How did it all start and what are your plans?

31.4 million people in the US are taking a road trip this weekend according to AAA – so where are you taking your Toyota this weekend?

If you are planning a trip more than 100 miles, make sure you check the basics on your Toyota. We recently talked about car maintenance for summer travel in our blog. You want your Labor Day weekend to be memorable because of the fun you have, not the unexpected adventure of being broken down on the side of the road.  

Have you made plans yet? If not, read our blog entry about great getaways near you.  

Where and when did Labor Day start?

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. Cleveland was also concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Labor Day Parade in New York 1882

 For you sports fans, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.

No matter where you celebrate this national holiday, have fun and be safe!

From your friends at Daytona Toyota - We are open all weekend.

What is Toyotanomics?

What is the common denominator between 31, 16 and 1?

31: Days of Amazing Deals in the 31 Days of August

16: Available on 16 Toyota Models

1:  From the #1 Selling Brand in America

It’s almost over and where have you been? Check out the deals online and then come in for a test drive.

· Great lease offers: Some as low as $119

· Amazing APR: Some as low as o.9% APR/60 Months

· All Come with Complimentary Toyota Maintenance Program

See how easy and affordable it is to own your favorite Toyota at Daytona Toyota?! Come by before they are gone!

• More power and better fuel-efficiency
• Dynamic driving performance
• Aggressive styling adds premium look
• Added standard safety features

Following a successful first-generation model, Scion introduces the all-new 2011 Scion tC sports coupe.  With premium style and features, the new tC redefines its segment to meet the desires of the evolving sports coupe buyer.

The all-new tC adds new styling, enhanced performance, and technologies that add to the driver’s experience.  It remains a tremendous value with more power, increased fuel efficiency, superior driving dynamics, and more safety features.

“The all-new tC features styling that is both refined and aggressive, appealing to a sports coupe owner who wants to make a bold statement,” said Jack Hollis, vice president of Scion.  “When the tC first launched in 2004, it quickly became Scion’s bestselling vehicle.  We took the already successful tC, added a long list of enhancements, and attached a price tag that makes it a tremendous value.  The new tC will no doubt launch Scion into a whole new dimension.”

More Power and Better Fuel Efficiency

The all-new 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine offers the latest in efficient, lightweight technology, including Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), roller rocker arms and a Variable-induction Intake Manifold System that changes the length of the air-intake pipe to supply more torque on demand.

The new engine produces 180 horsepower, 19 more than the previous model, and 11 additional lbs.-ft of torque.  Performance is further improved through a new intake-manifold design and a sport-tuned lightweight exhaust system that delivers a noticeably bold and aggressive sound.

The tC offers drivers the choice of two all-new six-speed transmissions, each adding driving excitement and excellent fuel economy.  The manual transmission features confident shifts that are direct and precise.  The automatic transmission boasts sequential shifting, providing an additional fun-to-drive element.

As a result, the 2011 tC has quicker acceleration, and an increase in fuel economy over the previous generation tC.

The all-new tC adds electronic power-steering system that contributes to increased fuel efficiency.

Enhanced Driving Performance
The 2011 tC enters its second-generation riding on an enhanced platform, including a MacPherson strut front-suspension and a double-wishbone rear-suspension that were specially tuned to offer the driver a sporty ride that is both nimble and confident.

Larger 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are wrapped in wider tires, giving the tC a broader stance and elevated handling characteristics.  The new model also comes standard with disc brakes on all corners that are larger than its predecessor’s.

Aggressive Styling

The tC’s all-new design projects a bolder, more aggressive stance. Inspired by the Calty-designed Scion FUSE concept, the tC is a high-impact sports coupe with simple and unique elements.

Calty designers took inspiration from the athletic look of a racing helmet.  As a result, one of the boldest design features of the new tC is the sleek cabin shape with wrap-around window graphics that add to its sporty profile.

Adding to the fresh design approach is a strong, renegade face. The sleek front grille and projector headlamps are complemented by protruding fender flares, which amplify its wider, lower stance. The front interlocks with the dynamic, muscular rear fenders. The shape of the rear taillights flow cleanly into the overall shape of the trunk, finalizing the iconic and purposeful nature of the design.

The tC can be wrapped in an urban palette of seven colors:  Super White, Silver Streak Mica, Black, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Sizzling Crimson Mica, Nautical Blue Metallic and the all-new Cement.

Interior Design Offers both Comfort and Convenience
The sporty design of the new tC carries over to the interior with a look and feel that is sophisticated, sporty and functional.  The front cabin design provides a driver-centered cockpit with spaciousness and freedom for the front passenger.

A tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel features a flat bottom that provides additional thigh room.  Dual illuminated combination meters for the speedometer and tachometer have a three-dimensional appearance with large meters and needle indicators for good visibility.

The trip meters also include gauges for outside temperature, average MPG, and an ECO-drive indicator on automatic transmission models that helps the driver maximize the tCs fuel efficiency.

The sporty new tC does not sacrifice driver and passenger comfort.  As part of the redesign, engineers made significant interior upgrades in the area of driver and passenger comfort and convenience.

Among the many interior comfort features is a driver walk-through seat- memory function for both the seat and backrest.  The driver and front passenger bucket seats and rear passenger seats are upholstered with premium fabric designs.   Added comfort was accomplished by making the seats thicker, with firmer seat bolsters, while the driver seat is six-way adjustable.  Entry and exit for rear passengers is made easy with a walk-in lever located at shoulder level on the front seats.  For added comfort and utility, the rear seats are 60:40 split and recline up to 10 degrees.

Staying true to Scion tradition, the new tC has an abundance of storage throughout.  Additional driver and passenger comforts include four bottle holders, a large console box that can hold up to 18 CDs, two cup holders, a flat storage area in front of the console, an assist grip handle, sun visors with vanity mirrors and a map light.

Audio System Designed to Impress

The tC features a powerful standard audio system with a total of 300-watts feeding the eight-speaker sound package.  With an emphasis on amazing sound quality, the tC’s stereo system shares some speaker components with the Lexus LX 570, and features mid-range and woofer speakers that are superior.

The tC comes standard with a Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit with USB iPod® connectivity.  The 160-watt Pioneer head unit powers the tweeters, mid-range and full-range speakers, while a separate 140-watt, two-channel amplifier is designed to drive power to the 6×9-inch door-mounted woofers.

The standard head unit integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod® into a one-line display on the head unit’s screen.  Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the iPod® into a port via a USB connector cable, while the car’s stereo system provides outstanding sound quality and constant power to the iPod®.  Music is controlled through the head unit and steering wheel audio controls.  An auxiliary port is also standard, allowing users to listen to various portable music players.

The optional Alpine Premium audio system has the same basic features as the standard Pioneer audio, but adds a 4.3-inch color touch-panel thin-film-transistor (TFT) screen, HD Radio™ technology, Media Expander (MX) and front and rear RCA outputs.  Passengers can listen to HD Radio™ technology with the premium audio system and view text, song titles, album and artist name on the head unit.  Alpine’s MX improves compressed audio sound often found on digital music.  The RCA outputs allow for up to three amplifiers — front, rear and subwoofer.  The optional audio system is also navigation and back-up camera ready.

Scion also offers an optional plug-in navigation unit for the Alpine Premium audio system.  Navigation and audio functions utilize the head unit screen for display.  Features include voice guidance; day and night screen modes; support in English, French and Spanish; 200 available address book entries; map coverage across the U.S. and Canada including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii; three map views (3-D, north up, and heading up); and more than six million points of interest.  Users can also program up to three destinations before arriving at their final programmed stop.  Scion makes this navigation unit customizable by allowing the user to change the vehicle position icon from an arrow to an icon of the tC, which can be customized to the seven tC exterior colors.

Both the standard and premium head units retain key Scion audio system features such as Scion Sound Processing® (SSP) where listeners can choose from three pre-set equalizer settings, satellite radio compatibility and MP3, AAC and WMA capability.  In addition, both units adjust the volume control based on driving speed.

A Scion Navigation System is also available, featuring an audio/video/navigation unit with a seven-inch LCD touch screen.  The system also has iPod® connectivity; SSP; Alpine Equalizer; Alpine Focus, which allows users to move the center of the sound field; Clear Sound Effecter (CSE) to enhance compressed digital music data; Alpine Digital Sound Processing (DSP); automatic volume adjust; and satellite radio capability.  This audio system also features HD Radio™ capabilities include HD Tagging, rich sound and on-screen text information, as well as Bluetooth® Hands-free mobile phone communication and Bluetooth® Streaming Audio.

Added Standard Safety Features

The second-generation tC will add a supplemental restraint system (SRS) front passenger knee airbag, bringing the total number of airbags to eight.  Additional SRS airbags include driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, and side curtain airbags.

All 2011 tCs will come standard with Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).  New for tC and also standard equipment are Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and a brake override system.  The tC will also feature a button that allows the driver to turn off the VSC and/or the TRAC features.

Additional safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system and newly adopted active front headrests.

Pricing

The all-new Scion tC is positioned to attract a youthful buyer that demands a high level of standard equipment and quality at an affordable price.  The tC starts with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $18,275 when equipped with a manual transmission, and $19,275 when equipped with an automatic transmission.

The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $720 and is not included in the MSRP.  DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Limited Warranty
Scion’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items.  Additional 60-month warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation.  Scion dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.

All Scion models come with complimentary factory-recommended maintenance services at the first 5,000 mile and 10,000 mile intervals, to be performed by an authorized Scion or Toyota dealership.

]]> http://daytonatoyota.net/2010/08/19/2011-scion-tc-sports-coupe-coming-soon/feed/ http://daytonatoyota.net/2010/08/11/tire-pressure-can-affect-more-than-you-think/ http://daytonatoyota.net/2010/08/11/tire-pressure-can-affect-more-than-you-think/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:42:29 +0000 daytonatoyota http://daytonatoyota.net/?p=229 How many times have you heard of a fatal car wreck that was a result of a blown tire? Now, let’s wonder how many these incidences could have been avoided if the tire pressure had been monitored properly? More than we want to know.

Simply put, failure to maintain right tire pressure on a consistent basis may result in faster tire wear, tire failures and loss of control, thus resulting in possible property damage, serious injuries and death.

There are namely, three different situations when it comes to your tire pressure: The correct pressure, the under inflation and the over inflation.

Some Useful Information Relating To Tire Pressures

· The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that underinflated tires resulted in 300,000 accidents per year in American alone.

· Surveys have found that many vehicles (about 4 out of 5 or 80%) routinely have at least one underinflated tire.

· It is estimated that, on average, Americans wasted two million gallons of gas each year because of underinflated tires (more energy required to move vehicles with underinflated tires).

· A survey has shown that a relatively high percentage (>50%) of people have mistakenly believed that the correct pressure is listed on the tire sidewall.

Over-inflating your tires will give you a bouncy ride and an ill-handling car, while under-inflated tires can develop premature wear from increased friction. Either way, not having your tires at their recommended pressure will negatively affect tire wear and vehicle performance.

How do I find the correct tire pressure for my car?

There’s a pressure rating on the tires themselves, but your Toyota door has a different pressure number. Which one is correct? How many psi should I have in my tires?

Having the correct tire pressure is extremely important for getting good gas mileage and the most life out of your tires. Your Toyota has a specific tire pressure that will give the best gas mileage, handling and tire life for that car, and it’s written right on the door of your Toyota. That’s the one you should follow when filling up.

On newer Toyotas, the recommended pressure is listed on a sticker inside the driver’s door. If there’s no sticker on the door, you can find the specs in your owner’s manual. Most passenger cars will recommend 32 to 35 psi in the tires when they’re cold. The reason you check them cold is that as tires roll along the road, friction between them and the road generates heat, increasing tire pressure. For the most consistent tire-pressure reading, make sure the car has been sitting overnight, or at least has been parked for a few hours.

Do not inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the tire itself. That number is the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the recommended pressure for the vehicle. Tricky, huh? Go by the Toyota Manual when in doubt.

Hopefully, you’re going to go check your tire pressure tomorrow morning.

Be Safe! From your friends at Daytona Toyota.

By MIKE RAMSEY And JOSH MITCHELL

DETROIT—Senior officials at the U.S. Department of Transportation have at least temporarily blocked the release of findings by auto-safety regulators that could favor Toyota Motor Corp. in some crashes related to unintended acceleration, according to a recently retired agency official.

George Person, who retired July 3 after 27 years at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said in an interview that the decision to not go public with the data for now was made over the objections of some officials at NHTSA.

“The information was compiled. The report was finished and submitted,” Mr. Person said. “When I asked why it hadn’t been published, I was told that the secretary’s office didn’t want to release it,” he added, referring to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

A Transportation Department spokeswoman, Olivia Alair, said NHTSA is still reviewing data from the Toyota vehicles the agency is examining. “Its review is not yet complete. The investigation remains ongoing,” she said.

A Toyota spokesman declined to comment. A NHTSA spokeswoman did not respond to phone calls and an email seeking comment.

At the time of his retirement, Mr. Person, 67 years old, was chief of NHTSA’s Recall Management Division, which is part of the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation. He said he was briefed on the agency’s probe into the causes of accidents in which drivers said Toyota vehicles suddenly accelerated on their own, and said he offered his input on the matter to investigators.

Ms. Alair said Mr. Person “was not involved in any aspect of the ongoing investigation into unintended acceleration.”

Mr. Person said he retired in good standing with the agency. Ms. Alair said she could not comment on personnel matters.

Mr. Person’s comments follow a July 14 story in The Wall Street Journal that said NHTSA had accumulated data suggesting many sudden-acceleration incidents were the result of drivers stepping on the gas when they thought they were hitting the brakes.

Earlier this year, Toyota recalled more then 8.5 million vehicles globally for defects related to sudden acceleration, and paid a $16.4 million fine for failing to report safety issues promptly.

NHTSA came under criticism by Congress and auto-safety advocates, who accused the agency of being too cozy with auto makers in recall investigations.

Toyota has said its investigations show that sudden-acceleration problems were caused by floor mats that could pin down the gas pedals of its cars. It also found some gas pedals could get stuck briefly in an open position.

Some members of Congress and auto-safety advocates have suspected electrical glitches could also be a cause.

Since March, the agency has examined 40 Toyota vehicles where unintended acceleration was cited as the cause of an accident, Mr. Person said. NHTSA determined 23 of the vehicles had accelerated suddenly, Mr. Person said.

In all 23, he added, the vehicles’ electronic data recorders or black boxes showed the car’s throttle was wide open and the brake was not depressed at the moment of impact, suggesting the drivers mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake, Mr. Person said.

“The agency has for too long ignored what I believe is the root cause of these unintended acceleration cases,” he said. “It’s driver error. It’s pedal misapplication and that’s what this data shows.”

Mr. Person said he believes Transportation Department officials are “sitting on” this data because it could revive criticism that NHTSA is too close to the auto maker and has not looked hard enough for electrical flaws in Toyota vehicles.

“It has become very political. There is a lot of anger towards Toyota,” Mr. Person said. Transportation officials “are hoping against hope that they find something that points back to a flaw in Toyota vehicles.”

NHTSA has received more than 3,000 unconfirmed complaints of sudden acceleration in Toyotas, including some dating to early last decade, according to a report the agency compiled in March. The incidents include 75 fatal crashes involving 93 deaths.

—Kate Linebaugh contributed to this article.

Write to Mike Ramsey at michael.ramsey@wsj.com and Josh Mitchell atjoshua.mitchell@dowjones.com

Available on a limited basis, the new T|X and T|X Pro Packages translate a sporty SEMA concept into a package you can add to a Tacoma V6 Access Cab or V6 Double Cab on both 4×2 PreRunner and 4×4 drive types equipped with the TRD Off-Road Package. The extra dose of performance makes it the most capable off-road Tacoma in the Toyota lineup. Stop by Daytona Toyota and we can walk you through the performance features.

The T|X Package gives the Tacoma a sporty and even semi-menacing look with TRD 16-inch black alloy bead-lock wheels and 265/70R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires. Black tube side steps, a stainless steel exhaust tip and unique exterior graphics give the T|X the look of a custom truck, but at a special value. The MSRP of the T|X Package is $1,699, a savings of $754 compared to the package items ordered as separate options. Call Daytona Toyota and we can walk you through packages costs.

The T|X Pro Package is a performance-driven package with a TRD cat-back performance exhaust system to give the V6 a throatier sound and a bit more power. Also equipped with TRD 16-inch black alloy bead-lock wheels and 265/70R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires, and unique graphics the T|X Pro package carries an MSRP of $1,699, representing a savings of $720 versus the package contents added as separate accessories. Both T|X and T|X Pro packages deliver a superior value to aftermarket accessories, especially considering that they are covered under the three-year/36,000 mile comprehensive vehicle limited warranty.

The TRD Off-Road Package underlying both T|X editions provides a carefully tuned balance of off-road performance and on-road handling. Chassis modifications include an electronic locking rear differential, progressive-rate front springs, specially tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, a 28-mm front stabilizer bar and B.F. Goodrich Rugged Trail tires. Fog lamps top off the package for a tough, sporty appearance. Added features on the TRD Off-Road Package include a 400W/115V powerpoint in the bed, sport seats with adjustable lumbar support and unique fabric, plus an overhead console with a compass and outside temperature display.

You can order 2011 Tacoma T|X Pro Package now and the T|X Package will launch in September.

Come in and learn more about how you can take your off-roading to whole new level. Our experts here at Daytona Toyota know what you’re looking for and we can help you set up the best high performance Tacoma ever! 888-244-7475

And view one of these demos on how to program your phone using your vehicle’s Bluetooth technology:
With DVD navigation system
Without DVD navigation system

Toyota’s information center for BlueTooth technology.

When you bought your Toyota at Daytona Toyota, your sales person talked to you about the options available. If you never set up your car, check your manual or go to the Toyota web site for compatibility and options. Please do not hesitate calling us here at Daytona Toyota with any questions, we’d be happy to walk you through the process and explain the options available to you.

For our customers who are driving older models, you have options for hands-free calling/texting. Many young drivers are inheriting the older Toyota from the family, so parents should be incorporating rules about talking/texting while driving the car and setting up hands –free options. You can set up a BlueTooth headset, self-installed BlueTooth, Portable Navigation Devices—with Bluetooth, and Mobile Apps. Here are some of our picks on options. We also recommend you researching the best options, like www.cnet.com.

BlueTooth Headset

The Aliph Jawbone 2. It’s super-comfortable, has excellent background-noise reduction technology, and is widely-recognized as one of the top headsets on the market. It’s also going to cost you around $165 on Amazon, but don’t worry, there are plenty of excellent options out there for under $40 like the Samsung WEP200.

Self-Installed BlueTooth

Parrot’s CK3100 is a popular choice with a voice-activated interface for dialing by name and a phonebook-syncing feature that imports contacts directly from your phone. You can find this at Amazon for around $130, don’t forget to factor in installation costs ($49.99 at Best Buy) if you forgo the do-it-yourself.

Portable Navigation Devices—with Bluetooth

Garmin’s Nüvi 660 is very simple to use and has smart features like 1-touch dialing for points of interest, so if your destination has a phone number (like a restaurant), you can dial directly from the GPS unit without ever having to pick up your phone. Listed around $330 on Amazon, it’s pricey for a hand-free wireless device, but keep in mind you’re getting a navigation unit too!

Mobile Apps

DriveSafe.ly is a mobile phone application, developed by iSpeech that reads text messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without users touching their mobile phone. DriveSafe.ly utilizes iSpeech’s text to speech and speech to text software as a service (SaaS) (http://www.ispeech.org/) in hopes of eliminating the danger created by the growing number of people who text while they drive. For more information or to download the life saving product please visit (http://www.DriveSafe.ly/).

Again, your focus should always be on the road. It’s hard these days to not get a call or text in the car, so let’s take advantage of the fact that our hands don’t have to leave the wheel. Schools will be back in session in the coming weeks, so more drivers will be on the road who are inexperienced with more distractions.

Be safe! From your friends at Daytona Toyota

Wake Up Before These Summer Deals Pass You By!

Now is a great time to buy a new car. As we here at Daytona Toyota are getting our lots ready for 2011 models, we are offering our biggest incentive programs to date in 2010. You’ve heard about two of our biggest incentives: low interest rates–many down to zero percent as well as cash back offers.

You need to move quickly because these offers are only good for until the end of July.

Summer Incentives: A Win-Win

Here’s a sample of the 2010 model specials available during this Toyota Clearance Event. Every offer comes with a complimentary maintenance program that includes 2 yr/25,000 mile warranty. Daytona Toyota also offers a lifetime warranty, loaner cars and oil changes.

• New 2010 Corolla LE - $119 per Month / 36 Months
• New 2010 Scion xB - $199 per Month / 36 Months
• New 2010 Prius - $179 per Month / 36 Months
• New 2010 Tundra Regular Cab, Double Cab and 4WD Tundra - 0.0%/36 1.9%/48 1.9%/60 Months APR
• New 2010 Highlander - $299 per Month / 36 Months

2010 Highlander

Big Savings

How much can you save with zero percent? Here’s an example you can compare. Say you are a new car buyer who borrowed $20,000. Instead of paying 5.99 percent at the bank, you took advantage of a zero percent incentive program. The amount saved over a 60 month loan was an incredible $3,193.80.

Zero Percent or Cash Back?

Not sure if you should choose zero percent or cash back? Use Edmunds Low APR vs. CashBack calculator. You’ll need to know the price of the vehicle and the local tax rate to use it. It’s also useful to know the interest rate you qualify for without incentives.

Whichever incentive program you choose–zero percent or cash back—take advantage of real savings while they’re available.

We here at Daytona Toyota understand how important your dollar is. Come by and let’s get you set up with the deal of the lifetime!

]]> http://daytonatoyota.net/2010/07/21/breezing-through-your-summer/feed/ http://daytonatoyota.net/2010/07/16/keepin-your-toyota-cool-in-the-summer/ http://daytonatoyota.net/2010/07/16/keepin-your-toyota-cool-in-the-summer/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:12:39 +0000 daytonatoyota http://daytonatoyota.net/?p=161 It’s hot out there and we mean everywhere.

After your car sits in the sun for more than 30 minutes, it feels like a 450 degree oven. And let’s face it; you’re not interested in feeling like tonight’s dinner. Here are some simple tips on keeping your car cooler during these killer temperatures.

1.) Get window shade that covers your entire front window – Toyota offers a Heat Shield shade. Check with our parts department. Just make sure you invest in a shade that covers the window completely.
2.) Park in the shade. Find a nice tree and walk a little farther.
3.) Get your windows tinted – Having all your windows tinted will alleviate 40-50% of the heat. Check out our tinting specials at our service department.
4.) Crack the windows slightly. Doing this can help to ventilate your car instead of having steam or hot air build up in your car. The windows on your vehicle have the same effects of a green house.
5.) Tilt your sunroof, but keep the sun blocker almost closed.
6.) Window visors allow you to keep the windows open a crack. The crack will not leak during a rain storm. Check with our parts department.
7.) Sunshades are transparent shades that you can attach to your car window by a suction cup. This will block about 75% of the sun.
8.) Pour a bottle of water on the car just before getting in. It will drop the temperature of the car drastically.
9.) Invest in a car cover. This also helps with protecting your car other elements dropping onto your car. Check with our parts department.
10.) Remote start and open your windows and sunroof.
11.) If you don’t have remote and are going to load the car, get the car started with the AC blowing and get windows rolled down to circulate the air.
12.) Prevent the sun from ever hitting the sunroof glass directly by applying body color matched vinyl sticker on the exterior of your sunroof. Check with our parts department.
13.) Travel only early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are cooler.
14.) When you are not driving your car and if you are at home, you should park your car in a garage. Garage parking is always better than parking on the street or your driveway because it protects your car from sun and other weather elements. Parking in a garage will keep your car cool until you are ready to leave your house.

Call us anytime for advice at (386)-255-7475. We are here to help you whenever you need it. Alright, stay cool!
From your friends at Daytona Toyota

Luckily, you live in the “vacation capital” of the nation. And unlike most destinations, Florida’s off season is the summer and there are good deals to be had.

We are not going to talk about the theme parks because you know where they are and what they are about. There are hundreds of hidden gems for your family to explore. We’ve included just a few below.

From a day trip to three day excursion, take advantage of these places that are just a car ride away. At Daytona Toyota, we want you to take advantage of the down time and have some fun exploring your backyard. You’ll discover uncharted territory, so you and your family can make lifetime summer memories.

Central Florida
Shamrock Thistle & Crown Bed and Breakfast in Ocala

Porch lounging at Shamrock Thistle & Crown

North Florida
Amelia Island

A beautiful beach walk on Amelia

Gulf Coast
Steinhatchee Landing Resort

Family picnic

From this untamed jungle, Steinhatchee Landing emerges like a queen. The 35-acre deluxe family retreat was developed in 1990 by Dean Fowler, a boyhood chum of President Jimmy Carter’s. Set up as a turn-of-the-century southern village, it offers 21 homes that families can rent for the night or a whole season. The comfortable cottages boast tin roofs, ample windows and big front porches. They also come with 20th-century extras like air conditioning, modern furniture and appliances and an outdoor grill.

Although it’s easy to just loaf on your private porch, you can also fish off the dock for crabs and catfish, rent a canoe or take a guided sunset cruise. Should you tire of the resort’s pleasures, Florida’s spectacular “Nature Coast” awaits. About 20 natural springs and state parks are within a two hour’s drive of Steinhatchee Landing (guests receive passes to all sites). Families can snorkel, tube and spot manatees (in late fall and winter), while certified divers can explore Peacock Springs, one of the largest underwater cave systems in America. Keaton Beach, 18 miles north, is a favorite spot for Gulf swimming.
One-, two- and three-bedroom units are available; prices range from $120 to $255 nightly in low season (September 11 to May 31). For more information, call 352-498-3513.

South Florida
Collier-Seminole State Park

Camping at Collier Seminole State Park

There are loads of things to do here and the park is a good place to get introduced to the Everglades environment. There’s a full facility campground.

There are trails for hiking and bicycling as well as trails for canoeing on the Blackwater River. The 100-mile Wilderness Waterway runs through the Florida Everglades.

At Collier-Seminole State Park you can arrange paddling excursions to explore this wonderful natural wilderness. These can be arranged either through the park with local private outfitters. Fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking are all popular activities at the park.

You and the family can go the rugged route and camp at one of the campsites. They offer primitive camping for the true nature lovers and full facility camping with access to showers/electrical for those of us who need to brush our teeth. Or you even have the option to book a cabin. It’s hot in day and night here in Florida, so AC is always a friend. For more information and to book your reservation, visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/collierseminole