A Simple “Hack” for Better Toyota Car Performance

It seems like every other website nowadays offers “one weird trick” that’s a shortcut to making everything better. You’ll be skinnier, better rested, better looking… the difference between this trick and those others? Ours works. There’s a very simple way to get better performance out of the car you bought a few years ago at Keyes Toyota, or to keep your new Toyota car driving as well five years from now as the day you drove it off the lot.

You don’t need to re-tune your engine, add body effects, or otherwise change your torque or horsepower. This could be one of the simplest and least expensive ways to make your car drive better. Ready?

Get new tires.

Not cheap tires, either. High-quality tires specified for your Toyota Camry or Toyota RAV4 and approved by Toyota Motor Corporation. It really is that easy.

Here’s why: so much of how your car performs literally has to do with where the rubber meets the road. The added traction you get from tires that are appropriate to the season and that have good tread depth, proper inflation, and good alignment can make it feel like you’re driving a completely different car.

That traction has other benefits, including better fuel economy and a better zero-to-sixty time. Beyond that, your car will handle better, and thanks to a shorter stopping distance, it’ll be safer as well.

Sometimes all you need is a simple tire rotation and alignment. If you’re not sure, stop by your Van Nuys Toyota dealership for a checkup. Our technicians will give your car a thorough inspection, and then make recommendations based on what they find. Not only will you get the right tires — with the right speed and load ratings for your driving habits — but you’ll also have them expertly installed.

If it’s time for new Toyota tires, it’s time for Keyes Toyota. We’re located at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys, CA. Stop by today!

Toyota FT-4X Concept Debuts in New York

Last week in this space we covered the New York Auto Show debuts of two major Toyota models. This week, we’re looking at a concept SUV we’re hoping will become a production model. Let’s face it, the Toyota FT-4X concept looks to be a ton of fun for Los Angeles drivers, and we’d love to offer it at Keyes Toyota.

The Toyota FT-4X comes with nearly as many marketing buzzwords as it does features, which is saying something. Leave aside the hype and look at the substance, of which there’s plenty. This concept SUV shares a platform (and, possibly, a drivetrain) with the upcoming Toyota C-HR, but it also blends the looks of the retired Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV, and off-roading capability that should be at least as competent as the Toyota RAV4.

There are dozens of thoughtful touches, from ample storage space (with organizers), a wet storage area, an interior that’s easy to clean after your weekend adventures, a radio that can be used outside the vehicle, a dual-mode rear gate that hinges at both the top and sides, hot and cold storage, and plenty of USB ports.

Concept vehicles often take an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to features and design, and the Toyota FT-4X is no exception. If it makes it to production status — and we really hope it does — we expect that the interior will be more conventional than the concept form. The exterior, on the other hand, is endearingly chunky, and it’s forward-looking while also having plenty of cues that draw on some of the most celebrated Toyota SUVs.

If you’re in the market for a new SUV near Glendale right now, Keyes Toyota has excellent choices. From the capable Toyota RAV4 to the legendary 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, our Van Nuys showroom at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd has what you need. Visit us today! 

New York International Auto Show: Toyota Cars

It’s a long way from Los Angeles to New York, but two new Toyota models are so close to Keyes Toyota we can practically taste it (tastes like glass, steel and vulcanized rubber, in case you were wondering). The 2017 New York International Auto Show will feature the new 2018 Toyota Sienna and 2018 Toyota Yaris alongside 2017 Toyota models.

2018 Toyota Sienna

While the 2018 Toyota Sienna gets a mild exterior refresh, the bigger news comes on the safety front. The 2017 model already has a five-star NHTSA safety rating, and the 2018 model should be safer still. That’s thanks to Toyota Safety Sense (with dynamic radar cruise control, pedestrian detection with a pre-collision system, and lane departure alert with steering assist), which are now standard.

Also new: the an upgraded Toyota Entune 3.0 infotainment system, which has optional features like WiFi Connect alongside standard App Suite Connect. Opt for the higher trims and you can upgrade to a premium JBL Audio sound system.

2018 Toyota Yaris

The subcompact 2018 Toyota Yaris also gets updated inside and out. All trims — the three-door L and LE trims, plus the five-door SE trim — get stylistic updates outside (chrome on the lower trims, piano black on the SE). Sixteen-inch alloy wheels are also new for the SE.

Get inside and there’s even more. Depending on the trim, you’ll find everything from a new sport steering wheel to a new instrument panel and audio system. Toyota Entune finally comes to the Toyota Yaris, with drivers who opt for the SE getting Connected Navigation through Entune Audio Plus.

Whether you’re considering the model year or the calendar year, 2017 is looking good, but 2018 could be even better. Even though these new Toyota models won’t arrive in Los Angeles ’til later this year, you can see the full lineup of Toyota cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans at the Keyes Toyota showroom. Stop by 5855 Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys, CA today!

More Innovations from Toyota Research Institute

Van Nuys Toyota shoppers, rejoice… eventually. The Toyota Research Institute just announced a major ($35 million) initiative into electric battery research. That should be welcome news to you, just like it is for all of us at Keyes Toyota. Here’s why.

Fuel economy standards are getting more stringent worldwide. So are emissions standards. In order to stay ahead of the curve, the Toyota Motor Company is putting more effort into ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicles) like the Toyota Mirai, which produces no CO2 emissions when it runs, as well as PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles) like the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, which produces emissions only when the gas engine is running.

Because they rely in whole or in part on electric motors, they manage to stay ahead of both economy and emissions targets. But there’s another reason this initiative is important: the current battery technology in Toyota hybrid cars is about four decades old. The lithium ion battery pack is better than it was, but is still big, heavy, and is likely reaching the upper limits of its capacity. New designs and new materials (like magnesium) will lead to lighter, longer-lasting, higher-capacity batteries that are even better than what’s available now.

The Toyota Motor Corporation has plenty of help in this effort. Besides the company’s TRI partners (Stanford and MIT), the’ve also enlisted the help of SUNY Buffalo, the University of Michigan, the University of Connecticut, and UK-based material science company Ilika.

We’re used to cosmetic changes in new Toyota cars like the Toyota Corolla. But some changes point to something deeper — an evolution, if you will, of Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs. To see where that evolution has taken Toyota vehicles, and where those vehicles can take you next, visit your Van Nuys Toyota dealership. Keyes Toyota is located at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys, CA.