This Toyota Venza was one of the vehicles Edmunds says has the Best Retained Value in its category.

For the list, Edmunds split the model’s into separate categories based on “body type; and the sales-weighted average MSRP of all available styles, excluding destination charges, of that model’s body type.”

In order to determine the winner in each category, Edmunds weighed the retained value of each model. “Edmunds defines “retained value” as the projected private party resale value after five years in the market and assuming 15,000 miles driven per year, express as a percentage of the True Market Value price when sold new.”

Edmunds says:

Toyota models which won in their separate categories include: The Toyota Tacoma, which won the compact-truck category; the Toyota Prius, which came out on top in the hybrid category; the Toyota 4Runner, which dominated the $35,000-$45,000 SUV category and the Toyota Venza, which topped its competitors in the under-$35,000 wagon category.

Also of note, is that the Toyota Tacoma had the highest retained value of all the competitors of 60.2%. This compact truck dominates its class and many other vehicles bases on retained value.

The other Toyota vehicles were considered to have a retained value of: Toyota Prius, 47.4%; Toyota 4Runner, 51.1%; Toyota Venza, 48.9%.

What do you think? Have you been happy with your Toyota’s retained value?

How much do you know about your Toyota Corolla? Check out these interesting facts.

The Toyota Corolla was first introduced way back in 1966 and in just eight years, it became the best-selling car worldwide.

Since 1997, it has consistently been the top selling name plate in the world. Annual sales have grown for years with only minor blips for recessions. The Corolla could top the 40 million mark in the next few years.

The Blue Springs, Mississippi plant has been building the Toyota Corolla since November, 2011. Previously it was built in Fremont, California. If you own a Corolla in the U.S. odds are high that you own an American-built model.

There have been many different Toyota vehicles that use the Corolla name in them like:

• Corolla Ceres
• Corolla Levin
• Corolla RunX
• Corolla Allex
• Corolla Blade
• Corolla Verso
• Corolla Spacio
• Corolla Rumion
• Corolla Matrix
• Corolla Seca
• Corolla Tercel

The Corolla has a GM sibling in the Geo/Chevrolet Prizm which was built as a joint venture between the two companies. The car was based on the Corolla and essentially was a GM version of the popular passenger car.

Now in it’s 11-edition, the U.S. version of the Toyota Corolla underwent substantial exterior changes to  make it more competitive. The edgier styling, standard LED lights and improved fuel efficiency are highlights of this new model.

Any interesting facts we have left out? Let us know below.

Truck feel sluggish or are you not getting the same MPG you used to? It could be time to replace your spark plugs, here is a handy guide on how to do it.

Toyota recommends that spark plugs should be changed out every 60,000 miles. This can fluctuate based on how hard you drive your truck and/or if you tow often with it. Driving your truck this way can cause the spark plugs to wear out faster. Old spark plugs that cost you performance like MPG are bad for your wallet. Being that spark plugs are relatively cheap, it is a good idea to replace them whenever you feel performance slipping.

Order the manufacture recommended parts by clicking here.

Here is how you replace them:

1. The first step is to make sure you are working on a cool engine. Make sure you have turned off your engine and have allowed it to sit for a while. Next, open the hood and locate the spark plug cover. This cover can be located on the top of the engine or on the side (depending on your model).Once you have removed this cover, you will see the spark plug wires and ignition coils. The ignition coils plug into the tip of the spark plugs.
2. Carefully, remove the ignition coils from the spark plugs. Generally, you can twist and slowly apply pressure when removing them – don’t yank on them. Once, they are removed, you can then see the spark plugs. Next, take a spark plug socket with a socket wrench and remove the spark plug in the cylinder well. Carefully turn the wrench to the left and take your time removing each one. Snapping a spark plug because you are in a hurry, can result in an expensive repair.
3. Remove the new spark plugs from their container and apply a coat of anti-seize compound to the threads. Then, carefully hand start the spark plugs back into the cylinder well. Once they are hand started, further tighten with the spark plug socket and socket wrench. It is also advised to check the spark plug’s tension with a tension testing tool. The spark plug will specify the tension needed on the packaging it came with.
4. After replacing all the plugs, put the ignition coils back on each one and re-install the spark plug cover.  Congrats you replaced your spark plugs.

Proper maintenance on your Toyota Tacoma will have the truck performing as intended for years to come. If you need parts or advice on how to maintain it, stop by your local Toyota dealership for help.

Do your Toyota Corolla’s door locks not work correctly? Diagnose the problem with the help of this handy guide and stop dealing with this nagging problem.

The Toyota Corolla power door locks are fairly straightforward and should be relatively easy to diagnose what is causing the issue. One of the first items to note is if the door locks are failing to lock/unlock at all four doors or just one, when turning the key or using the remote key fob.

Four Doors/Multiple Doors Fail to Lock/Unlock

If all four doors fail to lock/unlock or if multiple doors fail to lock/unlock, the odds are that you have an electrical issue like a bad relay. The best thing to do in this case is to bring it in for service. Correctly diagnosing an electrical issue can be a nightmare.

One Door Doesn’t Lock/Unlock

If you have a single door that doesn’t lock or unlock, it is likely you have a bad actuator motor. The actuator motor powers the doors locks and makes them open/close. For many owners, replacing the door actuator is actually a fairly easy process. Steps include:

1. Ordering a replacement part online at parts.olathetoyota.com
2. Removing the door panel by removing a screw in the arm rest and in front of the door handle.
3. Remove the door panel and the electronic connection to the power door lock mechanism on the door panel.
4. Peeling back the shroud covering the interior components.
5. Locating the door actuator and removing it.
6. Replacing the unit and replacing the door panel using the reverse instructions.

Remote Lock/Unlock Fails, But Button On Door Works

If your key fobb isn’t unlocking the doors, odds are a new battery will do the trick.

If the unlock/lock button on your remote isn’t working and the other buttonson the remote are, it could be a sign of a larger electrical issue.

Power door locks that operate like they were intended are often taken for granted until something happens. When they are broken, it can be a major inconvenience. Fortunately, diagnosing and fixing the problem isn’t too bad.

The new styling of the Corolla will help it stand out from its competition.

The Toyota Corolla has been a top seller for Toyota and in fact “with nearly 40 million unit sold in the past 47 years, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car nameplate on the planet,” Toyota says in a Press Release. It has become a common sight on all major roads for sure.

Improved LED lights are just one of the new features of the 2014 Toyota Corolla.

Adding to its reputation as a quality, dependable vehicle, is many new features sure to excite new car shoppers. These important new features include:

• Improved efficiency with a “7-speed” CVT and LE Eco trim level that targets more than 40 mpg estimated highway fuel economy rating
• Advanced, modern-looking design with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs, resulting in an athletic stance with greater presence
• Three new exterior colors
• Choice of seat-covering materials in premium fabric or SofTex™ material
• Sound insulation to allow for optimal use of available audio systems and connectivity features
• Lightweight unibody under 2,900 pounds in the interest of fuel economy
• First compact car equipped with standard LED headlamps, eight airbags, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio-streaming connectivity

The styling of the all-new Corolla is amplified over past versions and the high quality of craftsmanship is easy to spot. This new look certainly grabs your attention and it looks sleeker and more aerodynamic than previous editions.

The new and improved interior will definitely help this car continue as the top-selling name plate in the world.

Toyota unveiled the car at an evening Gala event with more than 750 journalists attending. The event included music, cocktails and aerobatic dancers. All of this added to the buzz of this car’s release and stirred quite a bit of social media attention.

What do you think? Is this new Corolla exciting or a dud? 

Oil color doesn’t tell us everything, but there are things to watch for.

First, color doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Oil can be very, very dark (black even) and still be effective. However, as a general rule:

• New, clean oil is amber in color
• As engine oil gets darker, it can indicate a) high heat, b) contaminants, or c) the presence of additives that cause the oil to darken during normal use.

Therefore, the best way to determine what color your oil should be is to observe how your oil changes color over time. Just pull the dipstick every few days, make a mental note, and at some point you’ll learn to “read” your engine’s oil by color, i.e. you may find that your oil starts to look dark brown after 3,000 miles, and very dark brown after 5,000. If your oil is supposed to be changed every 5,000 miles, than you know that “very dark brown” likely means it’s time.

Of course, if you change oil brands or types, all bets are off. Weather can effect color too (to a lesser degree), so diagnosing oil by color is never going to be an exact science.

Therefore, the best way to evaluate oil color is to look for the obvious issues (outlined below) and then look for other signs of a problem.

Some engine oil colors indicate problems:

• Milky, foamy, and/or cream-colored oil can be indicative of a head gasket leak, especially if you’re seeing white smoke in your exhaust and your vehicle is losing coolant.
• Thick AND dark oil usually indicates dirt or contaminants. If you’ve gone off-road and exposed your engine to a lot of dust (for example), your thick and dark oil probably means it’s time for an oil change.
• Oil with a creamy, frothy texture can also indicate water contamination, so if you are NOT seeing white smoke and low coolant levels (or contaminated coolant) in your vehicle, than water would be the next likely source of contamination.
• Oil color won’t generally be effected by gasoline contamination, but oil smell will change quite a bit, as the oil will smell much like gasoline. Therefore, you don’t need to look at the oil to check for fuel contaminants, you need to smell it.

Next time you check your engine oil, pay close attention to what color it is. If something doesn’t seem right, have it checked by a certified mechanic right away.

Tesla, the small, nimble automaker had a big impact on the Toyota RAV4 EV.

The RAV 4 EV is a big beneficiary of this collaboration between the two automakers. Toyota signed a $100 million contract for Tesla to supply the electric motor, battery, power electronics, software and gearbox back in 2011. This means the $50k RAV 4 EV has the heart of a Tesla with the features and quality of a Toyota.

Tesla was also able to impact the culture at Toyota in the development of the RAV 4 EV. Toyota, long-known as a pragmatic automaker, spends a majority of their time in R&D prior to building any prototype. Tesla, as a small automaker, is able to be much more nimble and basically fly by the seat of their pants. Toyota took notice.

“This is a gut check for us,” said Sheldon Brown, executive project manager for the Rav4 EV to Forbes. “We said to ourselves, ‘Look at how Tesla is getting to market so quickly. They seem to be inventive and cutting edge. Are we too engrossed in our own culture?’”

The result was that software code that normally takes Toyota months was written in three weeks.

“In this case, we were building logic as we went,” explained Brown. “We were developing as we went.”

This process was different to Toyota as the first prototypes weren’t operational. It was also a much more labor intensive process.  The end result is the world’s first SUV+EV vehicle. With an EPA estimated range of 103/76 mpg, it is an exciting combination for customers who want an EV vehicle without losing the passenger/cargo space of an SUV.

What do you think? Is the Tesla’s impact on Toyota good or bad?

Did you know that the Toyota Tundra CrewMax has a sliding rear window? Learn more interesting facts about the truck.

CrewMax Rear Window Rolls Down

Most people don’t realize that the rear windown in the CrewMax (full-size cab) rolls down completely. It actually works just like any other window throughout the truck and can be rolled down in any increment. This feature is especially nice for improving the airflow throughout the cabin.

American Built – San Antonio, Texas

The Tundra and Tacoma share a factory in San Antonio, Texas and the Tundra is one of the most “American Made” full-size trucks on the market. Toyota has invested billions into this plant and has also built many of the supply factories in the U.S. as well. The Tundra is designed, built and sold only in North America.

Name Lawsuit

Initially Toyota wanted to call the Tundra, the T150. This was the name given to protypes and “show trucks” when the first generation was introduced in 1999. The T150 name would have followed suit with Toyota’s naming convention started with the T100. Naturally, a T150 makes a lot of sense. Yet, Ford sued Toyota claiming the name was too close to their F-150 series of trucks. Toyota reconsidered the name and the Tundra name was born.

SAE J2807 Compliant

The Tundra is the only full-size truck on the market that is J2807 compliant. What is that? That is the Society of Automotive Engineers towing protocol. Essentially, full-size truck makers have bloated their towing ratings and have created an atmosphere of confusion among consumers. The SAE developed a series of tests that determine the towing capacity of a truck. These standards were also developed with the assistance of all the major manufactures. Since the development of the standards in 2010, the Tundra is the only full-size truck that uses this standard. Toyota calls it the “Truth in Towing” standard. The other automakers have refused to use the standard since its inception and have instead been criticized.

Large Rear Differential Ring Gear

The Tundra has one of the largest rear differential ring gears, 10.5 inches, in its classes. This allows the truck to handle the stresses of heavy loads and withstand all sorts of towing punishment. This combined with large brake discs make the Tundra a towing machine.

What do you think? Is there something about the Tundra we have left out? Let us know below.

The new 2013 Toyota RAV4 is off to a great start by picking up awards and selling well.

The IIHS gives out these awards on an annual basis after extensive testing of the vehicles in their research lab. Toyota’s RAV4 performed well in all of there tests and earned a “Good” rating in the ”
“moderate overlap front, side, rollover and rear crash tests,” according to Cars.com.

The crossover also earned the largest improvement over last year in the roof strength test. According to Kristin Nevels from the IIHS, “the new model’s roof withstood a force equal to five times the SUV’s weight. The previous generation RAV4, manufactured from 2006 to 2012, had a strength-to-weight ratio of 3.46, which equates to an acceptable rating,” she said.

Kelley Blue Book Ranking

Also, making headlines, is that Kelley Blue Book has named the RAV4 as one of the top 10 SUVs you can buy for under $25,000.

“Dressed in a sleek new suit for 2013 that boasts contemporary lines and loses the bulging rear-mounted spare tire, Toyota’s venerable compact SUV crossover returns in fashionable form to the segment it created two decades ago. Under the sheetmetal, the fresh RAV4 gains amenities to help you stay connected and comfortable, and technology to keep you safe and sound,” KBB reports.

The new RAV4 is already starting to sell really well and should be on the top of any SUV buyers list.

What do you think of the new RAV4? Anything you would like to see improved?

Kelley Blue Book has added the Toyota Avalon and Prius v to its 2013 list of Best Family Cars.

“Our annual list is aimed at helping families find the right ride and always include something for everyone, with a special nod to what is new,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.

Kelley Blue Book said the two cars had great styling and innovations that fit families needs. Specifically they said about each model:

2013 Toyota Prius v
“Let’s say you love Toyota vehicles and want the exceptional fuel economy of a hybrid, but the standard Prius just isn’t big enough. Then consider the 2013 Prius v, which comes jam-packed with all the Prius-ness you crave while also offering roughly 50 percent more cargo space. Yes, plus-sizing the Prius cuts combined fuel economy from 50 mpg to 42 mpg, but among family-friendly vehicles the Prius v remains a mileage champ.”

2013 Toyota Avalon
“Renowned for its spacious interior quarters, abundance of luxury features and sofa-soft ride, the fully redesigned Toyota Avalon can now add “high style” to its list of highlights. In addition, laudable fuel economy coupled with an exemplary reputation for reliability and quality, make the 2013 Avalon a smart buy for today’s value-conscious family.”

What do you think? Do these awards mean much to you?