After experiencing a firestorm of bad publicity earlier this year, Toyota Motor Sales is working hard to try to regain the trust of their customers and remind drivers of their renowned reputation for quality. Toyota recently announced that one of the ways they are putting safety first is their plan to feature the five-feature Star Safety System™ standard in all vehicles produced, from the Yaris to the Sienna to the Highlander. The features include:

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) – This feature automatically reduces engine power and applies brake force to the wheels when they lose traction or begin to slip. By sensing the direction of the vehicle and the angle that it is being steered, this feature keeps the vehicle going in the right direction by applying brake force to the appropriate wheels.
• Traction Control (TRAC) – When wheels begin to spin on wet or icy road, this feature applies brake force that helps stop the spinning wheels and then redirects the power to the wheels that still have traction.
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) – In emergency-braking situations, this feature helps prevent the wheels from locking up and the car from skidding across the road by “pulsing” brake pressure to each wheel.
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) – As part of the Anti-lock Brake System, this feature helps maintain balance in emergency-braking situations by redistributing the brake force depending on the braking effectiveness of the wheels.
• Brake Assist (BA) – This feature helps prevent a collision by sensing sudden braking, and then applying enough pressure to the brake, even when the driver does not, to keep from hitting an object.

Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to make all of these features standard on all its vehicles. In addition, the automaker is adding a sixth feature – brake-override technology – that is already standard in a few of its models, as standard on all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles by the end of the year. This feature reduces engine power when the driver presses down on the accelerator and brake pedal at the same time.

Getting the Word Out

Toyota’s new national advertising campaign showcases their Star Safety System and their continuous commitment to customer satisfaction and well-being. To help convey these messages, Toyota uses their own customers as well as their engineers in their various TV, radio, digital, and print ads. 

Toyota is investing $1 million per hour on new car safety technology.

For more information on the Star Safety System and other safety efforts, visit the Toyota website.

Shop for a New Toyota | Find a Toyota Dealer

Other Toyota News:

• Toyota Discount Programs for New College Graduates
• Toyota Customers Are Here to Stay
• Toyota Motor Sales Receives Four 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

CarLocate.com Marks 100th Blog Entry of 2010 with
Tips for Summer Car Maintenance 

Whether you plan to head out for a summer road trip on Route 66 or to take your own in-town staycation, you’ll want to make your car ready for summer driving conditions.

Here are a few tips on what to do to make your car ready for summer:

• Check all your fluid levels.
• Good spark plugs and a clean air filter add up to better gas mileage. Change them according the manufacturer’s schedule for your car.
• Check your tires for wear and alignment. Tires should have equal pressure. These little steps will help you stop quickly without sliding in emergency situations. They will also give you better gas mileage.
• Get your brakes checked. The time spent getting them inspected may save your life later!
• Check your cooling system. Make certain your radiator isn't clogged, and all the hoses and belts in your engine are working properly.
• Be prepared for trouble with a good spare tire, tire changing tools, an extra bottle of water for your radiator, and a flashlight.
• After a rest stop and at the beginning of each travel day, always walk around your vehicle and check for anything unusual before you resume your trip.

Happy and safe travels from CarLocate.com!

Source: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/

100 Blog Posts – This Calls for a Giveaway!

This post marks 100 blog entries on CarLocate.com in 2010. To celebrate, we’re giving away a few of our super-soft, organic cotton “Life is Green” / CarLocate.com t-shirts.

To enter, follow @Carlocate on Twitter and re-tweet the phrase: “I’m shopping smart for my next car on CarLocate.com!”

On Friday afternoon (6/18), we’ll pick a few lucky folks at random to receive the shirts.

Good luck!

View T-shirt and Contest Rules

It seems that with every new car released, there is a new gadget to go with it. When you’re shopping for your next new car, here are a few features that we think you should take into consideration to help make the time spent in your car safer and more enjoyable.

Navigation System – No more fighting with road maps to try to figure out where you’re going;  the built-in navigation systems of today are much more accurate and help get you from point A to point B more easily and safely. For example, built-in navigation is just one of the services provided by OnStar, the in-vehicle safety and security system for GM vehicles, like the Chevrolet Traverse. Simply tell the OnStar advisor your destination and turn-by-turn directions will be sent directly to your vehicle. And don’t worry if you make a wrong turn—OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation will get you right back on track. OnStar is available in most 2006 and newer Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC models.

Bluetooth^® – A Bluetooth^®-enabled vehicle is one feature that you have to get your hands on. Many cars, including the BMW 128i, have exceptional Bluetooth capabilities, allowing the driver to access contacts, dial numbers, answer the phone, and control volume by using only the buttons on the steering wheel, radio, or control display. Bluetooth allows you to use your mobile phone while keeping both hands on the wheel, and with more and more U.S. cities and states banning the use of hand-held devices while driving, you can still talk and drive, hands-free.

Parking Assist – Something as simple as parking the car can be a real headache when it results in a fender bender. This is where a parking assist feature can come in handy. Lexus pioneered this technology and the Intuitive Parking Assist feature for Lexus cars, like the Lexus LS, acts as an extra set of eyes to help you maneuver around other objects or vehicles. With an LCD display showing the distance, as well as an audible beep, you can get your Lexus through tight situations without a scratch!

MP3 Connection – What’s more important, when you’re cruising down the road, than having your favorite tunes with you? Many cars have MP3 connections built in, like the Ford Edge with its Microsoft-created SYNC^® technology. SYNC not only plays your favorite tunes from your MP3 player or USB drive, but it also charges your device and allows you to build playlists with its “play similar” feature, all with simple voice commands. SYNC technology is featured on select 2010 Ford and Mercury models and all 2010 Lincoln models. (Related: Is Your Car in SYNC with You?)

Make the most out of your driving experience and invest in some gadgets of your own—you’ll be glad that you did.

Find a vehicle with all the gadgets