Peruzzi Toyota Product Blog

If you’re not paying attention to the new laws in your state for 2009, you might get a ticket while driving your certified pre-owned cars. No, it’s not against the law to drive certified pre-owned cars in 2009, but some of the things you do while driving could be. Here are some new laws that some states are imposing drivers to help keep everybody safe.

Texting – California is going to be the sixth state in the nation to ban texting while driving beginning January 1, 2009. The state has already banned talking on your cell phone while driving, but the new law just clarifies and makes the law more inclusive.

Anti-Drunk Driving – Alaska, Washington and Illinois will start requiring drivers convicted of DUIs to install breathalyzer devices in their cars. If the device reads a high blood-alcohol content, the car will not start. Sixteen other states already have a similar law.

GPS Devices – Some states are going to require your GPS device to be mounted in a certain area of the windshield rather than the middle of it where most drivers tend to mount them.

To avoid getting any tickets while driving your certified pre-owned cars in your state, know the current and new laws. Your Toyota certified dealer can help you identify the new laws so everybody can stay safe on the roadways.

As promised on Wednesday, we are going to give you some more tips on how to spot a lemon before you spend your hard-earned money on a car. But like we also said on Wednesday, investing in new or pre-certified cars is the ideal way to avoid getting a lemon. Just keep that in mind as you read these tips.

4. Get inside the vehicle. The wear and tear on the inside should give you an indication about how well the car was taken care of before it hit the used car dealer’s lot. Worn pedals, cigarette burns in the seat and a sagging headliner are all clues that the previous owner didn’t really care for the car.

5. Look under the hood. If you’re like me, you have no idea what to look for when you’re looking under the hood. But I’ve learned. Look for rust, corrosion and other signs of a car that has seen better days. Also, check the oil, coolant and transmission fluid to see if it looks healthy while you’re at it.

6. Check the steering. With the engine on, turn the steering wheel to see if it is tight. If there is too much slack or “play” when turning the wheel, the steering system could be worn or on the verge of needing repairs. When driving straight, the car should not veer either way, too.

7. Notice the smoke from the tailpipe. After the car has warmed up, make sure there is no discolored smoke coming out of the tailpipe. Black smoke usually means something minor like a dirty air filter or oxygen sensor. Blue smoke means the car is burning oil, which could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix. White smoke also means engine problems that should deter you from buying the car.

You can forget about checking all of this when you invest in a car at your local Toyota certified dealer. Their pre-certified cars are ready to go without any problems…and they come with a warranty that will fix almost anything that goes wrong.

Have you ever received points on your credit card to purchase merchandise? If so, you’re familiar with the new promotion occurring at your local Toyota dealer in Langhorne and across the country.

U.S. Bank has teamed up with Toyota to over a Toyota Rewards Visa card. This gives owners of Toyota cars a “simple new way to earn points toward service, parts, accessories and vehicle purchases and leases at Toyota dealerships nationwide.”

The two companies have combined to finance and offer this promotion. The Toyota Financial Savings Bank is the actual issuer of the new rewards Visa card. U.S. Bank provides some management components and other administrative duties.

Here’s how the system works: For every dollar a cardholder spends at a Toyota dealer, the person earns five points. The cardholder earns one point for ever one dollar spent anywhere else, too. For every 100 points earned, the cardholder gets one dollar to use at Toyota dealers across the nation. Those points can be used towards parts, accessories, service or even purchases and leases. As a bonus, each new cardholder receives 2,500 bonus points the first time they use their rewards card.

For more information about this program, click here.