Summer has been in full swing for a while now. That means road trips, beach picnics, family BBQs and sweltering hot vacations. It also means your vehicle may be experiencing some normal wear and tear from the sizzling weather and longer drives. To prioritize your safety and comfort on the road, we’ve compiled a list of common concerns you may experience with your vehicle as a result of summer fun and warmer temperatures, so you always know what’s up with your Toyota.
ISSUE: My vehicle isn’t driving smoothly and sometimes feels like it’s pulling.
POTENTIAL CAUSE: Your vehicle’s side walls may be dragging due to tire wear or your wheels are misaligned.
SOLUTIONS:
- Easily check your tread at home with a quarter by inserting the coin into a tire groove with the caribou’s nose pointing in. If you can see the tip of the nose, your tread has worn down too low and it’s time for new tires.
- If you’re already driving on newer tires, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle in to a Toyota University Trained Technician for service, so they can check your wheel alignment. Improper alignment affects performance and usually makes your vehicle pull to one side while you drive. When your wheels are in proper alignment, you’ll experience a smoother drive overall and even improved fuel economy.
- Driving on the wrong tires for the season impacts performance. All season tires are designed for use during the warmer months. With softer rubber compounds than winter tires, all seasons perform best in the warmer, rainy and dry conditions that accompany summer.
Need new tires?
With Toyota’s Price Match Promise, you can choose from 16 of Canada’s top tire brands to get the right tires for your vehicle at the right price. Enter your vehicle details into our tire selector to find the best fit for your Toyota.
ISSUE: My overall fuel economy is decreasing.
POTENTIAL CAUSE: Your fuel injectors could be clogged or your tires aren’t properly inflated.
SOLUTION: Though a drop in fuel economy can be attributed to many issues, Toyota University Trained Technicians find the most common to be a clog in or damage to your fuel injectors (the part that sprays fuel into your engine). Fuel injectors can be cleaned; however, depending on their age and level of operation, they may require replacing. When you bring your Toyota in for service every 6 months or 8,000 KM, whichever comes first, Toyota Technicians will inspect and clean your fuel injectors. They’ll also check your tire pressure to ensure proper inflation – tires on the flat side will cause drag, therefore decreasing your fuel economy.
ISSUE: The exterior of my vehicle has sticky spots.
POTENTIAL CAUSE: Sap, pollen, dust and other debris that accompany the summer months may have collected on your vehicle.
SOLUTION: Cleaning your Toyota’s exterior is important for maintaining its value and longevity – and for making it sparkle in the summer sun. To safely clean the exterior without affecting the paint, choose products that you can trust. Toyota Touch Cleaning and Detailing products not only help to carefully clean your vehicle’s exterior, they also help to protect it from elements like sand, dust, salt and rain.
You may choose to treat your vehicle to a Toyota Touch Cleaning and Detailing appointment, in which Toyota will expertly:
- Hand wash and dry the entire exterior
- Vacuum, deodorize, shampoo and add fabric protectant to the interior
- Degrease the engine compartment
- Power wash the wheels, inner fender and undercarriage
- Restore paint and polish the exterior
- Lubricate locks and hinges
Scratches on your vehicle are no match for Toyota Touch-Up Paint Pens
Available in the same colours and finishes as your Toyota, these handy pens help repair scratches in your exterior left by stones and other road debris.
ISSUE: My wiper blades are smearing and leaving streaks or dead spots.
POTENTIAL CAUSE: Built-up debris on your windshield or excessive wear of your wiper blades may be impacting performance.
SOLUTION: As the highest wearing components of your vehicle, your wiper blades should be monitored closely and changed when you see signs of wear. You may be wondering, how often do wiper blades need to be replaced? Toyota experts recommend replacing your windshield wipers every 6 months or 8,000 KM, whichever comes first. This time frame coincides with your recommended service intervals, and your Toyota Technician will be happy to let you know if it’s time for a replacement at your next maintenance appointment.
The windshield washer fluid you choose matters.
Toyota Genuine Windshield Washer Fluid is specifically formulated for your Toyota and cleans at temperatures as low as -40oC, seamlessly taking you from summer to winter.
ISSUE: My A/C is emitting a stale or musty smell.
POTENTIAL CAUSE: Your AC may have a clogged condenser or your cabin air filter is due for a change.
SOLUTION: An old musty smell coming from your A/C can generally be resolved quite easily. Sometimes, it comes down to your cabin air filter, the part that keeps your cabin air clear of pollutants and other contaminants. Experts recommend changing your cabin air filter every three years. If your A/C smells stale, bring your vehicle in for service, and they’ll check to see if it’s time to replace your cabin air filter.
Toyota Genuine Cabin Air Filters were crafted specifically for Toyota vehicles, providing a perfect fit for optimal performance. Plus, when a Toyota Genuine Part is purchased and installed at a Toyota Dealer, it’s covered under warranty.*
A stale or musty smell from your A/C could also indicate a clogged condenser. The Toyota A/C Refresher Kit is designed to eliminate odours from your A/C unit, leaving the air you breathe in your cabin fresh.
We’re here for you, no matter the weather.
We take pride in providing Owners with reliable and personalized service every time they bring their Toyota in for an appointment. Remember, keeping up with your regular maintenance schedule can help to catch the unexpected tweaks that are required after regular vehicle use, especially during a summer of non-stop adventures.
