Thursday Three: Valentine's Gift Ideas

The countdown is on. There are only a few days left until Valentine's Day. If you're one of those significant others who are procrastination pros, don't worry, we're here to help. Here are three great gift ideas for the car enthusiast in your life.

• Fuzzy Dice - A classic choice.
• Steering Wheel Cover - A great way to showcase your personality.
• 3D Race Track Sculptures from Linear Edge - A must-have for any race fan.

These are just a few ideas. If you have some cool suggestions, share them in the comments below. And before you head out for your Valentine's Day festivities, be sure to stay safe on the road and schedule a service appointment online!

Throwback Thursday: Awesome Traffic Playlist Edition

For Throwback Thursday, we thought we'd liven up your drive home with some classic 80s hits. We guarantee it won't be long before you're singing along in the driver seat, and maybe getting a weird look or two from the drivers next to you.

Enjoy!

If you'll be car shopping this weekend, be sure to stop by our Merced dealership for a test drive!

Five Car-Related New Year's Resolutions for 2014

2013 has officially come to an end, so it's now time to start your New Year's Resolutions for 2014. From getting more exercise to saving more money, we all have a long list for this year.

But were you sure to include some car-related resolutions to your list this year?

If not, don't worry, we're here to help. Here are some good car-related resolutions to add to your list:

1. Don't ignore the check engine light
2. Take your car in for scheduled maintenance
3. Don't multitask while driving
4. Stop texting while inside the car
5. Carpool more frequently

Remember, 2014 is a new year and a new chance to start off fresh. If you're looking to get a new Toyota for the new year, be sure to stop by our Merced dealership for a test drive! 

Check out this great Christmas playlist!

To help get you in the Christmas spirit, here's a great playlist from Spotify! If your looking to liven up your office or work commute, try out some of these holiday hits. What are some of your favorite holiday songs?     If you still have car shopping on your holiday to-do list, be sure to stop by our Merced dealership and take a new car for a test drive. Happy Holidays!

Holiday Poll: Favorite Christmas Album

In honor of the holidays, we have a fun little activity for you. What is your favorite Christmas Album? Share your answers in the poll below.

Happy Holidays from Merced Toyota!

What is your favorite Christmas album?

Merry Christmas, Mariah Carey

Christmas, Michael Buble

Miracles: The Holiday Album, Kenny G

other

Poll Maker

The Tundra is Your Perfect Christmas Tree Wingman

Winter is in full swing an, we are all busily tackling our holiday to-do list. From shopping for gifts to preparing for parties, there's certainly much to do. But one of the tasks that is near the top of everyone's list is getting a Christmas tree. If you're still on the search for the perfect tree, don't forget your Toyota Tundra.

With its 381 horsepower, large truck bed and easy lower and lift tailgate, the Tundra is the perfect truck to help you transport your tree safely.

If you're in need of a new Toyota truck to help with your holiday tasks, be sure to stop by our Merced dealership and take one for a test drive!

Way Back Wednesday: Classic Toyota Edition

Looking at vintage Toyota models never gets old. It's amazing to look back and remember the rich, incredible history of this iconic automobile company. From the Camry to the Tundra, the automotive industry is filled with awesome Toyota vehicles.

For Way Back Wednesday, we recommend taking a moment to reflect on the classic Toyota models you've encountered during your lifetime.

If new models are more your style, be sure to stop by our Toyota dealership and take a test drive today!

Never Leave Home Without these Three Things

It seems to never fail. As soon as you jump in your car and back out of your driveway, it hits you. You left something in the house. While we won't always remember all the things we need before running out the door, here are three things you should never leave home without.

• A Flat Tire Survival Kit: Getting a flat tire at some point in your life is almost inevitable. Make sure your car is ready with a spare tire, in good condition, a tire jack and tire iron.
• Tire Inflater and Sealer: A product like Fix-a-Flat can plug a leak and help you avoid using your jack and iron. It can also give you enough air to get you to the auto shop.
• Jumper Cables: Dead batteries happen to even the most seasoned drivers. Alternatively, you can pack an emergency battery booster so you don't have to rely on a Good Samaritan coming along.

Having these things will certainly help in most breakdown situations. But if your car is still in need of repairs, schedule a service appointment with us to help get you back on the road!

Feature Focus: The Camry's Quiet Ride

This week's post highlights the incredible interior of the 2014 Toyota Camry. While the new seats are perfectly refined, the more exciting part about this Toyota is its absolutely quiet ride.

Using sound-imaging instruments, Toyota pinpointed where road and engine noise was entering the cabin and took additional sound-absorbing measures to help create Camry’s whisper-quiet ride. The silence you experience in this Camry would make even the toughest librarians smile.

So if you need to get a new Toyota, we certainly recommend stopping by our California Dealership and take the new Camry for a test drive!

Have you ever traveled down a haunted highyway?

With Halloween just around the corner, we got to thinking about hauntings on roads across the globe. We've heard about hauntings at various locations like houses and businesses, but rarely have we heard about paranormal occurrences on eerie stretches of highway. Sounds like it's time for a ghost hunt!

After doing some initial research, we came across Clinton Road in Passaic County, New Jersey. So what is it about this road? It's a question that is on the minds of many. While nobody can seem to answer why weird things happen here, most can attest to what they are seeing.

If you visit the road at midnight, stop by the bridge at Dead Man’s Curve for a game of catch. While you toss pennies into the water below it's said the ghost of a young boy will toss them back. Some have also reported a gray wolf with red eyes stalking drivers from the bushes. Weird lights have also been seen flying in the sky and will draw your attention upward, away from the blood stains on the pavement.

This road is certainly not for the faint of heart. Regardless of your stance on the paranormal, it is a fact that there are definitely many unexplained things occurring on this scary roadway.

While driving on these roads can be a bit unnerving, buying a new car doesn't have to be a frightening experience. Stop by our Toyota dealership and take a new car for a test drive today!

Car Care 101: Wiper Blade Maintenance

Once you drive off the lot with your new Toyota, it's important that you do what you can to keep your vehicle in prime driving condition. For today's car care tip, we're looking at ways to keep your wiper blades working effectively.

When your windshield wiper blades get full of dirt and grime, they'll do more harm than good. To get them clean, make a solution of 1/4 cup of household ammonia and 1 quart of cold water. Gently lift the blades, and wipe both sides with a soft cloth or paper towel soaked in the solution. Then wipe the blades with a dry cloth before lowering them back into place.

This is a quick and easy way to ensure your blades and windows are staying grime free!  Stay tuned for more car care tips.

If your Toyota needs a little more thorough repair, head over to our dealership website and schedule a service appointment today.

Flashback Friday: Vintage Land Cruiser Edition

Whenever Flashback Friday comes around, we always enjoy scrolling through the interwebs for classic Toyota photos. This week, the picture that grabbed our attention was of this classic 1970s Toyota Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser models have certainly evolved over the years and it's amazing to see just how far the Toyota SUV has come.

If you'd like to take a new Toyota for a test drive, please visit our Merced Toyota dealership today. We have a number of great models available!

What Your Black Toyota Says About You

The color of your car says a lot about your personality. So what does your black Toyota say about you? According to a recent article from ivillage.com, black is the ultimate power color. Those who drive around in black vehicles are described as powerful, classic and elegant. These drivers love elegance and appreciate the classic touch in and out of their cars. Does this describe you?

If you're looking for a new Toyota, in any color, check out our selection of vehicles on our Merced Toyota website. Stop by for a test drive today!

Feature Focus: 2014 Tundra Backup Camera

For our inaugural Feature Focus blog post, we're highlighting the new backup camera in the 2014 Toyota Tundra. Safety is an important concern for any truck buyer, so this excellent feature is a definite plus for the new Toyota pickup. Not only does the camera help with backing into tight areas, but with its wide-angle view, it also makes the perfect companion for hitching your trailer.

A pretty useful feature if we say so ourselves.

If you're looking for a new Toyota Tundra, be sure to head over to our Toyota website to see available models and visit our Merced dealership today!

The Venza is Your Tailgating Go-To Vehicle

The 2013 football season is in full swing and fans across California are spending their weekends hanging out at the stadium with family and friends. If you're one of those who are tailgating this year, be sure to pick the Toyota Venza as your vehicle of choice.

The Venza was chosen by Bankrate.com as one of the top 10 vehicles for tailgate parties this fall. With enough room to comfortably seat five and store all of your tailgating supplies, this Toyota will help make your party a success.

If you're looking for a new Toyota to recharge your tailgate festivities, be sure to visit our Merced Toyota Dealership.

The World's Most Dizzying Road

We all love driving around in our Toyotas. Whether we are cruising around in a vintage Camry or brand-new Tundra, spending some quality time on the road can be a fun experience.

But have you ever taken time to think about the roads we drive on everyday? For instance, do you know where the most dizzying road in the world is? According to the Huffington Post, Passo dello Stelvio in the Ortler Alps in Italy has 48 hairpin turns and an average incline of 7.4% -- and 6% is about the maximum for U.S. highways.

While many of us don't travel on streets nearly as treacherous, it's still important to make sure you stay safe on the road. Don't forget to keep your Toyota in good shape and schedule a service appointment at our Merced Dealership today!

The Prius for the Tech Geek in All of Us

Technology aficionados rejoice, here's the perfect hybrid you've been searching for. The Toyota Prius c is loaded with new technology and has so many cool features, it will make even the toughest tech critics crack a smile.

From its Entune multimedia screen to Bluetooth connectivity, this Toyota has everything for the tech lover in your life. If you want to take this Hybrid for a test drive, visit our Toyota website to see what models we have available and stop by the dealership for a spin!

Where we're going, we don't need (paved) roads.

All Back to the Future references aside, the Toyota FJ Cruiser should be your off-road vehicle of choice. No road? No problem.

If you're riding around and encounter a little water resistance, have no fear, FJ's here. With this Toyota, drivers can have the confidence to cross a creek, and the clearance to back it up. FJ’s elevated air intake and protected electrical components can defy currents up to 28 inches deep, helping you cross safely to dry land.

So if you're an outdoor enthusiast, we recommend taking a look at a new FJ Cruiser. The next time you're out car shopping, be sure to stop by Merced Toyota and take one for a test drive!

Go Back to the Future in this Toyota 4x4

If you're a die hard fan of Back to the Future, we just found the coolest piece of movie memorabilia. A replica of the Toyota SR5 truck used in the classic 1985 film is on eBay with a price of $14,500. While it won't take you back in time, cruising around in this classic Toyota pickup will make you the envy of movie fans everywhere.

If you were ever in awe of Marty McFly's sweet 4X4, here's your chance to own it. Car-washing Biff not included.

If you're looking for a newer model, head over to our Toyota dealership and take one for a test drive!

Go Car Shopping from Home

Think of it as window shopping without ever changing out of your pajamas. We know that searching for a new vehicle can be a stressful and lengthy process. With that in mind, our New Toyota models page can be a great resource in your search for a new Toyota.

All you have to do is grab your favorite chair, your favorite Snuggie and start your search for that car, truck or SUV you've been dreaming of; it's that easy. If you find a Toyota that you like, head on over to the dealership to take a test drive!

Just be sure to change out of your pajamas before you leave the house.