THREE REASONS WHY TOYOTA IS THE MOST RELIABLE BRAND

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.

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!