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How To Find The Best Oil Filter For Your Toyota Truck

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:00:40 +0000

At Toyota Parts Center, we’ve done a little research to help you find the best oil filter for your Toyota pickup truck.

We’ve torn apart and analyzed five different oil filters for the Tundra and eight different oil filters for the Tacoma. Here is what we found.

Toyota Tacoma Oil Filter Comparison

With the Toyota Tacoma oil filter, here is our Top 3:

Toyota OEM
Wix
K&N

The Toyota OEM, Wix and K&N filters are all great filters for your Tacoma. These three rise to the top when compared to Bosch, ACDelco, MicroGard, Fram High Mileage and SuperTech.

Here’s why we like the Toyota OEM, Wix and K&N filters.

Filter Surface Area – These three filters had the largest filter surface area to help filter out more oil impurities.

Bypass Valve – Of the eight that we compared, these three had the best bypass valves. Each of the valves functioned at a high level.

Filter Materials – The materials used in these three filters was less paper-like, less crumbly when cut, and generally sturdier.

So which did we like the best? They are all good filters. However, the Toyota OEM ($4.33) comes in at a lower price than the Wix ($6.99) and K&N ($13.99) filters.

If you can find a Wix or K&N filter at a similar price to the OEM filter, they are worth considering. However, you’ll get more value out of the Toyota OEM parts.

You can read the full report here: Toyota Tacoma Oil Filter Comparison

Toyota Tundra Oil Filter Comparison

When it comes to the Toyota Tundra, we examined five filters. Here is how we would rank them.

Toyota OEM ($4.33)
Wix ($6.99)
Fram Standard ($6.44)
MicroGard ($6.59)
Fram ExtraGuard ($9.49)

Like the Tacoma, the Toyota OEM and Wix filters had more surface area as well as a better bypass valve. The Fram and MicroGard were solid filters, but need not meet the high levels of the Toyota OEM and Wix filters.

The Fram ExtraGuard filter we tested did not fare well. It had inconsistent manufacturing and loose surface particles as well as the smallest surface area and highest density.

To read the full report with our research, click here: Toyota Tundra Oil Filter Comparison.

Things to look for when buying Used Cars

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:49:59 +0000

Everyone has had to drive a used car at some point or another. While it is a very smart consumer choice for those strapped for cash, a used car purchase can make or break someone’s mobility. Find a good car for a cheap price, and end up loving that Used Toyota for generations to come. Miss a couple key details, however, and you’re stuck with a car that isn’t reliable and bound to fail at one point or another. Here are several important things to keep in mind while searching for that next “Oldie but goodie”.

1. Look under the Hood!!

The engine is without a doubt the most important part to inspect when looking at a used car. Many times a used car is only judged on the outer appearance, and that is one of the WORST things to do. In the grand scheme of things, the car needs to actually run more than it needs to look like a luxury Lexus. When looking under the hood, take note of any irregularities like non Toyota OEM parts, loose belts, patched hoses, and corroded batteries. These little things can tell a lot about the former owner, and that usually can hint to how well the car was taken care of. Sometimes, with non OEM parts in older cars, problems can arise from the extra strain they put on the engine. While non-OEM are sometimes advertised as delivering more performance or gas mileage, the best thing to do would be to ask your local Kansas City Toyota Dealership about aftermarket parts.

2. Take it for a test drive!

Make sure to really listen to the car as you drive. The slightest noise or rattle can betray the biggest and most expensive problems to fix, and they aren’t anything to be ignored. Because the history of a used car isn’t always set in stone, you shouldn’t accept anything less than the best your money can buy. If you purchase a cheap car that seems to look nice under the hood and on the interior, but has a little rattle when driving on the highway, then the repairs spent to fix that stretched belt or broken fan could outweigh the cost of spending extra money on a nicer vehicle overall.

3. Don’t just ignore the looks!

While I mentioned not judging a book by it’s cover, the exterior of a car does play an important part in weighing the positives and negatives of a purchase. The more dinged up and scratched a used car is, the worse care it probably got from it’s former owner. It all comes back to trying to figure out what kind of automotive consumer owned the vehicle last. Not to slam the Used Toyota Car seller, but if the car doesn’t appear to have been well taken care of, then it probably isn’t a good buy.

4. Take it to an authorized dealer for an inspection!

One of the best resources for making informed automotive purchases resides at your local Kansas City Toyota Dealerships. It is the mechanic’s job there to be well informed on the different problems that can arise in vehicles over time, and for a quick fee they can usually show you any trouble spots. You may never be able to tell if a car’s transmission is about to give out, but usually a well versed mechanic can see the tell-tale signs of problems before they happen. They can also spot those non Toyota OEM parts that could cause an issue down the road.

Toyota Prius PLUS Accessory Package

admin — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:32:39 +0000

The Toyota Prius PLUS is the new performance package that the Toyota Prius will be recieving.

So the Toyota Prius has always been a fan for those who want to show they care about the environment, obviously because of it’s revolutionary hybrid synergy drive powered by Toyota Parts. Unfortunately, Toyota has struggled to make the Prius a big hit with another side of the automotive consumer market. High-end performance drivers and car buyers have always seemed to avoid the Prius. However, the new Prius PLUS package aims to show the fiercer side of the world famous hybrid.

This new package will completely reinvent the options for the Prius that people are aware of. The package reworks several Toyota Parts already making the Prius great, while at the same time tweaking some exterior options that make the Prius more aerodynamic. 7 pieces, including the rear bumper, front bumper, hood, and several other parts, reform the well known profile of the Prius. Everything about the Prius PLUS package has been aimed at giving the vehicle a more performance oriented niche on the road.

Things under the hood have stayed mostly the same, although the suspension has definitely been tweaked. The new package drops the vehicle approximately 1.1 inches in the front and 1.3 inches in the rear in order to push the vehicle to it’s aerodynamic limits. The lower the center of gravity, the quicker the turns, and the greater acceleration the vehicle can experience coming out of a turn. The tires were adjusted, as well as reworked visually, and several different minor tweaks were applied to balance out the vehicle.

According to the post on the Toyota Parts newsroom, the new package will come in “four of the popular Prius colors: Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black and Winter Gray Metallic. The added features of the PLUS make this the most fun-to-drive, performance-enhanced Prius, while maintaining its industry-leading fuel efficiency.”

Attention World: Replacement Toyota Parts ARE Available

jasonl — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:23:03 +0000

Toyota’s recent announcement about their summer vehicle production schedule highlights the impact of Japan’s earthquake on the supply of auto parts. From Toyota:

“[Toyota] plans to continue procuring parts from the same suppliers, but it will consider substitute parts from other suppliers. TMC said there are approximately 150 parts affecting new-vehicle production, mainly electronic, rubber and paint-related. However, replacement parts for sales service and repair are available [emphasis added].”

It may seem odd that, on one hand, Toyota doesn’t have parts to manufacturer new vehicles but that, on the other, Toyota has replacement parts available. How can this be?

Most Toyota Replacement Part Inventories Are Strong

If you look across the Toyota parts catalog, you’ll see that the vast majority of parts we sell (98%+) are readily available. This is because production of the vast majority of Toyota vehicle parts was not effected by the earthquake in Japan. In fact, many parts Toyota uses on new vehicles sold in the USA aren’t built in Japan – they’re built right here in this country. So many of Toyota’s best-selling vehicles – like the Tundra, Camry, Tacoma, Sienna, etc. – are built in the United States and the parts come from U.S. suppliers.

What’s more, we really don’t even have parts that are in “short supply” – the worst case scenario is that the replacement Toyota part you need is on “controlled allocation,” which means you’ll need to wait a little longer for us to order the part for you.

That’s it – no shortages, no problems fixing your car, and the very worst case is a slightly longer wait while we order your part.

So, if you’re thinking about buying some cheap Toyota parts from some mysterious-looking store on eBay because you think your dealer is out of parts, don’t risk it. You can get the parts you need online from Parts.olathetoyota.com.

0-20 Oil Switch

admin — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:27:54 +0000

0-20 oil is a fully synthetic oil being used in the 2010 Prius, 2010 Camry (4 cylinder), and the 2010 Tundra (4.6-liter). This switch is because 0-20 oil has cleaner emissions and doesn’t produce sludge. It increases fuel mileage (almost 1mpg) on the highway and city. This oil also fits the tighter EPA standards for oil.

So why pay a little more for a pure, synthetic oil? It protects the expensive parts of your car the best without the yucky sludge mess you get with regular oil. Combined with Toyota oil filters , your car will run the best of its abilities. You can increase the life of your car with this simple switch. So, pay a couple dollars more and expand the life of your car, or eventually ruin your car with waxy deposits.

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What Is OW-20 Oil?

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:00:39 +0000

OW-20 Oil is pure synthetic oil that retails for around $6.36 a quart. That is a pretty high price to pay for one quart, but it is the best oil that you can put into your Toyota. You might be able to haggle with the Toyota Parts department and get a better deal.

Toyota Motor Oil SAE OW-20 is only recommended on certain types of Toyota vehicles, mostly hybrids, so please check with your local Kansas City Toyota Dealership and make sure that your vehicle is one that will take this kind of oil. Sure, there are other oil makers that produce this weight of oil and it might be ok, but wouldn’t you rather spend the extra money and get the Genuine Toyota brand?

Installing New Brake Pads

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:00:00 +0000

In Part I we explained how to remove the old brake pad from your Toyota. Now it’s time to replace it with a genuine Toyota brake pad.

Once you have inspected all the old shims and mounting hardware to determine if they need to be replaced with Genuine Toyota Parts, return the support plates to the caliper bracket. Place wear indicators from the old brake pads on the new brake pads. Make sure that the arrow on the indicator plate points in the direction that the tire rotates. Place the shims on the outside of each brake pad and insert the pads into the caliper bracket.

Use the recommended piston caliper tool if needed to turn the caliper piston clockwise while pressing it into the caliper bore. Place the caliper over the brake pads. Insert and tighten the caliper mounting bolts.

You will then want to replace the tire and wheel and lower the car to the ground. Finally, pump the brake pedal a few times in order to seat the pads. Use these steps to ensure your Toyota Parts keep their high end quality for the longest time.

Do Your Rear Toyota Brake Pads Need Changing?

Do Your Rear Toyota Brake Pads Need Changing?

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:28:09 +0000

Replacing your brake pads with genuine Toyota parts is an important part of keeping your Toyota in top shape. Before you get started you’ll need to follow these three easy steps

Park on flat ground and put blocks in front of the front tires so your Toyota doesn’t move while you are working on it.
Order the Genuine Toyota Parts that you will need for the project.
Make sure that you have all of the tools to do the job.

Find the brake master cylinder under the hood. If it is necessary, remove brake fluid using a turkey baster until the level is less than half full. Always remember to dispose of the fluids according to your state laws. Use a quality DOT 4 Brake fluid for the job.

Raise the back end of your car with a car jack and remove the rear wheels and tire assembly.

Use a socket wrench to remove the caliper mounting bolts. Slide the caliper off the disk rotor and hang it in the wheel well using a small bungee. DO NOT LET THE CALIPER HANG FROM THE BRAKE HOSE!

Remove the brake pads from the caliper also at this time remove all shims, springs, wear indicators and support from the caliper. Remember to always replace with Toyota Parts.

In part II we’ll cover how to install new brake pads on your Toyota.

Toyota Takes Owners and Enthusiasts on a Fun Filled Ride With Their Official Blog Site

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:00:40 +0000

The Toyota Open Road Blog is the official blog site for Toyota. Toyota vehicle owners can visit open road to find up to date news about the goings on in the world of Toyota.

There are many different blogs to visit from Open Road and there are several topic categories to visit. Topics range from being green and community affairs to motorsports and new product launches and so much more. Scion has an entire section devoted to it. The Scion section covers all things scion with cool graphics and information on what’s new in the scion world. The only thing that you might not find right away is a section for Toyota Parts that specifically apply to Scions.

Toyota’s official blog is chalk full of information and it even has Toyota TV! You can get information on new cars and products straight from the horse’s mouth…so to speak.

Got a question on fuel economy? There is a section. Wanna know more about Toyota’s hybrids and Toyota Hybrid Parts? Yep an entire section! You want to know something about what is going on at Toyota right now? Check out Toyota’s Open Road Blog! You are welcome to post your comments to any of the blog postings, pretty cool. There is a lot to explore, so to http://blog.toyota.com/ to see for yourself!

Toyota Owners Online, the best place for Toyota Owners to be!

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:12:34 +0000

Toyota Owners online is the official Toyota website for all Toyota owners. If you own a Toyota you can go here to find out how to get genuine Toyota parts, do-it-yourself tips, a car care guide, the best Toyota Accessories, online maintenance guides and so much more. Powered by Toyota, this is the best site to make sure your Toyota gets the love it needs.

Toyota Owners Online has literally everything you need. Financing options, Quick vehicle reference guides, fun stories from other Toyota owners, basic warranty information for your vehicle type, and so on. You also have access to the Toyota Truck Nation (cool site just for truck owners), and by becoming a member you get exclusive access to owner vehicle information, discounts, benefits and more! More than this blog has room to list so go check it out and see for yourself!

To join simply go to www.toyotaownersonline.com.

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