used or leased vehicle is a good fit. Take Your Time on the Test Drive Don’t just drive around the block but rather spend some time getting to know the vehicle in different driving situations. Your dealer will be more than happy to allow you to drive the vehicle in a variety of locations during your test drive.   Ask them if you can drive beyond the pre-determined test drive route to ensure your comfort level with the vehicle. Hit the highway; take it through a city street and in and out of parking lots. The longer you drive it the better the opportunity to feel comfortable and notice things that may not look or sound right with the vehicle before you make a purchase. Determine a Good Physical Fit A good physical fit for your vehicle is as much about safety as it is about comfort. You want to ensure that the seat feels right and the adjustments work to ensure you can reach everything necessary on the vehicle to be safe while driving. Check the mirrors to ensure they adjust properly for good vision. Move the steering wheel position and the seat to ensure that you feel comfortable and everything you need to be safe works properly for you. Notice the Sights and Sounds A well maintained vehicle is especially important. Noticing any obvious defects is usually easy, but the hidden issues often come up a bit more subtly. Start the vehicle and shut it off a few times on the lot. Ensure that the vehicle sounds smooth while sitting in the lot and during your test drive. Take a peek under the hood and underneath the vehicle to make sure nothing is leaking or cracked.   Spending a little extra time on these important details during the test drive can save you money and headaches in the future.

Not many people truly understand the importance of choosing a quality tire.  Expense is a consideration but should not be the only thought that is given when deciding which tire is best for your vehicle. Pennsylvania Toyota Dealership wants you to understand that tires are the only thing that separates you and your passengers from the unforgiving road surface.  Without taking into consideration a number of factors, you may be taking a risk with a facet of your vehicle that is most important in maintaining the safety of those in the car.   To make an accurate decision in choosing tires, there are two important guidelines you should follow.  The first is to know your driving habits, needs and expected uses.  The second guideline is to find a trustworthy store and salesperson that is knowledgeable and can understand these needs.   Once you have established both of these guidelines, there are a number of inquiries to make of your salesperson.  Based on the information they provide, you can then determine which tire will be able to best suit your needs. Tread life:  Be sure to inquire about the expected tread life of the tires.  Compare these answers to your expected driving needs to assess how long you can expect your chosen tires to last. Weather:  Keep weather in your area in mind when making your selection.  If you live in an area that gets snow or has high rainfall expectations, it may be an optimal choice to focus on all-season tires. Ride Quality:  Envision your expectations for how you would like your tires to handle the road.  Certain series of tires can be harsh over bumps or potholes compared to a higher series.  In general, lower profile tires will improve handling but will expose the wheel to more damage.  This particular area is one in which your salesperson will prove to be extremely helpful. Road Noise:  Quite simply, some treads and tires are more noisy than others.  Knowing your driving habits and the effect road noise has on your personally will help your salesperson to match you with tires that will suit your needs Remember that tire choice should never be taken lightly.  Educate yourself and consider all of the above options to ride away with tires that are able to meet your needs and safety requirements.

Summer is an exciting time for kids and adults. Unfortunately, the increase in activity means more hazards on the road, and new problems that can go wrong with your vehicle. Not to worry though!  Your local Pennsylvania Toyota dealership has summer driving tips to keep you and others safe. Check Your Tires | Hatfield Toyota Services As the temperatures heat up, the air in your tires can expand. This means if your tires have some wear on them, they are especially susceptible to a blowout. You should check the pressure once a month, including the spare. Read your owner's manual for the correct amount that should be in the tire, and always check when they are cold. Remember to schedule an appointment to keep your vehicles at their best! Watch for Kids More teenage, inexperienced drivers are on the road in the summer because school is out. Their lack of practice can mean danger for seasoned drivers. They may have judgement that has not developed yet and raises the risk of an accident. Teenagers have the highest accident rate than other age groups, so keep you eyes open for them during the summer. Beat the Heat The temperatures can get pretty high, so make sure you stay hydrated, on a long drive. Be prepared for the seats to be warm, especially when wearing shorts. Invest in a sun visor to keep the interior temperature from going sky high.  When using the air conditioner a lot, there is a chance your engine can overheat. If this happens, pull off the road immediately so it can cool down and you can call for help.

Can you honestly say that you know when the last time was your tires were inspected or replaced?  The average number of miles a consumer drives in a year is 12,000 to 15,000, which only gives your tires three of four years before the tread wears out.  Vehicles that are rarely driven can also run into issues with old tires. Hatfield Toyota warns drivers about old tires. 5 Things Your Old Tires Are Not Telling You What secrets are your aging tires keeping from you? 1. You don’t drive me, but I still need new tires If you drive your vehicle often, you don’t have to worry about aging tires, but vehicles that aren’t used all the time can experience significant tires wear.  Drivers don’t think the replace tires on low-mile vehicles, but they can actually be more dangerous. 2. I am a ticking time bomb The rubber can crack and the tire can separate.  If that happens, you may end up on the side of the road with a blowout or cause an accident. 3. My spare is going to fail you How old is your spare?  When you replace your tires, you should be inspecting your spare as well and replacing it.  If your spare is in poor shape, you don’t want to find that out when you are stuck on the side of the road or driving on the dangerous spare. 4. I am not longer providing traction Old and worn tires will not provide you with the traction you need in inclement weather.  When you lose traction, your stopping distant is greatly reduced. 5. My old owner neglected me When you buy used tires, you don’t have any idea about the history of the tire.  If the previous owner drove many miles, drove like a maniac, or neglected the tires, you can run into serious trouble in the future.

You may not realize how much you use or need your driver’s license until you lose it. Misplacing your driver’s license is a huge inconvenience and can cause some serious frustration but if you take the following steps you can recover it before you experience a serious issue from not having your license. Pennsylvania Toyota provides the following list of things you should do when you notice you’ve lost your driver’s license: Look Every Possible Place! Before you panic, look through the pockets of all of your pants, in jackets, shirt pockets, etc.  Empty every purse and wallet.  Look between the seats of your car and under floor mats. If you have kids, ask them if they have seen it, and check their bedrooms. Contact the authorities and financial institutions If your entire wallet/purse is stolen or misplaced, file a police report and contact all of your creditors to cancel your credit cards and bank accounts. You should also contact the Social Security office if your social security card was in the wallet. Credit Monitoring Services If you did lose your entire wallet or purse and all of your credit cards, after contacting your creditors, make sure you contact a credit monitoring service to help you ensure if there is any fraudulent activity taking place. Contact DMV for a new License Go online, call or visit the local DMV for a new license. They can give you a temporary license while waiting for the new photo ID. Don’t drive without your License It is illegal to drive without your license. Wait until you have a temporary card or your new license before you drive to avoid getting a ticket.

Many car buyers do not have cash on hand to make a vehicle purchase and must rely on dealership financing or a car loan in order to buy a new or used car.  Our Pennsylvania Toyota dealership offers a variety of financing options to help people get behind the wheel of their next car. Pennsylvania Toyota Financing Options We work hard to get the most competitive interest rates from Toyota or local banks.  We also provide extended vehicle warranty programs to protect your investment, as well as other value-added services designed to help protect your car purchase. The process starts with a pre-approval application.  You can fill out the application online to see if you qualify and get an idea for what your car shopping budget will be. Don’t rule financing out if you’ve struggled with your credit in the past, we can often help people who have less than perfect credit with some of our financing programs. Payment Calculator If you are not sure how much buying power you might have or what you can afford in terms of monthly payments, you might want to start with our online payment calculator. Enter a few numbers and see at a glance what your monthly loan payments might be so you can take a look at your budget before making a purchase. Credit Score and Car Loans The best rates will always go to buyers with excellent credit scores, but that shouldn’t stop people who have made a few late payments to creditors from applying. We have a variety of financing options and it is possible that we can get a loan for you even if you’ve been turned down before.

It is simply not possible to prepare for every possible emergency you may face on the road, but by keeping a few essential items in your vehicle at all times, you can handle some of the most common minor situations with ease!  Your Toyota has ample storage space for keeping a few things on hand, and your Pennsylvania Toyota dealership recommends the following items to help prepare for minor situations while traveling: Stock a First Aid Kit for Your Car A first aid kit isn’t going to help you much if you’re involved in a serious accident, but it will come in handy if your child falls at the park or gets stung by a bee, or you find yourself with a headache on a road trip.  Keep pain relievers, alcohol wipes, bandages, antibiotic ointment and other first aid supplies in your car for relieving minor situations.  For a vehicle first aid kit, you can also put a blanket, flashlight and road flares into your trunk in case you break down and are stuck waiting for help. Put Money or a Credit Card Under Your Seat While you will almost always travel with your wallet or money on you, if your wallet or purse is stolen or lost while traveling or you otherwise run out of money – you will want to have a backup plan.  You may need to pay for road tolls, parking, or get a sandwich on the run!  Just make sure you don’t keep cash or a credit card where it is visible – hide it under your seat or in the glove box.

Getting stuck on the side of the road if your car breaks down can be stressful for people who don’t have a plan in place for the situation.  Usually, these situations are only stressful because you’re forced to make decisions in the heat of the moment.  You can eliminate much of the stress felt during a minor roadside problem simply by having a plan in place for dealing with them.  Here is some advice from Hatfield Toyota: Have a Car Phone Charger Handy Have you ever noticed that the few times you really need to use your cell phone the low battery light is flashing?!  Or worse, it won’t turn on at all?  Whether you thank Murphy’s Law for this or just a fluke – you can avoid the problem by keeping a phone charger for your car available.  Having the ability to call for help if you break down or get into a minor fender bender can help you stay calm. Make a List of Phone Numbers Write down a list of phone numbers or store the numbers in your cell phone’s contact list of people and companies you could call in common roadside situations.  These services may include locksmiths, tow services, roadside assistance companies, friends and family members. Purchase Roadside Assistance Policy If you don’t already have a roadside assistance plan included with your vehicle warranty, car insurance plan or cell phone plan – consider purchasing an AAA membership or other roadside assistance policy to cover you in the event of a minor roadside emergency.