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Everyone loves that “new car” smell.  But what happens when an especially sneaky, stinky odor creeps in?  Admit it:  when it hits your nostrils first thing in the morning, that can kind of ruin your day.  Don’t worry – there are some super-easy ways to rid your ride of hidden odors.  Here are tips from the experts at Peruzzi Toyota. Start with the obvious. Give your car a serious thorough going-over.  Is there anything lurking under a seat or wedged in a weird spot?  All families have secrets – and that includes that half-eaten salami sandwich that got stuffed in a back seat. Clean the upholstery. Smelly substances – like sweat or food stains-- can be tenacious, so attack them at the source.  There are a variety of cleaning products to try, dependent on whether we’re talking cloth or leather.  Leather is a bit easier to deal with; for stubborn smells on cloth-based upholstery, consider a hand-held steamer.  Just ensure you don’t overdo the steam-cleaning:  too much moisture on cloth can lead to mildew.  Leave car windows down to help things dry out. Give floor mats a going-over. If you have rubber floor mats, hose ‘em clean.  But, like seat upholstery, smells can embed themselves in cloth-based floor mats.  Start by vacuuming, then use a mild detergent to clean them; let them air dry.  The last step?  Sprinkle with the original odor-eater, good old-fashioned baking soda.  Let it sit, then vacuum it up. Check/replace the cabin filter. This is something most of us ignore.  The cabin air filter (typically located on the passenger side, between the glove box and floor) does exactly what its name implies:  filters out funky stuff like pollen and dust. If a smell on the level of a Haz-Mat threat has infiltrated your car, switching out to a fresh new filter is an easy step.  It’s also a good idea to change it every 12K-15K miles anyway. Air-fresheners.  We’ve come a long way from those tacky, tree-shaped air fresheners.  Today, there are so many effective car deodorizer options that go a long way to knocking out the overpowering smell of the drive-thru.  Whether it’s a dashboard plug-in or jar-based/open scent type, give them a try until you find one that works for your vehicle. If none of these solutions work, replacing the upholstery or purchasing another new or used vehicle maybe be your only option left. The Peruzzi Toyota service center can help you with replacing parts and can also check for any other parts that may have issues with your vehicle. If you're looking for a new vehicle, look no further than Peruzzi Toyota's huge selection of nearly 300 new Toyota vehicles available for purchase or lease near Allentown, PA and Bethlehem, PA. If you're looking for something less expensive or from a different brand, Peruzzi Toyota also has an inventory of nearly 500 pre-owned vehicles available for purchase in Hatfield, PA. Visit us today at 2601 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield, PA or give us a call at 877-545-2111 to learn more or schedule an appointment.

From the spilled coffee from your morning commute to muddy paw prints, courtesy of the dog park, your car's interior takes a daily beating. Some things are easier to clean up than others but to keep your car’s inside spruced up, Peruzzi Toyota offers these helpful, easy tips. First, know what kind of upholstery you’re dealing with. Leather is different from cloth is different from vinyl. And no matter what sort of cleaner you use (or what the label says), it’s always smart to do a spot test on a part that’s out of sight. Start by giving your interior a thorough vacuuming. Then tackle any splotches with a clean, damp cloth to get rid of basic surface grime. For leather: apply a dab of leather cleaner/conditioner to a damp rag and wipe in small, overlapping circles. Make sure to work it into any cracks or crevices. Use a clean, dry rag and wipe off any excess. When it comes to leather, experts suggest repeating this process a few times a year to keep the upholstery in top shape. For vinyl: this surface is similar to leather, in that it cleans up somewhat easily. Start with a damp cloth and a vinyl-approved cleanser. Dirtier surfaces may require an assist from a soft brush. And, like leather, it’s a good idea to repeat this process a few times a year. For cloth upholstery: headrests and armrests take a daily beating. Spray stains directly, and let the cleanser penetrate. Now, blot with a clean, damp cloth. It’s not a bad idea to leave car windows down to help fabric dry thoroughly. Another cleaning option is to sprinkle a tough stain with baking soda and salt and let it sit: then spray a combo soda onto it, and scrub that stain away. Of course, if those options don’t quite do it, renting a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment is the next step. Be careful not to oversteam or saturate cloth fabric or you may end up with mildew. You may need to do some repeat-steaming every few days to finally knock those stains out. A little attention and care is all that’s needed to keep your car’s interior looking spiffy! If you're looking for someone to take care of those stains for you, look no further than the service experts at Peruzzi Toyota. We can help you clean your vehicle's upholstery in addition to taking a look at all the other parts of your car and making sure they're working properly. If you're more interested in a new vehicle, Peruzzi Toyota has over 290 new Toyota vehicles in stock in the Allentown, PA and Bethlehem, PA areas. If you're looking for a used vehicle, Peruzzi Toyota has a selection of over 500 pre-owned vehicles from all major manufacturers. Visit Peruzzi Toyota today at 2601 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield, PA or give us a call at 877-545-2111 to schedule an appointment or learn more!

There may come a time when your serpentine belt comes off or needs to be replaced. This can be a difficult job so make sure you have some experience with vehicle repair for attempting this one. Of course, the service experts at Peruzzi Toyota are always here to help you make the replacement. We can also advise you on when to make the replacement and can check if your vehicle needs other vital service adjustments or repairs. The serpentine belt, also known as the s-belt is one of the most important aspects of your vehicle as is vital for making your engine work correctly. This long belt runs every important engine function including the water pump, alternator, a/c compressor, and power steering. Since it's used by so many different systems, it's important that you check it periodically for signs of wear and tear, fraying, or cracking. You'll want to replace it about every 50,000 miles but a service experts like those at Peruzzi Toyota can check it for you and let you know when it needs replacing. Follow the steps below to replace your s-belt: Check out your vehicle's belt routing diagram and repair manual before you begin. If needed, the belt schematics for most vehicles can be found online. Practice matching the routine of the belt wrapping around the pulleys with your new belt in hand. Locate the self-adjusting tensioner and remember to be careful when releasing the tension of the belt. Position your wrench or belt removal tool on the tensioner, and make sure you have enough room to remove the tool once the tensioner is released. Finally, release the tension. Since the tensioner tool is a flat bar you will be able to get into the tight space for the tensioner's roller. Remove the old belt. Check the tensioner for wear by spinning it with your hand before you install the new belt. If the tensioner is noisy, loose, or overly tight, it will have to be replaced along with the belt. Check all the pumps and idler pulleys to make sure they are able to move freely. Check the pulleys for the water pump, alternator, smog pump, and a/c compressor to make sure they do not wobble. Install the new belt. Line up the ribs in the new belt with the grooves in the pulleys. You should also make sure the belt isn't twisted. Tighten the tensioner and double check everything before starting your engine again. This is one of our tougher service guides to follow and perform, so if you have any issue at all or feel uncomfortable, contact the service professionals at Peruzzi Toyota. We'd be more than happy to look at your serpentine belt or any other part of your vehicle to see if you need anything repaired or replaced. We also handle everything from tires, brakes and batteries, to oil changes and everything in between. Give us a call at 877-523-2999 or visit us at 2601 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield, PA. Make an appointment with your Allentown, PA and Bethlehem, PA area Toyota service and parts center.

With rising gas prices, it's more important than ever that you think about ways to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Obviously one of the ways to do this is to purchase a hybrid vehicles and Toyota has you covered. However, not everyone is ready to give up on their gas powered car and would like to do everything possible to stretch out the time between fill ups. With these simple tips for Peruzzi Toyota, you can make the most of your tank of gas and make fewer trips to the pump! Make Sure Your Tires Are Filled Under-inflated tires can have a negative effect on your fuel economy. Periodically check your vehicle's recommended tire pressure and try to make your tire's PSI number match as closely as possible. We recommend checking your tire pressure about once a month. This simple change can help you improve the ease with which you can drive, stretching your fuel to its maximum. Drive Smoothly One of the biggest gas guzzlers that many drivers don't think twice about is excessive starting and stopping. Learning to coast in your vehicle could save you lots of money on gas. Sudden speed changes can drop your MPG by as much as 35%. Breaking steadily and gently when approaching a red light or traffic and accelerating steadily and smoothly can extend the life of your gas tank. Use Cruise Control Building on the last idea, a great way to ensure you aren't braking or accelerating unnecessarily is to utilize cruise control. Cruise control is great for maintaining your speed as efficiently as possible and accelerating and slowing down less often. In addition to saving gas money, you can reduce wear and tear on your engine. Toyota's dynamic radar cruise control takes things to the next level by ensuring you remain a set distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Plan Out Your Driving Trips If you have multiple errands to run, planning the most efficient route beforehand can save you fuel as well as your valuable time. This won't directly impact the fuel efficiency of your vehicle but it can still save you gas and reduce your number of trips to the pump. Stay on Top of Regular Maintenance Lastly, the best way to keep your car running efficiently is to make sure you keep up with maintenance. Changing your oil, rotating your tires, and changing your filters can all have a big impact on your fuel efficiency. The service experts at Peruzzi Toyota are here to help you with your service and can even recommend maintenance and services that will help your vehicle maintain great fuel economy. If you're interested in saving some cash at the gas pump there are many small changes you can make to your driving habits and maintenance to extend the life of your fill up. To start saving some serious fuel, look into purchasing or leasing a new hybrid Toyota vehicle. Peruzzi Toyota has all the Toyota Prius models available for purchase or lease. We also have a full lineup of over 140 new vehicles and over 530 pre-owned vehicles available. Visit us at 2601 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield, PA and take a test drive today!

For the second year in a row, a Toyota has won the World Green Car title from the World Car Awards program. Last year’s winner was the Toyota Mirai, but this year’s winner is a bit more of a household name – the Toyota Prius Prime. Competing against 11 other vehicles and selected by a panel of 75 automotive journalists from around the world, the Prius Prime came out on top when judged on its tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more fuel-efficient car than the Prius Prime. With a combined mpg of 54 and electric mpg equivalent of 133, it’s the most fuel-efficient car in its class. When the battery is fully charged, which takes just 5.5 hours from a standard household outlet, you can drive the Prius Prime for 25 miles on EV (electric-only) mode. On a fully charged battery and full tank of gas, however, the total driving range of the Prius Prime in Hybrid Mode is 640 miles. That’s Philadelphia to Indianapolis in one straight shot. There’s more to the Prius Prime than fuel-efficiency, however. Inside you’ll find the latest convenience and technology features, like an 11.6-inch HD multimedia display for navigation and the Entune App Suite. An advanced 4.2-inch color multi-information display keeps track of the vehicle’s vital information such as speed, temperature, and energy use all in one place. Most unique of all, this vital info can be projected onto the windshield directly in front of you using the Head-Up Display technology, so you never have to take your eyes off the road to check on your speed or gas. Toyota’s top quality and highly rated vehicles have been winning awards for years, including the Camry, Tacoma, Highlander, and Avalon. Stop by Peruzzi Toyota and take one of our award-winning vehicles out for a test drive. We guarantee that you’ll find an innovative and highly trusted car that you’ll love, for a price that nobody can beat. Drive home with award-winning quality today!

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to clean. Spring cleaning doesn’t just apply to your house. Make sure you spruce up your vehicle so it’s ready for spring. Here are some tips to consider this season:   1. Wash and wax your car After winter, your vehicle is probably covered in mud, road salt, debris and more. Now is a good time to wash it. After you’re done, be sure to wax it in order to add an extra level of shine and protection to your car.  Don’t wait for an April shower, either take your vehicle into a car wash or wash it yourself. This way, you can ensure a quality wash. Don’t forget the wax step!   2. Replace winter tires If you put winter tires on your vehicle to help you drive in the snow, now’s the time to take them off. Driving with them on during warmer months can actually cause the rubber to melt. Switch them out for all-season tires.   3. Clean the interior Your car’s seats, trunk and mats probably need a cleaning. A vacuum can get a lot of the dirt and grime out. As for your trunk, get your winter gear out of there and put it in storage. This will free up room for you while also improving your vehicle’s mpg.   4. Get your car serviced Now’s the time to check your headlights, wiper blades and your car’s alignment. Winter can wear all of these down, so it’s important to ensure that they still work.   And if you’re looking to get your vehicle serviced, come to Peruzzi Toyota. Our service department will give your vehicle a thorough check and have it back in no time. Contact us today to schedule your next service appointment.