Five Car Problems to Address with Certified Used Cars

used carsEven with certified used cars, things can happen. The main difference with owning certified used cars and normal used cars is that the former has a warranty that probably covers the problem. However, there are many car ailments that drivers tend to ignore until it gets bigger and becomes even more of a problem. Following are four car problems that you should never ignore.

Oil Levels
Once your oil goes dry, you’re in trouble. Even if you drive just a few miles without oil, your engine will seize up and stop working (I learned this one the hard way). Many times, it’s less expensive to just junk the car and get another one. Also, this is often due to driver error and warranties won’t cover this, so be sure to keep an eye on those levels.

Wrong Gas
Have you ever nearly put diesel fuel in your car instead of the regular fuel? It’s an honest mistake, but it can also cause your car to stop working in less than a couple miles.

Leak in the Fuel Line
You’ll notice this problem if you ever see a puddle of fuel sitting underneath your parked car. In addition to wasting costly fuel, this is also a fire hazard that could burn your car or, even worse, cause injury or fatality.

Timing Belt
Your timing belt keeps your head gasket valves opening and closing in sequence. The belt should be changed every 70,000 miles or so for optimum performance. If this piece goes, you could damage your head gasket and entire engine beyond repair.

Stop by your local Toyota certified dealer for more information about keeping your certified used cars running safely and efficiently.

Maintenance Vital for Commuters with Certified Pre-Owned Cars

toyota certifiedToyota’s certified pre-owned cars are a great investment. They offer the convenience of maintenance packages, roadside assistance and other features that car owners always appreciate. However, without proper care and maintenance, your certified pre-owned cars could break down unexpectedly like any other car.

Commuters tend to put more miles and stress on their certified pre-owned cars than other drivers. The stop-and-go driving on the congested highways and the long trips can wreak havoc on your car. That’s why proper maintenance is so important.

Every 5,000-7,000, commuters should have their vehicles checked. This is usually about the time you should also get an oil change. At this time, you should also get your hoses, fluids and belts checked. Most service station personnel will do this anyways, but asking them to do it ensures that it gets done. Some may charge extra for this service, too, but it’s much better to pay a few dollars now instead of waiting for something to fail on your way to work in the morning.

Other things you should check regularly include your tire pressure, engine coolant and brakes. The service garage at your local Toyota certified dealer can help you with all of these things whether you have new, used or certified pre-owned cars for your commute. Visit one today and make sure everything is running in tip-top shape!

Is Synthetic Oil Best for Certified Pre-Owned Cars?

certified carsYour Toyota certified pre-owned cars might be the best financial decision you’ll ever make. Unfortunately, many people own certified pre-owned cars and they don’t take care of them properly. “Most people are very busy and they just want to get into their cars and go,” said Kevin Chinn, an engine oil adviser for ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialties. “They often do not have the time to spend hours about their car’s maintenance needs.”

But it’s not always about time. Many car owners are confused about car care products and the right ones for their car. Motor oil is one of those products. Most people think the least expensive oil is fine, but that’s not always true. Some cars run better when given the premium synthetic motor oils because they are designed to increase engine performance in the long run.

Synthetic motor oils are better under extreme conditions because they have more stable molecules than non-synthetic oils. As such, they don’t break down as quickly or easily and they don’t create harmful deposits.

Most car experts and mechanics agree that synthetic motor oils are better for your engine. Unfortunately, most car owners still choose the cheapest brands and types each time they add oil to their car. And then they wonder why their engines aren’t operating as well as they could be.