3 Strange Auto Insurance "Facts" that People Believe

After weeks of searching for the best Toyota New Jersey dealers, you've finally found the car of your dreams. You're ready to drive off of the lot and show off your latest big purchase, but first you have to be insured. New Jersey is one of the few states that require some form of insurance. When you've been selling Toyotas and other high quality cars in a state that requires car insurance, you're bound to hear a few interesting "facts" on the subject from your customers. Car insurance can get a little complicated, and myths about it are surprisingly common. The next time you hear somebody spouting any of these common car insurance myths as fact, do them a favor and enlighten them.

"Fact" #1: The color of the car you drive will affect your insurance rates

"____ colored cars are targeted by thieves, so insurance companies will charge people more to cover the vehicles."

"_____ colored cars are linked to aggressive driving, so most insurance companies will increase their rates for those colored cars."

We've heard so many variations of those past two sentences, but repeating them doesn't make them any truer. A lot of factors go into determining the cost of your auto insurance coverage. Your driving record will affect your rates, the make and model of your vehicle will affect those rates, even the area you live in will affect your rates. Your car color, however, will affect your insurance rates about as much as your hair color would.

"Fact" #2: Comprehensive coverage will cover any and all kinds of car damage

Most people choose a combination of comprehensive and collision insurance to ensure that their car will be covered in case of an accident. But believing that these policies will cover all damage is just setting yourself up for disappointment. For instance, a comprehensive insurance policy may protect your car from weather damage like hail or strong winds, but may not help if your car is damaged by debris. Make sure to read the fine print on every policy you consider, since it should very specifically outline the instances in which your vehicle will be covered, and the ones in which it won't.

"Fact" #3:  If other people drive my car, their insurance company will cover them in case of an accident

In the vast majority of states, the auto insurance policy that protects the vehicle is considered the primary insurance. That means that in the event of an accident, the car owner's insurance company will have to pay for any damages that occur because of an accident. This is a good reason to only let people you trust borrow your car. If they cause an accident, it's most likely going to be your rates and coverage that suffer.

4 Car Maintenance Tasks You Can Do Yourself

Maintaining is crucial for a car's longevity; however, the cost of regular checkups and common maintenance can easily add up. So how do you get affordable maintenance without paying more than you should?

Doing routine maintenance on your own is a great way to reduce the costs of your car care. Of course, there are certain tasks that are better left to the professionals, but here are some that you can pretty easily handle at home.

Changing Your Air Filter

This only involves the purchase of a new air filter and about ten minutes of your time. The filter is located under the hood of your car and can easily be reached by opening the air filter panel, which is usually square or rectangular in shape. Next, remove the old filter, clean out the casing, and insert the new filter. Remember that your car should be turned off and cool when performing this task.

Changing Your Oil Filter

Changing the oil filter will require a bit more time than your air filter did, but not too much. Again, your car should be turned off and cool at the time, as the oil can burn you otherwise. After locating the oil pan under your car, unscrew the drain plug to drain the oil (be sure to use a recycling container when doing this). Then, fill the new filter with new oil and replace the cap.

Replacing Your Windshield Wipers

Replacing your windshield wipers is another easy task that only requires about ten minutes. To remove an old wiper, pull it away from the windshield and press the small tab located under the wiper in order to slide it off. Next, align the new wiper, lower it onto the arm, and pull it tightly so that it is in the correct position. Last, place the wiper back onto the windshield and then repeat the process with the other wipers.

Replacing Your Battery

Your battery is crucial since your vehicle doesn't operate without it. Thus, when your battery dies or is about to, you need to replace it immediately. This is a surprisingly simple task – and an affordable one, as well, since the battery itself is not very expensive. To change your battery, you'll first need to remove the cables and use a wire brush to clean around the box and remove any corrosion. After that, re-install the battery terminals, beginning with the positive first. You can easily contact us to purchase a battery or, if you are worried about managing this yourself, you can hand the job over to us.

While the above tasks are fairly simple tasks, we understand that not everyone has the time or tools to perform them. At Autoland, we are your leading Springfield Toyota vehicle service provider, so give us a call to set up an appointment!

Need Car Parts? These Tips will Help You

Over time, your car will experience wear and tear. Different parts of your vehicle will need to be replaced periodically to ensure your car operates as it should. To help you in the process of finding new parts when you need them, our NJ Toyota dealers at Autoland are offering the following tips:

Know the Part You Need

Before you start shopping for a new part, you'll obviously need to know what to get. However, just knowing that you need a new carburetor doesn't help you much if you don't know which variety is compatible with your vehicle and its other parts. Besides which, just because you've identified one part that has stopped working doesn't mean that there isn't also another that needs replacement. Check your owner's manual to see what is recommended for your car or speak to one of our specialists.

Know when to Buy Generic or Used Car Parts

It's often smart to buy generic or used car parts in order to avoid paying a hefty price on new ones. However, you need to know how to get good ones or it will present both a financial and safety risk. Make sure that any dealer that you use offers warranties on their parts, and check out the return and shipping policy so that you won't be out of luck if the part doesn't match up for some reason. Also, many people only shop for small, less essential used parts like windshield wipers, and invest in brand quality for things like a new set of brakes.

Take Advantage of Deals

Depending on the part and the number of them you need, costs can add up. Fortunately, we offer coupons to help you save some money while finding and buying the part you need for your vehicle.

Shop Online for Parts

There are many reasons to consider shopping online instead of in store for auto parts. For starters, it's extremely convenient to shop online since you can do it from anywhere, at any time. You can also find any part you need since we carry a large selection of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Scion and Toyota parts and accessories. If you're not sure what you need, just give us a call or come in to speak to a specialist today to help you.

Installing Car Parts

Once you have the part you need for your vehicle, you'll need to install it. Some car parts are rather easy to install and don't require much effort, but others can be tricky and time-consuming to manage. You can easily make a service appointment online by filling out our form. Also, we offer service coupons for you to take advantage of to save some money.

5 Useful Summer Car Tips You May Have Overlooked

When it comes to caring for your car in the summer, you probably already know some of the common tricks of the trade, such as checking your tires and changing your air filter. Despite this, your car can still take a beating in summer. As your leading Toyota car dealership in New Jersey, we've provided useful car care tips to make your driving experience more pleasant during the hot season.

Cool Down Your Interior

In the summertime, the interior of your car can feel like it's on fire when you first get in. While your first thought may be to turn on the air conditioner, if you open the windows as well, it will cool your car more quickly. This helps to push out the hot air and allow cool air to circulate. And, as you probably already know, when you first get into your car, your steering wheel is especially hot. To avoid this, turn your steering wheel 180 degrees before getting out of the car. This will keep the side that you touch cool while you're not driving.

Deodorize the Interior 

A hot summer day can result in a smelly car, but there are a few simple things you can do to avoid this problem. For starters, keep your car clean. This means vacuuming the seats and carpet, and wiping the interior with a multi-purpose auto cleaner. In addition, keep boxes of baking soda or dryer sheets under the front seats to help remove odor. Also, when you're able to, leave your windows down a bit to allow air to flow, and have air fresheners in your car.

Prevent Your Engine from Overheating

Your car does a lot of work in the hot summer (especially during heat waves) and, if you don't care for your vehicle properly, it can cause the engine to overheat. You can prevent this problem by ensuring that your coolant levels aren't low and checking for any potential leaks. Other issues such as a broken fan belt and clogged radiator can cause your engine to overheat. If you believe that your car may be experiencing engine problems, contact our service center to speak to a mechanic.

Avoid Blown Out Tires

While a blowout can occur any time you drive, your tires are more prone to blowouts in the heat of summer. This is because you're driving on scorching hot roads for long periods of time and also because air pressure changes put more strain on the tires. Underinflation or overinflation will only exacerbate this issue. Therefore, be sure to keep your tires properly inflated and check the treads for wear that could make them unstable.

Keep Your Paint Looking Fresh

Keeping your car in the sun too long can cause the paint and interior fabric to fade. To avoid this, keep your car parked in a garage or shaded area, or invest in a cover for it.

For more information on car care, check out our Autoland blog or give us a call!