Prepping Your Vehicle for Cold Weather
Can you believe it’s November already?
For the Chicago area, that means one thing: cold weather up ahead.
Whether you like to take care of your car yourself or prefer to have it checked out by a professional service, there are a few important things to check out before the winter season is upon us.
And it arrives quickly.
Check your battery
Connections should be free of corrosion and nice and tight. The colder weather is hard on batteries, which means they should be checked more often.
Is your battery more than three years old? If so, it’s a wise idea to have it replaced. You won’t receive a warning sign that it’s about to bite the dust, so you might as well spare having to flag someone down to help you jump your car later.
Take a look at your tires
As you probably already know, your tires lose pressure when the temperature drops. That’s why it’s a good time to check the pressure as well as the tread depth. Be sure to lookout for any bald spots or bulges, too.
Also note that if your tires have uneven wear, it might be time to have them rotated.
Check your heater, defroster and wiper blades
You wake up on a cold morning to see that frost or snow has taken over your vehicle. Although you’ll initially have to do some scraping, your defroster and wiper blades should take care of the rest to keep you safe and warm while you drive. Replace you wiper blades if they’re torn or cracked. Otherwise, you should replace them every six months or so.
It’s crucial that you have full visibility when driving through ice and snow. Comfort is important, but safety is priority.
Have your brakes inspected
It’s absolutely critical that your brakes are performing like they should during the colder months. Make sure you have your entire brake system checked to ensure that you’ll be safe on ice and snow-covered roads. They’re pretty slick.
If you haven’t had any service to your vehicle recently, then now is the time to do it. And if you live in Chicago, you know how it goes. The weather will turn colder and winter will be here with the blink of an eye.
Wouldn’t you rather spare the headache of a breakdown later, costing you to fork over your hard-earned savings?
We thought so.
Feel free to schedule service with us at anytime because it’s never too late. We’ll be more than happy to inspect your vehicle and ensure that you’re safe and sound while on the road this fall and winter season.
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Hybrid vehicles are not limited to sedans and coupes. The 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum is a three-row crossover SUV that reduces greenhouse gasses, while maintaining luxury and power. You get the best of both worlds with the 2015 Highlander Hybrid.
Performance and Fuel Economy
A 3.5-liter V6 engine works in combination with several electric motors and a battery pack to power the Highlander Hybrid. When working together the total output is 280 horsepower. A continuously variable automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive are standard. Front-wheel-drive is the normal drivetrain but AWD kicks in when slippage is detected and when strong acceleration is needed. With the proper equipment, the Highlander Hybrid will tow up to 3,500 pounds. Fuel economy stands at 28 miles per gallon combined city and highway driving and the Highlander Hybrid goes from 0-60 in just under 8 seconds, which is quick for this class of vehicle.
Standard Features
With the Limited Platinum trim, the Highlander Hybrid is going to be loaded with plenty of high-end features. Upgrades from the lower trims include heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof. Additional features aboard include:
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8-inch central touchscreen
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Lane departure warning system
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Safety Connect telematics
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Collision mitigation system
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Blu-ray entertainment system with a 9-inch display
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Adaptive cruise control
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Automatic high-beam control headlights
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Leather upholstery
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Navigation
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83.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo space
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Second-row captain’s chairs with center table
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Tri-zone automatic climate control
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Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts
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Eight-way power driver seat with heat and ventilation
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Driver memory functions
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Entune App Suite
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Keyless ignition/entry
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Power liftgate with height adjustments
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Ambient interior lighting
Stop in to Continental Toyota & Scion and take the 2015 Highlander Hybrid for a test drive today!
Test Drive the Magnificent 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a full-size SUV for those who mean business, on and off-road. Not only is this amazing vehicle powerful, it is full of luxurious features that make driving it even more fun and comfortable. Stop in and experience the Land Cruiser in person and you will surely be impressed!
Power and Off-Road Features
The 2015 Land Cruiser gets its power from a strong 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces up to 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Full-time four-wheel-drive and a six-speed automatic transmission come standard. The Land Cruiser can tow an impressive 8,200 pounds.
For off-road performance, the Land Cruiser comes with a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System that modulates electronically the stabilizer bars for better off-roading and on-road handling, locking center differential, Multi-Terrain-Select, which customizes traction control settings to match the road surface, hill-start assist, five-speed crawl control cruise control for off-road and Off-Road Turn Assist that tweaks turning response.
Inside the 2015 Land Cruiser
This eight-passenger, three-row SUV has a maximum cargo capacity of 82 cubic feet. Interior comfort features include: wood and leather trimmed tilt-and-telescoping power steering wheel, automatic four-zone climate control with second-row separate controls and vents for the third-row, 10-way power driver seat, eight-way power passenger seat, 40/20/40-split heated second-row seats, driver memory settings, fold up 50/50-split third-row seats and center console cooler box.
Technology Features
The 2015 Land Cruiser is equipped with the latest in automative technology. Standard high-tech features include:
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Navigation
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Off-road camera
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Bluetooth audio and phone functions
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Rear and front parking sensors
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Rearview camera
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DVD entertainment system
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14-speaker JBL audio system
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Entune app suite
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Satellite radio
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iPod/USB interface
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CD player
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HD radio
Contact us if you have any questions about the 2015 Land Cruiser!
Child Passenger Safety Week took place last moth from September 13-19. Just in time for this event, Toyota and Cincinnati Children’s partnered up to create Buckle Up for Life. This nationwide educational program works to keep children safe while in a vehicle. As part of their mission, Buckle Up for Life has released the top five myths about car seats and is giving the true facts behind them.
Myth #1: Used car seats are fine to use
FACT: Car seats have expiration dates
Just like a motorcycle helmet, if a car seat has ever been in an impact situation, it may be compromised and unable to protect a child during a crash. Plastic also breaks down over time. Always check the expiration date on a used car seat and get it from a trusted source that will be honest about its history.
Myth #2: Small children are protected by seat belts alone
FACT: Children under 4′ 9” need a booster seat
Children under 4′ 9” need to ride in booster seats because seat belts can ride up around their necks or waist, causing injury during a crash.
Myth #3: The more expensive a car seat, the better it is
FACT: All approved car seats are equally safe
Since all car seats must meet NHTSA guidelines, the only factors that make them more expensive are fabric, padding or extra accessories.
Myth #4: Older children may sit in the front seat
FACT: Children under age 13 are safest in the back seat
Just because a child outgrows their booster seat does not men they are safer in the front seat. Back is better under age 13.
Myth #5: One year olds may ride in a forward facing car seat
FACT: Children must face rear until age two
According to studies, children under the age of two are 75 percent less likely to be severely hurt or die in a crash if they are facing rear.
Remember these facts to keep your child safe when you’re on the road.
There is So Much to Do at the Brookfield Zoo!
At the Brookfield Zoo, there is so much more to do than gaze at the wondrous varieties of animals inside. There is always a special event going on, as well as many educational programs and camps. Continental Toyota has compiled a list of many of the activities to take part in at the Brookfield Zoo.
Boo at the Zoo
Saturdays & Sundays
October 17-18, 24-25
Just in time for Halloween is “Boo at the Zoo”. Children of all ages will enjoy activities that include: corn maze, creepy decorated carousel, Pumpkin Smasher, professional pumpkin carvings, haunted hayride, scarecrow building, costume parade, pumpkin patches and animals eating pumpkins.
Family Play Programs
Children learn how to play through their parents during the family play programs. The activities have been carefully designed by nature educators, artists and early childhood specialists to connect families to nature and wildlife.
Habitat Africa! The Savannah
Habitat Africa! The Savannah, is just one of the many exhibits at the Brookfield Zoo. Here you will be immersed in African culture and experience the gentleness of giraffes, African painted dogs and the clever klipspringers. Keep your eye out for a red river hog or aardvark as you explore the exhibit!
Dolphins in Action
Weekdays 11:30 am
Weekends 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm
Dolphins in Action is one of the most popular spectacles at the Brookfield Zoo. Watch the aerial displays and shows the dolphins put on as you learn all about their adaptations and structures. These beautiful mammals will show off their intelligence and dexterity in and out of the water.
These are just a small sampling of what to expect at the beloved Brookfield Zoo, which includes places to dine for the whole family. Visit their website for pricing, specials, event tickets and membership fees.
Fun Things to Do in the Hodgkins Area
Fall is the perfect time to get out and have fun with family and friends. The weather is cool and the foliage is starting to change into beautiful hues or orange and yellow. If you’re looking for an activity in the Hodgkins area, we’ve got a list of a few places you will surely enjoy!
Galloping Ghost Arcade
9415 Ogden Ave
Brookfield, IL
For gamers of all ages, the Galloping Ghost has plenty to offer and is the largest arcade in the US! Enjoy over 440 games that do not use tokens or quarters. Instead, the Galloping Ghost charges $15 to enter and you can play all day for as long as you want. Take part in high score tournaments where more than 180 records have been set. Play games that range from the classics-Donkey Kong, Pac-Man-to the latest in arcade fun. You’ll even find some rare games that are not seen in most traditional arcades.
Quincy Street Distillery
39 E. Quincy St
Riverside, IL
For a date night or an adult evening with friends, the Quincy Street Distillery has lots to do. Sip on their spirits that have been carefully crafted and inspired by history. Their artisanal distilling consists of unique whiskys, gins, ryes, vodkas, absinthe, moonshine and so much more. Visit the retail shop or Speakeasy Cocktail Bar and partake in one of their spirit tastings.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
951 Chicago Ave
Oak Park, IL
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American educator, writer, interior designer and architect who designed over 1,000 structures with 532 that were finished. Come visit his home and studio in Oak Park and experience where Wright experimented with design concepts that were the root of his architectural structure. Guided tours are lead by trained interpreters who shed light on Wright’s career and family life.
There are plenty of fun things to do in the Hodgkins area this fall!
Sample the Best Sushi in Chicago
Although the windy city is known for its deep dish pizza and hot dogs, Chicago is also a place full of diversity and the blending of rich cultures. You can find a food for any taste here, especially if you’re looking for some raw, Asian cuisine. The next time you’re in Chicago, be sure to check out the best sushi restaurants in the city!
Coast
2045 N. Damen Ave
Sushi at Coast restaurant is always top quality, with nigri and maki as their signature items. Some of the more popular dishes include the Hamachi Carpacio appetizer, Angry Salmon and Tuna on Top Maki. The atmosphere inside is relaxed, with the feel of an upscale lounge. Coast is BYOB and we recommend you make a reservation on the weekends because it gets very crowded. If you prefer to sit at a bar while you wait to be seated, visit their other location at 1700 S. Michigan Ave.
Agami
4712 N. Broadway Street
Agami is a stylish and sophisticated sushi restaurant with a menu so large you may need to study it ahead of time. One of the dishes they are known for is the Spicy Tuna Rice Crispy, that gets garnished with paper-thin pieces of jalapenos. We also recommend the Ocean Drive Maki, full of ingredients: yellowtail, tuna, cilantro, avocado, green peppers and spicy masago wrapped up in a cod sheet. If you aren’t into the raw stuff, their cooked meals are excellent.
Kamehachi
1320 Shermer Rd
Kamehachi is a raw-lovers paradise, because not only do they have the freshest sushi around, but they offer raw oyster shooters garnished with a quail egg! Eat in their upstairs or downstairs dining rooms and enjoy the friendly waitstaff. Other specialties include chicken teriyaki and pork katsu.
Visit one of the amazing sushi restaurant the next time you’re in the Chicago area!
Time for Chicago Bears Tailgating
Our team is the best, and we do everything in our power to celebrate our beloved Bears. One of the most treasured pastimes is the tailgater. If you are going to tailgate this season, you have to do it like a true Chicagoan. Allow us to help you prep for your next epic tailgater in Chicago.
Chicago is the Best Place to Tailgate in the Nation
In 2014, FOX News published its list of the best tailgating locations, and Chicago made the top 10. Chicago tailgates also ranked eighth among the most searched tailgates in the NFL.
What You Need to Know About Tailgating at Soldier Field
This year is the year you will plan your own tailgater at the Field, and we can help you with a few tips.
- Tailgating is allowed on top of Waldron Deck and in all surface lots at the Field.
- The parking lots open four hours before the game starts, and all vehicles must be out of all the parking lots within two hours of the game’s end.
- Make sure you have obtained a parking coupon prior to showing up to the Field.
- If you have alcohol, it is not allowed in family-friendly lots.
- You cannot bring tents, canopies, inflatable toys, or deep fryers to the tailgate.
Top Things to Bring to a Bears Tailgater
We polled a few tailgate veterans and created a list of the top things to have at your first Bears tailgater.
- Epic food, which must include a burger between two grilled Krispy Kreme donuts
- Bears regalia, blankets, and paint
- Warm beverages
- Water
- Games to keep the fun going for hours
- Coolers, tables and chairs
Now that you have planned your tailgater, we can think of a group of people to help you test out your tailgating skills.
Tips for Saving Money on Repairs for Your Toyota
For some, going to the shop is just as terrifying as going to the dentist or the doctor. Going to the repair shop doesn’t have to be scary, and it shouldn’t hurt your wallet either. If you want to cut your repair costs, we have a few tips for a pain-free trip to the service shop.
- Stay up-to-date on maintenance
Consult your owner’s manual for regular maintenance and service schedules. Regular maintenance is the number-one way to protect yourself from expensive repairs in the future. During regular maintenance and service, the team performs an inspection to make sure there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. It is better to catch issues early before they blow up into costly breakdowns. Toyota consumers have it good with free maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles with the purchase of any new Toyota vehicle. Talk to us about ToyotaCare on your next new purchase.
- Consider doing a few things yourself
If you are mechanically inclined, do your oil changes and check your fluids on your own. Many small maintenance tasks can be performed at home.
- Work with a certified mechanic
Avoiding costly repairs in the future can begin with choosing the right mechanic in the first place. If you do not go to the dealership, ensure the mechanic at the shop you use is ASE Certified. It is also a good idea to read reviews online first before head to the shop.
- Ask about warranties
You want to work only with a shop that offers warranties on the work, the parts, and the service. If there is no guarantee, walk out. Our service department extends such warranties on the service, repairs and parts, and we use only genuine parts on your vehicle for added peace of mind.
- Choose Toyota
When it comes to reliability and low cost-to-own, Toyota continues to receive industry awards and recognition for its continued commitment to reliability and affordability.
Are Chicago Drivers Good Drivers?
When you commute in and around Chicago, you might have your own answer to that question. When it comes to good drivers in the area, does it ever feel like you are the only one? Well, you might be right. Apparently, Chicago’s drivers are some of the worst in the nation. Were you surprised?
What is the Cost of Bad Drivers?
Bad drivers cost you a lot more than your sanity and anti-anxiety remedies. Bad drivers are tearing up our streets, raising car insurance rates, causing accidents, and taking money out of our wallets every year.
WalletHub.com said traffic congestion is costing us about $124 billion every year, which breaks down to $1700 per household, but that’s not all. We shell out more than $500 per year in maintenance and repairs on our cars, thanks to the bad roads in the US.
Chicago Drivers are 8th-Worst in the Nation. Doh!
Congrats, Chicago. We ranked in the top ten for the worst drivers in the nation among 100 of the most populous cities in the US, according to WalletHub.com. According to the site, Chicago has some of the highest parking rates in the nation and highest maintenance costs.
The Chicago Tribune reports nearly 800 accidents occur in Illinois every day. In 2013, nearly half the amount of accidents in the state occurred in the Cook County area. In 2013, traffic accidents killed 130 people.
According to QuoteWizard.com, the average cost for insurance in Illinois is $731.23 per year. The rates are impacted primarily by driving conditions, road conditions, and weather conditions. In 2013, Chicago police wrote more than 211,000 traffic citations, the number of fatal accidents in 2013 was 124, and over 5% of drivers who requested quotes online from QuoteWizard.com disclosed violations on their driving records.
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