2022 is officially in full swing and Simi Valley Toyota wants to make sure it is your best year yet! Even though the holidays are over, we still have months of winter ahead of us, and as sports car drivers know, ever-changing weather can be harsh on your vehicle. With the help of regular maintenance and check-ups, you can stay on top-top of your vehicle’s needs and stop any issues in their tracks. So be sure to schedule your Toyota service appointment online now or stop into Simi Valley Toyota today! And if you want to check up on your Toyota to make sure everything is running smoothly, be sure to take a peek below at our ultimate winter maintenance checklist!

• Check and change the oil:

1. 1. • Regular oil and filter changes will keep your engine’s life running longer
      • Nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil changes.

• Flush and change the cooling system:

1. 1. • A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up inside the cooling system.
      • Be sure to change your coolant once a year

• Change out transmission and differential oils:

1. 1. • While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed according to service intervals.
      • Before topping off fluids, be sure that it is the proper oil and transmission fluid needed for your vehicle 

• Clean it up:

1. 1. • Washing your vehicle is obvious, but when it comes to cleaning the vehicle’s underside many of us fall short.
      • Everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the underside, hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea to keep from corrosion or build up. 

• Grease it up:

1. 1. • Everything with moving parts needs grease to survive, make sure the proper vehicle parts remain greased as needed

• Wax on, wax off:

1. 1. • Nothing keeps your vehicle’s paint looking good and protected like a coat of quality wax.
      • Wax should be applied every six months.
        

• Keep Driveline components Lubricated:

1. 1. • Driveline components such as u-joints also require regular lubrication

• Protect it from harmful UVs:

1. 1. • Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, harmful UVs can deteriorate the plastic
      • On sunny days, be sure to use a window deflector screen
      •  Applying a UV protectant to prevent the plastic and vinyl from drying out can also help

• Keep your wheels fresh to death:

1. 1. • Inspect, clean, and repack wheel bearings with wheel bearing grease according to service intervals
      • This is a pretty cheap task so you won’t break the bank doing so. 

• Top off your brake fluid:

1. • Brake fluid   moisture, which causes components to corrode and fail
   • Replacing the brake fluid and bleed system once a year will keep from damage happening 
   • Brake fluid is pretty cheap

• Your driver’s license: Your I.D. is proof that you are a legally registered driver, this is important since you have to drive off the lot. Your driver’s license is a way to identify that the check or another form of payment is actually yours, too. 
• Your payment form: Whether it is a bank, credit union, or personal check, pre-approved loan, or any other payment form – be sure to bring it. If you are planning to put money towards a down payment you will need some way to pay for it.  

• Proof of insurance: In order to drive your new vehicle off the lot, you will need proof of insurance. It’s a good idea to call your insurance company ahead of time and add the new vehicle to your existing policy. You’ll need the car’s VIN number to set this up. You can also call the dealership and have them fax or email the insurance card to the dealership. 

• Title/ Registration for your trade-in: If you are trading in a vehicle, be sure to bring the title. If you have a co-signer or a lien against the car, get the appropriate signature ahead of time. This part can be tricky and sometimes causes a hold-up. Give the dealership a call if you are unsure how to go about this. Also, you will need a copy of your current registration. 

• Loan account number: If you are trading in a vehicle and still owe on your loan, bring the loan account number. This number is on one of your pay stubs. You can also call the lender beforehand and ask how to facilitate the transaction.

Step 1: Sort and clean

• Take everything out of the car, including car seats, music, and miscellaneous items stored in the glove box and door pockets. 
• Don’t forget the trunk and cargo area!
•  Organize the rest of the items into three piles: stuff you use all the time, things you use occasionally, and items you might need in an emergency. Whatever doesn’t fall into these categories should be stored in your home or garage.

Step 2: Analyze 

• Ask yourself, “How do I use my car?”
• Are you the taxi driver? Maybe you’re a parent with two toddlers in car seats or a salesman who travels with a trunkload of samples. Whatever it is, figure it out.

Step 3: Prioritize

• Depending upon your needs, go through your three piles and prioritize the most important items in each group
• And just like seasonal clothes in a closet, many items such as ice scrapers and emergency kits should be stored back in your vehicle 

Step 4: Contain your needs

• Loose objects in the car lead to disorganization and mess. In the event of a sudden stop or a crash, they can also damage your car or, worse, injure your occupants. Get yourself a good organizer to keep all of your items concise and easy to access.

10 New Year’s Resolutions: 

• Read more books (one per month)
• Less screen time on your devices 
• Eat more veggies and fruits
• Plan a vacation with friends or family 
• Exercise more outdoors 
• Drink more water 
• Volunteer at your favorite shelters, nonprofits, etc. 
• Explore new hobbies and clubs 
• Donate old clothing 
• Start journaling once a week

Oh, and of course, one last one! Add purchasing or leasing a brand new 2022 Toyota to your list! Whether you are looking for a capable SUV or a powerful pickup, we have just what you’re looking for this year. So, hurry on in to see our team right here at Simi Valley Toyota, and let us help you upgrade your ride! See you soon!

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

Last Christmas  – Wham!

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Michael Buble

Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande

Rockin Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Mariah Carey

Mistletoe – Justin Bieber 

Santa Baby – Ariana Grande 

Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! – Frank Sinatra 

What Christmas Means To Me  – Stevie Wonder 

Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer – Dean Martin 

Last Christmas – Ariana Grande 

Thank God It’s Christmas – Queen

Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry

Frosty The Snowman – Ella Fitzgerald

Shake Up Christmas – Train 

Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley 

I Still Believe In Santa Clause  –  LeAnn Rimes

New models: We have new models coming in every week and limited space which means we need to sell 2021 models for the new year models coming in. September, October, November, and December are the months that manufacturers are typically trying to make room for new models on dealer lots. Come December, prices will hit a low for the year. For a buyer, these factors work in your favor to save money.

Holiday Shopping: Yeah we know, thinking of buying a car during the most expensive holiday season might sound crazy, but during the holiday season cars are continuously lower in price. This is where Black Friday sales have kicked in, as well as low prices in December. 

Holiday Bonuses: More than half of Americans will receive a monetary end-of-year bonus. With a little extra cash coming in, it might be time to say goodbye to your old ride and hello to a new reliable one.

Smooth Commuting: There might be a sense of worry about whether your older vehicle can make it through another tough winter. If you worry about commuting in the winter weather, year after year, it might be time to stop in and get yourself a reliable vehicle that can get you through the weather. 

Having the upper hand: When traffic is down at a dealership, salespeople can usually take more time to explain in-depth about a car you are interested in, show you similar models, review features, safety concerns, and more. You might also have the upper hand due to a lack of customers and win an unbeatable deal!

Service Offers: 

Alignment Special 

• Only $179.95* 

Battery Test 

• FREE*

Headlight Restoration Special 

• Only $139.95*

*All Specials Expire 12/31/2021. See Our Specials Page For Information.

Checking Oil: How To 

• Open the hood. Prop it so it stays open.
• Locate the oil dipstick next to the engine. It should have a yellow handle and/or be labeled.
• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth or paper towel.
• Dip the stick all the way back in.
• Pull it out again and look at the oil level. If it’s in the middle of the hatched/indicated area, you’re good. More is better, less is okay, but if you’re lower than the recommended amount you’ll need to get your oil topped up and have your system checked for leaks.
• Look at the oil quality and color. If there are a lot of particles or if the oil looks sludgy, you need to get it changed as soon as possible.
• Put the dipstick back in.
• Close your hood.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls 

• The best way to eat mashed potatoes

• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a22566735/fried-mashed-potato-balls-recipe/

Cheese Stuffed Cornbread 

• Umm, YES PLEASE!

• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a48772/cheese-stuffed-cornbread-recipe/

Bacon Spinach Dip 

• Don’t worry there’s spinach, it’s totally healthy
• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a50161/bacon-spinach-dip-recipe/

Sweet Potato Crescent Bites

• Did you say sweet potatoes? I’m in! 
• https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/a24449743/sweet-potato-crescent-bites-recipe/

Pumpkin Spice Pull-Apart Bread

• Pumpkin spice is my life
• https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/g8/thanksgiving-appetizers/?slide=13

Pretzel Ring Beer Cheese Dip

• Can you say love at first bite 
• https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/g8/thanksgiving-appetizers/?slide=14

Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts

• Brussel sprouts but in a good way! 
• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a55370/parmesan-crusted-brussels-sprouts-recipe/

Bacon Snack Bites

• You had me at bacon
• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a52549/bacon-crack-bites-recipe/

Now that you have the perfect appetizer for your Thanksgiving party, you have to ask if you have the right ride to get you where you need to go this holiday season? If not, be sure to check out our impressive inventory and schedule your test drive today!

Tires

• It’s no secret your tires are important to your performance 
• If your tire tread is looking worn-down, has metal showing through the rubber, or crack and cuts it might be time for new ones

Engine Fluids 

• Your engine needs clean oil, coolant, and transmission fluid to run properly and maintain maximum performance
• Check all fluid levels before hitting the road and make sure your oil change is up to date

Brakes and Brake Fluid 

• Bad brakes and depleted brake pad fluid are a dangerous combination 
• Get your brakes and their fluid checked before a long trip and test your brakes capacity 

Don’t Forget The Travel Tools

• It is always smart to equip your vehicle with tools for an emergency 
• Be sure to pack a first-aid kit, flashlight, blanket, umbrella, phone charger, and some snacks
• Also, ensure that your spare tire is fully inflated and that you have the proper tools to change out a blown tire

Travel Safe

• Remember to follow the speed limit, use turn signals when changing lanes, look out for debris and tire shrapnel on the road, and be wary of wet and icy surfaces