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A little shaking might be OK on the dance floor, but if it’s your steering wheel that’s shimmying in your hands, that’s not so good. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA wants our customers to always be safe on the road, so here are the general reasons that your steering wheel is acting up. WHEEL MISALIGNMENT If you’ve hit some big potholes or ride on otherwise rough roads, your tires have probably been knocked out of alignment. The steering wheel will shake if the tires aren’t going in the same direction. You can do a quick check by looking at the tire tread; if the inside tread is more worn than the outside, your wheels need to be put back into place. The service pros at Peruzzi Toyota can take care of it for you. UNBALANCED TIRES If you’ve had your tires recently changed or rotated, and the steering wheel is shaking, the weight isn’t evenly distributed. Bring it into Peruzzi to get your tires back in balance. BRAKE ISSUES When your steering wheel shimmies as you hit the brakes, there’s likely a mechanical issue there, possibly with the brake disc. WORN WHEEL BEARINGS Like anything, wheel bearings can become worn over time, especially if you drive frequently on rough roads. If your steering wheel only shakes when you’re turning, that’s a definite sign to have the bearings checked. WORN-OUT STEERING PARTS The wheel is only one part of your steering system, so naturally, if it’s shaking, it makes sense to investigate the bigger picture. If the system – or your suspension in general – has worn out parts, your vehicle won’t work as efficiently and thus, lose some stability and control. It’s a smart idea to have it checked out to avoid bigger problems later on. Whatever the reason your steering wheel may be acting up, bring it into the Peruzzi Toyota service department and let us check it out for you.

Whether it’s a car, SUV or truck, a vehicle purchase is one of the biggest any of us will ever make. Ensuring that you get the most for your hard-earned money is essential. That’s why Toyota has long been known as one of the most reliable, easy-to-own brands. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA is proud to represent them, and proud to share these key reasons why Toyota should be your first pick. LOW COST OF OWNERSHIP The sticker price of a new vehicle is only the start. Over its lifetime, you also have to factor in things like repairs and overall maintenance. Toyotas are well-known for being super-affordable up front, with exceptionally low maintenance needs and a long life on the road. Overall, the “cost of ownership” for Toyota vehicles makes them one of the best buys on the market. A HIGH FOCUS ON FUNCTION Toyota’s reputation for reliability is rooted in some smart, conscious decisions. Many vehicles today feature a lot of high-end parts that cost a lot to repair or replace when something goes wrong. Toyota’s goal to be both dependable and practical has resulted in using parts that have been rigorously tested for dependability and longevity. So, if something does happen, it’s far easier and economical to address it. While all Toyotas are sporty and great-looking, it’s more important that they won’t let you down when it counts. TECHNOLOGY THAT’S TESTED Every model year, we hear about all the spiffy new features being unveiled by our competitors. But Toyota has found that it’s better to thoroughly research and test new technology before rushing to add it to our vehicles. This way, we know it will be safe and reliable for our customers. You’ll definitely get all the great technology that you want, but you’ll also know that it’s been rigorously checked. These are only three of the great reasons that Toyotas – like those available at Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield – make for the most reliable vehicles you can buy. We’ve got so many options to show you at our showroom; come by for an up-close experience!

We’re settling into the winter months, where colder temperatures affect not only our fingers and toes but our vehicles. One of the weirder things about winter weather is that it does a number on tires, specifically tire pressure. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA offers these helpful tips for keeping your tires humming along in the colder months. When your car tire pressure light comes on, the first thing to check is that you haven’t accidentally run over a nail or other sharp object that might be a culprit. Once that’s done, realize that the outside cold temperatures affect the air inside the tires. It’s called “lower air density,” not that you need to be a scientist to sort it out: your tires lose pressure as a result. Your tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will let you know when the "feet" of your vehicle needs a closer look. Older or more worn tires will tend to lose pressure more quickly than newer tires. It’s a good habit to get into to check the tread and wear on your tires, not just for pressure issues, but overall safety. Have a look at your tires on a regular basis, because cold weather will cause older tires to lose pressure more quickly – and that can be dangerous. Helpful note: if your tires are showing more wear, you might want to consider replacing them. The experts at Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA can swap them out and have you back on the road in no time. One key tool every car owner should have handy is a tire pressure gauge. Give your tires a regular check (and reference the appropriate pressure either in your owner’s manual or on the tire sidewall.) Cold weather driving serves up tricky conditions, between wet or icy roads making properly inflated tires that much more critical. Got questions? Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA is happy to walk you through the smart safety steps for your tires – and everything else. Your winter driving will be much more secure!

The two most common types of transmissions you’ll find in modern cars are manual, in which the driver manually switches gears, and automatic, in which the car switches gears automatically. There is a third type of transmission, however, which is steadily growing in popularity in Toyota vehicles – CVT, or continuously variable transmission. But what exactly is CVT, and is it the best option for you and your car? Let’s look at the advantages of a continuously variable transmission. Instead of having multiple gears like a manual or automatic transmission, CVT has just a single universal gear for all speeds. This means you won’t feel any gears shifting when you accelerate like you would with an automatic transmission. Once your engine speed has reached 5,000 rpm, the engine remains at this speed no matter how fast or slow you’re driving afterwards. This absence of gear shifting contributes to some of the advantages of a continuously variable transmission. You’ll find greater fuel-efficiency in a car with CVT – for example, the 2016 Toyota Corolla LE Eco comes to 42 mpg, which is phenomenal for a non-hybrid. You’ll also be able to accelerate faster when your engine doesn’t have to shift gears at higher speeds. See for yourself the difference that a continuously variable transmission can make. Visit us at Peruzzi Toyota and test drive a car equipped with CVT, such as the 2017 Corolla LE. While you’re here, feel free to check out our impressive inventory of over 600 new and certified pre-owned vehicles as well. We look forward to seeing you!

Let’s say you need to get your Toyota repaired. You have two options: take it to an independent shop or the dealership’s service department. One of the main differences between the two is the type of car parts you’ll receive. There are aftermarket car parts, made by third parties, and O riginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. Here are some of the advantages to getting OEM parts for your Toyota. They are higher quality Aftermarket parts are often cheaper than factory ones, but that comes with a cost: lower quality. You don’t want to be stuck with inferior parts. Stick to brands you know and trust, like Toyota, and get some extra peace of mind. They have superior body panels Going along with that, service departments at Toyota dealerships offer better made body panels. Aftermarket ones aren’t always a good fit for your car or, even worse, lack a crumple zone that’s very important for crashes. They’re easier to shop for If you’re looking for a specific part, opting for OEM ones will give you just one or two options. When it comes to aftermarket parts, however, there’s a large variety, so shopping for them quickly becomes complicated, comparing prices, materials and more. Save yourself a headache and don’t go off brand. Aftermarket parts can cause you to lose your security deposit Anyone leasing a car should be wary of aftermarket parts. They can lower your vehicle’s value, which in turn can cost you part or all of your security deposit. So, the next time your Toyota needs repairs, bring it to Peruzzi Toyota’s service department. We’ll give your vehicle the quality parts it needs. And if you’re in a rush and just need maintenance, Peruzzi Toyota offers Express Maintenance, so you and your vehicle can be in and out in 60 minutes. Make your appointment today.