It can sometimes be a frightening experience. You’re following along with traffic and all of a sudden all you see is a sea of taillights. You hit the brakes, only to feel a vibration from your steering wheel. This vibration ultimately stems from your braking system. There are a few components that can contribute to the vibration in your steering wheel.

The first and most common culprit could be worn out rotors. Front brake rotors can warp when in heavy use. This is caused by extreme heat created by friction and pressure applied to the front brake pads and rotors. A heavy braking condition can be caused by driving down a long grade or extreme driving conditions such as racing. When a brake rotor becomes warped it will cause the steering wheel to shake when the brakes are applied.

If the brake rotors are warped it is recommended to replace them. It is possible, but not recommended to re-machine to the rotor (the rotor will be straight but it will have less mass to dissipate heat therefore re-warping is eminent).

The second braking component to check is the lower ball joint. If the suspension lower ball joints are worn it will cause the spindle to wander causing the steering wheel to shake. Lower ball joints are a normal service item and need to be inspected every 40,000 to 60,000 miles.

The third components of your braking system that could cause a vibration in the steering wheel when you apply the brakes are the idler arm and tie rod ends. The idler arm, pitman arm and tie rod ends are normal service items and need to be inspected between 50,000 and 80,000 miles.

If you are experiencing vibrations in your steering wheel when you apply the brakes, be sure to visit the Toyota of Tampa Bay Service Department for a comprehensive check-up of your steering and braking systems.

Source: [2 Car Pros]

Each year, Toyota Motor Sales recognizes its stellar dealerships with the prestigious President’s Award. It’s a very high honor a dealership can receive from Toyota, and is only awarded to those dealerships who have demonstrated a commitment to maintaining Toyota’s high standards for customer satisfaction.

One of Toyota’s primary goals is to emphasize the entire ownership experience. We want to help ensure that our customers are satisfied not only at the time of purchase, but as long as they own their vehicle. Offering top quality cars and trucks is, of course, the first step – but only the beginning. Toyota dealerships strive to match the quality of our products with the finest service in the industry.

In order to qualify as a President’s Award winner, dealerships must excel in each of a series of categories, including Customer Sales Satisfaction and Customer Service Satisfaction. Dealerships which meet the requirements in all categories receive name badge recognition at all dealer events, national recognition in an Automotive News advertisement and, of course, the beautiful President’s Award Tiffany crystal trophy.

Toyota of Tampa Bay is filling up the dealership mantle with prestigious awards and recognition. In addition to the 2009 Toyota Presidents Award, Toyota of Tampa Bay has earned a place on the 2009 Toyota Customer Services Advisory Board. This highly competitive program recognizes the Top 50 Toyota dealers nationally as the best of the best in parts and service customer satisfaction.

Toyota will acknowledge each of the elite dealerships that will comprise the 2009 Toyota Customer Services Advisory Board in the June 7^th issue of Automotive News, the industry leader in communicating the most current happenings in the automotive industry.

This is not the first time Toyota of Tampa Bay’s Service Department has been recognized for outstanding service. The Toyota of Tampa Bay Collision Center has been named a Toyota Certified Collision Center in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Toyota of Tampa Bay is also a two-time winner of the Toyota Presidents Award, the most prestigious award a Toyota dealership can earn.

Visit Toyota of Tampa Bay’s Service Department to experience award winning customer satisfaction today!

Toyota will put a small test fleet of its first plug-in hybrids into the hands of U.S. drivers starting in June.

The 150 Prius plug-ins will go to individuals, businesses and government agencies as part of a global demonstration before the vehicle goes on sale in 2012.

The test fleet will allow Toyota to assess its first lithium ion battery, introduce consumers to its plug-ins and monitor how drivers use the vehicles.

“We want to know if people pay attention to their energy use,” Jaycee Chitwood, manager of advanced technologies for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., said during a press event here.

Toyota’s plug-in uses a small lithium ion battery pack and the same 1.8-liter inline-4 that equips the standard Prius hybrid. The battery pack fully charges in about three hours, but the vehicle goes only about 13 miles in full electric mode before the gasoline engine kicks in and the car drives like the standard Prius hybrid.

Chevrolet’s Volt plug-in hybrid travels about 40 miles on battery-powered electricity. After 40 miles, the internal combustion engine kicks in, generating electricity.

“We decided to go with a smaller battery that needs more charges,” Chitwood said. “That’s a decision we made. That’s part of the test.”

So far, Toyota has said that the vehicles will go to Qualcomm Inc. in San Diego; the University of California, Berkeley; Portland (Ore.) State University; Silicon Valley Leadership Group; the South Coast Air Quality Management District; and residents of Boulder, Colo., who participate in the city’s SmartGridCity project.

Boulder’s grid system allows researchers to monitor electric vehicles, including how batteries respond to high altitude situations and extreme temperature. Chitwood says Boulder has meters, cables to transmit data and Web portals that show their energy use.

She says Toyota also is looking at placing vehicles in such cities as New York and Washington, D.C. She expects each user to drive the vehicles for a maximum of three months.

Source: [Auto News]

Traveling By Car

Before taking your dog on a long trip, ask yourself these questions:

• Will your dog be welcome at the vacation destination?
• Will your dog enjoy the trip?
• Is your dog in good health?

If you’ve answered “yes,” accustom your dog to riding in a car. Begin with short rides each day and gradually increase the length of each ride. If your dog is unable to adjust to short rides, a responsible sitter or a boarding kennel is preferable. If you board him, make reservations well in advance, especially for summer months and major holidays.

• Do not feed your dog for at least three hours before leaving on a trip. Take your dog for a walk just before you start the drive and he will be more comfortable as the trip gets underway.
• During stops, provide fresh drinking water for your dog.
• Feed your dog shortly after you arrive at your destination or when you have stopped for the day.
• If your car has adequate space, using a carrier is the safest way for your dog to travel. Never put the carrier on the sunny side of the car where your dog may become overheated.
• If a carrier is not feasible for your dog, consider using a restraining harness. They come in different sizes to fit all breeds and are available at pet supply stores.
• Always put your dog on a leash before letting him out of the car. If you walk your dog on the highway at night, wear reflective strips on your clothing and place a reflective collar on your dog for visibility and protection.
• Never leave your dog in a closed car, even on a mild day. Temperatures in cars can rise quickly even if the windows are open slightly. The heat and insufficient air circulation can quickly lead to heat stress, suffocation and death.

Traveling By Air

• Try to avoid peak travel periods when delays and stopovers are longer. Traveling in extreme hot or cold weather may be dangerous if your dog must wait very long before loading and unloading. Plan a trip with as few stops and transfers as possible.
• Make hotel, resort and airline reservations for your dog well in advance. Some airlines have limited space for transporting pets.
• Some airlines allow small dogs to travel with their owner (generally for an additional charge) if the carrier fits under the passenger seat. Otherwise, rent or purchase a carrier or crate which meets airline regulations and affix a LIVE ANIMAL sticker. Mark it with your name and address and the name of a person who can be contacted about your dog at your destination if necessary.
• Put a cushion or blanket on the crate floor. Attach a water cup to the crate door. The cup should be deep, but not too full of water to avoid spilling.
• On the day of the flight, take your dog for a long walk before leaving for the airport.
• At the end of the trip, pick up your dog promptly.

Certain countries and island destinations require a quarantine period for animals at the owner’s expense. Ask your travel agent or the consul of the country you plan to visit about quarantines.

Health and Identification

• Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date.
• If the mosquito season begins earlier or ends later in the area you will be visiting, make sure you bring the appropriate heartworm protection.
• Be certain your dog is wearing an identification tag giving his name, your name and home address and telephone number including the area code.
• Take along color pictures of your dog and a written description of his colorings and distinguishing marks. Record your dog’s body size and weight. If he is lost, these identification aids could make the difference in locating him.

Packing for Your Dog

• Carry your dog’s health and rabies certificates with you. They may be needed if you fly anywhere or may be required if you board your dog during your trip.
• Pack your dog’s water and food bowls, grooming equipment and any heartworm or other medicine it may require
• If you are not certain that your dog’s usual diet will be available at your destination, take a supply with you to avoid digestive upsets which could be caused by a sudden diet change.

At your vacation site, observe all rules and regulations regarding pets. Confine your dog in a carrier or restricted space when leaving him alone. Your consideration will help keep dogs welcome guests.

Source: [Purina]

http://www.purina.com/dogs/safety/TravelingWithYourDog.aspx