Nature’s Calling: Participant in Toyota & National Audubon Society’s New Initiative for Chance to Win a New Prius v

Westboro Toyota knows that summer is the perfect time to hit the road in search of fun! Sure, it’s easy to zip onto the highway so you can get to where you’re going fast. But, Toyota and the National Audubon Society (NAS) want drivers to take the scenic route this summer: After all, taking it slow on undiscovered turf can be at least half the fun!

Toyota and the NAS are teaming up to encourage Americans to pledge to spend more time traversing scenic roadways leading to nature. The campaign, which highlights nearly 100 nature destinations in more than 60 cities across the country, calls for you to snap photos of nature on your stops. Then, you can share those photos at ExitTheHighway.com, where you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a Toyota Prius v, the newest hybrid featuring exceptional cargo space and Prius’ beloved environmental performance and fuel economy.

Visit ExitTheHighway.com for road-trip itineraries that provide inspiration for a day in the great outdoors and unexpected stops on your next road trip. Choose your destinations, then map out how to get there! ExitTheHighway.com currently has five New England exits on its itinerary: Wellesley College, Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Todd Wildlife Sanctuary, Green Mountain Audubon Center and the Scarborough March Audubon Center. 

Westboro Toyota wants to help fellow Bay Staters jumpstart their summertime adventures, and we've  put together a list of routes around Massachusetts to get you started on your scenic summer road trip!

Take a spin on Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway (technically Route 20), which winds through the tiny towns in the Berkshires of Russell, Huntington, Chester, Becket and Lee. It provides scenic views of the Westfield River along the way.

Also, while in the Berkshires, check out Route 7, which winds from north to south through the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts and offers many breathtaking views and quaint roadside adventures.

From Route 7, head to the small town of Laneborough, the setting for the Bay State’s highest peak, Mt. Greylock. The mountain stands at 3,491 feet and the summit provides a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape—talk about a great photo opp!

If it’s ocean air you crave, head southeast to Cape Cod for a jaunt across the Cape and up the elbow to Provincetown. Aside from the traffic, the pace is slow, with miles of beaches to enjoy, quaint resort towns and a peppering of seafood shacks along the way. Also on the Cape, Route 6A, which winds through Dennis and Brewster, offers some of fabulous bay- and oceanside water experiences.

To the North—Shore that is—take a jaunt on Route 1A, a scenic road that winds up the coastline from Swampscott through quaint towns like Manchester-by-the-Sea, all the way up to Ipswich and Plum Island, near Newburyport.

Another interesting scenic route veers off of Route 1A, bearing right at Route 127, where you’ll find a lovely and breathtaking view of the open Atlantic. Route 127 winds through the picturesque town of Beverly Farms and into Manchester by the Sea, where beachgoers sing the praises of their local beach, literally: Your feet will squeak as you traverse the white, sandy landscape of Singing Beach! 

So, start your engines everyone and get out there and explore all the beauty that nature has to offer! Upload photos from your favorite scenic route to ExitTheHighway.com to share your experiences with the world and for a chance to win a brand-new Toyota Prius v. Plus, you’ll earn bonus entries by sharing photos tagged with #exitthehighway on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Looking to venture away from Massachusetts this summer? Check out ExitTheHighway’s nearly 100 nature destinations—70 of which are free to the public. Toyota has even included links for their hours of operation and directs you to Google Maps for easy to use, point-to-point directions.

Westboro Toyota hopes fellow Bay Staters take advantage of this unique chance to win a brand-new Toyota Prius v. But, if you can’t wait to find out whether you’ve won the sweepstakes, stop by Westboro Toyota to test drive a new Prius v today! We’ve got brand-new five-door wagons in stock. Right now, our live pricing starts at just $26,133 (Stk # T36257).

And, if you’re looking to finance a new Prius, or any other car, truck or SUV, Westboro Toyota’s experienced finance department will help you secure a loan that works for you. We offer quick credit checks, special financing and rebates for military and college graduate.

Happy travels everyone; we can't wait to see your adventures memorialized in your photos on ExitTheHighway.com, and best of luck in your quest to win that brand-new Toyota Prius v!

Westboro Toyota’s Tips for Staying Cool—and Safe—in Vehicles During Extreme Heat Events

With temperatures soaring high into the nineties today and yesterday, the Central Massachusetts/Metrowest area is in the thick of a potentially dangerous heat event.

Westboro Toyota wants you to know that when extreme heat strikes, it's important to be mindful of what’s acceptable and not acceptable to keep in your vehicle. The temperature inside a parked vehicle with the windows up could skyrocket to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit because the heat that seeps in through the windows is immediately absorbed by the vehicle’s interior. The vehicle’s glass, which acts as an insulator, can, in some cases, cause the interior temperature to rise to as much as 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to the Department of Geosciences, this year five children have died due to hyperthermia (heat stroke) from being in hot cars, trucks, vans and SUVs.  In 2011, at least 33 kids suffered hyperthermia fatalities.

This is a needless tragedy that underscores the importance of never leaving a child or a pet in a hot vehicle.

Aside from protecting the most precious cargo of all, human and animal life, here are some tips Westboro Toyota has put together to help you stay safe and cool in the hot summer sun:

1) Park in the shade whenever possible, and park facing away from the direction in which the sun is beating down on the vehicle.

2) Consider adding a slight tint to your vehicles’ windows. Just be mindful of Massachusetts’ law when tinting the windows on your car, truck or SUV. Check how dark the tint is compared to Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%), which refers to the percentage of visible light that comes through the film and window.

Keep in mind, too, that the non-reflective tint is allowed on the top six inches of the windshield only. Front-side, back-side, and rear windows must allow more than 35 percent of light in. Also, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has the authority to grant a waiver on the tinting requirements for valid medical reasons, so if you think you need the tint darker due to a medical concern, check with the RMV.

If your windows aren’t tinted, consider using a sunshade for your windshield.

3) Maintain your vehicle’s transmission and radiator fluids and oil, which is essential all year but especially crucial during the hot summer months. If you own or lease a vehicle adhere to the recommended service schedule in your vehicle owner’s manual and schedule a service appointment with Westboro Toyota if you have any concerns about how your vehicle is performing in the heat. Don't forget, we make it super easy to book your appointments with our handy, 24/7 online scheduler!

4) Travel with a cell phone, bottled water, a spare tire, emergency roadside and first-aid kits, in addition to non-perishable snacks, in case you become stranded on the roadway in the extreme heat.

5) Don’t leave perishable food in your vehicle, such as candy bars, milk products, meat, and other grocery items that will quickly spoil in the heat. Also, try not to leave CDs and other items made from synthetic materials in the vehicle, as they could melt under the beating sun. In addition, be sure to remove anything that could potentially combust, such as aerosol cans of hairspray or sunblock.

Stay cool and safe everyone!  

Why buying an electric Toyota Prius makes financial sense: From saving on fuel costs to taking advantage of substantial federal tax credits

When you think of electric vehicles, Westboro Toyota wants you to think of several things—from the phenomenal fuel economy and the roomy cabin and cargo space present in many of the electrics of today to the latest technological bells and whistles discerning consumers have come to expect in their electric vehicles and yes, of course, those precious tax credits!
Purchasing a plug-in vehicle, such as the Toyota Prius, could mean big savings in the federal tax department. For example, the Prius is available for the Federal Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle tax credit—and the 2012 tax credit maxes out at $2,500 (not too shabby)!

Now is a great time to get in on the federal-tax-credit action because the Bay State is one of just 14 states where the Toyota Prius Plug-in launched earlier this year.  Also, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), those who purchase a Rav4 EV may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500. 

Right now, Westboro Toyota's brand-new 2012 Prius Plug-ins start at a little more than $31,000. Plus we've got many other Priuses in stock right now, like a brand-new 2012 Prius Two (model #1223, stk #35964) for just $23,263, which offers tremendous value with its 51/48 mpg. The Prius v Two is priced to sell, too, at just $25,610 (model #1243, stk #36007).

The IRS regularly posts announcements concerning tax credits and other tax news. If you’re in the market to save money when purchasing a new electric vehicle (and who isn’t), be sure to visit the IRS to see if the agency has established any new tax credits for qualifying vehicles.
Keep in mind, too, that it’s a good idea to consult with your individual tax advisor to determine the specific amount of a tax credit you may be eligible to claim on your federal income tax returns.

Toyota: We Are Family—Get a Load of These Three Best Family Car Picks for 2012!

Westboro Toyota is excited to announce that Parents magazine and Edmunds.com have selected three Toyota models as the best family cars for 2012!

As a family-owned and operated Toyota dealership serving Central Massachusetts and Metrowest since the 1970s, Westboro Toyota couldn’t be more proud of our automotive brood.

If you’re in the market for a family vehicle, check out the three best family car picks for 2012: the Toyota Prius (high-mileage category—40-plus mpg), the Toyota Camry (sedan category) and the Toyota Sienna (large vehicle category).

The vehicles were evaluated on a number of criteria that may be particularly important to families, such as kid-friendly feature, safety, fuel economy, ride comfort, styling and handling.

This is the fifth consecutive year that several Toyota models have made this list. Westboro Toyota isn’t surprised though (call us doting parents if you must!) because we know that Toyotas aren’t just known for their safety, quality and durability—they’re also recognized for features that focus on convenience and technology to make drivers (and their families) lives' easier.

We’d like to give a high-five to the newest member of the Prius family—the Prius v, which was recognized for its stable ride and ample cargo space and praised for its versatility and standard technology features including the Entune^® mulitmedia system and a hands-free smart key, which unlocks the driver’s side door as you approach the door handle.
 

Next up is the all-new seventh generation 2012 Toyota Camry, with its updated styling, convenient Entune technology, quiet ride, ample cargo space and excellent fuel economy. It’s no wonder why the Camry is America’s best-selling car and an extremely popular choice for families, especially because it was an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012. IIHS, which stands for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, rates vehicles on how well they protect occupants in front, side and rear impact crashes and rollovers. Top safety pick awards recognize those vehicles offering the greatest level of crash protection. Way to go Camry for your IIHS rating!

Last but by no means least in the Toyota Sienna minivan, chosen for its flexible configurations to fit every family, type of trip and cargo combination. In 2010, the Sienna was completely redesigned to cater to the needs of drivers seeking a traditional family van that could meet the growing demands of needing more responsive driving characteristics, contemporary styling and onboard entertainment technology.  The Sienna has got the state-of-the-art features and rewarding driving dynamics to satisfy families of all sizes!

So, what are you waiting for, stop by Westboro Toyota today to take the family out for a test drive!