Once upon a time, leases were considered a terrible option for anyone. Shady practices meant that a lease was unclear and favored the dealer. A lessee could face a huge buy-out price determined on a whim or massive charges for mileage or vehicle wear. These days, leases are a major part of the auto industry. Continental Toyota and Scion wants to set the record straight on some lease myths.

Myth: I could be on the hook for a balloon buy-out when my lease is up.

Reality: Not even close. Any car dealer must and will tell you exactly how much your car or truck will cost to buy out at the end of the lease term. It’s called residual value. That means that you’ll know from day one what it will cost and that can’t be changed to benefit the dealer.

Myth: If I go over mileage, it’ll cost me an arm and a leg.

Reality: Well, maybe. Similar to the residual value, the lease agreement spells out explicitly how much per mile you’ll need to pay if you go over mileage. Typically it’s between 15 and 25 cents per mile.

Myth: They’ll charge me for wear and tear I couldn’t do anything about.

Reality: Not really. These days, dealers need to allow for a certain amount of wear and tear. Major issues like dents and cracks might cost you, but you don’t need to hide it in the garage for the entire term of your lease.

Ever since sport utility vehicles and crossovers became popular, consumers have been bombarded with the benefits of four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive. The thing is that it’s easy to make a particular drivetrain sound more appealing than it really is based on your needs. Your La Grange Area Toyota dealer offers a quick tutorial on drivetrains, what they do well, and what they don’t.

Front-Wheel-Drive

Far and away the most common type of drivetrain. As the name explains, this is when only the front two wheels are responsible for moving the vehicle, effectively pulling the cabin along the road. It’s common because it is cost effective, provides much better mileage due to efficiency, and performs relatively well for most weather conditions.

Rear-Wheel-Drive

As a vehicle moves forward, inertia puts pressure on the rear. Rear-wheel-drive takes advantage of this, creating more surface to surface connection and powering the vehicle forward. Since it tends to take more power, though, it isn’t the most fuel efficient and can be difficult in snow or ice since the vehicle is being pushed rather than pulled.

Four-Wheel-Drive

Often found in trucks and off-road vehicles, four-wheel-drive can often be turned on and off depending on needs. Since all four wheels are generating power, four-wheel drive is the best when it comes to traction, but suffers because of the amount of power needed to turn them.

All-Wheel-Drive

A more recent option is all-wheel-drive. Similar to 4WD, AWD turns all four wheels and so tends to lose fuel efficiency, though not as much as 4WD. AWD is most often found in smaller SUVs or crossovers.

If you want your vehicle to last as long as it possibly can, and to be kept at its highest possible value, it is very important to keep it maintained. Two of the most important things you can do to properly maintain your vehicle include taking care of the tires and the oil. La Grange area Toyota dealer talks about the importance of properly maintaining your vehicle.

The Tires

Good tire maintenance is a crucial part of taking care of your vehicle. Without your tires you can’t go anywhere, so it only makes sense to want to maintain them well. This would include keeping a close eye on their pressure levels and their condition. At least once a month you should be checking that each one of your tires is inflated to the proper levels. You can do this with your own tire pressure monitoring system, or by taking your vehicle to a service station. Get in the habit of checking out the condition of each one of your tires, looking for things like cuts, cracks, tread separation, or extreme wear.

The Oil

Oil is the most important fluid in your vehicle, since it is crucial in keeping your engine going and running right. Without oil, your engine would suffer sizable damage and eventually just fail altogether. Oil is needed to lubricate all of the moving parts of your engine, preventing them from just grinding against one another. You must have the oil in your vehicle changed every 3 months or 3000 miles. The longer you wait, the dirtier the oil will become, and the more damage you will do to your engine.

Aside from the basic items that everybody knows that they should carry in their car, like jumper cables and an extra tire, there are quite a few additional items that should not be overlooked. It’s better to over-equip than to under-equip. Our Toyota dealer near Chicago tells you about some additional items that you should be keeping in your car.

In Your Trunk

In the trunk of your vehicle keep a good stock of some food items and bottles of water. You should carry extra clothing for each member of your family, including warm items like gloves and socks. Keep an extra blanket or two in there for added warmth if someone should need it. Some cleaning supplies are not a bad idea, including things like cloths, glass cleaner, and a mini vacuum. You should always have some extra fluids on hand for your vehicle, like oil and windshield washer fluid.

Inside Your Vehicle

There are quite a few random and necessary items that you should be keeping inside of your vehicle. You can store them in your glove box or the center console. Keep a couple pens and some paper. Some wet wipes and some tissues are always a good idea. Always have a car charger for your cell phone, because it really is of no use to you in an emergency if the battery is dead. Carry an extra pair of sunglasses, too, especially if you have sensitive eyes.

Whether a motorist speeds intentionally or unintentionally, it is dangerous and it needs to be stopped. There are so many risks involved with speeding, and not to mention that it is illegal. Our Toyota dealer near Elmhurst talks about some of the dangers of speeding.

Some Reasons That People Speed

Sometimes people speed because they don’t even realize that they are doing it. It can be easy to just have a heavy foot and start speeding without even knowing it. Other times people are in a rush, or they simply just don’t care how fast they are going. Some motorists just don’t see the big deal in it, or they speed because it makes them feel powerful. Young drivers may do it because they are trying to show off. In more serious cases, people speed because they are angry, or they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No matter what the reason, nothing makes it right.

Some Things That People Can Do To Avoid Speeding

In an attempt to not speed, it is imperative that you pay attention to your speedometer and the speed limit at all times. Awareness is the best way to avoid speeding. If you have a habit of speeding, for whatever reason it is, learn some self control or simply just don’t drive. Always control your emotions before you get into your car. Obviously, if you have been drinking or doing drugs you should never, ever get behind the wheel.

The Toyota Corolla is all-new and improved for 2014, as it enters its 11^th generation. It continues to deliver you exceptional reliability and comfort, as well as being very economical. For 2014, the Toyota Corolla has a new exterior design and an upgraded interior. Our Naperville area Toyota dealer has the 2014 Toyota Corolla S Plus waiting for you.

Some Stats

The 2014 Toyota Corolla S Plus has comfortable seating for 5 passengers, and 13.0 cubic feet of cargo space. It has front-wheel drive. It is very fuel efficient, offering you 28 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway. It is powered by a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual transmission. It is backed by a 36 month/36000 mile warranty.

Interior Features

The 2014 Toyota Corolla S Plus has cloth SofTex upholstery, alloy-look trim, and a leather-trimmed, tilt telescoping steering wheel. The driver and the front passenger have sport’s seats, and the rear passengers have split-folding seats. There is a ventilation system with a micro filter and climate control.

• Power steering type and EPS
• SD card navigation system with 3D and voice
• Electric glass sunroof
• AM/FM radio and CD player
• Digital radio
• Satellite radio
• Touch screen
• Color screen
• Card key power locks
• Rear camera parking distance sensors

The Toyota Land Cruiser is at the top of its class with its luxurious style and its legendary features and capabilities. It is a true off-road warrior that offers you an impressive array of fantastic equipment and technology that is sure to impress you. Step into Stunning Luxury with a 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser from our Toyota dealer near Orland Park.

Seating and Trim

The 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser has leather upholstery, wood/woodgrain on the dashboard, and a wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel. The driver has a heated bucket seat with 10-way power adjustments, including memorized height, power lumbar, and memorized tilt. The front passenger has a heated bucket seat with 8-way power adjustments, including power height and power tilt. The rear seats are 40/20/40 with tip/tumble, manual recline, and manual fore/aft. The third row seats are split-folding with a split bench that seats three and remote folds flat to the floor.

Highlighted Features

The 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser has Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) adaptive cruise control and an internal HD navigation system with 3D and voice. The audio system has an AM/FM radio, a CD player, digital radio, satellite radio, wireless headphones, touch screen and color screen. It has fourteen JBL speakers with a subwoofer and surround sound. There is Multi-Terrain Monitor front, rear, and side radar parking distance sensors, and a rear camera.

• Ventilation system with micro filter
• Passenger ventilation controls
• Four-zone climate control
• Electric glass sunroof
• Intermittent rain sensor
• High pressure headlight cleansers
• Airbag protections for all three rows

The Toyota Camry remains one of Toyota’s most popular vehicles for seven generations now. Year after year it continues to provide you with comfort, reliability, and safety that you can count on. Get the ever so popular 2014 Toyota Camry XLE from your La Grange area Toyota dealer.

Highlighted Features

The 2014 Toyota Camry XLE comes equipped with a fantastic audio system that has an AM/FM radio, a CD player, digital radio, satellite radio, touch screen and color screen. It has six speakers, steering wheel mounted remote audio controls, and an element antenna. There is cruise control and a trip computer that will tell you your average speed, average fuel economy, current fuel economy, and range for remaining fuel.

• Ventilation system with micro filter
• Passenger ventilation controls
• Dual-zone climate control
• Front cup holders
• Remote power locks
• Remote glass sunroof
• Rear camera parking distance sensors
• Intelligent driver and passenger front airbag
• Front and rear side airbag
• Front and rear curtain airbag

It has premium cloth upholstery, wood/woodgrain on the dashboard, and a leather-trimmed, tilt telescoping steering wheel. The driver has a 10-way powered bucket seat with power height, power lumbar, and power tilt. The front passenger has a bucket seat with power adjustments, and the rear passengers have split-folding seats.

Whom do you trust when you are seeking advice about buying an efficient vehicle?  Everyone has plenty of input, but who has the hard data to back it up?  If you are looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle, search the EPA’s list of the most fuel-efficient cars for 2014.  The 2014 Scion iQ at Scion dealer in the La Grange area is the EPA’s 2014 Most Fuel Efficient Minicompact.

Snapshot of the 2014 Scion iQ

The minicompact has a 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine that produces a modest 94 hp at 6000 RPM and 89 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4400 RPM.  The front-wheel-drive city cruiser has an 8.5-gallon fuel tank, and it averages an estimated 36 city and 37 highway.  Unofficial estimates from vehicle owners average 33.1 mpg.  Based on EPA calculations, the annual fuel cost for the minicompact is $1,450.  The savings is $4,500 in fuel costs over five years compared to the purchase of an average new car.  The EPA bases its calculations on 15,000 annual miles, 45% on the highway and 55% in the city.  The range is 315 total miles, and it cost nearly $2.45 to drive 25 miles.  The EPA estimates the cost to fill the tank is $31.

How Safe is the Scion iQ?

According to the IIHS, the Scion iQ earned good ratings in three crash test scenarios and an acceptable rating in head restraints & seats testing.  After performing crash tests with the 2014 Scion iQ, the NHTSA awarded the mincompact with a 4-star safety rating.

Modifying your car is an excellent way to show your individuality and love for your vehicle, but it can also kill your trade-in value.  The more outlandish the modifications, the worse off you may really be.  If you do not plan to keep your car for long, rethink your modifications.  Orland Park area Toyota lists common car modifications that kill your trade-in value.

1.      Paint
Do not go crazy with your car’s paint job.  The more unique the color, the harder it is to match it and repair it.  It is hard to find buyers who want to drive a lime green car or a vibrant orange pickup.

2.      Decals and stickers
Leave the pinstripes, custom decals and auto parts stickers off your car.  The only one who cares about it is you.
3.      Coffee can exhaust
Loud exhaust is not something every person who visits the dealership wants to hear.  People want to be able to drive down the road, with their windows up or down, and not hear the exhaust.
4.      Body kits and useless spoilers
Body kits will transform the outside of a vehicle, good or bad.  Remember, unless a 20-something is at the car lot and buying his or her own car, no one else will care about your body kit.  Let’s face it; spoilers on certain cars are just silly.  If it does not come factory, it is probably not meant to be.
5.      Lifted high and slammed low
Trucks that are excessively high and cars that are slammed to the ground are not practical and often not desired by used car consumers.  A consumer must be in the market for your exact look in order for the vehicle to sell.  If not, the car will sit on the lot or take a trip to the auction.

What type of pre-owned vehicle are you in search of? Whatever model you are looking for, you can find it at your local dealership.  Whether you need a coupe, sedan or SUV, you are in luck.  You do not have to sacrifice quality and safety to save a few bucks on a pre-owned ride.  Do not settle for less than a pre-owned certified vehicle from Elmhurst area Toyota Scion.

2011 Scion tC HB

The 2011 Scion tC has a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine that produces 180 hp at 6000 RPM and 173 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4100 RPM.  The front-wheel-drive hatchback has less than 53,000 miles on it, and 2.9% APR is available for qualified drivers.  The estimated fuel economy rating for the black coupe is 23/31 mpg.  In 2011, the Scion tC earned five stars for safety from the NHTSA, and it is an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

2013 Toyota Camry LE

The certified pre-owned 2013 Toyota Camry LE sedans on the lot have low miles and a low 2.9% APR.  The 2013 Toyota Camry sedan has a 2.5-liter engine that produces 178 hp at 6000 RPM and 170 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4100 RPM.  The estimated fuel economy rating for the front-wheel drive sedan is 25/35 mpg.  The 2013 Toyota Camry is a 2013 Top Safety Pick, and the sedan earned a Quality Award from JD Power.

2007 Lexus RX 350 AWD

The all-wheel-drive 2007 Lexus RX 350 has a powerful 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower at 6200 RPM and 251 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4700 RPM.  According to EPA data, the fuel economy rating is 17/22 mpg.  The 2007 Lexus SUV has wood trim, all-season tires, rear spoiler and an 8-speaker audio system.

In 2010, the National Child Support Enforcement Association awarded the Illinois Division of Child Support Services with the Program of the Year award.  The program was recognized for its commitment to Illinois families and the established programs to care for children in the community through child support enforcement efforts.  In 2010, the agency collected over $1 billion in support for families.  The state does not mess around, and if you fall behind, you may run into trouble.  La Grange area Toyota discusses the Family Financial Responsibility Law and its impact on your license.

Impact on Your Driver’s License

The law allows the office of the Secretary of State to suspend a noncustodial parent’s license if the parent fails to meet child support obligations.  Once a parent falls behind by at least 90 days, a suspension request can be made.  The parent will be held in contempt of court for failure to pay child support.  If the Secretary of State issues the suspension, a notice will be sent to the parent, which informs him or her that the license will be suspended in 60 days.  The parent may be given a temporary permit that allows the driver to go to work or seek medical attention, but no other driving is allowed.  The only agency that can lift the suspension is the DHFS.  If the parent pays what is do or makes approved arrangements, the DHFS can submit proof to the Secretary of State’s office for reinstatement.

Child Support Affect Hunting License, Too

Guess what, if you are behind on child support payments, you may not be able to get your hunting or fishing license.  Thousands of fishing and hunting license applications have been denied because of unpaid child support.  The state encourages parents to make child support arrangements before they attempt to apply for a hunting or fishing license.

The best safety rating in the industry is the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, and only a handful of contenders were recognized in 2014.  New safety testing standards were released by the IIHS in 2014, and the Highlander excelled in research room.  The 2014 Toyota Highlander at Naperville area Toyota received the 2014 Top Safety Pick+ award.

Let a Winner Show You How it’s Done

Only three midsize SUV were recognized for their performance in safety and crash testing.  To receive a safety award, the IIHS required vehicles to earn “good” scores in four of the crash test scenarios and at least an “acceptable” evaluation in the fifth test.  To be eligible for the exclusive Top Safety Pick+ award, the vehicle must be equipped with a front crash prevention system.  Well, the 2014  Toyota Highlander performed exceptionally, earned “good” ratings, and “acceptable” score in small overlap front scenarios, and an “advanced” rating for the front crash prevention system.  In addition to receiving the TSP+ award, the Highlander also excelled in NHTSA crash tests.  According to the government agency, the 2014 Toyota Highlander earned a perfect 5-star overall safety rating.

What a Winner Looks Like

What does it take to be a winner?  Topnotch safety features, design and technology.  The 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV has 4-wheel ABS, 3-point seatbelts, traction control, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, ventilated disc brakes in the front, head airbags in the front, rear and third-row seats, braking assist and brakeforce distribution.  Additional safety features include a First Aid Kit, post-collision warning and engine immobilizer.

One decision can change your life and the life of someone else.  If you drink when you are out or when you are hanging out at home, that is your choice, but it can have devastating consequences if you decide to get behind the wheel.  Not everyone else on the road has a choice when it comes to your decision to drink and drive.  Make the right choice if you are under the influence.  Toyota service in the Chicago area suggests DD options for a safe ride.

BEMyDD

You can reserve a personal driver to your next outing.  The driver will meet you at your location and wait for you in your car while you are having a good time.  The designated driver will safely drive you back to your original location, and they are flexible if you need to be driven to multiple locations.

Metro Designated Driver

Drivers can be reserved for your outing.  Metro designated driver offers drivers on an hourly basis.  Instead of leaving your car at the bar or driving it home, the designated driver drives it home for you.  Do not worry; they are not staying the night. The company sends a chase car to pick up the designated driver so you and your car both make it home safely.

Paddy Wagons

You don’t’ have to call in advance to reserve a paddy wagon, but it helps.  The designated driver will take your keys and transport you and your passengers to your destination(s), and then the driver will take you back home after you are done having fun.