It Bears Mention: Prius Is a Crowd Favorite

… And by crowd we’re not limiting our discussion to humans! How could we after news broke last week about a family vacationing in Lake Tahoe, California, that awoke to find an 800-pound bear inside their 2002 Toyota Prius.

The bear, who apparently clawed his way into the vehicle, must have become panicked, because he started honking the horn and thrashing around in an attempt to make a gracious exit—our guess, he realized there wasn’t any food in the vehicle and decided to move on in search of another “fast food” outlet. Insistent on getting out, the bear moved the gear shift into neutral, causing the vehicle to roll down a hill and into a neighbor’s lawn.

Interestingly, none of the Prius’ windows were harmed during the bear’s escapade, which one can only surmise means this isn’t the first time the bear was breaking and entering. Can Westboro Toyota really blame him, though: The Toyota Prius is the most popular hybrid in America. Maybe he just wanted to see what all the buzz is about.

Turns out, too, this isn’t the only bear with an affinity for Toyotas. Last summer, a brown bear found his way into a Toyota Corolla. Black or brown, these bears deep down must be green. After all, the Prius and the Corolla are both efficient gas-consuming machines in their own right!

What Effect Has Your Toyota Camry Had on You?

Thirty years ago Toyota introduced the Camry. Since then 9 million drivers have made it a part of their lives. If you’re one of the 6.8 million people in the United States who owns a Toyota Camry today, you know firsthand that it’s roomy, comfortable, and dependable, so much so that it’s been named the best-selling car in the country year after year. Statistics are great, but Westboro Toyota knows what really counts is what your Camry means to you.

We’re proud to announce the launch of Camry Effect, an online forum where you can tell your story, upload photos of you and your Camry, post videos, and share information and experiences with other Camry lovers. You’ll also get the chance to participate in Toyota surveys. Accessing Camry Effect is a snap—just log in through your Facebook or Google gmail account and you’re good to go.

Each Toyota Camry owner has got a story, and Westboro Toyota wants to hear yours—from those first dates and the late-night snack runs to those unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime family trips…whatever your destination, we’re inviting you to share with us, and the world, your journey on Camry Effect.

Give it a spin!

Back to school means back to safety basics

Happy September! It’s not officially fall yet, but given the cool breeze that blew through following Tropical Storm Irene, it sure did feel like it. Yup, excursions to the apple orchards are within our sights with Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, just days away.

Another sure sign that the dog days of summer will soon be a speck in the rear-view is that large, bright, yellow thing on the horizon. No, not talking about the big ’ol sun in the sky. It’s all of those school buses that are back on the roads for the 2011-12 school year that’s got us thinking.

What’s on our mind? Why safety, of course. From little ones, teens and all those tweens in between, this week students of all ages are getting back to the academic grind. That means it’s especially important to mind the speed limit and pay extra close attention to those flashing school bus lights. Even when no bus is around, kids could dart out into traffic, so be at the ready to apply those brakes as needed.

Your brakes are arguably the most important mechanical part of your vehicle. What are some sure signs it could be time for new ones? If you hear squealing or squeaking get it checked. Also, if you feel a pulsating sensation when you apply them that could be a sign that the rotors need attention. And, if you need to push your foot very close to the floor to get your vehicle to slow down, don’t ignore that symptom, which is a very serious sign that your brakes are in need of repair.

Normal wear and tear is to be expected and replacement of your brake pads is inevitable. The frequency of the pad replacement depends on a number of factors, including your driving habits. If you commute in bumper-to-bumper traffic regularly you may need to replace the brake pads more frequently than someone who primarily cruises on the highway during non-peak hours.

When you bring your vehicle in to be serviced at Westboro Toyota, we will assess just how “healthy” your brakes are. Don’t forget that you can book your appointments online – it’s fast and it’s simple.

Smart Stop Technology

Westboro Toyota is pleased to report that Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to offer Smart Stop Technology (SST) as standard equipment in all 2011 Toyota models. SST, an advanced braking technology, reduces engine power when both pedals are pressed at the same time under certain conditions. SST intervenes when the accelerator is depressed first and the brakes are applied firmly for longer than one-half second at speeds greater than five miles per hour.

With normal driving conditions, SST isn’t noticeable. But, when you’re parked or stopped on a hill it is. It doesn’t engage if the brake pedal is depressed before the accelerator pedal, which allows a vehicle starting on a steep hill to safely accelerate without rolling backward. That’s peace of mind we can all use.

So, with the start of the school year now underway, remember: Get those brakes checked. And, exercise those defensive driving skills especially in the morning and afternoon when the kids are piling on and off the school bus. And, have a safe Happy Labor Day weekend!

Are you ‘entune’?

Did you know that when you purchase select Toyota models, like the 2012 Camry Hybrid XLE, you’ll get three years of complimentary access to mobile applications and services that most smartphones offer?

With Entune™, drivers’ ability to access their favorite mobile apps is just a click away. Simply connect the smartphone to the wireless, voice-recognition software, and you can be in tune with many favorite mobile apps, like Bing, iHeartRadio, OpenTable ®, MovieTickets.com, and Pandora. Users can also “entertune” themselves by accessing sports scores, getting updates on how their stocks are doing, checking traffic delays and weather, and comparing fuel prices.

This “infotainment” gadget is worth checking out once select 2012 models hit the Westboro Toyota showroom floor soon.

Only four more days until the all-new 2012 Toyota Camry is unveiled!

Westboro Toyota is super ecstatic to announce that the brand-new, redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry will be unveiled in less than a week!

It’s a first-of-its-kind reveal that Toyota Motor Corp. is undertaking, with a presentation you can view live via the Web at 1 p.m. EDT on Aug. 23. On that day, visit Toyota to participate in this unique event.

Following the unveiling, Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager for Toyota Division, will be hosting a TweetChat via Twitter at 4 p.m. EDT so you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the newly designed Camry (use Twitter hashtag #CamryLive to pose questions during the TweetChat).

And, of course, we'd love to have you come down here to Westboro Toyota to find out just what the 2012 Camry has to offer. The all-new 2012 Camry and Camry Hybrid are set to hit our showroom this fall and we can’t wait: They’re loaded with technologically advanced features, contemporary designs inside and out, improved performance and fuel efficiency and refined ride and handling.

‘Backseat Driver’ app puts kids in the driver’s seat for roadway entertainment

Those of you who regularly read our blog or visit our website know that Westboro Toyota is all about technology – putting Live Pricing, online service and maintenance scheduling and Kelley Blue Book appraisals, to name a few, at your fingertips. We strive to make your buying and servicing experiences a smooth ride and now Toyota Motor Corp.’s ToyToyota is giving your passengers a creative way to enjoy their ride, too!

A new ToyToyota iPhone app lets kids simulate the driving experience from the backseat of your Camry, Pruis, Corolla, Rav 4, or other Toyota model. “Backseat Driver” gives iPhone users the chance to steer their vehicle (called “My Car”) clear of another one (called “Papa Car”), which uses the iPhone’s GPS functionality to mimic the route mom and dad are really taking in the front seat. Keeping a safe distant from Papa Car isn’t the only object of the game. Users also try and catch icons associated with the real-life landmarks they’re passing by. With the points earned from catching those icons, players can cash in to customize their cars. Players also can share their car designs and the routes they’ve traveled on Twitter.

And, while we’re on the subject of cars and kids, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Child Passenger Safety Week will take place September 18 – 24. Visit NHTSA for dates and locations in our area when certified child passenger safety technicians will be on hand to inspect car seats and provide hands-on advice free of charge.

Blue Is the Color of Money on Your Trade-In!

Want to know how much green you can get for your trade-in? Check out Westboro Toyota’s Kelley Blue Book interactive tool. The process is simple, you just need to:

1) Identify your vehicle by year, make, model and trim;

2) plug in your mileage and zip code;

3) select which options your vehicle comes with and its current condition; and

4) provide your contact information so we can get your customized trade-in report out to you right away.

Kelley Blue Book is the trusted source for prices, values and expert and consumer reviews on new and used cars. Before buying or selling your next car, use our Kelley Blue Book tool to find out what your car is worth and what’s a reasonable price to expect for any new or certified used car or truck you’re thinking about buying. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s just one more way Westboro Toyota strives to make your shopping experience easy and enjoyable.

Also, now’s a great time to trade in your car or truck. You don’t want to miss our new car specials, going on right now. Deals abound on brand new 2011 Toyota Corollas, Camrys, Rav 4s, Siennas, Camry Hybrids, and more. Check out our live pricing for more details.