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It’s that time of year again, with kids heading back to school, and a few brand-new drivers out on the local streets. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA wants to keep everyone safe on the road, so here are some reminders to keep yourself and others safe during this busy time. First, pay extra-close attention to your surroundings, especially when you’re in school zones and residential areas. School kids may not be as aware of what’s around them and can excitedly run out into the street. Then there are the kids on bikes. Constantly “sweep” the area and be prepared to slow down or stop. Remember the rules around school buses: if the yellow lights are flashing, they’re preparing to stop. When the lights are red, you’re obligated to stop – in both directions – as the bus loads and unloads their passengers. On that note, build in a little extra time on your commutes to accommodate traffic slowdowns from buses or kids crossing the street. Don’t drive distracted. This applies at any time of year, but especially when the volume of kids on the street has increased. Don’t check your phone, do your makeup, or eat. Be alert for those who may not be, like a child running out from between cars to hurry to the bus stop. Back to school time also brings new drivers, eager to get themselves to school all on their own. Be patient with them, and most of all, give them some space on the street. Peruzzi Toyota is proud to represent one of the safest auto brands on the road. The Toyota Safety Sense suite of features which comes standard offers things like pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and other tools to keep you (and others) safer on the road. But even with all that technology, nothing replaces your own eyes on the road.

Those who drive for a living, such as truckers and even race car drivers, know more about the road than most of us. So, when it comes to the best insider tips on safe winter driving, that’s who you turn to. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA did some homework and offer up these smart hacks for better handling cold weather road conditions. Professional drivers know how critical it is to pay attention to the road surface. This is especially true in winter, when the most dangerous conditions occur when temperatures hover right around freezing. If ice or snow starts to melt in the sun, a slight drop can refreeze it. Alternately, roads that fall under the shadow of a grove of trees or tall hills will freeze more quickly.  Keep your eyes peeled and slow down. On that same note, take it easy in the presence of large trucks. They don’t have the ability to stop on a dime, so provide them with a wide berth any time of the year, but especially in wintry driving conditions. You already know that it’s important to keep an emergency kit in the trunk. Driving experts add that it should also include a tow strap, small air compressor, phone charger, blanket – and perhaps the most important item of all, long underwear! It doesn’t take up much space but goes a long way in keeping you warm if you get stranded. Speaking of staying warm, before you head out in winter, be sure to top off the gas tank. If you need to, you can stay warm all night idling the car on half a tank (just be sure no snow is blocking your exhaust). Other winter preparations include checking your cooling system to ensure your antifreeze is clean and full. While the hood is up, check and fill up your wiper fluid. Expert drivers also swear by coating the windshield with something like Rainex to reduce the snow and grime that can reduce performance. Don’t forget your headlights and taillights; LED lights don’t generate enough heat to melt snow and ice. These simple precautions will go a long way to keeping your winter driving safe and uneventful. And that’s the best kind!

The windshield is one of those things that we kind of take for granted (unless it gets fogged up or dirty). But it’s an essential feature for safe driving. Little things like a chip from a rock, worn-out wipers, or too much grime can make a huge difference in how our vehicle performs on the road. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA offers these simple tips to keep your windshield at its best. First, do a quick inspection for things like small chips or cracks. Those can quickly wreck your windshield’s safety while driving. The good news is that windshield repairs and replacements are free in PA if you have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance. So, there’s no excuse to wait. Make cleaning a regular thing. Keep some paper towels and a spray bottle of water in your Toyota. Whenever you stop for gas, take a quick moment to wipe the windshield down. Built-up dirt and dust can impact your vision – especially in the rain. On a similar note, try a rain repellent solution. There are plenty of options, just make sure you apply it the right way. Start with a squeaky-clean windshield; use an ammonia-based cleanser and dry the glass thoroughly. Follow the instructions to apply the repellent. Once it dries, wipe it clean with a towel. Let it “cure” for a bit, then rinse your windshield with water and wipe it down again. Finally, keep your windshield wipers up to snuff. If your wipers squeak across the glass, leave streaks, or show cracks in the rubber, time for a new pair. In fact, it’s a good rule of thumb to replace them at least twice a year. Keep your vehicle out of the sun as much as you can to prevent the rubber from drying out and cracking; in the snow, don’t use your wipers as an ice scraper. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield wants to keep our customers safe, so use these tips to see things more clearly on the road!

We’re in the season of road repair, that time when the bumps, holes and cracks in the roads around Hatfield are being fixed. Of course, potholes aren’t just annoying, they can do a real number on your car. If the road crews haven’t quite reached those on your daily drive around town, Peruzzi Toyota has these suggestions for dealing with pesky potholes. First, let’s talk about what hitting a pothole can do to your car. Depending on the size of the hole and the speed at which you hit it, you can really mess up the underside of the vehicle. Things like struts, suspension and alignment will be damaged. You’ll know your alignment has been affected if your steering wheel “pulls” to one side. Don’t waste time: make an appointment with the Peruzzi Toyota service experts to get things set right again. Putting it off will make repairs even more expensive. Your tires as well will be impacted by hitting a pothole hard. One obvious sign of damage is a “bulge” which indicates that a breakage has occurred inside the sidewall. That’s going to require a replacement. While potholes are an annoying fact of life, there are a few things you can do to mitigate any potential problems. Start by making sure you keep full air pressure in each tire. This gives you a nice cushion between the rim and the pothole. If you’re not sure what the correct pressure is, you’ll find it in your Toyota owner’s manual. While on the road, keep your eyes peeled. If you see a pothole, slow down; hitting one at high speed will damage your wheels, tires, shocks, struts, springs, you name it. However, try not to brake when directly over a pothole; that shifts the car’s weight and can increase the damage. If you’re driving over a road where potholes are plentiful, grip the steering wheel firmly and keep it as steady as possible to avoid losing control. Also, watch out for water: it may be concealing a nasty surprise beneath. Remember that whenever you hit an unexpected bump in the road, Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield is here to smooth things over and restore your vehicle’s performance!

With all the talk of supply chain shortages, drivers are more aware (and thankful) whenever they spot a big semi-truck hauling goods to their nearest city. They’re a critical part of our infrastructure. Truckers are known for being among the safest drivers on the road, but things happen. So, in the interest of keeping our customers safe, Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA has these smart tips for sharing the highways with tractor trailers. DON’T SPEND MORE TIME NEAR THEM THAN YOU HAVE TO. Despite being great drivers, truckers admit that there are unforeseen things that can occur.  Tire blowouts, for one – which can force a giant truck into your lane (or worse). Pass them and put some space between you. KEEP A HEALTHY DISTANCE. While some people like to “draft” behind a tractor trailer thinking it can help their fuel efficiency, this is super-risky. Trucks take a lot longer to stop and need more room to maneuver on the road. If you’re too close, your bumper won’t help in case of a sudden stop (it’s too low) and a shattering windshield can become lethal to you and your passengers. ALWAYS PASS ON THE LEFT. This is common road courtesy, plus the safer option by far. As you pass, use your turn signals, stick to a steady speed, and never pass on a double-yellow line. Also, ensure that when you finally pull ahead of the truck, there’s a good distance between you. AVOID THEIR BLIND SPOTS. The rule of thumb with tractor trailers is, if you can’t see the driver’s side mirror, they can’t see you. If they can’t see you, they may make a move into your lane and hit you. BE EXTRA-CAUTIOUS IN HIGH WINDS. Because they’re bigger, semi-trucks have more surface area. When a strong gust of wind hits them, it can push them into your lane when you least expect it. Give semis a wide berth during wild weather. Peruzzi Toyotas are among the safest vehicles on the road. But even with their acclaimed Safety Sense features, nothing can replace smart, aware driving.