Many people who have decided to purchase used cars instead of pre-certified cars have made a huge mistake. Many times, dealers and private sellers will sell used cars that have been involved in accidents or other catastrophes to unsuspecting buyers. This only creates a large number of problems for the new owner of the used car.

This is why the United States Department of Justice is launching a new system today. The new system includes a database that will “attempt to reduce the amount of title-washing that plagues used car buyers when unsavory characters rebuild a totaled vehicle and sell it with a clean title, normally out of state.” By January 1 of next year, all 50 states will be required to be in the system.

If you’re looking for a used car that meets federal standards, you can pay a membership fee to one of the online providers so you can access the database. Or you can forego those fees and just visit your Toyota certified dealer and search the inventory for quality pre-certified cars. With pre-certified cars, you know you are getting a vehicle that has passed rigorous inspections and has a warranty that offers you peace of mind. Don’t fool around with used cars that could give you problems a week after you buy them. Just search for pre-certified cars in order to get the best overall value.

With gas prices slowly creeping back up, it’s time to revisit some gas-saving tips for your certified pre-owned cars. These tips are some of the less common ones that you’ll be seeing as prices continue to go up, but they are still worth using even if they save a few cents. Those pennies add up over the course of a couple weeks. And in today’s economy, who couldn’t use a couple extra bucks in their pocket at the end of the month?

1. Just park already. You might have the urge to park in the closest spot to the mall or wherever you are, but looking for a close spot just wastes gas. Park in the first spot you see and let it be. Walking a few extra steps isn’t going to kill you anyways.
2. Use the A/C at higher speeds. You won’t use this tip for a couple months unless you live in California or Arizona, but the air conditioner is better for fuel efficiency when you’re on the highway. Leaving the windows down creates too much drag on your certified pre-owned cars and ruins gas mileage at higher speeds.
3. Screw it. A loose gas cap is often a culprit of low gas mileage. Fuel can evaporate through the slight opening if you do not screw the gas cap on tight. Screw it until it clicks to be safe.

Your Toyota certified dealer wants you to save as much money at the pumps as you can. Use these and other gas-saving tips to accomplish that so you can use your money for more worthwhile things.

Jim Kooser Master Tech at Peruzzi Toyota

Peruzzi Toyota: Jim, what is your title here at Peruzzi Toyota and how long have you been with us?

JK: I am a Master Diagnostic Toyota Technician and a ASE Certified Master Technician.  I have been with Peruzzi Toyota for 19 years.

PT: Where is the Hatfield area do you live?

JK: I live in Pennsberg, PA.

PT: What are your hobbies?

JK: I spend most of my time time when I’m not at work with my 7 year old daughter.  I also enjoy water gardening and have built quite a few ponds for my friends. 

PT: What’s in your MP3 or CD player right now?

JK: James Taylor

PT: Do you have any pets?

JK: We have two cats.

PT: What’s the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

JK: I was a race car driver back in the mid 80s to early 90s.

PT: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

JK: I wanted to be a pilot and still love aviation.

PT: If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

JK: I would take my family to China.

PT: What’s the best thing about working at Peruzzi Toyota?

JK: It has the be the sense of family I have established with my co-workers and the customers I have serviced over the past 19 years.

You might think you’re safe driving your certified used car without using a cell phone, but there are other cell phone-related dangers to know about. A recent story from Reuters states that pedestrians on cell phones have become a danger for drivers, too.

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham recently reported that “children who talk on cell phones while crossing streets are 43 percent more likely to be hit by a car than when their phones are turned off.” That means you, as a driver, need to watch more closely from behind the wheel of your certified used car for unsuspecting kids crossing the street while texting or talking to their friends on their phone.

Despina Stavrinos, a doctoral student involved with the research study, said kids have a “reduced cognitive capacity to devote to potentially dangerous activities such as crossing streets.” The team of researchers used the reaction times of 77 children between the ages of 10 and 11 while they crossed a simulated road and talking on a cell phone. They were told to cross the street when it was safe and their movements were analyzed by a computer.

It’s a shame that kids today have forgotten the most important rule of crossing a street – look both ways! But with a car from your Toyota certified dealer, you can expect some of the latest safety features to help you avoid hitting unsuspecting pedestrians that don’t know how to protect themselves.

One of the most exciting things to happen at the Detroit Auto show this year was the release of the third generation Toyota Prius. The new Prius will launch in 2010, and will be part of a global effort by Toyota to increase its hybrid vehicle fleets.

It isn’t only the Prius, however, that demonstrates Toyota’s dedication to cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles. For example, Some of Toyota’s global lease-fleet customers will have plug-in hybrids rolled out. In addition, the new Prius was built in such a way that it can support either the traditional hybrid battery using nickel metal technology, or use the new lithium-ion battery packs that will be compatible with plug-in capabilities.

What this all means is that a Plug-in Prius is just around the corner. These new vehicles will help to pave the way to a future where we are much less dependent on petroleum for our fuel, and where vehicles have a much smaller impact on our world.

Come and see your Toyota dealer near Langhorne today, and find out more about what Toyota is already doing to help protect the environment and save you money at the gas pump all at the same time.

With states becoming stricter about cars and emissions, drivers in New Jersey must get emissions test for their pre-certified cars to keep them registered and on the roads. But getting one of these tests for your pre-certified cars may be intimidating if it’s your first time doing it. Here are some tips you should know about emissions inspections for pre-certified cars in New Jersey.

• New Jersey requires motorists to have an emissions inspection on their vehicle every two years. Newer cars, however, do not need an inspection for the first four years.
• When you get an emissions inspection in New Jersey, the tester will also check your safety features, including headlights, taillights, steering, brakes, alignment and more.
• You can have your pre-certified cars tested at a State Inspection Facility or pay a fee at a private facility. State facilities will inspect your car for free.
• The emissions test must be performed in New Jersey if your car is registered in New Jersey.
• If your “Check Engine” light does not come on briefly when you first start your car, it will fail the inspection automatically.
• Make sure your gas cap is tight before the inspection as that is often the cause of your “Check Engine” light staying on.

Pre-certified cars from your Toyota certified dealer will pass inspection with no problem. Check one out today if you have an older car that fails inspection or if you just want something new!

Everybody is trying to save money these days. In an effort to entice used car buyers who are trying to save money, Toyota is launching a new program for people who want to purchase certified pre-owned cars. The one twist is that the automaker is going to concentrate its efforts on used hybrids rather than normal certified pre-owned cars.

The Certified Used Hybrid Program is a “great way to increase awareness of certified used hybrid vehicles,” stated Steve Gallagher, the marketing manager for the Toyota Certified Used Vehicles department. “As more hybrids enter the used vehicle marketplace, Toyota Certified Hybrids offer high-quality options to customers interested in purchasing these fuel-efficient vehicles.”

The new program is the first of its kind in the auto industry. It’s likely going to appeal to many car buyers who have wanted to invest in a hybrid but could not afford the extra cost of a new hybrid vehicle.

The Certified Used Hybrid program is going to involve a thorough inspection that surpasses the inspection of the normal 160-point inspection that a Toyota certified car normally has done to it. The inspection for the hybrids will include an additional 14 points which will include the battery, hybrid transaxle and other “hybrid-specific components.” They will come with a 3-month/3,000 mile comprehensive warranty in addition to a roadside-assistance plan.

On Friday, we gave you a few tips on how to protect your certified used cars from potential car thieves. While these tips are not foolproof, they are ways to deter people from trying to break into your car. Here are a few more tips that you can utilize to protect your certified used cars.

1. Identify your car inconspicuously. Many people think they are protecting their certified used cars by etching the VIN number on various parts of the vehicle. Car thieves can copy this number and take it to a dealer and get a key made for your car. Instead, drop a business card or some other piece of information into the doors through the slots in the windows.
2. Don’t hide spare keys on the car. Car thieves know all the hiding places for spare keys. This is just asking them to take your car.
3. Pay for parking. When going to a sporting event or some other special event where there will be a lot of cars, don’t be afraid to pay a few extra dollars to park in a secured or guarded lot.
4. Keep your registration and proof of insurance on your person. If you leave it in the car, a car thief has a lot of your personal information and your home address once they get into your car.

Your Toyota certified dealer cares about you and your safety. Visit us for more tips and ideas on how to keep your certified cars safe.

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Your pre-certified cars are probably one of your most prized possessions. Even if it isn’t, you don’t want to get your pre-certified cars stolen. That’s why your Toyota certified dealer is offering this two-part series with tips on how to keep your pre-certified cars safe against thieves.

1. Use a pager alarm system. People have become desensitized to the loud, blaring car alarms these days and they do not even notice or take a second look when they hear one. Instead, install a system that pages you when your alarm goes off so you can investigate yourself.
2. Keep valuables hidden. Thieves may be deterred from breaking into your pre-certified cars if they don’t see any reason to do it. Keep anything of value with you or in the trunk.
3. Install a disabling device. Steering wheel locks are easy to get around these days. Install a starter disabling device and your car won’t be going anywhere until you want it to go somewhere.
4. Have your car alarm installed by a “shade tree mechanic.” These guys are more likely to hide your wires and make your car less vulnerable to thieves than the high school guys at your local stereo shop.

While these tips will not guarantee your pre-certified cars will not get stolen, they may help. Come back on Monday for more helpful hints!