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When you drive around in your new or used Toyota your vehicle collects dirt, dust, and grime that can damage your paint and your finish. It is important to protect your vehicle by regular cleaning. Your garden hose can only do so much work to get the job done. Sometimes you will need to schedule an appointment for a full service detailing at our dealership.   Our Toyota service center in Dothan AL has trained technicians that can deep clean your vehicle to remove the stuck on dirt and grease before it can harm your finish. We can get all areas of your vehicle clean including the undercarriage you often cannot reach on your own. The team will also put a protective wax on your vehicle to ensure the paint is protected from the elements of the outdoors like the sun and the rain.   On the inside, we can clean your upholstery and carpeting to remove the ground in stains and the bad smells. We’ll do it effectively to ensure that everything is restored back to like-new condition and is protected against future wear and tear.   Contact our dealership staff today to schedule your detailing appointment. Our team will work quickly and effectively with your busy schedule to get your vehicle clean so you can return to the road as fast as possible. We can schedule follow up appointments to make sure your Toyota stays in great condition for many years to come.

At Toyota of Dothan we stock many of the accessories and parts you want for your Toyota. When buying accessories, it is important to ensure you are getting parts that are up to Toyota standards. We make it easy to shop for and buy the items you need to upgrade and protect your Toyota.   Stop by our Toyota service department and check out what we have in our inventory. We stock the necessary accessories like floor mats, tires, and wiper blades that are manufactured for Toyota model vehicles. It is the best way to be sure you are getting the best for your vehicle.   If you are considering upgrading the features and technology of your Toyota, consult with our service center experts who are certified and trained in the Toyota brand. We can do all of the customizing work and installation labor if you want to add a navigation system, new audio system, or a security system. We have the right equipment to get the job done successfully so you aren’t waiting around to get back on the road.   Let us know what you want to do to your Toyota to add comfort and convenience. Our service center team will be happy to give you an estimate so you can make the best decision. We can review the many options available so you’ll have the Toyota of your dreams. We can also do all of the basic maintenance work and detailing services at our dealership to keep your vehicle in the best shape possible.

Toyota of Dothan Service Technicians remember a simpler time when cars could be fixed with a good wrench and elbow grease. But just because these new cars are more precise machines with complicated parts it doesn’t mean you should be too intimidated to do simple routine maintenance Personal Protective Equipment The service technicians don't wear the gloves and goggles just to look cool, they do it to stay safe. Wear the right equipment when attempting your own care maintenance. Cars today have plenty of sharp edges you can cut yourself on and plenty of fluids that can be squirted in to your eyes, so get out the work gloves and safety goggles before you get started. Quality Screwdrivers When you are picking out screwdrivers, don't just buy the cheapest ones. Buy a complete kit with many heads and drivers so you are not caught off guard. It is best to find kits that have a mechanics quality seal, as these ones will be job trade specific. Instruction Manuals It’s always a good idea to know what you’re doing before you attempt any car repairs or maintenance.  Get an instruction manual or watch Youtube videos – and if the task seems too challenging for your level of experience – call our Alabama Toyota service department for an appointment.

There is a fierce debate of preparedness, practicality, and safety waging between your service experts at Toyota of Dothan. Your service team experts will give you both sides of the argument for using tire sealants or spare tires when you’re faced with a flat tire, so you can make the best decision as it affects your lifestyle. Space Considerations A spare tire obviously will take up more room in your vehicle than a can of tire sealant, although most cars have a compartment for spare tires.  If your car cleverly stores the spare tire, it may be quite difficult to get out when you need it – which can be a problem when stuck with a flat tire on the side of the road   Some people decide they need the storage space where their tire is kept for other items, and remove the spare and replace it with a can of tire sealant for emergencies. Less Time on the Side of the Road Most sealants do a great job of temporarily sealing the hole in your tire so you can get back to your trip quicker. When you temporarily fix a flat with a tire sealant, you’re not stuck on the side of the road for a long period of time like you are when changing a tire.  It is not overly safe to change a tire on the side of a busy highway, so using a tire sealant is a good way to get back on the road quicker and out of harm’s way.

From the Toyota 4Runner to the Toyota Corolla, Toyota of Dothan is proud to say that 13 different Toyota vehicles earned a place on the IIHS 2013 Top Safety Pick List.  We know how important it is for drivers to feel safe when they’re behind the wheel, and to feel like their families are protected in the event of a dangerous situation on the road or in a car accident.  Toyota offers six safety features as part of their Star Safety System that make our vehicles as safe as possible. Safety Features of the Star Safety System The Star Safety System includes six different safety features designed to help a driver keep control over their vehicle or obtain control during a potentially dangerous situation.  Sensors give the vehicles the ability to detect and respond to common problems in order to improve the safety while you’re on the road. Braking Safety Features To help the vehicles stop safely, the Star Safety System offers the following braking safety features: ABS – anti lock brakes will help prevent the car tires from locking into place and sliding out of control. Electronic Brake-Force Distribution – helps maintain control by reducing brake pressure over the wheels with the least amount of weight. Brake Assist – the car will automatically apply more brakes if sensors indicate the car is in need of more braking or if the driver is panic breaking. Driver Control Features To help the driver maintain control over the vehicle in adverse situations, the following systems are in place: Smart Stop Technology – if both gas and brake pedals are pushed together, Smart Stop Technology will know and reduce power to the engine. Traction Control – if sensors detect you are sliding, the power to the engine is reduced until the car has normal traction again. Vehicle Stability Control – when the sensors detect a lack of traction and sliding, the vehicle stability control kicks in to make sure the brakes have enough power and reduces power to the engine.

When you are shopping for a used car you may be at higher risk for buying flood damaged or salvaged vehicles.  When natural disasters strike, tornados, hurricanes and other storms can leave cars completely damaged by the flood waters.  These flood damaged cars can be shipped all over the country, and sold by less than reputable car salesmen.  Here are some tips for avoiding flood damaged used cars from Toyota of Dothan: Buy From Qualified Dealerships The easiest way to avoid buying flood damaged used cars is to shop for used vehicles at reputable dealerships, such as Dothan Toyota.  Dealerships must put all used cars through very thorough inspections and the cars must meet criteria before it can be sold.  When you buy from individuals or small used car sellers, you don’t have the benefits of these used car selling requirements and are at a much higher risk of getting a flood damaged or salvaged vehicle. Do Some Research Using the VIN If you find a used car you are interested in, check that the VIN printed on the inside of the driver’s side door matches the VIN on the sticker of the windshield.  If they match, write down the VIN and use it to research the vehicle history with The National Insurance Crime Bureau.  Avoid any car that was totaled. Do a Title Check If you are happy with the VIN research findings, check the title to make sure it doesn’t say the car was flood damaged or salvaged.  If the seller doesn’t have a title, there is a good chance they are trying to hide something and you should avoid buying that car.

There is a myth in the automotive industry about frame damage.  Many drivers believe that a bent frame automatically results in their car being totaled.  The industry has come a long way is just the past 10 years, making it possible to identify frame damage and repair it.  Toyota of Dothan wants drivers to know that a bent frame doesn’t automatically mean that your car will be totaled by your insurance company. How Does a Shop Identify Frame Damage? It is important for drivers to take their vehicles to shops with the right tools.  Reputable body shops now have a computer equipment and experienced techs that can identify frame damage.  The computerized measuring system compares the vehicle’s measurements to the manufacturer’s specifications.  Once the measurements are complete, the body shop knows how much damage is done and estimates the cost to fix the vehicle.  Once the insurance company receives the estimate, they will decide whether or not it is cost effective for them to repair or total the vehicle. The Condition of Your Car After Damage Has Been Repaired After the body shop fixes your vehicle, the frame measurements will be back to the manufacturer’s specifications.  Your vehicle will be as good as new after the body shop is finished with the repairs. Post-Accident Resale Value If you are worried about your car’s resale value after an accident, don’t be.  If you have your vehicle repaired by a quality shop, there is no reason for your car to lose its value.  Any unrepaired structural damage to the vehicle is a risk to the driver and others on the road, and the car will lose its value when you try to sell it.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the graduated licensing program for new drivers.  The program is designed to protect teens on the road by allowing them to become fully licensed in stages by maximize the experience they gain in the road.  Toyota of Dothan is explaining Alabama’s graduated licensing program for new teen drivers. Alabama Teen Obtain Their License in 3 Stages There are 3 stages in the Alabama graduated licensing program.  Even though every state has adopted the program, legislators in each state set the rules and regulations.  The program in Alabama is different than the program in another state, but every program was created with the same goal in mind. Stage One: Learning A teen that is 15 years or older can obtain their learner’s permit in Alabama.  The teen can only drive with an adult over the age of 21 when they are on the road.  A permit must be held for 6 months before the teen advances to stage 2. Stage Two: Intermediate A teen must be 16 or older to advance to the intermediate stage, which in a restricted license.  The driver is not allowed to drive between midnight and 6 in the morning, or use a mobile device when driving.  A teen with a restricted license may only carry 1 passenger in the vehicle who is not a family member, parent or legal guardian. Stage Three: Full Privilege An unrestricted or regular license is issued to teens over the age of 17.  The teen must have had a clean stage 2 license for 6 months.  If a teen turns 18 while they have a restricted license, they can apply to become fully licensed.

There are many ideas for drivers who want to beat the police radar gun.  Toyota of Dothan is exposing radar gun myths that drivers hope will get them out of a speeding ticket.  Even though many of the myths are quite comical, none of them will prevent a ticket like slowing down will.  What is your favorite radar gun myth? Myth #1: An officer can’t hide when they are using a radar gun If an officer is trying to bust speeders, they can sit wherever gives them the best vantage point to nail law breakers.  Just because an officer is hiding behind a corner, doesn’t mean he/she can’t give you a ticket for speeding. Myth #2: Everyday items can block the radar Many people have interesting ideas to block the police radar gun.  Suggestions have been made about using tin foil, dangling CDs and disco balls, and giving a car a matte-black paint job.  All of these methods were debunked on an episode of Myth Busters. Myth #3: The police officer has to show you proof A police officer is not required to show you proof on their radar gun.  In addition to the radar gun, a police officer is trained to identify speeders.  If an officer refuses to show you proof, you probably aren’t going to be successful when you use that to fight the ticket in court. Myth #4: No signature= no ticket If you don’t sign your ticket, you still have to appear in court or pay the fine.  Your signature states that you know you have to show up for court.  If you fail to show up because you didn’t sign the citation, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and you will still be responsible for the ticket.

There is always talk about recalls in the news, but have you wondered how the entire process begins and what you can do to protect yourself?  Toyota of Dothan is helping drivers understand the anatomy of a recall and the steps drivers can take to search for and repair recalls on their vehicle. What is a Recall? Recalls can be initiated by the car’s manufacturer or the NHTSA.  Recalls are required when a vehicle or specific feature in the vehicle doesn’t comply with federal safety standards or there is a defect in the or on the car that is a safety hazard. What is Considered a Safety Defect? A defect is something in the vehicle or equipment that is a potential risk or has been linked as the direct cause of an accident or injury.  When a recall is issued it is because the risk doesn’t just involve one vehicle on the road, but equipment, designs or features in the same type of vehicles.  Safety defects are recalled only if they are a part of the vehicle’s motor and operating system or equipment. Steering Fuel systems Braking systems and acceleration Child safety seats, seat belts, head rests, and LATCH systems Moving parts and assemblies on the vehicle Equipment sold by the manufacturer for the vehicle Wheel and tires Frame, chassis and suspension What is not Considered a Safety Defect? Just because something doesn’t work properly on a vehicle, doesn’t mean it is considered a safety risk.  Parts and equipment that simply don’t work should be discussed with your dealer for potential warranty coverage if your car is still within its covered period. How to Report and Research Recalls If you have a safety complaint or you want to research open recalls on a vehicle, you have a couple of options. CARFAX Contact dealership Visit  safercar.gov or recalls.gov Download mobile apps for safercar.gov and recalls.gov

After we have taken our dreaded driver's test and have been on the road for a few years, we can get a little too comfortable.  This makes for the start of habits that may not seem like a big deal to us, but can actually escalate into dangerous situations.  Toyota of Dothan cares about your safety, and is offering this list of habits to avoid when getting behind the wheel. Talking on a cell phone- While we live in a multitasking society and many think this is no big deal, cell phone use can cause major accidents.  It takes your hands off the wheel, can slow you down and take more attention away from driving than you may think.  A study by Carnegie Mellon showed that the amount of brain activity you use to focus on driving reduces by 37% when you're using a cell phone. Texting while driving- Studies show you're over  20 times more likely to have an accident if you're texting while driving.  Texting uses three modalities that are critical to driving:  Brain to think about the message, eyes to look at what you're typing, and your hands to do the typing. Driving while drowsy- Though often not intentional, driving when you're tired has similar effects of drunk driving.  It impairs judgement, slows reaction time, and lowers awareness.  According to the NHTSA, every year 100,000 crashes are reported each year due to drowsy driving. Running a red light- This seems to work in movies, but in reality is can cause serious accidents.  These crashes tend to be worse because of the excess speed involved in trying to get through the intersection.  Fines are very steep for this offense. Speeding- While this may seem obvious, speeding accidents often depend on the situation.  Going too fast around a turn or in bad weather can take a slightly intimidating driving scenario and make it very dangerous.  Combining alcohol makes it even deadlier, and going through construction can cause tragic fatalities as well. Driving while intoxicated- Possibly the most dangerous.  Alcohol impairs your judgement of distance, reaction time, and increases aggression.  There is a high likelihood of killing someone while you're drunk, and it comes with heavy fines and jail time.