Think of your Toyota as an elite athlete. It’s made up of a complex group of systems working together, in order to perform at high levels for extended periods of time. Just like an elite athlete, your Toyota needs regular, specific care and maintenance, administered by experts, to perform at its best.

Sound complicated? It doesn’t have to be. Make the decision to maintain your Toyota at your local Toyota Service Center, following the service schedule outlined in your owner’s manual. The mechanics at your dealership are specifically trained to work on Toyotas, and only use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)genuine Toyota parts.   

Let’s talk about the basics of regular maintenance and key maintenance areas including tips for seasonal maintenance. 

The Basics

To start to understand the maintenance guidelines for your Toyota, look no further than your glove compartment. Your Owner’s Manual is a treasure trove of information, including a recommended service schedule, warranty information and vehicle specifications. View your Owner’s Manual here.

Every Toyota model has a specific recommended maintenance schedule. This can vary based on the vehicle’s model and age.

Key Maintenance Areas

Oil changes are important because, after a period of time, the oil in your car can break down and degrade. Motor oil’s job is to keep the engine running smoothly by lubricating the engine’s moving parts. Degraded oil can thicken and become less effective, making your engine’s performance less efficient. Another important reason to keep up with recommended oil changes? Not doing so can cause engine failure, and can void your warranty.

Tire care is important, too, and includes regular tire rotations, balancing and maintaining proper tire pressure for safety and performance. Tire rotation helps your tires wear more evenly and can help your Toyota drive better. Proper tire pressure can help give you better fuel efficiency. Experts at Firestone Complete Auto Care advise that properly balanced tires help your vehicle carry its weight evenly. Balanced tires give you a smoother ride. Having the alignment of your tires’ checked ensures that the angle of your tires is correct, optimizing their contact with the street.  

Brake System: Regular brake inspections and timely replacement of brake pads and rotors are important for your safety. When your brakes are in well-maintained condition, you’ll have better control of your Toyota while driving, better stopping power and improved stopping distance.

Battery Maintenance: Any time you’ve opened your Toyota’s hood, take a moment to check your battery. Corrosion or buildup on the battery contacts can decrease the life of your battery or even contribute to electrical problems in your Toyota. If you spot corrosion, which can look like a grainy white, green or blue powder, you can easily remove it with a wire brush designed for cleaning batteries. 

Fluid Checks: You can help contribute to your Toyota’s good health by making sure these fluid levels are kept full: radiator coolant/antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, air conditioning coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid. The professional mechanics at your local Toyota dealer can help you check your car’s fluids and keep them at the right levels.

Seasonal Maintenance includes making sure your Toyota is ready for the extremes of winter and summer. Your friends at ThoughtFuel created this guide to winter car care and safety. When it comes to ‘summerizing’ your Toyota, you’ll want to check that your tires are properly inflated, windshield wipers are in good shape, check the coolant level in your air conditioner, make sure your air filters are fresh, test your battery and make sure the coolant level in your engine is topped off. Some of these things you can tackle yourself, like changing the wiper blades or topping off wiper fluid. The rest is probably better left to the pros at your local Toyota dealership.

Leaving important regular maintenance to certified Toyota mechanics makes sense, and we’ve got Prepaid Maintenance Plans designed to help you keep your eligible Toyota in tip-top shape with oil and filter changes, major maintenance (30k, 45k, 60k and 75k miles), tire rotations and more, depending on the plan you purchase. It's coverage that helps provide the peace of mind you deserve at a price you can plan on. Prepaid Maintenance Plans can help avoid rising maintenance costs while helping to protect your vehicle with maintenance performed by Toyota-trained technicians. Talk to your local Toyota dealership to learn more about Prepaid Maintenance Plans. 

As long as we’re talking maintenance, let’s not forget about taking care of the interior and exterior of your Toyota. Many of us spend hours in our cars each week, so it makes sense to keep it clean and fresh. You can wipe down most interior surfaces with a soft microfiber cloth. When you need to clean a little deeper, make sure you match your products with the task at hand. Glass cleaner for glass, all-purpose cleaner for multiple surfaces and upholstery and carpet cleaner for, you guessed it, your upholstery and carpet. The exterior of your car will look shiny and new longer if you wash it regularly – and properly. Do use products specifically designed for cars. While you’re at it, clean your engine - after it cools down, please – with warm water and a towel.

A little regular maintenance can help your Toyota’s longevity and performance. And if you take care of your Toyota by keeping it clean and well-maintained with a Prepaid Maintenance Plan, it will take better care of you! It's a win-win.

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