Learn the Toll Extreme Heat Can Take on Your Vehicle

The heat is about to be on. Local meteorologists are reporting that by week’s end, we’ll be experiencing temperatures in the mid-90s!

The heat not only has the potential of taking a toll on humans and our pets; it also can do a number on our vehicles. Westboro Toyota wants you to make sure that your vehicle is protected in the hot summer-like heat that’s moving into Massachusetts very soon. Here’s a rundown on many of the vehicle components that may be adversely affected by extreme heat:

Tires—Hot temperatures can lead to cracks in tire treads, bubbles in the tire’s sidewalls, or bald spots—which can all make your tires more susceptible to blowouts or disintegration. As a best practice, have your tires inspected during oil changes. Westboro Toyota offers a 21-point inspection, which includes a check of your vehicle’s tires—tire pressure check and rotation— in addition to an oil change and brake check.

It’s important, too, to make sure your tires are properly inflated to handle the heat of summer roadways. Consult your vehicle owners’ manual for specific information on how to achieve optimal tire inflation levels for your car, truck or SUV. And, when it's time for new tires, visit Westboro Toyota's Tire Center.

Car Battery—Just as the Old Man Winter can bear down negatively on your vehicle’s battery, so can the hot summer sun! High temperatures are notorious for accelerating the car battery’s chemical operation. This can result in a loss of internal fluids, which means the battery may be more prone to fizzling out.

Cleaning the vehicle’s battery may go a long way toward preventing an untimely battery burnout. Westboro Toyota stocks TrueStartTM batteries, which are designed for long life! Schedule your car battery installation or service with us today!

Belts, cooling system and hoses—Excessive heat may cause cracks in vehicle hoses, which could spell disaster if the radiator fails or causes the engine to overheat. Westboro Toyota recommends having your belts and hoses regularly inspected, such as during your regularly scheduled factory maintenance.

Be sure to read our blog post from last week, too, about recharging your vehicle’s AC ahead of the hot summer heat!

Transmission—If neglected a vehicle’s transmission may fail in the dog days of summer. Therefore, we cannot stress enough that every car owner should ensure that their transmission fluid is filled and changed at the recommended intervals per their particular vehicle’s factory scheduled maintenance schedule.

Contact Westboro Toyota’s service department today to book your service ahead of the hot summer heat! Our experienced Toyota factory-trained technicians are here to address all of your questions and concerns. Use our handy 24/7 online scheduler to book your vehicle service appointment today!

Recharge Your Vehicle's A/C Before the Official Start of Summer!

Today’s not too humid, but yesterday’s soupy, hot air served as a wake-up call that summer is just about here. And, with the official kick off of summer just days away, now is the time to get your vehicle’s air conditioner recharged so your can enjoy a comfortable, cool ride from Memorial Day all the way through Labor Day!

Here are a couple of signs that may mean your vehicle’s air conditioner is in need of a recharge.

• The A/C isn’t putting out air that’s in the vicinity of 50-percent cooler than the air currently in the passenger cabin—an A/C that’s low on refrigerant may still produce cool air, but it’s not going to be as cold as it would be if the A/C was fully charged.

• Toyota’s factory-installed A/Cs have what’s called “sight glass.” This is housed near the engine compartment on the condenser assembly and can help you tell if your Toyota is low on refrigerant.

If you think you're A/C is in need of repair, book your service appointment with Westboro Toyota so we can diagnose the problem. A vehicle’s A/C can fail due to a leak in the hose or condenser unit. Also, the condenser belt could be in need of replacing. 

We can also inspect the front of the condenser to see if any of the fins are bent or if materials that could compromise your air conditioner’s performance—such as leaves, bugs and dirt—are present.

Book your service appointment today. Westboro Toyota offers fast, convenient and quality automotive service to customers in Central Massachusetts and MetroWest, and, during our Toyota Time Sales Event, you can save when buying or leasing a brand-new Toyota. Stop by today to test drive a new Toyota today—and you know the A/C’s gonna crack on these beauties!

4 Reasons to Buy a New Toyota 4Runner!

Rugged, refined, comfortable and powerful! Those are four accurate ways to describe the Toyota 4Runner, which for nearly 30 years has been a top pick for off-roading enthusiasts in need of a mid-size SUV with the punch to back up its go-anywhere attitude!

In keeping with its tradition of offering exceptional performance capability and excellent value, the all-new 2014 Toyota 4Runner does not disappoint. The fifth-generation 2014 4Runner sports the rugged exterior design Westboro Toyota and all of you have come to love.

The 2014 4Runner, which was unveiled recently at the Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, Calif., promises to be a hit when it arrives on Westboro Toyota’s lot in the coming months. In the meantime, take a look at the outstanding features of the 2014 Toyota 4Runner—many of which carry over from the brand-new 2013 4Runners we’ve got in stock today—the 2013 4Runner, by the way, is on sale right now during our Toyota Time sales event.

Rugged body-on-frame construction with comprehensive suspension technology for optimal off-road capability—Translation: A smooth ride with the comfort you’ve come to expect from a crossover.

Three grade options: SR5 (well-equipped and driven by its value); Limited (premium, top-of-the-line); and Trail (offering maximum off-road capabilities), plus the SR5 and Limited grades have an optional third row (seven-person capacity)! Plus, the 2014 4Runner comes with the choice of a rear wheel 4x2, part-time 4x4 or a full-time multi-mode 4x4 with a locking center differential.

Power! All 2014 4Runner models are equipped with a powerful 4.0-liter, 270-horsepower V6 engine and five-speed ECT-i automatic transmission. Plus, the 4Runner’s fuel economy stands up to many crossover SUVs with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway for 4x2 models, and 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for 4x4.  Don’t forget, too, that the 4Runner has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and all vehicles feature an integrated tow-hitch receiver and wiring harness as standard equipment.

Color options abound: The 2014 4Runner comes in eight exterior colors that include some newbies— Super White; Attitude Black Metallic; Barcelona Red Metallic; and Nautical Blue Metallic. 4Runner favorites like Pearl; Classic Silver Metallic; Magnetic Gray Metallic; and Black will still be available, too!

Outstanding control for off-roading—In keeping with tradition, the all-new 2014 Toyota 4Runner will come standard with Downhill Assist Control (DAC), which augments the low-speed ascending ability of low-range by helping to hold the vehicle, allowing time for the driver to a target speed with no driver intervention. Plus, all models will come standard with Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), which provides additional control for off-road driving by helping to hold the vehicle stationary before starting on a steep incline or slippery surface.


If you’ve ever driven a Toyota 4Runner, you know that DAC and HAC are must haves for your off-roading adventures! During our Toyota Time sales event, you can save thousands of dollars off the MSRP on a brand-new 2013 4Runner! Plus, qualified buyers may be eligible for $0 down and 2.9% financing. Sign up now to test drive an all-new 2013 4Runner today if you don’t already know for yourself what an exciting and refined ride the 4Runner offers!

Here at Westboro Toyota, we can't wait to see for ourselves how the 2014 4Runner will compliment the 2013 4Runners we've got in stock and ready for purchase or lease right now!

2013 Rav4 Raves: Get the 4-1-1 on This Magnificently Popular SUV Crossover!

Westboro Toyota loves the all-new 2013 Rav4,and it’s clear from recent reports that America has fallen in love with the newly styled SUV crossover, which features mad in-cabin technologies!

Right now, the next-generation 2013 Rav4 is leading the sales charge for the orginal crossover SUV that started what has become the fastest growing segment of the auto industry. We’re not surprised!

Toyota engineers toiled away to determine how to bring consumers like you just want they wanted and needed in a small SUV. And, the all-new 2013 Rav4 has it all:

• A dynamic exterior—check! The 2013 Rav4 features what Toyota eloquently describes as a progressive silhouette, with a sleek-sloping roofline.

• A contemporary flair—check! The 2013 Rav4, available in LE, XLE and Limited trim lines, is really agile and super fun to drive.

• Impressive in-cabin features like the available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert—check! Stop by to test drive a new Rav4 today, so you can check out Sport Mode, which features Dynamic Torque Control AWD, enhancements in suspension performance and optimized electric power steering.

• A new rear liftgate with spare tire removal from the rear door—check! The Rav4 broke from tradition here, switching from its side-hinged rear door to a convenient roof-hinged liftgate with a space-saver spare tire stored under the cargo floor.

• Improved fuel efficiency, increased cargo capacity, eight standard airbags—check! With the 2013 Rav4’s new Eco mode, you get more efficient driving for maximum mpg—the RAV4 front-wheel drive models get an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency ratings of 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, while all-wheel-drive models are EPA-estimated at 22 city/29 highway mpg.

• Tremendous value—check! The 2013 Rav4 features a standard Display Audio with a 6.1-inch touchscreen and an integrated backup camera, Eco and Sport modes and 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seats.

Opt for the XLE or Limited grades, and you’ll enjoy dual-zone climate control. Plus, Toyota’s Entune™ multimedia system is also available on these trims.

Plus, the 2013 Rav4 Limited features a new adjustable power liftgate, Premium SofTex seating, power driver’s seat with memory, heated front seats and Smart Key system.

Right now Westboro Toyota’s Toyota Time sales event is going on through June 3, 2013, and that means you can get even more bang for the buck by buying or leasing a brand-new 2013 Rav4—we’re generally talking thousands of dollars off the MSRP in most cases!

Don't forget: Sign up to test drive the all-new 2013 Rav4 today and you'll get a $10 Exxon-Mobil gift card for free!

What are you waiting for? With the Toyota Time sales event upon us, now’s the perfect time to find out what all the buzz about the 2013 Rav4 is all about!

6 Tips to Keep Teenage Drivers Safe as They Celebrate Prom and Graduation

Spring has sprung, and that means it’s just about time for Central Massachusetts and Metro West area high schools to hold their proms and graduations. It sure is a great time of year for teenagers looking to celebrate by getting together with friends at their formal dances and high school graduation parties! But, time of celebration should also mean time for reflection.

Tragically, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teenage deaths and teenage drivers are three times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than other drivers. Westboro Toyota wants all of our young people to stay safe as they travel to and from prom and graduation parties—and any other time they’re driving or riding on the roads for that matter!

We’ve put together a few safety tips we hope parents and educators will share with the teenage drivers and passengers in their lives:

Wear your seat belt at all times—this goes for all drivers and passengers of all ages! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2012 of the 5,000 victims of motor vehicle accidents between the ages of 16 and 20, nearly 60 percent were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of impact. Please, we cannot stress this enough: Buckle up, everyone!

Restrict nighttime driving if possible because most car crashes involving teenagers occur three hours before and up until midnight.

Urge teen drivers to cut back on the number of passengers in their vehicle to help scale back any unnecessary distractions those passengers could cause for the driver.

Drive as you would want your teenage to drive! In other words, set the example for your youngster to follow. Obey the rules of the road; drive defensively; and be courteous to fellow drivers on the roadways.

Remind teens that not only is underage drinking illegal but it could have devastating consequences on the roadways. NHTSA statistics reveal that 64 percent of teen drivers killed in motor vehicle accidents had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 (the legal limit here in Massachusetts) or higher.

Select a vehicle for your teenager to drive based on safety. And there’s good news for teens looking for a sporty ride! Toyota’s fleet of new and pre-owned vehicles offer a wide array of safety features that can help keep drivers and passengers of all ages safe on the roadways. In fact, Toyota is the first automaker to make its Star Safety System™ features standard in all of its vehicles. These include:

• vehicle stability control;

• traction control;

• anti-lock brake system;

• electronic brake-force distribution; and

• brake assist.

Westboro Toyota urges all parents to schedule maintenance on the vehicles their teens will be driving this celebratory season. Use our 24/7 online scheduler to book your express maintenance appointment.
Express maintenance is an economical and fast way to ensure that your vehicle is performing efficiently and safely. Using a pit-crew approach, our experienced service team will provide you with accurate, rapid and superior service, which includes:

• oil and filter change;

• brake inspection;

• tire rotation;

• fluids inspection and replenishment; and

• multipoint vehicle inspection.

Drive and ride safe everyone!