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If you look around the streets while you’re traveling, you can’t help but notice how crossover SUVs are dominating the roads. When you have a family to haul around or lots of cargo, you need something larger than a car, but you don’t want to break the bank each time you head to the pump. Fuel efficiency is just one reason why crossovers have become more popular than full-sized body-on-frame SUVs. Below we discuss the many benefits of owning a crossover SUV. Better Safety Than Cars Safety is always a concern when you buy a vehicle, especially when you have family. Generally speaking, SUVs are safer than cars when you get into a collision, no matter what kind of standard safety equipment is aboard. The reason that passengers will be safer is because of the bigger size than small cars, which makes SUVs better able to withstand an impact. SUVs and Crossovers Tow Better Than a Car There are many people out there that have hobbies involving large items, like boats, fishing, motorcycles, ATVs, fishing and more.  These pastimes often require towing. While it is possible to add a towing kit to a car, it will not be nearly as efficient as with an SUV. Many crossovers even come equipped with towing capability and trailer sway control. Go Off-Road in a Crossover If you like adventure, it is not recommended that you go off-road in a car. SUVs are better at off-roading because of their higher ground clearance and better transmissions and differentials that are made to perform in off-road situations. Many SUVs and crossovers come with skid plates and other forms of underbody protection, as well as features like low-range gearing and hill descent control.   Stop in to our dealership if you’re interested in a Toyota crossover SUV!

Tires are an essential feature of your car and if you want to keep them in great shape, be sure to keep up with routine tires services offered at our Dothan Toyota service center. We offer all of the services your tires need to keep in great shape. Take a look at our comprehensive tire care services: Air Pressure Checks The air pressure in your tires can change from day to day. Factors like extreme temperatures and various road conditions can deplete the amount of air pressure your tires have. Without the right air pressure, your tires will not perform as expected. You also run the risk of damaging your tires and wearing them out prematurely. Our tire experts can check the air pressure in all four of your tires during routine inspections. We also encourage car owners to keep a tire gauge handy and check tires on a weekly basis. We can inflate your tires to the proper psi and check your tires for signs of damage or excessive wear and tear. Wheel Balancing and Alignment When your wheels are not properly balanced or aligned, you’ll start wearing your tires down and out quickly. Tires should be regularly rotated for even wear. Our Toyota technicians can also balance your wheels and check the alignment for safer driving. With properly balanced and aligned wheels, you can expect a higher performance and safer driving on the road. Proper Tire Fit There are many tires on the market and the choice for the right ones can seem complicated. Our Toyota tire technicians can recommend the proper tires for your vehicle. Whether you are looking for economical tire choices or top of the line performance tires, we can help you decide based on the kind of vehicle you drive. Call us today to schedule your next tire service appointment!

ToyotaCare is a maintenance program that covers normal factory scheduled service for two years of ownership, or up to 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. ToyotaCare Maintenance When you buy a new car, the last thing you should have to worry about is car maintenance. When you purchase a vehicle with ToyotaCare, you only need to visit our Dothan service center for your regular factory scheduled service appointments and our certified technicians will ensure your Toyota is maintained properly. When you use the ToyotaCare maintenance program, you will have a record of maintenance completed during each of your visits, and receive reminders before you need to schedule service appointments to make sure you are fulfilling your maintenance obligations according to the recommended schedule. Covered factory maintenance under the ToyotaCare program: Inspection and adjustment for all engine fluid levels Replacement of oil and oil filters according to schedule Tire rotation Multi-point vehicle inspection ToyotaCare Roadside Assistance For the first two years or 25,000 miles, your new Toyota comes with free, 24 hour roadside assistance. If your tire goes flat or you lock yourself out of the car, simply call the toll-free number (800-444-4195) and someone will be along to help you out. Roadside assistance covers: Dead battery jumping Tire service Lockout protection Fuel delivery Towing Winching Your ToyotaCare program will help you ensure your Toyota remains safe, performs as expected, and maintains its resale value.

Taking care of you car is so important. With proper and regular maintenance, you can prolong the life of your vehicle, ensure its safety, keep it running smoothly and maintain fuel efficiency. If you’re looking for a service center that you can count on to provide your car with the best car possible, look no further than Toyota of Dothan. Service You Can Count On At your Alabama Toyota dealer, you will get service that you can count on. Whether it’s something as simple as changing your car’s oil or you need more extensive work done, like a new battery or an alignment, you will always receive the highest quality service. Here’s a look at just some of the services that they offer: Complete brake check, maintenance and repair. They will completely inspect your brakes and make sure that they pads, rotors and calipers are in great condition. If they aren’t, they will gladly make the necessary repairs. Complete tire care. From rotating and balancing your tires to replacing them, you can be sure that you will be driving on tires that are safe and secure. Engine diagnostic. Your engine is one of the most important parts of your car, and if it has problems, it will affect the way your car drives and can even put you in danger. Thanks to the complete engine diagnostics that this service department will perform, and the repairs that they can make, your engine will always be in great shape.

There is nothing more frustrating than opening up your car door and seeing that it is in complete disarray. There is garbage stuffed in the console, the kids have littered their toys and snack wrappers all over the back seat and there is just junk everywhere. If your car is untidy, unorganized and just plain old messy, you’ll love these tips from. Tips to an Organized and Neat Car Follow these tips and you’ll be able to keep your car nice and tidy all the time. Clean it out. The first step to getting a neat, clean and organized car is to clean the entire thing out. Take everything out of it and then go through it all. Trash the junk and make a pile of things that you absolutely have to have in your car. Add storage. Yes, the storage pocket on the back of the passenger seat and the glove compartment can be used for storage, but it’s probably not enough. To create more storage space, hang one of those over-the-door shoe organizers in the trunk. You can place items that you need in each compartment, like handy wipes, kid’s toys, extra clothes, etc. They’ll be neat and easy to locate. Get a trash bin. Garbage can easily accumulate in a car because there often isn’t a place to put it. To prevent that garbage from adding up, put a trash bin on the floor in the back seat. You, the kids and any other passenger will have a place to put their garbage.

Summer is right around the corner, which means that the high temperatures and high humidity are, too. When the temperature outside rises, so does the temperature inside your car, and there’s nothing more uncomfortable than opening up a car door and being hit with sweltering heat. Your dealer wants you to stay comfortable this summer, which is why they want to offer you these tips for keeping your car cool in the summer. Cool Car Tips Put these tips into practice and your car will be nice and cool, no matter how hot it gets outside. Park in the shade. While it may seem obvious to say, this is something that is often overlooked. Find a shady spot, even if it’s further away. It’s worth it to walk a little further and have a cool car than to park right in front in the blaring sun. Put up a sunshade. Always keep a sunshade in the trunk and put it up when you park. This is particularly handy if you are parking in an area that doesn’t have any shade. It’s amazing how much cooler a car can stay when the sun doesn’t beat right inside. Cover the steering wheel. Place a towel or some other cover over the steering wheel while you’re parked. This will protect the steering wheel and prevent you from burning your hands when you drive. Keep the windows cracked. This will allow air to circulate inside, which will really help to keep things cool.

Road trip season is about to kick off in full swing, and an important part of having a successful trip is packing appropriately. Pack too much and you’ll be cramped inside your vehicle and have to lug a bunch of stuff around. Pack too little and, well, you may not have what you need. Toyota of Dothan wants you to have the most amazing trip possible, which is why they want to share these tips for packing successfully for a road trip. Road Trip Packing Tips Here are some handy tips that will make packing for your road trip a huge success and make your road trip, overall, a super enjoyable time. Use duffel bags. Those big, clunky, hard-shelled suitcases with wheels are great for air travel, but they are a little too cumbersome for a trip in a car. Duffel bags are a much better choice for the car. Because they are soft, they can easily conform to the shape of your car and can wrap around other gear that you may be bringing with you. Plus, you can always fold them up and store them away if you don’t need them. Pack items, not entire outfits. Sure, you may have a shirt and a pair of pants that look great together; but, if you pack every outfit like that, you’ll be taking up so much extra space. Instead, pack items that can be interchanged to create different outfits. A neutral shirt that can be worn with a skirt or a pair of pants, for example. Leave the heavy coats at home (unless, of course, you’re going skiing or traveling to a super cold climate). Those big coats take up a lot of space. Instead, bring layers, if possible. Sweaters, long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts and the like can all be layered for warmth.

No cargo is more precious than your children, which is why your dealer wants to take the time to share some very important information regarding your child’s safety in your vehicle. Turn Them Around – From newborn up to the age of two, children are required to sit in rear-facing car seats. The reason for this is because head-on collisions (which are the most common types of collisions) can result in serious damage to the spine in children who are under the age of two because the spine isn’t fully fused until two years of age. So, keep your baby in a rear-facing car seat until he or she is at least two. Turn them Around – When your child reaches the age of two, you may turn the car seat around; however, it is important to remember that a car seat with a three-point harness is an absolute must. This type of harness will prevent your child from moving out of his or her seat in the event of an accident. Give them a Boost – Once your child reaches the age of five, he or she may be ready to get out of the car seat and into a booster. Your child should be sitting in a booster seat until he or she is 4 feet 9 inches tall, which is typically between the ages of 8 and 12. This is because a seat belt alone won’t provide the security your child needs until he or she is this tall. Stay Safe in the Back – Your child should stay in the back seat until he or she is at least 57 inches tall. Until that height, front air bags can be potentially life-threatening.

There is nothing more frustrating than going out to your car, putting the key in the ignition and finding out that your car won’t start and you can’t figure out what is going on - which is why your dealer wants to shed some light on some of the most common reasons why your car may not be starting. A Dead Battery – When you turn the key, do you hear a clicking sound? If so, there’s a good chance that your battery is dead. The battery supplies electricity to the engine. If the battery is dead, there’s no electricity going to the engine, which means your car won’t start. A jump can resolve the problem, or you may need to replace the battery. No Spark – In order for the car to start, the fuel needs to be ignited, and if this isn’t happening, it could be due to the lack of a spark. The cause of this may be due to the fact that a spark plug or a spark plug cable has gone bad. Faulty Fuel – If the engine isn’t starting, it could be related to the fuel. For example, there may be a clog in the fuel like, there could be a bad mix of fuel or there may be too much air in the fuel. Bad Timing Belt – A bad timing belt could also be the cause the engine failure. When you start your car, the timing belt opens and closes valves that let fuel into the engine and let exhaust out. If those valves aren’t opening and closing at the right time, your engine will choke and not start.

Are you abreast of the recalls on your car? Researching recalls for your vehicles and pre-owned vehicles you plan to buy is easy and free. Millions of recalls are issued every year, and some people have the issues addressed, while others do not. Are you up-to-date on yours? If you want to know if your vehicle has been recalled, visit safercar.gov to find out. Toyota of Dothan encourages drivers to research recall information. NHTSA has a Free, Online Tool Visit www.safercar.gov/vinlookup to accesses the free lookup tool. The tool is designed to provide consumers with important information about recalls, past and present. The tool relies on information that is submitted weekly by automakers. Automakers are required to provide consumers with free access to uncompleted recall information. The NHTSA uses the information on the sites to provide all consumers with the most accurate and up-to-date information about recalls. Once a car buyer, renter, or owner puts a vehicle’s VIN in the online tool it provides information about the following: Incomplete recalls Recalls issued over the last 15 years Recalls conducted by light automobile and motorcycle manufacturers It is important to note the tool DOES NOT provide completed recall information, customer service for manufacturers, international brands that are not sold in America, and recalls for some super-luxury brands. How do I use the Tool? Using the tool is simple: Visit the vin tool here. Input the vehicle VIN, which can be found in the driver door, on the dash plate in the front window, on your registration, and on your car insurance cards. Type in the verifier code. After you hit submit, the results will show your VIN, year, make, model, and the number of open recalls.

If you are shopping for a 4x4 vehicle, you have big plans for adventure. Whether are you are looking for an SUV or a pickup, you need to take a few extra steps to ensure you are making a safe decision. A 4x4 that is in the best shape, or one that has been driven hard, will end up costing you more than what you pay at the lot. Toyota of Dothan discusses buying a pre-owned 4x4. Watch the mileage Compare the mileage on the 4x4s you are looking at. If the vehicle is only a couple years old and has an excessive amount of miles, which average more than 10,000 miles per year, be leery of saying ‘yes’ without doing a little more research. Take a test drive The test drive is essential when you are buying a vehicle, but it is especially important when purchasing a 4x4. When you go for a test drive, drive on and off the road. Feel the suspension, vehicle response, steering, braking, and, most importantly, the 4-wheel drive. Listen and feel the 4-wheel drive when you engage it. Visually inspect the vehicle Get all around the 4x4, looking at every corner of the ride. Get underneath the vehicle and inspect the suspension, wheels and steering system. Pay close attention to dents, leaks, and additional evidence of excessive wear and tear. Visit a mechanic Have the pre-owned 4x4 inspected at a repair shop. The mechanic should look at everything under the hood, the brakes, transmission, and other operating systems. Ask to see the vehicle history report Finally, ask to see the vehicle history report. Look for major claims and service records to help you better understand the health of the vehicle. The report will provide you with insight into previous care habits with the previous owner.

Many myths about driving in tornadoes are all over the internet, and some of the bad advice can actually be deadly. Whether a tornado strikes when you are driving in town or you are on a road trip, remaining calm and taking action will save your life. Toyota of Dothan offers advice for driving in a tornado. Keep your radio on If the weather is bad, make sure your car radio is on a local radio station. Your AM/FM channels will give you accurate weather information and warnings as soon as warnings and watches are in effect. If a tornado alert comes across the speakers, take immediate action to stay safe. Do not try to push it or buy yourself more time; it is not safe. Do not follow the cars to the highway overpass Movies and misinformation online have told drivers to seek shelter under highway overpasses. This is a deadly decision, but people still flock to them when a tornado hits. In reality, the wind speeds from a tornado actually increase beneath the overpasses. Not only does the area become a wind tunnel, the structure can crumple on top of you, leaving you pinned beneath. Get out When you hear a tornado warning, get out of your vehicle and seek shelter right away. Go inside a 4-walled structure, not under a carport or awning. Wherever you are, get down low and cover your face and head with your arms, a shirt, or other protective device. Get low If you are outside, and a sturdy shelter is not nearby, get low. Do not try to outrun the tornado; they can change direction at ANY moment. Lie on the ground or in an embankment. Wherever you go, make sure it is the low-lying area, and cover your face and head. Buckle up If you are in your vehicle and shelter is not nearby, try to drive away from the tornado if you can. If you cannot because you are stuck in traffic or on a divided highway, remain in your vehicle and buckle up. Put your head down lower than the windows and cover you head with a jacket, shirt, bag, or your arms.