Top Ten Worst Things You Can Do To Your Toyota Vehicle

Your Toyota deserves quality treatment to keep it running in exceptional working order. The professionals have some good advice to offer that will enable you to avoid costly problems. There are many costly repairs that can be prevented on your Toyota. Knowing the worst things that you can do is sound advice every Toyota owner.

Driving While Your Vehicle is Overheated

If you notice that your Toyota has become overheated, it is not worth the chance you are taking if you continue driving while your vehicle is overheated. The best thing to do if you notice that your vehicle is overheating when you drive it is to get it to the service center for immediate diagnostics and repair. Something that could be fixed inexpensively could turn into a much bigger problem, as it may cause a crack in your engine block or might even blow a gasket.

Choosing the Wrong Mechanic

The use of a mechanic who lacks the proper credentials; it is not necessarily a wise choice to obtain a cheap repair from an unqualified mechanic. Your budget should be considered for your Toyota maintenance. Do not skimp on the quality in order to cut your budget because this may be costlier in the long run. If you are unsure about mechanics in your area, it is always a wise choice to take your Toyota to the dealership service center. Regardless of the year or model of your Toyota; the service center staff at your local Toyota Dealership will be well equipped to help you in diagnosing issues, make repairs, and even help you keep up with your recommended scheduled maintenance.

Ignoring a Dirty Air Filter in Your Toyota

Ignoring a dirty air filter can cause a lot of issues because it is important for your engine to obtain clean air. If your air filter is dirty, neglecting to change it can result in high cost repairs and even keep you from getting optimal fuel efficiency.

Skipping an Oil Change for Your Toyota

Neglecting your regular oil changes can cause a lot of issues because the oil lubricates your engine. Changing it on a consistent basis will expand the life of your Toyota. For later models the recommended oil change was every 3000 miles or 3 months, but newer models can go much longer between oil changes. Consult your owner’s manual or Toyota Service center to find out how often you should be changing your oil.

Ignoring Transmission Issues

Ignoring transmission concerns and issues; your transmission is intended to last for many miles. If you notice issues with your transmission, weird sounds or if your vehicle is driving in a different manner, you should have it checked out immediately to avoid costly repairs in the future. If your car is trying to tell you something, make sure you are paying attention and get it serviced.

Choosing the Wrong Parts for Your Toyota

Your Toyota is designed to function well with quality parts and the use of generic parts for replacement or upgrade may cause issues in the future. It is always best to use Genuine Toyota Parts, or Toyota approved parts.  The use of low quality parts may result in a higher risk of malfunction. If you do not know what parts are the best for your Toyota, check with your local Toyota parts department and they can help you get the perfect part.

Operating your Toyota with Low Fluid Levels

Pay attention to your warning lights and make sure you check your fluids on a regular basis. Allowing your vehicle to operate while the fluids are low can cause major issues that could shorten the life of your vehicle. Your vehicle will function properly if all of the fluids are clean and maintained at proper levels.

Not Maintaining a Safe Tire Pressure

Every tire will need to be kept within the required limits that have been specified. If this is not done, this may decrease the fuel efficiency while increasing the overall wear on the tire itself. It can also be dangerous to drive without a Safe Tire Pressure.

Skipping any Regular Scheduled Maintenance

Typical and regularly scheduled maintenance is very important for your Toyota. This helps to keep your vehicle healthy and can alert you to any issues before they get too serious. Your owner’s manual can tell you when you should have your Toyota serviced, you can also talk to the Toyota service center about the schedule you need to be on.

Ignoring the Check Engine Light

It may seem like common sense, but ignoring the check engine light can be very harmful and costly. This light (and other warning lights) are designed to alert you at the first sign that something is going wrong. A Check Engine light lighting up can be caused by numerous things, so it is best to have this checked out by a professional.

Not sure what is best for your Toyota? Scheduled maintenance and proper usage varies for each model and year, so it is recommended that you visit the Warrenton Toyota Service Center to find out the top recommendations for keeping your specific Toyota running for years and years to come!