Edmunds.com and Parent magazine test drove dozens of models to see which ones were at the top of the safety ratings list and best suited for family cars.
The cars on the list all had standard safety features including anti-lock brake systems, and side-curtain air bags, most all offered stability control technology which prevents skids by automatically applying brake pressure when needed.   They all scored high on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s side impact crash test and received at least a “good” rating from the IIHS, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Toyota RAV 4 was selected as one of the best choices for family vehicles in the Crossover category, it scored points for  great handling, v-6 engine, sliding back seats that also recline, and for being the only car in its’ class with an optional third row of seats-boosting seating capacity to 7!

The second Toyota listed on the top 15 2008 cars for families in the mini-van group was the Sierra, because of all of the essentials 14 cup holders and storage areas, an optional center seat in the second row and the laser cruise control which will automatically slow the vehicle down when it senses a car within close proximity in front, The seats fold flat allowing for  a lot of cargo space for kids’ equipment and packing for trips, according to parent magazine the Toyota can hold enough luggage for a week for 7!

And of course both the Toyota vehicles were chosen for the high safety standards that is a trademark of Toyota.

Come and visit us today at Spirit Toyota to see about a previously owned certified Toyota, we can help you get your family on the road safely today!

1. Scan the roadway up to 10 seconds ahead of you. Look to identify potential hazards, paying extra attention when approaching cross streets, areas where traffic may be merging, and anywhere where pedestrians may be a factor.

2. Leave yourself an out on the roadway. Don’t let yourself get boxed in by traffic. Always know what your options are, in the event that you have to make a quick or evasive maneuver.

3. Check you rear and side-view mirrors periodically. Some sources say to do this every 10 seconds or so. That seems a bit excessive. The point here is that threats can materialize quickly. You do not want to be caught off guard.

4. Maintain a safe driving distance from the vehicle ahead of you. Often, you hear about the three second rule, or some other measure for safe driving distance. Ultimately, it comes down to situational awareness and to common sense. Yes, cars will jump in front of you. Most likely they’re only going to be there for a short period of time before moving on and allowing you regain the distance that you sacrificed.

Check out a new car, truck, or SUV that compliments your driving skills. Stop by your local Toyota Dealer to take one out for a test drive in one of our new or certified Toyota pre owned vehicles.

The inception of the certification program began  in the 90’s when the popular leased car programs created many used cars in good condition that were turned into the car dealerships and the program was designed to create incentive for people to buy the used lease cars that meet high standards.

At Spirit Toyota, the certification process includes insuring that the vehicle is in good mechanical condition by a 160 point mechanic inspection and any repairs are taken care of.  Certified Toyota cars must be newer model years and have low mileage, the previous owner must have driven the certified Toyota for the past 12 months.

Different dealers have various definitions of what “Certified” means, it is suggested that you check the website for details and familiarize yourself with the details of the warranty offer and the points of inspection that were covered by a mechanic if you are considering the purchase of a certified used car.

The certified Toyota used car program includes a 3 month/3,000 mile comprehensive warranty,  7 year/100,000 mile limited power train warranty, 7 year/100,000 mile roadside assistance plan, 180 point quality assurance inspection, and a CarFax vehicle history report..”

Here is list of some important questions to ask when considering the purchase of a certified vehicle;

1. Does the manufacturer guarantee the certification?
2. Where is the service warranty valid?
3. Who certified the car?
4. Does the certification include roadside assistance?
5. Are there restrictions on the amount of mileage or time that the previous owner drove the car.

Certified used car programs are available at most used car dealerships today.  They have helped to open up the market of affordable and reliable cars for people who choose to save money or who cannot qualify for a loan to purchase a more expensive new vehicle.

At Spirit Toyota, the certification process includes insuring that the vehicle is in good mechanical condition by a 160 point mechanic inspection and any repairs are taken care of.  Certified Toyota cars must be newer model years, and have low mileage. There is an extended service agreement as well as a free car history report that comes with all Toyota certified vehicles.

Toyota has gone a step further and is now offering an innovative program for used cars, the only pre-owned certified program specializing in hybrids. No other company has offered a certified pre-owned program that specializes in hybrids. The certified Toyota program goes a step beyond the regular certification process in offering an additional 14 inspections of key hybrid components like; the hybrid transaxle, control modules, and the battery, and includes a 100,000 mile warranty on the hybrid battery.

Over 2 million certified Toyota hybrids have been reportedly sold in the United States. The program offers; 3 Month/3,000 mile comprehensive warranty, 7-Year/100,000-mile limited power train warranty, 7-Year/100,000-Mile Roadside Assistance, a 174-Point Quality Assurance Inspection and a CarMax Vehicle History Report. It is recommended that you still get a mechanic inspection when you purchase a certified vehicle; it is not advisable to rely solely on the inspection or vehicle history report.

Toyota is offering special buyer incentives an low new car interest rates on any certified hybrid Toyota. The offer is for a limited time only, so check with your local St. Louis Toyota dealer, Spirit Toyota to find out if the offer is still good.

Woman Holding a Globe

For those of us who are product junkies, the list of nifty new items doesn’t  end when you leave the house.  There are many new products on the market for traveling and once you have tried them you will wonder how you ever lived without them.

Convenience when traveling in your certified Toyota is at the top of the  priorities list, and the Titan razor qualifies as one of the most convenient travel accessories for men.  It comes with a stored supply of shaving cream in the handle of the razor eliminating the need to fill your shaving bag with bulky shaving cream containers.  You can purchase it at any drugstore.

The second nifty travel product that I recommend is the “Cruising Caddy II”  a compact travel tote with an insulated pouch that holds your water bottle, it has pockets to store personal belongings and it is big enough to hold a  1 liter bottle of water, your cell phone, camera, maps, and more.   Your keys can be attached with a metal hook on the side, and there are hidden compartments for credit cards and valuables.  The Caddy has an adjustable strap and can be carried like a purse to pack all of the items you need in the car ahead of time.  This handy product can be purchased on cruisingcaddy.com.

The third item on the list of new and convenient travel items is the “Icer-2-Go” which is a USB port designed for loading your emergency medical records.  Information such as allergies or current health condition can be loaded onto the USB port for emergency health care professionals to access in the case of an accident or emergency   situation resulting in your inability to give first hand medical information.

The scanner bag is a must-have product designed for frequent fliers.   It is a portable wallet like holder for your keys, cell phone, ID, and travel documents.  The scanner bag has a handle for convenient carrying, and can be accessed quickly before going through airport security to save the time and hassle of looking for all of the items that you need to pull out before going through airport security systems.

The last item on my list is for dog lovers who travel with their best friend.  It is a pooper scooper product shaped like a glove to cover your hand when picking up after Fido.  The product is earth friendly, biodegradable, and recently won a product award from Modern Dog Magazine. It is available at; scoopies.com.

Smoking Cigar in Car

So you have found the perfect previously owned certified Toyota, only to find out that the interior has a faint smell of smoke.  Most non-smokers find the smell of smoke to be very offensive, if your car interior has been exposed to smoke, or if you are considering the purchase of a used car, but are hesitant because the previous owner was a smoker, then the tips below may help you in taking on the seemingly impossible endeavor of removing smoke from your car’s interior.

The odor from smoking lingers on fabric and hard surfaces of the car for a long time, and depending on how heavy the smoke was and if the windows were up or down, the smell could be slightly noticeable, or very intense.

The first step is to relax, it is going to be easier than you may think, all the process takes is a little time and a few household cleaning items.

This is a list of items you will need in order to prepare for the process;

• Medium sized bucket
• White Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Soft Cloth
• Soft bristol brush
• Vacuum

The following steps should be completed in the order that they appear below;

1. Thoroughly vacuum the entire interior upholstery
2. Mix vinegar and warm water together in the bucket at a ratio of 2 to 1, one part vinegar to two parts warm water.
3. Add one heaping tablespoon of baking soda to the vinegar and water solution which will bubble and fizz, allow enough room in the bucket to prevent flowing over the top of the bucket.
4. Wipe down the entire interior of the car in every area EXCEPT the fabric, with the water /vinegar/baking soda solution
5. Wipe down the interior of the vehicle very thoroughly with the solution, but don’t use it on the fabric. Use a clean cloth and a soft bristle brush to get into harder to reach areas.
6. Sprinkle dry baking soda to entirely cover the areas with upholstery and carpet
7. Allow the baking soda to absorb the odor in the car overnight and vacuum up the powder the next morning
8. Vacuum up the baking soda the next morning
9. If the smoke smell still lingers, repeat these steps the next day.

Money Next to a Car

Now that you have purchased your pre-owned certified Toyota, you may be interested in learning about the best way to guarantee that your investment holds its value. Doing regular scheduled maintenance and keeping an accurate record of maintenance performed will help to prove that you have done the work in a timely manner to ensure that your car will get the best re-sell price.
Having your scheduled maintenance done at a Toyota service center will provide the most rock solid record for potential buyers when it comes time to re-sell or trade in your car. If you do the work yourself, or if you take your car to one of the oil change facilities for scheduled maintenance, it may be more difficult to provide accurate and concise records.
Toyota has developed an excellent program called the Toyota Auto Care prepaid maintenance program to help you keep your certified used Toyota in optimal running condition and at the same time assist in making sure that your investment holds its value.
Under the Toyota Auto Care prepaid maintenance program, you can service your vehicle at manufacturers recommended mileage intervals by factory trained and certified technicians to maintain your vehicle using only authentic Toyota Parts.
Here is what is included in the program;
• Service at Predetermined Intervals; including; oil and filter changes, and 19-point inspection at every service appointment.
• 24-Hour Roadside Assistance- included with most service plans, you can get help 24 hours a day for the full term of your agreement. Towing, tire changes and lockout protection are some of the services offered.
• Maintenance Booklet- Includes customized service certificates and roadside assistance information.
• Timed Service Reminders- Notification 30 days prior to your next scheduled service.
• Computerized Service History-official records of your certified Toyota’s regular service maintenance to help increase your vehicle’s resale value.
There are different levels of prepaid maintenance plans offered and depending on the plan you purchase, you can get coverage for regular major maintenance for your 15, 30, and 45 thousand mile maintenance service.

Auto Speaker

So you have purchased a pre-owned certified Toyota and are considering having an entertainment system installed.  Below are some tips to assist you in selecting the right entertainment system for you and your family;

• If you have a minivan or SUV you may consider a rear-seat entertainment system to keep the kids entertained on long trips.  Keeping the kids from being bored is key to a peaceful driving experience during long trips and for getting caught in bumper to bumper traffic.
• If you are concerned about the kids watching too much mindless T.V., consider taping an educational video, nature show, or a documentary to educate your older child on the geographic area you are traveling to.
• Do your research on the different types of entertainment systems available, there are different options as to where to mount the center on the floor, dash, trunk, or under the third row seat.
• Since 1998 entertainment systems have been available in cars.
• If you want to wire your system to play video games, like PlayStation, make sure that the system you select has wire remote capability, others offer remote controls and some even have TV and FM radio tuners. VCP and DVD systems
• Some entertainment systems will allow the passengers in the back seat to play video system while the front system plays a different audio source.
• There are systems that are portable, and can be moved from one vehicle to another.  One such system is the Traveler, made by Rosen Products of Oregon. The Traveler is a complete, self-contained video system that features a 5.6-inch display (LCD) screen and built-in speakers. Cost for the Traveler is $399 to $499. Rosen, a leading manufacturer of mobile entertainment and communication systems for the automotive market, makes rear-seat entertainment systems for the Toyota Sienna and other makes and models.
• Be cautious about misleading products that claim a vehicle has a DVD system when what it is really a navigation system that can play DVDs ONLY when the vehicle is in park.

Perhaps one of the most well known bands about cars is, well, The Cars. With hits spanning decades, this group was instrumental, pun intended, in defining the music of the 1980s. You can cruise the street of St Louis, travel to St Peters or St Charles, or even take off into the wilds of Missouri while listening to Ric Ocasek and the rest of the band churn out those feel good hits. Most of them are about love, loss, and the great times music has brought them, and what better music is there to take along as you drive your certified Toyota?

Another fabulous band that you might want to listen to is the Crash Test Dummies. Sure, they aren’t as famous as The Cars, but they definitely have their own following. With deep lyrics and rumbling voices, this is a band that is great for those mellow nights when you are driving your certified Toyota to pass the time. You can drive with your windows down, enjoying the crisp air and the feel of the wind on your face as you croon along to the tunes of The Crash Test Dummies.

There’s quite a bit of music available for your pre-owned certified Toyota. All the same, choosing music that is thematically apt for all of the time you spend in your car can make the drive that much more enjoyable. So, look around for some CDs or mp3s to play in your vehicle, get comfortable, and enjoy the drive.

How about some hot cocoa? Sure, we often think of this drink as one to give to kids after a hard day of sledding, but cocoa is also great for adults. With lots of milk, you’ll get some calcium and protein along with the heat the drink offers. You’ll also get a bit of chocolate rich sweetness as you drive your certified Toyota from St Charles through Florissant. So, bring on the marshmallows, and enjoy some hot cocoa!

Although it’s not as sentimental as cocoa, coffee is probably the most popular hot drink to sip in your certified Toyota. Many people find its bitterness bracing, a taste they’ve come to love over the years. You can add sugar or cream to it, and truly make it your own. Not only does it taste great, but it also has that added kick of caffeine. Sometimes it’s that little pick me up that can really get you going in the morning.

Last but not least is the old standby, a hot cup of tea. Sure, it’s probably in a thermal container with a spill proof lid, but at its heart it’s still a warm cup of this calming beverage. You can choose from true black, green, or oolong teas, or spice things up with an herbal infusion of chamomile, peppermint, or other great flavors. Just heat some water, steep the leaves, and hit the road.

As you can see, there are plenty of great drinks to partake of while driving your certified Toyota. Just be sure to use caution as you drink and steer, and enjoy those frosty roads!