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There are laws requiring that seat belts be worn throughout the United States. Unfortunately, millions of injuries occur each year due to lack of seat belt use.  In case you are one of the people who still does not believe they are necessary for safety, read through these reasons from Toyota near Troy for why you should wear a seatbelt in a vehicle at all times. Statistics Your chances of being injured or killed in an accident is reduced by 50% when you wear your seatbelt.  According to the CDC, in 2009, over 2.3 million drivers were teated in the emergency room because of motor vehicle crashes.  Millions of adults do not wear a seat belt on every trip in the car. Airbags Are Not Enough Airbags can help when working in combination with a seat belt.  Airbags alone will not keep you from banging into other people in the car or other parts of the cabin, or keep you in a beneficial position from the airbag if you are not buckled in.  It is possible you can still be thrown from your car when an airbag alone deploys. Seat Belts Secure You Seat belts keep you from flying through the windshield.  If you are projected from the vehicle, you could land in the middle of traffic, or in such a way that you break your neck.  They also keep your face from just smashing into the windshield, which could be deadly at high speeds. Safer For Your Baby Pregnant women are also kept alive in an accident with seat belts.  If they are killed, their unborn child has a very rare chance of survival.  The should wear the lap belt below the belly and through their breasts so their fetus is not injured upon impact.

Now that everything is thawing out from winter, there will be plenty of road construction to repair damage from plows and wether conditions.  For your vehicle, it may be too late.  Read through these warnings from Toyota of Dothan of the signs that your car has sustained pothole damage. Low Tire Pressure It is important that your tires maintain the correct amount of pressure in them.  Otherwise you are at risk for a blow out, and your vehicle will not run as efficiently as it should.  Check the pressure routinely.  If they are low, loo for signs of damage like rusty rims, blisters or bulges on the sides. Bad Alignment Hitting too many potholes can throw your car's alignment completely out of whack.  If your vehicle is puling more to one side when you want to go straight, it needs to be fixed.  Take it to a mechanic so your tires wear properly and your vehicle handles safely. Bottoming Out If you hit a bump and you hear a loud noise, where your vehicle has bottomed out, there likely a problem with your struts or shocks.  These are the things that cushion your car so that it doesn't bounce around on the road.  Potholes can wear them down, making your car unstable. Undercarriage Damage after hitting a pothole there can be damage done under your car.  Common problems are leaks and holes in the pipes beneath your car.  Check it for yourself every so often.  If you hit a large hole or several holes and don't see anything, take it a mechanic to be inspected just in case.

SUVs are very popular, especially for those with families.  Perhaps you've thought about buying one, but aren't sure if it's your cup of tea. Toyota of Dothan is explaining the benefits of owning an SUV to help you decide for yourself. Power of the SUV An SUV often has a more powerful engine than a lot of cars do.  Usually they come equipped with a V6 or V8 engine, able to make a lot of horsepower.  With this power comes the ability to tow thousands of pounds, depending on the size of the SUV. Handling of the SUV In tough terrain, and poor weather conditions, their large tires and shock absorbers make them easier to drive than a car.  Many SUVs have four-wheel-drive capability that helps them too.  Because the driver sits up high, they can see dangerous conditions sooner than you would be able to in a car.  SUVs are now full of new safety features such as side curtain airbags and backup cameras, that eliminate problems that occurred with them in the past. Space in the SUV The reason they are so popular with families is because of their amount of interior space.  You can seat seven or eight passengers and still have room for cargo.  If you don't have that many passengers, they usually have a second and third row that will fold down or be removed for extra storage pace.  Some SUVs even have power opening tailgates with wide openings that make it easy to open, close, load and unload items.  Added space also makes for more comfort.

The 2014 Land Cruiser SUV is a beautiful, luxurious and capable vehicle available at Toyota of Dothan.  When the Land Cruiser drives down the road, it commands attention.  If you've never experienced one, come in a schedule a test drive today. Luxury in the 2104 Land Cruiser Comfortably fit eight passengers inside.  The front seats are ventilated, heat in multi-stages, and are trimmed in leather.  The second row also gets heat, which is a rare treat for those who sit back there.  The steering wheel gets its own leather and heat, with mounted controls for audio, Bluetooth, and the multi-informational display.  For long trips, enjoy the cooler box feature in the console, which is perfect for beverages and snacks.  The cabin has 28 vents throughout, and the climate can be controlled by front and second-row passengers. Passengers in the back get to enjoy their favorite flicks or play video games on the DVD system with a 9-inch color screen.  The Land Cruiser is available in seven sophisticated colors: Sonora Gold Pearl Magnetic Gray Metallic Blizzard Pearl Amazon Green Metallic Salsa Red Pearl Classic Silver Metallic Black Power and Performance of the 2014 Land Cruiser If you're tackling rough terrain, the Land Cruiser has plenty of ground clearance, and small rear and front overhangs so you won't make contact with the elements.  It comes with a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces a serious 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque.  Properly equipped it will tow a solid 8,500 pounds.

Pickup trucks are great for getting tough jobs done, but they can cost a lot of money in gas.  The 2014 Tacoma Double Cab V6 at Dothan Toyota is a hard working vehicle, while being fuel efficient at the same time.  Stop in and see how much this truck can do for you. Power of the 2014 Tacoma This 4.0-liter V6 engine gives extra power to the Tacoma than the 4-cylinder models. It makes 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque.  When properly equipped it will tow up to 6500 pounds with ease.  The Tacoma with a V6 is a low emission vehicle that comes with a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.  The drive is rear-wheel with a limited slip differential.  The Tacoma is a solid vehicle with one-piece frame rails and eight cross members and a sub-frame that is fully boxed.  Stop in an emergency with power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.  EPA estimates the Tacoma with a V6 gets 18 miles per gallon combined city and highway driving. Standard Features in the 2014 Tacoma Double Cab The Tacoma Double cab has a five foot bed length for your moving needs.  Comfortably fit adults in the backseat.  The front seats are fabric-trimmed bucket with 4-way adjustment for the driver with lumbar support, and 4-way adjustment for the front passenger.  More features include: Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel Power locks and windows Power mirrors Air-conditioning Rear climate vents 4-speaker Entune audio system CD iPod/USB connectivity Black fenders 5 cup and bottle holders Rear bulkhead storage Dual sun visors Front passenger vanity mirror

When you drive, you have a responsibility to every other person on the road to drive safely. Being alert at all times will help you to stay on the right side of the law and prevent accidents. Unfortunately drivers are often very distracted when behind the wheel of their Toyota due to the many distractions in the world today.   Being an alert, safe driver is certainly beneficial to your health and welfare but it can also be beneficial to your wallet. Driving carefully will help you avoid the accidents that can trigger legal problems and the loss of your vehicle. It can help you avoid the costly traffic fines when stopped for violations.   Additionally being a vigilant driver will help ensure your vehicle stays in good, safe shape. When you drive distracted or recklessly, your vehicle suffers. You’ll spend more money on wasted gasoline and you’ll have to replace expensive car parts more often such as all four of your tires. These costs can add up quickly for the extra repairs and maintenance. If you neglect these basic repairs, you’ll end up paying even more.   Start out with a vehicle safety check and engine tune-up at our Enterprise area Toyota service center if it has been some time since your last appointment. We’ll evaluate your entire vehicle to ensure it is in great running shape. The rest will be up to you to ensure you drive carefully and follow the laws of the road at all times.

The elements of the outdoors and the time you spend in your new or pre-owned Toyota can do a number on the interior look and smell of your vehicle. Tracking in dirt, spilling drinks, and other common accidents that happen inside your vehicle can produce bad smells, mold, and even cause rust to develop.   While it is important to regularly vacuum the interior of your vehicle to remove dirt, rocks, and other debris to protect your carpets, it is just as important that you schedule a deep cleaning service at our Toyota service center in Dothan, AL. Our professional service technicians have the professional grade equipment to get your carpeting and upholstery deep down clean and restore it to like new condition.   If you do not properly clean up spilled sodas and water bottles and allow the carpet to dry thoroughly, you run the risk of having mold grow underneath the carpeting. Acidic drinks like juice and sodas can even lead to the rusting out of the metal under the carpeting. To avoid this major damage and high repair costs, our deep cleaning interior service will remove the tough stains and help protect your fabric for the future.   Depending on how much time you spend in your vehicle, you may need a detailing service more often than other drivers. But if you have never detailed your vehicle before, schedule an appointment with our service center today. We can remove the stains and smells that are making your every drive unpleasant. We can recommend a good cleaning schedule to keep your Toyota in great shape for many more years to come.

The more comfortable and experienced you are behind the wheel of a car, the more likely you are to become overly relaxed and less attentive to the road.  This is a recipe for a disaster.  Almost 40,000 people die in car accidents each year and Toyota of Dothan wants to remind you about the following safe driving tips that can help you prevent car accidents: Each and every time you get into the car – put your seat belt on.  Seat belts keep you securely inside the vehicle in a car accident, which increases your likelihood of surviving.  People who are thrown from a vehicle rarely survive. Make sure your children are safely strapped into appropriate booster seats and car seats for their weight and age.  Children under the age of 12 should ride in the back of the car, as it is considered safest. Focus on driving – leave the cell phone in your pocket and don’t mess with the radio.  Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents. More than 1,000 people die per month in car accidents involving speed.  Watch and obey the speed limits, and drive slower to help prevent tragic car accidents. Have your brakes checked for signs of wear as your brakes are your first defense for avoiding potential car accidents.  If your brakes make noises or take longer to bring your car to a stop than they used to, have them serviced at your Enterprise Area Toyota service center. Periodically check to make sure your brake lights and turn signals are working.  This helps other drivers and pedestrians know what your intentions are.

Shopping for used cars has a few more risks to consider than sopping for a new car.  When you are looking for used cars at Toyota of Dothan, there is less of a risk but if you are considering a used car from a private seller you will want to make sure the car isn’t going to cost you a fortune in maintenance or repairs after you get it home due to its history of being in a car accident.  Here are signs the car was rebuilt after an accident: Doors Won’t Close When shopping for a used car, always make sure to open and close all of the doors to see if they shut all the way.  If they don’t, chances are the car was damaged and bent in areas around the door that has trouble closing. Paint Problems Sometimes when a car is repaired, the auto body shop is unable to match the paint exactly; or the car owner decides to attempt to paint it themselves.  The result is usually mismatched paint in certain areas and is a dead giveaway that the car was damaged in some way. Trunk or Hood Don’t Lie Flat A common sign of a car that was in a side-impact crash involves a trunk or hood that won’t lie flat when closed.  If it doesn’t quite seem to fit correctly, chances are good that the car was twisted and bent in a car accident and then straightened out slightly.  Damages like these may also involve engine damages that you can’t see.

When you finally get through your annual home spring cleaning, keep it going and head right out to your car!  The spring and summer months are also a great time to give your car some attention and help it look better as well as improve its resale value with spring cleaning.   Toyota of Dothan offers the following advice for cleaning out your car: Remove Clutter: if there are takeout bags or candy wrappers in the car, get them into the trash.  Remove anything that doesn’t need to be kept in the car to reduce clutter. Vacuum: drag your home vacuum outside or visit the local car wash to use their commercial vacuums.  Vacuum the entire interior of your car, including your floors, seats, car mats, and trunk. Steam Clean: if your seats or floors are stained, use a steam cleaner to remove set-in stains. Buy New Car Mats: if the floor mats in your car are too dirty to clean up nicely, throw them out and get a new set.  The few dollars you spend will really help your car look better. Wipe Down Surfaces: use a dashboard cleaner and wipe all of the dirt and dust from the dashboard and vinyl surfaces inside your car. Wash Windows: clean the inside and outside of all car windows and windshields. Wash and Wax the Car: give your car a complete bath, being careful to hand dry it after it’s clean to avoid spots from letting the car air dry.  Finish the process with a quality car wax to help keep it clean and protect the paint from scratches.

If you're looking for an off road vehicle for your next adventure, take a look at the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser! The 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser from Toyota of Dothan has a stylish and unique appearance, amazing off-road capabilities that make this a fun-to-drive experience for adventurous types. Come on in for a closer look and take the FJ Cruiser for a spin. Why the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser is Good Off-Road You get a 4-wheel-drive and five speed automatic transmission with the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, ideal for off road situations.  It has a limited-slip differential which is good for getting through tough conditions like mud and steep hills. The SUV has 17-inch black-painted steel wheels and an elevated air tank for crossing water. The electrical components are protected so a little water shouldn’t be a problem – in fact, you can drive in up to 28 inches of water without a problem. 2013 FJ Cruiser Appearance You might get the impression of a military vehicle when you first look at this SUV.  It’s a little like a truck ready to go to war or head cross country over a desert terrain. Its long and rounded roof covers 32-inch tires that stand out.  There are six colors with contrasting colors to choose from: Quicksand with White roof Black with White roof Calvary Blue with White roof Magma with White roof Army Green with White roof Iceberg White with White roof

Everyone is looking for ways to save money.  Why not do that, and save the environment at the same time?  Come to Toyota of Dothan and check out the fuel-efficient and green 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In.  Kelly Blue Book's KBB.com named the Plug-In one of the top 10 green cars in 2013. Power and Fuel-Efficiency of the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In This hatchback runs on a 16 valve 1.8-liter 4-cylinder DOHC aluminum engine with variable valve timing, and a 60 kilowatt electric motor.  They work with a continuously variable transmission and nickel-metal hydride battery pack.  When performing together, they will produce 134 horsepower.  On the battery alone, the Prius Plug-In will go 11 miles.  EPA estimates the car gets an awesome 50 miles per gallon city and highway driving.  It will go from 0-60 in just under 10 quick seconds. Standard Features in the 2104 Prius Plug-In The Plug-In comes with a 7-inch, state of the art, high-resolution touchscreen that is responsible for working many gadgets.  Included are the navigation system with Entune, backup camera, cd player and AM/FM HD radio, and SiriusXM Radio with a free 90-day subscription.  Bluetooth hands free technology makes driving while distracted a thing of the past, and audio controls are mounted conveniently on the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.  The driver seat is 8-way power with height adjustment and power lumbar support, and upgraded faux leather upholstery.  Both sears in the front are heated while the rear are fold down 60/40 split.  Keep the back seats up and you will have 21.6 cubic feet of storage space.